Rivers: Rotimi Amaechi Hits Tinubu, Accuses Him Of Intimidating Governors, Power Grab

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March 29, 2025

Rotimi Amaechi and Bola Tinubu2 — Rotimi Amaechi and President Bola Tinubu

By Adesina Soyooye

“If the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers over insecurity and suspended Fubara, should a state of emergency be declared in Nigeria and the President syspended because there is insecurity everywhere in Nigeria, and the President is in charge. It is not possible. So, why punish an innocent man?”

Former Presidential Aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, APC, Rotimi Amaechi, has slammed President Bola Tinubu over the State of Emergency declared in Rivers State.

Amaechi, a former two-term Governor of Rivers State and the immediate past Minister for Transportation under the President Muhammadu Buhari said that by declaring a State of Emergency in the State, the President has done two things – embarked on a power-grab, and intimidated Governors to line up behind him against 2027 or get same treatment.

Amaechi, known for his blunt manner of speaking, in an interview with DW Africa on Saturday, said the plans were between the President and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike. Wike was Amaechi’s Chief of Staff, and successor in office.

He condemned, strongly, the President’s action in Rivers State, and said that Fubara was punished for an offence he didn’t commit.

It is politically motivated, he submitted.

Amaechi: “It is between the President and the FCT Minister.

“The President wants a power grab. They want to frighten Governors who may not support them in 2027.

So, there is a rumour everywhere that if you are not careful, the President will remove you.

“If the president said it is because of insecurity, because they blew the pipeline, what about part of the country where there is insecurity?

“Is the president saying they should impose emergency rule on him too? They can’t, because he is a democratically elected President. Nobody can impose an emergency rule on him because there is serious insecurity in the North-east, North-west — even in South-east and South-West.

“Rivers Governor has no security responsibility. It rests squarely on the President. So why punish a man who did not commit an offence?”

Amaechi called on the Rivers State people resist President Tinubu’s action and engage in democratic protests to express their opposition to the declaration of Emergency Rule and the suspension of the Governor and all democratically elected people from office.

Mr President declared a State of Emergency in the State for an initial period of six months. He appointed a Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, and suspended the Governor, his Deputy and the Members of the State House of Assembly from office.

Fmr Rivers HoS, Nweke Stabs Fubara On The Back, Accuses Him Of Atrocities

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Ayodele Oni

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March 29, 2025

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George Nweke and His Wife and Simi Fubara

By Ayodele Oni

Wife contradicts him, says he is acting under duress. “My husband will never, in his right senses, speak against Fubara”

The political crisis in Rivers State has entered an unbelievable, dangerous and, at once, ridiculous stage. The recently, according to him, voluntarily, resigned Head of Service under suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Dr George Nweke, has stabbed him on the back.

Nweke had resigned from office as soon as the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, appointed by President Bola Tinubu assumed office.

Many wondered why he did, especially, as Ibas, while accepting his resignation said it was with sadness and wished him well in his future endeavours.

But on Friday, March 28, a strange scene in the political crisis in Rivers State which is looking more like a Nollywood African Magic Movie unfolded. Dr Nweke surprisingly surfaced in Abuja and made very terrible allegations against his former Principal, Fubara.

In the long statement, Nweke indicted Fubara, and tried as much as possible to drag a number of people into the mess. They include the respected former Governor of the State, Dr. Peter Odili, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, the State NLC Leadership, and the, at once, famed and notorious Niger Delta Militants.

However, his wife Florence, shocked to her marrows, in an interview said her husband had earlier told her that he resigned because he was being forced to sign false reports against Fubara, particularly of a whopping sum of N15b, allegedly, taken by Fubara.

Mrs Nweke said whatever her husband said, it was under duress. She said he suddenly left for Abuja after informing her of a phone call from a friend, who invited him to Abuja. The last time she spoke to her husband, she said, was on his arrival to Abuja. Since then, she lamented, she has not been able to reach him. She seeks for help, and fears he has been kidnapped.

However, on Saturday, Nweke disclosed he was at the Hilton hotel, very comfortable, and from where he is throwing his bombs at everybody. He is in Abuja, he said, on the invitation of Security Agencies.

Following is Dr Nweke’s public indictment of Fubara and others, where he, also, thanked Mr President for declaring a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

“With the loads of misinformation on print and electronic media, I have chosen to put the record straight, I was not sacked neither was I pressured to resign, I did it willingly from the depth of my heart, however as an insider and a key player in this administration by my position, who worked closely with Siminilayi Fubara, it will be unfair for me to keep silent or not to address some key factors that has affected or will affect our state if we continue on this trajectory.

“I want to use this medium to thank Mr. President for a swift intervention in Rivers State crisis especially on the state of emergency that was declared and assented to by the National Assembly.

“You will recall that when the governor was suspended, as the head of service I was the next in command so I am not speaking from outside, I am speaking as an insider. If not for the intervention of Mr. President Nigeria would have faced the worst economic sabotage and Rivers State would have been up in flames.

“First, it all started with the Rivers State House of Assembly were the Governor, Siminilayi Fubara directed his Chief of Staff (Edison Ehie) to burn down the assembly in a way to avert his impeachment, that evening Edison was in government house with two other boys, including the former Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA one Chijioke. I was there with them when a bag of money was handed over to Edison for that operation, though I do not know the amount inside.”

“A day after that incident, I almost resigned but I was very scared because I know the power of a sitting governor and he knew that I am aware of the whole plan and that I am discomforted with the unconscionable act and deliberate posture of innocence and mien of a sheep.

“Another attempt was also made to destroy the residential quarters of the house of assembly members if not for the press conference that was made there by Rivers youths, Rivers elders and National Assembly members, that would have been another barbaric demolition in Rivers State.

“Fubara told me he would have pulled down the hall of the Assembly members before visiting the residential quarters. I was shocked at the former governor’s readiness to destroy his state assets and waste public funds on a needless ego fight.

“Thirdly I want to advice some key stakeholders who have condemned the State of Emergency made by the President and confirmed by the National Assembly to retract their statements, I also understand that they are only seeing the surface. If the President did not take proactive step, no one knows who would have been affected by the sinister plans that were cooking.

“While I thank Mr. president for the State of Emergency that was declared in Rivers State for a period of 6months, I will plead with him not to give up on Rivers State affairs because a lot are going on there with Governor Fubara.

“One of the factors that got me removed was when Governor Fubara told me that they will use the Ijaws to decide who will become the next President of Nigeria and I asked him how will that work? Is it by votes or by what means?

“He clearly told me that he is the chief security officer of Rivers State and his brother is in charge of Bayelsa State and all the pipelines are under their care that at the appropriate time they will tell the boys what to do and fund was not an issue. That was why when he made that statement in his public function that “I will tell the boys what to do at the appropriate time’ I knew something was up and perhaps the time was near.

“He boasted to be the “David that will bring down the Goliath of Rivers State. That he has the backing of the cream-de-la cream in the state. The likes of Dr. Peter Odili and family promised to use their contacts in the judiciary including some members of their University Council to break new ground for him.

“The plan was to start from non-Ijaw speaking areas to destroy oil facilities to remove attention from the Ijaw and make it have a statewide look. The Ogoni, Oyibo, Ahoda areas were to be bombed first before the Ijaw zones. This would have brought down the government of President Tinubu and usher in a new President from the coalition of political parties with a Vice President from the Ijaws.

“The media was to be captured by paying heavily for airtime and retaining the social media influencers and known social critics in their payroll. I am not unaware of what this revelation means but I am doing this to free my conscience and warn those innocent persons that are used to sway public sentiment, that there is more than meet the eyes in the Rivers matter.

“Sometime, I sleep over in government house but I started being uncomfortable when Gov. Bala Mohammed and some other stakeholders started nocturnal visits to Rivers State. I recalled after one of such visits he told me that he will support Bala Mohammed for president or any other northerner. That discussion are ongoing.

“Though, I was not bothered about who he support but I was more concerned about the quantum of state resources that he releases to theses visitors at each visit.

“Let me also draw the attention of Nigeria Labour Congress to call the Chairman of their Rivers State chapter to order to avoid politicizing Labour. I am privy to several private meetings between the Governor and the Labour leader in the state and the largesse that accompanied each meeting to compromise the Labour Union.

“More worrisome is several meetings between the governor, his chief of staff and some militant leaders. The details of which meetings I am not privy to since I was not allowed into the meetings. However, each meeting ended with huge sum of money paid to attendees.

“I wish to state categorically that Rivers people and indeed Nigerians are the beneficiary of the declaration of state of emergency rule in Rivers State and not Gov. Fubara or Minister Wike.

“Finally, I wish to call on Mr. President to urge the Sole Administrator to step up his guards and be very vigilant because I am aware of the sinister arrangement and dastardly plans to continue to hatch their plans if not put in check. This account for the organized media condemnations and seeming public outcry against Mr. President and National Assembly.”

Nweke’s Wife Cries For Help, Begs Fubara

In response to her husband’s statement, Mrs Florence Nweke has not only asked Fubara to pardon him, but has asked Nigerians to help her husband.

A distraught Mrs Nweke in an interview told Journalists she was afraid for her husband’s life.

She said: “When he got to Abuja, he called that he had landed. I said, ‘Thank God’.

“The next thing I saw this night: people were calling me and said he got an interview. I said, ‘What interview? Interview for what?’ Not until I saw things flying on the internet that he granted an interview. What happened? I said, ‘That is not my husband. That is not my husband.’

“So I sent him a message. I said, ‘Are you under duress?’ I sent him a message. I said, ‘Have they kidnapped you? Talk to me now. Why are you not talking to me?’ This is the message I sent to him when I saw his interview online.

“Oh, Jesus, help me. Nigerians, help me. My husband is in trouble. My husband is in trouble. My husband is in trouble. My husband is in trouble. Look at the message I sent to him. See the message I sent to him. I said, ‘Daddy, why? Were you in hostage?’

I said, ‘Why didn’t you talk to me?’ These are the messages I sent to him, but he didn’t reply to me. His numbers are not going through. Nigerians, help me! Nigerians, help me!”

Mrs Nwaeke, in another video, called on Governor Fubara for help.

“Governor, help me. My husband is in trouble.

He is in trouble. My husband resigned under duress.

“My husband is being forced to confess to things he knew nothing about.

My Husband Can’t Sign Anything Against Fubara

In a video shared by Channels Television Mrs Nweke begged Fubara:

“It’s not him. He resigned and said that he can’t sign anything against you.

“My husband is in trouble. I can’t reach him. I don’t know if they have killed him or if he is being held hostage. I have been calling him, but there is no response. Please help me find him.”

But Fubara responded: Governor Fubara responded by expressing surprise and questioning why his former HoS would turn against him, considering their relationship.

Fubara to Nweke’s wife: “You are sure you are not aware of his actions? There is nothing that happens that he doesn’t share with you. Where have I offended him? After everything I have done for you people, why would he lie against me?”

But Nweke’s wife insisted that her husband would never betray the governor.

She said: “It’s not him. He resigned and said that he can’t sign anything against you. He had refused to be part of any wrongdoing.”

Wike To NBA: You Rejected Emergency Rule Because Of Money

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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March 29, 2025

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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister — Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister.

The Minister of the Federal Cpital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has lashed out at the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, over the Association’s stand on the Emergency Rule declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers state.

Wike is a lawyer and his wife Suzzette , a respected Judge of the Court of Appeal.

The minster, a former governor of the oil bearing state accused the NBA of being driven by monetary gains, warning that the profession is being destroyed by some lawyers because of what they will benefit.

He also accused some of those criticsing the recent Supreme Court ruling on the crisis in the restive oil bearing state, saying they may not have thoroughly red the apex court judgment on the issue.

Wike spoke when the Body of Benchers, BoB, led by its chairman Adegboyega Awomolo paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

On March 19, President Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in the state, suspended Governor Siminalaye Fubara and his Deputy, members of the state House of Assembly, and appointed a Sole Administration, in a very controversial manner that has elicited the criticisms of not a few Nigerians and the NBA, which described the action as unconstitutional.

Speaking Wike disclosed that the NBA criticised the president’s action because they have lost sponsorship for this year’s conference from the state government due to Governor Fubara’s suspension from office.

The minister argued that the judges of the country are being vilified by those that are supposed to defend the nation’s Temple of Justice, wondering why judges are accused of bribery whenever they received support from the government, noting that NBA also receive financial support regularly, citing the construction of NBA National Secretariat for which the minister claimed to be the ‘sole contributor’.

The minister urged the BoB to rise up to the occasion by ensuring discipline in the profession.

“The NBA is against the state of emergency because there would be no money to give them for their conference. What kind of hypocrisy is this?” the FCT minister said.

“Some NBA members go on national television to condemn judgments without even reading them! If you don’t discipline somebody, nobody will learn any lesson.

“We shall no longer allow our profession to be pulled down. I cannot believe, as a lawyer, that you make a contribution to help the legal profession and you will be criticised by your fellow lawyers.

“Sir, the time has come that we need to say look, enough is enough. We cannot continue to discourage our judges and justices. It is not done anywhere.

“I have never seen where members of a profession are the ones bent on bringing the profession down.

“I was the only one who contributed to the NBA to build the national secretariat. The NBA didn’t see it as a bribe.

“When you contribute to the Body of Benchers, it is a bribe, but when you contribute to the NBA, it is not a bribe—they will take it!

“The same NBA will rely on state governments to sponsor their activities, but when the state government supports the judiciary, it is bribery,” Wike declared.

The magazine reports that the minister’s critics have called on the BoB to discipline for his alleged role in the protracted political crisis in the state.

Stability In Rivers State Crucial To Achieving 2.2mbd Crude Oil Production- NESG

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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March 29, 2025

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The Nigeria Economic Summit Group, NESG, says the federal government needs to scale up crude oil production to at least 2.2 million barrel a day to be able to fully implement the 2025 Budget.

The NESG made this known in Abuja the nation’s capital on Friday during the presentation of its strategic vision for 2025, saying the records from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC showed that the nation’s oil production dropped to 1.4 million barrel per day in March this year.

The chief executive officer of the Group, Tayo Aduloju said the nation’s oil production target in the last few years hovered around 1.1 mbd and 2.8 mbd, saying its possible to achieve the government’s projected 2.2mbd this year considering its commitment so far.

He said the Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to achieve 2.8 million bpd has not been in doubt since it came to office in 2023, adding that once this is achieved, it won’t matter the fluctuations of the price of crude oil in the international market.

He said the federal government must ensure that stability returns to Rivers state to avert insecurity which he explained is capable of distorting the nation’s crude oil production plans, adding that despite the fact that other sectors such as mining and agriculture contribute to the nations’ Gross Domestic Product GDP, the oil sector is crucial to earning more foreign exchange for the country.

“The government has shown since it came into office that crude production moved from 1.1 million bpd to 2.2 million bpd, and even to 2.8 million bpd, “ Aduloju stated.

“This shows that the government can achieve 2.2 million bpd if our trajectory is an incremental movement in daily oil production. It means it’s possible.”

“Effective implementation of stabilisation reforms could accelerate Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to 5.5 percent in 2025,” he said.

“Additionally, improved foreign exchange availability will sustain operations in the manufacturing sector, which depends on imported raw materials and intermediate inputs.

“In agriculture, addressing financing, storage, warehousing, and logistics challenges will bolster sectoral performance.

“The oil and gas sector will remain critical, not just for growth but also as a significant contributor to foreign exchange inflows, external balances resilience, and government revenue,” the NESG boss noted.

The magazine reports that the political crisis in the Niger Delta state has threatened the sustainability of the current crude oil production, as analysts urged the federal government to ensure that total peace is returned to the restive state.

“In 2023, Tinubu Fought Institutional Forces Stacked Against Him” – Ajuru Ngalale

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Adesina Soyooye

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March 29, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

“The last man standing does not merely describe a man who heroically campaigned across all nooks of our Federation against Institutional forces who conspired to deny our population its currency and fuel”

In a revealing tribute to President Bola Tinubu on his 73rd Birthday, Ajuru Ngalale, his pioneer Presidential Spokesman, has hinted at the obstacles placed against then Candidate Tinubu’s road to victory by State Institutions.

The conspiracy against his success, Ngalale revealed, ranged from the denial of Nigerians their currency and the scarcity of fuel. Yet, Ngalale said, Tinubu heroically triumphed.

Ngalale, from Ogoni, Rivers State, was former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s Spokesperson. Given that Osinbajo, also, contested against Tinubu in the Presidential Primaries, not a few people wondered how he still emerged as President Tinubu’s main Spokesperson.

However, it is, also, a job he lost within a year in circumstances yet to be properly explained. While he said in his letter that he was stepping aside to deal with an undisclosed health emergency within his family, the story out there is that he was shoved aside by a combination of powerful forces in the Presidency and alleged incompetence.

The alleged incompetence bit is debatable given that while still the Presidential Spokesperson, the President added another high profile assignment for him to head – Presidential Envoy on Climate Action/ Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen. If he was incompetent, many queried, why heap another job on him.

Since he left, he and his wife have welcomed another baby to the family. Ngalale’s mother is German while his father is from Ogoni, Rivers State.

Following, his tribute to President Bola Tinubu.

The Last Man Standing

“My Father, My President, Happy Birthday.

“On my first day serving in the present government, I only knew H.E. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as my President. My Boss. The leader of our great nation, Nigeria.

“I had not had the privilege of being around him, except on two brief occasions before that day, despite a very active campaign effort on his behalf.

“I could not have known then that I would find in him my most profound mentor and nothing less than a father in the truest sense of the word.

“The President has been nicknamed the Last Man Standing.

“The last man standing does not merely describe a man who heroically campaigned across all nooks of our federation against institutional forces who conspired to deny our population its currency and fuel.

“The last man standing does not also merely describe Daddy as the perpetual winner, triumphant over perpetual candidates, who has won every election he has ever participated in dating back to his school days.

“For those who have the rare privilege of knowing him, he is the last man standing in your corner when all odds are stacked against you; rooting you on and guiding you to success.

“Daddy taught me that the cost and value of rigorous mentorship is the price of a glorious future and that it is only paid back once it is paid forward to the next generation.

“Daddy taught me that appropriate patience and strategic restraint will defeat hard power.

“Daddy taught me that consistent persuasion born out of sincere conviction will break the coercive grip of those who beguile and bully others into submission.

“There are too many invaluable morsels of wisdom and expertise gleaned in the presence of my father to share in this short recognition, but I am and will always be honoured to be associated with our nation’s greatest reformer.

“On this special day, I turn to my Father:

“Daddy, I thank you for making the selfless and deliberate choice to use your life’s candlelight to kindle the candle flames of those who will illuminate this dark world for generations to come.

“May God Almighty strengthen you with divine wisdom, peace, health, and all that is required of you to deliver the country of our dreams.

“Happy Birthday.”

Insecurity In Edo: PDP Urges President Tinubu To Declare State Of Emergency

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Ayodele Oni

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March 29, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Following the gruesome murder of some Hausa travellers in Edo State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency.

The opposition party, described as mindless the killing of seven people by an angry mob in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of the State.

The party made the call in a statement on Saturday by its caretaker Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi.

While strongly condemning the action of the mob, the party alleged that the mob was led by the newly reorganized state vigilante operatives of the Governor Monday Okpebholo administration.

“Having suffered repeated killings, abductions, and rape of their women, children, and men in the past few months, the indigenes of the State have become paranoid due to the lack of intervention by the state governor and the security apparatus and out of frustration, have now resorted to extrajudicial killings.

“Also, it is necessary to state that citizens often mirror the character of the government with authority over them.

“Having sensed that Okpebholo’s government does not follow the established rule of law, or obey court judgements, the tendency is there for the civil population to mirror such behaviour.

“With seven people burnt alive in just one day and several other killings numbering over 100 in the past few months, the PDP is therefore calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make the necessary call and declare a state of emergency in Edo State.”

PDP was of the view that the mayhem currently ongoing in Edo far exceeds the skirmishes that happened in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency there.

The party sympathized with the families of the victims of the unfortunate and mindless killings and pray that God grants them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

He noted that kidnapping, killing, maiming, and other violent crimes have now become a daily occurrence in the state under the Okpebholo administration, claiming no fewer than 100 lives in the last few months.

GTCO Profit Hits Record N1.2trn

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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March 29, 2025

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…Pays Shareholders Record Dividend of N8.03k for 2024 Financial Year

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, GTCO, have released its Audited Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, to the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and London Stock Exchange (LSE).

The Group reported profit before tax of ₦1.266trilion, representing an increase of 107.8% over ₦609.3billion recorded in the corresponding year ended December 2023. This performance reflects not just strong earnings but also the quality and sustainability of our earnings, underpinned by a well-diversified revenue base, robust risk management practice, and disciplined capital management.

The Group recorded growth across all financial and non-financial metrics, and continues to maintain a well-structured, healthy, and diversified balance sheet. The Group’s loan book (net) increased by 12.3% from ₦2.48trillion in December 2023 to ₦2.79trillion in December 2024, while deposit liabilities grew by 37.8% from ₦7.55trillion to ₦10.40trillion during the same period. Total assets and shareholders’ funds closed at ₦14.8trillion and ₦2.7trillion, respectively. Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) remained very robust and strong, closing at 39.3%, likewise, asset quality was sustained as evidenced by IFRS 9 Stage 3 Loans which closed at 3.5% at Bank Level and 5.2% at Group in December 2024 (2023: Bank, 2.5%; Group, 4.2%) and cost of risk (COR) closed at 4.9% from 4.5% in December 2023.

Commenting on the results, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc), Mr. Segun Agbaje, said; “Our strong performance for 2024 underscores the resilience and depth of our business, driven by a well-diversified earnings base across our banking and non-banking subsidiaries, all of which are P&L positive. Our capacity to generate sustainable high-quality earnings, maintain strong asset quality, and drive cost efficiencies reflects the soundness of our long-term strategy and disciplined execution. We have also prudently provided for all our forbearance loans, well ahead of the June 2025 timeline, whilst fully accruing for the windfall tax, further strengthening our balance sheet and enhancing financial resilience.

He further added; “The total dividend of N8.03k for the 2024 FYE is underpinned by the quality of our earnings and is in line with our long tradition of increasing dividend pay-out year-on year. Looking ahead, we remain committed to building a Financial Services Group that thrives on innovation, operational efficiency, and sustainable profitability. We will continue to deepen our relationships with customers, leverage technology to deliver cutting-edge financial solutions, and accelerate the growth of all our business verticals—Banking, Funds Management, Pension, and Payments—to unlock new opportunities and create more value for our shareholders.”

Overall, the Group continues to post one of the best metrics in the Nigerian Financial Services industry in terms of key financial ratios i.e., Pre-Tax Return on Equity (ROAE) of 60.5%, Pre-Tax Return on Assets (ROAA) of 10.3%, Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 39.3% and Cost to Income ratio of 24.1%.

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc) is a leading financial services group with operations across Africa and the United Kingdom. Renowned for its strong corporate governance, innovative financial solutions, and customer-centric approach, GTCO Plc provides a wide range of banking and non-banking services, including payments, funds management, and pension fund administration. The Group is committed to delivering long-term value to stakeholders while driving growth and development across its markets.

Anger Rises As EFCC Invades Achimugu’s Residence, Allegedly Harasses Mum

By

Akinwale Kasali

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March 29, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

An Arewa Group of Lawyers has risen in anger over the invasion of the home of prominent socialite and businesswoman, Aisha Suleiman Achimugu, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Achimugu’s Abuja home, located on Number 51, Hassan Katsina, Asokoro, was, reportedly invaded by Operatives of the EFCC hours after the Commission declared her wanted.

She had been invited through a letter dated February 4, 2025, by the EFCC to appear in its Port Harcourt Zonal Headquarters on March 5, 2025.

It is an invitation she did not honour and instead, allegedly, travelled out of the country.

That prompted the EFCC to declare her wanted, and thereafter, reportedly, invaded her home in a fruitless search for her.

In her absence, the Operatives met her aged mother, whom, it is alleged, they harassed.

It is the alleged harassment of Achimugu’s aged mother which has irked the Arewa Group and Lawyers.

In a statement which condemned, in strong language, the alleged harassment of Achimugu’s mother, the Groups said: “Just when we and other Nigerians thought it was over having declared Achimugu wanted over yet unsubstantiated allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering, the armed men of EFCC have invaded her house.

“Despicably, at Aisha’s house located onto 51, Hassan Katsina in Asokoro, Abuja, the Operatives resorted to the harassment of her old mother who may not be aware of the allegations.

“We condemn this brazen act of assault in its entirety and call on relevant authorities, civil societies, the media and the public to rise up and protect the innocent old woman and other members of Alisha ‘s family.”

“Linking Achimugu’s Investigation With Atiku, Sanwo-Olu, Mischievous” – EFCC

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 29, 2025

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Atiku Abubkar and Aisha and Babajide Sanwo-olu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has described as mischief, any connection with former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to its investigation of socialite and businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu.

The EFCC had invited Achimugu in connection with an investigation of fraud and money laundering where her name featured. The invitation was to its Port Harcourt Zonal Headquarters against March 5, in a letter dated March 4, 2025, which they delivered to her Abuja residence.

However, she did not honour the invitation. Instead, said reports, she travelled out of the country forcing the EFCC to go to Court for a warrant of arrest with which she was declared wanted.

But out of the blues, reports surfaced and connected Achimugu’s EFCC problem to politics. They said it was discovered that during the 2023 General Elections, Achimugu, a friend of Governor Sanwo-Olu, was given money by the Governor for onward delivery to Atiku. Meaning that Sanwo-Olu, an APC Governor, funded Atiku as well. The consequence, the report said, is that Tinubu’s anger has descended on Sanwo-Olu whose job and political future, they say, are now on the line.

An infuriated Atiku, while denying that he received even a kobo from the Governor, alerted that President Tinubu was after him and Sanwo-Olu. He pointed out that he had never met before with Sanwo-Olu.

However, Atiku’s allegation has been strongly denied by the Presidency which advised him to get serious.

On Friday, the EFCC weighed in and rubbished reports which linked its investigation of Achimugu with any political relationship between her, Atiku or Sanwo-Olu.

In a statement issued by its Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the Commission explained that its investigation of Achimugu for conspiracy and money laundering began since 2022.

The statement said that Achimugu had, earlier, obtained a Court injunction which restrained the EFCC from arresting, investigating or detaining her. But it is an injunction the EFCC said it successfully challenged and vacated on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, which prompted its invitation to her. The Court, also, upheld an interim order of forfeiture of Achimugu’s assets suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Said the statement:

“We wish to state, unequivocally, that the investigations of Achimugu have no correlation of any kind with the two political actors. She is being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering and has since been declared wanted by the Commission.

“The foregoing clearly establishes that the EFCC’s case against her has no immediate or remote nexus with any politician or any veiled or open reference to any political engagement or transaction.

“The EFCC is non- partisan and non-sectarian. We enjoin the public to continue to keep faith with the professionalism of the Commission without inputting any extraneous consideration to its works.”

President Tinubu Directs Security Agents To Be On Trail Of Killers Of Hausa Hunters In Edo

By

Ayodele Oni

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March 28, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has directed Police and other security agencies to conduct swift and thorough investigations with a view to punish suspected killers of Hausa hunters in Uromi, Edo state.

The president, on Friday condemned the murder of travelling hunters intercepted by local vigilantes in the Uromi community of Esan North Local Government of Edo State.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed in a statement he signed Friday.

The statement is titled, “President Tinubu directs manhunt for killers of hunters in Edo.”

At least seven persons, now identified as hunters, were set ablaze and killed in a mob attack in Uromi, the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has confirmed.

Initial investigations revealed that the victims, northern Hausa hunters, were mistaken for kidnappers and killer herdsmen after local security stopped and searched the commercial truck conveying them.

However, local security discovered guns, triggering a mob attack by residents.

Tinubu, who expressed shock at the dastardly act, commiserated with the families of the affected victims and assured them that criminals would not be allowed to shed the blood of innocent Nigerians in vain.

“The President noted that jungle justice has no place in Nigeria, and all Nigerians have the freedom to move freely in any part of the country.”

President Tinubu commended the Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, and community leaders in Uromi for their swift response to avert the escalation of tension.