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EFCC Boss To Atiku: I Had No Meeting With Gov Obovrewori, Okowa Before Defection

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Atiku Abubakar
Atiku Abubakar

The Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC says it Chairman did not have a pre-defection meeting with Governor Sheriff Obovrewori of Delta state, and his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa.

The anit-graft agency denied the claim on Friday, few days after Paul Ibe a spokesman to the 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar claimed that  the meeting held in the state Government House.

The magazine reporst that Governor Obovrewori and Okowa dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in April this year causing mixed reactions from not a few Nigerians.

Before the defection, Okowa was  being investigated by the EFCC for an alleged over N1 trillion fraud. Not a few therefore considered his defection to the APC as having a political undertone and for self-preservation to escape the agency’s onslaught.The former governor said his defection was not based on either.

Reacting in a statement issued by the Commission’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale the EFCC said there was no meeting between the two politicians and its chairman.

According to Oyewale, the EFCC boss is apolitical and that the commission’s operations are purely professional without any political undertone.

The statement reads, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is outraged by the unfounded claims of Mr. Paul Ibe, spokesperson to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, alleging that Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman, held a secret meeting with an unnamed politician.

“Ibe, who was a guest on Seun Okinbaloye’s Politics Today on Channels Television on Thursday, May 22, 2025, bared his mind on sundry theories, conjectures and assumptions relating to opposition politics and defections.

“However, his allegations of the Executive Chairman EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede and Solicitor General of the Federation’s alleged meeting with an unnamed governor forty -eight hours before his defection to the ruling All People’s Congress, APC, are patently fabricated and in bad taste.

“Olukoyede has stressed at several fora that he is apolitical and the EFCC totally wired against partisan tendencies.”

IMHA Amends, Passes Imo Security Bill

By
The Source
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Imo State House of Assembly

By Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha

 “The one-line Amendment Bill is aimed at combating insecurity in the state with vigilante group”

In a bid to reorganize and strengthen the security architecture in the State, the Imo State House Of Assembly has Amended the Imo State Security Organization (IMSO) Law No. 2 of 2021.

This became necessary in order to boost the security of the State, and  achieve the needed result in the fight against insecurity.

This was the outcome of the House Plenary activity on Tuesday, May 20, 2024.

Coming as an Executive Bill, it was presented by the Majority Leader and Member Representing Owerri-west State Constituency, Hon Chief Kanayo Onyemaechi. It passed through First Reading, Second Reading and finally, Third Reading.

During the Second Reading, the Majority Leader explained that the security challenges in the State have made it imminent for the House to take another look at the Imo State Security Organization Law No. 2 of 2021. According to him, the One-Line Amendment was in the inclusion of VIGILANTE GROUP in the amended law which was not captured in the Original or Principal Law of 2021.

The Amendment tagged “Imo State Security Organization (IMSO) Amendment Law, has an insertion of a new subsection 5 to section 6 of the Principal Law, which empowers all the Autonomous Communities in the the State to set up Vigilante Group.

Hon Onyemaechi further explained that by virtue of the Law, each of the Autonomous Communities in the State will set up a Vigilante Group, and with the new Law, will combat security challenges, as well as form a unifying factor with Traditional Rulers, President Generals, Community leaders etc, joining hands together to nib insecurity in the bud.

Speaking further, Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi commended the State Governor,  His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, who as the Chief Security Officer, has continued to place the security of lives and properties in the State above every other consideration. In his words, the Majority leader: “Governor Uzodimma knows what it takes to fight insecurity, he has not relented in achieving this zero security threat. By the time every community forms Vigilante Group, insecurity will be curtailed. With the law, welfare of the would-be Vigilante Group would be taken care of, and their work entitlement justified by law”.

The Bill was supported by the following Lawmakers who made very inputs :

*Hon Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre).

*Hon Clinton Amadi (Owerri Municipal).

*Hon Okey Ernest Udeze (Ideato-North).

*Hon Emeka Kingsley Ozurumba (Isu).

*Hon Johnleoba Iheoha (Ikeduru).

*Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji (Isiala Mbano).

Following the Second Reading, the Bill was committed to the Committee of the whole, which was chaired by the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, where it was further scrutinized. Thereafter, it was passed into Law following a unanimous vote in its favour by Honourable Members.

Installation  Of Pope Leo XVI’s: How Seyi Tinubu Saved A Man

By
The Source
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Bianca Ojukwu

By Bianca Odumegwu -Ojukwu

The Vatican has a way of setting everyone on an even keel. I remember how dazed I was when on my last trip during the funeral mass of Pope Francis some weeks before, when President Donald Trump had walked into the Basilica and was led to his seat at the square.

A number of dignitaries lined up to go to exchange pleasantries with him, causing a bit of a stir and a crowded scene. To my surprise, a middle aged prim looking priest walked up to them and addressed them rather tersely, ‘scusi,(meaning Excuse me). This is St Peter’s, Not the White House. Kindly take your seats please’. He clearly didn’t give a hoot who was likely to be offended but was more concerned that the order and solemnity of the event was not torpedoed by boisterous politicians.

The Nigerian delegation for the installation mass of Pope Leo XIV at St Peter’s Square led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived early enough when there was ample time for exchange of pleasantries.

As we entered, I sighted former Governors Peter Obi and Kayode Fayemi already seated, and I went to greet them after the President was seated. Being patriotic citizens, they both decided to come up with me to pay their respects to Mr President.

The President very warmly and graciously received them both in a relaxed and humorous mood after which they both returned to their seats (Thankfully, no ‘Scusi’ from any ushering priests like the scenario during the funeral mass of Pope Francis. Our delegation kept things nice and orderly!) I was, therefore, taken aback by all the buzz and flak that something as simple as a polite greeting to one’s elder, not to mention President, an intrinsic part of our African culture generated across social media space with all manner of innuendos and interpretations.

Let’s just agree that many people just had the casual urge to create a giant mountain out of a mini mole hill, so let’s let this one chill.

Like I mentioned before, the Vatican, most specifically, Mass, at St Peter’s Basilica is a leveler. No matter who you are, you are sitting out in that square under the scorching sun. No special luxury tents or canopies for dignitaries. No airconditioners or fans.

People routinely faint and pass out from sunstroke/ heatstroke and have to be evacuated in stretchers or wheelchairs.

In fact, the man seated in front of me slumped during the mass. It was Seyi Tinubu who saved the day.

The bottle of water he had ‘travelled’ all the way to the vestibule to procure was what he then offered to the man, who we were trying to hold from hitting the ground until the emergency medical team arrived with a wheelchair to evacuate him.

What is instructive is that unlike what obtains in our climes of recent, nobody rushed to whip out their phones to record an individual in distress to start posting all over social media. Folks were just busy trying to help stabilize the man.

I found it amazing  that President Tinubu effortlessly sat and stood through the entire mass, observing every rite as it should sans partaking in holy communion for close to three hours under that flaming sun, even declining a sun shield when we offered to search for one.

After the Mass, he chatted and took selfies with several young Nigerian priests and seminarians who came to greet him, refusing to turn any of them away even as his aides felt he needed a break.

The main deal, of course, was the power suit which the President wore to the Papal Installation Ceremony. Many Nigerians who saw him in Rome, normally used to seeing him mostly in our native attire, exclaimed that he looked so dapper and debonair. As he walked so stridently to meet with the new Pope, it was clear that this was a pivotal moment.

A Muslim being present at a historic mass in St Peter’s Basilica, Home of the Catholic Faith; a symbolic demonstration of the values of co-existence and a potent demonstration of the fact that religious differences do not necessarily lead to conflict.

Well, I am pleased to note that my humble phone camera took some of the most iconic images of that momentous occasion, being that entry into the venue was so severely restricted on that day. It was a stellar outing for Nigeria. It’s great to be back home.

In those good days, the familiar caption used to scream at the end of those M videos ‘ Clarence shot it !’On this beat, it’s ‘ Ms B shot it ’! Vatican’25 has been a profound experience. I am truly blessed to share in these sacred Papal events. Veni, Vidi.’

H.E. Odumegwu-Ojukwu is Nigeria’s Minister of State, Foreign Affairs

“South East Too Important To Ignore” Saraki, Chair, PDP Reconciliation Committee

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Bukola Saraki
Dr Bukola Saraki

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Friday, May 23, 2025, emphasized the pre-eminence of the South East region in the  trajectory of the party.

Rising from a trouble- shooting meeting with Peter Mbah, the Enugu State Governor, at the Enugu state Government House, Chairman of the Special PDP Reconciliation Committee, Dr. Bukola Saraki, underscored the imperativeness of carrying the region along in the renewed efforts to heal the party.

The Source reports that the South East Zonal leadership of the PDP and its major stakeholders, including Governor Mbah and other former Governors, had warned the PDP national leadership against any attempt not to ratify its nominee Hon Sunday Ude-Okoye as a replacement for Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary.

At the end of the emergency meeting held at the Enugu State Government House penultimate week, the Zone pointedly threatened to quit the PDP en-masse should its decision on the festering National Secretaryship tussle is not respected.

At an interactive session with the media, after the meeting ,Saraki informed that the visit  to the Governor was part of the wider efforts being made by the committee to ensure a smooth and peaceful National Executive Council meeting NEC and Convention  coming up soon.

According to him, the Enugu meeting is the beginning of a series of parley scheduled with all  stakeholders of the party across the country to lay the foundation for an all inclusive and peaceful NEC and Convention.

“We are here (Enugu) as members of the PDP Reconciliation ,and Strategy Committee set up by the PDP Governors’ Forum to ensure that the forthcoming NEC and Convention are smooth and rancour-free.

“In keeping with that mandate, we are here in Enugu State to consult with one of our leaders, Governor Peter Mbah who is also the leader of the party in the South East Zone.

“This is the first state we are visiting because we appreciate the importance of the South East in the PDP family.

“As you all are aware, the South East is one of the bedrocks of the PDP. The Zone has played a significant role in popularizing and strengthening the PDP in  the country.

“So in recognition of that, we are here to consult with the Governor and also to commend him for his sterling leadership role in stabilizing the party in the region.

“More importantly to commend him for what he is doing in Enugu State which is a mirror for Nigerians to see what happens when you have a PDP Government”, Saraki stated.

Further speaking, Saraki a former Governor of Kwara State, and former Senate President, informed that the meeting afforded them the opportunity to discuss how to carry everybody along in the task of ensuring a hitch free NEC and Convention.

He expressed the optimism that a rancour-free NEC and Convention will inevitably signpost a resurgence PDP.

” We had a sincere and fruitful discussion with His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State.

“We are happy that we are going away with some useful suggestions that will help us in our work as a Committee.

“It will not be out of place to say that with this visit, we have laid the foundation for a greater and rejuvenated PDP.

“In fact, what we have also seen today is a glimmer of hope that the problems we are having in the party are, afterall, surmountable if we can all unite”, Saraki noted.

Other Committee members that were in attendance during the parley include former Bayelsa Governor Senator Seriake Dickson, and former Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwabo and more.

War Against Cultism: Edo Govt Warns Landlords To Monitor Tenants

By
Ayodele Oni
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Monday Okpebholo - Edo State Governor
Monday Okpebholo - Edo State Governor

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Government has declared that Landlords whose property houses cultists will now be held responsible as the war against Cultism intensifies.

Government maintained that it is  resolute in the war against cultism,  just as landlords have been advised  to monitor their tenants to avoid the wrath of the law.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paul Ohonbamu gave the advice  during a Press Conference in Benin City.

According to the Commissioner, “any landlord whose building is discovered to be accommodating a cultist will face the wrath of the law.

“The state government has declared that cult-related activities would be aggressively tackled, with perpetrators and their enablers facing the full weight of the law.

“This firm stance justifies the demolition of buildings where crimes are committed, as part of efforts to eliminate criminal hideouts.”

Ohonbamu urged landlords to monitor their tenants closely and avoid harbouring individuals involved in cultism or any form of criminality.

While warning that property owners  found complicit in such activities would  face sanctions, Ohonbamu also called on  parents to instill moral discipline in their children.

The Commissioner explained that no building has been demolished without credible evidence of criminal activity or direct confessions by those involved.

“Parents who ignore this warning  or fail to correct the delinquent behaviour of their children would be seen as accomplices to crime.

“The state government has intensified its fight against crimes such as cultism, ritual killings, herdsmen attacks, and  illegal possession of firearms.”

FCTA Commences Process To Reclaim Properties, 4,794 To Be Affected

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister
Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister

By Ayodele Oni

Following continued refusal to pay for landed properties acquired, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has commenced process to reclaim them.

The Minister, Nyesom Wike, announced the commencement of enforcement actions to reclaim 4,794 properties in Abuja over long-standing ground rent debts, including the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) permanent headquarters currently under construction in the Central Business District.

Speaking through top officials at a joint press briefing on Friday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) revealed that the revocations, executed under Section 28(5)(a)(b) of the Land Use Act, were due to non-payment of rent obligations, with some arrears dating back over four decades.

The total amount owed exceeds ₦6.96 billion.

Effective Monday, May 26, 2025, the FCTA will begin sealing off and taking possession of affected properties in key districts such as Central Area, Garki, Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape.

Officials emphasized that enforcement will proceed without regard to ownership status, as the legal terms of occupancy have been violated.

The FCTA had earlier issued a 21-day grace period for defaulters, which has since elapsed.

The director of land administration, Chijioke Nwankeoeze, declared that “There was no court decision halting the revocation, and the FCTA is fully empowered to act.”

Development Control Director, Mukhtar Galadima confirmed that access to the properties will be restricted starting Monday.

Recovered Loot: Governors Loose Bid To Make States, LGs Beneficiaries

By
Ayodele Oni
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Supreme Court Seat

By Ayodele Oni

Efforts of the 36 states to Compel the federal government to share the recovered loot through the Federation Account have suffered a setback as the Supreme Court thrown out a suit filed by the governors.

The suit was filed by the 36 state governments and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, (NGF), against the federal government concerning how recovered stolen assets were handled.

The judgment was delivered in Abuja on Friday,  by a panel of seven justices.

The states took the federal government to court, accusing it of withholding over ₦1.8 trillion in cash and other assets recovered between 2015 and 2021.

Among their arguments was that these funds and properties, which were seized through various anti-corruption efforts, were not sent into the Federation Account as required by the Constitution.

Instead, they claimed the money was moved into other accounts managed solely by the federal government.

In their suit, the state governments said the funds came from international and local asset recoveries and included large sums of money, vehicles, properties, and crude oil.

They said these recoveries should be shared among the three tiers of government through the Federation Account, and accused the federal government of diverting the funds into the Consolidated Revenue Account and other places not backed by the law.

The state governments also pointed to the creation of new accounts like the Asset Recovery Account and the Interim Forfeiture Recovery Account, claiming these were illegal and against the Constitution.

They cited laws, including sections of the 1999 Constitution and the Finance (Control and Management) Act of 1958, to support their position.

They asked the Supreme Court to order the federal government to return all the recovered money and assets to the proper account and to also provide a detailed breakdown of what had been recovered.

They wanted the court to direct the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission to set up a system for how recovered assets would be shared.

In its judgement, the Supreme Court ruled that it was not the right court to handle the matter.

According to the judges, only the Federal High Court has the authority to decide on such issues.

Justice Mohammed Idris, who read the decision written by Justice Chidiebere Uwa, said the case was wrongly brought before the apex court and should have started from a lower Court.

“We Have Not In The Last Two Years Borrowed Money” –  Gov Eno

By
Ayodele Oni
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Governor Umo Eno

By Ayodele Oni

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has declared that since the first two years, his administration has been running the State without borrowing.

According to him, the numerous projects executed by his administration were delivered without loan from any financial institution.

The Governor spoke at the occasion of his investiture as Patron of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), in Uyo.

He stated that “As we stand today, we have not in the last two years borrowed a dime from anybody. We have been building a serving pool from the funds that came to us to be able to seamlessly finance our projects and development.”

The Governor attributed the availability of funds to the strategic and visionary decisions taken by President Bola  Tinubu which have yielded increased revenue and more funds for developmental projects.

“This wouldn’t have been possible if our President didn’t take some serious decisions to maximize the revenue of the country and that of the States.”

Eno expressed his determination to make the State a tourist destination of choice in the country, mentioning the ongoing reconstruction of the abandoned 5,000 seater capacity International Conference Centre, the 200 room world-class hotel as indicators.

“We are developing our infrastructure to be able to support tourism, and I think that the next time you come by the grace of God, our International Conference Centre, with a capacity for holding five thousand people with several break out rooms and two hundred bed hotel, as well as a shopping city should be ready. It is an 18-month project and we are very deliberate about it.

“We believe that our programmes towards diversification of our economy are tilting towards tourism, and we are developing tourism assets across the State that will make any visitor want to spend time here.”

Accepting the honour, Governor Eno promised to abide by the code of conduct that governs the Institute as well as support the ideals of the organisation.

16 Terrorists Killed As Troops Repel Midnight Attack On Damboa Military Formation

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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0
Soliders on Duty

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

No fewer than 16 insurgents of the Boko Haram extraction were, on Friday, May 23, 2025, reported killed by troops of the joint task force Operation Hadin Kai, in the Damboa Local Council of Borno State.

The neutralization of the  terrorists followed the repel of their  audacious attack on a Military Formation  in Damboa, close to the  Sambisa Forest.

The attack, launched between 1am and 1.30 am, was  swiftly repelled by the combined team of military personnel and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force.

Spokesperson for the North East Joint Task Force of the Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Reuben Kovangiya, informed that the terrorists, during the attack, tried a bait unsuccessfully to penetrate the Headquarters of the 25 Task Force Brigade  located in the troubled Damboa council of Borno state

However, during the repelling efforts by the military, several weapons, including improvised explosive device IED, were recovered by troops, in addition to the killing of about 16 of the insurgents

According to Captain Kovanviya ,some of the terrorists were forced to flee ,in the face of the superior firepower of troops.

He attributed the decisive response to the insurgents attack to the prompt intervention of the air component of the joint task force.

The Task Force spokesman, stated that efforts have been enhanced by troops, in conjunction with the civilian task force members to comb the forest with a view to smoking out the fleeing members of the terrorist group.

“The attack occurred at about 1am ,on Friday ,May 23, 2025 ,when troops sighted a group of terrorists ,and immediately engaged them with sustained indirect fire .

After approximately two hours of intense engagement, the terrorists were forced to retreat .

Several of the terrorists escaped with varying degrees of injuries ,while 16 of them were successfully neutralized” Captain Kovangiya noted.

The Source reports that the latest attack represents yet another in the renewed onslaught unleashed on the North East residents by insurgents gangs of late.

The escalating terrorists activities particularly in Borno state ,has forced the Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, to raise fears of the insurgents overrunning the state .

President Tinubu Promises To End Strikes In Universities, Assures More Funding

By
Ayodele Oni
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has assured that incessant strikes in the Universities will soon be a thing of the past as the administration plans to be on the same page with the Staff-based Unions of the Institutions.

The President believes that this will check incessant industrial actions that have hampered academic development in the past.

Tinubu also promised to release additional funds to the Federal Universities in the country to tackle infrastructural decay and address the paucity of funds in the institutions.

Tinubu said the release of additional funds would not only tackle the challenges in the nation’s Universities, but would enable them to compete with their counterparts in other parts of the world.

Speaking at the convocation ceremony of Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo (AFUED), Tinubu, who was represented by the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof Adebayo Bamire, said his administration was aware of challenges facing universities in the country.

A total of 12,556 graduates were conferred with first degree while 6,269 were conferred with the Nigerian Certificate in Education, (NCE) and 1,501 students were awarded Diploma in Computer.

The President stated further that his government was ready to tackle those challenges, including paucity of funds, manpower, and infrastructural challenges in the tertiary institutions.

According to him, “The paucity of funds to adequately handle administrative matters is a general and perennial challenge for most tertiary institutions.

“There are wholesome challenges of infrastructural decadence shortage of manpower and growing insecurity in the campuses include cult fraternities among students and staff.

“We are taking commensurate steps to address these challenges decisively. My administration was faced with a serious economic downturn at inception, and steps have been taken to fix the economy, which was not too palatable, but the positive results of our efforts are becoming noticeable to Nigerians.”

The President  assured Nigerians that Universities and other tertiary institutions have been factored into the plans of the Federal Government for more funding so that they could compete favorably with others globally.

The Acting Vice Chancellor of AFUED, Prof Samuel Akintunde challenged the graduating students to contribute to the development of Nigeria in various parts they may find themselves.

Prof Akintunde said the graduating students have been equipped with the capacity to engage themselves meaningfully in the affairs of the nation in ways that transcend academic achievement, but in the realm of being highly innovative and creative in solving society’s problems and making legitimate wealth.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of AFUED, Hajia Ganiyat Adeola Yusuf, said the Council remained committed to supporting the national vision outlined in President Tinubu ‘s Renewed Hope Agenda and would continue to do its best as a body that direct oversight over the University.

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