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“Fubara Had The Audacity To Touch My Family” – Wike

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Siminalayi Fubara and Niyesom Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has just revealed another of his deep-rooted grievances against his successor in office, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Fubara succeeded Wike as the Governor of Rivers  State in 2023. Wike, it was, who single-handedly, foisted Fubara on the State as his successor in defiance of all expectations.

However, both fell apart in what is now a bitter struggle for the soul of the State. Things have been progressing from bad to worse day by day. Governor Fubara who has faced all kinds of humiliations, including being locked out of the House of Assembly Complex, faces a possible impeachment from office.

While not a few people, including Rivers State indigenes are pleading and appealing and hoping for peace, the Commander of the opposition against Fubara, Minister Wike, has disclosed one of the reasons why it is impossible for him to forgive his estranged political  godson, Fubara, or make peace with him.

While fielding questions with Journalists  in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike told them that Governor Fubara had the guts to humiliate him in his (Wike’s) family, by sacking a Chief and installing another in his place.

Wike: “Sometimes, when you people talk about this peace, you don’t take everything. You don’t just sit outside to talk.

“Look at me, a former Governor, Minister of the FCT, Governor Fubara had the temerity, the audacity, because he has money from Federation Account, because he has more money from the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, to enter my own family to remove a Chief and make another person a Chief.”

Wike and his loyalists who now control the Legislative Arm of Government as well as the Local Government Arm are bent on going for the broke.

On Wednesday after Members of the Assembly slammed the Assembly gate against Governor Fubara and denied him access, thus effectively stopping him from re-presenting the 2025 Budget as ruled by the Supreme Court on February 28, 2025, Wike reacted by saying: “Heavens will not fall if Fubara us impeached.”

“Buhari Is My  Godfather, He Is Aware Of All My Activities”  – El-Rufai

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Nasir El-Rufai and Muhammadu Buhari

By Akinwale Kasali

“Tinubu surprised me. APC is dead. It is now controlled by a select few from Lagos”

Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State who recently dumped the ruling Party, All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Social Democratic Party, SDP, stated that he consulted former President, Muhammadu Buhari before defecting.

El-Rufai, one of the founding members of the APC left the Party citing unhealthy situations.

In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, Hausa Service, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, said he had a discussion with Buhari about his decision to leave the APC and his plan to join the SDP.

He said, “I left the APC with his full knowledge. I visited him on a Friday and informed him of my decision to leave the party, because I involve and consult with him on all my matters.”

The BBC further asked him if he had any political godfather and El-Rufai responded:  “I have those I consult with in everything I do. I inform them of anything I intend to do, and when they demand that I keep off, I do. My first godfather is Muhammadu Buhari. For the rest, I will not mention them because if I do, they’ll be pressured.”

Speaking futher, the former Governor stated that he had no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 Presidential election, but was surprised at his actions.

He said, “I haven’t regretted it, but I have been taken by surprise. But why I don’t regret supporting him is, some Yoruba leaders from the South West had visited Kaduna and informed me that the Muslims of their region were being politically marginalised. That was the first reason I supported Tinubu.

“The second reason is this: we agreed that the 2023 Presidential seat would be zoned to the Southern part of the Nigeria for fairness, balance and justice in the country.”

El-Rufai said he left the APC because the party had deviated from its founding principles.

“The APC abandoned the ideals that led to its formation. It has abandoned the people. Everyone is now pursuing personal interests and wealth. The government has become a business enterprise where everything has a price.

“There is no justice. Those who worked for the party are not recognised, let alone rewarded. Appointments are now controlled by a select group from Lagos. The party is dead.

“That is why I consult Tunde Bakare, Buhari, Abdullahi Adamu, Adams Oshiomhole, and Bisi Akande before making my decision,” he said.

President Tinubu Quashes Akande’s Report, Says Obasa Goes Nowhere

By
Akinwale Kasali
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President Bola Tinubu Meeting with Lagos Lawmakers

By Akinwale Kasali

Speaker Ordered To Withdraw Suit Against Lawmakers

President Bola Tinubu has thrown his weighed in behind reinstated Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa. He said any thought pf Obasa’s  resignation as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly should be perished.

The President said this during the reconciliation meeting  he held in the Presidential Villa, Abuja with the former All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and Members of the Lagos House of Assembly.

It would be recalled that the reconciliation panel comprising Akande, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and the Governance Advisory Council members recommended the resignation of Hon.  Mojisola Meranda as Speaker to pave way for Obasa’s reinstatement.

They also advised the embattled Speaker Obasa resign thereafter and allow the emergence of a new Speaker from the Lagos West Senatorial District.

However, Obasa who is representing Agege Constituency 1 refused to resign inline with the agreement before his reinstatement on March 3, 2025.

The verdict of President Tinubu has now quashed the recommendation of that Reconciliation Committee.

Rather, President Tinubu said the  Lawmakers should unite behind Obssa and allow him to work effectively.

He further stated that despite the series of complains and allegations leveled against him, he would not resign his position, urging Obasa to amend his ways and unite with his colleagues.

Tinubu, however, ordered Obasa to withdraw his suit at the Lagos High Court against the Deputy Speaker, Meranda, and the Lawmakers with immediate effect.

The Lawmakers agreed with the decision of President Tinubu and promised to sheathe their swords.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was not invited to the meeting.

2027: Will Buhari Join El Rufai, Atiku’s Coalition To Oust Tinubu From Office

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Nasir El-Rufai and Muhammadu Buhari2

Former President Muhammadu Buhari was dully informed and approved of the defection of Nasir Elrufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna state to the Social Democratic Party, PDP.

The former governor made this known in an interview on Wednesday, on the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Hausa Service amid reactions trailing his decision to dump the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The magazine reported that the ex-Kaduna helmsman exited the APC for the SDP earlier this week saying he no longer agree with the manner the party is being run. He was part of the founding leaders of the APC which swept to power in 2015.

El rufai had recently fallen out with the leadership of the party and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after the Nigerian Senate failed to approved his ministerial nomination in 2023.

Following the fallout, the former governor had sworn a bitter revenge, and his defection, according to those watching what is happening in the country, is one of the plans to achieve his aim.

However, not a few have also questioned his decision to defect, wondering whether he consulted widely, particularly his allies in the APC, such as Buhari who left power in 2023.

According to the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, the former Nigerian leader was aware of his defection, saying  Buhari was informed and he gave his approval, by giving him his blessing.

El rufai said he would not make any critical political move without the former president knowledge, adding that he consulted him through out his eight year tenure as Kaduna governor.

He explained further that he used to take the list of his commissioners to Buhari in Aso Rock, for approval while he was president.

El Rufai: “There are certain people that before I do any major thing or make any decision, I consult, and anything they ask me not to do, I don’t do, and former President Muhammadu Buhari is among them.

“I consulted Buhari before leaving the APC. It was on a Friday when I went and met him. I hardly make any major decision without consulting him. I told him to pray for me and give me his blessings, which he did.

“Even when I was governor of Kaduna, before I appointed my commissioners, I took the list to Buhari for cross-checking to see if, from among them, someone ever insulted him.

“He laughed, thanked me and told me you can go ahead and appoint commissioners.”

Following his defection, the former FCT minister promised to convince other key political leaders in the country on the need to join the SDP, in other to be able to wrestle power from the ruling APC in 2027.

Recall that El Rufai had met with the 2023 PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Musa Rabiu Kwakwanso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on how to form a rainbow political party to achieve this aim.

Already, there are suggestions that some of these leaders have agreed to join the SDP.

The big question however is whether the former president will also join the coalition to oust Tinubu from office.

Delta Gov  Accuses Civil Servants Of Age Falsification

By
Ayodele Oni
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Governor Sherrif Oborevwori

By Ayodele Oni 

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has accused some Civil Servants in the State of engaging in age falsification with the intent to prolong their years of service.

The Governor warned those involved to desist from such dubious act or face severe sanctions.

Oborevwori gave the warning  at a dinner tagged ‘An Evening With The Governor,’ organised by the State Government for  Permanent Secretaries led by the State Head of Service, Mr. Reginald Bayoko; Heads of Extra Ministerial Departments; Directors and Deputy Directors in the state civil service in Asaba.

The Governor pointed out that any Civil Servant who had attained the age of retirement should leave the service so as to create opportunity for younger ones to be employed, adding that civil servants should always enter their real age in their documentations.

“If you know you have attained retirement age, please, retire so that the younger ones could be employed into the civil service.

“You should use your real age so that people can grow in the system. When you are old, please allow the young ones to take over.

“I thank you for the love you people have shown to this administration. Let us continue to work together for the growth and development of the state.

“Today’s dinner is in fulfilment of the promise l made during our meeting of January 29, this year. We have come to interact and share experiences.

“I think it is important l update you on some of the matters arising from our last meeting where a lot of issues were raised. First is the issue of poor telephone network in the Prof. Chike Edozien State Secretariat Complex among others.

“We are looking at the suggestions that you people made during our meeting of January 29, this year, with a view to seeing how we can implement some of the suggestions that are useful to the effective running of the state civil service.”

While saying that the state had a workforce of over 60,000 with a monthly wage bill of over N16 billion monthly, the Governor appealed to Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Extra Ministerial Departments, Directors and Deputy Directors to continue to discharge their duties diligently and professionally.

“We will follow due process in appointing a new Head of Service when the time comes, and, in due course, more Permanent Secretaries will be appointed,” stressing that the appointment of Permanent Secretaries was by merit and vacancy.

The Governor, who disclosed that the state government was not owing any of its contractors, said, “recently, we did 40 per cent mobilisation to our contractors. The problem we are having is not the multinationals; it is our local contractors.

“The local contractors cannot shortchange the state, if the site supervising engineers are doing their work. If the site supervising engineers are doing their work well, there will be no point for me to go to site for project supervision.

“I am going to go round the 25 local government areas to inspect various projects being executed by the state government. If you are praying that l should not come, you are deceiving yourself. Any contractor who is doing a bad work will refund the money paid to him.”

While reiterating that his administration had not borrowed since it came on board, he said a lot had been achieved in the socio-economic growth and development of the state.

Speaking at the gathering, the State Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Reginald Bayoko, said the forum was an open show by the governor that the state workforce was a reliable and valuable partners in progress.

Mr. Bayoko thanked Governor Oborevwori for his workers’- friendly policies and programmes since he came into office, and assured him of the total support of workers in advancing his MORE Agenda for Deltans and residents of the state.

The Head of Service advocated that the full weight of the law should be enforced on erring public servants deeply rooted in age cheat and indiscipline.

Osun Seeks FG’s Recognition For Newly Elected LG Chairmen

By
Ayodele Oni
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Osun Newly Sworn In LG Chairmen

By Ayodele Oni 

Osun State Government has urged the Federal Government to recognise the newly sworn-in Local Government Chairmen and Councilors, elected during February’s election.

All the Local Council Officials emerged on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The plea is coming as Chairmen installed during the previous administration of ex-Governor Gboyega Oyetola, now a Minister, continue to occupy Council Secretariats, citing a Court of Appeal judgment which purportedly validated their tenure.

Governor Ademola Adeleke had after the swearing in of the Chairmen advised them to stay away from the Council Secretariats to avoid confrontation with their predecessors.

In a letter addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation, (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN),Yemi Cardoso, the State Government sought Federal backing for the newly elected officials.

The letter was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tesleem Igbalaye.

The AGF had earlier advised the state government not to conduct the local government election but rather comply with the Court of Appeal Judgement on the councils.

In the letter, the State Government insisted that the PDP-led Councils should be accorded recognition, as the February 22, 2025, Local Government Election was the only valid exercise.

It cited a Federal High Court ruling that had invalidated the 2022 Local Government Election conducted under Oyetola’s administration.

To reinforce its position, Osun State Government attached court judgments supporting the legitimacy of the newly sworn-in officials across the States 30 Local Government Areas and Area Offices.

The letter read, “We humbly implore your office to recognise and deal with the Local Government Chairmen and Councillors who were validly elected on February 22, 2025, as those elected in 2022 have been removed by a subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court.”

The development highlights the political face-off between the PDP and the All Progressives Congress in the state, with both parties laying claim to control of the local councils.

Sexual Harassment: Senate Counters Natasha At IPU

By
James Orji
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Natasha At IPU

The Nigerian Senate has reacted to the allegations against it by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the United Nations Inter- parliamentary Union, IPU.

The Senate’s response was read to the IPU on Wednesday by the Chairperson, House committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Honorable Kafilat Ogbara, barely 24 hours after Akpoti-Uduaghan lodged her case with the union in New York, the United States, US.

Recall that the senator was suspended last week for six months for allegedly being unruly at the Senate Plenary on February 24, after an argument ensued between her and Senate President Godswill Akpabio over sitting arrangement in the chamber.

The Embattled Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central in the Nigerian Senate however on Tuesday, took her case to the IPU in her quest for justice.

Speaking before the IPU, the suspended lawmaker said she decided to come to the Union because the Senate has failed to give her justice on the allegation of Sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

She alleged that her case is one of the sexual abuse and harassment being faced by Nigerian women, saying those who have been abused are afraid to speak out because they fear that they will not get justice.

But speaking yesterday, Ogbara, who read the official reaction from the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele said Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for flouting Senate rules and for gross misconduct.

The Senate letter read in part, “Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of allegation of sexual harassment or assault. The authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly refutes the deliberate misinformation and false narrative being circulated by certain media organisations regarding the sixth months suspension of Senator Natsaha-Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“Let it be unequivocally stated that Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.”

The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has generated mixed reactions in the country, with some siding her and others blaming her for her suspension.

Her suspension also followed the Senate’s rejection of her petition against Akpabio, the upper chamber said the petition was ‘dead on arrival’ because it was signed by the embattled senator.

FG Spends N1.2trn To Service N142trn Debt

By
James Orji
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DMO DG

The federal government has spent over $817 million to service the country’s debt, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. The figure is for the first two months of this year, and lower than the $843 million government spent in the same period in the comparing year 2024.

According to the apex bank data, International Payments Report shows that in January 2025, the government spent $540.7 million and in February 2025 it spent $276.7 million on debt servicing.

Further breakdown shows that the country had spent $3.81 billion (about N5.9 trillion) for debt service/Payments in 2024.

Figures released by the Debt Management Office,DMO, showed that Nigeria’s total public debt as of September 2024 stood at over N142 trillion.

The figure rose sharply by N6 trillion from over N134 trillion in June the same year.

Not a few Nigerians have criticized the rising appetite of the Nigerian government for foreign loan, amid fears that the future of the country is being mortgage.

Amid the criticism, the incumbent Tinubu’s administration has recently unveiled plans to obtain more loans from foreign creditors such as the World Bank.

In February, the World Bank revealed that it will extend credit worth over $2.2 billion to the federal government for the execution of projects across the six geo-political zones in the country.

According to the Bretton Wood, Uniter States of America-based organisation, about $500 million will be set aside for the ‘Community Action (for) Resilience and Economic Stimulus Programme.’

Also, the sum of $300 million will be approved for the ‘Solutions for the Internally Displaced and Host Communities Project.’ The approval for this fund will happen on July 15. Also, another $300 million will be approved for Nigeria to strengthen the health sector. It is tagged, ‘Health Security Program,’ and will be approved on August 19.

Furthermore, the World Bank said it will release about $500 million for ‘Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth, BRIDGE, on September 15.

Recalls that Nigeria got $1.7 billion from the World Bank in 2024 for a number of projects.

According to the World Bank’s project list, the loan was targeted at improving Nigeria’s healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure while driving its economic stability and resource mobilisation capacity.

Under the scheme, the World Bank approved $500 million for ‘Nigeria: Primary Healthcare Provision Strengthening Programme.’

Another $500 million was granted to Nigeria for a project tagged, ‘Nigeria Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) – Governance,’ with a project cost of $700 million.

The third project, tagged, ‘ Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria,’ a $500 million project, was also granted to Nigeria.

Tinubu’s N15trn Lagos/ Calabar Coastal Highway Corrupt, Misplaced Priority- Obasanjo

By
James Orji
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The N15.6 trillion Lagos/ calabar coastal highway highly is a wasteful project according to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who also alleged high corruption in the execution of the project.

The coastal highway is one of the signature projects of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is expected to cut across the geo-political zones of the country.

The project has however been criticized by not a few Nigerians who questioned its timeliness and the whopping sum that has been allocated for its construction, apart from those whose livelihood has been affected.

For instance, the promoters of the Landmark Beach Resort, had lamented that they lost property valued at over $200 million to the construction, apart from the huge job loses to its numerous employees

President Bola Tinubu, had on May 26, 2024 in Lagos, flagged off the construction of the 700km Highway, stating that the project would revolutionize transportation in Nigeria and bolster the unique economic strength of each zone.

“Together, we worked to tame the Atlantic, and we turned a disaster into a great asset of value. We lost weight and took insults, but eventually, we tamed the Atlantic. We achieved our goals,” the President said, recounting how the indigenous company successfully executed a project to prevent the Atlantic Ocean from encroaching on critical sections of the Lagos shoreline.

“Today is my day to boast. The deal is done. The dream is realizable. The determination to build a nation of prosperity is possible. We said we would build this road, and we are determined to do it.

“Do not be afraid. We will do this road, and it will be a success for Nigeria, and we will do even more of this,” the President said

But in his book Nigeria: Past and Future recently launched to celebrate his 88th birthday, the former Nigerian Leader said the project is not only corrupt but was purposely designed to serve the interest of some persons in the administration.

Obasanjo described the project as a misplaced priority, stressing that President Tinubu has failed to listen to the concerns raised by some Nigerians, including former vice president Atiku Abubakar that the highway is not a priority for now.

According to him, the Tinubu administration has embarked on some projects just to show of and not necessary to affect the lives of many Nigerians, describing the formulators of such projects as ‘small mind’.

“Typical examples of waste, corruption and misplaced priority are the murky Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road on which the President had turned deaf ears to protests and the new Vice-President’s official residence built at a cost of N21bn in the time of economic hardship to showcase the administration hitting the ground running and to show the importance of the office of the Vice-President. What small minds!” Obasanjo wrote.

Since construction started last year, the federal government has released over N1.2 trillion, according to the Minister of Works who recently said President Tinubu envisioned the project over 20 years ago.

He said the president has ensured that the project cut across all the six geo-political zones in other to ensure that no zone is left behind in the administration’s developmental projects, describing it as a ‘dream come true’.

Four Edo Legislators Defect To APC

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Hon Donald Okogbe and Bright Iyamu and Sunday Ojiezele

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Four members of the Edo State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, formally defected to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.

Hon Donald  Okogbe, Bright Iyamu and Sunday Ojiezele   all cross-carpeted from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, while Hon Richard Edosa signed on  from the Labour Party, LP .

The Source reports that the defection of the Lawmakers comes less than a week after the leadership of Edo PDP accused Governor Monday Okpebholo and the APC of luring some its members in the House with as much as N200 million each.

Although the APC had dismissed the allegation as a mere ranting and a  part of PDP’s distracting antics, events have to some extent vindicated the party.

Receiving the defected law makers at the APC State Secretariat in Benin on Wednesday ,the Acting Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, promised that they will be accorded equal opportunities,and privileges ,as old members .

He described their decision to join the APC as a good step in the right direction,noting that it is a defining moment for the party .

“These Honourable members who bring with them a wealth of experience and diverse perspective have recognized that the APC offers the most promising path forward for Edo State and our Nation, Nigeria.

“They have seen the clarity of the polices, the integrity of the leadership of Governor Monday Okpepholo ,and the unwavering dedication to make the lives of Edo people better.

“We understand that the decision to change political allegiances is not taken lightly . It requires courage ,conviction ,and a belief in a better future.

“We commend these Honourable members for their bravery and their willingness to stand with us as we join hands with Governor Monday Okpebholo to build a stronger economy, improve education ,promote social harmony and secure the lives of Edo People.

“This is not merely a matter of our numbers, it is about strengthening our collective resolve .It is about bringing together individuals who share a common purpose and a desire to make a real difference”, the APC chairman stated.

Earlier the new members  noted that they were goaded into joining forces with the APC ,and Governor Okpebholo because of their conviction that a lot will be achieved when they come together .

The defected legislators who spoke through Hon Edosa described the occasion as a defining moment for them .

They blamed their decision to quit their original political nest ,the PDP on the division and disagreement within its  fold .

They pledged to work in concert with the Governor ,to provide dividends of democracy to the good people of Edo state .

The source further reports ,that with the  development, APC has taken over control of the Assembly with 13 members and 11 for PDP.

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