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CSO, Media To Collaborate In Holding Abia Govt Accountable To The People

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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CSO Media Collaboration

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A call has been made for   a strong collaboration, between Civil Society Organizations and the Media for the purpose of enhancing the quest for accountability and transparency in governance in Abia state

This is even as the domestication of key legislative frameworks has been advocated as a veritable panacea to their full compliance and enforcement at the state levels .

These were some of the outcome of a one day Media Talk Shop on support to civil society advocacy towards strengthening the implementation and observation of such key legislative frameworks as the Fiscal Responsibility  Act ,Public Procurement Act and Freedom of Information Act FoB.

The Roundtable which was  convened for  Media practitioners from the Print, Broadcast and Social Media outfits based in Aba, dwelt extensively on how to effectively use some of the existing legislative frameworks in enhancing accountability and transparency in governance at all levels in the State

In a communique issued on Saturday, February 15, 2025 by Okoye Chuka Peter and Amaka Biachi, Programme Officer, and Executive Director  CHARS-Africa, organizers of the workshop, participants urged the Government to take urgent steps to domesticate the FOI Act, Fiscal Responsibility Act FRA and Public Procurement Act PPA  to enhance accessibility and enforceability.

Forum particularly called for the reform of PPA, to incorporate inputs from key stakeholders, with a view to aligning its provisions with the  aspirations and interests  of Abia residents.

To ensure the ability of the Media to effectively play its roles in the observation of the Acts, participants called  for  the independence of practitioners, and adequate training on how to effectively apply the existing legislative frameworks to promote good governance practices .

“Media professionals should be made to undergo periodic training to expose them to  the  provisions of these existing legislative frameworks and how to put them to practical use .

“Also, they should be encouraged to promote ethical journalism, as journalists are supposed to uphold accuracy objectivity and balanced reporting based on facts in their line of engagement.

“Forum emphasized the need for enhanced legal and financial protection for working journalists to shied them from intimidation ,and assist them in the discharge of the duties without fear or favour.

“Participants called for the strengthening of collaboration between the Civil Society and the media to enhance the quest for accountability by way of ensuring compliance with the provisions of the frameworks”, part of the communique reads .

“Similarly, the forum called for the training of Government and other public officials on how to be compliant with provisions of the relevant legislative frameworks, particularly granting access to information on public interest.

“In the same vein ,the workshop called on the citizenry to be  more actively involved in monitoring Government activities at all levels ,so as to promote the culture of accountability and transparency in governance”.

Earlier participants had identified lack of access to information as one of the greatest factors militating against the abilities of the media to hold Government officials to account.

“Participants noted that the  use of the legislative frameworks is limited by the deliberate denial of access to information by lawmakers and public servants .which they noted hinders accurate reportage and by extension ,public knowledge of the tools .

“Participants noted attempts to suppress Media freedom through control over media unions and subtle censorship,thereby restricting journalists’ abilities to report objectively.

“Some Media practitioners lack adequate awareness and understanding of such legislative frameworks as the FOIA ,PPA and Fiscal Responsibility Act .This cap limits their ability to put the frameworks into effective use.

“Forum decried the  high level of secrecy in Government with officials unwilling to disclose information even when requested for in accordance with the provisions of the extant laws”, the communique further noted .

The workshop  regretted the negative impacts of weak institutional support for working journalists, as the absence of legal and financial backing have tended to expose practitioners to undue pressure ,censorship,economic constraints and other professional hazards .

However, participants reaffirmed their commitments towards discharging the crucial roles of the media in promoting good governance.

They called for sustained engagement through advocacy and training so as to ensure that the application of the legislative frameworks in promoting transparency and accountability in Abia state becomes a norm.

The roundtable was convened by the Africa Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support CHARS-Africa ,in conjunction with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption RoLAC .

Declare Me Alaafin, I’m Oyomesi’s Candidate- Prince Gbadegesin Tells Court

By
James Orji
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Makinde Presents Staff Of Office To Owoade As New Alaafin

The end to the tussle over the Alaafin of Oyo ancient stool appears still far despite the approval of Prince Akeem Owoade as the new monarch for the town by the state government.

On January 10, the governor of the state Seyi Makinde,  approved the appointment of Owoade as the new monarch for the town as the 56th Alaafin, and presented him a staff of office.

In spite of the state government’s seal on Owoade’s appointment, some members of Oyomesi, the body of Kingmakers in the town rejected it, supporting Prince Lukman Gbadegesin as the rightful candidate for the position.

Gbadegesin, acting on the position of some of the Kingmakers has now dragged the state government to court, saying he should be appointed based on the decision of the Oyomesi.

The angry prince, in a suit filed on February 12 is demanding the reversal of Owoade’s appointment , suggesting that the government’s action is a violation of  the state Chiefs Law of  2000, and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.

In the suit filed through his counsel Kunle Sobaloju, the prince said Owoade should be restricted from performing the function of Alaafing until the matter is fully resolved, including that he should declared as the rightful occupier of the position.

Prince Gbadegesin
Prince Gbadegesin

Prince Gbadegesin also requested in the suit that the defendants must be compelled to appear in the court within 30 days.

Apart from the state government, others joined in the suit as defendants include Governor Makinde, the  state’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, amongst others.

He contends that since the appointment of Owoade by Governor Makinde did not follow due process, it must not be allowed to stand, the government’s action should be declared null and void, he said.

Gbadegesin’s prayers before the court:  “A declaration that the claimant having been validly nominated by Agunloye Ruling House and or selected/appointed and or proclaimed by the kingmakers of the Alaafin of Oyo (known as Oyomesi) as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo in accordance with the Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000 and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, his appointment is valid, lawful and proper.”

The court, he said, should “immediately and forthwith approve the appointment of the claimant as validly nominated by Agunloye Ruling House and or selected/appointed and proclaimed by the kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo.”

The contest for the Alaafin stool started after the death of  Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, on Friday, April 22, 2022 with princes from the ruling families laying claim to the position.

The dirty contest came to a head after the state government accused Prince Gbadegesin of bribing the Oyomesi to support him for the position.

Tinubu Borrows More, As Nigeria’s Debt Under Him Rises To Over $7bn

By
James Orji
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seeking to borrow $300 million from the Wolrd Bank, if approved,  will spiral the loan obtained by his administration to over $7 billion.

The president came to office in May 2023, and records showed that the loan borrowed by his administration currently stands at over $6.9 billion.

In its latest quest to borrow from the Breton Wood, United States of America, USA,  based financial institution, the administration said it needed the loan to strengthen Nigeria’s health security infrastructure.

According to World Bank documents, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) will implement the project, with the Federal Ministry of Finance acting as the borrower.

The initiative aims to enhance Nigeria’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies.

The project is currently in the pipeline stage, with a disclosure date set for February 6, 2025

The World Bank Board is expected to approve the loan on July 30, 2025, after necessary appraisals and assessments. Implementation will commence in the 2026 fiscal year.

On his ascension to the Nigerian Presidency in 2023 Tinubu had promised not to depend on borrowing to fund government projects, saying efforts will be made by his administration to collect more taxes to raise funds for the government.

Tinubu: “The consequences of the ongoing failure of our tax regime are real and significant. The inability of the government to efficiently raise revenue has led directly to an over-reliance on borrowing to finance public spending.

“A government that cannot properly fund itself will also lack the flexibility or fiscal scope to sensibly manage the economy or respond to external shocks.

“Instead, debt service begins to consume an ever greater portion of the government’s already meagre revenues.
“This traps the economy in a vicious cycle of borrowing simply to service previous debt and leaves almost no scope for socio-economic development.

“As President, I am determined to end this cycle. On the day of my inauguration, I promised that my administration would address all of the issues impeding investment and economic growth in Nigeria.

‘’This promise is why I saw an end to fuel subsidy. It is the reason the Central Bank has called an end to its multiple exchange rate system under my watch.

“It is for the same reason we gather here today (yesterday) to inaugurate the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.”

Tinubu “Locking Up All Our Boys’ From The North For Criticising His Govt- Ex-SGF

By
James Orji
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Babachir Lawal and Bola Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been accused of punishing Nigerians, particularly northerners who speak against his government.

The allegation was made by a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal, who also noted that the president will have to do more to appease northern voters to get their support in the 2027 election.

According to the former federal government scribe, the administration of Tinubu has impoverished more people in the region through his economic policies, adding that the president need to do more to remove “poverty in the land.”

He said any body from the north who spoke against the administration has not been spared, they are locked up in detention, he said, as “the right to even dissent is now a crime in northern Nigeria. He’s locking up all our boys that are publicly complaining about his policies.”

The policies being adopted by the administration, the former SGF said “is rigging the lives of our people from existence,” adding that how the president came to power did not matter so long it’s doing the right thing urging him to adopt positive policies “that will remove the poverty in the land.”

The president, he said “risked losing the 2027 election” if he continues in the same trajectory.

Lawal: “Let him run a good programme that will remove the poverty in the land. It’s not about him but his bad policies. They are throwing every Nigerian, and particularly the North, into distress. Let him make good policies. Let him listen.

“Unfortunately, when they give them a piece of advice, they will release their attack dogs and even his information managers to go after you. The right to even dissent is now a crime in northern Nigeria. He’s locking up all our boys that are publicly complaining about his policies. So, all these things also add to the tension in the North.

“If Tinubu were to change and Nigerians are happy, we will hail him. When you do the right thing, and Nigerians are happy, nobody will bother about how he came to the government. Now, he is rigging the lives of our people from existence.”

Lawal, a former ally of the president, parted ways with him ahead the 2023 presidential election, supporting Peter Obi of the Labour Party instead, he cited the Muslim/Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC for the presidential election.

Stop Advertising Your Ignorance”; Obaseki Chides Governor Okpebholo

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Godwin Obaseki and Monday Okpebholo

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The immediate past Governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki, has described the report of an administrative panel that purportedly indicted him, and others as a deliberate and desperate ploy by Governor Monday Okpepholo to confer legitimacy on his obviously misguided suspension of elected council officials.

The Source reports that the Edo state Government had on Sunday, February 16, 2024  expressed readiness to seek the assistance of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC in prosecuting Obaseki and the suspended 18 council chairmen over their alleged mismanagement of councils’ funds to the tune of N96 billion.

An administrative panel of inquiry, headed by Solomon Imohiosen, was   said to have, in its findings, uncovered the diversions of N96 billion Councils’ funds into private accounts, mostly some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the state.

A statement from the Governor’s media aide, Fred Itua, indicated that Governor, Okpebholo, while   receiving the report of the panel at the weekend, promised to put machineries in motion for the prosecution of all those  implicated in the frittering of the councils funds.

The Source reports that the state Governor had, on December, 18, 2024, in the wake of his suspension of the Council Chairmen instituted, a panel to investigate their financial books.

The panel was empowered to examine the financial records of the councils from December 4, 2023. to November 2024.

” The panel’s investigation uncovered significant irregularities in the financial activities of the 18 Local Government Areas”, the Governor’s spokesperson stated.

Former Governor Obaseki in a statement issued by his media assistant, Crusoe Osage, on Sunday, also, expressed serious concern about his successor’s  apparent ignorance of the law.

According to him, Governor Okpebholo is yet to come to terms with the fact that he does not have the power to dictate how the Councils should  be run, including the power to suspend and/or to sack.

Obaski also insisted that the Edo State Governor does not have the constitutional power to institute an investigation process against elected officials like himself .

“We have read with disdain a statement by Monday Okpebholo alleging that elected 18 Local Government Chairmen in Edo State mismanaged N96 billion, in another of his frantic efforts to justify the unconstitutional onslaught on the elected leadership of the third tier of Government.

“What is most shocking about the statement is that Okpebholo appears to be completely oblivious of the fact that he does not have supervisory responsibility over the Local Government and can therefore not set up any investigation of Government officials that are elected into office just like him.

“As a matter of fact, these Local Government Chairmen have a better claim to their democratic office than he whose election stands on a knife edge, with the election petition tribunal preparing to deliver justice in the September 21,2024 election widely believed to have been rigged.

“Also advertising Okpebholo’s ignorance is his attempt, as usual, to drag His Excellency ,Mr Godwin Obaseki into his propaganda.

“Okpebholo should kindly note that Obaseki was never obsessed with control of Local Government funds during his tenure as Okpebholo has shown himself to be in the last three months.

“We are forced to by this statement, inform Okpebholo that there are limits to his powers as Governor and, if he believes there are financial infractions in a separate tier of Government from his own, he should simply inform the relevant agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission ICPC to carry out their constitutional responsibilities”, part of the statement reads.

Tinubu’s Economic Strides Attracting More People To APC –  Felix Morka

By
Ayodele Oni
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APC National-Publicity Secretary-Mr Felix Morka

By Ayodele Oni

National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka has said that more politicians continue to join the ruling party to identify with President Bola Tinubu’s bold economic reform agenda.

Morka was reacting to remarks by Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto South, that those politicians decamping to APC are driven by hunger and lack conscience.

In a statement on Sunday the APC scribe noted that “Evidently, his comments more aptly  characterized his own convoluted record of defections from the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) in 2007 and back to ANPP and then off  to the PDP, and decamping in 2014 to APC and finally crawling back to PDP, ignominiously, in 2018.

“By his assertions, Tambuwal’s itinerant defections were in chase of ‘stomach infrastructure’, purely self-serving and without any conscience.

“A wandering politician like Tambuwal lacks the moral turpitude to comment on the intentions of politicians who have defected from a crisis-ridden PDP to our great Party.

“Contrary to Tambuwal’s  jibe, members of the PDP are joining APC, ostensibly, to identify with President Bola Tinubu’s bold economic reform agenda  in the face of growing and undeniable positive indications of a resurgent Nigeria.

“Many of the defectors have offered this as the raison d’etre for their defection, quite apart from the fact that the PDP is in a state of bedlam, and is now an unrecognizable shadow of its old self.

“Recently, for the first time in many years, on President Tinubu’s vigilant watch, the country has surpassed its  Organisation of Petroluem Exporting Countries’ (OPEC’s) quota of 1.5 mbpd.

“This remarkable feat is attributable to a combination of factors, from vastly improved security to purpose-driven oil sector reforms.

“Similarly, the country has recorded consistent trade surpluses; increased Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs); high yielding stock market; enhanced foreign reserve and numerous other indices of a steadily rebounding economy.

“Instead of begrudging citizens for exercising their fundamental freedom of association, Tambuwal and fellow political villains, like former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, should accept responsibility for the political carnage in the PDP, apologize to their members and maintain a humble and penitent disposition going forward.”

Edo Govt. To Seek Prosecution Of Fmr. Gov Obaseki, 18 LG Chairmen

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Godwin Obaseki

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Edo state authorities have signaled  its intentions of seeking the assistance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC ,in prosecuting former Governor Godwin Obaseki, and the suspended chairmen of the 18 local councils of the state over alleged mismanagement of funds in excess of 96 billion.

A statement from the Governor’s media aide ,Fred Itua on Sunday February ,16 ,2025 indicated that Governor  Monday Okpebholo ,made this know at the weekend ,while receiving the final report of the Administrative Panel Inquiry set up to look into the accounts of the state’s Local Government Areas.

The Source reports that ,the state Governor ,had on December 18,2024 ,instituted a  panel to  investigate ,the financial records of the councils ,amidst allegations of financial malfeasance.

The panel was empowered to examine the financial books of the councils from December 4,2023 ,when they came on board ,to November 2024

They were suspended on December 15, 2024 .

The suspended ,council officials are of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP extraction, while Governor Okpebholo is of the rival All Progressive Congress APC .

According to the Governor’s spokesperson, the panel’s findings ,revealed that about N 96 billion council funds ,were either mismanaged and or outrightly diverted to individuals accounts .

” The panel’s investigation uncovered significant irregularities in the financial activities of the 18 Local Government Areas .

The recommendation outlined in the report aim to address these issues and promote transparency and accountability in the Local Government finances” the statement quoted the Solomon Imohiosen ,the chairman of the panel as saying.

The panel’s report,further indicated that ,a total sum of N 95 billion ,was received from the Federation Allocation by the councils within period under review ,through the Joint Allocation Account Committee JAAC .

But the Panel ,according to the statement noted that the huge sum was not judiciously applied ,as there are no visible projects on the ground to justify the amount.

“The panel confirmed fraudulent diversions of Local Government funds to political godfathers in the state ,with over N10 billion sighoned,using pseudo name ” Security Environment and Training” the Government statement noted.

The 18 council chairmen were said to have collectively contributed about N 800 million monthly to the nebulous subhead ,which was thereafter transferred to the private accounts of some party officials and political godfathers in the state.

Among those indicted by the panel are former Governor Obaseki,the suspended council chairmen ,top PDP stalwarts and other stakeholders.

According to the Governor’s media aide , the Edo state Government ,will in the days ahead petition the EFCC over the shocking discovery ,with a view to seeking its assistance in recovering the alleged missing funds .

Ondo Police Command Orders Investigation Into Burning Of Divisional Office

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Ondo Youths Set Police Station Ablaze

By Ayodele Oni

The Commissioner of Police, (CP), Ondo State Command, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has ordered an investigation into the burning of the Divisional Police Station, at Ido Ani by suspected angry youths.

The CP early Sunday visited Ifon for an on the spot assessment of areas affected in the attack by some members of the community.

He condemned the attack and arson on the Divisional Police Station and ordered a full-scale investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the incident and to bring those responsible to justice.

A statement by the conmand’s spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami stated that “Preliminary reports indicates that the incident began on 15th February 2025 when a dispute between two families on Ogbomo Street, Ifon, escalated into a public fight.

“Officers from Ifon Division, led by an Inspector, responded promptly, moved to the scene, intervened, and made arrests while some suspects fled.

“Later, one Tobi Bobade , one of the young men involved in the fight was brought to the station by one Mr. Losilosi. He appeared weak and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention

“He was later pronounced dead while receiving treatment. His remains have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, for a postmortem examination.

“While officers were at the station, angry mob, led by the deceased’s father, launched a violent attack on the station, the administrative office, DPOs office, the station store and two (2) exhibit vehicles were affected by the inferno caused by the mob.

“Fortunately, no lives were lost in the fire as security personnel acted swiftly and called for reinforcements to secure the premises.

“The Commissioner of Police in the course of his visit met with the Chairman of the Local government, Community leaders and other stakeholders in the community.

“In his address ,the Commissioner of Police on behalf of the Inspector General of  Police commiserate with the family of the deceased and condemned the attack on the station as he vowed that such acts of lawlessness will not be tolerated.

“He assured that all those responsible for this criminal act will face the full weight of the law.

“The Police Command urges members of the public to remain calm and refrain from taking the laws into their hands, Investigations are ongoing, and further updates will be provided as investigation progresses.”

2BABA, Enjoying The Small Benefits Of Genius

By
The Source
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0
Steve Osuji
Steve Osuji

By Steve Osuji

I like woman, I dey straight forward

I like truth and I dey rock rumours eh

I don’t know wetin you want to do

But make you let me know if you go show up eh

Amaka disappoint me

But nyeneke confusion

Amaka disappoint me

Nyom kem disappointment oh

Amaka disappoint me

Nyom kem confusion oh

(Abridged lyrics of 2Baba’s song, AMAKA)

Let’s face it, some men are right now wishing they were Mr Innocent Idibia, (aka Tuface Idibia, aka Tubaba, aka 2Baba). The super star, super talented musician has done it again.

This viciously handsome crooner just stood up a few days ago, packed up with his wife (Annie Idibia) of 12 years and showed up on the premises of Edo House of Assembly, like a tipsy, fluttering butterfly, causing a stir and making tongues wag all around Nigeria and beyond. He just found another love in a legislative chamber and he’s not fazed to go take her right there!

Which man would do away with a wife today and show up in the public space in chase of another woman, brandishing an engagement ring? And the new woman is about 15 years younger; she’s a curvaceous, a ravishing beauty, a silver spoon and an heiress to a mammoth generational wealth. She’s also a legislator with means and clout of her own already.

In other words,  Natasha Osawaru, grand daughter of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion,  Esama of Benin Kingdom is not a star-struck, opportunistic wench like perhaps, other 2Baba women!

So why would Hon. Natasha do this? In the viral engagement video , the moment is inelegant and indeed, shambolic. 2Baba is all nervy and seemingly much distraught. Dressed in a cheap-looking shirt and sagging, dirty trousers (it looks like he slept in those clothes). There’s a ragtag crowd and 2Baba miscued every move in what ought to be a solemn moment.

He doesn’t know whether to hug Natasha, kiss her or embrace her. In his confusion,  he fidgetingly shuffled out some miserable naira notes and started to spray his newfound flame who isn’t dancing or performing,  thereby breaking Nigeria’s law.

Questions for Natasha: Although she shows a bit of initial reluctance in the video, she eventually caught the fire of the moment when a ring is slipped into her finger, embracing 2Baba tight and long. Why would she do this knowing another woman and her children are watching and sorrowing.

Doesn’t it bother her that the pain 2Baba has inflicted on many women could be her lot some day? She doesn’t mind that 2Baba is a certified philanderer? It is certainly not the money; is it the fame,  star effect? Or celebrity aura? Perhaps love?

Questions for 2Baba: Is he finally in love? Has he found his soulmate eventually?

TUFACE MEETS HIS YOKO ONO? Genius is crazy and mercurial. Throughout history,  not many geniuses have been known to be able to manage themselves. While they produce great works and achieve extraordinary feats, their private lives have always been messy.

They can’t live with one man/woman and family life often seems like distraction. Of course there are exceptions but we are talking about the rule here.

Examples abound through history:  Albert Einstein,  Wole Soyinka, Michael Jackson, Cristiano Ronaldo, and John Lennon, are just a few names readily coming to mind.

In the case of Lennon, it took  the coming of the Japanese ‘witch’, Yoko Ono to seize him by the scruff, divert him away from The Beatles and chaperone him till the tragic end of his life – right in her hands with Lennon’s blood splattered all over her  in an eternal sacrament of two souls, one and inseparable.

Tuface is genius no doubt. Over 30 songs and each of them masterly.  Voice, lyrics,  video and beat always  in agreement in every song.  He makes a mundane song seem sublime and a pedantic one, a dancehall joy.

Two of his songs: ‘E be like say’ and ‘For instance’, are pieces of critical political activism. But the man sweating away in the clubhouse can’t tell the difference. Such is his power.

One of Einstein’s more understanding and long-suffering wives is on record to have said nature endowed Albert as remarkably  as he denied him.

Tuface’s genius has obviously been diminished by his libido and matrimonies. Even his mother is distraught.

In his first and early dalliance with his numerous women, Sumbo Adeoye who had two children for him said Tuface’s mother persuaded her to stay after the first pregnancy because Mama Tuface hoped a second pregnancy would help tie his Don Juan son down. It didn’t.  Poor Sumbo had to flee when she found out  “there were other women who were going to have babies for him as at the time I left him.”

In the current episode,  Mama Tuface cries that Natasha has bewitched her son.

After Sumbo,  there was Pero Adeniyi and  Annie Macauley and now,  Natasha Osawaru. About seven children from three ladies he is are not married to and still counting. Many more 2Baba women are not annotated for lack of children between them but the relationships are well documented.

ENDGAME? Tuface is led by his talent and libido and celeb status. And the ladies flocking around him are driven by these attributes, it seems.

But Natasha seems a bit different. Tuface didn’t bump him up first. Tuface seems to quiver and genuflect before her. She probably gave him condition to go divorce Annie first before approaching her. And that he did without compunction or a second thought. Will Natasha be 2Baba’s Ono or would he use and dump her in another few years like he’s wont? Time will tell…

Happy Valentine to you, dear reader.

Feedback: [email protected] *Osuji is former editor at The Guardian and Thisday newspaper.

Planned Shadow Govt:  APC Seeking Relevance In Kano – Govt

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf

By Ayodele Oni

Kano State Government has reacted to a move by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to form a shadow government in the state.

National Chairman of the APC Patriotic Volunteers, Usman Alhaji, announced the group’s intention to form a shadow government in Kano State.

The State Government described the move  as a desperate and politically motivated scheme with serious social and legal implications for the entire state and Nigeria’s democratic system.

A statement on Sunday by the commissioner for information, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, reminded the APC in the state that forming a government within a government is entirely illegal and unconstitutional in Nigeria.

“A shadow government, as practiced in the United Kingdom, exists within a parliamentary system where opposition parties appoint ‘shadow ministers’ to scrutinize the ruling government.

“However, Nigeria operates a presidential system, which neither recognizes nor supports such a structure outside the institutional framework of the law.

“The government emphasized that democracy does not permit anyone to lose their sense of judgment simply because they have lost relevance within their party’s political structure.

“The right to freedom of expression does not grant anyone the liberty to make reckless statements or take actions that undermine constitutional governance and the sovereignty of an elected government.

“Contemplating the formation of a shadow government is further proof of the APC’s continued plot to destabilize Kano State and create chaos.

“Such actions will not be tolerated by the Kano State Government. The government stands ready to take decisive action against any individual or group involved in acts capable of disturbing the relative peace in the state, regardless of their social status or perceived political influence, in accordance with the laws of Kano State and Nigeria.

“The APC, as a party in Kano State, has reportedly lost its political relevance and influence. This latest move by some elements within the party is seen as a desperate attempt to remain relevant after its overwhelming rejection at the polls.

“Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration was duly elected by the people of Kano State and has, within a short period, recorded remarkable achievements in developmental projects and policies aimed at improving the lives of the people.

“Institutional reforms in governance have been a major focus of the administration, with policies such as non-interference in the fight against corruption and an open procurement process that aligns with best practices in accountability, transparency, and openness.

“The people of Kano State have embraced a government committed to good governance and sustainable development. No amount of political maneuvering or sinister plots can distract Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Kano State.

“Consequently, the government warns that reckless and unconstitutional declarations will not change the reality that the APC has been rejected in Kano State.

“Instead of making self-deceiving threats, the APC Patriotic Volunteers should respect the democratic will of the people and allow Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration to continue delivering on its mandate.”

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