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Group Seeks  N600bn For SE, Unconditional Release Of Nnamdi Kanu

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Nnamdi-Kanu - IPOB Leader

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A Civil Society Group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, on Tuesday January 14, 2025, demanded the  payment of N100 billion as  compensation to each of the  South-east States for the serial economic damages inflicted on the region by insecurity.

This is just as it  called for the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, to halt the spate of criminal activities and  security challenges besetting the geo-political Zone.

In a statement issued by its National Coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group similarly, asked the Federal Government to pay Kanu the sum of N100 billion to compensate for what it described as his illegal detention and dehumanization.

According to HURIWA, each of the five States of the South-east –  Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Imo – should be paid one hundred billion naira for the  collective and separate economic devastations and losses  wrought by wanton destructions, arson, mindless killings and general violence  that have trailed the  orchestrated insecurity in the region.

It is of the view that the economic growth and development of the South-east, has been negatively impacted since the outbreak of violence and other criminal activities mainly due to the  arrest, detention and trial of the IPOB leader.

The Source reports that Mazi Kanu was, in 202, arrested in Kenya by the agents of the Federal Government, and since then has been facing an endless trial at the courts.

His continued detention has tended to serve as a launch pad for some forces to unleash mayhem on unsuspecting residents of the region.

The human rights organization expressed serious concern for the Federal Government’s disregard for several local court-rulings, as well as calls by many international bodies including the United Nations Human Rights Council for the unconditional release of the IPOB leader .

According to HURIWA , the arrest,detention and trial of Kanu, for the past 30 months is a gross and grave act of miscarriage of justice which, also, greatly undermines Nigeria’s democracy and rule of law .

The group insisted that the prolonged and illegal detention of Kanu by the Federal Government and its agencies is a serious stain on the democratic credentials and human rights track record of the Nigerian Government.

“We call for his immediate and unconditional release as directed by multiple court rulings and demand a public apology from the Federal Government alongside a N100 billion compensation for the dehumanization he has suffered .

“The economic bleeding of the South East zone, perpetuated by the unlawful arrests and detentions of hundreds of Igbo youth under the guise of belonging to IPOB ,has created a climate of fear and instability.

“This has deterred investments, stunted businesses and left millions of people struggling to survive.

“The Federal Government must compensate each of the five South East states with  N100 billion to mitigate these economic losses and restore stability”, HURIWA stated

The rights group noted that the “detention of Kanu, heightened insecurity in the region, which in conjunction with Federal Government’s repressive measures,  disrupted businesses, and education, resulting in serious loss of revenue, and rise in unemployment”

KWAM 1 Loses Wife

By
Akinwale Kasali
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KWAM 1- King Wasiu Ayinde
KWAM!

By Akinwale Kasali

Fuji Maestro, King Wasiu Adewale Ayinde Marshal, KWAM 1, has lost one of his Wives, Alhaja Hafsat Ajoke Anifowoshe.

The late Anifowoshe is the Mother of one of his daughters, Honourable Idayat Anifowoshe,  Special Assistant on Special Duties to Dr. Mayor Muibi Alade Folawiyo, Executive Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Authority, LIELCDA.

It was gathered that Anifowoshe died early Tuesday of a yet-to-be disclosed ailment.

She was aged 65 years, and her remains have already been committed to mother-earth at Abari cemetery, Lagos, according to Muslim rites.

Commiserating with Honourable Idayat, Olushoga Olushola, the Chief Press Secretary to The Executive Chairman of LIELCDA, on behalf of his principal, said, “We know it hurts so deeply to lose a loving mother and dependable partner.We wish we could find enough words to comfort you at this moment.

“You must, however, take solace in the time your mother spent on earth and her good service to God and humanity.

“We understand she was an excellent woman, affectionate mother and dutiful mother of her children who was loved by all those who came in contact with her.

“Rest assured that our thoughts are with you and our prayers are that you, the children and all those she left behind will find the strength to continue where she stopped.

“May her soul find eternal rest.”

Repatriation: 390 Nigerians Return From Niger Republic

By
Ayodele Oni
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NEMA Officials

By Ayodele Oni

The National Commission for Refugees has announced that another batch of no fewer than 390 Nigerian migrants, who were stranded in Niamey, Niger Republic, have been repatriated to the country.

The Commission stated that the returnees, comprising 387 adult males, two adult females, and one infant boy, arrived at the Nigeria Immigration Training School, Kano, at about 1:05 a.m. on Tuesday.

In December, 2024, a set of 702 stranded Nigerians were repatriated from Niger Republic.

During a reception held for them on Tuesday in Kano, the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, Tijjani Ahmed, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to reintegrate the returnees into various empowerment programmes under the renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

He disclosed that the repatriation efforts were facilitated via a multi-agency operation organised by the Nigerian Mission in Niamey in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration.

Represented by the Kano State Field Coordinator, Hajiya Liman, the Commissioner said the latest effort marks the continuation of voluntary returns initiated in 2024 and represents the third batch of returnees from the Niger Republic.

“Upon arrival, the returnees were registered and profiled by NCFRMI and Nigeria Immigration Service officials to ensure proper documentation and access to various federal government reintegration support programmes.”

While commending the seamless collaborative efforts among the participating agencies, he stressed that the joint efforts ensured the success of the operation.

Four Persons, Including A Foreigner, Crash Into River while Escaping Kidnapping

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Gunmen - Kidnappers

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Professional divers, Marine Police, and other public spirited  individuals were, at the time of filing this report, still battling to rescue and/or recover attempted- abduction victims alongside their vehicle which plunged into a river.

Eye witness accounts said a foreign national, two local  employees of an unnamed firm and their driver, Monday night, January 13, 2025,  in bid to evade kidnappers, plunged into the Okulu River along the Eleme section of the East-West Road in Rivers State.

An attempt to flee from the suspected abductors made the driver of the Hilux SUV to veer off the road. He,  subsequently, crashed into the river with all the occupants of the vehicle.

Brian Gokpa ,the Executive Chairman of Eleme Local Council ,is coordinating the  rescue team which comprises  Naval personnel, Police operatives and others versed in marine operations in a battle to recover both the victims and the vehicle.

The State Police authorities have also conducted an on the spot assessment of the situation.

This is just as the Rivers state Commissioner of Police,

Olugbenga Adepoju  commended the swift intervention of the  Eleme Council officials in addressing the challenge.

Reacting to the development ,the Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, informed that all efforts are ongoing to recover the victims and their vehicle.

“Yes, I can confirm the incident. The Commissioner of Police has visited the scene. Updates will be provided as soon as available”, Koko noted.

The Eleme Council Chairman, Gokpa has, however, assured that all efforts will be made, including the drafting of more personnel to recover the victims.

Land Allottees In FCT Get C-of- O Within Two Weeks – Minister

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nyesom Wike
Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister

By Ayodele Oni

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has announced that applicants for Certificate of Occupancy, (CofO) in the Federal Capital can now get their papers within two weeks.

In a statement on Tuesday, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on New Media, Lere Olayinka, said: “The moment necessary payments are made, land allottees can now get their C-of-O within two weeks.”

Olayinka revealed that “As at December 31, 2024, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has signed a total of 5,481 Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O).

“This is 2,919 less than the total number of C-of-O printed and signed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA)  from 2010 to 2023 (13 years).

He said: “One of the reasons land allottees do not find it compelling to pay for their C-of-O is because when they pay, they wait for years. But in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, that has changed now.

“Even uploading of necessary information to show when a C-of-O is collected as well as details on the collector that used to take months, is now done within 72 hours.”

Giving details of C-of-O produced and signed in the FCT in the last 15 years, the Minister’s Spokesperson said: “From May 2010 to May 2015, total of 5,655 Certificates of Occupancy were produced and signed.

“From May 2015 to May 2019, a total of 1,174 Certificates of Occupancy were produced and signed, while 1,571 were done between May 2019 and May 2023.

“Meanwhile, from May 2023 that President Tinubu assumed office till December 31, 2024, a total of 5,481 Certificates of Occupancy were produced and signed by the FCT Minister.

“Also, in the next few weeks, land allottees whose C-of-O are ready for collection will begin to receive auto-generated SMS because it has been discovered that most of them don’t even know that their title documents are ready.”

Lagos: Meranda Was Gov Sanwo-Olu’s Candidate For Speaker; What You Need To Know

By
James Orji
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Speaker Meranda

By Akinwale Kasali

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,  Mojisola Lasbat Meranda has etched her name on the marble of history  as the first woman to hold that position in the state checkered history.

As the first Lagos female speaker, Meranda has shattered records as the state’s number three citizen, only next to the Governor and his deputy.

According to checks by the magazine no fewer than nine female House of Assembly Speakers have emerged across the federation since the return to participatory democracy in 1999.

But the  narratives changed on January 13, 2025, when by providence, Meranda, a former Deputy Speaker was elected  Speaker of LAHA following the shocked impeachment of Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa.

Meranda has been in House since 2015 when she won the Assembly seat, representing Apapa 1 Constituency, and has been re-elected to the Assembly by her constituency since then.

Following the governorship election in the state in 2023, the lawmaker representing Apapa state constituency had challenged Obasa for the Speakership, reportedly backed by  Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu, but lost the bid.

Having lost the contest to Obasa as a result of the high intrigues and calculations by power brokers, Meranda, could not, by any figment of imagination thought that she would rise to the exalted position, which fate has now entrusted to her.

Apart from enjoying Governor Sanwo-Olu’s backing, the new Speaker, according to sources is the younger sister of Oba Oniru, His Royal Highness, Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal.

Other political observers also insist that Meranda’s rise to political prominence may not be unconnected with the cozy relationship between Oba Oniru  and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other power brokers in ths state. The monarch was Tinubu’s Police Orderly while he was governor of the state from 1999-2007.

Mojisola Lasbat Meranda was born on August 16, 1980, into the royal families of Ojora, Aromire, Onitana, Oloto, and Oniru.

She attended Randle Primary School and later Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School and Ansar-Ud-Deen Secondary School.

Meranda earned a degree in Public Administration from Lagos State University in 2013 and pursued further studies at the University of Lagos.

She worked with the Lagos State government in various capacities, as well as in the private sector, as a procurement manager at Cirrus Nigeria Limited.

Meanwhile, Governor Sanwo-Olu has debunked suggestions that he played a part in Monday’s  leadership change in the assembly.

Lagos: Obasa’s Impeachment Surprised Sanwo-Olu – Aide

By
James Orji
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Sanwo and Obasa

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu has distant self from the the impeachment, on Monday, of the Speaker of the state house  of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa.

The governor said he was surprised at the turn of events in the Assembly like other Nigerians.

“The Governor must have watched it like any other person’ the development in the House of Assembly, his spokesman, Gboyega Akosile said.

Obasa was removed from office yesterday by all the state lawmakers who have since appointed Mojisola Lasbat Miranda to take his place, as the state’s number three citizen.

Governor Sanwo-Olu has been reported to be part of the plot for the ouster of the former Speaker, who was outside the country at the time his exit was orchestrated by his colleagues.

Those watching what is going on in the state claimed that the the prolonged crisis of confidence between the governor and the speaker led to the disgraceful impeachment of Obasa.

Reacting, Governor Sanwo said he had no hands in his impeachment, asserting that he was busy on how to make the state better for the residents.

Sanwo-olu’s reaction was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by his media aide, Gboyega Akosile, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports.

According to the governor the impeachment was purely a legilative one, as he had nothing to do with it.

“There is absolutely nothing true about that” (I was part of the impeachment)”.  “I mean, no, the Governor does not have a hand in it. It was purely a legislative matter,” Akosile said.

“The Governor is busy with serious matters, busy with taking care of the over 20 million Lagos population.

“What happened in the Hallowed Chamber of the House of Assembly was purely the prerogative of the legislators.

“I mean, we saw on the media, just like you, that the legislators removed the Speaker. We watched like every other person. The Governor must have watched it like any other person.

“I don’t think there is anything more to it other than that. So, absolutely, there is no hand of the governor in the impeachment of the Speaker.”

Obasa’s removal as Speaker, the magazine reports,was the climax of the protracted feud with Governor Sanwo-olu

Fr. Ebube Muonso Pronounces Death On Critics

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Ebube Muonso and Fr Emmanuel Obimma

By Adesina Soyooye

“For writing  against me, your death is near”, Ebube Muonso to Commissioner Mefor

An unusual New Year wish has gone out from the  Spiritual Director, Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry Uke, Anambra state, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, to his critics, and especially, the Commissioner for Information, Anambra  State, Law Mefor.

Fr. Obinma, popular as Ebube Muonso, was angered by Commissioner Mefor’s attack on him in an article titled: “Ebube Muonso, fake prophet and insecurity.”

Mefor wrote the article in response to Muonso’s strong criticism of Governor  Chukwuma Soludo’s handling of insecurity in the State.

In the past few weeks, Anambra State has been engulfed by unprecedented violence, blood, anguish, deaths. Both kidnapping and death have boiled and reached high heavens. Nobody is too scared to be kidnapped or killed. A Rev. Fr. had been killed in cold blood, a retired Anglican Archbishop and his driver had been kidnapped, held for about a month before their release, two Catholic Nuns had been kidnapped, held for a week and released; beer parlours had been invaded and dozens killed, and so were funeral venues. It’s been unprecedented in the history of the State.

So, in his New Year message, Ebube Muonso, no fan of Governor Soludo dismissed him as the worst thing that has happened to the State. He called Soludo a failure and a disappointment and a disaster. He gave the impression that nobody was in charge of the State and that criminals had taken over. He told the story of how he “bribed” the Police in the State with the sum of One Million Naira before they agreed to go and rescue a kidnapped Rev. Fr. whose location had been identified.

It was Muonso’s New Year message that Mefor responded to, a response which has attracted a death wish from the Rev. Fr. against Mefor. “Your death is near for writing against me”, Ebube Muonso pronounced against Mefor.

In the article, Mefor has put the root cause of insecurity in the South-east and, especially, Anambra State on the door steps of “Muonso and his ilk.”

Mefor:  “The new wave of insecurity in Anambra in particular and the South East has its roots in preaching wealth without work championed by the likes of Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, aka Ebube Muonso. They are merchants of fake miracles and fake prophecies who, for decades, have taught our youths to believe they can become wealthy and great without work, perseverance, and morality, all vital virtues for which Ndigbo were reputed in the past.

“Such virtues that accounted for the outstanding successes of Ndi Anambra and Ndigbo in general are now assailed by their wrong teachings.

“Ndigbo work their way to the top, to borrow Soludo’s expression. The greatness attained by some is never by sudden flight but through their toiling upward at night while their contemporaries went to bed, to paraphrase the philosopher. Ndigbo persevere. They work quite hard and believe in God, who promised in Deuteronomy 28:12: ‘The Lord will bless the work of your hands.’ That’s the foundation and Igbo wealth code that Ebube Muonso and his fellow miracle merchants want to uproot”.

Irked by Mefor’s response, Muonso, who never allows any criticism get him by fired back: “Just the other day, the president was in Enugu to commission some projects in the state. In Anambra, what do we have to commission?

“Anambra under Soludo has no project to commission, except the blood of the innocent killed by kidnappers. Even the roads the governor claims he is building are all substandard. Go and look at them.”

Specifically on Mefor who dismissed him as a false prophet, Muonso said: “One thing that is good is that I’m the one they are attacking. They will meet their end soon. All of them those media rats  writing nonsense against me they will see.

“Instead of channeling their efforts to tackle the problem of insecurity, they are busy attacking a man of God. Just yesterday, on Tuesday, two Reverend Sisters were kidnapped at Ajalli. This government has failed”.

For the records, the two Reverend Sisters were released a couple of days ago after about one week in the den of their kidnappers.

Alleged Human Rights Violation: NPF Threatens Legal Action Against Amnesty International

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Olumuyiwa Adejobi

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is threatening legal action against the Amnesty International, (AI) if the world body fails to retract and apologize for allegations of excessive force and human rights violations  against the force during the #EndBadGovernance protests.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed that a letter dated 6 January 2025, titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on Bad Governance Protests,” had been sent to the human rights organisation.

According to the statement, the NPF accused Amnesty International of publishing unsubstantiated claims that falsely portrayed the police as perpetrators of brutality and excessive violence during the protests held in August 2024.

“Upon careful review and investigation, the NPF categorically rejects these baseless allegations, affirming that the claims are entirely false and without foundation.”

The police maintained that officers had acted with professionalism and restraint throughout the protests, even when faced with provocation and violent attacks.

The statement, added that their actions adhered to global best practices, with minimal force applied only when necessary. The NPF cited national media coverage as evidence of their efforts to maintain law and order while safeguarding peaceful protesters, adding that criminal elements who sought to exploit the protests were arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law.

“The Nigeria Police Force strongly believes that this misleading publication undermines the trust and confidence it has worked diligently to build with Nigerian citizens and residents.”

The NPF expressed concerns that the publication tarnished its reputation and demoralised officers who risk their lives daily to protect the public.

It demanded that Amnesty International retract the publication and issue a formal apology within seven days, warning that failure to comply could prompt legal action to defend the organisation’s integrity.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to its duty of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians, upholding the law, and earning the trust of the people it serves.”

Amnesty International’s report alleged that police officers fired live ammunition at protesters at close range, often aiming at the head or torso, suggesting intent to kill.

It claimed that two survivors sustained injuries to their arms and legs, while others suffered suffocation from the indiscriminate use of tear gas.

“People in Nigeria witnessed unbelievable lawlessness as security personnel fired live ammunition at peaceful protests. The death toll could be higher than 24 because of the authorities’ desperate efforts to cover up the atrocities.

“Peaceful protest over government policies is now a matter of life and death in Nigeria,” said Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

Sanusi called on the Nigerian government to hold police and other security agencies accountable for their actions. He further urged President Bola Tinubu to establish an independent and impartial investigation into the alleged human rights violations during the #EndBadGovernance protests.

Lagos: The Fall Of Obasa And His Gov Gambit

By
James Orji
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Mudashiru Obasa

The 2023 Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos state, Gbadebo Rhoes-Vivor has disclosed that the embattled former Speaker of the state Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa was removed because of his governorship ambition.

Rhodes-Vivor made the remark while reacting to the impeachment of Obasa on Monday by all the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The former speaker was out of the country when the other lawmakers  of the 50-member Assembly removed him from office, accusing him of corruption and over-handedness.

A new Speaker,  Mojisola Lasbat Miranda, who until yesterday the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly has since been elected to replace the former Speaker.

According to the LP candidate, the powers-that-be in the state moved against the former Speaker because of his reported ambition to contest the state governorship election in 2027.

Obasa has been mentioned among potential governorship aspirants from the Ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, who include Seyi Tinubu, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s son; former Governor Akinwumi Ambode, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, amongst others.

Sources tracking the development revealed that the former speaker had ruffled feathers recently when he, during the presentation of the 2025 Budget by the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu said he’s qualified to rule the state.

He had said “ becoming governor is secondary; it is something that I have not given serious consideration. Nevertheless, that does not mean I am too young or lack experience to run; whereas, those who have been before me are not better off.”

Rhodes-Vivor said some powerful forces in the state have arrogated the powers to determine who becomes governor in the state to themselves, and are not happy that the former speaker was planning to lead the state.

In a veiled reference to President Tinubu, the former LP governorship candidate said Obasa’s governorship gambits was not in tandem with the president’s, who is the major decider of who becomes the governor of the state.

He dismissed the allegations of financial impropriety against the former Speaker, wondering while it took the lawmakers so long to realize that Obasa was corrupt.

He said, “It’s interesting that the EFCC just realized the corruption of APC Lagos politicians. It is not a coincidence that they all have ambition to become the next governor.

“Your principal has just indirectly communicated that Lagos is his birthright and that of his descendants, and every aspiring APC politician exists solely to further his interest and that of his family.

“I have said this before and will say it again. Lagos is bigger than him and we must remind him that Lagos is not his to bequeath,” he wrote.”

Faud Oki,  a chieftain of the party in the state in his reaction said the former speaker was full of himself, and has become ‘recalcitrant’ about resolving the crisis of confidence between him and Governor Sanwo-olu and other APC leaders in the state.

He accused Obasa of being indisposed to resolving the crisis, saying he has become an ‘emperor’ and  “that was what broke the camel’s back,.”

Also, Jide Ojo a political analyst said Obasa’s impeachment was a ‘self inflicted own-goal’, describing the saga as the ‘politics at its peak’ in the state.

He added that Obasa’s ‘snide’ against Governor Sanwo-Olu during the 2025 Budget presentation was one of the reasons why he was impeached, wondering ‘why he did what he did’, adding that the power brokers in the state were already fed up with the former speaker.

He stated further that when the ‘president weighed in on his feud with the governor,  Obasa ‘showed a measure of stubbornness’, adding that he was only privilege to be the speaker of the Assembly as all the lawmakers are equal. The former speaker, he said, must have overrated himself to the extent that he arrogated too much control to himself at the expense of other political leaders in the state.

The magazine reported that Obasa was scolded by President Tinubu  last month in Lagos during a meeting with  the leaders of the party, on how to resolve the crisis of confidence between him and the governor.

The meeting, which brought together members of the Governor Advisory Council, GAC, the influential political advisory body to the governor of the state, was, according to sources called at the instance of the president who was poised to resolve the feud between Obasa and Governor Sanwo-Olu once and for all.

During the meeting, Tinubu was said to have tongue-lashed the former speaker for disrespecting the governor, and ordered him to drop his governorship ambition.

Tinubu’s son, Seyi is currently eyeing the governorship seat, according to sources close to him, who said the president may be considering his own son to take a shot at the highest office in the state for the first time.

Tinubu, ably described as the political godfather of the state has been instrumental to the emergence of all the governors in the state, after exiting office in 2027.  It impossible to become governor without his approval, those familiar with the politics of the state said.

On Monday, the Minister of Youth Development,  Ayodele Olawande said the president’s son is a top contender for the state governorship in 2027.

Olawande said, “He is not too young to become a governor, that’s the truth. Everybody has a tendency to become whatever it is you want to become.  He is a well-trained young man that has built a lot of young people, massive young people even when his father is not the president.

“He paves a way for you to grow. As the President’s son, he is not away in the United States or somewhere else enjoying himself, but he is there doing the work himself and wants to see how things can go well for the young people of this country.”

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