Politics

Governor Soludo calls for Nnamdi Kanu’s unconditional release, offers to stand as surety

No Comments

Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has appealed to the Nigerian government to “unconditionally and immediately” release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

The governor of Anambra state made the call at a political gathering in Awka, the state capital on Saturday, January 14.

Governor Soludo went further to assert that if the detained IPOB leader cannot be released unconditionally, he should be released to him saying he is ready to stand surety for him.

“I am making a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally. If he cannot be released unconditionally, I want him released to me and I will stand surety for him.

We need Nnamdi Kanu in the roundtable conversation to discuss the insecurity in the South East. We must end insecurity in the South East and we need Nnamdi Kanu to be around.”

Soludo promised to cater for Nnamdi Kanu and also offered to bring him to the authorities any time he is required

“I will house him here in Awka. We need him released to end insecurity in the South-east,” he said.

Kanu was arrested by the Federal government in June 2021 and has been in detention since then.

Politics

General Sanni Abacha’s family loses bid to stop fresh probe

No Comments

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed an appeal by the family of the late military dictator, General Sani Abacha, to stop the Federal Government from reopening forfeiture proceedings against the former Head of State.

The appeal marked:

SC/641/2013, was filed by Abacha’s sons, Mohammed and Abba, on behalf of their family.Listed as respondents were the Attorney General of the Federation; the Inspector-General of Police; Chairman, Special Investigation Panel; National Security Adviser and Magistrate Sonja Nachbaur of the Principality of Liechtenstein.

The move by the Federal Government to reopen the fraud probe was targeted at some family members over their alleged complicity in looting the nation’s treasury during Abacha’s rule.

The appeal was against the July 25, 2013 judgment by the Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division, which affirmed a 2009 judgment of the Federal High Court in Kaduna, which went against the family.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal by Abacha’s family praying that the probe be stopped.

Justice Emmanuel Agim, who read the lead judgment, dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit and substance.

They pronounced that the concurrent findings by the two lower courts “are unassailable.”

Politics

Gov Adeleke Hails Buhari For Signing Electoral Act

No Comments

Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Friday, hailed the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for signing the Electoral Act, which he said paved the way for free and fair elections.

Adeleke said this at his first meeting with Buhari at the State House, in Abuja.The governor told journalists;

“Since my election, I feel like I should come and say hello to Mr. President and thank him for signing that Electoral Act because I benefited from it.

That paved way for free and fair elections and the international community is applauding Nigeria, that Nigeria is set for democracy.

“So that is why I’m here today; to see him, thank him and wish him well in his remaining time in office.”

Politics

INEC investigating allegations of extortion at PVC collection centres

No Comments

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is investigating allegations of extortion by its officials at permanent voter card (PVC) collection centres.

In a statement released on Thursday, Jan. 12, and signed by Festus Okoye, its national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education, the commission said officials found guilty will face disciplinary action.

The statement reads:

”The Commission is investigating allegations of extortion by officials at some of the collection centres and inducement by some unscrupulous voters to circumvent processes in order to obtain their PVCs. Those found culpable will face disciplinary action and/or prosecution.

“Similarly, the Commission is disturbed by allegations of discriminatory issuance of PVCs in some locations. This is against the law. All bonafide registrants are entitled to their PVCs and to use them to vote on Election Day in any part of the country where they are registered.

“Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) have been directed to ensure that no such practices occur nationwide and take immediate disciplinary action against violators.”

Meanwhile, there have also been complaints by some persons over non-availability of their PVCs. But the commission, in its statement, said it has printed all PVCs of new registrants and those who requested transfer. It, however, directed issuing officers to compile complaints on unavailability of cards.

“The Commission has printed 13,868,441 PVCs for all new valid registrants as well as applicants for transfer or replacement of cards,” the statement reads.

“Nevertheless, issuing officers should compile any complaints about non-availability of cards and forward them to their immediate supervisors for the attention of Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) who shall compile and forward them for necessary action.

“The Commission once again appreciates the patience and perseverance of citizens as we continue to finetune our process to make the collection of PVCs easier.”

Politics

EFCC to remove Okupe from watchlist, says he was arrested by DSS based on a 2016 watchlist request

No Comments

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has said it will remove the former Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Doyin Okupe, from its watchlist following his arrest by the Department of State Security Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Thursday, January 12.

According to EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwajuren, DSS acted on a watchlist request made in July 2016, before the recent conviction of Okupe.

The statement read;

“The Department of State Services, DSS, today, January 12, informed the commission of the interception of Dr. Doyin Okupe, former presidential adviser, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

“The service acted on a watch-list request issued on July 18, 2016, over six years before his recent conviction on money laundering charges by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

“The commission was in the process of formally lifting the watch-list before his interception and will expedite action in this regard.”

Entertainment, Politics

Most celebrities have become slaves to fear during election because they can be blacklisted or attacked by clueless thugs – Comedian AY

No Comments

Comedian AY has explained why some celebrities have not gone public with those they are supporting in the 2023 general election.

According to the comedian, most celebrities have become slaves to fear during election period, because they can be blacklisted or attacked by clueless thugs.

AY further appealed to Nigerians to stop putting celebrities under pressure.

Politics

Buhari asks foreign envoys not to interfere in 2023 election

No Comments

President Muhammadu Buhari has again asked representatives of foreign governments not to meddle in Nigeria’s internal affairs and the 2023 general election.

The President renewed the call when he received Letters of Credence from Ambassadors of Switzerland, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Senegal and the Republic of South Sudan at the State House.

Buhari also called for cooperation and collaboration from countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to overcome challenges in West Africa.

He further revealed that Nigeria is working closely with ECOWAS to deal with insecurity in the region and also implement strategies to contain the spate of unconstitutional changes in government in the sub-region.

Buhari further appealed to friendly countries to support efforts to address the challenge of insecurity, fight against corruption, diversification of the economy, and our efforts in promoting good governance.

Lifestyle, Politics

I was erroneously arrested by EFCC – Doyin Okupe says as he’s released

No Comments

The immediate-past Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Doyin Okupe, has said that his rearrest by the Department of State Service on the request of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, was an ”error.” Okupe was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport this morning, Jan. 12.

Speaking on Twitter following his release, he explained that his passport had long been withheld by the Federal High Court Abuja even before finding him guilty of violating sections of the Money Laundering Act that attracted two and a half years imprisonment.

He added that senior officers of the EFCC in Lagos and Abuja have apologised for the error in his arrest.

Politics

Tension in Ondo as soldiers allegedly attack PDP members

No Comments

THE People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State, yesterday, raised the alarm over the attack of its members in Idanre Local Government Area of the state by alleged soldiers.

The party accused the lawmaker representing Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Mr. Tajudeen Adefisoye, of masterminding the attack on its members and the destruction of shops where members were holding a meeting.

Adefisoye, who is the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Army, had accused some PDP youths of attacking his convoy, last Saturday, in the town, injuring his supporters.

The PDP alleged that the invasion by the alleged fake soldiers was a reprisal attack by the APC lawmaker.

Reacting to the invasion, the Director of Media and Publicity of PDP, in Idanre council area, Mr Fasoranti Adeyemi, in a statement, said:

“The military action started around 5:45 pm and lasted till 7:05 pm which resulted in the destruction of shops and property.

“No amount of threats and intimidations will stop Idanre/Ifedore from voting PDP candidates in February/March 2023 and from winning.”

Reacting to the alleged invasion, the lawmaker, Mr Adefisoye, denied the allegations, saying he didn’t bring soldiers to the town.

Adefisoye said:

“I didn’t bring soldiers to Idanre. It was the candidate of PDP for the House of Representatives, Festus Akingbaso, and his supporters that attacked me.

“They destroyed my cars and the windscreen of my car was pierced by a bullet.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Ondo Police Command, Funmi Odunlami, said the matter was under investigation.Odunlami said:

“We quickly moved in to ensure peace in the community as investigations have started with a view to apprehending perpetrators of such a dastard act.

“This is the electioneering period. You would want to bring in someone that will represent you. There is no justification for taking anybody’s life.

“We will get to the root of the matter and ensure we get those involved arrested.”

Politics

2023 elections will hold as scheduled – INEC chairman, Yakubu Mahmoud, insists

No Comments

Barely four days after raising alarm over a possible postponement or cancellation of the 2023 polls due to the increasing spate of insecurity in some parts of the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Wednesday, January 11, made a U-turn saying nothing would stop the conduct of the polls on February 25 and March 11.

Recall that INEC’s Chairman, Board of Electoral Institute (BEI), Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, had on Monday, January 9, warned that the general election faces serious threats of cancellation and postponement if security challenges across parts of the country fails to improve.

Zuru, who represented the commission’s chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, at the validation of election security training resources in Abuja, also expressed concerns that the cancellation or postponement of the elections due to insecurity in some areas would not only hinder the declaration of elections results, but also precipitate a constitutional crisis.

However, in his keynote address at the presentation of the National Register of Voters to the 18 registered political parties in Abuja, yesterday, INEC Chairman, Prof Yakubu, said security agencies have given strong assurances of adequate security and safety of electoral officials to allow for the conduct of peaceful and credible polls across states.

In his words

“The commission is not contemplating any adjustment to the election timetable, let alone the postponement of the general election.

For the avoidance of doubt, the presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Saturday February 25, 2023 while Governorship and State Assembly elections will hold two weeks later on Saturday, March 11, 2023.

The repeated assurance by the security agencies for the adequate protection of our personnel, materials and processes also reinforces our determination to proceed. The 2023 general election will hold as scheduled. Any report to the contrary is not the official position of the commission.”

Politics

Court sacks Ondo Deputy Speaker, reinstates Ogundeji

No Comments

Hon Aderoboye Samuel, the lawmakwer representing Odigbo Constituency II as Deputy Speaker of Ondo Assembly has been sacked by an Ondo High Court sitting in Akure.

The court also ordered the Assembly to immediately reinstate Hon Iroju Ogundeji as its Deputy Speaker.

Ogundeji, who represents Odigbo Constituency 2, was impeached for alleged gross misconduct.

The Nation reported that he was suspended in July 2020 and efforts he made to resume plenary following court orders failed.

The court which nullified the 2020 impeachment of Ogundeji as the Deputy Speaker, also ordered Aderoboye to stop parading himself as the Deputy Speaker.

Politics

People who vote for APC love suffering — Omoyele Sowore

No Comments

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, on Wednesday said Nigerians who will vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress to retain power in the forthcoming 2023 election, “love suffering.”

The AAC flag bearer said this during an interview on ‘The Roundtable’ organised by PUNCH Newspapers.

Sowore when asked if he would be shocked should the APC presidential candidate win the 2023 election said two things would be involved if the APC wins – either through rigging or the people who would vote for them aren’t tired of suffering.

He further questioned why it seemed Nigerians had a track record of supporting their “abusers.”

A livid Sowore said if the APC wins, “I’ll be surprised but first we will need to analyse two things.

“First is if there was a credible election because the APC is used to winning elections that don’t happen. Very shady party, the same thing applied to the PDP when they were in power (at the centre).

“Secondly, if it is true they won the election, then we would need to examine Nigerians as a people, if there is something wrong with our ability to take punishment. Do we ever get tired of punishment? Do we ever get tired of being abused?

“Why will a people be seemingly convenient with hardship? It’s nothing new anyway, but I’m just reiterating it. I have asked myself this question many times.

“Sometimes, you read comments by pundits with ignorance and very holistical views about the state of the nation, you will question what is wrong with us. And some of them are people you happen to respect.”

He continued, “Some would say with authority that the position of the government is the best. They did it when June 12 election was annulled; they did it when former President Olusegun Obasanjo wanted to run for third term, with some defending that Nigeria had never had a leader like him so he should run for third term.

“They also did it during (Gen Sani) Abacha’s time, five political parties came together and were swearing that he was the best thing that could ever happen to Nigeria; but the day he died, they sang a different tune.

“At the end of the day, we need conscious citizens to remain steadfast and regardless of who wins this election, we will all bear the consequences of our actions,” he concluded.

Politics

PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Admits Using Fasawe, Andy Uba To Syphon Billions Of Naira In Federal Contracts During Tenure As Nigerian Vice-President

No Comments

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has been caught on tape admitting his involvement in a complex conspiracy that for years took advantage of federal contracting expenditures.

This was disclosed in a viral audio shared by Atiku’s former aide, Michael Achimugu where the former vice-president was narrating how he took charge of setting up onshore shell businesses to serve as a conduit for syphoning significant sums from public works contracts for himself and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Obasanjo was Nigeria’s President between 1999 and 2007 while Atiku was the Vice President.

Atiku also revealed how their government designated some funds stolen during the process to political allies to fund their party’s activities without traces.

He said,

“What happened was when we came into office and I advised the president against open corruption.

“I told him to give me three people you trust and I will prepare three companies in which they will be subscribers or rather the directors.

“So that if there is any contract that we give they will act like consultants and they are given a fee. That fee is what we use to fund the party.”

Mr Abubakar specifically stated in the audio that Obasanjo gave him the name of Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, Andy Uba as well as another politician from Borno State whom he said died in a plane crash to serve as fronts.

“I now incorporated companies and put them as subscribers. One of the companies was Marine Float,” he added.

The PDP presidential hopeful further admitted to having collected N100 million bribe from Mr Joshua Dariye, a former Plateau State governor, which was paid directly to Marine Float, one of the three firms he registered.

Dariye was convicted of criminal misappropriation and criminal breach of trust and was found to have looted N2 billion in public funds during his time as governor between 1999 and 2007.

Atiku continued:

“When the governor sent donations, he sent it to Marine Float. It stayed in Marine Float. One of the subscribers of Marine Float was Otunba Fasawe.

That was where the N100 million went to. It did not go to Atiku Abubakar. It went to Marine Float. Marine Float was a special-purpose vehicle,” Mr Abubakar said, adding that that was the way he “handled it”.

Mr Abubakar said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission later probed Marine Float accounts “very well” but still “found nothing” linking him to its fraudulent activities.

In 2007, Nigerian senators accused Atiku Abubakar of diverting more than $100m (£51m) in public funds to private interests.

A Senate inquiry recommended that Atiku should be prosecuted for syphoning off money to companies he was connected to.

The Senate launched the investigation after the then-president, Obasanjo, forwarded charges made by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency against Atiku.

In a report presented to the Senate, the investigating panel said it agreed with the findings that Atiku helped divert $145m from Nigerian government accounts to banks.

However, nothing came out of the investigation and findings made by the panel.

Politics

Son of DSS DG, Abba Bichi, denies claims his mother ordered arrest of Kano governorship candidate, Abba Yusuf

No Comments

Abba Bichi who is the son of the Director-General of the Department of State Security has denied reports claiming his mum, Aisha, ordered men of the DSS to assault the New Nigerian Peoples Party governorship candidate in Kano state, Abba Yusuf, at the Aminu Kano International Airport’s VIP lounge on Sunday, January 8.

It was reported that Aisha Bichi ordered the arrest of Yusuf following a confrontation they had at the airport.

According to the publication, the governorship candidate’s convoy caused traffic congestion which prevented Bichi’s convoy from gaining access to the VIP lounge.

An argument reportedly ensued and it is alleged that Mrs Bichi ordered her security details to arrest Abba Yusuf.

It is also alleged that Mrs Bichi ordered the assault of one of Abba Yusuf’s aide, Garba Kilo, pictured far left above, who she spotted filming the altercation.

However in a post shared on his Instagram page, Abba Bichi, denied the claims.

His post reads;

One of his goons attempted to go after the wife of the dg that’s when the DSS agents attached to her neutralise him which resulted in his injuries.”

”The wife of the DG DSS never ordered the arrest of abba Gida gida or the killing of his political goon! The convoy of the dg DSS wife was blocked by the thugs of abba and the DSS agents demanded entrance into the airport which the goons denied, the agents approached and the goons turned violent while abba Gida gida was watching from his car while all of this was unveiling!

The DSS agents decided to make entry again into the airport then abba Gida gida who was in his car decided to come down from his car and started harassing the DSS agents and ordered his goons to be violent, while all of this was happening the wife of the dg DSS came down from her car and pleaded with abba Gida gida to let it go which he turned on the wife of the dg and started raining insults on her.

Politics

OPC is not involved in Ojota unrest – Gani Adams

No Comments

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Gani Adams, has dismissed as untrue reports that members of the Oodua Peoples Congress were involved in the crisis that erupted in Ojota, Lagos, on Monday.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, Adams said the Ojota rally came as a surprise, adding that none of his members were part of the crisis.

“Let me clear the air on the crisis that had engulfed Ojota this morning. There were unconfirmed reports linking members of the OPC to the mayhem. I want to state it clearly that none of our members were at the scene of the incident.

“The OPC is not against the liberation of the Yoruba race, however, it is a fact that the struggle for the liberation of the Yoruba race is an inalienable right of all the Yorubas to champion self-determination. We are not part of the peaceful rally held in Ojota.“Our position on regionalism is very clear. It is sacrosanct because that is what we are seeking at the moment.

“Nigeria should be restructured to full regional autonomy, where each region will be at liberty to operate at their own pace.

“It is unfortunate that the report was done in bad faith to discredit our organisation.

“So members of the public should not be deceived by unconfirmed reports.

“Information at my disposal from the visual contents of happenings in Ojota indicated a peaceful rally that later went awry, leaving in its wake a bitter experience that led to the death of one of the Yoruba nation agitators.

“It is unfortunate that such a crisis could lead to such fracas that eventually claimed one life,” he said.

Lifestyle, Politics

Police confirm one dead in Ojota crisis, says two police officers were shot at by the Yoruba nation agitators

No Comments

The Lagos state police command says one person died in the crisis that rocked the Ojota axis of the state in the early hours of today January 9.

According to the spokesperson of the state police command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, Yoruba Nation Agitators came out in their hundreds and disrupted social and commercial activities at Ojota area of the State.

He said the members of the secessionist group shot at two police officers during the clash. He added that calm has been restored to the area.

Politics

Nigerian women are more productive, less corrupt than men – Presidential candidate, Peter Obi

No Comments

Peter Obi, the Labour Party( LP) presidential candidate, has said that women are more productive in Nigeria and less corrupt than their male counterparts.

The former governor of Anambra State made this claim on Sunday, January 8, during The Peoples Townhall, organised by Channels Television.

At the meeting, Ebere Ifendu, President Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), highlighted that the percentage of women in governance is abysmally low and asked Obi what he plans to do about this.

She said: “I want to ask you specifically, what will you be doing to change the status of women in governance.”

Obi responded by revealing all the key positions women held in Anambra State when he was the governor.

He then pledged to bring more women into government if elected president in the forthcoming general elections.

He said:

“I can say it without anything; women are more productive in Nigeria than men any day, any time. I worked with them when I was in the banking industry; they saved the bank.”

“I wish our men would do the same thing. And they (women) are less corrupt; they are easily satisfied with little.

“Men will just go on and on, forgetting that it is public money they are taking.”

Politics

We have no case against INEC chairman – DSS

No Comments

The Department of State Services (DSS) has reacted to report of Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) obtaining a court judgement stopping his arrest by the security agency.

It was reported earlier that a federal high court sitting in Abuja had dismissed allegations of false asset declaration against Yakubu and also barred the DSS, the police, and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) from investigating him over his asset declaration.

Reacting to the report on Friday, January 6, DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya said the service never went to court against the INEC chairman and has no case against him.

He said;

“This statement, however, becomes important to guide public understanding and perception, especially that the said report is misleading.

“It falsely left an impression that the service went to court against the INEC chairman.

“Nonetheless, the service is aware of the antics of some mischievous elements who are desirous of fomenting crisis in the country, including creating unnecessary controversies around the forthcoming general elections.

“One of their strategies is to subvert the efforts of the service in ensuring peaceful coexistence and harmony.

“Another is a determination to overheat the polity and subtly exploit the judiciary to distract or even undermine not only the Service but other security and law enforcement agencies from undertaking their constitutional roles.

“The DSS, therefore, warns these individuals and groups to desist from their devious plans. It also advises all critical stakeholders to be vigilant and resist attempts to use them to thwart the law.

“While assuring Nigerians and the international community of the service’s commitment to the maintenance of law and order, including an accomplishment of a free and fair 2023 election as already pledged by Mr President and commander-in-chief, the service urges all and sundry to join in the pursuit of national stability and unity.”

Close Menu

Privacy Policy