President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led government has sanctioned the development of a modular refinery within the Abia Industrial and Innovative Park (AIIP), situated in the oil-abundant Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area.

The Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, made this known during the inauguration of the construction of the 11.1-kilometre Obehie-Umudobia-Owaza road, a project designed to unlock the region’s economic potential.

Naija News report that, in his remarks at the ceremony, Otti highlighted that the road initiative transcends mere access; it aims to rejuvenate economic assets, create new opportunities, and restore the aspirations of the past.

He stated that the reconstruction of this road is not solely about infrastructure; it is fundamentally about revitalizing dormant economic resources and rekindling the ambitions that once characterized this area.

The Governor assured that the project would be finalized within a year, and upon its completion, it would significantly enhance the marketability and viability of AIIP.

Additionally, Governor Otti confirmed that the Federal Government has approved the establishment of a modular refinery within AIIP.

“I am pleased to inform you that just a few days ago, we received approval for a modular refinery to be built inside AIIP by H.I.S. Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited,” Otti announced.

He reassured the people that the Abia State Government would provide full support for the refinery project, which is expected to accelerate industrialization and economic growth in the area.

Otti declared that the era of neglect for Ukwa people is over, stating that Ukwa, as the only oil-producing region in Abia, must not be left behind.

“Today, we officially declare that the era of neglect for Ukwa and its communities is over. Your land will yield its best, and the oil in your land will bring prosperity,” The Abia State Governor said.

He assured that his administration would collaborate with ASOPADEC, NDDC, and other intervention agencies to address the longstanding issues of political marginalization and underdevelopment.

In response to community appeals, the Governor confirmed that the Umuzike-Obokwe-Ngwaiyiekwe road has been included in the 2025 budget and will soon be inaugurated.

Additionally, he committed to restoring electricity in Asa land by the end of March, instructing the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday, to evaluate the necessary requirements for this restoration.

Governor Otti emphasized that his administration has declared a state of emergency in the water sector, assuring that measures are being taken to tackle the water crisis throughout Abia State.

He called upon the community to support the contractors and collaborate with the government to facilitate the effective implementation of development projects.

Stakeholders and political figures, including, Hon Godwin Adiele (Member, Abia State House of Assembly), Philemon Ogbonna (Commissioner for Environment), all praised the development.

Commissioner for Works, Otumchere Oti, characterized the Obehie-Owaza road as a vital link to Asa and AIIP, noting that it would generate both direct and indirect employment opportunities and attract investment.

In a similar vein, ASOPADEC General Manager, Venerable Joshua Onyeike, praised Otti for enabling the commission to fulfill its responsibilities effectively.

Notable community leaders, such as Dame Victoria Akanwa (former legislator) and Pastor Ralph Egbu (former SSG), recognized the Governor’s achievements in infrastructure development.

President-General of the Asa Development Union, Elder Goodluck Nwauju, underscored Otti’s dedication to the community, referencing the recovery of over 10,000 hectares of land that had been previously designated for the stalled Enyimba Economic City project.

Speakers at the gathering lauded Otti’s leadership, describing him as “God-sent” and expressing their support for his re-election.

Amaju Pinnick, former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has failed in his bid for re-election into the FIFA Council.

He did not secure enough votes to retain his seat among the six electable African representatives on the council.

At the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly held on Wednesday in Cairo, Egypt, Pinnick garnered 28 votes—just one vote short of Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya and Djibouti’s Souleiman Waberi, who secured the final two available slots.

The six elected African members for the FIFA Council are:

• Faouzi Lekjaa (Morocco)
• Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania)
• Kanizat Ibrahim (Comoros)
• Souleiman Waberi (Djibouti)
• Hamidou Djibrilla (Niger)
• Hani Abo Rida (Egypt)

Pinnick’s History in FIFA and Nigerian Football

Pinnick made history as the third Nigerian to be elected into the FIFA Council, following Oyo Orok Oyo and Amos Adamu. He first secured his seat in March 2021 during the 43rd CAF Ordinary General Assembly in Rabat, Morocco.

Prior to his FIFA role, Pinnick served as the president of the NFF for two consecutive terms, from 2014 to 2022, before being succeeded by Ibrahim Gusau.

About the FIFA Council

The FIFA Council is the governing body responsible for making key decisions in the intervals between FIFA Congress meetings. It consists of 37 members elected for renewable four-year terms.

CAF Leadership

In a related development, Patrice Motsepe was re-elected as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a second term.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said Nasir El-Rufai left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for personal ambition.

Naija News reports that Bwala said the former Governor of Kaduna State chose the Social Democratic Party (SDP) over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because he wanted a place where he could exert control.

In an interview with TVC on Wednesday, the presidential spokesman recalled that El-Rufai had said he would not leave the ruling party.

He said, unlike PDP, SDP has no structure and the party’s Chairman, Shehu Gabam, is El-Rufai’s friend whom he could dictate for.

His words: “The reason El-Rufai didn’t go to PDP is because the structure there, he can’t go and dictate things for them. But he told the world that SDP, the chairman, is his friend. So they went there because they want to go and dictate.

“Let me ask you, with the greatest respect, don’t you have records of El-Rufai saying, I will never leave APC till I die? Don’t you have records where he said, there is no political party other than APC?  I’m not holding it against him. Because it’s possible he may have said that around the time because of his feeling. The only thing I said, which you gave in your monologue, is that your constitutional right of association is guaranteed. I don’t have anything against that. But your motive must be interrogated.”

THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has urged the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, to declare vacant the seat currently being occupied by the Senator representing the people of Delta North Senatorial District, Sen. Ned Munir Nwoko over his recent defection to the All Progressive Congress, APC.

The PDP in Suit No:FHC/ABJ/CS/454/2025, through it’s Counsel, Dr. Ayo Asala SAN prayed the court to immediately order the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to conduct a bye-election to fill the vacant position.

The originating summons dated 27th February, 2025 had the PDP as Plaintiff with Sen. Ned Nwoko, the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Independent National Electoral Commission before the Court as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Defendants respectively.

PDP also prayed the Court to direct Sen. Ned Munir Nwoko to return all salaries, allowances and other emoluments received by him as a Senator representing the Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly from the date he defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In the originating summons, PDP is asking the following questions amongst others;

“Whether or Not, having regard to the clear an unambiguous provisions of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999(As Amended), the 1st Defendant herein,who was elected under the the platform of the plaintiff herein, namely, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP representing Delta North Senatorial District in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(3rd Defendant) and who has now defected to another political party to wit, the All Progressives Congress,(APC) ought not to have vacated his seat as a senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly?

“Whether or Not, having regard to the clear and unambiguous provisions of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999(As Amended),the 2nd and 3rd Defendants ought to have declared the seat of the 1st Defendant as a senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly vacant, the 1st Defendant having defected to another political party,to wit, the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the plaintiff being the political party that sponsored him for election into the Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

“Upon the construction/determination of the forgoing questions in favour of the plaintiff, the plaintiff seeks the following reliefs;

“A declaration that the 1st Defendant, having defected from the plaintiff being the political party(People’s Democratic Party) that sponsored him and on whose platform he was elected as a Senator representing the Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly to another political party which is the All Progressives Congress (APC), ought to have vacated his seat in the said National Assembly with immediate effect by virtue of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999(As Amended).

“A declaration that the 2nd and 3rd Defendants are under constitution and legal duties by virtue of Section 68(1)(g) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999(As Amended) to declare the seat of the 1st Defendant as a Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly vacant , the 1st Defendant, having defected from the plaintiff being the political party that sponsored him and on whose platform he was elected as a Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly to another political party,being the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“An order declaring vacant the seat of Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly currently occupied by the 1st Defendant and directing the 1st Defendant to with immediate effect, vacate the said seat by Virtue of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999(As Amended). The 1st Defendant having defected from the plaintiff being the Political party(People’s Democratic Party)that sponsored him and on whose platform he was elected as a Senator representing the Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly to another political party namely, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“An order of this Honourable Court directing the 1st Defendant to immediately vacate his seat as a Senator representing the Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly,having defected from the plaintiff being the political party that sponsored him as a Senator representing the Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly to another political party to wit, All Progressives Congress (APC).

“An order of this Honourable Court directing the 4th Defendant to immediately conduct a by-election to fill the vacant seat of the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon declaring the seat vacant.

“An order this Honourable Court to directing the 1st Defendant to return all salaries, allowances and other emoluments received by him as a Senator representing the Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly from the date he defected from the plaintiff to another political party to wit,the All Progressives Congress (APC).” It added.

Twenty-seven lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, barred Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara from accessing the State House of Assembly on Wednesday morning, preventing him from presenting the 2025 budget.

Reports indicate that Governor Fubara had arrived at the Assembly early in the day to implement a key provision of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgment—the presentation of the 2025 budget to a properly constituted State Assembly.

However, Assembly staff, speaking anonymously, claimed there was no formal communication regarding the Governor’s visit.

“I am not aware that the Governor was scheduled to be at the Assembly today (Wednesday). If such information existed, the Rt. Hon. Speaker would have informed us. As of now, we have no knowledge of his visit,” a source stated.

However, Fubara said he communicated his coming to Speaker Martins Amaewhule through a letter and has tried to call him on the phone since Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Fubara has reaffirmed his commitment to fully implementing the recent Supreme Court judgment, emphasizing that his administration will adhere strictly to the ruling.

Fubara made this declaration on Tuesday in Port Harcourt during the inauguration of the New Judges’ Quarters, built by his administration in the Old GRA area of the state capital.

The governor stressed that no personal ambition or political dispute should supersede the collective peace and stability of Rivers State, stating that no sacrifice is too great for peace.

The governor acknowledged that the past 16 months had been rough for his government, saying that he would leave office one day but that his good work would speak for him.

He said since the crisis started, a lot of money and resources that should have been channelled to the development of the state had been wasted by both sides.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, will join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Naija News reports that Bwala said the presidency and the APC were having success in emptying the Labour Party.

In an interview with TVC on Wednesday, the presidential spokesman said the former Labour Party presidential candidate would not run for presidency under the party.

“Do you know we are emptying Labour Party? Not because we go and ask them to come. They are coming. Valentine Ozigbo has joined us. Balami has joined us. Even Peter Obi will join us. I mean, we are successful in this window. Peter Obi will not run in Labour Party. They are all leaving Labour Party,” he said.

Asked why he was sure of Obi’s defection to the ruling party, Bwala explained that the defection of Valentine Ozigbo to the APC signalled the former Anambra governor’s next move.

He added that the defection of opposition political leaders to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) would not work.

According to him, the question of who becomes the presidential candidate and who gets what would affect any coalition movement.

“For Valentine Ozigbo to come to our party. Valentine Ozigbo is actually the custodian of Peter Obi. Right? Then I know for a fact that Peter Obi will join us. Do you know why I said that? It’s after one week or two weeks of these melodramatic activities.

“The way they scheme this thing is that every week you will hear a breaking news. A gladiator has joined SDP so that they will dominate the media space with conversation. And I hope that the media will be smart enough to know that. But that is what they intend to do to keep the conversation in the media. But the thing is, why I said he will join us is, by the time the two weeks is over, and they are able to enjoy this momentarily coverage, when they sit down, they will start fighting. Who will be president? Who will be vice president? Who will determine what?” Bwala added.

South African businessman Patrice Motsepe has secured a second term as the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after being re-elected unopposed.

Motsepe, 63, who first assumed office in 2021, had announced his intention to seek re-election in October 2024.

His second four-year term was officially confirmed during CAF’s extraordinary general assembly held in Cairo on Wednesday, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in attendance.

 
A renowned mining magnate and owner of South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, Motsepe expressed his commitment to building on the progress achieved during his tenure.

Under his leadership, CAF has undertaken various reforms aimed at strengthening African football.

While his re-election was a mere formality, elections were conducted for CAF’s executive committee, where Cameroonian football icon Samuel Eto’o secured a seat.

The continent’s representatives for the FIFA Council were also elected during the assembly.

Social media content creator Ifeluv has announced the end of her relationship with her fiancé and baby daddy, Oluwadolarz.

The breakup comes just four months after Oluwadolarz proposed to Ifeluv. 

In a post shared on her Instagram page Tuesday evening, Ifeluv accused the singer of infidelity and financial irresponsibility, claiming he failed to fulfill his promises after their engagement.

In the lengthy statement now deleted, she said: “I left him the first time because of cheating. He spent two years trying to convince me that he had changed.

“Meanwhile, I have been taking 85 per cent responsibility for our child because he is broke most of the time. Just living a fake life and chasing anything in a skirt. He absolutely has nothing to his name. If you give him an advert deal, he won’t deliver.

“Brands keep threatening him, and every time he sees me achieving something, he starts crying because he hates it. But guess what? I make my own money.

“I rarely even visit him. He even embarrassed me online with a public apology, and I let it slide, accepting his proposal—only to go pick up my son at his place and find his actress, Lola, hiding in the bathroom. And this guy looked me dead in the eye and said nothing was going on! This man was my absolute first. But now? It’s over.”

The Chairman of Canadian Senate Committee on Human Rights, Salma Ataullahjan, has demanded justice for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged sexual harassment.

Naija News reported that the Kogi Central Senator, on Tuesday, reported the Nigerian Senate and its President, Godswill Akpabio, to the United Nations’ Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Senator Natasha stated that the Senate suspended her for six months because she complained of alleged sexual harassment against Akpabio.

“I was suspended illegally because I submitted a petition of sexual harassment against the president of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

“I thought that by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself and both of us will submit ourselves to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition for a fair and transparent investigation. Unfortunately, I was silenced and I was suspended,” she said.

Recall that the Senate explained that the Kogi Central Senator was suspended for violating Senate Standing Rule and misconduct.

On her ? handle on Wednesday, the Canadian Senate’s Chairman on Human Rights lauded Natasha for speaking out.

“Stay strong, Natasha Akpoti. Your bravery for speaking out against sexual harassment is a powerful reminder that we must all continue to fight for a safer, more respectful world for everyone,” she wrote.