The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II, has unveiled the long-awaited funeral rites for his mother, an extraordinary event set to take place decades after her passing.

A statement signed by Frank Irabor, Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), a member of the palace, emphasized that the delay was not by chance but by strict adherence to Benin’s ancient customs, because the tradition of the Kingdom forbade the crown Prince (Edaiken) to perform the rites until he has been crowned the Oba.

Irabor further stated that on November 21, 2021, Oba Ewuare II posthumously honored his late mother by bestowing upon her the revered title of Iyoba, officially recognizing her as Iyoba Omo N’ Ikuoyemwen, Iyoba Ewuare II.

He revealed that the long-anticipated funeral rites will unfold in a grand series of ceremonies, commencing on February 15, 2025, and culminating on March 27, 2025.

A particularly significant moment will be the Ekasa ceremony, the second phase of the rites, during which a striking decree will take effect, that’s the suspension of traditional coral beads within the royal palace and across the kingdom.

Parts of the statement read: “In keeping with Benin customs and tradition, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, will by the grace of God and, the royal ancestors perform in a private royal family ceremony, the funeral rites of his dear beloved mother, IYOBA OMO N’IKUOYEMWEN, IYOBA EWUARE II, who transited to eternal glory forty-nine years ago.

“For clarification purpose, in accordance with the Benin customs and tradition, the royal funeral rites could not be performed until the Edaiken (Crown Prince) ascends the throne, and crowned the OBA that the Oba had to first posthumously confer the title of Iyoba on his mother, and thereafter performs the funeral rites, hence the reason why it is taking place now.

“It will be recalled that His Royal Majesty conferred the Iyoba title posthumously on his dear mother on Sunday, 21st November, 2021.

“The first part of the ceremony will last for fourteen days. The second part begins with Ekasa immediately the first part ends. This will be the official mourning period.

“The ceremony will begin on 15th February, 2025 and ends on Friday, 28th February, 2025. The venue is Eguae Iyoba N’Uselu by 5 Junction, Benin City.

“Ekasa group will commence their ceremony on 1st March, 2025 till 27th March, 2025. The performance which will end on the last day, 27th March, 2025, would take place in the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“From the 15th, February, 2025, when the ceremony will begin, traditional coral beads will not be used in the Palace and in the Kingdom until the end of Ekasa ceremony which is March 27, 2025″

Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has broken down in tears amid his ongoing legal battle with the Ogun State government over allegations of assaulting government officials.

The controversy began after officials from the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA) reportedly clashed with Portable and his associates at Odogwu Bar in Iyana Ilogbo.

The singer has since been accused of assault, sparking legal action against him.

In a recent viral video, Portable was seen weeping bitterly while singing a melancholic tune, pleading for divine intervention.

He sang:

“The gods, please help me, answer them with fire; may my secrets be safe. As long as they can’t take this dream, I won’t be tempted by the devil. We are all sinners, and when a sinner knows his crime, he shouldn’t stay long on his knees. May my life be better by God’s grace.”

His emotional outburst has triggered mixed reactions from fans, with some expressing sympathy while others dismissed it as a dramatic attempt to evade accountability.

The amount budgeted for personnel costs, including salaries and allowances to state civil servants, has increased from N2.036tn spent in 2024 to N3.87tn in the approved 2025 budget.

Although the 36 sub-national allocated a total sum of N2.8tn as salaries costs, it only paid out a total of N2.036tn within the 12 months of 2024, a reduction of N764bn, according to its budget implementation report.

According to data obtained from the 2025 approved budget of the 36 state governments, the increase occasioned by the implementation of the newly approved N70,000 minimum wage and spiralling political appointments reflects an increase of nearly 90.23 per cent.

The approved budgets are also contained in Open States, a BudgIT-backed website that serves as a repository of government budget data.

The budget report also indicated that at least 27 states of the federation would not be able to pay workers’ salaries this year without having to wait for federal allocations from the central government.

In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu officially approved a significant increase in the minimum wage for Nigerian workers, raising it from N30,000 to N70,000.

This decision came after several months of rigorous discussions and negotiations between the government and labour unions.

However, the implementation of this wage increase has been gradual across the country, with some states still yet to adopt the new minimum wage.

In response to this delay, the Nigerian Labour Congress issued a stern ultimatum to state governments, demanding that they fully implement the new wage structure by December 1, 2024.

Despite this pressure, several states have yet to initiate the payment of the revised minimum wage, further prolonging the financial relief workers were expecting.

An in-depth analysis of the budget document revealed significant variations in personnel costs across states: 20 states saw an increase in personnel expenses exceeding 50 per cent, while 16 states experienced a more modest rise, with salary increases remaining below the 50 per cent threshold.

A further breakdown showed that Abia, Cross Rivers, Ekiti, Niger, Rivers, and Taraba states got the highest increase in its payroll, exceeding 100 per cent of its 2024 personnel cost budget. While Gombe, Osun and Ondo got the lowest salary increase percentage, scoring below 15 per cent.

In a detailed examination of the salary increases across each state, Abia approved a notable increase in its personnel costs, with an escalation from N33.045bn to N77.34bn, representing a 134 per cent increase. Similarly, Adamawa’s personnel cost rose from N48.61bn to N74.23bn, marking a 52.7 per cent increase.

In Akwa Ibom, a sharp surge from N91.74bn to N126.69bn was approved, representing an impressive 38.1 per cent growth.

Anambra state, under Governor Charles Soludo, also approved a significant rise from N34.001bn to N63.41bn, indicating an 86.45 per cent increase.

Bauchi followed suit with an increase from N42.29bn to N70.41bn, showcasing an uplift of approximately 66.5 per cent.

Meanwhile, Bayelsa saw its personnel costs climb from N60.18bn to N114.21bn, a rise of over 89 per cent, signalling an emphasis on investing in its workforce.

In Cross River, the personnel cost grew sharply from N35.02bn to N106.12bn, reflecting a 202 per cent increase, one of the highest among the states. Delta also recorded a notable surge in its expenditure from N139.999bn to N185bn, signalling a growth of about 32.5 per cent.

Ebonyi followed with an increase from N23.076bn to N36.66bn, growing by 58.9 per cent.

Edo with its leap from N74.58bn to N101.29bn, reflected a 35.8 per cent increase, while Ekiti registered a substantial rise from N30.69bn to N62.51bn, almost doubling its personnel cost.

Enugu also saw a substantial rise from N47.988bn to N70.954bn, an increase of 48 per cent.

However, Gombe stood out with a negligible decrease in personnel costs, falling from N40.52bn to N40.28bn, a small dip of just 0.6 per cent.

On the other hand, Imo saw an increase from N41.92bn to N67.4bn, showing an upward trend of 60.9 per cent.

Jigawa experienced a jump from N51.445bn to N90.73bn, an increase of 76.4 per cent, while Kaduna’s personnel costs grew by 23.4 per cent from N68.010bn to N83.94bn.

Kano, one of the largest increases in this analysis, saw its personnel costs skyrocket from N89.97bn to a staggering N150.996bn, an impressive 67.8 per cent rise.

Katsina, which saw an increase from N29.69bn to N58.62bn, experienced a growth rate of 97.6 per cent. In Kogi, the personnel budget grew from N64.798bn to N109.96bn, an increase of 69.8 per cent.

Kwara followed a similar trend, rising from N51.045bn to N69.152bn, a growth of 35.5 per cent.

The largest increase came from Lagos, which saw its personnel costs more than double, from N225.114bn to N401.12bn.

In Nasarawa, personnel costs increased from N48.704bn to N80.456bn, a 65.2 per cent rise, while Niger recorded an even larger leap, from N25.36bn to N104.301bn, reflecting a growth of 311.5 per cent. Ondo saw an increase from N75.96bn to N139.726bn, an uplift of 83.9 per cent, while Osun also registered a significant rise from N55.571bn to N102.89bn, an 85.1 per cent increase.

Oyo experienced a massive increase, with personnel costs rising from N116.207 bn to N214.116bn, an 84.3 per cent increase.

Similarly, Plateau saw its personnel expenditure climb from N38.963bn to N67.144bn, marking a 72.5 per cent increase.

Rivers State, under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, recorded a staggering rise from N167.05bn to N343.196bn, a 105.6 per cent increase.

Sokoto also saw a substantial increase, from N55.32bn to N64.711bn, a 17 per cent rise.

Taraba experienced a significant increase from N36.319bn to N95.23bn, a 162 per cent rise, while Yobe recorded a 34 per cent increase, growing from N47.95bn to N64.12bn.

Zamfara saw a moderate increase, with personnel costs rising from N34.21bn to N58.38bn, a growth of 70.7 per cent.

Meanwhile, the substantial increase in salaries and allowances across various states has introduced a new set of challenges.

With the sharp rise in personnel costs, at least 27 states of the federation now face the stark reality that they will be unable to meet their payroll obligations without relying heavily on federal allocations from the central government.

This means only 9 out of the 36 state governments of the federation can independently pay their workers’ salaries without depending on federal allocations.

This is an increase from 24 states that couldn’t pay salaries without federal allocation in 2024, according to an analysis of the state governments’ approved budgets for the 2024 fiscal year.

The states with robust internal revenue are Lagos, Abia, Benue, Enugu, Ogun, Niger Kaduna, Kwara, and Osun.

According to the analysis of the budget data, 27 states cannot fund salary payments from their internally generated Revenue and, as such, may have to rely on Federal Government allocations or borrowing from banks and related institutions.

The development also means that the respective wage bills of the affected states surpassed their various IGRs, raising concerns about workers’ productivity and state governments’ efficiency in internal revenue generation.

Speaking with The PUNCH, the economist noted that the latest data further stress the need to reduce the cost of governance across the country.

Commenting, the director and CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Muda Yusuf, noted that there are several arguments for the state’s low revenue generation and its bloated civil service workforce.

He said, “The IGR thing, first of all, we need to recognize that there are big disparities in the natural endowment of the states. Not all states are equally endowed. You know, you can’t compare a state that is a coastal state like Lagos or Delta where you have a lot of oil companies, and they pay taxes through P.A.Y.E.

“If you take a state like Jigawa or a state like Gombe or a state like Kogi, most of the businesses there are SMEs. Most of them are agricultural businesses because most of them are farmers. How much IGR can you get from these people? So what you discover invariably is that the IGR that they get in those states are only from the salaries of the workers.

“The second argument is that many of them have the bloated workforce, which they don’t need. If you go to some ministries, many of them are carrying ghost workers. Some of them don’t even show up in their offices.

“Some of them can run all these ministries with half of the government’s workforce. But because of political and other considerations, they have too many workforces that they don’t need.”.

A professor of economics at Babcock University, Segun Ajibola, said, “The states must do all they can to raise internally generated revenue without putting undue pressure on their citizens. Secondly, they must reduce the cost of governance, block wastages, do proper streamlining of ministries, departments, and agencies,numberrofligacy, and ensure accountability and transparency in government.

A former chief economist at Zenith Bank, Marcel Okeke, pointed out that the increase in the ministries and governance at the centre would trickle down to the subnationals and impact their wage bill.

“Most of the things these governors do are done out of political considerations and not economic ones, from the location of companies to the appointments of aides; special advisers, senior special advisers, and so on. There are notorious cases of governors appointing hundreds or thousands of assistants. What are those people doing, and are they paid money? Can they not do with a fewer number of them?

“Do you know we have bloated staff? In some ministries, that should only have about 100,  they have 400 to 500, so a job that should be done by one person, you haveeee about five persons hanging around. What some people do is to carry files and they have no job. When these states do staff audits, they report ghost workers. If they look into this area, they can reduce cost,” he said.

Also, the Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Okechukwu Nwagunma, lambasted Nigerian government officials for their lack of vision, sincerity, and patriotism.

Nwagunma pointed out that despite promises from the president to cut the cost of governance by reducing the number of appointees and ministries, the reality is the opposite—new ministries are being created, and a record number of appointees are being appointed.

He said, “The government at all levels in Nigeria is composed mainly of people who are visionless, insincere, unpatriotic, selfish, and insensitive to the suffering of the people they claim to serve.

“They do the opposite of everything they claim they will do. The president talked about reducing the cost of governance by pruning down the number of government appointees and ministries.  But the president is busy creating new ministries and appointing the highest ever number of appointees, both as ministers and aides.

“The same thing is happening at the state levels.  State governors appoint needless numbers of aides with almost every other aid having their aides.  While the state of the economy continues to worsen, with government policies unable to alleviate the suffering of the majority of Nigerians who continue to groan in deprivation, poverty, and hunger, the same government officials continue to live in obscene and provocative opulence and extravagant lifestyles. And they ask Nigerians to be patient and to continue to make sacrifices.”

Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Sheikh Ridwan Jamiu, has called on Muslims to reject any governorship candidate who refuses to commit to establishing Shariah courts in the state.

While delivering the Jumaat sermon at Lekki Central Mosque last Friday, Dr Jamiu emphasized the importance of holding candidates accountable for their stance on Shariah courts. “Elections are coming, and any governorship candidate seeking your vote must be committed to establishing Shariah courts.

“It is time we assert our constitutional rights. Shariah courts in the Southwest states are long overdue.
The Imam highlighted that the Nigerian Constitution recognizes Shariah citing sections 38 and 40, which guarantee freedom of religion and association, respectively.

Dr. Jamiu also addressed concerns about Shariah panels, stating that they serve as Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. “Section 177 allows any state to establish Shariah courts, which will adjudicate on marriage, divorce, custody of children, property law, inheritance, wills, and other civil matters,” he explained.

The Imam emphasized that Shariah courts are essential in Yoruba land and should be established in all Southwest states. “We have Shariah courts in the North, and it has not caused any harm to non-Muslims. It is not the business of non-Muslims; it is meant for Muslims alone,” he said.

Dr. Jamiu added: “It is time we assert our constitutional rights. Shariah court in the South west states is long overdue. Any candidate who refuses to commit himself into establishing a sharia court in your state, don’t vote for him

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has recalled sacking his daughter from his farm due to lateness.

Obasanjo made this disclosure while hosting the new Chairman of the Board of Management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Dr. Dayo Israel, at his Penthouse residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Obasanjo explained that sacking his daughter sent a strong message to other employees, saying, “If Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?”

The former president advised Dr. Israel to brace himself for challenges and be willing to take risks if necessary to ensure a successful tenure, stressing that no effective leader can achieve success without taking risks.

He said, “Shortly after I left office as Head of State, my first daughter, who was then studying Veterinary Medicine at the University of Ibadan, joined my farm for practical experience during a long vacation. On her first day, she arrived at 7:15 a.m. instead of the usual 7:00 a.m. I warned her about the need to set a good example for other workers.

“To my amazement, she was late again the following day. I did not hesitate to send her back right from the gate. This had a significant impact on my employees, who said, ‘If Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?’”

Obasanjo further encouraged Dr. Israel to be just, fair, and humane even when stepping on people’s toes becomes necessary.

…Access Corporation Honours Late MD/CEO in Memorial Service

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, French President Emmanuel Macron, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and other dignitaries paid tribute on Sunday to the late MD/CEO of Access Corporation, Herbert Wigwe, describing him as a builder of institutions, lives, and societies.

Herbert Wigwe tragically passed away on February 9, 2024, in a helicopter crash near Nipton, California, USA. The crash also claimed the lives of his wife, Doreen Chizoba Wigwe, their 29-year-old son, Chizi Wigwe, former Nigerian Exchange Group Plc Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and two crew members.

To honor their memory, Access Corporation held a first-year memorial service in Lagos, attended by dignitaries including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Wale Edun, Emir of Kano Lamido Sanusi, Chairman of Access Corporation, MD/CEO of Access Bank Roosevelt Ogbona, and other top bank executives.

Tributes from Dignitaries

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a tribute delivered by Minister Wale Edun, described the late Wigwe as more than just a banker but a builder of dreams and institutions.

“Herbert embodied vision, excellence, and generosity. He was deeply committed to uplifting society. His impact was felt in the lives he touched, opportunities he created, and hopes he inspired,” Tinubu said.

President Emmanuel Macron praised Wigwe as an exceptional entrepreneur and a friend of France.

“He made significant contributions as Chairman of the Nigeria-France Business Council, strengthening the bilateral relationship and friendship between France and Nigeria,” Macron noted.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo highlighted Wigwe’s resilience and dedication to partnership.

“Despite his success, he remained accessible and committed to nurturing relationships. He understood that true leadership involves building both institutions and people. His legacy is a testament to what Africans can achieve through vision, determination, and collaboration,” Obasanjo stated.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described Wigwe as a visionary who believed in Nigeria and Africa’s capacity to rise above challenges.

“He was a builder of men and businesses, turning visions into reality. His absence is deeply felt in Lagos State, as there are projects today that would have progressed faster if he were still with us. Herbert made my work easier by mobilizing partners and funding for state projects,” Sanwo-Olu added.

The late Herbert Wigwe is remembered for his transformative leadership, visionary impact, and enduring legacy as a true builder of lives and institutions.

A Lagos State House of Assembly member, Hon. Bonu Solomon Saanu, has commended President Bola Tinubu for the achievements recorded by his administration.

The lawmaker stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is now attracting top opposition figures due to Tinubu’s leadership.

Bonu, who represents Badagry Constituency I, made these remarks during a plenary session at the Lagos Assembly, emphasizing that only a leader like Tinubu could draw opposition members into the APC.

The lawmaker’s comments followed the recent defection of Senator Ned Nwoko from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

Nwoko, who represented Delta North Senatorial District, formally resigned from the PDP on January 30, 2025, in a letter addressed to the party leadership in Ward 8, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

In his resignation letter, Nwoko cited deep divisions and irreconcilable factions as key reasons for his exit.

“My decision to resign is, first and foremost, due to the deep divisions and factionalisation within the party. This fragmentation has made it increasingly difficult to foster unity and advance the collective interests of our people,” Nwoko stated.

Reacting to the development, Hon. Bonu described Nwoko’s defection as proof of Tinubu’s impact in office.

“The defection of Senator Nwoko to the APC is a testament of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s achievements in office. Nigerians are beginning to see how much their President means well for them, his passion for development and progress, and his commitment to ensure Nigeria is great enough for Nigerians,” he said.

Bonu expressed confidence that before the 2027 general elections, the APC would gain even more support from opposition members.

He also voiced optimism that Hon. Foluke Oshafile, the only Labour Party member in the Lagos Assembly, would defect to the APC before the next election.

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, says the seeming fights among politicians are not real but only to entertain Nigerians.

Speaking during his 60th birthday thanksgiving service at St. Martins’ Catholic Church, Isan Ekiti, on Sunday, Fayemi downplayed the perception of animosity between political figures, emphasising that many of the supposed rivalries exist only on social media.

“So, all these things you read on social media are for your entertainment,” he said. “Many will wonder why Governor Segun Oni is here. During his birthday, I spent the entire day with him, and Governor Ayodele Fayose too would have been here without hesitation if he was around.”

He said irrespective of political political differences, Ekiti politcians are not enemies.

He said, “The vision we have always had is a state that will not be separated by political divide. We might belong to different political parties, but there is one party that we collectively belong to—that is the Ekiti Party, Ekiti Progressive Party—and our governor is carrying on with that.”

Reflecting on his journey, Fayemi said his 60th birthday was a moment of gratitude and rededication to service. “I am a product of grace, and I have so many reasons to be thankful to God at 60,” he said.

“I also want to thank our governor for making me proud. it could have been otherwise. Things could have gone awry, but he is also a product of grace and that is why in spite of the travails that one might experience in the world of politics, we have a very cordial relationship based on mutual love and mutual respect.”

Prominent Nigerians, led by President Bola Tinubu, celebrated the former governor and ex-minister for his contributions to governance.

 Tinubu, in his tribute, commended Fayemi’s role in the 2013 merger of opposition parties that formed the All Progressives Congress.

“As a two-term governor, he (Fayemi) served the people amid severe economic challenges. There is no doubt that he made his mark in the governance of Ekiti State,” Tinubu stated. “Dr. Fayemi has exemplified service as an academic, author, administrator, and development expert. As he turns 60, I wish him continued health and fulfillment in the years ahead.”

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, described Fayemi’s 60th birthday as a celebration of “a life dedicated to service and excellence.”

He said, “The only thing I am going to say is to thank you for your support and for handholding me. Thank you so much for all you have done for Ekiti people, thank you so much for all that you have done for your mentees all over the world. I thank Erelu Bisi Fayemi and Folajimi for sharing you with us. We are proud of you, Ekiti people are immensely proud of your achievements; it has been 60 years of progressive impact.”

The event attracted dignitaries including the first civilian Governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo; former Governor Segun Oni; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Monisade Afuye; wife of the Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; and former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Oladokun.

Others present were former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran; Chairman, CAVISTA Holdings, Mr. John Olajide; Chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group, Hon. Wale Osun; APC Chairman in Ekiti State, Sola Elesin; serving and former members of the National Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, and members of the State House of Assembly.

There are indications that last Saturday’s closed-door meeting between former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and the National Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, may have been a strategic move ahead of the 2027 elections.

The high-profile meeting, which took place at Aregbesola’s residence in Lagos, has fueled speculations of a possible political alignment between the two heavyweights.

Although details of the discussion remain undisclosed, insiders suggest that Kwankwaso is exploring ways to strengthen his political influence in the South-West, leveraging Aregbesola’s estrangement from President Bola Tinubu and his recent exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Kwankwaso Seeks South-West Inroads

A source within the Kwankwasiya camp, who spoke anonymously with Punch, revealed that Kwankwaso is keen on breaking into the South-West, particularly in states where Tinubu’s dominance remains strong.

“It is no secret that Kwankwaso has long sought to expand his political influence beyond the North. However, many influential figures in the South-West are loyal to Tinubu. Aregbesola presents an opportunity for him to rekindle his dream of capturing the region, particularly in Lagos and Osun, where Aregbesola commands significant clout,” the source stated.

The development comes amid rising tensions within the APC in Osun State, where the Aregbesola-backed political group, Omoluabi Progressives, recently announced its exit, citing victimisation by the party’s mainstream leadership.

This move has sparked speculation over Aregbesola’s next political move, especially with his strained relationship with Tinubu in recent years.

NNPP Confirms Talks With Aregbesola

In an interview with Punch, NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, confirmed that the meeting between Aregbesola and Kwankwaso was part of efforts to “build bridges across the Niger” and strengthen the party’s base ahead of 2027.

“All the cards are on the table. If it were left to Kwankwaso, nothing would have leaked to the media. These are still early-stage discussions. However, as you may have noticed, Aregbesola has also been meeting with various political figures. So, it’s not just about him and Kwankwaso. They are, however, two prominent individuals in the evolving political landscape,” Johnson stated.

When asked whether Aregbesola might align with the North to work against Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, Johnson emphasized that the former Osun governor does not require an invitation to stake his claim in any political movement.

He also dismissed the idea that Tinubu’s allies could intimidate Aregbesola, describing him as a formidable grassroots politician with deep-rooted structures in Osun, Lagos, and across Yorubaland.

“Didn’t he oppose Tinubu in 2023? He did, and the sky didn’t fall. Now that he is no longer in the APC, he is politically free. Aregbesola played a major role in Tinubu’s political machinery for years. He was the driving force behind many of Tinubu’s successful campaigns, especially in Lagos. It is well known that in the past, Tinubu could barely move through Alimosho without Aregbesola,” Johnson said.

He further noted that both Kwankwaso and Aregbesola are known for their grassroots approach to politics, adding that whether or not either of them contests in 2027, their influence will be a game-changer for any political group or candidate they choose to support.

“At the moment, I don’t think Aregbesola is planning to contest any position. But he would be a massive ally in the South for Kwankwaso. If they don’t run, they will still dramatically impact whichever candidates or parties they align with. It’s still early days, and many things will crystallise by the last quarter of this year or next,” Johnson added.

The Cyber Cell of Delhi Police, India, has arrested a Nigerian national, Patrick Ngomere, for allegedly hacking the email account of the Family Care Pvt. Limited, a pharmaceutical company, and fraudulently syphoning off Rs 11.73 lakh.

The suspect, also accused of residing in India without a valid visa, is believed to be part of a larger syndicate engaged in various cyber frauds across the country.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Sunday from the Indian online news platform, Millennium Post, that, according to a report by the country’s National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal on Friday, the suspect had confessed to the crime.

Using XE.com, a currency conversion platform, the Rs11.73 lakh (Rs1,173,000) the suspect syphoned from the pharmaceutical firm is equivalent to $13,361

Ngomere, a Greater Noida resident, was caught in a police trap near an ATM after his mobile phone was found to be linked to the fraudulent bank account.

The report states that the scam allegedly began on December 10 when the pharmaceutical company received an email impersonating its vendor, Accent Pharma, requesting payment to a new bank account.

Unaware of the fraudulent email, the pharmaceutical company allegedly transferred Rs 11.76 lakh, PUNCH Metro learnt.

Our correspondent gathered that the firm discovered the email had been hacked only after making the payment and conducting verification. This prompted a thorough investigation by the country’s cyber fraud unit.

The report read, “Investigators traced the hacked email to Nigeria and tracked the money to a Manipur bank account. Surveillance footage led to Ngomere’s arrest.

“He was found without a valid Indian visa and is suspected to be part of a larger syndicate. An FIR has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Foreigners Act. Investigations continue.”

In January 2025, PUNCH Metro reported that the Kuwait General Department of Criminal Investigation in Ahmadi Governorate had arrested two Nigerian nationals for armed robbery.

The suspects were arrested within 24 hours after robbing an exchange office in Mahboula, a district in southern Kuwait City.

They allegedly stole foreign currencies totalling 4,600 Kuwaiti Dinars, equivalent to approximately $14,918.69 based on the currencyconvertonline.com exchange rate.