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Former Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has berated the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (PDP), Nyesom Wike, for revoking the Certificate of Occupancy of the party’s secretariat.
Naija News reports that recently, the FCT Minister, who is also a member of the PDP, took the bold step of revoking the land title of Wadata Plaza.
The government’s decision was due to the PDP’s failure to pay ground rent for the property. In addition, the title for the party’s unfinished national secretariat in the Central Area Business District of Abuja was also revoked.
Wike accused the party of failing to pay ₦7.6 million ground rent for its land title in the Central Area, despite being in power for many years and generating between ₦13 billion and ₦20 billion from the sale of forms.
Reacting in an interview with New telegraph, George said the decision of Wike to revoke the party’s land was a clear declaration of war.
He stated that Wike, who is like his political son, has crossed the redline with such act.
The Elder statesman also revealed how he initially joined the Wike-led G5 governors ahead of the 2023 presidential election but had to withdraw when the group was going against the PDP’s dictate.
He said: “Let me tell you something. When the crisis started in the PDP, they invited me as an elder to join the G5 governors and some other elders. I did but we fell out when we found that some of the things they are doing do not fall in line with the dictates of the party. And what Wike just did is completely unacceptable in any civilized situation.
“He has crossed the red line. Do you know why? During this same period of trying to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, he revoked the Certificate of Occupancy of our party’s secretariat. I want him to listen to me very carefully because he’s like my political son.
“It’s like you come from your community, and from that community, your home, your home village was there. Suddenly, you now became the local government chairman of that community.
“And the first exercise you did officially is to go revoke the Certificate of Occupancy of your father’s house, the house that produced you and the house where you got all kinds of things. What is the amount of money we owe, N7.2 million?
“It would have been more honourable if he put his hand in his pocket, and said, yes, you owe this, but I’m going to pay it because I am a thoroughbred son of the soil. I am a child of that house. It is that house that gave him the ticket to be chairman of the local government, made him the chief of staff to the governor, made him a minister, and became governor for eight years. Is that the way to say thank you?”
Asked if Wike has disowned his party with his actions and through what he has done, George responded in the affirmative.
The PDP Chieftain stated that Wike has declared and open war and party chieftains would be seen as irresponsible leaders and elders if they don’t take action.
He said: “Absolutely! What else? That’s what I said. As a general, I’m saying he has crossed the red line. Once you cross the red line, what are you looking for? The party has to met. We have to meet; the leaders and members of the Board of Trustees. We own the party in trust for members of the party.
“We own the assets and the liabilities of the party for the good of our people. If a young man has done what he did to say they should revoke the secretariat of our party, he has crossed the red line.
“He has declared an open war. And it’s such a shame. We would be seen as being irresponsible as leaders and elders if we don’t take action. Unfortunately, like I said, when those people started the disciplinary committee headed by Chief Tom Ikimi, I looked at the membership. Ikimi, yes, he’s on Atiku’s side.
“The secretary of that same committee is on Atiku’s side and they said I should come and be a member. I said, no, I cannot. First of all, Ikimi met me in this party.
“So, I cannot serve in that committee. Secondly, the way the thing was structured was warped. Where do you start from? So, I’m pleading with our people, we should go back. Fortunately, by October or November this year, we are going to have a convention.”
In a startling twist to the political intrigues in Rivers State, Chief of Staff to suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Mr. Edison Ehie, has alleged that he was offered N5 billion to coordinate the impeachment of his principal.
This is coming as Fubara, yesterday, vowed to continue to defend the interests of Rivers People, just as the Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, and Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, in the state revealed their plan to sue President Bola Tinubu’s appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State for the alleged misuse of fund.
I was offered N5bn to impeach Fubara —Ehie
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Ehie claimed he has evidence of the bribe offer stored on his phone.
He said: “I can also open my phone to show you, in the beginning of October 2023, when they approached me with a bribe of N5 billion. It is here in my phone,
“It was for impeachment. It’s here. I have it and I have printed it and distributed it, in case, in their evil imagination, they decide to attack me. I already have a son and a brother.”
Ehie said the offer was made while he was serving as the majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He also denied claims that he orchestrated the October 30, 2023, bombing of the Rivers Assembly complex on Fubara’s orders.
The allegation was made by a former Head of Service in the state, George Nwaeke, who alleged that he witnessed a bag of money being handed over to Ehie at the Government House to execute the operation.
Dismissing the claims as false and politically motivated, Ehie said: “It is very important to clarify that I had no hand and was not part of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Like everyone else, I woke up in the early hours of October 30, 2023 to hear of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Ehie stated that he had instructed his lawyers to file a lawsuit against Nwaeke for criminal libel.
“I will not join issues completely with Mr. George Nwaeke because I have already instructed my lawyers to file an issue of criminal libel against him, and I hope he is very prepared to substantiate his claims and his allegations,” he said.
He further alleged that Nwaeke had sought financial assistance from him on the same day he resigned as head of service.
Fubara vows to defend Rivers’ interests
Meanwhile, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara has vowed to defend the interest of people of the state despite the ongoing crisis that degenerated into a state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu penultimate week.
He said: “Their goal is to create problems and deny people their means of livelihood. We will not allow that. We will continue to operate peacefully and respect constituted authority to ensure that our state remains a model for others in Nigeria,”
Fubara assured residents that the ongoing political crisis in the state will ultimately strengthen the people rather than weaken them.
He stated this when he received Muslim leaders from 20 Islamic-based groups, including the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, at his private residence in Port Harcourt during an Eid-el-Fitri visit.
Addressing the delegation, Fubara urged them and his supporters to trust in God’s process, saying: “This season is one of love, sharing and sacrifice. You have come to share in our pain and have made a great sacrifice through your prayers. As Christians, we believe that everything happens for a purpose, and I strongly believe that this situation is leading us toward a greater purpose.”
He acknowledged that the current political tension might leave many feeling depressed but emphasized that supernatural forces may be at play beyond human understanding.
“No matter what we see, we must remain steadfast. In all things, we give glory to Almighty God. I believe that, in the end, we will emerge stronger,” he added.
TMG, CSOs to challenge Rivers Sole Administrator in court
The Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, and several Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, have declared their intent to challenge the actions of Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), in court. They accused him of unlawfully spending state funds without an approved budget.
At a press briefing in Port Harcourt, TMG Coordinator, Nathaniel Akporuvweku condemned the state of emergency and Ibas’ governance as unconstitutional. “No provision in the 1999 Constitution, as amended, allows for the appointment of a sole administrator to govern any state in Nigeria,” Akporuvweku argued.
He listed grievances against Ibas, including: Suspension of all political appointees in the state, unauthorized spending of state funds without due process, appointment of government officials without legislative approval and secret investigations of Governor Fubara.
“The ongoing political instability is distressing to Rivers people. The Sole Administrator must adopt a neutral approach to avoid worsening tensions. If he continues this unconstitutional spending, we will have no choice but to seek legal redress,” Akporuvweku warned.
He reiterated calls for President Tinubu to lift the state of emergency and restore democratic governance in Rivers State, emphasizing that the rule of law must prevail.
Don’t kill democracy in Nigeria, Dele Momodu tells Tinubu
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dele Momodu, yesterday, faulted President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Fubara, his deputy and the Rivers State House of Assembly, labelling the move as “anti-democratic.”
Momodu, who spoke on Channels TV’s The Morning Brief, said that the decision contradicts the democratic ideals Tinubu once advocated.
His words: “I think it is very unfortunate. I know President Tinubu very, very, very well. Though I’ve not been in the same party with him and all that, we were together in exile, and he fought gallantly for this democracy. So a lot of us, co-comrades at that time, are actually very embarrassed that we have a pro-democracy leader in government, and yet what we are witnessing is worse than dictatorship.
“And I have said it openly so many times, in many open letters, you can fail in economy, no problem; people will forgive you and say you’re not a professor of economics. You can fail in other areas, but don’t fail in democracy.
“I’m pleading with President Bola Tinubu, ‘Please don’t kill democracy in Nigeria.’
“Everybody who loves him will tell him this. I don’t; I’ve not asked him for anything, but we love him for his contributions to the motivation in the back, which is what is going down the drain.”
[Opinion Nigeria]
The People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Nigeria’s oldest surviving political party, has long been synonymous with radicalism and populism, tracing its roots to the late Mallam Aminu Kano and Alhaji Balarabe Musa.
Despite its historical significance, the PRP has struggled to maintain political relevance in contemporary Nigerian politics, often overshadowed by dominant parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
However, recent defections by some of its 2023 governorship candidates have reignited discussions about the party’s viability. The exit of these politicians, who formally joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has not only raised questions about PRP’s future but also sparked a broader conversation on Nigeria’s opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
A party on the margin?
While the APC, PDP, Labour Party (LP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) frequently dominate political discourse, the PRP has remained largely in the background. Its absence from mainstream political conversations has led to debates over whether the party should continue to exist or be among the smaller political parties deregistered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Some political actors have also pushed for the registration of new parties, arguing that Nigerians deserve more alternatives beyond the existing dominant parties.
On March 26, several PRP governorship candidates across the country announced their resignation from the party and their defection to the SDP. Their decision follows a similar move by former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who recently left the APC for the SDP. El-Rufai’s defection has seemingly sparked momentum for the SDP, with more politicians gravitating towards the party.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Hayatuddeen Lawal Makarfi, chairman of the PRP Gubernatorial Candidates’ Forum, described their move as a strategic realignment rather than a mere defection.
“We appreciate the warm gesture of the most influential political leader of today, whose visionary and unwavering leadership qualities have been felt even by the blind in this country. He is facing persecution because he has refused to compromise standards due to his fear of God and love for Nigeria,” he said.
Makarfi, the party’s 2023 governorship candidate for Kaduna State, lamented the state of the nation, stating that Nigeria is “bleeding” under a system where citizens are trapped between “soaring poverty and collapsing institutions.” He criticised both the APC and PDP, accusing them of turning governance into a “cabal of shared incompetence.”
“The 2027 election must not be APC vs PDP; it should be Nigeria vs failure. We see the SDP as not just another party but the last hope of the common man,” he added.
While SDP National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam welcomed the defectors, assuring them of equal opportunities within the party, the PRP leadership downplayed the defections, insisting that the party remains unshaken. The party’s national spokesman, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, said PRP respects the right of individuals to associate freely and will not engage in confrontations over members leaving.
“We are a law-abiding political party, and the Nigerian Constitution guarantees free association. This is their right, and we have no problem with that,” Ishaq told Daily Trust.
PRP national chairman debunks defectors’ claims
However, PRP National Chairman Alhaji Falalu Bello dismissed claims that Makarfi led a substantial number of gubernatorial candidates in defecting to the SDP.
“Who elected him, and where was he elected? Makarfi town is close to Kaduna; anyone can visit to check if he ever had a campaign office there as a governorship candidate. Otherwise, anyone can wake up tomorrow and claim to be defecting from PRP or even President Tinubu’s camp,” Bello said.
He said only six individuals were visible at the SDP reception for defectors, questioning Makarfi’s claim of leading a mass exodus from the PRP.
“The PRP has a long history, having formed governments in Kano and Kaduna states. Any genuine PRP governorship candidate in Kaduna would have a significant following because of the party’s pedigree. So where was his campaign office?” Bello asked.
A former managing director of the Bank of the North, Bello was elected PRP national chairman in September 2018 to replace the late Alhaji Balarabe Musa. He survived attempts to remove him by some aggrieved party members in September 2020 before being re-elected in 2022 at the party’s national convention in Abuja.
A party in decline or a political ideal?
Founded in 1978 as a leftist alternative to the dominant political parties of the time, the PRP emerged as the reincarnation of the NEPU and became a beacon for socialist ideals under Mallam Aminu Kano. However, following the 1983 coup led by then-Major General Muhammadu Buhari, the PRP was banned.
In the Fourth Republic, the party was revived under Balarabe Musa, who had won the Kaduna State governorship in 1979 with the PRP but struggled to regain its former prominence. Despite its deep ideological roots, the PRP has remained a marginal player in Nigerian politics, failing to win major elections in recent years.
However, its national chairman argued that the PRP’s influence transcends electoral politics, emphasising that it represents an enduring political ideology.
“The PRP, as the descendant of the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU), is not just a political party—it is an ideal rooted in the minds and beliefs of the people. A 90-year-old woman in Bauchi still holds her NEPU membership card. That tells you that PRP is bigger than individuals,” Bello said.
He also revealed that discussions for a merger between the PRP and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) took place in 2024, but the plan did not materialise.
“PRP has always been open to alliances. In the past, we formed a government in Kaduna through a coalition, so political mergers are not new to us,” he added.
Bello dismissed Makarfi’s claims, noting that the latter was originally an APC member who only joined the PRP a few months before the 2023 elections after being dismissed by El-Rufai.
Defectors defend move
However, when contacted, Makarfi refused to engage in a war of words with the PRP chairman, citing Bello’s age as a reason for restraint.
“Most of us who left the PRP are young people, and we would not want to join issues with a 71-year-old national chairman, who we hold in high esteem. Those who came to the SDP last Wednesday were representatives of defectors nationwide; it was not necessary for all of us to travel to Abuja,” he said.
When Daily Trust asked him for the full list of all the members of the PRP Gubernatorial Candidates’ Forum that defected to the SDP, Makarfi said in a chat: “We went to the National Secretariat (of SDP) with the following representatives: Rivers (Emiyare Etete), Enugu (Elder Chris Agu), Anambra (Anthony Umeh), Jigawa (Capt. Ahmed Kaugama), Kwara (Abdulkareem Mustapha) and Kaduna (himself).”
Quizzed further on the identities of the other members of the forum he and the five others represented, he said: “The others may include: Kebbi, Gombe, Nasarawa and Plateau. We are still doing our consultations and will soon round up.”
He maintained that the move was well thought out, adding that the 2027 election results would validate their decision.
“We appreciate the opportunity given to us by the PRP, but we have the right to associate with any party of our choice. The future will tell whether we made the right decision,” Makarfi added.
Experts weigh in
Dr Kabiru Sufi, a lecturer at the Kano State College of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies, said the PRP’s historical significance makes its recent crisis more alarming.
“The PRP has always been associated with progressives. The defection of its gubernatorial candidates is a serious blow, especially considering the party’s internal divisions even before this episode,” Sufi said.
He predicted further defections across the opposition space, stating that more political figures may switch allegiances as 2027 approaches.
Similarly, Professor Sadeeque Abba, a political scientist and former deputy vice chancellor at the University of Abuja, described party defections as a normal political evolution.
“Political parties are not static institutions; they expand and contract over time. The movement from PRP to SDP is part of a broader trend of realignments ahead of the 2027 elections,” Abba explained.
He noted that dissatisfaction with party structures and governance failures often drive such shifts, adding that PRP’s inability to secure a strong presence in the National Assembly has left it politically vulnerable.
“If PRP had even five senators in the National Assembly, it would have had a stronger voice. But coming eighth in the 2023 presidential race shows its current limitations,” Prof. Abba added.
[DailyTrust]
- Lawyers praise Tope Adebayo LP on new office
Pastor Tunde Bakare of The Citadel Global Community Church, has urged Mr Tope Adebayo, the senior partner at Tope Adebayo LP, to allow truth, honesty and hard work be their watchword in all their undertakings.
The respected clergyman stressed that there was honour in staying on the path of truth, citing 1 Timothy 1 v 8 to back his admonition.
Pastor Bakare gave the admonition at the opening of the new office complex of when Tope Adebayo LP located on the third floor of The Phoenix, along Mobolaji-Bank Anthoy Way, Ikeja.
While casting his mind back to his days as a practising lawyer, Pastor Bakare said there were cases he refused to take no matter the money involved.
“There were cases I didn’t take and I didn’t need to take in those days,” he stated.
He prayed for partners and other members of staff that they will be on the same page in all matters to aid the law firm’s growth.
According to him, the next level of blessings is making sure one stays in tune with God.
“When God began to bless me, then I found the secret of ensuring that I stay in a position of not going down. And it’s in Isaiah, 22 v 8’’, he said.
Speaking on the new office, the principal partner of the law firm, Adebayo, said it was based on the realisation that one must continuously seek better ways of doing things.
“So, you must realise that whatever you don’t treasure cannot confer benefits on you and one way to demonstrate that you treasure a vision or idea is to put in resources to back that idea, especially when God has been gracious to you. “You need to use available resources to create an environment for the legal practitioners and other members of staff to practice their craft better and make it easier for clients to interact with us.
“Before now, we used to queue for the only conference room at our former office, especially when we have more than two meetings at the same time. It was always a struggle to plan meetings for the different practice groups in the firm. “So, we decided that to put more money in the practice to make it easier for us to serve our Clients.
“Thus, this office is essentially created to enhance service delivery to our clients,” he said.
Adebayo stated that he has always been driven by the idea of focusing on building his practice given the values he imbibed during his days at Olaniwun Ajayi LP.
“It has always been a part of me, from when myself and my colleagues Mr. Wolemi Esan (SAN) and Mr. Kunle Adegoke (SAN) started practice at what was then Olaniwun Ajayi & Co.
“There’s something that environment does to you, it has a way of conditioning your thinking and Professor Olaniwun Ajayi, then a Dr, did a lot to shape our view”, he recalled.
On his own, Esan, a colleague said: “This is a beautiful day, a beautiful day in the sense that Tope Adebayo is someone that we have grown together in the profession.
“ I have known him for over 20 years and looking at where he is coming from and where is today, one cannot but be extremely happy.
And the other day, I was telling him that it is very fitting that he has moved into a building that is called the Phoenix, because if you know the phoenix, it is the mystical bird that reinvents itself every time. Same for Tope (Adebayo), when you think you know him and have seen him and the glory of God in his life, he becomes something else that is even greater than what you thought was great.”
The immediate past chairman of NBA, Ikeja Branch, Seyi Olawumi, said Tope Adebayo was one of the pillars of the branch.
He said he was elated when he was invited to the office opening.
“I knew that I was coming to see something more beautiful, by his choice of office when he said I should come and celebrate with him today. That is because of the standard of even his former office.
“I am very happy and like I said, Tope Adebayo is one of our pillars in Ikeja Branch of the NBA and I pray that he will continue to grow and wax stronger.”
Olawunmi also prayed that other members of the firm will record such achievements and wax stronger.
Other clients and associates of the firm present at the event include the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lekoil Nigeria Limited; Mr. Samuel Kolajo, Acting Executive Vice Chairman, Owena Oil & Gas Ltd.
[TheNation]
The military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have announced a new 0.5 percent levy on imported goods from Nigeria and other Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, member-nations.
They also sought to fund a new three-state union after leaving the larger regional economic bloc, according to an official statement signed by the trio.
According to the statement, the levy was agreed last Friday and had taken immediate effect.
The levy, it said, would affect all goods imported from outside the three countries but would not include humanitarian aid.
‘’It will finance the activities of the bloc,’’ the statement said without giving further details.
The move ends free trade across West Africa, which states have for decades fallen under the umbrella of the ECOWAS, and highlights the rift between the three states that border the Sahara Desert and influential democracies, such as Nigeria and Ghana, to the south.
The three countries, each ruled by military juntas that came to power through recent coups in 2023, had established the Alliance of Sahel States, ASS, as a security agreement, following their exit from the ECOWAS bloc.
Over time, this alliance evolved into an aspiring economic union, with plans to promote deeper military and financial integration, including introducing biometric passports.
Last year, the three nations left ECOWAS, citing claims that the bloc had not sufficiently supported them in fighting Islamist insurgencies and addressing insecurity in their countries.
In retaliation, ECOWAS had imposed economic, political and financial sanctions on the three in a bid to force them to return to constitutional order, to little effect.
The three countries have, however, formed a brickwall against efforts by ECOWAS, led by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, to get them back into the bloc.
Only last week, the Ghanaian President, John Mahama, reported to President Tinubu in Abuja that efforts to win them back were not yeilding the desired results.
[Vanguard]
Filling stations in Lagos have increased the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N930 per litre.
TheCable confirmed on Monday that First Royal petrol station along College Road, Ogba, Lagos, increased its price from N860 to N930 per litre.
AS Sallam Petroleum, opposite First Royal, and MRS Oil filling station, in Festac, also increased their petrol price from N860 to N930.
However, Mobil petrol station, at Abeokuta bus-stop, off College Road, Ogba, increased its pump price to N935, up from N865 per liter.
The hike in petrol price followed Dangote refinery’s decision to temporarily stop temporarily stop selling petroleum products in naira after a breakdown in negotiation for the naira-for-crude deal.
Dangote refinery and other refiners agreed with the federal government to sell petroleum products in naira in exchange for the sale of crude oil in the local currency last year.
The agreement was meant to reduce the impact of foreign exchange on the sale of crude oil and petroleum products, and reduce pressure on naira.
However, parties involved in the deal have not agreed to a new contract as the initial contract expires at the end of March 20, forcing Danote refinery to source for crude oil in the international market.
Nigeria officially commenced the sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in naira to local refineries on October 1, 2024.
The increase in price comes more than a month after the refinery reduced its petrol ex-depot price to N825 on February 26, which led to a drop in PMS prices at filling stations.
[TheCable]
“Democracy Lives, Not Dying in Nigeria,“ Aremu Disagrees with OBJ, canvasses Tinubu's second Term Presidency
Admin
Despite the challenges of nation-building, Nigeria has been described as a “Democracy Destination undergoing democratic consolidation ” contrary to some recent high-profile discordant views about the prospects of the democratic process in Africa.
Recently both former President Olusegun Obasanjo and erstwhile governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, had claimed that democracy was dying in Africa and Nigeria”.
However, the Director General Micheal Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) Comrade Issa Aremu took exception to what he called the “new Democracy-pessimism fad” by those he said “without democracy would not have been able to exhibit their limited leadership ability in the past”.
Aremu spoke at separate interventions at the sideline of the 2025 Ramadan lecture of the Institute held in Ilorin and at Arewa House Kaduna during the Special Prayers to mark the 73rd birthday of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu organised by AREWA Think Tank Group on Saturday.
Aremu observed that it was time for Nigerians to deepen and consolidate the democratic process adding that “democratic optimism must not in any way give way to democratic despair in Africa”.
“ With 19 Registered Political Parties, 93,469,008, Total Voters Registered, 176,846 Polling Units in Nigeria, 7 concluded presidential elections since 1999, 5 elected Presidents, 2 elected twice, one graciously accepting the loss of election, hundreds of state, National Assembly elections and bye-elections, active media, vibrant organised trade unions and civil society, freedoms of assembly and expressions, Nigeria is a model of how Democracy lives, not dying” Aremu observed.
The Director General cautioned the media to “report but also profile the messengers of messages of despair and doom” for discerning citizens for informed judgement about them. Aremu said both former President Obasanjo and former governor Peter Obi suffer what he called “bring-down-what I- cannot-control-syndrome” adding that democracy is alive for only those who necessarily must not have their ways all the time but still keep faith in the ballot. “ “Afro-democracy” is another subterfuge for a call to authoritarianism by OBJ, Democracy is not divisible, it is according to the 1999 constitution, the simple majority that made OBJ President twice, Peter Obi governor and a failed Presidential candidate in 2023, any resort to red hearing that Democracy is dying because the duo are out and dry of elsewhere power is unhelpful and self-serving”.
“Following the death of President Hage Geingob On 4 February 2024, Namibia just successfully conducted an election to inaugurate the first female President Nangolo Mbumba who she once served as vice-president. Senegal last year elected the youngest 45-year-old Bassirou Diomaye Faye, while Amadou Ba, the candidate of the ruling United in Hope (BBY) coalition, peacefully conceded defeat. OBJ must be operating from outer space to say Democracy is dying in Africa.” Aremu said.
He said the challenges of development in Africa call for more democracy through quality control measures of politics of ideologies and programmes not doubt and scaremongering about democracy adding that the military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger must give way to free and fair elections for legitimacy.
Comrade Aremu who was also the Director of the Labour Directorate of Tinubu/Shetima Presidential Campaign Council ( PCC) during the 2023 election described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as an “audacious” reformer who legitimately “can and should run for a second term in 2027 to consolidate on his achievements in the labour sector”.
The Director General of the premier Labour Institute described the recently approved N758 billion bond to settle long-standing pension liabilities by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “a timely welcome act of compassion, statesmanship and good governance” in the country’s pension market adding that the measure was the most impactful of the Renewed Hope Agenda in labour market after the 2024 National minimum wage Act ”.
My Mother Seized My International Passport, Stopped Me From Signing $320,000 Deal – Frank Edwards
AFOLABI
Gospel singer, Frank Edwards, has disclosed that his mother once stopped him from signing a $320,000 deal that would have given a group control of his music catalogue.
Edward explained that his mother warned him against signing the deal and confiscated his international passport to prevent him from finalising it.
Speaking via a social media post, Edwards said he didn’t understand his mother’s reasoning, but he has since come to appreciate her discernment.
He mentioned how she had given him ₦150,000 naira to start a studio, and her instincts proved correct.
The singer expressed gratitude for his mother’s selfless love, guidance, and unwavering support.
He thanked her for being a source of wisdom and strength, always providing guidance and protection.
Edwards wrote: “Thank you for everything, this space is not enough to write about you. Thank you for an impenetrable wall of fire! Thank for always telling me the mind of God about the things I’m doing, Non of your words fell to the ground because you truly hear from God ..
“The very first time in my life years ago I was to close $320,000 deal from a group that wanted to almost own my entire catalogue.
“You said NO ! And I quote you. “ The 150,000 naira gave you to start that studio is bigger than that money, just give it time . They are not of God.
“Infact you took my international passport away from me Just to ensure I don’t travel to close that deal , and I was laughing because I didn’t need to travel to close it but then I listened to you !
“After u said that I was thinking How is 150,000 Naira bigger than $320,000 .. BUT NOW I UNDERSTAND.
“There is so much to say !! But like I said .. this space is not enough!! Happy Mother’s Day mum!!!”
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E. A. Adeboye, has officially changed the name of the RCCG Apapa Family to The Favoured Family.
Naija News reports that this renaming took place on Sunday during his second visit to Trinity Towers, the headquarters of the RCCG City of David parish, which oversees the Apapa Family.
Accompanied by his wife, Pastor Folu Adeboye, he shared that he received a divine directive to rename this prominent family within the RCCG community.
While preaching from 2 Kings 2:19-24, Pastor Adeboye articulated the need for the Apapa Family to experience a new outpouring of grace, symbolized by the introduction of salt and a new cruse.
He highlighted that the salt represents God’s restoration of flavor and vitality, the elimination of bitterness, the prevention of demonic influences, and the promotion of swift progress.
The new cruse, he explained, symbolizes a new beginning, the recovery of lost glory, and a renewed commitment to reignite spiritual passion.
“If anyone had once been hot and had grown lukewarm, they would now burn brightly again,” Pastor Adeboye stated.
Naija News reports that the RCCG Apapa Family boasts a rich heritage that began in 1991 at Roxy Cinema, Apapa, with approximately 50 members under the leadership of Pastor Tony Rapu.
In just five years, the congregation expanded to over 45 parishes both within Nigeria and internationally, supported by a dedicated workforce of more than 500 individuals.
The family’s mission is to reach heaven and bring as many people as possible along, while also nurturing leaders and fostering a community that exemplifies excellence, faithfulness, character, and integrity.
Their objectives include evangelism, establishing God’s governance, and showcasing the significance of Christianity through innovative and contemporary expressions of their beliefs.
Throughout the years, the RCCG Apapa Family has experienced considerable growth and transformation, with various pastors playing pivotal roles in its development.
Following Pastor Tony Rapu, Pastor Eskor Mfon took the helm and furthered the expansion of the Apapa Family Churches.
After Pastor Mfon’s passing, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade was appointed as the new leader of the Apapa Family.
On September 1, 2024, Pastor Kayode Pitan succeeded Pastor Iluyomade as the Head of the Apapa Family
Akpabio Is Afraid Of Something, If Tinubu Says He Wants A Third Term, National Assembly Will Vote For Him’ – Dele Momodu
AFOLABI
chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dele Momodu, has submitted that Senate President Godswill Akpabio is no longer the same person he used to know as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Momodu, who spoke on Monday during a Channels TV interview, said though they were never close, he admired what Akpabio did as Governor for the people of his state, but the Akpabio who is the current Senate President of Nigeria is afraid of something.
Speaking along the lines that the current crop of lawmakers is a rubber-stamp National Assembly under the leadership of Senator Akpabio, Momodu submitted that the federal lawmakers would approve a third term speedily if President Bola Tinubu moves for it.
The veteran journalist suggested that Akpabio is most likely afraid of the presidency, adding that the Nigerian presidency is a powerful institution.
“The good side in Akpabio was that he delivered as Governor of Akwa Ibom State. I don’t know what became of him after. You know what usually happens is that today people say he is leading a rubber-stamping Senate, perhaps out of fear of the presidency.
“The Nigerian presidency is the most powerful president, maybe after Donald Trump, if not on equal level.
“Nigeria’s presidency is so powerful that one Minister, Chief Alex Akinyele, once told me under Babangida government that a Nigerian president can turn a man into woman and a women into man. So what I see in Akpabio today is a man who is afraid of something. A man who will do anything.
“If Tinubu says tomorrow I want a third term, I can bet you in five minutes, they will vote for him, so I don’t know what happened but as Governor you know he had executive powers and with executive powers, there is much more you can do for your state and that was my admiration for him,” Momodu said during the interview monitored by Naija News
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Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured residents that the ongoing political crisis in the state will ultimately strengthen the people rather than weaken them.
Fubara made this statement when he received Muslim leaders from 20 Islamic-based groups, including the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, at his private residence in Port Harcourt during an Eid-El-Fitr Sallah visit.
Addressing the delegation, Governor Fubara urged them and his supporters to trust in God’s process, saying: “This season is one of love, sharing, and sacrifice. You have come to share in our pain and have made a great sacrifice through your prayers. As Christians, we believe that everything happens for a purpose, and I strongly believe that this situation is leading us toward a greater purpose.”
He acknowledged that the current political tension might leave many feeling depressed but emphasised that supernatural forces may be at play beyond human understanding.
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“No matter what we see, we must remain steadfast. In all things, we give glory to Almighty God. I believe that in the end, we will emerge stronger,” he added.
He reaffirmed his commitment to justice and equality, stressing that his administration envisions a society where no one is oppressed.
“We believe in egalitarianism, and if our beliefs bring us some pain, so be it. The most important thing is that we stand on the side of truth and righteousness,” he stated.
He regretted that he was unable to formally reach out to the Muslim community during their celebrations but promised that the relationship between religious groups and the government would be strengthened once the current uncertainties are resolved.
He also assured the leaders that their pending requests would be addressed after the crisis subsides.
Urging patience and perseverance, Governor Fubara drew an analogy from religious history, saying, “If God could be patient with Noah to allow even the snail to enter the Ark, then patience remains an essential virtue in our struggle.”
He also cautioned against falling prey to those who want engineer violence by fanning provocative acts, warning his supporters and Rivers people to avoid certain elements who sought to destabilize the state.
“Their goal is to create problems and deny people their means of livelihood. We will not allow that. We will continue to operate peacefully and respect constitutional authority to ensure that our state remains a model for others in Nigeria,” he concluded.
Speaking earlier on behalf of the Muslim community, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, declared their solidarity with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, assuring him of their prayers and support as he navigates the state’s current political challenges.
Alhaji Uhor stated that the majority of Muslims in Rivers State stand with Governor Fubara due to his inclusive approach to governance and his recognition of the Islamic faith.
He noted that unlike the previous administration that declared Rivers a 100% Christian state, Governor Fubara, upon assuming office, acknowledged the state as Christian majority while allowing room for inclusiveness.
Encouraging the governor to remain steadfast, Uhor reminded him of the Islamic belief that Allah rewards patience.
He said the present challenges align with the teachings of Islam, where the Creator tests His people through wealth, power, and authority.
He further called on President Bola Tinubu to review the emergency rule in Rivers State and restore Governor Fubara’s full authority, emphasizing that the governor has been performing effectively despite the crisis.
During the visit, prayers were offered for suspended Governor Fubara, his family, Rivers State, and Nigeria as a whole.
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has appointed gospel artist Asu Ekiye as the Izon Language Ambassador.
Naija News reports that this announcement was made during Ekiye’s musical concert and album launch, titled “Ebikamo Experience,” which took place on Sunday in Yenagoa.
Governor Diri highlighted that this appointment acknowledges Ekiye’s dedication to preserving the Ijaw language through his music, aligning with his administration’s goal to prevent the language from becoming extinct.
He praised the musician’s commitment to language preservation and mentioned that his administration has already trained Ijaw teachers, with plans for further initiatives to promote the language.
Diri said: “I would have been here earlier but was told that the place was not ready. When it started raining, I told the Chief of Staff and SA Religion to represent me. But immediately I made that decision, the rain stopped.
“On behalf of our government of Assured Prosperity, I want to say a big thank you to you and your team. They say a prophet is not recognised in his hometown but here you are acceptable. When you are blessed by God, nobody can take it. Haa Izon! is a call for unity and not a call for war.
“I am happy with your success story as an Ijaw gospel musician and I have, therefore, appointed you as Ambassador of Ijaw Language. My office will write you.
“I challenge everyone, particularly parents, to teach their children our language and urge them to join hands with the government in our drive to preserve the language from extinction.
“My dear people of Bayelsa, our state is peaceful because Ijaw people are peaceful. Let us support the state government and the Federal Government.
“We have started proving that the best place to live in is Bayelsa. The way we have given Nigeria oil and gas, Bayelsa is also the cradle of marine and blue economy and this is what Nigeria is missing in Bayelsa. So, we thank the federal government for creating the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.”
Ekiye captivated the audience with his vibrant songs and dynamic dance moves, drawing the governor onto the dance floor.
Present at the event were notable figures including the state Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, the representative for Yenagoa Constituency 1 in the House of Assembly, Ayibanegiyefa Egba, the Chief of Staff at the Government House, Dr. Peter Akpe, his deputy, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo, along with other esteemed Ijaw music artists such as Barrister Smooth and Alfred Izonebi, among others.
President Bola Tinubu and Rivers State Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas have been summoned by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.
The court summoned them over the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The suit, marked FHC/PH/CS/45/2025, was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Peoples Life Improvement Foundation, Precious Elekima, and Inanna Wright Harry.
The plaintiffs are challenging the legality of the emergency rule and seeking the court’s interpretation of its constitutionality.
Among those named in the lawsuit are Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, the National Assembly, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.
Also joined in the suit are Rivers State Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Revenue and Fiscal Mobilisation Commission, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The plaintiffs argue that President Tinubu’s March 18, 2025, declaration of emergency in Rivers State is unconstitutional, null, and void.
They claim it violates Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement Act) and Section 305(3)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended).
They are seeking a court order to prevent the Rivers State Administrator from appointing caretaker committees for the 23 local government councils, forming a state executive council, and awarding contracts or making any financial transactions from the state treasury.
The plaintiffs are also demanding the restoration of democracy in Rivers State by reinstating the suspended executive and legislative arms of government.
Additionally, they are asking the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining President Tinubu from further suspending elected officials in the state.
The court has given the defendants 30 days to respond to the summons, warning that failure to do so could result in the case proceeding in their absence.
‘We’re Witnessing Something Worse Than Dictatorship, Please Don’t Kill Democracy’ – Dele Momodu Begs Tinubu
AFOLABI
Veteran Nigerian journalist cum chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, has asserted that Nigeria is witnessing something worse that dictatorship under President Bola Tinubu.
Naija News reports that Momodu made this known while berating Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as anti-democratic.
Recall that Tinubu, on March 18, 2025, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months in addition to the state of emergency owing to the political crisis in the oil-rich state and the move have generated backlash from many political elites.
In an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Dele Momodu pleaded with President Tinubu not to kill democracy in Nigeria.
Momodu claimed that some people are deceiving Tinubu and warned him to watch his back.
He said, “I think it is very unfortunate. I know President Tinubu very, very, very well. Though I’ve not been in the same party [with him] and all that, we were together in exile, and he fought gallantly for this democracy. So a lot of us, co-comrades at that time, are actually very embarrassed that we have a pro-democracy leader in government, and yet what we are witnessing is worse than dictatorship.
“I’m pleading with President Bola Tinubu, ‘Please don’t kill democracy in Nigeria.’ Everybody who loves him will tell him this. I don’t; I’ve not asked him for anything or anything, but we love him for his contributions to the motivation in the back, which is what is going down the drain.
“I’m saying it now openly to millions of Nigerians that people are deceiving President Tinubu, and he should not allow people to deceive you.
“He should just do his job. The only thing that can guarantee a second time is to do your job well. You do not need to intimidate anybody.”