The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), has said the proposed N1.48tn 2025 budget anticipates the return of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other affected political officeholders.

Ibas made this known in Abuja on Wednesday while defending the budget before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight.

According to him, the proposed budget aligns with the strategic objectives of the River State Development Plan 2017-2027.

He also noted that the proposal presents a strategic and integrated framework designed to raise revenues and accelerate infrastructure development, enhance human capital, and promote inclusive economic growth across all sectors.

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He said, “In anticipation of the eventual return to constitutional order, the draft budget prudently retains provisions for the offices and functions of suspended political actors, some of whom have already drawn on allocated resources in the first quarter and are expected to resume their duties at the expiration of the emergency period.”

He, however, accused some suspected Rivers State officials of failure to provide the administration with useful information required to prepare the budget proposal.

Ibas added, “Regrettably, some state officials withheld critical information required to ensure a more complete capture of those expenditures at the time of submission of the budget estimates.

“However, recognising the exigencies under the state of emergency and the need to ensure fiscal credibility, the budget framework integrates expenditure information made available before the submission of the budget proposal to ratify the first quarter expenditures in a lawful and transparent structure.

“This ensures alignment with statutory appropriation protocols while safeguarding the integrity of public finance management.”

The budget, totalling ₦1.48tn in expenditure with a projected ₦1.4tn in revenue, was transmitted to the National Assembly following presidential approval after the Supreme Court ruled on the legality of the Rivers State 2025 appropriation process.

In his opening remarks, Ibas thanked the committee for its dedication. 

“We in Rivers State are most grateful for your commitment. Despite your tight schedules, you have shown unwavering resolve to fulfil your constitutional duties,” he said.

Ibas highlighted several major allocations including ₦324.50bn for infrastructure and transportation projects; ₦55bn to relocate and expand Rivers State University Teaching Hospital; ₦50bn for zonal hospital upgrades; ₦38.85bn for shoreline protection and erosion control; ₦30bn for zonal secondary schools and ₦5.75bn for primary school rehabilitation.

Others are ₦2.5bn for women’s economic empowerment and ₦3bn for youth resource centres; ₦20bn to recapitalise Rivers State Microfinance Bank for Medium and Small Scale Enterprises support, and ₦117bn in pension, gratuities, and employee benefits.

Responding, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Rivers State oversight, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, commended Ibas for the detailed presentation and affirmed the committee’s readiness to partner with the administrator in restoring peace and development to Rivers State.

He also pledged the committee’s readiness to scrutinise the budget estimate in the interest of the oil-rich state and its people.

Ihonvbere said, “I want to especially thank you and let you know that this committee is committed to working with you to restore stability, peace, growth, and development in Rivers State.

“Rivers has always been a shining example of what is possible with good leadership, and that is why this commitment is here.

“We will scrutinise the budget. We will invite you to send your relevant officials for a proper defence of the budget. In as much as we are committed to joining hands with you to get Rivers State back on track, we are not going to cut corners.”

Ihonvbere, who doubles as the House Majority Leader, also highlighted key social welfare components in the budget, such as women’s empowerment and pensions for retirees, describing them as necessary and people-centred interventions.

“These are areas that touch people’s lives, and we know the plight of their families. We appreciate you for making these bold commitments,” he added.

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has been accused of allegedly colluding with bandits to orchestrate the abduction of 300 students from Government Secondary School, Kankara, in Katsina State during his tenure as Zamfara State Governor.

In an interview with an online TV station, Special Assistant to Governor Dauda Lawal on Media and Communications, Mustafa Jafaru Kaura, alleged that Matawalle played a central role in the kidnapping.

The Kankara abduction took place on December 11, 2020, when over 300 students were kidnapped from the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State

The boys were later confirmed released on December 18, 2020.

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Kaura, in the interview, claimed that the former governor collected N300m from then-Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, as ransom for the release of the abducted students but diverted most of the funds.

He said, “Matawalle collected N300m from his counterpart, the then Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, with the aim of facilitating the release of the 300 kidnapped students of GSS Kankara.

“However, at the end, he gave the bandits only N30m and took the remaining N270m for himself.”

In response, the Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress said it would take legal action against Kaura for what it called “baseless and unfounded” allegations against Matawalle, who is the party’s leader in the state.

In a statement to journalists on Wednesday, APC spokesperson Yusuf Idris, announced that the party had convened an emergency meeting and resolved to take Kaura to court.

Idris said, “The Zamfara State chapter of the APC under its chairman, Tukur Umar Danfulani today held an emergency SWC meeting and reviewed the provocation by Mustapha Jafaru Kaura against its leaders, who need to be called to order.

“The meeting condemned the lies peddled by the Zamfara State government against the APC leaders in the state, more especially against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, on very sensitive issues which need to be investigated.”

“The callousness of Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, spokesman to Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, characterised by open insults, character assassination, and direct abuse of APC Zamfara State chapter chieftains—particularly the state party leader and current Minister of State for Defence, former governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle, as well as the former governor now Senator representing Zamfara West, Hon. Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar—can no longer be tolerated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.”

The party noted that Kaura’s comments about the December 11, 2020 abduction of students in Kankara amounted to grave accusations.

“The recent outpouring by Mustapha Jafaru Kaura that over 300 students of GSS, Kankara, in the bordering state of Katsina, were whisked into the forest at gunpoint by a gang of armed bandits, and indeed many kidnappings, followed a deliberate collaboration between former governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle—now Minister of State for Defence—and the bandits, will be met with court action. The party will file a suit for Kaura to provide all the details of his assertions.

The APC said it would not only demand Kaura provide evidence of his claims but also explain his statements about other high-profile abductions in Zamfara during Matawalle’s tenure.

“Mustapha Jafaru Kaura must also prove and give details of the kidnappings of the over 270 female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, in Zamfara State—who were abducted by bandits on February 26, 2021, and rescued by Matawalle just two days after.

“The same applies to students of Kaya in Maradun Local Government Area and students from the College of Agriculture and Animal Science in Bakura, Zamfara State, who were also rescued by Matawalle.”

The party also indicated it may include the online platform that conducted the interview in the legal proceedings.

“The party will also consider joining the platform used in the interview in the case, as both the interviewee and the interviewer seemed to be going through a prepared document in order to achieve their set objective,” he said.

Efforts by The PUNCH to get Matawalle’s direct response were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to multiple phone calls.

However, his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ibrahim Danmaliki, confirmed that the minister was fully aware of the legal plans being made by the APC.

He said, “Honourable Bello Matawalle is in the picture of what is going on concerning the plan by his party, APC, to go to court with Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, who accused him of conniving with bandits to abduct students of GSS Kankara in Katsina State.

“He was behind the move because he has been accused of what he did not do. So, to cut things short, the minister is fully aware of the arrangement, and he is in support of the court action by the APC leadership

A 25-year-old Nigerian, Samuel Abiodun, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment by a United States of America court for his role in a sextortion scheme that led to the death of a teenager.

PUNCH Metro learnt from a statement by the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, David Metcalf, on Wednesday, that Abiodun was sentenced on Tuesday.

According to Metcalf, the convict, alongside an accomplice, Afeez Adewale, was arrested in Nigeria by the FBI and extradited in July 2024.

Following his extradition, the duo were charged before a court in August 2024.

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While Abiodun pleaded guilty to the offences of money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud related to the sexual extortion and death of a young man in December 2024, Aina pleaded guilty to cyberstalking, interstate threat to injure reputation, receiving proceeds of extortion, money laundering conspiracy, and wire fraud in May 2025.

Following their guilty pleas, Abiodun was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by US District Judge Joel Slomsky on Tuesday, while Aina is scheduled for sentencing on August 11.

Metcalf added that their third accomplice, Afeez Adewale, who has yet to be extradited from Nigeria, has also been charged in absentia. 

He stated, “Aina pleaded guilty last month to cyberstalking, interstate threat to injure reputation, receiving proceeds of extortion, money laundering conspiracy, and wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 11 and faces a statutory maximum of lifetime imprisonment.

“Adewale has been charged with money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud. He remains in Nigeria, pending extradition to the US.”

Speaking on the role Abiodun played in the conspiracy, Metcalf said, “As the financial middleman, Abiodun played a key role in this sextortion scheme, which thoroughly traumatised the victim and then devastated his family.”

He continued, “These scammers’ sole aim is to get money from scared and vulnerable young people, with absolutely no regard for their feelings or the potential fallout. In prosecuting this case, we are bringing to justice the men whose actions resulted in truly indelible harm.

“We also want to send a message to others like them that the Department of Justice’s reach is long, and if they keep extorting innocent Americans, they could find themselves in an American prison.”

He acknowledged the role of the Nigerian government in the extradition of Abiodun and Aina.

“The support and assistance of Nigerian security authorities was essential to this effort, notably that of Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Justice’s International Criminal Justice Cooperation Department, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” Metcalf concluded

Segun Sowunmi says Peter Obi has turned out to be his ‘greatest disappointment’ due to his perceived receptiveness to the coalition movement spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition figures in the country. 

Obi, who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2022 for the Labour Party, where he was presented as the 2023 presidential candidate, has become a political force in Nigeria.

However, as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general election, opposition politicians, including Obi, are making moves to boost their chances.

To wrest power from the ruling party in 2027, former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is championing a coalition of opposition figures to come under one party that’ll sweep the All Progressives Congress out of power.

According to reports, Atiku proposed Obi as his running mate for the coalition, promising that the former governor of Anambra State would succeed him. 

Even though Atiku is a PDP leader, there are indications that he may dump the party for the coalition he spearheads.

In their recent meeting, opposition politicians set up a team to decide whether to float a new party or fuse into an existing platform. 

Meanwhile, the PDP Governors have rejected the Atiku-led coalition, insisting that the movement must be party-driven. 

Also, Sowunmi, a longstanding ally of the former Vice President, has expressed dissatisfaction with his principal’s move, stressing that the PDP has to be the base of the coalition.

He also labelled the coalition movement a selfish adventure to favour a set of politicians.

In his bid to save the PDP, Sowunmi recently called on the party’s leadership to bring Obi back to the party.

The PDP chieftain also warned Obi against the coalition, saying the politicians in the movement are only interested in taking advantage of his popularity for the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’, Sowunmi said he was disappointed in Obi because he failed to take advantage of his popularity by aligning with the main opposition force in the country. 

“My greatest disappointment as we are getting ready for 2027 is actually Peter. The reason is that I had hoped in all of his seriousness that Peter will understand that we can move and challenge the status quo, not the way he’s been doing it all by himself. We could do that just to be able to take the outcome, even if it’s a defeat, we’ll say we gave it the best push, and we shattered the glass ceilings and united the country because there’s no glass ceiling on top of the South East. You made one effort and then the next thing you’re doing you started running up and down the street,” Sowunmi said.

The PDP chieftain said he told Obi that if he failed to make up his mind by May 29, he would be inclined to declare his support for President Tinubu in the next election.

His words: “ I told him many months before that if your mind is not made up by May 29 this year on what you want to do, I’m going to be more inclined to support Asiwaju. And the simple reason is this, I told him Peter, the benefits that we have done now by integrating you as someone that can be leader of the Igbo political force, and in a pan Nigerian environment, I do not think throw it away but it’s your call, if you want to do that all this coalition this, coalition that. I’m thinking that you’re bringing a new order.” 

Although it is not clear if Obi has officially joined the Atiku-led coalition, he has been seen attending the movement’s meetings.

…Anti-Tinubu coalition dead on arrival, says Wike

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared that even though the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, is not yet a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party is open to receiving him whenever he decides to switch.

Tinubu stated this when he commissioned the Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road One (Nnamdi Azikiwe Way) to Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Road) and some other roads in Katampe District.

The president noted that with Wike, APC will continue to be in a joyous mood, while the party’s rivals will continue to writhe in pain.

He said, “We have somebody in Nyesom Wike. He is not a member of my party. Not yet. But the day he changes his mind and registers with the Progressives, we will welcome him because we will enjoy him singing ‘as e dey pain them, e dey sweet us”.

Speaking about the project, the president said residents of the Gishiri community affected by the construction had since been relocated and compensated, saying the government did not grab the land.

He said the project represents more than a stretch of asphalt but affirms his commitment and transformational posture under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Since assuming office on May 23, this administration has been guided by a philosophy anchored on reform and regeneration. Today, we see tangible proof of that philosophy in action. The corridor was underdeveloped for years despite the central road in the Abuja master plan. Today, that narrative has changed. What was once missing as a link is now a modern, functional, and durable infrastructure. The artery is fully realised through the leadership of the FCT administration under the Honourable Minister Nyesom Wike.

“This road will ease traffic congestion around central Abuja and improve connectivity to developing districts such as Katampe, Jahi, and Mabushi.

“It will stimulate housing and business growth while serving as a foundation for future city integration. Infrastructure is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is the bedrock of national competitiveness, growth, social integration, and economic opportunity.

“We recognise that our nation’s development is linked to the quality of infrastructure, connecting people, cities, and industries. There is no way industrialisation will flourish without good roads. We are investing in roads, rail, power, health care, education, and digital infrastructure. It is only through these coordinated and integrated developments that we can unlock Nigeria’s full potential. “I promise you we will,” the president added.

‘Dead Coalition’

Earlier in his welcome address, the minister thanked the president for his support of the FCT Administration, without which he said the project and others could not have been achieved.

Noting that there are some people who are not happy that the president was enhancing the country’s infrastructural landscape, Wike said the planned coalition by the opposition against the president was already dead on arrival.

He said, “Let me first of all convey the happiness and appreciation of the people of FCT. I am sure that when you came out of the vehicle, you saw how happy the people were. That is to tell you they appreciate and recognise the good works you are doing. Like you said yesterday, there are some people who, whatever you do, will never be happy.

“They were born not to be happy, and so there is nothing you can do about it. But those who appreciate it, who are happy, you can see how elated they are. That tells you that the day you go to the satellite towns, what will happen, because they have never had it so good. It is unbelievable.

“I hardly watch some stations, but sometimes, I don’t know how spiritually I was touched to just tune in and start watching. This morning I was touched and was watching. I didn’t know that people can be pained. I didn’t know. And now I know there are such people that are pained. My duty now is to make sure to continue to give them high blood pressure. ‘As e dy pain them, e go dy sweet us. As e dy sweet us, e go dy pain to them’. That is my job. I will be happy every time, moving and laughing, and then they will be there, fighting and shouting.

“So, Mr President, we want to thank you for making us part of this revolution that is going on. Your good works have killed the Coalition. I was thinking that truly, there would be a coalition.

“So I told my people to make sure that every national television station must hook in so that they (the coalition) can see what is happening every day. If they turn to ADBN, they are watching Mr President. If they turn to TVC, it is Mr President. If they go to Channels, Mr President. If they go to NTA, Mr President. Even the oneTown I don’t watch, Arise TV, is Mr President. So, they have no choice, and they must watch it for 17 days. There is nothing they can do. So, sir, Abuja people say I should tell you, please, they are happy that even though you have given them 10 days, the other ones will be shared by the Vice President, Senate President and Speaker. But please help us so that these people who say they are not happy, their BP will keep going up.

“By Friday, we will go to Apo, a 15-kilometre road to Wassa. By Monday, we will be in N5, Life Camp. By Tuesday, INEC headquarters. So, they wouldn’t know what to do. “Coalition is bound to fail, and it has failed,” he declared.

New Zealand has introduced a new visa called the Parent Boost Visa, which will allow parents of migrants to stay in the country for up to 10 years.

The visa begins on September 29, 2025.

New Zealand immigration department revealed this in a statement on its website on Monday.

This is meant to help families stay together longer.

Under this new plan, parents can stay for five years at first.

After that, they can apply for another five years if they still meet all the rules. This is a visitor visa that lets parents come and go during the visa period.

However, it does not lead to permanent residency. Anyone who wants to live in New Zealand permanently must apply for a parent resident visa or a parent retirement resident visa. 

Who Can Apply?

To get the Parent Boost Visa, applicants must:

Be sponsored by a New Zealand citizen or resident

Have health insurance for at least one year, which must cover emergency care up to NZD $250,000

Take two health checks: one while applying, and another after three years

Show proof that their insurance stays active during the whole visa periodFinances

Applicants must meet one of these financial rules:

Their sponsor must earn at least New Zealand’s median wage (for one parent), or 1.5 times that amount (for two parents)

The parents themselves earn a steady income equal to New Zealand’s pension amount

They have savings of at least NZD $160,000 (one parent) or NZD $250,000 (two parents)

Visa costs:

Standard fee: NZD $3,000

Pacific applicants: NZD $2,450

Tourism levy: NZD $100

Health check (after 3 years): NZD $325 (NZD $240 for Pacific applicants)

A 19-year-old upcoming Nigerian artiste identified simply as Destiny has been beaten to death in the Volta Region area of Ghana.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident happened on May 28.

It was gathered that a yet-to-be-identified Nigerian based in Ghana accused him of failing to remit funds related to a business venture they introduced him to.

The male adult, who was also said to be among those who facilitated his trip to the country, stormed his apartment alongside two others to question him about the funds.

However, Destiny’s failure to provide answers led to a severe assault meted out to him.

A source privy to the incident told PUNCH Metro on Tuesday on the condition of anonymity because he lacked the authority to speak with the media that the Edo State-born artiste thereafter succumbed to the injuries sustained from the assault.

“Destiny went to Ghana to further his education, and the travel was facilitated by someone he called his street brother. These are the same people who provided an apartment for him over there. Those who broke the news to us from there said the men introduced him to a business, which they later accused him of diverting some funds meant for the business. This angered them, and they went to his apartment and beat him up. The beating was so intense that he felt weak and gave up the ghost in the process,” the source narrated.

It was further learnt that the suspects left the deceased’s body in the room after they discovered that he was motionless.

Another source who spoke to our correspondent said the police later discovered the corpse a few days after the incident.

“The police were alerted to the incident, and some officers were deployed to the apartment where Destiny’s remains were found. We were told that no suspects had been arrested since his death. We hope the Ghanaian authorities find his killers and bring them to justice.”

In a video obtained by PUNCH Metro, Destiny was seen speaking about himself and what his plans were.

He said, “I am Destiny and I am a streamer from Nigeria. I want to apply to Streamers University, and this will be a great joy for me, my mother, and everybody.  I am also an artiste and a gamer. I do all sorts of things.”

PUNCH Metro had reported in April that a 77-year-old Nigerian Uber driver, Olatunji Bolaji, was killed in a shooting outside a hookah lounge in Philadelphia, United States.

Bolaji, who lived in Norristown, Pennsylvania, was on duty around 2 a.m. on Wednesday when he picked up a passenger, a 22-year-old man, outside the Byblos Hookah Bar near Rittenhouse Square in Centre City, CBS reports on Friday.

Police said shortly after Bolaji picked up the young man, another vehicle pulled up behind his SUV, and two men got out.

One of them opened fire, shooting both Bolaji and the passenger.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the ruling on the bail application of three detained promoters of the Crypto Bridge Exchange until June 30.

Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the date after counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Fadila Yusuf, and the defence lawyers adopted their arguments for and against the bail application.

On April 24, Justice Nwite authorised the EFCC to arrest and detain six operators of CBEX over allegations of fraud.

The court granted the EFCC’s ex-parte motion for detention pending the conclusion of investigations and potential prosecution.

Subsequently, the EFCC declared all six promoters wanted for their alleged involvement in an investment fraud exceeding $1 billion.

The suspects include Adefowora Abiodun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo, and Chukwuebuka Ehirim.

In a motion ex-parte dated and filed on April 23, Yusuf outlined four grounds for the EFCC’s application, asserting the agency’s statutory duty to prevent and investigate financial crimes. 

The EFCC’s affidavit claimed the defendants were at large, necessitating a warrant of arrest to enable proper investigation and prosecution.

After the defendants were declared wanted, Adefowora Abiodun (1st defendant), Avwerosuo Otorudo (5th defendant), and Chukwuebuka Ehirim (6th defendant) surrendered to the EFCC and have since been in custody.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants and their company, ST Technologies International Limited, used CBEX to perpetrate fraud, luring investors with promises of unrealistic returns of up to 100%.

Victims were persuaded to convert digital assets into stablecoin USDT, which was then deposited into the suspects’ crypto wallets.

After securing deposits exceeding $1 billion, victims reportedly lost access to the platform and were unable to withdraw their investments.

The EFCC stated that the scheme was uncovered as fraudulent during investigations.

It was further discovered that ST Technologies International Limited, though registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, was not authorised by the Securities and Exchange Commission for investment purposes.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Babatunde Busari, representing Abiodun, argued for bail, citing constitutional and statutory provisions that safeguard suspects’ rights.

He emphasised that Abiodun had voluntarily surrendered to the EFCC and had been detained beyond the statutory period without being charged.

Similarly, counsel for Otorudo and Ehirim argued that their clients, who also voluntarily surrendered, should be granted bail. Both defence lawyers assured the court of their client’s willingness to cooperate with investigations.

In opposing the bail applications, EFCC counsel Fadila Yusuf contended that charges had already been filed against the defendants, including allegations of defrauding victims of over $1 billion—a sum exceeding the annual budgets of several Nigerian states.

Yusuf urged the court to deny bail, stressing the gravity of the charges and the ongoing influx of petitions from victims.

The court will rule on the bail applications on June 30.

Nollywood actress Rosy Meurer has come forward to debunk claims that her husband, Olakunle Churchill, physically abuses her, calling the rumours fabricated and malicious.

Taking to her Instagram page on Wednesday, Meurer defended her marriage and expressed frustration over what she described as “idle minds” peddling falsehoods about her personal life.

She asserted that her husband is not a woman beater and expressed frustration that people would spread such false claims.

She also accused detractors of projecting their own toxic realities, saying those who wish violence upon her home may be speaking from personal experiences involving “their mothers, daughters, and sisters.”

She wrote: “If you don’t tell your side of the story, they will tell it for you in ways that suit them for the world to believe. It’s the world we find ourselves in. YOU MUST SPEAK UP FOR YOURSELF!

“Debunking has never been my thing. I prefer to allow amateurs and jobless, idle minds to think what they want and spread what they choose because everyone is entitled to an opinion. But because I have a family, I have children, and I have people that look up to me, I choose to speak up for myself. NO ONE is allowed to tell my story. It’s my story, not yours.
Only I can tell you what’s happening in my life and no one else.

“It’s funny when haters wish beating in my marriage when it is obvious their mothers, daughters, and sisters will fall victims of massive beatings.

“I no send anybody banter. I guess the media is never hot for so long, which is why they cook up gist to keep the space busy. Can’t blame them.

“My husband could never say what’s on his mind, let alone beat a woman. Allegations are not by force. MY HUSBAND IS NOT A WOMAN BEATER!! They just want to perpetuate the lies of the past which they generated. KUDOS!”

Meanwhile, Olakunle Churchill also responded to the trending rumours in a more humorous tone, joking that critics would “have to wait until menopause” for him and his wife to separate.

He added that his family was currently enjoying a vacation in Disney Paris.

“I hear say I dey trend. Who cooked am? My family dey Disney Paris dey enjoy summer life. Una go wait until menopause come. Meh, I see you. My people, my wife, no get staff or friends, una don make we trend today. Thanks,” he wrote.

The posters of popular Ibadan-based broadcaster, Hamzat Oriyomi, have flooded the streets of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State in the build-up to the forthcoming 2027 general election.

The posters with the tag, “2027 Oyo n pe o”, had a portrait of the veteran Yoruba broadcaster in black colour, raising awareness for his preparation in the anticipated election without an indication of the office he is contesting for.

In a video posted by a support group of the broadcaster cited by our correspondent on Wednesday, the founder of Agidigbo FM was seen jeering to the cheers of the masses at the event he attended, where he was constantly being told that the people of the state are calling him and that he has to answer the call.

“Okiki (Hamzat), Oyo is calling you. answer their call.” 

Also, a statement on the official page of the ‘Oyo n pe o’ social media pages addressed criticisms directed at the broadcaster’s transition from media to politics.

It read in parts, “The claim that ‘governance is more than speaking into a microphone’ reflects a misunderstanding of leadership. Broadcasting is rooted in communication, empathy, and connection—traits that are fundamental to good governance.”

“Those who reduce Oriyomi Hamzat’s potential to his profession are either misinformed or biased. Leadership is not defined by profession but by vision, courage, and commitment to service. 

“We call on Dr. Oriyomi Hamzat to respond to this clarion call to serve.”

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMSUAUUKa/

In another trending video, a popular Ibadan-based influencer, Funny Thinker, was seen telling Hamzat that the people of Oyo are calling him to answer their call in 2027.

“He said he won’t rest if we don’t, Okiki, the son of Hamzat, we are calling you, please answer us in 2027,” Funny Thinker said.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMSUA9Vk6/

The veteran broadcaster responded, “You will all be alright.”

While Hamzat is yet to speak on whether he wants to contest in the much-anticipated election, he has also not debunked the popular mantra pushed for him in preparation for the 2027 poll.

However, efforts by our correspondent to speak with him on the posters making rounds proved abortive as he was not reachable for a comment as of the time of filing this report.