The family of late Chief Moshood Abiola has demanded details of the reported N45bn debt owed it by the Federal Government.

The call followed a recent statement by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, who appealed to President Bola Tinubu to compensate the family as a gesture of national healing and justice.

Lamido had revived a dispute over money allegedly owed to the late Abiola, insisting the Federal Government pay the business mogul’s heirs about N45bn.

Speaking in Abuja at the May 2025 launch of his memoir, ‘Being True to Myself’, Lamido told guests that Abiola’s company, International Telephone & Telegraph, completed major communications contracts for the military government in the 1970s but was never fully paid.

He said a former head of state, Murtala Muhammed, acknowledged the debt before his 1976 assassination and that Abiola privately confirmed the figure when Lamido visited him shortly before his arrest in 1994.

Lamido framed the unpaid bill as “double punishment”, saying Abiola was first denied the presidency after his June 12, 1993 electoral victory was annulled, and then denied the contract money he was due.

Settling the claim, he argued, would give moral and symbolic closure to Nigeria’s long-running June 12 saga and demonstrate President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to justice for pro-democracy figures.

“Abiola kept faith with this country; paying what is owed will close the chapter decently,” Lamido told the audience, which included Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, whom he asked to relay the appeal to the President.

The revelation reignited public discourse around Nigeria’s democratic journey and the sacrifices of Abiola, who died in detention in 1998 after his struggle to reclaim his electoral mandate.

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH, urged President Tinubu to act on the matter.

He said, “That money should be paid to Abiola’s family. It is not just about compensation, it is about honouring a man who gave everything for this democracy. Giving an appointment to one of his children is not enough.”

Adams also called for broader recognition of Abiola’s legacy.

Speaking for the family, Jamiu Abiola told Saturday PUNCH that the family needed details on the debt to be able to act on it.

He said, “The former governor did not say what the money was owed for. He didn’t give much details about it. Since then, the matter has been what it is. Before we can say more about it, we need more details. For now, the issue that the money be paid cannot come up because it hasn’t been substantiated.”

Abiola’s family can file claim — Presidency

A senior official in the Presidency, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the family could file claims if it had enough evidence.

He, however, stated that Lamido had “no business” speaking for the family.

“The children of MKO Abiola are still very much alive. The first son is alive. So, if there is any money the government is owing Abiola, let them file a claim. It is not for Sule Lamido to be saying this.

“Obasanjo was president for eight years. Why didn’t he pay it? President Buhari was there for eight years, why didn’t he pay? So, I don’t think it is Sule Lamido’s business at all.”

Meanwhile, a member of the family, Hafsat Abiola, on Friday, commended the Federal Government for the conferment of CFR on her mother, the late Kudirat Abiola.

She said, “There are no words to adequately express the depth of gratitude I feel at President Tinubu’s posthumous conferment of the merit of CFR on my mum, Kudirat Abiola.

“She was guided both by love and a sense of duty to defend her husband’s mandate, and to work with many across the country for the restoration of democracy. Yet, I have no doubt that she would have been overwhelmed with joy to be so honoured.”

Some Nigerians in diaspora have trooped to social media to justify their relocation to the United States, the United Kingdom, and other developed countries.

The Nigerians stated via X that the anomalies that forced them to leave Nigeria had worsened. They insisted that the decision to exit the country was reasonable and justifiable.

The conversation started after an X user, Michael Taiwo, posed a question on Wednesday.

“Nigerians abroad, with everything you now know, do you honestly think staying in Naija  would’ve been better?” Taiwo wrote.

Reacting to the question, a popular United Kingdom-based life coach and writer, Solomon Buchi, said he would have experienced more police brutality in Nigeria if he had not relocated.

“My son would have been born into that dysfunctional society and my anxiety levels would be wild. With everything I know now, I actually wish I left Nigeria in my teens,” Buchi said.

Also, a United States-based Nigerian, Sir Sean, said the only thing he missed about leaving the country was “the food, the people, the raw energy.”

“I may be hustling from scratch, but at least the hustle has structure. I’m not begging NEPA (sic) to give me light, or praying every day that I don’t land in the hospital with no doctor on duty. Abroad isn’t paradise, but at least effort gives you results,” Sean said.

Another UK-based Nigerian, Samuel Desh, recounted how policemen once threatened him after stopping him in an Uber.

Desh, who attached a video clip to his comment, wrote, “Maybe I’ll come back when the police will let me record them like I did in this video, when they will speak to citizens with respect, and when they will treat alleged criminals with respect too, and when they will respond promptly to Emergency calls like they did in this video.”

“There is absolutely no way you can compare staying abroad in Nigeria. Politicians have turned Nigeria into hell fire…Until we repent and rebuild, I am sorry to say that it will only get worse. The best decision is the move abroad, if not for anything, for your kids. Their security and education are guaranteed,” said Obiorah Otu.

Adekunle Oderinde wrote, “Japa gives you the opportunity to achieve. It’s not just the peace or the safety; it’s the runway to apply yourself and succeed. When you japa, you can work hard, be honest, and live your dreams.”

Meanwhile, some other Nigerians differed on the matter, preferring Nigeria to other countries abroad.

Purple Fire stated, “Honestly, I believe staying in Naija can be better, if you’re purposeful and willing to build. Abroad offers structure, yes, but also loneliness, culture shock, and a life of constant bills and chasing survival. In Nigeria, you’re home family is near, community support is real.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared the Managing Director of Fargo Petroleum and Gas Limited, Seun Ogunbambo, wanted for allegedly defrauding the Federal Government of N976.65 million through bogus oil subsidy claims.

The EFCC made the announcement in a public notice issued on Friday, describing Ogunbambo as a fugitive from justice after he reportedly jumped bail and disappeared while standing trial before a Lagos State High Court.

According to the notice signed by the Head of Media and Publicity for the commission, Dele Oyewale, Ogunbambo was facing prosecution alongside co-defendants, Mamman Ali and Christian Taylor, who were convicted and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment each by the court on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, for their roles in the scam.

“The suspect vanished after being granted bail and has since failed to appear in court,” the EFCC said, warning the public against shielding him.

The alleged subsidy scam involves N976,653,110,28, which the EFCC said was fraudulently claimed as payment for petroleum products that were never delivered.

Ogunbambo, described as light complexioned and fluent in both English and Yoruba, was said to have last been traced to 2, Olamijuyuan Crescent, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The commission called on anyone with information about his whereabouts to report to its offices in Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Gombe, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Benin, Kaduna, Sokoto, Makurdi, Ilorin, Maiduguri, Uyo or Abuja.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has applauded Nigerians for their patience and for enduring what it called the transient difficulties they are facing.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja as the country marks the 2025 June 12 Democracy Day anniversary.

The APC reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles, expressing full support for President Bola Tinubu’s policies and programmes.

“Democratic governance remains the best solution to Nigeria’s challenges, and this administration is putting democracy to work for the economy, peace, well-being, and security of all our people.

“We commend Nigerians for their patient support of President Tinubu’s administration and for enduring the transient difficulties faced.

“As the President continues to tackle our national challenges at their roots, with evident signs of a steadily rebounding economy, we stand firmly with him and his administration’s valiant efforts to build a brighter future for all Nigerians,” Morka said.

The APC’s spokesman described Democracy Day as a worthy occasion of collective pride as the nation continues to consolidate democracy and entrench progress for current and future generations.

He said it affords citizens the finest opportunity to exercise their sovereign right to freely choose those who govern them.

According to him, democracy, in its fundamental elements, represents the most profound recognition and protection of the rule of law and fundamental liberties compared to other governance models.

Morka also expressed gratitude to compatriots for their vision, courage, and love of country, who sacrificed through struggles to end arbitrariness, oppressive military tyranny, and dictatorship for the benefit of all Nigerians.

He said as the nation marked Democracy Day, Nigeria was led by one of democracy’s finest, fearless, and resilient champions, President Tinubu, a visionary leader.

The APC’s scribe described Tinubu as a bold reformer, adding that under his watch, the country has risen to tackle deep-seated structural challenges hindering national growth and development.

According to him, Tinubu’s policies, designed to promote social and economic inclusion, have secured improved minimum wage, access to student loans, and better healthcare, among others.

He highlighted that the administration had achieved financial autonomy for Local Governments and increased federal allocations to states.

A political activist, Usman Bugaje, says President Bola Tinubu is detached from the suffering of ordinary Nigerians because he is surrounded by sycophants.

Bugaje made this statement on Thursday during Channels Television’s special Democracy Day programme titled ‘Nigeria’s Democratic Journey: An Inter-Generational Conversation on Building a Better Nation,’ commemorating 26 years of unbroken democratic rule in Nigeria, blasting Tinubu’s leadership style.

He alleged that the President’s inner circle shields him from the harsh realities the citizens face.

“It looks like the President has been completely encircled by sycophants. They don’t allow him to see the realities, they don’t tell him the truth. But if he knew what was happening in society, he would be ashamed of himself. As far as I know him, I never thought he would allow this situation.

“He is now there, wallowing in the comfort of the Villa, talking in ways that show he doesn’t even know what is happening in this country. If he knew, he would not be doing the kind of things he’s doing now,” he said.

The former lawmaker also lamented what he called prosperity without production, adding that Nigerians were no longer swayed by polished speeches but were demanding tangible results.

He accused the current Nigerian democracy of failing to serve its core purpose, which is to uplift the people and ensure their welfare.

He also decried the helplessness of many citizens who have suffered in the hands of insecurity and economic hardship, pointing to the stories of kidnapped victims, unemployed youth, and struggling small business owners.

According to him, any government unable to ensure basic welfare and security has lost the moral right to call itself democratic.

While citing statistics to back his claim, Bugaje described the country’s current state as disgraceful.

The suspended governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara, has visited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike again.

DAILY POST reliably gathered that Fubara met with Wike at his residence in Abuja on Monday.

An insider, who wished to remain anonymous, disclosed this to DAILY POST while dismissing a viral photograph of Fubara and Wike. 

The source said: “The photograph is an old image, but I can inform you that he (Fubara) came to see the Minister this week Monday.”

The meeting is believed to be part of Fubara’s effort to restore peace between him, Wike, and other relevant stakeholders in Rivers State.

Fubara ran into murky waters shortly after he was sworn in as Rivers State governor in 2023.

He developed a rift with Wike, who was his predecessor, over the control of the political resources in Rivers State.

The fight had spread to the State House of Assembly, leading to a factionalization of the legislative arm in the state.

On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu had suspended Fubara for six months while declaring a state of emergency in Rivers to last for that period of time.

Tinubu had suspended Fubara and appointed a Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, as a measure to prevent the political crisis from snowballing into a full security issue, following threats by Niger Delta militants to attack oil installations in the state.

Amid his suspension, Fubara had met with President Tinubu in London and in Lagos State while also meeting with Wike to seek reconciliation.

In view of their meeting, Wike had extended an olive branch, saying Fubara was his son. He also admonished the embattled governor to meet other political stakeholders in Rivers State as part of efforts to fully resolve the crisis.

However, there have not been reports of Fubara meeting with other stakeholders in the state as his suspension enters the third month.

As part of its effort to address diverse needs within Nigeria’s housing sector, the Federal Government has announced plans to build bamboo houses for low and medium income earners nationwide.

Esuabana Asanye, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, disclosed the plan this in Abuja on Wednesday during a Capacity Building Workshop on Relevance of Bamboo for Climate-Smart Housing Construction.

The permanent secretary, who was represented by Benadette Oguche, the Director of Environmental Science Technology, EST, stated that using bamboo as “the construction materials won’t only promote environmental sustainability in Nigeria but also ensure that the process is aligned with principles of adoptability, comfort and affordability for low and medium income earners across Nigeria”.

“Bamboo, a versatile plant which is used for a wide range of purposes including paper production, traditional medicine, as well as sustainable resource in long history of the use in building materials.”

Asanye also commended the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, NBRRI, for researching and producing sustainable solutions to mitigate challenges of climate change in the country.

The Federal Government has ordered a thorough investigation into Wednesday’s altercation between Air Peace and Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, at the Lagos airport.

In a statement issued on Friday through his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said he has been in direct contact with both parties since the incident and appealed to them to halt their public accusations and counter-accusations.

He directed the relevant aviation agencies to gather all available evidence and submit a report to his office to help guide future conduct in similar cases.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the incident followed Air Peace’s accusation that Oshiomhole disrupted its operations after missing a scheduled flight.

Videos circulated on X showed the Senator addressing an official at the airport and sitting in front of a gate at Zulu Hall in Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1.

In response, Oshiomhole denied causing any disruption, insisting he was standing against what he called extortion of passengers and arbitrary policy changes by the airline.

He alleged that Air Peace demanded additional payments from online checked-in passengers boarding their flight, a claim the airline dismissed as “deliberate falsehood.”

Keyamo appealed to both parties to exercise restraint in their exchanges and allow due process to take its course.

“In the wake of the incident at the Lagos Airport last Wednesday involving Air Peace and His Excellency, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, I have been in direct contact with both parties since that morning,” the minister said.

“Whilst appealing to both sides to halt the public accusations and counter-accusations, I am further directing the relevant aviation agencies to thoroughly look into the issue, collect all available evidence, and revert to my office so we can deal with the issue in a way that guides future conduct in similar situations.”

Keyamo also stressed the importance of fairness and impartial inquiry, noting that the longstanding legal principle of listening to all parties must be upheld.

Ademola Lookman is in the running for Atalanta’s Goal of the Season award, DAILY POST reports.

Lookman had two goals nominated for the individual accolade.

The Nigeria international’s superb strike in Atalanta’s 3-2 loss to Real Madrid was the first on the list.

The 27-year-old also earned nomination for his sublime finish in La Dea’s 5-0 trouncing of Empoli at the Gewiss Stadium.

Lookman will be looking to add another individual award to his collections after scooping Atalanta’s Player of the Season prize for the last two campaigns.

He scored 22 times and recorded five assists in 46 appearances across all competitions for the Bergamo club last season.

Veteran Nigerian comedian Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, has shed light on the staggering financial costs of contesting political positions in Nigeria, stating that politics in the country has become a capital-intensive venture fueled by corruption.

Speaking during an interview on the Outside the Box podcast, Ali Baba, who is well-connected with many Nigerian politicians, revealed the estimated amounts aspirants are expected to spend to secure different political offices.

According to him, contesting for a Senate seat requires a budget of about N1.2 billion, while securing a seat in the House of Representatives may cost approximately N1 billion. For State House of Assembly, aspirants reportedly need at least N500 million.

He further broke down the estimated costs of governorship races, stating that candidates in Delta State may need to spend as much as N20 billion, while in Rivers State the cost could rise to N25 billion. For certain states in Northern Nigeria, Ali Baba estimated campaign expenses between N4 billion to N6 billion.

“It’s a capital-intensive project, which is what is driving the corruption in our country right now,” he said. “Anytime somebody is in office, the person is not thinking of education, except if whatever he wants to do in education will provide some money that they can leverage on when the time for election comes.”