“No Regrets Criticising Kaduna Gov” – Suspended APC Women Leader

 Suspended Women Leader of the rulling All Progressives Congress in Kaduna State, Maryam Suleiman, has insisted that she has no regret over her criticisms on Governor Uba Sani.

Suleiman led this out during an interview with PUNCH on Monday, adding that her suspension by APC party for criticising the governor is an act of God.

Recall that the Kaduna State APC had on Sunday knocked Suleiman with indefinite suspension following her criticisms.

It was learnt that Governor Sani, on Saturday, during a Town Hall Meeting, lamented that his predecessor, El-Rufai left him $587m, N85bn and 115 contractual liabilities.

However, the APC women leader while speaking in Hausa language, in a viral video, berated the governor over his remarks.

Meanwhile, the embattled women leader, on Monday, disclosed that she had said spoke the truth.

Suleiman added that she was only aware of her purported suspension on social media, noting that 24 hours after the announcement, she had yet to be served any letter of suspension from her Nasarawa/Malaki Ward.

She said: “I only read of my suspension on social media. I am yet to receive any suspension letter from our party.

“I have no regrets over my criticism of Governor Sani. I thank God for all that happened.

“I only heard of my suspension on social media. I am yet to be served the suspension letter.

“In any case, I stand by what I said about the governor. I have no regrets at all. I remained unruffled by my actions because I stated the obvious.

“As a senator, Governor  Uba Sani is the arrowhead of securing loans by El-Rufai administration. He was deeply involved in that.”

Impeachment: ‘Complete Show Of Shame’ — PDP Slams Rivers Assembly For Threatening Fubara

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday, faulted the Rivers State House of Assembly and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for attempting to hury Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of the State to act outside the law.

Recall that the 27 lawmakers believed to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Sunday said they may revisit Fubara’s impeachment as a last resort to enforce their responsibilities and uphold the constitution.

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, who read a text of a communique to newsmen, accused Fubara of acting unlawfully despite signing the presidential peace agreement in the political crisis in the State, adding that the state was running without an approved budget.

The PDP however described the renewed threat by the lawmakers to impeach Fubara as an “embarrassment” and a ”public nuisance” to the state.

The state PDP Publicity Secretary, Sydney Gbara, said this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt.

Gbara called on the lawmakers, who he said defected from the PDP to the APC without consulting their constituents, to stop disturbing the peace of the state and allow Fubara to concentrate on governance and deliver his mandate to the people.

The state PDP spokesman reminded the Amaewhule-led lawmakers not to forget that the issue of their legitimacy is before the court.

Gbara said the lawmakers have continued to make retrogressive laws and utterances that are inimical to the growth and development of the State.

“Those people were the first beneficiaries of the magnanimity and peaceful disposition of Governor Fubara by signing the lopsided peace accord despite a court of conpetent jurisdiction that recognised Rt.Hon Edison Ehie as the Speaker of the Ribers State House of Assembly, which gave them a live line to still operate, because having defected to APC without any crises in PDP, their seats were vacant constitutionally.

“But to show how ungrateful they are, the several court cases querying their legality, seeking the interpretation of Section 109 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, will settle the dust around them in due course. No matter how long they try to run away from it, justice must be served because they no longer represent their constituencies.

“Their actions are a total embarrassment to Rivers people and a complete show of public shame.

“The people elected them out of their goodwill, but they let those constituents down by pusuing selfish agenda that has further plunged the state into crises.

“The threats of impeachment is empty and and cannot stand. It is selfish and their pursuit of personal aggrandisement which will be resisted by Rivers people.

“If they want to know what Rivers people think about them, they should go to the streets to seek the opinion of the masses.

“As far as we are concerned they (lawmakers) are operating illegally, hence your illegal laws are inconsequential on Rivers people,” the statement read.

He also responded to allegations by the acting Chairman of the APC in the state, Chief Tony Okocha, that Fubara has not implemented the eight-point peace accord brokered by President Bola Tinubu, saying the matter is subject to litigation.

“Although we are not holding brief for the state government, but for the records, as a party, let us for the umpteenth time, tell Tony Okocha that Governor Siminialayi Fubara has in his desire to further deepen peace in the state, implemented the leace accord faithfully and in such a manner that is allowed by the Nigerian Constitution.

“As a law-abiding citizen, the governor has implemented that peace accord very religiously and any aspects that are not in tandem with the provisions of the law would not be implemented.

“So your attempt to try to stampede Governor Fubara into taking unconstitutional actions would not work,” he added.

Easter: FG Declares Friday, Monday Public Holiday

 

The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration has declared Friday, March 29 and Monday, 1st of April, as public holidays.

This is to mark the celebrations of 2024 Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government via a Wednesday statement signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Aishetu Gogo Ndayako.

The Minister urged Christians and all Nigerians in general to emulate the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ in dying for the redemption of man.

He said, Easter, “beyond religious significance, promotes values of love, forgiveness and compassion which are essential for social cohesion and harmony.”

Tunji-Ojo however encouraged Christians to imbibe these virtues as they are “capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development in Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.”

He further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.

According to him, it is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President.

While wishing Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration, the Minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with the Tinubu-led government in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity for all.

“He’s Met His Bail Conditions” – VeryDarkMan’s Lawyer Breaks Silence, Reveals Those Behind His Arrest

The lawyer for embattled social media activist Vincent Otse, also known as Very Dark Man, has finally spoken out after being denied bail on Monday.Tonto Dikeh, an actress, detained the socialite on Friday for cyberbullying and threats to life, according to reports.

Recall that he accused the actress of being a member of the GistLover blog formation, which resulted in multiple death threats from the blog’s detractors, and in exchange, she arrested him for his unfounded claims.

The social media activist, who was scheduled to be released from custody on Monday, was handed a stringent bail condition, making it extremely difficult for him to obtain bail.

His bail condition is for a property and company owner in Abuja with a government seal of oath, as well as the production of an international passport valid for one year and N200m.

Speaking out, his lawyer expressed confidence that the police will be professional enough to release him on bail. However, if they fail, the law will take its course.

He stated that the court procedure is part of the course of the law, and that his family and well-wishers have the right to protest freely both online and offline.

He further mentioned who was behind the arrest, including actresses Tonto Dikeh and Iyabo Ojo, as well as singer Samklef.

”I believe the police will be professional enough to release your hero on bail and if they fail to do so the law will take its due course, the part of the law is judicial process and his family and well wishers are entitled to protest both online and offline, he has not committed any offence and if he has been accused of committing any offence he’s entitled to his bail, he has been granted bail on stringent terms and he has met his bail conditions. He sends his appreciation to everyone for the strong support you have given him he is proud of you and promises to do more for his country, thank you and God bless you” he said in part.

The troubled socialite has had disagreements with the trio in recent months.

The socialite, who does not appear to be a fan of Tonto, had chastised her for joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), a Nigerian political party infamous for its violence. He also accused her of joining a group that sends goons to terrorize individuals.

For Iyabo Ojo, the two had a public quarrel over her frequent intervention in the late singer Mohbad’s case, and he had labelled the actress a failure.

While for Samklef, he stated that he lost respect for him when he claimed that justice for Mohbad was more about politics than anything else.

Olympic Qualifier: Ajibade Bags Brace As Super Falcons Humilate Ethiopia

 The Nigeria Super Falcons humiliated the Lucy of Ethiopia out of the 2024 Olympics qualifiers with a well deserving 4-0 victory in Abuja, on Tuesday.

The Randy Waldrum’s side hosted the Ethiopian women at the MKO Abiola Stadium today for the second leg of the first round of the 2024 Women’s Olympic qualifiers, after drawing 0-0 in the first leg in Addis Ababa.

After pressing their visitors so hard and missing a series of chances in the first half, Uchenna Kanu opened the scoring for the Super Falcons in the 45th minute.

The host side went into the half-time break with a slim lead and continued to dominate their visitors in the second half.

However, all efforts paid off in the 50th minute when Asisat Oshoala who finished as the 20th best woman in the world at the 2023 Ballon d’Or assisted Rasheedat Ajibade for the second goal in the 50th minute.

Eighteen minutes later, Oshoala got her goal after taking full advantage of a well-placed cross from Uchenna Kanu in the 68th minute.

Asisat, who is currently contracted to FC Barcelona continued to prove why she is currently one of the best women’s players in the world by providing the assist that led to Ajibade’s second goal of the match in the 72nd minute.

The Super Falcons continued to pressure their visitors but they could not get much from their last-minute efforts as the game ended 4-0 which was enough for the Nigerian team to move to the next round of the qualifiers.

In the second round, the Nigerian team will battle with the winners of the game between Cameroon and Uganda.

How My Father Disowned Me – Hilda Baci

Nigerian celebrity chef, Hilda Bassey popularly known as Hilda Baci, has narrated how she was disowned by her biological father, Effiong Bassey Edem.

The Guinness World Record holder disclosed this during her latest interview with Taymesan on the ‘Tea with Tay’ podcast.

While speaking of her relationship with her father, she explained that he had been present in their lives since they were kids but things changed when a huge argument between him and her mother had an impact on the children.

Hilda said, “For me, I will say one of the biggest issues was when he abandoned me. He didn’t abandon me from on set. He was present for us to some extent.

“But when it dawned on me, was when my dad and mom had issues, and I was in 300 level second semester in University.

“I pretty much remember my conversation with my father on one matriculation day. I called him, I was like, you didn’t bring food for me and his response was like, ‘Who’s your dad?’.

“It later dawned on me years after that he was not actually joking.”

Detention: Naira Marley, Sam Larry Sue Magistrate, Police, Demand N40m

Embattled Nigerian musician, Abdulazeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, and his associate, Samson Eletu, also known as Sam Larry, have sued Lagos State magistrate, Adeola Olatunbosun, and the Nigerian Police Force.

The duo filed a fundamental rights suit before the Federal High Court in Lagos, to challenge their continued detention over the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

Sam Larry and Naira Marley are demanding N20m damages each from the defendants.

In the suit filed through their lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), they urged the court to declare that their continued detention at the Homicide Section of the Lagos State Police Command, Panti, since October 4, 2023, constituted a violation of their rights.

In the affidavits attached to their suits, the deponents said, “Their travails started between October 3 and 4, 2023 when they were arrested by the police on the alleged connection of the applicants with the death of one Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad.

“The Commissioner of Police on the 4th of October 2023, sought an order in the Magistrates’ Court, held at Yaba to remand them for 30 days.

“Chief Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun granted the police application to remand them for only 21 days in the custody of the police.

“The 21-day remand order granted by Chief Magistrate Olatunbosun has since lapsed on October 26, 2023, and the order has not been renewed.”

“I Rejected $5m Dubai-Gig Because I Won’t Be Allowed To Smoke Weed” – Burna Boy (Video)

Award-winning Nigerian musician, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has revealed that he recently turned down a $5 million offer to perform in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to him, he turned down the offer because he wouldn’t be allowed to smoke weed while in Dubai.

Emirati law prohibits smoking in parks, beaches and all public recreational areas in Dubai.

“Just now I turned down dubai money, 5million dollar na small thing cos me I no dey like to dey go where dem no go gree allow me smoke igbo,” Burna Boy freestyled while rehearsing with his band, Outsiders, in a video making the rounds on social media platform, X.

WATCH VIDEO:

Ex-NFF Boss Amaju Pinnick Drags Davido To Court, Demands N2.3 Billion, Four Day Public Apology

 The organisers of ‘Warri Again Concert’, Brownhill Investments Company Limited, have dragged David Adeleke, famously known as Davido, to court, demanding N2.3 billion, over an alleged breach of agreement/contract entered into between them.

It was gathered that the company, owned by a former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, filed the suit marked EHC/183/2023 before the Delta State High Court in Effurun.

The claimant, through its lawyer, Kelechi Onwuegbuchulem, is asking the court to award N2 billion as general damages against Davido and his music label, Davido Music Worldwide Limited.

The organisers also asked the court to award against Davido the sum of N150 million as legal and professional fees and an additional sum of N30 million as the cost of filing the suit.

It also wants the court to order the singer “to tender a public apology on all the 1st defendant’s social media accounts/handles and in two national daily newspapers for four consecutive days, to the claimant and attendees.”

The claimant also noted that sometime in early 2023, Davido approached Pinnick, when they met at the Abuja Airport and asked to be engaged for the 19th edition of the ‘Warri Again Concert’ event to be held on October 6, 2023.

The claimant said that Pinnick was hesitant to grant the request, he eventually did and they agreed on N70 million as Davido’s performance fee.

It said that thereafter, the sum of US$94,500.00 (an equivalent of N70m) was paid on April 6, 2023, and the same was duly acknowledged by the defendants.

It stated, that all attempts to reach Davido and his team on the day of the event, October 6, 2023, were futile, adding that it kept the private jet chartered to convey Davido and his team to Warri at the Airport in Lagos on standby should they eventually show up.

Rivers Crisis: ‘It’s A Party Affair, No One Wants To Be Irrelevant Politically’ — Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says the political crisis in Rivers is a party affair.

Wike who spoke on Tuesday when a delegation of South-South leaders paid him a visit in Abuja said, “It is a party affair, the party knows how to resolve through their own mechanisms. It is not an ethnic affair.

“Our party is looking into it. That is what I will say. Every politician has his own interest.”

According to him, no politician wants to be politically irrelevant by losing their base.

“Anybody who knows me, know too well that what I’d never take is threat. You know me, I would not agree. If heaven would come down let heaven come down.

“I have seen all kinds of abuses (on social media), I said I won’t talk. I know in politics… ‘Oh he said he should be bringing N20 billion every month. Because somebody did not give you N20 billion’. But nobody said this when I was fighting. Nobody said that.

“If you like accuse me from here to here, I won’t even have a sleepless night. Because as far as I am concerned, the right thing must be done.

“All of us want to maintain our political structures. Would you allow anybody to cut you off immediately?

“Everybody has a base isn’t it? If you take my base, am I not politically irrelevant? At the appropriate time, we would know who is right and who is wrong,” Wike said.

Recall that the political crisis in the state took a new twist on Monday when some lawmakers in the House of Assembly moved to impeach Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers.

Ehie Edison, Fubara’s ally, was removed as the leader of the state assembly but hours later, elected as the new speaker.

”I’m Disturbed By Recurring Leakage Of Official Documents” – Army Chief Warns Officers

 The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has issued warning against the recurring leakage of classified and secret army operational documents to the public, saying it is in contravention of the official secret act.

Lagbaja made this known in a statement during the opening of the 2023 Nigerian Army Chief Clerks Convention on Tuesday in Kaduna.

He added that military personnel must be circumspect and adhere to the armed forces policy on the use of social media.

Lagbaja said: “The emergence of the cyberspace as an operational domain and the impact of social media to our operations is one of such issues that require attention.

“There have been sustained efforts by subversive elements and dissident groups to cast aspersions against the NA, especially on the allegations of human rights violations using the social media.

“These among other situations, demand that we all must be circumspect, adaptable and responsive.

”I am particularly disturbed by the recurring leakage of our official documents in contravention of the Official Secrets Act. More worrisome, is the spate of violations of the Armed Forces Policy on the Use of Social Media by personnel.

“I implore you as custodians of official documents and sensitive information to resolve to ensure this is decisively addressed.

“I have directed that all clerks and personnel handling sensitive documents be routinely vetted by appropriate corps and departments of the NA.

”However, you have to contribute to this drive by ensuring you also monitor the clerks under you.”