Fubara: ‘It’s Madness To Be At War With Everybody – Ex-Gov Omehia Replies Wike

 

Former Governor of Rivers State, Celestine Omehia, on Friday, disclosed that an undying inclination for power is tormenting Minister Nyesom Wike of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), hence, his display of unstable moments.

He also advised Wike to reduce his propensity for power and greed, so as to allow his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara function at his job.

Omehia disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in response to a media parley which Wike, immediate past Governor of the State hosted in Abuja recently.

Wike on Tuesday, described Uche Secondus, George Sekibo and other PDP leaders in Rivers State as “expired politicians and buccaneers” owing to their support for Fubara.

Reacting, Omehia described Wike’s uncontrolled outbursts as product of a confused mind.

Wike’s anger, he said, was that his ambition of a third tenure has crashed and the people of Rivers State have realized that his quest for power is personal and not for the interest of Rivers State or the South-South at large as claimed.

“The FCT Minister thought that he would continue to control and abuse the resources and governance of the state but God, through the people, resisted the impeachment plot by his members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Wike is notorious for lying against anyone, anytime and disrespects elders at will, so there is no surprise about his outburst and criticism against innocent personalities in Rivers State.

“Wike speaks from both sides of his mouth, he says something today and denies it tomorrow like a clown. I am not a buccaneer and my capacity to contribute to the growth and development of my state and country is not impaired.

“I wonder why he is pained by our support for the Governor and the Federal Government under President Tinubu. Does he want us to perpetually be at political war with everybody, even long after elections are over and governance taken over? Is it not madness?” Omehia queried.

He added that Wike’s excesses, inconsistencies and hallucinations had reached a shameful peak and advised him to face his job in Abuja as the state was not missing his presence and nuisance value.

Ganduje, Wife, Son To Be Arraigned Over Bribery Allegations In Kano

 A High Court sitting in Kano State has fixed April 17, 2024, for the arraignment of the immediate past governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, son, and five others, for alleged bribery.

It was gathered that the former governor and others will be arraigned on eight counts bordering on a $413,000 bribery allegation, diversion, and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N1.38bn, among others.

Reports show that the State Government, which initiated the criminal suit against the respondents, in a statement issued by the state Attorney General, Haruna Dederi, declared its readiness to present 15 witnesses to testify before Justice Usman Na’aba of State High Court number four.

Dederi said: “It is very true. We have filed the case and it’s going to hold on the 17th of April, 2024. What I cannot confirm is whether he is served or not, but he will definitely be served.

“What he (Ganduje) doesn’t understand is that you cannot run away from the evil day, it will definitely come to you, and this will even serve as a deterrence to all of us that are also in government now.”

“He was saying that we can’t prosecute him, forgetting that the offence also falls under the category of the state offences.

“It’s not totally a federal affair and we have even appealed to Justice Liman ruling on that.”

Lagos-Calabar Highway Project: ‘You Can’t Insult Your Way Out Of Every Inquiry’ – Atiku Replies Tinubu

Nigeria’s former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday, accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration of always insulting its way out of inquiries made into the activities of the government. This stems from a response made by the Tinubu government, which faulted the comments made by Atiku on the construction of the 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

Recall that Atiku had, in a statement on Sunday issued by his media aide, Paul Ibe, said the Bola Tinubu administration is engaged in questionable dealings over the coastal highway construction.

He said Tinubu puts personal business interests before Nigerian infrastructure and there is so much secrecy with the project.

Reacting to Atiku’s comments in an interview with The Punch, the Special Adviser to Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the claims as “erroneous” and “irresponsible.”

Atiku however knocked the Tinubu government, saying it could not continue to keep silent on how much of public funds would be spent on the project at a time Nigeria was still facing dire economic challenges.

Speaking via a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku dared Tinubu to disclose the full cost of the Lagos-Calabar highway project and how it got the design, and right of way for the project in seven months.

The former Vice President questioned the Tinubu administration’s decision to award the contract to Gilbert Chagoury’s Hitech without a competitive bidding.

He had also wondered why the Tinubu administration released N1.06tn for the pilot phase or 6% of the project, which begins at Eko Atlantic and is expected to terminate at the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

The statement read in part, “The Tinubu administration cannot continue to respond to public inquiry with insults. They must come clean on this project because Nigerians deserve to know the truth. I, therefore, present six posers to the administration.

1. How much is the total cost of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway?
2. Why is the project being funded by the Nigerian government despite being a PPP?
3. Why is the project taking off from Chagoury’s Eko Atlantic?
4. Why is N1.06tn being spent on the pilot phase, which is just 47km?
5. Why did the N1.06tn not get the approval of the National Assembly?
6. Why wasn’t there a competitive bidding for the project?
7. Finally, how did the Tinubu administration get the design as well as the right of way in just 7 months, since it claims the past administration of Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari never touched the project?”

Atiku asked the Tinubu administration to, in the spirit of the Freedom of Information Act, respond to the questions line by line instead of taking the mundane and jejune route of “insulting their way out of every inquiry.”

Debt: ‘You Should Be Ashamed Of Your Family’ — Kaduna Politician Blasts El-Rufai’s Son For Attacking Gov Sani

 

Kaduna-based politician, Ibrahim Ahmadu has slammed Bashir, son of the former Kaduna Governor, Nasir El-Rufai over his “ill-mannered” attack on Governor Uba Sani.

Recall that the Governor, while addressing a town hall meeting in Kaduna on Saturday, revealed that his administration inherited $587 million, N85 billion, and N115 contractual liabilities from the El-Rufai administration.

Sani, however, said the situation had not stopped his administration from meeting its contractual obligations, despite making it difficult for him to pay workers’ salaries.

Reacting, Bashir took to social media to say the Governor was trying to cover his administration’s incompetence and failure in office.

Ahmadu, in defense of Governor Sani, stated that it is reasonable for the governor to disclose the state’s financial situation to the public.

He said in an interview with The Nation on Sunday: “What is wrong is the inability of the former governor’s son to comprehend the rationale behind the disclosure to the public.

“His vituperations are unguarded and unacceptable, especially when the man involved has helped the family during hard times of political waves.

“Was it wrong for Governor Uba Sani to address Kaduna citizens at a town hall meeting where he said he inherited a huge debt burden that was eating deep into the state’s allocation?

“For us as citizens of the state, we cannot accept a situation where N7bn out of the N10bn allocation for the state in March was deducted to service the state’s debt.

“And for a son of a former Governor of state to attack the incumbent Governor is unacceptable in all sense of decorum.

“Bashir should put his head in shame, if Uba Sani opens his mouth to talk about how the state was looted, they will all be in jail.”

“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.”