₦airaland Forum

A video has gone viral purportedly showing a shoot-out between Niger Delta Avengers and Personnel of the Nigerian Navy.

The footage generated a lot of controversy online with many questioning the federal government’s ability to adequately provide security of lives and property for citizens.

POLITICS NIGERIA, in its drive for accountability, carried out an investigation to ascertain the authenticity of the video and here is what we found;

CLAIM: On Thursday evening, a report appeared on SAHARA REPORTERS with the title “Niger Delta Avengers Attack Nigerian Navy, Kill Security Operatives”.

On perusing the report, a video was also attached showing men adorned with mufti clothes carrying assaullt rifles exchanging ‘bullets’ with masked naval personnel.

The video was also syndicated across several twitter accounts with most carrying emblems of the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB.

VERIFICATION: Findings by POLITICS NIGERIA reveal that the video is not a shootout but actually a Military drill. The entire scenario was simulated to show the Navy’s tactical response to hostage situations.

This newspaper learned that the demonstration called ‘OPERATION FALCON FURY’ was carried out on August 4th 2021.

VERDICT: The report that Niger-Delta Avengers attacked Naval personnel in Bayelsa is FALSE

Former Governor of Lagos state and National leader of the All progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with a Reps member, James Faleke(Ikeja Federal Constituency) in London on Wednesday, POLITICS NIGERIA has learned.

According to Ovation Publisher, Dele Momodu, Tinubu, who was in high spirits, discussed and bantered with Faleke.

Mohammed Fawehinmi, Son of late legal Luminary, Gani Fawehinmi is dead.

POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that Mohammed died in an undisclosed hospital after a brief illness on Wednesday. Confirming his death, Nigeria's minister of state for Labour, Festus Keyamo wrote;

"My brother, friend and son of my late boss, Mohammed Fawehinmi, is gone. I am speechless and heartbroken."

"I just spoke with the eldest daughter Basirat and she confirmed it. Mohammed was energetic and very intellectually alert, despite his mishap. He kept the flame of his father burning. We will sorely miss him."

The Nigerian Government has approved the return of Toll gates on all Federal roads in the country.

POLITICS NIGERIA has listed 10 important things every Nigerian must known about the new policy titled 'Federal Roads and Bridges Tolling Policy and Regulations'.

1. It will be an Open Tolling system (just like the one that used to be in existence in the country), instead of a Closed Tolling system. (A Closed Tolling system means that you pay per distance traveled (‘distance-dependent’), while Open Tolling means you pay a fixed/flat rate that is not dependent on distance traveled)

2. Only dual carriageways owned by the Federal Government will be eligible for tolling by the Federal Government. (Of the 35,000km of Federal Roads in existence in the country, only 5,050km are dual carriageway). Federal carriageways that are single, i.e. undivided highways will not be tolled. The only exceptions here will be some bridges, which are listed in the Policy.

3. Toll Revenues will be used to maintain the roads and also to repay investors who have invested in building or completing a road under the Highway Development Management Initiative (HDMI).

4. Electronic Toll Collection and Management systems will be prioritized over Cash systems.

5. The following will be exempted from Tolling: Bicycles, Tricycles, Motorcycles, Diplomatic vehicles, Military and Paramilitary vehicles.

6. The Tolling Policy is a broad National framework that will serve as a guide for States and Local Governments who seek to implement their own Tolling Policies. (As noted earlier, only about 16% of the total road network in Nigeria belongs to the Federal Government. States own/control roughly the same amount as the FG, while the rest - amounting to two-thirds are last-mile roads belonging to and under the responsibility of Local Governments).

7. People who live around Toll Plaza Areas will benefit from what is called ‘Frequent User’ discounts, in line with global best practice.

8. Recommended Tolling Fees in the Approved Policy and Regulations are as follows:
Cars: N200
SUVs: N300
Private Buses: N300
Commercial Buses: N150
Luxury Buses and Trucks: N500

9. According to the Honorable Minister, the Federal Highways Act vests the power to toll (Federal Roads) in the Minister responsible for roads, but implementation of any tolling policy/
regime involves many processes and multiple agencies, and therefore requires multi-stakeholder collaboration.

10. According to the Minister, it is important to stress that even with this policy now approved, tolling is not going to start immediately. He very clearly said that Tolling will not start “until the roads are motorable.” This policy is a necessary condition for the implementation of Tolling, and it is now for people to start getting familiar with it and for relevant stakeholders to start using it as a basis for their financial modeling and investment analysis, ahead of the eventual rollout of Toll Plazas.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , EFCC has released a former governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson.

Dickson was invited to give clarification on allegations of fraud and mismanagement of Public funds. He honoured the invitation on Tuesday and was grilled for several hours.

Speaking on the development, the governor, in a statement sent to POLITICS NIGERIA, narrated all that transpired between him and the anti-graft commission;

“About two weeks ago I received an invitation from the EFCC to clarify some issues relating to assets declarations as alleged by an NGO. On account of our busy schedule at the time, I wrote to inform them and we agreed to reschedule the interview for today.”

“As a law abiding citizen and with a life long commitment to supporting Law enforcement and security agencies, I honored the invitation today as rescheduled. I understand that the subject matter of the inquiry relates to investments of my family trust, which I incorporated while being a member of the House of Reps to hold my family assets and investments which were made between 1996 and 2012 before I became Governor.”

“I understand that there is a petition from an NGO alleging that these investments (largely buildings, plots, farms, etc in my village, Orua, Yenagoa, and two buy-to-let houses in the UK) were not declared. I have a duty to clarify these issues with the investigating authorities who by law have the responsibility to inquire into these matters.”

“However, for the avoidance of doubts, let me state that my family investments, Seriake Dickson Trust Incorporated were made between 1996 and 2012 before I became Governor.”

“These investments were funded by loans and advances and repaid from salaries, allowances, savings and others. One of them is still on mortgage and I have made these documents available to the EFCC.”

“These investments were declared in my assets declaration form at the House of Reps in 2011; my Governorship form in 2012, 2016, 2020 after I left office and the Senate Assets declaration form this year.
I went beyond these declarations and wrote several letters to the appropriate agencies, copies of which have been made available to the EFCC. My trust and I subscribed to the federal government Voluntary Assets Income AND Declaration Scheme (VAIDES) and also paid the necessary taxes.”

“As a result of blackmail from some quarters, the Trust and I went to the Federal High Court where there is a subsisting judgement declaring that no Nigerian law is breached by a public officer who takes loans and other verifiable avenues to make investments for his family provided these are declared.”

“It should be on record that I have since resigned from the Trust Administration since 2011 before I became Governor. My solicitors and those of the trust have written to the EFCC to clarify these issues with the accompanying documents.”

“However on getting to the commission, the investigating team came up with a new allegation of diversion of flood funds in 2012 totaling N17.5 billion. The petition further alleged that the money was used for my re-election in 2019. The fact is that there was no such donation about the 2012 flood in Bayelsa.”

“Curiously, there was no mention of donor or where the money came from. There was also no re-election for governorship in Bayelsa in 2019 which are clear proofs that the petition was totally frivolous.”

“The commission after looking into these allegations have since asked me to return home on self recognition."

The uproar surrounding the arrest and detention of 3 Israeli filmmakers in Nigeria by the Department of State Services is unnecessary and misconceived. The desperate move exhibited by the trio in hastily releasing a video to paint the country and the intelligence agency in bad light further justifies an innate motive to cast aspersions.

On arrival in Nigeria on 6th July, 2021 Rudy Rochman, David Benaym and Noam Leibman under the guise of filming a documentary tagged “We were never lost” proceeded directly to Ogidi community Idemili North LGA, Anambra State and began recording. If the trio had no bad intentions as they claim, why did they go directly to Anambra State without contacting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Information and even the National Film and Video Censors Board which is the regulatory body set up by Act No.85 of 1993 to regulate films and video industry in Nigeria. Isn’t this suspicious? If they were here for filmmaking, wouldn’t they consider it as a courtesy to seek collaboration with these relevant agencies.

With the nature of security cordon in Isreal, could any Nigerian visit Israel and start filming such documentary? Would Mossad or Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) stand idly and allow any Nigerian surreptitiously go to Ramalan, West bank, Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights, East Jerusalem or Gaza strip in the name of filmmaking? Shouldn’t the arrest of these supposed filmmakers by the DSS, an intelligence agency saddled with the responsibility of detecting and preventing threats against the internal security of Nigeria prove to the world and gullible Nigerians their effectiveness in carrying out their constitutional roles? Would any serious sovereign country condone such infringement of their territorial integrity?
It is even more intriguing that the timing of their filmmaking coincides with heightened agitation by the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) whose members claim to be Jewish.

Also, how come the filming coincides with the timing of the arrest of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who on several occasions affirmed he is Jewish? Shouldn’t an effective intelligence agency deploy all necessary mechanism to detect activities with criminal intent especially that it involves foreigners who mostly exploit such situations for espionage purposes? I will not be surprised these filmmakers actually entered into Nigeria with Tourists Visas to avoid being detected! Their greatest undoing therefore was undermining Nigeria’s intelligence agency, the DSS and the power of its eagle eye.

Meanwhile the fuss about their experience in DSS detention facility is also unnecessary if not laughable. Was their arrest done outside the rule of detention? Should they have been accorded a 5-star treatment in custody because of their nationality? Nothing they have passed through come close or can be compared to what is going on in Israeli detention centres.

Amnesty International and other reputable human rights groups have repeatedly condemned Israel over allegations of physical torture including depriving an interrogee of sleep for a number of days by binding him or her in painful positions; covering their head with a filthy sack; exposing the interrogee to extreme heat and cold; using threats and curses, and feeding them poor-quality and insufficient amounts of food among others. During their interrogation by the DSS or detention, were they subjected to any of the aforementioned ill-treatments?

Fortunately, in the video, Rudy Rochman alleged they had no grape juice or wine to observe Shabat but contradicted himself when he admitted to finding grapes and crackers to perform the ritual. If the DSS wasn’t professional and conscious of their rights, would they have even bothered to provide alternatives to enable them perform the religious obligation (Kiddush)?

Furthermore, I want to believe that it is in the spirit of diplomacy and international relations that the trio were granted access to Israeli Ambassador and representative of US Embassy. It however beats my imagination that even with the superiority and influence the two countries wield, how come they couldn’t secure their immediate release or condemned their detention, if truly they had no case to answer? How come they were not able to explain to us the reason they were still held for additional 15 days after the visit? Wasn’t the DSS magnanimous enough to allow them these privileges? Do their claims of maltreatment even come close to allegations of unfair trial of Palestinian civilians, including children and even denied medical help in detention centres? He that must come to equity must do so with clean hands!

In my opinion, the prompt interception of the filmmakers deserves commendation by Nigerians and not condemnation. I am also certain that Nigeria would have prosecuted or detained them further but decided to release and deport them on the basis of international diplomacy with Israel. Releasing a video afterwards that desperately suggest their arrest and purported experience in custody exemplifies the plight of Igbos in the country betrayed their real intent.

What has become their misadventure was actually to incite the Igbos against the Government of the day.  Their rage could also stem from the wrong perception that Africa is inferior with weak security architecture thus, the expectation that they can enter Nigeria undetected. To their surprise, their operation was not only detected and disrupted but they were sent back home disgraced.

Consequently, their subversive reaction to disparage the Nigerian Government and its security agency in addition to their desperate quest to whip up sentiments and draw sympathy of the Igbos is not unexpected. They were shocked!

Finally, while lauding the efforts of security agencies in safeguarding the country against hostile forces, I recommend that this feat should be included in intelligence management curriculum for security agencies to be used to cite example of disruption of espionage networks. For the trio, I advise that instead of resorting to campaign of calumny, they should follow due process in their next adventure to Nigeria and any other sovereign country. Their misadventure should serve as a lesson to others with similar intentions.

Ben Gabriel is a Public Affairs Analyst based in Abuja.

ADULTERY... As shameful as it sounds, it is a true life story. MY PASTOR MARRIED MY WIFE. I've been married to Mrs Tina Bright for over 12years with 2kids,a girl and a boy. I married her traditionally and white wedding and took her to introduce to my Pastor Moses Adeeyo. The General Overseer of World Bank Assembly in Eneka , obio/akpor LGA Rivers State. We started attending the church and became full financial members.

My wife was given an immediate appoi 7months ago, she moved out of the house with our 2kids before I got back from work. I searched everywhere and called everyone even the G.O. unknown to me that he was the architect of my problems. After sometime he stopped picking my calls and blocked my phone line. I've been looking for her until I saw this pictures yesterday online.

He claimed that the Holy Spirit told him that she is his wife. Is the Holy Spirit and author of confusion.? My wife of 12yrs is now his. Pls Couples be careful in world Bank Assembly be careful of Pst MOSES ADEEYO.

Chidinma Adora Ojukwu, the Prime suspect in the killing of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, and one Adedapo Quadri, were, on Monday, remanded in prison custody by a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court, POLITICS NIGERIA has learned.

Magistrate Mrs Adeola Adedayo remanded Ojukwu for 30 days, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Ojukwu, 21, was alleged to have murdered Ataga in a shortlet in Lekki area of Lagos State. She and the deceased had been ‘dating’ for sometime.

She confessed killing the deceased because she needed money from him. She has been in the custody of the Nigerian police Force until her remand today. Ataga, on the other hand, has been buried.

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Uche Secondus has said that he will not resign from his position.

He made this comment on Monday shortly after some members of the party held a protest calling for his removal at the party's secretariat in Abuja.

Below is a statement from his media aide, Ike Abonyi, made available to POLITICS NIGERIA;

"The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has said that he will not resign his position."

“Prince Secondus said in a short statement from his media office that nothing so far warrants his resignation from the party position and those tiny minority calling for his resignation should come clean and tell party members across the country his offense why he should resign."

“He said he will remain focussed and committed to the ideals of the party which he swore to protect and defend upon his election to lead this great party 44 months ago.”, the statement read.

Former President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, his younger sister, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, and his wife, Barrister Toyin Saraki, were in Lagos on Sunday (August 8th) to celebrate the 86th birthday of their mother, Chief Mrs. Florence Morenike Saraki.

POLITICS NIGERIA has photos from the ceremony;

We have lost a brother, Adieu Captain Hosa Okunbo

It is with a heavy heart that I mourn the passing of a great son of Edo State, a brother, a distinguished Nigerian, an illustrious businessman and an accomplished philanthropist, Captain Hosa Okunbo.

A man of unparalleled energy and accomplishments, Captain Okunbo saw opportunities in adversity and from an early age in life, carved a niche for himself to become one of Nigeria’s most outstanding businessmen.

A trained pilot, he conquered the air at an early age and set for the waters and land, building enterprises that distinguished him in the business world and embodied the hard work, perseverance, dexterity and acumen that espoused his Edo heritage.

Okunbo was a philanthropist who gave lavishly of himself and his resources; thousands of Edo sons and daughters benefited from his charitable works and benevolence.

As a mortal, Captain Okunbo was not a perfect person just as none of us can claim to be, but he will be remembered for his undying love for Edo people.

His desire for the development and progress of our dear state, the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as well as his invaluable contributions to building bridges of peace across the country will never be forgotten.

I commiserate with the Okunbo family, friends and associates of our departed brother and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

Precious Chikwendu, an ex-wife of former Nigerian Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has been detained by the Police in the FCT.

A Facebook post on Wednesday night by Child Rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, claimed that Precious was held after going to the Force CID Area 10, Abuja — on police invitation.

Gwamnishu also claimed that Fani-Kayode instituted a criminal defamation against the mother of his children.

Gwamnishu further accused ‘FFK’ of not allowing Precious see her four children.

International fashion and sportswear brand, PUMA has terminated its agreement with Nigeria following the recent embarrassment that occurred in the ongoing Tokyo 2020 olympics.

POLITICS NIGERIA recalls that Nigeria trended for the wrong reasons after an athlete, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi posted a video of himself washing his Olympic Jersey along with a caption "When you made the olympic finals but have only one Jersey" on instagram.

The post trended on social media with many Nigerians asking why an athlete will be given only one jersey.

On Wednesday afternoon, Kaduna central senator, Shehu Sani disclosed that PUMA had offered Nigeria free Olympic kits but Nigerian officials rejected the offer.

BACKGROUND

POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that the Athletic Federation of Nigeria signed a controversial $2.7m deal with Puma on July 2019 in Qatar.

The deal created heavy crisis within the athletics body splitting it into two factions. The deal was to expire by 2022 and it was signed by Gusau Ibrahim, leader of the AFN.

The contract stipulated that PUMA will supply kits and outfits to Nigeria’s Athletics team for 4 years at no expense.

The contract also offered $15,000 to Gold Medalists, $5,000 to silver medalists and $3000 to bronze medalists.

PUMA terminated the contract in a letter ON August 4, 2021 signed by Edlheimb Manuel, the brand's director. According to the letter, the deal was terminated because Nigerian athletes did not wear the kits at the ongoing Tokyo olympics.

"We are referring to the licensing and sponsoring agreement signed between our company and your federation."

"As a direct consequence of the recent developments, particularly at the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 and pursuant to clauses 9.2 and 7.3 of the Agreement, we hereby terminate the Agreement with immediate effect."

"PUMA especially declares to be discharged from any or all obligations towards all stakeholders involved and reserves all rights against these entities and individuals", the letter read in part.

A member, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Joy Emordi, today defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, POLITICS NIGERIA has learned

The Chairman APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and Yobe state Governor, Mai Mala Buni, formally received the senator in a brief ceremony in Abuja.

Sen. Emordi, said she was convinced that the future of a prosperous and united Nigeria lies in the APC. She described the APC leadership as sincerely and genuinely committed to a united Nigeria that has plans for the future generation.

The legislator assured the party of her loyalty and her supporters to the party "l assure the party of my loyalty and support and to work for the success of the party."

Sen. Emordi said "the APC led federal government is working for the South East and this is attracting more PDP members into APC."

The Chairman CECPC Mai Mala Buni, expressed delight with the decision taken by the board member to contribute to the unity of the country.

"There is need for us to join hands for the political stability and national unity of our dear country" he said.

Governor Buni said the coming of Sen. Emordi and other prominent politicians from the South East into the APC will promote national unity.

"The South east is a strong political block and very crucial to the unity of the country, this will no doubt add to national cohesion " the Chairman added.

National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in high spirits as the Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwoolu paid him a visit in London, United Kingdom.

The Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom was looking hale and hearty as he discussed and cheered with Sanwo-olu.

This development is contrary to widespread reports that the Political Juggernaut was 'very sick'. POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that Tinubu was only in London for a Vacation.

Embattled deputy commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari may be facing possible extradition after he was suspended by the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali.

Kyari has also been removed as the head of the Intelligence Response Team, IRT and is currently facing a special panel looking into his indictment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI.

It will be recalled that a US court ordered the arrest of Kyari who was indicted as an accomplice and associate to disgraced fraudster, Ramon Olorunwa Abass popularly known as "Hushpuppi". Kyari received bribes to the tune of N8 million from Abass to arrest and detain another fraudster, Vincent Chibuzor who he(Abass) had a fallout with.

Vincent Chibuzor

Fresh information made available to POLITICS NIGERIA reveals that the FBI has arrested two other accomplices of Hushpuppi mentioned in the federal Indictment alongside Kyari.

Motunrayo Fashola and Bolatito Agbabiaka have been arrested but were granted bail.

Motunrayo Fashola

The other outstanding warrants that have not been effected are those of Kyari and Vincent Chibuzo. FBI agents visited Nigeria last week to meet with senior police officers in order to effect the warrant of arrest on Kyari.

Bolatito Agbabiaka

Motunrayo has a child with Hushpuppi and has been living in New York while Agbabiaka lives in New Jersey. Both women were in charge of Wells Fargo and Capital One bank accounts used by the syndicate to defraud a Qatari businessperson.

It can be recalled that Hushpuppi, Vincent Chibuzor, Motunrayo and Agbabiaka conspired to defraud a Qatari businessman of $1.1 million. The scheme was going on well until Chibuzor contacted the victim and alerted him that Hushpuppi was a fraudster.

This annoyed Hushpuppi who then contacted Kyari to arrest and detain Chibuzor, who was in Nigeria at the time.

Hushpuppi briefed Kyari on the fraudulent scheme, explaining how Chibuzor wanted to frustrate it. Kyari subsequently arrested Chibuzor and held him in detention for 5 weeks. This enabled Hushpuppi to further defraud the Qatari businessman of $575,000.

Chibuzo was finally released after he developed a terrible illness with skin rashes and appeals from family members.

POLITICS NIGERIA has been furnished with the profile of the new boss of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigerian Police Force, Tunji Disu.

Disu is a Deputy Commissioner of Police who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the Lagos State University (LASU) and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State.

He is a former Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Lagos State, was the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

He had also previously served at the State CID, Rivers State as the Deputy Head of the Unit. He was also a former Commander of the Nigeria Police Contingent to the African Union (AU) Peace Keeping Mission in Dafur, Sudan.

He has also attended several professional courses both at home and abroad: Small Arms Smuggling Training in Botswana, Internet Fraud Training at the Cambridge University, UK, Strategic Leadership Command Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, Forensic Investigations and Criminal Intelligence Course at the University of Lagos, amongst others.

He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations and Chattered Institute of Personnel management, amongst other professional bodies.

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali has removed DCP Abba Kyari as the head of the Intelligence Response Team(IRT).

This was announced via a statement made available to POLITICS NIGERIA on Monday evening signed by Force PRO, Frank Mba. The statement read;

"The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has today, 2nd August, 2021 approved the posting of DCP Tunji Disu as the new Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT). The posting of the officer is on the heels of Management’s decision to fill the leadership gap within the IRT and refocus the Unit for better service delivery."

"The IGP has charged the new Head of the IRT to demonstrate his professional competence in his leadership of the Unit. He also assured citizens that the IRT will remain focused in the discharge of its duties in line with national statutes and international best practices."

"Prior to his appointment as the new Head of the IRT, DCP Tunji Disu, a former Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Lagos State, was the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja. He had also previously served at the State CID, Rivers State as the Deputy Head of the Unit. He was also a former Commander of the Nigeria Police Contingent to the African Union (AU) Peace Keeping Mission in Dafur, Sudan."

"DCP Disu holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the Lagos State University (LASU) and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State. He has also attended several professional courses both at home and abroad: Small Arms Smuggling Training in Botswana, Internet Fraud Training at the Cambridge University, UK, Strategic Leadership Command Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, Forensic Investigations and Criminal Intelligence Course at the University of Lagos, amongst others. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations and Chattered Institute of Personnel management, amongst other professional bodies."

Elder statesman, Tanko Yakasai has called on the Federal Government to thread carefully as the politics of 2023 have slowly started.

Yakasai’s comments are coming at the heels of Ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki’s rumoured arrest last weekend. He expressed concerns over the recent invitation the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC extended to the Kwara-born Politician over alleged money laundering.

In an interview with newsmen in Kano on Monday, Yakasai pointed out that Saraki has the right to contest for the Presidency of Nigeria adding that no attempt must be made to block his path.

“Bukola is very qualified to become the President of Nigeria and he should be free to canvass his political ambition just like any other qualified Nigerian,”

“This move against Bukola might have something to do with his perceived presidential ambition- to prevent or interference with that ambition”

“I hope the move against Bukola is not a beginning of political intimidation or harassment by his perceived political opponents or the party in power.” he noted.

He added that Saraki was the most investigated and the most persecuted Nigerian politician known to be nursing a presidential ambition, adding that this was not the first time he was being targeted by some security operatives in Nigeria.

He appealed to the current EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, to be firm and apolitical in the discharge of his duties while noting that from his professional conduct, he has been a good professional who would not allow anybody to use his Commission for political gains.

Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta is currently trending on social media over his reverence to Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari.

Kenyatta, who is currently attending the Global Education Summit in London alongside President Buhari, bowed in respect to Nigeria’s leader when they ran into each other.

POLITICS NIGERIA recalls that President Buhari who spoke at the summit, stated that the size and population of Nigeria are challenges for any administration, but despite this, the government and people realize that education is the starting point for success.

“You can’t succeed outside your educational qualification. Anybody who missed education has missed everything. Nigerians are acutely aware of the priority of education, and parents are making sacrifices to ensure that their children and wards get educated.”

On the panel with President Buhari were Presidents Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Faure Gnassingbe of Togo, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, and Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi.

Those plunking for secession and advancing hate for the north may not know that the region was once a convenient political ally of the south-east. The political establishment of the 1960’s was governed by the north and the south-east in expedient nuptials — before the January 1966 coup which opened Pandora’s Box. The north and the south-east have had a crossed destiny.

The politics of the Igbo has not always been suffused with emotions and native prejudices. A good case is the pragmatic entente Nnamdi Azikiwe’s NCNC forged with Ahmadu Bello’s NPC in the 60s – despite the two parties’ diagonal differences. While Bello’s NPC was ultra-conservative, Azikiwe’s NCNC had a liberal character.

Also, in 1979 the south-east worked with the north to see the emergence of Alex Ekwueme as Nigeria’s first vice-president under a presidential system of government — and with Shehu Shagari as president — less than 10 years after the Nigeria-Biafra civil war. In fact, while Ekwueme was a member of the National Peoples Party (NPP), Shagari was a member of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). But this did not stop the entente cordiale.

Although the NPP/NPN alliance later became fractious in 1981, the emergence of an Igbo citizen as vice-president a few years after the war blurred the blot of the Igbo being a conquered people. It was under this arrangement that Odumegwu Ojukwu was allowed to return to Nigeria from exile in Ivory Coast in June 1982. And a year after his return (in 1983) he ran for senatorial office – but lost.

The south-east was heuristic in these instances, and played realpolitik. But what happened afterwards?

In the 2003 presidential election in which Ojukwu, the famed Igbo leader, vied, the south-east voted tremendously for his rival – Olusegun Obasanjo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In fact, Ojukwu’s ‘’Igbo party’’, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) could not even win governorship elections in the south-east except in Anambra — the late politician’s native home.

In Anambra, Obasanjo had 466,866 votes which represent 54 percent of the entire count while Ojukwu had 279,378 – 34 percent of the total tally. In Abia, Obasanjo had 386,748 votes (51.7 percent) while Ojukwu had 260,899 votes (34.9 percent). In Ebonyi, Obasanjo had 752,823 votes (94.5 percent) but Ojukwu polled only 20,525 votes (02.6 percent) within the same range as Muhammadu Buhari who had 16,308 votes in the state.

In Enugu, Obasanjo had 897,721 votes (79.7 percent) while Ojukwu had 177,050 votes (15.7 percent). And in Imo, Obasanjo polled 656,861 votes (64.6 percent), but Ojukwu had 281,114 votes (27.7 percent). The late Igbo leader’s second attempt in 2007 was also unsuccessful.

Obasanjo trounced Ojukwu on his own turf. Why? The election was not so much about Ojukwu, but about the centring of the south-east. The Igbo elite consorted with the PDP which at the time had a national appeal, and they were able to pivot the south-east in the nucleus of national politics.

But the south-east’s liaison with the PDP over the years has not yielded commensurate dividends in terms of economic and infrastructural developments for the region. The beneficiaries of the PDP years were the elite who had sizeable representations in government.

With the deracination of the PDP from central power, the south-east slumped into opposition – a role it has shown a lack of artistry and tact to handle. There is also the south-south quandary. With the south-south emerging as a redoubtable power bloc, the south-east lost its bearing and place as the ‘’beautiful bride’’.

The south-east regaining its place means it must look beyond a solitary party. It must put itself in the thick of things. And to sit at the table, it should discard isolationist politics and work with Nigerians across regions and parties – as it did in the past. It must forge new alliances – a political and social concordat.

OJUKWU’S VICTORY IN DEFEAT

Although Ojukwu lost the election, his participation in the exercise was of consequence. His participation showed manifest belief in Nigeria. A non-believer in a united Nigeria will not seek to be the country’s president. So, the involvement of Ojukwu, being a former separatist leader, in the election exemplified a reformed mindset committed to building a Nigeria where justice and equity reigns.

In a 2017 broadcast, President Buhari revealed his conversation with the late Ojukwu on Nigeria.

He said: “In 2003 after I joined partisan politics, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu came and stayed as my guest in my hometown Daura. Over two days we discussed in great depth till late into the night and analysed the problems of Nigeria. We both came to the conclusion that the country must remain one and united.”

Whatever change we seek is in the ballot and not in the barrel of a gun. Ojukwu’s victory is the personal example he showed by participating in elections and chaperoning a political party — APGA — long after the war. He buried the hatchet and looked to a new future in a united Nigeria. The party stands to date. We should emulate him.

By Fredrick ‘Mr OneNigeria’ Nwabufo

Between March and May 2021, Airtel topped the list of Nigerian telcos with the highest loss of data subscribers.

Prior to the period under review, Airtel boasted of having an accrued 51.43 million data subscribers, but dropped to 50.03 million as at the end of 2021 Q2, a development that saw the telco lose 2.84 subscribers.

Within the three months, MTN lost a total of 2.64 million data users, as its subscribers dropped from 62,843,182 in February, to 60,202,402.

Globacom lost a total of 2.112 million and Airtel lost 415,905 data subscribers within the same period.

In data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Politics Nigeria discovered that MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile lost no less than 8 million data subscribers combined.

The total number of mobile subscribers of the telco giants declined to 140.13 million by the end of May.

This development may, however, not be unconnected to the NIN-SIM ban, which restricted people from purchasing new SIM cards and fixing SIM cards-related issues. Industry experts also attribute the losses to pricing, poor service quality, and the presence of alternative Internet Service Providers (ISP).

A recent viral report claimed that Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo’s influence in the Buhari-led administration has waned but POLITICS NIGERIA, in its support for accountability, found the supporting facts to be misleading.

The AfricaReport.com, in a Tuesday report titled “Nigeria 2023: Osinbajo’s chances grow slimmer as cabal tightens grip on presidency”, claimed the Vice-president has been relegated by some ‘cabal’ in Aso-Rock.

Also, the report linked Osinbajo to the politics of the 2023 presidency, insinuating that the ‘Cabal’ has diminished his chances of succeeding his boss.

Below are eight claims from the analysis have been fact-checked to be MISLEADING.

CLAIM 1

“The crowd that gathered at the Sani Abacha Stadium on July 3, to witness the coronation of the 15th Emir of Kano – Aminu Ado Bayero – got more than they bargained for when Osinbajo (the nation’s number two citizen) and Ibrahim Gambari (chief of staff in the office of the president) strode onto the stage at different times, claiming to represent President Muhammadu Buhari.”

“At the coronation that was attended by several dignitaries, both Osinbajo and Gambari read two different speeches, both reportedly on behalf of Buhari, thereby confusing not just spectators but journalists who had come to cover the event.”

VERIFICATION

POLITICS NIGERIA learnt that the Vice President represented President Buhari at the event and performed his role at the event, reading the President’s speech. The Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, on the other hand, attended the event in his capacity as a relation(uncle) to the celebrant.

To set the record straight, while VP presented Buhari’s speech at the event while Gambari read out a congratulatory letter to the Emir signed by the President.

This, however, is not controversial as the roles performed by Messrs Gambari and Osinbajo were distinct but complementary. This perhaps emphasized the importance the presidency attached to the event rather than a flagrant show of power tussle.

CLAIM 2

“Ibrahim Magu, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had been serving in acting capacity for over six months but many in the president’s inner circle didn’t want him confirmed because he had stepped on many toes.”

“However, immediately after Buhari travelled for his first medical trip, Osinbajo – as acting president – sent a letter to the Senate, requesting Magu’s immediate confirmation. But the cabal was ready to fight back.”

VERIFICATION

The report suggested that the VP influenced Magu’s nomination but the appointment of Magu and other key appointees of the administration including the head of the country’s anti-graft agency was done by the President.

POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that President Buhari personally nominated Ibrahim Magu as EFCC boss. Magu was later sacked and replaced with Abdulrasheed Bawa, sequel to allegations of impropriety against him.

CLAIM 3

“He (Osinbajo) also got some of his allies appointed into government positions like his business partner, Babatunde Irukera, who was named the Executive Secretary of the Consumer Protection Council.”

VERIFICATION

Although Irukera was appointed as FCCPC boss, independent verification showed that he had ceased being the VP’S partner, because Osinbajo had left SimmonsCooper Partners, his former workplace much earlier.

CLAIM 4

“After the 2019 elections, things began to change. On 25 April 2019, the president travelled to London for 11 days on what he termed a ‘private visit’. But for the first time, he refused to hand over power to Osinbajo as he had done in the last four years.”

VERIFICATION

While the article is correct that Buhari has not handed over duties to Osinbajo since the second term began, it refuses to note that handing over in the previous term was done in line with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended that provides for such if the President will be away for 21 days.

“In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended, I wish to inform the Distinguished Senate that I will be away on a short medical vacation from 6th-16th of June 2016, and while I am away, the Vice President (Osinbajo) will perform the functions of my office.”

“Please, accept, as always assurances of my highest esteemed consideration,” one of the President’s letter sent to the Senate in 2016 read.

Checks by POLITICS NIGERIA showed that since President Buhari was voted for the second term, he has not spent 21 days abroad, which implies that any handing over is needless and unconstitutional.

CLAIM 5

“Osinbajo’s assistant pastor, Enelamah, was not re-appointed as minister of trade and investment, and other appointments made by Osinbajo during Buhari’s absence were rescinded.”

VERIFICATION

The appointment of Pastor Okechukwu Enelamah as Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was not done by the VP. In fact, independent sources confirmed that the late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, nominated Enelamah following their relationship from the banking industry.

Kyari, who died of COVID-19 last year, was previously a banker before he ventured into politics.

CLAIM 6

“Confined to his constitutional role, the president’s chief of staff, Abba Kyari, sacked about 35 of Osinbajo’s aides without informing him.”

VERIFICATION

The purported sack of the VP’s aides is another fallacy that has been debunked in previous publications, according to POLITICS NIGERIA’s checks. No appointee of the VP was sacked as insinuated in the report, and at no time did the President admit authorizing the sack of any aide of the VP.

In articles published by numerous online and print media on Nov 17, 2019, the President denied the termination of appointment of any aides in the Presidency. Rather, President Buhari clarified that the appointees were redeployed to a new ministry.

According to a report published by Daily Independent on Nov 17, 2019, “the President, who fielded questions from the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) State House Correspondent at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, upon his return from a private visit from the United Kingdom, described the interpretations of his directives as a sack as ‘unfortunate’.”

CLAIM 7

“Osinbajo immediately summoned Daura, who was believed to have committed acts of insubordination against the vice-president. Daura, who said he only takes orders from Buhari, was immediately sacked by Osinbajo and later detained.”

“This is believed to have infuriated the president’s inner circle.”

VERIFICATION

POLITICS NIGERIA understands that belief should not be misconstrued as fact. President Buhari had foreknowledge of the decision to terminate the appointment of erstwhile director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Musa Daura.

The Vice-president simply carried out the directive because of the President’s Absence. It’s also important to note that if dissatisfied about it, the president had powers to reappoint him. He didn’t.

CLAIM 8

“In August, Buhari created a new ministry – for humanitarian affairs and disaster management – and appointed his long time friend Sadiya Umar Farouq to be in charge of the docket.”

“Farouq took over the billion-dollar social investment programme that was under Osinbajo’s office”

VERIFICATION

Checks by POLITICS NIGERIA reveal that this was done in order for the Vice-President to adequately focus and manage a 2.3 Trillion Economic Sustainable Plan(ESP or Stimulus Plan) that was handed over to him and not in any way a power move as indicated by the report.

The goals of the NESP are to create jobs, pump money into the economy and hopefully stop it slipping into recession, support small businesses and prioritise local content (Made-in-Nigeria).

The NESP is a 12-month ‘Transit’ Plan between the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and the ERGP-successor-plan currently being worked upon.

CONCLUSION: Based on the misleading claims that formed the basis of the African Report’s analysis, it is MISLEADING to conclude that the influence of Osinbajo has dwindled over the years.

The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) – the brainchild of Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder and Executive Chairman of BUA Group has today, awarded a N1billion infrastructure grant to the University of Benin (UNIBEN) as part of its 2021 Tertiary Education Grants Scheme.

This was revealed at the grant presentation by the Management of ASR Africa to the Vice-Chancellor and council members of the University in Benin.

With this grant award, University of Benin becomes the fifth Nigerian University to receive a grant award of 1billion Naira from the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grants Scheme drawn from its yearly $100million ASR Africa Fund for Social Development and Renewal. Previous 2021 grant awardees include the University of Maiduguri; University of Ilorin; University of Ibadan and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Speaking during the Presentation, Ubon Udoh, Managing Director of ASR Africa, commended the university administration for their commitment to ensuring the highest standards in tertiary education at the University of Benin. He further added that University of Benin was selected for the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grant using a variety of metrics including ranking, student population, gender inclusivity, amongst other criteria.

According to Udoh, “We are impressed with the level of commitment by the Management of University of Benin in identifying viable projects for implementation under this grant. Over the next few weeks, we will review these identified projects within the ASR Africa project assessment and mutual accountability frameworks and we look forward to commencing project implementation as quickly as possible”.

In her reactions, the Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Lilian Salami thanked ASR Africa and its chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, for the grant and noted that it will enable the institution meet pressing development needs which will positively impact the quality of education being delivery at the university. She further added that the school was looking to develop a University of Benin/ASR Africa ICT Centre with the grant.

“The projects we have selected will have impact on our student not just for now but even for posterity”, Prof. Salami added.

The Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar on Tuesday in Abuja warned staff that disclosing confidential information without authorisation will attract penalties under the public service rules.

POLITICS NIGERIA learned that the Permanent Secretary stated this at the administration of Oath of Secrecy and Declaration of Secrecy to 42 staff of the State House, administered by Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court. The Permanent Secretary explained that the oaths were administered to staff members who handle classified documents.

‘‘We discovered that due to deployment of officers and retirement a number of our staff need to be placed under the radar so that they will be aware that their jobs, the kind of documents or information they are handling from day to day and beyond, are so important and must be safeguarded.

‘‘That’s the reason we decided to do the needful by administering the Oath of Secrecy, highlighting the importance of letting them know what information they are managing and the consequences of the breach of such information,’’ he said.

The Permanent Secretary, who disclosed that the exercise will be continuous, expressed delight that so far the State House has not recorded any breach of information.

‘‘We have not had any breach. We don't anticipate having any breach.

‘‘But then it's our duty to let them understand that if there is any, there will be consequences after investigations and that also includes after they have retired from the Civil Service,’’ he said.

Earlier before the administration of the Oaths, Mr Tukur Yahaya, the Director of Special Services Department, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, took the staff through sensitization, explaining the essence of the Official Secrets Act, 1962.

‘‘The essence of this exercise is to ensure the safety and security of government information, documents and facilities,’’ he said.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has announced that Forex will only be supplied to banks as all sales to Bureau De Change operators (BDCs) have been discontinued.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele made this revelation during a Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Tuesday, July 27th.

Emefiele disclosed that the apex bank had to make this move because of the suspicious activities of BDC operators and their utter disregard for CBN exchange rate policies.

He expressed disgust at the weening greed of BDC operators seeking to make abnormal gains at great risk to the country's financial system.

He listed several offences committed by BDC operators which include subversion of the CBN’s cashless policy, Dollarization of the Economy, prevailing ownership of several BDC by the same owners in order to get multiple FX and ‘regrettably,’ international organisation and embassy patronage of illegal forex dealers.

The MPC also expressed confidence in the directive adding that it was a step in the right direction.