₦airaland Forum

Oyo State Police Command on Thursday arrested a 26-year-old school gateman, identified as Josiah Ayomide, over the alleged defilement of a four-year-old pupil of his school in Ibadan.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, while addressing newsmen at the Police headquarters, Eleyele, in Ibadan, said the victim had on August 29, 2025, complained of pains in her private part to her eldest sister.

He explained that the victim later told her mother that her school gatekeeper had unlawfully raped her while she was at school.

Osifeso added that the suspect confessed to the crime after his arrest.

“The victim was taken to Police Medical Clinic Eleyele, Ibadan, for medical examination and treatment, and the medical report revealed that the hymen was not intact, with tenderness around the vulva and vagina, accompanied by bruises.

“The suspect would be prosecuted upon completion of investigation.”

In another development, the command also arrested Azeez Kolawole and Isah Fatai at Soka Sanyo area for allegedly stealing goats around Ibadan and its environs using a Toyota Matrix without a number plate.

The PPRO explained that the duo had been arrested and charged to court on two different occasions for the same offence.

He added that the suspects have confessed to the crime, while investigations are ongoing to locate other members of their syndicate.

Other arrests by the command included suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, and hijackers, among others.

Cases of sexual abuse against children in schools have been a growing concern in Nigeria, prompting calls for stricter screening of school staff and enhanced protection measures.

Incidents of school gatekeepers, teachers, and other staff allegedly defiling pupils have been reported in several states, highlighting the vulnerability of children in educational institutions.

Punch Online on August 27 2025, reports that the Bauchi State Police Command arrested at least five men in connection with the alleged rape of a 10-year-old girl in the Zadawa community, Misau Local Government Area.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, in a statement, disclosed that the suspects belonged to a syndicate that repeatedly lured the survivor with N500 and raped her at different times and locations.

He explained that the case was reported on August 12, 2025, by Yusuf Muhammad and Danjuma Muhammad of Misau, who alleged that in July, several individuals lured their daughter (name withheld) with money and assaulted her at different locations.

Medical and child protection experts stress the importance of prompt reporting, medical examination, and psychological support for victims of sexual abuse.

Advocacy groups, such as Stand to End Rape Initiative and Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative, have repeatedly called on state governments and educational authorities to implement rigorous vetting of school personnel, regular monitoring, and community awareness programs to prevent such crimes.

A SaharaReporters' review of data published by the Bola Tinubu administration on Monday showing segregation of projects awarded per region has revealed misrepresentation.

On Monday, Tinubu released his national infrastructure progress report, which he tagged, “Infrastructure Equity for Every Region. Progress for Every Nigerian. The Renewed Hope Agenda in Action.”

According to the review, the government listed 12 projects as those benefitting North-Western states.

However, findings show that the numbers were padded, with two projects ideally meant for the North-East and another two from the North-Central region of the country.

For instance, the 110km Damaturu–Maiduguri road was listed under North-Western projects.

Meanwhile, Damaturu is the capital of Yobe State and Maiduguri is the capital of Borno State — both in the North-East.

Similarly, the Bama and Dikwa roads, both in Borno State, were listed under North-Western projects.

The Lokoja–Okene road dualisation was also included under North-Western projects. However, both locations are in Kogi State, which is in the North-Central region.

Tinu

The Benue–9th Mile road was likewise listed as a North-Western project, though it is in the North-Central region.

Further review shows that while the administration listed two North-Central projects under the North-West, it also listed them again under the North-Central region, amounting to double entries.

Likewise, projects meant for the North-East but placed under the North-West were still listed again under the North-East.

In April, the Tinubu-led Presidency maintained that President Bola Tinubu's appointments would continue to be based on “merit, integrity, geographical spread, and demonstrable capacity to serve the Nigerian people.”

This statement followed Senator Ali Ndume’s accusation that the government was guilty of regional bias.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that Senator Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, accused President Tinubu of breaching the constitutional principle of federal character in his political appointments during an Arise TV programme.

In July, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) also accused the Tinubu-led Nigerian government of sidelining the North in budget allocations and critical development, despite the region contributing more than 64% of the total votes that brought him to power.

The comments were made at a two-day citizen engagement forum organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna. Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse and Chairman of the ACF Board of Trustees, alleged that the North had been “largely excluded” from key governance processes.

“The North, which contributed over 64% of Tinubu’s total votes in the 2023 general elections, has been largely excluded from critical policy decisions and project implementation,” he had said.

Earlier, SaharaReporters reviewed Tinubu’s national infrastructure progress report, in which he claimed his administration had maintained equitable governance and infrastructural development.

That review showed that the South-East and North-East regions of the country were the least beneficiaries.

Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, ADC, and Daily Trust Show Economic Illiteracy By Attacking FG's Investment in Lagos

Please fact-check me: In 2024, Lagos generated 54% of the total VAT generated by Nigerian states at ₦2.75 trillion. Yet, despite contributing 54% of Nigeria's VAT, Lagos got back only 16.74% of what it contributed, which was just ₦460.11 billion.

Nobody complained about this, especially when money generated by Lagos was paid to states in other regions.

But now, you see media, like Daily Trust, the African Democratic Congress, and disgruntled politicians, like Peter Obi and Malam Nasir el-Rufai, sponsoring people to sow seeds of discord by accusing President Bola Tinubu of focusing on Lagos to the detriment of other states and geopolitical zones.

If Nigeria does not invest in the goose that lays 54% of its VAT revenue, how will that goose continue to lay the Golden Egg?

Let me give you an example.

Please fact-check me: Detty December attracts $72 million to Lagos's economy annually. That money helps Lagos generate the highest VAT revenue in Nigeria, which enables the Federal Government to pay states like Anambra three times the revenue that Anambra contributes to the VAT pool and pay Zamfara almost four times what that state generates in VAT revenue.

By spending $400 million to increase MMIA's capacity from its present 6.5 million passengers to 20 million a year, Nigeria will attract more tourists to Lagos and environs, expanding the state's revenue from Detty December to a projected $180 million annually.

That money will yield additional VAT generation for the Federal Government. Since Lagos generates more than 50% of Nigeria's VAT revenue and is a net contributor, whatever benefits Lagos State adds value to all Nigerian states.

With Detty December alone, the airport upgrade will pay for itself in just five years.

It amounts to short-sightedness for politicians and individuals from states that are net recipients of VAT from Lagos to attack President Tinubu for progressively taking steps to ensure that Lagos State is in a position to continue generating more wealth for the rest of Nigeria.

Reno Omokri

Bandits in large numbers on Sunday blocked a rural road in Kaduna State, killing one resident and dispossessing several others of their belongings.

A trader, whose relative was among the victims, confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters’ New York office via WhatsApp.

According to him, the attack happened along the Iyatawa–Ringim Road in Giwa Local Government Area, which borders Birnin Gwari Local Government and Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The assailants reportedly mounted a blockade on the road, robbed travellers of cash, motorcycles, and other valuables, while firing sporadic gunshots to scare the victims.

"During the shooting, my relative, Haruna Sadau, was killed, and another person, Abbas Mohammed, was injured and rushed to the hospital," the source said.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State government, in collaboration with federal agencies, launched what it called the “Kaduna Model”—a holistic peace initiative aimed at addressing both the symptoms and root causes of insecurity.

The pact involved direct engagement with notorious bandit leaders operating in areas like Birnin Gwari and Giwa.

These were not petty criminals; they were warlords like Yellow Jambros and Dogo Gide, men accused of mass killings, kidnappings, and extortion across Kaduna and neighboring states.

Yet, under the new peace deal, many of them laid down their arms. Around 200 fighters reportedly surrendered, some even enrolling in government-run rehabilitation programs.

The initiative included promises of disarmament, reintegration, and rural development. Roads once feared, like the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highway, reopened, and villagers began returning to their homes.

The government touted these as signs of progress, a fragile hope in a region long defined by despair.

Still, the pact was not without controversy. Critics, including Christian leaders and other stakeholders, voiced concern over the lack of transparency and the exclusion of victims from the peace process.

The Northwest Governors Forum had previously agreed to reject negotiations with criminals, making Kaduna’s unilateral move a bold departure.

Governor Uba Sani defended the approach as a “carrot-and-stick” strategy, insisting that peace must be pursued from a position of strength.

Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has called for a review of Nigeria’s work schedule to accommodate Muslim worship on Fridays, describing the current arrangement as unfair to the Muslim community.

In a video shared on his verified Facebook page on Friday, Omokri argued that before colonial rule, Fridays were traditionally recognised as a day of rest for Muslims.

He noted that while Sunday remains a non-working day for Christians, Muslims are required to work on Fridays, despite its significance for their religious obligations.

He suggested that a compromise could be reached by adjusting daily work hours.

According to him, work could begin earlier from Monday to Thursday, creating room for offices to close by midday on Fridays. This adjustment, he said, would allow Muslims to attend Jumu’ah prayers without reducing national productivity or affecting the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

He stressed that the proposal would strike a balance between religious practices and the demands of Nigeria’s workday system, ensuring fairness to both Christians and Muslims.

He said, “I don’t think it is fair for the Muslim Ummah for us to have Friday as a working day in Nigeria. Originally, before colonialism, it was not like that.

“Now we have Sunday as a non-working day and Friday as a working day. I think that we can achieve a compromise. What we can do is that instead of work beginning on Mondays all the way to Friday at 9am or 8am, we can start work at 7:30am on Mondays to Fridays and then on Friday we close at 12 o’clock.

“So the time we are going to lose on Friday we are going to gain it back from Monday to Thursday. So it is not going to affect our productivity as a country and our GDP. And then the Muslim Ummah can close at 12 noon and go for Solat Jumaat. That way, there would be a more equitable balance of our workday lives in Nigeria.”

Former Zamfara Central Senator, Kabiru Garba Marafa, who served as the Zamfara State Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organisation in the 2023 Presidential Election, has announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Marafa, who represented Zamfara Central in the Senate from 2011 to 2019, said his decision to quit the party was borne out of what he described as President Bola Tinubu’s “use-and-dump” style of leadership.

The decision followed a two-day meeting of the Senator Kabiru Marafa Consultative Forum, which drew supporters from all 14 local government areas of Zamfara State. The meeting, held in Kaduna on August 27 and 28, 2025, deliberated on the worsening security, political, and developmental challenges in Zamfara.

At the end of the meeting, the Forum issued a communiqué signed by its chairman, Comrade Bashir Muhammad Mafara; secretary, Dr. Mannir Bature Tsafe; and several other members.

The communiqué recalled that under Marafa’s coordination, President Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election in Zamfara. At the peak of the campaign, Marafa had assured Tinubu that there was no need to visit Zamfara, as he would deliver the state’s votes — a promise he fulfilled.

However, the group expressed regret that despite this loyalty and contribution, Zamfara State has allegedly suffered neglect under Tinubu’s administration.

The communiqué highlighted several grievances: The Forum decried the escalating insecurity in Zamfara, citing recent reports that the state topped the list of kidnappings nationwide in 2024. Out of 4,722 recorded abductions across Nigeria, Zamfara accounted for 1,203 cases. In just one week after a bye-election, 25 villages were reportedly attacked, with 145 people kidnapped and 21 killed.

It condemned what it described as the use of security forces to secure electoral victory for the APC in Kaura Namoda bye-election, while failing to protect lives in the same communities devastated by banditry.

Despite delivering victory for Tinubu, Zamfara received only a Minister of State appointment, while other Northwest states got two slots each. The Forum noted that states where Tinubu lost — especially Lagos — enjoyed more ministerial and developmental patronage, describing this as deliberate neglect.

Unlike other states affected by insecurity where the President personally intervened with visits and financial aid, Zamfara has allegedly been ignored, leaving victims without federal support.

The group accused the national leadership of sidelining Marafa’s political structure, contrary to APC’s founding principles of fairness, equity, and inclusiveness.

After “exhaustive consultations and a critical review of prevailing circumstances,” the Forum resolved as follows: That the entire political structure of Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa across the 147 wards of Zamfara State has formally resigned from the APC in protest against “sustained injustice, mistrust, marginalisation, and deliberate neglect” of the state and its people.

That the group will, in due course, announce its next political direction, guided by the collective interest of Zamfara people.

A pregnant woman has reportedly been killed by suspected ritualists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The victim, whose identity has not been confirmed, was said to have been killed on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Temidire, a rural community in Egbejila in Ilorin.

She was gruesomely murdered and dismembered in a manner that raised suspicions that she must have been killed for ritual purposes.

Eyewitnesses said her discovered body bears similarities to a recent ritual case in Ilorin involving a self-styled cleric, Abdulrahaman Bello, who killed Yetunde Lawal, a final-year student of Kwara College of Education, Ilorin, for body parts, according to Daily Post.

Residents of the area said the deceased, whose husband is a trader in agricultural chemicals and equipment in a border town in Kwara North, had been alone at home on Wednesday night.

A resident of the area was quoted as saying, “Eyewitnesses alleged that she was expecting a visitor that evening and was seen purchasing bottles of beer and plates of pepper soup before retreating indoors.

“By dawn, suspicion arose when a neighbour reportedly confronted a man, believed to be her husband’s younger brother, leaving the house with a black nylon bag.

“The liquid trail, on closer inspection, turned out to be blood. Alarm was raised immediately, drawing other members of the community.

“Horrifically, body parts suspected to belong to the victim, including an arm, a leg and entrails, were later discovered in nearby bushes but the head was nowhere to be found.”

It was reported that the discovery of her body has triggered panic in the community, with many suspecting ritual motives and inflaming long-standing ethnic suspicions among residents.

Police sources confirmed that the case has been transferred from the Budo Nuhu Divisional Headquarters along Airport Road to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Ilorin for further investigation.

However, SaharaReporters’ efforts to confirm the incident from the Kwara State Police Command failed as the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Ejire Adeyemi-Toun, did not answer calls made to her mobile phone number at the time of filing this report.

The Kaduna Millennium City Specialist Hospital, commissioned by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025, has been described by residents as deserted and non-functional, barely two months after its inauguration.

The 300-bed facility, located in Millennium City, Kaduna, was celebrated during its launch as a major milestone in the state’s healthcare development.

However, residents now claim the hospital has remained empty since the commissioning ceremony.

Speaking on Saturday, August 23, 2025, Umar Baba-Ali, a former APC state delegate, lamented the situation.

He said he visited the hospital today, Saturday, but "found the place empty."

He noted that they passed by the area almost every day, and it was always the same — no one was around.

Baba-Ali questioned the rationale behind the inauguration, stating that with the announcement that the Millennium Hospital had been commissioned, people honestly did not understand what was actually commissioned.

According to him, the state government announced the facility’s commissioning, but only temporary vehicles and setups brought during Tinubu’s visit were visible at the time.

He said everything they brought for the event had vanished. He added that if anyone doubted it, they should come and see for themselves.

According to him, this is not about politics; people deserve justice, not deception.

He further recalled that the project was initiated by former Vice President Namadi Sambo, completed under ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and finally inaugurated by Governor Uba Sani during Tinubu’s visit. Yet, despite its official opening, the hospital remains unused.

Residents also expressed disappointment over the decision to name the hospital after President Tinubu rather than Namadi Sambo, who originally built it.

Baba-Ali stated, "Salam alaikum. My name is Umar Baba-Ali, a former state delegate for the APC. I reside in Millennium City, Kaduna State.

"I came to this hospital today, August 23, 2025, and as you can see, the place is empty. We pass by here almost every day, and it is always the same — no one is around.

"With the announcement that the Millennium Hospital has been commissioned, we honestly do not understand what was actually commissioned. For God’s sake, we do not know the true intention behind commissioning this hospital.

"They told us they had commissioned the hospital. But look at it now — the hospital is deserted. The vehicles they brought when President Bola Tinubu came for the commissioning have all vanished and been taken away. Everything they brought during Tinubu’s visit is no longer there.

"If they think I am lying, let someone visit the hospital today, Saturday, and see for themselves. This is not about politics. What we want is justice, not deception — people should not be misled into believing something was done when, in reality, it was not."

He said, "It was Namadi Sambo who built the hospital, and former governor Nasir El-Rufai came to complete it. Later, Governor Uba Sani came and commissioned it. But today, the hospital remains deserted, with no one there.

"They commissioned the hospital almost two months ago when Tinubu came to inaugurate it. It was because of Tinubu’s visit that they decided to open the hospital.

"Instead of naming the hospital after Namadi, who actually built it, they chose to name it after Bola Ahmed Tinubu. May God see us through.

"May God bless us with leaders who carry the love of their people in their hearts, and who remain faithful in their service.
"For the kind of leaders we have been given, O God, we ask for forgiveness. Please grant us the right leaders," Baba-Ali added.

WATCH: Kaduna Millenium City Hospital Newly Commissioned By Tinubu Now Abandoned, All Vehicles Removed After Presidential Visit pic.twitter.com/OFrdbiSzCS

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) August 23, 2025

The federal government, on Friday, warned Canadian authorities to retract a court verdict labelling Nigerian political parties and, by extension, their members as terrorists.

In a statement by the foreign affairs ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Friday, the government condemned the Canadian court verdict labelling every member of the ruling All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party as terrorists, calling it “reckless and false.”

“The federal government of Nigeria express deep concerns over the recent ruling by a Canadian Federal court that erroneously designates certain political parties in Nigeria as ‘terrorist organisations,'” the statement reads.

It added, “This baseless classification is not only reckless but also constitutes an unacceptable interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs and democratic processes.”

Urging Canadian authorities to retract the verdict labelling Nigerian political parties as terrorist organisations, the Nigerian government said the ruling, by extension, tags members of the parties — including President Bola Tinubu, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, and other politicians — as terrorists.

Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, the country has had five democratically elected presidents: Olusegun Obasanjo, the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, the late Muhammadu Buhari, and the incumbent, Bola Tinubu.

“The Court made a sweeping accusation against the entire membership of a political party that has produced three democratically elected presidents, instead of focusing on individuals found wanting. The larger ramification of the decision is that every member of the mentioned political parties is a potential terrorist, and that is completely false and unacceptable,” the statement said.

It added, “The Federal Government of Nigeria, therefore, calls on the Canadian authorities to immediately retract this erroneous designation and refrain from actions that could be misconstrued as endorsing politically motivated narratives against Nigeria. Diplomatic channels remain open for constructive dialogue, and we urge the Government of Canada to engage with the relevant Nigerian institutions to rectify this error.”

According to the statement, Nigeria is a sovereign nation with a robust legal and constitutional framework governing political activities. Our political parties operate within the ambit of the law and are integral to the country’s vibrant democracy. To associate legitimate political entities with terrorism without credible evidence is a grave misrepresentation that undermines Nigeria’s democratic institutions and could incite unnecessary tension.

Citing court documents on Thursday, Peoples Gazette reported that the Canadian Federal Court upheld a landmark immigration tribunal ruling that declared Nigeria’s major political parties — the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party — terrorist organisations, while refusing asylum to a former member, Douglas Egharevba, over his decade-long affiliation with both parties.

In the judgement delivered on June 17, 2025, Justice Phuong Ngo dismissed Mr Egharevba’s application for judicial review after Canada’s Immigration Appeal Division found him inadmissible under security provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly rejected the designation of some Nigerian political parties as terrorist organizations by a Canadian Federal Court, describing the ruling as reckless and an unacceptable interference in the country’s internal affairs and democratic processes.

In a statement signed by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, on Friday, the decision reportedly stemmed from a case involving a Nigerian national, Mr. Douglas Egharevba, who arrived in Canada in September 2017 and applied for inland refugee status under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the court made a sweeping accusation against the entire membership of a political party that has produced three democratically elected presidents, instead of limiting its judgment to individuals found culpable.

The statement warned that the implications of such a ruling could lead to all members of the affected political parties being perceived as potential terrorists, an allegation the Nigerian government insists is completely false and unacceptable.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s sovereignty, the government stressed that its political parties operate within the law and remain a core part of the country’s vibrant democratic system.

The Ministry further urged Canadian authorities to withdraw the designation and avoid actions that could be seen as supporting politically motivated narratives against Nigeria.

It said diplomatic channels remain open for dialogue and encouraged Canada to work with Nigerian institutions to correct the alleged error.

Nigeria also reaffirmed its commitment to the global fight against terrorism and called on the international community to disregard the ruling, while warning Nigerians abroad against making false claims against their country in pursuit of asylum or favours from foreign governments.

The full statement in full; “The Federal Government of Nigeria express deep concerns over the recent ruling by a Canadian Federal court that erroneously designates certain political parties in Nigeria as ‘terrorist organizations.’

“The declaration was in pursuance of a case involving a Nigerian, Mr. Douglas Egharevba, who arrived in Canada in September 2017 and applied for inland refugee status under the immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada.

“This baseless classification is not only reckless but also constitutes an unacceptable interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs and democratic processes.

“The Court made a sweeping accusation against the entire membership of a political party that has produced three democratically elected presidents, instead of focusing on individuals found wanting.

“The larger ramification of the decision is that every member of the mentioned political parties is a potential terrorist, and that is completely false and unacceptable.

“Nigeria is a sovereign nation with a robust legal and constitutional framework governing political activities. Our political parties operate within the ambit of the law and are integral to the country’s vibrant democracy.

“To associate legitimate political entities with terrorism without credible evidence is a grave misrepresentation that undermines Nigeria’s democratic institutions and could incite unnecessary tension.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria, therefore, calls on the Canadian authorities to immediately retract this erroneous designation and refrain from actions that could be misconstrued as endorsing politically motivated narratives against Nigeria.

“Diplomatic channels remain open for constructive dialogue, and we urge the Government of Canada to engage with the relevant Nigerian institutions to rectify this error.

“Nigeria remains committed to the global fight against terrorism and has made significant strides in countering extremist groups within its borders; therefore, called on the international community to disregard this misguided ruling and reaffirm its confidence in Nigeria’s democratic governance and rule of law.

“The government further urges Nigerian nationals to refrain from making unfounded allegations against Nigeria under the pretext of seeking asylum or favours from foreign entities.”

Bruce Fein, a U.S. constitutional lawyer and counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), said that the Canadian court’s ruling shows the Nigerian government’s prosecution of Kanu is like “Lucifer prosecuting Jesus.”

Fein made the statement following a Canadian court’s reported declaration of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as terrorist organisations.

SaharaReporters on Thursday reported that the federal court upheld a ruling declaring both the PDP and the APC to be engaged in conduct amounting to terrorism and subversion of democratic institutions.

The judgment, delivered on June 17, 2025 by Justice Phuong T.V. Ngo, dismissed the asylum application of Douglas Egharevba, a Nigerian national and admitted PDP member, because his party membership alone was sufficient to make him inadmissible to Canada under paragraph 34(1)(f) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

The court endorsed the Immigration Appeal Division’s (IAD) detailed findings that both the PDP and APC had engaged in political violence, voter intimidation, ballot stuffing, and even murder to gain and maintain power, according to a court document obtained by Peoples Gazette.

Quoting directly from the IAD’s reasoning, Justice Ngo noted, “The conduct of individuals who are members of the PDP, which includes violence, murder, ballot-stuffing, ballot box snatching, intimidation of voters, and other unlawful acts, is too widespread and persistent over too great a period of time to dissociate the leadership of the party from their actions.”

The court further upheld the IAD’s conclusion that both parties’ actions fit the definition of “terrorism” under Canadian law, stating that the violence was designed to “intimidate the public or a segment of the public… for a political objective.”

While acknowledging that both PDP and APC have engaged in unlawful practices, the IAD had found that the PDP committed the majority of the acts and benefited most from them, especially during its 16 years in power.

https://saharareporters.com/2025/08/14/canadian-court-denies-asylum-nigerian-politician-douglas-egharevba-over-pdp-membership

Reacting to the Canadian court’s ruling, Fein, in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, said the ruling has proved that if justice should prevail, Kanu would be prosecuting President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian government, and not the government prosecuting Kanu.

"MNK’s (Mazi Nnamdi Kanu) prosecution by APC’s Tinubu is like Lucifer prosecuting Jesus for impiety,” Fein said.

"Canadian Court finds APC and PDP terrorist organizations. If justice prevailed, MNK would be prosecuting Tinubu not vice versa! But God is just, and his justice will not sleep forever!"

Fein has been a vocal critic of the Nigerian government’s handling of Kanu’s case, accusing it of human rights abuses, illegal rendition, and violations of international law.

His latest comments come amid renewed calls by IPOB supporters and rights activists for Kanu’s release, arguing that the trial is politically motivated.

Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021 after his arrest in Kenya, faces multiple charges, including treasonable felony, terrorism, charges he has repeatedly denied.

IPOB has maintained its demand for a referendum on Biafra’s independence, while the Nigerian government insists the group’s activities threaten national security.

The ruling All Progressives Congress APC has fired back at Justice Phuong Ngo of the Federal Court of Canada, describing him as an ignoramus, following a judgment delivered, labelling the party and the Peoples Democratic Party PDP as terrorist organizations.

The Canadian court had reportedly upheld a ruling that classified APC and the PDP as terrorist organizations, while denying asylum to a former member, Douglas Egharevba, over his decade-long affiliation with both parties.

In a judgment delivered on June 17, 2025, Justice Ngo had dismissed Egharevba’s application for judicial review after the Immigration Appeal Division, IAD, found him inadmissible under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, IRPA.

According to a report by the Peoples Gazette, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness had argued that the APC and PDP were implicated in political violence, subversion of democracy and electoral bloodshed in Nigeria.

“The presiding judge must be an ignoramus! We are not party to the suit and the court has no jurisdiction to determine the status of a Nigerian recognized political party not to talk of declaring it as a terrorist organization”, said APC scribe, Senator Ajibola Basiru.

According to him, the APC is a credible Democratic political organization.

He said; “It is unfortunate that some desperate and unpatriotic Nigerians will allow the name of the country to be brought to unpalatable commentary by racist judges on account of self contrived application for asylum.

“The so-called judgement was obviously delivered from a jaundiced perspective and within the narrow confines of determining eligibility for asylum by an applicant.

“The APC is a credible democratic political organization and does not seek legitimacy from a foreign bench and under a law that has no extra territorial application”.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed reports that a Canadian court has designated Nigeria’s two main political parties, the PDP and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as terrorist organisations.

The federal government is, however, expected to issue a formal response today, senior government officials told Daily Trust yesterday, describing the matter as “an embarrassing development”.

Speaking to Daily Trust, PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) member, Timothy Osadolor, said while the Canadian court had a right to express its opinion, it did not make such claims factual.

“But there is nothing in their opinion and their right to express it that makes whatever they have said true,” Osadolor said.

He argued that instead of labelling the entire political structures in Nigeria, the Canadian court should have targeted individuals linked to terrorism, particularly within the APC.

“There are credible Nigerians in the APC, not to mention a credible platform like the PDP, which was unfairly lumped together with a party that has brought ignominy to Nigeria and Nigerians. The Canadian government overreached by joining the PDP alongside the APC as a party linked to terrorism,” he said.

Osadolor described the ruling as a vote of no confidence in the Nigerian government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the administration to take the matter seriously.

“President Tinubu may not be linked to terrorism, but his ineptitude and inability to fight it head-on have made him a victim of terror networks currently ravaging Nigerian states. Instead of focusing on state security for all Nigerians, over 90 per cent of his efforts have gone into regime security,” he said.

He added that the court’s ruling should serve as “a wake-up call” for the president.

Efforts to get the APC’s reaction and that of the federal government were unsuccessful as of press time. APC spokespersons, Felix Morka and Bala Ibrahim, did not respond to calls and messages, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, has not replied to the message sent to him.

However, a senior government official said the ministry would issue a formal response once the ruling’s authenticity is confirmed.

“Immediately we authenticate it, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will issue the government’s formal reaction, and we expect the parties to defend themselves,” the official, who asked not to be named, said.

A Canadian Federal Court has upheld a landmark immigration tribunal ruling that declared Nigeria’s major political parties — the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party — terrorist organisations, while refusing asylum to a former member, Douglas Egharevba, over his decade-long affiliation with both parties.

In a judgment delivered on June 17, 2025, obtained by Peoples Gazette, Justice Phuong Ngo dismissed Mr Egharevba’s application for judicial review after Canada’s Immigration Appeal Division found him inadmissible under security provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness had argued that the PDP and the APC were deeply implicated in acts of political violence, subversion of democracy, and electoral bloodshed, inflicting harm and terror on Nigerians.

Mr Egharevba, who joined the PDP at its founding in 1999, left in 2007 when he defected to the APC, staying there until 2017. He claimed that his personal record was untainted by the violence and manipulation that plagued Nigerian politics, insisting he had never personally engaged in terrorism or subversion. But Justice Ngo was unconvinced, writing that “the conduct of individuals who are members of the PDP, including high-ranking officials, and those who committed political violence and intimidation on their behalf, is too widespread and persistent over too great a period of time to dissociate the leadership of the party from their actions.”

According to court filings, Mr Egharevba entered Canada in September 2017 and disclosed his political history in a Background Declaration Form. Under questioning by the Canada Border Services Agency in 2018, he confirmed his eight-year PDP membership before switching to the APC. Canadian immigration authorities flagged his affiliations, citing intelligence and international reports that linked both parties to electoral misconduct and politically motivated killings.

The IAD focused on the PDP’s record during the 2003 and 2004 polls as “sufficient and determinative” for his case, but the court acknowledged evidence that political violence was not unique to one party, reflecting a broader culture of malpractice in Nigeria’s political class.

In January 2019, an immigration officer declared Egharevba inadmissible under section 34 of the IRPA, covering terrorism and subversion of democracy. While the Immigration Division initially ruled in his favour in 2020, saying there was insufficient evidence to prove party leadership directly orchestrated killings or intended to undermine democracy, the minister appealed with new evidence. However, on March 25, 2024, the IAD overturned the decision, concluding that the PDP engaged in acts of subversion and terrorism, and that mere membership, regardless of personal involvement, triggered inadmissibility.

Justice Ngo’s ruling last month upheld that conclusion.

Central to the decision was the PDP’s violent record during the 2003 state elections and 2004 local government polls, when it controlled the federal government and most states during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. The IAD found, and the judge agreed, that PDP members and loyalists engaged in ballot stuffing, ballot box snatching, voter intimidation, and the killing of opposition supporters and candidates.

The party leadership, enjoying the benefits of such violence, took no action to stop it. Justice Ngo said this met Canada’s legal definition of subversion of a democratic process under paragraph 34(1)(b.1) of the IRPA, meaning “accomplishing change by illicit means or for improper purposes related to an organisation” — even without the use of force.

The court also reaffirmed Canada’s broad interpretation of “membership” in a proscribed organisation. Under paragraph 34(1)(f) of the IRPA, the government need not prove personal complicity or significant integration, acknowledging membership during violent periods was enough.

“An admission of membership in an organisation is sufficient… regardless of the nature, frequency, duration or degree of involvement,” Justice Ngo stated.

Mr Egharevba’s argument that violence was endemic across all Nigerian parties, and that it was unfair to call the PDP’s actions “subversion” when Nigeria’s elections could not be deemed democratic by Canadian standards, was dismissed as legally untenable. Justice Ngo wrote that even flawed Nigerian elections constitute a democratic process under Canadian law, and undermining them for political gain is subversion.

The ruling stands as one of the clearest pronouncements by a foreign court equating Nigeria’s ruling and former ruling parties with terrorist entities under international law. It reaffirms that party membership abroad can justify exclusion from Canada if the organisation is linked to terrorism or democratic subversion — even without a criminal record or evidence of personal violence.

Justice Ngo rejected Mr Egharevba’s request to reinstate the original 2020 decision in his favour, ruling that even if the IAD’s conclusion had been unreasonable, the case would have been sent back for reconsideration, not decided outright in his favour.

The dismissal leaves Mr Egharevba’s asylum claim effectively dead, with deportation proceedings expected to follow.

The police command in Ogun says it has arrested Kadir Owolabi, a motorcycle rider, who was allegedly in possession of three human skulls.

Omolola Odutola, the command’s spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

Ms Odutola said that a search of his luggage by mobile police officers led to the shocking discovery of three human skulls.

She stated that a routine stop-and-search operation was conducted by operatives from 71 PMF, Awa Ijebu, at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, on the Ijebu Ode-Ibadan Expressway at the Refugees Camp Junction, Oru Ijebu.

“During the exercise, officers intercepted Kadir Owolabi, who was riding a motorcycle. A search of his luggage led to the shocking discovery of three human skulls.

“Preliminary investigation subsequently led to the arrest of another suspect, Jamiu Yisa, aged 53, behind Ijebu Ode Local Government Secretariat,” she said.

Police commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo had directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to take over the case for discreet investigation, according to the statement.

The spokesperson added that the command reiterated its commitment to decisive action against crime.

She urged residents to cooperate with the police while assuring the public of trust, confidentiality, and identity protection.

Mohammed Babangida, the son of former military President Ibrahim Babangida, has formally declined his appointment as chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA, citing personal and professional reasons.

In a letter dated July 21, 2025, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Babangida conveyed his “sincere gratitude” for the nomination, calling it “a true privilege to be thought worthy of such a strategic role in advancing the nation’s agricultural and economic development.”

However, he revealed that after “careful reflection and consultation,” he had reached the decision to decline the role.

“This decision was not made lightly,” Babangida stated. “It stems from a convergence of personal and professional considerations which, at this time, would not allow me to serve with the level of focus and commitment the position rightly demands.”

Despite turning down the appointment, Babangida reaffirmed his support for the Tinubu administration’s national development goals. “I remain fully committed to the vision of a prosperous and self-sufficient Nigeria under your leadership,” he assured the president. “I continue to hold your administration in the highest regard and stand ready to support national development in other ways where my expertise may be of service.”

“Thank you once again for your confidence in me. I am deeply appreciative,” Babangida concluded.

His decision came at a time when the agricultural sector was receiving renewed focus from the federal government as part of its broader economic diversification agenda. The Bank of Agriculture, a key institution in this effort, plays a central role in supporting agribusiness and rural development across Nigeria.

The Oyo Police Command said it has rescued 19 Ghanaian victims of alleged trafficking through a targeted operation.

The command’s spokesperson, Adewale Osifeso, made this known in a statement released in Ibadan on Sunday.

He said that the victims, who were young nationals from Ghana, comprised 14 men and five women.

Osifeso said that the investigation revealed that the victims had been lured to Nigeria with false promises of job opportunities.

He said that they fell prey to a manipulative scheme by unknown perpetrators, who exploited them for financial gain.

He further stated that the victims had provided critical information about their ordeals, which is currently aiding the ongoing investigations.

“The investigation is based on credible intelligence related to suspicious activities at a building in the Kajorepo area of Akinyele Local Government Area in Ibadan, Oyo state.

“The State Criminal Intelligence Department (CID), with the invaluable support of tactical command teams, executed a search warrant at the site, which had been securely locked from outside.

“This operation led to the arrest of nineteen (19) individuals, comprising 14 men and five women, all young nationals from Ghana.

“Following established protocols, the victims have since been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigations and to possibly reunite them with loved ones back in their country.

“The Oyo State Police Command remains dedicated to uncovering the identities of those responsible for this alarming situation,” Osifeso said.

He urged members of the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities directly to the authorities.

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has said courier operators have become increasingly bold in transporting illicit drugs and deadly weapons in recent years, coinciding with President Bola Tinubu’s assumption of office in 2023.

The general manager of NIPOST’s Courier and Logistics Regulations Department in Ondo State, Oludotun Sounde, who stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, expressed concerns over the infiltration of illegal courier operators and logistics companies across major cities.

According to Mr Sounde, the activities of the illegal courier companies now pose a threat to national security and the economy, as they work out of car parks and private offices before luring unsuspecting Nigerians with ridiculously low prices.

Mr Sounde said unlicensed courier services lack structure for safe delivery and operate without accountability. He described their activities as a “national red flag” that should not be ignored.

“These unlicensed courier companies lack the infrastructure for safe and secure delivery. Worse still, they operate without any regulatory oversight or accountability, creating a major security loophole.

“They are putting customers at risk of loss, theft, or abuse of their parcels. Using an illegal courier service is like going to a quack doctor. It could also cost you dearly,” he said on Friday.

He revealed that the agency recently began a crackdown on the activities of the operators, locking up two illegal courier companies and confiscating three motorcycles used for their operations.

“One of the unlicenced operators was recently arrested for conveying firearms and hard drugs,” he hinted at the stakeholders meeting.

To stem the tide, Mr Sounde posited that every courier operator in the country must obtain an operational licence from the postmaster general to guide and streamline the operation of the logistics companies.

Mr Sounde, however, appealed to the public to be wary of cheap, untraceable services, stressing that a properly regulated delivery system is key to safeguarding the nation’s security and fostering economic progress.

Afederal court in the United States has delivered its final judgment in a tax fraud case involving Abuja-based politician Dumebi Kachikwu, The Peoples Gazette can report.

Mr Kachikwu was ordered to pay $2.1 million by Judge George Jarrod Hazel of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in Greenbelt, documents reviewed by The Gazette said. The January 2023 judgement was the final decision on the tax liability case brought by American authorities against Mr Kachikwu and his wife, Somachi, who was also ordered to pay parts of a separate $56,000 debt to the U.S. treasury. The Gazette previously reported the confiscation of Mr Dumebi’s assets in the U.S. as the case was underway in 2022.

Details of the judgement came as Mr Dumebi returned to public infamy with a campaign to claim ownership of the newly formed political coalition against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Opposition leaders recently adopted the African Democratic Congress to mount a robust challenge to Mr Tinubu, whose reign has been tainted by endemic corruption, abuse of power, and a sudden security collapse. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola and David Mark are among political leaders now associated with the new coalition, which was unveiled on Wednesday in the nation’s capital.

Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, David Mark
Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, David Mark
But no sooner had the alliance been announced than Mr Kachikwu launched a disinformation campaign, using incurious media outlets to spread unfounded claims that he owned the ADC infrastructure.

But The Gazette’s findings showed Mr Kachikwu was not even a member of the ADC’s national executive panel. His closest association to the party came in the run-up to the 2023 elections, when he used his ill-acquired resources to upstage Kingsley Moghalu as the party’s candidate.

Mr Kachikwu was accused at the time of hijacking the ADC to undermine the party from within as an agent of Mr Tinubu, who was running on the ruling All Progressives Congress’ platform at the time. Mr Kachikwu denied the allegations, but his public statements since the election have largely clarified his loyalty to Mr Tinubu.

Mr Kachikwu is a familiar guest on Lagos-based TVC, a broadcast network which Mr Tinubu runs with stolen Lagos funds. On Wednesday, he appeared on various political magazine programmes to castigate the opposition coalition as corrupt, geriatric and politically compromised.

“Dumebi Kachikwu is an agent of the president,” a senior ruling party official told The Gazette on Wednesday. “We’re happy to have him.”

Mr Kachikwu first made headlines in the mid-aughts when he was named as the facilitator of an international bribery scheme that led to the jailing of former U.S. lawmaker William Jefferson. The nefarious iGate-NDTV broadband deal impugned Nigeria’s reputation, anti-corruption officials said at the time.

It was unclear when he returned to Nigeria, settling in Abuja, where he cast a general reputation as a notorious wheeler-dealer. His brother, Ibe Kachikwu, publisher of fiendish magazines, served as the petroleum minister (state) under President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Kachikwu, who runs multimedia platform Roots TV, told The Gazette about his regular visits to the U.S., which he said were often posted on social media. But no such posts were found on his Instagram and Twitter pages.

He, however, sidestepped questions about his association with Mr Tinubu and the $2.1 million judgment outstanding against him in the U.S.

A presidential spokesman declined to comment on whether Mr Kachikwu had any ties to the administration. The president has long been known to plant agents in opposition parties.

In 2023, he used Nyesom Wike to sabotage the Peoples Democratic Party by plunging the party into perennial crises. Mr Wike was subsequently rewarded with a ministerial position, which he has mindlessly exploited to loot public assets for his family. Many of the crises remained unresolved until Mr Abubakar and others decided to join the new ADC coalition to maximise their prospects for 2027.

A spokesman for the PDP section of the coalition said the new alliance would be focusing on ousting the APC from power in 2027, rather than the ruling party’s antics.

“Nigerians know the antics of the APC,” Debo Ologunagba said. “We’re just going to focus on ending the madness that is APC in 2027.”

FORMER Minister of Transportation Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi on Wednesday said that Nigeria is completely destroyed and required a complete change.

Amaechi, who was a former governor of Rivers State, also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC of colluding to hijack the forthcoming elections in the country.

Speaking in an interview after the unveiling of the interim executive of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Abuja, the former Minister said that things have become so bad that Nigerians can’t afford to eat because there is no money to buy food, adding that inflation is at its peak.

Amaechi, who said that he resigned from the APC on Tuesday night, expressed surprised that he was not expelled from the party after he warned them not to send invitation to him for meetings.

Asked why he decided not to join and support the government, instead he is clamouring to change the government, he said: “No, it’s not about changing the government, if it is about changing the government, there is no need of changing the government, it’s about changing Nigeria.

“Nigeria is completely destroyed. People can’t eat. People can’t buy food. There’s no money to buy food. Everything is gone. Inflation is at its peak. And the federal government is busy going around trying to hijack the election. INEC is helping them to hijack the election.

“No, no, no. What must happen here is that we must start not just a party, but a movement, it must be a movement that brings in Nigerians to on their own take over government, not us.”

Reminded that he is part of the APC government and has spent two years in the party under President Bola Tinubu, he said said that he tendered his resignation from the party on Tuesday night.

He said: “I left APC last night. I never attended one meeting, last time they invited me I warned them. I said, if you invite me to any meeting anymore… In fact, I was surprised that I wasn’t even expelled because I warned them in writing, don’t even invite me to any meeting. You can’t be in a club where majority of people are stealing and you don’t say anything.”

Fielding question on what he thought was wrong with President Tinubu’s government that he was not supporting it, Amaechi said:

“I have never believed that Tinubu is a material to govern the country, I have never, because now, people want (Muhammadu) Buhari to come back. What happens in Nigeria is that when a new government takes over, it becomes worse than the previous government that makes people say let the previous government come back.

“People are asking for Buhari because things were better during Buhari’s administration. Dollar was I think ₦460 or five hundred and something now a dollar is one thousand five hundred and eighty, that is more than one hundred percent.”

Reminded also that some people may argue that the exchange rate may be a deliberate government policy, the former Minister said: “Whether it’s a deliberate government policy or not, any government that does not take into consideration the people you are governing is not a policy. President Tinubu said he is not here to make Nigerians happy.”

Asked if he was not being over ambitious, he simply said, “I have the right to be ambitious, I am not over ambitious.”

Argentina’s ailing economy has shown strong signs of recovery, recording a 5.8 per cent GDP surge in the first quarter of 2025, as opposed to the 1.6 per cent in Q1 2024, under President Javier Milei’s “chainsaw” approach to curb excessive government spending.

Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census on Monday revealed that the Argentine GDP now stood at 5.8 per cent, a staggering turnaround from the same period in 2024, when it shrank by 1.7 per cent.

Indec attributed the GDP surge to investment and private consumption, which grew by 31.8 per cent and 11.6 per cent respectively. Although exports rose by 7.2 per cent, its impact was swallowed up by imports, still standing at 42.8 per cent.

The economy of Argentina, battered by inflation so severe that prices of items were constantly adjusted at supermarkets, has begun to stabilise, figures from the data institute showed nearly two years after Mr Milei’s election.

Mr Milei’s austerity measures saw him devalue the peso, shrink government ministries and sell off two national aircraft.

He also slashed the number of official vehicles and drivers by half to reduce government spending.

In December 2023, the Argentine president announced his decision to fly commercial aircraft to set an example for cost-cutting and further reduce government expenditure.

At least five people have been killed and over a dozen others seriously injured following an explosion suspected to be caused by a military-grade mortar bomb in Kano State.

The deadly blast, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, triggered widespread panic among residents and drew a swift response from emergency teams, including security agents and medical workers.

The State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, confirmed the tragic loss of lives and revealed that a trailer transporting what is believed to be a military ordnance may have been involved.

“I received a call that something serious had happened. When I arrived, I found that it was a suspected explosion, possibly a military mortar bomb. Fifteen people were injured, and unfortunately, five died,” he said.

He explained that the injured victims were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.

“The situation is still under investigation, but we understand the vehicle involved may have come from Yobe State,” he added.

The police chief further disclosed that early findings point to a trailer suspected of transporting the explosive device, although it remains unclear whether the vehicle belonged to military personnel or private contractors.

“Preliminary findings suggest the explosive material was being transported by a trailer, but it remains unclear whether the vehicle was carrying military personnel or contractors,” he said.

Commissioner Bakori noted that the authorities had not yet confirmed the exact cause of the explosion or identified the ownership of the explosives.

“Security agencies are currently investigating the incident. The facts will be clearer once the investigation is completed,” he stated, while appealing to the public to remain calm.

This is coming a day after a suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber also detonated an explosive device at a crowded fish market in the Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, killing at least 10 civilians and injuring seven others.

The deadly blast occurred at the popular evening market, which attracts hundreds of local traders and residents.

According to security sources, it was learnt that the assailant disguised as a civilian and mingled with the crowd before detonating the explosive.

“The suicide bomber also died in the blast,” Makama stated.

“The Nigerian Army troops and emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the scene, and the injured victims were evacuated to a nearby medical facility for treatment.”

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and chaos following the explosion, with victims lying motionless and others crying for help as smoke filled the air.

Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina has officially declared June 14, 2025, as “Igbo Day” across the state.

The proclamation honours the vibrant Igbo community, whose roots trace back to southeastern Nigeria.

With thousands of Igbo residents—some having lived in the state for over half a century—the community has become an integral part of North Carolina’s social, economic, and cultural fabric.

In a statement signed by Governor Stein, he stated that Igbos in North Carolina are involved in many charitable causes and have contributed significantly to their economy.

According to him, they thrive in education, law, medicine, information technology, and the arts, and they continue to enrich our communities in countless ways.

The proclamation also highlights the establishment of the nonprofit Igbo Day Festival Organisation in 2022, which launched the first Igbo Day Festival on July 10 of that year.

The group’s mission is to educate the broader public on Igbo traditions through art, music, language, and communal values, while fostering a strong sense of identity among younger generations.

He noted that beyond cultural preservation, the Igbo community has demonstrated a strong commitment to civic engagement and philanthropy.

According to him, they have volunteered in local schools, supported food pantries, cleaned up highways, and participated in outreach initiatives at women’s shelters and hospitals.

The statement read, “WHEREAS, there are thousands of Igbo people in North Carolina, some of whom have lived here for over fifty years.

“WHEREAS, the Igbos are committed to preserving and promoting their rich cultural heritage from Nigeria. Igbos in North Carolina are encouraged to connect, celebrate, and support one another, fostering a strong sense of unity, bonding, and belonging; and

“WHEREAS, the Igbo community aspires to create an environment where their members thrive, traditions flourish, and their contributions to society are recognised and valued. Through their collective efforts, the Igbo community aims to inspire future generations to embrace their identity and to foster a strong sense of belonging and purpose within North Carolina.

“WHEREAS, in 2022, the Igbo North Carolinians established the nonprofit Igbo Day Festival Organisation to unite and educate Igbo families and North Carolinians about Igbo culture, art, music, and traditional values; the first Igbo Day Festival was held on July 10, 2022.

"WHEREAS, their vision is to be a thriving community that not only honours and promotes the rich heritage of the Igbo people of Nigeria in North Carolina, but also serves as a beacon of unity, support, and cultural pride.”

“WHEREAS, Igbos in North Carolina are involved in many charitable causes and have contributed to the economy; they have participated in elections and excel in various careers, including those working for the State of North Carolina and the federal government, thrive in fields such as education, entrepreneurship, law, medicine including roles as doctors, nurses, pharmacists information technology, and art,” he said.

Stein stated, “WHEREAS they have volunteered in local schools, adopted a highway in North Carolina to aid cleaning efforts, supported women's shelters and hospitals, organised food pantry drives, and participated in cultural performances at local festivals.

“WHEREAS, Igbos in North Carolina are dedicated to ensuring the sustainability of Igho culture by creating cultural awareness for future generations;

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSH STEIN, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2025, as "IGBO DAY" in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.”

Tunde Bakare, an APC politician and pastor of Citadel Global Community Church, says that despite Bola Tinubu’s well-documented narcotics, forged academic records, and shady identity scandals, God still made him Nigeria’s president.

“I said, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, with all the intellect and everything he did to be president of Nigeria, he didn’t make it. Look at his achievements and accomplishments. MKO, my God! He spent and was spent. Participated in an election. He won the election. They nullified it, and he never became president.

“You (Mr Tinubu) with all your excess baggage. I’m not trying to polish anything. I said I could not withstand what you withstood—cocaine, forged certificate, no father, no mother. Yet you won and was sworn in as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Now that God has given it to you, don’t play God,” Mr Bakare, in a snippet of a recent video of his sermon seen online over the weekend, said,

The politician cum pastor compared Mr Tinubu to the biblical lame in the book of Isaiah Chapter 33, warning the president not to play God.

“One of the things I told him (Mr Tinubu), please listen attentively, is that in Zion, the bible makes it plain the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king. He will save us. The judiciary, legislative and executive arms are vested in God.

“But, in the same passage, it says all the habitants of Zion shall be well. None of them shall be sick. But it is the lame that will take the prey. He said I don’t understand that. I said, ‘I will explain it to you’. You are the lame, Mr President. I will never say publicly what I’ve not said privately,” Mr Bakare told his congregants.

Bayo Onanuga, the spokesperson for Mr Tinubu, did not respond to Peoples Gazette’s request for comments on Mr Bakare’s statement.

Mr Tinubu’s involvement in narcotics trafficking saw him forfeit $460,000 to the U.S. government in 1993. That episode formed a large part of calls for his disqualification from running for the office of president.

In 2022, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois released fresh documents holding Mr Tinubu’s encounter with American authorities over allegations of narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

Similarly, Mr Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate forgery scandal made the rounds as opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar approached the court to compel CSU to release Mr Tinubu’s academic record. However, the Supreme Court rejected the document, affirming Mr Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.

A few months ago, Nasir El-Rufai, the former Kaduna governor, admitted that he and others supported Mr Tinubu’s presidential bid despite being aware of his Chicago cocaine and certificate forgery scandals.

MultiChoice Nigeria’s subscription revenue declined by 44 per cent to $197.74m in the financial year ended March 2025, down from $355.93m recorded in the same period a year earlier, as rising inflation and a worsening economic climate triggered a mass exit of subscribers.

The sharp revenue drop was driven by “sizeable customer losses in Nigeria as high inflation adds more pressure on consumers,” the company said in its latest financial report. Inflation stood at 23.71 per cent in April 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The pay-TV provider has lost 1.4 million subscribers in Nigeria since its financial year ended in March 2023.

Nigeria alone accounted for 77 per cent of the 1.8 million subscribers lost across MultiChoice’s Rest of Africa segment, which includes markets such as Kenya, Zambia, and Angola.

Between April and September 2024, the company lost 243,000 subscribers in Nigeria, as macroeconomic and consumer conditions deteriorated further.

At the close of its 2025 fiscal year, MultiChoice reported 14.5 million total subscribers, with 7.5 million of them in RoA. The group attributed part of the overall decline in performance to foreign exchange losses resulting from a 44 per cent depreciation of the naira against the US dollar.

MultiChoice said it incurred foreign exchange losses of $158.19m and managed to remit only $133m from Nigeria at an average exchange rate of N1,589 per dollar, compared to $184m at N1,044 per dollar in the previous year.

“Nigeria’s economic challenges had a significant impact on our Rest of Africa operations, contributing to a 23 per cent drop in RoA subscription revenue to $779.66m,” said Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Group, Calvo Mawela.

Total subscription revenue, including South Africa, declined by 11 per cent year-on-year to $2.27bn. Overall group revenue fell nine per cent to $2.87bn, while operating profit declined by 34 per cent to $263.50m. Trading profit dropped by nearly half to $228.14m.

“Our performance reflects both the challenges we’ve faced and the resilience of our teams,” said Mawela. “While macroeconomic pressures and currency volatility have weighed on our results, our disciplined execution, cost management, and investment in new long-term growth opportunities position us well for the future.”

In spite of its declining linear subscriber base, down 2.8 million across two financial years, MultiChoice reported notable growth in its digital and streaming businesses.

DStv Internet revenue rose 85 per cent, KingMakers grew by 76 per cent in constant currency, DStv Stream increased 48 per cent, and Showmax saw a 44 per cent year-on-year rise in active paying customers.

“Our strategy is shaped by developments in our industry, such as changes in technology which are driving shifts in consumer behaviour, as well as the impact of a rise in piracy, streaming services, and social media,” Mawela said.

Despite its global attention and cultural significance, the 2025 edition of the Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, again struggled under the weight of poor organisation, outdated infrastructure, and subpar hospitality. What should have been a world-class celebration of Yoruba heritage became yet another case study in how not to host an international cultural event.

Each year, shortly after the end of Eid al-Fitr, the city of Ijebu Ode becomes the focal point of Yoruba cultural expression. The Ojude Oba Festival, originally a simple post-Ramadan tribute by early Muslim converts to the Awujale (the traditional ruler of Ijebu land), has grown into a dazzling display of pageantry, identity, and communal pride.

Today, it draws crowds from around the world, inspires millions of social media interactions, and is even being proposed for UNESCO cultural heritage status. But as its visibility increases, so do its flaws.

Global attention, local dysfunction


PHOTOCREDIT: Covenantphotography
The transformation of the Ojude Oba Festival over the decades is impressive. From its humble beginnings, it has evolved into a major cultural occasion, bringing together religious devotion, fashion, traditional authority, and commerce. One of the most anticipated features is the parade of Regberegbe (age-grade groups), elegantly dressed participants, and horse-riding nobles in colourful procession.

Recent editions have drawn global interest, especially following viral moments such as Farouq Oreagba’s iconic appearance in 2024, which positioned Ojude Oba as both a cultural and fashion statement. These developments have added international flair to the event.

But popularity alone isn’t progress. In 2025, it became even clearer that the festival’s infrastructure has not caught up with its rising profile.

A city unprepared


The primary venue — the Ojude Oba Arcade, located within the Awujale’s palace complex — is no longer sufficient to hold the swelling crowds. This year, several attendees fainted due to overcrowding and heat stress. Access routes were jammed, and the absence of crowd management made movement risky.

As someone who travels to document African heritage events, I found it nearly impossible to capture quality footage or enjoy the visual elements of the festival due to the suffocating congestion. The festival is now struggling to accommodate the very attention it has attracted.

Equally troubling was the city’s road network, which remains in poor condition. Streets filled with potholes and dust made commuting within Ijebu Ode a test of endurance — especially for elderly guests or pregnant women.

An embarrassing lodging experience

My accommodation experience at Skoley Suites Hotel was a personal low point. The establishment, a converted residential block, charged ₦25,000 per night for a room that lacked running water, food service, and basic customer care. After spending the day filming under the sun, I returned to discover there was no water to bathe, flush, or even wash my hands. The explanation: “the water pump wasn’t working.”

For an event that aspires to international recognition, the hospitality sector remains embarrassingly underdeveloped. If such experiences happen to local journalists, one can only imagine the frustration of foreign guests who expect better.

Economic Gains, But at What Cost?


There’s no doubt the Ojude Oba Festival brings significant income to the local economy. Hotels fill up early. Transporters, vendors, entertainers, and artisans enjoy booming business. The city is momentarily transformed into a marketplace buzzing with activity.

Yet this commercial success is not matched by meaningful reinvestment. There are still too few hotels that meet acceptable standards. Basic infrastructure remains poor. Emergency services are stretched thin. And the city, despite its festive glow, feels more overwhelmed than organised.

The Path to Progress


If Ojude Oba is to be a genuine contender for UNESCO recognition or any global tourism accolade, it must embrace long-overdue reforms. Cultural pride is not enough — proper planning and professional execution must follow.

Here are steps that must be taken before the 2026 edition: Expand the venue: A larger, purpose-built arena outside the palace would better accommodate the growing crowds.

Decentralise activities: Spreading festivities across neighbourhoods would reduce congestion and offer visitors a more intimate experience.

Invest in hospitality: Ijebu Ode needs more standard hotels and trained service providers to handle the influx of guests.

Improve road networks: Visitors shouldn’t need to endure dangerous, broken roads just to attend a cultural celebration.

Professionalise logistics: Crowd control, medical response, media access, and general coordination must be upgraded.

Final Thoughts


The world is watching. And while the vibrant costumes and captivating parades continue to impress, they are not enough. Ojude Oba must grow beyond aesthetics. It must prove that it is not only culturally rich, but also structurally sound.

With 365 days until the next edition, Ijebu’s elites, public officials, and festival planners have an opportunity to rewrite the narrative. Let us not wait for a tragic incident to spur change. The time to act is now.

Tope Fasua, an economist and special adviser to the president on economic affairs, has accused Nigerians of hiking prices of goods and services and causing inflation to make President Bola Tinubu’s government look bad.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Mr Fasua argued that Nigeria’s inflation orchestrated by citizens to portray the government in bad light.

“I’ve been hammering on this for the past three months because I know Nigerians. Inflation peaked at 34.8 per cent because everybody has hiked prices of everything,” Mr Fasua said.

He added, “I kept insisting back in the day that our inflation was driven by other forces different from orthodoxy…things that Adam Smith and the classical may not have imagined. Prices were increased based on whims. Sometimes increased because it will make the government look bad.”

Mr Fasua made this statement reacting to a social media post that an AP Petrol station at Maitama, Abuja, still pays its pump attendants N10,000 per month despite economic hardship.

Condemning entrepreneurs who have not reviewed their staff salaries despite minimum wage review, Mr Fasua said, “No so-called entrepreneur should be paying any staff at the same level as 2 years ago simply because they cannot protest or have no voice in social media. More of these situations should be pointed out wherever they exist please.”

In the past two years, Mr Tinubu’s dual policies of fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification have led to a significant increase in fuel prices, from N145 to over N1,000 and later to about N900, while the naira has collapsed from about N700 to a dollar to over N1,600 to a dollar.

Similarly, food prices, transportation, and living costs have risen astronomically due to Mr Tinubu’s economic policies.

With inflation at 24 per cent, a drop from 34 per cent after rebasing the economy under Mr Tinubu, Nigeria recorded the largest increase in acute food insecurity globally in 2024, according to the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises published by the Global Network Against Food Crises in collaboration with the Food Security Information Network and UNICEF.

The International Monetary Fund reported that poverty and food insecurity remained high under Mr Tinubu, while the World Bank’s Africa Pulse report of April 2025 also stated that Nigeria, under Mr Tinubu, has the highest number of extremely poor people globally, warning that more Nigerians will be plunged into poverty by 2027.

In a significant political move ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Minister of Environment, Barrister Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi, has tendered his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Barrister Abdullahi, who served under President Muhammadu Buhari, submitted his resignation letter on June 1 to the APC chairman in his Uke ward of Karu Local Government Area in Nasarawa State. The letter, which was also copied to other party officials, cited personal reasons for his departure.

Close to the former minister, Mr. Samuel Akala, confirmed the decision to reporters in Lafia and suggested that Abdullahi may announce a new party affiliation soon, with a view to contesting for the governorship of Nasarawa State in 2027.

In his letter, Abdullahi expressed gratitude for the opportunities and support received during his tenure with the APC. “I wish you and the party good luck,” the letter stated.

Abdullahi has a notable track record in the state, having previously served as Secretary to the State Government under former Governor Tanko Almakura, where he contributed significantly to state development.

His resignation has raised concerns within the state party, given his previous influence and substantial followership.

The skyrocketing cost of living in Nigeria has plunged many citizens into deep poverty, leading a growing number of Nigerians to abandon their pets as they can no longer afford to feed or care for them.

The St Mark’s Animal Rescue Foundation in Ajah, Lagos, has seen firsthand the emotional toll of Nigeria’s economic crisis, not just on people but also on their pets, according to a BBC report.

Preye Maxwell, an online media strategist who was recently laid off, tearfully said goodbye to his two-year-old American Eskimo dog, Hanks, as he surrendered him to the shelter.

“I can’t afford to take care of him. I can’t afford to feed him the way he should be fed,” Maxwell said, his voice breaking as he turned away, leaving the barking dog behind.

Maxwell, now caught in a frantic job hunt, admitted he barely has time for himself, let alone for his pet.

“I’m trying to get whatever I have to do to survive. I don’t even have the time now [to look after Hanks] because I’m always out looking for jobs,” he told the BBC.

His painful decision is becoming increasingly common in Nigeria, where a rising cost of living is forcing many to give up their pets.

Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office two years ago and removed a longstanding fuel subsidy, inflation has soared.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), inflation jumped from 22% in May 2023 to a 28-year high of 35% by December 2024.

Although it has since eased to 24%, according to the NBS, prices of commodities continue to rise, straining household budgets and prompting companies to downsize.

Dr Mark Afua, a veterinarian and chairman of the St Mark’s Animal Rescue Foundation, confirms a noticeable surge in the number of pet owners surrendering their animals—a trend the centre has not seen in the past decade.

“About 10 years ago when we started this project, we really didn’t have people giving up their dogs because they were unable to feed the dogs,” Dr Afua explained.

“Right now, we have 10, 12 animals being dropped in a month.”

The cost of imported pet food and medication has more than doubled, driven up by a weakened naira. Many pet owners simply can’t keep up and some have been forced to abandon their animals altogether.

Jackie Idimogu, an animal cruelty campaigner and president of the Lagos-based dog lovers’ community, My Dog and I, says she has witnessed this heartbreaking trend far too often.

“Now they don’t even have that patience [to find new owners]. They just tie the dog out to a post on the road or they just unleash it on the road,” Idimogu told the BBC.

Despite the financial strain, Idimogu, 32, refuses to part with her four dogs.

“I’m spending roughly N250,000 ($158; £117) every month on pets,” she said, noting the costs include dog walking and caregiving services.

“As a single lady, I have no kids of my own yet. My dogs are my babies. I don’t see any difference between myself as a dog mum and a human mum. I don’t think I have it in me to give up any of my babies for any reason whatsoever.”

To cope, she has scaled back on personal luxuries.

“I used to be flashy, but now I had to tone down because of my dogs,” she said, citing fewer spa visits and more modest hairstyles.

The financial burden is shared by cat lovers like Amartya Odanokende, also known online as “Jason the Cat Guy.”

A passionate feline advocate, Odanokende spends about $160 (about N253,000) a month feeding his five adult cats and kittens, plus $7 (over N11,000) on litter.

Since adopting his Prussian cats in 2020, his monthly pet expenses have doubled.

“The skyrocketing maintenance cost” is a serious concern, he admits, adding that he fears going into debt.

The squeeze is also being felt by pet owners like Iyke Elueze, a sales executive in Lagos trying to care for 10 dogs.

“There’s a particular brand of food I used to use. It was just about N30,000 then,” he said, adding that the same brand of dog food is now N165,000.

Celebrity chef Hilda Baci previously came under fire for featuring dog meat on a menu.

Ibrahim has cut costs by feeding her cats leftovers from her plate instead of tinned meals.

Her advice, “It’s just like having a child. If you can’t afford to have a child, then don’t bring a child to the world.”

Dr Afua continues to shoulder the burden of rising abandonments, funding the shelter with profits from his private veterinary practice.

The centre, built to house about 30 dogs, now cares for over 60.

“We try to help the animals get homes quickly but I’m careful [about] the homes they go to so they don’t come back. And some animals will never find homes because of previous abuse,” he said.

Asked if he would ever turn an animal away, he shook his head, and said, “I don’t have the heart to. As I speak, I have dogs and cats everywhere. My office and home is full – and I still make room for the next.”