Before the March 18, 2023 governorship elections, Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed; his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde and the PDP governorship candidate in Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, were widely believed to be heading for defeat, but all three who had been penciled for ‘dead’ emerged victorious, Kamal Ibrahim (Bauchi), Adebayo Waheed (Ibadan) and Felix lgbekoyi (Asaba) report.

Bala Mohammed Defies Opposition ‘Powers’ To Win Re-election

Bauchi State governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed was re-elected for another tenure of four years in the recent governorship election in the state against the wish of aggrieved political kingmakers in the state.


Two Bauchi former governors – Isah Yuguda and Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu; a former speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; former Wazirin Bauchi, Alh Muhammadu Bello Kirfi and a host of other heavyweight political gladiators collapsed into a single united front to scuttle the re-election bid of the Duguri-born Bala Mohammed.

They supported Bauchi APC governorship candidate, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (rtd) who came second at the end of the election with 432,272 votes.

However, following INEC’s declaration that Bala won his re-election without the clear support of those aggrieved Bauchi political heroes who are oftentimes seen to be capable of doing and undoing anything within the political spaces in Bauchi was shocking.

Governor Bala, in a write-up he personally signed and published on Thursday March 23, 2023 titled: “We will Not Be Distracted: Power Belongs to God” maintained that “I can understand the refusal of people who were never schooled in the tenets of democracy refusing to accept that the voters do not follow orders in choosing their leaders. I can sympathise with people whose over-bloated ego precludes them from accepting defeat. I can understand the disappointment of those whose pre-election utterances bothered on playing God but who have now been compelled to swallow the bitter reality that power belongs to God. But I cannot understand desperation and lies.

“We went into the elections without the security paraphernalia boasted or brandished by some of our opponents; we went into the elections without the resources, both internal and external that our opponents mustered, we went into the elections without any godfather, let alone an Armada of ‘kingmakers’ who arrogated to themselves the power to make and unmake leaders. Rather, we went into the elections trusting in Allah, who gives power to whom he chooses and takes it away from whom he chooses. It was in realisation of the omnipotence of Allah that I pledged, on the eve of the election, to accept the outcome of the exercise. Even now, I reiterate that position.”

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that the governor’s motivation were the physical infrastructure that his administration delivered to the people of Bauchi State in his first tenure. The projects, cutting across towns and villages, speak volume for the robust political commitment and mindedness Bala has.

A Bauchi-based political analyst, Abdul Yahaya, explained that the projects that incumbent Bauchi State governor was able to provide to the citizens ‘campaigned’ for him.

He said the successes recorded by the PDP during the presidential and national assembly elections placed the party’s governorship candidate on a competitive stage more than any of his opponents.

“The PDP won presidential elections in Bauchi and about eight or seven members of the national assembly out of 11 that Bauchi State has. This is in addition to two senators elected under the party.

“This political setup covering all possible areas and places in Bauchi greatly favours the party,” he said.

He added that given the religious support that the governor enjoyed from both Christians and Muslims, regardless of sect, helps him in securing re-election.

“The governor, mindful of the secular nature of the state, constructed churches and mosques in the same proportion. He sponsored pilgrims from both faiths without prejudice,” he stated.


Makinde Snatched Victory From The Jaws Of Lion

Though the 2023 general election has come and gone and the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde returned as the re-elected governor, it is not without the reservation of some people in the state, which primarily bothers on security of lives and property. The operators of his Park Management System (PMS) are in focus and pundits have suggested that he finds a way of injecting sanity in the affairs of the agency in this new and last term in office.

However, against all odds, the incumbent governor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged winner of the gubernatorial election conducted on March 18, 2023.

It was an election where all available permutations prior to the election pointed in the opposite direction of what the outcome was going to be.

The election, aside Makinde winning it, was unique as the gap with which he led the closest rival, Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was so wide that it turned out to be no contest in the real sense of the word. In fact, in the cycles of elections under the present democratic dispensation, such a gap between the winner and the runner-up had never existed. It was a flat beating.

It would be recalled that at the presidential and national assembly elections held on February 25, exactly three weeks before the election under reference, the PDP, though a ruling party in the state, only struggled to win four of the 14 House of Representatives seats available for the state while the APC won the remaining 10 seats. The three senatorial seats were cleared by the APC in addition to the APC winning the presidential election in the state.

With these results, it was concluded that the ruling party and its gubernatorial candidate, not minding the power of incumbency, would be beaten at the election.

But the bookmakers were wrong after all. The question now is what was the magic wand waved by Makinde to trounce his opponents?

It must first of all be established that the sophistication of the electorate in the state was very much at play as the expected bandwagon effect had no place in the election.

Ordinarily, one would have thought that the people would fall for the notion that since the APC would form the central government, having won the presidential and national assembly elections in the state three weeks earlier, the natural thing was for the state to be won by the APC in order for it to ‘belong’. Such a notion had no bearing with the generality of the people of the state.

The governor, a product of coalition of some political parties in 2019 primarily to wrest power and the state from the grip of the then outgoing governor and a member of the APC, the late Sen Abiola Ajimobi had fallen out with the majority of those who were part of the coalition.

Even his political party, the PDP had an axe to grind with him and to worsen the matter was the governor’s open disagreement with the party’s choice of presidential candidate for the election in person of Alh Atiku Abubakar.

Makinde was one of the five governors from the middle belt and southern parts of the country commonly referred to as ‘G5’ who insisted that the choice of Abubakar was in breach of the party’s principle of rotational presidency between the north and the south and that it would run against the cause of natural justice to keep silent and allow the injustice to stand.

While the face-off between the presidential candidate and the opposing governors lasted, it was reported that the presidential candidate of the APC and now the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in talk with them.

The result of the presidential election proved that in the state and it empowered the traditional members of the PDP in the state to make a resolve to pay Makinde back in his own coins by voting the opposition.

In the meantime, the opposition party candidate, Sen Folarin was formerly of the PDP and to switch allegiance to him by his former friends and PDP members who were aggrieved with Makinde’s style was effortless.

To compound the matter for the governor was the open declaration of support for the opposition by the living ‘Oracle of Oyo politics,’ the former governor of the state and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Sen Rashidi Ladoja.

The former governor was the arrow-head of the coalition that produced Makinde in 2019.

Though the statesman had on several occasions announced his exit from partisan politics, he still commands a cult-like political followership in the state.

It was the supporters which cut across different political parties that fired the first salvo, announcing their allegiance to the opposition before his open endorsement of Folarin of the APC as the anointed gubernatorial candidate for the election. Equally of importance and significance was the Adebayo Adelabu (Penkelemesi) factor. Here is a man who was the APC gubernatorial candidate in 2019 and narrowly lost to Makinde, but was forced to cross to the Accord Party with the denial of the APC gubernatorial ticket won by Folarin. Adelabu did not leave the party just as an individual, he left with his supporters who detest Folarin’s candidacy seen as usurpation.

With the aggrieved members of the APC, who supported and followed him to Accord, he was seen as the albatross of Folarin in the contest up till the time of presidential election and there were insinuations that he would be persuaded to step down for Folarin.

Adelabu did not step down for Folarin or anybody for that matter, but a few days to the March 18 election, his party apparatchiks in the state rebelliously announced their adoption of Makinde as the preferred candidate. He had to run to Abuja for safety and it was from the party headquarters in Abuja that his candidacy and the party’s participation in the election was confirmed.

A caretaker committee was hurriedly put in place to direct the party affairs and midwife the election in the state. But the damage had been done as his (Adelabu) performance in the election was abysmally low and very degrading too or how can one explain a candidate in an election losing his polling booth to the opposition?

How Makinde was able to do it to decimate a very strong contender within days to the election would be a very good study for political scientists in the future.

He was accommodating enough to be one of the early callers to congratulate the governor on his re-election.

Any keen follower of the political development in the state would have seen far ahead the danger of Makinde’s politics, especially to the APC candidate.

With the governor’s membership of the opposition G-5 within the PDP, he’s not seen as opposition by the APC which manifested during the campaign for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the state.

As crowded as the APC presidential standard-bearer schedule was on that day, he still found time to visit Makinde in Government House where he was said to have told the governor that he’s doing well. In the relationship between Makinde and the APC, one other factor that must not be glossed over is the antecedents of Folarin. Prior to the APC presidential primary election, Folarin was in the camp of Prof Yemi Osinbajo, the incumbent vice president, whose decision to participate in the primary election was seen as betrayal of Tinubu, regarded as his political mentor.

A school of thought was of the view that if Tinubu had been so committed to Folarin’s cause, Adelabu, who is seen as a Tinubu protege would have been persuaded to drop his ambition for the former Senate leader. So, there was the tendency that not a few members of the APC worked for Makinde as a compensation for Tinubu’s victory in the state.

The governor, whatever may be his shortcomings, bonded very well with the generality of the people of the state by his seemingly populist ideology.

Immediately he was sworn-in in 2019, he announced the abolition of the annual payment of N3,000 education levy by secondary school students in the state which the previous regime put in place for the maintenance of the schools.

A very workers-friendly governor, he also bonded well with the pensioners.

The gang-up against him towards the election elicited sympathy for him among the electorate, some of whom were free-thinkers politically.

In addition to all these, the factor of money was also of high significance as the governor, who has the control of the state treasury, deployed funds adequately for the election and the result justified it.


How Gov Okowa’s Preferred Candidate, Sheriff, Bounced Back

The presidential election where Peter Obi won 18 of the 25 local government areas of the state with a total number of 342,866 votes to defeat the PDP vice presidential candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa actually wrote off what was remaining in PDP in Delta State.

However, with the one week shift for the gubernatorial election, a lot of strategy was put in place and this time around, Okowa, also the speaker’s godfather, was not ready to lose out totally during the governorship election, so he did everything needed to to get victory for Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, the PDP guber candidate, for him to remain relevant politically and his choice eventually becomes the governor-elect of Delta State.

According to the state returning officer, Prof Abraham Georgewill Owunari, Sheriff Oborevwori won by polling 360,234 of the 687,121 total votes cast as against 240,229 secured by his major rival and the deputy Senate president, Ovie Omo Agege of the APC.

It is interesting to note that the governorship candidates of major political parties in the state were chosen from Delta Central, eminently populated by the Urhobos, a factor that truly influenced the election. This is because the PDP has always maintained a rotational method among the three senatorial zones in choosing its candidate since 1999.

After emerging victorious at the Supreme Court as the gubernatorial candidate of the party, other persistent legal battles against Oborevwori’s governorship candidate were described as an exercise in futility by the Federal High Court, sitting in Asaba a few days to the election.

The court in its resounding judgment in suit number FHC/ASB/CS/3/2023, filed by the opposition the APC, Chief Ikie Aghwarianovwe, aspirant against PDP, Oborevwori and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared that the plaintiff’s action was statute barred as it obviously violated constitutional provisions requiring action to be filed within 14 days from the date INEC published particulars of candidates in 2018.

Having survived the courts, as part of his campaign strategy, Oborevwori focused on the M.O.R.E agenda. It was so publicised as the most viable and bankable manifesto that genuinely sought to advance the socioeconomic, infrastructure and human capital development of the state and citizens.

In recognition of the important roles of traditional rulers in nation building, he paid a state-wide visit to royal fathers in the state where he pleaded with them to convince his subjects to support his ambition. Most of the monarchs actually keyed into the arrangements where they garnered support for him.

Apart from his clean political and public service records spanning over two decades, his visionary leadership style, unblemished integrity and uncommon humility and as the longest serving speaker since the creation of Delta State, he was able to get support from the electorate.

According to the executive assistant on Communication to Governor Okowa, Barr Latimore Oghenesivbe, “he is a respected political leader, a team player and an honest individual who peacefully and successfully managed the affairs of the Delta State House of Assembly in the past six years and counting, and therefore eminently qualified to govern Delta State as the right successor of the incumbent multiple award-winning governor and PDP vice presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.”

On the other hand, the speaker’s campaign team was able to sway the electorate that Senator Ovie Omo-Agege used his privileged position as deputy senate president to ensure the establishment of six federal projects, including the Nigerian Law School in his Urhomorhun village of Orogun town, obviously to the detriment of eight local governments in Delta central senatorial district.

The team also disclosed that two major projects, the Federal Polytechnic and the Nigerian Law School, as well as other projects were deliberately and mischievously smuggled to Orogun community by Senator Agege with nothing for other Ughelli North communities and seven local government areas that voted for him and his party in 2019.

The Zamfara State Government has approved the reinstatement of Aliyu Marafa, the suspended emir of Yandoto emirate who was asked to step aside following a public outcry after he appointed a notorious terrorist, Ado Aleru, the Sarkin Fulanin Yandoto.

PREMIUM TIMES last July exclusively reported the plan by the emirate to honour Mr Aleru, who leads hundreds of fighters to terrorize residents and motorists in Zamfara and other north-west states. The emirate council had said Mr Aleru would be turbaned as part of efforts to bring peace to the area.

He was eventually turbaned after which the state government, claiming it was not consulted, suspended the emir.

On Sunday, in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Kabiru Balarabe, the government said it took the decision to reinstate the emir based on the recommendations of the panel constituted to investigate the circumstances leading to the event.

He said the committee gathered that what the emirate council did was to forestall attacks and other terror activities.

“The committee found no evidence of any ill motive or collaboration between the Emir and the bandit.

“Based on the findings of the committee, the traditional title was conferred on the repentant bandit as part of peace-building efforts between the repentant bandit and banditry-affected communities in Tsafe and Gusau Local Government Areas, which include Yandoto town,” the SSG said in the statement.

Mr Balarabe said the reinstatement takes immediate effect.

Mr Aleru is one of the leaders of terror groups in north-west Nigeria.

He is known to operate in Tsafe local government of Zamfara and Faskari in neighbouring Katsina State.

His armed group is believed to be responsible for the recent abduction of 85 residents of the Wanzamai community.

Zamfara, like other states in north-west Nigeria, has witnessed several attacks by terror groups, locally called bandits.

Thousands of people have been killed or kidnapped by the groups in the past year.

A new app created by Twitter’s co-founder and ex-CEO as an alternative to the Elon Musk-owned platform has just launched a version for Android users.

Bluesky, created by Jack Dorsey, promises a future-thinking “social internet” that allows users more choices and frees people from platforms, according to its website.

The app, however, is still in development and only available to access through an invite code.

Dorsey began working on Bluesky as a side project in 2019 with funding from Twitter, and it was first rolled out to iOS users in late February.

Many users have said Bluesky’s current beta version is similar to a pared-down copy of Twitter, according to Tech Crunch.

Demand for the exclusive app has been growing, and the platform reportedly has about 20,000 users in its current form, the technology outlet reported.

Moving forward, the app developers hope to give users “algorithmic choice,” which would allow them to choose how content is fed onto their screens, instead of a one-fits-all algorithm controlled by the app developers.

Prophetess Silekunola Naomi, former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has described herself as a bride waiting to be dressed up.

She made this known in a recent interview with The PUNCH, following the celebration of her 30th birthday.

Daily Trust reports that Naomi and the monarch parted ways in 2021 after three years together.

In the interview, she said, “It’s a different thing to be single and it is a different thing to be ready to mingle. But what I can say for sure is that I am a bride waiting to be dressed up.

“I don’t know how God plans to do it because He is my event planner. But there is a big event waiting to happen (if you are) talking about that aspect of my life. Hmmm, you see this queen, it will take a strong king to get me; I am single.

“I love surprising people. I want it to come and let everybody just wow! The world should just wait; there is something huge and beautiful”

On whether there is a possibility of reconciliation with the Ooni, she said, “I am going to answer that question with a question. As I have been speaking to you for the past one hour, do I look like someone who can survive in the midst of six mature and strong women? No! She is but a soft, strong, gentle woman and I can’t be a square peg in a round hole.”

Since the February 25 presidential election, Nigerians have been waking up to one news or another concerning some of the most popular candidates.

One of such candidates is Mr. Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP.

It is no longer news that some of the presidential candidates have been accused of embezzling public funds, trading in narcotics and money laundering.

But Peter Obi who is dubbed “Mr Clean ”, is now facing myriads of controversies, especially from members of the opposition camps.

In 2021, a Pandora Paper investigation had alleged that Obi operated foreign bank accounts and operated shell companies incorporated in tax havens to launder public funds and dodge taxes.

The Pandora Papers is a leak of about 12 million documents that revealed hidden wealth and tax avoidance by some of the world’s rich and powerful men.

Obi said it was exhilarating that nowhere in the article was he accused of any form of corruption, whether in the form of diversion of public funds or in any other manner during and after his stewardship as the governor of Anambra State.

He explained that the allegation bordered more on tax avoidance and non-declaration of some jointly owned assets and it did not allege that he had been engaged in unlawful business ventures at any time.

However, these past months, there have been high-profile allegations about Peter Obi whose supporters tout the phrase, “go and verify.

DAILY POST highlights some of the allegations which some of his supporters have termed as ‘propaganda of calumny against Obi who came third in the presidential election.

Peter Obi’s alleged arrest

Professor Chinyere Okunna, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Paul University Awka, and a confidant of Peter Obi, last week narrated how Peter Obi was detained in London by UK immigration officials.

Okunna said Obi was detained over alleged impersonation. He was stopped and questioned for a long time and handed a detention note, directing him to wait for further interrogation and investigation.

According to Okunna, Obi learnt about the shocking development through a revelation by the Immigration Officer who told him that his identity was duplicated.

She, however, did not highlight the necessary details of Mr Obi’s subsequent release before returning to the country.

Adamu Garba, a former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had in reaction to the development, claimed that the APC-led federal government facilitated the release of Peter Obi from the detention cell in the UK.

Alongside a photoshopped image of a UK Immigration Officer, Peter Obi and Abike Dabiri, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Adamu asserted that Peter Obi’s travel documents were fake and he was rescued by Abike, a claim which was debunked.

Peter Obi and Bishop Oyedepo audio

In the past week, a leaked audio between Peter Obi and Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church has raised concern about the former Anambra Governor playing politics of ethnicity and religion.

In the audio clip, Mr Obi allegedly asked Bishop Oyedepo to help canvas for votes from Christians in the South-west and North-central parts of Nigeria.

Addressing him as “daddy”, the LP’s flag-bearer described the just concluded presidential election as a ‘religious war.

“Daddy, I need you to speak to your people in the South-West and Kwara, the Christians in the South-West and Kwara. This is a religious war,” Peter Obi allegedly said.

The leaked audio sparked controversy but Obi denied it, saying it was fake.

He also asked critics to provide evidence and added that his legal team would take appropriate legal action on the matter.

Lai Mohammed treason accusation

Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, accused Peter Obi of committing treason because he failed to correct a statement attributed to his running mate, Datti Baba Ahmed.

Datti had opined that the president-elect, Bola Tinubu did not deserve to be sworn in as Nigeria’s president because he wasn’t duly elected.

He insisted that Tinubu didn’t meet all the constitutional requirements for him to be declared the President-elect and that swearing him in would lead to an unconstitutional government.

Lai Mohammed reacted by saying that Datti’s statement was treason and it was inviting insurrection by inciting people to violence over the outcome of the elections.

Obi debunked his accusation, saying it was totally malicious and fictitious.

He stressed that he had never discussed or encouraged anyone to undermine the Nigerian state and had never sponsored or preached any action against the Nigerian state.

Chimaroke Nnamani accuses Obi of Bigotry

Following his defeat at the Enugu East Senatorial election, former governor, Chimaroke Nnamani accused Obi of playing wicked and dangerous politics.

He said Peter Obi had “set the Igbo political trajectory 24 years back”.

But, the LP flag-bearer said he believes that Nnamani must have mistaken him for someone else because he ran an issue-based campaign.

Challenging Nnamani to prove he portrayed ethnic, or religious bigotry,

Obi said it’s on record that he has been the only one who insisted not to be voted for based on any ethnic or religious link, but to be considered based on character, capacity, and compassion.

Speaking on the allegations, Dr Tanko Yususa, the Labour Party Presidential Council spokesperson, accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, of sponsoring a campaign of calumny on Peter Obi.

Tanko stressed that the attack is making Peter Obi more popular worldwide.

”Obi is more popular because of how they are raising issues about him. Whatever they are doing is making us more popular, people are seeing that it is a campaign of calumny, a negative campaign that does not hold water.

”For example, they started attacking his political party, trying to remove the Chairman from the party, trying to make sure there is a faction within the party, in an attempt to make sure that they weaken the structure, our candidate and the case we have in court.

”The APC is responsible for this. The other people in charge of the faction have been seen in pictures with Governor Abiodun of Ogun State, that is to show you that they are being sponsored. How did they get a SAN to represent them in a case? Do you know how much it is to get a SAN?

”Everything they are trying to do is to find a way of bringing down the popularity of Peter Obi but the more they try, the more he gets popular,” he told DAILY POST.

Also speaking, veteran Nigerian singer and activist, Charles Oputa, AKA Charlyboy told DAILY POST that the opposition APC will continue to fail in their bid to tarnish Peter Obi’s image.

”Na APC planted those people to take over the LP office. No matter the effort of APC to discredit or soil his integrity they cannot succeed. All these are propaganda and not the real truth.

”All these allegations about Obi have been debunked. We have people digging the truth, even the Oyedepo audio was cloned. They used AI to do it. People are aware that they used AI to manipulate the audio,” he stated.

A suspected informant of kidnappers, whose identity is yet to be known, has committed suicide in Kuje Area Council of Abuja.

It was also learnt that one other suspected kidnapper’s informant was arrested by the officers of the anti-kidnapping unit of the FCT police command.

City & Crime had reported that kidnappers on Sunday night invaded neighbouring Kasada village, a few kilometres away from Gaube, killing a man, Musa Abari, and abducting his pregnant wife, Huraira, along with five other villagers.

Confirming the suicide incident and the arrest to City & Crime on Tuesday, a member of the vigilante group in Gaube, said one of the informants was arrested at a football viewing centre in Gaube.

He said the deceased suspect, who upon sighting the anti-kidnap officers, and with no chance to escape, pulled out a knife from his body and stabbed himself in the stomach.

He said the officers later moved the suspect’s corpse into their pickup van and deposited it at Kuje General Hospital mortuary, while the other suspect was moved to the FCT police command.

City & Crime reliably gathered that the man, who was reportedly killed by kidnappers while trying to save his wife, was a school teacher at the Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School, Gaube.

Our reporter also learnt that the late teacher owned a football viewing centre in Gaube, where two of the kidnappers’ informants usually went to watch football matches.

There was no official response from the spokeswoman of the FCT police command, DSP Adeh Josephine, over the arrest of the suspects as at the time of filing the report.

MICHAEL AKINOLA

The 22-year old union between Pastor Joshua Ajagunigbala and his supposed wife, Rita Ajagunigbala, has collapsed in Ekiti State after a herbalist died on top of her during sex romp in a hotel.

P.M.EXPRESS reports as was disclosed by Pastor Joshua at the Ekiti State Customary Court after he filed a divorce suit seeking for the dissolution of the marriage with Rita on the grounds of adultery.

The petitioner, Pastor Ajagunigbala, during the hearing prayed the Court to dissolve the union on the ground of adultery and the custody of his children be given to him.

In evidence, he told the Court that he had not paid the dowry of the respondent and they had lived together for more than 22 years and had children.

He also informed the Court that it was the third time he had taken her to Court on the ground of adultery, stating that the respondent in 2017 started having an illicit affair with a herbalist called Ifidayomi a.k.a Ejiogbe, who is now late.

He narrated that the Herbalist died on top of the respondent while having sexual intercourse in a hotel at Ikere-Ekiti on 2nd January, 2023, which led to a commotion and made thugs to destroy his house and his church at Ikere.

He lamented that her action led to his suspension by his Church authority and because of this, he is no longer interested in the union and pleaded with the Court to dissolve the union and give him custody of his children.

Mrs. Ajagunigbala, in response, admitted having sexual relationship with the late herbalist. She stated that her relationship with the Herbalist was because of lack of care from the petitioner. She said that she had been the one responsible for the feeding of the children and their school fees. She claimed that she had incurred so much debt, which the late Ejiogbe helped her to offset.

During the hearing, the Court noted that their marriage was illegal because payment of dowry was not involved in the union as such there was no marriage to dissolve.

The President of the Court, Mr. Joseph Oyedele, while declaring judgment on the matter, held that there was no legal customary marriage between the two of them, adding that they are free to go their separate ways.

He said, “Having gone through all the oral evidence presented before this Court, it was discovered that there was no legal customary marriage between parties herein and there is no marriage available between parties to dissolve”.

“The Court hereby order that the parties are now free to go on their own without disturbing the peace of each other.”

The Court ordered, the petitioner, Mr. Ajagunigbala, to take full responsibility of the welfare and education of the last two children the union produced because they are still minors.

“On the issue of the custody of the children, the Court can only order on the last two children of the marriage because they are yet to reach the age of majority. The first two children are free to decide under whose care they can live between the two parties because they are no longer minors.”

“However, the Court order that the last two children of the association (Olarewaju and Victoria Ajagunigbala) are to be with the petitioner and the petitioner is to be responsible for their welfare and education[/b].

Preparatory to the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June, the management of the nation’s legislative institution, has set machinery in motion for the induction of the 469 federal lawmakers-elect next month.

According to a statement signed by the Chairman of the sub-committee on Media and Publicity, Ali Barde Umoru, in Abuja on Thursday evening, the induction programs for the federal lawmakers will commence on Sunday, May 7, 2023, for batch A while those in batch B, will have theirs from May 14 to May 20, 2023.

The Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambuwal, as disclosed in the statement, said it has put all the required machinery on ground in terms of central and sub-committees for seamless induction. programmes for all the federal lawmakers-elect.

The statement disclosed that the objective of the induction/ inauguration exercise is to expose Senators and members-elect to the functions of the National Assembly, its Practices and procedures as well as the services available to them.

The statement titled: NASS MGT READY FOR INDUCTION, INAUGURATION OF SENATORS,
MEMBERS-ELECT”, reads in part: “Following the conclusion of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, and the formal release of the authentic list of Senators and
Honourable Members-elect by the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC), the Management of the National Assembly, in conjunction with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) is now fully prepared for the induction of the MembersElect of the 10th Assembly ahead of the inauguration in June 2023.

“The Induction programme, which will be held in two batches, is scheduled to commence from the 7th to 13th of May 2023 with Batch A, while Batch ‘’B’’ will hold from May 14th to May 20th, 2023.

“The objectives of the Induction/Inauguration exercise is to expose members-elect to the functions of the National Assembly, its practices and procedures as well as the services available to them.

“As part of the efforts to ensure a very successful Induction/ Inauguration exercise, the Management led by the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Alh. Sani Magaji Tambawal has constituted a Central
Planning Committee (CPC) is made up of all the Secretaries in the National Assembly Service. Membership was also drawn from the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and the National Institute for
Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).

“The CPC, which is at the helm of the planning and implementation of the induction program as well as the formal inauguration of the 10th Assembly, has the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly (DCNA), Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana as Chairman.”

The Rivers State Government has agreed to an out-of-court settlement with the Federal Government on the backlog of stamp duty owed to the state.

The approval for the state to withdraw the case was granted by the state House of Assembly during plenary on Thursday.

This came as all 36 states of the federation are exploring out-of-court settlement over a case filed at the Supreme Court on the refund of funds collected as stamp duties from the state governments and the payment of five per cent consultancy fee.

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Ikuinyi Awani-Ibani, on Thursday, read a letter from Governor Nyesom Wike seeking the approval of the House for the payment of the consultancy fee which will be deducted from source.

The lawmakers said the approval for an out-of-court settlement would help to fast-track the refund of all funds collected as stamp duty.

The leader of the House, Martins Ameawhule, explained that the approval would be beneficial.

He stated, “We have looked into the merits and demerits of this. I think that if the consultants were engaged and they need to be paid, we can go ahead to pay the consultants; so that we can access our funds. They would have played certain roles that would make them be in a position to receive the percentage of the funds accruing to the state.

“Mr Speaker, I want to say that we proceed to grant approval for this request so that our state will be part of what other states have agreed to enable these funds get to Rivers State as quickly as possible.”

The political landscape is not bereft of high-powered drama. From one party to the other, the infractions have been intriguing and melodramatic. Two days ago, it was the Labour Party. Just as it happened some months ago with the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), cracks in the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, widened after a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, Dr. Salihu Lukman, gave a one-week ultimatum to the national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, to render account on how he used over N30 billion of the party’s fund.

In September, last year, some NWC members of PDP had written to the party’s erstwhile chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, informing him of their decision to return the housing allowance paid into their accounts. The party’s crisis continued even after the general elections, culminating in Ayu’s removal from office last month in deference to a court order.

In similar vein, signs that the centre may no longer hold for long in the ruling party emerged yesterday when Lukman, who is the National Vice Chairman (Northwest), in an open letter to Adamu titled: ‘Restoring Constitutional Order in APC – Not Negotiable,’ claimed that mismanagement of over N30 billion were proceeds from the sale of nomination forms to aspirants that vied for various elective seats in the recently held general elections.

According to him, it was embarrassing that after one year in office, Adamu is yet to have a regular National Executive Council (NEC), National Caucus or National Advisory Council (NAC) meetings.

He further alleged that the functions of the aforementioned organs and the decisions expected from them based on the Constitution of the party had been usurped by Adamu, in consultation with the National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, adding that the duo of Adamu and Omisore were running the APC NWC like their personal estate.

The Kaduna-born politician said he finds it very difficult to comprehend why APC is not holding meetings of party organs to facilitate smooth transition from the current government of President Muhammadu Buhari to the incoming administration of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He alleged: “As a member of NWC, we have never had any session where we were invited to consider any report of activity in the last one year. Yet, Article 13.4(ii) of our Constitution require that the NWC submit quarterly reports to NEC. We have never deliberated on any financial report even when Article 13.4(iv) require that we present quarterly financial reports to NEC. We have never deliberated on a national budget although Article 13.3A(xiv) require that we present one to NEC and get approval.

“Perhaps, inability to hold quarterly NEC meetings as provided under Article 25.2(i) of the party’s constitution may be the excuse for not having quarterly reports of activities, quarterly financial reports, and national budgets

“With respect to national budget, the closest we came to was when the April 8, 2022 NEC approved the cost for nomination forms for 2022 elections. No proposed expenditure of any kind was presented to any organ of the party apart from the budget for the June 2022 National Convention, which was presented to the NWC on the eve of the June 2022 National Convention.

“Similarly, no report has been rendered to any organ, including the NWC about any revenue received by the party. It is, however, speculated in the media that the party was able to generate over N30 billion from sales of nomination forms to aspiring candidates for the 2023 elections. Our state structures and other lower organs, which statutorily are entitled to shares of the party’s revenue were given very negligible amounts without allowing any organ of the party, including the NWC to make input into what was paid to the states.

“Large scale financial expenditure is being undertaken without any organ of the party, including the NWC not being allowed to perform any form of statutory due diligence. The National Secretariat has been undergoing large-scale renovation and both the costs and details of the contract are not provided to any organ of the party, including the NWC.

“Apart from very clearly unambiguous constitutional directives to the NWC with respect to our responsibilities to NEC and other superior organs, there are other functions such as requirement for electoral guidelines and regulations governing the conduct of elections for party offices at all levels as provided under Article 13.4(vi) of our constitution.

“This is a responsibility given to NEC, and given the outcome of the 2023 elections, which gave us majority in both chambers of the National Assembly, it is required that NWC develop proposals for the consideration and approval of NEC.”

With about six weeks to the inauguration of the new government, there is no indication that any proposal is being developed. In fact, no indication that a NEC meeting is being contemplated before May 29, 2023.

“Therefore, by this open letter, I am serving you notice of one week from today, being April 19, to take all the appropriate steps required to convene a NEC meeting before May 29, wherein all the issues bordering on the management of smooth transition between the outgoing government of President Buhari and the incoming government of Tinubu can be considered.

“If by the end of this one-week notice, no action is taken to convene a NEC meeting as the first step to restore constitutional order in APC, I will not hesitate to take further actions, including approaching our courts to enforce compliance with the provisions of our party’s Constitution under your leadership. This is not negotiable!”

Efforts to get the reaction of Adamu failed to yield any result. Also, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, was yesterday evasive and declined to comment on the leadership crisis rocking the party.

HOWEVER, the National Vice Chairman (Southwest) of APC, Isaac Kekemeke, said the position of Lukman does not indicate any form of crack in the party’s NWC. He also dismissed insinuations that the party is planning to remove the national chairman based on Lukman’s observations.

He said: “Let me say that Lukman is my very good friend, and he has contributed seriously to the growth of this party as a progressive institution. I also respect him as an activist politician and a defender of what he believes in. I do not agree that our internal challenges cannot be resolved internally.

“There is no crack in the NWC. The committee is composed of knowledgeable people, and we may not be thinking the same way. We are not supposed to be unanimous in our perspective in the way you imagine.

“Those who created the body did so with the aim to bring together people who will disagree to agree. It is normal for people to think differently just like Lukman did, but by the time we will meet, the majority will have their way.”

On the zoning of principal offices of the National Assembly, Kekemeke said: “The zoning of the National Assembly offices is something very technical and we need to pay attention to it because there are many critical stakeholders. We have the president-elect and vice president-elect, who are going to work with the lawmakers. We also have the National Assembly members themselves and we have the Progressives governors. The zoning of the principal officers of the National Assembly is not what the NWC alone can do or should do or will be allowed to do. I am aware that some background consultations are ongoing and in due course, a meeting will be called to address this.”

Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain defender, Achraf Hakimi’s mother, Saida Mouh has reacted to the rumours that her son’s fortune was transferred into her name, saying she was not aware of any arrangement.

The social media was agog last weekend as Hakimi’s wife Hiba Abouk, following their formal separation, discovered that she could not claim half of her ex-husband’s assets because they are in his mother’s name.

While the issue has attracted mixed reactions across the globe, Hakimi’s mother, Mouh broke the silence on Wednesday, as she told Moroccan media that her son did not inform her of such a transfer, according to Morocco World News.

Mouh said, “If he has taken any action to protect himself, I’m unaware of it. What’s the problem if the news is true? If my son does not do this, he will not be able to get rid of that woman [Hiba Abouk].”

According to recent reports, Abouk will not get any assets from Hakimi’s fortune because everything is registered under the Moroccan footballer’s mother’s name.

Spanish news outlet Marca reported last Friday, that Abouk was requesting half of Hakimi’s property and wealth but she discovered that he has nothing to his name.

According to the same source, Hakimi’s mother has been receiving his wages in her bank account for some time, and she is the sole beneficiary of his income and wealth.

The Moroccan international and the Spanish-Tunisian actress Hiba Abouk divorced last month.

Hakimi is one of the most expensive players in Africa and is regarded as one of the world’s best right-backs.

The management of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has announced plans to introduce train and electric bus services to tackle transportation challenges in the institution.

The vice chancellor of the institution, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), who announced this during an interactive session with journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State, said the electric bus will be home-grown.

He added that the institution will also introduce train services to ease the transportation challenges being faced by students and staff.

Egbewole, who broke his fast with the newsmen, said that the institution was determined to resolve the transportation challenge once and for all.

“Aside from the effort which the institution is making on the railway transportation, we are also looking at electric bus transportation. The good thing about it is that this is home grown as few of our colleagues in the Department of Electrical Engineering are already working on that model and because we just released the Senate research grant, we are hoping that part of the grant will be used to work on that model,” Egbewole stated.

He added that in the interim, more buses would be injected into the university transportation system, adding that discussions had been held with some of investors that intend to introduce more buses on the road.

“Transportation problem has reduced because we have created, at least, within our campus and the university gate, a smooth ride. We are also looking at the government of Kwara State concluding the ongoing Tanke bridge project which we hope would further reduce the transportation challenge,” he stated.

Achraf Hakimi, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defender’s ex-wife, Hiba Abouk has finally broken the silence over her divorce from the Moroccan footballer.

According to Abouk, she was calm despite the rape allegation leveled against Hakimi, adding that she needs time to digest the shock.

It would be recalled that the PSG player was accused of rape in February which eventually led to divorce.

However, Abouk was shocked when she filed for fifty per cent of Hakimi’s property, only for her lawyer to discover that his wealth was in his mother’s name.

Abouk and Hakimi have two children, Amín, 3, and Naim, 1, together after the pair married in 2020, two years after meeting in 2018.

Speaking to ELLE on Wednesday, Abouk said, “I am fine. There are days when it is like this, and others in which you’ve to know how to take blows and make decisions, sometimes complicated, and get used to new situations.

“Who would’ve imagined that in addition to facing the usual pain that separation entails and accepting the grief that the failure of a family project to which I had given myself body and soul entails, I would’ve to face this ignominy? I needed time to digest this shock.

She further said “When you separate, you restructure your life, but it’s not anything special either: you’ve to take iron out of the matter.

“It’s true that, with two children, it is emotionally complicated, but I’m not the first and I will not be the last. The important thing is that I have the peace of mind of having tried and done everything I had to do.

“There are decisions that cannot be made overnight. For me, it’s a premise not to rush in moments of crisis.”

SIMEON EBULU,


NIGERIA has failed to fully service its debt to China which has accumulated to N110.31 billion in the last two years.
According to a Debt Management Office (DMO) Report, the China debt stock included the principal and repayment charges.

The DMO put the principal fee from January 2021 to December 2022 at N69, 009,417,500 ($153.85 million). It said the interest charges amounted to N41, 311,455,000 ($92.1 million).

The Federal Government were incurred for the completion of the Idu-Kaduna section of the Nigeria Railway Modernisation Project; the Lagos-Ibadan section of Nigeria Railway Modernisation Project and the Abuja Light Rail Project.

A breakdown of the data showed that in 2021, the Idu-Kaduna section’s principal fee was $38.46 million (about N17.25 billion) with $9.5 million (about N4.26 billion) as its interest. The Lagos-Ibadan section’s principal was not indicated, but the interest stood at $ 24.07 million (about N10.80 billion).

During the period, the Abuja Light Rail Project had its principal fee at $38.46 million (N17.25 billion) with an accumulated interest at $11.45 million (N5.14billion).

As at last year, the principal on Idu-Kaduna section was $38.46 million (N17.25 billion). The interest fee stood at $8.52 million (N3.82 billion).

The interest fee on the Lagos-Ibadan section was the highest. It stood at $28.06 million (N12.59 billion) with the principal amount not indicated. The Abuja Light Rail Project principal was $38.46 million (N17.25billion), with accumulated interest charges of $10.48 million (N4.70 billion).


The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has been able to generate N11, 606,737,070 in two years, despite not being able to service its N41.31 billion debt.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the sector realised N5,570,998,908 as revenue, which fell by N464,739,254 compared to the N6,035,738,162 generated in 2021.

In 2021, railway services generated revenue of N5, 697,512,095 from passengers, with goods realizing the sum of N299, 805,884 and other income receipts earmarked N38,420,183.

However, last year’s revenue indicated that N4,546,342,056 came from passengers, N416,856,190 was realized from goods and N607,800,662 was generated from other income.

While revenue generated from passengers fell last year, the goods and other income increased in productivity. Earlier, the NRC had identified insecurity as major impediment to the growth of rail services.

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), says he has lived in a most law-abiding manner all his life.

His comment comes in the wake of his reported detention at Heathrow Airport in London by UK immigration.

On April 12, LP announced that Obi was harassed and detained by London immigration officials over alleged impersonation.

The party said Obi was questioned for a “long time” and that it took the intervention of Nigerians for him to be released.

“He was questioned for a long time, and it was very strange for a man who lived for over a decade in that country,” the party had said.

“The high implication of the offence is that the impersonator could be committing all kinds of weighty crimes and other dubious acts and it would be recorded in Obi’s name.”

UK immigration remained silent about the incident, and Obi did not make an official statement regarding the development for almost a week.

However, in a Twitter thread on Tuesday, the LP presidential candidate said although “humans make mistakes,” he has never “knowingly” contravened the law.

Obi added that he is “not afraid of the lies and propaganda against my person” and has always known that the “journey to a New Nigeria” would be tough.

He then reiterated the cause of “regaining my mandate” and “transforming Nigeria starting from the North to every part of the nation”.

“I never expected the journey to a New Nigeria to be an easy one. The forces, who had over the years, lived off the old order, are bound to fight back, as is being experienced now,” the tweet reads.

“If they come at us through land, air and sea, we will respond to them through land, air and sea but, we will remain law abiding and will never give up on the nation. We are on the right path and we will remain committed to the course.

“I reiterate my commitment to building a Nigeria that will be beneficial to every Nigerian. The struggle to reclaim this mandate is not about me as a person but, about millions of Nigerians who placed their trust in me through their votes.

“There may be more mud-slinging from those who are against the emergence of the New Nigeria but, I would never be deterred by the obstacles along the way to victory. I have always lived my life in the most law-abiding manner.

“Sometimes as humans, we make mistakes but, I will never knowingly break any law. I am therefore not afraid of the lies and propaganda against my person. They are part of the journey to a New Nigeria.”

Obi finished third in the February 25 presidential election and has disputed the poll’s results and tendered a petition to the election tribunal.

Two candidates who seek to hold the third and fourth-highest offices in Nigeria are rumoured to be planning to bribe their fellow lawmakers with as much as $1 million each to get elected, officials have said.

Governors elected on the platform of Nigeria’s ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), stated this ‘rumour’ in a memo to the country’s newly elected president, Bola Tinubu.

The governors under the aegis of Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) said they were aware of ‘rumours’ that two lawmakers, one aspiring for Senate President and another for Speaker of the House of Representatives, have expressed willingness to offer between $500,000 and $1 million per lawmaker in exchange for votes.

Although they did not name the two candidates allegedly involved in the bribery scheme, they suggested the two candidates are members of the APC.

“Indeed, it is being rumoured that one aspirant for the Senate Presidency and another for Speakership are willing to offer as much as $500,000 to $1 million per vote. Opposition party members of the National Assembly are being courted with the likelihood of the 2015 situation presenting itself if care is not taken.

PREMIUM TIMES exclusively reported that PGF had in a memo called for the intervention of Mr Tinubu on the zoning of the principal offices of the federal parliament. The governors recommended a zoning formula for the offices.

According to the memo which is the outcome of a meeting held on 8 April, the governors warned Mr Tinubu that the “over-investment” by the aspirants may make zoning impossible if action is not taken quickly.

The governors noted that aspirants are offering newly elected lawmakers thousands of dollars for support, and some are willing to take the offer to a million dollars per vote.

“It is imperative that the President-Elect and the Party wade into this situation and announce an acceptable zoning formula as soon as possible. This is necessary to prevent over-investment by candidates, which leads to acrimony and bitterness. New Senators-elect and members-elect are being offered thousands of dollars.

“Indeed, it is being rumoured that one aspirant for the Senate Presidency and another for Speakership are willing to offer as much as $500,000 to $1 million per vote. Opposition party members of the National Assembly are being courted with the likelihood of the 2015 situation presenting itself if care is not taken,” the memo reads in part.

Composition of National Assembly

The ruling APC had after the 25 February election, emerged as the party with the majority in the 109-member Senate with its 57 elected senators.

However, it has yet to form a comfortable majority in the 360-member House of Representatives as it currently has about 162 members-elect.

Seven other parties with membership in the 10th session of the House have about 163 members-elect.

The numbers are expected to increase after the supplementary elections held across the country on Saturday. The elections were held in 31 federal constituencies and five senatorial districts.

Both chambers of the National Assembly will be inaugurated in June during which the presiding officers will be elected.


History of vote buying in Nigeria

Nigeria’s electoral process has been marred by vote buying as politicians offer money to voters in exchange for votes.

Party primaries in Nigeria are also marred by allegations of vote buying, particularly if only delegates are allowed to vote in such primaries.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how a Peoples Democratic Party delegate, Tanko Sabo, gave millions of Naira to some people in his local government after serving as a delegate at the primaries.

Mr Sabo told reporters in Kaduna that he made so much money because he was a delegate to the state assembly, National Assembly, governorship and presidential primaries of his party.

A former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, last year, also alleged that aspirants at the APC presidential primary in June 2022 offered money to delegates.

Hoodlums guided by suspected armed security men on Saturday disrupted and snatched the ballot box at Umuarusi Amandugba hall in the Isu local government area of Imo state.

Vanguard was at the scene when about five thugs invaded the polling units at about 09:19 Am.

The thugs invaded the area despite the heavy presence of security men.

However, voters have expressed fears over the security armored vehicle patrolling the area before the snatching of the box.

One of them, who introduced himself as Chibuike, said: “We are afraid.

“You saw how they snatched the ballot box with security people around and you will know it was planned.

“We are afraid and we are not safe. How can an election be conducted with an armoured vehicle? This is wrong.”

Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) could be close to using delivery drones for attacks in the Lake Chad Basin. Weaponising and adapting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is a new trend in the group’s operational strategy, and could worsen the conflict.

Institute for Security Studies (ISS) research shows that ISWAP is already trialling delivery drones to carry improvised explosive devices. This includes assessing the weight that can be carried, how far they can go and how long they stay in the air. The threat goes beyond military targets and may impact humanitarian service delivery.

Ongoing operations by Nigeria’s military and clashes with Boko Haram faction, Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), have inflicted heavy losses on ISWAP and significantly reduced its space to operate. And successful intelligence-driven strikes resulting in arrests of ISWAP members outside the North-east are preventing the group from expanding. These setbacks may be forcing ISWAP to adapt its strategy, as it has done before.

So far, ISWAP’s use of drones has been limited to propaganda, surveillance and communication. ISS research, including analysis of publicly available propaganda materials and interviews with former combatants and associates, reveals an elaborate use of communication technology (see Chart 1). This includes satellite and android phones, drones, social media (Telegram and WhatsApp), high-speed printers, laptops, high-definition digital cameras, Wi-Fi, clip-on microphones, walkie-talkies, and data compression and archiving software.

All these tools are used by the media team headed by Abba Yusuf (Abu Rumaisa), son of late Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf. The team’s primary function is to showcase ISWAP as a successful jihadist group. That propaganda will encourage recruitment and present a positive image that cements its position as the top Islamic State affiliate globally. The media department also handles relations with other violent extremist groups, including Islamic State.

Former ISWAP members, including from the media unit, told ISS how the department functions. Staff are recruited from within the group and taught the basics of operating the equipment, mostly cameras. They accompany fighters and wait at a distance to be invited to take photos and videos, usually when things go ISWAP’s way.

The raw footage and pictures are sent to Islamic State, which produces the propaganda material. The group shares the content with ISWAP’s media team, which distributes it through a private and members-only Telegram account, Nashir News Agency (see Chart 2).

ISWAP relies heavily on high-speed satellite internet to communicate with Islamic State and other groups. Sources told ISS that ISWAP used Thuraya Wi-Fi and spent about $6,000 monthly on data. They said Lagos was the main supply source but that ISWAP encountered a problem with the supply, forcing it to switch to Chad. Although Thuraya satellite phones and internet services are illegal in Chad, they are used in secret.

A particular Thuraya model stands out as a possible device used by ISWAP. It is available in Nigeria but mainly in Lagos. The Thuraya XT-Hotspot is marketed as the ‘world’s fastest Wi-Fi via satellite for communication needs beyond GSM coverage … for quick and secure Internet connectivity in the remotest of locations.’

The sources claim ISWAP has dedicated vehicles fitted with internet services to facilitate communication and data sharing on the go. The media team uses one of these vehicles when it accompanies fighters, enabling them to immediately share material from the battlefield. This explains how ISWAP can release information quickly, including images and videos, sometimes within hours of attacks.

ISWAP’s public communication also suggests it can easily share data with Islamic State using data compression and archiving software. In addition to speed and encryption, the software reduces bandwidth costs.

There is no single way to deal with the problem of ISWAP’s use of technology. The solution lies in various measures working together.

ISS research has detailed how ISWAP exploited Lake Chad Basin trade routes to get vital supplies. The group’s remote location should be an advantage for security forces who could disrupt its supply lines. Checkpoint searches have proved successful and can be used again. Those bringing in equipment and accessories should explain their destinations, which security agents should verify. Collaboration among security forces in the four affected Lake Chad Basin countries can help.

The ISS report also showed how civilian and military collaborators helped ISWAP get supplies. Security force leaders in the region must hold their personnel to the highest standards and use an independent ombudsman to deter corruption. To prevent civilians from collaborating with terror groups, authorities should work with communities and trade unions to identify and disrupt networks helping ISWAP. The criminal justice system can also play a deterrent role.

A future concern is that violent extremist groups like ISWAP become involved in cybercrime. Given Nigeria’s enormous financial powers and growing tech industry, authorities should prepare for this. Investing in technology and collaborating with tech companies to prevent their products, platforms or services from falling into ISWAP’s hands is a start.

Going after ISWAP’s money is vital. The group should be forced out of its current location using targeted and joint military operations. This would cut ISWAP’s access to its major revenue base. In using these tactics, care should be taken to avoid adversely affecting civilians, either by destroying their livelihoods or inflicting human rights violations.

Curtailing ISWAP’s access to technology will prevent it from using tech to plan and execute attacks, spread propaganda and recruit. That will reduce the damage the group inflicts on civilians and aid workers in the Lake Chad Basin.

Amid Renewed Attacks: Villagers Mobilise, Kill 50 Bandits In Self-defence

A local vigilante group at Ibbi town in Niger State has taken the battle to the invaders of the community, killing no fewer than 50 bandits who had been terrorising and kidnapping its residents for ransom.

LEADERSHIP learned that the vigilantes launched the attack on the bandits and destroyed their camps at the bottom of a mountain within Kainji National Park, following the abduction of 12 people from the community about two weeks ago.

A source from the community said the vigilante group, with support from their colleagues from Niger South, went after the bandits in a raid that started from four days to yesterday. During the raid, the vigilantes were said to have lost two of their men, while the bandits killed nine of the 12 people in the captivity.

Among the nine killed was a Sharia Court registrar abducted around Ibbi in Mashegu local government area of Niger State.

The source said, “While the bandits were waiting to receive the ransom on the 12 people they had abducted, the vigilantes struck, killing no fewer than 50 of the bandits. Annoyed by the attack, the bandits killed nine (of their hostages) and three others escaped unhurt.

“Among those killed was the registrar of the Sharia Court in Ibbi; about six women and three men, but three other men were able to escape from the bandits. As I am talking to you now, the vigilantes have destroyed their camps and chased them out of the national park.”

He added that the vigilantes dumped the bodies of the bandits at the Kainji National Park.

A resident of Ibbi, Abdul Ahmed, told LEADERSHIP that some bandits had recently taken over some unmanned parts of the National Park, from where they launched attacks on the people of the area.

He said the incessant attacks prompted the vigilante groups from other parts of the state to join forces with the local unit in flushing out the bandits, killing no fewer than 50 of them, and that, unfortunately, the terrorists killed nine of the 12 villagers in their custody.

When contacted, the telephone number of the Niger State commissioner of internal security, Emmanuel Umar, could not be reached, but a senior official confirmed that the operation of the vigilante had the backing of the authorities.

Also, the police public relations officer, Niger State Command, Wasiu Abiodun, did not respond to calls by press time, but a senior officer of the command, who preferred anonymity, confirmed that vigilantes were engaged in complementary operations in and around Ibbi and the National Park area.

The officer said that, as usual, the police would usually provide cover for the vigilante during such operations, which was what they did in Ibbi.

Resurgence Of Kidnappings And Banditry

Meanwhile, in Kaduna State, bandits have killed nine villagers, including four local vigilantes, at the Sabon Layi community of Birnin Gwari Local government area of Kaduna State.

The bandits were said to have stormed the area in large numbers, shooting sporadically and killing nine persons before abducting over 20 others and rustling several animals.

But in swift response to this attack, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch yesterday neutralised some of the fleeing bandits in Sabon Layi village in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna State.

The commissioner for internal security and home affairs, in a statement, said at about 9:44am yesterday, the ministry received a distress call of bandits attacking Sabon Layi village.

He said the bandits were shooting, rustling cattle, looting property and committing other heinous crimes, a situation which sent residents scampering for safety.

Aruwan explained that immediately the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch was contacted for action, the unit mobilised promptly to the location. According to him, on arrival at Sabon Layi, a thorough scan revealed normal human activities at the reported location.

“However, about four kilometres North of Sabon Layi village, the bandits were sighted fleeing for cover from the aircraft. They were engaged and neutralised in several passes. No further movement was observed after the strike. The aircraft sustained its presence overhead before withdrawing,” Aruwan said.

The statement said while the government awaits a formal report on the initial attack in Sabon Layi village, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has praised the Air Component for the prompt action in neutralising the fleeing bandits.

It would be recalled that acting on credible intelligence, troops of ‘Operation Forest Sanity’ under 1 Division, Nigerian Army, ambushed and neutralised a notorious bandit leader, Isiya Danwasa, and one of his cohorts.

It was gathered that the bandit leader had sent one of his errand boys, Yunusa, to procure some arms and ammunition in Kaduna town.

The 1 Division Nigerian Army spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, revealed in a statement yesterday that, subsequently, Yunusa was trailed and picked up by plain clothes soldiers and later used him to lure two of the bandit leaders to a pre-selected ammunition collection point.

The federal government said yesterday that many foreign commentators were astonished by the outcome of the 2023 Presidential election because of their wrong mindset, prior to the polls.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated this in London during his engagements with some international media organisations and think tanks.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports the minister is in London to defend the legitimacy of the just concluded general elections and correct the imbalance in the skewed narratives which had pervaded the air regarding the polls.

The minister has so far engaged with three international media organisations, namely The Economist, The Guardian and African Confidential, as well as Think Tank, Royal African Society.

During his respective meeting with them, the minister said some of the commentators had the wrong mindset that the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would win the election.

He said the wrong mindset was premised on the hyped activities of Labour Party and their supporters on the social media, as well as the outcomes of various opinion polls which were unrepresentative of the situation in Nigeria.

The minister said: “In the course of my interactions, particularly with the Economist, I referred them to an earlier article they wrote, in which they rated the Labour Party Presidential candidate as the front runner in the polls.

“I explained to them that there was no way a presidential candidate who has no political spread and a grassroots base could win an election in Nigeria.

“I also explained to them that many of them were ignorant of the constitutional requirements for a presidential candidate to win an election in Nigeria.

“For instance, not only that the candidate must have the plurality of votes, he must also have one-quarter of the total vote cast in at least 25 states of the federation.

“When you look at the results, only the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, met these requirements.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, came short of these because he came second and had 25 per cent in 21 states. Obi came far behind with 25 per cent in 15 states.

“This means that Obi, who was wrongly adjudged as a front runner in the election, was virtually unknown and unpopular in 22 states.”

He reiterated his position that there was no pathway to victory for either Atiku or Obi in the poll because they did not meet the conditions to be declared president.

“For any party to ignore the North-East and the North-West Zones of Nigeria during a presidential election, it will be impossible for it to win.

“The election had thrown up a lot of surprises and it is precisely those surprises that made it credible and transparent, “he said.

On the issue of large turnout of youths for voter registration before the election, the minister explained that winning an election was beyond registration.

`What INEC did was to ensure the extension of voter registration exercise for about 18 months so that people will not be disenfranchised.

“However, it is one thing to register to vote and it is another thing to come out to vote on an election day.

“Those 24 million people that came out to vote during the polls were the authentic people that concluded the processes of election,” he said.

The minister said INEC should be praised for the introduction and the strict usage of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

He said BVAS was a technology that paved the way for check-and-balance and prevented fraud and other irregularities during the elections.

According to the minister, BVAS cut out fraudulent votes, ghost voters and multiple votes.

Mohammed said from the outcome of his engagements so far, the international community had come to the viewpoint that the 2023 elections were the fairest and most transparent in Nigeria history.

He also said there was no fake news in his comment that Labour Party’s reaction to the outcome of the presidential election was “inviting insurrection”.

Edwin Clark, an Ijaw national leader and convener of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, had called for prosecution of the information minister for being a “mastermind and disseminator of fake news” against Obi.

Clark accused the minister of basing his comment on “propaganda and falsity” adding that it was “unpatriotic and wicked” to label such an accusation on Obi.

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant in the coming governorship primary in Kogi State, Senator Dino Melaye, has accused the Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike, of attacking him because of his refusal to support his presidential ambition.

Reacting to comments by Governor Wike that he does not have what it takes to be the Governor of Kogi, Melaye accused Wike of mismanaging Rivers’ resources, saying his prison uniform is being sewn.

According to Melaye, “the pain of Wike is he wanted my support for his misplaced aspiration to become the Flagbearer of the People’s Democratic Party in the 2023 Presidential election, but knowing his avowed credential to be eminently unworthy of the ticket I deployed support for Atiku Abubakar, a cosmopolitan and cultured statesman who ignored all the tantrums of Wike throughout the period of the election.

“If Wike were a reflective mind he should now be more concerned about his post-tenure survival, because with the recklessness he exhibited in mismanaging the resources of Rivers State, his prison uniform must have been sewn and his inmate number must be waiting for his allocation.

“As for me I will not only continue to savour my freedom, I will be sending relief assistance to Wike from Government House Lokoja, by the grace of God,” he said.

Melaye said Wike sees nothing good in the leadership of the PDP, “yet he can not move to another Party, because which Party will accept Wike in his irredeemable state of ignominious liability.

“As the good people of Kogi State prepare for the Gubernatorial election, the choice is theirs to make. All the evil machinations and self-destructive conduct of Wike will fail. I have neither sought for nor expected support from Wike. My aspiration is on course.”

Melaye also boosted that his specialty is to tame lions, “whether they be white or black, dwelling in rocks or floating on Rivers.”

He also said, “Wike should be reminded that Kogi is not Rivers, and the people of Kogi State would not worship any foreign God. Above all, Wike should also understand that power belongs to God, and He gives it to whoever he wants, even the basest of men. And but for this absolute and indiscriminate dispensation by God, how did a person like Nyesom Wike become a governor? Is it his oratory, diligence, finesse, wealth or intellectual endowment?

“Today, Wike can take a swipe at me, and mark me down as unqualified to govern my state, but has he forgotten that he believed my Gubernatorial aspiration in 2019? Can he be reminded that I have served as a member of the Federal House of Representatives and have also been elected twice into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”

The Delta State police command have arrested a man identified as Samuel following the death of his teenage friend after allegedly overdosing on tramadol in Samuel’s apartment.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the deceased died on Thursday, April, 7, 2023, “at about 2.00 pm in the afternoon” in Samuel’s apartment located at Okuku Street in Ovwian town in Udu Local Government Area.

A resident of the area, who gave her name as Jane, told our correspondent that the deceased, who was known as ‘Bros,’ was seen on that Thursday taking the drug after the culprit, Samuel, had sent someone to buy drug which he and his friend (the deceased) took.

She narrated that after the duo had taken the drug, Samuel went to play football in a nearby field but on getting home not long after, he met his friend (the deceased) lying unconscious in his apartment. Unfortunately, the victim was later confirmed dead by a nurse in the neighbourhood.

Also commenting on the incident, a neighbour, who would not want her name in print, told newsmen that she “knew that it would come to this with the way Samuel and his friends took drugs and misbehaved. It was way too much for any sane person,” she observed.

Our correspondent gathered that the suspect, Samuel, was still being kept in custody at the Ovwian Police Station as of the time of filing this report.

Efforts to get details of the incident from the Divisional Police Officer, Ovwian Division, Mr. Ayodele Kunle was futile however, when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident.

by Rachael Omidiji


Nollywood actor Yul Edochie’s latest action has sparked reactions from netizens, as one wrote, “DNA result don land.”

Yul Edochie has deleted Instagram posts of his second wife, Judy Austin, and their son on his verified Instagram page weeks after the death of his first son.

A post in April 2022, where he publicly announced a new son and a second wife, has also been deleted. The post of him celebrating Judy on her birthday in January 2023 has also been deleted.

Meanwhile, he still has photos of his first wife, May Yul Edochie.

Netizens reacted below

Hot gist Forum wrote, “I noticed Yul has deleted all Judy pictures from his page”

La creamy Golf wrote, “Eya ooo, he has taken down all your pictures”

Mz Rma wrote, “Why has Oga remove all your pics from his page na or DNA result don land”

Linamz cakes and catering wrote, “I no see your picture for Yul page . Is it on Mr Obasi’s page?”

Recall the popular Nollywood actor lost his first son and second child a few days ago.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, makers of Peak Milk, over an offensive Easter advert that has sparked outrage among Christians in the country.

In the controversial advert, the company used the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as a metaphor to promote their product on Good Friday, a move that CAN described as “totally unacceptable” to the Christian population.

The General Secretary of CAN, Barrister Joseph Daramola, warned the company to retract the advert, tender an apology to Christians or face legal action and boycott of their products by Christians.

“We find this advert to be insensitive, offensive, and totally unacceptable. Good Friday is a solemn day for Christians all over the world, a day we commemorate the death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who was crucified on the cross for our sins. It is not a day to be used for crass commercial purposes,” he said.

Daramola added that FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC’s action was disrespectful to the Christian faith and an affront to millions of Christians in Nigeria and beyond.

“We are deeply disappointed that a company of such repute would stoop so low to exploit the religious sentiments of its customers for profit,” he said.

CAN further said that it was considering imposing sanctions against FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, including a boycott of their products by its members and other well-meaning Nigerians who share its concerns.

“We call on the company to issue an unreserved apology to the Christian community and withdraw the offensive advert immediately,” it said.

The Christian body also recalled a similar incident in the past when Sterling Bank Plc used crucifixion imagery to promote its product, stating that it condemned it then and now.

“We, therefore, urge all companies and organizations to be mindful of the religious and cultural sensitivities of their customers when promoting their products. We will not tolerate any attempt to trivialize or disrespect our faith. Be warned,” the statement added.

Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson was struck on the face by assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis in a remarkable incident just after the half-time whistle of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal.

The Scotland captain approached the linesman, who then thrust his elbow into Robertson’s chin.

Robertson was then shown a yellow card by referee Paul Tierney as he furiously protested.

Arsenal led 2-1 at half-time as the Gunners aim to take a step closer to the Premier League title.

Michael Olugbode in Abuja


The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, has debunked the speculations that he was suspended from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for refusing to embark on a campaign of blackmail against the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi.

Onyeama was reported to have been suspended from the APC for allegedly refusing to travel to the United States to launch a “campaign of calumny” against the presidential candidate of the LP, Obi, who is in court to reclaim the presidential ticket he claimed to have won at the February 25 election.A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday and signed by its spokesperson, Mrs. Francisca Omayuli, said there was no iota of truth in the allegations.

The statement read: “The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to a story circulating on social media that the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama has been suspended by his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) because as alleged, ‘he was sent to the United States to blackmail Peter Obi, and he declined the request.

“The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs states that there is no iota of truth to the mischievous allegations.“The general public is therefore called upon to disregard the story.” The Enugu State Secretary of the party, Robert Ngwu, at a press conference in Enugu last Thursday had announced the suspension of former Governor Sullivan Chime; former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Eugene Odoh; Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu; former Commissioner for Tourism, Ozor Joe Mmamel; Special Assistant to Foreign Affairs Minister, Flavour Eze; and former House of Representatives candidate in 2019, Maduka Arum.

The party had earlier expelled the former chairman of APC in the state, Dr. Ben Nwoye and a former deputy state chairman of the party, Mr. AC Udeh. Ngwu at the end of the party’s State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting, presented the party’s Disciplinary and Fact-Finding Committee’s recommendations which he said were ratified by the SEC during her meeting.

While the party accused Nnamani and Chime of openly endorsing and campaigning for the governorship candidate of the PDP, Mr. Peter Mbah, Onyeama was accused of campaigning for the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.

He was also accused of working for the governorship candidate of PDP, Mbah, using federal government’s palliatives like cooking stove, wrappers, rice and garri.

Nigerian afrobeat superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido has disclosed that he spent a staggering $2 million (almost one billion naira) on his third studio album ‘A Better Time’.

The singer said this during his media tour for his new album ‘Timeless’ in the United States.

Speaking on the Ebro in the Morning Show on Hot 97FM, New York, the OBO crooner explained that the figure covered features, videos, and promotions.

He revealed he spent more on his third album than his current one ‘Timeless’ yet has already made more money from it.

He said, “My last album, I will tell you, I probably spent $2 million. That is for everything. You know what I’m saying?

“I haven’t even spent $300k on this album [Timeless]. And I made more already in three days. It just shows me the level of where African music is going.”

Davido’s third studio album ‘A Better Time’ was released in 2020 with guest features from American heavyweights such as Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Young Thug, Lil Baby, and Summer Walker.

author Paul Ogbuokiri


The World Bank said though Nigeria’s oil industry has been recording rapid production increase in the first three months of 2023, the country’s oil driven economic growth would still not be sufficient to reduce the number of people living in extreme poverty in the country this year. The World Bank made its prediction known in its latest Global Economic Prospects report released this week, titled: “Leveraging Resource Wealth During The Low Carbon Transition.” The report reads in part: “In Nigeria, growth is projected to strengthen somewhat to 2.8 per cent in 2023.”

About 88.4 million Nigerians live in extreme poverty while 133 million Nigerians are multi-dimensionally poor, according to recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). While projecting that Nigeria’s economic growth will fall to 2.8 per cent in 2023 from 3.3 per cent in 2022, the World Bank also said that the incoming administration faces many policy challenges including subdued crude oil production, high inflation among others. The Bank stressed the need to complement anti-inflation policies with income support measures, including cash or food transfers, to protect the most vulnerable from stubbornly high inflation—particularly food inflation. Similarly, KPMG predicted that Nigeria’s economy will likely experience a slow growth rate in 2023.

A report issued by the financial institution cited various reasons, including inflation, debt. It also predicted that sluggish growth will be experienced across sub-Saharan Africa because of uncertainty in the global economy. It further stressed that Nigeria’s economy would underperform due to a weaker local currency, foreign exchange scarcity, and rising inflation. KPMG also mentioned the challenges in the foreign exchange market, Naira redesign policy, inadequate government revenue, high debt, global economic slowdown, and contraction in the oil sector. KPMG also expects inflation to remain above 20 per cent in 2023 and predicts that the unemployment rate will rise further to 40.6 per cent in 2023.

The Chadian government has expelled the German ambassador to the country, Jan-Christian Gordon Kricke, because of his “impolite attitude”, the government said in a statement on Saturday.

The decision was “motivated by the impolite attitude and the lack of respect for diplomatic customs by the German ambassador, as prescribed by the Vienna Convention,” a government spokesman said.

No further explanation was given, but according to local media reports, ambassador Kricke’s criticism of the current transitional government might have been the reason for the move.

Kricke, who has been serving as Germany’s ambassador to Chad since 2021, was given 48 hours to leave the country.

The oil-rich country of 17 million in the Sahel region has been ruled by a transitional military government headed by President Mahamat Idriss Déby since April 2021.

Déby took over after his father, long-time ruler Idriss Déby, was killed by rebels looking to overthrow his government.

Déby had promised to hold democratic elections within a year and a half but they had repeatedly been postponed.

Last autumn, opposition demonstrations were bloodily put down.

Many diplomats in the country, which borders Libya, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Sudan, sharply criticised the violence.