₦airaland Forum

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, has said President Bola Tinubu is not worried about the next election but about the shared prosperity that he can bring to Nigerians.

Dare in a statement on X, Tinubu is also worried about how the reforms he has put in place will yield necessary impact.

He also said the President is concerned about what happens to the economy of the country eventually.

Dare said, “We’ve seen our foreign reserves go up. We’ve seen inflation come down. We’ve seen our trade surplus go up. We’ve seen exports go up and imports drop. We’ve seen the investments that have been attracted -over 50 billion. We are seeing prices dropping.We have clear data and you have a President that is clearly in the driver’s seat, and he has stayed the course of the decisions he has taken.

“And I think that the next election is not really in his view right now. It’s how to make sure that at the end of his first term, he can sit back and say, look, ‘I have impacted the lives of Nigerians. I have turned this economy around.'”

Dare said this amid talks of a coalition of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organisation, Afenifere, has reacted to the statement credited to President Bola Tinubu that Nigeria would have been bankrupt if he had not embarked on some economic reforms.

The President while receiving a delegation of former National Assembly colleagues from the aborted Third Republic, during which he served as a Senator representing Lagos West, said, “For 50 years, Nigeria was spending money of generations yet unborn and servicing the West coast of our subregion with fuel. It was getting difficult to plan for our children’s future.”

“We faced serious headwinds when I took over, very challenging times. Nigeria would have been bankrupt if we had not taken the actions that we took, and we had to prevent the economy’s collapse.”

But Afenifere in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, insisted the economic problems were self-induced because the Tinubu’s administration made fatal mistakes of removing subsidies before letting the Dangote Refinery come into operation as promised in his own manifesto.

Daily Trust reports that the faction of Afenifere loyal to HRH Oba Oladipo Olaitan who took over as leader after the demise of Pa Ayo Adebanjo had always criticised the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of naira by Tinubu.

The twin-policies were said to be responsible for the inflationary spike experienced in recent years.

Afenifere advised that this is not about playing politics but saving the nation from “stifling poverty that is wrecking the nation at its seams with increased kidnappings, robberies and other economic crimes.”

“The political class must realize that we are sitting on a gunpowder keg that will explode when the poor can’t take it any longer. A stitch in time saves nine,” the group said.

Faloye in a statement stated that Tinubu should “never have floated the Naira when we were still importing fuel that made up one third of our import bill.”

“[b]These two ill-timed policies have cost millions their lives and livelihoods, so inflation rates, and not food prices decreasing, is medicine after death caused by criminal negligence of the governmen[/b]t,” he said.

According to Afenifere, the Tinubu administration’s reference to 50 years of economic decline “can be traced to when subsidy removal started in the Seventies, which have regressively pushed us into poverty, the worst of which has been witnessed under his administration.”

“The problem has been anti-people economic policies. We are nowhere near El Dorado than we were in 1978 when education subsidies were removed and he has placed our education on student loans.

“Fuel prices and other import costs could fall further if the amount saved from fuel subsidies is pumped into the forex market as done since January with $8b although the ill-timed subsidy cut appears to have killed the golden goose and we can never fully regain the true value of our currency due to economic mismanagement.

“Moreover, we should concentrate on creating true wealth and value instead of focusing on indices. Unfortunately, the administration is still in the dark on how to improve the living standards of Nigerians. Ideologically clueless on how to stimulate our consumer nor producer markets to create wealth.

“For example, houses are the root of the consumer markets, the ultimate good for the consumer. Unfortunately Nigeria has twenty million homeless people, the most in the world, yet only 20,000 houses were budgeted for in the 2025 budget, at which rate it will take 1,000 years to resolve our homelessness problem, assuming there is no increase in population. The government needs to budget for 20,000 a day like China and India, or at least 10,000 homes, to make any difference,” the statement said.

By Jibrin Ibrahim


Yesterday, senators “overwhelmingly,” or rather, shamelessly passed a vote of confidence in the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, despite the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him by Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Nigerians have still not recovered from the shame displayed by how votes are taken in the Senate as the viral video of the voice vote episode continues to circulate.

The Senate president had proposed a motion that after Natasha’s six-month suspension, she would still have to apologise before she might be re-admitted. He called for the voice vote, and the overwhelming majority said NAY. He decided they did not hear him well and repeated the motion, again, the majority said NAY. The same thing happened the third time when the almighty Senate President decided to announce the ‘Ayes have it’.

The meaning of this incident is clear. Senators have had their mandate confiscated by President Akpabio and whatever he decides to announce is the absolute law in the upper chamber. The Senate is the highest expression of political tyranny in contemporary Nigeria, where the “distinguished” are not allowed to vote against a decision of their so-called leader.

There was, therefore, no surprise that the Senate passed the vote of confidence on the man who runs it. I was, however, surprised that the members of the upper chamber had the temerity to urge Nigerians not to allow the allegations of sexual harassment against their leader to serve as a distraction from the legislative responsibilities of the Assembly. What sense of responsibility have they portrayed to expect respect from Nigerians.

Meanwhile, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a brave warrior who had accused Mr Akpabio of sexual harassment, had also reported the matter, along with her suspension from the Senate, to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

I believe that the evidence is clear that the Nigerian Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months is an unconstitutional move that undermines democracy and sets a dangerous precedent for legislative governance. The suspension of an elected senator contradicts Sections 68 and 69 of the 1999 Constitution, which clearly outline the lawful processes for a legislator to lose their seat.

Section 68(1) & (2) states that a legislator’s seat can only be declared vacant under specific circumstances such as resignation, defection, conviction, or recall by constituents through the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Section 69 stipulates that the recall process is the only constitutional means for removing an elected legislator, making the Senate’s decision legally baseless. By suspending Senator Natasha, the Senate has effectively denied the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District their right to representation, an action that constitutes an abuse of power.

Many judicial rulings have consistently declared legislative suspensions unlawful. They include key cases such as Hon. Dino Melaye v House of Representatives (2009), where the Federal High Court ruled that legislative chambers lack the authority to suspend elected members. In Ali Ndume v. Senate President & Ors. (2018), the Court of Appeal nullified the senator’s suspension, reinforcing the principle that lawmakers cannot be arbitrarily removed by their peers.

Similarly, House of Assembly v Hon. Danna (2003) established that only the judiciary or the electorate have the power to remove an elected official. The Senate is knowledgeable about these rulings but deliberately decided to disregard the law simply because the Senate president is angry at a colleague that has accused him of sexual harassment. There has been a lot of grumblings within the Senate but the cowardly members simply don’t have the balls to challenge the tyranny they are subjected to by their own leadership.

A majority of members appear to oppose the reckless behaviour of their bosses but are afraid of losing their privileges. They know that they should have questioned the impartiality of the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, in handling the matter in which he is the main accused person, but did nothing. Even more troubling is the decision the Senate’s Ethics Committee, clearly influenced by leadership, to dismiss the allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio without a fair and neutral review. By so doing, they violate Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to a fair hearing.

It is important to recall the case of the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly versus Hon. Rifkatu Samson Danna (2017). This classic case defined the issue of suspending a legislator from their function in a clear manner. The following are the facts of the case: The respondent in this case was a member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly and she was indefinitely suspended.

She filed a suit at the Bauchi State High Court questioning the resolution of the House. Judgment was delivered in her favour; the House appealed the issue to the Court of Appeal and the Court of Appeal reaffirmed the decision of the High Court. The Court of Appeal states that the lawmaker, not being an employee of the House, can neither be suspended nor withheld of her entitlements i.e. salary and other allowances.

The court, while making decision on the provision of Section 111 CFRN 1999 states: “The fixing of salaries and wages of the respondent lies within the province of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission under Section 111 of the constitution, certainly not the 1st and 2nd appellants. The 1st and 2nd appellants have no right to interfere with the salaries and allowances of the respondent serving as a member of Bauchi State House of Assembly.

“No Rules or Standing Order of Bauchi State House of Assembly can derogate these rights and privileges conferred on an elected member of the House of Assembly…”

The court further had this to say about the illegality of the suspension: “Any member of the Bagoro constituency could have timeously challenged the indefinite suspension of their choice representative in the Bauchi State House of Assembly on the grounds that their accrued rights had been violated or breached by the appellants.

“The conduct of the appellants is the tyranny of the majority against an elected minority of the Bauchi State House of Assembly. Peers of a legislator who suspend the members are deliberately committing the anti-democratic crime of depriving the said member’s constituency from representation in the legislature where they have been legitimately elected by voters.”

Finally, the principle of Nemo Judex in Causa Sua (no one should be a judge in their own case) has been completely disregarded in this matter on the unconstitutional punishments taken against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The idea of sending out legislators who oppose the ruling party is a very direct threat to democracy and we as citizens should not allow the legislature to be turned into a tyrannical chamber that blindly supports its leadership, even if the support is under duress.

Women are grossly under-represented in Nigeria’s governance structures, and to zero in on both sexual and political harassment of a female legislator is a disservice to our democracy. Such action has legitimised attacks on freedom of expression, encouraged intimidation, and institutionalised sexual harassment in public spaces.

All enlightened opinion cannot but demand the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha and a stop to reckless intimidation and harassment of legislators in the opposition but also those in the ruling party who are terrorised into silence.

By Abubakar Sadiq Isah


There was confusion after a 31-year-old man, identified as Ajayi Nicholas, allegedly slumped and died inside a sex worker’s room at New Kutunku community in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT.

A resident of New Kutunku, Josiah Gabriel, told our reporter on Tuesday that the incident happened on Saturday around 5pm when the deceased allegedly checked into a hotel room in the area.

He said the man allegedly slumped when he was about to leave the room and the woman rushed to alert the manager of the hotel.

He said the hotel manager identified the deceased and rushed to report the incident to his relations, who are residing within the area.

He said the deceased was taken to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead.

According to him, some policemen from the outpost in the area came to the hotel for investigation.

He said, “After that, the man’s corpse was deposited at the mortuary, while the lady in question was detained by the police.”

A police officer at the outpost, who preferred anonymity, confirmed the incident, saying the deceased’s corpse was deposited at the mortuary after an autopsy.

Despite promises made by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Nigeria’s power sector is facing an escalating financial crisis, with generation companies (GenCos) warning of potential shutdowns.

This comes as GenCos, in a new letter to the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), disclosed the possibility of tariff increase following the imposition of new taxes on power companies.

With promises made to address the financial crisis in the power sector, documents yesterday from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) showed that the Federal Government only paid N371 billion or 19.5 per cent of N1.9 trillion subsidy coming from last year’s tariff shortfalls.

The development indicates a tough task ahead for state governments that are taking over regulatory oversights from NERC. The Guardian learnt that over 99 per cent of the N762.1 billion paid to the GenCos came from distribution companies (DisCos) who were also unable to collect N155 billion of their bills.
Between January and November 2024, GenCos issued invoices valued at N2.7 trillion. But only N762.1 billion was paid, leaving a huge shortfall of N1.94 trillion, according to official documents.

This translates to a mere 28.18 per cent payment rate, highlighting deep-seated revenue collection and enforcement challenges.

A breakdown of the monthly invoices shows that just 9.46 per cent of January’s N256 billion bill was paid, while February’s N208 billion received only 9.29 per cent payment. March recorded an N235 billion invoice with a 9.34 per cent payment rate, while April’s N213 billion saw a temporary spike to 40.91 per cent. Payments fluctuated between 31.01 per cent and 39.05 per cent in the following months, with November recording the highest rate at 39.05 per cent.

Despite this gradual improvement, the payment gap remains high as the development has led to stranded 26,160MW of generated power. As of yesterday, 24 power plants on the national grid were generating between 3,900MW and 4,900MW. This is far below the 6,000MW target on which the tariff increase for band A was executed.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) report for 2024 reveals that GenCos billed a total of N2.972 trillion for electricity supplied, but only N155 billion or seven per cent of the outstanding debt was attributed to market inefficiencies by DisCos.

The remaining N1.94 trillion resulted from unfunded government subsidies, which stem from the gap between the cost of production and the tariffs charged to consumers.

Despite allocating N450 billion in 2024 to cover subsidies, the government used the funds to clear tariff shortfalls from 2023, leaving the 2024 shortfall largely unresolved.

The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) company contributed a paltry N371 million toward the 2024 tariff deficit, covering just 0.019 per cent of the outstanding debt.

While DisCos managed an 84 per cent remittance rate on their Debt Repayment Obligation (DRO) of N1.031 trillion, paying N867.08 billion, the overall invoice settlement rate for GenCos stood at 29.48 per cent.

A letter seen by The Guardian, addressed to Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu and signed by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), Sani Bello, has called for urgent intervention.

The letter, dated 17th of February copied key officials, including the Chief of Staff to the President, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Acting Managing Director of NBET and outlined the severe impact of the persistent shortfall in payments.

It noted that NBET’s remittance to GenCos for electricity sold to DisCos was below 30 percent, making it nearly impossible for GenCos to sustain operations.

The development forced the operators to demand immediate approval of a mechanism to ensure 100 per cent payment of GenCos’ invoices by NBET.
They also demanded the settlement of GenCos’ outstanding historic market debts.

The Federal Government had earmarked N450 billion for 2024 and N900 billion for 2025 to partially clear the debts, but stakeholders argue that without a sustainable funding structure, the crisis will persist.

In the letter to FRCN, GenCos expressed deep concern regarding the financial implications of Section 33 subsection one of the FRC Act (Amended) 2023, which mandates annual levies based on turnover.

GenCos said being subjected to multiple taxes at both federal and state levels would further squeeze their already strained finances.

The operators noted that despite not being able to operate optimally due to debt, they are being forced to pay corporate tax at 30 per cent, education tax at 3 percent, Police tax (introduced at the federal level), land use charge at the state level and various other state and local government levies.

Already most power plants in Nigeria are operating on the verge of collapse according to the February report of NERC that measures the performance of the plants.

In February 2025, Olorunsogo 2 reported a plant availability factor of 5 percent. This means that the plant is in dire situation with capacity down by 95 percent. Afam had plant availability factor of 10 percent, Sapele Steam had a factor of 4 percent, Alaoji recorded a stark 0 per cent availability, indicating it was completely offline. Omotosho-2 had a 14 percent availability factor, and Ihovbor-1 was at 9 percent. Geregu-1 showed a 20 percent availability factor, while Geregu-5 performed better at 53 percent. Omotosho-1 had a 52 percent availability factor, and Ibom power-1 reported 11 percent availability factor, while Rivers-1 stood at 39 percent.

Omoku-1 had a 17 percent availability factor, and Ikeja-1 performed strongly at 98 percent. Trans Amadi had a 7 percent availability factor, while Igbafo_1 was at 46 percent. Overall, the grid total plant availability factor for these plants was 40 percent

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has opened up about the internal crises within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prior 2023 general election and currently, accusing Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, of betrayal.

He also claimed that some governors elected on the platform of the PDP were working against the party.

During a live media chat on Tuesday, March 12, 2025, Wike recounted past events that shaped his political stance, recalling his time as Rivers State governor when he resisted efforts to undermine the PDP.

“When I was governor, I saw the ruling party coming out, using Ali Modu Sheriff to fight to kill the PDP. I stood my ground, saying the PDP must survive. I did not go to the Villa — never,” Wike declared.

Wike declined to delve into the matter when asked if he agreed with former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai’s claim that the ruling party was sponsoring divisions within opposition parties.

“I don’t want to go into that; it’s El-Rufai’s view. Do I look like someone that does something out of the public?”

Addressing concerns about the PDP’s preparedness ahead of the next general election, Wike expressed scepticism, blaming some governors for the party’s woes.

“See why it would not hold; every governor is working against the party. Let them challenge me, and I will tell them one by one.”

Wike particularly accused Governor Bala Mohammed of betraying the G5 governors during a critical moment of political manoeuvring for the 2023 elections.

“Bala Mohammed was having a problem with Atiku and Co. That day, I was going to commission a lounge at the airport; when he landed, I said there was no need to come to town when I was coming to the airport. He called me. Ibrahim Adoke, the former Attorney-General was there.

“He said Atiku would kill him if Atiku wins and that we must support Asiwaju. We now organised G5 to go and pay Bala a visit in Bauchi, not knowing that he was using us to settle with Atiku. When we got there, he was happy. The next day, Tambuwal led a team to go and see Bala, and Bala abandoned us.

“That’s why I say before you hold some position, you must be a man of character. That’s why I always talk about character.”

Reiterating his stance on integrity, Wike added, “I don’t need to go to any Mallam (Herbalist) to pray for me to have character.”

Amid speculation about his loyalty to the PDP, Wike clarified that he had no intention of leaving the party.

“If I move to the APC, I’ll tell you when I’m leaving. I don’t run away from fights; I’m not leaving this party o. The governors have money, but they are not spending it on the party.”

He also criticised the Enugu State governor for failing to assert leadership in the South-East.

Wike said: “Look at the Enugu governor who wanted to be the leader of the South-East; in Anambra today, not a single person bought a ticket for the governorship. You cannot bring someone from Anambra to contest, and you say you are a zonal leader.

“I don’t care who likes me. Do you like my work? If yes, that’s fine. Forget about me. The only person that should like me is my wife, and she does.

“I don’t care about who likes me and who does not. Fubara was once my supporter, has he not changed?”

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers state has reacted after being denied access to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill at the Assembly Quarters.

Daily Trust had reported how Fubara was locked out from the Port Harcourt Aba road temporal Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, on Wednesday.

The governor arrived with his entourage but met the Assembly entrance gate under lock and key.

The lawmakers had given Fubara 48-hour ultimatum to the present the budget which was earlier approved by the 4-member faction of the assembly loyal to him.

But the Supreme Court had recognsied the 27-member loyal to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the authentic members of the Rivers House of Assembly.

The governor had invited the lawmakers over to Government House, Port Harcourt, but they shunned the invitation.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Bori Zonal Hospital in Khana LGA, the governor lamented that, in line with the Supreme Court judgment, all stakeholders should prioritize safeguarding the state’s economy and ensuring that civil servants do not suffer unnecessary hardship.

The governor insisted that he followed due process to resolve the situation and expressed hope that the lawmakers would eventually comply with the Supreme Court ruling.

He said: “I made frantic efforts to reach the Speaker, which I believe he cannot deny, alongside other members of the Assembly.

“I even sent WhatsApp messages to them, notifying them that I would be coming at 10 am to present the budget. This was to ensure that Rivers State does not face any crisis because of me, as some have alleged.

“But unfortunately, when we got there this morning, we were denied access. And the next thing I heard was that no communication was made. I leave everything to God, who sees all things in secret.

“I am aware of reports in the media claiming there was no communication or effort on my part. So, I am using this platform to clarify the situation.

“Like I have always said, nothing lasts forever. Even the greatest power eventually comes to an end. What matters is how we use power. I have chosen not to abuse mine, no matter what they claim.

“When power is abused, it leads to situations like this. But I will remain restrained because I know that there is life after power.”

The latest development comes 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu asked Fubara to implement the Supreme Court verdict.

Tinubu gave the directive when he hosted Niger Delta stakeholders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Before the meeting, Tony Okcoha, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers, had asked Fubara to resign or be impeached.

Fresh investigations have revealed that the group of vandals targeting pipelines supplying natural gas to Nigeria LNG Limited are in pursuit of stealing crude condensate — a highly coveted hydrocarbon that commands greater local demand than crude oil – and not the gas transported.

A report by Bloomberg on Tuesday stated that this high-risk act is responsible for an 80 per cent reduction in the gas supply required to meet the company’s needs, triggering an operational crisis at its Bonny Island facility and severely affecting its ability to fulfil export demands.

It noted that the vandals install valves that slow down the pressure on the lines before cutting through pipes to leak out gas so they can collect the condensate at the bottom.

It further stated that light oil fetch prices comparable to Nigeria’s high-end crude grades, such as Forcados and Bonny Light, can be easily refined or directly used in generators.

Investigations showed that the fuel is commonly sold on the streets of southern cities like Port Harcourt and Aba.

This development, which has worsened in recent weeks, is a threat to the nation’s revenue streams and its projected 2025 dividends of N727bn, a 113 per cent growth from N346bn last year.

Vandalism and sabotage have curtailed operations at the plant and curbed exports of liquefied natural gas, or LNG.

Criminal groups have for decades targeted the oil pipelines that criss-cross the country’s Niger Delta region, but a government crackdown on crude theft has driven them to gas conduits where they seek an ultra-light form of oil that’s easy to process at makeshift refineries.

The surge in activity has crippled the gas supply to Nigeria LNG Ltd., a joint venture owned by Nigeria, TotalEnergies SE, Shell Plc and Eni SpA.

The report quoting the managing director of ANOH gas plant, a Seplat Energy Plc subsidiary, Effiong Okon, noted that the rupture of gas pipelines is very dangerous but rewarding if successful.

Okon, who operates a $700 million gas project in the area, said, “It is a very high-risk, very dangerous operation that’s not always successful. But when it’s successful, they make a lot of money.”

“Criminals are willing to face significant danger even though they are accessing small volumes of condensate. High risk, high reward,” he stated.

NLNG was held up as a model state-backed enterprise when exports of the super-chilled fuel started in 1999, but its footprint has dwindled.

Nigeria accounted for 3.5 per cent of the total global LNG supply last year, steadily decreasing from 6 per cent in 2020, according to BNEF.

The PUNCH reports that the vandals’ new theft strategy comes in the wake of the current administration’s announcement to use condensate production to meet its daily crude oil production target of 2.7 million barrels by 2027, following enhanced security measures at oil production and transportation sites.

This is because the condensate output doesn’t count against the oil-production quota Nigeria agreed to as a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Heineken Lokpobiri last month said that Africa’s largest producer aims to achieve a combined output target of 3 million barrels per day, with half of that consisting of condensate.

The rise of illegal operations adds another obstacle to increasing that production.

NLNG exports tumbled in February, according to commodities tracking company ICIS.

That month, the plant only received one-fifth of its gas supply, forcing a shutdown of processing units.

The Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited, Dr Philip Mshelbila, further revealed at the Nigeria International Energy Summit that only two of the company’s six gas trains are currently operational, attributing the operational challenges to persistent attacks on its gas pipelines by vandals.

While five of its six production units are back up, a disruption of several months of all NLNG exports would have “a significant impact on the global gas markets,” said Anne-Sophie Corbeau, a researcher at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.

The vandalism potentially threatens supply for a seventh NLNG unit that’s under construction, along with existing supply contracts and other planned projects to develop the fuel.

“Security issues may put in question future investments in the gas industry in Nigeria, especially if Nigeria wants to expand its LNG exports,” said Corbeau, citing a glut of projects planned globally and additional LNG exports from the US backed by President Donald Trump.

For decades, crude theft has sparked conflict, exacerbated environmental devastation caused by oil companies, stoked corruption and robbed the country of billions of dollars in revenue a year.

In 2022, as Nigeria struggled to meet its OPEC quota, the head of the national oil company estimated that it could be producing as much as 700,000 barrels a day more if not for criminals stealing crude and oil companies holding back for fear of theft.

Since coming into office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu has increased security at the oil pipelines, sparking a rebound in output — a boost of more than 40 per cent from three years ago — that exceeded Nigeria’s OPEC production pledge in January.

Some of the security measures have been war-like: using drones and fighter jets to drop bombs on illegal refining sites that dot the delta, while on the ground, private security firms managed by former militants — who used to blow up the pipelines and hold workers for ransom — have ensured better protection of the main crude lines.

“Improved security at the oil pipelines is pushing criminals in other directions,” said Salahuddeen Tahir, head of assets and investments management at NNPC Gas & Power Investment, a unit of the national oil company.

While in the past gangs tapped oil pipelines with tools and hacksaws, today’s gas thieves shows signs of more sophisticated engineering skills — in line with the more dangerous nature of the work.

“These pipelines operate at high pressure, and any rupture poses a significant risk of explosion or uncontrolled fire,” said Claudio Steuer, a senior research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies and former general manager at Shell Nigeria.

Reacting, the Special adviser to the president on Energy, Olu Verheijen, said the government is dealing with the attacks, but declined to give details.

She said, “NLNG is working with government agencies “to strengthen the security of upstream production and transmission assets.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a public alert regarding the activities of 58 companies allegedly operating illegal Ponzi schemes across Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, on its verified Facebook account, the anti-graft agency warned that these companies pose as investment entities but are defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians of their hard-earned money. The EFCC noted that the firms are neither registered with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) nor the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

According to the EFCC, both regulatory bodies confirmed in separate correspondences that the companies lack the required registration to operate as legitimate investment firms.

“The Commission has charged many of these companies to court. Five have already been convicted, another five have pleaded guilty but are awaiting a review of facts, while the rest are pending arraignment,” the EFCC stated.

The EFCC named the following firms among those engaging in illegal financial activities:

Wales Kingdom Capital

Bethseida Group of Companies

AQM Capital Limited

Titan Multibusiness Investment Limited

Brickwall Global Investment Limited

Farmforte Limited & Agro Partnership Tech

Green Eagles Agribusiness Solution Limited

Richfield Multiconcepts Limited

Forte Asset Management Limited

Letsfarm Integrated Services

Bara Finance & Investment Limited

Vicampro Farms Limited

Brooks Network Limited

Gas Station Supply Services Limited

Brass & Books Limited

Crowdyvest Limited

Jadek Agro Connect Limited

Adeeva Capital Limited

Oxford International Group and Oxford Gold Integrated

MBA Trading & Capital Investment Limited

TRJ Company Limited

Farm4Me Agriculture Limited

Quintessential Investment Company

Rockstar Establishment Limited

SU Global Investment

Citi Trust Funding PLC

Farm Buddy

Eatrich 369 Farms & Food

Farm Sponsors Limited

Cititrust Credit Limited

Farmfunded Agroservices Limited

Chinmark Homes & Shelters Limited

Ovaioza Farm Produce Storage Limited

Requid Technologies Limited

Crowd One Investment

Farmkart Foods Limited

Holibiz Finance Limited

Ifeanyi Okpe Oil & Gas Services

Barrick Gold Mining Company

360 Agric Partners Limited

The EFCC reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the financial space by closely monitoring economic activities and taking legal action against fraudulent entities. It urged Nigerians to exercise caution before investing in any financial schemes and to verify the legitimacy of investment firms through appropriate regulatory bodies.

The Commission assured the public of its continued vigilance to protect citizens from financial fraud and stimulate growth in Nigeria’s economy.

Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, the controversial Onitsha-based cleric better known as Odumeje, has declared his intention to run for Nigeria’s presidential seat.

Odumeje, however, did not state the specific election year he would actualise his presidential ambition.

The next presidential election is scheduled to hold in 2027 and political actors have begun to make moves ahead of the polls.

In a viral video showing the prophet speaking at his church, Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry in Anambra state, Odumeje said he understands the plights of Nigerians.

He said if elected president, he would provide Nigerians with “modern and digital life.”

Odumeje said the country needs a younger leader who is in tune with the people.

“We need a young leader in this country, and I think I am coming out. We need a young leader as a president, a digital leader, not old cargoes. I think I will come out, I will come out for president,” he said in the video.

“Are you ready for me? Odumeje for president? Are you ready for me? Because I know what you need. I know what you want.

“I want to construct a main road called Citadel for you. I want to give you a modern life, a digital life.”

The Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has discontinued the naira-for-crude deal with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other local refineries, TheCable understands.

The development could trigger an uptick in the pump price of petrol as local refineries — including Dangote — will now rely on international suppliers for feedstock, gulping huge costs in dollars.

The NNPC reportedly told the refineries it has forward-sold all its crude, although production is now said to be higher than when the deal commenced.

Nigeria officially commenced the sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in naira to local refineries on October 1, 2024.

The move was meant to improve supply, save the country millions of dollars in petroleum products imports, and ultimately reduce pump prices.

However, multiple sources said the initiative will be suspended until 2030.

A high-level source confirmed that the NNPC has notified Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other local refiners that it will no longer provide crude oil to them, as it has forward-sold all of its crude supplies until 2030.

Despite recent attempts to bolster domestic refining capacity, the country has spent “over $4.3 billion importing 6.38 billion litres of premium motor spirit (petrol) and automotive gas oil (diesel) in just five months”, industry sources said.

The NNPC is said to be among the entities still importing products, an act backed by the recent deregulation of the downstream sector.

Another source said at a time when Nigerians are hoping for further price reductions, “the NNPC unilaterally decided to end the naira-for-crude initiative”.

TheCable has contacted the NNPC for comments.

While the Dangote refinery has declined to comment on the NNPC’s recent move, an official said the company will carefully assess its options and decide on the appropriate course of action.

The decision to stop the naira-based crude supply might lead to volatility in the foreign exchange (FX) market, thereby eroding recent gains, according to market analysts.


THE TROUBLED CRUDE-FOR-NAIRA DEAL

In October 2024, the federal executive council (FEC) approved the allocation of 450,000 barrels of crude intended for domestic consumption to be sold in naira to Nigerian refineries, with the Dangote refinery serving as a pilot project.

Under the scheme, the NNPC was expected to supply 385,000 barrels per day of crude oil to the Lekki-based refinery.

However, the national oil firm has been accused of consistently failing to meet the allocation.

In November 2024, the refinery said the crude-for-naira initiative was faltering, as it was still unable to secure adequate supplies.

“We need 650,000 barrels per day, (state oil firm NNPC Ltd) agreed to give a minimum of 385,000 bpd but they are not even delivering that,” Edwin Devakumar, the vice-president of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) had said.

He further described the NNPC’s supply as “peanuts”.

ADEFEMOLA AKINTADE


Neda Imasuen, chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics that recommended the suspension of Natasha Akpoti, has been stripped of his bar licence in New York, U.S., over allegations of multimillion-dollar fraud and gross misconduct.

A document obtained by Peoples Gazette showed that Mr Imasuen had been disbarred for life in New York after he swindled his client, absconding with representation fees without making an appearance for her in court.

The Gazette spoke with a court officer who said Mr Imasuen was permanently disbarred after collecting money from a client and failing to represent her. He also refused to comply with the disciplinary panel’s attempt to investigate his misconduct.

Daphne Shyfield hired Mr Imasuen to represent her on a matter in 2009 and paid him tens of millions of dollars for legal fees.

Instead of appearing for Ms Shyfield, Mr Imasuen absconded with the money, a move that triggered a morass of petitions, given that his actions contravened existing New York bar code and rules.

Despite being served with petitions on multiple occasions in the U.S., Mr Imasuen failed to respond to any of the petitions and did not ask for an extension of time to file a response.

The Edo South senator, instead, fled to Nigeria with Ms Shyfield’s funds to lay low and escape disciplinary actions from the Grievance Committee, the body responsible for issuing rulings for the infractions of jurists.

Following several failed attempts to obtain a response to petition files, the Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts terminated Mr Imasuen’s licence to practice law in New York.

“Neda B. Imasuen, admitted as Neda Bernards Imasuen, is disbarred, and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law,” reads a decision of the Grievance Committee on May 10, 2010.

“Neda Bernards Imasuen is commanded to desist and refrain from (1) practicing law in any form, either as principal or agent, clerk, or employee of another, (2) appearing as an attorney or counsellor-at-law before any court, judge, justice, board, commission, or other public authority,” reads a notice of his disbarment.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria, Mr Imasuen, 66, rode on the waves of the Labour Party to win the Edo South senatorial poll in 2023 and wormed his way to becoming the chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions.

That the same man with a 15-year-old history of disregarding petitions was now heading the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions called into question the integrity —if any, of the people in the nation’s leadership positions.

Last Wednesday, Mr Imasuen was quick to dismiss Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the ground that it did not follow due process.

The Edo senator dismissed the petition as “dead on arrival” because Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan signed the document, which he said violated the Senate rule book. He later accepted it on Friday after the female lawmaker resubmitted it with the signature of her constituent’s member.

Mr Imasuen did not immediately return comments on his New York disbarment.

His disbarment is typical of many Nigerian politicians who commit crimes on foreign soil and flee to Nigeria with fraud proceeds, with which they contest elections.

Former speaker and the president’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, got his law licence terminated by the State Bar of Georgia in the U.S. over his corruption and ethical lapses. He admitted to stealing $25,000 from his client.

Mr Imasuen’s disbarment by the New York Supreme Court adds yet a new name to the growing list of individuals with tainted pasts occupying high-ranking government positions in Nigeria.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has criticised those commenting on the affairs of the upper legislative chamber, likening their arguments to football fans debating Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speaking in Abuja on Friday while receiving a delegation of youth leaders from the Niger Delta region, Akpabio expressed concerns over what he described as “uninformed public commentary” on senate matters.

His remarks followed the controversy surrounding the suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Kogi central lawmaker.

Akpabio said that the senate’s decision was in line with its standing rules and internal disciplinary processes.

“You should try to go and know the facts before you start running commentaries on television,” Akpabio said.

“If you have not studied the Bible or have nothing to do with Christianity, you cannot claim to know the Bible more than the Pope. In the same vein, if you are not an Imam, you cannot begin to quote the Quran.

“But you see people who are not well-informed sitting down, just like they do as football commentators, saying, ‘Ronaldo should have come from the left to score’, or ‘If you were Messi, you would have kicked from the centre’. Then, they do commentaries on television.

“But when it comes to matters of the hallowed chamber of the National Assembly, you cannot begin to quote what you have never seen.

“When people are not well informed about the procedures yet begin to debate provisions they don’t understand, sometimes it worries me.

“So we advise members of the public to desist from running commentaries on things that they do not know, misquoting the rules of the senate.”

He said the senate has its own mechanism for resolving issues, adding that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s matter has already been settled in line with the rules.

Jonathan Lokpobiri, president of the Ijaw Youth Council, who led the delegation, had earlier expressed concerns about developments in the Senate but assured Akpabio of the Niger Delta region’s support.

by Busola Aro


The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says it has issued licences to three oil companies to construct refineries.

In a post on X Friday, NMDPRA said the refineries would contribute 140,000 barrels per day (bpd) to Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity.

NMDPRA said Eghudu Refinery Limited will produce 100,000 bpd, MB Refinery and Petrochemicals Company Limited will produce 30,000 bpd, and HIS Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited will establish 10,000 bpd.

“The authority Chief Executive, Engr. Farouk Ahmed presented a License to Construct a 100,000 bpd refinery to Eghudu Refinery Ltd in Edo state, a License to Establish a 30,000 bpd refinery to MB Refinery and Petrochemicals Company Ltd in Delta state,and a License to Establish a 10,000 bpd refinery to HIS Refining and Petrochemical Company Ltd. in Abia state,” NMDPRA said.

“These licenses, which would add 140,000 barrels per day to Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity, were presented to the MDs of the companies.”

In August 2024, NMDPRA issued an operational licence to Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited, Ologbo, Edo state.

NMDPRA said the operational licence was the final stage of approval from the regulatory authority, as the plant can now fully operate as a refinery.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed a new rule that requires applicants for green cards and visas to disclose their social media handles.

The initiative aims to strengthen security screening, but it has raised concerns about privacy and potential misuse of data.

The proposed rule would apply to various immigration forms, including applications for US citizenship, asylum, and adjustments of status from an H-1B visa to a green card.

Specifically, forms like the N-400 for naturalisation, I-131 for advance parole, I-485 for green card applications, and I-589 for asylum will be affected.

US Africa Online reports that the immigration experts have expressed concerns about how social media information will be interpreted and used.

Immigration attorney Jonathan Wasden stated, "It remains unclear how USCIS will interpret posts, how long they will store data, or what guidelines they will use to flag concerns."

He also warned that applicants may face denials based on online activity taken out of context, saying, "There is also a risk that applicants could face denials based on online activity that is taken out of context", as quoted by TravelBiz.

The USCIS has opened a 60-day public comment period, allowing individuals and organizations to provide feedback on the proposed rule. This is an opportunity for the public to express concerns about the rule's necessity, effectiveness, and impact before it is finalized.

Reports indicate that this move by the US Immigration to request social media handles of visa applicants is part of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) effort to enhance security vetting through more comprehensive background checks.

The Dangote Industries Limited, (Dangote Group), and its subsidiaries paid over N402 billion in taxes in 2024, making it the highest taxpayer in the country.

Dangote’s Chief Branding and Communication Officer, Anthony Chiejina, who disclosed this yesterday in his office in Lagos said the taxes were paid by the group and its subsidiaries comprising Dangote Cement, NASCON, Dangote Packaging Limited among others.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had in late 2024 recognised DIL and its subsidiary, Bluestar Shipping as the most tax compliant organizations in the country during its Special Day at the 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

Chiejina stated that as a responsible business organisation, DIL and its subsidiaries have never shied away from its obligations either to the government in the form of tax payment at all levels or to host communities in the form of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

According to him, the Group’s corporate strategy has evolved just as its businesses have grown, matured and diversified into new sectors and regions over the last four decades, noting that Dangote Group has almost single-handedly taken Nigeria to self-sufficiency in cement and refined petroleum products and is expanding rapidly across Africa.

An internal auditor of American International School in Abuja told the Federal High Court in Abuja that former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, paid his children’s school fees up until graduation in dollars

Bello is being prosecuted by the EFCC, which has accused him of paying $760,000 in advance for his children’s school fees shortly before leaving office.

The witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, revealed this to the court on Thursday.

Ojehomon told the court that he did not know Yahya Bello personally at the time but was aware that he was a parent who had enrolled four of his children in the school.

He identified the former governor’s children who were enrolled in the school as Zayan Bello, Zara Bello, Farid Bello, Na’ima Bello, and Nana Fatima Bello.

He told the court that the former governor paid $90,074 for Farid Bello, $87,470 for Zara Bello, $26,241 for Na’ima Bello, and $18,707 for Nana Bello.

“Mr Ali Bello contacted the American International School, Abuja, on Friday, August 13, requesting to pay the Bello children’s school fees until they graduate. The school management accepted his offer,” said Ojehomon.

He tendered the agreement for prepaid tuition fees to the court, which, upon examination, confirmed that Ali Bello, Yahaya Bello’s cousin, had contacted the school in 2021 to pay the children’s fees in advance until their graduation.

The prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, also tendered some documents, including email correspondences between Ali Bello, Yahaya Bello’s cousin, and the school, statements of account from TD Bank USA and the American International School, certified copies of the AISA admission letters to the defendant’s children, a contractual agreement for prepaid tuition until graduation and teller copies of payments to the court.

The court has admitted these documents as exhibits.

The school requested a valid account number from the EFCC to refund the fees. The refund is to be made in a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account.

The Senate on Thursday advised Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to respect and obey the rules and orders of the legislative institution.

Rising on Order 55(1), the Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Monguno pointed out that “it is the Rules and Order of the Senate that when the Senate President is being ushered into the chamber by the Sergeant-at-arms, all senators must stand up”.

The chief whip regretted that Natasha disrespected the Rules and Order of the Senate on Wednesday and Thursday by refusing to stand up like other senators, as required, when Akpabio entered the chamber.

He called on the female lawmaker to abide by the rules, irrespective of any circumstances, noting that the institution must be protected at all costs.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio sustained the order and urged all senators to be guided.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, will on March 19, 2025, hear an ongoing dispute over the ownership and control of Emerging Markets Telecommunication Service (EMTS) which is the holder and operator of 9mobile Telecommunication licence.

The plaintiff, Abubakar Isa Funtua had sued General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (Rtd) and his company LH Telecommunication Limited, as well as the other defendants over the ownership and control of Emerging Markets Telecommunications Limited trading under the name of 9mobile.

The other defendants are: Seltrix Limited (sued as the 1st Defendant); The Corporate Affairs Commission; Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Hayatu Hassan Hadeija; Teleology Nigerian Limited and one Mohammed Edewor, a Director in Teleology Nigeria Limited.

In his Statement of Claim, the plaintiff seeks amongst other reliefs: “A Declaration that he is the beneficial owner of the 43,000,000 (Forty-three Million) ordinary shares held in trust for him by the 1st Defendant (Seltrix Limited) in the capital of the 3rd Defendant (Teleology Nigeria Limited)”.

“A declaration that the acquisition of the 43,000,000 (Forty-three Million) ordinary shares purportedly transferred or surrendered to the 3rd Defendant (Teleology Nigeria Limited) in breach of the 1st Defendant’s (Seltrix Limited) duty as Trustee of the Plaintiff and in contravention of Clause 48 of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the 1st Defendant (Seltrix Limited) is null, void and of no effect.”

“That the purported registration of the transfer by way of surrender/gift of Forty-three Million (43,000,000) ordinary shares held by 1st Defendant (Seltrix Limited) in the capital of the 3rd Defendant (Teleology Nigeria Limited) is unlawful, null and void.”

“An Order setting aside the purported registration by the 6th Defendant (Corporate Affairs Commission) of the increase in the share capital and the allotment of the newly created One Billion, Nine Hundred Ten Million (1,910,000,000) ordinary shares of the 5th Defendant (Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited) in contravention of Section 127 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020.”

The plaintiff also seeks the sum of N100 billion, as general damages from the defendants, jointly and severally, amongst other reliefs.

Further surge in cooking gas prices is looming due to a significant decline in supplies from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG).

The operational crisis at NLNG Limited continues to deepen as the outage at its Bonny Island facility drags on, with gas supplies plummeting by a staggering 80 per cent.

The NLNG, a major supplier of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), has seen its supply drop by 80 per cent, exacerbating existing shortages and driving up costs for consumers.

People familiar with the matter told Bloomberg on Tuesday that natural gas supplies to NLNG Ltd. have fallen 80 per cent to one-fifth of the massive plant’s needs.

This prolonged disruption, triggered by persistent pipeline vandalism, raises serious concerns about Nigeria’s ability to meet its export commitments and potential impact on its economy.

Data compiled by Bloomberg showed declining output from Nigeria’s only LNG facility could trigger higher spot prices as global supply to Asia and Europe tightens.

Europe, which relies on NLNG for a substantial portion of its gas imports, is particularly vulnerable to supply disruption.

“In 2024, almost half of Nigeria’s LNG exports went to Asia, with another third going to Europe and the remaining to the Americas and Middle East,” Bloomberg data showed.

Managing director of NLNG Limited Philip Mshelbila, emphasised that the company has struggled to meet global demand for liquefied natural gas because of the damage caused by illegal pipeline connections.

“At the current moment, I am only running two trains out of six,” Mshelbila lamented at a panel session during this year’s Nigeria International Energy Summit.

The NLNG boss also called for a reevaluation of energy security, highlighting that while progress has been made in securing oil infrastructure, the situation for gas is becoming precarious.

“Energy security has to be seen as important as national security. However, gas security has deteriorated, and until we can safeguard these pipelines, we will continue to underperform,” he said.

The NLNG, a key player in the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market, has been grappling with the fallout of repeated attacks on critical gas pipelines supplying its facility.

These attacks, often attributed to militant groups and criminal syndicates operating in the Niger Delta region, have severely hampered the company’s operations, forcing it to shut down a significant portion of its production capacity.

This comes at a time when global energy markets are already facing volatility due to geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions, further exacerbating an already tight global gas market.

The economic implications for Nigeria are also substantial. NLNG is a major revenue generator for the country, contributing billions of dollars annually to the national treasury.

The prolonged outage translates to significant losses in export earnings, impacting government revenue and foreign exchange reserves at a time when the nation can ill afford it.

Nigeria’s LNG exports declined by 40 per cent in February from the previous month, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

Experts have warned that the persistent attacks on NLNG’s gas supply pipelines could jeopardise its projected dividends of N727 billion to the Nigerian government by 2025, a 113 percent growth from N346 billion last year.

Available data showed that the federal government has received about $21.56 billion of the $44 billion dividends disbursed by NLNG in the last 25 years.

President of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has said he is currently resting after delivering his refinery project.

The 650,000-barrel refinery and petrochemicals project worth over $20bn has come to disrupt the oil and gas market in Africa and the world even as the refinery now exports refined products to other countries in Africa and Middle East.

Dangote recently spoke about the challenges he faced constructing the refinery which he described as the biggest risk of his life, saying he went through hell.

But speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony of the 43-storey building new First Bank Head Office at Eko Atlantic City in Lagos, Dangote said he’s now resting after delivering the project.

He commended his friend and ally, Mr. Femi Otedola, who is the Chairman of FirstHoldCo for daring to put up a 43-storey edifice in Eko Atlantic as the new Head Office of FirstBank, Nigeria’s oldest financial institution.

He said Eko Atlantic has become the new City of Lagos and with FirstBank joining the list of corporate entities in the emerging industrial city, more banks would come in.

Dangote however stated that Otedola had also invited him to come to Eko Atlantic, adding, “Maybe soon, not now I’m resting right now. Having delivered the refinery I need some rest but I’ll come, I’ll be here very soon. So I want to congratulate you (Otedola) and the entire board and management of First Bank for taking this bold move of building a massive edifice in the new City of Lagos.”

The groundbreaking is being attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Governors of Lagos, Ogun and Ondo – Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Dapo Abiodun and Lucky Aiyedatiwa respectively.

Others are Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Femi Hamza; former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, among others.

Other billionaires and CEOs in attendance included CEO of Pacific Holdings, Dr. Deji Adeleke; CEO of Sapetro, Senator Daisy Danjuma; Ambassador Gilbert Chagoury; Alhaji Mustapha Indimi, among others.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the upgrade of Mr Temitola Adekunle-Johnson as Special Adviser (SAD) to the President on Job Creation & MSME in the Office of the Vice President, and Mrs Uju Anwuka as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health (Office of the Vice President).

According to a statement by the spokesman of the vice president, Stanley Nkwocha, on Wednesday, the appointments were in continuation of efforts to actualise the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, especially in the respective sectors.

Prior to their upgrade, Mr Adekunle-Johnson and Mrs Anwuka served in the same portfolios as Senior Special Assistant and Special Assistant to the President, respectively, all in the office of the Vice President.

As Senior Special Assistant, Mr Adekunle-Johnson had diligently driven some of the administration’s policies and programmes in areas of job creation and development in the micro, small and medium enterprises space in Nigeria.

Key initiatives implemented under his supervision included the Expanded National MSME Clinics, and the Shared Facility Initiative, among others.

Mrs Onwuka, on the other hand, had industriously anchored the administration’s vision in combating malnutrition and hunger, especially in vulnerable communities across the country, while serving as Special Assistant. A key programme under her watch is the recently launched Nutrition 774 Initiative.

Their latest appointments as Special Adviser and Senior Special Assistant, respectively were with immediate effect.

Chairman, Governance Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos State, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, has opened up on the controversy in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Speaking for the first time since the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker and election of Mojisola Meranda on January 13, 2025, the APC leader stated that whereas the lawmakers have no absolute powers to remove or install their leaders, neither the GAC nor the party was consulted.

Daily Trust reports that both Obasa and Meranda are now laying claim to the Speakership of the House of Assembly.

The GAC is the highest decision making organ of the APC which has held series of meetings with the aggrieved lawmakers since the crisis started.

Speaking with newsmen, Olusi said, “Members of the GAC are not members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to allegedly be behind the removal of Obasa. It can’t be true.

“We read it also that morning. The lawmakers carried it out without consulting the party and those of us in the GAC. That is our position.

“We invited all of them and insisted that all of them are products of the party. They lodged their complaints and we listened to them.

“I blamed them for one thing and that is for not lodging the complaints earlier before the party. It is for the party to decide, they (lawmakers) have no absolute power to remove and install their leaders.

“Nobody can become a member of the House of Assembly unless sponsored by a political party and the sponsors are the inspectors.”

He however added that discussions were ongoing to resolve the crisis.

“The problem is the speaker (Obasa) and his colleagues which had led to his removal. It is a disputer among them.

“Currently, there is a high powered committee of the party led by Chief Bisi Akande and members, including Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and former APC National Vice Chairman, South-west, Chief Pius Akinyelure and others,

“They are working and making efforts to resolve the matter. I know they are in consultation with the House of Assembly, Obasa and the other Speaker, Mrs Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.

“Those of us in the GAC and the Chairman of the Party, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi are doing all within our power to assist the committee,” he added.

By Abdullateef Aliyu & Peter Moses, Lagos

What started like an internal crisis on January 13, 2025, when 36 lawmakers impeached Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly has now degenerated into a major political crisis unsettling the home base of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Even though he is yet to formally declare his interest in the race, sources say that the development in Lagos could pose some threats to the 2027 second term bid of President Tinubu, who needs all the home support he can get to actualise his ppresidential dream.

It would be recalled that Tinubu did not win Lagos State in the 2023 presidential election, but the dynamics of voting might change significantly in 2027, according to political pundits.

About two years ahead of the 2027 election, alignment and realignment of forces have started even as old foes and friends are reuniting, positioning strategically for the poll.

Politicians across all divides also have their eyes on the race, forming strategic alliances to make their dreams come true.

The are some indications that the northern part of Nigeria, where President Tinubu made great inroad in 2023, is unhappy with the current administration at the Centre over a number of factors.

This hint was voiced out by some notable personalities in the region, including former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

In an interview with ThisDay, a former National Secretary of the defunct Action Congress (AC), Dr Usman Bugaje, described the current All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government as a disaster.

“If you cannot perform, you leave. What is the performance of the budget of 2024 for this particular president? My figure is that the budget performance was only 22 per cent. Do you think these kind of people should be allowed to continue? Now, forget that he’s from the south or the north or from anywhere. For me, wherever he comes from, if he cannot perform, he should leave; simple!” Bugaje made these remarks when referred to El-Rufai’s statement that Tinubu might get the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s treatment in the next round of election.

And it is from this perspective that the crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly may further worsen Tinubu’s stand in the 2027 presidential race as analysts say this could unsettle the machinery which he had deployed for over two decades to help in winning various elections in Lagos State.

This is despite the vote of confidence recently passed on him by the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) citing his performance in the last two years. But analysts say he needs more than the confidence vote to prosecute his 2027 agenda.

The crisis in the Lagos House of Assembly has also been linked to the jockeying for the 2027 election in the state with several politicians who are members of Tinubu’s political dynasty eyeing the coveted governorship seat with the hope of succeeding Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The impeachment of Obasa on January 13th was considered a move to “clip” the wing of the Speaker who was perceived to be wielding enormous influence in the state’s political firmament, which might work for him in securing the APC’s ticket for the Government House in Alausa.

Obasa was away on vacation in the United States when the lawmakers impeached him and immediately elected his Deputy, Mojisola Meranda as the Speaker.

Some of the allegations aagainst Obasa were gross misconduct and poor leadership, highhandedness and lack of regard for members, intimidation and suppression of members, including inciting members against one another, misappropriation of funds and lack of transparency, gross abuse of office and privilege; the allegations which he has debunked.

When many people thought his impeachment was a foregone conclusion, Obasa arrived in the country on January 24, 2025, to describe his removal as null and void, saying it did not follow due process.

Amidst the disquiet and anxiety surrounding the impeachment and the leadership turmoil in the House of Assembly, President Tinubu was said to have expressed displeasure over Obasa’s impeachment. Unconfirmed reports said the president even directed that Obasa be reinstated.

Many keen observers fear that if this impasse lingers, the monolithic force that has always been a force behind the president within the ranks of his associates could be shattered completely. And given that he was unable to win Lagos State in the 2023 presidential election, this development may end up worsening his performance in the 2027 presidential poll.

Added to the fears is the indication of an expected big battle over the 2027 governorship bid in the state even within the APC, with the president’s son, Seyi said to be eyeing the No. 1 Seat.

According to some observers, the president’s inability to keep his home base intact ahead of the 2027 elections may give a wrong signal to his other associates within and outside the South West geopolitical zone.


GAC’s role in crisis

Tinubu was said to have been in the dark over the development and drafted the “GAC” to intervene. The Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision making organ of the APC in Lagos State, is revered by all party members. The members comprising former governors, serving and former

senators, former deputy governors and other APC leaders, across the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas in the state, decide who gets what at every election.

Political observers cannot forget in a hurry how the GAC decided the fate of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and he lost his second term bid in 2019.

The GAC was, however, drafted to intercede in the ongoing impasse in the Lagos Assembly. Part of the group’s tasks, according to feelers, was to see to the reinstatement of Obasa.

But the 36 lawmakers backing Meranda rejected the decision, in what analysts describe as a direct challenge on the authority of the president who is invariably the leader of the party in the state.

Weekend Trust gathered that for the first time, the GAC failed to resolve a major political crisis because members of the council have taken sides in the matter, and are therefore divided. The GAC has been turned along pro and anti-Obasa lines, it was gathered.

Two GAC members, Chief Muraina Taiwo and Senator Anthony Adefuye had sided with Obasa. They openly spoke against the process of his removal. Inside sources also said several others were backing him.

One of the GAC members who spoke with our correspondent, on the condition of anonymity, however, backed Meranda, reflecting the deep-seated division among leaders of the party.

The GAC member who was asked to comment on the crisis said: “Obasa is just one out of the 40-member House and if your colleagues say they don’t want you, why are you creating problems for us. To me, I think Obasa should just allow peace to reign and stop causing crisis.”


Bisi Akande drafted to resolve crisis

Weekend Trust learnt that when the GAC appear to have failed to resolve the crisis, former national chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande and former Ogun State governor, Chief Segun Osoba, both confidants of Tinubu, were drafted to resolve the crisis. They were joined by other leaders, including Rep. James Faleke (Ikeja Federal Constituency), former Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Muiz Banire, among others.

Several meetings held last weekend pointed to the direction of Obasa resuming with the condition that he would resign afterwards to give him a “soft landing.” This, it was gathered from sources, was why his security details were restored by the police to pave way for his return to the House.

Weekend Trust learnt further that the restoration of Obasa’s details early this week was a pointer to the gentlemen’s agreement which enabled him (Obasa) to storm the House of Assembly on Thursday with his supporters and loyalists. But the Akande-led committee was said to be unable to get the buy-in of other lawmakers to do the president’s rumoured bidding.


Is Tinubu behind Obasa?

Analysts believe the decision of Obasa to storm the assembly in a triumphant move on Thursday was a reflection of the support and green light he got from the top, however, “unpopular” the action might be.

Many lawmakers loyal to Meranda were within the premises of the House when Obasa arrived.

They watched in awe as the drama unfolded, but rejected his return and insisted Meranda remains their Speaker. They said they had decided to move on and there was no going back.

Sources said the decision by the lawmakers not to accept Obasa back was considered an affront to the president, who is widely reported to be in favour of Obasa’s return. “The president wanted a soft landing for Obasa and he doesn’t want him to be rubbished like nobody,” a source said.

The source said in backing Obasa, the president and those in alignment with him consider his popularity as a grassroots politician. In Agege, where he hails from, he is like a tin-god. The Arewa Community adores him and he remains one of the strongest APC leaders in the state, whose popularity the party cannot dispense with.

A chieftain of the party who spoke with our correspondent yesterday said: “The lawmakers insisting Obasa cannot return are actually daring the president. They cannot do such if the president were to be in the state.

“The president is now the father of the nation and that is why he has not spoken openly on the matter. But can these lawmakers confront him if he is in the state? The president said he doesn’t want something and you are saying otherwise. They are actually stepping beyond their boundaries. No doubt the House has its extant rules and regulations guiding its conducts, but the party is supreme and the leadership of the party cannot be challenged for anything”, he said.

Political scientist, Gbade Ojo, said the coup against Obasa was very “ridiculous,” saying he was impeached when he was not available to defend himself.

However, he stated that Obasa’s removal as Speaker might not affect the president’s second term ambition, adding: “The fact that the president is supporting him is still a rumour. The president needs everybody and the election has nothing to do with Obasa”.


Sanwo-Olu’s connection

In all of these, the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is the number one political office holder in the state, has been mum as the crisis rages. But he has been fingered as the brain behind the removal of Obasa who, sources claim, has been “disrespectful” to the governor. There were speculations that the governor “mobilised” the lawmakers to carry out the impeachment and the new leadership of the house under Meranda has been paying obeisance to him.

While he has kept mute over the development, it was learnt that his position over the crisis has pitched him against the president to the extent that he has been denied “access” to Tinubu.

Public Affairs commentator, Jide Ojo, believes Obasa’s removal was masterminded by the governor in cahoots with some members of the GAC.

“There is no smoke without fire, and obviously GAC in cahoots with the governor masterminded the removal of Obasa”, he said.

Meranda’s family background, support from colleagues threaten Obasa’s return

The crisis has thrown up the indigene-settlers’ crisis given the background of Meranda as a Princess of Iru land and a sister to the present traditional ruler of Oniru, a first class monarch in the state.

Following the withdrawal of Meranda’s security details, there were reports that those of the Oniru, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, were also withdrawn, allegedly in connection with the Lagos Assembly crisis.

The monarch openly celebrated the election of his sister as the first female Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Following Meranda’s election, Oba Lawal wrote on his social media page thus: “I’ve just received the heart-warming news that my sister, Hon. Mojisola Meranda has been sworn-in as the first female speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

“I am thrilled & excited that providence has provided her a bigger platform to serve the good people of Lagos State. I pray to Almighty Allah, to give her wisdom, strength and courage to discharge her duties without fear or favour”, he wrote.

Already, the crisis has fuelled an indigene-settler debate with some people claiming that Obasa is originally from Ogun State while the indigenes are siding Meranda, asking her not to resign despite the pressure.

Findings by our correspondent revealed that Meranda’s background has been a pillar for her in the current battle of the speaker position.

“She is not just a princess, she is an indigene of Lagos and she is a woman. Unlike when the governor would be a man and deputy, a woman, today, we have men as governor and deputy governor and the women are happy that her emergence has given the women their place in the top echelon of leadership in the state,” Jide Ojo, an associate professor added.

He, however, advised that the president needs to do a serious fence-mending in order not to truncate his 2027 ambition. He stated that the lawmakers who are against returning Obasa were concerned about their fate in 2027 as well, which explains why the house spokesperson was beckoning on their leaders to meet them directly.

“If they have a promise of a return ticket, they don’t mind throwing Meranda under the bus. They are doing this because they want assurances from their leaders,” he added.


Meranda talks tough

Speaking yesterday, Meranda, described as a show of shame, the plenary conducted on Thursday by the ousted speaker, Obasa, with four members in attendance.

Yesterday, the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, ordered that all members of the Lagos House of Assembly be joined as parties in the suit filed by the ousted speaker.

Justice Yetunde Pinheiro also adjourned till March 7, to hear all pending applications in the matter.

The 35 lawmakers backing Meranda as the speaker were at the court for the hearing of a matter brought by Obasa.

Despite the claim of gender inclusivity in his administration, no female government official was present on Friday when President Bola Tinubu signed the 2025 appropriation bill into law.

During the signing ceremony at the State House, Abuja, President Tinubu was surrounded by some male cabinet members, including Femi Gbajabiamila, his chief of staff (CoS).

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives; Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy; Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA); and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory, were seen standing on the left-hand side of the president as he signed the document.

By the right were Solomon Adeola, senator representing Ogun west; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; and Abubakar Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning.

Some key female officials in Tinubu’s cabinet include Jumoke Oduwole, minister of industry, trade, and investment; Doris Uzoka-Anite, minister of state for finance; and Mariya Mahmoud, FCT minister of state.

Tinubu signed the N54.99 trillion bill into law, marking a 99.96 percent increase from the 2024 budget of N27.5 trillion.

The national assembly approved the bill on February 13, after revisions to the president’s initial budget proposal of N49.7 trillion.

The key breakdown of the 2025 budget includes a total expenditure of N54.99 trillion, statutory transfers of N3.65 trillion, and a recurrent (non-debt) expenditure of N13.64 trillion.

Other components are capital expenditure (N23.96 trillion), debt servicing (N14.32 trillion), and a deficit-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio of 1.52 percent.

A legal standoff erupted at the Lagos State High Court on Friday as two senior lawyers laid claim to representing the Lagos State House of Assembly in a high-profile case filed by Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, who is challenging his removal as Speaker.

Obasa’s suit, numbered ID/9047GCM/2025 and heard before Justice Yetunde Pinheiro, contests the legality of the Assembly’s sitting on January 13, 2025, during its recess, where the decision to impeach him was made. His lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, argued that the sitting was unconstitutional, as the Speaker neither reconvened the House nor delegated authority.

However, court proceedings took an unexpected turn when Abang Mkpandiok challenged the appearance of Femi Falana, SAN, who had been representing the Assembly. Mkpandiok claimed he had been newly briefed by the Assembly and had filed a motion to replace Falana as counsel.

Falana, in response, objected, stating he had not been formally served with any notice of the change.

After reviewing court records, Justice Pinheiro ruled that Mkpandiok’s application was premature as it had not been properly served on all parties. The court deferred the matter until due process was followed.

Meanwhile, 33 members of the Lagos Assembly have filed a motion seeking to join the suit, asserting their interest in the case.

Justice Pinheiro scheduled the hearing of all pending applications for March 7.

Speaking to journalists after the session, current Speaker Mojosola Lasbat Meranda dismissed reports of her resignation and condemned Obasa’s alleged invasion of the Assembly complex. She also revealed that her full security detail had yet to be restored.

The factional Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has said that he has been a disciple to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu since he left secondary school.

Obasa stated this while answering questions in relation to the crisis rocking the state House of Assembly during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday.

Obasa had stormed the assembly on Thursday alongside his security details and presided over ‘plenary’ attended by four lawmakers, a development which has deepened the crisis.

When asked whether he has Tinubu’s backing in the crisis, Obasa said, “I have been following this man since I just left secondary school. I have pictures to prove this. During SDP I contested for delegate.

“Since then I have always been one of his disciples and I will not change tomorrow. I have always been a loyalist. If they are just realising that now, then they have not been part of us from the genesis.”

On the alleged misunderstanding with Governor Sanwo-Olu, Obasa said that he had been working with the governor smoothly.

“It is not a sin to have an ambition. The governor is my leader and brother. And there is no reason for me to disrespect him. If I have taken a step or an action that seems disrespecting him that might have happened unconsciously.

“Number one, the governor is in our state. We have to respect him and he is my brother. So, as far as I am concerned, there is nothing like that.

“Governorship ambition is not in my consideration. But that doesn’t mean I am not qualified,” he added.

The Kano State Government has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order the removal of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero from the Nasarawa Palace in Kano, citing the need to restore peace and stability.

The government alleged that certain individuals were exploiting the emir’s continued presence in Nasarawa Palace to fuel unrest across the state.

Speaking at the Kano Government House during the distribution of relief materials provided by Tarauni Federal Constituency Representative, Hon. Kabiru Dahiru Sule, the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, reiterated the administration’s stance, calling on the president to intervene.

“We are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove the emir he enthroned and kept in a graveyard,” Gwarzo said.

“The people of Kano, especially the youth, are tired of this nonsense. It is shocking that in a democratic setting, security forces are being deployed to fire teargas at peaceful protesters, with some reports even alleging the use of live ammunition.

“In the evening, military vehicles patrolled the city, even parking in front of my house. But we want to make it clear that there is no intimidation. This is a democracy, and democracy must be upheld, whether some people like it or not. We stand firmly with the youth who took to the streets to express their grievances.

“The president should remove the emir he appointed and take him to his own state. Kano already has an emir and that’s Muhammadu Sanusi II. Today, regardless of who you are, even if you are the ‘Emir of the World,’ you cannot appoint an emir in Kano unless you are Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.”

Gwarzo further asserted that keeping Emir Aminu Ado Bayero in Nasarawa palace is a deliberate attempt to destabilize the Kano State Government and hinder its ability to govern effectively.

The deputy governor acknowledged the recent protests by Kano residents, emphasizing that peaceful demonstrations are a fundamental right in a democratic society.

He condemned the security forces’ actions in dispersing protesters and arresting some of them, insisting that the people of Kano have the right to demand the removal of Emir Bayero.

He reiterated the state government’s demand for President Tinubu to act swiftly in removing Emir Bayero.

The Kano State Government emphasized that the law facilitated the appointment of the former Emir, and the same law has now reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II. Therefore, the government insists that the rule of law must be upheld and allowed to take its course.

On Tuesday, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, filed a lawsuit against Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, for alleged defamation.

In the suit Akpoti-Uduaghan filed, she alleged that defamatory statements were made by the Senate President and published by his aide on Facebook.

The senator then went on to ask the court to order the Akpabio to pay her N100 billion in general damages and N300 million as litigation costs.

The dispute between the aggrieved senator and the Senate President became public knowledge when her seat was reassigned within the Senate chamber without her consent.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was moved from her original position in the minority section to the last row. She resisted the sudden change.

When she persisted in her protest, her microphone was muted and Akpabio directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove her from the legislative chamber.

However, Akpoti-Uduaghan resisted the directive, standing her ground and insisting on her right to speak.

In protest, the Kogi lawmaker raised her voice, accusing Akpabio of silencing her.

“Since the nightclub incident, you [Akpabio] have deliberately silenced me and the voice of Kogi Central on this floor. You have denied me the right to contribute to motions,” she said.

“I have not been able to take the second readings of my numerous debates. So, Mr Senate President, I am not afraid of further being silenced but I will not be shoved to the corner. I choose to remain on this seat as a senator duly elected by my people come what may.

“The worst you will do, Mr Senate President, is to suspend me from sitting. And I promise you, the fact that I am suspended does not mean that I cease to contribute my quota to the development of my people and Nigerians at large.

“Mr Senate President, I have taken a whole lot from you. Some I don’t want to speak [about] publicly. But I will let Nigerians know how you are discriminating against me, how you have maligned me, how you have dehumanised me,” Akpoti-Uduaghan continued.

“Your choice of words since I resumed in this Senate have [caused me] to be dehumanised. Mr Senate President, I am not afraid of you. Do what you may but I will not leave this seat.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan later stated that she had faced a lot of harassment at the Senate chambers.

“I have faced a lot of harassment, I have been going through a lot, a lot. And I have remained quiet because I didn’t want to be interpreted wrongly, I didn’t want any lawsuits against me. I just wanted to be given a chance to work,” she said.

The senator added that she has been funding her international trips personally since 2024, as the Senate leadership systematically blocked her from attending any externally-sponsored events.

It was not the first time the Senate President was accused of wrongdoing by a female colleague or an associate.

On December 12, Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), temporarily walked out of the senate chamber after Akpabio refused to entertain her motion on the need to probe the demolition of structures in the nation’s capital.

In one extreme case, Akpabio was accused of sexual harassment.


‘I SLAPPED AKPABIO FOR SEXUALLY HARASSING ME’

In July 2020, Joy Nunieh, former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), claimed she slapped Akpabio, who was then the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, for sexually assaulting her.

“Why did he not tell Nigerians that I slapped him in his guest house at Apo? I am the only Ogoni woman, the only Nigerian woman that has slapped him. I slapped him because of his plan B. Since he couldn’t get me to take that money, he thought that he could come up on me,” while entertaining questions on an Arise TV programme at the time.

“He didn’t know that I’m a Port Harcourt girl. Port Harcourt girls are not moved by money…by somebody telling me that he will make me the substantive MD. Akpabio’s meetings with me were either at Apo or Meridien…Yes, I am accusing him of sexual harassment.”

Akpabio later denied sexually harassing Nunieh, saying unnamed individuals “afraid of the Forensic Audit at the NDDC” sponsored Nunieh to tarnish his image.

Immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-rufai has accused his successor, Governor Uba Sani and the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu of alleged moves that empower bandits.

DAILY POST reports that an X user @realYusufTukur had shared a report of a kidnapping incident in Kaudna State where over 30 persons were kidnapped.

In the post, the X user lamented that the report “will not trend, since @elrufai, the man they’ve sworn to hate, is not the Governor.

“Meanwhile, NSA @NuhuRibadu is busy playing politics with security”.

Yusuf was reacting particularly to a recent incident where the daredevil criminal elements attacked a community located in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Wakilin Fulani of Janjala, Alhaji Atah Adamu Wakili, a nursing mother and 37 other residents of the community were reportedly kidnapped during the unprovoked attack.

Sharing Yusuf’s post, El-rufai claimed that the kidnappers “will be paid to release them early, and then the NSA will hand the victims over to the state government in colorful ceremony. Propaganda trumps sensible governance.”

According to the former governor, such moves empower the bandits financially, resulting in the purchase of more sophisticated weapons.

“The terrorists, thus further financially empowered, will purchase even more sophisticated weapons and abduct even more people in Kaduna and elsewhere, that is the new ‘modus operandi’ of the geniuses in charge of our state these days”, he added.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has condemned the unauthorised and forceful entry of the suspended Clerk, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, into the Assembly premises following the announcement of his suspension on the floor of the House by a two-thirds majority of the members.

According to the Chief Security Officer, Kushoro Idowu, Onafeko arrived with unknown men and blocked the Assembly staff gate with his car.

He later proceeded to the Clerk’s office with the intent to break in.

This act of defiance constitutes a clear disregard for legislative protocols and security regulations.

The leadership of the House views this action as an affront to the integrity of the institution and will take all necessary steps to uphold discipline and order within its premises.

Olalekan Onafeko has filed a suit against the Assembly, the Acting Clerk, the State Government, and others in court.

He should, therefore, focus on the legal process instead of disrupting activities in the Assembly.

Hence, the appropriate authorities have been duly informed, and necessary measures are being taken to prevent any further breach of the Assembly’s security and sanctity.