₦airaland Forum

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has accused oil producers of diverting 500,000 barrels of crude oil daily.

The crude oil alleged to have been diverted is said to be meant for local refineries.

This is even as the group lamented that quite a number of local refineries have been abandoned due to the failure of oil producers to obey the domestic crude supply obligation.

The PETROAN made this allegation while commenting on the decision of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to ban the export of crude oil allocated to local refineries.

It was noted that the development on the ban of exportation of crude oil allocated to local refineries are expected to have a positive impact on the economy.

According to the statement, refining crude oil locally will enrich the petrochemical industries and agricultural sector.

It is also expected to "reduce inequalities in income, and enable Nigeria to transition from a raw material supplier to a value-added product supplier" per the PETROAN position.

PETROAN said the move would boost local refining capacity, reduce the importation of refined petroleum products, and ease pressure on foreign exchange supply.

“The exportation of crude oil meant for domestic refining has led to the abandonment of local refineries. It has been a major racketeering scheme, with producers and traders prioritising quick foreign exchange proceeds over local refining,” a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Joseph Obele, read.

“Approximately, 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day are allocated for domestic refining, but these volumes often find their way to the international market”.

While commenting, the PETROAN’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, urged the NUPRC to take swift action against refineries, cargo vessels, and companies that default on this policy.

Harry believes that the policy will guarantee sufficient refined petroleum products in the country, leading to price reductions and better days ahead for Nigerian consumers.

Earlier, the NUPRC in a circular warned exporters from tampering with cargoes meant for local refineries

In a letter addressed to exploration and production companies and their equity partners, the Commission Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, warned that diverting crude oil meant for local refineries is a clear violation of the country’s law.

“Kindly note that the diversion of crude cargo designated for domestic refineries is a violation of the law, and the Commission will henceforth disallow export permits for such cargoes.”

“All cargoes designated for domestic refining can only be altered with the express approval of the Commission Chief Executive. The above is for your strict compliance,” the letter read.

The factional of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Emeka Beke in Rivers State said Tony Okocha is doing everything possible to force former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi out of the political party.

Spokesman of the faction, Darlington Nwauju, explained that Okocha’s intent was the major reason he has been attacking the former minister.

Okocha, on Monday, described the former Minister as a failed politician who was unable to attract any single project to the region and the state.

“Why has former Governor Amaechi’s name become the only currency that Tony Okocha and his group can use for their political trade by batter? The only reason why Tony Okocha is doing everything possible to construct a gulf in the APC family is to vex the original stakeholders of the party in the state like Amaechi and force him out of a political party he laboured to build in Rivers State,” he said.

Nwauju said destroying other people’s reputations to gain political relevance is what every reasonable man should query.

Also, an APC chieftain, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, said Amaechi influenced over 15 crucial projects in the South-South region and helped several South South people to get appointments into various Federal Government agencies.

Eze, Erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), said, it was necessary to give clarity on Okocha’s statement. He stressed that Amaechi served all parts of the country equally as Minister and attracted several developmental projects to the South-South region contrary to Okocha’s claims.

“For the records, Amaechi pushed for the construction of the 39km Bonny Bodo road and its two creek bridges including the bridge over Opobo channel at a whopping sum of N120 billion. This gigantic bridge is comparable only to the 2nd Niger bridge project among others,” he said.

In response to Okocha’s claim that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has not achieved anything since he assumed office, Eze said such a statement indicates that Okocha does not know what governance is all about.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of federal commissioners to key national agencies, including the Federal Character Commission (FCC), National Population Commission (NPC), and Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

In a statement issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Hon. Kayode Oladele has been appointed Federal Commissioner for the FCC. At the same time, Mrs. Olukemi Victoria Iyantan will serve as Commissioner for the NPC. Additionally, 21 new and returning commissioners have been appointed to the RMAFC to represent various states.

Notable appointments to the RMAFC include Mrs Linda Nkechi Oti (Abia), Mr Akpan Imo Effiong (Akwa Ibom), and Prof. Steve Ugbah (Benue).

The list also includes key renewals, such as Chief Eyo Nsa Whiley (Cross River) and Alhaji Kabir Mohammed Mashi (Katsina), signalling a mix of fresh leadership and experienced hands.

The complete list of RMAFC appointees is as follows: Mrs. Linda Nkechi Oti-Abia (Fresh Appointment), Mr. Akpan Imo Effiong-Akwa Ibom (Fresh Appointment), Mr Enefe Ekene – Anambra (Fresh Appointment)

.Prof. Steve Ugbah – Benue (Fresh Appointment)Chief Eyo Nsa Whiley – Cross River (Renewal) and

Aruviere Egharhevwe – Delta (Fresh Appointment).

Others are Nduka Henry Awuregu – Ebonyi (Fresh Appointment)

Mr Victor Eboigbe – Edo (Renewal), Hon. Wumi Ogunlola – Ekiti (Fresh Appointment), Hon. Ozo Obumreme Obodougo – Enugu (Fresh Appointment) and Mr Mohammed Kabeer Usman – Gombe (Fresh Appointment).

Others are Alhaji Kabir Mohammed Mashi – Katsina (Renewal), Hon. Adamu Fanda – Kano (Fresh Appointment), Prof. Olusegun Adekunle Wright – Lagos (Renewal), Aliyu Almakura Abdulkadir – Nasarawa (Renewal), Bako Shetima – Niger (Renewal) and Mr. Amosun Akeem Akintayo – Ogun (Fresh Appointment).

Others are: Dr. Nathaniel Adojutelegan – Ondo (Fresh Appointment), Hon. Saad Bello Ibrahim – Plateau (Fresh Appointment), Mr. Modu Aji Juluri – Yobe (Renewal) and Bello Rabiu Garba – Zamfara (Fresh Appointment)

The appointments, which took effect on 3rd February 2025, will last for an initial five-year term, as stipulated under relevant laws governing political and public office holders.

The statement noted that President Tinubu expects the newly appointed commissioners to work collaboratively with agency heads to advance the objectives of their respective organisations, which is in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The President’s directive emphasised the importance of robust support for effective resource allocation, population management, and equitable representation to drive national development.

According to Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations, the President is confident that the new appointees will contribute to fulfilling strategic national priorities through dedicated service.

Trucks, SUV/Jeeps, light vehicles/minibuses and cars will now pay ₦6,400, ₦4,000, ₦3,200, and ₦2,000, respectively, to ply the 227.2km Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi highway reconstructed by the Federal Government under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) road project scheme.

The development followed the official flag-off of the cashless tolling operations along the road corridor by the federal government on Tuesday.

The road has four toll stations at Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia and Makurdi Plazas.

The toll rates peg Trucks/buses/multi-axle vehicles at ₦1,600 per toll, light vehicle/minibuses at ₦1,000, SUV/Jeep at ₦800 and cars at ₦500, respectively. Each vehicle plying the road from beginning to the end will be tolled four times at four different toll stations.

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, said on the 227.2-kilometer Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi highway, however, commercial vehicles will enjoy 50 per cent discount while tricycles, motorcycles, and other modes of two-or-three-wheel transport are exempted from paying toll fee.

Others also exempted are Police, Military and security and diplomatic vehicles.

He said the road corridor is a vital infrastructure route in Nigeria, serving as an essential highway for both the economic and social activities of the central and northern regions of the country.

He said the road corridor is crucial for the economic, social, and strategic development of Nigeria as it serves as a key artery for trade, mobility, and national security while contributing to the growth of infrastructure, urbanisation, and national cohesion.

Umahi, represented by the Minister of State for Works, Barr. Bello Goronyo, Esq., said the effective maintenance and further development of the road will continue to play a significant role in the nation’s development and enhancing the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.

He said the Federal Government of Nigeria rehabilitated and upgraded the roads through the preferential credit loan from China Exim Bank.

He explained that the loan agreement provided, among other things, that upon completion, the road will be tolled, operated, and maintained by a private party, and that revenue collected from the operation shall be preferentially used for the loan repayment to the China Exim Bank.

“Consequently, the Ministry, under the previous administration in 2023, executed a 25-year toll of wages and maintained concession agreement with Messrs China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company Limited, in partnership with Messrs Katamaran Nigeria Limited, under the Highways Development and Management Initiative Phase I,” he added.

He said the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi road is the first among the nine corridors being concessioned under the Highways Development and Management Initiative Phase I to commence operations.

He added that the government, in the coming months, will continue with the launching and operationalisation of the remaining ones located across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

This initiative has opened a new chapter in the history of Nigeria as it gives the Federal Government the opportunity to overcome bad roads.

“Tolling concessions is a vital step towards the realization of our vision for a more efficient, sustainable, and well-maintained road transport system for our beloved country. Today, we embark on a journey to ensure that our infrastructure is preserved for the benefit of present and future operations. The collection of tolls will generate much-needed revenue for the maintenance and extension of our renewed road agenda,” he stated.

He reiterated that the initiative will promote ease of movement that bolsters the economy, creates a self-sustaining and resilient transport network, supports economic growth and job creation in the beloved North African and rural areas across the country.

He said the toll order fee for the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Highway has been gazetted as follows: “Saloon cars would be tolled for N500, SUVs/Jeeps N800, minibuses N1,000, and multi-axle vehicles N1,600.”.

He, however, said frequent road users, like the commercial light vehicles defined under the Federal Highways Act, would enjoy a 50% discount.

He added that “pedal vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles, and other modes of two-orthree-wheel transport used by mainly disadvantaged populations would be offered a 100% discount.”

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, called for public enlightenment on the toll fees.

“We need to encourage the people. We need to get the buy-in of the people. Because the effects of this are multiple. Security is guaranteed, our vehicles will last longer, accidents will be less, the economy will develop because at these tollgates, economies will come up. Shops, sales, and all that will come up,” Akabe stated.

Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna, says he does not pretend and cannot be one of the politicians who become “Nollywood actors” once in government.

Recently, el-Rufai has been involved in a public war of words with some members of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The spat began after the former Kaduna governor criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for “straying away from its core values” and said he no longer recognises his political party.

El-Rufai’s comment struck a chord within the presidency, and Daniel Bwala, a presidential aide, asked el-Rufai if his take on the APC would have been different if he were a member of Tinubu’s cabinet.

Reacting to Bwala’s remark, el-Rufai said he would still criticise APC even if he had been involved in the Tinubu administration.

On Saturday, in a post on his X account, the former Kaduna governor aimed another jibe at those he claimed become actors once they get into political office.

He was responding to a post by a social media user, @irahabib.

“The day I read El-Rufai’s book titled Accidental Public Servant, I concluded that no politician would want @elrufai in their cabinet unless they genuinely intend to develop this country. He doesn’t know how to pretend,” Habib wrote.

In response, el-Rufai wrote, “Thanks for your kind words, @irahabib. Truly, I don’t know how to pretend. Being a Nollywood actor in governance is for some others, not some of us. Have a nice day.”

The Federal Government has donated N30 million to the family of renowned National Flag designer, late Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, two years after his demise.

The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, accompanied by the Oyo State Director of the agency, Olukemi Afolayan, made the official presentation of the cheque on behalf of the Federal Government at the Elebu in Ibadan residence of the late National hero on Thursday.

PUNCH Online reports that the late Akinkunmi died on August 29, 2023, at the age of 87.

On September 4, 2023, President Bola Tinubu sent a government delegation led by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Malagi, on a condolence visit where it pledged to give the late Nigerian hero a national burial and financial support to the family.

The NOA DG said, “The donation of N30 million to the family of renowned National Flag designer was not to pay for the services of the late legend but to support his family in appreciation of his contributions to the country.”

One of the deceased sons, Akinwunmi Akinkunmi, expressed gratitude to Tinubu for the gesture.

A former governor of Osun State, Bisi Akande, has alleged that the historic EndSARS protest that shut down the nation’s economy in 2020 was orchestrated to destroy President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking in an interview, State Affairs with Edmund Obilo, published on Wednesday via YouTube, Akande alleged that the protest was manufactured in America by the Obidient movement.

According to the former governor, the EndSARS, which was “organized with a lot of money from America”, aimed at stopping Tinubu’s presidential ambition.

He said, “EndSARS was designed to be the end of Tinubu. Those behind the protest know that that was what they were doing.

“The Obidients were behind EndSARS; it was manufactured in America and brought in just to stop him.

“They came from America to do the EndSARS and later became a movement to form a party but they can’t form a party. It was well planned and organized with a lot of money from America”.

Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2023, says he will not accept President Bola Tinubu even if he volunteered to be his bail surety.

Sowore is currently in police custody after he was invited for questioning over allegations of cyberstalking, negligent acts, and intimidation.

The police invitation was about a viral video wherein Sowore confronted officers who had stopped his vehicle at a checkpoint in Lagos.

He arrived at the force headquarters in Abuja on Monday, and on Wednesday, police arraigned Sowore over cybercrime allegations.

However, he rejected the bail conditions set by the police, which required him to deposit his international passport and present a level 17 civil servant as a surety.

The court adjourned ruling on his bail application to Thursday, January 25.

‘MY BAIL CONDITIONS FRIVOLOUS AND RIDICULOUS’

Addressing journalists in a video seen by TheCable, Sowore rejected the bail conditions and vowed not to participate in what he called “illegality”.

The human rights activist said the conditions were “laughable, frivolous, and ridiculous,” adding that the police have no right to grant administrative bail.

“I cannot in good conscience continue to participate in illegality because I have made it very clear that the police have no right to grant administrative bail that asks for civil servants to own, first and foremost, N100 million houses, which is a crime; that’s a corruption to stand bail for me, who is an employer of labour,” Sowore said.

“I’m a publisher of an internationally renowned news website. I have people who I hired in Nigeria and abroad. I’m not a civil servant. In fact, I’m an uncivil citizen who is against all kinds of corruption.

“I have spent my entire life fighting against corruption. So, to now ask me, to insult me that I should provide a level 17 director, who had not gotten employment when I was fighting for democracy in 1992.

“To now ask the person to come and stand surety for me is a biggest insult. Even if President Bola Tinubu had appeared as my surety, I would have rejected that very laughable, frivolous, ridiculous, and I dare say stupid bail condition.

“If the court in its own wisdom decides that they want my passport in their coffers, which is a very special passport, that’s a different issue.

“But we must continue to reject the impunity of the Nigeria police and officers who will just invite you and then ask you to deposit your passport.

“I should go and bring a level 17 civil servant; even by the civil service rules, there is no level 17 officer because a level 17 in civil service is a permanent secretary who is politically appointed by the president.

“So, you expect such a person to come and stand surety for Sowore. I’m not being arrogant, and I’m not bragging. In 1992, when I was a student leader, Tinubu was a senator, and I was more powerful than him in Nigerian society.

“So, how dare them ask me, and I can guarantee you that at that time, Egbetokun probably had just joined the police, and he was a sergeant. That’s if he has not forged his age.”

The removal of former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa has further polarized the ranks of the Governor’s Advisory Council, the apex advisory organ.

Some members of GAC had earlier disagreed over the process that led to the removal of Obasa.

Meanwhile, a member of the GAC, Chief Muraina Akanbi Taiwo, from Isolo Constituency, faulted members of the Assembly for reconvening during the house’s recess in a statement on Tuesday.

The GAC members, including former Minister of Defence (State) Senator Musliu Obanikoro and Senator Anthony Adefuye, expressed divergent views over the embattled former Speaker.

While Adefuye said Obasa was illegally removed, Obanikoro countered the latter, saying his statement “was careless.”

However, the GAC secretary, Mr Mutiu Are, said the brewing crisis in the Assembly is a family affair and will be resolved in a family way.

Obanikoro faulted a statement made by Senator Adefuye expressing support for Obasa.

Adefuye, a member of GAC, said in a recent interview that he disagreed with the removal of Obasa.

“What he is saying is that he was illegally removed, and the procedure was faulty, and I agree with him,” the APC chieftain said.

Reacting to Adefuye’s interview, Obanikoro said the APC chieftain made the statement carelessly, adding that it was important to respect hierarchy in any organisation.

The former Minister said, ” Senator Adefuye’s statement on the removal of the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, is very unfortunate, childish and inconsequential.

“Senator Adefuye’s comment shouldn’t have come up. As leaders, if there are serious issues of this magnitude, rushing to make a press statement or personal statement on such issues is unbecoming of a statement.

“Since GAC as a unit has not made any pronouncement on the subject matter, it is irresponsible of any member of that privileged body to go public and comment on an issue as sensitive as that.

“Moreso, our leader, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, waded in on the matter, so I believe nobody should come out individually to express an opinion based on privileged status.”


It’s a family affair — GAC scribe

Are called for calm, saying the matter will be resolved in a family way.

While reacting to the claim by Obasa that his removal was unconstitutional, Are said: “Whatever is currently going on in Lagos politics is a family affair. As an elder, I’m not supposed to take sides.

“We would resolve everything because the GAC, the apex advisory organ, has its mechanism for resolving matters like this.

“By my position as the secretary of the body, I’m not given an express permission to speak to the matter. But I can tell you we’ll resolve it in a family way.”


Taiwo hits lawmakers

A statement by Taiwo, titled: “My take on the ongoing imbroglio in the Lagos Assembly,” read in part, “The act of the lawmakers to reconvene during the recess is illegal.

“It shows total disregard and apparent disrespect for the party’s leadership.

“Obviously, the GAC Leadership is split over the matter, but we will all defer to the final decision of our de facto leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to resolve the crisis.”

Former President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, disclosed that he now lived on money he earned from renting out one of his two houses in Kaduna State, insisting he did not corruptly enrich himself as president.

Buhari said Nigeria was a difficult country to govern because of its complexities, and tasked the leaders on transparency and accountability.

He made the revelations while addressing the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in Katsina State, at Government House, Katsina, ahead of the state’s local council election, scheduled for February 15.

The former president said most Nigerians were unaware of the administrative challenges involved in governing the country, but simply blamed their leaders during and after their tenures.

Buhari said, in Hausa, “Nigeria is a difficult country to govern, but most Nigerians are unaware. Until you find yourself in the administrative position of the country, if not, you will not understand the complexities.

“I look much better and healthier now than when I was the president of the country. Anybody that sees me now acknowledges that I look better than before.”

He explained that did not corruptly enrich himself with the country’s wealth during his eight years as president.

Buhari, who was visibly excited, added that nobody could blackmail him for illicit enrichment while in office.
He disclosed that he had only three houses in his native Daura, Katsina State, and Kaduna State.

He said, “After my eight years as a civil president, I have only three houses; one in Daura and two in Kaduna. I have given one out for renting where I get money for feeding.”

Buhari urged Nigerian leaders to adopt transparency and accountability as guiding principles while in office.

In his remarks, Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State urged APC stakeholders to mobilise electoral support across the state in preparation for the forthcoming local government elections.

Radda said APC chieftains should canvass for support in their respective local government areas. He stressed the importance of achieving total victory through popular votes while ensuring transparent electoral processes.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, said, “We are committed to conducting elections that reflect the true will of the people.”

By Abiodun Nejo


The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola SAN, in the early hours of Monday, agreed to withdraw the cases instituted against activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

Following Babalola’s petition to the police commissioner in Ekiti State that Farotimi defamed him in a book titled ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’, the police arrested the activist lawyer and arraigned him before two courts in Ekiti.

Consequently, Farotimi stood trial for alleged criminal defamation before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District and as well for alleged cyber-bullying before the Ado Ekiti Division of Federal High Court.

But Babalola, who spoke at ABUAD after the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other top traditional rulers at the midnight meeting, said, he had agreed to withdraw the criminal case, saying, “I will tell my lawyers to withdraw the case.”

Also in attendance were the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole: the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu; the Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju; and the Alaaye of Efon Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare.

Babalola, who restated the importance of the Yoruba traditional institution and the influence it wielded, said, “The monarchs are here, they have appealed to me over a criminal charge involving somebody who said I was corrupt.”

The senior advocate said that he felt so bad that Farotimi accused him of winning all his cases through corruption; hence, he rejected all earlier appeals to him to take the cases out of court.

He listed those who had appealed to him to take the matter out of court including former President Olusegun Obasanjo; the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah; and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adejugbe.

He said, “If you go through the pamphlet (Farotimi’s book), you will find that he attacked many judges by names, he attacked Supreme Court judges, and none is bothered, but I am bothered. I am bothered because of where and how I started life, from the farm to where I am.

“There is nothing I am going to gain from his imprisonment. There is nothing I am going to gain from so-called damages. I am not in quest of more wealth, rather how to spend what I have for the benefit of others. The only time I am happy is when I give.

“The request is simple, take away this criminal case in court. When Obasanjo wrote, he came here, I said no. when Kukah phoned and came, I said no, but on this occasion, I say yes. Thank you Kabiyesis. I will speak to my lawyers to withdraw it.”

The Ooni, who spoke on behalf of Yoruba monarchs, had requested Babalola to withdraw the case in court, assuring him that “nobody can tarnish your name. Your name is more than silver and gold and you have stood for your name with the message that nobody can joke with your name.”

Ogunwusi, who acknowledged Babalola’s contributions to the development of Yoruba, Nigeria and the world, said, “We (monarchs) came here to discuss the matter with him and he gave full respect to the obas and agreed.

“We, the obas, can attest to the hard work of Aare Afe Babalola and how he has invested so hard to build his name. The name cannot be tarnished or rubbished by anyone. Aare Afe Babalola has proven to the world that he cherishes his name and the world has heard him clearly.

“Baba, we want to appeal and also use our race to instruct you. Dele Farotimi is your son, you may not know him, we give birth to different children in this world, some are tough, some are soft, some are hard. Why we are here is our ethos as a race.”

The Ooni added, “We are using our race because some of our elders in Yorubaland and even beyond Yorubaland have spoken, but combining forces with the traditional institution, we have heard you, enough, enough and enough. Your name is intact. We have resolved the matter in our own way, we have done the needful.”

In a petition dated November 19, 2024, addressed to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, Afe Babalola alleged that defamatory content in Dele Farotimi’s book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’, tarnished his reputation.

Farotimi was arrested in Lagos by officers of the Ekiti State Police Command and transported to Ado-Ekiti, where he faced a 16-count charge of criminal defamation and cyberbullying. Following his arraignment in a magistrate court, he was remanded in custody.

The allegations stem from claims in the book accusing Babalola and other Senior Advocates of Nigeria of influencing Supreme Court justices through corruption.

Former Nigerian Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari have put up a brilliant defence for Nigeria before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, France, in an alleged breach of contract case against the federal government concerning the Mambilla Power Project.

A firm, Sunrise Power, had instituted a $2.3 billion arbitration case against the federal government, claiming that the country had defaulted in its contractual obligations to the company.

But Sunrise Power’s defence and efforts to secure an award against Nigeria in the arbitration proceedings at the ICC may have suffered a setback during the ongoing hearings in Paris as its witnesses failed to appear to testify.

According to sources, Obasanjo and Buhari, known for speaking “forthrightly” and “‘unequivocally”, exhibited these qualities in Paris to the delight of the international team of lawyers representing Nigeria as the two past presidents did exceptionally well.

LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that although it is up to the chairman and other members of the tribunal to decide who is right or wrong, Nigeria had a very good outing based on certain facts that have emerged from Paris.

Obasanjo testified on Wednesday, followed by Buhari on Thursday. The panel’s sessions began on Saturday, January 18, but hearings from factual witnesses were held from Monday, January 20, to Thursday, January 23. Although the sittings will continue into next week, only expert opinions will be heard moving forward.

The sources also said it was a great showing overall, consolidated by the equally outstanding testimonies of former ministers Engr Sulaiman Adamu, who was the Minister of Water Resources, and Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Minister of Power during Buhari’s administration.

The sources said expert witnesses were called and the parties involved in the arbitration would submit their written arguments to the tribunal. A date will then be scheduled for the adoption of these submissions. Subsequently, the tribunal will set a date to deliver its decision. Confidentiality rules govern arbitration hearings and are not intended to be reported extensively in the media.

Sunrise, a company promoted by Leno Adesanya, faced a significant setback as its key witnesses failed to appear to adopt their statements, effectively rendering their submissions abandoned and irrelevant.

Olu Agunloye was the Minister of Power controversially awarded the Sunrise contract in 2003 – just a day after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) rejected it. He was listed as a witness but did not appear.

Similarly, a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and another witness listed by Sunrise, Michael Aondoakaa, was said to have briefly appeared in Paris but returned to Nigeria without testifying.

A third key witness, a Senegalese also failed to appear.

Also, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General under Buhari, Abubakar Malami, on whose testimony Sunrise was hoping on, was not fielded as a witness, but ended up lining behind his former boss (Buhari).

LEADERSHIP Weekend made efforts to reach Sunrise Power last night by sending messages to the firm’s email addresses but could not get any response as of the time of filing this report.

The power firm initiated the arbitration proceedings on October 10, 2017, seeking $2.354 billion in damages for what it described as a breach of contract.

The company claims the federal government violated a 2003 agreement for the Mambilla Project, designed initially as a “build, operate, and transfer” scheme.

In 2017, then-minister of Power, Works, and Housing Babatunde Fashola described Sunrise Power as a “middleman,” stating that the Buhari administration had engaged Sinohydro Corporation Limited, a Chinese firm, as the project’s Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor.

However, while an out-of-court settlement of $200 million was reportedly agreed upon in 2020, Sunrise Power filed a new claim for $400 million at the ICC, alleging the government had defaulted on the settlement terms. The company also sought reinstatement as the local partner for the revised $5.8 billion Mambilla Project, a condition, it claimed, was removed in subsequent negotiations.

Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejob[/b]i, on Saturday, [b]sparked a heated debate on social media after stating that the Nigerian law empowered police operatives to break into homes without a search warrant.

The controversy began when an social media user, Somto Okonkwo, shared a video showing masked policemen forcefully entering a house by scaling the fence.

The video shows the officers firing shots after the occupants refused to open the gate of the house for them.

But the police later gained access to the building by scaling the fence.

Reacting to the video, an X user, Joseph Tobore, Adejobi’s statement contravened Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution.

He said, “Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution is dead in the eyes of the police spokesman. Nigeria is in trouble if Prince can support breaking the laws and claim it’s their law. Be reminded that any law that is not in conformity with the Constitution is no law. Prince, I challenge you: educate Nigerians on Section 37 and ask yourself how this statement makes sense.”

Another x user identified as ‘Great Oracle Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary’ questioned the police’s actions, saying, “How’s this consistent with the force operations? Officers turned up masked, without a warrant, opened live rounds, and climbed (actually trespassed) into a property—and this is standard operation? An armed citizen would have shot this officer.”

In his comment, a netizen with X handle ‘Dipo’, said, “Uniform is no longer proof of authority because criminals, bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers have been known to operate wearing the same uniform. Only professional conduct can validate true operatives.”

Responding to the backlash, Adejobi defended the actions of the police, stating, “The police have the power to break into any house or place where they are reasonably convinced an offence is being committed.”

He further explained that breaking into homes was allowed in the law, with a caution that “all you need is to follow the procedure. Powers to break in and break out, not only in the East, it’s the law of the land.”

However, an X user, Ben Samuel, criticised Adejobi’s remarks, saying “Your statement lacks clarity, sir. The police do not have the authority to ‘break into any house or place’ without a valid warrant. There is no difference between the actions of these undisciplined officers and those of armed robbers, and they must face strict punishment for such misconduct. Legal duties cannot be carried out using unlawful methods,” he wrote.

But the Force PRO further said, “No matter how they review the law, no amendment would strip the police of its powers. They can only review the procedure of exercising its powers. And note that not in all cases do we require a warrant to search or arrest. Read the law and understand. There are many laws guiding the operations of the police, and they are sacrosanct.”

Impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to have his impeachment nullified, SaharaReporters has learnt.

SaharaReporters reported on Friday night that Obasa was set to return to Lagos today (Saturday).

Meanwhile, his loyalists are planning a lavish welcome party for him, sources told SaharaReporters.

Obasa was impeached earlier this month for gross misconduct and abuse of office, prompting his swift departure to the US, a source close to the Lagos House of Assembly told SaharaReporters.

It was learnt that the former speaker who fell out of favour of favour with President Tinubu returned to Abuja last weekend after assurances of no arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or any other law enforcement agencies.

It was earlier reported that the former Speaker was facing scrutiny from the EFCC over allegations of misappropriating ₦43.5 billion in state funds.

Sources told SaharaReporters that during a meeting with Tinubu, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and some other All Progressives Congress stakeholders following Obasa’s impeachment, he argued that his impeachment ought to be nullified because he had hidden the two maces in possession of the state House of Assembly.

However, He was informed that the mace used during the session in which he was impeached was brought from the old Assembly building.

One of the sources said, “President Tinubu had summoned all the stakeholders; Lagos lawmakers, Lagos Governor’s Advisory Council, Obasa himself and Lagos Governor to Abuja for consultations and understanding.

“The President was unhappy the removal of Obasa was orchestrated without his express approval, and that he learnt about it from the news and social media. Except this lack of approval, he told Obasa that “he was not born a Speaker, and that speakership was not created with him”.

“Obasa pushed for the nullification of his impeachment on the grounds that the mace used to conduct business of the day on that fateful day wasn’t the official mace of the Lagos House of Assembly, considering he hid away the two maces while travelling out of the country.

“The lawmakers defeated his argument by confirming the mace used as the old mace of the parliament in the old building of the assembly. Seeing the futility of his claims, Obasa requested the President to prevail on the new leadership to grant him access to his belongings at the Speaker’s lodge and guest house. This was granted by the President,” the source added.

Sources told SaharaReporters that Obasa is expected to visit the lodge and guest house today (Saturday), after returning to Lagos.

“But his visit will be under strict supervision to ensure no public property is looted by the former Speaker.

“To safe face, the Chairman of Agege local government, Ganiyu Egunjobi has embarked on mobilisation of Obasa’s supporters to receive him on arrival in Lagos and also attend a meeting convened by the former Speaker in GRA, Ikeja later today,” one of the sources said.

SaharaReporters reported on Friday that upon his return, Obasa would move to his house at Joel Ogunnaike in GRA, Ikeja at 9.00 am where his loyalists would organise a large welcome party for him.

“Deposed Speaker of Lagos House of Assembly will return to Lagos tomorrow and move to his house at Joel Ogunnaike, GRA Ikeja at 9.00 am prompt where a welcome party awaits him,” the source said.


Background

Obasa was impeached by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.

Obasa’s deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, was immediately elected the new Speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the South-West state.

Obasa, from Agege Constituency I, was first elected into the House in 2007. He has since been in the chamber since then. He emerged speaker in June 2015 before his removal in January 2025.

On Monday, January 13, 2025, Obasa was impeached for gross misconduct and abuse of office.

On May 14, 2020, SaharaReporters reported that in another misuse of public funds and abuse of office, then Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Obasa, received N53m from the state coffers to travel with his mistress to the United States of America.

The report said Obasa got the House to approve the fund to facilitate a trip to Georgia, United States, for the 2019 US-Nigeria Trade and Investment Global Summit, which he was billed to attend with some members of the Assembly and their staff.

The event was subsequently postponed but rather than return the fund to the state’s treasury, Obasa diverted the funds for personal use as he travelled to the US with his mistress.

In a document sighted by SaharaReporters dated October 15, 2019, Obasa had requested the Assembly to release the funds so he could attend the summit along with one of his staff.

The document partly read, “Given the above, kindly seek approval of the Rt. Hon. Speaker for release of the sum of N53,719,405 only to enable them to attend the programme.

“Hon. Speaker, please read from page 39 of file. You are respectfully invited to consider and approve the release of N53,719,405 to facilitate the attendance of the Hon. Speaker, Hon. members and one member of staff at the Y2019 US – Nigeria Trade and Investment Global Summit scheduled to take place in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, from 26th – 28th September 2019.”

It was gathered that though the meeting was rescheduled, Obasa travelled to the US with his mistress in place of his legislative staff.

An official of the Lagos Assembly, who spoke with SaharaReporters, said the Speaker was always in the habit of travelling with his mistress in place of his staff whenever he was leaving the country for official purpose.

“The Speaker and his mistress, who doubles as his protocol and external relations officer in the Assembly, only went to the US after collecting N53m for the US-Nigeria Trade and Investment Global Summit.

“No other staff or member of the Assembly travelled with the Speaker or attended the event,” the source said.

Another person close to the Speaker’s team also confirmed the lamentation and anger of some of the staff listed on this approval, who couldn’t embark on the trip or got a share of the money.

SaharaReporters had also exposed how Obasa fraudulently approved millions of naira for himself through the award of contracts to companies owned by him.

Other reports also revealed how he approved N17m monthly to maintain his personal residence and guest house.

Less than two years into his administration, President Bola Tinubu has commissioned some federal infrastructure named after him. Three stand out.

Tinubu became president on May 29, 2023. His administration will be two years old in the next four months.

While naming public institutions after the president violates no law, some Nigerians believe the president paints his name unnecessarily on national projects.

Below are three national projects named after Tinubu so far.


BOLA AHMED TINUBU BARRACKS

On Thursday, at Asokoro in Abuja, Tinubu commissioned a multibillion-naira army barracks. Its construction started in 2023. The barracks project is an intervention funded by the government to provide more accommodation to military workers.

The palatial project has four phases of construction. The completed phases one and two were what Tinubu had commissioned, including 444 apartments for soldiers and 170 officers.

For some reason, the military facility was named Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks.

BOLA AHMED TINUBU TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION COMPLEX

About two months before launching the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) opened its new technology centre in Abuja to integrate all its processes, including passport production, border surveillance and human data collation across the country’s airports.

Today, at the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) officially commissioned the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC).

The ultra-modern complex will not only serve as the nerve centre of the immigration service, but also… pic.twitter.com/9sWKjh5sEH

— Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (@BTOofficial) December 10, 2024


On the capacity of the centre, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said, “The complex houses some of the most advanced technological security solutions that compete globally. It comprises a Data Centre, Command and Control Centre, Visa Approval Centre (VAC), ECOWAS Biometrics Centre, Solar Farm, and Passport Personalisation Centre, carefully built to combat security challenges such as insurgencies, banditry, cybercrimes, smuggling, and other trans-border related challenges that have usually gone undetected.”

Again, the facility was named after Tinubu: Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC).

Two days after its commissioning, Tunji-Ojo defended the choice of the NIS in naming the facility after the president. He said it was a way of appreciating the president for his leadership and support in bringing the infrastructure to fruition.


BOLA AHMED TINUBU POLYTECHNIC

The president’s name has also been given to a tertiary educational institution.

In a letter to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike on January 9, Tunji Alausa, Nigeria’s education minister, confirmed that the president had approved the creation of a polytechnic in Abuja.

Alausa asked Wike to suggest a proper place to build the school.

Again, the institution will bear Tinubu’s name.

Nigeria's public debt has surged significantly, with the amount owed by each citizen increasing by 63%, according to a review of the data released by the Debt Management Office.

When President Bola Tinubu took office in June 2023, the country's debt stood at N87.3 trillion. However, by September 2024, this figure had ballooned to N142.3 trillion, representing a substantial growth in the nation's debt burden.

According to population data from the World Bank, Nigeria’s population as of 2023 stood at 227 million.

With the total public debt standing at N87.3 trillion as of June 2023, it would mean that debt per capita (that is debt owed by each Nigerian), stood at N383,000 as of June 2023.

With the current total public debt standing at N142.3 trillion, it means that the debt per capita surged to N624,527 per Nigerian as of September 2024.

This amount is nine times the country’s minimum wage of N70,000.

Nigeria's debt crisis is deepening, with the country's total debt stock surging to N142 trillion as of September 2024. This represents a 5.97% increase from the previous quarter, driven largely by the depreciation of the naira, which has increased the cost of external debt obligations.

Breaking down the debt, Nigeria's external debt stands at N68.8 trillion, while domestic debt has reached N73.4 trillion.

Notably, the federal government alone owes N69.2 trillion domestically, with states and the Federal Capital Territory owing an additional N4.2 trillion.

This growing reliance on loans has raised concerns about the country's debt sustainability, particularly given the weak revenue profile and exchange rate volatility.

Experts warn that Nigeria's debt crisis could worsen, triggering a debt crisis that would exacerbate the country's economic challenges.

SaharaReporters reported on Thursday that the newly published total debt profile is more than the N134.2 trillion which Nigeria owed as of June 2024.

Total external debt of the country as of June 2024 stood at N63 billion, while domestic debt stood at 71.2 trillion.

Of this amount, the federal government’s domestic debt stood at N66.9 billion while states stood at N4.2 billion.

Data reviewed shows that between July and September, the federal government borrowed N2.2 trillion more locally and another N5.8 trillion externally.

The devaluation of naira may have worsened the country’s fate in terms of how much it owes. In June 2024, the exchange rate of the country was N1470.19 to a dollar, but by September 2024, it has moved to N1601.

Please thank God for me. Last night we had a harrowing experience on United flight fro. Lagos to Washington, DC. The plane was spiraling out of control, lost its navigational and other tools. We had gone past Abidjan, and were initially to make an emergency landing in Ghana

but the plane later regained all lost tools and we were able to come back to Lagos with some people injured including some crew members. When we landed, we had to wait for medical personnel who took forever to come to the plane. We have no value for human life in this country and

therefore are never prepared for emergencies. Having survived a plane with major technical issues, surviving the Almighty Nigerian attitude seemed a bigger threat. May God heal this country. We were housed in a hotel near the airport,

I am still traumatised like many other passengers. I was able to get this video from one of the passengers. Flight has been cancelled due to a technical issue. Please thank God for all of us who survived this near death experience. shared as received.

Please thank God for me. Last night we had a harrowing experience on United flight fro. Lagos to Washington, DC. The plane was spiraling out of control, lost its navigational and other tools. We had gone past Abidjan, and were initially to make an emergency landing in Ghana pic.twitter.com/aKqTlUfCRL

— Benjamin Amaechi 2 (@2_amaechi) January 24, 2025

A United Airlines flight, a Boeing 787-8 outbound from Lagos to Washington Dulles, on Thursday, declared an emergency and made an air return to Lagos.

Having established a return track to Lagos, PUNCH Online gathered that the aircraft crew maintained the emergency transponder code 7700 (Emergency signal) with the control tower till it landed.

The aircraft, initially bound for Washington Dulles International Airport with registered N27903, is an over 13-year-old widebody aircraft belonging to the US carrier United Airlines.

It had 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots on board.

Some of those on board reportedly sustained injuries.

Videos and pictures from the distressed passengers in the aircraft sent to our correspondent showed that food and passengers’ luggage were scattered, littering the aircraft owing to the shaky nature of the flight.

The real cause of the pandemonium is yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report but the passengers are of the opinion that it was an engine-related issue.

However, only the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau can ascertain the real cause of such incidents.

When contacted, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Micheal Achimugu, confirmed the development saying the passengers have been lodged in a hotel as stipulated by the regulatory act.

“Yes, it is true, and no problems, the passengers have been lodged in a hotel as stipulated by the NCAA Act,” he said.

The airline also confirmed the development in a terse statement, attributing it to “a technical issue.”

“Flight UA613 from Lagos to Washington D.C. returned to Lagos to address a technical issue.

“After landing safely, the aircraft was met by first responders to address reports of minor injuries to several passengers and crew,” the statement read.

Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has said Nigerians should be tired of saying the country has potential, stressing that it is time to activate that potential.

Speaking at the 22nd Daily Trust annual Dialogue and Presentation of Daily Trust Unsung Heroes (2024), the Minister said Agriculture policies should address the issue where people produce for only family consumption with little to sell.

He said there was need to change the way we do things in the agricultural sector, for us to get a different outcome.

He also lamented that food access has been affected by by insecurity and other challenges.

He called for large-scale dry season farming, adding that is the only way to tackle the food shortage and affordability.

He also called for efforts to tackle incessant farmers, herders clashes, adding however that his ministry is working with stakeholders to resolve the issue in some states.

Speaking earlier, the chairman of Media Trust board of directors, Malam Kabiru Yusuf, said that statistics in Nigeria paint a grim picture of food security in the country.

In his speech at the programme with the theme: “Food Security: Availability or Affordability”, he said, “Why are our citizens not having enough food to eat? This is why we are here. That is the question. Statistics in Nigeria paint a grim picture and the anecdotal evidence. look around you. We may change things we take for granted.

“We have to look at this issue. How do we cross this divide, if it exists. I don’t know what the expert will say between availability or affordability. We are not producing enough because people cannot afford.”

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Abbas Tajuddeen, was the special guest of honour at the event, while Rev. Godfrey Nzamujo is the Chairman of the event.

Wale Edun, minister of finance and the coordinating minister of the economy, says the tariff in the telecommunications sector will be reviewed periodically.

Edun spoke to Arise TV on Thursday at the ongoing 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

On Monday, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) granted approval to telcos to implement a 50 percent tariff hike.

The move sparked several reactions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) criticising the federal government for approving the increase.

NLC asked Nigerians to prepare for a possible nationwide boycott of telecommunication services while describing the decision as a “clear assault” on Nigerian workers’ welfare.

However, according to the minister, the tariff adjustment was essential for sustaining the sector amid rising operational costs and inflation.

According to Edun, the periodical review will ensure the tariff remains balanced and fair for both consumers and operators.

Edun also urged telecommunication companies to enhance service delivery in line with the price increase.

“There has been inflation and rising costs and that has to be reflected for the telcos. There has been a high cost of living that has to be reflected,” Edun said.

“I think the 50 percent tariff adjustment is a starting point. It’s about compromise, timing, and sequencing these necessary changes.

“We want telcos operating efficiently, terminating calls seamlessly, and delivering high-quality services. At the same time, we want them to foster innovation, create jobs, and contribute to GDP.

“The 50 percent tariff is a situation that will be looked at on a forward-looking basis. As we go forward there will continue to be review, consultations and discussions in this area.”

Edun also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering a thriving telecommunications sector that supports innovation, economic growth, and job creation.

The finance minister said the goal of the government is to improve the economy and attract investments across sectors.

A non-governmental organization dedicated to the protection of human rights, International Human Right Today Initiative HRTI, led by Comrade Maiyasin, has filed a complaint with the Katsina State Police Headquarters, alleging that a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Dutsinma, CSP Bello Gusau, took a 15-year-old girl detained at the police station to his house, where she spent the night.

According to the organization, before taking the step to file the complaint, they conducted a thorough investigation and gathered evidence confirming that the girl spent the night at the DPO’s residence and not at the police station.

In an interview with DAILY POST, the organization’s leader stated, “The Katsina State Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Musa, has taken the matter very seriously. As a result, he set up an investigative committee and suspended the DPO from his duties pending the outcome of the investigation.”

Based on the findings gathered by the organization, Maiyasin stated, “The girl had initially gone missing before she was found and taken to the Dutsinma Police Station. Due to the lateness of the hour, she was left at the station to spend the night. However, the DPO instructed the girl’s relatives, who came to take her home, to leave her, claiming he would personally take her home in the morning.”

The next morning, when the girl’s relatives returned to the station to bring her food, they found that she was not there. The officers on duty in the morning shift informed them that she had not spent the night at the station. This led to a confrontation between the police and the girl’s relatives until she was eventually brought back to the station. However, she was wearing different clothes from those she had the previous night.

The organization claimed that the girl confirmed to them that she spent the night at the DPO’s house and that he had instructed her to go there. They further stated that they recorded her testimony to that effect.

DAILY POST obtained an audio recording where the girl’s father expressed his determination to seek justice for his daughter through the appropriate authorities.

After a detailed investigation, the organization submitted a formal complaint to the Katsina State Police Headquarters, urging the authorities to take appropriate action.

The spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command , DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu confirmed to DAILY POST that the complaint was received and that an investigation is ongoing into the allegations.

The investigation is expected to reveal the truth and ensure justice is served.

A Capitol riot protester has rejected US President Donald Trump’s pardon, criticising him for trampling on the law.

Pam Hemphill partook in the January 6, 2021, riots that sought to overturn former President Joe Biden’s victory in the elections.

The South Carolina resident was later sentenced to two months in prison and a three-year probation. She has since become a vocal Trump critic.

After his inauguration on Monday, Trump issued a blanket pardon for all protesters who were serving time in prison, fulfilling a promise he made during his campaigns.

“Every one of them gaslight you and try to have you feel sorry for them that the Capitol police attacked them, that they were the victims that day. They were not the victims. They were the perpetrators. It was an insurrection. They know exactly what they were doing,” Hemphill told CNN on Tuesday.

“It’s just so difficult to wrap around my head right now that Trump could let these criminals out, some of them had criminal records before January 6.”

In a separate video, Hemphill said she would refuse the presidential pardon.

“I will not accept a pardon because that would be an insult to the Capitol police officers, to the rule of law and to the nation,” she said.

The now-activist said she was not afraid of being a target for Republicans, adding that she was already the subject of smear campaigns.

Following the attack, congress established a committee to investigate and report on the facts, circumstances, and causes of the insurrection.

Nearly 1,600 suspects were charged, 1,270 convicted, and only two were acquitted.

In the final hours of his presidency, Biden pardoned members of the investigative committee, fearing a reprisal from Trump.

The former president said his actions were not an admission of guilt.

The World Bank Group has announced the 30-month debarment of two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, alongside their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Norman Didam, for fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices linked to the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Monday, the World Bank disclosed that the project aimed to provide targeted financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households was compromised due to several unethical practices during a 2018 procurement and subsequent contract process.

The statement read, “The World Bank Group today announced the 30-month debarment of two Nigeria-based companies—Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited—and their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Norman Bwuruk Didam.

“The debarment is in connection with fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.”

The bank said that Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest in their bids and accessed confidential tender information from public officials.

It added that these actions constituted fraudulent and collusive practices under its Anti-corruption Framework.

The World Bank further noted that Viva Atlantic Limited and Didam falsified the company’s experience records, submitted fake manufacturer’s authorisation letters, and provided inducements to project officials, which it classified as corrupt practices.

These violations, according to the bank, undermined the integrity of the social safety net initiative designed to benefit Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.

The statement noted, “According to the facts of the case and the general principles of the World Bank’s Anticorruption Framework, in connection with a 2018 procurement and subsequent contract, Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Mr. Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest in the companies’ Letter of Bids and received confidential tender information from public officials, which constituted fraudulent and collusive practices, respectively.

“Further, Viva Atlantic Limited and Mr. Didam misrepresented Viva Atlantic Limited’s experience and submitted falsified manufacturer’s authorization letters, as well as offered and provided things of value to project public officials. These actions were fraudulent and corrupt practices, respectively.”

The debarment precludes the two companies and Didam from participating in World Bank-financed projects and operations for the specified period.

As part of their settlement agreements, the parties acknowledged their culpability and committed to meeting specified conditions, including enhanced compliance measures.

The conditions require Didam to complete individual ethics training, while the companies are mandated to improve their internal integrity compliance policies and implement corporate ethics training programmes in line with the bank’s Integrity Compliance Guidelines.

The bank highlighted that reduced debarment periods were granted due to the parties’ cooperation during investigations, voluntary corrective actions, self-imposed restraints from bidding for contracts, and the time elapsed since the infractions.

The statement added that the debarments qualify for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions, signed in April 2010.

It also stated, “The companies also commit to continue to fully cooperate with the Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency. The settlement agreements feature reduced debarment periods due to the companies’ and Mr Didam’s cooperation with the Bank Group’s investigation, voluntary corrective actions, voluntary restraint from participating in Bank Group tenders, and the passage of time.”

The World Bank reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in development projects, stressing that the sanctions demonstrate its zero-tolerance approach to corruption.

It said the implicated parties must fulfil the stipulated conditions during the debarment period to regain eligibility for participation in future Bank-funded initiatives.

By Daily Trust


A United Kingdom based Nigerian, James Akinwande, has joined the list of Nigerians who have defended the country against the consistent outburst of the British conservative party leader, Kemi Badenoch.

Badenoch, with a Nigerian root, has been in the news with her consistent tirade against the country and its government.

She recently claimed in an interview that some police officers in the country stole her brother’s belongings.

“My experience with the police in Nigeria was very negative, and coming to the UK, my first experience with the police was very positive. The police in Nigeria would rob us.

“I remember the police stealing my brother’s shoes and his watch. It’s a very poor country, so people do all sorts of things,” Badenoch had said in the December 2024 interview.

But Akinwande, in a recorded viral video showing him purchasing a pair of shoes and a wristwatch in a UK store, said he was proud of his country.

He said the action was to replace the pair of shoes and a wristwatch Badenoch said was allegedly stolen from his brother by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

He subsequently visited the Conservative Party headquarters and handed the items to security personnel to be delivered to Badenoch.

At the end of the video, Akinwande wrote: “On behalf of every proud Nigerian who felt genuinely hurt by those unfounded disparaging remarks about the Nigerian Police. We ‘buy back’ the stolen shoes and watch! (I hope it fits, tho..).”

The video has since gone viral on social media, but Akinwande’s original video has been taken down.

According to Akinwande’s Instagram profile, he’s the international manager of popular Nigerian comedian, Kenny Blaq.

By Daily Trust

Chairman, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has advised Nigerians to desist from using the expression ‘May Nigeria never happen to you’.

The phrase used to express negativity about the country’s prospect and systemic corruption had gained traction among many Nigerians because of the present economic situation.

But Oyedele at The Platform, an event organised by the Covenant Nation, said Nigerians should flip it to “May Nigeria work for me”.

He said the “worst is behind us” as per the challenges faced by Nigerians due to President Bola Tinubu’s reforms that have increased the cost of living.

According to him, “There is nothing wrong with Nigeria. But maybe there is something wrong with the people ruling Nigeria.

“In America, people get killed every day by gunmen. But have you ever heard Americans say, ‘May America never happen to you?’ Let’s stop saying, ‘May Nigeria never happen to you.’ Maybe we can turn it into, ‘May Nigeria work for me.’”

Expressing confidence in the country’s economic trajectory, he said: “Going by available data, I personally believe that the worst is behind us.

“Removing subsidies is the best decision we made as a country. And we can now say that, for once, subsidy is gone.

“We were living in window-dressed realities. If you look back to about two years ago, the naira exchange rate was N450 depending on who you asked. But was our exchange rate really N450? If you wanted to buy petrol, it was under N200 per litre, but was it really under N200 per litre”, he added.

Oyedele highlighted the unsustainable nature of the pre-reform economy.

“Nigeria used all its revenue to service debts. We were not paying debts back; we were just servicing them. In other words, everything else we did—from paying salaries to fighting Boko Haram—was funded by borrowing”, he noted.

He said Nigeria’s excessive reliance on borrowing brought the country to the brink of economic collapse.

“There were countries where you could hold money and still not get fuel to buy. In Sri Lanka, there was a time when you couldn’t drive your car every day of the week because there was no fuel,” he stated.

Oyedele stressed the detrimental impact of excessive money printing on the economy.

“We printed close to N40 trillion, plus interest. And we were surprised there was inflation. Nigerians don’t realise that the invisible controls the visible. The removal of subsidies is not something you can see physically, it is not tangible,” he submitted.

By James Kwen


President Bola Tinubu’s trip to Lagos for the yuletide has stalled the handing over of the N704.91 million generated from the 50% salary cuts of members of the House of Representatives.

A top official of the National Assembly bureaucracy disclose this to LEADERSHIP Sunday on condition of anonymity.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen had at plenary on December 19, 2024 said the House would on December 31 last year present N704.91 million to Tinubu for assistance of vulnerable Nigerians who were worst hit by the removal of petrol subsidy.

The House had on July 18, 2024 adopted an amendment to a motion of urgent public importance proposed by the deputy speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia) that lawmakers should contribute 50% of their monthly salaries of N600,000 to assist Nigerians during the challenging times.

Speaking with our correspondent, the National Assembly bureaucrat said; “It is true that the money was put together for onward delivery to the president so that the executive can use it in cushioning the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

“But we all know that President Tinubu traveled to Lagos for the yuletide from December 18 where he stayed for three weeks before he returned to Abuja. Since then, the National Assembly which the House is part of is engrossed in budget defence.”

The House spokesman, Hon. Akin Rotimi and his deputy, Hon. Agbese, were yet to respond to LEADERSHIP’s enquiries on the matter at the time of filing this report.

A day after her election as the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, on Tuesday, visited members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) to “brief them about what happened at the House of Assembly yesterday and to seek their blessings which we have gotten”.

Meranda met with members of GAC, the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, alongside other members of the State Assembly at Lagos House, Marina.

Meranda, representing Apapa Constituency I, emerged as speaker on Monday after the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa whose 10-year reign was terminated when more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house impeached him over alleged misconduct and sundry offenses.

Meranda, who was Obasa’s deputy till Monday, was immediately elected the new Speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the South-West state.

Obasa, from Agege Constituency I, was first elected into the House in 2007. He has since been in the chamber since then. He emerged speaker in June 2015 before his removal in January 2025.

Meanwhile, a member of the Assembly who represents Epe Constituency 1, Abiodun Tobun, said members of the parliament sacked Obasa as Speaker to uphold the “sanctity” and “integrity” of the House.

Tobun told reporters that the decision to impeach Obasa was unanimously agreed by lawmakers in the 40-member Assembly.

He said, “The Constitution makes it clear that the House has the powers to regulate its proceedings. So, the members of the House felt that they’ve had enough of the Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa and today, we have unanimously agreed that Rt Hon Mojisola Meranda Lasbat become the new Speaker of the House.

“So, it was a resolution concurred to by all members of the parliament and so be it. We cannot open our House and allow this parliament to dwindle. We owe our constituents a duty and we owe Lagos State a duty of ensuring that the sanctity of the House and the integrity of this House are restored.”

By Ambali Abdulkabeer


https://gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/image-e.pngMudashiru Obasa and U.S. mansion.


Mudashiru Obasa was impeached on Monday afternoon in what lawmakers said was an inevitable decision to scrimp the efficiency and integrity of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The roll call said 32 out of 40 members voted to sack Mr Obasa following a motion raised by Femi Saheed (Kosofe II) and seconded by Aro Moshood Abiodun (Ikorodu II). Mojisola Lasbat Meranda (Apapa I) was subsequently voted in as Lagos House Speaker, the first woman to attain the position.

The lawmakers raised allegations ranging from corruption to abuse of office and intimidation, but the main prong of their complaint, which created the perfect storm that ended Mr Obasa’s nearly 10-year reign as Speaker, was a Peoples Gazette story on January 10 about how he drew 43.5 billion for backup vehicles for lawmakers.

Even though the breakdown showed N1.1 billion should go to each lawmaker in the 40-member House, some of them said they did not receive such benefits and promptly moved the fraud up on a list of their quibbles against the ousted leader,

The Gazette exposed similar corruption activities by Mr Obasa in 2020. The EFCC invited him for questioning but did not file charges at the time. After his removal, anti-graft sources told our reporters their investigation would resume in earnest.

Abiodun Tobun (Epe I) said the decision to remove Mr Obasa was “inevitable”, noting the lawmakers took a near-unanimous position to preserve the “integrity” of the House of Assembly and Lagos State.

Mr Obasa has resisted claims of wrongdoing made against him by his colleagues and other entities and insisted his wealth was legitimately earned.

When he was removed on Monday afternoon, after The Gazette’s story circulated among members, it was barely 6:00 a.m. in Atlanta, Georgia. According to people familiar with his activities, Mr Obasa was relaxing in a family home after attending a conference of lawyers.

Mr Obasa purchased the residence in nearby Lawrenceville, Georgia, in May 2019 for $424,742, per property records seen by The Gazette.

The property along Matt Springs Drive sits on 505 square feet of land. Initially purchased as a single-family home with four bathrooms and four bedrooms, the Obasas upgraded it to seven bedrooms and five baths, and it is now valued at $654,602, records said. The Gazette has withheld the residence’s specific block number in deference to Mr Obasa’s family privacy.

Mr Obasa paid $40,000 in taxes on the property in 2024. That amount alone was at least five times Mr Obasa’s annual statutory earnings as Lagos Speaker.

The suburban Atlanta property in Gwinnett County was acquired on May 23, 2019, during Mr Obasa’s first term as Speaker. Its deed was completed in August 2019, weeks after he was sworn in for a second term. He was 1.5 years into his third speakership tenure when he was ousted on Monday.

“No one who is a public official in Nigeria makes the kind of money that Mudashiru Obasa spends on assets in the U.S., much less in Nigeria and other parts of the world,” anti-corruption campaigner Eric Okonkwo said. “It’s just him showing the world how far he can take public graft.”

Mr Obasa was not elected to a House leadership role following his impeachment, which now makes him a Speaker emeritus and floor member. It was unclear whether or not he would return from his U.S. trip to resume his legislative activities as an ordinary member for the first time since 2015. His chief spokesman did not return The Gazette’s request seeking his comment on Monday night.

Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa had his eyes on the governorship seat of Lagos when his colleagues booted him out of office on Monday.

Reports on Obasa’s interest in the coveted seat were discarded as mere rumour in some quarters, but the message became clearer after the Archbishop of Methodist Church Nigeria (Lagos), Most Rev. Isaac Ayo Olawuyi, indirectly drummed up support for the three-term speaker during the Lagos House of Assembly’s 22nd Annual Thanksgiving Service.

At the event which the former Speaker attended, Olawuyi had said in the interest of religious tolerance, Lagosians should elect a Muslim as governor in 2027.

“I also want to add that we have consideration for religious inclination in Lagos State. It would be 12 years in 2027 that we have been in the system together and we have been having Christians as governors. Now, it’s time to give our Muslim brothers a chance to govern us in Lagos State. We want to pray that when it’s time for the election, it would be a time for us to elect who will govern us in Lagos State effectively,” the Archbishop had said.

He went further to praise the former Speaker for his leadership and collaboration with the other arms of government, saying these have kept the state strong.

“You have been a true and sensitive leader with a big heart. You have proved yourself worthy. We pray that God will continue to use you to make us smile in Lagos and also grant you your heart desires,” he said.

After that event, the campaign for Obasa regained momentum while the former Speaker carried on with glee. However, he was impeached on Monday, about a month after that endorsement. For a man who lasted that long in a slippery political environment, how did such fate befall him? How did his adversaries get him?

According to reports, Obasa’s travail began after the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos reported him to President Bola Tinubu.

Putting it mildly, a chieftain of the ruling party who spoke off the record said, “The seemingly insurmountable walls around him started crumbling during the End-of-The Year break. His fate was sealed after our elders visited the president. That meeting nailed his political coffin.”

During the visit, insiders said top on the agenda of the GAC was the cold war between Obasa and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Although Sanwo-Olu and Obasa have had a running battle, the matter came to a head during the 2025 budget presentation.

Obasa stoked controversy when he declared that he was not too young or lacked experience to run for Lagos governor.

He had said, “I am not too young or lacking experience to run. Those who have been before me are not better off… I have made it a personal task to mobilize people on the platform of Mandate, which some political detractors have misconstrued as being a selfish aspiration on the ground for me to become governor of the state.”

Making such remark on live TV and right in the presence of Sanwo-Olu had drawn the ire of the party leadership in the state and they waited for a ripe time to tender their grievances before their leader.

The chairman of GAC, Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, was said to have started the discussion by reminding the president of how highly the governor’s office was when he governed between 1999 and 2007.

He reportedly told the president how disrespectful Obasa had been to Sanwo-Olu, citing several instances. Tinubu was said to have openly lashed the former speaker for not just disrespecting the governor but also the GAC and party elders.

Since that moment, the forces against Obasa restrategised and his colleagues who had collectively at random got him into the record books as one of the longest speakers in the country, finally turned the page on his enviable political career.

Below are some of the controversies of the politician who was elected into the hallowed chamber while serving as councillor in Agege local government area of the state.


Move to scrap LCDAs

One of the issues which sparked controversy under Obasa was the move by the House under his leadership to abolish the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) created when Tinubu was governor.

After the Supreme Court granted autonomy to the 774 local governments in Nigeria, the Lagos House introduced a bill to scrap the LCDAs and replace them with newly designated administrative areas.

The bill titled “Bill for a law to provide for the local governments’ system, establishment, and administration, and to consolidate all laws on local government administration”, sought to recognise 20 LGAs in the state as outlined in the 1999 constitution.

Kicking against it, Sunday Ojelabi, Chairman of APC in Lagos, had said, “Our position as a progressive party is that we cannot discountenance the contributions of the LCDAs to the overall political and socio-economic development of the state.

“Our landscape is dotted by several infrastructural projects by the LCDAs which include road, drainage and market construction, school and housing projects, primary education and health facilities and various social service interventions etc. The various collaborative efforts with the state government on refuse disposal, drain clearing and security are also pointers to their continuous relevance.”


Rejecting Sanwo-Olu’s commissioners

In 2023, Obasa was involved in another controversy over the row between him and Sanwo-Olu on the confirmation of commissioners. The House under his leadership allegedly refused to clear close to half (17) of the 39 commissioner nominees recommended by the governor.

Among those rejected were six persons who served in the cabinet of Sanwo-Olu during his first term. The noise from that drama reverberated across the country warranting the GAC to meet with both parties in search for a truce.

While reacting to the criticisms that trailed the decision of the House, Obasa had said there is no fight between the lawmakers and the governor adding that “but we have constitutional rights to say yes or no to his nominees”.

The statement was seen as a daring one to the leaders of the party in the state and overbearing on his alleged political ambition.


‘Operating multiple accounts’

In a series of investigative pieces in 2020, Whistleblowing platform, SaharaReporters said it traced multiple accounts to the Bank Verification Number (BVN) of the former speaker. According to the platform, the accounts registered with various names were being used to siphon public funds.

“At least 64 bank accounts have been discovered to be linked to Obasa registered with various names allegedly used to siphon public funds in Lagos. The BVN reveals that Obasa operates accounts with multiple names in Polaris Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, Ecobank Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa, First City Monument Bank and Wema Bank.

“To conceal his identity, the Speaker changed his name and date of birth in some of the accounts. Aside from using Ajayi Mudashiru Obasa, he also used Obasa Abdulrahman Gbadunola and Gabriel Adedoyin Savage to register some of the bank accounts. Some of the companies linked to the BVN include Adesav International Ventures, Fabric Splash Ventures, Swifthi international ventures and Quick Solution International.

“Others are Quick solution International Ventures, White Honey Enterprises, Cream on Ice Services, A.B DELCO Nigeria Company, and Fabric Splash Ventures, Skye-Macosh Company, Swifthill International Ventures, Silver Section Global, Davedab Global Ventures and Jose-Macosh Company and De Kingrun,” the report read.

Whilst the smoke from that controversy was yet to settle, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invited him for questioning, but he denied the allegations, blaming them on his political opponents.


N17bn Obasagate

A group, the Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, had alleged that the Assembly under Obasa’s leadership allocated N17 billion for the construction of a gate and called for an investigation into the matter.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the anti-corruption group petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the House leadership for awarding the gate contract.

Addressing the allegations during a plenary session, Obasa attributed the claims to political fears surrounding the 2027 elections, which remain over two years away.

“It is so funny. How much is the allocation of the Assembly in the whole year that we will decide to spend N17 billion on a gate? They even claimed that we expended 200 million on thanksgiving that did not hold.

“We are aware that at a period like this, when we are approaching elections in 2027, we should expect such things. I think some people are scared, and I don’t know why.

“This House did not and has not embarked on any such project. We are not that reckless. We had our thanksgiving last Friday, and dignitaries from various parts of the state attended it,” Obasa had said.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is planning to take drastic measures to end the lingering dispute between telcos and banks over the unstructured supplementary service data (USDD) debt, TheCable understands.

Sources close to the conversation said the commission may suspend the USSD service and publish a list of banks still owing telcos for the service.

If this happens, the USSD channel will no longer be available for banking services.

Although it is uncertain when the suspension will be officially announced, the list of defaulters may be published before the week ends.

The development, which may be part of the federal government’s efforts to address industry challenges, comes amid telcos’ push for a tariff hike.


USSD DEBT HAS RISEN BY 681.2% SINCE 2019

Analysis of media reports shows that the USSD debt has risen by 681.2 percent since 2019, leading to many threats of service withdrawal by telecoms operators.

On March 12, 2021, telcos threatened to suspend the USSD service over N42 billion debt accumulated by banks (the amount was N32 billion in 2019). The move was, however, halted by Isa Pantami, former minister of communications and digital economy.

The telcos and banks eventually agreed on March 16, 2021, to adjust the charge on customers to N6.98k for each USSD transaction.

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) said the USSD debt was N80 billion as at November 2022.

By November 16, 2023, the debt, according to telcos, had risen to N200 billion — up from N120 billion in May of the same year.

On October 22, 2024, Gbolahan Awonuga, the executive secretary of ALTON, said the amount had increased to N250 billion.

TheCable understands the NCC, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and other stakeholders have been engaging to find a lasting solution to the impasse, but efforts at resolving the matter have had little results.

The CBN and the NCC, on December 24, 2024, directed mobile network operators (MNOs) and deposit money banks (DMBs) to settle the protracted debt conflict, asking financial institutions to pay 85 percent of all outstanding invoices by December 31, 2024.


’18 BANKS STILL OWING AS AT DECEMBER 31′

However, a source told TheCable that about 18 banks are yet to pay their debt, while four had paid as at December 31.

Another source said the commission believes that the banks are treating the issue with levity, hence they want the public to be aware of the imminent USSD suspension.

Speaking on the agency’s plan to publish the names of financial institutions still owing, he said the public notice will be addressed to customers, stating that “the underlisted banks are yet to pay”.

It is understood that with the public notice, the NCC intends to give the consumers two weeks to come up with their alternative plans for making transactions, while banks would also get two weeks to pay the outstanding debt or be disconnected.

The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has announced that refusal to assist its officers under attack will attract a fine of N100,000 and prison term.

The force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi made the announcement in a now controversial tweet on Sunday.

While citing Section 99 of the Police Act 2020, Adejobi stated that anyone who refuses to assist a police officer in distress commits an offence.

“Section 98 Police Act 2020: A person who assaults, obstructs or resists a police officer in discharge of his duty, or incites any other person to assault or obstruct a police or other person assisting the officer in the discharge of his duty commits an offence. And is liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000 or six months imprisonment or both.

“Section 99, Police Act 2020: When a person is called upon to aid a police officer who is, while in the discharge of his duty, assaulted or in danger of being assaulted or resisted, and the person refuses to assist, the person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a N100,000 fine or imprisonment for a term of 3 months or both.”

The police made this public after a video showing a confrontation between a police officer and a woman went viral on social media.

There is uneasy calm over the omission of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road from the 2025 budget proposal presented to the National Assembly recently by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Daily Trust can report.

The coastal road, one of the signature projects of President Tinubu which has generated a lot of controversy since its commencement last year, is expected to gulp around N16 trillion.

Questions have been raised about the funding of the project which the federal government hitherto stated would be through a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement.

In February of last year, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a N1.07 trillion contract for the construction of the first phase of the project.

The minister disclosed that the pilot phase covers a 47.47-kilometre dual carriageway of five lanes on each side and a train track in the middle.

The minister disclosed that FEC at its October 30 meeting approved the procurement of the project under the EPC+F (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing) and in favour of High Tech Construction African Limited.

Umahi said, “They already have started searching for the funding, but hitches here and there. And so, the ministry had to go back to Mr President to ask for two things, and that was on January 18. We asked, Can we fast-track this?

“Since this project was going to be procured in two phases and multiple sections, can we get the federal government to fund phase one, which is what is 47.47 kilometres running from Ahmadu Bello in Lagos down to Lekki Deep Seaport? Mr President graciously approved.

“Today, we have procured the first section, which is 47.47 kilometres, under 10 lanes and FEC graciously approved the contract for N1.067tn with no objection.”

In December, last year, Umahi further disclosed that some sections of the highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway would be commissioned by May 2025.

However, the source of funding of the project remains unclear as there was no mention of the project in the 2025 budget.

The Federal Ministry of Works has a total capital allocation of N1,065,171,466,605 in the 2025 budget proposal.

But the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road which is under construction was not included in the budget as further observed by BudgIT, a leading civic-tech organisation while raising fresh concerns over the 2025 budget.

In a recent statement released on its X handle, BudgIT asserted: “This omission implies that if funding for this project materialises, it will likely necessitate reallocating funds from other critical projects, potentially hindering their implementation and impacting the budget’s credibility.”

The statement was signed by BudgIT’s Communications Associate, Nancy Odimegwu.

According to the group, some of the projections in the budget were unrealistic even as it faulted the failure of government to provide a breakdown of the budget of some ministries, departments and agencies.

BudgIT noted that in previous years, it identified several budgetary insertions made by the National Assembly that deviated from the federal government’s constitutional mandate and priorities while such projects were assigned to MDAs “that have neither the capacity nor the mandate to implement the inserted projects.”

The group noted that in 2021, it observed that 5,601 capital projects were added to the Appropriation Bill during the review process by the National Assembly. In 2022, it increased to 6,462 projects across 37 mother ministries and 340 MDAs, while in 2024, 7,447 insertions amounting to a staggering N2.24 trillion were found in the budget.

“While the constitution grants the National Assembly the authority to appropriate funds, it often modifies the executive’s proposed budget to distort its original intent and disconnect it from the nation’s long-term development agenda.

“Many inserted projects usually lack proper conceptualisation, design, and cost estimation, undermining their effectiveness and feasibility. We believe that the legislature must exercise this power with the utmost responsibility. This responsibility, which cannot be overstated, entails ensuring resource efficiency, eliminating waste, and aligning budgetary decisions with the nation’s long-term economic development goals,” BudgIT said.

Ahead of the review of the budget, BudgIT appeals to the lawmakers “to prioritise national interest over personal or parochial considerations and ensure that the approved budget stimulates economic activities and macroeconomic stability, allocates resources to foster economic growth and development, equitably distributes resources to reduce poverty and inequality, and caters to the most vulnerable Nigerians.”

As the race for 2027 elections begins to shape up, strong rumours of defection are swirling around no fewer than five first term opposition governors, LEADERSHIP checks have revealed.

Investigations by LEADERSHIP showed that governors of Abia (Alex Otti) Enugu (Peter Mbah), Delta (Sheriff Oborevwori), Rivers (Siminalayi Fubara) and Akwa Ibom (Umoh Eno) have had to address concerns surrounding talks about their plans to dump their parties for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

While Mbah, Fubara, Eno, Oborevwori belong to the major opposition PDP, Otti belongs to the Labour Party. Interestingly, both parties have been locked in post-2023 election crises which seems to have defied interventions so far.

While some sources confided in LEADERSHIP that some of the governors are being subtly pressured to join the ruling APC, others noted that others, mindful of the instability in their party, are open to joining a platform that would enhance their chances of securing a second term.

Since the return of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, over 20 sitting governors have dumped their political parties for another. The top states with the highest number of sitting governors jumping ship are Sokoto, Imo, Abia and Adamawa.

In Sokoto, three governors have dumped their parties for another, while two sitting governors in Imo, Abia, Zamfara and Adamawa have done the same.

While some first term governors were able to win a second term, others were not so lucky.

In Abia State, concerns about Governor Otti’s loyalty to his party arose when he resorted to the Zenith Labour Party as a special purpose vehicle for the local government election in the state last year.

However, talks about dumping his party heightened when after the groundbreaking ceremony for the Abia airport, the minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, declared that the Abia governor would return to the APC.

Also, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, had mounted pressure on Otti to join the APC.

LEADERSHIP Friday reports that no fewer than five Labour Party House of Representatives members have joined APC so far.

In Rivers State, Governor Fubara’s use of APP for the local government election, following his inability to wrest the PDP structure from the minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has sustained talks that he may dump the PDP ahead of the 2027 election.

The closeness of the Akwa Ibom State governor, Eno, to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, one of the national leaders of APC, has sustained suspicions that he might join the party at the centre.

In Enugu, there are insinuations that the disruptive politics within the PDP at the national level might make the governor, who isn’t disposed to be distracted by party intrigues, seek another platform.

PDP leaders in Delta, under the aegis of Concerned Leaders of PDP, blew the whistle about Oborevwori’s romance with APC leaders. The party leaders, namely Mr Theophilus Ekiyor; Mr. Ochuko Oghenekome, and Mr. Ezekiel Chukwudi, in an open letter accused the governor of secretly romancing President Bola Tinubu’s chief of staff, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in order to secure a second term as Delta governor.

Recall that Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, a federal lawmaker and daughter of former Delta State governor, James Ibori, had dumped PDP for APC last year. Ibori is a Tinubu contemporary as governor in 1999 and a close ally.

But the governors have pushed back on the rumours, declaring, albeit through their aides, that they will not dump their parties for the ruling APC.

Also their parties have declared such claims as the handiwork of the ruling party, seeking to sow confusion within their parties and suspicion against the governors.


Mbah has no plan of leaving us – PDP

The spokesman of Enugu State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uchenna Obute Udi has described as falsehood allegations that many members of the party are planning to defect to APC.

He dismissed the allegations in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP Friday in Enugu.

He described Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, as the leader of the PDP in Enugu State and the Southeast and wondered why such allegations would be made against the PDP members including the governor.

The PDP spokesman stated that in less than two years in office, the governor has transformed the state through massive infrastructural development.

He noted that the governor has endeared himself to the people of the state irrespective of their party affiliations through his numerous projects.

On the recent visit of President Almed Bola Tinubu to the state, Udi stated that he came to Enugu State as president of the country and not for party politics.

He noted that the president knew Mbah before the latter became governor, and that the governor was a key actor in the private sector.

Udi added that the speech of the President during his visit clearly showed that he came to see what the governor had been doing irrespective of his party affiliation.


Otti not under pressure to dump LP

As at press time, efforts to get clarification on the report from either his adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, or the chief press secretary, Ukoha Njoku on their mobile phones failed.

However, a top member of the administration, who pleaded anonymity said he was not aware of such pressure even as he argued that by his performance in office, Otti had become a brand.

“Like a beautiful bride, it is possible that some opposition parties might be wooing him to join them. Such moves are not out of place in our clime,” he asserted.

But the story is different in the Labour Party where most of the members feel the governor sidelined them “in all ramifications after climbing on our back to victory”.

According to a reliable source in the party, securing the party’s ticket for 2027 might be an uphill task for Otti “so, the earlier he starts looking elsewhere perhaps the better for him.”

“I’m not aware whether he has indicated interest to participate in the ongoing membership revalidation in the party,” the source added.


Oborevwori’s defection rumours sponsored by opposition

The chief press secretary to the Delta Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, said there is no iota of truth in the claim by PDP leaders in the state that Oborevwori’s plans to defect to the ruling APC.

“It’s a lie being pushed by opposition elements” he told LEADERSHIP Friday.

Similarly the PDP in the state has dismissed rumours as mischievous and unfounded.

In a statement issued by the party’s chairman in the state, Chief Solomon Arenyenka, the PDP described the reports as the work of unemployed political hirelings and their unscrupulous sponsors, who are failed agents of destabilisation and betrayal.

The statement read in part: “We assert unequivocally that the faceless group of individuals spreading these rumours and presenting themselves as concerned leaders of the PDP are impostors and not members of our esteemed party.

“We strongly condemn, in the strongest terms, the vile and malicious propaganda of these depraved perpetrators, particularly the key peddler—a notorious serial blackmailer and dishonest individual who will be remembered infamously for concocting lies as a means of survival.”


Why Gov Eno Won’t Defect To APC – PDP

PDP in Akwa Ibom has also dismissed the claim about Eno’s surreptitious moves to join APC, calling it a ruse.

The party hierarchy in the state led by Elder Aniekan Akpan had at various fora dismissed such report as mere speculations within the imaginations of the purveyors.”

Akpan, noted that “PDP is like a religion in Akwa Ibom,” stressing that, “PDP is Akwa Ibom and Akwa Ibom is PDP.”

In the vein, the PDP publicity secretary, Mr. Edwin Ebiese, urged the people of the state not to believe in rumour as propagated by some opposition forces in the media,

However, a PDP leader in the state, who pleaded anonymity, admitted that the rumour shouldn’t be dismissed wholly.

He said, “Tinubu is not like Buhari, who appeared apolitical throughout his presidential stint.

“Tinubu is an ardent, suave and alluring politician with massive Machevellian attributes of the end justifying the means. So he will not spare anything to capture Akwa Ibom.

“Surviving to emerge the winner of the 2023 presidential election against all odds, the President would want to dismantle all perceived obstacles by wooing some of the remaining opposition states, especially Akwa Ibom, that they had over the years longed for, into the APC.

“They had done it in Edo and Ondo states, so the complimentary dispositions by Governor Umo Eno, and the Senate President could be a pointer to the likely defection of the governor to crumble and further weaken the opposition structure in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections”, the PDP stalwart in Uyo told LEADERSHIP Friday.


Fubara Has No Plan To Leave PDP – Rivers Information Commissioner

The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, has said Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no plans to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for any other political party.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Friday in Port Harcourt, Johnson said: “Rumour is rumour and will remain in the realms of rumour. I am not aware of such a move.”