₦airaland Forum

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, is confident of clinching the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial ticket.

Already, the PDP has fixed February 3 for the conduct of its primary election where a flagbearer will emerge for the governorship election.

Despite their differences, Shaibu, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, said Obaseki will support him.

“I can bet you that Mr Godwin Obaseki, the Governor of Edo State, my boss and senior brother will support me,” he said.

“He has said it at the secretariat where we had our stakeholders meeting that whoever wins, he will support and whoever that will win is nobody but Philip Shaibu.”

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has said that the Federal Government will commence discussions on the new minimum wage with labour unions in March.

Idris disclosed this at the 21st Daily Trust Dialogue and presentation of the 2023 African Award of the Year on Thursday in Abuja.

The dialogue, with the theme ‘Tinubu’s Economic Reforms: Gainers and Losers’, was organized by the Media Trust Group.

He said when the fuel subsidy was removed, President Bola Tinubu initially promised to pay N25,000 wage award to workers to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.

“But Labour was not comfortable. We entered into negotiation with Labour and after a long discussion with them and President Tinubu, we arrived and agreed at N35,000 which was accepted.

“The President said the N35,000 will be paid for six months to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy. That would be from September 2023 to February 2024.

“So after the payment of the wage award for six months; in March, the government and Labour will come together again to deliberate on a new minimum wage for workers.

“However, it is important for Nigerians to understand the intention of Tinubu to address the welfare and well-being of all Nigerians. I know it is not easy but Nigerians will be better for it.

“I want to call on Nigerians to give President Tinubu the time to make things right for the country,” Idris stressed.

Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State on Thursday declared that “one elephant is out of the road” while celebrating the affirmation of his election by the Supreme Court.

Fubara also said his triumph at the apex court has laid to rest the legal battles that added to the distractions his administration grappled with in the last eight months.

In a statement by his media aide, Boniface Onyedi, Fubara said: “About an hour ago, the Supreme Court revalidated our mandate in the election. It is a victory for the entire state.

“It is important for us to note that we need this victory to consolidate the purpose of governance. Prior, we have had a few distractions here and there.

“And the good news that came to us this morning is a refreshing strength that will encourage us to continue the good works in governance.”

Fubara expressed gratitude to God for His help, and to President Bola Tinubu for his fatherly role in issues concerning Rivers State.

He also extended gratitude to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, whom he described as his “Oga”, for all his support.

The governor called on everyone to join hands with his administration to build a competitive state that will be reckoned with as truly prosperous in all ramifications.

“We have a dream of making it a highly competitive state that will measure, if not up to Lagos but close to becoming like Lagos. We can only achieve this in an atmosphere of peace.

“So I am calling on everyone, not just on our internal issue but those members from other parties, the issue is settled, come and let’s build the Rivers State of our dream.

“We will continue to protect and provide the basic needs of governance to everyone who is doing business and who lives in Rivers State.

“We would address our state very soon on the victory, but for now, let everybody be happy that one elephant is out of the road, the other one, by God’s help, will be resolved amicably and the family will be one.”

The Supreme Court has finally released the Certified True Copy, CTC, of its December judgment on Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

The apex court also promised to transmit Kanu’s case file to the Federal High Court in Abuja.

This was disclosed by Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor via a post on social media.

He wrote: “Today, the Supreme Court released the CTC of its judgment in ‘Federal Republic of Nigeria versus Nnamdi Kanu’.

“The Court also promised to transmit the case file to the Federal High Court by tomorrow. Sooner than later, we shall lock horns at the Federal High Court to #FreeMNK.”

In December 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal to release Kanu.

The apex court also upturned the judgment of an Appeal Court sitting in Abuja that discharged and acquitted Kanu of all terrorism charges.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court ordered a transfer of Kanu’s case back to the Federal High Court in Abuja to continue his trial.

The court, however, faulted the Nigerian Government over the extraordinary rendition Kanu was subjected to from Kenya in June 2021.

Following the delay, there has been pressure from Kanu’s lawyers and IPOB for the release of the Certified True Copy and transfer of the case file to the subordinate court.

Femi Adesina, a former Presidential spokesman, has disclosed what the immediate First Lady, Aisha Buhari, told him about former President Muhammadu Buhari during his illness in 2017.

Adesina disclosed that Aisha Buhari told him that the president was not terminally sick, noting that he was just “overworked and stressed.”

This was contained in his just-launched book: “Working with Buhari: Reflections Of A Special Adviser, Media And Publicity (2015 – 2023).”

Adesina said the First Lady spoke to him ahead of a visit to Buhari in London in 2021.

The former presidential spokesman said he was under much pressure to declare that Buhari was incapacitated and unfit for office.

According to Adesina: “I was under a lot of barrage, particularly from the media, which expected me to declare the President either incapacitated, or dead. Waoh!

“There was this significant development, which saw us visiting the President in London, August 12, 2017. The team included the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, myself, Garba Shehu, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman Nigeria Diaspora Commission, and Lauretta Onochie, personal aide to the President on Social Media.

“The brain behind the visit was the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari. We spoke sparingly, but that day when the trip was being planned, my phone rang, and it was her. After exchange of pleasantries, she said: ‘My husband is not terminally ill. He is just stressed and overworked. I have been warning about it since last year.

“All he needs is rest. I spent 9 days with him, before returning to attend to some women projects. The children are with him. I think you should visit him too. You can’t be speaking for him without seeing him.’ And that was how the visit was arranged, at the behest of the First Lady.”

Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa of Ondo State on Thursday condoled with the people and government of Oyo State following the explosion that rocked a part of Ibadan, the state capital, on Tuesday.

The governor emphasised the need for a thorough investigation into the explosion, stressing that all those involved in the tragic incident must not go unpunished.

Aiyedatiwa, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, urged the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, to provide support to the victims of the disaster.

Recall that the tragic explosion that occurred in the Bodija axis of the ancient city resulted in the loss of three lives and left several others injured.

The governor, who sympathised with the relatives of the deceased and those who suffered property losses as a result of the explosion, called for support of Oyo State.

Aiyedatiwa maintained that the perpetrators of the incident must be brought to justice and held accountable for their actions.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa, who pledged the support of the government of Ondo State to the people of Oyo State as they deal with the aftermath of the unfortunate incident.

“He urged the officers of the Amotekun security agency in the state to extend support to their Oyo State counterparts at this critical period.

“The Governor offers prayers for peace and stability in Oyo State, the South West, and the entire country.”

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has asked President Bola Tinubu to sack the embattled Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu and her counterpart, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo of the Interior Ministry.

The youth group said this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Enugu by its National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike.

Okwu said the avowed promise by President Tinubu to cut the cost of governance and rid the country of corruption must be demonstrated through the immediate sack of Edu and Tunji-Ojo.

It could be recalled that Tinubu suspended Edu earlier in the month after a memo surfaced wherein she asked Oluwatoyin Madein, accountant-general of the federation, to transfer N585 million to a private account.

On his part, the interior minister is under scrutiny over allegations that his company, New Planet Project got paid hundreds of millions of naira as consultancy fees for some work done for the scandal-ridden Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

Speaking at the press briefing, the Ohanaeze Youths President, who re-called the group’s support to President Tinubu during the 2023 general elections, said Nigerians were going through excruciating pains whereas a few individuals were living in opulence.

He said, “we are alarmed, like many other Nigerians, over the level of rot in the Humanitarian Ministry ever since it was established. It is clear that it was set up simply as a drain pipe.

“The Nigerian youths are appalled that while they languish in unemployment and abject poverty, a few individuals are living large with our common patrimony.

“Mr President, during his visit to Imo State on Monday re-echoed his determination to fight corruption. He identified this as one of the major reasons he removed fuel subsidy.

“While we hail his promise, we believe that he should convince Nigerians that there are no sacred cows by outrightly sacking the Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Beta Edu and the Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

“Even though Tunji-Ojo is one of the best hands in this administration with the reformations he has carried out in the passport process, we cannot but say that the payment of millions of Naira to a company he has interest in is a great dent to his reputation.”

“We, therefore, urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to wield the big stick by sacking the two ministers.

“This will send a clear signal to other of his aides and head of government agencies and MDAs,” Okwu stated.

The Bello Mohammed Matawalle Zamfara Governorship Campaign Council has accepted the Supreme Court ruling on the state governorship election.

In a statement signed by the deputy Chairman of the Campagn Committee 2023, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, while reacting to the Supreme Court verdict, also called on the party’s supporters to submit to the apex court’s judgement.

.ng reported that the apex court validated the victory of Governor Dauda Lawal in the 2023 governorship elections was on Friday, meaning that Matawalle, who now works in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu, has lost out.

The statement said the final judgement of the apex court has provided the opportunity for the governor and all politicians irrespective of party affiliation to work in restoring security of lives and property in the state.

He acknowledged that the state has been grossly affected by banditry, kidnapping of innocent people for ransom, cattle rustling, imposition of taxes and levies to villagers before cultivating and harvesting their farm lands by the armed bandits, killings and displacement of citizens across the 14 local government areas of the State.

“The verdict of the Supreme Court is a terminal bus stop to litigations on Zamfara State Governorship Election.

“This is the right time for progressive governance which Dauda Lawal should utilise to deliver to the people key elements of good governance which comprises of consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective, efficient, equitable and inclusive.

“He should rule the state with the fear of God and provide dividends of democracy to assuage the sufferings of the people.

“The Judiciary has done its duty according to the constitution and democratic practice which is binding on all parties that submitted themselves to it.

“I urge Governor Dauda Lawal to embrace all sections of the state in delivering good governance and dividends of democracy to the people.

“I urge all members of the APC family not to be demoralised but remain focused and United in building the party ahead of be the 2027 general election for continued service to the people of Zamfara State.”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has lamented the state of works at the Abuja Rail Mass Transit Scheme, also known as the Abuja Light Rail Project.

Wike, who was on tour of the station on Thursday, accompanied by senior officials of the FCTA, visited the Abuja Metro Station in the Central Business District and the Kukwaba II Train station, as well as the station’s access road, still under construction.

The Minister said he was in those places to see for himself the pace and quality of work on the light rail project in preparation for the commissioning ceremony scheduled for May 2024.

However, the minister appeared disappointed with what he saw and expressed dissatisfaction with observable security lapses at the Abuja Metro Station.

“From what I have seen, the designs are very poor. Whoever may have approved the designs is unfair to Nigerians.

“I’ve told CCECC that this kind of design is not even acceptable in their own country and if I had known before now, I would not have promised Mr. President that it would be ready.

“It will be very disastrous for me”, the Minister said, adding that excuses would not be accepted.

“But frankly speaking, knowing where I’m coming from, having presided over projects like this, I’m not in a happy mood at all.

“You can imagine if I am sitting in the office and then depending on the reports from those who said they are in the field, by the time I come here in May, I will be messed up. But I thank God that I came to see things for myself,” he stated.

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has warned that nobody is too big to be investigated.

Olukoyede issued the warning in Abuja when the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Musa Adamu Aliyu, paid him a courtesy visit in the wake of the probe of Betta Edu, suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

A leaked memo had exposed how Edu directed the Accountant General of the Federation to pay the sum of N585 million meant for vulnerable people into a private account of one Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.

Following the outrage by Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu suspended Edu while ordering the EFCC to carry out a thorough investigation into the financial misappropriation.

The EFCC Chairman said there is no hiding place for corruption under Tinubu’s administration.

In a statement by EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, Olukoyede said: “Tinubu is offering the right atmosphere for anti-graft activities, both for the EFCC and ICPC and no Nigerian is immune to investigation for any corruption allegation.

”We believe that with the kind of President we have, who is ready and willing to do the right thing and from what we have seen in recent times and in the last 48 hours, it is clear that he has provided leadership and created the atmosphere for us to work.

“So there is no hiding place for the corrupt. We must give our best, we must be committed and give the President the right support he needs.

“Nobody is too big to be investigated in this country. Once you are not playing according to the rules, we will investigate you.”

Protecting one’s family is not just a duty; it’s the essence of a man’s character, a testament to his love and commitment……… After the love Jamil, the mother of my son and I have shown towards your daughter…… My Family is the last one you will ever disrespect in Nigeria.. It’s not a threat like I told Bobo! You’ve been getting away with disrespect David Adeleke… I’m not Uncle Dele or Amaju. I will teach you a lesson on their behalf also…… I gave you every chance but you thought it was another one! They warned you not to f*ck with me! I will teach you a life lesson about having money, sense, and respect ….. I pause till after you enjoy your Grammy like I told Tunde Ednut just from the kindness of my heart!!!

Amid the continued crisis in Rivers State, the founder of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry, Prophet Godwin Ikuru, has disclosed what God told him about the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike and Governor Sim Fubara.

Ikuru said God said Wike should pay more attention to his health in the year 2024.

Posting the message on his Facebook page, the Port Harcourt-based clergyman also urged Fubara to concentrate on governance.

Ikuru said Fubara should not behave like a Chameleon but should focus on delivering the dividends of democracy.

According to him: “Wike, go and take care of your health. Year 2024 that we are, take care of your health.

“And then, Fubara in Rivers State, I saw a light falling down (sic), and the Lord said to me that I should tell you that you should be honest, that you shouldn’t act like a chameleon, that you should work and discharge your duty to your people.

“You attained the position so that Ijaws and every other tribe benefit from this government.

“Every government has a challenge, and the Lord is telling me to tell you that you should focus.”

Wike and Fubara have been at loggerheads since late 2023 over control of the state’s political space.

Armed operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, have taken over security arraignment of the Supreme Court ahead of judgment in a suit by the Federal Government against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

The make or mar judgment is expected to be delivered by the apex court this morning.

DSS operatives blocked the road leading to the court and the Villa gate, turning back litigants and sympathisers of the self acclaimed IPOB leader.

Journalists accredited by the Supreme Court with official tags were also turned back from accessing the Court premises.

It took intervention of highly placed officials of the Court before the operatives grudgingly allowed newsmen.

The main entrance into the courtroom was blocked with an unmarked security vehicle where journalists were thoroughly frisked before being allowed entry.

At the time of this report, the Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun-led panel is being awaited to make the decision of the court known.

The Supreme Court had, on October 5, slated today to deliver its judgment on the appeal that is seeking to compel the Federal Government to release the embattled leader of IPOB from detention.

A five-member panel of the apex court headed by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, okayed the matter for judgement, after counsel for both parties adopted their final briefs of argument.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the last presidential election, Mr Peter Obi on Thursday said Nigerians, although highly talented, deeply productive, and undoubtedly progressive people, were being held backward by leadership failure.

Obi made this known in a post on his X handle while congratulating Prof. Chika Unigwe, who recently earned two global honorary distinctions in recognition of her artistic and literary contributions to the nation of Belgium.

According to the statement, Unigwe was decorated with a Knight of the Order of the Crown and recognized with a Proclamation/Oorkonde by the Christoffel Plantin Fonds.

The former Anambra State governor said her iconic rise came as no surprise, adding that he had always expressed confidence in the highly creative and productive nature of Nigerians.

Obi stated that the many heartwarming and inspiring stories of Nigerians making impacts on the global stage could signal the coming of New Nigeria.

He further maintained that the recent brain drain in the country will eventually turn out to be its brain gain in the future.

President Bola Tinubu on Monday departed Abuja for Maiduguri, Borno State for a state event.

Tinubu took off from the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, at about ten-thirty-five, Monday morning.

The President, who is visiting the north-eastern part of the country for the first time since assuming office, is to attend the Nigerian Army Annual Conference, as the Special Guest of Honour.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement, said the Opening Ceremony will feature an address to troops of Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, inspection of ongoing Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Maiduguri and laying of the foundation stone of Headquarters 7 Division by the President.