₦airaland Forum

FSBoperator:
This idiotes will look for anything to keep his miserable self trending.

Presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has paid a condolence visit to businessman and social commentator Isaac Fayose following the death of his wife, in what observers see as another demonstration of empathy beyond political divides.

Obi’s visit came shortly after he visited former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to sympathise with him over the death of his mother.

Obi was received by Isaac Fayose during the visit, where he expressed his condolences and offered prayers for the repose of the deceased.

The condolence visit comes on the heels of Isaac Fayose’s recent meeting with Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, which generated widespread reactions on social media. Some critics had accused Fayose of aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), fuelling speculation about a possible defection to the party.

Against that backdrop, Peter Obi’s visit has attracted renewed public attention, with many observers interpreting it as a gesture of compassion rather than politics

Thedon22:
Soludo is an example of an effective leader. With the way he has handled this issues, all these ritual killings by misguided youths will reduce. Imagine if Obi were in charge now he would have run away or pushed the problem to the Federal govt. Someone who couldn't provide leadership within all the parties he joined despite having majority supporters within the parties. How can he lead a multifaceted country like Nigeria?

Emmabyte:
I don't understand.. what is going on.. how ?

onuman:
In Nigeria, the APC has destroyed democracy, destroyed the judiciary, destroyed the Independent National Electoral Commission, destroyed the Legislature, destroyed the Middle class.

MIKOLOWISKA:
how did govt push you in your village? Nigerians are lazy oga

The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has defended its presidential candidate and Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, over his call for a United Nations-backed investigation into the recent abduction of schoolchildren and their teachers in Oyo State, accusing leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of reacting with “panic” and raising questions over their opposition to the proposal.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the party described the criticism of Makinde‘s position by APC leaders, including senior government officials and lawmakers, as suspicious, insisting that only those afraid of the truth would oppose an independent investigation into the incident.

The party argued that Makinde’s appeal for international scrutiny was aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability rather than undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty.

According to the APM, the circumstances surrounding the abduction were serious enough to warrant an independent examination beyond domestic institutions.

It maintained that the governor’s request for international involvement was intended to strengthen public confidence in the investigation and ensure that anyone found culpable, irrespective of status or political affiliation, would be held accountable.

The party rejected claims by APC leaders that the call amounted to an affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty, contending that collaboration with international organisations in combating terrorism was already an established practice by the Federal Government.

To support its position, the APM recalled that President Bola Tinubu had, on several occasions, appealed for greater international cooperation in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, including at the United Nations General Assembly and during engagements with officials of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The opposition party questioned why APC leaders would oppose Makinde’s proposal if they had nothing to conceal, arguing that seeking the truth behind the kidnapping should be in the national interest.

It further alleged that the strong reactions from some APC figures had fuelled public suspicion, while referencing past allegations by a former APC leader that political actors imported foreign elements as mercenaries ahead of the 2015 general elections.

The APM said prominent government officials, including former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, ought to be championing efforts to establish the facts surrounding the abduction instead of criticising the governor’s position.

Reaffirming its support for Makinde, the party said it remained committed to the pursuit of truth and accountability in matters affecting the security of Nigerians.

The party also commended the country’s security agencies for the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers, praising their professionalism and sacrifice in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

It urged security personnel to remain steadfast in their efforts to protect lives and property across the country, while reiterating that uncovering the truth behind the Oyo abduction was essential to strengthening national security and public confidence

PFIPC Scandal Widens As Atiku Queries ₦6.44bn World Cup Budget


Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has renewed his call for an independent investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal, alleging attempts by the Bola Tinubu administration to divert attention from key issues and shield those who should be held accountable.

Atiku, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described the recent arrest of the self-styled Director-General of the PFIPC, Adeniyi Adeyemi, as insufficient to resolve the controversy, insisting that the investigation must go beyond the actions of one individual.

According to Atiku, the central question is how an organisation the Presidency has reportedly described as non-existent allegedly operated within the highest levels of government, secured diplomatic recognition, recruited hundreds of personnel, obtained office accommodation at the Federal Secretariat and was reportedly captured in the national budget.

“The scandal is not merely that one man allegedly impersonated public authority. The greater question is how such an organisation allegedly gained access to government institutions and operated with apparent official recognition,” he said.

The former Vice President also linked the PFIPC controversy to what he described as questionable provisions in the 2026 Appropriation Act, drawing attention to an allocation of ₦6.44 billion for a “Special Presidential Support Group for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.”

He questioned why such a provision appeared in the budget despite Nigeria’s elimination from the qualification race months before the budget was presented.

“How does a government budget ₦6.44 billion for World Cup qualifiers after Nigeria had already been eliminated? Who inserted the provision, who approved it, and what was the intended purpose of the allocation?” Atiku queried.

He argued that the budgetary provision raises broader concerns about transparency, fiscal discipline and the integrity of the federal budgeting process.

The statement also referenced allegations made by Adeyemi, including claims that he paid about ₦400 million in bribes to secure his position and mentioned senior government officials. Atiku stressed that the allegations remain unproven and should be subjected to an independent, transparent, and impartial investigation.

According to him, the PFIPC controversy has become a major test of accountability and should not be treated as an isolated incident or resolved through what he described as a controlled internal process.

Atiku expressed reservations about the Federal Government’s decision to have the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) investigate the matter, arguing that a probe conducted by agencies under the executive may not inspire public confidence.

He maintained that an independent investigation was necessary because the allegations touch on individuals within the administration.

The former Vice President also raised concerns over what he described as attempts to influence public perception of the controversy while legal proceedings relating to aspects of the matter are ongoing.

He called on the National Assembly to constitute a bipartisan panel to investigate every aspect of the PFIPC controversy and appealed to the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations, the diplomatic community and other stakeholders to support a transparent process.

“Nigerians deserve to know who authorised the PFIPC, how it allegedly gained access to government institutions, who facilitated its operations and whether public funds were allocated to it. The country deserves a credible investigation that establishes the facts and strengthens public confidence in governance,” Atiku said.