₦airaland Forum

There are indications that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may have offered the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi a vice president role in a joint single-term ticket.

Reliable multiple sources involved in the coalition efforts, who requested anonymity due to a lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, told The PUNCH that the proposal was initially discussed during a meeting between Atiku and Obi early this year in the United Kingdom.

The insiders disclosed that Atiku has committed to serving a single four-year term, and Obi has agreed to be the former VP’s running mate.

However, the ex-Anambra state governor was said to be working to secure the backing of his core loyalists.

In the 2019 presidential election, Obi served as Atiku’s running mate under the Peoples Democratic Party, where they lost to former President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress.

On March 20, Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and others in Abuja announced the formation of a coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

The announcement sparked widespread debate about the prospects of opposition unity, with political stakeholders expressing varied opinions.

Nearly two months later, Nigerians are still waiting to hear from the political leaders, as both Atiku’s PDP and Obi’s LP remain mired in internal political crises.

A party chieftain privy to the political permutations told The PUNCH that Atiku and Obi have come to an agreement and are now in the process of consulting with their loyalists.

He said, “You know that by this time next year, by May 2026, almost all parties would have unveiled their presidential candidates for the 2027 elections. So, the coalition move is mindful of that.

“The leaders have all agreed that it’s only a coalition between Atiku, Obi, and others that can wrest power from Tinubu. So, they are crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s to finalise this.

“Atiku and Obi met earlier this year in the UK. That was where Atiku first mooted the idea of a coalition and urged Obi to be his running mate. Obi then asked for time to think it over and consult his loyalists.

“But recent developments show that Obi has accepted to be Atiku’s running mate, and Atiku has also agreed to serve a single four-year term and hand over to the former Anambra State governor. They have both agreed to sign a written agreement if necessary. Obi is trying to get the buy-in of his loyalists before this is formally announced.”

When questioned about the political platform they intended to use, given the crises in both the PDP and LP, another source revealed that they are considering the African Democratic Congress.

“The crisis in PDP and LP is frustrating. While they are both making efforts and waiting to see if the crisis can be resolved in favour of their camps, they are both looking at possible political parties to run on.

“The Social Democratic Party was part of the plans before now, but it seems the ruling APC has also infiltrated the party. So, they are tilting towards the ADC. As a matter of fact, some of the loyalists have been meeting with the ADC leadership, and others have quietly joined the party. So, if things do not favour them in LP and PDP, they may join ADC.”

Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, said he could not speak on the agreement reached between the two opposition leaders.

Ibe, in an interview with The PUNCH, stated, “I know that His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have been talking about the coalition. I cannot speak on the specific agreement they have reached.

“All I can tell you is that both of them are focused on ensuring that they build a viable coalition that will be robust enough to accommodate diverse Nigerians to unseat the clueless APC government in 2027.”

A loyalist of Obi and the National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ahmeh, declined to comment on the single four-year term agreement but clarified that the former Anambra State governor is working with others to resolve the crisis within the Labour Party.

In response to The PUNCH’s inquiry about whether an agreement has been finalised for Obi to be Atiku’s running mate, Ahmeh simply said, “No comment on this one, until I speak with my oga.”

He continued, “My position on this remains that, for us to defeat the APC, we must follow the rules of engagement so we don’t allow Tinubu to become the landlord in the southern part of Nigeria when we have somebody who can defeat him effortlessly.

“We are in the LP as we speak, and that is the option available to accommodate everyone because you cannot sleep in a hostile environment and expect to succeed.

“We know there were hostile conditions created to undermine Peter Obi, but he is still in the Labour Party and is committed to making sure we get the APC out of government in 2027.

“As for the LP, the Supreme Court has spoken, and Abure’s term has elapsed. So, they can’t put something on nothing and expect it to stand. LP will survive.”

When reached for comment on the question of Atiku-Obi joint ticket, the National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, stated that no such matter is currently being considered.

“As far as I am concerned, after I met with him in Benin, there was nothing of this nature on the table. He has not shared with me any of this particular issue. Neither has he called nor talked to me about it. In fact, not too long ago, I just spoke with him.

“So, there is nothing, as far as I am concerned, to confirm that such a discussion is on the table at the moment.”

The ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, confirmed that discussions are ongoing with all stakeholders involved in the coalition efforts.

Nwosu stated that 21 former national chairmen of deregistered political parties are now part of the ADC, adding that the party would make a significant announcement before the end of the week.

When asked if Obi and Atiku had approached his party about their intention to switch to the ADC, the party chair dodged the question and simply said, “The ADC leadership has held conversations with all major stakeholders in the coalition drive and even people in government — that is, even people in the APC.

“And they are all committed to building a mega African political party. So, we have spoken with all critical stakeholders. So, the stakeholders are all working together on this.”

Continuing, he stated, “We are part of the move. We have been working to give Nigerians a democracy that will improve their lives from the beginning. And within the last 10 years, about 21 national parties that have been deregistered have joined us in ADC. So, they all identified with our party.

“Currently, we are involved in coalition talks with all critical stakeholders. And we are meeting frequently, and by the grace of God, before the end of this week, we will announce some of the recent developments to the entire world.

“The Nigeria project is not local. Nigeria is critical to Africa. And that is why ADC is determined to bring about good leadership to rescue Africa, not just Nigeria.”

The deputy governor expressed sympathy over the tragic incident and announced a donation from the state government to support the victims’ families.

Suspected bandits have attacked Waje community in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, killing 15 farmers and injuring three others.

The Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Tafida, who represented Governor Nasir Idris during a condolence visit to the residence of the District Head of Waje, expressed sympathy over the tragic incident and announced a donation from the state government to support the victims’ families.

He described the gesture as a modest effort by the government to assist the bereaved families and the injured during this difficult time.

Senator Tafida also assured the community that the state government would take necessary steps to address insecurity and ensure farmers can safely return to their farmlands.

The District Head of Waje, Hon. Bala Danbaba, commended the state government for the visit and the financial assistance, describing it as timely and impactful.

He noted that the Danko Wasagu area shares borders with Niger, Zamfara, and Sokoto states, making it vulnerable to attacks, and appealed for enhanced security measures to block the entry points used by the attackers.

The Chairman of Danko Wasagu Local Government, Alhaji Hussaini Aliyu Bena, confirmed that 15 farmers were killed and three others injured during the attack.

muyico:
With d way rice dey foam when cooking
Dat foam self nah poison

The price of a 50kg bag of rice has dropped to an average of N54,000 following rumours of alleged deadly rice in circulation. The drop is also a result of the oversupply of the staple from India, according to a report by S&P Global.

It was gathered that the price of the commodity dropped from N58,000 in April, as demand for rice reduced in the last few days due to claims that people died after buying rice in Badagry, Lagos State, and Idiroko in Ogun State.

The demand for rice dropped lately when parents and relatives sent voice messages to their loved ones, warning them against buying or consuming rice this time because it was alleged by another sender on WhatsApp that over 70 persons had died in the past few days after buying or consuming the said rice.

Even though the Nigeria Customs Service in Seme debunked the claims, it was observed that consumers boycotted rice, causing a drop in price. Our correspondent gathered that a 50kg bag of rice is now N50,000 in areas close to the borders.

Baffled by the low patronage, rice sellers in Badagry released videos on Thursday and Friday, debunking the deadly rice rumour. The traders said the claims were fake and unfounded, saying nobody died from buying or eating rice.

Meanwhile, a latest report on rice cost by S&P Global disclosed that West African parboiled rice prices have plummeted to record lows, driven by subdued demand and significant oversupply in the region.

Importers in Benin were said to have voiced their concerns over declining prices, linking this trend to falling prices for Indian parboiled rice oversupply itself.

“The oversupply issue is not limited to Benin. In Togo, importers are facing a similar situation, with abundant availability, yet demand for white rice remains virtually nonexistent.

“A Togo importer said containers were more expensive than breakbulks before, but now the price difference is narrowing, and people are preferring containers at lower volumes. Another trader said container and breakbulk freight prices had narrowed to $3-$4 per metric tonne,” the report said.

S&P Global added that data from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority shows that India exported approximately 4.9 million MT of rice to the region between April 2024 and January 2025, with Benin the largest importer, followed closely by Guinea and Ivory Coast.

As Nigeria, the largest rice market for the Benin Republic, continues to illegally import rice from Benin, both local and imported rice prices in Nigeria have plummeted over the past two weeks.

“The price of Indian imported rice coming through Benin has dropped substantially, from N58,000 per 50 kg bag on April 23 to just N54,000 per 50 kg bag on May 13. Concurrently, local rice prices have also fallen by N10,000, reaching N62,000, according to another market participant,” S&P Global disclosed.

highchief1:
renewed madness.So govt will buy at different price and individuals will buy at different price.what type of a country is this

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on Friday warned that jihadist factions expelled from the central Sahel are slipping across the country’s vast borders and stoking fresh violence in the north and Middle Belt.

He pledged tighter border security, fresh air assets and closer coordination with states to neutralise the threats.

“What has happened recently is that there’s a global push by terrorists and jihadists all over the Sahel area, and that pressure is what actually came into Nigeria because of the porous nature of our borders,” Musa said after he led Service Chiefs into closed door talks with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Since the gale of coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger between 2020 and 2023, attacks by Islamic State Sahel Province and al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin have jumped by more than 40 per cent, forcing hundreds of fighters south toward Nigeria, Benin and Togo, according to the Armed Conflict and Location Event Data for March 2025.

In its April 2025 monthly forecast, United Nations Security Council Report flagged a “widening arc of infiltration” along the Benin-Niger-Nigeria borderlands, while ACLED data show jihadist incidents creeping into Kaduna, Niger and Plateau states after dry-season offensives in the core of the Sahel.

After the meeting, Gen. Musa said the armed forces remain “on top of our game,” but conceded that Nigeria’s 4,000-kilometre land border “is what actually allowed the pressure to spill in.”

He explained, “Our meeting today is for us to review the entire security situation in the country. The president is concerned about what’s going on, and we have reassured him that we’re on top of our game. We’re working extremely hard.

“And so Mr. President has given directives for us to intensify our efforts, collaborate with all our sister countries around, because it is the porous nature that is actually aggravating our issues on ground. And so all our theatres have been enhanced.

“Equipment has been bought. Mr. President has also given us many approvals for air assets and other aspects of security. As we mentioned, it’s not only the kinetic effort. The non-kinetic aspect that is most important.”

S'East 'll be peaceful if troops go after herdsmen, Igbo women tell CDS

The Defence Chief said he is working with Governors to provide synergy for the military’s operations across states.

“The president is also looking at the aspect of also discussing with the governors for their own support, buy-in, ensuring that the dividends of democracy are also extended to the communities to be able to clamp down on the issue of insecurity.

“Yesterday, I just came out of Maiduguri to show you that we’re working together with all the governors because we know we cannot do it alone. We also need the governors to be part of it.

“The Federal Government is doing so much. States need to come in, local governments and communities. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that there’s peace in Nigeria,” he added.

He urged citizens to report suspicious activity—and to ignore recycled combat videos circulating as “fake news.”

“It is important that we all cooperate with members of the armed forces and security agencies. If we see something going wrong anywhere in the country, let us report it; action will be taken, including by our own personnel. If we see them doing what is not supposed to be done, they should take report and we’ll take action.

“We want to appeal to all Nigerians not to get tired and be wary of fake news. A lot of fake news has been spread.

“Most of the videos being circulated are from other countries or old videos, giving the impression that they are new. You often wonder, why do some individuals feel happy when things go wrong in their country?” he added.

He thanked Nigerians for their support, saying, “And that’s what we try to push and that’s what we’re doing. And we’re happy that Nigerians are warming up to it, disregarding all the naysayers, those who don’t mean us well. We’re shaming them because we’re determined to continue succeeding. That we assure all Nigerians.”

Jihadists in northeastern Nigeria are surging — and using social media to spread the word of their campaigns and recruit fighters.

At least 100 people were killed in the new wave of jihadist attacks in April alone, as the governor of Borno, the epicentre of the violence which has raged since 2009, said the state is losing ground to armed groups.

At the same time, apparent jihadists and their boosters on TikTok were flaunting rifles, grenades and stacks of cash, according to easily accessible videos reviewed by AFP that same month.

They broadcast live in joint videos with accounts run by men preaching anti-Western ideologies in a style reminiscent of the videos released by deceased Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau in the early days of the 15-year-old insurgency.

Criminal gangs that carry out raids on villages and kidnap for ransom in the northwest of the country have used TikTok in the past.

“It started with bandits,” Bulama Bukarti, a vice president at Texas-based Bridgeway Foundation wrote on X. “Now, Boko Haram members are hosting live TikTok shows — spreading propaganda, justifying their violence and threatening anyone who dares speak against them.”

A Boko Haram fighter threatened Bukarti himself in a now-deleted TikTok video for speaking against the group, he said.

While many of the accounts on the video sharing app have been flagged and taken down, the capability of broadcasting live streams on the platform adds another layer of difficulty to monitoring the content they put out.

A TikTok spokesperson said it was difficult to quantify the number of accounts linked to terrorist organisations that have been taken down.

While some of these accounts have been deleted, several others remain active, according to accounts viewed by AFP at the time of publication.

“Terrorist groups and content related to these groups have no place on TikTok, and we take an uncompromising stance against enabling violent extremism on or off our platform,” a spokesperson for the company told AFP in an emailed statement.

– ‘It’s paying off’ –

Among the 19 accounts reviewed by AFP were men dressed as clerics, their faces revealed to the camera even as they called for violence against the government and teamed up with accounts that showed off weapons hauls.

Accounts also post old footage of the original Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, and those of Isah Garo Assalafy, who was banned from preaching in public places in Niger state for using violent rhetoric against democracy and Western civilisation.


These accounts frequently go live, interacting with followers, answering questions and receiving digital gifts that can be converted into cash.

Nigeria’s jihadist conflict, which over the years has expanded to include a rival Islamic State group, has killed more than 40,000 and displaced some two million people in Africa’s most populous country.

Saddiku Muhammad, a former jihadist who has since defected, told AFP that armed groups are turning to TikTok in part because security forces cracked down on the encrypted messaging app Telegram.

They also know TikTok is popular with young people.

“Jihadists realised that to capture the minds of young people, they need to speak to them in the language they understand — instead of the traditional didactic and demagogic styles that are boring and unattractive to them,” Muhammad said.

“From all indications, it is paying off. They are reaching out to young potential recruits.”

– ‘They aren’t afraid’ –


Analysts told AFP that the use of TikTok by members of armed groups is a direct challenge to the government.

Malik Samuel, a security analyst at Abuja-based think tank Good Governance Africa, said it is a common Boko Haram tactic to use the group’s young members to spread propaganda.

“I believe showing their faces is strategic — to show that they aren’t afraid and to let their target know that they are engaging with real people,” Samuel said.

Islamic State West Africa Province, however, still appears to follow a more polished, top-down communication strategy than the apparent Boko Haram jihadists posting on TikTok, he said.

TikTok said it has partnered with UN-backed Tech Against Terrorism to improve the detection and removal of violent extremist content.

“Our community guidelines clearly state that we do not allow the presence of violent and hateful organisations or individuals on our platform,” it said.

“We will always take action on content found to violate these policies.”

AFP

Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, on Thursday announced that the company has agreed to freeze the price of cement for all contractors engaged in projects under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda, as part of efforts to support President Bola Tinubu’s economic recovery strategy.

This is as President Bola Tinubu and Rabiu met at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on efforts by the BUA Foods to crash the prices of food in the country.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Rabiu expressed happiness that the prices of food have come down compared to what they were last year.

He also explained why the price of BUA cement is relatively high, attributing it to the flotation of the naira.

Rabiu also disclosed that the initiative to crash prices of cement for the renewed hope agenda projects was agreed upon in partnership with Alhaji Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Cement, and is aimed at curbing cost escalations on critical infrastructure projects across the country.

He said: “We have decided that we are going to freeze the price of cement for any contractor that is involved with the Renewed Hope projects,” Rabiu said. “There will be no increase for the foreseeable future. This is our contribution to support Mr President’s Renewed Hope Initiative.”

Rabiu revealed that the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CEMAN) has been restructured to drive this commitment, with Engineer Yusuf Binji of BUA Cement appointed as its new chairman.

The Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN), which focuses on training artisans in the construction sector, will also receive renewed funding – between ₦15 and ₦20 billion annually – via a levy of ₦20 to ₦30 per bag of cement sold by members.

He praised the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for promoting the use of concrete roads, which he described as more cost-effective and durable than traditional bitumen-based roads.
Rabiu hailed President Tinubu’s decision last year to grant a six-month duty waiver on select food imports as a game-changer in tackling food inflation.

He said BUA Foods leveraged the policy to import large quantities of rice, maize, and wheat, which have significantly lowered food prices nationwide.

“At the height of the crisis last year, a 50kg bag of rice was selling for over ₦110,000,” Rabiu recalled.


“Today, it’s about ₦60,000. Flour has dropped from ₦80,000 to ₦55,000 per bag, maize from ₦60,000 to ₦30,000.”

He attributed this drastic reduction to the disruption of hoarding practices within the rice supply chain, made possible by increased availability from BUA’s imports.

“A lot of people used to hoard rice paddy after harvest to create artificial scarcity. But once our imports started hitting the market, their hoarded stocks lost value, and the market adjusted,” Rabiu said.

He added that the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria has since adopted measures to discourage hoarding among its members, ensuring that future attempts to manipulate rice prices will be futile.

“We’ve imported enough rice to last till the end of the year. Anyone trying to hoard now risks massive losses,”

Rabiu warned, expressing optimism that prices will remain stable moving forward.
He noted that the positive impact of falling food prices often goes unnoticed in public discourse.

“When rice hit ₦110,000, everyone was shouting. Now it’s down to ₦60,000, and no one’s saying anything. But I’m happy to report that food prices are coming down and will continue to.”

Rabiu thanked President Tinubu for his foresight and policy leadership, stating that BUA Group remains committed to supporting government initiatives that promote economic stability and public welfare.


“We will continue to do more to support the economy and our country,” he concluded.

After FIJ’s Story, EFCC Admits Wrongly Declaring Lebanese National Elie Bitar Wanted Over CBEX Fraud


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has removed the name of Elie Bitar, a Lebanese businessman it wrongly declared wanted in connection with an organised cryptocurrency fraud perpetrated by Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX).

FIJ had exclusively reported on May 6 that Bitar had no connection with the CBEX scam.

Bitar was rather the owner of CBEX Solutions Limited, a defunct Lagos-based company, which operated legitimately in Nigeria between 2018 and 2020.

In the report, FIJ showed that the ‘CBEX’ in Bitar’s company name was an acronym of his name and that of Xavier Carbonel, his business partner.

Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the agency, did not respond when FIJ asked about the EFCC’s decision to declare Bitar wanted.

In an authorless statement posted on its social media handles on Wednesday, the EFCC stated that it had removed Bitar’s name from its list having discovered that he was unrelated to the scheme. The commission conspicuously failed to apologise to Bitar or Nigerians for the error.

“Ellie Bitar of CBEX Solutions Ltd., who was earlier declared wanted, has since been removed from the list owing to new information that does not support his inclusion in the wanted person’s list,” the agency wrote in part.

CBEX: EFCC Intensifies Search for WANTED PERSONS

As part of its ongoing investigations of the alleged monumental fraud involving many actors in the infamous Crypto Bridge Exchange, CBEX, fraud, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is gaining important ground…

“As part of its ongoing investigations of the alleged monumental fraud involving many actors in the infamous Crypto Bridge Exchange, CBEX, fraud, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is gaining important ground in its search for eight wanted persons implicated in the fraud,” the statement read.

“The eight wanted persons are: Seyi Oloyede, Emmanuel Uko, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Adefowora Abiodun Olanipekun, Johnson Okiroh Ofienolu, Israel Mbalika, Joseph Michiro Kabera and Serah Michiro.

“The Commission is making good progress in its investigations. Law enforcement agencies across the world are collaborating with it in tracking and arresting all the wanted persons. The EFCC will not relent in bringing every actor involved in the fraudulent dealings to book.”

Bitar’s company consulted for fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies with evidence of value added tax remittances, certificate of incorporation and verifiable bank statements.

Aside from the defunct company, Bitar owns Smarterise Integrated Solutions Limited, an energy solutions company currently in operation.

His lawyers had written to the commission maintaining his innocence and demanding a public apology and removal of his name from the list of wanted persons.

zero8zero:
This is what you get when someone so ignorant and empty upstairs occupy the front page to make comments. When you say they didn't go to school, they will start crying and throwing tantrums. A short article written in simple English is too difficult for this one to understand. What a shame.