"Today's victory over Angola is a poignant reminder of the adamant spirit of Nigerian football. 🇳🇬⚽️ As we celebrate this triumph, we also honor the memory of Late Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji, who tragically left us while playing against Angola 35 years ago. His passion for the game and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Samuel Okwaraji, your legacy lives on. #WeRememberOkwaraji #RIP"

The Nigeria Customs Service generated a total sum of N3.21 trn in the year 2023, Comptroller General of the Service, Bashir Adeniyi told members of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise on Wednesday.

Adeniyi who appeared before the committee accompanied by top officials of the NCS told the lawmakers that though the service targeted the sum of N3.67trn in the outgone year, it was only able to generate N3.21trn owing to a combination of factors.

This is even as he stated that all things being equal, men and officers of the NCS will work diligently to generate N5.08trn for the nation in 2024.

He said, “In 2023, the revenue target for the service was N3.67tran and remarkably, the service collected a total revenue of N3.21trn from January to December 2023.

“When we compare what we collected in 2023 to what was projected as our targets, there was a negative variance of N462.9 bn, which represents 12.62 per cent of what was approved as revenue targets.

“Though we didn’t achieve what we projected, but we want to say with all sense of modesty that we did our best. And when we consider all factors, we will appreciate the fact that we at NCS did the best we could.”

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, and other agencies of government to clear all court cases around the $1.3bn deepwater OML 245 oil block located in southern Niger Delta.

Other agencies that also received the order include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

Lokpobiri disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday, as he revealed that parties in the deal were currently negotiating to end the over 28 years crisis and litigations surrounding the prolific oil block in the next one month.

The Malabu OML 245 deal and subsequent litigations with the Nigerian government is a complex and long-standing saga involving allegations of corruption, fraud, and legal battles.

The oil block in question, OML 245, is considered one of Nigeria’s most prolific oil blocks. In 1998, Malabu Oil and Gas, a company with links to former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum, Dan Etete, acquired the block for $2m.

In 2001, the Federal Government under former President Olusegun Obasanjo revoked Malabu’s license due to “questionable practices.”

In 2006, Malabu challenged the revocation in court, eventually reaching an out-of-court settlement with the government under former President Umaru Yar’Adua.

In 2011, Shell and Eni, two major oil companies, acquired the block for $1.3bn from Malabu in a deal approved by the Nigerian government.
But since then there have been allegations and litigations, as Transparency International and other anti-corruption groups alleged bribery and corruption in the deal, with funds allegedly funneled to Nigerian government officials.

This resulted in litigations involving Nigeria versus Eni and Shell, as the Nigerian government under former President Muhammadu Buhari pursued legal action against Eni, Shell, and Malabu, alleging corruption in the deal.
Commeting on the issue, Lokpobiri said,

“The previous administration initiated most of the cases that we are talking about today, and they took us to court, while we took Eni, Malabu, others to different courts in Europe, Canada, etc, but we didn’t win any of the cases.

“To even shock you, there is one that got us a penalty of over 70 million pounds. How did that happen?”
 He explained that JP Morgan sued the government for trying to dent its image in the saga, adding that the penalty was now binding on Nigeria.

 “So we have been fined over 70 million pounds by the court. Who will pay that? You and I will pay that, or our children will pay, because it is a judgement debt. And in all the ones that we pursue both in Switzerland and other locations, we have no evidence to get conviction.

“And so it makes sense for this government to come and say that for 28 years, this block has been idle. This block is a prolific block that will add so much value to our economy, so let’s see how we can resolve the problem.

“So we are talking to Eni and Shell, and saying let’s sit down and see how we can resolve all the problems. We have taken you to court on multiple occasions, you have also taken us to court, but let’s see how we can resolve these problems,” the minister stated.

The Household of David church in Surulere Street, Adeniyi Jones in the Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State has lost its multi-million naira church auditorium to a fire incident that gutted the church building.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident occurred at about 10:00 am on Wednesday.

Confirming the incident to our correspondent in a phone interview, the Lagos State Fire Service spokesperson, Amodu Shakiri, disclosed that the church’s auditorium ceiling was overheating, which caused it to collapse and ignite a fire.

He added that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service’s Alausa and Ikeja Fire Stations, LASAMBUS, LASEMA, and Red Cross were the relevant agencies present at the scene.

Shakiri said the property damaged by the fire included the church’s furnishings and the auditorium.

He said, “The fire was however made to confine within the church’s auditorium it started from while salvaging adjoining properties. The relevant agencies involved were the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Alausa and Ikeja fire stations, LASAMBUS, LASEMA, and Red Cross. And the property involved in the destruction of the fire included the auditorium and church-hold items.

Reacting to the tragedy, the Senior Pastor of Household of David, Olusola Osunmakinde, in a video on Instagram, said, “It is a painful experience.”

According to Osunmakinde, a passerby made fun of him by inquiring, “Where was Jesus when this happened?”

He said the church’s air conditioners, chairs, and other equipment were all burnt.

He said, “As we know, ‘Mercy Conference’ starts today, but something happened that I just want to put a message out there to people. I came here this morning, everybody was setting up, everything was going fine. All of a sudden, we started hearing that there was fire and something up there on the roof of the church. I know there will be reactions, and people will say that and that, but that is none of my concern now.

“The most important thing is this, we thank God no life was lost and we thank God for everything. We are not too discouraged but we believe in God that we will still go on with the conference.

“It is a painful experience no doubt, even someone walked into the compound mocking, saying, ‘Where is Jesus when this happened?’ We don’t owe people an answer, all we believe is that all things work together. We will not back out because of this but by the grace of God, all things work together for good.”

Fire Emergency!

Time of Call: 10:47hrs

Scene of Incident: 7 Surulere Street, Industrial Estate, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos

Description: An expanse church auditorium belonging to Household of David Church erupted in Fire from smoke that emanated from the ceiling.

Situation Update: Fire is presently under control as dampen down progresses to bring operations to conclusion.

The Fire was however made to confined within the church auditorium it started from while salvaging adjoining properties.

Attendance: LagosRescue Alausa and Ikeja Crews

Property Involved: Auditorium and church-hold items

Supposed Cause: Investigation to reveal in due course

Casualty: Nil

Margaret Adeseye
Director

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, says the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating the controversial Nigeria Air deal

The Nigeria Air deal was sealed by Hadi Sirika, the immediate former minister of aviation, on behalf of the Nigerian government.

On May 26, 2023, a plane belonging to Nigeria Air, the proposed national carrier, landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

Sirika had told Nigerians two days before the plane touched down in Abuja that an aircraft belonging to Nigeria Air, would arrive in the country on Friday ahead of the commencement of operations.

However, on August 31, 2023, Keyamo announced the suspension of the Nigeria Air. The minister said the projects would be put on hold until further notice.

Keyamo spoke on Wednesday evening when he appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

“First of all, I have said it before and I will still say it. It was not a deal that was good for Nigeria in the long run,” the minister said.

“The whole composition and totality of that deal was merely Ethiopian Air flying the Nigerian flag. It was not a national carrier. Two things. A flag carrier is different from a national carrier.

“So while we were being told that a national carrier was coming, it was not a national carrier, it was a foreign airline trying to fly the Nigerian flag.

“The EFCC is investigating that deal. There is a criminal investigation going on. I have called for the report.”

Keyamo insisted that no local airline would be designated as a national airline, noting that “we will establish a proper national carrier”.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced that express services will soon commence on the Kano-Lagos narrow gauge.

The disclosure regarding the restoration of train service operations on the Kano-Lagos narrow gauge was made in a post by the NRC on its official X handle last Saturday.

“Kano-Lagos train services to commence operation soon,” the post read.
In addition to the above text, the NRC’s post on X also included a short video footage of a locomotive undergoing a test-run on the tracks.

In another related tweet, NRC noted that major repairs have been completed on the damaged portions of the Kano-Lagos narrow gauge, further affirming the imminent restoration of express train services on the route.

“Test-running of the Train after major repairs that have been carried out on the damaged portions of the rail tracks.
“The narrow-gauge Train services will be fully back in operation for the benefit of the Nigerian masses and easy transportation of goods and services in the country,” the tweet read.

Oke Umurhohwo, the Marketing Manager (West Africa 1) at itel Mobile, was named one of the “35 Under 35” marketing professionals at the prestigious Brandcom Awards held at The Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Saturday, November 4, 2023. This recognition highlights his outstanding contributions to the field of marketing.

With an impressive marketing career spanning over 10 years, Oke Umurhohwo has been at the forefront of driving marketing strategies and brand development for itel Mobile, a leading mobile phone brand in Nigeria. His exceptional leadership and strategic acumen have contributed significantly to the brand’s success and rapid growth across the West African region.

In his role as the Marketing Manager (West Africa 1) for itel Mobile, Oke has spearheaded several groundbreaking initiatives that have elevated the brand’s presence and reputation in the market. His prowess in developing strategic marketing plans has been instrumental in facilitating itel Mobile’s successful product launches across diverse market segments. By reaching new customers and sustaining brand loyalty, he has played a pivotal role in driving substantial growth in sales for the brand.

The Brandcom Awards, known as Nigeria’s most prestigious recognition platform for Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), celebrates exceptional brands, organizations, and marketing communications professionals each year. The “35 Under 35” category specifically acknowledges the contributions of young and dynamic individuals in the IMC industry.

Joshua Ajayi, the Convener of Brandcom Awards and the publisher of Brand Communicator, explained the significance of this category, stating, “The integrated marketing communications industry is vast and continuously evolving, driven by the relentless efforts of young and versatile professionals. These individuals often go unnoticed or underappreciated for their valuable contributions. It was for this reason that we introduced the ’35 Under 35′ category last year, and in 2023, we received over 23,000 nominations, underscoring the wealth of talent within the industry.”

In his response to the award, Oke Umurhohwo expressed his humility and gratitude, saying, “To be considered worthy of this honour in a field filled with brilliant minds is a humbling experience. I extend my gratitude to Brand Communicator for recognizing the effort I have invested in ensuring consistent productivity and organizational excellence over the years. This award serves as a call to young professionals in the marketing industry, urging them to relentlessly pursue innovative ideas and drive the desire for positive change.”

Oke Umurhohwo’s commitment to innovative marketing strategies and leadership have contributed to itel Mobile’s significant presence in Nigeria and the broader West African region.

The Brandcom Awards have a tradition of honoring marketing professionals who have made exceptional contributions to the industry, and this recognition reaffirms Oke Umurhohwo’s dedication to driving itel Mobile’s success in the West African market.

In a shocking development, the Nigerian Federal Government has suspended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele. Sources reveal that Emefiele was arrested in Lagos by the Department of State Services (DSS) on June 10 and flown to Abuja for questioning which the security agency has now confirmed.

The suspension is reportedly tied to a staggering $1 billion scandal that unfolded just before the Presidential inauguration.

This newspaper learned that Suspicions arose after Emefiele’s borrowing of $1 billion from Afrexim Bank on April 24, 2023 after the elections, during preparations for the May 29 inauguration.

Shockingly, within two days of receiving the money, $750 million was swiftly transferred to Aliko Dangote’s Dubai accounts using a ‘Form A’.

It is alleged that the President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was kept in the dark about this transaction.

Sources within the CBN claim that Emefiele sold dollars to Dangote at an unbelievably low rate of 445 Naira to the dollar. 1 billion dollars was received from Afrexim Bank into the CBN’s JP Morgan account on April 24, 2023, out of which 750 million dollars was immediately transferred to Dangote’s Bluestar Dubai account within two days using the “Form A” transaction method, bypassing the requirement of a Letter of Credit.

Bluestar has had ties to Dangote since 2007.

While some CBN officials raised concerns about these transactions, the revelation highlights the potential for money laundering and illicit activities within Nigeria’s financial system, tarnishing the CBN’s integrity under Emefiele’s leadership.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the President took decisive action by suspending Emefiele and ordering a thorough investigation.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be in Ebonyi State today.

#RenewedHope2023
#BATKSM2023 ♾️

Ahead of the 2023 polls, the Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial district in the National assembly Prof Nora Ladi Daduut, on Monday commenced grassroots mobilisation for her Party the All Progressives Congress in rural communities in her zone.

Senator Dadu’ut who spoke to newsmen after sensitizing women in her Senatorial district said the aim was to mobilize and garner support for the Presidential Candidate of APC Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Governorship candidate of the APC in Plateau Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, Governor Simon Lalong for our Senatorial race, Idris Maje for Wase Federal constiuency, and other candidates of the APC at the 2023 general elections.

Senator Dadu’ut a member of the TINUBU/SHETTIMA Women Presidential Campaign team assigned to the strategic Planning Directorate said “We have constituted a team in the six local government councils of our district that would go round to the rural areas to ensure victory for our party in the forthcoming polls.”

Senator Daduut who was represented by her Legislative aide Hon Hon. Rufina Gurumyen, said “We have commenced a door-to-door campaign for the success of Ahmed Tinubu/ Kashim Shettima and our candidates in the APC in the 2023 general elections.”

“Tinubu’s wealth of experience is currently needed most to move the country forward.”

“We have the best Candidates in the APC, and we would mobilize our women, Youths and elderly to vote the APC from top to bottom.”

Dadu’ut added that she is committed to the victory of Tinubu/Shettima and all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

“Tinubu/Shettima are tested and trusted, and their combination offers renewed hope for the citizenry. It will ensure our today and assure us of our tomorrow.

“Tinubu is a good leader to follow. As he did in Lagos, we are sure that he will do more for Nigeria,” he said.

Senator Daduut said “we have assumed the role of apostles by going out there to preach the voting of our party the APC from top to bottom.”

She added that “We would go out and market our Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu across our Senatorial zone as that man who has the magic wand to take us to the promised land.”

She appealed to Women and Youths who are yet to collect their PVCs to do that and vote massively for the party at all levels.

A Senatorial Aspirant of the APC in Cross River North, cries out for Justice as Opponent schemes to frustrate Court Judgement in a Suit filed to challenge her exclusion from a repeat Primary Election, which led to the emergence of Gov Benedict Ayade, as Senatorial Candidate, after the Governor took part in the Presidential Primary Election of APC and lost.

In a Pre- Election Suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, before Justice Evelyn Maha, she asked the Court to declare her the Canfidate of APC. The details are : Cecilia Omonya Adams vs APC & 3 ORS; FHC/ABJ/CS/232/2022.

The Case was reserved for Judgment by Justice Evelyn Maha, more than 60 days ago, but Justice Evelyn Maha has been under immense pressure not to deliver the Judgment , so that Cecilia’s quest for Justice will be frustrated.

Barr. Cecilia Adams is appealing to Justice Maha to do justice to the matter, without further delay, because Justice delayed, is as good as being denied

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi's administration in Enugu State has delivered a state-of-the-art 600-seater banquet hall within the premises of the Remodelled Old Government Lodge, GRA, Enugu, for hosting of sensitive and reserved state, regional, national and international events, in advancement of Enugu's status and leading role as the historic capital of the Southeast geo-political zone of Nigeria.

The banquet hall, which is one of the signature projects Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration will be remembered for after his tenure, has basement offices, meeting rooms, retaining walls, large parking lots, among other facilities.

Besides the banquet hall and the Remodelled Old Government Lodge, Enugu, with a newly constructed annex, his administration, within the premises, also constructed 10 units of executive guest houses, 24 units of guest flats with a dining hall, security post and a standard lawn tennis court fitted with lighting facilities for physical exercise, among others, for routine guests of the state government.

The whole essence is to save cost of governance in respect of security and hotel accommodation bills as well as to create a conducive atmosphere for decision making and other official engagements on sensitive issues concerning Enugu State, the Southeast zone and beyond.

In furtherance of the above noble vision, Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration equally constructed a similar befitting conference centre at Ede-Oballa, Nsukka, comprising multiple halls, other indoor activity hubs and recreation facilities such as adult and children swimming pools and a lawn tennis court.

The project is adjacent to the new State Secretariat Annex, Nsukka, built by the present administration for cohesion and proper coordination of state government activities at the zonal level

The Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Peter Obi has been described as liar by the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO).

BMO described the former Anambra State governor as a politician with a penchant for cooking up figures and twisting facts

The organization described as half truth figure reeled out by former Anambra state governor during the Vice Presidential candidates’ debate organised by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) in Abuja

It said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke the organisation said that Obi did not disappoint Nigerians who have been following his political trajectory since he left the Government House in Awka.

“From the outset, it was clear that Obi was out to impress his gullible political base but he did not reckon with the fact that majority of Nigerians cannot be easily be fooled at a time information can easily be cross checked

“Perhaps his biggest lie on the night that was easily debunked by knowledgeable Nigerians was his claim of 2 million vehicles on Nigerian roads. Even without the benefit of data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), an average car part dealer in Gudu, Abuja or Idumota,Lagos knew he was lying.

“An NBS fact sheet that has for sometime been in the public domain shows that the country has a total vehicle population of about 11.5 million as at the third quarter of 2017 so where did Obi gets his own data”, it said.

The group said it was gratifying to note that one of Nigeria’s influential online publications, The Cable did a quick fact check of what Obi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said at the debate

Buhari Media Organisation

“Some of the lies couched as facts by the PDP chieftain according to the online newspaper include his claim that Nigeria has fallen on the global competitive index from 124 to 127. The true position from the 2018 World Economic Forum (WEF) report is that the country rose on the index by 10 places

“Peter Obi also argued that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for 2015 was $21 billion while it fell to $12 billion in 2017.Again, he lied just as he did with his claim that African trade is less than 9 percent

“Data from Afriexim Bank indicate that intra-Africa trade is around 15 percent while Brooking Institution puts it at 18 percent

“These are just some of the lies that the man PDP elements dressed up as an economic expert attempted to force down the throats of Nigerians as facts and figures”

The group however hailed Professor Osinbajo for sticking with facts on issues including how the President Muhammadu Buhari administration crashed the price of a bag of fertilisers to between N5,500 and N6,500 from a figure ranging from N10,000 to N13,000in the past.

The debate has dominated social media and political space.

You were once loved on social media for your effort in securing the release of youths wrongly arrested by the police. What do you think changed that led to the hate you face today?

If you have ever studied social sciences and human behaviour you will agree with me that human beings are mostly fickle and capable of both good and evil. You can also be assured that I have known this since my teenage years when I began my conscious journey as an outlier.

Suffice to say that this was expected all along, if the lessons from our folklore and biblical teachings are anything to go by. The same mouth people use to shout Hosanna is the same one they will deploy in chanting to crucify him. Our Lord Jesus Christ walked the earth in flesh, and despite all the good done and the legacy of the gospel left, he was crucified, and Barnabas was chosen by the people he came to redeem over him.

Since 2017, we have used social media to communicate the intent of our advocacy #EndSARS and #ReformPoliceNG while running interventions as a stop-gap and engaging authorities on the critical need to end the culture of impunity and reform the Nigeria Police Force holistically.

We have thus made significant progress with that with the New Police Act 2020 and the Police Trust Fund 2019 Laws, long before the protest.

Today, the Social Intervention Advocacy Foundation, which I had the honour of founding and leading, is still at the forefront of ensuring holistic national security reform across institutions in collaboration with state institutions. So we are far more focused on the future of younger generations and the unborn with the legacy we are building than being distracted by what people are liking and hating. No iota of my self-esteem is tied to the validation of any mob.

The truth, likewise, is not found in the mob. We are out there to serve the vulnerable in society, most of whom are being threatened, railroaded, blackmailed and cowered by these hate groups posturing fraudulently as the youth of Nigeria, with their campaign of calumny cleverly hidden behind a political campaign as done during the #EndSARS protest.

How do you feel every time you get bullied and attacked on social media just for airing your views and expressing your stance on critical societal discourses?

As often stated, the evil most hypocrites point at in leadership actually emanates from our dying society. Our rulers, police officers, etc. didn’t fall from the sky. So whether you are talking about corruption or the compendium of social ills that plague our country today, you will find them in the citizens who are members of society.

All these were carefully considered over three decades ago when I became expressive about my life purpose. No matter how hard the wind howls, the mountain will not bow to it. I can’t be bullied; I have never been and would never be.

The tantrums of the teeming misguided only underscore the impact of the dearth of quality education and weaponised poverty in our society. We now have a village of sons of perdition and daughters of Delilah, making themselves available as tools for hate campaigns just to make ends meet.

I feel nothing but sympathy for the future of our society and most especially the crying need for a declaration of emergency on the failure of parenting in the country. This was part of the inspiration for our #ResponsibleParenting campaign, which we launched five years ago. This has nothing to do with me, but with our decaying society and our government’s failure to engage our youth, who are mostly despondent.

You were recently accused by a journalist, David Hundeyin of claiming to be a lawyer when you are not. Can you give clarification on that?

I have stated specifically on the record several times in my tweets from 2014 till date that I am not a lawyer. I, however, have run successful advocacy and have served on various tribunals based on my experience in security matters, civil society engagements, and the criminal justice system. I have corrected this impression several times, and only a pretend journalist would make such an unfounded claim, despite the litany of evidence in my interaction online.

We have proven to the world, however, that you don’t have to be a lawyer to be a successful advocate for good governance and universal institutional reforms.

Bill Gates leads in vaccines, and he doesn’t have to be a doctor, and there are several people leading in fields outside what they studied professionally.

In the early years of our advocacy, media/TV appearances mislabelled and occasionally misrepresented my profession in their introduction, and these were corrected (most of the time during interludes). I haven’t in the past made any of these interviews about myself, nor have I allowed any emotional story of my emergence to go on the record. I can also understand the obsession and the morbid craving for acknowledgement by most people who want their own time in the spotlight, but I humbly believe the way in which they hope to procure this by attempting to smear public figures is misguided and unfortunate.

I am Segalink, and there is nothing as great as validating yourself, stripped of all earthly accomplishments. I go by my name only and I want nothing from anyone.

Is there any parallel between the #EndSARS and the Obidient movement?

Fundamentally, yes. The #EndSARS and #ReformPoliceNG movement are certainly not the same as the protest movement, which deployed #EndSARS as a banner for the expression of their discontent without recourse to the trajectory of the advocacy.

However, the ‘EndSARS’ protest movement, which defied state curfew amidst other vices they would never take responsibility for, is the same movement as the Obidient movement as characterised by their coercion, blackmail, belligerence, cyberbullying of public figures, malevolence, libel, mendacity, and violation of the rights of other citizens.

I can authoritatively state that all the hate groups in the country are now enjoying an ‘AirBnB’ under the negligent Peter Obi Presidential Campaign, namely the IPOB agitators, who never wanted an election in Nigeria; perpetual cum commercial protesters, known to jump on anything popular to validate their existence; failed and aggrieved members of the Buhari Media Campaign, known for their belligerence and cyberbullying; the feminist coalition, who sought to use the protest as a cover for the push for same sex marriage in Nigeria but was rebuffed; and several others caught in the middle without clarity on what is real and what is fictional.

Suffice to say that the agitators are well known as individual groups, and the purpose of their current coalition is ominous. It is never in the interest of the peace, unity, and progress of our democracy.

The idea behind political campaigns is to win hearts and minds, and nothing explains the coercion and targeted harassment of individuals without provocation in order to force an endorsement.

No Nigerian was forced to support the #EndSARS and #ReformPoliceNG movement because the goal and objective speak for themselves.

It’s worthy of note that these groups never supported the advocacy nor contributed positively to the conversation and engagement of the authorities even though it benefited them until they had to protest under the name of its objective.

So, clearly, there is no surprise for us here, as a leopard never changes its spots. Anyone who believes there is any true healthy communication and problem solving with narcissists is naive. They never take responsibility for their part in anything. They are the mascots of gaslighting and manipulation in conversations. The focus will always be brought back on you, what you did in the past, and they will get mad at you for getting mad at them. They hold on to your description of their actions and take offence without addressing their own actions for triggering such a response.

Do you foresee a situation where violence will erupt as a result of the non-tolerant attitude allegedly displayed by some people on social media?

In the parlance of law, “Res ipsa loquitur” is a Latin phrase that means “the thing speaks for itself.” So this is not merely an allegation that the cluster of hate hubs that hijacked the Peter Obi campaign are belligerently intolerant, malicious, malevolent and will no doubt clash with other interests once the full campaign begins, which may trigger a series of violence toward the 2023 election.

Our role as a civic space monitoring organisation includes highlighting early warning signs, which we have done in the past. We have never been wrong with our prognosis and have advised the authorities to be prepared as well as position themselves to prevent the occurrence of all-out violence due to political differences and public incitement by these interest groups.

Recently, Pastor Poju Oyemade and billionaire Femi Otedola were called out by youths on Twitter for expressing views they didn’t like. Do you think Nigeria is now approaching a situation where only one viewpoint is allowed?

Sadly, this is demonstrably the extremist position of these aggressors in the coalition. They want to militarise and weaponise their interests with the identity politics of hate that they have made out of the Peter Obi Campaign.

No public figure, and by extension, citizens of Nigeria, is safe to air their political views, even as guaranteed and protected by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The freedom of expression and association of Nigerians are now constantly violated by the hate groups holding the Peter Obi Campaign hostage.

From Reno Omokri, Poju Oyemade, Femi Otedola, my humble self and many others to come, we can see the pattern of their attacks based on the common factor that all notable Nigerians must submit to their whims and caprices and bow to the graven image they have carved for Peter Obi in reverence.

According to their identity politics of hate, you are not Nigerian enough if you are not an idolater chanting the name of Peter Obi as your lord and saviour, and certainly don’t want the good of the country.

This is an infringement on the fundamental rights of all Nigerians, and as often done on matters like this, we have risen against the abusive trend and have reported its continuance to the authorities.

Governor Douye Diri’s henchmen in Bayelsa State Lucky Ogua and Special Adviser on Political matters, High Chief Collins Kokodia, have been sponsoring and planning to sponsor more candidates in opposition parties. It is the two who got candidates to run for offices in the state house of assembly under APGA and APC.

The Secretary to the State Government’s younger brother is the APC candidate in the governor’s local government of Kolokuma Opokuma against the PDP candidate. The Secretary has also sponsored other candidates in Labour Party and is fully controlling the Bayelsa State Labour Party.

Even in the governor’s local government, Lucky Ogbua and Cocodia were funding the APC candidate Etolor who lost out. They gave him 50m but unfortunately, Timipre Sylva got wind of it, shut it down and gave the ticket to his trusted boy, Hon. Wilson from Ekeremor town.

With the failure of Etolor, they went back to holding secret meetings in the government house to see how they can give support to APC candidates against PDP candidates. This is the scheme they have been working on for the past two months.

Everyone knows they are also reaching out to one of the governor’s relations, a lady who is the Senatorial Candidate for the YPP. They are funding her and supporting her massively to go round and campaign but investigation shows that even in-spite of their support in that senatorial district, there’s little or nothing they can do to change the outcome but this is the game going on.

The SSG and the governor’s team, SA Political are sponsoring so many candidates against the PDP. It is on record that it was Governor Diri who personally instructed the APGA candidate in Yenagoa Constituency 2 to go to APGA and clinch the ticket. He is the governor’s preferred candidate as against the the chief whip who he pretends to be supporting.

It is people in the government house also who prevailed on the candidate to go to APC against the House Leader but investigation show that the house leader will eventually win.

Investigation also revealed that Uwaikimo, the APGA candidate for Yenagoa Constituency 2 is being sponsored by the governor and his team while they are pretending to be with the PDP candidate.

As a result of the internal party wrangling in major parties, many loyal party members are now seeking for an alternative platforms to contest.

In Edo, governor Obaseki and all his people have fielded candidates in Labour Party and are only pretending to be in the PDP.

In Delta state, the major fight going on between the Ibori camp and Okowa’s camp has led to the core Ibori loyalist in person of Chief Gbagi Kenneth going to the SDP to be the gubernatorial candidate with large following and with the support of Ibori’s team.

In Rivers state, as a result of the split in APC and the massive resignation, the Magnus Abe led faction and others are moving to the SDP where Magnus is expected to be nominated by the SDP as it flag bearer. All the big wigs and dissatisfied from Wike’s system in Rivers state are gravitating towards SDP. In the next assembly election, SDP might populate everywhere.

SDP and other parties are gaining so much momentum in all the states. PDP’s dominance May be a foregone era.

Just yesterday in Akwa Ibom, the most popular gubernatorial aspirant under PDP, Senator Bassey resigned from the party to go pick up YPP ticket and with the court cases against the PDP candidate and the certificate problem, the chances are that there might be a major upset.

So, PDP is in a major problem in the South and the country as a whole because of the infighting and winner takes all mentality.

Fortunately for the PDP, last weekend election was a morale booster but even that morale booster is under threat as the APC Tinubu Element have vowed to take the matters to lawful conclusion at the Supreme Court and even that could have been resolved by the party leadership but there was division which they did not handle well leading to Babayemi going to court to seek redress.

There’s a finding that delegates that elected Adeleke who eventually won were not the right delegates and this may be dangerous finding. The court dismissed this babayemi suite because he had tithe right delegates but wrong venue.

This is a lesson even for Bayelsans especially those who did their assembly and other primaries outside the venue prescribed by law. Governor Diri and his few accolades who have for three years been fighting needless war of division and exclusion really h he ave enough in their hands to work with While Timipre Sylva getting ready in the APC to come against the divided PDP.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Thursday, said Nigeria is going through strange and difficult times and needs God’s intervention more than ever.

Speaking when he flagged off Batch A of the 2022 Christian Pilgrimage to the Holy Lands of Israel and Jordan, in Enugu, Gov. Ugwuanyi enjoined the 274 intending Pilgrims, sponsored by his administration, to pray for peace, security, unity and progress in Enugu State and Nigeria as a whole.

The governor, who was received by the elated beneficiaries on arrival at the venue, urged them to also “pray particularly that we may love one another as this, in my judgment, is the missing link in our society, for love beareth all things (I Corinthians 13:7)."

Gov. Ugwuanyi further enjoined the state government-sponsored Pilgrims to Israel and Jordan to equally pray for peaceful electioneering campaigns, successful general elections and seamless transition in Nigeria, in 2023.

He congratulated the intending Pilgrims on the unique opportunity and thanked the Almighty God for using the instrumentality of his administration to accomplish it.

Gov. Ugwuanyi advised the intending Pilgrims to obey the extant rules to the letter, adding that “the state expects 100 percent return of our Pilgrims and the handlers should ensure that there is no case of abscondment".

The governor, therefore, wished them journey mercies and spiritually enriching experiences.

“In keeping with our commitment to deepening the practice of Christian Faith in our State, we are sponsoring 274 Pilgrims for the 2022 Easter Christian Pilgrimage, to wit: 24 for Jordan and 250 for Israel, respectively.

“The Christian Pilgrimage is an occasion for Christians (Pilgrims) to step out of their comfort zone to encounter God where He has revealed Himself; to visit places associated with the life, times and teachings of Christ especially his birth, passion, death and resurrection.

“It is an opportunity for quiet introspection and spiritual rebirth. You are therefore expected to return as more dedicated practitioners of the Christian Faith”, he said.

Welcoming Gov. Ugwuanyi earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Barr. Nestor Ezeme, described the governor as “God fearing and the best Pilgrimage Governor in Nigeria”.

Barr. Ezeme thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for his commitment to God and immense contributions to the success of religious programmes in Enugu State, stressing that they are unprecedented in the annals of the state.

He pointed out that the governor’s faithfulness to God is responsible for his enviable feats in all spheres of development despite nation’s numerous challenges saying: “No wonder you are number one in Education; you are number one in health; you are number one in rural infrastructure; you are number one in Judiciary; you are number one in security; you are number one everywhere you are; and you have taken number one in Pilgrimage”.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Enugu State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Bishop Emmanuel Edeh expressed profound gratitude to Gov. Ugwuanyi for his steadfastness in championing the noble objectives of the board in spite of the nation’s economic, security and public health challenges.

Bishop Edeh who doubles as the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu State chapter, said that the Christian community is highly impressed that Enugu State under the watch of Gov. Ugwuanyi has been outstanding in the South East geo-political zone in particular and Nigeria in general, in respect of sponsorship of Pilgrims to the Holy Lands of Israel and Jordan.

“It is on record that talking about Pilgrimage in the South East, it has been Enugu State all the way”, the CAN Chairman said, recalling that Gov. Ugwuanyi was recently conferred with the ‘Best Pilgrimage Governor in the South East Nigeria’ award by the National Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) for committing resources towards the growth and sustenance of Christian Pilgrimage in Nigeria.

The cleric encouraged Gov. Ugwuanyi to hold on tightly to his vision and Christian belief, beseeching God to continue to guide and protect the governor to finish well as “you started well and you are doing well”.

The Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Enugu State, Bishop Dr. Godwin Madu, Director of Special Duties, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Mr. Sunday Udeh, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Religious Matters, Rev. Chinedu Nwoye, Dr. Tony Okam and Barr. Chima Nwanna, were among the dignitaries at the event.

Ahead of Saturday’s Osun governorship election, twenty-one governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, have described the incumbent governor of the State and candidate of the party, Adegboyega Oyetola, as an excellent performer who has brought purpose to governance.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Adamu Abdullahi, yesterday led governors and stalwarts of the party to campaign for the reelection of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State.


The presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the pioneer chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, governors of Lagos, Kano, Ondo, Kaduna, Ekiti, Kebbi, Borno and other chieftains of the party stalwarts stormed Osogbo city stadium for the grand finale of the campaign

The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Senate Spokesperson, Ajibola Bashiru, and former national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, also attended the rally while the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and former governor Rauf Aregbesola were absent.

The APC chieftains appealed to the people of the state to vote for Oyetola to enable him to continue the development strides he has started.

Tinubu warned the electorates to consider

Tinubu warned the electorates to consider the future of their children and vote for a candidate that can take the state to a greater height.

Speaking, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, appealed to the electorate to give him a chance to lead the state again.

He reeled out his achievements in the last three and half years, saying he has fulfilled the promises he made during the 2018 electioneering.

They said those who have a fair mind devoid of prejudices and biases will testify to the developmental strides Oyetola has registered since becoming governor of the State in 2018.

The progressive governors, therefore, reaffirmed their unalloyed support for Governor Oyetola just as they declared their readiness to do all necessary within the law to ensure his re-election.

While addressing a mammoth crowd at the Mega rally held at the Osogbo Township Stadium on Tuesday, national leaders of the APC

Credible intelligence at the disposal of the Lagos State Police Command reveals that some hoodlums and cultists have perfected plans to celebrate what they call "7/7 of Africa aka Day" on Thursday, July 7, 2022.

In view of this, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi in very strong terms warns these groups with intent to scuttle the peace being enjoyed in the State to shelve their plans.

Consequently, the Command's tactical teams,

Area Commanders and DPOs in collaboration with other sister agencies are fully prepared to clamp down heavily on organisers, leaders and progenitors of such sinister groups whose aim is to cause wanton violence in the State.

The Command is therefore using this medium to appeal

to parents and guardians to warn their children/wards to steer clear of any unlawful gathering or society before, during and after the said date. Also, hoteliers are by this release warned not to allow their facilities be used for any cult related gathering as owners of such facilities will be liable to prosecutions.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, fdc while urging all residents of Lagos State to be law abiding and vigilant enjoins them to go about lawful duties without fear of harassment or intimidation.

SP BENJAMIN HUNDEYIN, anipr, mipra,
Police Public Relations Officer,
Lagos State Command,
Ikeja-Lagos.

July 06, 2022.