₦airaland Forum

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has slammed the immediate past Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority, (NPA), Hadiza Usman of documenting false narrative in her book titled: “Stepping on Toes: My Odyssey at the Nigerian Ports Authority.”

Amaechi spoke as the guest speaker at the 2023 TheNiche Annual Lecture themed “Why We Stride and Slip: Leadership, Nationalism, and the Nigerian Condition,” held on Thursday in Lagos.

.ng reports that former President Muhammadu Buhari had suspended Hadiza Bala Usman as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) after complaints from the then Minister of Transport, Amaechi.

Buhari then sacked and replaced her with Mohammed Bello-Koko as the feud between her and Amaechi grew stronger.

“There is a huge debate in the past six months whether I should respond or not. I said I would respond today but 90 percent said I should not,” Amaechi said.

“The lies were too many. For instance, she claimed she was not invited by the panel. I even came with the memo of the president, where the president endorsed her removal.

“Count one is in the question of the fact that the panel says she is guilty; count two is due to the fact that a Managing Director of NPA with N2.5m approval limit can approve N2.8b contract with no appropriation.

“Why is that document not published because prominent Nigerians are involved. She gave waivers to prominent Nigerians, which she has no power to give and these are dollars accruable to Nigeria’s economy but she was bold to write a book or is it a pamphlet and Nigerians are following her, launching the book, so how will Nigeria move forward?

“But let’s wait until they bring the original copy because if I give you the photocopy, you will say it is fake. I will show you the original but I won’t allow you to read it because you would see the names of those prominent Nigerians that were indicted by the panel. I will rather read the areas that concern her and leave those prominent Nigerians, they didn’t look for my trouble.

“But to show you how bad the situation was for me as the Minister of Transport, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, the President and Vice President, including the Minister of Transport will approve an agreement for Lekki Deep Sea Port, the MD of NPA will change it and when queried, she will say for national interest, so we are for Biafra interest?” He asked.

Also, Hadiza had claimed in the book that Amaechi was angry because she did not buy him a birthday gift.

Amaechi added: “She gave me a lot of birthday presents, from the time I met her to when I became a Minister. When I became a minister, the last birthday present she gave me was a big returnee bag. So I said no, that I am now a minister. You are now my subordinate, but she lied. Would you believe that somebody who worked under me from 2013 will not give a birthday present?”

The Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima has said that local stakeholders can better fund the country’s $3tn infrastructure investment deficit rather than foreign borrowings.

Shettima disclosed this on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the third West Africa Capital Market Conference with the theme, ‘Infrastructural Deficit and Sustainable Financing in an Integrated West African Capital Market’ held in Lagos.

Shettima, who was represented by Dr Tope Fasua, his Special Adviser on Economic Affairs, said that the infrastructural deficit in the West African sub-region means that the capital markets must improve their operations.

“The centrality of capital markets to Nigeria’s development trajectory, especially to the evolution of our corporate sector, our industries and perhaps most importantly, our infrastructural development, cannot be overemphasised.

“Just two days ago, on Monday, 23rd of October, 2023, at the opening of the 29th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Economic Summit, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sought the cooperation and intervention of Nigeria’s private sector – and specifically the capital market – toward the funding of Nigeria’s $3 trillion infrastructure gap, which he said should not require 300 years to cover – as propounded in some texts – but ten years.

“If this is so for Nigeria, it presupposes that the entire region has similar – or perhaps larger – infrastructural deficits waiting to be filled. They are better filled from the inside, not through foreign borrowing alone,” he said.

The federal government had fixed a 10-year timeline to address its infrastructural gap.

Recall that the African Development Bank (AfDB) stressed that Nigeria needs $3 trillion in Infrastructure Investment.

Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has sworn-in a new commissioner, Hon Mrs. Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche.

Nkemdiche was sworn in as the new Commissioner for Special Duties at the Anambra State Government House, Awka.

She takes over from Hon Sly Ezeokenwa, who was appointed to the position by Soludo but later won his election as the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

After her swearing in, Soludo charged Nkemdiche to be proactive and think outside the box, to be able to deliver on his promises to Anambra people.

Soludo said: “As you take this solemn oath of office and allegiance, I wish to remind you of the high expectations that come with this role. Ndị Anambra have entrusted you with the responsibility of ensuring that special duties are carried out efficiently and effectively.

“It is no secret that this new position requires utmost dedication and commitment. It is a role that demands a person who can think outside the box, show empathy and establish positive relationships with all stakeholders. I am pleased to say that you possess these and many other qualities that qualify you for this job.

“I want to emphasise that you are joining a team that is determined to transform our state and make the lives of our citizens better. You have my support, and I am confident that you will discharge your duties with unwavering diligence and integrity. I wish you all the best as you embark on this challenging journey. Congratulations once again, Madam Commissioner,” the Governor added.

President Bola Tinubu and the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, have called on town planners to mitigate the effects of climate change on the people.

They spoke separately on Tuesday in Asaba at the 54th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, asking them to ensure effective planning of towns and cities.

Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal, Architect Ahmed Dangiwa, said: “I am convinced that effective town planning remains an important tool in our effort as a government to contain and mitigate the challenges of climate change.”

The President noted: “Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is a stark reality that confronts us every year and every day; the rising temperature, the table water patterns and more frequently severe floods around the world have become the norm rather than the exception.”

Governor Oborevwori, in his address read by Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, urged town planning officials and regulatory bodies to “ensure strict compliance with town planning and urban development laws to avoid the unpleasant task of demolishing buildings on waterways and drainage channels.”

He stressed the imperative to avoid situations where governments are forced to demolish buildings on waterways and drainage channels, with all the negative implications that such action portends for the economy.

“Our government is fully aware of its responsibilities to Deltans and we are facing them squarely by making our built environment more climate-resistant,” he noted.

Earlier, the National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Mr Nathaniel Atebije, said the conference, held at the Asaba Event Centre, would provide a platform to interrogate the challenges of climate change, flood resilience, and ways to provide mitigation measures. He emphasised that Delta, being a coastal state, would benefit from the programme.

Atebije enjoined the state government to meaningfully engage certified town planners in the Ministry of Urban Renewal in the implementation of the master plan of towns and cities across the state.

Wondering why the Federal Government is delaying the creation of the office of the Town Planner-General, Atebije said: “Utilisation of town planners is not enough; unfortunately, people don’t value them. They are not fully utilised, despite the fact that they are not sufficient. Before, the ratio of town planners was one to 3,000; today, the ratio is one to 200,000 people.”

The United States District Court of Columbia has declined a request to force the Central Intelligence Agency, CIA; Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI; and Internal Revenue Service to release information on President Bola Tinubu.

One Aaron Greenspan had filed the emergency motion seeking to compel the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (“EOUSA”), the Department of State, FBI, Internal Revenue Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the CIA to immediately release the documents following the Nigerian Supreme Court’s hearing of appeals from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi against Tinubu.

He pleaded for a quick release of the documents because they needed to be presented at the Supreme Court.

Greenspan told the court that the Supreme Court deliberately moved the hearing of the appeals by Atiku and Obi to October 23 to render his suit before the US court nugatory.

He had asked that the documents on Tinubu be released to him latest October 31.

Ruling on the appeal, Judge Beryl A. Howell declined Greenspan’s request on the grounds that he failed to satisfy the relevant conditions for the grant of such a prayer contained in a motion for emergency hearing, which he filed on Monday.

In the civil suit, with number: 23-1816, Greenspan is also asking for similar information and documents on Mueez Adegboyega Akande, who is said to have died as of November 16, 2022.

In rejecting his motion for immediate release of the documents, the US court said Greenspan failed to convince the court of the public issues it could cause it to overlook the privacy rights of President Tinubu.

Meanwhile, Tinubu’s lawyers have filed a motion at the court seeking to be allowed to defend the President in the suit.

A High Court sitting in Enugu State has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to replace Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary.

Anyanwu is the PDP governorship candidate for the forthcoming election in Imo State.

The order was granted while ruling in a motion on notice filed by Nwabueze Ugwu seeking the court to declare Senator Anyanwu’s seat vacant.

The court compelled the defendants in the suit- the PDP National Chairman, the PDP National Secretary and the National Vice Chairman, South-East to recognise Sunday Udeh-Okoye as candidate recommended by the South-East Zonal Executive Committee to replace Anyanwu pending the determination of the motion on notice.

The presiding judge, Justice C.O Ajah held that the motion on notice was brought under order 38 rule 1, order 39 rule 1 of High Court rules of Enugu State 2020, supported by 23-paragraph affidavits deposed to by the applicant.

Justice Ajah ordered as follows:

“That an Interim Order is hereby granted as prayed.

“That the 2 Defendant/Respondent is hereby ordered to recognize within 24 hours of the service of this order on him, HON. S.K.E. UDEH-OKOYE (the person recommended by the South East Zonal Executive Committee of the 1” Defendant /Respondent; pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“That this Order will lapse after seven (7) days from today in accordance with the Rules of this Court.

“That the matter is adjourned to 30/10/2023 for the hearing of the Motion on Notice.”

.ng recalls that the PDP, South-East zone, had last weekend, unanimously nominated the former PDP National Youth Leader, Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the new party National Secretary.

The party’s National Vice Chairman, South-East Zone, Chief Ali Odefa, who read a communique after the meeting, had explained that the decision was to allow Senator Anyanwu concentrate on his electioneering campaign in Imo State.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong has denied the allegation by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) accusing him of trying to scuttle the implementation of its agreement with the government over a dispute arising from the removal of fuel subsidy.

A statement signed by the Director Information, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, described NLC’s allegation as unfounded.

“We wish to unequivocally refute the allegation and put it on record that it is unfounded,” the statement said.

The statement added that the Minister, since his assumption of office, has given consistent, adequate and fair attention to various disputes brought to his attention with a view to resolving them.

The ministry said that several meetings have been held to resolve the NURTW issue with representatives of the disputing groups, and the efforts are still ongoing.

According to the ministry, it was incorrect to suggest that Lalong was backing any of the groups in the course of the negotiations.

“Members of the NURTW, the NLC, and the entire Labour movement should be assured that the minister, as Chief Conciliator, will continue to work with all parties to ensure that there is reconciliation, harmony and industrial peace,” the ministry said.

Nigeria’s Supreme Court has constituted a seven-member panel of justices to hear the appeal in the petitions filed by Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Chichi Ojei.

The trio, the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), are challenging the outcome of the February 25 presidential election.

The court notices signed by Zainab M. Garba in the office of the registrar, said by the Order 2 Rule 1 (2) of the Supreme Court’s Rules 1985 as amended, the notice is deemed as sufficiently served on the parties.

According to the information in the notice, the list of members of the panel to sit on the appeals include justices Musa Dattijo Muhammad, Uwani Musa Abba Aji, Lawal Garba, Helen M. Ogunwumiju, I.N. Saulawa, Tijjani Abubakar and Emmanuel Agim.

Meanwhile, the apex court has also fixed Monday, October 23, for hearing of the motion filed by Atiku, seeking to bring fresh evidence to prove that President Bola Tinubu submitted a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to appoint nine new justices to the Supreme Court to expedite the hearing and determination of matters for effective and efficient justice delivery in the country

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance by Patrick Umoh (PDP, Akwa-Ibom) during a plenary in Abuja on Thursday.

In his motion, he stated that the current number of justices of the apex court had dropped to an all-time low of 11 justices, making it 10 short of its full complement of 21 justices as stipulated by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He said the Supreme Court’s docket is full for the year 2023, as parties could not have hearing dates for matters filed within the year, except in election petitions.

This, according to him, is due to the considerable volume of matters pending before the court.

He expressed concern that the non-appointment of new justices to the Supreme Court had stalled expeditious, effective, and efficient justice delivery and impeded transactions and economic development.

Umoh further said that it had also limited citizens’ access to justice and put the current justices of the court under immense mental and physical pressure. This situation, he pointed out, has affected the policy-making function of the court.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for his promise to promote the rule of law and support the judiciary.

He also lauded the president for signing into law the constitutional alteration unifying the retirement age and pension benefits of the judicial officers.

The House, while adopting the motion, mandated its Committee on Federal Judiciary to ensure compliance with the resolution.

Several persons were injured in a clash between supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State on Wednesday.

.ng gathered that there was gun duel between the rival supporters, leading to the destruction of vehicles while some individuals, including a Police officer, sustained bullet injuries.

It was further learnt that those that sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the area.

The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident on Thursday.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP William Ovye Aya, the Commissioner of Police, CP, Bethrand Onuoha has ordered an investigation into the incident.

Aya stated that the CP, while condemning the incident, noted that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal Investigation Department has been tasked to commence investigations.

“The CP reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to continue to engage the critical stakeholders in Election Security Management to ensure a secure environment for electoral process.

” Command is ever determined in providing a level playing ground for all Political Parties as they embark on campaigns, rallies, procession among others,” the statement said.

The Police Command also issued warning to troublemakers ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State.

The CP stressed that the Police, alongside other security agencies involved in Election Security Management, will not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone caught disrupting the electoral process.

Kwara State Police Commissioner, Victor Olaiya, on Wednesday, paraded 14 suspected criminals arrested for various offences in the State.

Five of the suspects were arrested for alleged armed robbery, while others were arrested for cult-related offences.

Parading the alleged criminals at the state police headquarters in Ilorin, Olaiya identified three of the robbery suspects who robbed a female at Egbejila in Ilorin, as Abdulsalam, Nurudeen Saka and Segun Tata.

The alleged robbery incident according to the CP, was reported by one Opadiran Yetunde (f) of Oke-Jia, Egbejila area of Ilorin, the state capital on 09/05/2023 at about 1600hours.

Opadiran reported that about four armed men invaded her residence at about 0115hours of 08/05/2023 and carted away iPhones and jewelries valued at N2m, forced her to transfer N1.5m to an account and drove away her White model Toyota Corolla car valued N6.672m.

Investigation into the case led to the recovery of the vehicle in Badagry, Lagos State and subsequent arrest of the trio.

The police commissioner disclosed that on interrogation, the three arrested suspects confessed to the crime and mentioned one Biodun Abolade Ojo, ‘aka Abbey’, Ibikunle Shola, ‘aka Showboy’ and Morufu Oyekanmi, all now at large as part of their members.

“Efforts to arrest them yielded no result, until on 15/10/2023, when eagle-eyed policemen on stop and search operation along Eiyekonrin/Ogbomoso highway intercepted Biodun Abolade and his cohorts in a commercial vehicle and when searched, two battle axes were found on them.

“During intensive interrogation, the three suspects confessed to be a syndicate coming from Ibadan and Osun State to commit series of robbery attacks, including robbing the earlier mentioned complainant, Opadiran at Egbejila area and others within and around Ilorin, snatching vehicles and other valuables,” the police commissioner added.

Two other alleged notorious armed robbery suspects, Jamiu Idowu Aje, ‘aka Ijoba’ and Shittu Sheriff, ‘aka Abule’ were also arrested.

The CP said they were arrested by a CID team in conjunction with members of the vigilante in Ilorin with one cut-to size English made double barrel gun, one expended cartridge and one blue-coloured unregistered Jincheng motorcycle.

“Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to a series of robbery operations, including the one that happened on 26/09/2023 at Isale-Koto of Ilorin, where one Afeez Babatunde was killed.

“The gang also escaped with three motorcycles they used in killing two rival cultists, Gafar and Tunde along the Gambari area of Ilorin metropolis,” he added.

Three other suspected cultists identified as Ahmed Umar, alias Hollybea’, Tunde Olarewaju Usman and Kudus Ajao Okin were also arrested by police operatives of ‘D’ Police Division, Adewole, Ilorin.

Olaiya disclosed that one of the suspects, Tunde Olarewaju, confessed to being a member of Aiye confraternity and was responsible for the killing of three members of the Eiye cult group, namely Toheeb of Omoda area, Ilorin, KC of Soj street, Sawmill area of Ilorin, while the third victim was mauled down at Lanre-Gada area, Sobi Road, also in Ilorin metropolis.

Doyin Odebowale, the Special Adviser on Special Duty and Strategy to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, has said that his principal is not working from the capital, Akure, due to accommodation challenges.

Odebowale said this in an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday.

Akeredolu has been absent from the state since his return from a medical vacation abroad.

The Ondo leader has been working from Ibadan, Oyo State and the move has caused ripples within the state, with the youths of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday, issuing an ultimatum to the governor to return.

Odebowale said due to Governor Akeredolu‘s state of health, he needed a better apartment to carry out his task of marshalling the affairs of the South-West state.

“Aketi came back in September. Where he used to stay – the Presidential Lodge built for the visiting president at that time Olusegun Obasanjo – is a two-bedroom apartment,” he said on the show.

“Now, he is back. He cannot occupy that place again. The Old Governor’s Office – the Governor’s Lodge built by the previous administration is now the office of the investment outlet called the ODIPA. That’s the office,” the governor’s aide added.

“So, the governor has been managing a two-bedroom apartment for six years. But his current state of health would not permit him to pretend that all is well.

“He would need all the things for him to recover properly. That’s why the new place that is being arranged for him is almost completed.

“When they say they want to see Aketi, do they want to see him at the site so that he would be carrying cement or following workmen?

“What exactly? The civil servants have been paid all their salaries. Aketi has been signing laws since he came back,” he maintained.

A request by the Ogun State government to rebuild the Abeokuta-Ota Expressway has been approved by the Federal Government.

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi made this known on Monday.

Umahi, however, explained that no refund would be made to the state since it would recoup money spent through tolling.

He also announced that a coastal road to be built by the government across four states would be executed in two phases.

The minister stated this while briefing reporters after yesterday’s FEC meeting in Abuja.

Umahi said: “Today we presented a memo on an inherited scope of road infrastructure from the past administration and the total length of the roads we inherited and bridges are 18,897 kilometers.

“We also brought to the notice of FEC that a number of projects were awarded, some lasting up to 20 years back, abandoned, ongoing with no proper funding. There are also some new critical roads totaling 12,000 kilometres and 24 bridges.

“FEC was also informed on the ongoing projects and to mitigate so much inflation and variation of the projects, to have some of the projects that have attended completion to be redesigned on concrete and going forward for new projects to be done on concrete.

“FEC approved that most of the ongoing projects should be designed on concrete pavements depending on the level of completion and if you’re doing asphalt, there are also conditions for that.

“FEC also approved the coastal road running from Phase One which will run from Lagos to Port Harcourt to Calabar. Phase two will run from Sokoto to Ogoja. It was approved to be done on EBC + F, that is Engineering Procurement and Construction plus Financing.

“And eight roads that were started by the past administration for a concession that have gone through all the processes were also approved. The financial closure will be reached in the month of November.

“There were nine actually but one was pulled out that is Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta and that has been given to the Ogun State government based on their request that they should do the road on their own and they will follow the HDMI that is Hardware Development Management Initiative.

“No refunds for that but they will do it and toll it. And new 25 roads were also approved for concession, which takes a very long time on the PPP model.

“Lastly, the PPP for Ijora Park in Lagos. It was approved that it should be done on PPP. And it was won by Beta Nigeria Ltd, which was actually started by the last administration.

“The consultancy for NNPC and FIRS who oversee the projects funded by them was also approved today.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nasarawa State chapter, has condemned the recent statement credited to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, asserting that the party will do everything within its powers to protect the mandate of the State Governor, Abdullahi Sule.

The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Nasarawa State had sack Sule, after the PDP candidate, David Ombugadu, dragged him to court, challenging his victory in the March 18, 2023 governorship election in the state.

Represented by the Vice Chairman in the North Central Zone, Muazu Rijau, at an event in Lafia during the weekend, the APC National chairman had told party stakeholders not to bother about the tribunal victory of the PDP candidate, assuring them that the governor’s mandate will be protected.

In a statement on Monday, by the party’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Hamza, the PDP said the comments of the APC national chairman is a threat to democracy and the rule of law.

The PDP reiterated that the verdict of the election tribunal must be respected, as it is a fundamental component of the democratic system.

The opposition party stressed that the Nigerian people deserve the right to elect their leaders freely and have confidence in the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.

The party said, “Governor Sule’s election was nullified by the tribunal based on facts before it. Similarly, it is within Sule’s rights to challenge this decision through legal means only.

“However, it is essential for all parties to respect the rule of law and due process while the legal proceedings are ongoing.”

It noted that Ganduje’s statement does nothing but incite political tensions and undermine the principles upon which democracy stands.

The PDP called on all political leaders, regardless of their party affiliation, to refrain from making inflammatory statements that could disrupt the peace and stability of the nation and reminded Ganduje that democracy is governed by laws and that there is nowhere in the country’s Constitution that allows political parties to resort to self-help other than the judiciary in the event of political disputes.

The party urged the APC national chairman and all members of the APC in Nasarawa State to reconsider their position, respect the decision of the tribunal and allow the legal process to run its course.

Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, Sen. George Akume has stated that he does not have any issue with Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

Akume disclosed this at the weekend in Gboko during the burial of an elder statesman and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Haar Orpin.

He said there will be immense benefit for the people of the state if he and the governor collaborate and urged them to remain supportive of both of them to deliver dividends of democracy to the State

Akume, who was represented by Chief Simon Shango at the occasion, acknowledged that the deceased, Chief Orpin who was a member of the APC elders’ forum, stood by him throughout his lifetime.

He regretted that he passed away at a period in which his wise counsel was most needed and prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest.

In his remarks, Gov. Alia expressed happiness over the SGF’s declaration that there was no crisis between them and promised that he would continue to work peacefully with the SGF for the interest of the state.

Alia described the deceased, Chief Orpin as a unifier and devout Christian who lived a life of peace and his attitude was a compass for the APC.

He said the deceased elder statesman fostered unity among his immediate community of Jemgbagh, acknowledging that his posture of operating an open door policy is part of his wise counsel.

Alia reiterated that he will work in synergy with the SGF and other political leaders in the state to ensure speedy development of the state.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has reacted to his appointment.

Onanuga vowed to serve Mr President with immediate effect.

He appreciated Tinubu and Nigerians for the confidence reposed in him.

Posting on X, Onanuga wrote: “I will henceforth serve as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s special adviser on information and strategy, with immediate effect.

“I thank the President for his confidence in me. I thank fellow Nigerians who have put me in their prayers and who believe the cap of the new job fits me.”

Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, had disclosed Onanuga’s appointment on Friday.

The President also announced the appointment of a Senior Special Assistant on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ms. Delu Bulus Yakubu.

.ng recalls that Onanuga was a spokesperson for the defunct Tinubu/Shettima presidential campaign team.

he crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) appears not to have abated as a factional National Publicity Secretary of the party, Dr Abayomi Arabambi, warned the presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi to desist from attacking President Bola Tinubu over his Chicago State University Diploma certificate.

In what looked like a public defense of Tinubu on Friday, Arabambi asked his party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi to stop taunting Tinubu over the release of his academic records by the Chicago State University ( CSU).

The release of Tinubu’s academic record, had generated controversy among Nigerians, with many asking the President to resign on the grounds that he submitted forged certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the election.

Peter Obi, while reacting to the development had asked Tinubu to present his true identity, as the issue seems to portray all Nigerians as criminals.

Obi’s position has, however, received attacks from some quarters especially from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency, with the latest coming from his party chieftains.

Addressing a world press conference in Abuja on Friday, Arabambi described Obi’s press conference over the CSU’s saga as “needless and unwarranted”.

Rather than attacking Tinubu, the LP factional spokesperson counselled Obi to allow the Supreme Court of Nigeria to adjudicate and resolve the matter.

Arabambi argued that since Obi, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has submitted to Supreme Court jurisdiction, it will be irritating for Obi to resort to self-help in the face of the pending appeal at the Apex Court.

He specifically disagreed with Obi’s claims that all Nigerians are being treated like common criminals all over the world over Tinubu’s certificate issue adding that he had gone too far with the unsubstantiated claim.

Arabambi said, “We have been watching with keen interest the various reactions and mudslingings on the unsubstantiated allegations of forgery in respect of the Chicago State University Diploma Certificate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“While we agree that Peter Obi has rights to his opinion, he ought to be guided by the Constitution of Nigeria because he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

“As a main opposition Party, the role played by LP former 2023 Presidential Candidate is highly condemnable because it is obvious he is trying to wage war against the President of Nigeria through intimidation to cause concussion.

“We believe rather than Mr Peter OBI engaging in this Media Tragedy, rascality and comedy, he should have allowed the Supreme Court to adjudicate on the veracity of the issues raised in the President’s certificate saga”.

He disclosed that as the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, he was among the people who screened Obi as one of the party’s presidential hopefuls and that the name written on Peter Obi’s academic certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), was different from the name written on the NYSC certificate of the former governor and his WAEC Certificate.

In addition, he said “A second look and curious check on Peter Obi’s 1978 School Certificate results posted hurriedly” by Obi’s former aide Mr Oseloka Paul “shows the name Obi Gregory Onwubuasi and not Peter Onwubuasi Obi”.

He said, “I was part of the people who did the screening for him. In the form EC9, we gave him, he wrote that he attended the University of Nigeria Nsukka and he wrote that he finished his youth service but unfortunately, in the final submission of the form he only submitted his school certificate.

‘So something is fishy and I want to say the name the school sent for mobilization was not what was written on his NYSC certificate and he knows that.

“This destination that he is going to, I don’t know what he wants to achieve. We have before the Supreme Court his petition and the pleadings are not there, you are now calling out someone to come and reveal his true identity.

“For us, we don’t know the true identity of Peter Obi even in the Labour Party because everything was shrouded in secrecy at that time between him and Abure in Asaba.

“We were rushing then because we had just a day to do our presidential primary and that was why he was able to get away with it, but we have it on record that Obi’s name on his NYSC certificate and the one on his University of Nigeria, Nsukka certificate are different”.

Arabambi who displayed several documents submitted by Obi with different names charged the LP presidential candidate to allow peace to reign by avoiding actions and statements capable of causing disaffection in the country.

He vehemently denied being sponsored by the Presidency to oppose Obi, adding that all the Labour Party wants is for Obi to comport himself within the ambit of the law in the prosecution of the petition against Tinubu.