An All Progressives Congress chieftain in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, has warned that there will be huge consequences if Nigeria continues to neglect the South-East zone.
Igbokwe disclosed this in a statement through his Facebook account on Saturday.
His comments come amid controversies that had trailed appointments under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Recall that a senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, tackled Tinubu’s administration, saying that his lopsided appointments could boomerang.
However, according to the presidency, appointment under Tinubu’s administration is based on merit.
Reacting, Igbokwe said, “If Nigeria continues to treat the South-east as if the zone does not exist or does not matter, the consequences will be huge. The civil war has ended, but the scars are still there. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Neglect of SE is bad.”
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that Nigerians have no business being poor with the country’s vast resources.
He said that the nation is abundantly blessed but is suffering from the mismanagement of its resources.
Obasanjo said this at a dinner organised in his honour by Abia Government on Friday at the Government House, Umuahia.
He said: “Nigerians have no business with poverty because God has given us all that we need.
“If we are mismanaging what God has given us, we do not have God to blame, we have ourselves to blame.”
The former president praised the efforts of Gov. Alex Otti of Abia in transforming the state, noting the wide public acclaim of his administration’s performance.
He affirmed the governor’s impact on governance in the state and urged him to continue to do well.
Obasanjo added that if Nigeria had 18 governors doing well in their responsibilities as leaders, “we will build the country up”.
He reiterated his concern in the well-being of Nigerians and the quality of governance they receive.
“For me, whether you don’t greet me or I greet you and you don’t answer, what is important to me is that the people of this country are getting what they deserve and what they deserve is good governance,” he said.
Obasanjo recalled an earlier advisory he gave former Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, during his tenure in office.
He said that Amaechi was not aware of a pre-existing national railway development plan and had to be directed to the archives to find it.
“I believe that even if you don’t like me if I have pieces of advice to give you, as I did when you were Minister for Transport, I will give the advice.
“You didn’t know that we had a national plan for railway for this country, to reach every state capital as we have them now and I told you to go into the archives, it is there.
“But again, I believe as Minister of Transport, you got a bit of it right, you got a bit of it wrong.”
In his speech, the governor acknowledged the support he received from the former president.
He said that the importance of vision and perseverance in leadership could never be overlooked, recounting the challenges he faced over his decade-long political journey.
“Once you have vision, you have to keep to it. It took us ten years to get here, the two elections we contested from 2015 to 2019, we won clearly but they were all stolen.
“A lot of people had given up hope and said it wasn’t going to work, but I was sure that I heard clearly from God,” he said.
He said his administration had embarked on massive reforms in the education sector to improve access to quality education in Abia.
Also, Amaechi called on political actors in Abia to begin early preparations for the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the value of a good administration was often only realised after a less competent one takes over.
He pointed out that this had become the experience with many former leaders, but Obasanjo had continually stood out because of his visionary leadership style.
“In your case, no matter who becomes president, you have always stood out,” Amaechi said.
He described quality leadership as crucial for development and in order not to experience its absence, the people of Abia must support capable leaders like Otti in the next elections.
The Yobe State Government has announced plans to reintegrate former Boko Haram members who have undergone the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration program under Operation Safe Corridor.
The State Governor, Mai Buni disclosed this on Thursday during a meeting with OPSC representatives led by Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, in Damaturu, the state capital.
Buni acknowledged the devastating impact of the 15-year insurgency, which has claimed thousands of lives, destroyed properties, and displaced many households.
He emphasised the need for a non-kinetic approach to address the root causes of the insurgency, recognising that not all Boko Haram members joined willingly.
The governor gave assurance of his administration’s commitment to adopting and implementing OPSC recommendations to achieve the desired objectives.
Bunmi also appreciated President Bola Tinubu’s multifaceted approach to ending insurgency and major crimes in the North.
“We shared the belief that some individuals were conscripted into the insurgency through force or indoctrination.
“With sustained efforts, they can repent, rehabilitate and return to normal life as responsible citizens.
“The state government is committed to reintegrating repentant insurgents, with 390 set to graduate from the DRR program between April 14 and 19, including 54 Yobe indigenes.
“The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management will oversee the reintegration process.”
Speaking, Gen. Musa stressed the importance of community involvement in sustaining the reintegration process, highlighting that de-radicalization is an ongoing effort requiring community-level support.
He also appealed for expanded de-radicalization centers, vocational training facilities, and modern equipment to enhance rehabilitation.
“With your support, those who observe the positive changes in the lives of ex-members will be encouraged to surrender willingly,” he said.
The National Broadcasting Commission has barred Nigerian radio and television stations from airing the trending song “Tell Your Papa” by veteran rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, citing its “objectionable nature.”
In a memo dated April 9, 2025 and issued by the Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Susan Obi, the commission declared the track Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB) under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
This section prohibits content deemed inappropriate, offensive, or in breach of public decency from being aired on Nigerian broadcast platforms.
According to the NBC, while the song has gained momentum across social media platforms, its lyrical content fails to meet the standards of responsible broadcasting.
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The statement titled, “Restriction on boradcasting ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem,’ read, “The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem, currently trending on social media, as content deemed inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature.
NBC Bans Eedris Abdulkareem’s “Tell Your Papa” From Airwaves ” It is therefore classified as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB), as it violates Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
“The commission requests that your station exercises discretion and refrains from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards.
“Your cooperation and commitment to upholding greatly appreciated. Thank you, Susan Obi -Coordinating Director, Broadcast Monitoring.”
The controversial song, released earlier this week, targets Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, calling on him to confront his father over the worsening socio-economic conditions in Nigeria.
In the track titled “Tell Your Papa,” which was shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Abdulkareem delivered a blunt message, painting a grim picture of the hardships facing everyday Nigerians.
The song comes in response to Seyi Tinubu’s recent comments in Adamawa State, where he described his father as “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history.”
In the hard-hitting lyrics, Abdulkareem raps, “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.”
“Seyi, how far? I swear your papa no try. Too much empty promises. On behalf of Nigerians, take our message to him; kidnappers dey kill Nigerians.
“Seyi, try travel by road without your security make you feel the pains of fellow Nigerians. You dey fly private jets, insecurity no be your problem,” he sings.
Following recent crisis which trailed appointment of institutional heads in certain public universities and other tertiary institutions nationwide, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, on Thursday approved the implementation of a guiding policy on eligibility for the appointment of Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts.
The policy, which was announced by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo on Thursday morning was said to have become necessary following a pattern of undue advantage observed over the years, “where officers serving in acting capacities often leverage their positions to influence appointment outcomes, thereby compromising the fairness and transparency of the selection process.”
The statement noted that the new policy aims to eliminate this practice, ensure a level playing field for all qualified candidates, and strengthen institutional governance.
The policy stipulates that any officer serving in an acting capacity as Vice Chancellor, Rector, or Provost shall not be eligible to apply for the substantive position while still holding the acting appointment.
It read, “However, in the interest of fairness, such officers may choose to recuse themselves from their acting positions before the expiration of their non-renewable six-month tenure, thereby becoming eligible to apply for the substantive roles.
“This policy is designed to complement the existing Federal Ministry of Education Guidelines for the Appointment of Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts (2013), along with all other extant regulations governing appointments in federal tertiary institutions.
“Governing Councils, Managements, and relevant stakeholders are hereby requested to ensure strict compliance with the new directive. For clarity and ease of implementation, the policy document is enclosed as Annex I, while the 2013 Guidelines are enclosed as Annex II.
“The ministry appreciates the continued dedication and cooperation of stakeholders in upholding good governance and maintaining the integrity of leadership appointment processes within the education sector. It is our belief that this policy will bring about the desired reforms and enhance public confidence in the selection of principal officers in our institutions.”
Certain institutions notably the University of Abuja, Admiralty University, the Nnamdi Azikwe University among others were recently in the eye of the storm following controversies which trailed the appointment of new institutional heads.
The government, through the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, disagreed with Zulum’s claim. The minister emphasised that the administration remains committed to combating terrorism and banditry across the nation.
The President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government has responded to comments made by Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, suggesting that the state may be losing control to Boko Haram insurgents.
The government, through the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, disagreed with Zulum’s claim. The minister emphasised that the administration remains committed to combating terrorism and banditry across the nation.
He stated, “The Tinubu administration is committed to eradicating acts of banditry and terrorism across the country. The successes achieved by the security agencies in the last 18 months are an indication that, indeed, Nigeria is gradually returning to normalcy.” “Government calls on all, especially the sub-national governments, to join hands to ensure rapid eradication of the remaining pockets of criminal elements wherever they may be.”
The Defence Headquarters also reacted, affirming that troops are making significant sacrifices and doing their best to restore peace in Borno and other troubled states.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, stressed the importance of recognising the military’s efforts. He also said that the military is sacrificing a lot in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that Governor Zulum raised the alarm over the deteriorating security situation in Borno State.
He cited recent Boko Haram attacks and the dislodgement of military formations in strategic areas such as Wajirko, Sabon Gari, Wulgo, and Izge as signs that the state may be losing control.
Speaking at a Special Expanded Security Meeting on Tuesday, Zulum condemned the continuous attacks and kidnappings, pointing out that these incidents are occurring almost daily without significant resistance from security forces.
He described the situation as a serious setback for both Borno and the wider North East region.
“As I address this important gathering today, it is unfortunate that the renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities almost on a daily basis without confrontation signalled that Borno State is losing ground,” Zulum said.
The meeting was attended by Major General Abubakar Haruna, General Officer Commanding 7 Division, sector commanders, the Commissioner of Police, heads of other security agencies, and traditional rulers including the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, and the Shehu of Bama. Zulum pointed to the recent dislodgement of military formations in Damboa Local Government Area (Wajirko and Sabon Gari), Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area (Wulgo), and Gwoza Local Government Area (Izge) as a deeply concerning development.
“While my administration has been very supportive of the military and other security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram, it is disheartening to note the recent attacks and dislodgement of military formations in Wajirko, Sabon Gari in Damboa, Wulgo in Gamboru Ngala, and Izge in Gwoza, along with the killing of innocent civilians and security agencies.
“This calls for serious concern and signals a setback in the fragile state of Borno and the North East,” he added.
A Deputy Director at the National Assembly Commission, Michael Adesiyan, on Tuesday, recounted his near-death experience in the hideout of bandits.
Adesiyan was abducted from his Chikakore residence in Kubwa, a suburb in the nation’s capital alongside his wife on January 26th, 2025 before he was rescued on April 7.
The civil servant narrated his ordeal to journalists at National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Abuja, when fresh 60 kidnapped victims, who were rescued by the security forces were presented to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Adesiyan called on the federal government to immediately look for a way to disarm the criminals and educate them, and possibly reintegrate them back to the society, adding that the bandits don’t know what they are doing.
According to him, his abductors were between the ages of 17 and 20, and they are stark illiterates who were not aware of what they were doing, and cannot even count N1 million let alone hundreds of millions they were asking as ransom.
He specifically said they were chained for 32 days he spent in the abductors’ den, adding that they killed his wife in his presence.
“I want to thank the government for rescuing us. I was chained for 32 days. I want to advise that the government should find away to disarm or arrest them (bandits), instead of confronting them.
“They can send them to school. Some cannot even count one million. They are stark illiterates. They are young people of ages 17 and 21. They don’t know what they are doing.
“So if they can bring them out, if they want to learn work (apprenticeship), they can let them do, retrain them, reorientate them, that they can be useful to themselves.
“My advice is to, instead of killing them, arrest them, reorientate them. If you want to educate them, they can then work. That’s my advice,” he said.
When asked why they were in a rush to tell their family members to pay ransom, he said, “When they kill someone in your presence you would give them anything they want.
“For instance they killed my wife in my presence. If they request for your head in that situation, you will give it to them.”
On his part, Ishaya Kuka, a brother to Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Fr. Matthew Kukah, said they suffered a lot in the hands of their abductors.
Kuka’s brother, who was also among the 60 rescued victims received by Ribadu and Minister of Defence, while sharing his experience said he never knew that he would still see the world again.
“Thank God for what we did yesterday. Frankly speaking, I was already out of my mind that I’m not going to see this world again due to how they were treating us in the bush.
“In the bush, we suffered too much. They used to chain us, two of us. If you are going to shit, you move with the other one. If you are going to piss, you move together.”
He stated that they pressure people into paying ransom.
He said, “About this money, people are saying that they are not supposed to be giving money. It’s because of pressure that they are putting, if they beat you in the bush, it will make you say you give money.
“Because if they discover that you don’t want to open your mouth and say you will give money, they will kill you. They will beat you. So, the pressure will be too much and you would have to give. ”
He appreciated the FG for rescuing them.
He said, “It is because of the federal government we are out, if not, up till now, we will still be in the bush. So, we thank you very much for what you have done to us. God bless, thanks.”
Earlier, while giving a breakdown, the Coordinator, National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Maj. Gen Adamu Laka said the victims comprising 35 males and 25 females, were rescued on Monday April 7, by troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, in a coordinated operation supported by other security and intelligence agencies.
The founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc and a former chairman of MTN Nigeria, Pascal Dozie, is dead.
According to a statement issued by the family on Tuesday, the business tycoon died on Monday at the age of 85.
Born on 9 April 1939, Dozie was raised in a Catholic home, with his father, Charles Dozie, serving as a catechist.
He had his early education at Our Lady’s School Emekuku, Holy Ghost Juniorate Seminary, and Holy Ghost College, Owerri, where he obtained his West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
Seeking higher education abroad, he moved to the United Kingdom, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the London School of Economics.
He furthered his studies in Operational Research and Industrial Engineering before obtaining a Master’s degree in Administrative Science from City University in London.
Dozie played a critical role in Nigeria’s banking and telecom industries, founding Diamond Bank, which later merged with Access Bank, and serving as the chairman of MTN Nigeria, overseeing its expansion.
His contributions to the country’s economic growth earned him widespread respect.
Dozie is survived by his wife, Chinyere, and five children.
PRESS RELEASE NATIONWIDE PROTEST: NPF CAUTIONS AGAINST ILL-TIMED PROTEST ACROSS THE COUNTRY
The Nigeria Police Force has read in the news that a group called “Take it Back Movement” is planning a protest across various states of the Federation, most especially the Federal Capital Territory, scheduled to hold on Monday 7th April, 2025, a day earmarked by the Federal Government as the National Police Day, to celebrate the resilience and dedication of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.
While not against the exercise of citizens right to peaceful assembly and association in Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution, the Nigeria Police Force is deeply concerned about the motive behind such protest scheduled on the same day the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force to national security is to be celebrated, putting into consideration that such glamorous event would bring together dignitaries from all spheres of life both internationally and within the country, including Foreign Inspectors-General of Police and Diplomats.
In line with best global practices adopted by nations in celebrating the achievements of its Police institution, the Nigerian Government has taken the bull by the horn by declaring every April 7 as National Police Day. The rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is however questionable and perceived to be a deliberate attempt and unpatriotic act that is capable of rubbishing and maligning the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole.
The Nigeria Police Force hereby advises the organizers to shelve this planned protest as it is ill-timed and mischievous.
The Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, while reaffirming the commitment of the NPF to adequately carrying out its mandate in accordance with the Law and respect for rights of citizens hereby urges all the organizers of the planned protest as well as individuals who intend to join the protest to pursue dialogue by engaging the proper institution of government to press home their demands.
ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI, FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA. 6TH APRIL 2025
This year, President Bola Tinubu marked Eid-el-Fitr in Abuja.
Until now, he had never spent a multi-day holiday in the Aso Rock Villa. On most major holidays, he leads his team, like geese on seasonal migration, from the calm of the capital to the bustle of Lagos.
So, it surprised some when word leaked that he’d changed his mind hours before the usual trip.
Lagos has been the President’s favourite holiday spot in the past four holiday cycles since he assumed office. It appears that he is gradually getting over his nostalgia and is comfortable holidaying away from his old base.
However, staying in Abuja during such festivities carries a tradition: the President hosts select residents of the Federal Capital Territory, who are usually led to the Villa by the FCT Minister.
It means those not regularly in the Villa could briefly access the President. At one such gathering in April 2023, journalists covering Muhammadu Buhari shook hands with him as he posed for photos with his guests in the lobby.
Last Sunday, Tinubu honoured this custom, welcoming his first set of Sallah guests—an FCT delegation headed by Minister Nyesom Wike.
The party included lawmakers representing the FCT at the National Assembly, area council chairpersons, traditional rulers, leaders of the Christian and Muslim communities, and senior judicial officers.
During the visit, Tinubu light-heartedly cautioned Wike against using his infrastructure blitz to tilt the political tides in Abuja in favour of the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party.
“I remember the day Nyesom Wike came to me and said, ‘Please, take us out of this problem of TSA so that I can do more work and achieve more.’
“Then I said, ‘Okay, tell me what you’re about to do.’ And he presented it. And I threw in my own political guide. ‘Would that give me any opportunity for my party to win the election in the FCT?’
“I said, ‘I know where you are coming from, your own party or my party. If this thing goes too much in your own favour, you will lose your job.’ Then he said, ‘Okay, we will settle that, Oga.’”
The President spent much of his speech pouring praises on Wike, his ally from the opposition party, dubbing him “Master of Infrastructure.” The applause and a firm handshake left the minister strutting like a peacock, head high and cartoonish chest out.
However, it was not to be so for the rest of Tinubu’s guests, who did not get the “presidential handshake” the programme of events promised.
After such meetings, guests often file out to shake the President and take photos with him. But the President’s men opted for a group photograph instead.
As the small crowd left, some looked crestfallen. One guest pointed to a red rug bearing the presidential seal and muttered, “This is where we used to do it.”
He pointed to the already prepared spot, with the Nigerian flag and the presidential colours standing side by side, and the Coat of Arms hanging on the wall.
They walked away, hoping for another chance if Tinubu holidays in Abuja again.
Whether the President has truly embraced the capital is unclear. Eid ul-Adha, from Friday, 6 June to Tuesday, 10 June, will be the next test.
Days later, he proved the Lagos skip was only a delay; Paris was always in sight. But first, there was some firing to do.
In the early hours of Wednesday, the Presidency announced sweeping changes at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited board, removing the chairman, Pius Akinyelure, and the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari. He then appointed Bashir Ojulari as the new CEO, effective April 2, 2025.
The statement said the overhaul is crucial for “enhancing operational efficiency, restoring investor confidence, boosting local content, driving economic growth, and advancing gas commercialisation and diversification.”
The new leadership is to “conduct a strategic portfolio review of NNPC-operated and Joint Venture Assets to ensure alignment with value maximisation objectives.”
Observers note that Nigerian presidents often release major decisions just before or during foreign trips, when lobbying is harder.
The accuracy of this claim is still unfounded. Hours after the announcement, Tinubu left for a two-week retreat in Paris. Coincidence?
“During the visit, the President will appraise his administration’s mid-term performance and assess key milestones,” one of his three spokesmen, Bayo Onanuga, revealed in a statement on Wednesday.
Tinubu will also use the retreat to “review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary” and will return to Nigeria in about a fortnight.
Wednesday’s movement becomes his 38th foreign trip since assuming office about 23 months ago. It is also his seventh trip to the European state.
So far, Tinubu has logged over 140 days abroad, visiting about 20 countries and accumulating over 300 flight hours.
Countries visited include Malabo, Equatorial Guinea; London, the United Kingdom (four times); Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (twice); Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Nairobi, Kenya; Porto-Novo, Benin Republic; The Hague, Netherlands; Pretoria, South Africa; Accra, Ghana; New Delhi, India; Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; New York, the United States of America; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (twice); Berlin, Germany; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (twice); Dakar, Senegal; and Doha, Qatar.
The driver and conductor of a BRT bus have fled for their lives, abandoning passengers to their fate, as a BRT bus caught fire at Maryland, Lagos State, on Saturday morning. Our correspondent, who was at the scene of the incident, said that the vehicle departed from Ikorodu en route to CMS when the sad incident occurred.
As of the time this report was filed, emergency responders, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), fire services, and local security personnel, arrived at the scene to contain the blaze.
Firefighters at the scene. One of the passengers on the bus told our correspondent the fire started as smoke from the driver’s side.
According to her, the passengers initially thought the smoke emanated from other buses; however, the slight smoke soon worsened, immediately sending them into panic mode.
“As soon as we saw that the smoke grew bigger, we immediately rushed off the bus before the fire ignited”, she said, adding that none of the passengers sustained any injury.
She added that the driver fled the scene immediately after the fire started.
“The driver and the conductor ran away. They didn’t even wait to see what would happen to us.
“Definitely, they knew what happened. They knew the bus was bad before putting it on the road and risking our lives,” she alleged.
Reports of Atiku Abubakar’s Resignation from PDP Are Malicious Lies and a Political Hatchet Job
We ordinarily would not waste words on faceless social media platforms like the so-called "Adamawa Happenings." However, in light of inquiries from concerned Nigerians and credible members of the press, we are compelled to set the record straight:
His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007) and Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has not — we repeat, has not — resigned from the PDP. He remains a steadfast, bonafide, and loyal member of the party.
The source of this baseless rumour is a Facebook page peddling falsehoods, evidently orchestrated by desperate political operatives with nothing but mischief and confusion on their agenda. It is a calculated attempt to mislead the public and sow discord among the millions of Nigerians who look to Atiku Abubakar for direction and leadership.
This is not just fake news — it is a crude, shameless political hatchet job.
We urge Nigerians, especially supporters of the Waziri Adamawa, to disregard this malicious fabrication. It is a vile, vexatious ploy that deserves nothing but contempt.
Atiku Abubakar remains committed to the ideals of the PDP and to the democratic aspirations of the Nigerian people.
Signed: Paul Ibe Media Adviser to @atiku Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007) and Presidential candidate of the @OfficialPDPNig Abuja April 4, 2025.
David Umahi, the minister of works, says he was unaware of the decision to close the Independence Bridge in Lagos.
On Monday, Olukorede Kesha, the federal controller of works in Lagos, announced the closure of the bridge for essential maintenance and rehabilitation works.
Kesha added that the bridge would remain closed until the end of May.
However, the closure resulted in hours-long gridlock, with commuters and motorists stranded on Wednesday in the Victoria Island area of Lagos.
Following the public outcry that trailed the gridlock, Umahi ordered the immediate reopening of the bridge.
On Thursday, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos, said the state government would take full responsibility for the gridlock.
The governor also apologised to residents for the gridlock experienced due to the rehabilitation of the bridge.
However, Umahi, who also visited the scene later on Thursday, said the controller decided to shut the bridge independently.
“I am here as directed by Mr. President. The president watched the agony that Lagosians went through yesterday (Wednesday) for the reason of closing the Independence Bridge for rehabilitation,” the minister said.
“I am very displeased, even though the subject matter—the rehabilitation of the already collapsed returned wall of the Independence Bridge—is very important.
“He (Tinubu) has asked me to be in Lagos and to free the traffic. I have looked at the structural problem; I am aware of it.
“We designed the rehabilitation; however, unfortunately, when the bridge was closed, I was not informed. The controller made that decision on her own, which is very unfortunate.
“In a place like Lagos, it has always been the tradition that I, as the minister, should be informed before such closures.
“We should have also studied the implications of shutting down the bridge.
“Even though this was an emergency, we could have conducted an urgent evaluation of the potential impact before closing the bridge.”
The minister warned all controllers and engineers that no road or bridge should have been closed without first obtaining approval from the relevant authorities.
He added that failure to follow this process would result in consequences and disciplinary action for those involved.
VIDEO: I was unaware of Independence Bridge closure, controller did it on her own, says Umahi
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George has accused President Bola Tinubu of travelling to France when Nigeria is experiencing series of insecurity crisis.
George said it was shameful that while Nigerians don’t feel safe anymore, Tinubu’s administration was focused on trivial matters like recalling suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, disclosed this in a statement he signed, titled: ‘Whither Nigeria, my beloved country.’
He said, “Today, and with the series of crises, insecurity, hunger, joblessness and other vices in the country, President Bola Tinubu has taken off to Paris, France for reasons best known to him and his handlers.
“Nigerians don’t feel safe anymore in their fatherland, but the Federal Government, All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Senate are only interested in recalling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. What a shame!
“Aside from the fact that history is a faithful record of the past, it is also a prophecy of what is coming. That is why Fela’s song is still apt, decades after. Today, I see what led to the collapse of the First and Second republics being repeated by the APC-led Federal Government.”
On Wednesday, President Tinubu jetted out of Nigeria to France.
Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga said the president is expected to “return to Nigeria in about a fortnight”.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, sleaze has always been seen as the second shadow of our National Assembly. During the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senators were regularly induced to change their leadership, which resulted in the emergence of four Senate Presidents between 1999 and 2003.
Large sums of money were moved around in “Ghana-must-go” bags to influence NASS members to do the biddings of the Executive branch, one of which was Obasanjo’s aborted third term bid. The corruption perception of the Federal Legislature ebbed considerably from the tenure of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
Politics of trenchant opposition and the need to protect the leaderships of the Senate and House of Representatives helped reduce the unabashed movement of cash to buy their loyalty. The lawmakers became more discreet in their dealings.
Since Bola Tinubu was sworn in as President in May 2023, the National Assembly has returned to its default mode. Tinubu, who was once a very influential Senator during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, is a strong believer of a president having full control of the Legislature.
Right from the general elections and the emergence of the current National Assembly led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas of the House of Representatives, Tinubu called the shots to position his loyalists in the leadership. He has also been very “generous” to them. The National Assembly and Supreme Court were among the first to benefit from Tinubu’s hundreds of billions of welfare packages to make them comfortable.
It is not surprising that Tinubu’s critics, particularly former President Obasanjo and his erstwhile Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, are among those who have directly accused the lawmakers of being compromised to support the president’s declaration of state of emergency and sack of democratic structures in Rivers State.
While many lawmakers have denied the allegation, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mukhtar Betara, who was caught red-handed sharing $5,000, claimed it was a “Sallah gift”. This immediately brought back the episode where Senate President Akpabio, on camera, told senators that money (which he later called “prayers”) had been sent to their accounts to enable them enjoy the recess they were embarking on.
Massive institutional corruption has put our democracy on the path of failure. The NASS has apparently given up its function of checks and balances, and public confidence in it has been eroded. The NASS has largely abdicated its function of representation. This is unacceptable!
Our social organs of conscience must rise to bring back our National Assembly. If we do not recover our wayward representatives, we will wake up one day and find ourselves in a dictatorship worse than military rule!
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