With 715 days to the February 20, 2027, presidential election, political maneuvering and realignments are already in motion as aspirants and their supporters begin strategizing for the race.

Mid-last month, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, declared that the North would support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election and reclaim power in 2031, following the North-South power rotation principle.

Echoing similar sentiments, Minister of State for Defence and former Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Bello Matawalle, affirmed that the North would rally behind Tinubu to ensure the continuity of his developmental projects across the country until 2031.

However, their comments have drawn mixed reactions from Northern leaders, especially as sources indicate that Tinubu is courting South-East and South-South leaders to boost his 2027 re-election prospects.

With the APC ticket likely Tinubu’s to claim unless he opts out, his success will hinge on securing a majority of votes while meeting the constitutional requirement of gaining at least 25% of votes in two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

In the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu’s victory came largely from the North-West, North-Central, and South-West. However, he faced stiff opposition in the South-East and South-South, and even failed to secure 25% of votes in Abuja.

2023 Presidential Election Results Breakdown

South-West (Tinubu’s Stronghold)

Tinubu: 2,542,979 votes (58.4%)

Atiku: 941,941 votes (21.6%)

Obi: 849,423 votes (9.5%)

Kwankwaso: 16,644 votes (0.38%)

Total Votes: 4,350,987

South-South (Obi’s Dominance)

Obi: 1,210,675 votes (44.1%)

Tinubu: 799,957 votes (29.1%)

Atiku: 717,908 votes (26.1%)

Kwankwaso: 17,167 votes (0.63%)

Total Votes: 2,745,707

South-East (Obi’s Stronghold)

Obi: 1,960,569 votes (89.6%)

Tinubu: 127,605 votes (5.8%)

Atiku: 91,198 votes (4.2%)

Kwankwaso: 8,227 votes (0.38%)

Total Votes: 2,187,599

North-Central (Tinubu’s Victory)

Tinubu: 1,760,993 votes (41.3%)

Obi: 1,415,557 votes (33.2%)

Atiku: 1,025,178 votes (24.1%)

Kwankwaso: 60,056 votes (1.4%)

Total Votes: 4,261,784

North-East (Atiku’s Stronghold)

Atiku: 1,741,846 votes (55.9%)

Tinubu: 933,176 votes (29.9%)

Obi: 315,107 votes (10.1%)

Kwankwaso: 126,343 votes (4.05%)

Total Votes: 3,116,472

North-West (Tinubu’s Highest Vote Zone)

Tinubu: 2,652,235 votes (41%)

Atiku: 2,197,824 votes (33.9%)

Kwankwaso: 1,268,250 votes (19.6%)

Obi: 350,183 votes (5.4%)

Total Votes: 6,468,492

Total Votes in the North

Tinubu: 5,346,404 votes (38.9%)

Atiku: 4,834,767 votes (35.2%)

Obi: 2,080,847 votes (15.2%)

Kwankwaso: 1,454,649 votes (10.6%)

Total Votes: 13,716,667

Total Votes in the South

Obi: 4,020,687 votes (44.5%)

Tinubu: 3,206,969 votes (35.5%)

Atiku: 1,751,047 votes (19.4%)

Kwankwaso: 42,038 votes (0.46%)

Total Votes: 9,020,741

Tinubu’s 2027 Strategy: Wooing the South-East and South-South

To improve his standing in the South-East and South-South, Tinubu is reportedly reaching out to governors and political leaders in these regions.

Sources indicate to Vanguard that apart from implementing key projects in these zones, Tinubu is exploring a political arrangement that would allow opposition governors to retain their seats in exchange for electoral support in 2027.

If successful, this strategy could see Professor Charles Soludo (Anambra, APGA), Dr. Peter Mbah (Enugu, PDP), Pastor Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom, PDP), the PDP government in Bayelsa, and Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta, PDP) retaining their positions, while Tinubu secures the required votes in these states.

Additionally, governors interested in defecting to APC would be welcomed without resistance.

However, not everyone in the APC supports this strategy. The Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines and an APC governorship aspirant in Anambra State argues that securing an APC governor in Anambra through the upcoming election would be more beneficial for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid than relying on an opposition governor.

...proposes use of corpers

President Bola Tinubu has turned down a N942bn proposal by the National Population Commission for the conduct of the national housing and population census, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.

Impeccable sources privy to the discussions between Tinubu and the commission’s top officials on Monday, February 24, 2025, at the State House, revealed that the President insisted on cost-cutting measures.

According to the insiders, the President suggested the deployment of members of the National Youth Service Corps for the exercise.

After being briefed by officials of the NPC led by its Chairman, Nasir Kwarra, Tinubu promised to set up a committee to align the census budget to the government’s present financial realities.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement titled, ‘Nigeria moves closer to fresh census, President Tinubu to set up committee,’ quoted Tinubu as saying “This stop-and-go activity on the census cannot work with me. So, we better have a definite path.

Tinubu was quoted to have said further, “I will set up a committee for you to look at the issues critically and do a source and application of resources. Where can we get help, and what can we lift before we embark on proclamation?”

Revealing more details on the development one of the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity told our correspondent that while the President wanted the census to be conducted, he insisted that the cost must be reduced.

The government official said, “The main issue from that meeting was that the money they were proposing was quite much. It is around N942bn. That is almost N1tn. And the President felt that it was too much. That is why he said there would be a committee to look at the issues altogether because that cost must come down.

“He wants to do it. He wants the census to happen. But the cost is too high. His goal is that they should do it for less.”

Another insider at the meeting further revealed that Tinubu suggested a massive deployment of NYSC members nationwide to cut personnel costs.

“He was even suggesting that they recruit youth corps members to make it cheaper,” the official revealed.

However, a third source told Saturday PUNCH that the constituents and activities of Tinubu’s new committee were still unclear.

“We have heard nothing about that committee for now. It is still being put together as we speak. But the agencies concerned will be on it,” the source explained.

At the meeting, Tinubu had affirmed that the National Identity Management Commission must be part of the review.

“We must ascertain who we are, how many we are, and how to manage our data. Without an accurate census, we can’t successfully plan for employment, agriculture, and food sovereignty.

“So many problems come up without accurate data,” President Tinubu noted.

The President added that government incentives, such as the sale and distribution of fertilisers, could be easily improved with more reliable data and demographics.

He told the NPC delegation that biometric capturing should be central to the process, with multiple identification features, including facial and voice recognition.

According to him, “We should work on our financial muscle well in place to lift our burden before we go and meet development partners for the census. We should work out the figures before discussing the role of development partners.”

Since it last occurred in November 2006, Nigeria’s housing and population census has faced repeated delays and logistical hurdles since the twilight of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Although the NPC invested in new technology—such as digital mapping and biometric capture—to enhance accuracy and transparency, issues including inadequate funding, insecurity in certain regions, and the onset of COVID-19 contributed to a series of postponements.

The 2023 census, in particular, was deferred due to overlapping concerns, ranging from budget constraints to political transitions, making it difficult for stakeholders to finalise preparations before Buhari left office.

Under the Tinubu administration, plans to reschedule the census have equally faced difficulties, as the Federal Government remains uncertain over timing, methodology, and questions regarding how best to capture data on large, mobile populations, including internally displaced persons.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said the census data would be central to future planning and resource distribution.

The Minister said the commission and everyone on the team needed to agree on the minimum amount that could be sourced to support the President in making the final decision.

“Mr President, we have been having ecosystem meetings to link the identity agencies, even the geo-spatial chaired by the ministry, because of our mandate as the supervising ministry of the National Bureau of Statistics.

“So, the NPC, NBS, NIMC, Ministry Of Digital Economy, passport, social register, voters register, and even telecoms data have been meeting with the National Space Research and Development Agency to see how much is available to the government regarding data and how much optimisation can take place.”

In his presentation, NPC chairman noted that 760,000 tablets had been acquired and stored with the Central Bank of Nigeria, assuring the commission would engage with development partners to seek support whenever President Tinubu proclaimed the new census.

The Osun State Government has formally petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the immediate past governor and current Minister of Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, over the alleged misappropriation of a $20m World Bank health grant.

The government also accused Oyetola of money laundering, financial misconduct and violations of the Public Procurement Act in the disbursement of the grant meant for health sector improvements in the state.

According to an acknowledged copy of the petition dated March 7, 2025, and obtained by our correspondent on Friday, Oyetola, during his tenure as governor, chaired a special Health Intervention Committee tasked with allocating and applying the grant funds.

The committee, whose members included former government officials such as Remi Omowaye, Dr. Rafiu Isamatu, and Bola Oyebamiji, decided to use the entire $20m for renovating 320 primary health care centres across the state.

According to the petition written by the government’s lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, “This so-called renovation of primary health care centres involved building, renovation and adjustments/restructuring of some of these centres in order to attain the position of modern health centres. Having made these decisions, the Oyetola-led committee decided to award the contracts for the renovation.

“In flagrant violations of the above clear provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, Oyetola did not call for bidding as mandatorily required under the PPA, let alone allowing competition which would have afforded the state the best qualified contractors to handle the projects.

“Rather, the former governor in observing the provisions of the Act in breach, awarded the contracts to individuals who were either his cabinet members, head of one agency of government or the other, his proxies and cronies who claimed to have incorporated business names/inactive companies.”

The government noted that the beneficiaries of the contract allegedly included businesses with no construction experience, such as food vendors, salon operators, supermarket owners, and web designers.

Among the companies named in the petition are Poshpreneurs Nig., owned by the children of the former Head of Service, Olowogboyega Oyebade; Dotfam Multiventures Ltd, linked to the siblings of the former APC State Chairman; The Ice Firms Nig. Ltd, allegedly owned by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adebayo Adeleke; and Afamoks Web International, linked to former Amotekun Field Commander, Amitolu Shittu.

The state government alleges that the companies, lacking the expertise for construction, executed substandard renovation works while receiving full contract payments, thereby leading to the misappropriation of the $20n grant.

On the allegations of money laundering, the state government alleged that over ₦1.5 bn, was funneled through the Osun chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria between January and October 2022.

The petition named former ALGON Chairman, Abiodun Idowu, Secretary, Olubisi Oladosu; 28 former local government caretaker chairmen; and the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Yekeen Adebayo Adeleke, as key actors in the alleged scheme.

“In a similar vein, the government equally laid its hands on some financial records which clearly show a clear case of money laundering of huge magnitude by the past administration of Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.

Financial records cited in the petition indicate that funds “were repeatedly transferred from the ALGON account at Zenith Bank (Account Number: 1016607858)  into the private account of one Akeem Ibitoye, a local government employee and Director of Finance at Ejigbo Local Government.”

The state government alleged that withdrawals ranging from N30m to over N10m per day were made in cash, with no records of the funds being used for any official projects.

However, Adebayo dismissed the allegations, describing them as frivolous.

The former commissioner who requested for more details on the petition, said, “EFCC has not invited me and I have not seen a copy of the petition for me to know what it is all about.

“If there is no proof, then the allegations are frivolous and of no stance.

“I have bec6ome a torn in the flesh of Gov adeleke and PDP and I won’t be surprised if some baseless allegations are levied against me.

“Anyway, they think trying to dirty my white garment will make me keep mute about their fraudulent ways of governance.”

The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has explained that there were no shortfalls in salaries paid to federal workers in January and February 2025.

The OAGF said the salaries that workers received in January and February 2025 were their normal salaries after the various arrears that were paid from October to December 2024 were exhausted.

The OAGF said it was imperative to make clarifications on the purported shortfall in January and February 2025 salaries in order to ease any anxiety in the minds of workers.

According to the OAGF, “Various salary arrears were paid in the last quarter of 2024, namely: minimum wage arrears, 25%/35% increase in salary arrears and wage award arrears. All these arrears were paid from the month of October 2024 to December 2024. This made salaries increase abnormally over the last quarter of 2024”.

The Office said, “payment of normal salaries after exhausting the various arrears began in January 2025, which made some workers think that they were shortchanged, when in actual sense, it was their real salaries. A glance at the current salary table will substantiate this further”.

The OAGF noted that barring any other salary arrears in the future, what was paid in January and February 2025 shall continue to be the salaries, until such a time that the federal government reviews the salaries.

The OAGF revealed that there were cases of overpayments in the month of December 2024 due to system error, adding that the error has been corrected and deductions in respect of the overpayments from the salaries of affected workers was on-going and shall continue until such overpayments were fully recovered.

On the payment of promotion arrears, the OAGF said the exercise is handled by a Standing Committee on Promotion and Salary Arrears in the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) which compiles and vets all salary and promotion arrears from various MDAs before such is channeled in batches to IPPIS for payment.

The OAGF said IPPIS has fully paid batches 1 to 6 and is awaiting more batches from the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) for payment.

The Office reiterated its determination to efficiently manage the IPPIS in view of its importance to workers and advised workers with genuine complaints about their salaries to follow the formal processes to get such resolved as quickly as possible.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Kano Zonal Directorate has successfully obtained a conviction against Hauwa Abdullahi Ibrahim, who was arrested while allegedly attempting to smuggle an undeclared total of $1,154,900 and SDR135,900 Saudi Riyals from Saudi Arabia into Nigeria.

Naija News understands that the woman received a prison sentence after admitting guilt to two counts of money laundering before Justice S. M. Shuaibu at the Federal High Court in Kano.

Her arrest occurred when officers from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted her at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport while she was trying to bring in undeclared funds from Saudi Arabia.

According to a statement issued by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, Ibrahim failed to declare the money as mandated by law, leading to her immediate arrest.

Following her detention, the Nigeria Customs Service transferred her to the EFCC for further investigation and legal proceedings.

The EFCC subsequently charged Ibrahim with two counts of money laundering under Section 3(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

During her court appearance, she pleaded guilty to both charges as they were presented to her.

In light of her admission, the prosecution’s counsel, Musa Isah, reviewed the case details and submitted evidence, including the undeclared funds, requesting the court to impose a conviction.

Justice Shuaibu, however, permitted an allocutus, allowing Ibrahim to share her account with the court. She revealed that a person named Nafiu in Saudi Arabia had approached her, asking for her help in transporting a box to Nigeria, claiming it contained dates and a small amount of cash.

Taking Nafiu at his word, she reportedly agreed to accept the box.

She also mentioned that Nafiu provided her with a contact number for a woman who would retrieve the box from her upon her arrival in Kano.

Upon arriving at Kano airport, Ibrahim indicated that she called the number Nafiu had given her, and the woman came to meet her, at which point she handed over the box.

However, after leaving the airport, she was summoned back by airport officials who requested her international passport to clear the box, as she was the individual who had brought it into Nigeria.

Upon her return, she was arrested and shown the contents of the box she had transported.

She appealed to the court for leniency, asserting that she was unaware of the box’s contents and had been misled by the sender, who claimed it contained only dates and a small sum of money.

In light of her plea for compassion, Justice Shuaibu found the defendant guilty as charged and mandated the forfeiture of the undeclared funds to the Federal Government in accordance with Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.

An official of the American International School, Abuja, testified on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja that former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, paid a total of $1,606,763.68 in tuition fees for his children, including an advance payment of $845,852 for future enrollment.

Naija News understands that Nicholas Ojehomon, an auditor at the school, disclosed this while testifying as a prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He confirmed that the payments covered the children’s tuition until graduation.

According to Ojehomon, the payments were made in two tranches, with one part allocated as an advance for future school fees. The testimony came as part of Bello’s ongoing trial over an alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud case filed by the EFCC.

During the proceedings, the prosecution presented financial records, including statements from the American International School, detailing the transactions. At a previous hearing on January 29, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, testified under subpoena and submitted documents related to the payments.

The EFCC had earlier alleged that shortly before leaving office, Bello paid $760,000 in advance for his children’s school fees, which was later refunded following an investigation.

Ojehomon testified that Bello’s brother, Ali Bello, facilitated the payments, stating: “Mr. Ali Bello contacted the American International School, Abuja, on Friday, August 13, requesting to pay the Bello children’s school fees until they graduate. The school management accepted his offer.”

He revealed that the payments covered four of Bello’s children in Grades 8, 6, 4, and 2, with additional payments made for future enrollment, subject to availability from August 2022.

Providing details of the tuition fees, he noted that payments included $90,074 for a daughter in Grade 8, $87,470 for another in Grade 6, $26,241 for a daughter in Grade 4, and $18,707 for a child in Grade 2. The witness also identified a contractual agreement between the school and Ali Bello regarding the prepayment arrangement.

The EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), presented the school’s admission and prepaid tuition fee documents as exhibits.

Ojehomon confirmed that the school refunded $760,910.84 to the EFCC and that the commission provided an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the refund.

Further testimony was given by UBA compliance officer Williams, who submitted additional financial documents, including statements from accounts linked to Bello’s administration.

She detailed multiple withdrawals made through cheques from the Kogi State Government House account, often processed in ₦10 million tranches to individuals named Abdulsalam Hudu and Aminu J.O.

Williams confirmed that on December 12, 2018, “Ten transactions of ₦10 million each were processed in favor of Abdulsalam Hudu.” She also identified key account signatories, including Christopher Enefola (Permanent Secretary), Onekutu Daniel (Chief Accountant), and Abdulsalam Hudu (Accountant).

Under cross-examination, however, she admitted that Bello’s name did not appear in any of the transactions related to the Kogi Government House account.

“The name Yahaya Bello does not feature in exhibits P1 to P27,” defense counsel Daudu noted, to which Williams responded, “The name Bello did not appear anywhere.”

She further acknowledged that she was not the account officer managing the Kogi Government House account, which was overseen from Lokoja rather than her branch in Abuja.

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to Friday, March 6, for continuation of proceedings.

The Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC) has designated Simon Ekpa, 14 other persons and two entities, for their alleged involvement in supporting terrorist activities and terrorism financing.

The committee further directed financial institutions to freeze their assets and report any transactions related to the individuals and entities to the Sanctions Committee and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

The designations were part of Nigeria’s efforts to comply with international standards on combating terrorism financing, as outlined in the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The full list of designated individuals and entities include: Simon Ekpa Njoku – Born 21 March 1985, with accounts in Guaranty Trust Bank; Godstime Promise Iyare – Born 20 May 1996, with accounts in Access Bank, UBA, and Moniepoint; Francis Chukwuedo Mmaduabuchi – Born 27 September 1987, with accounts in Ecobank and Fidelity.

Others are John Anayo Onwumere – Born 5 March 1987, with accounts in Sterling and Zenith; Chikwuka Godwin Eze – Born 5 May 1975, with accounts in First Bank and Access Bank; Edwin Augustine Chukwuedo – Born 27 May 1983, with accounts in Union and Ecobank; Chinwendu Joy Owoh – Born 10 February 1982, with accounts in First Bank and GTB; Ginika Jane Orji – Born 5 October 1995, with accounts in Blueridge and Opay; Awo Uchechukwu – Born 11 December 1978, with an account in First Bank.

The committee also listed Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali – Born 7 July 1998, with accounts in Access and FCMB; Ohagwu Nneka Juliana – Born 15 August 1985, with an account in UBA; Eze Chibuike Okpoto – Born 12 January 1989, with accounts in Access and FCMB; Nwaobi Henry Chimezie – Born 12 June 1991, with accounts in Access and UBA; Ogomu Peace Kewe – Born 27 June 1997, with accounts in Access and Zenith; Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises – With accounts in Access Bank and GTB; Seficuvi Global Company – With accounts in Access Bank and Ecobank; and Lakurawa Group are those indicted.

While giving details of the designations, the committee said: “Simon Ekpa: Known for his role in facilitating about 49 fundraisers across different countries between October 2023 and September 2024, Ekpa allegedly used social media platforms to orchestrate attacks on government facilities, particularly military and paramilitary formations in Nigeria’s southeast. These actions resulted in significant loss of life and property damage.

“Godstime Promise Iyare: Linked to local fundraising activities for IPOB, Iyare was identified through an account at United Bank for Africa used to collect funds from members in Nigeria. His mobile phone number was associated with multiple National Identity Numbers, raising concerns about identity manipulation.

“Francis Chukwuedo Mmaduabuchi: Accused of using a Moniepoint account to receive donations from IPOB members in Nigeria, Mmaduabuchi’s activities were uncovered through intelligence sources.

“John Anayo Onwumere: Born on March 5, 1987, Onwumere was linked to a Sterling Bank account number 0026224269, which was reportedly used to receive donations from members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Nigeria.

“Chikwuka Godwin Eze: Born on May 5, 1975, Eze was associated with an Access Bank account number 0108595489. This account was used by members of the BRGIE local chapter from ‘Odumegu State Defactor’ and ‘Urhobo Isoko State Defacto’ based in Anambra State and Delta State respectively, to contribute to the group.

“Edwin Augustine Chukwuedo: Born on May 27, 1983, Chukwuedo was involved with a Flutterwave account number 9461730261. Similar to Eze, this account was used by BRGIE members for contributions.

“Chiwendu Joy Owoh: Born on February 10, 1982, Owoh was identified with a Moniepoint MFB account number 6474876289. This account was part of a structure created by BRGIE to collect funds from its members in Nigeria.

“Ginika Jane Orji: Born on October 5, 1995, Orji was linked to an Opay account number 8039231985, which was reportedly used to receive donations from members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Nigeria.

“Awo Uchechukwu: Born on December 11, 1978, Uchechukwu is identified as a Commander of the Eastern Security Network (ESN). He was reported to have received funds directly from Simon Ekpa to finance the activities of the group through his First Bank account number 3060144916.

“Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali: Born on July 7, 1998, Ali was associated with an Access Bank account number 1612608952. This account was used by the BRGIE to collect funds from its members in Nigeria.

“Ohagwu Nneka Juliana: Born on August 15, 1985, Juliana was linked to a UBA account number 2147559148. Similar to Ali, this account was used by BRGIE for fund collection.

“Eze Chibuike Okpoto: Born on January 12, 1989, Okpoto was linked to an Access Bank account with account number 0071127599. This account was reportedly used to receive funds from members of the Biafran Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) to support Biafra self-referendum via its Telegram groups.

“Nwaobi Henry Chimezie: Born on June 12, 1991, Chimezie was associated with a Moniepoint Micro Finance Bank account number 8276850931. This account was used by BRGIE to collect funds from its members in Nigeria.

“Ogumu Peace Kewu: Born on June 27, 1997, Kewu was involved with First Bank accounts, including account numbers 3180578127 (NGN) and 3180578127 (USD). These accounts were used to facilitate USD donations to Nigeria.

“Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises: Owned by Okudah Uchenna Anthony, this enterprise used a Zenith Bank account with account number 1226773554 to collect donations for BRGIE.

“Seficuvi Global Company: Owned by Godswill Ogborin Nwaodun, this company’s bank accounts were reported to be used by BRGIE to collect funds from members in Nigeria.

“Lakurawa is part of Jama’at Nusrat Al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), a militant group active across Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger, and Nigeria. Since 2016, Lakurawa has established a presence in Nigeria, particularly in Sokoto and Kebbi States. The group engages in violent attacks, assassinations, and enforcement of radical Islamist rule, imposing strict governance on communities. It also finances its activities through extortion, forced taxation, cattle rustling, and ransom from kidnappings.”

The suspended Senator representing Kogi Central in the Senate, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has once again reacted to her suspension for 180 days from the Upper Legislative chamber, reiterating that the action was an injustice that will not stand.

She also said that it was a mere suspension from the Senate and not an expulsion.

Recall that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was earlier on Thursday suspended by the Senate for a period of six months over violation of Senate rules and other misconduct after a face-off with the Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangement in the Red Chamber penultimate week.

Natasha

The crisis took a new twist when the female Senator days after accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, abuse of office and deliberate frustration of her legislative rights because she refused to yield to his advances.

Taking to her social media handles later this Thursday night, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed what she told her colleagues earlier in the day on her way out of the Red Chamber after her suspension was pronounced, when she posted that ‘This Injustice Will Not Be Sustained!’

She further hailed herself, saying: “Suspended, not expelled.

“Pierced but not broken.

“The voice may be temporarily tamed but cannot be silenced.

“I salute your courage, my distinguished Senator Natasha H. Akpoti, in the face of this storm

“My confidence is in the fact that, just like the other Storms, you will come out victorious and better prepared to serve your people.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, quizzed the immediate-past minister for women affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, over her alleged roles in misappropriation, violation of procurement process and diversion of public funds to the tune of N138,413,253.89 in the course of disbursing the 2023 budgeted funds for the ministry.

EFCC sources, who spoke to LEADERSHIP, said the former minister arrived the anti-graft commission headquarters around 11:00am on Thursday and faced interrogators on her alleged involvement in the fraud.

The sources said investigations by the EFCC showed that funds donated for the funding of P-BAT Cares for Women Initiative were allegedly diverted for her self enrichment.

As at press time Thursday evening, interrogation was still ongoing as she had not been admitted to administrative bail