Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has again refuted claims of embezzling the state funds during his eight-year tenure.

Naija News recalls that the Kaduna State House of Assembly indicted El-Rufia’s administration for misappropriating over N423 billion.

The former governor and his allies have denied these allegations, claiming they are being witch-hunted by the Assembly and the state government.

While featuring on the Hausa program aired on Freedom Radio station in Kaduna on Tuesday morning, El-Rufai said he joined politics solely to serve the people, not to seek money or steal public funds.

He emphasized that he was content with what he had before becoming governor, yet was accused of financial misappropriation without any specific area.

El-Rufai stated that he was prepared to swear with the Quran whenever former state governors and current leaders swore that they never misappropriated public funds.

The ex-governor also noted that after his studies, he will return to politics by 2027 because there is no retirement in politics like government work, “We will return and continue with politics, God willing.”

He added, “I was quiet to see how things would turn out, but for me, I always ask God to help me in whatever I do in life because, as a human being, I always try not to do anything wrong or betray the people’s trust.

“I always say that whenever the former governors of Kaduna State and other leaders decide to take an oath swearing with the Quran that they never took people’s money, I’m also ready to swear. This is because I know that I didn’t go into public service to steal or take people’s money. I joined politics only to serve the people of Kaduna State; I didn’t come to look for money, because I give glory to God that I’m content with what I had even before becoming governor. Yet, we were accused of misappropriation of funds during our tenure without being given a specific area where the money went missing or who took it.

“Yet they are going after my allies by inviting them to the ICPC and EFCC with the intention of tarnishing their names. As for me, I had already prayed two Raka’at on Friday night, leaving everything to God, seeking His judgment. This is why I’m not saying much about the issue.

“But it’s surprising and painful what is happening; such is life. What I would like to say here is that whatever evil plans, witch-hunts, and lies against us should continue because we have reported the issue to God, and God willing, we will get justice from Him.

“If you report something to God, you must desist from making comments. Although I have ordered my lawyers to sue in court against attempts to tarnish my name, that will continue. But presently, I’m doing fine by going about my normal activities such as reading and writing.

“You can still continue working for the people even after government, and that is what we are doing right now. We are still working alongside those who cherish serving the people, not those who enter politics or governance to siphon public funds to add to their wealth. That is not our intention. God knows that, and the people with positive minds know that too. May God bring development to our people.”

President Bola Tinubu, along with Vice President Kashim Shettima and other top government dignitaries, marked Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary with a modest yet significant celebration at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday.

The event was characterized by a military parade that took place at the forecourt of the presidential villa, under the watchful eyes of the elite Brigade of Guards and additional personnel from sister security agencies.

The heightened security measures included intense screening processes at the main gate and a considerable security presence at the forecourt itself.

President Tinubu arrived at the venue at 10 am, where he was greeted by the sounds of pipers and inspected a Quarter Guard mounted by the Guards Brigade.

The president then took his place on the saluting dais to receive the national salute, officially commencing the day’s proceedings.

The celebration featured a presidential change of guards and a Nigerian Armed Forces Colour patrol, along with displays that highlighted the nation’s military prowess and national pride.

The ceremony continued with a performance by the Silent Drill Platoon from the Guards Brigade, which captivated the audience that included cabinet ministers, presidential aides, and members of the diplomatic corps.

The event also showcased a range of performances by a combined mass band and cultural troupe representing the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage.

The festivities concluded with President Tinubu signing the anniversary register, followed by the ceremonial cutting of the anniversary cake alongside Vice President Shettima, leaders of the National Assembly, Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The ceremony ended with the release of doves, symbolizing the nation’s aspirations for peace and unity.

Reveals Fastest Growing Political Party

The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 election, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has declared his party as the fastest-growing political party in Nigeria.

The national leader of the NNPP disclosed this in Abuja on Monday during the Party National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, emphasizing the numerous challenges they had faced.

He expressed confidence in the NNPP’s upward trajectory, thanking supporters for their commitment as the party positions itself as a viable alternative in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Kwankwaso also stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is ‘dead’ and has many concerns within the party.

He also criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), highlighting a disconnect between its leadership and the realities facing Nigerians, including rising insecurity, poverty, and hunger.

He said, “I’m pleased to say that, despite all the challenges, today our party is the fastest-growing party in this country. I remember when I visited Katsina State to open our state office; there I mentioned that the two parties, especially the PDP, were dead, and there are so many concerns within the fold of the PDP.

“I’m sure when I was making that statement, many of them did not see what was happening today, that the party was being made into pieces. The party is imploding, and therefore if they didn’t understand at that time, now I believe they will agree with all of us that the party is dead.

“The APC, as it stands today, you can see that the leadership is just up there in the air, and the entire nation, the people of this country, are on the ground.

“At that level, whether they believe they are doing well, all of us, especially the voters in this country, believe that they are performing very, very badly, especially if you look at the issue of security, the level of poverty in this country, and of course the issue of hunger that we are witnessing in this country.”

Nigerian-born British heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua has experienced a significant drop in the heavyweight rankings after his loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on September 21.

Recall that Anthony Joshua was previously ranked third in the Ring Magazine Rankings.

Earlier this month, the former two-time heavyweight champion aimed to solidify his standing as one of the division’s best with a victory over Dubois.

However, the British boxing star faced a challenging bout, ultimately being dropped four times and suffering a stunning knockout in the 5th round, leading to his plummet to seventh place in the latest rankings.

Dubois has now surpassed Joshua, securing the second position behind the current unified champion, Oleksandr Usyk.

The updated rankings also see Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang in third and fourth place, with Agit Kabayel and Martin Bakole in fifth and sixth place respectively, all ranking higher than Joshua.

Meanwhile, the upcoming heavyweight showdown between Usyk and Tyson Fury has sparked discussions about a potential rematch between Dubois and Anthony Joshua, with a tentative date set for early next year.

Despite the one-sided outcome of the September 21 bout, Joshua has expressed his determination to continue fighting, leaving many to wonder when the 33-year-old boxer would hit the ring again.

Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu state, has sworn in the 17 newly elected LGA chairs and their deputies in the state.

Speaking on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony at the government house in Enugu, Mbah implored them to fulfill their campaign promises.

The governor also ordered the LGA chairs to relocate to their council areas to ensure that they are closer to the people.

Mbah asked them to support the smart green schools initiatives, rural infrastructure development, and the agriculture projects, to combat crime and create opportunities for the youths.

“I followed your campaign and all that you promised the people. I also heard a lot of you making allusion to our mantra, ‘Tomorrow Is Here’, during the campaign. I will tell you what ‘Tommorrow is here’ speaks to,” he said.

“It speaks to the immediacy of the tasks before us and how we can immediately get to solving those problems without procrastination.

“It also reminds us that the tomorrow we envision is within our grasp, but just to the extent we are able to innovate. That is why we are now talking about disruptive innovation.

“Now the time you did the talk is over and I am also going to add that the honeymoon is also over. It is now time to walk the talk and time to action those promises you made to the people.

“What the people now expect to hear is how and when you can solve the problems that have blighted their development over the years. So, this is now time for you to think outside the box.”

Speaking further, the governor charged council chairs to prioritise security and lead inclusively from their LGAs.

“We have zero tolerance for crime and insecurity in Enugu State. If you are thinking about how to attract cottage industries and development to your various local governments, they would not come if you do not have peace and security,” he said.

“The people would be the centerpiece of your governance model. You have to banish feelings of allienation and you must deliver democracy dividends to all.

“You should think about basic amenities. We have challenges across all the sectors. You should be thinking outside the box on how to solve them and how to creatively generate wealth and create employment.

“But you can not do that remotely. You can not do that operating from the city. You have to be there with your people.

“So, the era where we have local government chairmen or their deputies leading their people remotely or by proxy is gone. We would have no tolerance for local government chairmen, who do not govern from their local governments.”

Atletico Madrid said on Monday they had permanently banned a fan for throwing objects onto the field during the weekend’s heated derby draw with Real Madrid.

Sunday’s match at Atletico’s Estadio Metropolitano was halted for 15 minutes after home fans threw objects including lighters at Madrid players.

Atletico claimed a late point thanks to Angel Correa’s 95th-minute equaliser.

“Our security department continues to work with the police to identify the rest of those involved, who will be permanently expelled as soon as they are located,” Atletico said.

“The club’s firm conviction to eradicate any form of violence and our defence of the values of sport are unquestionable.

“We will continue to work with all our resources with the aim of eliminating this type of behaviour,” they added.

Atletico also announced a change to rules for fans’ clothing inside their ground following the incident.

“The club will imminently incorporate into its internal regulations the prohibition of using inside the stadium any element or garment that prevents distinguishing the face of a person in order to hide their identity, which until now was not contemplated in our regulations,” the 11-time Spanish champions said.

“In the event of non-compliance with this rule, they will be immediately expelled from the stadium.

Atletico’s next home game is October 20’s La Liga match with Leganes.

Nigeria’s Flamingos head coach, Bankole Olowookere, has announced the 21-player squad set to represent the country at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.

The tournament is scheduled to kick off on October 16, with Nigeria facing New Zealand in the opening match.

The Flamingos have been placed in Group A, where they will compete against hosts Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and New Zealand.

Nigeria aims to build on their strong performance in the previous edition of the tournament, where they secured a third-place finish in India in 2022.

Alongside Nigeria, two other African teams, Kenya and Zambia, will also compete in the tournament.

Squad Full List

Goalkeepers

Christiana Uzoma (Edo Queens)
Elizabeth Boniface (Sunshine Queens)
Sylvia Echefu (Confluence Queens)

Defenders

Prisca Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers)
Jumai Adebayo (Naija Ratels)
Taiwo Adegoke (Remo Stars Ladies)
Rokibat Azeez (New Generation Academy)
Hannah Ibrahim (Remo Stars Ladies)
Vivian Ekezie (Heartland Queens)
Ololade Isiaka (Abia Angels)

Midfielders

Taiwo Afolabi (Delta Queens)
Faridat Abdulwahab (Nasarawa Amazons)
Shakirat Moshood (Bayelsa Queens)
Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy)

Forwards

Oghenemairo Obruthe (City Sports)
Harmony Chidi (Imo Strikers)
Kudirat Arogundade (Green Foot)
Ramotalahi Kareem (Honey Badgers)
Aishat Animashaun (Naija Ratels)
Peace Effiong (Rivers Angels)
Blessing Ifitezue (Delta Queens)

Chelsea are plotting a January swoop for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirming the Blues’ interest, The PUNCH reports.

Romano told Caught Offside that Chelsea might be preparing a £40million bid for the Napoli striker when the transfer window reopens in January.

He, however, clarified that no negotiations are currently ongoing despite reports of behind-the-scenes preparations at Stamford Bridge.

Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray, has hit the ground running in Turkey, netting twice in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Kasımpaşa last weekend.

The 25-year-old’s brace saw him etch his name in Galatasaray’s history books as the first player to register four or more goal contributions in the first three Süper Lig games since Bafetimbi Gomis in 2017.

The Nigerian international’s future remains uncertain, with his contract with Napoli set to expire in July 2025.

However, RAI Sport journalist Ciro Venerato claims that a €90m release clause allows Osimhen to leave Napoli in January, although it is not valid for Serie A clubs.

Chelsea’s interest in Osimhen could have significant implications for their current striker, Nicolas Jackson. The Senegalese forward, who joined the London club from Villarreal for £32m last summer, has impressed in his debut Premier League season, scoring four goals in six matches.

Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes Jackson has the potential to become a £150m player, saying, “If Nicolas Jackson fulfils his potential, he will be a £150m player. I’m convinced of that.”

Jackson has already outperformed club legend Didier Drogba’s debut season, scoring 14 goals compared to Drogba’s 10 in the 2004/05 Premier League campaign.Meanwhile, Osimhen’s prolific record speaks for itself. The striker has netted 76 goals in 133 appearances for Napoli since his £73million transfer from Lille in 2020. He was also Serie A’s top scorer in the 2022–23 season with 26 goals notched, playing a crucial role in Napoli’s title-winning campaign.

Despite the speculation, Galatasaray vice president İbrahim Hatipoğlu recently stated, “There is no possibility of Osimhen leaving the team in January. We are thinking of having him play with us next season as well.”

As the January transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on Chelsea’s next move. The potential arrival of Osimhen could spark a shake-up in the Blues’ attacking lineup, but for now, the Nigerian striker remains focused on his performances for Galatasaray in both domestic and European competitions.

The Deputy Controller of the Maximum Correctional Center, Kirikiri, Lagos, Michael Anugwa, has admitted that crossdresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky, was placed in a separate cell.

Recall that Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, had in a video alleged that Bobrisky who was convicted of a crime and sentenced to six months in jail was given an apartment outside the custodial centre.

Reacting to the claim on Monday, Anugwa while addressing members of the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Institutions, insisted that Bobrisky was not at any point held in a facility outside the correctional center.

His words: “Bobrisky was admitted on the 13th of April with a valid warrant and a transfer order from Ikoyi Correctional facility.

“The warrant was given to me the same day of his conviction. The biometric was taken the next day because when he came was around 10:30 p.m. So it was done on the 13th of April 2024.

“Idris spent 10 days at the Medium Correctional Center and was moved to maximum, because he refused to eat the prison food.

“He then applied for self-feeding which was approved and Bobrisky nominated two persons to bring his food to the facility — Ogunleye Abiola and Moji Ogunleye.

“During the admission, we discovered that Idris, though a man, had special features like breasts that would not allow us put him in the general cell.

“We agreed to put him in a separate cell. While he was there he had a total of 39 visitors.”

THE Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has vowed to mobilise and join forces with Nigerians against the practices of unitarianism in Nigerian politics.

Afenifere stated this in a communique issued after its monthly meeting held at Isanya Ogbo Ogun State, the residence of its Leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

The communique, by its Deputy Leader and National Publicity Secretary, Oba Oladipo Olaitan and Justice Faloye respectively, reads: “Afenifere resolved to, in due course and soon, mobilise and join democratic forces with all lovers of Nigeria against all tenets, tendencies, pretences, policies and practices of unitarianism in the Nigerian body of politics.

“Afenifere notes the introduction of a bill to establish a National Independent Local Government Electoral Commission, NILGEC, for the conduct of Local Government elections and considers the idea as nothing but a monumental multiplication of INEC’s inefficiencies at 774 degrees.

“The idea of a federal agency to conduct local government elections is a veritable weapon in furtherance of the undisguised policy of complete capture and absolute unitarianism of the Nigerian Federation by the Central Government, a policy that has attained its crescendo under the present administration.

“Afenifere decries all forms of political rascality aimed at stifling democracy by the two tiers of the Nigerian government structure and equally condemns in unmistakable terms political gerrymandering pushing Nigeria into a unitary state by wielders of transient political power contrary to the existential covenant of federalism.

“The Federal Government and its INEC have proven not better at conducting the limited elections with which they are saddled by the Constitution.”