The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP and former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso said he didn’t give any directive on reinstatement of HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano.

Kwankwaso said he also received the news of the reinstatement of the Emir like every other persons.

The former Minister of Defence stated this in an interview monitored on the BBC Hausa service on Friday.

In his word, “what you saw is what I also saw but I will go to Kano very soon and I will speak with some of the assembly members, especially the speaker, and the Governor on what is happening.

When asked that to many people, a thing of this nature cannot happen without his knowledge as a leader of the party, Kwankwaso said, “Rabiu Kwankwaso has burnt his hands over dictating what to do. We are still with the Governor working together.

“It’s just a matter of offering advice and if you are not asked to, you keep quiet so long things are going right we just pray and hope that they succeed.

“When I said we will revisit the case, I didn’t say the direction to follow. I just said it will be reviewed… When I go there, I will hear what happened and I am sure they will tell me whatever happened and whatever they tell me, we just pray for them. I heard the Assembly members have repealed the law.

“What we were telling them was they should go and investigate whether what happened was done out of goodwill or not. What happened appears to be a vendetta or cheating. It’s just a matter of did Ganduje do right or wrong? It’s not about going against him.

“For those that are looking at it from the perspective of whether it’s going to be tenure-based are somehow right but who started it? When I came back as Governor in 2011;

“…everybody knew that late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, was not supporting us, he was supporting Shekarau but when we got into power we never thought of dethroning him.

Nigerians slam minister over comments on Tinubu's reforms, say govt economic policies created more hunger

Louisiana governor signs bill making abortion drugs 'controlled dangerous substances'
“This is why we are telling people that everybody should maintain their position,” Kwankwaso however stated.

In a recent, emotionally charged revelation, Mr. Aloba, the father of the late Nigerian musician Mohbad, has made startling claims about his son’s rise to fame and the underlying spiritual dynamics he believes were at play.

In a newly surfaced video, Mr. Aloba unveiled that a pastor connected to Wunmi, Mohbad’s widow, confided to the family that Mohbad had been using a special kind of spiritual glory to propel his music career to unprecedented heights.

According to Mr. Aloba, the pastor’s revelation brought to light a hidden aspect of Mohbad’s journey to stardom, one that involved harnessing this spiritual force for fame and fortune.

However, Mr. Aloba expressed a mix of pride and sorrow as he recounted how, despite his son’s lucrative career, he personally did not benefit financially from Mohbad’s success.

He lamented that while Mohbad was raking in wealth through his music, the financial support was disproportionately directed towards his mother.

Mohbad, in his father’s view, showed favoritism by consistently giving money to his mother and even setting up shops for her, while seemingly neglecting his father’s needs.

This revelation comes on the heels of another bombshell from the grieving father, who suggested that his son’s untimely death was the result of a bitter dispute over a DNA test.

Mr. Aloba recounted a harrowing encounter that added another layer of tragedy and intrigue to Mohbad’s story.

The late singer’s dad disclosed that he had overheard a distressing voice note in which Mohbad and Wunmi, his daughter-in-law, were locked in a heated argument

In this intense exchange, according to Mr Aloba, Mohbad made a chilling statement, indicating the depth of their conflict. He reportedly told Wunmi that even if she managed to kill him, she couldn’t harm his entire family.

WATCH HIM SPEAK BELOW

Nigerian music sensation, Paul Okoye, famously known as Rudeboy, is rumored to be elevating his relationship with his girlfriend, Ivy Ifeoma, to new heights.

In captivating videos circulating online, the singer was allegedly spotted alongside the influential model in her hometown of Igbere, Abia State, accompanied by her family.

Speculations abound that the music star was there for the commencement of his introduction marriage rites to Ivy, marking a significant step forward in their relationship journey.

Just hours ago, rumors began swirling about Paul Okoye and Ivy expecting their first child, adding a new layer of excitement to their already buzz-worthy relationship.

According to various online reports, the lovebirds, who have been romantically involved for over two years, are said to be anticipating the arrival of a baby. This potential addition would mark a significant milestone for the singer, as it would be his fourth child, having already welcomed three children with his ex-wife, Anita Okoye.

Following his separation from Anita Okoye, Paul Okoye found love anew with Ivy Ifeoma.

Opening up about their relationship, Paul revealed that he had been single for four years before meeting Ivy, emphasizing his intentions to tie the knot with her.

In a candid moment back in January, Ivy Ifeoma shed light on the challenges of being the partner of a high-profile celebrity, admitting to feeling the sting of hurt from hurtful online comments. Despite this, she remains steadfast and resilient in the face of adversity, demonstrating her strength and resolve.

Ivy Ifeoma candidly shared her experience of facing backlash from social media users ever since she and Paul went public about their relationship.

SEE VIDEO BELOW 

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has bemoaned the desecration of traditional institutions in the northern part of the country.

He stated that the system that protects the monarchs and traditional institutions in the region has been destroyed.

Sanusi made this known while delivering his appreciation speech after receiving his letter of appointment from the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, at the Government House in Kano on Friday.

The monarch, who decried the needless division of emirates in some northern States, hailed the Kano State house of assembly for abrogating the law used to dethrone him and also used to create the now abolished Emirates in the State.

“In the northern part of this country, we have seen it in different states how politicians balkanised emirates, with one Emir becoming 20, some 19. In states of northern Nigeria, there are Local Governments with two or three first-class Emirs all because the system has been destroyed.

“This thing that has been brought to Kano, had it been allowed, one day we will wake up with the Emir of Kumbotso, Bichi, Fagge and 44 Emirs. So what the government and the assembly did is a rescue mission.”

Presenting the appointment letter to Sanusi, the governor said, “By the powers conferred on me by the Kano Emirate Council Law of 1984 and 2024, and supported by the recommendation of the kingmakers;

“I have the singular pleasure of confirming the reappointment of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and the head of the Kano Emirate Council.”

Yusuf noted that Sanusi’s reappointment was “based on his competence, credibility and popularity,” urging the new Kano Emir “to be guided by the principles of Islamic teachings and to use his position to unite the emirate, fostering harmony among the Islamic sects in the state.”

Former National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore has revealed how he delivered Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the party’s flag bearer in 2022.

Omisore made this revelation in an interview with Channels Television on Friday.

The former Osun State deputy governor confirmed that the then APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, wanted the North to retain the Presidency after the eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is from the North-West.

He said, “In politics, everybody has their mindsets, we came from different (geopolitical) zones to the NWC (National Working Committee) that time, representing differing different interests.

“I was the most senior member of the party in the South-West and my mandate was to deliver the South-West for Presidency. Somebody from South-South too, his own mandate was to deliver South for the Presidency, I want to assume so.

“So, my own way was to get to my destination which I have gotten to today. The way and manner I did my journey is between me and God. 

“I can’t castigate anybody who tried to be smart but if you want to be smart and I outsmarted you, to God be the glory. But the point is that my mission was to deliver the South-West Presidency which we are today.”

Omisore said though Adamu backed a different aspirant, the NWC was able to present a convention “where democracy took place and democracy was respected.” 

“We voted, everybody had a choice and it was transparent. And the moment there is a transparent primary, there won’t be any noise; it is only when people feel cheated that they go to court.”

The former APC National Secretary said everything that happened in the buildup to the APC presidential primary was “all political”. 

He said “whatever we did then was for that time. The party had moved on to consolidating on democratic gains for the benefit of Nigerians.

Recall that in the buildup to the APC presidential primary in June 2022, Adamu announced then Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, as the party’s “consensus candidate.”

But the announcement was strongly rejected by a league of northern governors who preferred Tinubu.

Despite the twists, Tinubu won the keenly contested primary, trouncing strong contenders like Lawan, ex-Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, amongst others. 

The former Lagos governor would later defeat opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) at the February 2023 general election to clinch the number one spot at Aso Villa.

No fewer than 200 officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria were on Friday relieved of their duties.

This is an addition to the long list of ongoing disengagements in the apex bank.

This adds to the list of 117 staff sacked by the bank between March 15 and April 11, 2024.

The termination of appointments affects directors, deputy directors, assistant directors, principal managers, senior managers and lower-ranking staff.

Impeccable sources who are staff of the bank confirmed the sack to our correspondent on Friday, saying that those sacked are not less than 200.

They revealed that affected persons include older directors who were not affected by the last round of retrenchment.

One of the sources in a 20-second call with our correspondent simply stated, “It is true and confirmed.”

The staff member who could not disclose further details for fear of victimisation added that the move has caused apprehension among staff of every cadre as the management has not specified any criteria for the decisions.

Another source confirmed the information, indicating that additional dismissals are expected in the months ahead, spread out across staggered phases.

The official said, “It is real and is even more than 200 officials but the actual number is unconfirmed yet. The sack is coming in staggered phases and that is why we can’t confirm the number yet. But it is not less than 200.

“The sacked persons include directors, and other cadres but the ones that are easily known are the directors. Some of the batch of old directors that were not affected during the last round of sacks are now affected.”

The sack letter obtained by our correspondent and issued by the Human Resources Department on May 24, 2024, said the policy was to reorganise the organisation for effective operations.

The letter, lacking a signature read, “The new strategic direction of the bank has been widely publicised. In line with our new mission and vision, the bank is currently undergoing a significant organisational and human capital restructuring process.

“As a result of this review, I have been directed to notify you that your services will not be required with effect from Friday, 24th May 2024.

“Your final entitlements will be calculated and paid to you in due course. Thank you”

In February, at least 1,500 members of staff of the apex bank of Nigeria were redeployed from the headquarters located at Central Area to its Lagos office.

At the time, the CBN said the action was necessitated by several factors, including the need to align the bank’s structure with its functions and objectives and redistribute skills to ensure a more even geographical spread of talent.

It added that it was also in compliance with building regulations, as indicated by repeated warnings from the facility manager, and the findings and recommendations of the Committee on Decongestion of the CBN Head Office.

A memo issued to staff read, “This is to notify all staff members at the CBN Head Office that we have initiated a decongestion action plan designed to optimise the operational environment of the Bank.

“This initiative aims to ensure compliance with building safety standards and enhance the efficient utilisation of our office space”.

Efforts to get the reaction of the bank’s Director of Corporate Communication, Hakama Sidi Ali, was not successful as she did not pick up her call or respond to the text messages to her line.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says prices of rice, garri, tomato, beans, yam and other food items increased in April 2024.

The NBS said this in its Selected Food Prices Watch report for April 2024 released in Abuja on Friday.

The report said that the average price of 1kg of local rice increased by 155.93 per cent from N546.76 recorded in April 2023 to N1, 399.34 in April 2024.

People Talk: On sale of new Naira notes at Nigerian parties0:00 / 1:00
“On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of local rice increased by 3.47 per cent in April from the N1, 340.74 recorded in March 2024.”

It said that the average price of 1kg of white garri increased by 134.98 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N362.50 recorded in April 2023 to N851.81 in April 2024.

“On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of white garri increased by 13.59 per cent from the N749.89 recorded in March 2024.”

The report said that the average price of 1kg of tomato increased by 131.58 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N485.10 in April 2023 to N1, 123.41 in April 2024.

“On a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 17.06 per cent from the N959.68 recorded in March 2024.”

The NBS said that the average price of 1kg of brown beans rose by 125.43 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N615.65 in April 2023 to N1387.90 in April 2024.

“On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of brown beans increased by 12.44 per cent from N1, 234.40 recorded in March 2024 to N1,387.90 in April 2024. ”

In addition, the average price of 1kg of yam tuber rose by 154.19 per cent on a year-on-year basis from the N444.69 recorded in April 2023 to N1, 130.37 in April 2024.

“On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 5.76 per cent from N1, 068.78 recorded in March 2024 to N1, 130.37 in April 2024.”

On state profile analysis, the report showed that in April 2024, the highest average price of 1kg of local rice was recorded in Niger at N1, 785.47, while the lowest was recorded in Benue at N993.72

It said that Bayelsa recorded the highest average price of 1kg of white garri at N1, 095.26, while the lowest was recorded in Benue at N494.47.

The NBS said that the highest average price of 1kg of tomato was recorded in Delta at N1, 851.19, while the lowest price was recorded in Zamfara at N547.22

According to the report, Abuja recorded the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans at N2, 288.36, while the lowest was reported in Yobe at N818.03.

It said Cross River recorded the highest average price of 1kg of yam tuber at N 1,797.15, while the least average price was recorded in Bauchi at N638.64.

Analysis by zone showed that the average price of 1kg of local rice was highest in the South-West at N1, 615.21, followed by the South-South at N1, 564.85.

“The lowest price was recorded in the North-West at N1, 163.13.”

The South-South and South-West recorded the highest average price of 1kg of white garri at N1,031.19 and N 982.42, respectively, while the lowest price was in the North-West at N681.77.

The report said that the South-South recorded the highest average price of 1kg of tomato at N1, 689.40 followed by the South-West at N1, 429.06 , while the North-West recorded the lowest price at N615.54

The NBS said also that the North-Central and South-South recorded the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans at N1, 594.84 and N1, 579.64, respectively.

“The North-West recorded the lowest price of 1kg of brown beans at N966.9.”

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has claimed that the hike in electricity tariff is temporary

The minister said he is optimistic about the reduction of electricity tariff.

Adelabu disclosed this on Friday during the sectoral briefing by ministers in Abuja.

Recall that on April 3, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, announced a 240 per cent electricity tariff hike for band A customers who receive a 20-24 hour power supply.

After the Nigeria Labour Congress (NUC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) called for reversal, the Commission slashed the tariff by N18.

Unsatisfied with the development, the Organised Labour threatened to go on strike.

Meanwhile, Adelabu said the electricity hike for Band A customers was a temporal hardship pending an increase in power sector output.

The minister stated that the tariff is similar to the initial price surge observed in the telecommunication sector, which eventually saw prices decrease over time.

“The electricity tariff might look expensive at the moment. But I’m optimistic that these tariffs will go down. We know how much we were buying SIM cards when the telcos just came. We know how much we were buying telephones.

“But gradually, as we scale up in generation, transmission and distribution, these prices will also decrease. It’s a temporary hardship leading to a permanent gain,” Adelabu said.

In April, SaharaReporters reported how the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project said it was suing President Bola Tinubu's administration over the arbitrary increase in electricity tariff.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Nigerian government had approved N225 ($0.15) per kilowatt-hour tariff increment for Band A electricity consumers in the country.

Band A are those who enjoy electricity supply for 20 hours per day.

The Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Musliu Oseni, who made this known at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, had said the increase would see the customers paying N225 instead of the current N66 kilowatt per hour.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says over $25 billion is used to import petroleum products into the country every year.

Shettima spoke on Thursday at the Vanguard Economic Discourse themed ‘Reforms in the Era of Global Economic Uncertainties: Whither Nigeria’.

The vice-president, who was represented by Tope Fasua, special adviser on economic affairs, assured that this would change in the future.

The development comes five days after Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, said Nigeria will no longer need to import petrol by June.

Speaking at the event, Shettima said the country will stop importing the product due to the backing of the government and the revamping of state-owned refineries.

“With the support our government is lending to our private sector-led oil refineries and rejuvenation of some of the state-owned facilities. The $25 billion we spend yearly importing petroleum and other refined products will soon be a thing of the past allowing the naira a much-deserved breath,” he said.

Shettima said the country will not hesitate to backtrack and review policies if it would impose undue hardship on Nigerians as it “has been seen over time”.

“So this administration is not out to make the life of Nigerians tougher, but to make the Nigerian economy sustainable, and the lives of our people more enjoyable,” Shettima said.

“Rest assured, ladies and gentlemen, that the next few years will be full of positive achievements. They include improvements in the standards of living, higher productivity, food security, bumper harvests and remarkable achievement with the guidance and grace of Almighty God.”

Speaking further, he said President Bola Tinubu has been able to secure more than $20 billion in potential investments into the country, “including $14 billion from India, $250 million from the Netherlands, and commitments of $500 million for lithium development in Nasarawa state”.

Shettima said the country has secured another $500 million from Germany into renewables, adding that the Siemens power sector projects will positively impact energy sufficiency in due course.

The Attorney-General of the Federation ( AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN says the offence of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu is a difficult one and can only the court is competent to determine the charge.

Fagbemi said this while responding to questions at the Sectoral Ministerial Briefing on the first anniversary of the President Bola Tinubu administration on Friday in Abuja.

He said that since the matter was already in court, it should be left to the law to have its way.

The AGF pointed out that there was a remarkable difference between Kanu’s case and that of the convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore.

He said, “Sowore and Kanu are not the same, when it comes to the first one I didn’t have difficulty to say go, but I have difficulty with the second one”.

While pointing out that Kanu is being held in accordance with the Constitution, he observed that, “the matter is still in court, let’s wait for the court”.

It will be recalled that Sowore was arrested in 2019 and prosecuted for allegedly calling for the forceful take over of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, the federal government through the office of the AGF in February this year filed a notice of discontinuation of the case.

[THE WHISTLER]