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Former Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has faulted Senator Bukola Saraki’s comment about his defection, saying the former Senate President has no moral right to criticise his decision.
On Monday, key political stakeholders in Delta State, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor, Okowa and political appointees in the state, officially defected to the All Progressives Congress.
Following the gale of defection which emptied the Peoples Democratic Party’s structure into the APC, Saraki, in a strongly worded statement, said Okowa’s defection to the APC is an indication of how low politics has become in Nigeria.
Given the fact that Okowa was the PDP’s Vice Presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Saraki said the ex-governor’s move was “unprecedented” and symptomatic of a deeper leadership crisis.
“It is shocking and unbecoming. It’s simply a sign of how low we have sunk as a polity,” Saraki said.
Reacting, Okowa, while speaking on Arise Television’s “The Morning Show” on Tuesday, said he does not expect someone like Saraki to comment about his decision to move to another political party.
Okowa maintained that Saraki should not have the moral right to comment about defection because he, too, had once abandoned the PDP for the APC.
“I did not expect that someone like Senator Bukola Saraki should be able to speak concerning me, because he knows that he had also moved to APC before and eventually return. So he has had movement to and fro. So, I don’t think that he has the moral right to even speak about my defection at all,” Okowa said.
Okowa stressed that the gale of defection in Delta State was a collective decision of all political stakeholders in the oil-rich state, adding that their decision to defect was motivated by the lingering crisis in the PDP.
According to him, recent communication from the party’s leadership showed that the party is not the proper political vehicle for Delta State ahead of the 2027 election.
“Several things have been going on in the party. While I do not want to join issues with people, as stakeholders, our leaders in this state have sat down to look at the events in the last several months, and because of the events that we see and the communications coming out from the leadership of the PDP at the moment, it did not appear to us that that was a proper political vehicle for us to continue in, Okowa stated.
Okowa asserted that the PDP governors’ rejection of a coalition coupled with the leadership crisis in the party suggested that the opposition party is not ready for competition.
[Punch]
At least 26 people have been killed as a truck hit an improvised explosive device in Nigeria’s restive northeast.
The blast on Monday killed men, women and children in Borno State, near the border with Cameroon, according to the military and residents. The region has been plagued for decades by armed groups including the ISIL affiliate in West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram, with violence flaring up in recent days.
“Twenty-six people died in the blast, comprising of 16 men, four women and six children,” a military officer speaking on condition of anonymity told the AFP news agency, adding that three further passengers were severely injured.
Borno State police offered no immediate comment.
The International NGO Safety Organisation, which provides security to foreign nongovernmental organisations in northeast Nigeria, said in an internal memo seen by the Reuters news agency that vehicles moving between the towns of Rann and Gamboru Ngala hit an IED.
“I took part in the funeral of the 26 people killed in the explosion; most of them were burned beyond recognition,” Akram Saad, a resident of the nearby town Rann, told AFP.
A video showed rows of bodies in white plastic bags laid on the floor of the morgue at Rann’s general hospital.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. But Abba Amma Muhammad, whose mother was killed, blamed the incident on Boko Haram.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested popular Lagos socialite, Emeka Okonkwo Daniel, also known as E-Money, for allegedly abusing the Naira.
Vanguard gathered that he was picked up by operatives of the commission on Monday night at his residence in Lagos.
The socialite is facing allegations of Naira abuse and the defacement of foreign currencies, linked to his alleged act of spraying US dollars—an offence under Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange Act.
The EFCC stated it has commenced preliminary investigations and plans to charge E-Money to court upon conclusion of its inquiry.
Vanguard also learnt that he has been flown to Abuja for further interrogation by EFCC investigators.
The alleged currency spraying reportedly took place at a social event in Lagos, although specific details of the occasion remain undisclosed.
When contacted, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale declined to comment. However, credible sources within the Commission have confirmed both the arrest and the ongoing investigation.
[Vanguard]
Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna state, says the opposition coalition can defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 without support from governors.
Speaking to journalists on Monday in Kano, el-Rufai said the coalition’s strategy should be focused on grassroots mobilisation rather than courting political bigwigs.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors’ forum recently rejected any alliance or merger talks.
“We are trying to offer Nigerians a real alternative — something different from what they have seen before,” Daily Trust quoted el-Rufai as saying.
“A governor has only one vote. Nigerians have many more votes than one governor or even 36 governors combined.
“It doesn’t matter if you gather all the governors together; if the people of Nigeria say they are not with you, it is over.
“The president had a sitting governor in Lagos — and still lost Lagos. So, what is the real value of a governor?
“I was the governor of Kaduna state. I fought hard to deliver President Tinubu in my state, but I lost. That taught me a hard lesson — that elections are ultimately decided by the people, not by political figures.”
He asked the Social Democratic Party (SDP) — his new political platform — to reinforce the message to Nigerians.
El-Rufai also said the coalition’s original plan did not include uniting with the main opposition party.
“From the beginning, our intention was never to merge with the PDP. We have been very clear about that. The PDP is a spent force. It is a party targeted for destruction, and, frankly, it has almost succeeded,” he said.
“We are not looking at political parties that are already ravaged by internal conflicts. We are building something fresh, something that will inspire hope.
“When Nigerians look at the faces involved, they will hopefully say: ‘Yes, maybe this time it will be different’. That is the goal, and it is ongoing.
“Our objective is not to merge political parties. We have been through that before, and we know how long and complicated that process is.
“What we are trying to do is bring like-minded people — who believe Nigeria needs real change — under one umbrella.”
The ex-federal capital territory (FCT) minister said the SDP was chosen following a thorough review of parties expected to remain registered after INEC’s post-election de-registration exercise.
“As you know, INEC now has the power to deregister parties without any elected member at the state assembly level,” he said.
“We assessed the ones that cannot be deregistered, and concluded that the SDP ranked highest. It has pedigree, it has history — but it still needs building.
“Forming a party is easy. Building a party — registering members, holding congresses, building leadership from the polling unit to the national level — is the real work.”
He added that previous parties failed due to weak internal democracy and dominance by powerful figures, harping on the need for an inclusive platform free from individual control.
[TheCable]
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has directed the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to refund consumers who have spent their own money on transformers, poles, cables, and other electrical infrastructure.
This directive was issued during the FCCPC Electricity Consumer Forum held in Ota, Ogun State. The Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice-Chairman of the Commission, Tunji Bello, represented by FCCPC official Mrs. Bridget Etim, emphasized that it is not the responsibility of consumers to provide electricity infrastructure, and any such expenditures must be reimbursed by the distribution company.
During the forum, held in the Ilogbo, Oju-Ore area of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, various community leaders from local development committees expressed frustration over IBEDC’s alleged neglect of their complaints. The Zonal Chairman of the Ado-Odo/Ota CDC, Olatunji Onaolapo, criticized IBEDC’s perceived indifference, stating that despite numerous letters, the company had not responded to community concerns.
“In Itele Ota alone, residents have bought about 80 transformers without any contribution from IBEDC,” Onaolapo said. “Even after paying for energisation, we still have to beg IBEDC to come and install the transformers they should have provided in the first place.”
In response, Abdulrasaq Jimoh, IBEDC’s representative in Ogun State, claimed that the communities erred by purchasing equipment without formally notifying the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
However, FCCPC’s Etim countered this claim, stating that IBEDC has a duty to escalate such investment plans to the regulator on behalf of the communities. She cited Jos Electricity Distribution Company as an example, noting that it refunded consumers for similar investments without prior approval from either NERC or FCCPC.
“We are not going to accept that excuse,” Etim said. “For any future investments made by consumers, IBEDC must ensure refunds are provided. Prior cases may not have been well documented, but going forward, the process must be followed.”
She urged communities to inform the FCCPC of any planned investments in electricity infrastructure to ensure proper documentation and facilitate refunds through energy credits.
In her presentation of the EVC’s opening remarks, Etim highlighted that the three-day forum was organized under Sections 17, 127, 130, and 151 of the FCCPA 2018. The goal, she said, was to bridge the gap between electricity consumers and service providers.
“Electricity is more than a commodity — it’s a critical service that supports daily life, businesses, and economic progress,” she said. “The sector still faces major issues, including poor metering, billing errors, and inadequate infrastructure, which must be addressed through open dialogue and collaboration.”
She added that the forum offers a non-confrontational space for consumers to understand their rights and for IBEDC representatives to address complaints on the spot, in line with FCCPC’s mandate to ensure practical, accessible, and responsive consumer protection.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has approved the appointment of 168 political aides to reinforce the machinery of government and improve service delivery across the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Governor’s Media Adviser, Mukhtar Gidado, revealed that the appointments span multiple roles, including Principal Special Assistants, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, and Personal Assistants.
Naija News gathered that the appointments include five Principal Special Assistants tasked with Political and Community Relations, with one specifically assigned to handle Pension Matters.
Additionally, the list features one Senior Special Assistant on Labour Matters, 60 Special Assistants focusing on Political and Community Relations, and 63 Personal Assistants in the same category.
Gidado emphasised that the appointments align with the administration’s goals of promoting inclusivity and ensuring that the diverse interests and aspirations of Bauchi’s residents are reflected in governance.
He noted that most of the appointees are seasoned political officeholders with vast experience at various levels, carefully selected based on their merit, political experience, and leadership qualities.
Governor Mohammed congratulated the newly appointed aides and urged them to approach their duties with dedication, loyalty, and a focus on people-oriented governance.
He expressed confidence that these new appointments would help build on the administration’s existing achievements and drive sustainable development in the state.
Former Vice Presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, has replied Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for faulting his defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The former governor of Delta state said that Saraki had no moral right to criticise his decision.
On Monday, key political stakeholders in Delta State including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori his predecessor, Okowa and political appointees in the state officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Following the gale of defection which emptied the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) structure into the APC, Saraki, in a strongly worded statement, said Okowa’s defection to the APC is an indication of how low politics has become in Nigeria.
Given the fact that Okowa was the PDP’s Vice Presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Saraki said the ex-governor’s move was “unprecedented” and symptomatic of a deeper leadership crisis.
“It is shocking and unbecoming. It’s simply a sign of how low we have sunk as a polity,” Saraki said.
Reacting, Okowa, while speaking on Arise Television’s “The Morning Show” on Tuesday, said he does not expect someone like Saraki to comment about his decision to move to another political party.
Okowa maintained that Saraki should not have the moral right to comment about defection because he, too, had once abandoned the PDP for the APC.
“I did not expect that somebody of like Senator Bukola Saraki should be able to speak concerning me, because he knows that he had also moved to APC before and eventually return. So he has had movement to and fro. So I don’t think that he’s he has the moral right to even speak about my defection at all,” Okowa said.
Okowa stressed that the gale of defection in Delta State was a collective decision of all political stakeholders in the oil-rich state, adding that their decision to defect was motivated by the lingering crisis in the PDP.
According to him, recent communication from the party’s leadership showed that the party is not the proper political vehicle for Delta State ahead of the 2027 election.
“Several things have been going on in the party. While I do not want to join issues with people, as stakeholders, our leaders in this state have sat down to look at the events in the last several months, and because of the events that we see and the communications coming out from the leadership of the PDP at the moment, it did not appear to us that that was a proper political vehicle for us to continue in'', Okowa stated.
The feud between Gov Mohammed Umaru Bago, of Niger state and his deputy, Yakubu Garba, has intensified amid speculations that the latter may resign from his position.
Garba’s quiet relocation from his official residence, opposite the Justice Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna, has further fueled reports of a deepening crisis. Insiders say the friction between the two began shortly after they assumed office in May 2023.
According to Daily Trust, sources linked the feud to a leaked recording of a private conversation involving Garba, in which he reportedly criticized the governor’s decisions. The recording was allegedly forwarded to Governor Bago, triggering distrust.
Other political insiders believe the rift is part of a broader scheme by Niger East power brokers to weaken Garba’s influence ahead of the 2031 governorship rotation expected to favour the zone.
The deputy governor is reportedly sidelined from state affairs, rarely given authority to act as governor even when Bago travels. He has only functioned in that capacity once — in November 2024, when the governor travelled to the United States.
According to sources, the latest trigger was a phone call from Bago warning Garba to control his supporters who had expressed discontent over the APC’s local government consensus list.
“The governor called the deputy yesterday and warned him to be careful. That was when the deputy decided to leave his official residence,” a source said.
A source close to the government said Garba has removed personal belongings from his residence and office and is likely to submit his resignation upon Bago’s return from Russia.
However, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, denied knowledge of any fallout between the two leaders.
Similarly, the Deputy Governor’s Press Secretary, Unmulkhatumi Abdullahi Kuta, said: “His Excellency the Deputy Governor has not resigned and cannot resign. I am in his official residence now and he is also here.”
The fallout is also tied to the APC consensus list for the November 2025 local government elections. The deputy governor’s preferred candidate for Shiroro LGA, Babangida Wasa Kudodo, was dropped in favour of Isyaku Bawa.
Stakeholders in the Lakpma zone, which faces high levels of insecurity, claim the governor has ignored a zoning agreement that would have given the chairmanship to their region.
“We voted for Bago because of Garba. If our choice is not respected, APC will suffer here in 2027,” said youth leader Ahmed Sarki Chukuba during a protest in Shiroro.
Sources also allege that the deputy governor’s office budget was reduced from ₦50 million to ₦20 million. Some of his duties were reportedly transferred to the Deputy Chief of Staff — the governor’s younger brother.
On Sunday, Garba reportedly held a closed-door meeting with his aides from 4 pm to 1 am, after which he ordered them to vacate the official residence.
Notable political figures, including the Speaker of the State House of Assembly and top APC stakeholders, reportedly pleaded with Garba to reconsider his decision to resign.
The crisis isn’t limited to Shiroro LGA. In Mokwa, APC members protested the imposition of the incumbent chairman, Jibril Abdullahi Muregi, over a consensus candidate, Ibrahim Buka, agreed upon through zoning.
“If our choice is ignored, we will show our anger at the polls. The APC is losing its base,” said protest leader Mohammed Idris.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, indirectly addressed the tension during the launch of flight operations at the Minna airport on April 23.
“You know the job of a deputy governor. You need a high dose of patience to do the job anywhere in the world,” Malagi said.
Observers have compared the ongoing crisis to the fallout between former Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and his deputy, Ahmed Musa Ibeto, in 2015, when Aliyu allegedly barred Ibeto from an executive council meeting after his defection to the APC.
The family of Nigerian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sunday Adegeye, popularly known as King Sunny Ade, has debunked reports about his disappearance, stating that ''he is safe and sound.”
One of his children, who doubles as his manager, Dayo Adegeye, made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday.
Adegeye dismissed the rumour, describing it as a “malicious” attempt to tarnish the legendary Juju musician’s image.
According to him, “We want to assure the public that King Sunny Ade is safe and sound.
“There is no truth to the kidnapping rumour, and we are taking appropriate steps to address the situation and identify those responsible for spreading this false information.”
Adegeye reassured fans and well-wishers that “the King of World Beats, King Sunny Ade, is not abducted or kidnapped by anyone.
“The Adegeye family and King Sunny Ade’s team are working diligently to put an end to the rumour and protect his reputation.
“The public can rest assured that King Sunny Ade is in good health and spirits, and his focus remains on his music and legacy.”
Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), admitted before the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, April 29, that he is the founder of both IPOB and Radio Biafra.
Speaking during the proceedings, Kanu said he established the movement and the online radio platform to promote the welfare and interests of the Igbo people.
Kanu dismissed claims that IPOB operates as a secretive organisation, stating that all his broadcasts on Radio Biafra were made publicly and streamed via Facebook.
“All my broadcasts were public and available to everyone. IPOB is not a secret organization,” he said.
When questioned by the Department of State Services (DSS) about associates, Kanu insisted he worked alone and personally handled all Radio Biafra broadcasts.
He said he did not collaborate with any external individuals in running the affairs of the movement’s communication channels.
Meanwhile, the presiding judge ordered that a video recording of Kanu’s interrogation session with the DSS be played in open court as part of the ongoing trial.
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My Kids Are My Backbone, I Don’t Joke With Them – Annie Macaulay Says As She Speaks On Her New Project Following Separation From 2baba
AFOLABI
Nollywood actress and reality star, Annie Macaulay has stated that her daughters have been her greatest support, following her divorce from singer, Tubaba Idibia.
The thespian who was at the 17th edition of Headies Awards where she presented an award to one of the winners at the ceremony, in an interview with BBC Pidgin, said her daughters, Isabella and Olivia are her backbone.
Annie revealed that she is working on her own online TV station, and her daughters have already created an 11-episode series for it.
“My kids dey Kampe, my first daughter dey Yankee, she dey go school. No play with that girl o. I don’t play with my kids. Na them be my backbone.
Right now, I am working on my own online TV Station, which is Annie Macaulay TV, so make una ready for different things. My daughters have done 11 episodes, which would soon air on my TV”.
See Video Below;
Media
“My children are my greatest support,” — Annie Macaulay says as she reveals her next career move. pic.twitter.com/KCeUIioFLR
— iFineDie ?? (@ifinediehub) April 28, 2025
Gov Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has approved the suspension of the Executive Secretary of Edo Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Caulson Oahimire, over alleged financial infractions.
The Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor announced the development in a statement on Tuesday in Benin City.
The statement directed the most senior staff of the agency to take over pending the outcome of an investigation by a special committee.
“The Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate suspension of the Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Caulson Osoikhia Oahimire over allegations of grave financial and official infractions.
“Consequently, most senior staff of the agency will act in functioning capacity pending the outcome of a special committee to be constituted by the government to investigate the various allegations,” the statement read.
Mr Adefowora Abiodun, one of the suspected promoters of the cryptocurrency trading platform, Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX), has voluntarily surrendered to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Abiodun, accompanied by his lawyers, turned himself in at the EFCC headquarters at 4pm on Monday, April 28, and expressed his willingness to cooperate with investigators.
The EFCC had last week declared him and seven others wanted over alleged involvement in a fraudulent investment scheme valued at over $1 billion. Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had granted an application by the EFCC to arrest and detain the suspected CBEX promoters pending the conclusion of investigations and possible prosecution.
In granting the application, Justice Nwite said;
“I have listened to the submission of learned counsel for the applicant (EFCC). I have also gone through the affidavit evidence and exhibits, along with the written address. I am satisfied that the application is meritorious and hereby grant it as prayed.”
Speaking on behalf of his client, counsel Babatunde Busari, Esq., said Abiodun decided to submit himself for investigation to clear his name and correct the narrative in the media.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has stated that it is impossible for a political coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, April 28, Keyamo characterised the coalition plans by some political elites as “a storm in a teacup” that would not survive the strength of the All Progressives Congress (APC) structure.
“There is no tsunami coming,” Keyamo declared. “I think it’s a storm in a teacup. I respect these people, but if you look at the political history of Nigeria… I have campaigned for two presidents, so I have knowledge of the demography. It is impossible for you to do a coalition now to unseat the present President (Tinubu).”
Keyamo was responding to remarks made by Labour Party chieftain Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed and other northern figures, including former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and former vice president Atiku Abubakar, who have hinted at forming an opposition coalition.
Baba-Ahmed had accused the Tinubu administration of overseeing widespread rot and urged Nigerians to seek alternatives in 2027. Some elements within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have also been rumoured to be exploring a merger, although several PDP governors have distanced themselves from the idea. Former Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose described the coalition discussions as “a dead horse” and “a waste of time.”
When asked if the APC could withstand the alleged political “tsunami,” Keyamo insisted the coalition talks were either misguided or too late. “There are two different things they are talking about — a merger or an alliance. They should be very clear. If it’s a merger, forget it, because it’s too late to start a merger now,” he said. “With the process you have to go through — to register, get a new identity and all that — and with elections just around the corner by next year’s end, it is not feasible.”
Keyamo pointed to historical precedent, recalling that after the 2011 elections, President Tinubu had swiftly initiated merger talks with then-General Muhammadu Buhari, a process that took years of negotiation and coordination. “The moment we lost the 2011 elections, Tinubu flew to Kaduna and met General (Muhammadu) Buhari. It was a long process before the APC was birthed. These people (current coalition proponents) are not experienced enough,” he said.
“The President you are seeing now has gone through all of these, so he is just smiling and looking at all of them; he understands,” Keyamo added.
Addressing the influence of mass movements, particularly the Obidient movement associated with Peter Obi in the 2023 elections, Keyamo said, “The Labour Party was built around him and the Obidient movement. Go back to history — even Chief (Obafemi) Awolowo and Dr (Nnamdi) Azikiwe, despite being heroes, could not transcend the complexities of Nigerian elections without structures.”
He dismissed the notion of a rising wave of youth mobilisation threatening Tinubu’s re-election chances. “Under what platform?” he queried. “Did you see what happened in the 2023 elections? Despite the naira redesign policy and petroleum scarcity that were against our party, the structures of the APC held firm. It was like a house built on solid rock,” he said.
Keyamo further noted that President Tinubu enjoys “more friends in the North than in the South-West,” a factor he believes will again prove decisive in the forthcoming election. Following the recent defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the APC, Keyamo revealed he had surrendered party leadership in the state to the governor.
“Whether I have to make sacrifices like yesterday where we surrendered (party leadership in Delta), it is all irrelevant so long as we are strengthening APC the more for the re-election of Mr President,” he said.