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Amnesty International condemns alleged threats against corps member for criticising Tinubu’s govt
AFOLABI
Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the alleged threats and intimidation being faced by Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps member, Ushie Uguamaye, after her viral TikTok video criticising President Bola Tinubu’s government over escalating economic hardship.
In a statement posted on X on Sunday, the human rights organisation denounced the reported threats from NYSC officials, emphasizing that Uguamaye was well within her rights to express her frustration over the country’s worsening economic conditions.
“It is perfectly within her right to express discontent peacefully. Instead of threatening her for her opinions on rampant inflation, the authorities should prioritise addressing the country’s economic woes,” Amnesty International stated.
Uguamaye’s video, which gained traction on social media, openly criticised Tinubu’s leadership, calling him a “terrible leader” and lamenting that financial struggles have made hard work feel futile.
She also complained about Lagos State’s poor sanitation, describing it as a “smelling state.”
Shortly after the video went viral, Uguamaye alleged that she began receiving threats, purportedly from NYSC officials, pressuring her to delete the content.
She took to Instagram to express fears for her safety, stating that her personal details had been leaked and that she was being pressured to report to the NYSC office.
“Dear Nigerians, I am already getting threatened by the NYSC board to stop speaking on this issue.
“Less than 24 hours, I’m already getting threatened by the government, starting with the NYSC board.
“They have my address. If you don’t see me online, you know who to hold accountable,” she wrote.
Amnesty International’s statement also accused the Nigerian authorities of attempting to silence dissenting voices rather than addressing citizens’ economic grievances.
“The Nigerian authorities must stop responding with violence and threats to individuals and groups who express dissenting opinions — in utter disregard for the Nigerian constitution and international law. Holding and voicing dissenting views is not a crime,” the organization added.
The controversy has sparked a national debate on free speech and the role of the NYSC in suppressing public criticism.
Many Nigerians have taken to social media to demand accountability, with the hashtag #ProtectRaye gaining traction.
Meanwhile, PUNCH Online reports that NYSC has yet to officially respond to the allegations, but the incident, according to multiple reactions to the online content, has amplified concerns over the handling of public criticism amid worsening economic conditions.
Cardano Investors Who Bought in 2020 Haven’t Seen Significant Growth Yet—This ADA Rival Could 18x Their Returns in Just 7 Months! 16th March 2025
Admin
Cardano (ADA) investors who invested in 2020 experienced lower than anticipated lucrative returns in the market. Some early supporters of Cardano now face frustration due to the project’s slow implementation of research-based development which represents major progress while delaying large market returns.
The newly formed token Remittix which sold close to 520 million tokens for $0.0734 has gained widespread attention for its speed to generate significant profits while experts predict an 18x growth within seven months of its launch.
Cardano’s Slow and Steady Path
Cardano attracted investors because of its methodical approach to major software updates which followed scientific discipline. The roadmap executes a slow yet efficient process which achieves excellent reliability alongside robust functionality yet frustrates those investors desiring rapid price increases.
The price appreciation of Cardano since its initial launch has not reached the peak expectations of 2020 investors. The expectations of institutional investors supporting ADA remain strong for the future yet proposed ETF listings encounter regulatory obstacles which decrease present-day market enthusiasm.
Research indicates that Cardano has built a secure network through its deliberate development process although its method slows down the price volatility that characterizes modern cryptocurrencies. ADA token investors from 2020 are probably unhappy because the token has grown only moderately while missing out on the dramatic price rallies characteristic of other crypto initiatives.
Remittix: An 18x Opportunity?
Remittix has emerged as a game-changer that breaks the long-term wait period for crucial catalysts which Cardano investors have been anticipating. The PayFi payment solutions platform helped Remittix establish a presale funding total of close to $13.9 million by selling nearly 520 million tokens at a price of $0.0734 each.
The crypto to standard money format currency exchange features of Remittix attract users because they eliminate complex obstacles that deter potential users from utilizing the platform. The seven-month period of successful partnerships and exchange listings will enable Remittix tokens to generate an 18x return on investment opportunity starting from their current price point according to advocates.
This bullish outlook hinges on Remittix’s practicality. The basic architecture of this altcoin creates opportunities through which merchants and freelancers together with cross-border deal users can connect with its features. Practical adoption of Remittix tokens extends to varied people in a brief time period because of this specific situation.
Market sentiment combined with limited use could decrease predicted growth projections even though the same token does not equate to success. Numerous investors expressed their commitment to Remittix through its successful pre-sale because it addresses fundamental financial requirements.
Comparing Both Options
Cardano maintains a stable development pace and grows a supportive community so it should gain enhanced long-term value through institutional deals. When investors must wait for returns from their investment funds this time delay creates frustration due to their need for immediate financial returns.
Quick adoption of Remittix depends on the successful implementation of regulatory frameworks and Point Of Sale integrations to take advantage of its direct payment system. Remittix demonstrates better pricing potential than ADA because it maintains different operating models where measured development contrasts with user-first speed.
Final Thoughts
Since 2020 Cardano’s price has shown moderate growth which has discouraged investors who joined early on. The execution of Remittix stands ready to realize fast price increases beyond its upcoming development targets. During these seven months a significant price rise has surfaced to show that practical cryptocurrency applications normally boost market enthusiasm.
Investors should consider the ongoing development with authentic community support to achieve success because these coins always carry significant investment risks. Investors must analyze how long they can wait for gains and how much risk they will take to decide whether instant growth from Remittix would be a better choice than waiting for Cardano’s future success.
[Punch]
Chinese internet search giant Baidu released a new artificial intelligence reasoning model Sunday and made its AI chatbot services free to consumers as ferocious competition grips the sector.
Technology companies in China have been scrambling to release improved AI platforms since start-up DeepSeek shocked its rivals with its open source and highly cost-efficient model in January.
In a post on WeChat, Baidu announced the launch of its latest X1 reasoning model — which the company claims performs similarly to DeepSeek’s but for lower cost — and a new foundation model, Ernie 4.5.
Baidu also made its AI chatbot Ernie Bot free for individual users more than two weeks ahead of schedule. Previously, users had to pay a subscription to access the company’s latest AI models via Ernie Bot.
Ernie 4.5 “outperforms” US-based OpenAI’s GPT-4.5 model in “multiple benchmarks”, while Ernie X1 features “enhanced capabilities in understanding, planning, reflection, and evolution”, Baidu said.
The Beijing-based company was one of China’s first to roll out a generative AI platform publicly, in 2023, but rival chatbots from companies such as TikTok owner ByteDance and Moonshot AI have since gained more users.
Baidu faces stiff competition in the consumer-facing AI sector where startup DeepSeek shook up the industry at home and abroad with a model that performed comparably to competitors such as US-made ChatGPT, but cost much less to develop.
Since then, Chinese companies and local government agencies have rushed to incorporate DeepSeek’s open-source model into their work, while other technology companies have been playing catch-up.
Baidu itself has integrated DeepSeek’s R1 reasoning model into its search engine.
In February, WeChat owner Tencent released a new AI model that it claimed answers queries faster than DeepSeek, even as it incorporated its rival’s technology into its messaging platform.
The same month, Alibaba, which has partnered with Apple to develop AI for the US company’s phones in China, said it would invest 380 billion yuan ($52 billion) in AI and cloud computing over the next three years.
Alibaba this month also released a new version of its AI assistant app powered by its open-source Qwen reasoning model.
Baidu has also announced plans to follow DeepSeek’s lead by making its Ernie AI models open-source from June 30.
REVIEW: ‘Love In Every Word’ is a feel-good romance film with room for improvement - Muhibat Sulaimon
Admin
‘Love In Every Word’, a romantic movie produced by Omoni Oboli, premiered on YouTube on March 8.
Over the past week, the film has sparked a lot of conversations across social media, so I decided to check it out for myself.
After watching, I’d say it’s a lighthearted, feel-good movie with plenty of cheesy moments. There was definitely room for improvement.
SYNOPSIS
‘Love In Every Word’ follows the story of Chioma who navigates a new chapter after ending a relationship, faces pressure at work, and unexpectedly encounters a man who sparks a new possibility for love, all while attending a cousin’s introduction ceremony in Anambra.
STRONG POINTS OF THE FILM
One of the film’s strongest points is how it tackles stereotypes, particularly the notion that Igbo men are inherently misogynistic or unwilling to marry independent, career-driven women. ‘Love In Every Word’ challenges this perception in a clear and refreshing way, offering a new perspective that feels both intentional and thought-provoking. Beyond that, the film also weaves in themes of love, friendship, and childhood trauma, self-awareness, adding depth to the story and leaving a lasting impression.
The performances in the film were quite impressive. This was my first time seeing BamBam in a movie, and I’d say she did a solid job portraying a woman torn between love and uncertainty. Uzor Arukwe, on the other hand, fully embodied his role as Odogwu, from his confident demeanour to his attire and accent. While his accent felt inconsistent at times, he still delivered a commendable performance. The chemistry between him and BamBam added to the film’s authenticity, especially in the way they looked at each other. The supporting cast also held their own, with standout performances from Iffy and Chioma’s mother, making the story feel even more believable.
THE WEAK POINTS OF THE FILM
The biggest flaw in the film is its plot. To be fair, the storyline is relatable and unfolds straightforwardly—until the plot twist is introduced. While the reason for the character’s confusion is valid and understandable, its execution felt abrupt, almost like an afterthought. It would have been more organic and impactful if hints had been dropped earlier—maybe through a conversation with her friends, her mom, or even a flashback. Instead, it was suddenly thrown in, making it feel like the twist was inserted just to create last-minute drama rather than being an integral part of the story.
The cinematography is another flaw of the film. I get that it’s a YouTube movie with a limited budget, but the overall quality could have been better. In some wide shots, the subjects appeared blurry until the camera zoomed in, which was distracting. The lighting and colour grading also had inconsistencies. There was a particular scene with BamBam and Davies where the colour looked off—it had a dull, almost greyish tone that made it feel like a flashback when it wasn’t. A more refined visual approach would have elevated the viewing experience.
Some inconsistencies in the narration could have been avoided with more attention to detail. In the first scene where Chioma and Odogwu meet, he mentions her third name as “Gloria” which she doesn’t correct but, in later scenes, it suddenly changes to “Gift”. Also, the event she attended in Anambra wasn’t clearly defined. Was it an introduction or a traditional wedding? Both terms were used interchangeably, even though they don’t mean the same thing. These may seem like minor details, but they contribute to the overall storytelling and could have been handled better.
The movie also lacked character development. Aside from Odogwu being a wealthy man looking for a wife, there was little else known about him, not even what he does for a living. He remained a flat, one-dimensional character throughout. Most of the characters and the storyline felt linear, without much depth or growth. It seemed like the film was solely focused on delivering a feel-good love story.
FINAL VERDICT
‘Love In Every Word’ gets a 6/10.
A lady identified as Ushie Rita has called out the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for allegedly threatening her after complaining about Nigeria’s economic struggles.
In a TikTok post, Rita, who is also a corps member, expressed frustration over Nigeria’s rising cost of living.
She lamented that prices increase consistently, making it difficult for her to survive independently.
The corps member criticised President Bola Tinubu, calling him a “terrible president” and questioning what his administration is doing to address the economic crisis.
She also lamented the poor living conditions in Lagos and complained that the NYSC scheme is not “beneficial”.
“I genuinely feel overwhelmed. I feel like if a lot of Nigerians start speaking on what we’re going through, there might be changes,” she said.
“I just want to say to our president, I don’t know if there have been any president that is terrible but you are such a terrible president.
“I’m coming from the supermarket where I went to get foodstuffs and everything has gone up.
“Every single week, prices increase. I want to know if the government is doing something about the increment. Is the increment going to stop? I’m so overwhelmed because this is the first time I’m living independently.
“When I got home, my security officials gave me the NEPA bill, which has been doubled again. I can’t keep up with these bills, I’m overwhelmed and exhausted.
“Let’s not even add, Lagos stinks. You can’t even take a walk because the place smells. Being a corp member, there is nothing beneficial. The money I spend on transportation is more than the allowance the government pays.
“I wish we would start calling out the government heads on. Tinubu, you are a terrible president. What are you doing to help the economy.”
In another video, Rita shared a conversation with a woman she claimed to be an NYSC official, who demanded that she delete the post.
“Pull down that rubbish,” the woman said.
Rita claimed she was threatened by an NYSC official who accused her of insulting the government.
However, she argued that she only spoke about her struggles.
She urged the public to hold NYSC responsible if any harm befalls her.
Rita claimed the woman “threatened her for insulting the government” and she argued that she only spoke about what was “directly hurting her”.
She further urged people to hold NYSC responsible if any evil befalls her.
“Thirsty minutes ago, I received a call from the NYSC board and the woman was threatening me to take down the video,” she said.
“It is so bad that you can’t speak against the government because they feel like they have chains to hold you. NYSC board are already calling me to threaten me.
“The woman told me I was insulting the government which I never did. Why is the NYSC board calling to threaten me?
“Why is it okay that I can’t speak against something something that is directly hurting me? Why are they threatening me under 24 hours?
“…In case anything happens to me you know who to hold responsible.”
Rita shared screenshots from colleagues claiming the Lagos government is searching for her, adding that she is “terrified” for her life.
“Lagos State Government is looking for you. I know because my LGI just posted about it in our group chat. Careful dear. All the best,” one of the chat reads.
[TheCable]
Former Jigawa State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Sule Lamido, has dismissed a call by ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, urging opposition leaders to join the Social Democratic Party.
El-Rufai, who recently announced his defection from the All Progressives Congress to the SDP, made the call in an interview with BBC Hausa.
While he did not mention Lamido by name, he invited key opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, to join him in the SDP.
Responding in a separate BBC Hausa interview on Sunday, Lamido dismissed the invitation as an insult, insisting that the PDP, which he helped build, laid the foundation for El-Rufai’s political career.
“The party we formed, the PDP, is the one that gave birth to El-Rufai.
“You’re not enough to make us leave the PDP,” Lamido said.
He added, “He once said that there are no adults in Nigeria in politics, but now he is calling on us to join him in the SDP.”
The former governor also questioned El-Rufai’s motives for defecting from the APC to the SDP.
“He said he told President Buhari about his decision to leave the APC, but now he is saying that he is one of the adults in Nigerian politics,” Lamido stated.
The former governor argued that the PDP had not done anything to warrant his defection, emphasizing his long-standing loyalty.
“If I was going to leave the PDP, I would have done so in 2014 when the APC was formed,” he said.
The former governor also criticised El-Rufai’s leadership style, saying that leadership is not about anger or selfish ambition.
“Leadership is done with patience and vision, and doing things for the peace of the followers and the country as a whole,” Lamido said.
Lamido advised El-Rufai to put patriotism first instead of showing anger towards others, saying, “What should be done is to put patriotism first, instead of showing anger towards someone.”
He added, “The PDP has been working to rebuild its strength after losing the 2015 presidential election.”
A police inspector, Ajele Oloyede, has reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a ceramics company in Igbesa, Ogun State, where he was stationed as part of the security detail.
PUNCH Online gathered on Sunday that the incident occurred on Thursday.
According to the state police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, an officer from Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos, Tolorunloju Stephen, discovered the incident upon returning from Ikeja around 1:20 p.m.
Stephen reportedly found Oloyede resting his head on a table inside the security office.
When asked about his well-being, the inspector assured Stephen that he was fine.
Odutola said Stephen then placed his bag and pistol on the table and stepped into the restroom.
Moments later, a gunshot was heard.
Odutola stated that Stephen allegedly found Oloyede lying in a pool of blood.
Odutola said, “With the help of private security personnel, the wounded officer was immediately taken to Ota General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead by the doctor on duty.
“Police officers visited the scene, and the deceased’s pistol was recovered. His body has been deposited at Ota General Hospital for autopsy, while we have begun notifying his family.”
She disclosed that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran for further investigation.
The Guinness World Records (GWR) has certified Oluwaseun Kuforiji, the Nigerian fashion designer, as the new record holder for the longest sewing marathon.
In a blog post, GWR announced that the fashion designer set the record by handsewing 22 items for 106 hours, 55 minutes.
The “sew-a-thon” attempt, which was held from January 22 to 26 in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state, aimed to promote craftsmanship and creativity in fashion.
“The longest sewing marathon is 106 hr 55 min 20 sec, and was achieved by Oluwaseun Kuforiji (Nigeria) in Ijebuode, Ogun, Nigeria, from 22 January to 26 January 2025,” the post reads.
“Oluwaseun hopes to promote fashion craftsmanship and inspire creativity in others. He sewed 22 items during his attempt.”
Speaking of the achievement via Instagram, he said the attempt was an “incredible” journey that showcased his perseverance and craftsmanship.
“Officially a Guinness World Record Holder! 106 hours, 55 minutes, and 20 seconds of non-stop sewing needle and thread in hand, passion in my heart,” he wrote.
“From crafting a full Agbada in the first 6 hours to completing 18 outfits, this journey has been nothing short of incredible.
“This is more than just a record; it’s a testament to perseverance, skill, and the power of believing in one’s craft.
“Many thanks to @guinnessworldrecords for the recognition, and to everyone who supported me on this journey. Victory is ours!”
Before this, no one had held the Guinness World Record for the longest sewing marathon.
Kuforiji is not the first Nigerian to attempt this record.
In July 2023, Edmond Peace attempted to set the record in 170 hours but suspended it after a few hours.
In December 2024, Ibikunle Olamide, another fashion designer based in Port Harcourt, attempted to break the record in 100 hours.
[TheCable]
Malam Nasir El-Rufai has admitted that he and other politicians supported President Bola Tinubu for the 2023 presidential election despite their knowledge of his Chicago State University academic records controversy.
The former Governor of Kaduna State in an interview with BBC they supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition with the belief that he would replicate his performance as Lagos State governor.
“What pains me is that the government we supported, and have confidence will do well. We know what Tinubu did in Lagos, we are all aware about his Chicago, but we said if he can do the same as he did that will make Lagos great, we will support him,” he said.
It would be recalled that after criticising Tinubu’s administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), El-Rufai dumped the party for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on March 10, 2025.
Since he joined the SDP, El-Rufai has been wooing other politicians to join him in the party to wrestle power from the APC in 2027.
As part of the scheming ahead of the 2027 election, the ex-governor recently met with Pastor Tunde Bakare and former Tinubu’s ally, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
El-Rufai has also urged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate to join his new party.
Meanwhile, the former Kaduna Governor has addressed the speculation that his defection to the SDP is a ploy to contest for president in 2027.
Addressing the claim, El-Rufai said the decision lies not with him but with his party and the people.
“It is not for me to decide, it is the party and the people that will decide.
“Even when I was contesting for governor, it was people that met and convinced (Muhammadu) Buhari, and he called me and asked me to contest,” he said.
Senator Who Slammed Six Months Suspension On Natasha Keeps Mum On Ban From Practising Law In US
AFOLABI
A Nigerian-trained lawyer and senator, Neda Imasuen has yet to respond to reports of his disbarment from practicing law in the United States, more than a week after the Nigerian media brought the issue to light.
Reports had emerged revealing that Imasuen was disbarred in 2010 following a petition by an American, Daphne Slyfield, who accused him of failing to represent him in a court case despite being hired and paid for the service.
According to official documents, Slyfield filed a petition with the Supreme Court of New York, leading the Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts to review the matter.
The petitioner alleged that Imasuen engaged in “professional misconduct,” prompting the appointment of George Friedman as a special referee to investigate and report on the claims.
After being served with the petition in July 2009, Imasuen was instructed to respond within 20 days. The committee warned that failure to do so would result in the charges being deemed established. However, records indicate that he neither responded to the petition within the allowed timeframe nor sought an extension.
Reports suggest that Imasuen returned to Nigeria in 2010, the same year his disbarment took effect. He subsequently worked as a consultant for the European Union’s State Reforming Institutional Programme, serving as the Jigawa State coordinator.
In 2023, he secured a seat in Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber as the senator representing Edo South District under the Labour Party, one of the country’s opposition parties.
Under New York legal provisions, attorneys who have been disbarred, suspended, or removed from the Roll of Attorneys and Counselors-at-Law due to a felony conviction may seek reinstatement. However, such applications can only be made after seven years from the date of disbarment.
It remains unclear whether Imasuen has applied for reinstatement. If he has not, his disbarment remains in effect.
Since the news of his disbarment surfaced, it has dominated discussions in Nigeria, with numerous media outlets covering the development.
Media organizations have made multiple attempts to reach Senator Imasuen for his reaction, but he has not responded.
Premium Times, on Sunday, contacted him via his known mobile number and sent text messages but received no reply.
On Wednesday, multiple calls were made to an alternative number associated with him, but they also went unanswered. A text message sent that same day was successfully delivered, yet he remained unresponsive.
Further inquiries were sent to his official email on Thursday. However, as of the time of this report, Imasuen had yet to respond.
Role in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension
Imasuen, who serves as the chairperson of the Senate ethics committee, recently played a key role in the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following her accusation of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
After reviewing a report from the ethics committee, which Imasuen leads, the Senate, under the leadership of Mr. Akpabio, suspended Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months on February 20, citing misconduct and non-compliance with the chamber’s sitting arrangement.
Akpabio had referred the senator’s sexual harassment petition to the ethics committee, but Imasuen ruled that the petition was “dead on arrival” and would not be entertained by the Senate.
More...
as El-Rufai’s moves to stop Tinubu intensify
Adebayo, SDP former presidential candidate, sheds light
Adewole Adebayo is not only a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), he was also the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 elections. In this interview, Adebayo provides new details into the defection of a former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, from the ruling party at the federal level, All Progressives Congress (APC), into his SDP. He insinuates that the SDP is on its way to becoming a mega party ahead of the 2027 elections as, according to him, more leaders of the APC as well as those of other parties are joining the party, some secretly. Excerpts:
The impression many people have is that your party’s net just caught a big fish with Nasir El-Rufai joining. It is also rumoured in some quarters that El-Rufai is probably the biggest personality in the party. Is this the beginning of more defections expected into the party?
El-Rufai is not a fish at all. He is a fellow fisherman. So, he has just joined us on our fishing expedition. So, he is an outfit fisherman, who knows the waters and the ropes.
He has joined us. Many have joined. So, I don’t see how the media determines who is bigger than who, but what we are looking for is that every Nigerian who understands the predicament we are in would want to join the SDP as a credible platform. Attahiru Bafarawa has joined the SDP, for example. He is a former governor in his state. A lot of people have joined him. I am not going to steal the thunder of others because everyone has their protocol of announcement. So, somebody wants to send a tweet tomorrow. If I tell you he has joined today, then you have stolen his thunder.
Somebody who has to seek support from his family and associates, you go and now say today he is going to join next week. You have already upset their plans. So, many will join. The summary of it is that we are looking for fishermen because Nigeria’s ship has sunk and we need to go into the depths of the ocean to rescue the country. And I think that every Nigerian should think about what they need to do to get this country out of the situation we find ourselves in. Nothing is working. And those who want to join other political parties are free to join as well. But I think that to understand the sense of urgency the country is going through now, the SDP is a viable place for them to come.
What exactly did the party induce El-Rufai, Bafarawa and others with for them to say they are coming to SDP, and how did it happen?
It’s because it’s inherent in every Nigerian. And I can perceive it even from your voice that every Nigerian has that inherent patriotism in them. It is when they have ambition, they have fears, they have worries, they have animosity towards somebody, or they have something they’re looking for. That’s when they suppress and sublimate their patriotism. What we did was to go around and try to awaken patriotism in people. El-Rufai is 65 years of age with his massive talent. He has the brain of 50 people combined. He has the courage of 1,000 people and he is ready to work. So, we reached out to him and said “why don’t you come and work with the SDP? You can use the SDP to work”. And let us see, and many more will join. Imagine, even from the ruling party, they should prepare themselves for a robust and viable alternative platform that they can compete with and our democracy will be awoken. People will not be frustrated.
People will not say “what can we do now?” Because Tinubu must know that after two years in office, there will be millions of people who don’t like him and his policies. Not liking Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) should not translate to losing interest in the country or losing confidence in democracy. And people will not be thinking of any other extra-constitutional method and all of that. So, it is good for everybody to have a new set of political class that is competitive. That is everywhere; and the platform is national. That’s what the SDP is. The party is not a sectional one or a fractional one. It is a very strong platform that delivered the presidential election in 1993. And it has gradually been rebuilding and will deliver presidential, gubernatorial, National Assembly and other legislative victories in 2027. So, it is good for people to come, and that’s what we will be telling them.
We will show them our rules. We are going to be fair and reasonable, and they do not need to have any fear that we will not be reasonable. All the other tribulations and injustice or whatever they said they went through, we will say no. Here is a fair platform and the party is not ruled by anybody.
Many had fears before that with Adebayo there, how would they even have a breathing space, but we assured them that everything is by process and that due process would be followed. Every institution will treat you equally, and it’s not a place where you can express any discrimination. It’s a place where you come and express your talent, and if you come and meet someone more talented than you, then so be it. You will understand why you had aspirations and your hand did not reach the aspiration. It’s because somebody more qualified than you is there. That way, you understand that you need to improve on yourself and no door is shut against anyone. Those are the things which we believe have moved people when they see the amount of hard work.
We started like somebody who had a wheelbarrow and tried to compete with somebody who has a big trailer. And they saw the energy with which we were doing the work undeterred. They realized that, maybe, those who have pickups could join us, and those who have other things can join us, and then we can become more competitive. That’s the whole idea, and we keep the discipline, we don’t drop the ball.
We stick to our Constitution. We stick to Chapter 2 of the Nigerian Constitution. We stick to the manifesto of the party, and we stick to the feedback we are getting from the people, and we don’t take shortcuts. We don’t introduce criminality, bribery and all of that, and we communicate with the people. We don’t try to get the power by passing it to people. We want the people to put us there. If we stick to all of that, it will be a resounding success not only for the SDP but also for all democrats in Nigeria.
It’s like there’s a deal between your party and El-Rufai because many believe he is pursuing a presidential ambition. And if that is so, what happens to your presidential bid?
You see, all these are speculations and speculations upon speculations. What I know regarding El-Rufai’s presidency is that he is qualified by age and by other requirements to aspire. He has not said he wants to aspire. If he aspires, it has been written down by God, and it means that I will have to defeat him before I become president. That’s the only way I see it. But as it is, he has been speaking with us.
He didn’t just fall into the room through the ceiling. He was on his own. I will be talking to him. And we’ll be interacting. And he’s coming; none of it is news to us. None of it is unwanted by us. His coming, we desire it and we have had a lot of discussions and this issue has not even come up at all. What has come up is the plight of Nigerian people, the suffering masses and how we can explain the problem to our people so they can believe that solutions that are real can come. I know what he knows about generating electricity for the country. It aligns with what I know, too, because this is operational research. We understand. We know the kind of leadership we need to give, and these are the things we are discussing. So if that happens in the future that he develops the presidential ambition, I will not regret supporting him to come to the party because I will consider it that God has written it down that on my way to the presidency, I have to defeat El-Rufai to get there. And I will work hard along that line, but I’m not worried at all. Unlike El-Rufai, some people who have expressed presidential ambition have been setting up committees, but we are still encouraging them to come. I have not told the party that anybody who wants to run for president should not come in. That would be selfish.
That would be defeatist. That would not serve the party well and won’t serve the country well. We have said for anybody who is coming, the process will be fair, no commitment of crime, no forgery of documents, no bribery of delegates, no cheating and no violation of the law. If we go through that competitive and fair and legitimate process, whoever emerges at the end of it would have been qualified to aspire for the position and that person would be a better person. I think that some of us whose presidential ambition is not hidden, they respect that and they know that we are not going to use any foul means to gain advantage.
How is this defection adding value to your party because there is speculation that El-Rufai may have a joint ticket with Peter Obi?
I don’t know all these names you are mentioning; they have not come to our party. Only El-Rufai is our member, and he is our member on merit. We desire to have him. He is not our member because somebody else is hoping to pair with him or whatever. We award him as our member because of who he is and what he can do. It has nothing to do with presidential ambition or anything. It is a fact that, give him six months in the party you will see the amount of work he will have done for the party. Give him three months, and you will see the amount of work he will have done. In the last several months that we have been having pre-joining discussions with him and preliminary work, everything he said he was going to do, he has done.
Everything is good, and he has delivered every assignment given to him. Every milestone has been reached. So, we have no concern that he will be a good party person. Some of them are just trying their best to pursue their ambition. And the SDP may just be one factor they are considering, but they are free to go anywhere they like. Ambition is not a crime. But the SDP is not available to be used for the ambition of people who are desperate and indiscriminate. The SDP is for those who look at our ideology, our manifesto, our platform and the kind of leadership we have given to the opposition; those who say they want to join us. But people who are coming in from the first day with the ambition on their faces are not welcome.
The person who wants to come in, become a member of our party, settle in the party, blend with us, if he develops ambition, we are not going to say we regret having him around. But those who are coming in, looking for a platform to buy and pursue their ambition, are wasting their time. The SDP is not like any other party where you can just say “how much do I give you to give me the mandate or ticket?” The SDP is not like that. You have to come in, go to your ward, join, understand the party, and see how the process works, and if you want to persuade any party member to allow you to vie for any position, then you can do so.
With what is going on, some see SDP as the new face of opposition in Nigeria. Could this be true?
SDP is the true face of the incoming government. That’s how we see ourselves. If that is what they think of us, fine, no problem. We are just consistent. We have been the opposition even before Tinubu came. Our manifesto was a different one. Our agenda was a different one. So, we just remain consistent. More people are listening to us. Many people come up to me when I go around. “Oh, we were carried away by the frenzy of the 2023 election, and we didn’t listen to you enough. We will be listening to you. We now understand you”.
Some people opposed us before. And they said, “well, I only opposed you because you didn’t have any government experience. Now that we have tested those who have government experience and you are far better than them, what you predicted has come to pass. We are now ready to join you”. So, the people are acknowledging a fact, which has always been there, that the SDP has been the real opposition. If they are acknowledging it, it is like my Igbo brothers and sisters would say, anytime you wake up, you say, “good morning”. So, for those who see us now as the new face of opposition, we thank them and those who have always known that they were the true opposition. We know them, and we will continue to do the work until we deliver the Nigerian people; we cannot rest.
Given the fact that some elements in the North are saying the Presidency must return to the North, is the Southern Presidency for 2027 still possible?
The Presidency is neither in the North nor in the South. The Presidency is in the hands of the wrong people right now. So what we want to do is to return the Presidency to the people of Nigeria. The Presidency that is there now doesn’t serve East, doesn’t serve West, doesn’t serve North, doesn’t serve South. It’s a self-serving one. So all this is just a waste of time. What we want is a Presidency that works. So there is nothing called Southern Presidency or Northern Presidency. What we have is a government that serves the people or does not serve the people. The one that is there now does not serve the people. And we need to bring one that serves the people. Those are the conversations we are having. We don’t know what the hegemonists are thinking elsewhere. But in the SDP, we look at the government, we look at Chapter 2 of the Constitution, we look at our manifesto, and we look at the programmes of that government. When we compare, we know that APC is not on the side of the people. Just like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before, they have not been on the side of the people. So, let us come to power and show a government that is on the side of the people. So, as we are talking today, people are fasting, but Christians and Muslims and most families are hungry.
There is no disparity in the hunger in the North, or in the South, or in the East, or in the West. People have children and they are unemployed. There is no better employment in the North or in the South.
When it comes to insecurity, everybody who leaves his house is praying hard, and those who are in their houses are having sleepless nights. So, if it comes to the economy, unstable currency, inflation, and all of these other factors, costs that are arising, a poorly performing budget, it doesn’t favour the North, and it doesn’t favour the South. So, these discussions are not of priority to us. What is a priority to us now is to ask ourselves a question: are there no patriots left in this country?
Are there not any more competent people left in this country? Are there not any honest people left in this country? If the answer is that there are, then where are they and why are they not marching to the SDP? That is the clarion call, and that is why I have been in Kaduna State for the past few days. I just returned to Abuja, and I’m taking the journey to another place. We are going round the country and ringing this bell; if there is still any honest man left in this country, show your face now and come and join us. If there is still any patriot left in this country, show your face now and come and join us. And if there is anybody who is self-righteous that wants to do what is right, come and join us because that is the clarion call.
The Tinubu administration is almost two years in office. Can you assess its performances so far?
It has been working off the syllabus. So, most of what they have done is off-syllabus because the syllabus for governance in Nigeria is the constitution. The syllabus is particular about the area of concentration, and that area of concentration is Chapter 2 of the constitution. Even with their watered-down Renewed Hope, they have not even gone five percent of the way. Their budget last year underperformed, and even the President acknowledged that the budget performed below 30 percent. So, they have scored themselves. President Tinubu was at the joint plenary of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives said while President Tinubu was presenting the budget that the previous year’s budget underperformed. So, what more do I have to say? Is it in the area of insecurity, people are being carried up and down like cattle and the families have to redeem them back like goats. Which area do we have? Is it in the area of employment?
He is doing a programme now to get the youth to come and do conferences. He is not taking the youth to the factories and the farms to go and work and produce. He is bringing them like late Sani Abacha to Abuja to be entertained and be given compensation. He is not directing the youth to go and work. He is not recruiting them to the armed forces. He is not recruiting them to the civil services. He is not recruiting them into commerce, agriculture, or railways. Nothing, he is wasting their time. So, what is the performance? Where is the performance? Look at the appointment.
Where is the diversity? Where is the diversity of talent? Where is the diversity of gender? Where is the diversity of ethnicity? Where is the diversity of religion? Where is the diversity of ideological perspectives? Where is the creativity? So, do I need to say more? So, they are on their way out. What we are trying to do is usher them in an orderly fashion.
A serving Corp member in Lagos State has cried out over a threat she received from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) board following her recent social media post in which she expressed her displeasure about the rising costs of commodities in the country.
According to the video shared on TikTok via the handle @talktoraye, the serving Corp member, in tears, explained how frustrated she is over the high cost of goods in the market, calling President Ahmed Tinubu’s government a “terrible” one for paying little attention to the hike in commodity prices.
In the video, she said: “If a lot of Nigerians come out and start speaking about what we are going through, maybe changes will be made in the government. I just want to say to our president, I don’t know if there is any other president that is as terrible as you, but you are such a terrible president.”
The serving corp member, in tears, further explained how the NYSC scheme has been less beneficial to her, having had to spend more than the allowance she receives
“So, I am coming from a supermarket where I went to get foodstuff, and everything has gone up again. It’s just like every single week, prices keep increasing. I want to know, what is the government doing about this increase? Is there going to be a particular time when prices will stop going up? Why am I going to get a crate of eggs and I’m told it costs N6,500? It doesn’t make any sense that eggs would cost that much. I literally remember when eggs cost N800. I am so overwhelmed because this is the first time I’ve stayed out of my family house.
“After I left the supermarket, I got home, and the security and NEPA bills have skyrocketed, doubling in price. It is insane. I can’t keep up with these bills. Every single penny I make, I am using it to pay bills. The crazy thing is, you want to go out with your friend, and Uber is N25,000. Why are things so expensive?
“To make it worse, Lagos stinks. Everywhere smells. What is the government doing about the smell? Being an NYSC Corper, there is nothing so beneficial about this scheme. The money I spend on transportation is much more than the allowance the federal government pays us. We should start calling out the government. For example, Tinubu, you are a terrible person. What are you doing to help our economy?”
Barely 24 hours after releasing the video calling President Tinubu “terrible,” she posted another video in which she was receiving calls from an NYSC official. The official in the video was heard asking the Corp member, “Are you normal?” The voice continued, “Keep quiet and bring down the video you posted,” she said.
The Corps member further explained that she has been receiving calls from various NYSC officials telling her to stop insulting the government and remove the video.
Efforts to reach the acting spokesperson for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Caroline Embu, prove abortive as she did not answer calls at press time.
Nollywood actress Dayo Amusa has spoken out on the controversy surrounding singer Asake and his father, Fatai Odunsi.
In a social media post on Saturday, Amusa underscored the importance of parental presence and emotional support, stating that fame and wealth cannot heal childhood wounds.
Reflecting on Asake’s journey, she noted, “When Asake covered his face in tattoos, I once remarked that he was either rebranding or masking a pain he wasn’t ready to confront.”
While addressing allegations that Asake’s father was absent and his mother was strict, Amusa refrained from judgment but stressed that the singer deserves love, not public scrutiny.
She also urged parents to play active roles in their children’s lives, ensuring they receive love and guidance before external influences shape their perspectives.
Amusa wrote, “His childhood remains a mystery-some say his father was absent, others claim his mother was harsh. But I won’t judge a father who left or a mother who did what she could. What matters is that Asake deserves love, not a public spectacle.
“Fame doesn’t heal the wounds of parental rejection. A child raised on ‘I love you’ moves through life differently than one who hears, ‘I want nothing to do with you.’ Some wounds money cannot fix-only deep, intentional healing can. Rather than judge, I choose to send love to this remarkable artist.
“To parents: Be present. Be the voice your child hears before the world tries to define them. A child who feels truly seen and loved at home has less to prove to the world. As a victim of such circumstances, I can relate. I wish him well.”
Emirship tussle: Parade yourself as Emir, face court contempt – Bayero’s counsel tells Sanusi
AFOLABI
Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi, a Senior Counsel to the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero on Saturday threatened to drag the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, to court for contempt should he continue to parade himself as Emir of Kano.
Dan’Agundi, who is the traditional title holder of Sarkin Dawaki Babba of Kano emirate, made this known while addressing newsmen on the recent order by the Court of Appeal.
The traditional leader, however, called on Sanusi and other parties involved in the matter to respect the court order, saying the ruling by the court of appeal was that all parties should maintain status quo ante bellum before the running legal battle.
He said that with the Court of Appeal’s ruling, it implies that Aminu Ado Bayero and the four others were the Emirs in the state.
According to him, “We have two prayers. First, seeking an order of this Honourable Court granting an Injunction restraining the Appellants and other Respondents by themselves, their agents, privies, servants or personal representatives from enforcing the Judgment of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/KN/126/2024, Kano State House of Assembly and Anor. vs. Alhaji Aminu Babba Mohammad Mustapha, JCA, Hon Justice Abdu Dogo, JCA (“Lower Court”), delivered on the 10th day of January, 2025 pending the hearing and determination of the 1 Respondent/Applicant’s appeal filed on 24th day of Janaury, 2025, before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“Second, an order of this Honourable Court granting mandatory injunction for the maintenance of the status quo ante bellum by the parties as well as the Sheriff of the Court of Appeal and the Trial Court as was the position before Justice A. M. Liman (now JCA) in his Judgment on the 13th day of June, 2024 in Suit No. FHC/KN/CS/182/2024 between Alh. Aminu Babba Dan Agundi vs. Kano State House of Assembly & 7 Ors pending the hearing and determination of the 1 Respondent/Applicant’s appeal against the Judgment of the Court of Appeal No. CA/KN/126/2024, Kano State House of Assembly and Anor. vs. Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi & Ors Coram: Hon. Justice Mohammad Mustapha, JCA, Hon. Justice Gabriel Omoniyi Kolawole, JCA and Hon. Justice Abdu Dogo, JCA (“Lower Court”). And the court granted the orders and these are the rulings.
“Upon the Court being satisfied that the applicant has a valid and arguable appeal before the Supreme Court against the decision of this Court dated 10/1/2025,
“And upon the Court being satisfied also that the applicant has a legal right that is deserving to be protected pending the outcome of his appeal at the Supreme Court against the decision of this Court dated 10/1/2025 and that the balance of convenience is on his side,
“And the Court having considered that it is in the overall interest of justice to grant the application and having delivered its unanimous Ruling in the open Court, its reasoning and conclusions are as contained in the body of the Ruling.
“It is hereby ordered as follows: An Injunction is hereby granted restraining the Respondents herein named either themselves, their agents, privies, servants, or personal representatives from enforcing the judgment of this Court in Appeal No. CA/KN/126/2024 KANO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY AND VS ALHAJI AMINU BABBA DAN AGUNDI & OTHERS delivered on the 10/1/2025 pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s appeal filed on 24/1/2025 before the Supreme Court of Nigeria. So this is the first prayer and this is what they are talking about and even advising the Governor. An order to stay that judgment.
“But the most important order is the second order. And they are not even talking about it. The second order is a mandatory injunction that was granted which is ordered that parties shall maintain the status quo ante bellum as well as the Sheriff of this Court and the trial Court as was the position before the trial Court in its judgment delivered on 13/6/2024 in Sult No. FHC/KN/CS/182/2024 Between ALHAJI AMINU BABBA DAN AGUNDI V KANO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY & 7 OTHERS pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s appeal against the Judgment of this Court in Appeal No. CA/KN/126/2024 KANO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY AND ANOR VS ALHAJI AMINU BABBA DAN AGUNDI & OTHERS delivered on the 10/1/2025.
“What these means is we should maintain status quo ante before I went to court to challenge the repeal of the Kano Emirate law which the state government did and used to remove all the Emir. And what is the position? The position is that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero is the Emir of Kano and all other Emirs.
“So if for any other reason, Sanusi parades himself as an Emir of Kano, that will amount to contempt of the court because of this ruling. Respect the rule of law. And if for any other reason, he (Sanusi) decided to do otherwise, I will take him to court and charge him for contempt.
“We have been granted this order and it must be followed. Unless and until a higher court, Supreme Court set aside this order. Everybody must abide by this order.
“I am appealing to all the security agencies who are responsible for maintaining peace in the state to make sure that the rule of law is followed,” Dan’Agundi stated.