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'Only God Will Decides 2027, Not el-Rufai' - 255 LG Councilors endorse Tinubu, Gov Sani For 2nd Term
AFOLABI
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Kaduna State, Alhaji Sadiq Mamman Lagos has said that former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, cannot decide on what will happen in 2027, but only God can decide.
He also decried El-Rufai’s comment against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State.
He told El-Rufai to steer clear of Kaduna, pointing out that “God will decide who wins the Governorship and Presidential election in 2027”.
Mamman Lagos spoke in an interview with journalists, even as Kaduna’s 255 Councilors in Kaduna State endorsed President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani for a second term in 2027.
“We must set the record straight by reminding all who care to listen that our good and amiable Governor had never at any time interfered with the running of the state in the previous administration.”
“He concentrated on initiating and passing bills in collaboration with fellow lawmakers at the Senate and his constituents to make life better for people. We see no reason he should at this time be distracted by someone who feels he has the monopoly to either make or mar individuals.”
“Go round and see for yourselves how Governor Uba Sani has succeeded in reversing virtually all the unpopular and various anti masses policies of his predecessor who rode to power on the goodwill of the people and sacrifices made by grassroots politicians such as Uba Sani…”
“Governor Sani has surpassed the expectations of even the opposition who see in him a leader needed at this time to unite the people and bring back the lost glory of the state. He has virtually touched all aspects of governance to bring success…”
“Confiscated or demolished properties have been returned to their owners, high tuition fees charged by the previous administration have been reversed, traditional rulers deposed, got back their thrones.”
“There have been massive infrastructural developments cutting across all the three Senatorial Zones, correcting the hitherto impression of the APC as government of a particular segment.”
“We want to use this opportunity to admonish this individual and his co-travelers, if any, to desist from further making of inflammatory and empty threats as if he owns the key to political success in the next election. The electorate will decide who to pitch their tents with and can be relied on for his compassion and soft heart for the masses,” he said.
Early, the Councillors said there is no vacancy in the Presidential Villa Abuja and Sir Kashim Ibrahim Kaduna Government House come 2027.
Muhammad Sani Badiko, who addressed journalists on behalf of the 255 councilors, linked their support for Governor Uba Sani to the massive infrastructural developments which “are unprecedented in the history of Kaduna state”.
“We score the Governor high on rural development, economic recovery, education and healthcare positive intervention programmes for growth and innovation. We are going to mobilize grassroots support for the Governor’s reelection in 2027, we call on all political actors to sheath their swords and wait after 2031,” they said.
The ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has stated that the same due process that led to his appointment must be followed for his removal.
Naija News reports that on Thursday, Obasa made a dramatic appearance at the Assembly complex, declared himself Speaker, and presided over a plenary session with only four lawmakers in attendance.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday evening, Obasa emphasized that he was not opposed to his removal, but insisted that due process must be adhered to.
“First, we were on recess. A motion was moved to adjourn till February 18 by the Majority Leader and was well seconded. So, I went on an official trip to Congress in the United States of America. The second trip was to be in Canada for a programme organised for some members of the House.
“So, we adjourned properly. When reconvening, it must go through the Majority Leader, the Clerk, and the Speaker. According to the rules of the House, only the Speaker can reconvene. If that process is not followed, then it doesn’t matter what forgery is being attempted.
“When I was elected as Speaker, the entire House supported me. When I took office in June 2023, the whole House backed my nomination, and I became Speaker. There is nothing wrong if the House decides otherwise. However, they followed a process to elect me, so if they wish to remove me, they must follow the same process,” he stated.
Meranda Withdrew From Speakership Race – Obasa
Obasa also revealed that his successor, Mojisola Meranda, withdrew from the Speakership race following a meeting with the party leadership in the state. He added that her withdrawal led to the removal of her security detail.
“When my security personnel were withdrawn, even while I was not in the country, without my knowledge or consent, did I complain? I did not. There was a meeting in Marina, attended by all party leaders and House members. During that meeting, Meranda openly stated that she had stepped down and resigned.
“When you resign from an office, the paraphernalia of that office is naturally taken away,” he explained.
Obasa Denies Friction With Governor Sanwo-Olu
When asked whether his political troubles stemmed from his ambition to become Governor or disrespecting Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Obasa dismissed the claims.
“It is not a sin to have ambition — let’s correct that. Secondly, the Governor is my brother, my leader, and my everything. I have no reason to disrespect him.
“If I have taken any action that seemed disrespectful, it was likely unconscious. There is no reason for me to do such a thing. The Governor is number one in our state,” he said.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God has announced free medical surgeries to mark the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s 83rd birthday.
Adeboye was born on March 2, 1942, in Ifewara, Osun State. He will be 83 on Sunday.
According to a statement by his son, Pastor Leke Adeboye, on Thursday, the programme, which is part of the church’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, would offer free medical services in various areas, including obstetrics and gynaecology, surgeries, general surgeries, eye surgeries, dialysis sessions, reading glasses, and consultation.
According to the church, the free medical services will be executed by the Redeemer’s Health Centre.
The statement added that interested individuals can register for the various services by contacting the designated phone numbers or visiting the RHC premises.
It stated, “Pastor Adeboye’s commitment to giving back to society is evident in the church’s numerous CSR initiatives, which have impacted over 166 million lives and executed over 990,000 projects.
“We are committed to impacting lives across different sectors.
“Our CSR programmes are designed to provide support and care to those in need, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve.”
The RCCG’s health interventions have been extensive, with over nine million beneficiaries of free healthcare services, 33,052 completed healthcare projects, and four intensive care units/centres established in various locations.
The free medical services programme is a testament to Adeboye’s commitment to serving humanity and making a positive impact on society, the church added.
Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have rescued two children from their female abductors in two separate incidents, even as they rejected a ₦1million offer as bribe.
Police spokesperson in the state, DSP Henry Okoye disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday.
Okoye disclosed that on February 4th 2025, operatives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) arrested a 32-year-old woman, Confidence Odoh, a resident of Umuanyo Eziobodo in Owerri West local government area.
Odoh was apprehended for allegely abducting her former neighbor’s 3-year-old son, Nzubechi Ududiri, three days earlier, on February 1, 2025.
The suspect was alleged to have abducted little Nzubechi while he was playing within the suspect’s house premises.
However, the child has been reunited with his parents, Mr and Mrs Michael Ududiri.
In another development, police operatives on a routine stop-and-search operation on the Owerri-Aba express Road also nabbed a 45-year-old Eze Chika, a female resident of Obiokwara Umualoma in Ideato North local government area of Imo State for being in company of an abducted four years old boy.
Chika offered a bribe of ₦1million during interrogation to the police operatives to pave way for her release after admitting that she bought the child for ₦1.8million from a suspected child trafficking syndicate in Aba, Abia State.
Okoye said, “On February 4, 2025, detectives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) arrested a 32-year-old woman, Confidence Odoh, of Umuanyo Eziobodo, Owerri West LGA, for abducting her ex-neighbor’s 3-year-old son, Nzubechi Ududiri, on February 1, 2025. Investigations revealed she stole the child while he was playing in the compound where he resides.
“The child was rescued and reunited with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ududiri Michael, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend possible accomplices.
“In a separate development on February 21, 2025, operatives of the Safer Highway Unit, while conducting a robust stop-and-search along the Owerri-Aba Express Road, apprehended Eze Chika (45) of Obiokwara Umualoma, Ideato North LGA, found with a suspected stolen 4-year-old child. Initially, she claimed the child was hers but later admitted to purchasing the child from a suspected child trafficking syndicate in Aba for ₦1.8 million.
“In a desperate attempt to evade arrest, the suspect offered the officers a ₦1 million bribe, which was outrightly rejected. The officers proceeded with the lawful arrest and ensured the safe rescue of the child,” the police spokesman said.
Okoye added that further investigations revealed possible links to a larger trafficking network, saying more arrests are expected as efforts are underway to identify the child’s biological parents.
He expressed the commitment of the Imo State Police Command to combating child trafficking and other organised crimes.
Residents, especially parents, are also urged to stay vigilant, monitor their children closely, and report suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station or via 0803 477 3600, 08148024755.
A FinTech Executive and Techpreneur, Tope Dare, has warned that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s revised ATM withdrawal fees, set to take effect on March 1, 2025, will hurt low-income Nigerians while benefiting wealthier individuals.
“This policy ultimately favors those who can afford to withdraw larger sums, while the average Nigerian, who withdraws in smaller amounts, bears the brunt.
“For many low-income earners and small business owners, withdrawing N5,000 or N10,000 at a time is a daily necessity. Now, they face unfair charges that wealthier Nigerians can easily avoid,” he stated.
According to Dare, the new policy introduces a tiered fee structure, charging N100 per N20,000 withdrawal at ATMs within bank premises and up to N500 for withdrawals from off-site ATMs in locations like malls and fuel stations.
Meanwhile, he further mentioned that while the CBN insists the policy is necessary for banks to recover operational costs and expand ATM networks, critics argue that it disproportionately targets those who withdraw small amounts frequently.
According to the expert, a recent street survey further highlighted public frustration.
He said many respondents expressed their concerns over the elimination of three free interbank withdrawals per month, which previously allowed them to access funds from any ATM without penalty.
Also, consumer rights group Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has already taken legal action against the CBN, calling the policy “unfair, unreasonable, and unjust.”
SERAP argued that the revised fees violate sections of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, which aims to prevent exploitation and ensure fair market practices.
However, Dare said the lawsuit seeks to have the policy overturned, citing its disproportionate effect on the poor.
Beyond the direct financial impact, Dare warned of potential long-term consequences.
He stressed that Nigeria was already struggling with financial inclusion, with at least 31 per cent of the population lacking sufficient education to navigate complex banking policies.
He added that many worry that confusion over the new charges could drive people away from formal banking, increasing reliance on costly and unregulated alternatives.
“The CBN should focus on making banking more accessible, not discouraging small transactions.
“If this policy must stand, there should be exemptions or lower fees for small withdrawals to protect vulnerable Nigerians,” he mentioned.
Dare noted that “As the implementation date approaches, public pressure on the CBN continues to mount. Whether the apex bank will reconsider the policy or push forward despite growing opposition remains to be seen.”
However, Dare stated that “Without adjustments, Nigeria’s most financially vulnerable citizens stand to lose the most.”
In its bid to enhance the liquidity of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, the Federal Government has said it is considering plans to regularise the electricity tariffs to address disparities in the current billing system for customers outside the Band A category.
The proposed hike seeks to align tariffs for customers in the Band B and C categories with the N206/kW rate paid by Band A customers, who make up approximately 15 per cent of the total 12.82 million power consumers nationwide.
However, this plan by the government was opposed by power consumers and members of the Organised Private Sector, who wondered why the government had continued to hike the cost of commodities in various sectors of the economy.
This comes as the government admitted that it currently owes the 24 power generation companies and 11 electricity distribution companies operating in the country over N4tn in electricity subsidy.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made this known at the public presentation of the National Integrated Electricity Policy and Nigeria Integrated Resource Plan on Thursday in Abuja.
The NIEP initiated in 2024 was developed through a collaborative effort involving power sector professionals and donor partners, including the De the Development Bank, the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, the Tony Blair Institute and the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility.
The PUNCH reports that the Nigerian electricity sector has undergone several reforms in the last year that are perceived as harmful to citizens, causing significant hardship following the government’s firm stance on adopting a cost-reflective tariff.
The latest development comes weeks after the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, Olu Verheijen, had hinted that the current power tariffs would rise by about two-thirds.
Speaking in his keynote address on Thursday, Adelabu said the government is considering this option over the slow pace of migration to Band A customers, which he attributed to the reluctance of distribution companies to make the necessary investments.
He stated that the tariff regularisation would promote investment in the power sector amidst calls by potential investors for a cost-reflective tariff regime in the country.
Under the current structure, customers in Band B, who enjoy 18 to 17 hours of electricity supply, pay N63 per kilowatt-hour, while those in Band A, with only two hours more of supply, are charged N209 per kilowatt-hour.
Adelabu described this as “unfair” and stressed the need for a regularisation of the tariffs to create a more balanced and equitable pricing system.
The minister said, “We will look at the tariff again. I am not saying that we are going to increase the tariff before I am misquoted.
“We are going to look at it and see how we can improve upon our modest achievement of last year, not only to ensure that we grow the sector that we need but also to ensure that we can invest more in revamping all these dilapidated infrastructures.
“The migration to Band A should have been faster, but we found out that Discos refused to invest. They have refused to invest in this sector. A lot of investment is required for us to achieve an accelerated migration of lower-band customers into Band A. It is taking a lot of time.”
In response to this, the government is considering restructuring the tariff bands, reducing the current wide gap between them. The minister explained that a new system, proposed to encompass Bands A, B, C and eliminate D and E tariff groups would address these inequalities.
“The gap between the Band A tariffs and Bands B, C, D, and E is just too wide,” he said. “We believe it’s not fair. It is not just, and we must be able to carry out some level of regularisation.”
The minister also revealed that the Federal Government owes electricity generation and distribution companies over N4tn in electricity subsidies.
He noted that the debt had added to the already challenging situation in strengthening the power sector to deliver optimum service to consumers.
A breakdown showed that N2tn is owed to Gencos as legacy debts, while another N1.9tn is owed to them as part of the electricity subsidy for 2024, while Discos are owed N450bn for the 2024 electricity subsidy.
“How do you expect the Gencos to perform optimally? How do you expect them to pay for gas, service and maintain their turbines and other infrastructure as well as pay their staff? If a total of N4tn is owed to them,” Adelabu stated.
Consumers, OPS kick
Electricity consumers have kicked against the plan by the Federal Government to increase electricity tariffs payable by customers currently enjoying government subsidies.
The consumers, under the aegis of the All Electricity Consumers Forum, said it would be insensitive of the government to think of any tariff increase at a time when it has not succeeded in giving a stable electricity supply to the people.
Speaking with The PUNCH, the National Coordinator of All Electricity Consumers Forum, Adeola Samuel-Ilori, said the present infrastructure of the distribution companies and that of the Transmission Company of Nigeria are moribund to achieve any meaningful improvement in power generation, wondering if the government sees the masses as gullible and docile.
“Our peak generation is just 5,345 megawatts. Discos still reject loads for one reason or another. It’s purely insensitive of a ruler to think the citizens can be pummeled to a state of involuntary submission because of their passive mentality. That’s not only bad but criminal, and it can only be a government with no good intentions that will contemplate that,” Samuel-Ilori said.
He alleged that the government is imposing taxes on people to convince investors that there would be returns on investments.
The National Vice President of the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists, Segun Kuti-George, said the Federal Government is insensitive.
He lamented, “I think the government is insensitive to what is happening in the nation. The government is behaving as if they are ruling from outside, as if they are living in another country and ruling from there. The government is far from the reality of what is facing the country. The service providers just increased their own tariffs, the Nigerian Ports Authority as well by 15 per cent.
“Why is the government not working on providing alternative sources of power? Even the electricity we have is not regular; it still goes off for hours, and nobody has been jailed for the incessant blackouts. While we are not done with these, they are still talking on another increment, they are purely insensitive, and it does not show an innovative government.”
Meanwhile, a member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Dr Ikenna Nwosu, said the past hikes were unjustified.
He said, “The past hike was not justified with any published data. The new hike is, thus, not justified. It has a negative impact on persons and businesses are very humongous. It is crippling, and will simply worsen the current double crises if cost of living crises and cost of doing business crises.
“For a country with plenty of power sources, Nigeria should have very cheap power.”
The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for its youth, with plans to sponsor an additional 1,002 students for overseas studies, following the successful sponsorship of 1,001 students last year.
This was revealed by the deputy governor of the State, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, during a courtesy visit by the European Union (EU) Delegation ahead of the 2025 Study in Europe Fair in Kano.
In a statement issued to journalists by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, the deputy governor described the initiative as a “bridge for creating a future where the youth of Kano can access world-class education and participate fully in the global knowledge economy.”
He further highlighted that the Kano State Government has prioritised education, reflecting in the highest budgetary allocation to the sector in Nigeria for 2024 and 2025 fiscal years. Additionally, the government has declared a State of Emergency in Education to ensure young people receive quality education that equips them with skills to compete in the modern world.
Deputy Governor Gwarzo, while expressing appreciation to the EU for its continued support and collaboration, recognised the Study in Europe Fair as a testament to the commitment of international partners to the development of Nigeria’s educational system.
“As a state that has long been a center of trade, culture, and education, Kano stands to gain immensely from international collaborations such as this. We look forward to a successful event that will empower our youth, enhance educational exchange, and contribute to the overall economic and social development of Kano, Nigeria, and West Africa,” he said.
Speaking earlier Gautier Mignot, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, as well as leader of the delegation, stated that they were in Kano primarily for the Study in Europe Fair, scheduled for February 27, 2025.
Accompanied by several representatives from EU member-states, he noted that the event had been organised in the past in Kano, bringing European higher education institutions to engage with academic scholars and students, providing them with information on study programs and opportunities in Europe.
According to him, the expectation was to establish new contacts, partnerships, friendships, and student exchanges, with scholars travelling to Europe and, hopefully, some European scholars coming to Kano as well.
He further mentioned that around 20 university representatives were present in Kano for the event, many of whom were visiting for the first time. He emphasized that the initiative aimed to promote people-to-people connections and strengthen educational collaboration between Europe and Kano.
Other members of the delegation included Amb. Michal Cygan of the Polish Embassy to Nigeria, Jurgew Bartelink – Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Leila Ben Mathieu – Head of Human Development, European Union Delegation to Nigeria and Kristof Korosi – Deputy Ambassador of Hungary to Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olanipekun Olukoyede, disclosed that he turned down offers of about N500m from various individuals during his mother’s funeral in 2019.
Olukoyede spoke at the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room in Abuja on Thursday with the theme: Ethics, Integrity, Corruption Risk Assessments and Anti-Corruption at National and Sub-National levels: Sustaining the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
The programme was organised by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre, Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, ICPC, and EFCC with the support of the MacArthur Foundation.
Olukoyede explained that the substantial gifts, which included cheques and drafts, were sent to him by ministers, permanent secretaries, directors, and other high-ranking officials.
At the time, Olukoyede was serving as the Secretary of the EFCC.
He recounted that upon his return to his family home in Ekiti State, where the funeral took place, he discovered numerous cheques in a carton.
After reviewing the cheques, which amounted to nearly N500m, he decided to return them.
The EFCC chairman narrated, “I lost my mother in the year 2019 (in Ekiti State). We went for the funeral. I was the secretary of the EFCC then. People came. So I went to my place a day before the funeral service. By the time I got to my small compound, which I built several years ago before I joined the EFCC, I saw about 17 cows in my compound, including pregnant ones.
“When I got home, my gate man presented a box (carton) to me and inside it, I saw so many cheques and drafts from ministers, permanent secretaries, directors, DGs of agencies, etc.
“And so, I went in and showed it to my wife. She said, ‘Praise God’. I said, ‘Praise God for what?’ By the time we put all the cheques together, it counted close to N500m.”
Reflecting on the situation, Olukoyede expressed concern about the potential consequences if he had deposited the cheques into his account, particularly given his role in investigating the individuals who had sent them.
He explained that had the cheques been found in his bank account, it could have been used against him during investigations and cast doubt on his integrity.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining ethical conduct and transparency, especially in his position at the EFCC.
“I did the burial in September 2019. By July 2020, I was under investigation. Now, assuming all those cheques were paid into my account as traditional gifts and some of the MDAs that we were investigating in the EFCC, some of their directors and their DGs and their ministers sent cheques to me.
“Ordiarily, I mean for burial, some gave me one million, N20m and all of that. Even though that would not have influenced my decision if I was in a position to determine what would happen to their investigations, how would I have explained before a panel that they saw cheques paid into my account?
“So, assuming they found those cheques paid into my account, would it have been a good defence for me to say it was my mother’s burial when they were looking for me to roast? For me, that is what you call integrity. When you go beyond a level of expectation.”
Olukoyede also shared an example of rejecting bids from family members for auctioneering services during his tenure as EFCC Secretary.
He explained how both his brother-in-law, an international auctioneer, and his elder brother sought to participate in a government auction of forfeited assets. Despite the personal connections, Olukoyede insisted on adhering to conflict-of-interest rules, rejecting their applications.
He said, “My chairman then, we agreed that we should select a committee. So, we selected an assets forfeiture committee of about six directors, including myself as the chairman of the committee and a few other staff.
“We advertised for auctioneers. So, they applied. We were able to shortlist about 11 of them. My brother-in-law happens to be an international auctioneer. He applied. His application came to me. I saw it and I shredded it. So, my PA who knew him, called him and told him what I did, and for six months, he did not talk to me. So we did the auction.
“One of my elder brothers called me. ‘I heard you are doing an auction. I needed a truck for my business. I said, ‘Sir, go and read what we published.’ Conflict of interest. No staff of EFCC or immediate members of the family is allowed. He said no, they would use another name. I knew they could do that. I told him that I was not interested.
“After about eight months down the line, they set up a panel to investigate activities of the EFCC. My chairman and I were placed on suspension. They began to investigate what we did in the office. They investigated the particular auction I did in Port Harcourt. Now, assuming they found the name of my brother-in-law as one of the auctioneers. What would have been the result? Probably I may be in jail by now,” Olukoyede said.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari has relocated to his Kaduna residence after spending almost two years in his native Daura, Katsina State.
Buhari retired to Daura town since leaving office on May 29, 2023.
One of his former media aides, Bashir Ahmad, disclosed this on social media on Thursday, saying that after completing his eight-year tenure, Buhari opted for a quiet life in his hometown and largely stayed out of active political discussions, focusing on private engagements.
He said former President Buhari was accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima and high-profile dignitaries, which included Borno State governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, and his Kaduna State counterpart, Uba Sani; current and former Deputy Governors of Katsina State, a former Inspector General of Police, former ministers, and several of his personal aides.
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The ongoing leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly took a dramatic turn yesterday as the impeached Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, stormed the premises of the Lagos State House of Assembly, located in the Alausa area of the state, with heavy security on Thursday and went straight to occupy the Speaker’s office.
The crisis began 45 days ago, on 13th January 2025, when about 36 lawmakers removed Obasa as Speaker and replaced him with Meranda, the then-deputy speaker.
Obasa, dressed in a white Yoruba attire matched with his usual cap, arrived at the Assembly premises with many policemen to prevent anyone from stopping him and walked straight to his former office to resume activities.
The manner in which the former speaker staged his comeback, while the other lawmakers had earlier adjourned sitting indefinitely, left the few Assembly workers confused.
He was later joined in the Assembly complex by his teeming political supporters, who sang songs in solidarity with him.
Addressing journalists after entering the office of the Speaker and walking around the Assembly premises, Obasa stated that he had nothing against his fellow lawmakers and that he was impeached, not removed, as stipulated in the Constitution.
Obasa also denied knowledge of a suit he had filed at the Lagos State High Court challenging his removal from office on the thirteenth of last month.
It was also gathered that the police had withdrawn all escorts guarding the current Speaker of the Lagos State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, and those safeguarding the Assembly.
LEADERSHIP Friday reliably gathered that the withdrawal of the security personnel was with immediate effect, while that of the impeached speaker was restored, a development that emboldened him to move into the Assembly complex.
As the bewildered Lagos Assembly staff tried to understand the plot of the political drama, Obasa proceeded to preside over a controversial plenary session with only four lawmakers in attendance.
The session occurred after security personnel forcibly opened the chamber doors, allowing Obasa and his supporters to enter.
However, what was discussed during the session was unknown to jourmalists.
Despite the move, over 26 other legislators refused to join the plenary, supporting the newly recognised Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
The session, which commenced at 3pm, was ongoing by 3:30pm, with lawmakers and assembly staff livid at the occurrence.
Meanwhile, the opposing 36 lawmakers loyal to the Speaker of the Lagos State Assembly, Mrs. Mojisola Meranda, rejected the return of Obasa as Speaker, saying their decision stands.
Speaking with newsmen on the Assembly premises in Alausa, Ikeja, the lawmakers, led by the House Committee chairman on Information, Strategy, and Security, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, described the former Speaker’s entry into the premises with armed men as an embarrassment to the House.
Ogundipe said the lawmakers who removed Obasa were more than the two-thirds required by the Constitution and that the leadership of their party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), should be bold enough to address the issue.
As the unending leadership crisis rocking the Lagos House of Assembly lingers, lawmakers have faulted the perpetual silence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, including President Bola Tinubu and the highest decision-making organ of the Lagos APC Chapter, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), saying their actions have continued to encourage illegality within the Assembly.
They said that rather than invite them to address whatever grievances exist within the House and state their position publicly, the leaders have kept them in the dark. They speak through the media without categorically identifying themselves and use other unapproved methods of communication that are not specified for crisis management within the APC, the lawmakers said.
It was learned that security escorts attached to the former speaker prevented lawmakers from accessing their offices and aided Obasa in forcefully gaining access to his Speaker’s office, where he sat for minutes before leaving.
It was gathered that Obasa instructed the armed mobile policemen not to allow anyone outside their offices, particularly the lawmakers, to access the building.
Observers who felt the speakership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly might be resolved soon, following the intervention of heavyweights in the All Progressives Congress, were disappointed with the current development.
It will be recalled that the APC bigwigs, notably former governors of Osun, Ogun, and Lagos states, Chief Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba, and Akinwunmi Ambode, respectively, intervened in the crisis recently.
It was gathered that President Bola Tinubu directed a high-powered APC delegation to resolve the political tension at the Lagos Assembly following the inability of the Governance Advisory Council to find a solution.
It’s A Betrayal Of Democracy – Atiku
In his reaction, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the events in the Lagos State House of Assembly as a betrayal of democracy.
According to Atiku, the unfolding events in the Lagos State House of Assembly have exposed the dangerous erosion of democratic principles in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Atiku said just days after Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, a founding leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Kaduna State, publicly accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of engaging in selective machine politics, the crisis in the Lagos legislature has troublingly validated these claims.
In a statement issued by Paul Ibe, for the Atiku Media Office, the former vice president said the unceremonious removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa by an overwhelming majority of Assembly members and the historic appointment of Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly should have marked a step forward for democracy.
We Have Restored Meranda’s Security, Say Police
The Lagos State Police Command said it had restored the security detail of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Meranda.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, who disclosed this at a press conference, said four security personnel attached to the Speaker, who were earlier withdrawn, had since been restored.
According to the CP, the withdrawal of the security operatives attached to the Speaker and other Very Important Personalities (VIPs) in the state was in line with an ongoing audit of police personnel and firearms.
He disclosed that the same audit is being conducted in other states’ police commands, not Lagos alone..
The security escorts attached to the Speaker’s office and residence were withdrawn on Thursday morning.
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The impeached Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has said the substantive Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had stepped down as the parliament leader.
Recall that Obasa on Thursday stormed the Assembly complex after his security details were restored while those of Meranda were withdrawn before they were subsequently restored.
Obasa, presided over the State House of Assembly’s plenary session with four lawmakers in attendance while others rejected him.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Obasa claimed that Meranda resigned at the peace meeting held at the Lagos House in Marina last weekend.
He said: “At the meeting held in Marina, which saw the attendance of all party leaders, it was made clear, with hopes that all members were present, that Meranda herself declared her resignation. She made it known that she has stepped down.
“Now, when someone resigns from office, the associated paraphernalia is taken away. So, the question arises: Have you also resigned? Because we understand that part of the arrangement is for you to step down as well.
“Let them present the resignation letter. And if I were to resign, would I still be here? I’m sure you’d still address me as Speaker, even though we’ve never had a conversation before.”
The former governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has condemned the political crisis that rocked the state’s House of Assembly on Thursday.
Also, Speaker Mojisola Meranda‘s security details were withdrawn by security agencies.
In a statement on Thursday, Rhodes-Vivour decried the disregard for due process by Obasa in storming the House.
He stated that the action confirmed the categorization made by former Governor Nasir El-Rufaiof Kaduna State that some of the political elites in Lagos are ‘Area Boys’.
“Elrufai might have been spot on with his categorization of Yoruba Political elites in Lagos: the Omoluabis and the Area boys. Sadly, clips of the suspended speaker forcing his was into parliament is a clear demonstration of the moral decline in leadership where violence and thuggery reigns over ideas and decorum.
“The former speaker preceeded with this action despite the outcry following the desecration of the assembly by security officials barely a week ago,” he said.
The Labour Party chieftain noted that Obasa, following allegations of financial misappropriation against him, should be in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) custody.
Rhodes-Vivour called for respect for the legislative institution. He warned against any ploy to undermine the Lagos parliament.
“The violation of the people’s parliament is unacceptable and such brazen desecration of our institutions should be resisted by all.
“No man’s ego or ambition is more important than the constitution or the sacredness of our democratic institutions. A man who has questions of financial misappropriation and abuse of office should not have the temerity to force his way into office, He should be answering questions from the EFCC on the NGN 17,000,000,000 gate and other allegations brought up by the assembly against him.
“This is a nation of laws and not an animal farm, unfortunately, left in the hands of “Area boys” we will continue our descent to an animal farm,” he added.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has directed MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, to withhold subscription price increase until after investigation.
FCCPC on Tuesday summoned MultiChoice to explain the rationale behind the increase in subscription price for DStv and GOtv.
The Commission stated that MultiChoice unilateral price hikes showed potential market dominance abuse and anti-competitive practices in the pay-TV industry.
In a statement on Thursday, the FCCPC said the decision to halt the increase in subscription price was to protect customers while the investigation goes on.
It read in part: “Nigeria to maintain its current subscription prices until the ongoing investigation into its proposed price hike is concluded.
“This directive follows MultiChoice Nigeria’s request for an extension regarding its scheduled appearance before the Commission.
“While the FCCPC has granted the request, the company is now required to attend the rescheduled investigative hearing on March 6, 2025, along with all relevant officers and a comprehensive response.
“Pursuant to this, MultiChoice is expressly instructed to maintain the existing price structure as of February 27, 2025, pending the Commission’s review and final determination on the matter.
“Maintaining the status quo on pricing is essential to prevent any potential consumer harm during this period.
“Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”
2027 Presidency: ‘I Can Almost Guarantee That Peter Obi Won’t Run Under Labour Party’ – Ozigbo
AFOLABI
A former governorship candidate in Anambra State, Valentine Ozigbo, has asserted that if Peter Obi will contest in the forthcoming 2027 presidential election, he will not do so on the platform of the Labour Party (LP).
Recall that Peter Obi was the presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election.
Speaking during an interview on Tuesday on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, Ozigbo boldly declared that Obi would not run for president on LP if he chose to join the forthcoming presidential race.
During the interview, Ozigbo remarked on a recent comment by the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu.
He also defended his move from the LP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“I know Mugalu is an elder compared to me; otherwise, I would have said to him what a child sees standing up. What an elder sees sitting down, a child can’t even see standing up.
“So that’s his choice, and I believe it won’t be long before he comes to the same conclusion with me and I wish the Labour Party well. I’m not here really to demarcate the Labour Party, but I am saying to you and to everyone, I personally don’t see a future in the Labour Party, that’s my judgment and I’m happy to live with it and I would love to be proven wrong. So if he finds comfort and so be it,” Ozigbo said.
When asked to defend the remark by some persons that he (Ozigbo) has a character of use and dump, he said: “You saw the PDP, used it, dumped it, used the Labour Party, used it, dumped it, you’re moving to the APC. Actually, it’s a very wrong way to characterize this.
“It’s rather about somebody who is insistent on right process and due process.
“Now we are also talking about leaving MPP to APGA, to PDP, to the Labour Party, and I can almost guarantee that if he (Peter Obi) wishes to run for election, it will not be under the Labour Party. I can almost guarantee that.
Really? the interviewer, Seun Okinbaloye, asked.
“I am not his spokesperson, so maybe,” Ozigbo replied.
Okinbaloye reiterated, but you are close to him? “Maybe I’m wrong, but I am a witness to a lot of discussions around coalitions and which I can’t tell you my own, you know, optimism about that. But the point here is that when you get into a party, I enjoyed my time in PDP,” Ozigbo replied.
He added: “They granted us free and fair primary, and I was proud of what then Uche Secundus did. When the later leadership showed up, a lot of things changed in PDP and part of the reason why they also have not done well in recent times.
“And so when Peter Obi left PDP to join Labour Party, because what I do is purposeful politics, not transactional politics, I thought that the best decision was to join Peter Obi to support him and I can boast to being one of the biggest and most impactful supporters he had in that election coming out of South East.
And so no regrets for that support. I was proud of whatever effort I put in there because I believed in this country.
“I wanted to sacrifice for this country.
“And to now suggest that if Labour is dying, I should die with Labour would be very wicked of anybody. And that’s the point I’m making. Over time, you will see what I’m saying.
“If you haven’t seen it now, in fact, if you’re a politician, if you’re a savvy politician, you would have noticed by now. I mean, how can you explain a performance in a door? How do you explain that?”