FEATURES
Since emerging as the leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom, Kemi Badenoch has repeatedly cast a shadow over her Nigerian heritage. She has portrayed her upbringing as a grim tale of poverty, crumbling infrastructure, moral decadence, corruption, police brutality, and failed leadership. Her remarks have ignited firestorms on social media, with several videos going viral. Sunday PUNCH fact checked some of her recent controversial claims.
Claim 1
“I grew up in a poor country, and I watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer despite working harder and harder as their money disappeared with inflation. I came back to the UK at age 16 with my father’s last £100 in the hope of a better life…”
Findings
According to multiple sources, including the UK Independent and The Times, Kemi Badenoch (nee Adegoke) was born to Nigerian parents, Femi and Feyi Adegoke, in Wimbledon, London, on January 2, 1980.
She is the eldest of three children, with a brother named Fola and a sister named Lola. Her father, Femi, was a general practitioner in Lagos. He owned and operated Iwosan Clinics, located on Itire Road in Surulere, Lagos. Before passing away in 2021 from a brain tumour, he was a Yoruba nationalist activist.
Kemi’s mother attended Queen’s School, Ibadan. She was a professor of physiology at the University of Lagos, where she retired in 2020 after serving for 43 years. She was a professor for 15 years and served as the president of the Nigerian Society for Endocrinology for four years. Sunday PUNCH confirmed that she supervised the Ph.D. theses of many illustrious alumni of the school, including the current head of the department.
Multiple sources revealed that Kemi spent her early years in Lagos, Nigeria, where she attended the International School Lagos, a private institution, and graduated in 1996 before returning permanently to the United Kingdom at 16.
In a tweet dated January 22, 2025, a Lagos-based tax consultant, Kayode Okunola, accused Badenoch of distorting her family’s history to fit a narrative of hardship.
“Dear @KemiBadenoch, stop lying about your background. You were never from a poor family! Your grandmother, ‘Iya Ondo,’ was a prominent lace and damask merchant on Kosoko Street in Balogun Market. Your mum was a professor at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Your dad owned his clinic, your uncle was a dentist, and your aunt was among the Nigerian students recruited from the USA to the Central Bank of Nigeria,” Okunola wrote.
“If you were poor, what happened to the rest of us who prayed to come from families like yours? Your claims mock the memories of those who genuinely struggled without the opportunities your privileged upbringing afforded you. Please stop!” he added.
In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Okunola further shed light on the privileged status of Kemi’s family.
He said, “I knew her family well. My family and the Adegokes attended the same church—St. John’s Anglican Church, Aroloya, Lagos Island. Her grandmother, ‘Iya Ondo,’ was a renowned figure in Balogun Market, selling premium fabrics, which weren’t for poor people. Her father owned Iwosan Hospital in Surulere, and her mother was a prominent figure in the Physiology Department at the University of Lagos.
“In those days, only a select few could afford private schools like the International School Lagos, where Kemi studied. It was a school for the children of professors and the elite. Most of us attended government schools. Kemi’s claims of poverty are simply untrue. Her narrative misrepresents her background and mocks the struggles of genuinely underprivileged Nigerians.”
Corroborating Okunola’s assertion, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bolaji Akinyemi, said Kemi lied about her family turning poor.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Akinyemi said, “How can the daughter of a professor at UNILAG (University of Lagos)—her father was a medical doctor—a girl who went to the International School at UNILAG make it sound like she was selling groundnuts and water in Lagos in order to advance her political career?”
Claim 2
“Everyone defines me as a Nigerian. I identify less with the country than with my specific ethnic group.”
Findings:
While Kemi now downplays her Nigerian identity, evidence shows that she actively embraced her heritage in the past.
In 2010, while campaigning to represent the diverse Dulwich and West Norwood constituency in the UK Parliament, she actively sought support from the Nigerian community under the tag, “Nigerians for Kemi Badenoch.” A campaign document that surfaced on social media shows that Kemi reached out to Nigerians in the constituency, emphasising her Nigerian roots.
In the document, she wrote, “Hi everyone, as you know, I’m running for Parliament in the 2010 UK general elections for Dulwich & West Norwood. The race is very tight, and I need your help.
“There are just about 20 days to go before polling day, and Nigerians have been fantastic. My immediate circle of friends, ex-schoolmates, their friends, and our families have really rallied around and been supportive.
“In a recent BBC interview, a caller insulted me because I’m Yoruba. I was very disappointed that a Nigerian woman who claims to have lived in London for 45 years had more issues with me being Yoruba than with my political views—and shamefully made her comments on national radio.
“We really need to move past this mindset of fighting one another and instead try to support each other. Regardless of party allegiance, having a Nigerian in parliament—winning purely on merit and not through family connections or by buying the election would be amazing.
“So, I am asking for your help now to support a Nigerian who is trying to improve our national image and do something great here.”
Claim 3:
“Being Yoruba is my true identity, and I refuse to be lumped with northern people of Nigeria, who were our ethnic enemies, all in the name of being called a Nigerian. I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country, where Boko Haram and Islamism is.”
Findings
Kemi’s claim that the Yoruba and Northern Nigerians are ethnic enemies lacks historical evidence. While there have been conflicts in the country’s history, such as political and ethnic tensions during the Nigerian Civil War, the relationship between the Yoruba and Northern Nigerians has largely been characterised by cooperation.
For instance, Yoruba and Northern traders have engaged in long-standing trade relations, particularly in markets and cities like Lagos and Kano. Also, politically, alliances between Yoruba and Hausa/Fulani leaders, such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Ahmadu Bello, show mutual cooperation rather than enmity.
On religion, there are 19 states in Northern Nigeria; while Islam is the dominant religion in the region, many Christians also reside there. Just as there are Muslims in the South-West. Contrary to Kemi’s portrayal of the North as solely Islamic, the region is home to a significant christian population. States like Plateau, Benue and Adamawa have large Christian communities, while others like Borno and Yobe have Muslim majorities, but are not exclusively Islamic.
In a post on 13th December 2024, former presidential aide Reno Omokri stated that Kemi demonstrated a surprising level of ignorance when she said Boko Haram and Islamism resided chiefly in the North.
“First and foremost, that statement is inaccurate. There is much more to Northern Nigeria than Boko Haram. In fact, there are nineteen states in Northern Nigeria, and even in its heyday, Boko Haram was limited to just three of those states: Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa,” Omokri wrote.
Claim 4:
“Coming to the UK, my experience with the British Police was very positive. The police in Nigeria will rob us. When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m black, I say well…I remember the police stole my brother’s shoe and his watch.”
Findings
There are truly some bad eggs in the Nigeria Police Force. Increasing police brutality and extortion led to movements such as the #EndSARS protest. However, even the United Kingdom is not completely free of bad cops.
For instance, in 2015, a 31-year-old black man, Sheku Bayoh, died after being restrained by police officers in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. The officers reportedly used CS gas and a combination of physical restraint techniques, including kneeling on Bayoh’s back.
Similarly, in 2011, a 29-year-old black man, Mark Duggan, was shot and killed by police officers in Tottenham, London, following an attempted arrest. The police claimed he was armed, but evidence later showed that he was unarmed when he was shot.
Also in 2016, the British Broadcasting Corporation reported that three Metropolitan Police officers were sentenced after stealing cash and other items from crime scenes. These indicate that elements of police brutality and extortion or theft are not limited to Nigeria police.
Ex-envoy cautions Kemi
Former Minister of Foreign affairs, Akinyemi, during his TV interview, cautioned Kemi not to build her political career on quicksand.
“She would soon learn that you don’t throw your people and your culture under the bus in order to advance your career. She is making a mistake but she will soon learn.
“After all, right now, there is even a right wing political party in the United Kingdom that is even to the right of the Conservative Party.
“So, what she should be focusing on is how to regain that right wing profile of the Conservative Party and leave Nigeria alone,” he added.
The ruling All Progressives Congress has described the opposition Peoples Democratic Party as a political platform that is gradually going into extinction amid its perennial leadership crisis.
APC urged Nigerians to ensure that the PDP did not return to power following the alleged rot it left behind after ruling the country for 16 years
The appeal was made by the National Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH.
He said, “Nigeria was still suffering from the rot of the 16-year misrule of the PDP. That party is gone. Are these the clowns people are taking seriously to rule this country again? Believe me, this is just the beginning. We at the APC are enjoying the entertainment.
“The party is not good at managing anything, including itself. What is happening has shown that God came to the rescue of Nigerians by pushing them out of power
“There are more to come if you go into the nitty-gritty of the problems in that party. They should come and learn how to play politics in our APC Progressive Institute set up by the National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje. They will be taught how to play politics without bitterness.”
When reminded that many critics of President Bola Tinubu had alleged APC’s involvement in the PDP and other opposition parties’ crisis, Ibrahim said, “How is the APC responsible for the crisis that is happening at Wadata Plaza (PDP headquarters in Abuja)? We are not even staying close. So, how can they blame us for their woes? What does APC have to do with having two different secretaries and two chairmen or whatever they seem to have?
“They simply don’t know how to administer anything and they cannot. Who among the protestants is a card-carrying member of the APC? Who among the people causing the crisis is claiming allegiance to APC? None. It is within them.”
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was notably absent as key leaders of the North East zonal caucus of the PDP met in Bauchi to discuss reconciliation efforts and strategies for the party’s future, particularly the 2027 elections.
The meeting, held on Thursday, was attended by the three PDP governors from the region.
They are Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, his counterpart in Taraba State, Dr Agbu Kefas, and Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri.
Also, in attendance were members of the PDP Reconciliation Committee, led by former National Secretary Olagunsoye Oyinlola, senators, House of Representatives members, and state assembly members from the zone.
Barely a week after a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chief Afe Babalola, withdrew his cases against lawyer and rights activist, Mr Dele Farotimi, there is unease among Nigerians over the status of other pending lawsuits against the activist.
Their concerns are borne out of the fact that the police, having arrested and charged Farotimi with 12-count of cybercrime offences and 16-count of criminal defamation based on Babalola’s petition, there are other lawyers who instituted legal actions against the activist, claiming over N1 billion in damages.
On December 6, 2024, a SAN, Mr Kehinde Ogunwumiju, sued Farotimi for alleged defamatory statements in his book: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.’
The Managing Partner at Afe Babalola & Co asked for N500 million in damages, while further appealing to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court in Abuja to halt the book’s publication and sale in physical and online bookstores.
Ogunwumiju, who pleaded with the court for an order for the seizure of the copies of the book wherever they might be found, stressed that Farotimi must apologise to him in two national newspapers.
Less than five days after Ogunwumiju’s suit, specifically on December 11, 2024, another lawyer from Babalola’s law firm, Mr Ola Faro, petitioned the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, alleging that the rights activist also defamed him in the aforesaid book.
Validating his claim, Faro identified specific statements in the book which allege that he, Babalola and his law firm, Afe Babalola & Co, compromised the integrity of the Supreme Court. According to Faro, the statements are not factual and are deliberately written to tarnish his reputation.
While Faro also sought N500 million in damages against Farotimi for unlawful defamation, he requested N100 million in damages for distributing the book.
Meanwhile, following the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and some other traditional rulers in the feud between Babalola and Farotimi, the police prosecutor, Samson Osobu, last Wednesday, applied for the withdrawal of the cybercrime charges at the resumed hearing of the case at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
For the other criminal charge filed by the police against Farotimi before a chief magistrate’s court in Ado-Ekiti, Sunday Vanguard gathered that the case scheduled for February 13 has not been withdrawn as of the time of filing this report.
On December 3, 2024, reports emerged that Farotimi had been arrested in Lagos by the police.
Confirming his arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ekiti State Police Command, DSP Abutu Sunday, said: “The command wishes to inform members of the public that one Mr Dele Farotimi is currently undergoing investigation following a petition written against him to the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, for an allegation of defamation of character and cyberbullying. He was arrested today in Lagos with a warrant after all means deployed by the command to bring him for interrogation proved abortive.”
…recognize Ude-Okoye as National Secretary, reject Wike’s ally
Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are trying to assert their dominance as the party’s main power brokers.
This followed their first most daring move to whittle down the influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in PDP affairs.
The Governor Bala Mohammed-led 12-member PDP Governors Forum (PDP-GF) rose from their monthly meeting in Asaba, the Delta State capital on Friday; with a clear message to the party’s Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum-led pro-Wike faction of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Mohammed, who read the communique after the meeting, said, “The Forum noted with delight the ongoing efforts at resolving the crisis in the National Working Committee, NWC, on the position of the National Secretary, and has reaffirmed its support for the Court of Appeal judgment; consequently, the Forum advised the NWC to set up the machinery for the effective implementation of the court judgment.”
The Forum also “advised” the NWC to reschedule the much awaited National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting earlier slated for February to March 13th.
According to the governors, the shift is to give the NWC time to put in place the machinery to enable Ude-Okoye append his signature to the necessary documents notifying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the new date.
Message
With this declaration, the governors have sent an unambiguous message that they’ll henceforth deal with Hon. Ude-Okoye as National Secretary. Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a known Wike ally, insists he’s still the National Secretary irrespective of the PDP-GF’s position.
He told Sunday Vanguard, “I’m not perturbed about the communique issued by the governors. The PDP-GF is one of several pressure groups in our party, members are not bigger than the Nigerian Constitution and the pronouncements of our courts. I remain the PDP National Secretary.”
This happened barely 46 hours after Ude-Okoye was hounded out of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting by Anyanwu’s loyalists who felt irritated by his presence.
Recall, party stakeholders from the South-East had nominated Ude-Okoye as replacement for Anyanwu when the latter emerged as the PDP candidate for the 2023 Imo State governorship election.
Anyanwu argued that his position wasn’t vacant. According to him, the party’s Constitution didn’t require his resignation from office before contesting the governorship election.
Court
Following the party’s refusal to recognize him, Ude-Okoye approached a High Court to enforce his rights.
He won.
Anyanwu appealed but lost. He filed a motion for a stay of execution of the Appeal Court judgement while also asking the Supreme Court to upturn Udo-Okoye’s Appeal Court victory.
He reiterated his resolve to remain in office until the Supreme Court decides.
Wike, himself a former governor, fell out with the Bala Mohammed-led PDP-GF over their support for Governor Siminalaye Fubara in the fight for the control of the PDP structure in Rivers State.
The FCT minister rejected a suggestion by the governors for him to leave the party structure for the governor in line with established tradition. Speaking at a reception organized in his honour by the Ijaw People’s Congress in Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers State, in September last year, Wike said, “Let nobody threaten anybody. All those threats are empty. I said nobody would take the structure of the party.
“I said nobody would take over the structure of the party. You can have all the money; if it didn’t dey, it didn’t dey.”
War of words
Since then, a war of words, plots and counter-plots to control the party structure at the state and national levels has been the order of the day.
Wike had threatened to “set fire” in PDP states governors don’t stop meddling in the political affairs of Rivers State. The Rivers State political imbroglio has split the 17 member PDP NWC into two with one faction supporting Wike and the other supporting Fubara.
On Wike’s side are Damagum, Anyanwu and National Organising Secretary, Capt. Umar Bature.
Those on Fubara’s side are the PDP National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba and National Treasurer, Alhaji Yayari Ahmed among others.
Former National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, hailed the party’s governors for standing up for truth and justice.
He said, “Without doubt, our governors are on track. The matter of the National Secretary has since been decided. Ude-Okoye who was duly nominated by the South East caucus and so recognized by the courts occupies that office.
“What we in the North-Central expect now is for our governors and other stakeholders to take equal steps to redress the injustice done to us.
“As a first step, Damagum to revert to his position as Deputy National Chairman (North), and allow our zone complete what is left of the tenure of Senator Iyiorchia Ayu.
“If this is done, then we can confidently say our party is on the path to redemption”.
Trump’s crackdown: FG to receive Nigerian deportees as non-Americans are deported in handcuffs
AFOLABI
As reactions continue to trail the planned deportation of about 5, 144 Nigerians illegally living in the United States (US), the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has said that the Federal Government is ready to welcome them home.
According to reports, no fewer than 5,144 Nigerians may be affected in the initial stage of the ongoing deportation exercises from the US as President Donald Trump’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants continues.
The figure includes non-US citizens of Nigerian origin in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, and Enforcement and Removal Operations, ERO, non-detained docket with final orders of removal from the US and those already in ICE detention.
According to the data, 772 of the 1,454 Nigerians in ICE custody were arrested and detained for criminal convictions or pending criminal charges, while the rest were arrested for other immigration violations, such as visa overstays.
It further showed that 417 were arrested and removed as of November 2024, while 884 were removed between 2019 and 2024.
The disclosure by ICE comes at a time when the newly inaugurated administration of President Trump is implementing an immigration policy aimed at ridding the United States of illegal immigrants.
There have been issues surrounding the deportations with at least three countries, Mexico, Columbia and Brazil, alleging that their nationals were returned home in a degrading manner and there are fears the treatment could be extended to Nigerian deportees.
Columbia specifically said the deportees to the country were airlifted in military planes, handcuffed and treated like criminals.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the military deportation flights and said he would never carry out a raid to return handcuffed Americans to the U.S.
“We are the opposite of the Nazis,” he wrote in a post on social media platform X.
He also said however that Colombia would welcome home deported migrants on civilian planes, and offered his presidential plane to facilitate their “dignified return”.
Trump had threatened tariffs and sanctions on Colombia to punish it for earlier refusing to accept military flights carrying the deportees as part of his sweeping immigration crackdown.
But in a statement, the White House said Colombia had agreed to accept the migrants after all and Washington would not impose its threatened penalties.
The use of U.S. military aircraft to carry out deportation flights is unusual.
U.S. military aircraft carried out two flights, each with about 80 migrants, to Guatemala penultimate Friday.
Mexico also refused a request to let a U.S. military aircraft land with migrants.
Trump has said he is thinking about imposing 25% duties on imports from Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1 to force further action against illegal immigrants and fentanyl flowing into the US.
Brazil’s foreign ministry, on its part, condemned “degrading treatment” of Brazilians after migrants were handcuffed on a commercial deportation flight.
Upon arrival, some passengers also reported mistreatment during the flight, according to reports.
The plane, which was carrying 88 Brazilian passengers, 16 U.S. security agents, and eight crew members, had been originally scheduled to arrive in Belo Horizonte in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais.
However, at an unscheduled stop due to technical problems in Manaus, capital of Amazonas, Brazilian officials ordered removal of the handcuffs, and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva designated a Brazilian Air Force (FAB) flight to complete their journey, the government said in a statement.
The commercial charter flight was the second this year from the U.S. carrying undocumented migrants deported back to Brazil and the first since Trump’s inauguration, according to Brazil’s federal police.
Speaking to Sunday Vanguard, Chairman/CEO NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri, restated to Sunday Vanguard the position of the Director of Media and Corporate Affairs of the commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, who spoke earlier to Vanguard on Wednesday.
She said, “Except you want to interview the Minister of Foreign Affairs for his own perspective. NiDCOM Director of Media and Corporate Affairs, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, already told Vanguard that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in charge of such development and that the Federal Government had already set up an inter-agency committee to handle the matter should Nigerians be deported from the US.
“The Federal Government has set up an inter-agency committee, comprising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, should there be mass deportation of Nigerians from the US”, she said.
Also reacting to the development, a former Nigerian Ambassador to the US, Ambassador Joe Keshi, insisted that if the President Tinubu-led government decides to improve the economy, the Japa syndrome would reduce drastically and people would decide to stay back in their country.
He said, “There’s no way it can affect our economy. If the Federal Government improves the economy, people will stay; it’s just the family they have been sending money to that would suffer because they won’t have money as they used to have before. Unless they find another means of survival.”
A 36-year-old United States-based Nigerian cardiologist, Ikenna Erinne, has reportedly committed suicide after losing a child support case to his yet-to-be-identified ex-wife.
The incident was said to have occurred on Sunday, January 26.
It was gathered that the Anambra-state-born late doctor had a prolonged divorce battle with his estranged wife, including the custody of their children.
He, however, lost the case after a US court ruled in favour of his ex-wife and ordered him to pay a monthly child support of $15,000.
Confirming the incident in a post shared on X.com, a Nigerian-American, Clayton Udo, said the court’s verdict took a severe financial toll on him, leading to his tragic death.
He wrote, “The abuse of African men in the USA must come to an end. In a deeply troubling case, Dr. Ikenna Erinne, an American-trained cardiologist, allegedly took his own life after an American court ordered him to pay his ex-wife $15,000 monthly, following a prolonged and contentious divorce case. This tragic incident highlights the systemic issues within the legal system that disproportionately affect African men.”
Udo, who claimed to be an expert in psychological and mental abuse, revealed that the deceased had spent thousands of dollars in legal fees before the court’s verdict turned out in favour of his ex-wife.
He further explained that the late doctor lost his license as a cardiologist to the case, adding that he died after shooting himself.
“He shot himself to death. He spent thousands of dollars in legal fees – wasted money. I am talking about a process that impoverishes you. You go to court and they take all your money.
“He lost his license as a cardiologist in this case plus they slammed on him 15,000 dollars a month plus restricted access to his children,” he added.
Another member of the Nigerian community in the United States, Obim Onujiogu, also confirmed Erinne’s death in a post on Facebook.
Onujiogu described him as a compassionate healer and devoted family man.
He, however, disclosed that his funeral would be held Monday in Maryland, the United States.
Onujiogu wrote, “In Loving Memory of Dr. Ikenna C. Erinne. It is with heavy hearts that the ASA DC family announces the sudden and untimely passing of Dr. Ikenna Erinne Dr. Ikenna C. Erinne, was a beloved father, son, brother, and esteemed cardiologist, who departed on January 26, 2025.
“Born on March 4, 1988, Dr. Erinne was a compassionate healer and devoted family man. He is survived by his children Ugonna and Munachi, parents Engr. Chris and Mrs. Chinwe Erinne, and siblings Chuks, Onyi, Kenny, and Gechi.
“A celebration of Life will be held on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home in Elkridge, MD, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM , followed by interment at Meadowridge Memorial Park.”
Akin Osuntokun, the former director-general of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, said on Saturday the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, created Afenifere as a political party and not as a socio-cultural group.
Speaking on Arise Television, Osuntokun also said Afenifere was meant to be limited to the South-West.
He said: “Afenifere, as we describe it, is not a sociopolitical organisation. The ambiguity arose when Chief Awolowo started Egbe Omo Oduduwa. He also founded Afenifere, but people tend to confuse the two.
“Afenifere, founded by Awolowo, is actually the political arm of any party that Afenifere would join. It is actually a political party.
“That is the conception of the man who started it. In 1963, he made a presidential address and called anyone who associates Afenifere with the Yoruba people a traitor.
“He also said anyone who calls Afenifere a sociocultural group is a traitor; go and read his presidential address in 1963.
“I keep seeing this: Afenifere is not a sociocultural
The Nigerian currency, the Naira, has had an impressive run against the dollar in the last week, DAILY POST reports.
DAILY POST, in this report, explains how the Naira outperformed the dollar from Monday, January 27, 2024, to Friday, January 31, 2025, showing that the Naira recorded significant gains against the dollar in both official and parallel foreign exchange markets.
At the official market, the Naira strengthened to N1,478.78 per dollar at the end of the week on Friday, up from N1,533.63, where it traded at the start of the week on Monday.
This shows that, on a week-on-week basis, the Naira appreciated massively by N54.85 against the dollar at the official FX market.
Similarly, at the black market, the recorded impressive gain was when it firmed up to N1,610 per dollar on Friday, January 31, compared to N1,660 when it began the week.
This represents a N50 gain against the dollar at the black market on a week-on-week basis.
The appreciation is not unconnected to policy interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Recall that on Tuesday, during the week under review, the CBN introduced the FX Code to ensure transparency within the country’s FX market.
The development comes as the apex bank’s boss, Olayemi Cardoso, warned Nigerian banks against non-compliance with the newly issued FX Code.
‘Divorce Is Better Than Rest In Peace’ – Chiwetalu Agu Warns Singles Amid 2Baba Divorce Saga
AFOLABI
Veteran Nollywood actor, Chiwetalu Agu, has advised singles to prioritize their safety rather than stay in a toxic or abusive marriage.
Naija News reports that this comes amid the ongoing controversy generated by singer 2Baba’s divorce from his wife, Annie Idibia.
In a video via his Instagram page on Saturday, Agu warned the public against peer pressure and desperation to get married, stressing that marriage is not a do-or-die affair.
The movie star also urged those in toxic marriages to seek help or run for their lives.
He said, “Marriage is not a do-or-die affair. If you have an abusive partner, or in a toxic relationship, run for your life. If you are not happy in your marriage, seek help or run for your life.
“Divorce is better than rest in peace. I want to stay because of my children or because he is rich. That was how a lady was burnt to death by her husband. Now, who will take care of the kids? Is it the husband that killed you? Or the relatives who love their own families?
“Always remember to do a background checks before proceeding to marrying someone. She is beautiful or he is handsome; I want to marry him or her by all means, see you, see death.
“My mates are all married, but I’m still single, see you, see death. I pray we don’t make mistakes that will cost us our life in the name of marriage in Jesus name.”
The presidency on Saturday declared that political opponents of President Bola Tinubu should wait till 2027 to test their popularity rather than heat up the polity now.
The Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, who dropped the note of caution, said the political opponents only attempted to use the President’s absence due to a trip to Tanzania to spread ill will.
He, however, said President Tinubu remains undisturbed and is not interested in playing politics with them as he is rather focused on improving the lives of Nigerians and building the economy.
According to him, it’s still far away from 2027, and Tinubu’s opponents should wait till the time for election and prove their mettle at the polls.
Dare submitted that the 2027 election would be a time for Nigerians to choose between political hecklers and real progressives but until then, President Tinubu is focused on leading the country.
“While President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria was away in far away Dar es Salaam, capital of Tanzania, his political opponents, detractors, opposition elements, psuedo friends unfolded their Machiavellian inclinations.
“The yoruba adage came alive– “Ai si nle ologbo, ile di ile ekute,” meaning the absence of the cat turns the house into the house of rats. Yet, we know those with genuine intentions.
“Indeed, while the President was seeking solutions to Nigerias’ energy problems in Dar es Salaam, some “wannabes “were heating up the polity.
“Expectedly, it was a gathering convened to further spread ill-will. Nothing new came out of the gathering different from the opposition script we are used to. A few of the participants went overboard in their vitriol, fanning the embers for adopting undemocratic actions.
“These political gladiators have antecedents that are well known. We urge Nigerians to begin their scrutiny early. And choose between political hecklers and real progressives. The clouds are beginning to clear. The stage sets soon. The combat begins.
“Until then, President Tinubu, an avowed democrat remains undistracted and unperturbed. The fight is ahead. Not now. The only conversation he wants to have now is how to improve the lives of Nigerian citizens and constructive discourse on building a resilient economy.
“This is 2025. Not 2027. Let those who want to test their popularity with Nigerians wait for the next election. President Tinubu is fully focused on providing the leadership that will transform our country,” the presidential media aide wrote via X
More...
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has stated that he cannot hide his stance on issues.
He said this while reacting to an X user, @irahabib, who commended him for a book he authored titled ‘Accidental Public Servant’.
The netizen explained that after reading the book, he was convinced that only a politician who intends to develop the country truly would have El-Rufai in his cabinet.
The user wrote: “The day I read El-Rufai’s book titled Accidental Public Servant, I concluded that no politician would want @elrufai in their cabinet unless they genuinely intend to develop this country. He doesn’t know how to pretend.”
Reacting, El-Rufai posted: “Thanks for your kind words, @irahabib. Truly, I don’t know how to pretend. Being a Nollywood actor in governance is for some others, not some of us. Have a nice day. – @elrufai”
The former governor has been in the news lately for criticizing President Bola Tinubu-led administration and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
El-Rufai noted that the APC no longer has internal democracy, stressing that no organ of the party has met in the last two years.
Speaking at an event in Abuja, the former governor said he no longer recognizes the APC due to lack of internal democracy
Your Presence In Atiku Camp Makes Me Want To Vomit – Igbokwe Tells Kwankwaso, Amaechi, Aregbesola, Fayemi
AFOLABI
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has expressed disgust over the presence of some politicians in the camp of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
He urged former ministers of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi, and Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to return to the APC.
Speaking via a post on his X account, the APC chieftain stated that seeing these men in the camp of Atiku makes him want to “vomit”.
According to Igbokwe: “Good morning, everyone, especially our APC faithful supporters across Nigeria. I want HE Amaechi, HE Fayemi, HE Aregbeshola, HE Kwankwaso and others to move back to APC. Seeing them in Atiku’s camp makes me to want to vomit.”
Meanwhile, Igbokwe, has defended former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, recalling his legal challenge against Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ex-Governor, Godwin Emefiele, over allegedly fraudulent monetary policies aimed at President Bola Tinubu.
Igbokwe highlighted that during the run-up to the 2023 presidential election, El-Rufai took legal action against Emefiele, accusing him of implementing financial policies designed to obstruct Tinubu’s victory.
Emefiele’s controversial monetary policies, particularly the naira redesign, were widely criticized for causing economic hardship and were perceived by some as a deliberate attempt to sabotage Tinubu’s campaign.
Recently, El-Rufai has drawn criticism within the APC after expressing disillusionment with the party, claiming it has strayed from its founding principles.
He also lamented that key APC organs had not convened in the last two years.
Defending El-Rufai, Igbokwe took to Facebook to dismiss negative narratives about the former governor, stating: “Do not tell me negative things about El-Rufai. I do not dwell on negativities. I dwell on positive things.
“Where were you when he courageously headed to court to challenge Emefiele’s fraudulent monetary policy that was targeted at PBAT?
“Emefiele’s monetary policy was targeted at PBAT. The major progenitors of the fraudulent banking policy are from a particular zone called SS. The plot failed woefully
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) raised concerns over the widespread human trafficking and irregular migration, saying it is now endemic across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a statement by the NAPTIP Zonal Commander, Ganiu Aganran, in Benin, seeking collaboration with other state and federal bodies to address these growing challenges.
Aganran stated this on Friday during a courtesy visit by members of the Edo State Migration Agency (EDSMA), led by its Director-General, Lucky Agazuma.
He said the Edo migration agency would work with NAPTIP in the area of investigation, arrest, prosecution and coordinated public awareness programme.
He stressed the need for effective synergy between the agencies as the state was highly endemic in trafficking in person and irregular migration.
Aganran said, “In Nigeria now, there is no state that is not endemic in trafficking in persons and illegal migration. Even all the local government areas across the country are now endemic in trafficking in person and irregular migration.
“NAPTIP uses five approaches of policy, partnership, protection, prosecution and prevention in tackling trafficking in persons and irregular migration.”
The commander highlighted that NAPTIP, as a law enforcement agency of the Federal Government, had the power to arrest, investigate, prosecute, rescue victims and empower them.
“So we have to work together in awareness creation and intelligence sharing. When there is a need for referral of cases, arrest and investigation, don’t hesitate to call us because we are there for you,” he said.
Aganran reiterated the commitment of the agency to partner with EDSMA and advised it to latch on the NAPTIP experience to do the right thing from inception.
Earlier, Agazuma said the visit was to strengthen the existing relations between the two organisations.
He said, “Also we are here to let you know that the Edo State Taskforce on Human Trafficking dovetails into the Edo State Migration Agency, and seeks your support and collaboration in tackling trafficking and illegal migration in the state.”
He said that such collaboration would build a stronger relationship to enable it to address the menace in the state
Chief Olabode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as just a mere congregation of strange bedfellows.
The PDP chieftain said this at a press conference on Friday in Ikoyi while condemning the Wednesday invasion of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
According to him, the development was disturbing to him as a life member of the Board of Trustees of the main opposition party.
He noted that as the largest political party in Africa, PDP should not allow itself to be turned into an ‘Agbero’ party, adding that the individuals who orchestrated the use of thugs to invade the party Secretariat acted shamelessly.
“As the largest party in Africa, PDP should not be turned into an ‘Agbero’ party by any member with an inordinate ambition. We have rules and regulations that govern our party,” he warned.
Continuing, Bode George urged the leadership of the party to bring the two opposing factions together for peace, saying that whoever is not ready to let go of individual ambition in the interest of the PDP should be told to step aside.
He continued, “As leaders, we must not allow anybody to destroy our party because PDP is the only true national party. The APC is just a mere congregation of strange bedfellows. This is the time to show members working against our party the way out. No sentiment at all.
“It is sacrilegious that thugs were hired to enter the premises to unleash mayhem, disrupting the 79th Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting. If that could happen, then what do you think those who sponsored the thugs will do, during National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings?”