Atiku’s arrival in Ondo

Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid, ignoring his father’s recent move to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Bello, a member of the House of Representatives for Kaduna North, was at the APC National Summit in Abuja, where Tinubu was endorsed as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 election.

This comes after his father, Nasir El-Rufai, left the APC in March 2025, saying the party no longer reflects his values.

He joined the SDP and promised to unite the opposition to defeat APC in 2027.

Bello’s support for Tinubu has sparked reactions.

Activist Reno Omokri mocked the situation, saying, “If El-Rufai can’t convince his son to leave Tinubu, how will he convince Nigerians?”

The family’s political split deepened last year when another El-Rufai son, Bashir, attacked Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani on social media.

He said both would lose in 2027 and claimed the probe into his father over alleged mismanagement of N423 billion was politically motivated.

He tweeted, “Nobody is too big to be ‘elected out of office’ by the people. It will happen & wallahi nothing will happen. So forget all these intimidations flying up and down. Let us be patient.”

A former deputy governor of Sokoto State, Muktar Shagari, has said the North will give President Bola Tinubu all the support he needs to win the 2027 election.

Shagari claimed that Tinubu has performed very well, especially in the area of of security.

He stated this on Friday while fielding questions on Arise Television’s Morning Show programme.

According to him, Tinubu has been able to implement the programs he promised Nigerians, insisting that the President needs a second term.

He said: “We in the APC, we have absolute confidence in the ability of President Bola Tinubu to run this country effectively. You would agree with me when he came into power, you people did say that there are problems, particularly the economy of the country and so on and so forth, which requires some sort of drastic decisions to be taken.

“The President is doing everything he can to make this country better, and results are now being seen that the country is gradually moving, and I believe we’ll get there.

“So for President Tinubu to be able to implement the programs he promised Nigerians, he needs a second term, and we in the APC believe in him, and we believe that he has the ability and capability to do that.

“What we can do is to give him the moral support, the political support, and ensure that nobody distracts him by contesting against him. So what the party did at the North-West level and at the national level yesterday is completely correct and right, and it’s constitutional, and we will give him all the support he needs to win this election.

“And I want to say that there are people who are saying that, “Oh no, Nigerians will not vote for him, northerners and so on.”

In the north, we have nothing against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He’s doing very well in the area of of security. I can tell security is getting better and better. And there are so many things that he is doing. So as far as I’m concerned and as far as we are all concerned in the APC, we are going to support Tinubu, and I feel confident that he win the election in 2027.”

A U.S. district court has sentenced a Nigerian man, Henry Ezeonyido, to 27 months in prison for orchestrating a health insurance fraud scheme that defrauded insurers of over $1 million through fake international medical claims.

The 37-year-old was also ordered to pay $655,313 in restitution and forfeit $396,998 in proceeds linked to the fraudulent scheme, and will serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison term.

According to a statement by the US department of justice, from October 2019 to February 2022, Ezeonyido submitted false claims to five insurance companies, claiming that he and at least seven others had received emergency medical treatment overseas for severe injuries such as stabbings, gunshot wounds, and car accidents. 

The statement read, “Ezeonyido was arrested and charged in July 2024 along with co-conspirators Brendon Ashe, Aqiyla Atherton, Darline Cobbler and Ariel Lambert. Ezeonyido was later indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2024. All four of Ezeonyido’s co-defendants pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme and were subsequently sentenced to probation.

“From approximately October 2019 to February 2022, Ezeonyido submitted fraudulent health insurance claims – on his behalf and on behalf of at least seven other individuals, including Ashe, Atherton, Cobbler and Lambert – to five different health insurance companies for expensive medical treatment that they purportedly received and paid for out-of-pocket while travelling overseas.

“Many of the claims included fake traumatic injuries such as stabbings, gunshot wounds, and hit-and-run car accidents that the defendants and others purportedly suffered, requiring their hospitalisation abroad. In nearly all instances, the individuals were actually in the United States at the time of the purported international medical events.”

Following the submission of the false claims, the insurance companies disbursed approximately $655,313 to the individuals involved, some of whom reportedly paid kickbacks to Ezeonyido for orchestrating and facilitating the payouts.

It added, “As a result of these fraudulent claims, the victim’s health insurance companies were billed over $1m for services that were never provided, resulting in payments totalling approximately $655,313.

“Upon receiving these payments from their health insurance companies, Ashe, Cobbler, Lambert, and others paid a portion of the proceeds to Ezeonyido and other co-conspirators, including Atherton, who acted as an intermediary, bringing others into the scheme in exchange for a cut of their paid claims. In total, Ezeonyido retained approximately $396,998 in fraud proceeds.”

The US authorities emphasized the significance of the sentencing in combating healthcare fraud. “Healthcare fraud affects every American through increased premiums and reduced trust in the system,” said U.S. Attorney Foley

Nigerians are known for their deep love for cars. It’s rare to find a car model—luxury or otherwise—that doesn’t grace Nigerian roads. From sleek sedans to rugged SUVs and performance machines, the streets of cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are filled with a wide variety of vehicles. Some Nigerians will go to great lengths—financially and otherwise—to own the best models.

Cars as status symbols and necessity

While luxury car ownership often serves as a status symbol, cars in Nigeria are also a necessity due to the underdeveloped public transportation system. In cities like Lagos, Lekki, and Abuja, it’s not unusual to find exotic brands such as Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Maybach, and Rolls-Royce lined up outside nightclubs. These high-end machines, often brought out only at night, are a spectacle. The only vehicle classes yet to be spotted on Nigerian roads might be flying cars or fully autonomous vehicles.

However, while these luxury vehicles are owned by the wealthy elite—who can afford their high maintenance costs and keep backups—the real concern lies with middle- and lower-income Nigerians who can typically afford just one car. For these individuals and families, buying a used car is often the only viable option, especially amid worsening economic conditions.

The shift from tokunbo to Nigerian-used cars

In the past, imported used cars—popularly called tokunbo—were the go-to option for those who couldn’t afford new vehicles. But with the depreciation of the naira and rising import costs, more Nigerians are turning to locally used cars, which are significantly cheaper.

Yet, many buyers are unaware of the risks involved. Most car owners don’t sell their vehicles without a reason. It’s often due to recurring mechanical problems or high maintenance costs as the vehicle ages. While it’s possible to find a well-maintained car—for instance, when the owner is relocating abroad or downsizing their fleet—these are exceptions rather than the rule.

Key considerations before buying used car

Whether buying a locally used or imported car, several factors must be carefully evaluated:

Avoid Rare Car Models Steer clear of what is often referred to as “one-in-town” cars—models that are uncommon in Nigeria. These cars can be a nightmare to maintain due to the scarcity of spare parts. Even minor repairs can lead to long delays or hefty costs.

Go for Brands with Available Parts Stick with popular brands like Toyota, Honda, Nissan (Japanese), Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz (German), or widely supported Korean brands like Kia and Hyundai. These have more accessible spare parts and trained mechanics across the country. American brands like Ford also fare well in terms of part availability.

Ensure Local Serviceability Avoid cars that can only be serviced in major cities. You don’t want to be stranded in a rural area with a car that no mechanic can fix.

Do a Thorough Physical Inspection According to experienced mechanic Mr. Henry Ogbonna, there are several red flags to look out for:

Inspect the car body: Look for signs of repainting or bodywork that might hide serious damage.

Check for accident damage: A car involved in a serious crash may have structural issues.

Inspect the chassis: Look for rust or signs of repair. A rusted chassis can compromise safety.

Examine the engine: If the engine is smoking, it’s a sign of weakness and impending failure.

Test drive the car: Pay attention to how the gear shifts and how the car moves. Any jerking or lag could signal transmission issues.

Verify Documentation Confirm that the car’s papers are genuine and that the seller is the rightful owner—or has legal authority to sell on the owner’s behalf. Buying a stolen car or one with tampered documents can land you in serious legal trouble.

Consider Resale Value Choose a car model that has a reasonable second-hand market. If you opt for a lesser-known brand, make sure it is in top condition so you can at least enjoy it before it begins to show signs of wear.

Final thoughts

Buying a used car in Nigeria is no longer just about affordability—it’s about survival in an economy where every naira counts. However, a good deal can quickly become a nightmare if due diligence isn’t followed. Always involve a trusted mechanic in the inspection process, and resist the temptation to buy solely based on appearance or price. With proper care and wise decision-making, even a used car can offer reliable service for years