
FEATURES
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a new acting chairman, Mr. Sam Olumekun, Naija News reports.
Olumekun, who is INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, was referred to as the acting INEC Chairman during a meeting with the Labour Party leadership on Wednesday.
According to The Whistler, Professor Yakubu, the current INEC chairman, is in the Gambia attending the ECONEC (ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions) meeting.
According to constitutional provisions, the tenure of an INEC chairman is five years, and they typically leave at the end of their term unless their appointment is renewed. Yakubu assumed the role on November 9, 2015, and became the first INEC chairman to be sworn in for a second term after former President Muhammadu Buhari renewed his appointment in 2020.
Section 157 of the constitution states that the president can only remove the INEC chairman with the support of two-thirds of the Senate.
On Monday afternoon, a message circulated on WhatsApp, falsely claiming that Prof. Yakubu had been replaced by Prof. Olamilekan Bashiru.
The message, which lacked credible attribution, stated: “INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has been replaced with Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan by President Tinubu.”
In response to the report, the Senior Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Digital Media and New Media, O’tega Ogra, in a post on his ? handle on Monday afternoon, described it as ‘fake news.’
Yakubu, who is nearing the end of his second term as INEC Chairman, is expected to exit the position towards the end of this year.
[NaijaNews]
The United States government has announced that it will begin screening the social media accounts of foreigners applying for American visas, including students and immigrants, to detect anti-semitic activities.
The new directive, which takes effect immediately, will apply to those seeking permanent residency (Green Card), student visas, and even applicants connected to universities or organisations accused of practices that are hostile, discriminatory, or prejudiced against Jewish people.
According to a statement by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) obtained by Daily Trust, foreigners who have supported or encouraged violent religious extremism — including online posts backing groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, or Yemen’s Houthi rebels — risk being automatically disqualified from obtaining a US visa or residency permit.
“There is no room in the United States for the rest of the world’s terrorist sympathizers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here,” said DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Tricia McLaughlin. “Sec. Noem has made it clear that anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for anti-Semitic violence and terrorism – think again. You are not welcome here.”
The statement, issued on Wednesday, says the crackdown is in line with executive orders signed by President Donald Trump aimed at combating religious extremism and terrorism.
The statement partly reads, “Today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin considering aliens’ antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests.
“This will immediately affect aliens applying for lawful permanent resident status, foreign students and aliens affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity.
“Consistent with President Trump’s executive orders on combating anti-semitism, additional measures to combat anti-semitism and protecting the United States from foreign terrorists and other national security and public safety threats, DHS will enforce all relevant immigration laws to the maximum degree, to protect the homeland from extremists and terrorist aliens, including those who support antisemitic terrorism, violent antisemitic ideologies and antisemitic terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, or Ansar Allah aka: “the Houthis.
“Under this guidance, USCIS will consider social media content that indicates an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity as a negative factor in any USCIS discretionary analysis when adjudicating immigration benefit requests. This guidance is effective immediately.”
Analysts say the policy could affect international students from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, especially those active on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.
Critics have raised concerns that the policy could be used to target pro-Palestinian voices or human rights activists, blurring the line between legitimate criticism of Israeli policies and promoting religious hate speech.
The US government insists that it is not targeting any religion but is focused on violent extremists, regardless of faith.
[DailyTrust]
[Full List] Gbajabiamila missing as presidency releases names of Tinubu’s appointments to date
AdminThe Presidency, through Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has provided a list of the President’s appointments to date as it tries to defend alleged lopsided appointments.
In the list, South West has 29 appointees of the President as against 24 stated by Dare.
For instance, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is one of the first appointees of the President, appointed as Chief Of Staff on Friday, June 2, 2023, was not mentioned in the list.
The South East has fewer appointments.
Also, it appears that the West Eest, where the President comes from, has the majority of the key appointments into ‘juicy’ positions.
Here is the list of Tinubu’s appointments to day:
South West:
1. Bosun Tijani
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy
2. Wale Edun
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy
3. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo
Minister of Interior
4. Adebayo Adelabu
Minister of Power
5. Dele Alake
Minister of Solid Minerals Development
6. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment
7. Adegboyega Oyetola
Minister of Marine & Blue Economy
8. Olayemi Cardoso
CBN Governor
9. Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja
Chief of Army Staff
10. Kayode Egbetokun
Inspector General of Police
11. Zaccheus Adedeji
Chairman, FIRS
12. Adeola Ajayi
Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS)
13. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi
Comptroller-General of Customs
14. Olanipekun Olukoyede
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
15. Kayode Isiak Opeifa
Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation
16. Oluwasegun Faleye
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund
17. Vincent Olatunji
(NSITF)
18. Raji Kazeem Kolawole
Managing Director /CEO, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT)
19. Bayo Onanuga
Director General, National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI)
20. Sunday Dare
Special Adviser on Information and Strategy
21. Tope Kolade Fasua
Special Adviser on Public Communications Orientation
22. Peju Adedajo
Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters (Office of the VP)
23. Temitola Asekunle-Johnson
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Investment & Privatisation (Office of VP)
24. Mariam Temitope
Senior Special Assistant to the President, Job Creation & NSMEs (Office of VP)
25. Tunde Rahman
Senior Special Assistant to the President, Regional Development Programmes
26. Moremi Ojudu
SSAP on Community Engagement
27. Tope Ajayi
SSA, Media and Public Affairs
28. Segun Dada
Special Assistant, Social Media
29. Demola Oshodi
SSA, Protocol
North Central:
1. Shuaibu Audu
Minister of Steel Development
2.Muhammed Idris
Minister of Information
3. Zaphanian Jisalo
Minister of Special Duties
4. Lateef Fagbemi
Minister of Justice
5. Joseph Utsev
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation
6. Nentawe Yilwatde
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
7. Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim
Minister of State, Police Affairs
8. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security
9. Bashir Bayo Ojulari
GMD, NNPC Limited
10. Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed
Director General, National Intelligence Agency
11. Dr. Idris A. Sulaimon
Director General, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
12. Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
13. Engr. Jaji O. Abdulganiyu Controller General of the Federal Fire Service
14. Kemi Nandap
Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service
15. Haruna Y. Usman
Chairman, Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority
16. Dangajere Shuaibu Bawa Jaja Managing Director, Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority
17. Dr. Amos Gizo Yadukso
Chairman, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority
18. Engr. Ninga Terese
Managing Director, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority
19. Abiodun Essiet SSAP on Community Engagement
20. Gimba Kakanda
Senior Special Assistant to the President, Research and Analytics (Office of the VP)
21. Isaq Ahmed Ningi,
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital media & Emergency Management
22. Mr. Aliyu Audu,
Special Assistant to the President, Public Affairs
23. Sen. Ibrahim Oloriege
Chairman, NHIA
24. Tunde Ajibulu,
Deputy Executive Secretary (Services), UBEC
25. Sunday Sylva Togo Echono Executive Secretary, TETFUND
North East:
1. Abubakar Kyari
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security
2. Idi Mukhtar Maiha
Minister of Livestock Development
3. Sa’idu Alkali
Minister of Tranportation
4. Yusuf Tuggar
Minister of Foreign Affairs
5. Muhammad Ali Pate
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare
6. Ibrahim Gaidam
Minister of Police Affairs
7. Uba Maigari Ahmadu
Minister of State for Regional Development
8. Ahmadu Musa Kida
NNPCL Non-executive Chairman.
9. Nuhu Ribadu
National Security Adviser
10. Mohammed Buba Marwa Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
11. Hajiya Hafsat Bakari
CEO, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit
12. Prof. Abdu Dauda
Chairman, Chad Basin Development Authority
13. Tijjani Musa Tumsa
Managing Director, Chad Basin Development Authority
14. Alh. Sanusi Mohammed Babantanko
Chairman, Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority
15. Abdulhamid Yahaya Abba SSAP on Community Engagement
16. Dr. Bala Mohammed
Deputy Governor, CBN
17. Aliyu Modibbo Umar
Special Adviser (SAD), General Duties
18. Sadiq Wanna Special Adviser (SAD), to the President on Power Infrastructure (Office of the VP)
19. Usman Muhammad
SSA to the President on Administration & Office Accommodation (Office of the VP)
20. Nasir Yammama
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Innovation (Office of the VP)
21. Bashir Maidugu
Deputy State House Counsel (Senior Special Assistant to the President)
22. Dr. Daniel Bwala,
Special Adviser on Media and Policy Communications
23. Mr. Francis Adah Abah
Personal Assistant to the President, Special Duties
24. Mumuni Dagazau
Executive Vice President for Downstream
North West:
1. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar Minister of Defence
2. Hannatu Musawa
Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy
3. Ahmed Dangiwa
Minister of Housing and Urban Development
4. Bello Goronyo
Minister of State for Water Resources
5. Yusuf Tanko Sununu
Minister of State for Education
6. Bello Matawalle
Minister of State for Defence
7. Hajiya Hafsat Bakari
CEO, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit
8. General Christopher Gwabin Musa Chief of Defence Staff
9. Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar Chief of Air Staff
10. Haliru Nababa
Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service
11. Shehu Usman Mohammed Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission
12. Aminu Maida
EVC, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)
13. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
14. Brig Gen YD Ahmed
Director-General, National Youth Service Corps
15. Mohammed Buba Marwa Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
16. Abdullahi U. Ganduje
Chairman, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)
17. H. E. Abdullahi U. Ganduje Chairman, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria
18. Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu
Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission
19. Nasiru Gawuna
Chairman, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria
20. Musa Sarkin Adar
Chairman, National Inland Waterways Authority
21. H. E. Nasiru Gawuna
Chairman, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria
22. H.E Aminu Bello Masari
Chairman, TETFUND
23. Alh. Bashir Usman Gumel Chairman, Federal Medical Centre, Yola
24. Dr. Mohammed Gusau Hassan Chairman, Federal Medical Centre Birnin Kudu
25. Isa Sadiq Achida
Chairman, Raw Materials Research and Development Council
26. Amb. Abubakar Shehu Wurno Chairman, Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority
27. Major Gen. Jubril Abdulmalik Secretary, Civil Defence, Immigration and Prisons Services Board
28. Dr Mohammed Mohammed Aminu
Registrar/Chief Executive Officer (NABTEB)
29. Abdullahi Tanko Yakassai SSAP on Community Engagement
30. Sani Dattijo
Deputy Governor, CBN
31. Rukaiya El-Rufai
Special Adviser to President on NEC & Climate Change (Office of the VP)
32. Hakeem Baba Ahmed
Special Adviser (SAD), on Political Matters (Office of VP)
33. Muhammad Bulama
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Politics/Special Duties (office of the VP)
34. Zainab Yunusa
Senior Special Assistant to the President on NEC (Office of the VP)
35. Abdulaziz Abdulaziz
Senior Special Assistant to the President, Print Media
36. Ibrahim Masari
SSA Politics
South South:
1. Festus Keyamo
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development
2. Ekperipe Ekpo
Minister of State, Gas Resources
3. Heineken Lokpobiri
Minister of State, Petroleum Resources
4. John Enoh
Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment
5. Nyesom Wike
Minister of Federal Capital Territory
6. Abubakar Momoh
Minister of Regional Development
7. Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla
Chief of Naval Staff
8. Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye
Chief of Defence Intelligence
9. Emomotimi Agama
Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
10. Mrs. Glory Ekpo Oho
Managing Director, Cross River Basin Development Authority
11. Sen. Magnus Abe
Chairman, National Agency for the Great Green Wall
12. Chief (Barr.) Ebikemi Boi Bosin Chairman, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority
13. Hon. Amgbare Ebitimi
Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority
14. Mr. Saleh Abubakar
Director-General, National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW)
15. Dr. Dakorinama Alabo George Director-General, Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA).
16. Gift Johnbull SSAP on Community Engagement
17. Emem Nnana Usoro
CBN Deputy Governor
18. O’tega Ogra SSA, Digital/New Media to the President
19. Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe SSA, Strategic Communications
20. Rowland Ewubare
Group Chief Operating Officer, NNPCL
21. Nosa Asemota
Special Assistant, Visual Communications to the President
22. Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey
Project Coordinator, HYPREP
South East:
1. Dr. Doris Anite Uzoka
Minister of State for Finance
2. Bianca Ojukwu
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
3. Nkeiru Onyejiocha
Minister of State for Labour
4. Sen. Dave Umahi
Minister of Works
5. Dr. Uche Nnaji
Minister of Science and Technology
6. Uzoma Nwagba
MD, Credicorp
7. Rt. Hon. Emeka Nduka
Managing Director, Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority
8. Adesua Dozie
Company Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, NNPCL
9. Hon. Mark Okoye
MD/CEO, South-East Development Commission (SEDC)
10. Philip Ikeazor
Deputy Governor for Financial System Stability, CBN
11. Sophia Mbakwe
Executive Vice President of Business Services, NNPCL
12. Mr. John Ugochukwu Uwajumogu Special Adviser, Industry, Trade and Investment
13. Chioma Nweze
SSAP on Community Engagement
14. Kingsley Stanley Nkwocha SSA to the President, Media and Communication (Office of VP)
15. Kingsley Uzoma
SSA to the President on Agribusiness & Productivity Enhancement (Office of VP)
16. Mr. Fredrick Nwabufo
SSA to the President on Public Engagement
Tony Elumelu, chairman of Transcorp Group, says Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy target cannot be realised without urgent and sustained efforts to address challenges in the country’s electricity sector.
Elumelu spoke on Wednesday at the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) held in Abuja.
The business mogul said access to reliable power remains the single most critical factor in transforming the Nigerian economy, particularly as the country pushes for increased contribution from the non-oil sector.
“I want to use this opportunity to reiterate that access to electricity remains the single most critical factor in fixing the Nigerian economy, especially as we seek to have the non-oil sector make greater contributions to our economy,” he said.
“We must, therefore, have the power to fix and transform Nigeria. We know that to grow a $1 trillion economy, electricity must be fixed. That is not the case today.”
Elumelu added that although President Bola Tinubu had directed last year that all impediments to the power sector be removed, the pace of implementation remained slow.
“The president directed last year that all impediments to the power sector should be removed,” he added.
“But I’m afraid to say that critical people who should help to see the president’s vision come alive are afraid to do so.
“May I use this opportunity to call on them to help translate the President’s initiative idea into action?”
‘FG OWES TRANSCORP N600BN FOR ELECTRICITY SUPPLY’
Elumelu also said the federal government owed the company N600 billion for electricity supplied to the national grid.
“As of date, federal government owes your company over N600 billion. That is $400 million,” he said.
“Much as we, patriotic Nigerian investors, are committed to supporting the efforts of the federal government in fixing the economy, we have a rather excruciating burden of subsidising the sector. It requires urgent attention.”
Elumelu acknowledged efforts by the present administration to address liquidity issues in the power sector, including the presidential metering initiative and transmission reforms.
He added that implementation must be swift to prevent further deterioration.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Elumelu said it experienced significant growth within the group despite economic challenges.
He said Transcorp Plc’s market capitalisation had risen to over N4.5 trillion from less than N20 billion in 2011 when his group took over the company.
Elumelu added that since the takeover, the company has consistently paid dividends, declaring N1 per share for the 2024 financial year.
“By the time we took over the company in 2011, they had not paid dividends one day. But since we took over the company, we have consistently paid dividends to shareholders,” he said.
“We have declared N1 dividend for 2024. And 2025 will definitely be better than 2024.”
According to Elumelu, Transcorp Power now has a market value of over N2.7 trillion and has fully repaid its foreign exchange (FX) acquisition loan of $215 million in 2024.
“When we say that Transcorp is about transforming lives, improving lives and transforming Nigeria and Africa, it is based on the role we play in catalysing development. Power is critical for the development of every economy,” he said.
He also announced the completion of a new 5,000-capacity event centre at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, aimed at positioning Nigeria as a hub for global events.
“Rwanda, Dubai, and Kenya have become event centres. So, we want to put your country on that mark. And you have succeeded,” he said.
Elumelu also said the company was considering expanding into other critical sectors, including agriculture and renewable energy, following recommendations from shareholders.
On her part, Owen Omogiafo, president and group chief executive officer (GCEO) of Transcorp Group, said the firm is committed to excellence and innovation.
Omogiafo said the firm is exploring strategic diversification into agriculture, targeting high-impact opportunities.
‘We walked through the valley of death,’ Stranded train passenger shares ordeal in Kogi forest
AdminTrain passengers from Delta State were stranded for hours on Wednesday after the train travelling through Kogi State broke down in a forest.
Kola Edokpayi, who was among the stranded passengers, took to Facebook on Wednesday to explain the ordeal.
According to him, he had opted to travel by train from Agbor, Delta State to Itakpe, Kogi State after being unable to secure a flight to Abuja.
However, the journey took a dramatic turn when the train developed technical issues in a location he described as an “evil forest,” devoid of mobile network coverage and surrounded by cattle herders.
His caption read, “I couldn’t get a flight to Abuja today, I decided to board a train from Agbor to Itakpe, Kogi State en route Abuja.
“On getting to an evil forest without network in Kogi, the train developed technical issues that couldn’t be fixed immediately.
“Passengers became apprehensive while stranded in the forest dominated by Fulani herders and their cows.”
As panic grew among passengers, Edokpayi said many opted to begin an “endurance trek” through the forest in a desperate bid to reach a nearby town or train station.
The trek reportedly lasted for over three hours, with elderly passengers struggling and some near collapse.
“We decided to embark upon an endurance trek to quickly get to town. We trekked for more than three hours and are still trekking to the train station.
“What interests me is that all the Fulani herders in the forest we encountered were so friendly and they assisted us while we were navigating the evil forest,” he said.
In a follow-up post on Thursday after arriving in Abuja, Edokpayi described the experience as “terrible and horrific.”
He likened the journey to a biblical test of faith, quoting Psalm 23:4 to describe how he found comfort while trekking through what he called “the valley of the shadow of death.”
He wrote, “Thank God for safe arrival in Abuja this morning. It was a terrible and horrific experience in the wilderness.
“While embarking upon the unsolicited endurance trek, I took solace in the book of Psalm 23:4, which says ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.'”
He narrated how they got exhausted from trekking and how an elderly man almost died in the forest.
Edokpayi wrote, “Having trekked for hours, I became sinewless with no water to drink to resuscitate myself, we kept on trekking in the forest until we saw bike riders coming with bikes, they told us point-blank that they wanted to go and rescue their co-workers who were also stranded in the forest.
“An old man who trekked with us for about 30 minutes almost died, we had to assist him to be alive. Thank God that he is alive to share the testimony of what God did for him and other travellers.”
Eventually, the group encountered motorcyclists and rescue vehicles heading toward the stranded train.
With the last of their strength, Edokpayi said, passengers rushed to board the vehicles and were taken to safety.
He wrote, “The genuine Fulani cattle herders in the forest were very friendly. We give thanks to God that at the time of the unsolicited endurance trek in the forest, the terroristic bandits were in deep slumber.
“We trekked to almost where there was a hill before we sighted vehicles coming to pick up passengers. At that point, we started rushing into the vehicles with the last strength. Thank God that we all arrived at our various destinations safely.”
While grateful for the safe outcome, the man criticised the state of Nigeria’s transport infrastructure, warning that the incident could have ended in tragedy.
He wrote, “The Federal Government needs to be proactive enough to ensure that the trains are in a better state for the safety of passengers.
“Airline operators go dey cancel flight anyhow, we fear kidnappers for road wey still bad. Train dey spoil for evil forest dominated by herders.
“Make God continue to help us ooo in Bongo. Welcome to Bongo, the heartbeat of abracadabra.
“I don kawalelogran for train oooo until government address the issue. The fear of train for me is the beginning of wisdom.”
The Presidency has apologised for the errors in the list of appointments released to counter the narrative about President Bola Tinubu’s alleged lopsided appointments.
The President’s appointments have been a topic of conversation lately as opposition politicians accuse him of favouring his tribesmen and women over Nigerians from other ethnic groups.
In a recent interview with Arise Television, Senator Ali Ndume, an APC lawmaker representing Borno South, accused the President of violating the federal character principle in his appointments.
Ndume said he decided to call the President’s attention to his ‘lopsided appointment’ because, as a lawmaker, he has the right to criticize the President even though they belong to the same party.
To counter the allegation, the Presidency released a list of President Tinubu’s appointees and their geo-political zones.
The list showed that the President had appointed 29 people from the South West, his home region, 35 from the North West, 22 from the South-South, 16 from the South East, 25 from North Central and 24 from the North East.
However, the President’s critics have pointed out that the list was not comprehensive, as the name of a major appointee from the President’s home region was missing.
The omission of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, from the list further strengthened the regional imbalance narrative against President Tinubu’s administration, as the list clearly showed that the South East is highly underrepresented in his government.
As the document sparked debate on social media, Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser, Media & Public Communication/Spokesperson to the President, has tendered an apology for the errors in the list.
“We have noticed a number of errors in the list of appointments tweeted. We are sorry. We will provide an updated list later. Thank you,” Dare appealed to Nigerians on X.
However, Dare did not explain why Gbajabiamila’s name was omitted from the list.
The Nigerian presidency has continued to debunk the claim by Senator Ali Ndume who alleged that President Bola Tinubu’s appointment since assuming office was lopsided.Nigerian cultural tours
Recall that Ndune in a recent interview had said that appointments by the Tinubu’s administration were mainly from the Southwest region.
The lawmaker also accused the president of violating the principles of the Federal Character.
However, in a reaction to Ndume’s allegation, Sunday Dare, an aide to the president said Tinubu is a detribalized leader.
Dare said, “His antecedents before he even became president speak to this fact. As Lagos Governor, President Tinubu populated his government with competent hands both from within and outside Lagos not minding which tribe you come from.”
He noted that Tinubu has remained the same and he is not blinded by tribe or religion.
He also stated that a lot of people have failed to examine recent appointments made by the presidents and that it is too early to conclude that Tinubu’s appointments are lopsided.
Continuing, Dare said that a review shows the president is on track as far as Federal character is concerned.
“A glance at this list of 134 federal appointments shows that the Northern part of this country has a total of 71 appointments compared to 63 for the entire South.
“When you break down the 63 positions given to the South, the South West leads marginally with 26 slots while the South-South has 21 positions. The South East with five states has 16 positions,” he said.
He added that an unbiased analysis of the appointments made by the president will show Nigerians that there is no cause for alarm
A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Buba Galadima has slammed former President Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly not paying his daughter during the time she worked for him.Nigerian political art prints
Speaking on AIT’s Jigsaw program watched by Politics Nigeria, the politician said he was treated badly by the former president who was also his friend.
“We are friends and will continue to be friends, if I want anything from him, I will ask,” Galadima said about Buhari.
Continuing, he said his daughter had called the former president after they graduated from school and were unemployed for a long time.
“In fact let me confess to you on television, my daughter did NYSC, the one who lost her passport. That’s why she wanted us to go to Mecca to thank God.
He said his daughter searched for a job in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) but could not get one and decided to call the president.
Galadima noted his daughter and her sister at that time scrolled through his phone contacts,saw the president’s phone number and decided to call him.
According to him, the former president picked the call thinking it was him calling.Political candidate merchandiseNigerian political art prints
“Then they said they are my children and they were calling him because country hard.
“They said, Baba country hard oo! Our father cannot get any job for us oo! And he told us that you’re his friend,” he said.
To this, Galadima said the president affirmed that they were friends and the younger daughter further explained to the president that she could not get a job with the NUPRC
“He (the president) just asked, to call Komolafe (the DG of NUPRC) and give my friend’s daughter a job. That was why she wanted to go to Mecca – to thank God and even to thank Mr President,” the NNPP chieftain noted.
He explained that he worked for former President Muhammadu Buhari for 13 years while his daughter worked for four years.
“My daughter worked for him for four years and he instructed that she should not be paid salary.
“Let them bring any voucher where she was paid. She worked for Buhari for four years in Osinbajo’s office without payment,” he added.
Asked why his daughter was not paid a salary, Galadima advised the interviewer to go and ask former President Buhari.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has started a grassroots campaign to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, openly rejecting other likely contenders such as Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
The governor made the declaration on Wednesday in Benin City during a ceremony to welcome Hon. Kaycee Osamwonyi, a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The 2027 presidential election is not far off, and here in Edo, we are already getting to work.
“We’ve begun early mobilisation for President Tinubu’s second term. Our resolve is clear: the APC remains the path forward for sustainable development,” Okpebholo said.
He also hinted that more opposition members would soon join the APC, calling the movement “a carnival of political realignment.”
Hon. Osamwonyi, who represents Uhunmwonde State Constituency and serves on the House Budget and Appropriation Committee, was first received by APC State Chairman Jarrett Tenebe before meeting the governor.
“We are excited to welcome you home,” Okpebholo told the lawmaker. “Your return, along with others, has strengthened our base and opened a new chapter of unity and progress in Edo APC.”
He added: “Uhunmwonde is close to my heart. Together, we will unlock its development potential and bring real impact to the people.”
The governor also urged young people to get involved in politics, stressing the importance of youth inclusion and loyalty to the party.
Nigeria’s next general election is scheduled for 2027. President Tinubu is expected to seek a second term. His main challengers from the 2023 election—Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party—are also expected to run again, despite growing talks of a possible opposition coalition.
In the last few days, governorship candidates have emerged from various parties in Anambra ahead of the state’s governorship election on November 8.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had set April 10 as the deadline for all political parties to conduct their governorship primaries ahead of the election.
Here’s everything you need to know about the candidates who have emerged.
AFRICAN ACTION CONGRESS (AAC)

Chioma Ifemeludike was elected as the candidate for the AAC after the party’s primary election on Tuesday.
She was unanimously elected through a voice vote by members of the congress.
In her acceptance speech, Ifemeludike promised not to disappoint the trust bestowed on her by party supporters.
She said the party would ensure that the people of Anambra — particularly women, children, and youths — are empowered to become better citizens.
Oshiokhe Ikpeminoghena, chairman of the election committee, said it is the party’s constitutional responsibility to field a candidate for the election.
He added that Ifemeludike fulfilled every necessary step that qualified her to run for the Anambra governorship election.
ACCORD PARTY

Charles Onyeze emerged as the governorship candidate of the Accord Party in the primary election held on Tuesday.
He was declared the winner unopposed during the party’s primary held at the East End Hotel, Aroma, Awka, the state capital.
The exercise was witnessed by thousands of party chieftains, members, INEC, security, and the media.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the exercise, Onyeze said he is contesting the election to address the current challenges of unemployment, insecurity, and a poor educational system in Anambra state.
“I’d like us to work as a family. Our interest is for Anambra to be better because what we’re seeing today is not good. What we’ll need to defeat the ruling party is not a problem. We have what it takes,” he said.
“My administration will ensure that no local government or community is overlooked in our developmental efforts.”
ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS

Nicholas Ukachukwu, a former member of the house of representatives, secured the APC gubernatorial ticket for the Anambra governorship election.
Ukachukwu clinched the ticket at the party’s primary election on Saturday, defeating his closest rival, Valentine Ozigbo, and other contenders by a landslide.
He polled 1,455 votes, while Ozigbo secured 67 votes. Edozie Madu and Johnbosco Onunkwo got 8 and 26 votes, respectively.
Speaking after his victory, Ukachukwu pledged to deliver the state to the APC.
“We shall deliver Anambra to the APC. One thing I want to say here — nobody has won the governorship of Anambra without my support; it has never happened before,” he said.
“I have been playing godfatherism, but now I want to be the father of the father — no more godfather.”
ALL PROGRESSIVES GRAND ALLIANCE (APGA)

Chukwuma Soludo, Anambra governor, was nominated as the APGA candidate for the upcoming governorship election.
Soludo, who was returned unopposed, secured over 3,000 votes in the primary held on Saturday at the Ekwueme Square, Awka.
Voting took place across the 21 LGAs of the state, where delegates were asked to cast a simple “yes” or “no” vote.
Soludo accepted the nomination and assured party members of continued development in the state.
“I want to say that I am humbled by this historic display of solidarity to be able to raise the flag of our party again, and I want to say that I accept this nomination wholeheartedly,” he said.
“Anambra keeps rising with the progressive leadership that we have had through APGA, and I will continue to appreciate the leadership of the party.”
LABOUR PARTY (LP)

George Moghalu emerged as the LP’s candidate for the upcoming Anambra governorship election after the party’s primary election was held on Saturday in Awka.
Moghalu, a former managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), secured 575 votes to defeat John Nwosu, his only opponent, who garnered 19 votes.
Out of 649 delegates listed, 601 were accredited, with 592 valid votes recorded and five votes declared invalid.
However, Nwosu withdrew from the race a day earlier, citing several “irregularities” for his decision.
“There was no delegates congress of the party held in any of the 21 local government areas of the state to elect the delegates to vote at the primary election, and a list of delegates eventually emerged and was pasted at the state headquarters of the party in Awka, just about eight hours to the D-Day, Saturday, April 5, 2025,” he said in a statement.
In his acceptance speech, Moghalu said unity among party stakeholders would be crucial to securing victory at the polls.
“I am ready for the challenge ahead. With my experience in public service and politics, I am confident in my capacity to defeat the incumbent, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of APGA,” he said.
“We must now get to work on selling the LP agenda to the people of Anambra. Our goal is to reach every nook and cranny of the state with our message.
“Anambra is a blessed state with abundant human and natural resources. All that is required is visionary leadership to harness these potentials for the benefit of our people.”
PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)

Jude Ezenwafor, the sole aspirant, secured the PDP’s ticket for the Anambra governorship election.
The PDP governorship primary was held on Tuesday at the Professor Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka, the state capital.
Chijioke Onwubuya, chairman of the PDP Anambra governorship election congress committee, announced Ezenwafor as the party’s flagbearer at the end of the exercise.
Onwubuya said Ezenwafor secured 798 ‘yes’ votes with 26 invalid votes, noting that 853 delegates were accredited out of the 999 on the list for the congress.
Speaking after his victory, Ezenwafor said the PDP is on a rescue mission in Anambra and urged voters to support the party’s bid to reclaim leadership in the state.
“If you support me, the dream will come true. They say PDP is dead, but I will prove them wrong,” he said.
“All LGA and ward chairmen are now automatic coordinators in their areas.
“Our journey to the government house has begun.”
PARTIES BRACE FOR FIERCE CAMPAIGN SEASON
With the conclusion of party primaries, the stage is now set for what promises to be a fiercely contested race.
With campaigns expected to intensify in the coming months, attention will turn to how these candidates plan to address pressing issues such as insecurity, unemployment, and infrastructure development in the state.
For voters, the election offers another opportunity to shape Anambra’s future; and for the candidates, it is a race not just for power but for the people’s trust.
[TheCable]
More...
Central American migrants in the United States sent home around 20 percent more in remittances in the first quarter of 2025, official data showed this week, a trend economists said reflected their fear of deportation by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Nearly one-quarter of the GDP of impoverished Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua is made up of money sent from US-based migrants to relatives in their homelands.
Guatemala’s central bank said this week it had recorded $5.64 billion in remittances in the first quarter, a 20.5 percent increase over the same period in 2024.
Honduras’s central bank, for its part, said the country received $2.62 billion, a 24 percent increase on the first quarter of 2024.
El Salvador and Nicaragua do not yet have complete data for the first quarter, but in January and February, remittances to both countries increased by 14.2 percent and 22.6 percent respectively, compared to the same months in 2024.
El Salvador received $1.4 billion and Nicaragua $909 million in the first two months of 2025, according to their central banks.
In Nicaragua, the figure includes remittances not only from the United States, but also from Costa Rica ($68.2 million) and Spain ($48.6 million).
The president of Guatemala’s central bank, Alvaro Gonzalez, attributed the increase in remittances to migrants’ fear of being deported from the United States.
Guatemalan economic analyst Erick Coyoy took a similar view, telling local media that the surge was “an anticipated reaction by migrants to the perceived risk of deportation.”
It is unclear, however, whether they sent more money home to ensure that, if deported, they would be able to access their savings or whether it was to help their relatives benefit from their situation in the United States while they can.
Trump returned to the White House in January on a promise to conduct the biggest wave of migrant deportations in US history.
Fearing deportation, some migrants from Central and South America have cut short their journeys to the United States and returned home.
The senior pastor of the Fountain of Life church, Jimmy Odukoya, has reiterated that God instructed him not to cut his dreadlocks.
The Nollywood actor cum clergyman in a recent sermon recalled seeking divine clarity about his appearance before resuming pastoral duties at the church.
Jimmy, who succeeded his late father, Taiwo Odukoya, said his sister had raised concerns about how his hairstyle might affect public perception, and he told her to pray about it.
Odukoya also narrated how God used his dreadlocks to save a woman who travelled from Zimbabwe to Nigeria to attend service.
He said, “Before I came back, one of the things I asked the Lord was whether or not I should cut my hair. And the Lord told me not to cut my hair.
“I knew what God had said to me so I told my sister to go pray and that God will speak to her. She goes back and told me I wasn’t supposed to cut my hair, to which I replied, ‘I know, because God already told me.
“A couple of weeks ago, someone had come to see me all the way from Zimbabwe just to come to church. I said please bring the lady in and she begins to tell me her story.
“She says, ‘People think I’m crazy. I told everybody I am coming to Nigeria for the next three to four weeks. I’m just coming to church’.
“She says, ‘It was 2016, I was in New York, it was Thanksgiving and I had a vision, it felt so real. In this vision, I see you with your hair and you’re speaking to me and I have been dealing with somethings in my life.
“There was this dog on my shoulder. I knew the dog represented the weight I was carrying and you had this long sword. You began speaking to me and it looked like thunder and lightning was coming out of the sword and it burnt the dog into ashes. And you began to declare over me and gave certain instructions’.
“She said, ‘Fast forward 2025, after that vision I went through a tough break-up, I lost everything in a divorce. My ex took the house.’ She said, ‘Everything I worked for… It was a tough time. To compound issues, my mom got sick and I watched her die in my arms’.
“She said she was trying to find God so she went on YouTube to hear sermons. And all of a sudden my preaching popped up.
“And she said, ‘You don’t understand, because when I had this vision, I didn’t know you existed. The person I saw, I did not know it was a real person. So when I saw the man from the vision with a long hair I screamed. I didn’t know any pastor would have long hair.
“The God who sees, hears and knows, knew at some point in February 2025, one of His children will have to see a man preaching. Guess what? If He did not ask me to keep my hair, I would have cut it.
“And when I popped up on the screen, she would have seen me with no hair and it would have meant nothing. God was making me keep my hair to save a life.”
The Rivers State Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) came under scathing criticisms on Wednesday following the sacking of the 23 local government caretakers and the head of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
The caretakers were replaced with administrators in the 23 LGAS in the state, while the RSIEC chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), was replaced by Dr Michael Odey.
Odey will work with six members, four of whom are professors.
This came less than 24 hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt ordered Ibas to appear before it to justify why the court should not grant a motion seeking to stop him from appointing administrators for the 23 LGAs.
Justice Adamu Muhammed issued the order on Tuesday in suit no. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu, against the Sole Administrator.
Ibas’s decision was contained in a special government announcement issued on Wednesday by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika.
The statement read, “His Excellency, the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (retd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of Administrators for the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
“He has also approved the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, earlier suspended. All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.”
Last week, the sole administrator suspended all heads of ministries, departments and agencies in the state.
In a separate development, Ibas also cancelled all pending procurement and tender processes carried out by ministries, departments and agencies in the state.
He said the cancellation became necessary following the Supreme Court judgment and the absence of an appropriation law within the period.
The sole administrator, according to a previous statement also issued by the SSG, directed all MDAs that carried out such tender processes for projects in their respective offices to refund such fees to the respective contractors immediately.
Ibas also approved the appointment of chairmen and members of the civil service and local government service commission.
Reacting to the appointments, Governor Siminilayi Fubara’s Special Adviser on Electronic Media, Jerry Omatsogunwa, described the development as impunity taken too far.
Omatsogunwa said Ibas had become a lord unto himself by his actions, especially as a court had summoned him over the appointments.
He expressed happiness that the National Assembly has faulted the planned budget preparation that the sole administrator talked about recently.
The governor’s aide stated, “Well, we have seen impunity ‘pro-max’ in Rivers State, and I think the National Assembly had also said that the budget presentation that he said he was preparing will not stand because that is not the purpose for which he was sent here.
“And the court has asked him not to do anything and to come and answer. You know the rest of the story; 23 names were released as administrators of the LGAs signed by him (Ibas).
“So, for me, it is impunity taken too far. He is now a lord unto himself, and we cannot have that in a democratic setting. I think all well-meaning Rivers people must condemn such acts by the sole administrator, and it will not stand at the end of the day. “
Ibas dismantling democratic structure – PANDEF
The National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Amb Godknows Igali, berated Ibas for dissolving the democratic structure in the state.
In a letter to the sole administrator, he frowned on what he termed the undemocratic steps he has taken so far in the state.
Igali said he observed “A systematic tearing down of various structures, which are important for the continued building and consolidation of democracy in Rivers State right now taking place under your watch.”
Igali, in the open letter issued on Wednesday, stated that more troubling was the “unbelievable level of dismantling, disassembling, and razing down all the institutions of democracy that have been in existence in the state.”
The retired diplomat flayed the removal of the photographs of the elected governor from all offices when he had not yet been removed from office.
He added, “This I saw first-hand at the Port Harcourt International Airport, where I often pass through and was told this was at the behest of your administration. On inquiry, I was told that this has happened in all other government offices around the state.
“Beyond that is your most recent decision to suspend the boards of existing statutory institutions such as the State Independent Electoral Commission, governing councils of tertiary institutions, and even the revered traditional rulers council.’’
“I do not claim to be an expert on constitutional matters but as one who has been atop in the country’s bureaucracy and from best global practices around the world which I know too well from my diplomatic career of nearly half a century, the duties of a sole administrator as a placeholder are making decisions in an interim manner regarding the management and day-to-day administration of the state, financial control, especially receiving money, making payments, and ensuring transparency; managing personnel and ensuring other human resource functions; and taking measures to ensure peace, particularly using the office to intermediate and bring back peace to the realm in question; in this case, Rivers State,” he enumerated.
The PANDEF leader added, “This is more so as I have thoroughly read the Gazette dated 19th March, 2025 appointing you as Administrator as well as extracts of National Assembly proceedings of Thursday, 20th March, 2025 and do not find the kind of wide and sweeping powers being deployed by your office.’’
He expressed the hope that Ibas would have the courage to “undo some of your actions that have so far proven to be over the bar.”
In the same vein, an elder statesman and member of the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, has condemned the appointment of administrators for the 23 LGAs, saying Ibas has no power to hire or fire anybody.
Sara-Igbe said the appointment of Ibas as Sole Administrator of the state by President Bola Tinibu is conditional.
He described the situation in Rivers State as a coup, wondering how such an illegality was thriving as if there were no law in the country.
He said, “The man who is appointing them (LGA administrators) has no locus. He came unconstitutionally, and his appointment is not covered by the constitution, so it’s null and void.
“Since he has no constitutional bearing, he has no power to either remove or appoint anybody into any office. But what is happening is to tell the world that they had an orchestrated plan for a coup.
“And Mr President has come short of the constitution. Section 10 says that nobody can take the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any part of it without the due process of the law.
“So, if somebody is taking undue advantage without following the due constitution, it’s null and void, it’s ultra vires.
“Then, depending on section 305; section 305 doesn’t give the President power to suspend or to dissolve any elected office.
“So, the authorities that appointed them do not even have the power to say they want to dissolve, suspend or appoint at the state level. He doesn’t have those powers.
“All they are doing is to see that there’s impunity, they don’t respect the law. They don’t respect the constitution. They can breach the constitution anyhow they like but there’s a court injunction not to go ahead with this appointments and yet he flouted the court orders.”
Group threaten mass action
A group, the Rivers Emancipation Movement, threatened a mass action over the latest appointments by the sole administrator.
The National President of the group, Solomon Tamunotonye, alleged that the appointees are loyalists of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, saying this would further deepen the political crisis in the state.
He stated, “The REM strongly and unequivocally rejects the appointment of sole administrators to oversee the affairs of the local governments in Rivers State.
“This decision is a brazen violation of the Nigerian constitution and stands in direct contradiction to the Supreme Court ruling on the sanctity of democratic governance at the grassroots.
“This appointment is largely populated by known allies of former governor Nyesom Wike, clearly exposing the sole administrator’s lack of neutrality and further deepening the political crisis in the state.
“By effectively handing over the LGAs to Wike’s loyalists, the sole administrator has demonstrated an unacceptable level of partisanship and disregard for democratic principles.”
However, the member representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, Rivers State, Mr Kingsley Chinda, asserted that Ibas’ decision to appoint caretaker chairmen was in order.
Chinda, who doubles as the House Minority Leader, also stated that the appointment of a new RSIEC boss did not violate the provision of section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (As amended).
Asked if the retired admiral’s action did not amount to contempt of court, Chinda said, “What court order? What was in place before his appointments? Don’t you want the local government area’s elections conducted?
“I speak as the member representing Obio/Akpor Fed Constituency, as the Minority Caucus or its leadership has not taken a position on this.
“The Supreme Court judgement is that funds should not be released to non-democratic local government councils as provided in the constitution.
‘’The administrator never met an elected chairman in council. How is he expected to administer? Even where he administers the local government areas from the Government House, it does not meet the constitutional requirement.
“He met the council areas without chairmen and an election timetable announced by the state electoral commission. Unfortunately, three members of the commission resigned, and the chairman absconded.
“He had no option but to return democratic rule to the grassroots in compliance with the court judgement, which informed the immediate inauguration of the state electoral commission.
“In the circumstances, he had no reasonable option than to appoint administrators at the local government areas in the interim as long as there are no elected chairmen.”
That said, the federal lawmaker challenged anyone to “Point out the constitutional provision that bars him (sole administrator) from dissolving political appointees and appoint persons of his choice to help him deliver services.”
“The administrator has done nothing in breach of section 305 of the Constitution,” he insisted.
Following a recent meeting between former President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, a report has indicated that the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc might leave the party.
Naija News understands that the meeting which took place on Monday in Kaduna, was initially perceived as a routine courtesy call but has since sparked speculation about its deeper purpose.
According to Daily Trust, the governors reportedly sought Buhari’s intervention to halt defections from the party, particularly by key members of the CPC bloc
The governors’ appeal reportedly arose from growing concerns about potential defections ahead of the 2027 general elections. The defunct CPC, a key bloc within APC, remains highly influential, with Buhari regarded as its central figure.
There are fears within APC that the exit of this bloc could spell disaster for the party on a national scale.
Several former ministers who served in Buhari’s cabinet are also reportedly finalising plans to join the Social Democratic Party.
A source told the aforementioned publication that the governors feared Buhari’s enduring cult-like followership in the North could become a major liability for APC if he backs his CPC associates. His bloc vote, they feared, could be catastrophic for the party in 2027.
It was gathered that the governors specifically urged Buhari to dissuade his CPC associates from leaving APC.
However, the former president reportedly declined to make any such commitment. While reaffirming his loyalty to APC, he insisted that others must be allowed to make their own political choices, a principle he said he has upheld throughout his political career.