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If We Sack Wike From PDP We Will Suffer – Party Insider

AFOLABI

Sources within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have claimed that the party is demoralised and confused about how to resolve its lingering crisis.

A source told Daily Sun that the party feels impotent in taking any action against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, due to fears of retaliation.

The source claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) do not want opposition in the country to function.

“If we sack Wike from the PDP, we are the ones who will suffer. Are you not seeing what the minister is doing to us? He will go and seal our office and revoke our certificate of occupancy because of ₦7 million. It is these kinds of things that are demoralising us. It is very clear that the All Progressives Congress does not want the opposition parties to function, so this is just part of the plan to snuff the life out of us. See what is happening in the Labour Party where they have three factions. Also, see what is happening in the New Nigeria Peoples Party. Can’t you see that it is following the same pattern?” one party insider lamented.

“People keep asking why we have not sacked Wike? Is it easy to sack him while he is the minister of the FCT? If we sack him, we won’t even be able to hold any meeting in Abuja. If we go to Legacy House, he will send people to send us out of there,” an insider added.

However, despite the challenges, the aforementioned publication has learnt that PDP officials are optimistic that the crisis will be resolved through their planned national convention scheduled for August in Kano. The party plans to hold a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on June 30, following their previous open meeting at Legacy House. Party officials describe the August convention date as “sacrosanct” and believe fresh leadership elections will automatically resolve the ongoing internal conflicts.

“The only way forward is to have our convention in August. Once we elect our leaders, then he is gone. That is what we are planning, and it will work,” a source said

Last modified on Monday, 09 June 2025 10:17

2027: No Opposition Party Can Defeat Tinubu Alone – Ex-Presidential Candidate

AFOLABI

A former presidential candidate, Martin Onovo, has stated that it would be nearly impossible for any single opposition party to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections without a strong coalition.

Onovo, who ran for president in 2015 under the defunct National Conscience Party, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

“The only way to defeat the All Progressives Congress in 2027 is through a united front — a powerful coalition of opposition forces,” he declared.

Onovo threw his weight behind the ongoing coalition efforts spearheaded by former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, calling it a step in the right direction.

“I was the brain behind the largest coalition ever in the Fourth Republic, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP). Coalition is the only way. A united minority is stronger than a divided majority,” he said.

He expressed confidence that a well-structured alliance could hand the APC a massive defeat at the polls.

Onovo said, “The coalition will win the 2027 election with 99 per cent of the votes if it is not self-sabotaged. Take it to the bank — it will succeed and defeat the ruling party convincingly, if they do it well.”

On mid-term performance, Onovo scored the Tinubu-led administration low, particularly on security and basic welfare delivery.

“Not much has been achieved in terms of tackling insecurity or improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he noted.

He advised the President to refocus on the core needs of Nigerians, urging him to use the remainder of his term to take concrete action.

Onovo emphasised the need for competent hands in governance, rather than political loyalists.

“We need competent people in positions, not loyalists. Let’s get the right people, right strategies, and an ethical environment, while the President provides leadership and takes responsibility.”

“We need the right commanders with effective strategies in both security and economy to end the suffering. We must not sacrifice performance for loyalty,” he added.

He further urged the President to intensify efforts in the fight against corruption and take meaningful steps to reduce income inequality, which he said were root causes of Nigeria’s insecurity and social unrest.

I Never Begged Anyone To Become Vice President – Babachir Lawal Slams APC

AFOLABI

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, of waging a campaign of bitterness against President Bola Tinubu.

The party said Lawal’s failure to secure the vice presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 general election was the reason for his disdain for the incumbent administration.

However, Lawal dismissed the claim, stating that he had no interest in becoming the vice president.

The APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Ijeoma Arodiogbu, told Punch that Lawal’s repeated criticism of Tinubu under the guise of opposing the Muslim-Muslim ticket was nothing more than a mask for his personal disappointment.

He also alleged that his decision to join forces with the ongoing coalition championed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and erstwhile Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, was a carryover of his resentment for the President.

“Babachir was desperate to become Vice President. Nigerians know this. He campaigned vigorously for a Christian from the North to be chosen as his running mate. When that didn’t happen, he turned against the party and the President,” Arodiogbu alleged.

He noted that Tinubu’s decision to pick former Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima as his running mate was a strategic move aimed at consolidating northern votes, even though it triggered a wave of dissent within the party and among Christian leaders.

Arodiogbu stressed that former President Muhammadu Buhari remained supportive of Tinubu and had not been alienated by the President or the party.

“The President has never insulted or criticised Buhari. Even when people like Babachir tried to make him do so during the campaign, he refused. His loyalty has never been in doubt,” he said.

Reacting to the allegation while speaking to the publication mentioned above, Lawal said, “Who said I ever wanted to be Vice President? That’s a lie. I never begged anyone. My position on Tinubu is based on principle, not personal ambition.”

According to him, his opposition to the Tinubu administration was rooted in its policies, which he believed had inflicted hardship on ordinary Nigerians, particularly in the North.

“This is not about me. It’s about policies that are impoverishing Nigerians. The North today looks like a region of internally displaced people. People are suffering,” he lamented.

He accused the Tinubu government of stifling dissent and cracking down on critics, especially those from the North.

“Try offering advice, and they unleash attack dogs on you. This government is now criminalising dissent. People are being locked up for expressing concerns. That is unacceptable,” he said.

Hardship: ‘People Surrounding Tinubu Are Deceiving Him, Damaging His Image’ – Ndume

AFOLABI

The Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu is being deceived by those surrounding him, and he is aware of the country’s dire situation.
Naija News reports that Ndume stated this on Sunday, June 8, 2025, while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics Today.

The lawmaker said even though the President had acknowledged that things were challenging, not much was being done to help the people.

According to Ndume, many people are unhappy with the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, and those surrounding Tinubu are doing more harm than good to him.

Ndume added that Tinubu drives in cars with tinted windows that prevent him from seeing what is happening in the country.

He said, “The president also is not pretending. He acknowledges there is hardship. He acknowledges that things are very difficult. Even recently he appealed that people should be patient with him.

“But the question is, for how long will we continue to be patient. Things are very difficult and so many things have not been done the way the people are expecting.

“To be honest with you, if you go back to the electorates today, halfway, they’re not happy. I see people lying, telling the President what he wants to hear or maybe some of them, he doesn’t even want to hear them.

“My position on the people surrounding the President is that they are deceiving him, damaging his image and doing more harm than good because the President cannot go out on the streets like myself and know how the people feel.

“Even outside the Villa they’d drive him in a tinted glass that he does not even see what’s going on.

“It is people like us that represent the public that you’ll listen to and you also get your intelligence from the people on ground. Things are bad, very bad in the country.”

Last modified on Monday, 09 June 2025 10:15

2027: Division in Tinubu’s base

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There are cracks in the South-west home base of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, months to the formal commencement of activities leading to the 2027 general elections.

The South-west being the president’s natal base where he cut his political teeth to become one of the most influential political leaders in the country is regarded as his turf and linchpin for 2027.

Recent happenings in the zone have, however, shown that the cohesion in the president’s base is being threatened by many issues in no less than three states in the zone, especially his home state, Lagos.

Our correspondents observe that there are schisms in the president’s camp in Oyo, Osun and Lagos with the most serious threat coming from Lagos where the president appears not to be in good terms with the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Recently, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, also issued a scathing criticism on the president’s tenure, saying Tinubu’s renewed hope has turned into a nightmare for Nigerians.

The group, in a statement by its leader and national publicity secretary, Oba Oladipo Olaitan and Justice Faloye, said the midterm report of the Tinubu administration has shown that every human development and sociopolitical index in the country has regressed.

Facts have also emerged that in Osun State, the initial plan to allow the former governor Adegboyega Oyetola to fly the APC flag in 2026 as he did in 2018 and 2022 may have been altered which has not gone down well with those in the Oyetola camp.

Though, Oyetola is now serving as minister for Marine and Blue Economy, sources say he prefers to return and complete his second term in office.

In Oyo State, there’s a serious division between the camps of Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu and Senator Teslim Folarin over who the president should support for the party’s ticket in 2027.

The reluctance of the president to intervene in the two states currently under the PDP rule is further affecting the cohesion in the president’s camp.

president bola ahmed tinubu with babajide sanwo olu and others, during lagos state governorship campaign — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with Babajide Sanwo Olu and others, during Lagos State governorship campaign

In Lagos, Tinubu’s snub of Governor Sanwo-Olu during the commissioning of the completed portion of section one of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road covering 30 kilometres came as the confirmation of a long held suspicion that the governor may have fallen out of the good books of the president.

However, the governor dismissed the existence of any rift between him and the president, saying the relationship is that of father and son.

Addressing journalists after a meeting with President Tinubu and members of the Governors Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos on Sunday, Sanwo-Olu said those alluding to any crisis are trying to be more Catholic than the Pope.

The governor said, “Did you see any discord? Can’t you see, you are smiling, I’m smiling? There’s none(discord). They are people that believe that they are more Catholic than the Pope.

“There are people that you see, they cry more than the bereaved. You know father and son relationship, we will always, always ensure that. There’s nothing at all. He is my father, my leader and we’re grateful that he has given us the audience today to come in and say hello to him.”

Sanwo-Olu also disclosed that the president was happy to see him and members of the GAC.

“Nothing beyond the fact that he was very happy to see us; extremely, very happy to see us. He was very excited that we are one big happy family, and we are not divided in any form, and we all honestly also pledged our full loyalty to him, to his government, as our leader, as our father, and it was unanimous, and he has charged us to ensure that the forthcoming local government election, that we should all go and do our very best and ensure that we continue to keep the flag of the party flying,” he said.

A source also said that the president declared at the meeting that he was no longer angry with the governor. The source said the president did not go into details about the cause of the rift, but accepted the plea for reconciliation. “It is all over now. All is forgiving,” the source quoted Tinubu as saying.

A 28-second video that emerged last week and viewed by our correspondent, showed Tinubu who arrived for the commissioning of the coastal road having a handshake with other governors who were already seated at the venue, but when it was the turn of Sanwo-Olu, he side stepped him.

Also, the governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun was chosen to speak at the event well above the host governor, Sanwo-Olu, who is also the chairman of the South-west Governors’ Forum.

What initially started as speculation has now become an open secret, threatening the cohesion, peace, stability and tranquility in the party and is already causing rifts among party leaders in the state, Daily Trust gathered.

Two things are said to be the major issues that strained the relationship between the president and the governor, leading to the current ripples within the political camp of Tinubu.

2023 election and Peter Obi/Atiku connection

An APC leader told Daily Trust over the weekend that the recent revelation that the governor allegedly contributed to the campaign funds of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate in 2023 by proxy was what raised the red flag for the president.

This has been interpreted to mean that the governor wasn’t committed to Tinubu’s presidency in 2023, alleging that, that was why the president lost Lagos under his watch as governor.

Obasa’s impeachment

The impeachment of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa as the House of Assembly presiding officer was one of the issues that pitted the president against Governor Sanwo-Olu.

On January 13, there was a drama in the House of Assembly when Mudashiru Obasa was impeached as Speaker of the legislative house. The impeachment of the Speaker, who was far away in the United State, was seen as a rude shock given the enormous power and clout enjoyed by Obasa. Until that moment, Obasa appeared untouchable due to his position as a long-term ally and political godson to the president.

However, the impeachment of the Speaker was said to have irked Tinubu, who directed that he should be reinstated. It was a tough battle for the 49 days that the impeachment saga lasted. At exactly 49 days after Obasa’s impeachment, the status quo was restored as Mojisola Meranda, who was elected after Obasa’s purported impeachment returned to her former position as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Despite the impeachment getting the imprimatur of the majority of members of the 40-man house of assembly, Obasa was reinstated as the Speaker though feelers say the relationship in the legislative house is no longer as it used to be.

Since that crisis, sources said, the president has not been happy with the governor for his alleged role in the saga.

“The president was very furious that the governor disrespected him by supporting the impeachment of Obasa without informing him. The return to status quo was to tell you that the president would not tolerate such an act of rebellion against his political empire and since then the relationship between the duo has not been cordial,” said an APC leader who pleaded anonymity.

While the relationship has been sour since the Obasa’s impeachment saga, they have continued to manage it until the president’s public snub of the governor at the commissioning of the coastal road.

Prior to that, the governor was said to have been less visible in several engagements involving the president while it was learnt that his colleagues in the progressive governors’ forum were making frantic efforts to reconcile them.

The governor was also not at the commissioning of projects in Lagos on Thursday including his visit to the Dangote Petrochemical Refinery. The president also commissioned some roads linking the Lekki Deep Seaport and other projects by the Ministry of Works. Instead, the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamza was most visible at the commissioning. The absence of the Sanwo-Olu further fueled speculations, especially after he was sighted in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, barely 24 hours later, during the defection of the governor, Umo Eno, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC)

Local government primary

Daily Trust further learnt that the crisis between the president and the governor also played a role in the emergence of APC candidates ahead of the local government elections in the state scheduled for July 12.

It was gathered that some candidates backed by the governor lost out in the primary which explained why there was so much protest and outcry on the outcome of the shadow election.

This, it was learnt, was part of a move to clip the wing of the governor and “put him in his place.” “None of the candidates supported by Sanwo-Olu won the election,” a source said.

Despite several efforts by our correspondents, no APC leader or member of the Tinubu’s camp in Lagos was willing to speak on the matter.Officially, they have all kept sealed lips, while some are praying to God for the matter to be resolved.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been largely described as a down-to-earth, peace-loving and unassuming personality who never minced words in praising the president. He often described the president as ‘Mr. Visioner,’ emphasising that he owed his ascension to prominence from obscurity to the president’s fondness for him and always reiterated that the vision of Tinubu when he served as the governor between 1999 and 2007 is what he was building on.

Analysts weigh in

Political analysts are already speaking on the issue with some saying if the matter is allowed to degenerate, it could affect the 2027 second term ambition of the president.

They said there was the need for the president to call the governor and reconcile with him to douse the raging tension.

Professor Gbade Ojo, a political analyst and commentator pointed out that the rift between Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu stemmed from the fallout of Obasa’s impeachment saga.

He said, “The primary cause of the strained relationship is the politics of the removal of Obasa, the speaker of the Lagos house of assembly. I think Mr. President was not sufficiently carried along, then Sanwo-Olu must have gone beyond his boundary.

“Number two, Tinubu has become an institution in Lagos politics and aside from the whole country, Tinubu believes that as a godfather, who installed Sanwo-Olu, he must take permission for every step.”

The political analyst describes the unfolding scenario as one of “the excesses of godfathers in Nigeria’s politics.”

“This is similar to what is happening with Wike (former Rivers Governor Nyesome Wike) and Fubara (the suspended Governor Sim Fubara), If you are installed as a governor, you don’t have your own IQ to rely upon, you take permission before you do anything.

“So, for taking such a decision without the permission of the godfather, Sanwo-Olu is not in the good book of Mr President And Sanwo-Olu is lucky that he is on his second term. So if care is not taken, he may be suddenly impeached, if not impeached, they will allow him to drag away and go into political oblivion like his predecessor Ambode.

“But Mr. President needs to watch that Lagos has become a danger zone politically in terms of electoral value. Tinubu lost the presidential election in Lagos State. If the infighting is allowed within APC, Obasa, Sanwo Olu and going by the number of people that are interested, Sanwo Olu may likely begin the politics of “Sidon look” which is very dangerous in politics”, he said.

He urged the president to tread softly and “be more politically tolerant and accommodating.”

An Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Lagos, Kayode Esuola, said friendship and enmity in politics are not permanent.

“My personal interpretation is that Tinubu is organising and rearranging some political dissidents in Lagos which would have led to expected interpretation of what happened that day. What happened that day, given that video, could have been an oversight, it couldn’t have been deliberate but people matched circumstances with events that are unintentional.

“So if you are following political events in Lagos, especially that which has got to do with the speaker of the house, you know that Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu’s positions were not in alignment. The position not being in alignment has to do with the political calculation of who becomes Lagos State Governor in 2027. So there are fillers and indications that the calculation could change, that Sanwo-Olu might end up being an Ambode after all based on what Tinubu considers the need to do some reengineering for the sake of Lagos.

All these feelers will have given that indication to what you saw in the video, that being said, you may never know the fact between the political actors because they don’t share it with you.

“So, 2027 will be in favor of Sanwo-Olu because of certain political permutations as the current governor”, he added.

Meanwhile, efforts to get the official reaction of the Presidency on the development was not successful.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy and Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications, could not be reached for their comments on the matter.

Messages sent to their numbers, including WhatsApp messages, were yet to be replied to at the time of filing this report.

Reactions

An APC chieftain who spoke under condition of anonymity said, “We cannot claim that nothing is happening. It is true that a lot is happening and the duo are not on good terms. For instance, during the endorsement of Mr. President for second term at the APC Summit in Abuja, the governor was nowhere to be found. Imagine the governor of Lagos State was nowhere to be found while other APC governors were endorsing Mr. President.

“So this is a pointer to the festering crisis. I was at that summit, this is not a rumour. Again, on the morning of the summit, the governor left Abuja for London. So how do you explain all of that? The president has not been happy. Then the Obasa issue is still there, the fence has not been fully mended,” he added.

Another source confirmed to our correspondent that some prominent traditional rulers in the country have been contacted to appeal to the president to forgive the governor and embrace him again.

An APC leader who said they remain fervent in praying for an end to the crisis expressed optimism that the president would listen to the plea of the elders and forgive the governor.

He said, “The truth of the matter is that we are all very hopeful and that is why people are not talking about it. The only public comment on the crisis is the article from Fouad Oki (an APC chieftain) who responded to the column written by Ms. Funke Egbemode and when you read the article, it is more like an appeal to the president and the governor.

“This is a very dicey situation and I think the best bet for us is to keep on looking while the elders are allowed to continue talking to the president. I believe that in the fullness of time this would pass over. The president that I know has a forgiving spirit and there are many examples to prove this going by the number of people he has embraced in recent times. Did he not embrace Senator Musiliu Obanikoro? Did he not embrace Jandor (Abdulazeez Olajide former PDP Governorship candidate) despite calling him names?

“So we are very confident that reconciliation would happen one way or the other and this matter would pass,” he added.

Fouad Oki, a former Commissioner in the state in his widely circulated article appealed to the president and the governor to embrace reconciliation.

He wrote: “I now humbly invite you to join me in lifting this matter to Olodumare (The Gods) and the ancestors. Let us pray, as you so poignantly warned, that those concerned “harken to our cries lest the issue become Ao mu Erin j’oba eweku ewele tales.”

Let us intercede for: Wisdom for President Tinubu and Governor Sanwo-Olu to prioritize reconciliation over pride.

Discernment for the APC to navigate its “voluptuous bosoms” of opportunism without suffocation. Unity that transcends the “cold war” and secures Lagos and Nigeria from becoming a theater of political egungun (specters)…Together, may our prayers and advocacy ensure it also ignites healing.”

Responding to Egbemode’s article, he said, “Your words resonate not merely as commentary but as a clarion call for introspection, reconciliation, and wisdom in these politically charged times. Your mastery of allegory, Yoruba proverbs, and historical parallels illuminates the gravity of the current rift between our revered President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while also sounding the alarm on the APC’s precarious dance with political entropy.”

Sources close to the governor confirmed that Mr. Sanwo-Olu has reached out to prominent Nigerians to beg the President. Among those he reached were prominent monarchs in the South-West but as of the time of filing this report, the President has not given them his words.

“We have asked the governor to be prayerful. It is a very dicey moment in his political career but talks are still ongoing and by the special grace of God Almighty, the president would listen and let the matter slide,” the source said pleading not to be named.

[DailyTrust]

Sallah: Nigerian Muslims celebrate amid biting hardship, high cost of ram, others

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Many Nigerian Muslims, who joined their counterparts in the world to celebrate the 2025 Eid al-Adha, have lamented how the high cost of living in the country affected their preparation for the religious festivity.

Those who spoke with our correspondent revealed that they were forced to make certain adjustments owing to the economic situation.

DAILY POST gathered that many struggled to cope with the hike in food prices and transportation, nationwide.

Also, the prices of various sizes of ram, which is symbolically slaughtered to mark the occasion, went up, forcing many Muslim faithful to settle for alternatives.

However, there was a noticeable influx of passengers across some motor parks in the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.

A visit to the popular Mararaba market, an outskirt of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, domiciled in Nasarawa State, revealed that a bag of pepper, called tatashe, was N200,000 as against N130,000 the previous week.

A bag of chilli pepper now costs N200,000 as against N120,000, while a basket of tomatoes cost N220,000 as against N160,000.

Speaking to DAILY POST, a pepper seller, Mary Ikechukwu, lamented that the cost of pepper has negatively affected their sales.

“The changes in the prices started on Monday, when Hausa traders started travelling back to the North.

“This situation has also rubbed off on our people as customers no longer patronized us as it used to be. I am also not happy the way things are going this year.

“Last year, it was a little better than what we are experiencing this year. Imagine that a lot of people want to celebrate Sallah without having food.

“Some people prefer to buy dried pepper because it is cheaper than the fresh ones,” she said.

At Karu market, prices of food items jumped by almost 300 per cent in some cases within the space of one year.

A trader at the market said, “A basket of tomatoes which was sold between N145,000 and N160,000 in 2024 had risen to N200,000.

DAILY POST also gathered that onions are relatively cheap perhaps, it is in its season.

But, it is still costly compared to what it was in 2024.

An onion seller, who simply gave his name as Mohammed, revealed that a 100kg basket of onions is now selling for N100,000 against N70,000 in 2024.

“Today, a bag of 50kg rice ranges between N50,000 and N65,000 depending on the product and quality,” he added.

In the same way, prices of ram, goat and cow in the Federal Capital Territory have soared.

In Abuja, ram sellers attributed the high cost of ram to insecurity and low supply from the Northwest.

Checks by DAILY POST revealed that a medium-sized cow ranged from N700,000 to as high as N1.5 million; a ram ranged from N250,000 to N700,000 and a goat from N100,000 to N150,000 depending on bargaining strength.

A ram trader, Ibrahim Abubakar, who spoke to DAILY POST, said patronage has been decent, but with an interesting twist.

“The patronage this year is not bad, but I have noticed that people are buying more cows than rams.

“I believe the reason behind this shift is that cows are more economical and offer better value for money.

“When families or even groups of friends come together, they can share a cow and still fulfill the sacrifice. That way, instead of each person buying a ram for over N500,000, they split the cost.

“The cheapest cow you can get right now is around N800,000, while the cheapest ram starts at about N550,000. Prices also vary depending on the size and weight of the animal.

“I have contacted my sources for more cows, but the market price has gone up since last week. It’s a volatile market, and prices can change quickly,” Abubakar said.

Another seller, Shehu Adamu, said he observed that people are weighing their options for this year’s Sallah, stating that they have been buying more cows.

“I was surprised to see some buyers turning to cows, and this trend has been on for weeks.

“However, many still prefer ram for Sallah because it’s about tradition and religious significance.

“The ram is the symbolic animal for the sacrifice, and that’s not something easily replaced.

“Prices have gone up this year, an average size ram now costs between N550,000 and N700,000 depending on the size and breed. But despite that, the demand remains steady.

“Some people have been buying younger rams because they are less expensive but still acceptable.

“The younger rams are sold for between N130,000 and N250,000,” Shehu said.

A buyer, Alhaji Sani Ali, who confirmed the trend, said buying a cow seems like a better option.

“We are a family of eight, and instead of buying two small rams, we joined with my brother-in-law and bought a cow.

“It cost us N950,000, but we split it. Everyone still gets to perform their sacrifice and save money.

“Traditionally, rams are the preferred animal for Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah). However, economic realities have changed things, and we must find a way to adapt,” he said.

A civil servant, Gimba Audu explained that he used to buy at least two rams to celebrate the festival with his parents and children.

Audu said the amount spent in 2024 to buy two rams is what he spent buying one this year.

“I bought the two rams for N250,000 each but this year, I got one for N470,000. Instead of buying two, I called my siblings and we contributed to buy a cow to support the ram I bought,” he said.

Also, a welder, Musa Nurudeen said he had no plan to buy a ram this year considering the cost implications.

“I cannot afford to buy a ram this year. The price of a big ram ranges from N550,000 to N800,000.

“Where will I get such money? I decided to take two of the goats I am rearing to celebrate the festival. Allah will understand.

“I wish the government had the power to control prices,” he said.

DAILY POST also gathered that eggs and chickens have also jumped as a crate of eggs is sold between N6,000 and N7,000 as against 2024 when it was sold for N4,500.

Also, vegetable oil traders said they have observed increased patronage due to the Sallah celebration.

A cooking oil trader at the Nyanya market, Mrs Ngozi Nwachukwu, said the demand for cooking oil increased because of preparations ahead of Sallah.

“The celebration usually increases the demand for groundnut oil. Consumers have been stocking up oil since last week.

“Cooking oil prices have risen, but it is cheaper than last December; a 25-litre container cost N110,000, a price that persisted until April 2025.

“A recent price adjustment, three weeks ago, sets the current rates for groundnut oil at N78,000 for 25 litres, N35,000 for 10 litres, and N18,500 for five litres.

“This is unusual; groundnut oil prices normally surge in December and then decrease by January or February, but it stayed high for a long time,” she said.

For transport, DAILY POST gathered that fares have also surged, with intercity bus operators raising prices as more people travelled to their hometowns for the festival.

At some motor parks in Nyanya, Mararaba and Masaka, all outskirts of the FCT, travelers witnessed transport fares increase, accompanied by stress.

A trader, Ibrahim Saidu, who boarded a car going to Kano with N10,000, blamed commercial drivers waiting for the festive season to exploit commuters.

A couple at Mararaba motor pack traveling to Kaduna State attributed the hike in transport fares to rising fuel price, calling on the federal government to expedite actions to reduce fuel price.

According to the couple, a reasonable reduction of fuel price would drastically reduce the transport charges, even at the festive celebration.

“The price of petrol is still high. This also contributes to increased transportation costs,” the couple said.

[DailyPost]

Cristiano Ronaldo confirms Al Nassr’s stay, to sign new deal

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Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to extend his stay with Saudi pro side Al Nassr and is even prepared to sign a new deal.

According to Fabrizio Romano’s post on X on Monday, the Portuguese have dismissed rumours of leaving Al Nassr.

The post read, “Cristiano Ronaldo confirms plan to stay at Al Nassr by signing a new deal.

“My future? Basically, nothing is gonna change. Staying at Al Nassr? Yea.”

Recall that the 40-year-old on Sunday helped his national team to secure the Nation’s League for the second time four years after the Nation’s League was unveiled.

Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in December 2022 on a record-breaking deal, has played a transformative role both on and off the pitch.

His arrival marked a turning point for Saudi football, drawing global attention to the Saudi Pro League and triggering a wave of high-profile signings across the league.

During his time at Al Nassr so far, Ronaldo has delivered impressive performances, scoring consistently and helping the club remain competitive at the top level. His presence has not only boosted the club’s visibility but also played a key role in the league’s growing popularity worldwide.

The announcement of his continued stay is seen as a significant boost for Al Nassr and the Saudi Pro League as a whole. It also signals Ronaldo’s long-term commitment to the ambitious football project unfolding in the region.

[Punch]

34 Embassies Risk Closure Over 11-Year Ground Rent Debt

AFOLABI

No fewer than 34 embassies in Abuja may be shut down by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over failure to pay ground rents for more than a decade.

A publication by the FCTA, obtained by Punch, listed diplomatic missions that have allegedly defaulted since 2014, collectively owing ₦3,662,196 in land use charges.

On May 26, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had directed the commencement of enforcement action against 4,794 properties revoked over non-payment of ground rents, with some debts stretching as far back as 43 years.

But following widespread concerns, President Bola Tinubu intervened, granting a 14-day grace period for affected property owners to settle their debts. That grace period expires today (Monday).

According to the FCTA Director of Land, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, defaulters who fail to meet the deadline will be subject to penalty fees ranging from ₦2 million to ₦3 million, depending on the location of their properties within the FCT.

The defaulting embassies include the Ghana High Commission Defence Section (₦5,950); Embassy of Thailand (₦5,350), Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire (₦5,500); Embassy of the Russian Federation (₦1,100); Embassy of the Philippines (₦5,950); Royal Netherlands Embassy (₦5,950); Embassy of Turkey (₦3,350), and the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea (₦5,950).

Also included are the embassies of Ireland (₦500), Uganda (₦5,950), Iraq (₦550), and the Zambia High Commission, which owes ₦1,189,990.

Other missions on the list include the Tanzania High Commission (₦6,000), German Embassy (₦1,000), Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo (₦5,950), Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (₦459,055), Embassy of the Republic of Korea (₦5,950), and the High Commission of Trinidad and Tobago (₦500).

The Embassy of Egypt (₦5,950), Embassy of Chad (₦5,950), Sierra Leone Commission (₦5,900), High Commission of India (₦150), Embassy of Sudan (₦5,950), Embassy of Niger Republic (₦500), and Kenya High Commission (₦5,950) are also listed among the defaulters.

Others are the embassies of Zimbabwe (₦500), Ethiopia (₦5,950), and Indonesia (Defence Attaché), which has an outstanding balance of (₦1,718,211).

The Delegation of the European Union (₦1,500), Embassy of Switzerland (₦5,950), Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia (₦5,950), China’s Economic and Commercial Counselor’s Office (₦12,000), South African High Commission (₦4,950), and the Government of Equatorial Guinea (₦1,137,240) also featured on the list

According to Punch, the Embassy of the Russian Federation, in its reaction, firmly denied any outstanding debts.

“The Embassy pays all bills for the rent of the territory on which the Embassy complex is located in good faith and on time. The Embassy also has all necessary documents confirming payment,” it stated.

Similarly, the Embassy of Turkiye questioned its inclusion on the FCTA’s list, citing a possible administrative error.

A Turkish official told Punch, “We have not received a formal notification about the debt. We regularly make our payments on time, and we will check if we are on the list because of a bureaucratic mistake or a misunderstanding, and will fix the issue as soon as possible.”

The German Embassy clarified that no formal claim or demand regarding unpaid rent had been brought to its attention by the FCTA.

“We understand that you are referring to reports suggesting that the German Embassy in Abuja has outstanding rent obligations. We would like to clarify that no such claim or demand has been formally brought to our attention by the Federal Capital Territory Administration,” the embassy stated.

It further insisted that all official financial obligations relating to the embassy’s premises had been settled as of the end of 2024, adding that there are no known outstanding payments.

The embassy emphasised its commitment to maintaining a respectful and cooperative relationship with the Nigerian government and the FCTA, reaffirming its dedication to transparency and mutual trust.

“Moreover, we can confirm that all official financial obligations relating to the Embassy’s premises have been fully settled as of the end of 2024. There are no known outstanding payments.

“The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany highly values its respectful and cooperative relationship with the government of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory Administration and remains fully committed to transparency and mutual trust,” the statement added.

The Embassy of Ghana also told Punch that, although it had not been officially notified of the development, it would reach out to the Foreign Affairs Ministry to explore ways to resolve the issue.

The embassy stated, “The High Commission has noted the publication but has not been officially communicated to. We will liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter.”

An official at the Sierra Leone Embassy said they were unaware of the issue and would verify the claim.

He noted, “I am not aware and I am not in the office now. On my return, I will inform my authorities to cross-check.”

Concerning the claims by some embassies that they were not indebted to the FCTA, spokesman for the FCT minister, Lere Olayinka, stated, “This claim will be promptly investigated and appropriate action will be taken.”

Commenting on the development, a former Nigerian ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, referenced the 1961 Vienna Convention and urged caution.

“For the diplomatic premises, if we are to go by the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations, the premises of a diplomatic mission are inviolable,” he submitted.

“But that is not to say that they are not supposed to obey local municipal rules and regulations or the rules and regulations governing such things as relate to property ownership. However, there may be a caveat,” Amedu-Ode said.

He suggested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should handle the matter diplomatically.

“It is a question of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs looking at each one on a bilateral basis and implementing it on a reciprocal basis,” the ex-envoy stated

Thieves Stab Senior Naval Officer To Death In Kaduna

AFOLABI

A senior Naval officer (name withheld) undergoing a course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State, was gruesomely murdered on Saturday, June 7, 2025, near the Kawo Flyover Bridge in Kaduna while attempting to fix a flat tyre on his vehicle.

Military sources said the officer, a senior course student at AFCSC Jaji, had stopped at a bus stop close to the bridge on his way back to Jaji, to change a deflated tyre when the tragic incident occurred.

According to eyewitness accounts, the officer was accosted by an unidentified assailant who demanded his mobile phone. When the officer resisted, he was stabbed in the chest with a locally made knife.

“The attacker appeared suddenly and asked for his phone. When the officer refused, he was stabbed in the chest,” a source said.

The wounded officer was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. His body has since been deposited at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital mortuary in Kaduna.

In a further twist, a local vigilante, Suleiman Dahiru, who attempted to intervene during the altercation, was also stabbed in the hand by the attacker. The assailant, however, was overpowered by a crowd that gathered at the scene.

The assailant was mobbed to death by the crowd who gathered at the scene.

“A local vigilante who witnessed the scene tried to help but was also stabbed. The assailant was eventually overpowered and killed on the spot by passersby,” another source confirmed.

Spokesman of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Lt. Col. Umar Adamu, confirmed the incident, noting that investigations were ongoing to determine the full details surrounding the officer’s death

Last modified on Monday, 09 June 2025 08:16

The life and times of Mike Ejeagha

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Mike Ejeagha, popularly known as “Gentleman Mike Ejeagha,” was a celebrated Nigerian folklorist, songwriter, and musician born on April 4, 1930, in Imezi Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Growing up in Coal Camp, Enugu, in a family headed by a civil servant father, he developed a passion for music early, playing the ogene and later learning guitar from local musicians Moses “Moscow” Aduba and Cyprian Uzochiawa.

Ejeagha began his music career in the mid-20th century, joining local groups like the Coal Camp Boys and later forming his own band, Mike Ejeagha and the Merrymakers, in 1950. That same year, he was invited by Atu Ona, Controller of the Nigerian Broadcasting Service, to audition and subsequently hosted a radio program titled Guitar Playtime, which marked the start of his broadcasting career. He also formed a larger band called Premier Dance Band and played with the Paradise Rhythm Orchestra, blending indigenous sounds with Ghanaian highlife influences.

His breakthrough came in 1960, the year of Nigeria’s independence, with the hit song “Ofu Nwa Anaaa,” which drew on folklore and helped shape Igbo language music. During the Nigerian Civil War, he disbanded his group but continued producing music on Radio Nigeria with a program called Igbo Play, even playing for soldiers as the war progressed. After the war, in 1974, he formed Gentleman Mike Ejeagha and His Trio, continuing to influence Igbo folk music.

Ejeagha was also a storyteller who combined research with his musical craft, producing over 350 songs throughout his career. He experienced personal losses, including the death of his first wife in 1963, whom he honored with an album, and he had ten children. He recorded under Premier Music Ltd and Polygram Label.

Mike Ejeagha passed away on June 6, 2025, leaving behind a rich legacy as a pioneer and custodian of Igbo folk music and culture over more than six decades.

In summary, Mike Ejeagha’s life and times reflect a deep commitment to preserving and evolving Igbo musical traditions, blending folklore with contemporary influences, and using radio and live performances to reach audiences even through challenging periods like the civil war.

[Vanguard]

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Usyk Invites Trump To Witness Ukraine War

AFOLABI

Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has offered US president Donald Trump the chance to live in his house for a week to experience the reality of the war in Ukraine.

After Russian president Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Trump vowed to end the conflict “within 24 hours” of his presidency if he was elected for a second time.

However, the 78-year-old has been unable to do so and has blamed Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky for “starting the war”.

Usyk, who dedicated his victory against Anthony Joshua in 2022 to the people of Ukraine, says Trump can live in his house for a week to better understand the situation in his country.

“I advise American President Donald Trump to come to Ukraine and live in my house for one week,” Usyk told BBC Sport.

“Only one week. I will give him my house

Why We Buried ‘Gwo Gwo Ngwo’ Crooner Ejeagha Within 24 Hours — Eldest Son

AFOLABI

The family of the late highlife icon, Mike Ejeagha, has disclosed that they buried the 95-year-old musician barely a day after his death in order to honour his uncompromising final wish.

Ejeagha, popular for his hit classic “Gwo Gwo Ngwo,” died after a prolonged illness on Friday night, June 6, 2025.

By Saturday morning, he was laid to rest in his country home at Umuagba, Imezi-Owa, in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State — in line with his personal instructions.

Speaking on Sunday, the musician’s eldest son, Emmanuel, disclosed that his father had made a wish and warned them not to embalm him after his death.

He added that his father sternly instructed him, as the first son, that when he passed on, nobody should embalm him.

“I contacted members of my family and informed them that my father made a wish that he should be laid to rest 24 hours after his death.

“I also summoned a meeting of my kindred and we discussed extensively. Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah was informed about it and they all consented that whatever was his wish should be kept.

“There are a lot of consequential results if an elder said something and otherwise was done,” Emmanuel said.

He also disclosed that the veteran musician’s funeral ceremony would be announced soon.

Born Michael Ifeanyichukwu Ejeagha in Enugu in 1930, the self-styled folklore custodian spent more than six decades collecting proverbs and idioms, weaving them into guitar-driven narratives that preserved Igbo oral tradition

Italian Club Brescia Goes Bankrupt

AFOLABI

Historic Italian football club Brescia will cease to exist after 114 years following its owner’s decision not to honour a debt of three million euros.

Italian businessman Massimo Cellino has owned the Lombardy club since 2017.

Cellino was previously the owner of English side Leeds, where he was principally known for his swing door policy of managerial ins-and-outs and his problems with the courts.

The 68-year-old had until Friday to pay part of Brescia’s eight million euros in tax arrears and other overdue tax.

Brescia’s failure to pay the sum has resulted in the club losing the right to take part in the Italian league system.

The club were deducted four points by the tribunal of the Italian football federation (FIGC) for their financial woes.

As a result of this sanction, Brescia, who finished the Serie B season in 15th place with 43 points, dropped to 18th place on 39 points – resulting in relegation to the third-tier Serie C.

Brescia spent 23 seasons in the top flight, most recently in 2019-20, with their best performance being an eighth-place finish in 2000-2001.

Famous past servants of the club include Italian internationals Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Altobelli, Andrea Pirlo and Luca Toni, as well as current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola who played there in 2001-02 and 2003

Kemi Badenoch Proposes New Law Mandating Immigrants Wait Ten Years Before They Can Claim Any Benefits Or Get British Passport

AFOLABI

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has proposed a new law that would require immigrants to wait ten years before becoming eligible for government benefits or obtaining a British passport.

In a new article for Daily Mail, the UK politician born to Nigerian parents, urged the government to only issue social benefits to immigrants after ten years.

Read excerpts of the article below: "The issue of immigration is a clear one for the Conservative Party: it must be tackled in all forms, legal and illegal.

"This is a matter of fairness. Britain increasingly appears to favour those who break the rules, arriving illegally and then disregarding the customs and values of the country. Meanwhile, those who work hard and follow the law are left to cover the cost.

"Public awareness is high regarding the billions spent on housing asylum seekers in hotels. Less widely known is that low-paid immigrants and refugees can qualify for ‘indefinite leave to remain’ after just five years. This status allows them access to benefits such as social housing and Universal Credit—regardless of whether they’ve contributed through taxes or lived off the state.

"Such a policy undermines the contributions of British citizens who have paid into the system and played by the rules. It is fundamentally unfair, and reform is essential.

"The Labour Government recently voted against a proposed Deportation Bill that would have taken steps to address these issues. The bill aimed to implement a strict cap on immigration and extend the waiting period to claim benefits or apply for citizenship from five to ten years. It also sought to prevent anyone who had claimed benefits from receiving indefinite leave to remain and would have enabled the government to revoke settled status from those convicted of crimes.

"The bill was designed to protect the integrity of the benefits system and ensure a fairer immigration process. Yet it was blocked, much like previous attempts to address illegal immigration—such as the plan to deport offenders to Rwanda, which became tied up in lengthy legal challenges.

"Legal obstacles have consistently derailed other initiatives. Reforms to the welfare system proposed by former Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride, which could have saved £5 billion, were similarly stalled in court, giving the current government the justification to abandon them.

"This growing trend—where legal action is used to obstruct democratic policymaking—is known as lawfare. Even when unsuccessful, it creates delays and costs that stifle government action and erode public confidence. The country risks becoming paralyzed by its own legal framework.

"To address this, a commission has been established under the leadership of Lord Wolfson KC and the shadow solicitor general Helen Grant. Their task is to determine whether essential reforms—like controlling borders, protecting public resources, and restoring fairness—can be enacted while remaining a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

"If the commission concludes that meaningful reform is not possible within the ECHR, then a withdrawal may be necessary. This would be done with careful consideration to safeguard basic human rights.The greater danger lies in allowing lawfare to weaken the nation—making it less fair, less safe, and less democratic. There is a clear commitment to uphold British values, protect democracy, and ensure the interests of citizens come first."