A former National Vice Chairman North-West of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has lamented that the ruling party has been leading the country from crisis to crisis since it came to power in 2015.

Lukman, in a statement issued Saturday, said the only slight difference between APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was that APC came with a vision which was well articulated in the manifesto of the party.

He, however, said that having won the 2015 elections, the first casualty was the APC manifesto. 

Lukman noted: “It was discarded and like the PDP, the APC continue to lead ‘Nigeria from one crisis to another, lurching deeper into political anarchy, economic decline and social disillusionment.’

“Nothing changed as the APC, despite all the plans it had ‘for security and advancement of Nigerians,’ lacked ‘the wherewithal to’ implement its vision. With that, sadly, the APC ‘thrived on the maxim; promise (everything), do nothing.’”

“It is quite painful to admit that the crisis of insecurity in the country today, is worse than it was in 2015. It has further deepened the economic crisis because many farmers have abandoned their farms.

“Some of the gains achieved in agricultural production because of some of the policies of the Buhari administration, such as Anchor Borrower and the ban on the importation of food items, which helped to incentivise agricultural production, were eroded by the crisis of insecurity.”

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday stormed some clubs and lounges in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where suspected internet fraudsters were arrested.

Among the suspects arrested by the anti-graft agency was a groom-to-be who was picked while having his bachelor’s eve with some of his friends in one of the popular clubs in Akure metropolis.

During the sting operation, which was carried out in the wee hours of Saturday, no fewer than 50 suspected individuals were apprehended by EFCC operatives.

According to sources, the EFCC personnel who arrived in various vehicles fired gunshots into the air while raiding the fun spots.

With the suspects taken away, vehicles, laptops, smartphones, and other items were also seized during the operation.

One of the sources stated, “we were all having fun when we suddenly saw the EFCC people entering the nightclubs. Then they tear-gassed everyone, beating them up and arresting them.

“They don’t care who they are, as they shot tear gas canisters inside one of the clubs.

“They also went away with a groom and his friends at a club; he was there for his bash eve, so sad as they profiled everyone as an Internet fraudster.”

Controversial Nigerian dancer, Korra Obidi, has said she is not searching for a new partner, despite her divorce from her ex-husband, Justin Dean.

She said she is more focused on making money.

Appearing on a recent episode of the ‘Heroe’s Diary’ podcast, the mother of two explained that she isn’t bothered about remarrying, emphasising that she has “many boys” who satisfy her sexual urges.

She said, “Serious Nigerian woman when I marry the man becomes my life. So now I’m trying to put that energy into making money so I don’t end up homeless like I was. I know that nobody is coming to save me in a in a knight and shining armour so I need to focus on the money.” [sic].

Obidi also frowned at the actions of those who are pinning her to her failed marriage, noting that it has been over two years since her divorce.

“I want to make a public service announcement. I’m not the only person that got married in Nigeria. In fact, my marriage was not even public. All you people saw was one post on Instagram: ‘Korra is taken.’ You people are now carrying the marriage to tie my legs. It has been two years [since my divorce], please leave me alone. I am single as a dollar bill. And I am not searching. I have many boys that service me.”

The official market saw a decline in the value of the Nigerian currency, the Naira, on Friday, with the currency trading at ₦1,483.99 to the United States dollar.

According to data from the FMDQ Exchange, the Naira lost ₦2.50, representing a 0.16% decrease compared to the previous trading day.

However, the volume of currency traded increased, reaching $269.27 million on Friday, up from $213.31 million on Thursday.

At the Investor’s and Exporter’s window, the Naira traded within the range of ₦1,507.00 and ₦1,399.00 against the dollar.

Naija News reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is using various tools to influence the value of the naira.

This involves controlling the money supply in the economy.

The CBN can raise interest rates to reduce the money supply and fight inflation, which can put downward pressure on the naira’s exchange rate.

Conversely, they can lower rates to increase the money supply and stimulate economic activity, but this can risk inflation.

One of these tools also includes foreign exchange intervention. The apex bank can directly buy or sell naira in the foreign exchange market to influence its exchange rate. Buying naira would strengthen it, while selling it would weaken it.

This approach can be expensive and is typically used in short bursts.

The CBN may have a target exchange rate or band for the naira. This helps provide stability and predictability for businesses and investors.

Mary Remmmy Njoku, the Nollywood actress, has urged women to be cautious and avoid becoming victims in Nigeria.

The movie star, who was reacting to the recent reports of the disappearance of some ladies in parts of the country, said any woman who falls victim in Nigeria is doomed because people would still blame her for her misfortune.

She said Nigerians have to do better when it comes to apportioning blame to victims, especially females.

On her Instagram story, she wrote: “Dear ladies, whatever you do, don’t ever be a victim in Nigeria. Cos your own do finish.

Even if you die, ‘na your fault.’ Sad. We need to start doing better as a people!”

Doyin Okupe, a former presidential spokesman, has said state governors should decide the new minimum wage they can pay to workers.

Okupe faulted the national minimum wage Act which mandates governors to pay a uniform minimum wage to the workers in their various states.

Featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Okupe said: “We should not make laws that are all-encompassing, that make it compulsory for all governors in the federation to obey them. They are sub nationalities on their own.

“I mean for instance, if you pay a minimum wage in Lagos, why should I pay that in Sokoto? Let every governor decide for his own state by his own people that this is what I can afford.”

This is coming when the Federal Government proposed a fresh N62,000, while labour reduced their demand from N494,000 to N250,000.

The demand for an improved wage led to labour declaring an indefinite strike on Monday but was called off on Tuesday.

The industrial action was called off to give room for more negotiations.

Meanwhile, state governors have lamented that they can’t pay N60,000.

They noted that some states can’t pay the current N30,000 minimum wage.

Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has commented on the lingering political crisis in the state involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

Amaechi, who spoke during his recent visit to the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Hon. Okorinama, West, in Port Harcourt, expressed his decision not to endorse either Governor Fubara or the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wike, in the ongoing political scenario in Rivers.

Amaechi highlighted Governor Fubara’s popularity as a response to the negative sentiment towards Minister Wike.

According to him, the Rivers State people are tired of Wike, hence Fubara’s popularity.

He also touched upon the changing political landscape in the state, noting that some of his former supporters were now aligning with different factions based on personal motives.

Additionally, Amaechi urged young supporters to actively participate in shaping the state’s governance.

He said, “I can’t stand and join either Sim or Wike. I will not join Sim, I will not join Wike.

“But don’t forget, they are not big without you people, I hope you know that.

“What Sim thinks is popularity today is because he is anti-Wike. That’s his popularity, not that Sim is the best man on earth. It’s because he is anti-Wike and because the state is tired of Wike.”

Funke Akindele, the record-breaking Nollywood actress and producer, has disclosed the role that ace musician D’banj played in her career.

The Nigerian box office’s highest grossing filmmaker disclosed that D’banj supported her financially to start her ‘Jenifa’ brand of films, which shot her to fame.

She spoke at D’banj’s 20 years in the music industry anniversary dinner held in Lagos on Saturday.

Akindele said, “After the big break with ‘Jenifa’, I was out there, and people were celebrating me. A club owner invited me to his club then. He said, ‘I want to host you. You’re very hard working. I love ‘Jenifa”. Come with your cast and crew members.’ So, we went and I saw D’banj for the first time. I was starstruck. But he said, ‘I am here to celebrate you.’ So we danced and he gave me his number.

“He took me to a quiet place and said, ‘Why did you let ‘Jenifa’ go like that? That’s a brand that you can feed on for the rest of your life.’ I was like, ‘What’s this guy saying? Me that was doing Yoruba movies.’ He said, ‘No, ‘Jenifa’ has to come back. Get in touch with me, any support you need I will give you.’ So I reached out to him and he said, ‘When you’ve a brand, you feed on the brand. You milk the brand very well, make money out of it.’

“He gave me some money and said, ‘Go and write another ‘Jenifa’, I support you with this money.’ I was like, ‘Really? No strings attached?’ He said, ‘No.’ That was how he filmed ‘The Return Of Jenifa.’ And till date, the brand is still relevant. Christmas 2024, we are coming with ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’.”

Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has praised the recent South African election results as a prime example of a transparent and efficient democratic electoral process.

He contrasted this with Nigeria’s 2023 general election, which he referred to as a “show of shame.”

Recall that Obi was the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the last general election.

In a thread on his official X handle on Saturday, Peter Obi stressed that this stark difference is a painful reminder of Nigeria’s ongoing struggles with democratic governance.

He commended the robustness and transparency of the South African election, particularly highlighting their seamless online dissemination of results as a testament to their commitment to democratic principles and technological advancement.

However, Obi lamented the lack of transparency and controversy surrounding Nigeria’s electoral process.

Obi wrote: “The outcome of the recent South African election results remains a shining example of what a transparent and efficient democratic electoral process should look like.

“With about 60% voter turnout, over 90% of polling stations opening on time, and allowing diaspora voting, the results and updates were provided in real-time without any technical glitches during the election.

“This demonstrated the robustness and transparency of their system. The seamless online dissemination of results further highlights their commitment to democratic principles and technological advancement.

“This is in stark contrast to the ‘show of shame’ that the giant of Africa, Nigeria, presented to the world in 2023. Nigeria’s 2023 election, with less than 30% voter turnout and over 60% of polling stations starting late, no diaspora voting, and plagued by allegations of fraud and widespread irregularities, experienced all forms of glitches despite enormous expenditure to the tune of about a billion dollars (direct allocation of ₦313 billion and donor agencies’ support).

“The process has been widely discredited. The differences between the two countries’ electoral processes are both stark and lamentable. South Africa’s Election Results Center, with its state-of-the-art electronic board, showcased results with unparalleled precision and speed.

“Meanwhile, Nigeria’s electoral process is mired in controversy and lacks transparency. This glaring juxtaposition is a painful reminder of our country’s ongoing struggles with democratic governance.

“It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive electoral reforms to ensure that our elections are free, fair, and credible. We must learn from South Africa’s example and strive to build a system that restores the people’s faith in our democracy.

“The time for action is now, and we cannot afford to delay any longer in addressing these critical issues for a new Nigeria is POssible!”

Governor Siminalayi Fubara‘s government of Rivers State has authorized the allocation of ₦19.5 billion for the reconstruction of the State Assembly Chambers, which the government destroyed during the political turmoil in the state.

The approval was granted during the State Executive Council Meeting on Friday evening at the government house in Port Harcourt.

Following the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Special Projects, Dr Rowland Obed-Whyte, informed the press that Monier Construction Company Nigeria Limited (MCC) was granted the contract for ₦19,566,621,284.24.

The project is expected to be finished within 9 months and will consist of a new Assembly Complex with 34 en suite offices, a two-story building with an elevator, gallery, meeting rooms, and a conference hall.

Additionally, the renovation and refurbishment of other structures within the House of Assembly Complex that were not demolished are included in the project’s specifications.

Obed-Whyte said that upon completion, the Rivers State House of Assembly building will be one of the finest Assembly complexes in the country. This approval is part of the comprehensive deliberations of the State Executive Council on Friday.

The government has also approved renovating and upgrading four zonal hospitals and other healthcare infrastructure projects in the state.

The construction of the Kalaibiama/Epellema road and bridge in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area has also been approved.

The four Zonal Hospitals are situated in Ahoada Town in the Ahead East Local Government Area, Degema Town in the Degema Local Government, Omoku Town in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government, and Bori Town in the Khana Local Government Area.

Other healthcare infrastructure initiatives include renovating Bonny General Hospital, renovating and upgrading the Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Rumuigbo, and building a new General Hospital in Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

The hospital projects have been allocated a budget of ₦26,350,310,714.88, while the Kalaibiama-Epellema road and bridge in the Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area will require ₦29,035,907,233.76.

Following the meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, informed the press that the ministry had requested approval to cancel and terminate all existing contracts for the Zonal Hospitals in the State.

According to Oreh, new contracts will be awarded to ensure the completion of the projects, including the renovation of Bonny General Hospital.

She said, “We are thankful to the Rivers State Executive Council that the various decisions sought and prayers that were made by the Rivers State Ministry of Health for the approval of the termination of the contracts for the completion of the Zonal Hospitals at Ahoada, Bori, Degema and Omoku, and the re-award of fresh contracts for their completion were approved.

“That the request to the State Executive Council for the approval of the award of these contracts in total summed up to N26, 350, 310, 714. 88k that was approved for the completion of those Zonal Hospitals, the renovation of Bonny General Hospital and the upgrade of the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital.

“This also included the construction of a new General Hospital at Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, which were not among those initially awarded for renovation.”

She mentioned that the new contractors will be deployed to the site to begin construction work on various projects within the health sector, aiming to enhance healthcare services in the State.