Daniel Bwala, a former spokesperson of Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, has stated that Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is hunted by a ghost that he created.

Bwala, a supporter of President Bola Tinubu, was reacting to Obi’s latest threat to dump the LP if the internal crisis rocking the party continues before the 2027 general elections.

The former Anambra State governor had vowed “not to die” with the party, hence his decision to leave if the issues can’t be resolved.

Reacting in a post via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, Bwala said Obi is hunted by a ghost he created in the Labour Party.

He said Obi had sensed the obvious that the Labour Party would not give him an automatic ticket and had, therefore, threatened to leave the party if he was not chosen in 2027.

Bwala also claimed that Obi is in a quagmire because the Social Democratic Party (SDP) he intends to join does not have an automatic ticket for him.

He wrote: “The presidential candidate of the @NgLabour at the 2023 elections @PeterObi is hunted by a ghost that he created. Sensing the obvious in the Labour Party to the effect that there is no automatic ticket, he has therefore threatened that if the party would not conform, he would leave.

“The Social Democratic Party, which he hopes to use the platform when the need arises, doesn’t give automatic tickets. Peter Obi feared that he may likely not win delegate election because he is not a grassroot politician, he is presently in a quagmire

“A former president is reported to be having it very difficult convincing nation’s statesmen to support the move because they prefer to give @officialABAT his due time to reform Nigeria.”

Bwala alleged that Obi was advised immediately to start a campaign and woo the core of northern Nigeria as well as the Muslim communities across the nation ahead of the 2027 election.

He added, “Peter Obi was reported as being advised immediately to start a campaign and woo the core of northern Nigeria as well as the Muslim communities across the nation to disprove the notion that he uses identity politics.

“He has since commenced the exercise, but it is feared that the foreign media which packaged him in the last election consider him as too difficult to re-brand based on analytics on his chances.

“His base called the ‘Obedient’ people made it clear to him that they would not accept any merger that will extinguish his presidential bid. He is between the devil and deep blue sea.”

Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara state, says his administration never borrowed N14.26 billion as disclosed in the Debt Management Office (DMO) report.

According to him, the debt reported by DMO was part of the proceeds from a N20 billion loan floated by the previous administration in the state.

The governor disclosed in a statement by Suleiman Idris, his spokesperson, on Monday.

Lawal said no domestic or external loans have been borrowed since he assumed office as governor of the state.

“We would like to clarify the Debt Management Office (DMO) report that the Zamfara State Government borrowed N14.26 billion naira,” he said.

“Zamfara State Government has never applied for loans or approached the State Assembly or National Assembly for such a request.

“It is important to note that the previous Zamfara State government floated a N20 billion bond but failed to collect the total amount.

“The immediate past government received N4 billion naira out of the 20 billion loans requested for the Zamfara cargo airport project, though the funds were not utilised.

“Upon assuming office, we discovered that the payment terms made terminating the bond impossible without incurring a significant loss for the state.

“The balance of N16 billion Naira out of the N20 billion borrowed by the past administration is the N14.26 billion captured by the Debt Management Office (DMO). The value is reduced due to inflation.

“The bond balance, which is still in a government account, has not been used and will be reserved for the airport project.”

Analysing the DMO report, TheCable Index reported Zamfara state’s domestic debt was N96.31 billion in June 2023, and by December last year, the debt had increased to N110.57 billion in six months under the new administration.

Veteran Nigerian comedian, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Alibaba ,and his wife Mary, have welcomed a set of triplets.

Alibaba announced the news on Monday through an Instagram post, revealing that the newborns, all boys, became part of the family two months ago.

The boys have been named Aaron, Alexander, and Andrew.

He wrote: “Mary and I are happy and overjoyed to welcome our three sons, Aaron, Alexander, and Andrew, into the Akpobome family.

“It’s been two months since they arrived, and as the days go by, we thank God Almighty for these three beautiful blessings.

“We also want to thank our sisters, brothers, friends, uncles, and aunties for all the support so far.

“We appreciate and thank you immensely for all your prayers, love, best wishes, and gifts.

“As we celebrate the essence of the resurrection power in this period of Easter, we join our faith with yours and pray that things of joy will never be far from you.

“God will make all that needs to arise in your favour in this holy period of reawakening.

“On behalf of the Akpobomes, again, thank you.”

As schemings for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) slated for April 18, 2024 intensifies, the North Central Caucus of the party has set in motion arrangements to present a candidate to complete the term of the zone which was truncated after the former PDP national chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, was removed from office through a court verdict.

Recall that the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), last week, fixed the Party’s NEC meeting for Thursday, April 18, 2024, after a National Caucus meeting slated for Wednesday, April 17.

Following the zoning of the national chairmanship of PDP to the North Central, the party’s national convention on October 31, 2021, voted Ayu, a former Senate President from Benue State, to occupy the seat.

Ayu was forced to step aside as a chairman after an order of the Benue State High Court, dated March 27, 2023 which restrained him from parading himself as chairman.

In keeping with the party’s constitution, the deputy national chairman, (North) Amb. Illiya Damagum from Yobe State, North East Nigeria, has since taken over as acting national chairman since March 28, 2023 (over a year).

However, there have been calls from various quarters, including the North Central, on the Damagum-led NWC to convene a NEC meeting to, among other things, receive the nomination from the North Central and approve a substantive national chairman from the zone.

LEADERSHIP gathered that party leaders from the North Central held a crucial meeting in Abuja last week where they insisted that a substantive national chairman should without further delay, emerge from the North Central.

They had also insisted that Amb Damagum should revert to his original position as deputy national chairman in line with the provision of the Constitution of the PDP.

The meeting which had in attendance members of the PDP North Central Zonal Executive Committee and respective state chairmen of the party from the six states of the zone and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), insisted on producing a replacement for the acting national chairman.

A source at the meeting hinted that the leaders mandated Plateau State governor, Caleb Muftwang, to convene a decisive meeting of the Zonal Caucus that would come up with the nomination for the party’s substantive National Chairman from the North Central Zone.

“With the exit of the former National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, our zone was expected to produce a successor, but this was delayed. The National Chairmanship is zoned to the North Central, and the PDP Constitution provides that a successor must come from the North Central. So the Constitution should be followed.

“We have held a series of meetings on the issue. This was also the reason State Chairmen from the North Central met in Abuja last Wednesday. We are unanimous in seeking a credible nomination.

I can confirm to you that names are being discussed; we are narrowing our selection and stakeholders will reach a conclusion on their choice before the April 18 meeting.

“We have mandated the governor (Muftwang) that he should call a Caucus meeting of our zone to enable us to come up with a replacement to take the mantle from Ambassador Damagum.

“We have raised this with Governor Muftwang in our meeting. The Constitution of our party needs to be followed so that our Zone (North Central) can serve out its term. The position is for the North Central and we insist on taking back our position at the NEC meeting”, the source said.

So far, former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam is said to be eyeing the chairmanship position.

The Nigeria Police Force said it will prosecute one Agunbiade Adekunle, a vigilante, for allegedly killing a handed over to him in the Itire area of Lagos.

It was gathered that Agunbiade who is the security guard at Shonde Street in the Itire area of the state, resorted to setting the vandal ablaze when he was caught in the act on the 25th of March 2024.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement stated that the security guard will be prosecuted as he advised Nigerians against jungle justice.

He said, “It is pertinent to understand that the act of taking the law into one’s hands has often been described and referred to as jungle justice. The act has globally been condemned for many obvious reasons, particularly as a parasitic hindrance to strengthening the criminal justice system.

“For instance, police operatives attached to the Itire Divisional Police Headquarters of Lagos State on the 25th of March 2024 received a report from a man who resides along Shonde Street, Itire, that a group of hoodlums were vandalizing his vehicle and he raised an alarm which led to the arrest of one of the vandals.”

Adejobi added that the vandal was handed over to one Agunbiade Adekunle who is the security guard of the street, but he in turn, resorted to killing the suspect by setting him ablaze.

He further stated “The guard has been arrested and will be charged to court for murder.

“There are other similar cases recorded across the country that have been condemned and hindered the smooth investigation and prosecution of many cases,” Adejobi said.

The Police spokesperson urged the public to shun jungle justice, mob actions, and other forms of extrajudicial killings.

He remarked that jungle justice is a criminal act and a grave violation of human rights that threatens the fabric of a civilized society, perpetuating a cycle of violence, prejudice, and lawlessness.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has disclosed that frantic efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

He said that while the court processes are ongoing, political solutions are being worked out.

Speaking at the special edition of “The Ben Kalu’s Mandate”, a radio programme of FLO FM, Umuahia, Abia State on Monday virtually, the Deputy Speaker said that it was deliberate to work behind the scene to realise the objective.

Kalu’s clarification came on the heels of an enquiry by the programme anchor, Wisdom Thomas if the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), a recently launched initiative of the Deputy Speaker which calls for a non-kinetic measure to resolve the security challenges in the South East has abandoned the IPOB leader.

While calling for support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Deputy Speaker also hinted of a likely visit by the elders of Igbo land to engage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on familiar issues affecting the South East.

He said: “The Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) has reconciliation in the mix of what we are trying to achieve. We recognise the importance of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu in the peace agenda we are pushing. That’s the truth. And I have been very vocal about it. I am not hiding it.

“I have always told people that I will never deny Nnamdi Kanu. He’s my brother. We come from the same place and I will never be happy having him incarcerated when we can have him out and increase our pursuit towards peace. But we may not advance all the things we are doing behind our backs but I can assure you that all the powers-that-be in this country know that people like us are not sitting on the fence.

“We cannot go about this before the court. I am more interested in using a political solution towards resolving this. So, I am asking for one or two things from the federal government.

“The last time I was with Mr. President, I discussed with Mr. President the need for the elders of Igbo land to come, sit and engage with him. And I know that one of the topics that will come up there is our brother and also SEDC.

“As we are asking Mr. President to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for us and giving us the South East Development Commission, we must on the other show him loyalty by making sure that there is peace in our area. No violence, support his government.”

Speaking on the present state of the South East Development Commission Bill, Kalu said that the piece of legislation is at the conference committee stage where some issues regarding the confirmation of the commissioners are being resolved.

The naira, on Monday, appreciated to N1,250 per dollar at the parallel section of the foreign exchange (FX) market.

The FX rate is a 0.43 percent increase from the N1,280 recorded on March 29.

Currency traders in Lagos, also known as bureau de change (BDCs) operators, quoted the buying rate of the greenback at N1,230 and the selling price at N1,250 — leaving a profit margin of N20.

“The dollar keeps declining and it is affecting business but business is picking up gradually,” a currency trader named Aliyu said.

At the official section of the FX market, the local currency depreciated by 0.69 percent to N1,309.39/$ on March 28 — from N1,300.43/$ on March 27.

Meanwhile, Aminu Gwadabe, president, Association of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), on March 31, said the recall of members into the FX market has led to stability in the exchange rate.

“The reconsideration of the BDCs into the mainstream foreign exchange market has not only cleared illegal economic behaviours of hoarding, rent-seeking, round tripping and FX holding position, and led to the emergence of exchange rate convergence,” Gwadabe said.

Gwadabe also said the increase in FX inflows through the CBN’s monetary tools boosts foreign reserves, granting the apex bank the power to defend the local currency.

John Okeke, commander of the joint military force deployed to the Niger Delta, says troops have rescued the students abducted along the east-west road in the Ughelli area of Delta state.

The students were abducted after their Sienna vehicle was attacked on Friday evening as they returned from Calabar, the Cross River capital.

Speaking in an interview with NAN, Okeke said nine victims, including a corps member and naval rating, were rescued by the troops.

The commander said 10 suspected kidnappers were arrested during the rescue operation.

“In continuation to ensure safety of lives and property in the Niger Delta Region, the gallant troops of the Joint Task Force South South Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), comprising troops of Quick Response Force (QRF) of Headquarters OPDS, Land, Maritime, and Air Components, on Monday, April 1, 2024, rescued nine kidnap victims,” Okeke said.

“The freed victims were kidnapped on 29 March 2024, along Patani-Ughelli road in Delta state.

“During the rescue operation, 10 suspects were arrested. Among the rescued victims are a naval rating and an NYSC member.”

The commander warned criminal elements in the Niger Delta region to desist from their activities, adding that the troops will provide the security needed in the region.

He urged residents to always provide useful information to security agencies on criminal activities within their communities.

Chinedu Ogah, a member of the House of Representatives from the All Progressives Congress has said former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai is not a match for President Bola Tinubu.

This followed speculations that El-Rufai is planning to form an alliance with the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi.

There were even some reports claiming that Obi and El-Rufai have formed an alliance to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

Reacting, Ogah, the lawmaker representing the lkwo/Ezza South federal constituency of Ebonyi State and the chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, argued that Tinubu is no match among opposition politicians who are preparing to contest in the next presidential poll in 2027.

Speaking to newsmen, Ogah maintained that he has not seen any politician in the country that can contest against Tinubu because of his performance and track record.

He insisted that Tinubu is aware of the problems plaguing the country and is already making efforts to fix them.

He said, “President Tinubu is doing perfectly well; he is doing very well. You may hate Tinubu but he is doing well in his administration, tackling the challenges in the country.

“The President has made us legislators sit up and every legislator is busy in his/her constituency attending to the people’s needs because 2023 has shown that if you are not on ground, the people will vote you out.

“The rural people that were regarded as illiterates are now more learned than us and they now know how to vote and who to vote for in an election. If you are not representing well, the people will vote you out.

“So, the President is doing very well and that was why most of us were singing his praises to come into power because he knows the problems of the country and how to solve them, and he is solving them.

“Who is contesting against the President in 2027? Who will run against him? I have even endorsed the President for 2027 and I have not seen anybody that will match him. I have not seen anybody that will match Tinubu in 2027; forget the noise on social media some people are making. Is it El-Rufai who could not win Kaduna, his state, that will match him? He is not an issue if he is running.”

The Association of Bureaux de Change Operators of Nigeria has said that the recovery of the naira has led to a relative decrease in the prices of goods and services in the country.

The president of the association, Aminu Gwadebe, said this in a statement issued on Saturday.

He hailed the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria to allow Bureaux de Change to operate in the foreign currency market, adding that it was a major factor in the recovery of the naira.

The CBN banned the operations of BDCs in July 2001 as part of measures to stabilise the local currency.

ABCON had been championing the campaign for BDCs to be allowed to operate formally in the currency market.

The apex bank in February reinstated BDCs in the official forex market.

In the statement, the ABCON president said aside from monetary policy tightening that led to interest rate hikes and more investment in government instruments and clearance of forex backlog forward commitments, the recall of the BDCs had significantly boosted dollar liquidity at the retail end of the forex market.

Gwadabe noted, “The current development in the foreign exchange market has started reining in inflation as the prices of most necessities are becoming relatively lower in the market. On a most serious note, the positive impacts also include heightened confidence of the public in the local currency as it eliminates currency substitution behaviour, which has hitherto been adding pressure on our local currency.

“The reconsideration of the BDCs into the mainstream foreign exchange market has not only demystified illegal economic behaviours such as hoarding, rent-seeking, round-tripping, and FX holding positions but also led to the emergence of exchange rate convergence.”

He added that with the recovery of the naira, the price of international school fees had dropped by 15 per cent; the cost of medical tourism had been reduced by 20 per cent and prices of air fares for local and international trips had dipped by 25 per cent.

Gwadabe remarked that the success story was unending as the naira traded at 1,255/$ on Saturday, lower than the 1,269.77/$ BDCs were advised to sell.

Describing the ongoing market development as revolutionary, Gwadabe declared that a stable naira would attract more foreign portfolio inflows to the economy.

He averred that the gains of the CBN under the governor, Dr Olayemi Cardoso, in recognising the power of BDCs in securing stable exchange rates cannot be over-emphasised.

He also maintained that previous practices where Nigerians based in Dubai brought dollars home for sale at high rates had ceased, after the rapid recovery of the naira against the American greenback.

Going forward, he stated that prospects for forex earnings were promising, with foreign portfolio investments on the rise and over $1.5bn inflows a few days after the Monetary Policy Committee raised the interest rate by two per cent.

He declared: “It is our view that the collaboration between the BDCs, CBN, National Security Adviser, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, as well as support from the Presidency, helped in creating the opportunity for building the foundation of this achievement. Overall, the combination of these actions has induced an atmosphere of public calmness, confidence, hope and liquidity in the markets.

“We call, therefore, on the CBN to continue to calibrate the existing relationship between the BDCs and the apex bank to sustain the success story.”