The ongoing conflict in Sudan may disrupt the smooth airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for 2023 hajj, the Independent Hajj Reporters, has said.
The faith-based civil society organisation (CSO) noted in a statement by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad that the war has already led to the abrupt shutdown of the Sudanese airspace.
Daily Trust on Sunday reports that with the war, many airlines now bypass the Sudanese airspace, taking longer time to travel between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria.
Some pilgrims who performed lesser hajj in Saudi through Sudanese carriers were also stranded following suspension of operations by the airlines.
Given that the war still rages, the organisation said that Nigeria, “through the NAHCON, must quickly review the pending challenges and come up with alternative options as a backup measure.”
Our correspondent reports that the inaugural flight for the 2023 intending pilgrims has been fixed for May 21.
However, the organisation observed that the closure of Sudan airspace would invariably force the hajj air carriers to transit through alternative routes that would take more than seven hours from Nigeria, thereby increasing the scheduled timeframe for the airlift operations.
It said another attendant effect of the change of routes aside the time was the price of tickets, which is another additional burden on the intending pilgrims.
The statement reads, “We are worried that our dear pilgrims may be compelled to fly through Cameroon, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, or Diplomatic Republic of Congo (DRC) to reach Saudi Arabia.
“The CSO is concerned that the closure of Sudanese airspace has already forced some major airlines such as Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, Emirates and Saudi Airlines to begin rerouting their flights to other African and South American countries.
“Ethiopian Airlines, which is a major player in hajj pilgrimages in Nigeria, has already rerouted up to 38 routes in its network.
“We are appealing to the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, review the situation and provide an appropriate alternative to the hajj carriers ahead of the commencement of the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims. A stitch in time saves nine.”
Meanwhile, the NAHCON has spoken on some lesser hajj pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia following the suspension of flights by Sudanese airlines that conveyed them.
A spokesman of the NAHCON, Alhaji Mousa Ubandawaki said, “As per the stranded pilgrims of Badr and Tarko Airlines in Saudi Arabia, Tarko has made alternative arrangement for its pilgrims. In fact, they have been airlifted back to Nigeria.
“However, for agents who bought Badr tickets, there is an agreement that the agents should purchase alternative tickets, with the promise that they would be refunded when they get back to Nigeria.”
[DailyTrust]
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has risen to the defence of President-elect, Bola Tinubu, listing grounds why it cannot prosecute the soon-to-be-inaugurated president of Nigeria in court.
This is contained in a preliminary objection to a suit instituted by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the party’s governorship candidate for Kogi, Dino Melaye, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The litigants are seeking an order of mandamus to compel the NDLEA to arrest and prosecute Tinubu over alleged forfeiture of some funds in his bank accounts over his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.
Tinubu has denied any wrongdoing and his camp said it was a civil forfeiture and not criminal in nature.
But PDP and Melaye, a former senator representing Kogi West, said Tinubu, who was twice governor of Lagos State has a case to answer since funds traced as proceeds of narcotics dealings as filed in a US court were found in his bank accounts.
However, the anti-narcotic agent through its Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Joseph Nbona Sunday, said the applicants “do not have a locus standi; they do not possess an interest peculiar to them and above the interests of all other Nigerians, the only underlying specific interest of the 1st Applicant then becomes political in nature.”
The PDP is listed as 1st applicant while Melaye is listed as 2nd applicant.
According to the agency, “Order of mandamus is an equitable remedy and should only be applied for in good faith and should not produce an indirect or underlying result.
“The Doctrine of Judicial Self-restraint precludes this Honourable Court from delving into matters with political colouration or matters aimed at getting direct or indirect political goals.”
The agency’s sworn affidavit in support of its preliminary objection made by its litigation officer, who’s the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services, Chia Cosmas Depunn averred, “That this suit as presently constituted does not confer the Court with jurisdiction.
“That the 1st Applicant does not have locus standi to institute this suit as it does not possess interest peculiar to it and above the interests of all other Nigerians.
“That the only peculiar interest of the 1st Applicant is to get rid of the 6th Respondent as a candidate of a rival political party.
“That the interest of the 1st Applicant is political in nature.
“That the 3rd Respondent is an independent Government Agency that has no political colouration or affiliation,” the agency said.
It further stated, “That the Court has a duty to insulate the 3rd Respondent from political controversies.
“That the suit is baseless, frivolous and brought in bad faith with the sole aim of achieving a political objective using the instrumentality of the Court process.
“That the facts and circumstances of the case require the Court to apply the doctrine of judicial self-restraint.
The federal government has reapproved the use of Eagle Square in Abuja by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for the annual May Day rally in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) tomorrow.
This followed pressure from the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria.
The federal government had earlier approved the venue for the workers’ rally but later rescinded its decision and offered the workers the Old Parade Ground as an alternative.
Both the NLC and the TUC had protested the change of venue and vowed to organise the rally on the streets of Abuja.
But the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige conveyed the revalidation of the venue to the workers in a statement issued by his ministry yesterday.
In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, the minister urged all guests including the president, vice president, ministers, diplomatic missions, and international partners, to endeavour to be at the Eagle Square venue, which he said remains sacrosanct.
The minister gave this assurance following reports that the federal government, acting through the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), had withdrawn the permit granted to the NLC to use the Eagle Square for this year’s May Day celebration, for reasons bordering on the preparation of the venue for the May 29 inauguration of President-elect, Bola Tinubu.
Ngige said on getting the information, he contacted his colleague, the Minister of FCT, Muhammad Bello, who attributed the development to some overzealous officials of the FCDA, who acted without his authority.
Ngige said sequel to his consultation with the FCT Minister, the NLC has been asked to go ahead with its preparation for the celebration at Eagle Square, which the president, ministers, other top government officials, and the diplomatic missions are expected to attend.
“It was actually the contractor handling the renovation of the Eagle Square that informed the Transition Committee for the handover ceremony that they erected their equipment even before last Thursday when the Nigerian Army used the venue for an event attended by the President.
“Consequently, the FCT Minister assured the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment that the place is available for NLC to use on May 1, which is the workers’ day.
“This May Day is the last in the life of this administration. The NLC parade belongs to everybody, including government, diplomatic missions, international organisations, organised labour and affiliate unions, and members of the public. The president, ministers, and others cannot shut themselves out. The Eagle Square is still available for all these individuals.
“All invited people should make themselves available for the parade at Eagle Square, most especially the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), the diplomatic missions, and the international partners.
“The Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment has been in touch with the leadership of organised labour led by Comrade Joe Ajaero and has briefed them on these developments and equally extended the apologies of the Honourable Minister of FCT for the unintended embarrassment occasioned by the action of their officials who misinterpreted the general intention and work plan of one month of Messrs Julius Berger, the company in charge of the renovation of the Eagle Square for the May 29 inauguration to also include May 1, 2023.”
The statement added that the FCT Administration has promised to give all necessary material support to make the event hitch-free and successful, while the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment wishes all Nigerian workers a blissful Workers’ Day on May 1.
The Lagos State Government has demolished 13 buildings in Ajao Estate, close to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki, said the buildings were demolished for lacking required approvals, and were cited around the airport restricted areas while some were cited on aviation fuel pipelines.
Oki added that the builders also lacked required approvals for construction in that area, insisting that the buildings were constructed illegally in disregard to extant laws.
“The buildings had no planning permit and were built around the pipelines. Nobody in his right mind will build on a pipeline,” he noted.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which supported the government’s action, especially after issuing several stop warnings to ‘encroachers’ who ‘stole’ from the airport land to build.
General Manager (Business Development) of FAAN, Ngwu Hyacinth, applauded the partnership with LASBCA to bring normalcy and decency to the airport environment. He lamented that the airport authority began to notice encroachment on its land in 2015, which defied the rule that no building must be cited close to the perimeter fence.
The National Population Commission (NPC) on Saturday, said the major decision to postpone the 2023 census exercise was to allow adequate participation of the incoming administration.
It said there was a need for the new administration to be abreast of the processes used in the collection of the census data.
The Commission’s Director of Public Affairs Department, Dr Isiaka Yahaya made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in Abuja.
He explained that the main objective towards conducting the census is not just to collect data, but to also ensure that the data is used for planning purposes.
He added; “If that is the assumption, it means the administration that would use this data should be part of the collection of the data. It won’t be wise that at a certain stage when they come in, we should just throw the data at them.
“That would affect their confidence in the data. But now, we have gone far in the preparations, we are almost at the tail end. It is also good for the administration that will use the data both at the National and state level to know how the census would be conducted. If they participate in that process, I am sure that they will have faith using the data. This is one major reason for the postponement.”
However, he debunked claims that the postponement was due to lack of adequate preparation and funding.
According to him, the Federal Government (FG) had provided all the required funds needed to carry out the exercise.
His words: “The decision to postpone the Census is not a sudden one. It is something we saw coming. All preparations were already made so it was not postponed because we were not prepared. Secondly, it was not as a result of lack of funds the federal government had provided everything we needed.
“In fact we were already in the process of getting the required funds. As you know, government funds are not released once and the support was there. We had no doubt that the funds for the main exercise would also be made available but some other considerations came on board that made the postponement inevitable or desirable.”
The Census, which was slated to commence on 3rd of May 2023 was postponed indefinitely by the Federal Government (FG).
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed in a statement issued on Saturday had announced that the earlier scheduled exercise would now hold on a date to be determined by the incoming Administration.
It said the President gave the approval after meeting with some members of the Federal Executive Council and the Chairman of the National Population Commission and his team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.
Nineteen undergraduate students of Akwa Ibom State University, Mkpat-Enin, were on Friday arrested by operatives of the Uyo Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
They were arrested for their involvement in suspected internet related offences.
According to EFCC, their arrest followed several months of surveillance on their alleged involvement in romance scam, fraudulent crypto currency transactions and impersonation.
They were arrested at their private hostels: Obong Abasi Lodge and Mfon Obong Lodge both located at Ikot Akpadem in Mkpat-Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
“Items recovered from them include, several laptops and mobile phones.
“They will be charged to court as soon as Investigations are concluded,” the commission further noted.
Rabiu Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), says the incoming government in Kano will revisit the dethronement of Muhammadu Sanusi.
Abdullahi Ganduje, outgoing governor of the state, dethroned Sanusi, 14th emir of Kano, in 2020, over allegations of insubordination.
Aminu Bayero, son of the late Ado Bayero and emir of Bichi, was installed as Sanusi’s replacement.
In a viral video posted on social media on Saturday, Kwankwaso said he is confident that Abba Yusuf, governor-elect of the state, would have the wisdom to resolve “challenges” in the state.
“We campaigned and we are well-known in Nigeria, especially in Kano. What we showed the people is by God’s grace all the good projects we started when we were in government. This governor (Abba Kabir Yusuf) and his team will pick up from where we left off,” Kwankwaso said.
He said the opportunity to revisit Sanusi’s dethronement has presented itself and that he would advise the incoming government on what to do as an elder.
“We as elders in the movement will continue to advice them to do things that are proper,” Kwankwaso said.
“We tried not to talk about whether the Emir would be removed or not, but now you see, the opportunity is there.
“Those who God made leaders will now decide on the next step and decision to take. They will review it and determine what is the right thing to be done.
“Apart from the issue of changing the emir, the emirates have now been divided into five. All of that will be reviewed too. When a leader comes into power whether in a country, state or local government area, he inherits things that are good and things that are difficult and challenging.
“We are confident God will give the governor (Abba Kabir Yusuf) the wisdom to come and resolve the challenges planted in Kano state so that everyone will leave peacefully in Kano state.”
The Lagos state police command says it has arrested a couple over alleged self-kidnap for N5 million ransom.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesperson, who spoke to NAN on Saturday, said the husband, 53, and wife, 48, were arrested after a family member of the man reported the purported kidnap.
He said the couple, who admitted to the crime, said they planned the self-kidnap with the hope of raising N3 million to buy back their house in the Badagry area of Lagos.
“The man brought the idea and sold it to his wife. He did not deny it before the police,” Hundeyin said.
“He said he did it through text message for a purpose. He said he did it because he wanted to re-buy his house back with N3 million.
“The man claimed he decided to organise self-kidnap because none of his brothers and sisters doing well and some living abroad are willing to assist him financially.
“He claimed that if they hear of his kidnap with his wife, they would negotiate with the kidnappers and pay the money.”
Hundeyin said the police had visited the couple’s home and found out they were still living in their house in Badagry, while they sent out text messages of their kidnap to their relations.
The wife, who was met at home with three children, was asked by the police to follow them to the headquarters, Ikeja, but the woman pleaded to come at a later date.
The wife was eventually arrested on Wednesday, while the husband was arrested on Thursday.
“She admitted that she supported her husband in the crime. She also admitted that her husband discussed the matter with her and she gave her approval because they never thought it will turn out negative,” Hundeyin said.
“The woman claimed if the plan worked out, it would have been the easiest way to raise the money to buy back their house since her husband’s brothers in UK are not willing to help him.”
He said the couple will be charged to court soon.
One Emeh, Nnamdi Daniel has been arrested by the Anambra State Police Command over alleged impersonation and hacking into someone’s account and defrauding him of the sum of N47m.
The 26-year-old suspect, was doing his National Youth Service Corps at the state police command when he allegedly committed the offences.
His NYSC State Code was given as AN/22A/3323
THE WHISTLER reports that he was earlier declared wanted on 20th February this year on allegations of unlawful possession of firearms, money laundering, and defamation of character, fraud and impersonation.
The arrest of the suspect was disclosed by the Anambra State commissioner of police, CP Echeng Echeng, while briefing newsmen weekend in Awka.
In his words, “The suspect, Nnamdi Emeh, fled the country to the Benin Republic before he was arrested by INTERPOL operatives. Nnamdi also hacked into one Mr Chibuike Martins Ekwueme’s accounts and fraudulently transferred N47,000,000 to fourteen (14) different accounts owned by him (Nnamdi E). The case is already before the Federal High Court.”
Echeng assured the residents that the command, under his watch, would continue to ‘evolve strategies, which involve improving operational positioning and engaging with the community leaders, youth groups, and other stakeholders for an inclusive community safety base’.
He urged the public to support the police through timely information and reporting any suspicious activities to the police.
President-elect, Bola Tinubu, has urged the people of Kogi to vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the coming governorship election, thereby endorsing the party’s candidate, Ododo Usman.
Tinubu tasked the people on Saturday while playing host to Governors Yahaya Bello, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Defence House.
Bello was in the company of Usman, who he presented to President Muhammadu Buhari a few days ago.
This is despite a suit at the Federal High Court against the primary election which produced Usman.
The aggrieved contestants being led by Smart Adeyemi, the senator representing Kogi West Senatorial district, have rejected the outcome of the exercise, which they said never held.
Adeyemi accused Bello of imposing his first cousin on the party and vowed not to recognize the purported primary election.
But party leadership have queued behind Usman with Tinubu endorsing his candidacy just as Buhari and the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, had done.
Tinubu used the occasion of the meeting to say Kogi, which has been a stronghold of the party, must remain so in the coming election.
He expressed confidence in Usman’s capacity and capability to deliver if voted into power.
While commending party leaders and supporters for their support in the February 25 presidential election, which led to his victory, he urged the people of Kogi to replicate the victory at the state level.
While presenting Usman to the governor-elect, Bello justified his emergence as party members chose him based on his “capacity, competence, and ability to lead effectively”.
He also assured Tinubu that “Kogites would vote for consolidation, which Ododo represents”, because they have witnessed the “progress” made in the state in the last seven years.
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Nigerians to pay more on beer, imported vehicles, plastics others As Buhari Introduces Over Five New Taxes
AdminWith about a month to the end of his tenure, President Muhammadu Buhari has introduced additional taxes as his parting gift to Nigerians after eight years in office
The president who began his second term in 2015 will handover on May 29, 2023 to the president- elect, Bola Tinubu.
The Federal Government introduced new Fiscal Policy Measures (FPM) for 2023 in a Circular dated 20 April 2023 signed by Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning.
The circular is with reference number, HMFBNP/MDAs/CIRCULAR/2023FP//04 and titled, ‘Approval For The Implementation Of The 2023 Fiscal Policy Measures And Tariff Amendments.’
The FPM introduced additional excise taxes ranging from 20 per cent to 100 per cent on alcoholic beverages, tobacco, wines and spirits.
Nigeria will begin to tax single use plastic while the circular also confirmed that the five per cent telecommunication tax has been approved.
The taxes will take effect June 1, 2023 which is after the end of Buhari’s administration.
The document reads in part, “This is to confirm that His Excellency, Mr. President has approved for the implementation of the 2023 Fiscal Policy Measures made up of Supplementary Protection Measures (SPM) for the implementation of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) 2022 – 2026 and a revised excise duty rates on Alcoholic beverages, Cigarettes & Tobacco products, as well as introduction of excise duty on Single Use Plastics (SUPs).
“As part of Nigeria’s commitment to climate change adaptation and mitigation to environmental degradation, a Green Tax made up of excise duty on Single Use Plastics (SUPs) and Import Adjustment Tax (IAT) Levy is introduced on Motor Vehicles of 2000cubic centimetres (cc) and above.”
The Supplementary Protection Measures (SPM) deals with the implementation of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff 2022-2026.
The changes are effective from 1 May 2023 subject to 90-days grace period for importers who had opened Form M before 1 May 2023.
The affected items are: rice, woven fabrics, ceramics tiles and sinks, steel, containers for compressed or liquified gas, aluminum cans, washing machines, electric generating sets and rotary converters, smart phones, new and used passenger motor vehicles and electricity meters.
On the Revised Excise Duty Rates, additional excise taxes ranging from 20 per cent to 100 per cent increase on previously approved rates for alcoholic beverages, tobacco, wines and spirits have been introduced effective from 1 June 2023.
These are above the 2022 FPM’s approved Roadmap for 2022-2024 in the form of new and higher ad-valorem excise duties and specific rates while the excise duty rate on non-alcoholic beverages was retained at of N10 per litre.
On the Green Taxes, the FG will charge by way of excise duty on Single Use Plastics (SUPs) like plastic containers, films and bags at the rate of 10 per cent.
There is also an Import Adjustment Tax (IAT) levy that was introduced on motor vehicles of 2000 cc to 3999 cc at 2 per cent.
For vehicles of 4000cc and above, the tax will be 4 per cent while vehicles below 2000cc, mass transit buses, electric vehicles, and locally manufactured vehicles are exempted.
While one faction of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo has vowed not to support the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, another member of the group, has declared his unqualified support for him.
Recalls that the Ohanaeze faction earlier this week declared that they would not recognize Tinubu as president-elect because he refused to include Igbos on his transition committee.
However, in a new development on Saturday, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ime-Obi, the group’s highest decision-making body, declared that no force would be used to prevent Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29.
The Ohanaeze, through its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, stated that the body recognizes Tinubu as Nigeria’s president-elect and will support him after his inauguration.
Isiguzoro told Daily Post that;
Some people are making an unauthorized statement that they don’t recognize Tinubu as the president-elect, but let me make it categorically clear that those statements are coming from unpatriotic elements that have been suspended from the Ohanaeze Ndigbo
Ohanaeze will participate fully in the inauguration of the President-elect. It’s unpatriotic for anyone to use the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to say that a man who was declared the winner of the 2023 presidential election would not be recognized by Ndigbo.
Ndigbo fully recognizes the president-elect, Vice President-elect, Shettima and we will continue to give them maximum support until a court of competent jurisdiction says otherwise.
We will not allow people who made Ndigbo enemies of Buhari in 2015 to lead us into another tight situation where Igbos will be portrayed illegitimately that we are against or will not recognize the President-elect, which is not the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Ndigbo are progressive-minded, economically oriented and would continue to support any government at the centre.
Those trying to pick quarrels on behalf of Ndigbo against Tinubu will not succeed because we are partaking in the inauguration at the Eagles Square, and there is no force on earth that would stop the President-elect from being sworn in.
Tinubu should not listen to those not speaking on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, we will continue to support and give him maximum support and ensure that his government succeeds.
The Ime-Obi Ohanaeze has never authorized anybody to speak against the President-elect. Ime-Obi has fully identified and would support whoever won the presidential election.
Ohanaeze is not an enemy to the president-elect and would not allow anybody to make an unfounded statement that Ohanaeze does not recognize Tinubu.
Human rights lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to order the immediate release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
He equally said the self-determination struggle of IPOB is “legally guaranteed” in accordance with Nigeria’s laws.
Ozekhome disclosed this in a keynote address at the Handshake Across The Niger II, held in Enugu on Friday.
“We are telling the Federal Government that this is not proper. Set this man free. Nnamdi Kanu is not well. He has ear pains. The DSS doctors have confirmed that he is not doing well, health wise.
“But they would still not allow him access to his own private doctor.
“We have told the Supreme Court to do the needful. The case has been adjourned till May 11.
“Please sir, on my bended knees, you can order the release of Nnamdi Kanu today. You can do it through the Attorney General of the Federation, who has the power to discontinue the case.
“You don’t have to wait for the Supreme Court decision before you do the right thing,” he said.
Many prominent Igbo leaders, as well as the Ohanaeze Ndigbo have been clamouring for Kanu’s release before President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure ends in one month time, precisely, May 29, 2023.
Self-acclaimed National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, has raised the alarm over threat to his life days after he congratulated President-elect Bola Tinubu.
Nnabuike had a few days ago congratulated Tinubu, urging aggrieved parties to allow the court to decide the matter of the election.
He said the election was over, adding that the process of governance had begun.
However, in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday, Okwu said he came under severe threat after congratulating the President-elect.
According to him, “some persons who are annoyed that I congratulated the President-elect have sent machinery in motion to take me out of the way.”
However, the rival faction, under leadership of Igboayaka O. Igboayaka has declared Nnabuike as an impostor who does not have the authority to speak for Ohanaeze youth.
Igboayaka told our correspondent in an interview that on Saturday that if Nnabuike was being threatened for congratulating Tinubu, he should find out why because he’s not the only person who has congratulated the President-elect.
He said, “Nnabuike is impersonating the leadership of OYC and parading himself as the leader of Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide. Ndigbo and the general public should be wary of such dubious character.”
“The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has one authentic leader and National President in the person of Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka and we are urging the general public to ignore and dismiss the impostor. Mr Okwu Nnabuike’s statement congratulating Bola Tinubu as president-elect as a misguiding statement coming from a beer parlour.
“If he’s being threatened he should go and find out why and if it’s for congratulating Tinubu, he should go and tell Tinubu. He’s not the only person who had congratulated Tinubu and so if his life is under threat, he should know that his action was illegal.
“He does not represent millions of Igbo youth and has no authority to congratulate somebody whose election is in serious doubt,” Igboayaka said