Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, better known as Portable, has reacted to the ongoing feud between his colleagues Davido and Wizkid.

Naija News earlier reported that Wizkid reignited the long-standing beef with Davidoon his X page, marking their second major online spat in 2024.

Wizkid, who labelled Davido ‘wack with no talent,’ also threw tantrums at the singer’s family, including his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke.

In a series of Instagram posts on Wednesday evening, Portable criticized both artistes, claiming their songs no longer sell and are using controversy for music promotion.

The ‘Zazzu Zeh’ hitmaker also said he is now more relevant and celebrated than Davido and Wizkid. However, the claims starkly contrast with the current happenings in the music scene.

He wrote: “Don’t use your brother to shine—shine by yourself. Your (Wizkid and Davido) songs are no longer in the market; now you’re (Davido and Wizkid) using fights for promotion.

“Let’s forget the fake promotion and focus on making hit songs. Portable is bigger than them (Wizkid and Davido)—who is big is big. We’re not on the same level; it’s only me and God. Omolalomi, the chosen one.”

Portable added that he does not support Davido or Wizkid’s ongoing online disputes.

He wrote, “I’m not here for Davido. I’m not here for Wizkid. I’m here for myself, which is why I support those who support me. Chosen one.”

A former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), George Moghalu, has dumped the party for the Labour Party (LP).

There are indications that Moghalu joined LP in a bid to contest for the governor­ship election in Anambra State, which would take place in about 15 months’ time.

Moghalu was the pioneer audi­tor of the APC and the immediate past Managing Director of Nation­al Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

The former APC chieftain joined the LP on Tues­day at his ward in Uruagu, Nnewi, Anambra State.

Moghalu, who had resigned from the APC, on August 26, 2024, was received by the ward chairman, executive members and local government chairman of Labour Party chap­ter in Uruagu, Nnewi.

He was presented a Labour Party membership card by the ward chairman, Chijioke Okeke, who had earlier issued him a membership form, which he filled out and returned to the party leaders during the visit.

Speaking at the event, Okeke described Moghalu as a patriotic technocrat, and a down-to-earth man, saying that he was excited to welcome him into the party as he had over the years shown him­self to be a creative, prudent and resourceful administrator.

Okeke was hopeful that Mogh­alu’s presence in the party would boost its chances of winning major elections going forward, especially with the upcoming Anambra South Senatorial elec­tion, which the party has to show the capacity to win.

In his remarks, Moghalu said he had resolved to join the LP after a thorough evaluation and careful consultation of the members of his family, community, supporters and other criticalstakeholdersof thestate.

He said, “And, I have come to the conclusion that the Labour Party is better suited to champi­on my ideals and principles as the party aligns with my core values and commitment, as well as mul­tifaceted perspective, with a pro­found dedication to the welfare of citizens.”

Moghalu pledged to work har­moniously with the leaders and chieftains of the party in forg­ing a better political culture that unites, inspires, and serves the greater good.

The event was witnessed by Uruagu, Nnewi ward 1 chair­man; executives, Nnewi North lo­cal government party chairman, 2023 Nnewi North Labour Party House of Assembly candidate, some stakeholders of the party, friends and political associates who were present to welcome Moghalu to the LP.

e U.S. government in September arrested and arraigned 43-year-old Nigerian socialite, for allegedly stealing the identities of about 91 American citizens to scam them of their COVID-19 and disability benefits. 

He was arrested around 9:30 a.m. on September 20, just hours before he was scheduled to fly on a one-way ticket to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where U.S. security agents believed he planned to hibernate, away from America’s crime radar.

A criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on September 19 detailed Mr Quadri’s alleged fraudulent scheme, particularly how he stole the Personal Identifying information (PII), including Social Security Numbers (SSNs) of about 91 Americans to collect their disability, unemployment and COVID-19 benefits between 2020 and 2024.

Given the California Employment Development Department (EDD) gave debit cards to eligible unemployed and disabled citizens, Mr Quadri applied for benefits using their names and falsified certifications from real doctors, whose information he also stole.

The EDD mailed loaded debit cards with unlimited withdrawals to claimants. The cards carried a sticker that contained the activation details. The recipient had to call a number to provide their SSN to activate it.

The card, valid for three years, was registered with the Bank of America, and the EDD  funded it for beneficiaries. It had no limit on daily purchases and withdrawals.

An investigator with the EDD found that Mr Quadri defrauded 19 disabled Americans whose identities he stole to claim the funds of over $200,000.

“EDD Investigator Ivant Romo reviewed approximately 19 DI (Disability Insurance) claims filed online under approximately 19 different identities for an approximate actual loss of $210,156 and a potential loss of approximately $436,488,” the criminal complaint stated.

Mr Romo found it suspicious that the claimants’ occupation “was often the same, among other commonalities.” 

Having reviewed 72 UI (Unemployment Insurance) claims, the investigator discovered that Mr Quadri had scammed the U.S. government of $881,192 using stolen identities of 72 unemployed Americans. 

Some of the footage of the withdrawals were examined, and the videos confirmed that Mr Quadri, on several occasions, was the same individual who withdrew cash using debit cards of different EDD beneficiaries.

Bank of America —where the EDD benefits were domiciled— supplied surveillance footage that showed Mr Quadri used the EDD debit cards to withdraw “under different accounts for different persons.”

Investigators found that the pictures of the individuals who were issued the EDD debit cards did not match the image of the person who withdrew the money.

Mr Romo identified Mr Quadri as the person who withdrew EDD funds from at least 38 accounts, including Michelle Davey, Ronald Tung, and Douglas Cost.

Pictures from Mr Quadri’s social media pages showed him wearing some of the clothes that he wore to withdraw the cash.  

Mr Romo further observed Mr Quadri on the streets and placed him to be the same guy “conducting many fraudulent withdrawals.

Doctor Lai, a medical practitioner who supposedly certified some of the documents Mr Quadri used to scam his victims, told investigators that he did not certify any of the claims that carried his signature. 

Mr Romo approached Ms Davey, a victim of the scam, who said she had never applied for a disability insurance benefit even though Mr Quadri had received $7,366 in her name. She also disclosed that the Nigerian fraudster got her actual date of birth and SSN correctly.

Mr Quadri withdrew $19500 using Mr Cost’s name. The victim told authorities that he had never filed an unemployment insurance benefit and did not give anyone consent to do so on his behalf.

The U.S. government identified Roland Iwhiwhu Otega as Mr Quadri’s co-conspirator. But five days after investigators searched his apartment in August 2023, Mr Otega boarded a ticket to Lagos, Nigeria and fled the U.S.

Incriminating materials of identity theft were found in his apartment, and investigators established a connection between him and Mr Quadri, given they shared at least one victim, Rosaly Ferrer.

Mr Quadri’s bank records with JP Morgan revealed that he had wired over $500,000 to four Chinese companies: Prinx Chengshan Shandong Tire Co Ltd (Agricultural Bank of China), Eping City Hengxin Trading Co Ltd (Industrial and Commercial Bank of China), Prachi Exports (Yes Bank Ltd) and Shouguang Firemax Tyre Co Ltd (Jinan Rural Commercial Bank Co., Ltd). 

Given that he is only a permanent alien resident and not a full-fledged U.S. citizen, Mr Quadri will be deported from the U.S. as soon as he is convicted.

Since he had no family in the United States and had purchased property in Nigeria, authorities worried that his chances of fleeing were extremely high, especially since his co-conspirator had already absconded. 

That the scam exceeded $10,000 will cause his offence to be considered an aggravated felony, which attracts stiff penalties that include the loss of his immigration status.

He was currently being remanded by the U.S. Marshal Service and would remain there until October 29, when he was scheduled to be arraigned before Judge Jean P. Rosenbluth on October 29.

Mr Quadri’s charges bordered on aggravated identity theft and bank and wire fraud.

An unidentified crossdresser has been harassed and stripped in Abuja.

The viral video online shows a group of people confronting the crossdresser over his choice of outfit.

However, the crossdresser attempted to walk away, but the crowd followed him, hurling derogatory comments and making aggressive gestures.

The man was consequently stripped off and harassed before he was allowed to walk away with a cautionary warning not to wear such an outfit again.

The incident comes in light of the recent death of another Abuja crossdresser, known as Area Mama.

The crossdresser was found dead along the Katampe-Mabushi expressway in August.

Area Mama’s body was discovered in a pool of blood, with visible scratches and bruises, and his belongings scattered nearby.

Winner of Big Brother Africa 2011 Karen Igho has launched a $50,000 GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for housing and legal fees as she fights for custody of her children.

In a video shared on her social media platforms on Wednesday, Karen Igho revealed that she is currently homeless and in desperate need of help. She expressed her desire to regain custody of her children from her estranged husband, Yaroslav Rakos.

The GoFundMe campaign description reads in parts:

“Dear Friends and Community,

“We are reaching out to ask for your support for our dear Karen Igho, who is going through a tough time. Recently, she faced unexpected challenges that have made it difficult to pay bills and secure stable housing.”

This plea comes after Karen disclosed on Tuesday that she is in the midst of a divorce, accusing her husband of physical and sexual abuse. She alleged that Rakos is attempting to take sole custody of their children by falsely claiming that she is mentally unstable.

Karen also called on the public to hold Rakos accountable if anything were to happen to her.

According to Karen Igho:

“I have been homeless for a year, and I have been hurt sexually and physically. If anything happens to me, hold the man who brought me to a country where I know no one. He is trying to take my children away by saying I’m mentally sick.”

In another emotional statement, Karen added:

“God bless Nigeria and Africa. I have been through so much this past year. Please pray for my children and me. In case you don’t hear from me again, know that I have been killed. I am not mentally sick, and I don’t do drugs.”

Her revelations have raised concern among her followers, many of whom have shown their support online. Rakos has not yet responded to the allegations.

After a nine-year relationship, Karen Igho and Yaroslav Rakos were married in 2014 in Jos, Plateau State. They share two children together.

Two titans of Afrobeat, Tiwa Savage and Tems, ignited a firestorm of excitement with a captivating connection that felt like a sisterly bond at a recent music event in the United States.

On October 1st, while Nigerians worldwide celebrated their nation’s Independence Day with pride and joy, Tems proudly Nigerian, was busy crafting her own legacy by hosting the highly anticipated “Born In the Wild” concert at the stunning Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.

Among the glittering array of celebrity guests, Tiwa Savage stood out as a beacon of support, bringing her undeniable star power and charisma to the event.

As the two queens crossed paths backstage, the atmosphere shifted into something magical. In a heartfelt moment captured on camera, they embraced with warm smiles, sharing a genuine hug that exuded both joy and deep mutual respect.

Their connection was palpable, a testament to their shared journeys in an industry that can be both challenging and isolating.

SEE VIDEO BELOW

Nigerian Afrobeats sensation, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, globally known as Wizkid, has found himself dominating headlines once again, and this time, it’s for the storm that followed his fiery Twitter exchanges.

The drama erupted when a video capturing Wizkid’s father, Chief Balogun, surfaced online, causing a frenzy across social media platforms.

The footage showed the elderly man walking slowly under the rain, using a stick for support, a seemingly peaceful moment that quickly turned into a viral sensation for all the wrong reasons.

In a shocking twist, an X user with malicious intent reposted the video, this time using it to mock Wizkid’s family financial status. 

The timing of this insult was particularly pointed, as it followed a thinly veiled jab Wizkid had taken at Davido’s family in a previous tweet, leading to an eruption of fan wars online.

But if the trolls were expecting Wizkid to shy away from the controversy, they were sorely mistaken. Known for his no-nonsense attitude, Wizkid didn’t just clap back—he delivered a masterclass in shutting down his critics.

Without hesitation, he took to his X handle, firing off a response, revealed that his father wasn’t just wandering the streets as the trolls tried to suggest; rather, he was casually strolling towards his Toyota SUV, fresh from a visit to their old neighborhood.

He wrote;

“U see his SUV in front right?!! he actually likes going back to our old hood to take walks ! see the old people and bless them with something small. That’s the kind of man that raised me!”

SEE HIS TWEET BELOW 

Oil marketers have said that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited portal used to purchase petrol has been shut against dealers, making it impossible for them to apply for the commodity purchase.

They said marketers are still awaiting over 90 million litres of petrol from the state-owned company. This is valued at about N79bn.

The PUNCH recalls that amid marketers’ complaints over their inability to order petrol, the NNPC confirmed the shutdown of its purchasing portal to our correspondent last month, giving its reasons.

According to NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, the company shut the portal due to a significant backlog.

Soneye explained that the shutdown became necessary to stop NNPC from holding marketers’ capital for too long.

“We have a significant backlog to address. The closure is intended to prevent us from holding marketers’ funds for an extended period,” Soneye had explained.

He, however, assured marketers that the portal would be reopened after the backlog had been reduced.

“It will be reopened once the backlog has been sufficiently reduced. We are working to address it as soon as possible,” he told our correspondent.

Marketers who spoke with our correspondent confirmed that NNPC was expediting actions to clear the backlogs as of the weekend.

Though NNPC did not disclose the value of the ‘huge backlogs’, independent marketers said they have over 2,000 tickets yet to be cleared with NNPC.

In an interview, the National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, said the association is still waiting for the portal’s opening.

“They are on it, our marketers are still loading petrol from the NNPC. I can’t confirm the price now because the portal is still shut down.

“We have more than 2,000 tickets for 45,000 litres (of petrol). That is 45,000 multiplied by 2,000, you can now know the number of million litres it will be. This is just an estimate, you know I don’t work with NNPC and I don’t know what is on their system,” Ukadike stated.

He disclosed that a 45,000-litre truckload of PMS is around N39.5m, making N79bn when multiplied by 2,000.

The Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria also confirmed that its members could not access the NNPC purchasing portal.

PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry, confirmed this in a phone conversation with our correspondent.

“The portal shutdown affects us too, we are all buying from NNPC,” he said briefly.

Meanwhile, the marketers noted that they have since been patronising private depot owners, who sell petrol to them at a premium.

This, they said, informed why the product is more expensive in their filling stations than in outlets owned by the NNPC and the major marketers.

Our correspondent gathered that the marketers usually bid for PMS through the NNPC portal.

According to them, payments will be made through the same channel while the marketer waits for months to get the product.

Independent marketers told The PUNCH that they paid for petrol but were not supplied after three months.

During an interview with The PUNCH in January, the National Vice President of IPMAN, Hammed Fashola, made a similar allegation which was denied by Soneye.

Fashola had asked the Federal Government to review the current distribution pattern to give priority to IPMAN members.

Fashola said, “We buy products from NNPC cash and carry. We don’t enjoy any credit facility with the NNPC. There are times when we pay for products, and you don’t get the products for two or three months. You have your money in the coffers of NNPC, which means they are trading with our money.

“If I am not exaggerating, we should be talking of over N300bn, when you consider the number of marketers all over Nigeria. Our money is always there, trapped, while we keep struggling to get fuel. The three days will turn into months if they don’t have products or they are out of stock, you have to wait, and your money will be there.”

At the moment, the marketers said they want to buy petrol directly from Dangote to ensure price parity.

Some yet-to-be identified persons have grisly murdered a couple in Abia State.

The slain couple, Jacob Udo and his wife, Comfort, were murdered in Isiala Autonomous Community of Bende local government area of the State

The duo, who originally hailed from Itumbuzor in the same Bende local government area, were reportedly beheaded and their bodies dismembered on Tuesday night.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has decried the killing of the couple, calling it horrific and senseless.

Kalu strongly condemned the killing in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, on Wednesday.

The Deputy Speaker, who represents Bende federal constituency, said that the heinous act of violence was unacceptable and violated the fundamental human right to life.

The Deputy Speaker said no cause or grievance justifies such brutal and inhumane and dastardly act.

He expressed his sympathies with the victims’ families and called on the state government and the law enforcement agencies to conduct thorough investigation with the aim of apprehending the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.

The Deputy Speaker also called for calm and restraints amongst the communities in the constituency, cautioning against reprisal attacks.

Kalu assured that the authorities would do the needful to ensure that the killers are found and punished for their crime.

He said: “I unequivocally condemn the brutal killing of the couple. This shocking act of violence contradicts humanity’s basic principles. My thoughts are with the victims’ families and their loved ones.”

“I urge the authorities to investigate and bring perpetrators to justice. We stand together against violence and extremism, advocating for a culture of tolerance, respect, and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

“We urge all members of our community to remain calm and exercise caution to prevent escalation.

“The safety and well-being of our citizens are of utmost importance. We understand the emotions and concerns but violence or reprisal attacks will only lead to further suffering and division,” the statement said.

Kalu also appealed to the community leaders, residents, and authorities to work together to maintain public safety.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution to establish a rotational presidency among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

In addition, Atiku suggests implementing a single six-year term for the president to strengthen Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in last year’s election, addressed his proposals to the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Constitution Review.

This comes as the National Assembly continues amending the constitution, with issues such as power rotation, local government autonomy, and regionalism under consideration.

In his proposal, dated August 30, 2024, Atiku also called for changes to the educational qualifications required for political candidates and reforms to promote internal democracy within political parties.

He emphasized the need to prevent the violent takeover of parties and ensure they operate within democratic frameworks.

Atiku argued that political parties are often allowed to violate electoral laws, leading to chaos. He stated that his suggested amendments would bring greater discipline to the political system.

He wants the constitution to clearly state, “The office of the president shall rotate among the six geopolitical zones of the federation on a single term of six years, alternating between the North and South.”

He also proposed revising Section 135(2) of the constitution to set a clear six-year term limit for the presidency and amending Section 137(1)(b) to ensure a president cannot serve more than one term. According to Atiku, these changes will promote stability and fairness in Nigeria’s political system.