Musibau Alani, the renowned Fuji musician, has dismissed the claims that he snatched Asake’s mother, Fali, from his father, Odunsi, popularly known as Malo.

He stated that he was not responsible for the separation between the duo, adding that Fali was no longer married to Malo when he met her.

The controversy arose after Odunsi claimed that Asake had neglected him, leading to widespread social media discussions.

Some online commentators further alleged that Alani was present as a performing musician during Asake’s naming ceremony. But the Fuji veteran has categorically dismissed these claims.

However, addressing the allegation, in a recent media chat, the Stand Well Well crooner, who is Asake’s stepfather, confirmed his marriage to the singer’s mother, a union that produced three children, two of whom are now deceased.

“I met Fali as a single mother; she was already separated from her husband, whom I didn’t know at the time. We got along, and she moved in with me along with her son, Ahmed (Asake). I trained the boy,” Alani explained.

He also recalled a later encounter with Odunsi, saying, “I eventually met her ex-husband, Malo, who was working at a council in Lagos Island. The day he saw me there, he even told his colleagues to thank me for taking good care of his son, Ahmed (Asake).

*For the record, I did not snatch Fali from her first husband, and I was neither present at nor played at Asake’s naming ceremony.”

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, on Saturday warned African presidents to take charge of the continent, as he foresees rebels spreading across several countries in an attempt to cause insecurity.

The prophet stated that prominent groups like RSF and M-23 will turn Sudan and DR Congo into war zones, with plans to continue spreading across the continent to capture more countries.

In a statement signed by his spokesman, Oluwatosin Osho, Ayodele advised African leaders to stop relying on the United Nations and support from the U.S. but instead focus on ECOWAS and the AU, and what they can do collectively to solve the insecurity crisis.

“RSF and government forces will turn Sudan into a war center, and they can become a syndicate in the African continent. M-23 and RSF can become a terrible force in the continent if African leaders don’t take action.”

“Let’s forget about the U.S. and UN—what are ECOWAS and the AU doing to curb insecurity? They are doing nothing, and this matter goes beyond the president of DR Congo. These people will terrorize Africa, and this is why South Sudan must also rise to fight the rebels there, because this will continue to spread.”

He further noted that some countries, including Benin Republic, the Central African Republic, and Togo, may soon experience an invasion by these rebels. He called on leaders to stay on high alert to prevent instability, warning that it could become a crisis that will not be easily resolved.

“Rebels will take over many African nations, including Benin Republic, CAR, and Togo. They are coming and can invade Africa as a continent. Our leaders shouldn’t sleep on this because they are not doing anything. There won’t be stability in the continent. This could become a serious crisis that won’t be healed anytime soon.”

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), once advised Akinwumi Ambode, former Lagos governor, to reject godfatherism in his state.

In a September 2018 interview on The Osasu Show, Wike, who was then Rivers governor, advised Ambode to prioritise Lagos’ interests over those of President Bola Tinubu, widely seen as Lagos’ political godfather.

Ambode failed to secure a second-term ticket as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as it became obvious that he had fallen out with Tinubu ahead of the 2019 election.

This, many believed, was mainly because of allegations that he abandoned the party structure put in place by Tinubu and even dumped some loyalists of the APC leader.

Ambode lost his second term bid as Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu’s anointed candidate, won the party’s ticket and the governorship election.

“If it is correct that the godfather is against Ambode, I will tell him (Ambode) to resist it. I will tell him to promote the interests of his state,” Wike said.

“Godfatherism is not good. It negates development. No more godfather politics in Rivers state. We are not in Lagos state. Rivers state will not accept godfatherism. My concern is to do well for Rivers state.”

Years later, a political clash between Wike and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, over the control of Rivers state triggered a breakdown of law and order.

WIKE VS FUBARA

The rift between Wike and Fubara traces back to October 2023, when tensions flared over control of the state’s political machinery. Wike, as the outgoing governor of Rivers, had handpicked Fubara as his successor in the 2023 general election.

However, cracks emerged soon after Fubara’s inauguration, with the governor resisting Wike’s influence.

The situation escalated on October 29, 2023, when an attempt to impeach Fubara led to the demolition of the Rivers state house of assembly complex, an act Wike’s allies blamed on Fubara’s camp.

In December 2023, a peace pact brokered by Tinubu unravelled as both sides accused each other of breaches. Wike claimed Fubara abandoned those who supported his rise, while Fubara accused Wike of meddling, citing incidents like the minister’s alleged interference in local chieftaincy matters.

The crisis peaked on February 28, 2025, when the supreme court reinstated 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, tipping the balance against Fubara.

The assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, the speaker, accused Fubara of flouting court orders to re-present the 2025 budget and issued a misconduct notice against the governor on March 17.

Fubara’s efforts to meet legislative demands hit a wall, with allegations of being prevented from entering the house of assembly.

On March 18, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, pointing to the political unrest and risks to oil infrastructure as justification.

He then suspended Fubara, Ngozi Odu, his deputy, and all assembly members for six months.

Tinubu appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, retired vice-admiral as the sole administrator of Rivers state during the emergency period.

Two days later, on March 20, the senate and house of representatives controversially approved Tinubu’s emergency declaration through voice vote.

Samuel  Anyanwu, national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has praised Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory, for supporting him while he faced a legal battle to be recognised as the party’s scribe.

On Friday, the supreme court nullified the judgement which sacked Anyanwu as national secretary of the PDP.

Anyanwu and Sunday Udeh-Okoye have been laying claim to the position of the national secretary of the opposition party.

“First, let me thank almighty God. I use this opportunity to ask those who are faithful to God to remain faithful because there is nothing God cannot do. I want to thank my leaders across the country, PDP faithful, who stood by the truth,” Anyanwu said after resuming at the party’s national secretariat.

“I also thank those who have put me in the situation I was. Without their challenges, I won’t come out the way I have come out. I still thank them. In everything, we are one family. We are a PDP family. This victory is victory for all PDP faithful. It is not a victory for me.

“I want to thank, in a very special way, my friend and my leader, the honourable minister for FCT, who also believed and supported me and gave me encouragement. Some of our governors too who believed in me and believed in the truth, who stood by me in all circumstances.

“I want to assure my colleagues in the NWC that we are one family. We are one family; we came here as a family, and we will leave as a family. We came the same day; we are going to leave the same day.

“I want to assure them that despite what has happened, we are humans. We can always err, but what matters is if you are honest and sincere about your repentance.”

Anyanwu said the leaders of the PDP will reshape the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

“Our aim is to win election in 2027. I want to plead with all those who are causing confusion in our party to please desist. This is the only party we have,” he said.

“We cannot destroy our home. We can’t destroy our bed, if we destroy our bed, we will sleep on the bed. Nigerians love PDP, so we are going to work hard, we are going to brainstorm to see how the party will come back again.”

He also urged those who have left the party to come back ahead of the 2027 polls

The Federation Account Allocation Committee has shared N1.678 trillion among the Federal Government, states and the local governments for the month of February.

This is according to a communiqué issued by FAAC and made available by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, on Saturday.

According to the communiqué, the total revenue of N1.678 trillion comprised statutory revenue of N827.633 billion and Value Added Tax revenue of N609.430 billion.

It also comprised Electronic Money Transfer Levy revenue of N35.171 billion, Solid Minerals revenue of N28.218 billion and Augmentation of N178 billion.

It said that a total gross revenue of N2.344 trillion was available in the month of February.

“Total deduction for cost of collection was N89.092 billion while total transfers, interventions, refunds and savings was N577.097 billion,’” it said.

The communiqué said that gross statutory revenue of N1.653 trillion was received for February, which was lower than the sum of N1.848 trillion received in January by N194.664 billion.

It said that gross revenue of N654.456 billion was available from VAT in February, lower than the N771.886 billion available in January by N117.430 billion.

The communiqué said that out of the total distributable revenue of N1.678 trillion, the Federal Government received N569.656 billion, and the state governments received N562.195 billion.

It said that the LGs received total sum of N410.559 billion, and a total sum of N136.042 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

“On the N827.633 billion statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N366.262 billion and the state governments received N185.773 billion.

“The LGs received N143.223 billion and the sum of N132.374 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue,” the communiqué said.

It said that from the N609.430 billion VAT revenue, the Federal Government received N91.415 billion, the state governments received N304.715 billion, and the LGs received N213.301 billion.

“A total sum of N5.276 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N35.171 billion EMTL. The state governments received N17.585 billion, and the LGs received N12.310 billion.

“From the N28.218 billion Solid Minerals revenue, the Federal Government received N12.933 billion and the state governments received N6.560 billion.

“The LGs received N5.057 billion and a total sum of N3.668 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue,” it said.

It said that Oil and Gas Royalty and EMTL increased significantly while VAT, Petroleum Profit Tax, Companies Income Tax, Excise Duty, Import Duty and CET Levies recorded a decrease.

NAN

The Federal Government has revealed how it successfully convinced the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, to accept the role of Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the Governing Council at the newly established Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, Kaduna State.

Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa shared the details during the inauguration of the university’s Governing Council and Principal Officers in Abuja.

He explained that Vice President Kashim Shettima played a crucial role in nominating and persuading Bishop Kukah to take on the appointment.

At the Ministry’s conference hall, Dr. Alausa recounted the Vice President’s involvement: “Bishop Kukah is very busy. When the Vice President was nominating Bishop Kukah, he was very worried that I’m going to put a lot of burden on his mind. The Vice President said Bishop Kukah has so much respect for him.”

He continued, quoting the Vice President: “I’m giving the words of the Vice President now. ‘He has so much respect for me. Every time I’ve asked him to do something, he accepts that service. I want to ask him to take on the position of the Pro Chancellor. I know he’s already stretched to the limit, but for my own selfishness, for the country, in service of the country, I will ask him. And I know he will not say no.’”

According to Dr. Alausa, when Vice President Shettima reached out to Bishop Kukah, the religious leader agreed to take on the position, saying, “Yes, I will do it.”

The Minister expressed his gratitude to Bishop Kukah for accepting the role, despite his many responsibilities, describing his decision as a reflection of his commitment to education and his dedication to serving the community.

The event was attended by several prominent figures, including the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Qurix Williams Barnabas. General Musa, an indigene of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna, pledged that the Nigerian military would provide robust security for the university, ensuring a safe environment for students and staff.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has overturned its previous ruling that restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from receiving the recall petition initiated by constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The court’s landmark judgment delivered on Friday affirmed that the recall process is constitutionally valid and in line with her constituents’ civic rights.

In the ruling, the court encouraged the constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District to continue exercising their rights in an orderly and peaceful manner.

The judgment marked a significant step in the ongoing legal battle over the recall process, which has drawn considerable attention.

This latest development follows an earlier decision on Thursday, when the court had granted an interim injunction that temporarily restrained INEC, its staff, agents, and associates from receiving or acting on any petition containing signatures from the constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The injunction also halted any referendum by INEC aimed at initiating the recall process of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan until the determination of the Motion on Notice.

The initial injunction had been granted following an Ex-parte application supported by an affidavit of extreme urgency. The application was filed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima, along with four other registered voters and constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The court had been asked to prevent INEC from acting on any petition to recall Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan until the matter was fully addressed in court.

The application for the injunction was moved by Smart Nwachimere, Esq., of West-Idahosa and Co., who co-signed the court processes in support of the motion.

The ruling reaffirms the validity of the recall process, which has seen growing momentum in the Kogi Central Senatorial District, where constituents have expressed their desire to initiate the process due to dissatisfaction with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s performance.

With the court lifting the injunction, INEC is now authorized to proceed with the petition and further actions related to the recall.

Former Ekiti governor, Ayodele Fayose, had in 2023 cautioned the now-suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, about the political might of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Fayose issued the warning in May 2023 during a state banquet held in honour of Wike, shortly after he handed over power to Fubara.

He advised Fubara to tread carefully, emphasizing Wike’s reputation for never backing down from a fight.

“Your excellency, my counsel to you: God will help you. Don’t see more than what you should see.

“The moment you want to see more than you should see, you will begin to see spirits.

“I know Wike. If he says he will fight you, it is either you surrender, or you look for the trouble to the end.

“God will not give you Wike’s problem,” Fayose remarked.

A year later, as tensions between Fubara and Wike reached a breaking point, Fayose acknowledged that the situation had spiralled beyond control, stating that the conflict had “crossed the rubicon.”

Rivers’ Political Crisis Escalates, Leading to Fubara’s Suspension
Fayose’s warning proved prescient as the power struggle between Fubara and Wike escalated just weeks after the banquet. The ensuing political crisis led to deep divisions within the Rivers State House of Assembly.

On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court upheld a Federal High Court ruling that barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation from disbursing the state’s statutory monthly allocations.

Additionally, the court nullified the local government elections conducted in Rivers on October 5, 2024.

Amid these developments, the state assembly resumed sitting and revived impeachment proceedings against Fubara.

The crisis had already peaked in October 2023 when an attempt to impeach Fubara resulted in the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex.

In response to the prolonged political instability and concerns over the security of oil installations, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers.

On Tuesday, he announced the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all state lawmakers for six months.

To manage the crisis, Tinubu appointed retired Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas to oversee the state’s administration.

On Thursday, the National Assembly swiftly approved the president’s request for emergency rule, despite controversy surrounding the decision.

Fayose’s warning from 2023 now resonates more than ever, as the political landscape in Rivers continues to be shaped by the ongoing battle for control between Fubara and Wike.

Former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has said that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and other elected officials of Rivers State, dents Nigeria’s image.

Jonathan said this while speaking as the Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday (today).

He expressed disappointment that elected officials had been removed.

Meanwhile, same day, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, supported President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.

The party said no responsible government will allow a situation to deteriorate before taking decisive action in the best interest of its citizens.

NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, told newsmen: “President Tinubu is the Chief Security Officer of Nigeria.

“The information available to him as president from intelligence sources may not be in the public purview.

“The government in Rivers was suspended and no one can actually say what would have happened by now, judging from the deepening crisis.

“The crisis was further compounded by some leaders who, instead of offering advice or promoting peace during the turmoil, allowed it to escalate before later stepping in to criticize.”

Jonathan… 

But for President Jonathan, “These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light.”

He said it was not the norm for former presidents to comment on issues, so as not to heat up the polity.

However, Jonathan said, his comment became necessary after calls from many Nigerians, urging him to speak on the events in Rivers State.

He added that the image of the country and how much investments a country attracts is dependent on the actions of the executive, legislature and judiciary of that country.

Goodluck Jonathan faulted the situation where an individual can dictate to the judiciary, noting that it makes it difficult for anyone to have faith in the judiciary.

Popular Yoruba Nollywood veteran actress, Dupe Jayesimi, has chronicled her story of being childless at over 60 years of age.

Jayesimi made the revelation on Saturday in a podcast with Abiola Adebayo’s ‘Talk-to-B’.

According to her, she was just unfortunate to be in the situation despite several attempts to be a mother.

The Ibadan-born actress added that her mother and family refused her plans to adopt a child when her desperation heightened, stressing, “If you adopt any kid, I will feed them to death. It was then I knew that I was in for a long ride.”

“I got married on October 22, 1988. I had started theatrical works then. In our marriage, we had no child for several years despite conceiving before the wedding ceremony. After the ceremony, I had a miscarriage, which was when our problems started. We had too many tests, with several attempts to conceive. My husband and I had a misunderstanding when he left me for months without checking back when we were already five years into our marriage. The problem lingered that he would begin to use a pillow to demarcate the bed.

“He began to make plans to make me leave the marriage. I had to pack out when I could no longer bear it. Two weeks after I left the house, another woman moved into the house, pregnant. I resorted to taking alcohol and sobbing for years. I had to move on when the problem was becoming unbearable. I summoned the courage to say that I wouldn’t get married again, but my parents rejected the plan, urging me to remarry.

“So I met one Alhaji who tried his best to make me conceive. I did IVF twice, and it didn’t even work. So one day, I conceived, without even knowing. At the point that I wanted to urinate when I came back from a location one night, I couldn’t, it was too hard, I had to call for a nurse who gave me pain relief and advised that I head for the hospital the following day. When I got to the hospital, the doctor said I was pregnant, but it was an ectopic pregnancy. I cried hell. Then I was already 40 years old. I was operated on and since then, I haven’t conceived. I had to leave the Alhaji because his wife began a war with him,” she noted.

She maintained that she had stopped overthinking the issue, believing that God would make her bear a child someday, especially because of her experience with men who would lie to sleep with her.

With tears while narrating her story, Jayesimi said, “There are several men who would lie that when you marry them, you will conceive. It is a lie. They want to sleep with you. Not that I don’t think about it, but I know God’s time is the best. I have taken a lot of steps to conceive. Those whom I trained their children mock me at the end of the day.

“This acting job is just a blessing in disguise. It has helped me sustain the watered ground of mockery. What I want to do now is get a child who will be my company. If I had not listened to my mum, I would have adopted a long time ago. I am not fighting with my mum, but I want her to stay clear of me because she’s the cause of my childlessness.”