The Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has massively expanded his cabinet with the appointment of 182 special assistants just as he also sent a list of 57 names to the state House of Assembly for appointment as heads of boards and commissions.

A press statement issued in Yola by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor Humwashi Wonosikou, stated that the appointments are with immediate effect.

Arewa PUNCH’s scrutiny of the names revealed that the appointments have all the 21 local governments represented.

In a similar development, the governor appointed Dr. Micheal Zika, the former Personal Assistant to former Governor Jibrila Bindow as the executive secretary Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency.

The naira depreciated in the parallel segment of the foreign exchange (FX) market on Monday. At the Lagos street market, currency traders, known as bureau de change (BDC) operators, quoted the naira at N1,520 to the dollar. The traders set the buying price at N1,490 and the selling price at N1,520, resulting in a profit margin of N30. This marks a decline of N10 or 0.66 percent from the N1,510/$ traded on May 24.

Conversely, in the official market, the naira appreciated by 9.6 percent or N143, reaching N1,339.33/$ on Monday from N1,482.81/$ on May 24. According to FMDQ Exchange, which oversees official FX trading in Nigeria, the highest exchange rate during trading hours was N1,501/$, and the lowest was N1,310/$. A daily turnover of $180.80 million was recorded at the official window.

The Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) stated on May 23 that the naira's weakening is driven by unearned income chasing the local currency, rather than a surge in demand for the dollar. Aminu Gwadabe, president of ABCON, attributed the naira's depreciation to corruption, not the activities of BDCs.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Calabar Zone has expressed reservations about the Federal Government’s student loan, describing it as a ploy to enslave Nigerian students and make them remain indebted to the country forever.

The Federal Government student loan officially came on stream last Friday when the portal for loan applications opened.

The PUNCH reports that no fewer than 3,764 students from 126 institutions sent in applications on the opening day.

The Federal Government explained that the initiative was to ensure that no Nigerian youth is denied higher education on account of lack of funds.

But addressing a press conference in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Monday, the Zonal Chairperson of ASUU, Dr Happiness Uduk, insisted that the student loan was a ploy to enslave Nigerian youths.

Uduk said it was disheartening that the people who attended schools on scholarship, enjoyed meal subsidies, bursary awards, among others, were now implementing loans for students.

The National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, had also repeatedly criticised the student loan, saying the government should rather give students bursaries. 

Uduk, in a statement jointly signed by the eight union chairpersons, reasoned that instead of loans, the Federal Government should give subvention to higher institutions.

She argued that such a move would bring about a positive turnaround in the tertiary institutions.

Uduk said, “It is disheartening that people who attended schools on scholarship, enjoyed meal subsidies, free laundry services, and bursary awards are the same running our economy today.

“Their children are on scholarship in the best foreign universities in the world but after siphoning our economy, they turn around to impose a strangulating education loan on taxpayers’ children who will be enslaved and remain indebted to the country forever. They do not mind the devastating effect of this scheme on the country, such as depression, suicide, and colossal loss of intellectuals.

“To this end, we vehemently condemn the idea of education loans and state clearly that using the money for intervention in higher institutions will bring about a positive turnaround of events that will make our institutions self-reliant with highly subsidised tertiary education in Nigeria.”

The ASUU chairperson called on the Federal Government to come to a renegotiation table and reconvene a committee to review the agreement reached by ASUU leadership and Prof. Nimi Brigs-led government committee with a view to adjusting the document according to the current economic realities so as to have acceptable salary structure for university lecturers.

She also condemned the indiscriminate proliferation of universities in Nigeria without adequate funding by both the federal and state governments, noting that the 2020 ASUU-FGN Memorandum of Action, which stressed the need to review the NUC Act to make it more potent in arresting the reckless and excessive establishment of universities, be fully implemented.

“We urge the President Tinubu-led administration to refrain from further proliferation of universities and rather consolidate on the already existing ones. What we need are universities that are adequately equipped and empowered to address the challenges confronting Nigeria not glorified schools,” she said.

 On the ongoing minimum wage negotiation, the ASUU Calabar Zone urged the FG to immediately deploy the instrumentality of collective bargaining to conclude the social dialogue, saying such would lessen the invasive decline in the socio-economic lives of Nigerians.

A Kano State High Court presided over by Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu has ordered the police to evict the deposed Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, from the palace he is occupying along the State Road in the Nasarawa area of the state.

The court, which gave the order on Monday, also issued an interim injunction restraining  Bayero and four other dethroned emirs from parading themselves as emirs, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice filed by applicants.

The judge gave the ruling as the state government appealed to  President Bola Tinubu to move the deposed 15th Emir of Kano from the state.

The state Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam, during a press conference on Monday, said Bayero’s presence in Kano posed a threat to the peace and stability cherished by its people. 

The state House of Assembly had on Thursday repealed the Kano Emirates Council Law which divided Kano into five emirates.

Amid the crisis caused by the new emirates, the 14th emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, was dethroned by Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration.

New law 

Upon the repeal of the law on Thursday, the state Governor, Abba Yusuf, signed the new law and sacked the five Emirs.

The sacked Emirs include Aminu Ado Bayero (Kano); Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero (Bichi), Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa (Rano), Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar II (Karaye), and Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir (Gaya).

While the other four emirs complied with the directive, the deposed Emir of Kano, who was not in the city, returned and headed for the palace at the Nasarawa area.

On Friday, it was reported that Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court granted an order filed by the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate, Aminu Agundi, stopping the Kano State Government from enforcing the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law which dethroned the five emirs in the state.

But the state government ignored the order and went ahead with Sanusi’s reinstatement even as the governor threatened to report the judge to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for granting the order.

He claimed that the judge granted the order while he was in the United States.

Miffed by Bayero’s return to the mini-palace in Nassarawa, the governor ordered the arrest of the deposed monarch but the police authorities said they would enforce the court order.

Ruling on an exparte application by counsel to the applicants,  Ibrahim Isa Wangida, the state high court on Monday restrained the deposed emirs from parading themselves as emirs.

The applicants are the Attorney General of Kano State, the Speaker House of Assembly and the Kano State House of Assembly.

The respondents in the matter are the deposed emirs of Karaye, Gaya, Bichi, Rano, and Kano, the Inspector General of Police;  the Director of the Department of State Services, the Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Court orders eviction

The court document dated May 27, 2024, reads, “That order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th defendants either by themselves, servants, privies, and or any other persons or officers serving under them or acting in connection with any other person from parading themselves as Emirs of Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the applicants.

“That an order is hereby granted to the extent that the Commissioner of Police Kano State should immediately take the palace of the Emir of Kano situated being and lying at State Road Kano and evict the 1 Defendant/Respondent from the said palace pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated 24th May 2024.

“That an order of this honourable court is hereby granted restraining the 1st 2nd 3rd 4th & 5th Defendants from parading themselves as Emirs of Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye in the interest of peace in Kano pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. 

“That an order is hereby made that 1- 5th defendants be through the office of the Commissioner Police, Kano State who is to ensure immediate implementation of the order of the honourable  court in the interest of justice.” The court concluded.

Justice Aliyu fixed 11th June 2024 for the hearing of the motion on notice.

Also, the Deputy Governor of the State,  Gwarzo, at a press conference at the Government House on Monday,  said Tinubu’s intervention was essential as it would save the state from descending into unnecessary chaos.

He stated, “We appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Office of the National Security Adviser and other agencies concerned to investigate the happenings in Kano as it relates to the deposed Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, and take immediate steps to evacuate him from his current residence and remove him from in the state. As it is now, he is constituting a security threat in the state.

He said that the state was renowned for its peace and stability, in spite of its political complexities.

The deputy governor stated explained that Sanusi’s reinstatement as the Emir of Kano had brought jubilations after following due process of the law.

In a related development,  the state government has dismissed reports of violent protests in the state. 

Commenting on pro-Bayero protests in Kano on Sunday, the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Baba Dantiye, in a statement on Monday, said the protests were embarked upon by some miscreants.

He said, “While the government is aware of isolated incidents in a few areas by a handful of small children and hired miscreants and thugs, these do not in any way reflect the overall situation.

“Those hired unpatriotic individuals were only aiming to destabilise the state for the personal gain and selfish interests of their paymasters. The great majority of Kano State citizens have shown remarkable restraints and understanding of the sincere action of the state government.

“It also behoves to reiterate that the decision by the administration of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf to legally abrogate the emirates and reinstate the 14th Emir of Kano State was made after careful consideration of the best interests of the state. The move has been welcomed by a significant portion of the populace who understands and cherishes the long-term benefits of a unified emirate structure.

He, however, noted that some political actors were manipulating the situation to create chaos and unrest, adding that these elements are using the media to spread false narratives and incite public disorder.

The ruling All Progressives Congress has faulted former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s criticism of the current administration’s handling of its ongoing reforms and the coup d’etat in Niger Republic.

Obasanjo had knocked President Bola Tinubu’s implementation of the removal of subsidy from petroleum products as well as the floating of naira.

In the past few months, the masses have continued to groan over the rising cost of food items and inflation following the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira by the Tinubu government.

In a statement made available to journalists on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo said though the policies initiated by Tinubu were necessary, they were wrongly implemented.


The ex-President, according to the statement, spoke in Abuja at the weekend at a colloquium tagged: “Nigeria’s Development: Navigating the Way Out of the Current Economic Crisis and Insecurity.”

“Today, the government has taken three decisions, two of which are necessary but wrongly implemented and have led to the impoverisation of the economy and of Nigerians. These are the removal of subsidy, closing the gap between the black market and official rates of exchange and the third is dealing with a military coup in Niger Republic,” Obasanjo said.

It was the first time he would be openly criticising Tinubu, whom he did not support to become President.


But reacting on Monday, the APC National Director, Bala Ibrahim, faulted Obasanjo, whom he described as a serial critic.

Ibrahim told The PUNCH that he feared the former President might be manifesting signs of old age.

He said, “As a Nigerian and someone who respects Obasanjo, I think senility is beginning to come in. Obasanjo is beginning to manifest the symptoms.

“Ever since he lost the bid to have a third term in office, he has consistently attacked every regime that comes after him. He sees himself as the only one who meant well for Nigeria from independence to date. He thinks he is the best and every other leader is bad. And this is not good for a statesman. Nobody has monopoly on knowledge or style of leadership.

“Obasanjo has been consistent in his criticisms of people in leadership positions apart from himself. So, this is not an isolated case. President Bola Tinubu is not the first to be attacked by Obasanjo. Buhari and Jonathan were also victims of his criticisms. He himself did not fare better when he was the leader. In fact, Obasanjo superintended the balkanisation of the Nigerian economy.

“How can he say someone who is trying to put the economy on a better pedestal is not doing the right thing? I am not a spokesman for Tinubu. Even though the party has discussed him to my knowledge, I practically feel Obasanjo has erred as he has always been doing.”

Yusuf Adepitan, known as Ijoba Danku, a well-known promoter and talent manager, has labeled his former client, Portable, as immature.

Adepitan revealed that the controversial singer initially lied to him when they first met.

He shared that he had once taken legal action against Portable but later withdrew the lawsuit after the singer’s father intervened and pleaded on his behalf.

Expressing his regret, Danku said he wishes he had never gotten involved with Portable.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Doyin’s Corner podcast, Danku stated, “Portable is still a boy. Before Portable came to me, he lied to me. I actually sued him but his father pleaded with me and I accepted to drop the suit. If there is someone I wish I never allowed into my circle, it is Portable.”

The Lagos State Police Command has stated its officers in Ipaja Police Division have successfully repelled an early morning attack on their division by operators of commercial motorcycles, commonly known as Okada riders.

The State Police Command’s Spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that the attack came after police officers commenced the day’s enforcement of the existing ban on motorcycles in Lagos State.

“The attackers, who came in their hundreds, stormed the station with dangerous weapons, shooting at the officers and attempting to overrun the station.

“While officers and men of the division held their ground, reinforcement came from the Area Command and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). Two of the attackers were fatally injured during the attack,” said SP Hundeyin.

He, however, noted that this did not deter the officers from accomplishing their mandate, as over 200 motorcycles were impounded and some of the attackers arrested, with one locally made firearm retrieved.

He reaffirmed that the Lagos State Police Command will not be cowed into abdicating its responsibilities of enforcement of all duly passed laws and maintenance of law and order within the society.

LEADERSHIP earlier reported that in the unexpected incident early Monday morning, over 100 hoodlums launched a coordinated attack on the Ipaja Police Station in Lagos State, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire with Policemen with several of the assailants reportedly killed.

President Bola Tinubu has said his administration will not spare any effort to ensure Nigeria’s children have a solid footing for realising their dreams.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, made this known in a statement signed on Monday in commemoration of the 2024 Children’s Day.

The statement is titled “President Bola Tinubu celebrates Nigeria’s children, the bearers of the nation’s torch into the future, on the special occasion of Children’s Day.”

President Tinubu reassured the nation of his commitment to ensuring a safe and secure learning ambience for children while improving the standard of education.

He added that his administration will continue to expand access to qualitative education for all Nigerians.

The statement reads, “The President rejoices with parents, guardians, and families across the nation, and calls for a reinforcement of the family unit as a place where the sacred values of honesty, modesty, hard work and charity are passed down to the shining lights of tomorrow.

“President Tinubu affirms that society is a reflection of each family unit as a collective, urging the preservation of those principles that make us a wholesome, nurturing, and thriving nation.

“The President states that his administration is sparing no effort in ensuring that Nigeria’s children have a solid footing for the realization of their dreams.

“With increased investments in education, and the recent overhauling of the entire education system to provide both human and material resources for learning, as well as the efforts of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education to get the nation’s precious gifts off the streets, the President emphasizes that his administration will continue to expand access to qualitative education for all Nigerians.

“President Tinubu reassures the nation of his commitment to ensuring a safe and secure ambience of learning for the children while improving the standard of education.”

Alexer Peres, the estranged wife of singer, Harrysong, has hit hard at him following his infidelity allegations against her.

Recall that Harrysong claimed that his wife, Alexer, was unfaithful in their marriage and got pregnant for another man despite marrying her due to emotional blackmail.

He said he regrets marrying into his wife’s family, claiming that infidelity runs in it as her mother, who has been married to seven men, still cheats. 

Reacting, Peres debunked Harrysong’s claims, saying her mother only remarried once after the death of her father.

She also challenged the singer to come forward with evidence that she cheated on him.

She went on to claim that it is Harrysong’s mum who has six children out of wedlock for six different men.

Peres further claimed that Harrysong is a product of incest and bedwets.

On her Instagram account, she wrote:

“Do you all know that Harrysong bed wets? Yes celebrity wey Dey piss for body.

“Oh so sorry to break it to u all. I also get to deal with this daily, while calling him my lord.

“You said I convinced you to get married to me? A 20 years old girl, convincing a full grown man to get married to her?

“Please make me understand, never knew I was married to a robot, Who couldn’t make decisions for himself. Same you who told me your ex-girlfriend used charms on you.

“And now your eyes are open since u met me So it’s now me that forced marriage on you, really?

“I never knew my mum married 6 husbands wow, chronic narcissist.

“My mum only remarried when she lost her husband, as i speak, she is happily married, with her dowry paid in full.

“Since when did it become a crime for a widow to remarry? And what does the words ’till death do us part’ mean?

“Pained soul why are u trying to project your insecurities on me? We all know your mum gave birth to 6 children for 6 different men.
None of which she was married to.

“And you, a product of incest. Imagine having 5 siblings and you don’t know who their fathers are.

“Why throw stones, when you live in a glass house?”

Peres said she was open to conducting DNA tests on their children to prove her innocence.

She added that the singer was the one who gave her all kinds of sexually transmitted diseases except HIV and Hepatitis B.

The Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal has ruled in favour of Governor Usman Ododo, dismissing the petition challenging his victory in the November 2023 election.

Murtala Ajaka, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), had filed a petition contesting the outcome of the election.

The petition, filed with the tribunal sitting in Abuja, alleged irregularities including vote-buying and rigging.

The tribunal carefully considered arguments and evidence presented by both parties throughout the proceedings.

During the case, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN); Alex Iziyon (SAN) and Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), who appeared for INEC, Governor Ododo and the All Progressives Congress (APC) – listed as respondents in the petition – objected to the presentation of a witness by the SDP.

They argued that the witness and their expertise were not properly disclosed in the initial petition documents.

Despite these objections, the tribunal ultimately ruled in favour of Governor Ododo, upholding his election victory.