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Consider Rivers People, embrace peace, Fubara begs lawmakers

Abdulquadir Muritala
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Consider Rivers People, embrace peace, Fubara begs lawmakers

Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Thursday appealed to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to consider the interest of the people of the state and embrace peace to resolve the political impasse in South-South state.

“It is important at this stage that we all embrace peace,” Fubara said when he commissioned some projects in the Okrika Local Government Area of the state.

The governor said he needed peace to govern the state well and called on all dissatisfied political actors in the state to put all that had happened behind and commit to the full implementation of the February 28, 2025 raft of decisions handed over by the Supreme Court.

“The Supreme Court has made its judgment, we don’t have any option but to abide by it, and by the special grace of God, we have started the process.

“We are appealing to other parties: consider the interest of Rivers State. The only thing that we owe this state is peace and development.

“I am open any day, any time for total peace in our state because if I have to govern well, there is the need for peace,” the governor said.

There seems to be no end in sight in the protracted feud between the Wike-backed House of Assembly and Fubara as the governor was denied access to the Assembly Quarters on Wednesday when he showed up to re-present the 2025 Budget of the state, as mandated by the House after the Supreme Court verdict of February 28, 2025.

The governor said he communicated his visit to Speaker Martins Amaewhule but the Assembly said it received no correspondence to the effect.

Just as the drama unfolded in the South-South state on Wednesday, Fubara’s estranged godfather and predecessor Nyesom Wike said at a media chat in Abuja that there is nothing wrong if the lawmakers decide to sack Fubara for alleged impeachable offences including withholding their salaries for months.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court recognised Amaewhule as the House Speaker and barred apex bank CBN and others from releasing funds to the Government of Rivers State until it purges itself of what the court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders.

The apex court also declared the local government election conducted in the state on October 5, 2024, as invalid and ordered the governor to conduct a fresh poll as well as re-present the 2025 Budget to the Amaewhule-led House.

Tinubu overrules Akande panel, backs Obasa to remain Lagos Speaker

Abdulquadir Muritala
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Tinubu overrules Akande panel, backs Obasa to remain Lagos Speaker

President Bola Tinubu has resolved the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, backing the return of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker, despite an earlier recommendation for his resignation.

The resolution came after a meeting between Tinubu and all 40 lawmakers at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, on Wednesday.

Read AlsoLagos-Calabar highway project wasteful, corrupt – Obasanjo

The President’s decision contradicts the recommendations of a panel he had set up to mediate the crisis.

The panel, led by former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, and former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, along with the leadership of the Governance Advisory Council, had advised that Obasa should step down after being reinstated.

the panel initially recommended that Mojisola Meranda resign as Speaker to allow for Obasa’s return, with the understanding that he would also resign shortly after, making way for a new Speaker from Lagos West to balance the state’s political structure.

On March 3, 2025, 49 days after Obasa’s impeachment, Meranda resigned and was re-elected as Deputy Speaker.

Obasa was then reinstated as Speaker in line with the agreement.

However, contrary to the deal, Obasa adjourned the Assembly indefinitely and refused to resign as expected.

Obasa had been removed on January 13, 2025, by 35 lawmakers, who accused him of high-handedness, financial misappropriation, and authoritarian leadership.

Meranda replaced him but later resigned under pressure from party leaders.

On Wednesday, The PUNCH observed that the lawmakers arrived at the Presidential Villa in Abuja in a Coaster bus around 2 pm, after which security officials ushered them into the President’s office complex.

Meranda arrived with her colleagues, while Obasa arrived separately at about 3 pm.

The meeting held behind closed doors. A Presidency official, who spoke anonymously for lack of authourisation, said Tinubu had brokered peace among the warring factions, asking members to work with Obasa to ensure stability in the Assembly and the state.

“Tinubu met the lawmakers behind closed-doors. They spoke on their grievances and the President has resolved the problems.

With the development, Obasa will stay as Speaker. His position is no longer threatened. All the lawmakers have agreed to work with him.

“They all had a photo session with the President after the meeting. It went well,” the source said.

While some Lagos stakeholders are displeased that the original agreement was not upheld, the source assured that the President would engage all aggrieved parties to maintain unity.

“Some stakeholders are naturally displeased Obasa reneged on the agreement with the Akande panel. I’m sure the President would engage everyone to settle the matter,” the source added.

Another source close to Obasa revealed that Tinubu also directed the Speaker to withdraw his lawsuit challenging his impeachment at the Lagos State High Court.

“The President told the lawmakers to allow Obasa to work, and Obasa should also withdraw the case against Meranda and the lawmakers in court. The lawmakers have agreed to this,” the source said.

On Tuesday, Obasa’s lawyer, Chief Fashanu Afolabi (SAN), had told The PUNCH that the Speaker did not withdraw his suit despite his reinstatement as Speaker.

Lagos-Calabar highway project wasteful, corrupt – Obasanjo

Abdulquadir Muritala
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Lagos-Calabar highway project wasteful, corrupt – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the N15.6tn Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway project as wasteful and corrupt.

He equally slammed the President Bola Tinubu administration for spending N21bn on a new official residence for Vice President Kashim Shettima, calling it a misplaced priority and conduit designed to embezzle public funds.

The ex-leader disclosed this in chapter six of his new book, ‘Nigeria: Past and Future’ where he painted the portrait and characters of chief executives at both the federal and state levels.

The book was one of the two new books unveiled to mark Obasanjo’s 88th birthday last week.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, had revealed that the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will cost N4.93bn per kilometre, stating that the contract was awarded on a counterpart-funding basis and not a Public-Private Partnership.

About N1.06tn has been released for the pilot phase, or six per cent of the project, which begins at Eko Atlantic and is expected to terminate at the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

Many prominent Nigerians, including the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, have questioned the Federal Government’s decision to award the contract to Gilbert Chagoury’s Hitech Construction Company without competitive bidding.

Chagoury is believed to be Tinubu’s long-time business partner and friend.

Assessing the two years of Tinubu in office, Obasanjo said it appears that the game of short-changing the over 230 million Nigerians would continue because “Everything is said to be transactional and the slogan is ‘It is my turn to chop.’’’

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, declined to react to Obasanjo’s criticism of his principal when contacted on Wednesday night.

The former President said the majority of those who have been opportune to hold leadership positions in the country as governors, presidents, ministers, commissioners even as local government chairmen are ill-prepared, satanic, self-centred and are all out to corruptly enrich themselves while the nation continues to wallow in abject poverty and condemnable underdevelopment.

Obasanjo said that many clamouring to be governors or lead the country in one form or the other are only interested in using their offices to enrich themselves and their cronies and then leave the country worse than they met it.

The former President pointed out that most office-seekers in the country would go as far as obtaining loans of billions of naira believing that paying back from the public funds after being elected won’t be a problem.

He stated, “How do you explain the situation of a chief executive, a governor, whose business was owing the banks billions of naira and millions of dollars before becoming a governor and within two years of becoming governor, without his company doing any business, he paid all that his businesses owed the banks.

China says to host Russia, Iran for nuclear talks this week

Abdulquadir Muritala
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China says to host Russia, Iran for nuclear talks this week

The meeting will be attended by China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

The United States withdrew from a landmark deal that had imposed curbs on Iran’s nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief during President Donald Trump’s first term, which ended in 2021.

Read AlsoCourt stops Senate Committee from probing Senator Natasha

Tehran adhered to the 2015 deal for a year after Washington’s withdrawal but then began rolling back its commitments.

Efforts to revive the pact have since faltered.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed plans for the upcoming talks and said the meeting would focus on “developments related to the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions”.

“These talks… will also discuss and exchange views on other issues of interest to the three countries,” Baqaei said.

That will include “regional and international developments, as well as issues related to cooperation within the framework of BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation”, he said.

We gave you time,’ Wike orders demolition of houses in FCT

Abdulquadir Muritala
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We gave you time,’ Wike orders demolition of houses in FCT

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday ordered the demolition of houses in the right of way of the ongoing road construction in Gishiri, under the Katampe area of the nation’s capital.

Wike, who personally supervised the demolition, was seen furiously addressing the community chief saying, “We gave you time.”

Read AlsoI don’t have to consult Tinubu to become Lagos Gov – Jandor

Some of the residents tried to resist and stop the excavators from demolishing their properties but were dispersed with tear gas by security operatives.

Briefing journalists, the minister explained that compensation was offered to the residents, but rather than accepting it, they turned it down leaving the FCT Administration with no choice.

He also disclosed that a grace period of three months was given to them to evacuate so that the road construction could continue but instead of listening to them, they turned a deaf ear to their calls.

“I have visited this site more than four times and have engaged with community leaders and their chiefs. It is crucial for them to cooperate with the government so that CGC, our contractor, can complete this road by May,” Wike said.

“I made it clear to the traditional ruler that the work must proceed. No government will stand by while individuals undermine a project that serves the public good. I have personally come here to oversee this demolition, and I want them to understand that things have changed.

“We have provided over two to three months for them to prepare. We have also offered compensation and a resettlement plan. What more could we do?”

The Gishiri road was flagged off in October 2024 and is expected to be completed in May 2025 to form part of President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office celebration.

Fuel subsidy removal was to protect your future, Tinubu tells Nigerian youths

Abdulquadir Muritala
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Fuel subsidy removal was to protect your future, Tinubu tells Nigerian youths

President Bola Tinubu on Monday said that every decision he has taken so far, including the fuel subsidy removal is all about Nigerian youths and their future.

Tinubu spoke during the inauguration of the Planning Committee for the National Youth Conference at the State House, Abuja.

Read AlsoTinubu appoints Jega as special adviser on livestock reforms

He assured that the ongoing economic reforms were designed to strengthen the economy for the prosperity of Nigerian youths, who constitute more than 60 per cent of the population.

“I want to reassure you that you are the hope of this country, and everything hangs on you. Every decision that I have taken is about you. It’s about the future. When we removed the fuel subsidy, it was because we wanted to protect your future. We have cleared the path for you to have a great future,” Tinubu said was quoted to have said in a statement released by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.

“When you listen to most professionals leaving Nigeria, there’s a cause. If you grow prosperity back home and empower people, they will not bother leaving. They will stay home.”

The President told the 44-member planning committee that the government would implement the outcomes of their deliberations and framework for the national conference.

“This is your opportunity to develop the nation and make it prosperous. The government of today is all about you. You can be critical of politicians and abuse them all the way you can, but politics is about development and the future of generations. You are the heartbeat of our nation, and I hope you take this responsibility seriously.

“I am glad you are here as a committee to inspire today, tomorrow and hereafter. I am with you,” he said.

The President noted that the economic reforms had repositioned the economy for greater prosperity and empowerment. Most indicators showed a steady fall in the prices of goods, especially foodstuffs, and a stabilisation of the exchange rate.

“When we started, it looked so foggy, dicey and hopeless. We worked hard, and it was like drawing water out of a dry well. But today, the economy has turned the corner; prices are falling, confidence in our economy is improving, investors are looking this way, and technology is advancing.

“You have a great opportunity, and I am ready to listen to you. I have heard your spokesperson’s remarks. You have a great chance of advancing the development of this country. It is all in your hands.

“My position is to help navigate, push, and lift the heavy weight of problems so that I can clear the way for you. You have a great future before you, which is in your hands.

“Just look me in the face and tell me whatever you think is wrong and the way forward. Be frank. We will implement your suggestions so long as they are for the country’s prosperity,” the President added.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, thanked the President for giving the youths a voice and assured that the committee represented various stakeholders fairly.

“We want to thank you for the futuristic ideas; more than 260,000 students have already benefited from the administration’s student loan schemes. We appreciate the renovation of the Third Mainland Bridge for us to use and clearing the passport backlog,” the minister added.

The minister also thanked the President for historic infrastructural developments that will last through generations.

A member of the committee, Samson Itodo, said the president’s convening of the conference will be a major milestone in involving youths in the country’s development.

Itodo listed some of the areas of priority, including political governance, economic transformation, skills for the future, such as Artificial Intelligence, climate change and energy transition, and social cohesion and security.

He said the framework will include virtual consultations, calls for memoranda, regional town hall meetings and the Abuja conference.

We’re not disturbed by El-Rufai’s defection to SDP – Kaduna APC

Abdulquadir Muritala
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We’re not disturbed by El-Rufai’s defection to SDP – Kaduna APC

The Kaduna chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says it will not lose sleep over the defection of the immediate past governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

El-Rufai had on Monday announced his resignation from the APC, expressing disappointment with the ruling party’s leadership style. He accused it of straying from the progressive ideals of its founding members.

Read AlsoSaraki cautions Akpabio against politicising call for due process in senate

However, in its reaction, the Kaduna State chapter of the APC in a statement by its secretary, Yahaya Pate, said the party remained unperturbed by the defection of the former governor.

According to him, the APC is focused on delivering Kaduna State to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in 2027.

“We are unperturbed by former governor Nasir El-Rufai’s defection to another party. Our focus in Kaduna is on how to deliver the state to both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani come 2027.

“The APC in Kaduna State is growing day by day, judging from the calibre of politicians streaming into the party daily. So, we are not disturbed by anybody defecting to another party based on our governor’s inclusive governance in Kaduna State. We are not disturbed and we are not going to lose sleep over El-Rufai’s moves”.

El-Rufai said his defection was over the party leaders’ unwillingness to address certain issues he had raised.

“At this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish,” the former governor said.

“My eight-year tenure in Kaduna State was devoted to implementing progressive policies to advance human development. These records count for little in the current APC that has castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt in the last two years, I find this no longer acceptable.”

The former governor was a founding member of the ruling party, leading Kaduna State for eight years under it. El-Rufai was also instrumental in the APC win of the presidential election in 2015 and played a similar role in President Tinubu’s 2023 victory.

While he was shortlisted for a ministerial role following Tinubu’s win, El-Rufai did not scale the screening process, a move that fractured his relationship with the president and the ruling party.

Saraki cautions Akpabio against politicising call for due process in senate

Abdulquadir Muritala
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Saraki cautions Akpabio against politicising call for due process in senate

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has described as “cheap politics and trivialising of a serious issue” the claim by incumbent Senate President, Godswill Akpabio that the call on him to ensure that transparent and open process is instituted to investigate the accusation levelled against him by one of his colleagues, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is an attempt to remove a Niger Delta person from office.

Saraki, in a statement signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, the head of his media office in Abuja, urged Akpabio to read his press statement dated March 1st, 2025, very well to understand that there was nowhere he suggested the resignation of the Senate President.

Read AlsoSupreme court bars CBN from releasing Rivers allocations, asks Amaewhule-led lawmakers to resume sitting

“Rather, he advised that Akpabio should act in the best interest of the legislative institution by ensuring that no reasonable person is left with any doubt about the fact that the allegations raised by the Senator were investigated and justifiably dispensed with.

“The attention of the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office has been drawn to the statement made by Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio while addressing the leaders of some “youth ethnic groups” on Friday that certain individuals from Kwara and Adamawa States want him removed because he is from the Niger Delta region.

“Ordinarily, Dr. Saraki would have ignored the statement as a sign of the times in which we now live. However, its underlying motive of politicising and trivialising a serious issue that threatens the integrity, credibility, and importance of the legislature is the reason why we think we should not allow the Senate President to create a misleading impression of the issue at stake in the all-important institution that the National Assembly represents in our democracy.

“Dr. Saraki in his last comment on the Akpabio-Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan crisis never called on the Senate President to resign or step aside. Rather, he urged the Senate President to be conscious of the fact that perception is reality and therefore he should avoid treating the allegations by the Senator in a manner that will create the perception that the Senate as an institution is trying to cover up issues bothering on sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and abuse of office.

“Also, Dr. Saraki made it clear that his intervention was neither about Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan nor whether her claim was right or not. He stated that since the Senator has gone public with such serious allegations against the presiding officer, the image of the institution should be saved through an honest, sincere, open, transparent, and unbiased investigation.

“In that press statement, he also pointed out that there are already existing processes recommended in the Constitution, laws of the land, Senate rules, conventions, and precedents to be followed in carrying out such investigation.

“Again, Dr. Saraki is of the firm belief that his suggestions are for the benefit of the legislative institution. So, he will repeat the same suggestion no matter where the Senate President comes from and whichever party he belongs to. It is not because the incumbent is a member of the APC, that the former Senate President is from the PDP or that the former is from the South-South zone while the latter is from the North Central zone. Far from it. It is disingenuous and crude to describe Dr. Saraki’s comment along those primordial lines.

“This issue is definitely not one in which Akpabio should exploit ethnic sentiments, political division, or regional proclivity. This will neither be in his own interest or that of the institution over which he is presiding. He should face the reality on ground and do what is right.

“The former Senate President believes that when a sensitive matter suggesting sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and mistreatment of women comes up anywhere, it evokes the pains that thousands of women across the nooks and crannies of our society experience daily. Thus, when it is raised in a place like the legislative institution, it is an opportunity for us to handle it with utmost openness and transparency to ensure that justice is not only done but glaringly seen to be done.

“Once again, Dr. Saraki stands by and maintains his earlier suggestion to Akpabio and the Senate leadership on the allegations raised by the Senator from Kogi State. An open, transparent, and honest investigation of the allegations is still needed to ensure that the Senate is not cast in the image of an institution that is tolerant of sexual harassment, gender bias, victimisation and mistreatment of women, abuse of office, and enthronement of the culture of silence. By having such an investigation, the general public and the international community will have more confidence in our legislative institution.

“People like Dr. Saraki have made huge sacrifices in defending the integrity of the legislative institution and will not desist in speaking up for the right thing to be done. May God bless our institutions and our country”.

The dispute which started in the Red Chambers with seat arrangement escalated, with Natasha accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment, a claim the latter has denied.

This dispute has also led the Senate to suspend Senator Natasha for six months on Thursday for violation of its rules.

FG adopts TASUED as federal university

Abdulquadir Muritala
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FG adopts TASUED as federal university

The Federal Government has adopted the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ijagun, Ogun State as a Federal University.

President Tinubu approved the adoption on Friday and thanked the Ogun State Government for inviting the Federal Government to take over the school, one of the state’s best educational assets.

This was contained in a statement released by the Presidency on Sunday.

Read Also‘This injustice would not be sustained,’ senator Natasha faults suspension

“It is an opportunity for the Federal Government to honour Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who began the revolutionary free education programme in Western Nigeria and Dr Tai Solarin, who spent most of his life educating our children and impacting patriotic and leadership lessons in them at Mayflower School in Ikenne”, Tinubu was quoted to have said.

“It is also in honour of the Awujale of Ijebuland, who played a critical role in preventing the university’s closure in 2012, just seven years after its establishment,” he added.

President Tinubu emphasised that TASUED’s transition into a Federal University of Education is a strategic step in the Federal Government’s commitment to bolster teacher education and enhance the quality of instruction across all educational levels.

With a well-developed infrastructure and academic programme, the transition requires minimal federal investment.

Established by the Ogun State Government in 2005, TASUED holds the distinguished position as Nigeria’s first specialised university of education.

It was named after Dr Tai Solarin, a revered activist and the founder of Mayflower School in Ikenne. As a federal institution, TASUED will be the first federally owned tertiary school in Ogun East senatorial district.

Awolowo and Solarin were celebrated figures from the Eastern Senatorial District of Ogun State, encompassing Ijebu and Remo.

With TASUED’s new status, the Federal Government oversees three education universities. Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Owerri and Adeyemi Federal University of Education in Ondo are the country’s other two universities of education.

‘You think football is just playstation?’ Maresca defends Chelsea

Abdulquadir Muritala
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‘You think football is just playstation?’ Maresca defends Chelsea

Enzo Maresca slammed criticism of Chelsea’s scrappy 1-0 victory against Leicester as the Blues boss claimed winning in the Premier League is not as easy as it looks on a “PlayStation” console.

Maresca’s side climbed to fourth place thanks to Marc Cucurella’s long-range rocket in the second half at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Read Also:Tinubu rejects N942bn census budget, proposes use of corpers

But Chelsea’s largely limp display against second-bottom Leicester still came in for flack from frustrated fans, who booed them off at half-time.

Maresca has previously defended the team’s style under his leadership, which prioritises possession over quick attacks.

And the Italian launched another spirited rebuke of the doubters after pumping the air in delight at Chelsea’s fourth win in their last 12 league games.

“People have to understand this is our way, our style, and this is the way we are going to play,” Maresca said.

“When a team creates the number of chances we created today you have to be happy. It’s not easy. Leicester until minute 83 were 0-0 against Arsenal.

“If you think football is just PlayStation and you win easy? No way. Every game is difficult. The way the players have done today is fantastic.

“Our Champions League target will be also with our fans to support us. When we play at home we need them behind the players.”

Cucurella’s blast was enough to lift Chelsea two points above Manchester City in the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top four finish.

But there was more frustration for Maresca when Cole Palmer’s first half penalty was saved by Mads Hermansen.

England forward Palmer, who was taken off in the second half having not trained for two days due to illness, has gone eight matches without scoring.

“Yesterday he didn’t train,” said Maresca. “During the night he didn’t feel well, but this morning he woke up and said to me ‘I want be on the pitch because I want to help this club to play Champions League.’

“In the last 48 hours he was very bad with fever and with this bad feeling. But this morning he asked to play and this shows that the players want to bring this club to where it belongs.”

Leicester’s predicament appears increasingly hopeless, beaten for the 12th time in 13 league matches and six points adrift of safety.

“I get good at this after games. A good performance on and off the ball, everything was there and I think the players deserved more,” Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy said.

“We came away with a penalty save to go into half-time at 0-0. It’s the kind of luck you need sometimes to turn things around.

“Lots of positives again but we have to take the blow of taking nothing.”

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