Ganduje hasn’t contacted Abba Yusuf over request to join APC, says aide

Sunusi Bature Dawakin, director-general of media and publicity in the office of Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano state, says his principal has not been contacted by Abdullahi Ganduje, national chair of the All Progressives Congress (APC), over joining the APC.  Dawakin said this in reaction to comments credited to Ganduje who said he had asked the Kano governor to abandon the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the APC. “We are appealing to those who want to join APC to come,” the APC national chair had said. “In particular, we are inviting the Governor of Kano and his NNPP to join APC.” Speaking on the BBC Hausa service on Friday, Dawakin said they only learnt of the invitation via social media. The director-general said as a former governor and former deputy governor, Ganduje knows the right channels to get to his principal. “We learned about the invitation on social media, but Dr Ganduje, as a former Governor and former deputy governor, knows more than any other person how to send a message to an incumbent governor, appropriately,” he said. Dawakin said Yusuf is yet to take any position on whether he would join the ruling party or not. President Bola Tinubu is reportedly working to reconcile Ganduje and Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano. Kwankwaso and Yusuf defected to the NNPP before the 2023 polls where they both pursued presidential and governorship bids respectively. While the former governor was not successful with his presidential bid, Yusuf was declared winner of the gubernatorial election which has now been affirmed by the supreme court.

$500,000 bribe: Supreme Court affirms Farouk Lawan’s five-year sentence

The Supreme Court has affirmed the five-year jail term handed to a former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan by the Court of Appeal. Lawan was convicted and sentenced to prison in 2021 for accepting $500,000 bribe from businessman, Femi Otedola, Chairman, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd. In a unanimous judgment on Friday, a five-member panel affirmed the 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal which upheld Lawan’s sentencing to five years in respect of only count three on the three-count charge on which he was tried at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In the lead judgment prepared by Justice John Okoro but read on Friday by Justice Tijjani Abubakar, the apex count found that Lawan’s appeal was without merit and proceeded to dismiss it.

Police Declares Same-Sex Marriage Illegal, Vows To Arrest Perpetrators

The Nigeria Police Force has warned Nigerians to steer clear of same-sex marriage as it is illegal in the country, saying anyone caught in the act of same-sex marriage in the country would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who issued the warning on Thursday in a statement, said that in accordance with the Nigerian Criminal Code Act applicable in Southern states of Nigeria, unnatural offences are prohibited under Sections 214 to 217. According to Adejobi, the prohibition is re-echoed by Section 284 of the Nigerian Penal Code applicable in the Northern part of the country. He said that “Following recent trend on social media where some individuals who identify as queer were visibly encouraging and associating themselves with activities perceived to be unnatural in light of Nigerian Laws, the Nigeria Police Force hereby wishes to enlighten the public on the legal aspects concerning unnatural offences and same-sex marriage within the country. “In accordance with the Nigerian Criminal Code Act applicable in Southern States, unnatural offences are prohibited under Sections 214 to 217. “These sections specifically criminalize acts considered unnatural, such as having carnal knowledge of a person, or permitting a person to have carnal knowledge of one against the order of nature, or having carnal knowledge of an animal, and those found guilty may face legal consequences as outlined by the law. “This is re-echoed by Section 284 of the Nigerian Penal Code applicable in the Northern part of the country. “Similarly, it is imperative to note that same-sex marriage is strictly prohibited in Nigeria. The Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014 criminalizes the solemnization, operation, and public display of same-sex marriages. “We therefore emphasize the importance of understanding and adhering to these laws as any violation will be met with due legal processes. “We remain dedicated to maintaining law and order and call on all citizens to report all suspicious activities related to unnatural offences or same-sex marriage, providing crucial information that will aid our efforts to enforce the law. “We need to collectively kick against such while we urge parents and guardians to take note and support the Police in the fight against such inhuman activities which are alien to our culture and also punishable under the law.”

Why there is a drop in power supply across the country – TCN

The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has revealed the reason for the drop in power supply nationwide. According to Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s general manager of public affairs, gas constraints on thermal generating companies resulted in low power generation across the country. She said the situation had impacted the quantum of bulk power available on the transmission grid for onward transmission to the distribution load centres nationwide. The statement reads: “The Transmission Company of Nigeria TCN hereby announces that there has been a gradual decrease in available generation into the grid due to gas constraints to the thermal generating companies, which has impacted the quantum of bulk power available on the transmission grid for onward transmission to the distribution load centres nationwide. “TCN is doing everything possible in collaboration with stakeholders in the power sector to ensure that it keeps the grid intact despite the current low power generated into the system. “Consequent to the current load on the grid, load distributed to the distribution load centres have also been reduced, as TCN can only transmit what is generated. “TCN is committed to ensuring a gradual increase in electricity supply to load centres as gas improves to the power available thermal plants. “Please bear with us as we continue to work with the stakeholders in the value chain to ensure that supply through distribution companies to electricity consumers nationwide improves”, the company stated.

AFCON: ‘Tinubu not impressed with your performance’, minister tells Super Eagles players

President Bola Tinubu has urged the Super Eagles to improve their performance and do better in the final stages of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire. Tinubu’s message was through the Minister of Sports, John Enoh, who spoke to the players from Abuja via Zoom on Wednesday night in Abidjan. According to Enoh, the President was not too impressed with the showing of the team during the group stage. He said, “I had a meeting with the President yesterday. I went to the villa for something else and the President cornered me and said we (Eagles) managed to qualify and I said that’s how we are going to keep going until we win the tournament. “He said that I should tell the players that he wasn’t too impressed with the last match but he knows that now that they are off the group stages, they are going to impress him more. “That’s what the President told me and it means that the President is actually watching your matches. Would you believe this? And the President is urging you and also showing an understanding of the game because he knows that there is a lot of caution at the group stage and from the round of 16, you are going to be more impressive. “I remember that in 2022 in Cameroon, Egypt as a country struggled to qualify but they went ahead to play the finals.” Responding, team captain, Ahmed Musa, thanked the sports minister but also called on the President to come to see them play live saying it would serve as a motivation to the players. The Super Eagles will play the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the last 16 of the tournament on Saturday at the Felix Houphouet -Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

Ondo Assembly Confirms Adelami As Deputy Governor

Ondo State house of Assembly has screened and confirmed Dr. Olayide Owolabi Adelami as the Deputy Governor of Ondo State. Adelami was confirmed as the Deputy Governor at a plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji. His confirmation was sequel to the submission and consideration of a report by the house selection committee Chaired by the Speaker. It would be recalled that the House of Assembly yesterday received a letter of his nomination from the Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. The house had earlier conducted screening exercise for the nominee at the assembly complex. The Clerk of the House, Barr. Jaiyeola Benjamin read the letter sent to the House by Governor Aiyedatiwa for the consideration of the nominees for the vacant position of a Deputy Governor. While submitting the report, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Prince Abayomi Akinruntan recommended the confirmation of the appointment of the nominees whom he affirmed have been properly screened. Akinruntan said the nominee responded to all questions raised by the Committee in a very eloquent and explicit order, noting that he has a clear understanding of the position, adding that he possess the required academic qualifications, physically, mentally and emotionally stable and fit to accomplish the task. The report also stated that he possess the required experience, Charisma and the much needed exposure to function effectively. The Majority leader of the House, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi moved the motion for the report to be considered and the nominees be confirmed and was seconded by Felix Afe representing Akoko North West 2. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oladiji who ruled for the confirmation congratulated the Deputy Governor designate , urging him to put in his best and pledged the house support to the executive for the people to enjoy more democracy dividend. In his acceptance speech, Adelami who hails from Owo appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for finding him worthy of the position pledging not to betray his emotion and confidence reposed in him. He also appreciated the lawmakers for the efforts they have put in place during the screening and confirmation noting that promoting understanding between arms of government will be his priority. Dr Olayide Owolabi Adelami mni, a retired Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly promised to do everything at his disposal to function effectively, pledging not to disappoint the people of Ondo State .

Police React to Abuja explosion 

The FCT Police Command has reacted to reports of an explosion in the Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory. In a series of tweets via X on Wednesday, some residents attributed the incident to bomb. But the FCT police command in a statement by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the incident was as a result of an overheated metal refuse bin. “The FCT Police Command hereby wishes to update the public on an alleged explosion on 24/01/2024 at about 1145 hrs, near a refuse dump outside the Bureau of Public Enterprise premises in Maitama, Abuja.” “A rapid response team and members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit was deployed to assess the situation and preliminary findings indicate than an overheated metal refuse container activated under intense heat, exploded, thereby causing injury to two of the refuse evacuator, who are currently receiving medical attention in Maitama General Hospital. “The FCT Police Command urges members of the public to exercise caution and refrain from using metal refuse bins. Instead, we recommend the use of plastic or rubber containers for waste disposal, as they pose a reduced risk of incidents related to overheated metal refuse containers,” the statement said.

Guber Appeals: Supreme Court Affirms Fubara, Kefas, Aliyu elections

The Supreme Court of Nigeria, Thursday, affirmed the elections of Governors Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers state, Kefas Agbu of Taraba and Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto state. The five-man panel of justices of the Apex court, had in separate judgments, unanimously dismissed the different appeals for lacking in merit. RIVERS Recall that the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, had on November 28, 2023, affirmed the election of Fubara as the governor of Rivers State. The court had dismissed the petition filed by Fubara of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Patrick Tonye-Cole, against Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). TARABA In the case of Taraba state, the appeal was filed by Prof. Yahaya Sani of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) for grossly lacking in merit. Prof. Sani had prayed the apex court to set aside the victory of Governor Kefas Agbu, in the March 18, 2023 governorship election. He had alleged non compliance with the Electoral Act, irregularities and other malpractices, but the appellate court dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit. SOKOTO Similarly, the Supreme Court affirmed the election of Ahmad Aliyu as governor of Sokoto state. Aliyu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared winner of the governorship election with 453,661 votes to defeat Sai’du Umar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who secured 404,632 votes. But Umar alleged that the governor and his deputy Idris Gobir, forged the certificates they presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The petitioners also alleged electoral fraud during the poll. The tribunal in its judgment said the petitioners were unable to prove the six grounds contained in their petition.

Burning of Rivers House: Fubara’s loyalists arraigned, sent to prison

The five Port Harcourt-based men accused of burning down the State House of Assembly were, Thursday, arraigned by the Federal Government on terrorism charges, have been remanded at Kuje Prison in Abuja. The five defendants are Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod. They were also accused of killing a Superintendent of Police, (SP) Bako Agbashim and five police informants at Ahoada community of the state. Justice Bolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Thursday, ordered they remain in prison custody till February 2 when their respective bail applications would be determined. In the 7-count charges, the defendants were accused of committing alleged terrorism offences by invading, vandalizing and burning down Rivers State House of Assembly during the wake of political crisis that rocked Port Harcourt in October last year. The police informants alleged to have been killed are Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu and Saturday Edi. Government also accused them of using various cult groups, namely- Supreme Viking Confraternity, Degbam, Iceland and Greenland to unleash mayhem on the people of the state and their commercial activities. However, when the charges against them marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024 was read, they all pleaded not guilty to the offences.. Although the immediate past factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Edison Ehie was not listed in the 7-count terrorism charges, he was however represented in court by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Oluwole Aladedoyin on the ground that his name featured prominently in the alleged offences. He challenged the allegations that he was at large alongside other suspects. Justice Olajuwon did not however allow further arguments on the ground that he was not yet a defendant in the charges. Shortly after the arraignment, the leader of the prosecuting team, Audu Garba applied for a date for full blown trial of the defendants. However, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Lukman Fagbemi who stood for Chime Eguma Ezebalike and Prince Lukman Oladele who are 1st and 2nd defendants, sought to move applications for their bail on the ground that they have been in the police custody since last year. The government lawyer, Audu Garba vehemently opposed on the reason that he had just been served with the bail applications and needed time to study them and file counter affidavit. Justice Olajuwon agreed with the prosecution lawyer that the bail applications were not ripe for hearing and fixed February 2 for hearing of all bail applications. Pending hearing and determination of the bail applications, the Judge ordered that the five defendants be taken to Kuje Prison on remand and be returned to court on the adjourned date. Specifically, the defendants were alleged to have on October 29, 2023 at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt conspired to commit acts of terrorism by wilful destruction of public properties by invading, attacking, destroying and burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly, an offence punishable under section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. Part of the charges read, “That you, Chime Eguma Ezebalike, 37 years, business man of Street 5, Radio Estate Ozuoba, Port Harcourt, Prince Lukman Oladele, 47 years of Okocha Street, Port Harcourt, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Hon Edison Ehie and others now at large on 29th of October 2023 at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, while acting in concert conspired together to commit felony to wit: acts of terrorism by wilful destruction of public properties by invading, attacking, destroying and burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 26 (1) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. “That you Chime Eguma Ezebalike, 37 years, business man of Street 5, Radio Estate Ozuoba, Port Harcourt, Prince Lukman Oladele, 47 years of Okocha Street, Port Harcourt, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Hon Edison Ehie and others now at large on 29th of October 2023 at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, while acting in concert and armed with dynamite, iron rods, lighters and other offensive weapons willfully and maliciously invaded, attacked and set fire on the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

A Nation Poised for Greatness

The widely circulated video bemoaning the massive devaluation of the Nigerian Naira and our interpretation of what it portends for the future of our country, is a clear illustration of how our preconceived and implicit biases can dramatically influence our perception of the same reality. Yes, the author of the video, which sounded like an AI generated audio, was absolutely on target in his diagnosis of the pathology of incompetent, inept and corrupt leadership that has led to the decimation of our currency valuation. In fact, there is no daylight between you and me in our analysis of the current Hobbesian state of existence that our people are being forced to live through. No sane person can deny the reality of the current parlous existence of our people. It is all too glaring for everyone to see. Where there is a huge gulf between us is our future orientation. You, on one hand, see no hope of a bright future for Nigeria. I, on the other hand, see a nation that emerges out of this current mess into a future full of a promise of economic renaissance and rebirth. Even in the midst of the darkest cloud hovering Nigeria, I see shadows and glimmers of bright spots. I see incredible creative energy in the culture economy (Nigerian music and Nollywood) _killing_ it globally. I see a booming tech-economy and an emerging and thriving fintech. I see an economy that is rapidly becoming a cashless economy. From the local bukateria to the hawkers on the street, you can now almost transact business without cash. I also see an explosion of a construction economy. In my neighborhood here in Ibadan and across all the major cities in the country, there is an incredible redevelopment boom, old buildings being demolished, and in their place glistering massive edifice. It is also a reality that the Igbos are buying up the whole place from Lagos; to Ibadan, to Akure, and to my hometown Ilesha. Whether that is good or bad depends on one’s perspective. That is not the subject of this post. You can see some of the most amazing architectural masterpieces going up all over the place and a property valuation going through the roof. By the way, not all the construction are by politicians or corrupt civil servants. You will be surprised that the mechanic who fixes your car or the carpenter who calls your dad is a landlord. Rather than paying exorbitant rents, a lot of people, some misguided people, might look down on as low class, have actually managed to put up their shelter. It might not be Hollywood style edifice, but our resilient no-quitting people are beating the odds of home ownership. Of course, on the flip side, one cannot overlook the mind-numbing and sociologically dangerous gulf emerging between the haves and the have-nots. There is unnecessary suffering and inhumane poverty ravaging the land due to the insane greed of a kleptocratic ruling class and civil servants. That is the danger that lies ahead for our country. The Nigerian rich class may be unwittingly piling up the dynamite that might be used to blow up their wealth. We must address the wealth inequality and the emerging segregation of Nigeria into a de factor caste system based on wealth. So back to my point, while many of us, especially those of us in the diaspora, are focussed on the problems, I see dynamic people both Nigerian and especially non-Nigerians, who are capitalizing on the tremendous opportunities presented by a growing and consuming population of over 220 million people. I see a Nigerian population, though bended by the whiplash of an economic tsunami, yet a people not broken. A resilient people who are eternal optimists, fun-loving, and future prospect-oriented. When you tell a Nigerian he is marooned in an impenetrable jungle, he takes out a matchete and starts cutting a path. That is the Nigerian spirit that will get us out of the current economic quagmire if we don’t give to the debilitating noise of despondency and hopelessness. That is what gives me hope and not some blind sense of patriotism or unhinged optimism. It is our can-do spirit, which has made the Nigerian immigrant population in the U.S. and all over the world, one of the most dynamic and successful immigrant groups in the entire world. Yet, and sadly, when it comes to our country, the same diaspora Nigerians who have become pace-setters all over the world seem to be paralyzed by a pathology of pessimism and negativity. That is what’s so puzzling about the Nigerian diaspora. Let me reiterate that I am as convinced that, as it is predictable that the sun will emerge in its amber glory from the east tomorrow morning, bursting through the dark night, Nigeria too will emerge out of this darkest of nights into a glorious morn. This is not wishful thinking but evidence based prognostication. The reason, I have been sounding the alarm bell is to alert my people in the Diaspora not to be caught up in the web of pessimism and negativity and in the process lose out of the innovator’s dividend. Yes, the Nigeria economy is high risk, but it is also a high reward. The Nigerian stock market, for instance, emerged as one of the best performers globally last year. That is news you will not see posted on social media. All you will see are the stories of kidnapping, banditry, and mayhem all over the country. Those too are the reality of many Nigeria, but that is not the whole truth. That is the nature of the unregulated wild Wild West world of the new social media. Let me restate it now that it would be a catastrophic missed opportunity for those of us in the diaspora not to engage with the Nigerian economy now. Delay will be massively costly for those waiting until Nigeria becomes a mythical Eldorado. I am not talking theory. I am on the