Remi Tinubu Finally Breaks Silence After Islamic Cleric Called For Her Death

Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of President Bola Tinubu, has reacted to a recent threat by an Islamic cleric in Bauchi purportedly wishing her dead. A viral video surfaced a few weeks ago where the Islamic Cleric declared that Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, deserved to die for her Christian faith while describing the Muslim/Muslim ticket that brought President Bola Tinubu to power as a scam. However, the First Lady, undeterred by the threat, said after reaching 64 years of age, she shouldn’t be afraid of death. She spoke during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwan Adamu before commissioning some projects in the State. She said: “I want to thank His Excellency (Bauchi Governor), he keeps assuring me that I am safe in Bauchi but I want to say that I am too old to be afraid. If God has granted me over 60 years on earth, I shouldn’t be afraid of death. “I thank God that you encouraged me to come. Nigeria belongs to all of us and this is the time for us to unite more than ever before.” Responding, Bauchi Governor, Bala Mohammed, condemned the recent death threats made against the First Lady, labelling it a “national embarrassment.” Addressing the incident, Mohammed expressed his dismay, describing the threat as unacceptable. He assured Mrs. Tinubu of her safety in the state and pledged to take appropriate action against the cleric responsible for the threat. Mohammed said: “Your Excellency, you have distinguished yourself not only as a distinguished Senator but as a politician who has opened the new frontier of politics and politicking. Your renewed hope is being given as hope because you have set aside all the differences of politics and partisanship. “And of course, I am aware of some of the challenges and threats to your life and person by somebody from this State. I was so disappointed and frustrated, but you made my day as a courageous mother, you decided to come to Bauchi. “Your Royal Highness, this distinguished lady has shown that Nigeria is really working and that Nigeria is one and nobody can play politics with our lives. We are very grateful, your life is more important to us than our own lives, nothing will happen to you. “ “And that renegade, we will deal with him and Allah deal with him, by the grace of God. On behalf of their Royal Highnesses and the people of Bauchi, we apologize for that national embarrassment, it will not happen again.”

Senate Suspends Senator Ningi Over Allegations of N3.7 Trillion Budget Padding

In a startling development, the Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Abdul Ningi, who serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Population and represents Bauchi Central under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. The suspension, effective immediately, will last for three months. This decision follows allegations of budget padding amounting to a staggering N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget, leveled against Ningi. The controversy surrounding Senator Ningi’s actions ignited a fierce debate within the Senate, with demands for a thorough investigation into the accusations. However, several northern senators swiftly distanced themselves from Ningi’s claims, asserting that his statements did not reflect their position on the matter. Despite facing opposition, Ningi stood firm in his assertion that the astronomical figure could not be accounted for within the budgetary framework. During a contentious plenary session, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, introduced a motion to address what he perceived as baseless accusations made by Ningi. This prompted a meticulous scrutiny of Ningi’s statements, including a review of the transcript from his interview with Hausa BBC. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proposed a 12-month suspension for Ningi, along with a cautionary warning for Senator Sumaila Kawu, while Senator Chris Ekpeyong countered with an amendment suggesting a reduced suspension period of six months. Amidst the deliberations, another senator advocated for a three-month suspension, further fueling the debate within the Senate chambers. As the Senate grapples with this contentious issue, Nigerians eagerly await further developments and the eventual resolution of this matter.

Alleged terrorism: Fubara’s loyalists trial adjourns to March 19

The Federal High Court Abuja, has adjourned the trial of five loyalists of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara on terrorism charges has been adjourned to March 19. The adjournment was on the instances of Lukman Fagbemi, SAN, that the Inspector General of Police(IGP) filed a counter affidavit that raised more issues against the defendants. The five men charged with terrorism offences by the IGP, are Chime Eguma Ezebalike; Prince Lukman Oladele; Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa; Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod. At resumed proceedings, Fagbemi told the court that he had filed a motion on notice challenging the competence of the terrorism charges and the territorial jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charge. He however, said that the Inspector General of Police responded to his motion through a counter affidavit that raised grievous allegations against his clients. He submitted that the counter affidavit was served on him during the proceedings and that he needed time to study the affidavit and respond to it appropriately. The Inspector General of Police, who was represented at the proceedings by Aliyu Garba, admitted that he served the counter affidavit opposing the application of Fagbemi in the court room. Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon after checking the case file found that the copy of the counter affidavit had not been served on the court. Based on the request of Fagbemi, Justice Olajuwon shifted the trial till March 19 with an order on parties to file and exchange processes before the date to ensure unhindered proceeding. The Inspector General of Police IGP had on January 25 slammed the terrorism charges on them for allegedly invading, vandalizing and burning down Rivers State House of Assembly last year. They were accused of committing the alleged terrorism offences during the wake of political upheaval that rocked Port Harcourt in October last year. In the charges against them marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024, police alleged that apart from burning down the State House of Assembly, some of them were said to have killed a Superintendent of Police, (SP) Bako Agbashim and five police informants at Ahoada community of the state. The police informants said to have been killed by the defendants are Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu and Saturday Edi. They are also accused 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. Specifically, they are 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. The defendants have since been at Kuje Prison in Abuja on remand having been denied bail by the court on account of gravity of charges against them.

Nigerian Senate in rowdy session Over Alleged N3.7 Trillion Budget Padding

The Nigerian Senate finds itself in a maelstrom of controversy as allegations of N3.7 trillion budget padding reverberate through its hallowed halls. The tumultuous episode was ignited by Abdul Ningi, Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, whose assertions during a BBC Hausa interview sent shockwaves through the legislative body, sparking fervent debates and discord. Ningi, seeking to clarify his remarks, attributed the misunderstanding to linguistic barriers but conceded to enlisting a consultant to scrutinize the budget. The consultant’s findings, revealing the absence of clear allocations for approximately N3.7 trillion, further fueled the flames of contention within the Senate. The revelations prompted a cacophony of impassioned exchanges and procedural maneuvers as senators grappled with the gravity of the allegations. Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, lamented what he perceived as an infringement on his rights as a participating senator in the budgeting process, calling for swift action to restore integrity to the proceedings. Presenting transcripts and recordings of Ningi’s interview, Olamilekan underscored the urgency of the situation, urging his colleagues to address the matter decisively. Several senators echoed his sentiments, emphasizing the need to safeguard the credibility of the budgetary process. In response, Abdul Ningi mounted a defense, refuting claims of explicit accusations and highlighting discrepancies in budget allocations among senatorial districts. His assertions, however, elicited mixed reactions, with some senators advocating for a fair hearing while others condemned what they perceived as a breach of decorum. Senate President Godswill Akpabio intervened, urging unity and decorum among senators while expressing dismay over the handling of the situation by consultants commissioned to review the budget. As tensions continued to simmer, senators grappled with the implications of the allegations, highlighting the imperative of upholding transparency and accountability in governance.

Too Few Women Breaking Corporate Glass Ceiling – Grant Thornton

  Concerned about what it referred to as the slow pace of the race towards attaining parity in the rate of women versus men in senior management positions, global professional services and accounting company, Grand Thornton has released a report to commemorate the international women’s day titled “Pathways to Parity: 20 Years of Women in Business Insights.” “While the percentage of women in senior management roles globally has increased from 19.4% to 33.5% over two decades, progress remains disappointingly slow with just a 1.1 percentage point increase from last year. At the current rate, parity won’t be achieved until 2053” it lamented in the report that marks two decades of devoted research into the representation of women in senior executive positions around the globe in mid-market businesses. The report delineates three distinct avenues by which businesses can expedite their journey towards gender parity in senior management. These avenues include designating a female senior leader and a C-suite member as the respective recipients of responsibility for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I); executing an independent DE&I strategy with quantifiable objectives; and providing flexible work schedules. Adding voice to the report, Grant and Thornton Managing Partner and CEO in Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Ogwo, says “In today’s world, it is essential for women to be an integral part of DE& I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) leadership teams, as they bring unique perspectives, experiences, and insights that contribute to the creation of a more balanced, empathetic, and effective workplace culture.”  Others who commented on the report were Peter Bodin, CEO of Grant and Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). She says: “Our Women in Business research has been a significant contributor to the global debate on equity in the workplace for 20 years. While we’ve seen some positive change over that time, we also know that sustainable change takes an intentional effort and clear accountability from leadership at every organisation. Through the Grant Thornton International Business Report research and the pathways, we identify, we aim to give mid-market organisations a roadmap to accelerate progress and build more diverse, resilient and successful businesses.” “Mid-market companies have the agility to drive significant change,” says Karitha Ericson, global leader of network capability and culture at Grant Thornton International Limited (GTIL). “By adopting the pathways to parity outlined in our report, achieving 50% representation of women in senior management within the next five years is within reach.” The Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR), the world’s preeminent mid-market business survey, provides information for the Women in Business (WiB) report by conducting biannual interviews with about 5,000 senior executives from listed and privately held companies across the globe. The report, which was first released in 1992 in nine European nations, currently conducts annual polls of almost 10,000 business executives across 28 nations, offering insights into the commercial and economic concerns influencing the growth prospects of organizations worldwide. About 5,000 chief executive officers, managing directors, chairs, and other senior decision-makers from all industrial sectors in mid-market companies across 28 countries were interviewed between October and November 2023, from which the conclusions in this research were derived.  

Budget Padding: Northern Senators Distance Themselves from Allegations

In response to recent allegations made by Senator Ahmed Abdul Ningi regarding the 2024 budget, the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has issued a statement distancing themselves from his claims. Senator Ningi, who chairs the forum, made remarks on the BBC Hausa Service alleging budget padding, which the NSF vehemently refutes. According to the NSF, there was no mandate given to Senator Ningi to address the press on the matter, and his views were deemed as personal opinions that do not represent the stance of the Northern Senators. The forum highlights that the budget was presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in accordance with constitutional requirements and was diligently debated and passed by both chambers. Contrary to Senator Ningi’s assertion of a N25 trillion budget, the NSF clarifies that the budget passed was N28.7 trillion, allowing for adjustments in appropriations to address critical projects and services. The forum asserts that there was no budget padding involved in the process. Expressing solidarity with President Tinubu, the NSF emphasizes the need for collaboration across ethnic lines to address the challenges facing Nigeria. They pledge to work with colleagues from the southern part of the country to advance the nation’s prosperity. The NSF concludes by distancing themselves from Senator Ningi’s actions, labeling them as “grossly unparliamentary,” and reiterates their commitment to supporting efforts aimed at moving the country forward for the benefit of all citizens.

Senate Forms Ad-Hoc Committee to Probe Financial Controversies

Amidst mounting controversies surrounding the financial operations of the Buhari administration, senate president, Sen. Godswill Akpabio has inaugurated the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Ways and Means on Monday. The committee’s primary mandate, driven by concerns over fund management, includes a thorough investigation into the utilization of resources, notably focusing on the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and other financial avenues. In his address to stakeholders, the Senate President emphasized the critical need for transparency, accountability, and good governance, especially in light of recent financial controversies. He highlighted the significance of the committee’s mandate and urged members to execute their duties diligently and professionally, prioritizing the interests of the Nigerian people. The establishment of the committee followed consultations with the Federal Government’s Economic Management Team and a subsequent report by the Joint Committees on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions; Finance; National Planning; Agriculture; and Appropriations. The report identified concerns and irregularities in fund utilization, prompting decisive action from the Senate. Furthermore, the Senate President reiterated the importance of the committee’s task amidst ongoing financial debates in Nigeria. He expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to conduct thorough investigations and called for a commitment to justice, fairness, and the public good. Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), appointed as the committee’s chairman, emphasized the significance of the Ways and Means controversy and assured Nigerians of a thorough and impartial investigation. He urged stakeholders to cooperate and provide necessary documents for scrutiny. The committee, composed of distinguished senators, is poised to embark on its mission to investigate and address concerns regarding fund management in Nigeria, guided by principles of transparency, integrity, and accountability. Members of the committee include: 1. Senator Isah Jibrin (Chairman) 2. Senator Sahabi Ya’u (Vice Chairman) 3. Senator Adamu Aleiro 4. Senator Adetokunbo Abiru 5. Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong 6. Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno 7. Senator Victor Umeh 8. Senator Solomon Olamilakan 9. Senator Sani Musa 10. Senator Abdul Ningi 11. Senator Aliyu Wadada 12. Senator Ipalibo Banigho 13. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim 14. Senator Ibrahim Mohammed 15. Senator Joel Thomas Onowakpa 16. Senator Dafinone Ede 17. Senator Aminu Iya Abbas 18.

Bayelsa Guber: Panel declines to recluse from proceeding

The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Monday, declined to recluse self from proceeding with the petition before it, challenging the election victory of Governor Duoye Diri. The All Progressive Congress (APC) and it’s Candidate, Timipriye Sylva had filed a motion seeking disqualification of members of the panel from the proceeding. The tribunal, led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye dismissed the motion after he took arguments from counsel to Sylva, Mr. Tunde Falola, Mr. Charles Edosanwan for INEC, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, for Governor Diri, Mr. Chukwuma Machukwu Ume, for the deputy Governor and Tayo Oyetibo for PDP. In a brief ruling, the panel held that a letter from the President of the Court of Appeal on March 5, mandated the tribunal to proceed with hearing of the petition, irrespective of any application by the parties. He, therefore, said the PCA’s letter has overtaken the request by the petitioners for the disbandment of the tribunal. Sylva’s lawyer, Falola, had argued that his clients filed the fresh application against the tribunal on the ground that the two petitioners are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that they cannot get justice from members of the panel. The two petitioners further stated that the tribunal had exhibited strange circumstances that made them to believe that they would be denied fair hearing. He, therefore, asked the tribunal to in the interest of justice, step aside from the petition and allow other members to be constituted by the PCA to determine their petition within the little time remaining for the expiration of hearing of the case. Meanwhile, all the Respondents, through their respective lawyers, opposed the request for the panel members to recuse themselves. They argued that the application was an attempt to prevent the respondents from presenting their defense against the petition. They stated that the motion by APC and Sylva was a calculated attempt to blackmail the tribunal members to do their bidding. The four respondents claimed that the petitioners closed their case, even when the time allocated to them had not expired, hence, there was no basis for the allegation of denial of fair hearing to them. Bedsides, the respondents also stated that APC and Sylva were part of the pre-hearing session and fully subscribed to the schedule of time as agreed upon by all the parties. The tribunal has fixed March 13 and 14 for INEC, being the 1st respondent, to open and close its defence.

Protest Rocks Edo Over Deputy Governor’s Impeachment

Indigenes and residents of Edo North Senatorial District have voiced their discontent with the impending impeachment of Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.  Tensions escalated after Shaibu’s fallout with Governor Godwin in 2023 due to his gubernatorial aspirations. During the February People Democratic Party (PDP) primary, Shaibu held a parallel poll at his residence, declaring himself the winner, while Asue Ighodalo secured victory in the official primary. Last week, the Edo State House of Assembly issued an impeachment notice to Shaibu. Protesters, chanting solidarity songs, called on Governor Obaseki to prioritize peace. Placards with inscriptions like “No to impeachment of Edo deputy governor” and “Give peace a chance” conveyed their rejection of the move, labeling it a political vendetta. Led by Festus Owu, the Edo North PDP Rescue Movement (ENREM) protesters marched through major streets, urging lawmakers to focus on meaningful legislation instead of pursuing a futile impeachment that leaves citizens hungry.  They appealed to Governor Obaseki to intervene and halt any impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor. Protest Rocks Edo Over Deputy Governor’s Impeachment By Doris Israel Ijeoma Indigenes and residents of Edo North Senatorial District have voiced their discontent with the impending impeachment of Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.  Tensions escalated after Shaibu’s fallout with Governor Godwin in 2023 due to his gubernatorial aspirations. During the February People Democratic Party (PDP) primary, Shaibu held a parallel poll at his residence, declaring himself the winner, while Asue Ighodalo secured victory in the official primary. Last week, the Edo State House of Assembly issued an impeachment notice to Shaibu. Protesters, chanting solidarity songs, called on Governor Obaseki to prioritize peace. Placards with inscriptions like “No to impeachment of Edo deputy governor” and “Give peace a chance” conveyed their rejection of the move, labeling it a political vendetta. Led by Festus Owu, the Edo North PDP Rescue Movement (ENREM) protesters marched through major streets, urging lawmakers to focus on meaningful legislation instead of pursuing a futile impeachment that leaves citizens hungry.  They appealed to Governor Obaseki to intervene and halt any impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor.

Tinubu’s daughter gets new appointment

Mujidat Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Tinubu has been appointed as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Havilla University, in Nde Ikom, Cross Rivers State, Nigeria. She announced this in a post on her X page while expressing gratitude for the appointment. As the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Tinubu-Ojo will play a crucial role in overseeing and guiding the strategic direction of Havilla University. Pro Chancellors and Governing Council Chairs often play pivotal roles in higher education institutions’ governance, development, and sustainability.