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2023: South West leaders to meet Tinibu urgently over Osinbajo’s interest

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Worried about latest developments in the South-West ahead of the 2023 presidential election, some Yoruba leaders have begun moves to meet with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former Lagos State governor and presidential aspirant of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the declaration of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Daily Independent exclusively gathered.

A prominent chieftain in the South-West APC, who is aware of the development, informed Daily Independent that the move is being spearheaded by Chief Alani Akinrinade, a former Chief of Army Staff, and a prince from Ife who is the son of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, popularly known as ‘Lanbua’.

According to him, the leaders are of the opinion that there is a need for the South-West to forge a common front by presenting a sole candidate from the region for the presidency as other regions may capitalise on the division to present a candidate who may eventually get the APC ticket.

He added that even before the formal declaration of the vice president to run for the presidency on APC platform last week, there has been a sharp division among his loyalists and those of Tinubu, a situation, he said, may not augur well for the South-West if not urgently addressed.

While some Tinubu’s former allies have come out to publicly identify with Osinbajo, others in Tinubu’s camp who are livid by the fact that the number two citizen wants to contest the presidency against his former boss and benefactor have accused him of betrayal, calling him names like Akintola and Judas.

However, our source said with the primary of the APC just few days away, some Yoruba leaders who are students of history do not want a repeat of the Dapo Sarumi and Femi Agbalajobi, both candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who were jostling to become Lagos State governor.

Squabbles by both aspirants for the party’s ticket and refusal to step down for each other led to their disqualification by the party which then presented another candidate, Yomi Edu.

However, the aggrieved supporters of the disqualified aspirants refused to vote for Edu and rather teamed up with Michael Otedola, the governorship candidate of the opposition, National Republican Convention (NRC).

Otedola won the election and became governor of Lagos State. He said, “If you have been following developments in the South-West even before the declaration of the vice president, you will agree that there has been a kind of sharp divide between these two prominent sons of Yorubaland, Asiwaju Tinubu and Vice President Osinbajo.

Rather than close up, that gulf has been further widened when he announced his intention to run last week.

“Yes, I am aware that General Akinrinade, a highly respected elder statesman is championing the move and I understand that their mission is to ensure that the South-West doesn’t lose this golden opportunity due to in-fighting.

We understand that some people from other regions are watching with keen interests and even fanning the embers of these disagreement so that they can be the ultimate beneficiary while the South-West loses out.

“That is why General Akinrinade and the son of the former Ooni of Ife, popularly called Lambua in Ife, are going from place to place, identifying a number of Yoruba elders to try and go and talk to Asiwaju that there is no point dragging the issue of the primaries.

It is important to rally support for one of his men, who is Osinbajo.

They are also going to meet with prominent traditional rulers such as the Ooni of Ife, Alaafin of Oyo, Awujale of Ijebuland and others.

“They will also meet with prominent clerics in the region and other opinion moulders.

The essence of the meeting is how they are going to send a delegation to Asiwaju and advise him to support Osinbajo for the presidency.

If he agrees and given his vast network and influence, then it is a done deal for the South-West.

“A win for Osinbajo is a win for Tinubu. Also, a win for Tinubu is a win for Osinbajo.

But given the mood of the nation, especially the youths and the body language of the presidency, it is largely believed that the South-West stands a chance with Osinbajo as APC presidential candidate”, he said.

When contacted on whether he is aware of the move, Tinubu’s media aide, Tunde Rahman, said there was nothing like that and nobody is talking to his principal to step down from the presidential race.

Speaking with our correspondent, Rahman said, “That is absolute falsehood. There is nothing like that. Believe me. It is fake news”.

Also, speaking, Hon. Seye Oladejo, the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the APC, said anyone asking Tinubu to step down does not mean well for the APC as such a person wants the party to present a weak presidential candidate that will be easily defeated by the opposition party.

“The 2023 presidential election is beyond Asiwaju. This is an election of the people.

Just imagine over 2,000 support groups clamouring for him to run and you think some leaders that we don’t know to enjoy that kind of followership can ambush him to just step down? It is unthinkable. No one should even come up with such a discussion”, he said.

In a related development, a chieftain of the ruling APC and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Rotimi Fashakin, on Sunday said anyone accusing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo of betrayal for coming out to contest the 2023 presidential election should be ignored.

While vouching for Osinbajo’s loyalty and integrity, Fashakin in an interview with Daily Independent, said Osinbajo sought the support and got the blessings of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, his former boss, during his tenure as Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos, before announcing his declaration last week Monday.

Since Osinbajo’s declaration that he will contest the 2023 presidential election on APC platform, some loyalists of Tinubu have described him as Judas who betrayed Jesus Christ while others called him the ‘modern day Akintola who betrayed Awolowo’ in reference to the 1962 Action Group crisis which was a result of the struggle for power between two political leaders of the Western Region and Action Group (AG), Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola.

However, Fashakin said such conversation shouldn’t be taking place among serious Nigerians as what should be paramount now is electing a leader with the capacity to make the country better and secure for all.

“That conversation has been going on in certain quarters and I don’t think that is something anybody should countenance or advance.

I believe, the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has gone to Asiwaju himself to seek his blessing and support to contest the 2023 presidential election. That for me ends it all.

“Having done that, he has decided to throw his hat into the ring bearing in mind also that Asiwaju too is contesting on the same platform.

In doing so, he has not denied the leadership of Asiwaju and how he gave him the opportunity to serve as his Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice which was very vital for him and the government of Lagos State.

He really proved his mettle and it was because of his pedigree that he was identified in the first place.

“So, anyone describing him as a betrayer should just be ignored.

That shouldn’t be a serious conversation that we should be having at this point in time.

What we should be concerned about at this point in time is, who has the capacity and ability to transform Nigeria”.

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BREAKING: Rivers House of Assembly serves Governor Fubara impeachment notice, alleges misconduct

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After a long legal battle between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and 27 State House of Assembly legislators loyal to the former governor, Nyesom Wike which was fought up to the Supreme Court in favour of lawmakers, a notice of impeachment has been served on the Governor on Monday in Portharcourt,

The notice a copy of which was obtained by CAPITAL POST alleged gross misconduct against Governor and his Depuy, Ngozi Odu, thereby escalating fresh crisis in the oil rich city.

The alleged infraction if proved is constitutionally strong to orchestrate impeachment which has been the focus of the lawmakers since they won at the Supreme Court and were back to sitting in the State parliament as all entreaties by the governor was rebuffed by the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule.

In the heat of post Supreme Court crisis, the political godfather of the 27 lawmakers, Nyesom Wike who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, said he will not put a stumbling block to the Assembly members if they chose to do their work.

In the long drawn battle, allies of Nyesom Wike insisted that the governor has 80% gone out of the office, hence, Monday’s letter only goes to show the Assembly’s resolution to remove governor Fubara out of office. This is despite Fubara’s effort to present the 2025 budget of Rivers State to the Assembly after he was put under pressure to do by the lawmakers.

The notice, submitted to the Speaker through the Clerk of the Assembly, cites reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds among other allegations, that will put the governor under tight corner of not being able to defend the allegations.

Reacting, some political figures have called for Fubara’s resignation or impeachment, others, including the Ijaw National Congress, have warned against such actions, citing potential instability in the region.
Meanwhile, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is suspecting President Bola Tinubu’s support to lawmakers impeaching Fubara, saying, the plot would not be possible without getting green light from the presidency.

The impeachment process involves several legal steps, including the formation of a Committee to investigate the allegations. If found guilty, Fubara and his deputy could face removal from office.

The situation remains volatile, with governance in the state effectively stalled due to the political impasse.

Read Full Details Here: https://nujfct.ng/breaking-rivers-state-house-of-assembly-serves-impeachment-notice-on-governor-Fubara-and-deputy

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Natasha uncovers arrest plot after reported Akpabio to IPU in New York

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Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has uncovered plot by security agents to arrest her upon arrival to Nigeria from Interparliamentary Union, IPU where she reported alleged sexual harassment against Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District was suspended for six months for flouting the purported Senate Rules and Order, after which she claimed sexual harassment and proceeded to the IPU.

She revealed that she faces arrest by Nigerian government as Nigerian security officials are planning to arrest her upon her return to Nigeria, claiming that the planned arrest was like ked to her participation in the IPU meeting in New York on March 11, 2025

On Sunday the Kogi female Senator was quoted as saying
that she was aware of plots.

“I’m aware there are plans underway to have me arrested as soon as I arrive Abuja,” Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is still in the US after the IPU meeting, said.

Though she didn’t disclose details of the planned arrest by 2hich of the security agencies, her participation has however considered an embarrassement to the Nigerian government and since her appearance at IPU on March 11, 2025, things were no longer at ease within the government circles.

A source within security domain confirmed that a probe has been launched into Natasha’s participation at IPU.

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Biggest cocaine, opioid shipments meant for US, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland seized in NDLEA’s 2 weeks raid [Pictorials]

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in raid across states in last two weeks led to the seizure of biggest multiple illicit drug consignments bound for the United States, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates.

The drugs, including cocaine, tramadol, loud, and molly, were concealed in various items such as prayer beads, board game packs, and female clothing.

This was made known in a statement signed by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi on Sunday.
The statement read, “Desperate bids by some drug trafficking organisations (DTO) to move illicit consignments such as Cocaine, Tramadol, Loud, Molly and others concealed in prayer beads, packs of board games, female cloths to the United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and United Arab Emirates through logistics firms and the Lagos airport have been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

“At least, two suspects behind some of the aborted missions at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos have already been arrested. One of them is a 43-year-old businesswoman, Jakpor Egware May, who was nabbed at the Gate ‘C’ departure hall of the Lagos airport while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy on Saturday, 8th March 2025.

“When she was searched, 190 parcels of tramadol 225mg and another parcel of skunk, a strain of cannabis, were recovered from her luggage. In her statement, she claimed that she bought the drugs herself, with the intention to resell them in Italy.

“At the export shed of the Lagos airport, NDLEA officers on Tuesday, 11th March arrested a 60-year-old suspect, Yahaya Fatai Ayinla, while attempting to ship a cargo containing cloths used to conceal 400grams of skunk going to New York, United States of America.

“At some logistics companies in Lagos, efforts by drug traffickers to export over two kilograms of Loud, Molly, Tramadol 365mg, 225mg hidden in Vitamin C bottles and female cloths to the US were frustrated by NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI. “Other shipments of 230grams of cocaine concealed in prayer beads, soles of locally made shoes and packs of board games heading to Saudi Arabia, Poland and UAE were equally intercepted between Monday 10th and Wednesday 12th March.”

In a separate operation in Kano, NDLEA operatives arrested 40-year-old Hassan Haruna at Chalawa and recovered 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479 kilograms.

In Kogi State, officers intercepted 58,300 pills of tramadol along the Kabba-Obajana highway in a commercial bus traveling from Lagos to Abuja.

Additional raids in Kachia, Kaduna State, led to the arrest of 21-year-old Idris Hamza, who was found in possession of 4,900 pills of tramadol 225mg.

Another raid in the Hayin Banki area of Kaduna North LG resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Aminu Magaji, from whom 2,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized.

The statement added, “In Kano, a total of 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479kg were recovered from a 40-year-old suspect Hassan Haruna who was arrested by NDLEA operatives at Chalawa area of the state on Wednesday 12th March, while no fewer than 58,300 pills of tramadol were intercepted along Kabba-Obajana highway, Kogi state in a commercial bus coming from Lagos enroute Abuja on Tuesday 11th March.

“Raid operations in Kachia, Kaduna state on Thursday 13th March led to the arrest of Idris Hamza, 21, with 4,900 pills of tramadol 225mg seized from him, just as a similar exercise in Hayin Banki area of Kaduna North LGA, on Friday 14th March resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Aminu Magaji from whom 2,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered.”

In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives intercepted 40,200 tramadol 225mg tablets from two suspects, Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan.

A separate seizure of 21,700 tramadol capsules was made along Eiyenkorin expressway in Ilorin, leading to the arrest of a suspect identified as Salisu Usman.

In Taraba State, officers arrested 35-year-old Polycarp Adeku and seized 15.77 kilograms of skunk from him. In Osun State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a commercial bus carrying 48.7 kilograms of Ghanaian loud, Colorado, and Canadian loud, all potent strains of cannabis.

The statement added, “While a total of 40, 200 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered from the duo of Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan along Ilorin – Jebba expressway, Bode Saadu, Kwara state on Friday 14th March, NDLEA operatives equally seized 21,700 capsules of same opioid from a suspect Salisu Usman along Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin on Thursday 13th March.

“In Taraba State, NDLEA officers on Friday 14th March arrested Polycarp Adeku, 35, at Bente road, Kurmi LGA, with 15.77Kg skunk, while in Osun state, operatives on Thursday 13th March, intercepted a commercial bus marked SGB 564 YS coming from Idumota, Lagos Island in front of King University, Ode-omu, with a total of 48.7kg Ghanaian Loud, Colorado and Canadian Loud, all strains of cannabis. Not less than nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure in Osogbo and Ile-Ife during follow up operations.”

In Abuja, NDLEA officers arrested 58-year-old Ade Esan, also known as Pastor, along the Gwagwalada expressway with 27,800 tramadol 225mg pills in his possession.

Another suspect, 26-year-old Usman Mohammed, was nabbed with varying quantities of skunk and cocaine.

In Abia State, a raid in the Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LG, resulted in the arrest of 34-year-old Chinaza Nwogu, also known as Young Money.

The statement added, “A 58-year-old suspect Ade Esan (aka Pastor) was on Tuesday 11th March arrested along Gwagwalada expressway, FCT Abuja with 27,800 pills of tramadol 225mg, while another suspect Usman Mohammed, 26, was nabbed same day with various quantities of skunk and cocaine at Wuse zone 3 area of Abuja.

“In Abia state, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 15th March raided the Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, where a 34-year-old suspect Chinaza Nwogu (aka Young Money) was arrested with 274grams of heroin, 141grams of methamphetamine, 2.931kg of cannabis sativa, 4grams of cocaine and Seven Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand, Fifteen Naira (N753,015.00) monetary exhibit.”

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