News
CSO advises President Tinubu to be wary of Hadiza Bala-Usman, other ex-public servants with records of sleaze

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been advised against appointment of ex-public servants with failed past leadership, and records of financial sleaze, particularly Hadiza Bala-Usman and others.

A Civil Society Organisation, Centre for Leadership Legacy Int’l (Centre LLI) gave the advice in a statement on Wednesday which was made available to CAPITAL POST in Abuja.

The CSO said appointment of ex-public servants with bagages will dent Tinubu’s government of renewed hope.
Specifically, the Centre LLI warned against prioritising party patronage over competence, character, pedigree and track records.
The statement which wqs signed by the Executive Director of the Centre, Dr Yakubu Yiri Idris, reminded the president that the buck stops on his table, and that if he fails to meet the expectations of Nigerians on account of appointment of people of questionable character, he has posterity to contend with.
The CSO told Tinubu categorically that no one will share the blame with him if he allows politicians with selfish motives to misguide him.
It specifically gave instance of former Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), who it said is being paraded before the president for appointment after she was eased out of office following allegations of sleaze, high-handedness and abuse of office.
The Group decried the brazen manner in which Hadiza Bala-Usman terminated NPA’s relationship with Intels despite the enormous contribution of the company to Nigerian ports development, including lifting revenue accruals from ports to enviable hieght.
“As MD of the agency, Hadiza Bala-Usman severed NPA’s relationship with Intels, notwithstanding the huge amount of revenue and infrastructural upgrade that the company brought to the Authority.
“The Port facility at Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) Onne is the biggest and most modern of such facility in Africa. The huge development was engendered by the revenue generated from service boat operations where Intels served as the monitoring agent for the Authority.
“Before the outsourcing of the service to Intels for management, the Authority was earning a paltry sum of $6million per annum from service boat operations, but when the company took over, it deployed modern facility and expertise, helping to grow the revenue from about $6million in 1998 to over $200million per annum.”
The CSO alleged that practically every decision Bala-Usman took while in office was to benefit her personal interest and those of her cronies, adding that she exhibited gross incompetence.
It said, “As growing oil and gas economy, the need for the development of an oil and gas logistic zone in replica to what obtains in the East was necessary. Just like Intels that took a lead in the development of oil and gas logistics base in the East, Messrs Ladol limited also took a lead in the west.
“However, following the mismanagement of the dispute between Ladol and one of its tenants, Messrs Samsung ltd, the matter became an issue of litigation and eventual intervention by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation following a presidential directive.
“The lack of respect for public policy and procedure resulted in the former NPA Managing Director flouting a Presidential directive on the settlement of the dispute by acting in a manner that controverts the Presidential directive through wanton and reckless abuse of discretion. This action also resulted in spending scarce government resources in defending the action instituted in court by Samsung. ”
The CSO asked President Tinubu not to place too much emphasis on political patronage in appointing his ministers and other officials of his government.
“It’s time to go for competence and character and pedigree. Nigeria is already at the precipice and we cannot afford to toy with its destiny any further.
“Our note of caution to the president is against the backdrop of the purported plans to pressure him into appointing people who were found to have abused their offices in the past.
“There are reports that there are plans to impose certain persons whose track records are tainted on the President for appointments into his cabinet. The need for the President to appoint individuals of unblemished character is more urgent now than ever.
“We’re sounding this note of warning because, as we speak, the President is being bombarded with names from every nook and cranny of our country. Worse still, political jobbers are at their games, peddling names of likely ministers that will be appointed to work with Tinubu. Some of those names are people with questionable character, pedigree and blemished track records of public service.
“The most worrisome of those names being peddled around is a former managing director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) who was disgraced out of office because of allegations bordering on corruption, high-handedness, disloyalty, arrogance and breach of due process with reckless abandon,” Centre LLI stated.
Speaking on additional criteria, Centre LLI explained that though some constitutional provisions mandate the president to pick a minister from all states of the federation, in doing so, he should however be careful not to appoint who will pose to be liability to his government, instead of asset.
“Care must be taken to avoid appointing caterpillars and cankerworms into the new government. Doing so will be heartbreaking for Nigerians given that they believe in the redemptive hope that Tinubu’s government holds for the country,” it noted.
The CSO explained further that the Bola Tinubu government holds redemptive hope for Nigeria, hence the people are waiting with huge expectations, which the president cannot afford to disappoint.
The Centre urged President Tinubu to exercise restraints in the appointment of ministers and other officials of government, noting that “the success and failure of any government starts with the calibre of people appointed into positions.
“It will amount to playing Ostrich, if we tread old paths and expect a positive change. Tinubu has a golden opportunity to rework Nigeria. We would be behaving like the Ostrich if we continue to repeat old mistakes and expect our system to get better. Tinubu has a golden opportunity to rewrite the history of this country. And that can only be possible if he avoids politicians like a former MD of the Nigerian Ports Authority and her ilk, who for the pursuit of pedestal interests short-changed Nigeria.
Disregarding this warning, the Centre for Leadership Legacy Int’l warned, may bring despair and despondency to Nigeria and Nigerians.
“In governance, like any other facet of human endeavour, trust is the coin of the realm. If a new government starts appointing people who are already known to be of questionable character, it will be a recipe for dashed hope,” it stated.

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

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.

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

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.”

News
Rivers Crisis: Wike taunts Fubara, accuse governor of sharing money belonging to State

The former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has accused the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara of sharing Rivers State with those he surrounded himself with who cannot help him.

Speaking at a civic reception in his honor at Abalama Town in the Kalabari Kingdom, organized by NEW Associates, Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, blamed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, for instigating the political crisis in the state.

The former governor who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT stated that Rivers State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule who recently won their case at the Supreme Court would not be stopped from doing their constitutional duties.
Wike stated this while addressing the large crowd that gathered to receive him, Wike said he attended the event despite threats from certain individuals, emphasizing that the occasion proved the opposition was merely making “radio noise.”
“I heard some people say I wouldn’t come here. Who are they, and how many are they? What you’ve done today shows the world that all the noise on the radio is not the reality. If you are from Kalabari and the Ijaw nation and you are receiving me today, God will continue to bless you. I will always stand by you and support you.”
Wike also denied reports that he described the Ijaw people as a minority in Rivers State, stating that his words were taken out of context.
“Some people have deliberately misinterpreted my interview. However they choose to twist it is their business. I simply said we all worked together, and without unity, it would have been difficult to produce the governor. Chief Alabraba did not allow me to rest during the decision-making process; he nearly fainted when we were choosing the candidate.
“Himself, OCJ Okocha, Sergeant Awuse, and Celestine Omehia were present when we met. On the day of the primary, the current governor initially refused to run, saying my Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu, should be the candidate instead. Celestine Omehia insisted that Kamalu should run because he believed the governor couldn’t effectively carry out the responsibilities of the office.”
Wike alleged that those surrounding the governor advised him to withhold the salaries and allowances of Assembly members for over a year. He stressed that he would not interfere with the Assembly’s constitutional functions.
“They told you to seize the salaries and allowances of Assembly members for over a year, leaving them without income to feed their families or pay school fees. You were jubilating, and people encouraged you, assuring you that nothing would happen.
“Now, something has happened. I am not going to stop the Assembly from performing its constitutional duties. The Assembly should be allowed to do its job. People who love peace do not threaten others.
“I told you that the House of Assembly members would not lose their seats. I told you that the local government shenanigans would not stand. I don’t need to be a governor to know that what is illegal is illegal. We fight it constitutionally, following due process. What did we do wrong?
“We simply said that the Assembly members, local government chairmen, and National Assembly members worked hard to make you governor—do not abandon them. But they claimed I was asking for money. Has the money come? Those you are sharing money with, how far?
“Yesterday, I was a bad man, a crook, and a criminal. But it was that same ‘bad man’ who made you governor against all odds. If I hated the Ijaw people, I wouldn’t have done that, and nothing would have happened. I believe in the principle of ‘live and let live.”
Wike also criticized those surrounding the governor, labeling them “natural ingrates” and warning that money is not everything.
“Anyone who is not an ingrate would not associate with what is happening. I told the governor to enjoy what God had given him in peace and not to engage in unnecessary conflicts. But his advisers told him, ‘You are the governor, you have money.’ I agree, but money is not everything. These people have nothing to offer. Now, look at where we are. How far?”
Meanwhile, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, praised Wike for his political acumen and unwavering support for the Ijaw people.
“Wike has worked to resolve the political crisis in Rivers State by following the dispute up to the Supreme Court. We pray that peace will return to the state through this process.
“We will continue to support you at all times and uphold collaboration as a powerful force for advancing the interests of all parts of the state. Your contributions to Kalabari land will remain indelible for generations to come.”

-
Opinion1 week ago
Embattled Natasha: Again, where have the elders in Kogi gone?
-
Security4 days ago
Nigerian Coast Guard: Citizens warned against extortion as passage of bill is being awaited
-
Foreign1 week ago
North Korea: A country not like others with 15 strange things that only exist
-
News1 week ago
Anambra Primaries: INEC warns against sudden changes
-
News1 week ago
Nigerian Christian Youths unite for national transformation
-
Entertainment7 days ago
Actor Baba Tee apologises to Ijoba Lande for having sex with his wife
-
Politics1 week ago
Ganduje, Barau receive Atiku support groups in 19 Northern States as APC Chairman declares death sentence on PDP, NNPP
-
Health1 week ago
President Tinubu appoints Chief Medical Directors for medical centres across the country