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Anambra Govt Reacts To Gov Obiano Been Placed On Watchlist By EFCC

Willie Obiano

Following the news that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has placed the outgoing governor of  Anambra State, Willie Obiano on their watchlist, the State Government has responded to the report, calling it a witch hunt and an attempt to get back at the governor for overseeing a free and fair election in the state – one in which the ruling party’s candidate Senator Andy Uba lost.

In the press release signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, the state government also accused the EFCC of acting a script written by the powers that be after their efforts to declare emergency rule in the state failed – which was followed by the dreadful loss in the November 6 governorship election.

It would be recalled that the outgoing governor of the state, Willie Obiano, who would vacate the State Government  House on March 17, 2022, upon completion of his tenure in office was placed on the nation’s anti-graft commission’s watchlist for reasons yet to be revealed.

The Commission made this known in a letter dated November 15, 2021, which was addressed to the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). In the letter, the EFCC asked the NIS to intimate them if Mr. Willie Obiano attempts to leave the country.

However, the state government has asked the EFCC to drop their witch hunt. In a press statement, he reiterated that Governor Obiano will be ready to answer questions about his service record when invited.

Read the statement below:

EFCC’s Inelegant Drama over Anambra Governor

1. Nigerians were dismayed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) went a new low on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, when it sponsored media reports claiming that it has placed Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State on its watch list. The EFCC provided no details of how Governor Obiano has been placed on its watch list but made a reference to a letter it purportedly wrote on November 15, 2021, to the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) asking it to inform the anti-graft agency anytime the Governor is traveling out of the country.

2. Everything that can be wrong with politically motivated statements like this one is obviously wrong with this statement. The EFCC knows fully well that it is acting inelegantly in this instance, and so has tried as much as possible not to make an official public statement on the alleged placing of Chief Obiano on the watch list. It furtively gave a section of the media the news report it wrote based on ostensibly its letter to the NIS on November 15.

3. Governor Obiano is out of the country currently. And he traveled through one of the country’s international airports. He did not disguise himself, but rather left the country with his identity fully disclosed at the necessary immigration point.

4. The EFCC sounded more inelegant when it claimed in the sponsored press report that it received intelligence reports that the Governor plans to “flee” from Nigeria once he hands over power next March 17 to the newly-elected Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. Chief Obiano has never left any person(s) in doubt that he will relocate to his base in the United States once he finishes his tenure. As early as August 31, 2020, he announced his decision to a meeting of the Anambra State Council of Elders, comprising such personages as the erstwhile Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe who is also the chairman of both the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers; a former Anambra State Governor, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife; an ex-Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih, mni; the founding Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Professor Elochukwu Amucheazi; the Archbishop-Emeritus of the Anglican Church in Anambra State, The Most Reverend Dr. Maxwell Samuel Chukwunweike Anikwenwa; and the Catholic Bishop of the Awka Diocese, Rev Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor.

5. Governor Obiano has a whole four months to remain in office as the Anambra State Chief Executive. Nobody in Nigeria can circumscribe his constitutionally conferred immunity which shields him from both criminal and civil prosecution. The EFCC went too far as to announce in November that it is observing him. We are not aware of any State Governor who had up to four months to be in office and the EFCC went on to sponsor media reports that he was being investigated.

6. It is, indeed strange that the EFCC is making a show that it is investigating a high public officer. Anti-corruption agencies, like intelligence services, conduct their investigations discreetly, and not on pages of newspapers. Media trial has never benefitted the EFCC.

7. The whole nation knows those behind all the present histrionics about Obiano. They are those who didn’t want the November 6 election to hold. They are those in high places who unsuccessfully canvassed for emergency rule in Anambra supposedly on security grounds. They are those who masterminded the Birnin Kudu High Court charade in Jigawa State over the APGA leadership and, more importantly, the authentic APGA candidate in the November Gubernatorial Election in Anambra State. They are those responsible for the sacrilege of a Customary Court in Abuja issuing criminal summons to Professor Soludo, a former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor. These people are still fighting the gubernatorial battle on behalf of their badly defeated friends and political associates in the Anambra vote. They will fail badly, as they have done in the recent past.

8. The EFCC should not allow itself to be used by politicians who are mere birds of passage. Its ongoing Anambra drama is in bad taste. It did not serve Governor Obiano any notice. Nor did it invite him to answer questions about his service record. It just went to the press. Yet, the Governor is willing to answer any question(s) about his years in office. After all, he has received a prestigious award from the United Nations Development Programme for transparency.

God bless Anambra State.

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Bovi To Replace IK Osakioduwa as hosts for 12th edition Of AMVCA, Ending 11-year Run

After eleven consecutive editions under the same host, the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards is changing the face of its stage.

The organisers have announced Nigerian comedian and actor Bovi Ugboma and South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha as co-hosts for the 12th edition, scheduled for May 9, 2026, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, bringing to a close IK Osakioduwa’s unbroken run as the face of the ceremony since its debut in 2013.

Osakioduwa has been a fixture of the AMVCA since the awards launched, hosting every edition across more than a decade. His departure from the role marks the most significant change to the ceremony’s presentation since its inception.

In his place steps Bovi, one of Nigeria’s most recognised stand-up comedians, known for his sharp wit, storytelling, and stage command. Joining him is Nomzamo Mbatha, whose profile extends well beyond the screen. The actress, producer, and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador gained international recognition through her role in Coming 2 America and currently stars as Queen Nandi in the acclaimed epic drama series Shaka iLembe, for which she also serves as Executive Producer.

The organisers described the pairing as “a master of wit and narrative, and a global icon of screen and advocacy,” promising a night where “mastery meets African excellence.” Bovi, speaking on his appointment, made clear he understands the significance of the occasion.

“The AMVCA stage is one of the biggest in Africa, and I don’t take that lightly,” he said. “I want to bring the energy, the laughs, and the magic that this night deserves. African storytelling is at an all-time high, and it’s an honour to be the one holding the mic while we celebrate the best of it.”

Veteran actress Joke Silva has been named head judge for the 12th edition.On the nominations front, Gingerrr and The Herd lead the pack with nine nods each across acting, directing, and technical categories. To Kill A Monkey follows with eight nominations, while My Father’s Shadow, from the Davies brothers, earned seven across various categories.

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Celebs

One Half Of The Estranged Duo P-Square Declares Nov 30 as his new birthday

Mr P has officially moved his birthday celebration from November 18 to November 30, adding a new layer to the ongoing P-Square family feud. What began as a social media declaration has now been formalised. A few hours after announcing his intention to change his birthday date, Peter Okoye, known professionally as Mr P, has issued an open letter confirming that November 18, the date he has shared with his twin brother Paul Okoye since birth in 1981, is no longer his day of celebration.

“Dear Family, Friends, and Fans,” the post read. “I’m making it official. November 18th is no longer my birthday celebration date. Please note that I will not be accepting any messages or gifts on that day. My birthday will now be celebrated on November 30th. This is a personal decision, and I truly appreciate your understanding.”

The message is brief, but its implications are quite clear. November 18 has long been one of the last remaining public symbols of a shared identity between two brothers whose professional and personal relationship has deteriorated sharply over the past several years.

By formally reassigning the date, Peter is drawing a line that goes beyond creative differences or business disputes.

The reaction from Nigerians online has been largely sceptical.

Many have questioned the necessity of the gesture, with a significant number describing it as petty and unnecessary given the more substantive issues that have defined the brothers’ current estrangement.

The consensus among critics is that changing a birthday date does little to resolve any of the actual grievances and serves mainly as a public statement of severance.

The feud between Peter and Paul Okoye has now spanned multiple years, two official splits, a brief reunion, and a growing list of public accusations on both sides. November 30 is still months away. To see if the gesture will land as true liberation or just pettiness may depend entirely on where things stand by then.

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I Took Over From Myself’: Tinubu’s Claims that He and Buhari Are ‘One’

President Bola Tinubu addressed supporters on Wednesday night in a video that was equal parts pep talk and provocation, but it was one particular line that cut through everything else and set social media alight.

Speaking to the leadership and coordinators of his Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Tinubu pushed back against the criticism that his administration inherited and worsened an already broken economy.

His defence took an unexpected turn. “This economy, I didn’t have to look back because the truth is, I took over from myself,” he said. “The late Buhari is me, he was a partner, if I took over from him, is that not from myself? So, it’s wrong? Fine. Live with it, correct it, move on.

Nigerians online did not move on, at least not immediately. The comment, which appeared to collapse the distinction between his administration and Muhammadu Buhari’s, drew a flood of reactions ranging from genuine bewilderment to sharp mockery.

For critics who have spent two years arguing that Tinubu’s government is a continuation of the same policies that drove Nigeria into economic hardship, the president had essentially handed them their argument in his own words.

The broader address, shared to his official page at 10:38 pm alongside a roughly ten-minute video, was deliberately combative.

Tinubu took aim at the opposition, dismissing the recently held ADC convention as “a street convention” and its energy as mere “rascality.”

He warned that his government would not yield to noise or disobedience of court orders, while also promising supporters that standing with him would not be a decision they would regret.

At one point, he told the ambassadors, “That is why we have told you to renew their hope”, drawing laughter from the audience. He added that for those unwilling to embrace the hope on offer, they would simply provide “eyeglasses.” It was the kind of line that plays well in a room full of loyalists and poorly everywhere else.

The overall message he tried to convey was that he would not be retreating, would not be apologising, and was not particularly interested in critics.

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