Connect with us

News

Northern alliance with South-South can rescue Nigeria – El-Rufai

Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor, has proposed that the North needs a solid alliance with the South-South to forge a better Nigeria.

The erstwhile Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister spoke during a condolence visit to the family of Chief Edwin Clark, a staunch Niger Delta advocate, on Friday, February 21, 2025. The elder statesman died last Monday.

He was led to the condolence visit by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

El-Rufai traveled down memory lane, recalling the political partnership between the North and the South-South back in the day, concluding that a reignition of such an alliance has become necessary to “save” Nigeria.

“In the 60s, 70s, and 80s, the traditional political partners of the north was the south-south. Let us not forget that. Let us go back to that. Let us save this country because it really requires saving. We need a rescue operation,” el-Rufai said.

The former Governor’s remarks came barely a week after he shared a post on his X account, in which the author warned President Bola Tinubu’s supporters and some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) not to go against the North.

All this is happening amid a reported feud between El-Rufai and the President, triggered by the latter’s alleged about-turn in appointing the former minister even after he had nominated him.

The former FCT minister is said to have switched allegiance to Atiku’s camp as part of efforts to form a coalition to oust Tinubu in 2027.

The coalition and alliance talks have continued to gain momentum, with politicians across opposition lines reportedly holding strategic meetings.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Lagos police arrest man for stabbing Uber driver, stealing his car

police salary

The Police Command in Lagos State has detained a suspect accused of stabbing an Uber driver and dispossessing him of his car.

The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Monday in Lagos.

Hundeyin said that the incident happened on Saturday at 7:34 pm, at Ile-Zik in the Agege area of the state.

An Uber driver reported at Isokoko Division that the suspect boarded his Toyota Camry at Nitel by Old Abeokuta Motor Road, Agege, to Marriott Hotel, GRA, Ikeja.

On getting to Ile-Zik along the way, the suspect brought out a sharp knife, stabbed him all over his body and stole his vehicle, he said.

Hundeyin said that based on the report, a team of policemen trailed the vehicle to Oshodi where the suspect was intercepted.

He was immediately apprehended and the vehicle was recovered from him at the station, he stated.

The police spokesman said that the victim had been taken to the hospital for treatment. Hundeyin said that the investigation into the case was ongoing.

Recently, the Police Command in Lagos State has detained a 23-year-old man for prosecution for allegedly beating his girlfriend to death. The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Monday in Lagos.

He said the suspect committed the offense on Friday at about 8:00 pm at Ijedodo, Isheri-Osun area of the state.

Hundeyin said a neighbor reported the incident at the Isheri-Osun Police Divisional Station.

The neighbor said that he saw the suspect beating his girlfriend in his room for a reason yet to be determined. He said a few minutes later, the suspect screamed for help, and getting to his apartment, he met his girlfriend lying unconscious on the bed with visible marks of violence found on her body. The girl was immediately rushed to the hospital in Ijegun, where she was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, Hundeyin said.

The spokesperson said detectives were immediately dispatched to the alleged murder scene as well as the hospital where the corpse was inspected and photographed.

The image maker said that the corpse had been deposited at a morgue in Yaba for autopsy. At the same time, the suspect had been detained for questioning, adding that an investigation was in progress.

Continue Reading

News

EFCC to Arrest EezeeTee over Mercy Chinwo’s $340,000 Royalties

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reiterated that Ezekiel Thankgod, known as EezeeTee, must appear before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi to answer allegations concerning Mercy Chinwo’s royalties.
The EFCC accuses Thankgod of laundering and dishonestly converting $340,000 in royalties meant for the gospel artiste.

According to the EFCC’s statement, Justice A. O. Owoeye ruled on Monday, February 17, 2025, that the defendant must appear in court to take his plea, setting March 6, 2025, as the next hearing date.

“The defendant, Ezekiel Thankgod, has consistently evaded arraignment despite multiple attempts by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate to serve him. This prompted the issuance of a warrant for his arrest on January 16, 2025,” the commission’s statement read.

The EFCC detailed that the former manager of Mercy Chinwo and the CEO of Eezee Global Concepts Limited are facing a three-count charge involving money laundering and dishonest royalties conversion.

One of the charges states that in 2023, Thankgod retained $260,494 in an EEZEE Global Ministry account with Zenith Bank, an amount allegedly linked to unlawful activity.

The EFCC prosecutor, Bilikisu Buhari, noted that the agency had been unable to serve the charges directly to Thankgod, as he remained unreachable.

However, on January 24, 2025, his defense counsel, Dr Monday Ubani, SAN, accepted service on his behalf but filed a preliminary objection to challenge the charges.

Justice Owoeye had previously adjourned the case for arraignment, but Thankgod failed to appear, opting to be represented by his counsel.

With the bench warrant still active, the EFCC insists that the accused must personally appear in court on March 6 to defend himself.

Continue Reading

News

AfDB President Hints At Possible Run For Nigerian Presidency

The outgoing President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has hinted at the possibility of running for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027, stating he is “available to serve” once his tenure at the bank concludes.

In an interview with Arise Television’s news host, Rufai Oseni, Adesina, who also served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture under former President Goodluck Jonathan, affirmed his commitment to national service, saying he is open to serving “globally, in Africa, anywhere, including my own country, Nigeria.”

When asked directly about his political ambitions, Adesina reflected on his deep attachment to Nigeria, recalling a moment when he chose to retain his Nigerian citizenship despite the opportunity to obtain a U.S. passport.

“I remember telling a colleague that this passport is a Nigerian passport, a green passport. I cannot and will never trade it for anything,” he said. “God did not make a mistake in making me a Nigerian. He didn’t make a mistake in making me an African.”

Expressing his passion for public service, Adesina noted that his ultimate source of happiness is witnessing a transformative change in people’s lives.

Drawing a parallel with Nigerian pop artist Davido’s hit song, ‘Unavailable,’ Adesina playfully remarked, “I would ask Davido to change that song—‘I am available, they will see me.’”

Adesina was first elected as AfDB President in 2015 and secured re-election for a second term in 2020. His tenure at the continental financial institution has been marked by a focus on economic development, infrastructure financing, and poverty alleviation across Africa.

While he did not declare his candidacy for the 2027 presidential race, his remarks have fueled speculation about his political future.

His track record and reputation as an economic reformer have long positioned him as a potential contender for Nigeria’s highest office.

As Nigeria’s political landscape gradually shifts towards the next general elections, Adesina’s latest remarks may signal a move towards a more defined political role.

Whether he formally declares his ambition remains to be seen, but his message was clear: he is ready to serve in any capacity that aligns with his vision for change

Continue Reading

Trending