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Politicians Whose Corruption Cases Were Suspended After Moving To APC

APC National Convention

The defection of Nigeria’s former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode to the nation’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has re-opened conversations regarding the back and forth of Nigerian politicians across political parties depending on what serves their selfish interests per time.

On one hand, it shows the lack of an ideology and values on the part of the politicians as their defections are always selfish and disgusting to see, at best. On the other hand, is the lack of fundamental principles in the political parties themselves as they are open to embracing just anyone that will seem to help them score some political points in one way on the other, irrespective of the individuals’ history and how that may rub off on the party.

This last point has been the genesis of most internal party squabbles as most times these defections come with promises of positions by the parties and this results in rancour within the party system as older members begin to feel aggrieved and disregarded.

However, one of the conversations that have been opened up with the latest defection is the fact that corrupt politicians now move to the ruling party, the APC, to escaped political charges. This conversation holds sway because it has been noted that several politicians in the APC have thrived despite the political scandals hanging over their heads.

And for a government that boasts about fighting corruption, this trend has reduced that agenda to an empty talk – a social media joke, at best. It is often quoted among critics of the Buhari-lead administration that the president treats corrupt politicians in the opposition parties (the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) precisely) with insecticides but treats corrupt politicians in his own party with perfumes.

Read Also: FFK Defection: Reactions Trail Fani-Kayode’s Move To The APC

Furthermore, several members of the APC have boasted publicly while trying to woo prominent politicians from other parties that they can do no wrong if they join the ruling party. A case in point is a quote by Adams Oshiomhole, a former National Chairman of the APC, during the 2019 elections when he announced that those who joined the ruling party would have their “sins” forgiven.

“I am told that there are a lot of very senior people from PDP who have decided to join forces with President Buhari to take the broom to sweep away PDP and to continue to ensure that APC continues to preside all over Nigeria. We have quite a number of other leaders who have come. We have quite a number of other leaders who have come… in fact, once you have joined APC, all your sins are forgiven.”

Here is a list of some politicians (and non-politicians as well) in the APC who have been protected by the party and have avoided prosecution by the nations’ anti-graft agencies.

  1. Senator Godswill Akpabio – Accused of diverting over N100 billion while he was governor of Akwa Ibom State between 2007 and 2015. Involved in N40 billion fraud in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
  2. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje – Bribe video scandal
  3. Orji Uzor Kalu – Alleged money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the tune of N3.2 billion.
  4. David Umahi – Alleged diversion of N400 million into private pockets during the 2015 presidential election through an arms deal.
  5. Adams Oshiomhole – Petitioned over allegations of large scale corruption, during his days as governor of Edo State and APC National Chairman.
  6. Senator Abdullahi Adamu – Prosecuted alongside 18 others for allegedly stealing N15bn from the treasury through contracts awarded when he was governor for eight years. His son, Nurianu, was also arraigned by the EFCC in January 2018 for alleged N90m fraud.
  7. Senator Stella Oduah – Under investigation by the EFCC for her alleged involvement in over N9.4 billion fraud.
  8. Rotimi Amaechi – Accused of allegedly misappropriating N97bn through the sale of the state valued assets.
  9. Abdul’ aziz Yari – Alleged to have diverted almost N700m from the Paris Club refunds to his state.
  10. Adebayo Alao-Akala – Accused of an N11.5 billion fraud by the EFCC.
  11. Hope Uzodimma – Alleged to have diverted the sum of $12m for the dredging of the Calabar channel, a contract awarded to his company by the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA).
  12. Senator Musiliu Obanikoro – charged for the N4.7 billion traced to firms linked to him, and had charges instituted against him by the EFCC.

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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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S.A Opposition leader Julius Malema sentenced to five years in prison over gun incident

A South African court has sentenced opposition leader Julius Malema to five years in prison after finding him guilty of illegally firing a rifle during a political rally, a ruling that could shake the country’s opposition politics.

Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was convicted on several firearm-related charges linked to a 2018 party rally in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape, where he was filmed firing a semi-automatic rifle into the air in front of thousands of supporters.

The court found him guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, and reckless endangerment, offences that prosecutors argued posed a serious public safety risk.

During sentencing, the magistrate emphasised that public figures must respect the law and warned that celebratory gunfire could endanger lives. Prosecutors had pushed for a maximum 15-year sentence, arguing that leniency would set a dangerous precedent given Malema’s influence as a national political figure.

Malema’s legal team, however, argued that the act was symbolic and caused no harm, urging the court to impose a fine instead of prison time.

The outspoken politician has already vowed to appeal both the conviction and the sentence, insisting the case is politically motivated. If the sentence is upheld, the ruling could have major political consequences. Under South African law, a prison sentence exceeding 12 months without the option of a fine can disqualify a lawmaker from holding a parliamentary seat, potentially forcing Malema out of the National Assembly.

Malema, a former youth leader of the African National Congress before founding the EFF in 2013, has built a reputation as one of South Africa’s most controversial political figures. His party campaigns for radical economic reforms, including land redistribution without compensation and nationalisation of key industries.

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