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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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Davido pays N2 million per haircut – Singer’s Barber Reveals

Nigerian afrobeats superstar Davido Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, pays as much as N2 million every time he gets a haircut, according to his long-term barber, Kufre Nnah.

Kufre made the revelation in a social media post, in which he shared a picture of himself working on Davido’s hair.

The Barber, who runs his business as Kayz Place, also revealed that he’s been Davido’s Barber since he was 12, when he used to pay only N200 to get a haircut.

Disclosing that Davido now pays him N2 million per haircut, Kufre admired the singer and appreciated him for being a part of his journey over the years.

Kufre’s post, which also had pictures showing Davido’s haircut up close, was captioned:

“I started cutting Davido’s hair when he was just 12 years old, when he used to pay me 200 Naira. Today, he’s paying 2 million for a haircut…what a journey! So proud to have been part of his story from the beginning. Big thanks to you, brothe,r for trusting me all these years. Your success is truly inspiring.”

Recall that earlier this weekend, on Saturday, Davido was out showing up for another long-term associate, his manager Asa Asika, at his traditional wedding where he was on groomsmen duties.

In his heartfelt speech at the ceremony held in Lagos, Davido recounted how he and Asa worked hard together to build their music empire from absolutely nothing.

Davido hailed Asa for being more than just his manager, saying he’s his ‘shield,’ his sanity, and his brother in every battle.

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PDP Crisis Worsen as NEC set to decide fate of Rebel Members

Party elder Chief Bode George has warned that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may expel some prominent members at its upcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on May 27. In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, George said the NEC was prepared to take decisive action against members who no longer adhere to party rules or its founding principles.

“Those who cannot abide by the rules and regulations of the party, we can throw them out,” he said.

George criticised some party members for placing personal interests above public service.

What is democracy? It’s all about the management of the resources of the land for the benefit of the people. That is not what they have done now,” he lamented.He stressed that the NEC would hold a closed-door session to confront internal issues head-on.

“We should tell ourselves some serious home truths and come back to the position as laid down by the founding fathers of our party,” George said.

Since the 2023 elections, the PDP has been grappling with deep internal divisions.

Instead of consolidating as a viable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party has struggled with disloyalty and factionalism.

A flashpoint in the crisis is the conduct of some high-profile PDP members who have openly backed APC President Bola Tinubu.

Chief among them is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who recently declared his support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, despite remaining in the PDP.

This stance has drawn sharp criticism from the party, with some members accusing the leadership of overlooking blatant acts of disloyalty

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Ex-US President Biden diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, according to a statement released by his personal office on Sunday, May 18.

The 82-year-old was evaluated last week after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms, leading to the discovery of a prostate nodule.

A biopsy confirmed a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), indicating a highly aggressive form of the disease.

“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” the statement noted.

According to CNN, Biden and his family are reviewing treatment options with his medical team. A source familiar with his schedule confirmed that he is spending the weekend at his home in Wilmington, Delaware.

The announcement comes just days after Biden’s team acknowledged that he had undergone evaluation for a small prostate nodule. Medical experts not involved in his care offered context on the seriousness of the diagnosis.

“Prostate cancer is very common. As we get older, most men are going to have little cancer cells in them,” said Dr Jamin Brahmbhatt, a urologist and robotic surgeon with Orlando Health.

However, Biden’s Gleason score signals a more severe prognosis.

“A Gleason score of 9 means it’s the most aggressive form of prostate cancer,” explained Dr Benjamin Davies, a professor of urologic oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre.

It remains unclear where the former president is receiving treatment at present. However, efforts to request further details are underway.

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