Former governor Udo

The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed reports alleging that Governor Umo Eno ordered the withdrawal of security personnel attached to his predecessor, former Governor Udom Emmanuel.

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, described the claims as “inflammatory and concocted lies,” urging the public to disregard the report, which he said was based entirely on falsehoods.

A publication (not from DAILY GAZETTE) had alleged that Governor Eno ordered the removal of security from Mr Emmanuel’s residence over a political rift related to the 2027 elections.

The report cited a directive dated 30 September, allegedly signed by a police officer, ASP Ekwo Godwin, instructing operatives to withdraw from the former governor’s residence by October 1 and report to the state police headquarters for debriefing.

The publication also claimed the same order affected former state officials who did not join the ruling APC, linking the move to political tensions between Governor Eno and Udom Emmanuel.

However, in a statement released Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh, Umanah firmly rejected the story.

He stressed that only the Inspector-General of Police or the State Commissioner of Police can authorize such withdrawals, not a sitting governor.

“I can tell you on good authority that the Governor did not issue any directive to withdraw security operatives from the immediate past Governor,” Umanah said.

He added that all former governors of Akwa Ibom State continue to receive the security protection they are entitled to by law and that no complaint or official report had been received from Udom Emmanuel or his aides regarding any such withdrawal.

“To the best of our knowledge, there has been no complaint or report from any former governor or their media aides about the withdrawal of security personnel,” he added.

“The rumour exists only in the imagination of those peddling it.”

Umanah reiterated that Governor Eno remains committed to peace, unity, and inclusive governance, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of political alignment, are treated fairly under the law.

Chief Uche Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology, has confessed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) never issued him a degree certificate, a startling admission that validates a two-year investigation by Premium Times, which found that he forged his academic credentials.

The minister, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in July 2023, had submitted academic and NYSC certificates that critics have long questioned.

These documents were used during his ministerial screening by the Senate.

Investigators from Premium Times uncovered that the UNN degree certificate he presented is fake and that his NYSC discharge certificate is also forged.

Despite years of suspicion and silence, Mr Nnaji has now publicly confirmed through a court affidavit that he never received a certificate from UNN.

The admission emerged in a case Nnaji filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

He is seeking to prevent UNN and its officials from releasing his academic records and to compel the university to issue him a transcript.

In the 34-paragraph affidavit supporting his motion, Mr Nnaji stated that he was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry and claimed to have “graduated” in 1985.

But then admitted he never collected a certificate, blaming “non-cooperative” university officials.

His own court filing referenced a 2023 letter from UNN to another media outlet that falsely claimed he had graduated.

However, UNN later recanted the letter, saying a proper search of 1985 graduation records showed no trace of Nnaji’s name.

UNN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya confirmed to Premium Times in a letter dated October 3, 2025, that:

“Mr Nnaji did not complete his programme and was not awarded a degree by the university.”

“His file is intact. It clearly shows he dropped out. The claim that he graduated is false” a senior university official added.

The university’s Registrar, Celine Nnebedum, who initially signed the misleading 2023 letter, later withdrew the statement in May 2025, acknowledging it was incorrect.

Mr Nnaji also claimed to have completed his NYSC service in 1985 and 1986, citing postings to University of Jos Teaching Hospital and Jos International Breweries.

But without a legitimate university degree, his NYSC service could not have been validly undertaken, further pointing to forgery.

In his ministerial profile submitted to the Senate, Mr Nnaji described himself as a:

“Visionary industrialist, oil and gas expert, construction giant, healthcare practitioner, trade and investment strategist and environmental protection expert.”

Yet, the document failed to include a graduation year or verifiable academic details.

Despite multiple attempts, Premium Times reports that Mr Nnaji Ignored inquiries sent since January 2024 and did not respond to calls, texts, or emails.

His office officially acknowledged receipt of the newspaper’s written questions, but he has remained silent on the matter.

The big question is, If the University of Nigeria never issued him a degree certificate, how did Mr Nnaji obtain the one he submitted for his ministerial appointment?

Nigeria’s Minister of Power and 2027 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship hopeful in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, has reaffirmed his ambition to lead the state, insisting that his desire is rooted in service, not personal gain.

In a video trending online, Adelabu, who previously contested for governor in 2019 and 2023, stated that he has been part of the political journey long enough to understand the process and the sacrifices involved.

Speaking in Yoruba, Adelabu said, “I have paid my dues. I ran against Seyi Makinde in both 2019 and 2023. Politics, like life, doesn’t always reward you immediately. But today, I boldly declare, it is our turn, it is my turn. Adelabu! Àwálòkàn! Penkelemesi Èmilòkàn !”

The former Central Bank deputy governor first declared his 2027 ambition in July 2025, and has since intensified grassroots consultations across the state.

In the viral clip, he emphasized his love for the people of Oyo, particularly the poor and less privileged, stating that improving their lives is his driving motivation.

“We will begin our door-to-door campaign soon. With God on our side and the support of the people, victory is certain,” he said confidently.

Adelabu made the comments during a meeting with APC leaders and party faithful in Oke-Ogun Zone 2, which includes six local government areas: Oorelope, Saki East, Saki West, Olorunsogo, Irepo, and Atisbo.

While addressing the gathering, he underscored the importance of internal democracy and unity within the APC, warning against the imposition of candidates in the upcoming party congress.

“United APC owns Oyo State. PDP is only a tenant in Agodi Government House. A divided house cannot stand. We must come together to reclaim our mandate in 2027,” he declared.

Adelabu assured party members that the 2027 election would be an opportunity to restore APC’s leadership in the state, if the party stays united and democratic.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has met with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and several elders of the state amid ongoing political restructuring in the state.

The meeting, which also had Martin Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, in attendance, was made public by Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, who shared a photo online.

However, Olayinka did not disclose the agenda or outcome of the discussions.

This development comes days after Governor Fubara dissolved his cabinet, removing commissioners considered loyal to Wike, as he prepares to constitute a new executive council.

The recent wave of dismissals is believed to be tied to the Supreme Court ruling earlier this year, which upheld the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, widely seen as aligned with Wike.

During a valedictory session last week at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Fubara confirmed the dismissals were necessary in light of the ruling.

He expressed gratitude to the outgoing commissioners for their service over the past two years and emphasized his renewed commitment to lead the state forward.

The restructuring is reportedly part of the peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu to resolve the long-standing rift between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.

One of the key agreements reached was the formation of a new cabinet with broader consensus.

Following the end of the state’s emergency rule, the House of Assembly had formally requested the governor to submit names of commissioner nominees.

A new cabinet list is expected to be unveiled soon.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has urged the people of the South-East to maintain a law-abiding and appreciative stance as efforts to secure the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, continue.

Speaking in Aba during the commissioning of infrastructure projects by Governor Alex Otti, Umahi, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the event, emphasized the need for unity and patience as political leaders pursue a diplomatic resolution to Kanu’s prolonged detention.

“The governors of the South-East, our senators, House of Reps members, and ministers, even those not from the region, are working seriously on a political solution. But we must be law-abiding and appreciative. The President has love for the South-East and is listening,” Umahi stated.

His remarks come amid growing optimism over Kanu’s potential release. Governor Otti had earlier assured that President Tinubu is open to resolving the matter through political means.

“I can assure you that I am engaging with Mr. President, and he is favourably disposed to it. I’m confident that in no distant future, Nnamdi Kanu will regain his freedom,” Otti said.

Nnamdi Kanu has been in custody at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja since June 2021, following his controversial rendition from Kenya.

Despite several court rulings, including a UN advisory opinion calling for his release, the Federal Government has maintained that he must face ongoing treason charges.

The Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Dr. Tunde Bakare, has revealed that he is facing mounting pressure from political actors to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

However, the outspoken cleric has firmly ruled out the possibility.

Speaking at the inaugural edition of the Citadel School of Governance Dialogue Series, themed “Nigeria at 65: Historical Reflections, Futuristic Projection,” held in Oregun, Lagos on Saturday, Bakare disclosed that several prominent figures, including a former governor and minister from the South-West, have approached him about aligning with the ADC.

“There has been a lot of pressure on me from who is who to join ADC. They come to my home. Even while I was abroad, the hierarchy of that party kept calling, saying they needed my voice,” he said.

He also noted that a younger political associate, someone who held key offices under the All Progressives Congress (APC), had encouraged him to support the ADC.

Despite these overtures, Bakare was unequivocal in his response:

“I am not going to take part in ADC. The last time I knew about ADC was about a plane that crashed. I wish them well because we need a robust opposition. But you don’t birth a child called APC and then try to kill it yourself. We are not going to have another Awolowo–Akintola crisis in the South-West,” he said.

Bakare, who was involved in the founding of the APC, also expressed his belief that the presidency of Bola Ahmed Tinubu was ordained.

“If God wants to remove ‘emilokan,’ He knows how to do it. You can’t get the kind of thing Tinubu has brought without God’s support,” he asserted.

Also speaking at the event, Professor Akinjide Osuntokun, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, addressed Nigeria’s enduring challenges. According to him, corruption and tribalism remain the country’s most damaging issues.

“Corruption is the father or mother of tribalism. If the money being stolen was available for development, Nigeria would be far better,” Osuntokun said.

He emphasized that the ethnic identity of a president should not be the focus—results and good governance should matter more.

“The fact that Tinubu is president does not automatically improve the life of an average Yoruba man, just as an Igbo presidency will not improve the life of the ordinary Igbo man if there is no development,” he added.