Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of Nigeria, was recently conferred with a prestigious chieftaincy title in Enugu State during a vibrant traditional ceremony marked by music, dance, and cultural pride.

She was named Ugosimba 1 of Enugu, a title meaning “Jewel of Women Empowerment,” in recognition of her sustained efforts to improve the lives of Nigerian women and girls.

The honor reflects the First Lady’s impactful work through her Renewed Hope Initiative, a platform that has introduced numerous programs focused on women’s economic empowerment, education for the girl child, and accessible healthcare for underserved communities.

Her initiatives have reached thousands across Nigeria, fostering opportunities and instilling hope.

The traditional leaders and people of Enugu acknowledged Senator Tinubu not only as a national figure but as a compassionate leader whose advocacy has brought tangible change.

The title of Ugosimba is both an expression of gratitude and a call to continued service, celebrating leadership that is inclusive, empathetic, and visionary.

Barrister Jesutega Onokpasa, a prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a well-known political analyst, has reportedly died.

A respected lawyer and an active member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 general elections, Onokpasa passed away on Monday.

The cause of his death has not yet been officially disclosed.

The news of his passing was shared on Tuesday by pro-APC advocate Okezie Atani through a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

He stated, “We lost Barr. Jesutega Onokpasa, may his soul rest in perfect peace.”

Onokpasa was widely recognized for his unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu.

He frequently appeared on television to offer commentary and defend the policies and actions of the APC-led federal government.

Maryam Abacha, former First Lady and widow of late military Head of State Gen. Sani Abacha, has challenged recent claims by former President Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), accusing her husband of orchestrating the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

In an interview with TVC marking the 27th anniversary of Abacha’s death on June 8, 1998, Maryam Abacha said the accusation is unjust, politically motivated, and disrespectful since her husband is no longer alive to defend himself.

“I am not here to talk about Babangida or anybody. I don’t wish to talk about anything or anybody. All I know is that that annulment was not done by my husband, and then if it was him, that means he was very powerful.”

“That means he was even more powerful than the President, and if the President is there and somebody else is calling the shots, that means Abacha was the greatest,” she stated.

IBB had claimed in his February 20, 2025 autobiography, A Journey of Service, that Abacha, who was then Chief of Defence Staff, annulled the June 12 election without his approval.

Maryam Abacha also rejected long-standing allegations that her husband looted Nigeria’s treasury during his rule from 1993 to 1998.

Instead, she claimed that the funds her husband allegedly kept for Nigeria were stolen after his death.

“Who is the witness of the monies that were being stashed? Did you see the signature or the evidence of any monies stashed abroad? And the monies that my husband kept for Nigeria, in a few months, vanished,” she said.

“People are not talking about that. Why are you blaming somebody for something? Is that tribalism or a religious problem? Or what is the problem with Nigerians? I pray for Nigerians. I pray for all of us.

“I pray that we should have goodness in our hearts. We should stop telling lies and blaming people. Why are we so bad towards each other? It’s not fair. I think the media should try. You journalists should try to educate the people.”

She also praised the leadership of her husband, referring to his efforts at restoring peace in Liberia and Sierra Leone during his time in office.

Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has cautioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against moving forward with plans to seal off embassies and foreign missions in Abuja over unpaid ground rents, stressing that such actions could trigger diplomatic fallout.

Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, Falana stated that the minister’s proposed action violates international law, particularly the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

“Embassies and missions cannot be invaded because they have not paid ground rent, which is not applicable for all of them,” Falana said, highlighting that diplomatic properties are shielded from such enforcement measures.

The warning follows the FCT Administration’s decision to publish the names of over 9,000 property owners, among them foreign missions, who allegedly owe ground rent, urging them to pay or risk forfeiture.

As part of its drive, the administration began sealing off several properties, including the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after giving defaulters a 14-day grace period starting May 23, 2025.

That deadline expired on Friday, June 6, a public holiday for Eid celebrations, leaving many wondering about the administration’s next steps post-holiday.

Falana warned that international diplomatic norms must be respected, citing both domestic and international legal protections for diplomatic buildings.

“As far as the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations is concerned, the premises of any embassy in Abuja are inviolable by Article 22 of the convention,” he said.

“If we embark on invading the embassy of any country, it’s going to lead to serious diplomatic problems for Nigeria. So, it is not allowed,” he cautioned.

In addition to international treaties, Falana underscored the constitutional implications of sealing properties without due process.

“The minister cannot order that a house be sealed up because the right to a fair hearing is guaranteed by Section 36 of the Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights Act.”

“What this implies is that before you can take action against me, you must give me the right to make a representation,” he added.

The senior advocate also pointed out that Nigerian courts have consistently ruled against arbitrary property sealing, noting, “There are about 20 high court, appeal court, and Supreme Court decisions that ruled that the FCT authorities have no right to unilaterally seal up any property within the nation’s capital.”

Falana urged key government officials to intervene immediately to prevent further complications.

“I expect the Minister of Foreign Affairs to have intervened. I also expect the Attorney General of the Federation to intervene,” he said.

He reiterated that legal processes must be followed in resolving ground rent disputes.

“The rule of law must be allowed to operate. Yes, people are owing. Too bad! But if you want to collect your money, you must go to court,” he advised.

“There is a tribunal in Abuja, Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal constituted by five members from the building industry.”

“That is the body that has the final say on demolition and attempts to seal up properties. In other words, anybody who is aggrieved by the threat to seal up a property is advised to go to court. We are operating a democracy,” Falana concluded.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has convened a strategic meeting with prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the banner of the Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP, in a bid to resist the party’s upcoming national convention scheduled for August 28.

The gathering, held on Monday, brought together influential figures within the PDP, including members of the G5 group and other party loyalists, with a firm resolve to prevent the party from what they described as further decline.

The national convention, proposed by PDP governors during a meeting in April in Ibadan, is intended to elect a new National Working Committee (NWC).

However, Monday’s meeting, according to insiders, was aimed at galvanizing opposition to the plan.

While it is unclear if Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, a member of the G5, was invited, his G5 colleagues Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) were all in attendance. Also present were PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, former Senate Minority Leader Philip Aduda, current and former federal and state lawmakers, zonal leaders, and state party executives.

Addressing the gathering, Wike emphasized that those present were dedicated to reviving and safeguarding the future of the PDP.

“All of you here are those who are committed to the survival of our party not just on TV talking or on the newspapers talking but committed to the party at the various levels,” he said.

Wike credited the G5 governors with stabilizing the country during a politically turbulent period, despite widespread criticism.

“Today, this country is stabilised because of the activities of the G5 governors. You may like us, you may hate us, the truth of the matter is if G5 did not take the decision we took, this country would have been in crisis.”

“It doesn’t matter who the beneficiary was but the right thing had to be done and we still stand by that decision.”

He criticized the PDP leadership for ignoring critical advice, which he believes led to the party’s current struggles.

“If the party had listened to what we said, we won’t have been where we are today and we have continued to sound it to the party, let the constitution of the party and of the country be respected.”

“That, as an opposition party, we cannot continue to act with impunity. No opposition party acts with impunity.”

“Ours is to continue to placate people and bring them together, not to say they should go to hell. Let us not allow greed, let us not allow ego to kill our party.”

Wike also questioned the ongoing controversy over the position of the national secretary, pointing out precedents that suggest inconsistency in the party’s application of its rules.

He referenced Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, saying, “He was the chairman of the party in the state and he did not resign before contesting for governorship but only went back to resign after winning the election.”

Similarly, he noted that, “The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, also contested for the Kebbi State governorship and that he retained his seat, even after losing the election.”

Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom also spoke at the meeting, defending Wike’s contribution to the party and suggesting his influence was unmatched.

“He who pays the piper dictates the tune,” Ortom declared.

“Challenge anyone in Nigeria to tell Nigerians whoever had contributed to the growth of the PDP more than Wike.”

Ortom further added, “For whatever reason, PDP made a lot of mistakes and we are where we are today.”

He also linked Wike’s appointment by President Bola Tinubu as FCT Minister to national interest, arguing, “The president understood that the country could not be a one-party state, which was why he appointed Wike into a very sensitive position as FCT minister.”

As at the time of filing this report, the stakeholders’ meeting was still in progress behind closed doors.