Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, on Monday lauded Aare Afe Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University, for agreeing to withdraw the defamation suits filed against human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

The legal battle began after Babalola filed a petition with the police in Ekiti, accusing Farotimi of defamation in his book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.

Following the petition, Farotimi was arrested and charged in two courts in Ekiti State—one for criminal defamation and the other for cyber-bullying.

However, after mediation efforts involving the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and several other prominent traditional rulers, Babalola announced he would withdraw the charges.

Speaking at a meeting at ABUAD, Babalola stated, “I will tell my lawyers to withdraw the case,” referring to the criminal charges against Farotimi.

The meeting, which also included other high-ranking traditional rulers such as the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adejugbe, led to Babalola’s decision.

Babalola emphasized the influence of the Yoruba traditional institution in resolving the matter, explaining that the monarchs had intervened on Farotimi’s behalf.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria admitted that he was deeply offended by Farotimi’s accusation of corruption but acknowledged that he had received several appeals to drop the case.

Notable figures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, had previously asked him to end the legal action, which Babalola had initially resisted.

Peter Obi responded positively to the resolution of the issue, highlighting the significance of dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.

In a statement released by his media aide, Ibrahim Umar, Obi expressed appreciation for Babalola’s decision, emphasizing that it showed his commitment to resolving disputes amicably.

Obi also clarified that his visit to Afe Babalola was not to seek forgiveness for Farotimi but to assist in resolving the conflict peacefully.

Obi’s statement underscored that his actions were motivated by a belief in dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution, which he believed had led to the positive outcome.

He also commended Babalola for demonstrating a willingness to resolve conflicts constructively.

Additionally, Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, praised Babalola’s decision.

Tanko, who was Obi’s former spokesman, expressed satisfaction that the efforts of Obi and other elder statesmen had helped bring about the resolution.

He called the withdrawal of the charges a significant victory for the Nigerian people, noting that Farotimi’s criticism of the judicial system had been aimed at sparking reform rather than causing harm.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that he now relies on rental income from one of his two properties in Kaduna State to sustain himself financially, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in public service.

Speaking at an All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting on January 25, held at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Katsina State’s Government House, Buhari shared details about his financial situation and offered reflections on governance, addressing the gathering in Hausa.

A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Commission, Wale Mogaji, has warned that the impeached speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, could face suspension if he continues to claim the speaker’s position.

Mogaji made this statement in Ikeja on Monday, following Obasa’s assertion on Saturday that his impeachment was invalid, claiming he remains the speaker until the proper procedure is followed.

Mogaji criticized Obasa’s comments, stating that they undermine the authority of the Assembly, which had legally removed him.

He emphasized that Obasa was no longer the speaker, though he could still serve as a member of the parliament.

“He needs to understand that he is not an executive official. He should not compare himself to an elected governor. Your removal as speaker does not prevent you from being a parliament member,” Mogaji said.

He further warned that if Obasa continued to challenge the Assembly’s authority, he could face indictment, suspension, or even a ban from attending sittings.

The APC chieftain also addressed Obasa’s claims of improper impeachment, pointing out that Obasa himself had a history of disregarding due process.

He recalled his own removal as chairman of the Assembly Commission, which he said was due to Obasa’s dissatisfaction with his association with Obasa’s predecessor, Ikuforiji.

Despite a ruling by the National Industrial Court to maintain the status quo, Mogaji claimed that Obasa ignored the court order.

Mogaji also reflected on instances when Obasa had removed other principal officers of the House without just cause due to suspicions of their ambitions to become speaker.

Now that Obasa had experienced a similar fate, Mogaji suggested he should accept the decision and move on.

He advised the new speaker to learn from Obasa’s past mistakes to avoid similar issues in the future.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has issued a strong warning against the practice of top officials within the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) overstaying their service years.

He emphasized that such practices should not be allowed to continue and urged the NASC to use its legal authority to prevent further occurrences.

Akpabio made these remarks on Monday while hosting the outgoing Chairman of NASC, Ahmed Amshi, and other commission members who visited him for a courtesy call.

He pointed out that lapses observed over the years, including the reluctance of some clerks in the National Assembly, Senate, and House of Representatives to retire when their tenure expires, must be addressed.

During the meeting, Akpabio highlighted the issue of bureaucrats seeking to elongate their service beyond their appointed years.

He stressed that the NASC had failed to enforce retirement rules at the appropriate times, which had led to unnecessary politicization and factionalism within the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN).

“The tolerance of such behavior by NASC has brought unnecessary politics into the system, with some individuals threatening to escalate matters through media outlets like ‘Berekete Radio,’” Akpabio said.

He added that the refusal by some clerks and directors to proceed on terminal leave was a clear indication of service elongation that must be addressed by NASC.

Akpabio also promised legislative action to amend the NASC Establishment Act to ensure better coordination between the Secretary of NASC and the leadership of the National Assembly, aiming to foster a more disciplined and efficient service delivery system.

In his remarks, outgoing Chairman Amshi informed Akpabio that he and five other National Commissioners would be concluding their service on February 7, 2025, after serving a five-year term since February 7, 2020.

The South East Youth Stakeholders Forum has called for the urgent revitalization of the Enugu campus of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) to restore its full operational capacity and continue driving digital innovation and technological growth in the region.

The call was made on Monday during a visit by the Forum’s delegation to the President of the Digital Bridge Institute, David Daser, at the Institute’s national headquarters in Abuja.

During the meeting, the group expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of the Enugu campus and its impact on the region’s digital skills development.

Forum members highlighted the critical importance of the Enugu campus in advancing digital education and boosting technological capabilities across the South East.

They emphasized the need for immediate action to address the current state of the facility and ensure it can continue fulfilling its vital role.

Chairman of the Forum, Mazi Dr. Ezenwa A.A. Onyirimba, underscored the importance of restoring the campus to full operational status.

Dr. Onyirimba urged the Institute to prioritize renovation efforts to enhance the learning environment and make it accessible to youth across the region seeking digital skills training.

Hon. Obinna Nwosu, Secretary of the Forum, also expressed strong support for the restoration efforts.

He emphasized the importance of ensuring the campus is brought back to operational standards and remains a key resource for South East youth and the wider community.

Responding, the President of the Digital Bridge Institute, David Daser, acknowledged the concerns raised by the delegation and assured them that renovation efforts are already underway.

He confirmed that the Institute is making significant progress in restoring the Enugu campus and that it is expected to resume full operations in the next quarter.

The South East Youth Stakeholders Forum expressed optimism following the President’s update and pledged to continue their support for initiatives that promote digital innovation, skills development, and technological advancement in the region.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that the Forum expressed its commitment to working closely with the Institute to ensure that the Enugu campus can once again serve as a hub for digital education and innovation, benefiting the youth of the South East and the country at large.

The National Rescue Movement (NRM) has formally disowned the leadership of Edozie Njoku, declaring his actions as illegal and a threat to the integrity of the party.

The party also suspended its National Chairman, Isaac Udeh, for allegedly organizing a fraudulent convention aimed at illegitimately consolidating power within the party.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NRM stated that the so-called “Emergency Convention” organized by Udeh and Njoku was a sham, comprising individuals who were neither members of the party nor had any legitimate claim to the party’s leadership.

The party strongly condemned the actions of Udeh and Njoku, describing them as a deliberate attempt to undermine the democratic structures of the NRM.

According to NRM Acting Chairman, Obidike Okolo, the party had long been aware of the efforts by Njoku and Udeh to hijack control, but the fraudulent convention marked a new low in their attempts to illegally seize power.

Okolo noted that the National Executive Committee (NEC) had not called for any such convention and that it was conducted without the approval of the proper party organs.

“The National Rescue Movement unequivocally rejects the leadership of Edozie Njoku,” the statement read.

“His actions, in collusion with Isaac Udeh, have caused unnecessary divisions within the party, and their attempts to hijack the party through fraudulent means will not be tolerated.”

The party emphasized that Udeh’s actions, which included convening a convention that was not recognized by the official party structure, had resulted in his suspension from his position as National Chairman.

The statement further clarified that the legitimate NEC, which is composed of duly elected officers, remains firmly committed to the progress of the party and has called for immediate unity within the ranks of NRM.

“The entire leadership of NRM remains intact, and we are working together to strengthen the party and ensure that the true principles of democracy are upheld,” Okolo added.

“Any attempts to subvert these structures will be met with swift action, as the party will not allow itself to be manipulated by individuals with personal agendas.”

The NRM also addressed the actions of Iliyasu Adamu, who had recently claimed to lead a northern caucus within the party and pledged support for Njoku.

The party reaffirmed that Adamu had been expelled from the NRM in 2022, and there was no recognized northern caucus within the party’s structure.

The party clarified that the so-called northern caucus was simply a fabrication aimed at advancing the fraudulent leadership claims of Njoku and his allies.

In response to the escalating crisis, the NRM leadership urged members of the party to remain loyal to the true cause of the movement and disregard any actions or publications that attempt to mislead them.

The party expressed its commitment to ensuring that all members continue to work towards a common goal of rebuilding and strengthening the party ahead of future political challenges.

“We will not allow the integrity of our great party to be tarnished by those who seek to profit from its name,” the statement concluded.

“The National Rescue Movement will continue to stand for the values of transparency, justice, and democracy, and we will take all necessary steps to preserve the party’s unity and integrity.”

The NRM called on all members, especially those in leadership positions, to remain focused on the vision of the party and to work together for the collective good, rejecting any form of division or manipulation.

The party also vowed to pursue legal actions against any individual found guilty of breaching the party’s constitution and integrity.