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PDP Is Dead Because Of Your Desperation To Be President – APC Knocks Atiku

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent claim that President Bola Tinubu’s administration bribed opposition parties with N50 million each to destabilize their leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.

Atiku made the allegation while participating as a panellist at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria, held in Abuja on Monday.

The conference was organized by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, the Centre for Democracy and Development, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, and the National Peace Committee.

Atiku, speaking on the country’s democratic trajectory, alleged that some opposition party leaders openly confessed to receiving N50 million each from the current government.

He warned that Nigeria’s democracy was at risk if the country continued on its current path.

In response, Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, dismissed Atiku’s accusations as “bogus and laughable,” labeling them a sign of the former Vice President’s growing political desperation.

Morka further criticized Atiku for resorting to baseless allegations and rumors, which he described as unbecoming of someone who had held high office and had repeatedly contested for the presidency.

“Atiku’s allegation about the APC government paying out N50 million to opposition figures is absurd and entirely unfounded. It’s clear that Atiku’s desperation is responsible for the collapse of his party, the PDP,” Morka stated.

He also took issue with remarks made by Atiku, Labour Party leader Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who suggested that the APC might be behind the internal turmoil within opposition parties.

Morka accused these figures of deflecting blame for their own party’s disarray, pointing out their inability to manage their internal affairs.

“The ridiculous claims by Atiku, Peter Obi, and El-Rufai about the APC’s involvement in opposition crises are simply an excuse for their failure to handle their own political organizations. These leaders, who couldn’t govern their parties, now claim they are fit to govern the country. Atiku’s PDP is infamous for its power grabs in the South-West, and we will not forget how his former boss, Obasanjo, called elections a ‘do or die affair’ in a desperate attempt to control Lagos,” Morka concluded, stressing that Nigerians deserve better than this kind of political maneuvering.

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Full List: 3,690 Nigerians Affected As 1.4 Million Face Deportation In US

As part of his ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration, President Donald Trump’s administration has announced that 3,690 Nigerians in the United States are at risk of deportation.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) revealed this information in a document detailing non-citizens with final removal orders, which was seen by our correspondent on Tuesday.

Below are the lists:

According to the document, as of November 24, 2024, a total of 1,445,549 non-citizens are on ICE’s non-detained docket awaiting deportation.

Mexico and El Salvador have the highest numbers, with 252,044 and 203,822 people respectively facing deportation.

The document, titled “Noncitizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship,” provides a breakdown by nationality, emphasizing the growing scope of the deportation effort.

ICE is responsible for enforcing laws to protect the U.S. from cross-border crime and illegal immigration, which Trump has prioritized during his second term.

Last Thursday, the U.S. authorities launched a large-scale deportation operation, arresting hundreds of migrants and flying others out of the country on military aircraft.

With Trump’s continued war on illegal immigration, Nigerians and other African nationals are now feared to be the next targets of deportation.

This has caused anxiety among Nigerian immigrants who are in the U.S. unlawfully.

Since his inauguration, Trump has enacted executive orders to intensify immigration controls, including ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.

His administration has also declared a national emergency at the southern border with Mexico, sending additional troops to the area and vowing to deport “criminal aliens.”

Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions have arisen over the deportation process. Colombian President Gustavo Petro initially blocked U.S. military planes from carrying deported migrants back to Colombia, citing concerns over inhumane treatment.

However, after a series of threats from Trump, including imposing tariffs and sanctions on Colombia, Petro agreed to allow the deportation flights, and the U.S. has held off on additional penalties for now.

The situation remains fluid as both countries continue to negotiate the terms of deportation flights, with Trump’s administration threatening further economic measures if Colombia does not comply.

The latest deportation statistics highlight the broader global issue of migration and the political tensions it often creates between nations.

The list of countries most affected by the U.S. deportation effort continues to grow, with many fearing the implications for international relations and the lives of migrants caught in the process.

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Egbetokun Drags Sowore To Court For Calling Him ‘Illegal IG’

Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and activist, is set to be arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, for allegedly defaming the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.

Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, confirmed to our correspondent that charges have been filed against the rights activist, who was detained by the police on Monday.

The charges stem from Sowore’s social media posts, which allegedly contained defamatory statements about Egbetokun.

According to the charge sheet, Sowore called the IGP “illegal” in messages posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account.

Sowore, who was arrested for refusing to accept administrative bail, faces three counts under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act of 2015, as amended in 2024.

The police accuse Sowore of intentionally disseminating false information aimed at inciting disorder and damaging the reputation of the IGP and the Nigeria Police Force.

The charge includes Sowore’s statements made on December 13, 2024, where he allegedly referred to Egbetokun as the “illegal IGP,” which the police say was meant to provoke unrest.

Further posts on December 20, 2024, also purportedly contained inciteful remarks, linking the IGP to potential unrest and future protests in the country.

Sowore is now facing serious legal consequences for his online actions, with the court set to hear the case on Wednesday.

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Enugu Police Commissioner Hosts New DSS State Director, Reaffirms Commitment To Collaboration

The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, on Tuesday received the new State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Humphrey Ohikuare, during a courtesy and familiarisation visit at the State Police Headquarters, GRA, Enugu.

Welcoming Mr. Ohikuare and his team, CP Uzuegbu emphasized the critical need for a robust partnership between the Police and the DSS.

He described the two agencies as “inseparable sides of the same coin,” highlighting the importance of seamless collaboration in achieving effective security management in the state.

The Commissioner reaffirmed the Police Command’s unwavering commitment to working closely with the DSS and other security stakeholders to ensure peace and safety in Enugu State.

In response, the DSS State Director expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and outlined the purpose of his visit, which was to formally introduce himself and seek the continued cooperation of the Police in addressing security challenges across the state.

The meeting, attended by senior members of the Commissioner’s management team, served as a platform for exchanging ideas and reaffirming the shared vision of a secure and peaceful Enugu State.

Both leaders pledged to strengthen their collaboration to enhance the state’s security architecture.

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Nnamdi Kanu Files N20 Billion Libel Suit Against Police Spokesperson, Adejobi

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a N20 billion libel suit against the Nigeria Police Force Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

The suit, initiated by Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Aloy Ejimakor, was filed on Tuesday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Kanu accused Adejobi of defaming his character by portraying him as a terrorist leader in a press statement issued on January 25, 2024.

The press release in question, which went viral, was titled, “Imo: Police neutralise six IPOB/ESN terrorists, recover arms.” It read:
“Operatives of the Imo Police Command’s tactical unit have neutralised three notorious kingpins of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), an armed wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).”

A copy of the suit cited further statements made by Adejobi:
“The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday in Owerri.

“Adejobi said following credible intelligence, the police operatives located and launched a coordinated operation on the terrorists’ hideout in a forest within Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area of the state on January 24.

“The Force PRO said five AK-47 rifles, 552 rounds of live ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), several communication equipment, along eight operational motorcycles used by the group, were recovered from the scene.

“According to him, prior investigations had revealed the involvement of the group in several high-profile crimes, including the attack on the Owerri Correctional Centre on April 5, 2021.

“Adejobi further hinted that the neutralised terrorists were involved in the killing of five policemen in Umunna, Okigwe, on December 2022, and the burning of Arondizuogu Police Station on February 8, 2022.”

Kanu claimed these statements were defamatory, stating in the suit:
“The defamatory statements read by his brother and circle of friends in Abuja and Nigeria at large were false and constitute a grave libel on his person, as the words in their natural and ordinary meaning portrayed him as a leader of a violent and terrorist group.”

He further alleged that the statements depicted him as:
“An associate of violent criminals and terrorists who allegedly engaged in terrorist acts in Imo State; an irresponsible and violent person that has no regard for the sanctity of human lives; and a person who does not deserve justice in his cases pending in court, bordering on whether the IPOB is a terrorist group or not.”

Kanu argued that the statements implied he was “a leader of a terrorist movement that is to be vicariously blamed for alleged acts of terrorism in Imo State.”

He further asserted:
“The words were meant to call into question the Claimant’s honesty, personal integrity, and reputation. These defamatory and libellous statements go far beyond fair comment and are malicious and are designed specifically to impugn his person and character and they were made in bad faith.”

The suit contended that Adejobi’s publications were circulated globally, causing significant damage to Kanu’s character, reputation, and credibility, particularly in relation to his ongoing court cases.

Kanu is seeking several reliefs, including:

  • A retraction of the publications through the same media, via a fresh press statement.
  • An unreserved letter of apology, to be published as a full-page feature in The Sun, Daily Trust, and Vanguard newspapers.
  • A perpetual injunction preventing Adejobi from making further defamatory statements about him.
  • N20 billion in general and exemplary damages.
  • Coverage of all legal costs associated with the suit.

The IPOB leader also requested any additional reliefs the court may deem appropriate in the circumstances.

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Tinubu’s Wife Empowers 1,000 Kwara Traders With N50m Grant

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has provided a N50 million grant to 1,000 women petty traders in Kwara State.

The grant, aimed at supporting recapitalization, was announced during the commissioning of the NITDA/RHI Community ICT Centre in Ilorin on Tuesday. Each beneficiary will receive N50,000.

During her three-day official visit to Kwara State, Mrs. Tinubu inaugurated the ICT Centre, built in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), as well as other projects, including the Intensive Care Unit and Dr. Amuda Aluko Ward at the General Hospital, Ilorin.

Addressing the gathering, the First Lady revealed that another set of 1,000 women petty traders had been empowered earlier in August 2024 under the RHI Social Investment Programme.

She also highlighted grants distributed in December 2024 to 250 elderly citizens, each receiving N200,000.

As part of RHI’s Education Programme, Mrs. Tinubu announced plans to establish an Alternative High School for Girls in Kwara State, in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

This initiative aims to provide educational opportunities for girls and women who dropped out due to early pregnancies, child marriages, or other socio-economic challenges.

Additionally, the state will benefit from an Early Childhood Care Development Education (ECCDE) Centre, while Kwara State University is set to receive an ICT Experience Centre under a partnership with TETFUND.

Mrs. Tinubu also unveiled an agricultural grant of N68.9 million from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

The funds will support women and young farmers in Kwara State under RHI’s agriculture programmes, including the Women Agricultural Support Programme, Youth Agricultural Support Programme, and Young Farmers Club.

Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq, wife of the Kwara State Governor, commended the ICT initiative, stating that it would equip women and youths with essential digital skills and prepare them for opportunities in the global digital economy.

The First Lady’s visit includes a homage to the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and the distribution of food support to vulnerable groups.

On Wednesday, she is scheduled to inaugurate the newly constructed Unity Flyover in Ilorin, named after the Emir in recognition of his contributions to peace and development.

Dignitaries at the event include federal and state lawmakers, Progressives Governors Forum Chairman Hope Uzodinma, and wives of key political figures, among others.

Religious leaders, local council officials, and community stakeholders also graced the event.

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Katsina Nurses, Midwives Threaten Strike Over Insecurity

Nurses and midwives in Katsina State have issued an ultimatum to the state government, threatening to withdraw their services from hospitals in high-risk areas if urgent measures are not taken to address rising insecurity.

Under the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), the health workers gave the government until midnight on Thursday, January 30, to meet their demands or face a strike in security-prone council areas.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, NANNM Chairman in Katsina, Nurse Nura Mu’azu, highlighted the council areas most affected by insecurity.

These include Batsari, Danmusa, Kankara, Jibia, Dutsinma, Musawa, Malumfashi, Funtua, and Batagrawa.

According to Mu’azu, nurses and midwives working in these regions have suffered greatly, with several losing their lives, being injured, or abducted while performing their duties.

He cited a recent incident on January 15, when Nurse Yusuf Mairuwa and other health workers were abducted at the General Hospital in Kankara.

The kidnappers reportedly demanded hundreds of millions in ransom.

The association accused the state government of failing to act on earlier calls for enhanced security in hospitals and healthcare centers in these frontline areas.

Mu’azu acknowledged some progress in addressing insecurity across the state but stressed that more must be done to protect healthcare workers.

The association outlined its key demands, including:

Immediate deployment of 24/7 robust security to all hospitals in the affected areas.
Ensuring the safe release of Nurse Yusuf Mairuwa and other captives abducted while on duty.

Compensation for affected members who have suffered losses due to insecurity.
Improved remuneration to attract and retain more health workers for better healthcare delivery.

Mu’azu emphasized that failure to meet these demands would leave the association with no choice but to withdraw services from hospitals in the affected areas.

The strike threat comes amid growing concerns over the safety of healthcare workers in Katsina State, who face constant risks while striving to provide essential medical services in volatile regions.

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Enugu Police Arrest Man For Cutting Off Wife’s Wrist Over Alleged Infidelity

The Enugu State Police Command has apprehended a 33-year-old man, Sunday Echege, for allegedly severing the left wrist of his wife, Chinonso Echege, over claims of infidelity.

The incident occurred in Ibagwa-Agu Farm Settlement, located in the Ibagwa-Ani community of Nsukka Local Government Area.

The arrest, carried out by officers from the Okpuje Division, was facilitated by vigilant community members who also helped in recovering the machete used in the attack, according to a statement released to DAILY GAZETTE by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on Tuesday.

Initial investigations indicate that the suspect, who has admitted to the crime, accused his wife of engaging in extramarital affairs, which he claimed drove him to commit the act.

The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police overseeing the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the suspect faces prosecution.

The police chief condemned the violent act, urging couples to resolve marital disputes through dialogue, love, and lawful methods rather than resorting to criminal behavior.

“The suspect will be charged in court upon the completion of the investigation.” Ndukwe Said

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FG Generated N2.4bn From Marriage Registrations In 2024 – Interior Minister

The Federal Government has generated approximately N2.4 billion from marriage contracts through its national marriage registry, according to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Speaking during a media briefing with agency heads in Abuja on Tuesday, the minister highlighted the financial strides made by the ministry in revenue generation.

Tunji-Ojo revealed that the ministry exceeded its revenue projections for marriage registrations in 2023, collecting over N892 million as of October 31, 2023.

He noted that marriage registrations had become a key revenue source for the government.

In addition to the income from marriage contracts, the ministry also recorded a surge in revenue from expatriate quota applications.

Tunji-Ojo disclosed that over N3.2 billion was generated from these applications in 2024, reflecting a 150% increase compared to previous years.

The minister attributed the success to reforms aimed at improving efficiency and service delivery in the ministry.

He explained that in 2023, the ministry collected over N1 billion from expatriate quota permits, doubling its N600 million target.

Tunji-Ojo also stressed the government’s commitment to securing the nation’s borders and tackling the issue of irregular migration, with measures to strengthen border security already underway.

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Your Claim On Illegal Mining Reckless, Unfounded – Retired Generals To Oshiomhole

Major General Bamidele Johnson Olawumi (Rtd) has criticized Senator Adams Oshiomhole for alleging that retired military officers are involved in illegal mining activities.

Describing Oshiomhole’s claim as “reckless, unfounded, and disrespectful,” General Olawumi said the remarks tarnish the reputation of retired generals who have honorably served the nation.

“As a retired officer who dedicated my life to the service of this country, I find Senator Oshiomhole’s comments baseless and deeply offensive. Such careless generalizations subject retired generals to unwarranted public criticism and suspicion,” Olawumi stated.

The retired general challenged Oshiomhole to substantiate his claims with credible evidence, adding that any such allegations should be reported to the Department of State Services (DSS) or relevant authorities.

“If Senator Oshiomhole has proof of any retired general’s involvement in illegal mining, the appropriate step would be to present it to the authorities rather than tarnishing the image of all retired officers,” he said.

Olawumi also demanded a public apology, insisting that Oshiomhole’s comments undermine the integrity of retired military personnel and could erode public trust in their contributions to national development.

“Someone of Oshiomhole’s stature must recognize the weight of his words. Unsubstantiated accusations only damage reputations and divert attention from the real issues surrounding illegal mining,” Olawumi warned.

He further emphasized the need for responsible public discourse to address the illegal mining crisis constructively.

At the time of this report, Senator Oshiomhole had not responded to Olawumi’s statements.

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