The Edo State Government has announced plans to compensate individuals whose lands or properties were illegally acquired or destroyed by the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Samson Osagie, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, revealed this in Benin on Monday.

He stated that under the previous government, certain community lands and properties were seized without compensation to their rightful owners.

Osagie emphasized that the current administration under Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo is committed to addressing these injustices to promote peace and unity in the state.

“There are many properties of Edo citizens who have worked diligently and invested in the state, which were forcibly taken without compensation,” Osagie said.

“This administration will ensure that owners of such properties are fairly compensated, and those whose land needs to be returned will have it handed back to them.”

The Attorney General confirmed that Senator Okpebholo’s administration would address all complaints and ensure that victims receive the compensation they are entitled to.

Osagie further assured that his ministry would handle any lawsuits that could disrupt the government’s work and would offer legal guidance to ensure that governance in the state is fair and free from oppression or victimization.

The Concerned Igbo Elites Forum has strongly criticized the Chidi Ibeh-led faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for selecting Senator David Umahi, Minister of Works, as the 2024 Igbo Man of the Year.

The group labeled the nomination as “kangaroo” and unacceptable, accusing the faction of bias and favoritism.

In a statement issued by its Secretary, Dr. Kelvin Nwosu, the group expressed discontent with the decision, questioning how Umahi, despite his position as Minister of Works under President Bola Tinubu, could be chosen for the honor.

The forum pointed out that Umahi had made little progress in his role, failing to address the dire state of federal roads across Nigeria, as highlighted by the House of Representatives’ committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), which criticized him for the poor condition of roads under his watch.

The Concerned Igbo Elites Forum also raised concerns about the exclusion of other notable figures, such as Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.

They emphasized Kalu’s remarkable achievements, particularly his significant contributions to infrastructural development and his proactive role in supporting President Tinubu’s governance agenda.

The group expressed their opposition to what they described as a “fraudulent” nomination and urged other Igbo organizations and the broader Igbo community to reject the decision.

They called on the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to stop promoting “ghost achievements” and put an end to what they viewed as a politically motivated selection.

The Lagos State chapter of the Labour Party recently hosted a reconciliation meeting titled “We Can Be One” in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

The event took place on December 21, 2024, in Alausa, Ikeja.

The meeting brought together key party leaders and members, including Hon. Mrs. Foluke Osafile, who represents Amuwo Odofin Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly; Pastor Funke Awolowo, Head of the Party’s Directorate and Mobilisation; Chief Sam Okpala, the state secretary; and Pastor (Mrs.) Dayo Ekong, the state chairman, among others.

During the meeting, party leaders emphasized the importance of unity and forgiveness to strengthen the Labour Party’s prospects in upcoming elections.

Pastor Ekong, in her address, thanked party members for attending the event and commended Hon. Osafile for her unwavering support to the party.

She highlighted that unity and love were essential to maintaining the party’s credibility and success, urging members to remain committed despite any challenges or disagreements.

“Internal differences are natural in any political party, but how we handle and overcome them is what counts,” Ekong said.

“I urge those who feel overlooked or upset to embrace peace and unity. If we have wronged anyone, I take full responsibility.”

Osafile also spoke, expressing that the reconciliation effort was sincere, noting the presence of those who had previously felt aggrieved.

She remarked that the atmosphere was one of happiness and optimism, showing that the party was genuinely coming together ahead of future elections.

Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, has responded to Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, following Omokri’s comments about El-Rufai’s frustrations over not being appointed as a minister by President Bola Tinubu.

El-Rufai referred to Omokri as “a political mercenary” who works for any government or individual willing to pay him.

He also reminded Omokri of a past incident where he was accused of identity theft by an American woman, who claimed Omokri used her son’s name, Wendell Simlin, in an attempt to falsely connect former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Lamido Sanusi to Boko Haram.

Omokri had criticized El-Rufai’s recent remarks on the funding of a Lagos rail project, suggesting El-Rufai was frustrated for not being offered a ministerial position.

Omokri also referenced the previous $2 billion loan taken by the Nigerian government under former President Muhammadu Buhari to fund a rail project in Niger Republic, questioning why the Nigerian government should now fund the Lagos project.

He argued that Lagos contributes significantly to Nigeria’s economy and population, while Niger Republic, which received the loan, has little economic contribution to Nigeria.

In response, El-Rufai shared pictures of Omokri protesting President Tinubu’s election and making critical statements about him.

El-Rufai’s comment on Omokri’s “interesting lifecycle” drew attention to his shifting political loyalties based on financial gain.

El-Rufai’s remarks sparked discussions, especially among members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), some of whom viewed his criticism as an attack on President Tinubu’s administration.

Meanwhile, Senator Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker from Kaduna Central, took to social media to criticize El-Rufai, accusing him of hypocrisy.

Sani pointed out that El-Rufai had remained silent during Buhari’s presidency despite accusations of nepotism, particularly regarding political appointments in Northern Nigeria.

Sani also emphasized the lack of El-Rufai’s moral authority to speak on issues of lopsided appointments, given his past record.

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has denied rumors that he had agreed to a power-sharing deal with opposition candidates Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).

In an interview with the BBC, Kwankwaso expressed frustration over the false narrative, stating that he was unaware of any such agreement and that he had heard reports about Atiku’s camp engaging with regional leaders, including religious figures, to spread the fabricated story.

He said, “This is very upsetting to me, especially when respected elders are promoting a lie. I heard that 45 clerics were gathered and informed about this false claim. I do not appreciate this at all.”

Kwankwaso vehemently denied the alleged deal, which claimed that Atiku would serve for four years, he would take over for another four years, and Peter Obi would complete an eight-year term.

He stressed that no such agreement was ever made.

Reflecting on his departure from the PDP, Kwankwaso explained that his move to the NNPP had brought him peace, in contrast to the humiliation he and his supporters endured in the PDP.

He added, “This type of dishonesty is exactly why we left. Myself, Peter Obi, Wike, and others chose to leave. Now, they want us to help those who mistreated us achieve their goals.”

President Tinubu, 

The Nigerian Presidency on Monday demanded that Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, retract his “inflammatory” remarks regarding the Tax Reform Bill, urging him to redirect his focus toward constructive dialogue with the Federal Government.

The controversy arose from Mohammed’s comments made on December 25, 2024, during a Christmas homage at the Government House in Bauchi, where he criticized President Tinubu’s tax reform policies as “anti-northern” and warned that the northern region would “show its true colours” in response if the reforms continued.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, described Mohammed’s statement as unproductive and counterproductive to national unity.

He stated, “This unfortunate statement does not represent the collective voice of Northern Nigeria” and emphasized the need for collaborative governance.

Dare further urged Governor Mohammed to retract his statement and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with the Federal Government regarding concerns over the Tax Reform Act.

“His energy might be better directed toward implementing effective poverty alleviation programs and ensuring transparent use of federal resources,” he added.

The Presidency also pointed out that Bauchi State had received N144bn in federal allocations, a significant increase from previous disbursements.

The state also benefitted from a special N2bn intervention fund for food security and a boost in revenues following the removal of the fuel subsidy.

Despite this, the state continues to face challenges in development and poverty alleviation.

Dare criticized the Governor for making confrontational remarks instead of focusing on addressing these challenges.

He noted that, under the current administration, Bauchi had received one of the largest federal allocations, yet the state still grapples with high poverty rates.

Concerning the tax reforms, Dare explained that the reforms are aimed at streamlining Nigeria’s tax system, which includes provisions for smaller businesses, agricultural enterprises, and workers in the informal sector—key segments of Bauchi’s economy.

He emphasized that the reforms are designed to ease the tax burden on small businesses and enhance efficiency through digitalisation, thus fostering development in all regions, including the north.

The Presidency stressed that the goal of the reforms is to improve revenue generation and create a more business-friendly environment. It also highlighted that Northern states could benefit from increased allocations resulting from a more efficient tax system.

Rather than opposing these reforms, the government encouraged Governor Mohammed to work with the Federal Government to maximize these benefits for his state.

In response to the Governor’s threats, Dare concluded that Nigeria’s prosperity depends on unity and collaboration, not divisiveness.

He urged all leaders to rise above regional sentiments and work toward a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria.

The Tax Reform Bill, introduced by President Tinubu in October 2024, aims to simplify the tax system, improve compliance, and increase revenue for critical national infrastructure and services.

It includes provisions for a gradual increase in VAT rates and excise duties on certain goods.

While the reforms have sparked debates, particularly in the northern regions, the Presidency maintains that consultations will continue to address concerns and ensure that the reforms are beneficial for all states.