Author Archives: News All Around

Arewa Youth Consultative Forum Affirms INEC’s Credibility Following Peter Obi’s Comments … The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has reiterated its unwavering trust in the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following recent comments made by presidential candidate Peter Obi of the Labour Party. In a statement issued by Yerima Shettima, President General of the AYCF, the Forum reiterates its longstanding belief that INEC is a reputable institution that consistently upholds the principles of fairness, impartiality, and transparency in conducting elections. Peter Obi’s acknowledgment that the judiciary, rather than INEC, poses the greatest challenge to Nigeria’s democracy, further strengthens our conviction in the integrity of INEC. The AYCF has long maintained that INEC is a credible, impartial, and unbiased institution that consistently conducts credible elections. Peter Obi’s remarks have vindicated our stance and affirmed that INEC is not the primary obstacle to democratic electoral practices in Nigeria. We emphasized the importance of strong institutions like INEC in ensuring the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process. He further highlighted the detrimental impact of the judiciary assuming the role of the sole arbiter in election matters. “The AYCF firmly believes that strong and independent institutions such as INEC are essential in preserving the democratic fabric of our nation. The Forum recognizes the critical role that INEC plays in upholding the will of the people through free, fair, and credible elections. “We commend INEC for its dedication to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process and safeguarding the democratic rights of Nigerian citizens. It is our steadfast belief that any attempts to undermine the credibility of INEC or question its impartiality are detrimental to the progress of our democratic system. “The AYCF stands firm in its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria’s electoral system. We will continue to advocate for the independence and effectiveness of INEC in carrying out its constitutional mandate”. Furthermore, the AYCF condemns any undue interference or overreach by the judiciary in electoral affairs. We believe that the judiciary’s role in electoral matters should be limited to adjudicating legal disputes and upholding the rule of law, rather than assuming the primary responsibility for determining electoral outcomes. Such interference undermines the credibility and legitimacy of the electoral process and threatens the foundations of democracy in Nigeria. The AYCF called on all stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organizations, and the media, to support and uphold the independence of INEC in conducting free, fair, and credible elections, while also urging all Nigerians to remain vigilant and actively participate in the electoral process to safeguard the democratic principles upon which our nation is founded. ENDS

By Ibrahim. H Tinja

In a remarkable achievement, Maryam Abacha American University (MAAUN) has emerged as the second best private university in Nigeria, surpassing many older and more established institutions. This impressive feat was announced in the recently published Nigeria Private Universities Ranking 2024 by AD Scientific.

Under the visionary leadership of its founder and President, Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, MAAUN has demonstrated exceptional academic prowess, earning it a coveted spot among the nation’s top private universities. This accomplishment is a testament to Prof. Gwarzo’s unwavering dedication to providing quality education and bridging the gap between Nigeria and developed countries.

The ranking, which placed Covenant University Otawas at the top, followed by MAAUN and Redeemers University in second and third positions, respectively, is a resounding endorsement of MAAUN’s commitment to academic excellence. Prof. Gwarzo expressed his gratitude to parents and students, assuring them that the university remains steadfast in its pursuit of academic greatness.

“We are thrilled to achieve this milestone, and I assure parents that MAAUN will continue to strive for excellence, providing our students with a world-class education that enables them to compete globally,” Prof. Gwarzo said. With his unrelenting efforts, MAAUN is poised to reach even greater heights, solidifying its position as a leader in Nigeria’s academic landscape.

The university’s remarkable ranking is a reflection of its unwavering commitment to quality education, and its students, faculty, and staff can take pride in this outstanding achievement. As MAAUN continues to soar, it’s clear that the sky’s the limit for this trailblazing institution!

By Dattijo Sani Rano PhD

The grand conspiracy from Northern Nigeria against the reemergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term that was hinted at by the President’s loyal political allies in the region is gradually but surely coming into the open.
The recent open declaration by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) that the North would work against Tinubu in 2027 is a clear indication that there are powerful forces at work to undermine the President’s second term chances and set the stage for a carefully orchestrated plot against him.
This bold and unequivocal statement by the NEF has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, as it reveals a clear intent to thwart Tinubu’s ambitions. The fact that such a group has openly declared its opposition to Tinubu’s bid speaks volumes about the deep-seated opposition and resistance he faces from outside and within his own political circles. It is further evidence that there are powerful forces at play who are determined to derail his political aspirations with a concerted effort to block his path to a second term.
The alignment of key players like the Kwankwaso camp and the Atiku Abubakar forces against him further highlights the depth of this conspiracy. The connivance of leaders from the North and the self-serving greed of those within the Presidential Villa are enabling this plot to take root and thrive.
The emergence of key figures such as Alhaji Danbilki Kwamanda and Prof Khalifa Dikwa, who have openly criticized Tinubu’s administration and suggested Kashim Shettima as alternative candidate for the presidency, sheds light on the depth of the conspiracy. These individuals, along with the Kwankwaso camp and the Atiku Abubakar forces, are actively working to undermine Tinubu’s drive and pave the way for their own agendas.
In the midst of this sinister plot, Alhaji Danbilki Kwamanda, along with other key figures such as Prof Khalifa Dikwa, have expressed their support for the North East Forum’s position regarding the potential replacement of President Tinubu. Alhaji Danbilki Kwamanda, the arrowhead for the Northwestern plank of the plan, has even gone so far as to suggest Vice President Kashim Shettima as a likely preferred candidate.
This stance was further solidified by Prof Khalifa Dikwa, the Dean of Borno Elders Forum, who has raised false concerns about the perceived weaknesses and lopsided nature of President Tinubu’s appointments. These individuals seem to be united in their belief that a change in leadership is necessary.
The insidious nature of this conspiracy is further exemplified by the awarding of a 147 billion naira contract to a Katsina opposition party strongman by a serving minister in the administration. This blatant display of betrayal and manipulation underscores the extent to which those within President Tinubu’s inner circle are willing to go to advance their own interests at the expense of the nation.
It is clear that President Tinubu is facing a formidable challenge from within his own ranks. The power struggle and backstabbing taking place behind the scenes threaten to derail his administration and undermine his legacy.
He must take immediate action to counteract the machinations of those seeking to undermine his aspiration. He must surround himself and listen to loyal and competent friends like the former Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje who have lots of useful insight to share.
It is time for Tinubu to identify and remove the Judases within his camp, and forge ahead with a team of individuals that is dedicated to upholding the values of justice and honest enterprise.
It is imperative that President Tinubu takes swift and decisive action to counteract these malicious maneuvers. The recent award of a 140 billion naira contract to an opposition member by a serving minister is a glaring example of the subversion taking place within his own administration.
The warning signals from high-ranking northern appointees in the Tinubu administration must therefore not be ignored. The President must heed the advice of his remaining two vigorous supporters and allies before it is too late. The time for complacency is over; President Tinubu must act decisively to protect his presidency and ensure the continued progress and prosperity of the nation.
Tinubu should be aware of the challenges he is facing from an emerging opposition that aims to weaken his support base in the northern region of the country. Already, several of his loyal friends and partners, such as Nasir Elrufai, Yahaya Bello, and Aminu Bello Masari, have been marginalized through the opposition’s manipulative tactics.
The only two allies left standing, Ganduje and Matawalle, are also under constant attack and defamation, with the ultimate goal of eroding Tinubu’s influence in the north. This concerted effort to dismantle Tinubu’s support base is a clear indication of the threat posed by this emerging opposition.
Tinubu must take note of these developments and take necessary steps to safeguard his political interests in the northern region. It is imperative that he strengthens his alliances, engages in strategic planning, and remains vigilant against any attempts to undermine his position.
It is time to rise to the occasion, take control of the narrative, and assert his authority over those seeking to undermine him. The success of his administration and the future of the nation depend on his ability to navigate these treacherous waters and emerge victorious against the forces seeking to derail his leadership and future chances.
Only by remaining vigilant and steadfast in the face of adversity can he secure his place in history as a leader who stood firm against the forces of division and discord.
(Rano, a political analyst, writes from Kano and can be reached at: DrRanoMD@gmail.com)

The Yoruba Youth Council (YYC) has called for the removal of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Emmanuel Ogalla, due to allegations of supporting oil thieves and sabotaging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to combat oil theft. The YYC has passed a vote of no confidence in Ogalla and is demanding a thorough investigation into his activities.

The allegations against Ogalla include large-scale corruption, procurement fraud, and contract splitting, which were levelled against him in a petition by a group of concerned Nigerians in January. The YYC is disturbed by the allegations and claims that Ogalla’s actions are undermining the President’s efforts to fight oil theft.

The YYC specifically mentioned the release of a ship arrested for oil theft and the alleged dilution of exhibit samples as examples of Ogalla’s sabotage. The President has reportedly ordered the re-arrest of the ship and a full investigation into the matter. The YYC is urging the President to remove any obstacles to his efforts to combat oil theft and sanitise the oil sector.

The petition by the group of concerned Nigerians expressed distress at the allegations against Ogalla, given the significant revenue losses Nigeria is experiencing due to crude oil theft. They called for action to be taken against Ogalla, who is responsible for safeguarding Nigeria’s waterways against oil theft and other criminal activities.

… He has right to do legitimate business any where

Group under aegis of Forum For Good Governance (FGGN), has come out strongly to defend the President’s Son,Mr. Seyi Tinubu after former Vice President,Alhaji Atiku Abubakar faulted the award of contract to a company he serves as a board member.

The former Vice President had accused the federal government of awarding construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway to Hitech Construction Company Ltd.

He did allege that Seyi is a director on the board of CDK Integrated Industries, a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group, which is a parent company of Hitech.

However ,In a press Statement jointly signed by the National Coordinator and Secretary;Comrade Abraham Douglas and Comrade Bala Galadima Ikara, the group said the fact that Seyi’s father is the President should not deny him access to pursue legitimate business interests within and outside the country.

While stating that the gigantic projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway would no doubt boost the economy; engender growth and development, it noted, “Seyi Tinubu an adult,who has a right to do business in as much as ,it’s within the limits of the law.”

The Statement further reads: “From the information we gathered, Seyi joined the Board of Directors of CDK in 2018 as an investor, with a good record of performance. So ,why deny such investor with capacity right to business patronage because, his father is the president.

“Unfortunately for Atiku who raised the issue, the Chairman of CDK and the highest shareholder of the company is General T.Y. Danjuma (retd.) and not Seyi Tinubu, who has been involved in business several years,before the father became President.

“The big question we are asking Atiku is , ” How has Seyi as an investor on the board of CDK, conflicts with Hitech Construction Company’s work on Lagos-Calabar Coastal superhighway.

“He who must come to equity must come with clean hands. If Atiku raised an issue of conflict of interest,what we do say of him during his days as the vice-president, established Intels Nigeria with an Italian entrepreneur while serving in the Nigeria Customs Service .

“When he was Vice President of Nigeria between 1999-2007, he maintained his business links with Intels that won major port concession deals in Nigeria.”

A storm is brewing in the Niger Delta region as Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, a prominent Igbo socio-cultural organization, has blown the whistle on the endemic oil theft plaguing the area. Despite the heavy presence of naval officials, oil thieves continue to operate with impunity, leaving Nigerians in a state of anguish.

Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has issued a clarion call for a radical overhaul of the Naval high command, citing the unending allegations of oil theft and the apparent complicity of naval officials. The recent incident involving MT MONTAGU and MT PRESTIGIOUS has exposed the shocking extent of the corruption, with naval officials releasing a ship carrying stolen crude oil despite a counter order to re-arrest it.

“This is a slap in the face of President Tinubu’s anti-corruption crusade!” Okwu exclaimed. “How can we trust the Naval high command to protect our oil resources when they are complicit in the theft?”

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has thrown its weight behind President Tinubu’s efforts to rid the country of corruption, but warns that the current Naval hierarchy is a stumbling block to progress. “We urge the President to take decisive action and appoint an Igbo officer as replacement to restore integrity and transparency in the oil production chain,” Okwu said.

As Nigerians continue to suffer the excruciating pains of corruption, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has vowed to stand firm against the rot in the system. “We will not rest until sanity is restored to the oil production chain and the corrupt elements in the Naval hierarchy are brought to justice,” Okwu declared.

The clock is ticking, and the nation waits with bated breath for President Tinubu’s response to this clarion call. Will he heed the warning and take bold action to address the corruption in the Naval high command, or will the status quo continue to prevail? Only time will tell.

The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has dealt a significant blow to the leadership of the Nigerian Navy, passing a vote of no confidence in Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla. The move comes amid allegations of economic sabotage, including crude oil theft, diversion, and providing security escorts for oil thieves.

The NDYC, which represents the youth of the Niger Delta region, condemned the Navy’s actions in the strongest terms, saying they undermine the efforts of the President Bola Tinubu administration to stabilize the economy. The group demanded a thorough investigation into the allegations, including a recent incident involving MT PRESTIGIOUS and MT MONTAGU, and called for those found culpable to be brought to justice.

The vote of no confidence comes at a time when Nigeria is struggling with economic challenges, and the NDYC emphasized that such activities only worsen the suffering of the Nigerian people. They urged swift and decisive action to rectify the situation and promote lawful and sustainable maritime activities for the benefit of all Nigerians.

The development is likely to put pressure on the Nigerian government to take action against the alleged criminal activities within the Navy and ensure accountability among its leadership. The move by the NDYC may also spark further scrutiny of the Navy’s operations and leadership, potentially leading to reforms and changes in the top brass.

Iman Tajudeen

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has come hard on those who staged a protest against the Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle.

A group of people were spotted at the Abuja office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, demanding re-opening of investigation against the former Zamfara governor.

Reacting to the development, the National President of the Ohanaeze Youths, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike said the protest was in a chain of actions lined up to discredit the minister for standing with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Okwu recalled that he had earlier raised the alarm over the plot by some Northerners opposed to Tinubu’s leadership to slam Matawalle’s image, having seen him as the rallying point for Mr President in the North.

He said, “It is, therefore, not a surprise that early Friday morning, the same people recruited people from the outskirts of Abuja and moved them to the city centre to protest against the minister.
“There was no doubt that most of the said protesters were ignorant of their mission to the EFCC office; they merely came to deliver on the job they were assembled to do.

“We therefore, once more retrait our advice to His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu not to be deceived by the same people who have vowed to truncate his second term in 2027.

“We urge Mr President to be wary of these desperadoes who are hellbent on destroying any good person around his government. They should not be given any space at all to thrive in their evil machinations.”

“Once more, we stand solidly behind the Defence Minister and urge him to continue the good work he is doing, as could be seen in the improved security across the country,” Okwu stated.

He vowed that a time would soon come when “we will expose all those behind this desperate attempt to discredit the current government.”

Dresu Akogo

The Northern Awareness Network (NAN) has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take swift and decisive action against the growing trend of sponsored protests aimed at ridiculing the party and President Bola Tinubu. According to NAN Chairman Salihu Suleiman, the recent protest sponsored from Zamfara State is a clear example of this alarming trend, which involves financing unruly crowds to engage in misconduct under the guise of protest.

_Sponsored Protests Undermine Democracy_

The NAN believes that these protests serve hidden agendas rather than genuine grievances and are a calculated attempt to undermine the presidency and embarrass the government. The deliberate targeting of Minister of State Defence Bello Matawalle, a dedicated supporter of President Tinubu, demonstrates that this protest was driven by political motives seeking to sow division and discord within the ruling party.

_APC Must Take a Stand Against Sponsored Dissent_

The NAN emphasizes that protests play a vital role in any democratic society, but when hijacked by external forces with ulterior motives, they lose their legitimacy and become tools for manipulation and deception. The leaders of the APC must take a firm stance against sponsored dissent and ensure that the party remains a symbol of integrity and transparency.

_Exposing and Sanctioning Sponsors is Crucial_

The NAN calls for the sponsors of such protests to be exposed and appropriately sanctioned, as this is a necessary step in rooting out this insidious practice. Those who seek to manipulate public opinion for personal gain must be held accountable for their actions, and the APC leadership must demonstrate that they will not tolerate such behavior within their ranks.

_Sponsored Dissent Threatens Political Integrity_

Sponsored dissent represents a dangerous trend that threatens the integrity of the political system and undermines the trust of the people in their leaders. The APC must take decisive action to address and eradicate this practice, upholding its commitment to transparency and accountability and ensuring that Nigeria’s democracy remains strong and vibrant.

_Action Now: APC Must Protect Nigeria’s Democracy_

The Kaduna Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has commended the Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, for his exceptional leadership and transparent information management, which has significantly enhanced public credibility and goodwill for the current administration.

In a statement issued by the Chapter Chairman, Haroun Malami, on the occasion of the Minister’s birthday, the NIPR acknowledged Alhaji Idris’ demonstration of the highest standards of public relations practice, showcasing character, competence, and credibility in his handling of government communication since assuming office.

The Chapter praised the Minister as an innovator who has made a purposeful shift from the old norm, building on his experience as the Kaduna State Chapter Chairman. His patriotism and service to nationhood in various capacities have left an indelible mark, with laudable footprints and remarkable accomplishments that testify to the impact of public relations on outcomes.

The NIPR expressed its appreciation for Alhaji Idris’ commitment to elevating public trust in governance and deepening citizens’ faith in the country. The statement concluded with a prayer for the Minister’s continued good health, wisdom, and strength in his patriotic service to the nation.

This version maintains the same message and structure but with a few tweaks to enhance clarity and readability.