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Orji Uzor Kalu Claims Opposition Lacks Strength To Unseat Tinubu In 2027

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The Abia North Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu has said that President Bola Tinubu has no serious challenger ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying opposition parties lack the capacity to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.

It was gathered that Kalu addressed his constituents in his hometown, Igbere, in the Bende Local Government Area of Abia State during a meeting with stakeholders of his political groups, the OUK Movement and Reality Organisation, and members of the APC in the state.

The former Abia State governor said the opposition parties are still divided, unable to solve their internal crises before the general election.

“I can tell you that just as President Tinubu has no competitor in 2027, APC as a party has no challenge. “The opposition in the country is in shambles, they are yet to put their houses in order, they do not have the capacity to challenge APC,” Kalu said.

The lawmaker also supported the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, calling the President a determined leader prepared to make difficult choices in the interest of the country.

“Tinubu is what a good leader should be, he is not afraid of making decision. “He is making tough decisions for the interest of the country,” he said.

Kalu said the administration’s economic policies had not yet yielded all the desired results but that progress was being made.

“We may not have gotten where we ought to be with the President’s economic policies, but we are getting there. “We are still struggling with the micro economy but the macro economy is doing well,” he added.

On his representation of Abia North in the Senate, Kalu said he remained accountable to his constituents and would leave office anytime they withdrew their mandate.

He said that no senatorial district in the country had surpassed Abia North in terms of attracting Federal Government projects.

He said his representation had also helped in the rehabilitation of several roads, reconstruction of schools and distribution of uniforms and text books to pupils in the constituency.

Kalu was confident of making it back to the Senate and insisted that the APC was firmly rooted in Abia State.

He predicted that Tinubu will win the state in 2027 presidential election.

But the former governor advised the APC leadership in Abia to conduct the party’s affairs with maturity, justice and fairness to avoid the emergence of factions.

In a statement, he said APC members were invited to the stakeholders’ meeting as part of the efforts to promote unity and strengthen the party ahead of the elections.

A former aspirant for governorship in the state on the platform of the APC, Mascot Uzor Kalu, urged party faithful to unite and work for victory in 2027.

Mascot said he withdrew from the party’s governorship primary conducted last month in the interest of unity and peace of the APC.

He charged party members to support Tinubu’s re-election and vote for all APC candidates in Abia State in the 2027 general elections.

Other speakers at the meeting included George Nnanna Kalu and Uche Ogboso who commended Senator Kalu for what they described as quality representation and promised to support his re-election.

 

Father Seeks Death Sentence For Killers During Burial Of Abia Nursing Student

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The body of the slain student of School of Nursing Umuologho Obowo, Miss Wendy Achumba was buried on Friday at her father’s compound in Umuokohia, Obingwa LGA of Abia State.

On May 21, 2026, Miss Achumba was allegedly raped and murdered at her lodge in Umuologho after she allegedly rejected romantic advances from an indigene of the community.

The father of the victim, Mr Jerry Achumba, at the interment, appealed to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, security agencies and the Nigerian judiciary to ensure that anyone found responsible for his daughter’s murder is sentenced to death.

Achumba, who lamented that his slain daughter was abused and murdered in cold blood, said that his family’s ultimate demand is the those who murdered Miss Wendy be tried and sentenced to death, according to law.

“My family will not rest until the person that killed her is tried convicted and executed; my daughter must get justice.
“Say not because she is laid away it is ended. No, it hasn’t ended,” said the bereaved father.

 

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, during the burial speech, assured the bereaved family that his administration will pursue justice against anyone involved in the murder.

The Governor, Otti, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Students Affairs, Chinedu Nwosu, said the state government would not allow an Abia citizen to be killed in such brutal manner.

The government of Abia State will not sit back and watch as our people are subjected to violence. A promising future and a life brimming with talent have been brutally cut short.

“We also reaffirm the commitment of the state government to continue to support the family throughout this judicial journey until justice is fully served,” Governor Otti said.

Students of School of Nursing, Umuologho Obowo in their large numbers attended the burial, weeping profusely as the body of their former colleague was interred during the event.

Court Hears Emefiele Was Aware Of Alleged $6.2 Million Fraudulent Withdrawal

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One of the special dollar accounts of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had a negative balance of N2.858bn after the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of $6.2m from the apex bank, a prosecution witness, Jim Obazee, told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Friday.

Obazee, who appeared as the 15th prosecution witness, testified in the trial of former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele before Justice Hamza Muazu.

Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an amended 20-count charge of alleged conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, obtaining by false pretence and conferment of corrupt advantages to the tune of $6.23m.

The money, according to Obazee, who was led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), was allegedly released from the CBN Abuja branch on February 3, 2023, as funds meant for foreign election observer logistics during the 2023 general election.

He said the withdrawal was made without naira cover as required for dollar transactions which had pushed the account into a negative balance of N2,858,150,196.42.

He said the development should have been noticed by Emefiele and the bank’s chief accounting officer.

“You can’t leave the bank until you balance the account,” he said.

The witness said the transaction did not leave the bank with proper documentation for the receiving officer.

There was no evidence, Obazee told the court, that the funds got to foreign election observers or had any economic benefit for the Federal Government or the CBN.

“The money actually was taken but didn’t go to the intended beneficiaries,” he said.

His team began its probe by examining internal control deficiencies at the apex bank and conducting interviews with internal audit officials, he said.

According to him, a letter from former President Muhammadu Buhari to the then Secretary to the Government (SGF) of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, authorised the release of funds for election observer logistics.

He said a subsequent letter from Mustapha to Emefiele introduced one Jibril Abubakar as the person authorised to collect the money.

The witness also said the CBN’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) portal was down for more than a month before the withdrawal, so it was not possible to authenticate the identity of the person who collected the money.

He further alleged that the CBN official who received and processed the payment documents was redeployed to the governor’s office 56 days after the transaction without following normal procedure.

Obazee said that part of the money was recovered from one Bashir Maishanu, who reportedly confessed to the crime and handed $856,500 to the special investigation team.

He said Maishanu should be prosecuted with Emefiele.

During cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), Obazee conceded that criminal charges had already been filed against Emefiele in September 2023, before President Bola Tinubu directed him in December 2023 to prepare charges against the former CBN governor.

He said all persons interviewed by the special investigation team including Emefiele, denied knowledge or involvement in the transaction.

In cross-examination, Justice Muazu held that Obazee is not a forensic document examiner and cannot be asked to authenticate Emefiele’s signature on exhibits tendered before the court.

The matter was adjourned to October 20, 2026, for adoption of final addresses.

Terrorists Claim Russian Aircraft, Capture Malian Troops In Fresh Attack

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A security analyst, Brant Philip, said terrorists seized several Malian soldiers in coordinated attacks on military positions in parts of Mali on Saturday.

The attacks targeted Malian army positions in Aguelhok, Gao, Sevaré, Anefis and Kenioroba, Philip wrote in a series of posts on 𝕏.

The attack was conducted by the Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin and the Front de Libération de l’Azawad, he said.

Philip also said there were unconfirmed reports that a Russian Africa Corps Su-24 fighter jet crashed near Gao after being shot down by anti-aircraft fire near Anefis.

“Unconfirmed reports of AA shooting down Russian Africa Corps Su-24 jet near Anefis, crashed in Gao,” he wrote.

“Heavy smoke rising from Gao Air Base right now,” he added.

There is no independent confirmation of the alleged crash, and no official confirmation from Russian or Malian authorities at the time of filing this report.

The Russian Africa Corps was fighting side-by-side with the Malian military to repel the attacks, Philip said.

“The Africa Corps is fighting alongside the Malian army to repel the JNIM/FLA offensive on its positions in Gao, Anefis and Aguelhok,” he said.

Philip also said that the FLA captured more Malian soldiers in Anefis.

SGF’s Office Allegedly Connected To Controversial Presidential Agency – Gbajabiamila Speaks

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Saturday Punch has obtained official documents that have raised fresh questions over the Presidency’s claim that the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) never existed.

The documents revealed that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) received, acknowledged and acted on correspondence submitted in the name of the council months before the Presidency publicly disowned same.

It was reported that one of the documents indicated that the office of the SGF had processed and forwarded a request by the council’s self-styled Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, for office accommodation from recovered Federal Government properties through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

It was signed by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri, on behalf of the SGF. The letter was dated November 21, 2024.

Registry stamps on Adeyemi’s letter, dated November 7, 2024, showed that it was received by the SGF’s office on November 12 and sent to the EFCC nine days later.

The forwarding letter titled, “Request for Office Accommodation”, said, “I am directed to forward attached copies of letters requesting allocation of office accommodation from the recovered Federal Government landed properties for further necessary action.

Adeyemi in his letter to the SGF, described the PFIPC as a Federal Government investment promotion agency saddled with the responsibility of attracting foreign direct investment into Nigeria.

He said the council “also serves as the resource and coordinating centre for the Nation’s Foreign Investment Promotion activities, a One-Stop-Shop for Investments centre coordinating investment-related activities across ministries, departments and agencies and promoting Nigeria as a preferred investment destination.

The letter added that the council “facilitates the interaction between public and private sectors, and has an active role in policy advocacy and promotes a positive image of Nigeria as a country attractive to foreign investors.”

Adeyemi is being prosecuted for allegedly operating a fake government agency, forging a presidential appointment letter purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila and falsely representing himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC.

He was also accused of operating 34 bank accounts, some under the names of alleged government agencies, and carrying out official business under the banner of the council.

But in a statement Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the PFIPC was fictitious.

In the statement titled “Re: The Matter of Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew and the Fictitious Presidential Economic Advisory Council”, the criminal case against Adeyemi was detailed including a police investigation report, charges filed against him and allegations of fraudulent conduct.

Abuja Residents To Experience Planned Power Outage As TCN Schedules Maintenance

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Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Abuja Region, has announced a planned preventive maintenance at the Katampe 132/33 KiloVolt (kV) Transmission Substation on Saturday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

Mrs Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, Public Affairs of the TCN, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

According to Mbah, the planned maintenance is to allow TCN’s maintenance crew to carry out preventive maintenance on the 100 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) 132/33kV Power Transformer (TR1), its auxiliaries and associated switchgear in the substation.

“It means that Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, will not be able to off-take bulk power for distribution to customers in parts of Mpape, Maitama, Jahi, Life Camp,

Others include Kado Fish Market, Idu-Karmo and its environs during the maintenance period,” she said.

“The company apologizes in advance for any inconvenience this planned outage may cause to electricity customers in the affected areas,” she said.

“Equipment maintenance is also important to continue to ensure they are running at their best,” she said.

‘I Was In The Wrong Party’ – Akpabio Gives Fresh Reason For Dumping PDP For APC

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Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, has explained why he chose the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

According to Akpabio, a progressive individual such as himself need to come from a progressive household.

He claims that when the APC reached out to him, he realized that the PDP had always been the wrong party for him, therefore he left early and joined the progressives.

It was said that Akpabio delivered the stunning disclosure on Friday while addressing during the opening of access roads to renewed hope cities and estates in Karsana West District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

“A progressive-minded person like me should belong to a progressive family, so when APC came to me, I discovered that was my group and that I was in the wrong party, called PDP,” he stated. I left early and joined the Progressives as a result.

‘Take It Easy, You Learnt From Me’ — Akpabio Jokes With Wike Over FCT Projects

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The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Friday, described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike as a performing minister who learnt from him.

Akpabio recalled how Wike visited Akwa Ibom State when he was governor and saw the good works he was doing and vowed to be a performer in any office he occupies.

The President of the Senate disclosed this during the commissioning of the access roads to the Renewed Hope cities and estates in Karsana West District of the FCT to mark President Bola Tinubu’s third year in office.

Akpabio, representing Tinubu at the commissioning, said hard work is now part of Wike’s DNA.

Akpabio said: “The performing governor of Rivers State that learnt from me, the minister came to my state once when i was a governor and then he was a minister, he entered the under drainage system, he came out with handkerchief in his hand, saying what is this?

He said if I had the opportunity to be in Rivers State, I would perform miracles, so God gave you the opportunity and you performed well excellently well.

“In fact I became so worried at one time that I came to you and begged you to become governor and not to exceed what I did, so take it easy. If Jesus Christ did all the work for God, there is no need for the Pope, so another governor comes, do not do this just because you saw me working so hard.

“But now it became your DNA, wherever you go you show your hand and God will bless you.

Wike Credits Tinubu, National Assembly for FCT Project Success

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday, credited the successes of the FCT Administration to the support from President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly.

Wike said Tinubu’s support and the timely passage of the budget of the FCTA by the National Assembly has helped in the implementation of infrastructural projects across the capital city.

He spoke at an event to commission access roads to the Renewed Hope Cities and estates in Karsana District of Abuja to mark Tinubu’s third year anniversary in office as President.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio stood in for the President for the commissioning.

Wike said: “Let me once again thank the Senate President for representing Mr President very well, today is the 18th day of commissioning of projects under the third year anniversary of Mr President.

I said when Mr President came here in 2024 to lay the foundation of the Renewed Hope City, for those of us who were here that day, I was wondering how would anybody bother themselves to come and stay in this area because there was no road, when he was talking about potholes, it means that there is road but bad roads. There was no road for this one, it was terrible.

I remember one of the developers said please all our investments would be vain if there is no road construction here and I said since it’s renewed hope, go home and sleep, we must have to construct the road in this Karsana District.

This contract was awarded last year February 2025 to Lubricks and we thank God today on the third year of Mr President that it’s a different story, story that we have turned around this area and look at how beautiful it is, Mr President, it’s your handwork, its support for the FCT Administration and it would not have been possible if you would not have given us the support and that of the National Assembly to make sure that out budget is passed as quickly as possible.

“I thank the contractor, every time I come here and I would ask them that we are almost in May 29 and they would say we will try our best but you too try your best by payment. “I thank God today that payment is no longer the problem and finishing the work is no longer the problem both parties have fulfilled their own obligation.

FG Clears Outstanding Pension Arrears for Ex-NITEL, MTEL Employees

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President Bola Tinubu’s administration has paid a total of ₦39.63 billion to 24,814 eligible Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) pensioners.

The Federal Ministry of Finance confirmed the payment of the inherited pension liabilities in a statement on Friday.

The payment was said to be for outstanding liabilities owed to pensioners of the defunct Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTEL), Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Assurance Bank, NICON Insurance and the defunct People’s Bank of Nigeria.

Speaking on the development, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele said it is a reaffirmation of the federal government’s commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerian pensioners.

The payments were made by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Finance, on the directive of the Minister to prioritize the payment of verified pension liabilities.

“The payment is an indication of the administration’s commitment to make sure that retired public servants are paid the benefits they labored for over decades of dedicated service,” Oyedele said.

“A nation that prizes service must also pay tribute to those who gave their productive years in its service. This is about people and not just numbers. “It is about restoring confidence, rewarding sacrifice and giving thousands of pensioners and their families the reassurance that they have not been forgotten,” Oyedele was quoted by Head of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry, Efe Ovuakporie, as saying.

“The disbursement covered three categories of outstanding pension obligations that have accumulated over the years,” the Minister said.

It said PTAD paid ₦25,053,703,604.12 to liquidate the outstanding 35-month pension liability due to 9,675 eligible Defined Benefit Scheme pensioners of the defunct NITEL/MTEL.

The Directorate also paid the first 50 per cent of the Back-End Computation (BEC) arrears to 3,959 eligible PHCN Defined Benefit Scheme pensioners in the sum of ₦9,481,886,576.53.

Also, PTAD paid the sum of ₦5,094,784,054.27 being the outstanding 50 per cent balance of the 10.66 per cent and 12.95 per cent pension increment arrears due to 11,180 eligible Defined Benefit Scheme pensioners of the defunct Assurance Bank, NICON Insurance, NITEL and Peoples Bank of Nigeria.

“The government is mindful of the actual lives behind each pension payment,” Oyedele said.

“Behind every approved payment,” the Minister said, “there is a retiree who served this country well, a family who has waited patiently, and a story that deserves a happy ending.

“We will continue to support initiatives that improve the lives of our senior citizens while maintaining fiscal discipline and accountability.”

PTAD management and staff were praised for the quick execution of the directive, with the successful disbursement hailed as proof of what can be achieved when institutions work together in the public interest.

“PTAD has acted with professionalism in the execution of this exercise. “The Ministry will continue to provide the necessary policy direction and support to strengthen pension administration and ensure that verified obligations are paid as resources become available,” Oyedele said.

The Director-General, PTAD, Mrs. Tolulope Odunaiya, said the Directorate is committed to the efficient pension administration and thanked the Minister for his leadership and support that enabled the release and prompt disbursement of the funds.