News

APGA Factions Clash Over Threat To Suspend Soludo

Published

1 year ago

September 26, 2024

The rival National Chairmen of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Edozie Njoku and Sly Ezeokenwa, clashed on Wednesday, over the threat by Njoku to suspend the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, and others for alleged anti-party activities.

Njoku, who was in Abuja on Wednesday, issued the threat to suspend Soludo after attending a proceeding at the Federal High Court regarding a suit filed by those he described as Soludo’s loyalists.

But Ezeokenwa’s media aide, described Njoku’s threat to suspend Soludo as absurd, insisting that his principal remained the authentic APGA chairman.

Njoku, who said the suit was aimed at securing an interim injunction to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising him as the authentic APGA National Chairman, said he was glad that Justice James Omotosho refused to grant the application.

He said, “Remember what the Chairman of the APGA BoT said that we, the National Working Committee of the party, should take action so that we don’t look like toothless bulldogs.

“One of those people to be suspended is the governor, and I’m saying, are we going to suspend the only governor we have?

“But if the only governor we have is pretending or playing to the gallery, making these honest people go in and commit anti-party activities, we must nip this in the bud. I don’t know what Soludo is playing at and I don’t know what his problem is, but he must conform himself under the party.”

Njoku revealed that ahead of the off-cycle governorship election in the state in 2025, the party has no sole candidate for the election, adding that he doubts if Soludo could even emerge victorious from the party’s primaries.

He said anyone interested in becoming the governor of Anambra State should come forward and go through the process which, according to him, would be seamless.

“If you recall, I have been preaching peace, peace and peace because it is not in the interest of the party for us to start suspending elected officers, to suspending a governor, to start suspending House of Assembly members, to start suspending the Senator from Abia.

“Soludo must know that if there is anything filed in this court, it is going to be filed by APGA. He cannot bring someone not recognised by the law.

“In all these things, we must realise that there is law and order in Nigeria. That you are a governor, with so much resources does not mean you should waste the resources of people of Anambra State trying to chase shadows.”

Attempts to get Soludo’s reaction were unsuccessful as his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, did not pick up calls placed to his mobile line.

But reacting to him, Ezeokenwa’s spokesman, Olisa-Mbeki, said, “Edozie Njoku’s claims of suspending Governor Soludo from APGA are nothing short of theatrical absurdity. The glaring truth remains: Edozie Njoku is not even a member of APGA, and one must wonder how someone outside the party could claim the authority to suspend others within it. This entire narrative is akin to an actor trying to play a leading role in a play he was never cast in.

“Njoku’s accusations of anti-party activities against Governor Soludo further emphasised the baselessness of his claims. How can a man, who has no standing within the party, talk about suspending its members? This is no different than a trespasser attempting to evict the rightful homeowner. The APGA hierarchy and its members should dismiss Njoku’s charade as the desperate propaganda of a man on the outside looking in.”

News

JUST IN: EFCC Summons Ex-AGF Malami For Questioning

Published

44 minutes ago

November 28, 2025

Editor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has invited former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami for questioning.

Malami announced the development on his Facebook page on Friday, confirming that he had received a formal invitation from the anti-graft agency.

“I would like to inform my family and friends that I have been summoned by the EFCC to provide clarification on certain matters, and as a law-abiding and patriotic citizen, I am determined to honour this invitation without any hesitation,” he wrote.

News

Senate Confirms New FCC Chairman, Approves 37 Commissioners

Published

13 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Hon. Ayo Omidiran, a former member of the House of Representatives, as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).

At the same time, 37 commissioners representing the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were approved.

The confirmation followed the adoption of the report by the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, presented by Chairman Senator Allwell Heacho Onyesoh.

He informed the Senate that all nominees had successfully passed thorough screenings, submitted required documents—including Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) clearances, police reports, DSS vetting, and curriculum vitae—and had no criminal petitions filed against them.

The Senate conducted a state-by-state review in the Committee of the Whole, which was adopted when lawmakers returned to plenary.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, addressing the chamber after the unanimous confirmation, urged the appointees to serve with dedication and uphold public trust.

“Go and serve in the interest of the nation. I congratulate all the nominees and wish them a successful tenure,” he said.

Notable appointees include Peter Ogbonna Eze (Enugu State) and AbdulWasiu Kayode Bawa-Allah (Lagos State), while Mohammed Musa was retained as Secretary of the Commission.

Other confirmed commissioners are: Obinna Oriaku (Abia); Lawal Ya’u Roni (Jigawa); Abubakar Atiku Bunu (Kebbi); Eludayo Eluyemi (Osun); Bema Olvadi Madayi (Adamawa); Dora Ebong (Akwa Ibom); Nnoli Nkechi Gloria (Anambra); Babangida Adamu Gwana (Bauchi); Sir Tonye Okio (Bayelsa); Aligba Eugene Tarkende (Benue); Engr. Modu Mustapha (Borno); Dr. Stella Odey Ekpo (Cross River); Ederin Lovette Idisi (Delta); Barr. Nwokpor Vincent Nduka (Ebonyi); Hon. Victor Sabor Edoror (Edo); Hon. Sola Fokanle (Ekiti); Ibrahim Baba Mairiga (Gombe); Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso (Imo); Ruth Jumai Ango (Kaduna); Muhammad Awwal Nayya (Kano); Hon. Anas Isah (Katsina); Bello Idris Eneye (Kogi); Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi (Kwara); Alh. Isah Jibrin (Niger); Comrade Ajimudu Bola (Ondo); Prince Ayodeji Aleshinloye (Oyo); Hon. Pam Bolman (Plateau); Aaron Chukwuemeka (Rivers); Alh. Aminu Tambar (Sokoto); Bobboi Bala Kaigama (Taraba); Hon. Jibir Maigari (Yobe); Sani Garba (Zamfara); and Solomon Ayuba Dagami (FCT).

The Senate expressed confidence that the newly confirmed FCC leadership will enhance the commission’s capacity to promote equitable representation across Nigeria’s public institutions.

News

Tinubu Constitutes Membership For US–Nigeria Security Working Group

Published

13 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has approved the formation of the Nigerian delegation to the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, a bilateral initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation on security matters.

The decision follows a recent visit to Washington DC by a high-level Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Ribadu will head the multi-agency team, which includes senior officials from key security and foreign policy institutions.

According to a statement signed by the President’s aide, Bayo Onanuga, members of the working group include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard M. Doro; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Mohammed Mohammed; and Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.

“Ms Idayat Hassan of the Office of the National Security Adviser and Mr Paul Alabi of the Embassy of Nigeria in the US will serve as the secretariat,” the statement added.

Tinubu urged the team to engage closely with their American counterparts to ensure the implementation of security agreements reached during the visit. The working group is tasked with coordinating bilateral efforts on counter-terrorism, defence cooperation, and regional stability.

The initiative has gained prominence following recent remarks by US leadership. US President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious-freedom violations and warned of possible military intervention should attacks on Christians persist, increasing pressure on the Nigerian government to strengthen its security response.

Bilateral cooperation
Recall that last week, a high-level Nigerian delegation led by Ribadu concluded a series of engagements with United States officials aimed at reinforcing bilateral security cooperation.

The discussions, held in Washington DC, involved senior representatives from the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War.

During the meetings, the Nigerian delegation rejected allegations of genocide in the country, emphasising that violent attacks affect communities across religious and ethnic lines.

“Wrongful framing of the situation would only divide Nigerians and distort the realities on the ground,” the delegation stated.

The United States expressed readiness to deepen security support, including enhanced intelligence sharing, expedited processing of defence equipment requests, and the potential provision of excess defence articles, subject to availability, to bolster ongoing counter-terrorism operations. Additional support in the form of humanitarian assistance and technical aid to strengthen early-warning mechanisms was also discussed.

Both nations agreed to implement a non-binding cooperation framework immediately and to establish a Joint Working Group to coordinate efforts across the agreed areas. The Nigerian delegation reaffirmed the government’s commitment to civilian protection measures and the safeguarding of vulnerable communities, particularly in the Middle Belt region.

The Nigerian delegation included Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, Attorney General of the Federation; General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff; Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence; Mr Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police; Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations at the Office of the National Security Adviser; and Ms Idayat Hassan, Special Adviser to the NSA.

The Federal Government highlighted that the engagements provided an opportunity to correct misconceptions about Nigeria, build trust, and advance a coordinated approach to protecting citizens.

It urged the public to remain assured that coordinated measures are being taken to enhance security nationwide.