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Asari-Dokubo: Tinubu Bars N’Delta Ex-agitators From Aso Rock

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There are strong indications that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has barred all ex-Niger Delta militant leaders from visiting him in the presidential villa, Abuja.

LEADERSHIP learnt that requests for courtesy visits by notable militant leaders and ethnic militias from the oil-rich region to Tinubu in the villa have lately been disapproved by the presidency.

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It was gathered that the decision was taken in the aftermath of the visit to Tinubu by the leader of the defunct Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujarhedeen Asari-Dokubo, on June 16 this year.

Asari-Dokubo, a die-hard and staunchest supporter of Tinubu, backed and supported the president in the run-up to the 2023 presidential election.

It was gathered that Tinubu, in ordering the action, was disturbed by public utterances and actions of Asari-Dokubo in the aftermath of his visit to him days after he assumed the mantle of leadership of the country.

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LEADERSHIP learnt that Tinubu was bothered that all “verbal vituperations and militant activities” of Asari-Dokubo in the Niger Delta were subsequently linked to him after the June audience with the notable activist.

As he stepped out of the Villa, Asari-Dokubo, in a chat with the State House reporters, took on the Armed Forces, accusing its personnel of being neck-deep in economic sabotage, especially crude oil theft and vandalism of oil equipment in the region.

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The allegation, it was revealed, embarrassed and shocked Tinubu, especially because he made the shocking revelation, moments after departing his office.

Dependable sources in the presidency told this paper that Dokubo’s outbursts against the military within the vicinity of the villa gave the inkling that the president shared the same views with the notable ex-militant commander.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the presidency was ruffled by the attacks on the president by notable Nigerians over the utterances and actions of Asari-Dokubo, especially his effrontery in the reckless public assemblage of gun-wielding youths in his enclave in Rivers State.

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READ ALSO: Army Opens Up On Alleged Pact With Asari-Dokubo’s Security Outfit

The gun-bearing renegades often appeared in viral videos with Asari-Dokubo, assuming commanding roles.

Asari-Dokubo’s unacceptable conduct in the eyes of the presidency moved beyond tolerable level when he took on the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, threatening to deal with the chief executive of the oil-rich state.

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The presidency was said to be irked that his association with the president continued to give a wrong signal to the public that he enjoyed the support and backing of the nation’s number one citizen.

LEADERSHIP learnt that the president has ordered that he would no longer play host to the ex-militant commanders and militias in the villa apparently to forestall the negative impression and unenviable signal such association was likely to create in the psyche of the public.

To this end, one of our sources in the presidency told this newspaper that all individuals known to be linked with the Niger Delta ethnic crisis and oil industry unrest in the region, who requested for courtesy visits and audience with the president in the aftermath of the Asari-Dokubo’s experience, had their applications declined by the Presidency.

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READ ALSO: Oil Theft: Tonye Cole Disagrees With Asari Dokubo

The president was said to have resolved to distance himself from some militant leaders (names withheld) in view of his experience with Asari-Dokubo.

A notable militant from the region, who made a request for an audience with the president last week, lamented to LEADERSHIP that his application was declined by the authorities in the nation’s seat of power.

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The militant, who pleaded that his name should not be mentioned in print, said the presidency shunned all entreaties to enable him to meet with the President.

He said top officials of the presidency pointedly informed him that the President was not disposed to meeting with members of his group.

“I planned to lead my group to see Mr. President and we sent in our request as usual for that courtesy call in July. We have been waiting patiently for the approval of our application and likely date for me to lead members of my Niger Delta group for an audience with Mr. President. But surprisingly, I got a telephone call that the proposed visit was declined.

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“I exerted desperate pressure but the presidency refused to buckle. When I challenged them on why Asari-Dokubo was allowed to see Mr. President and they are preventing me, they were forced to tell me that the experience of the presidency after the visit of that name that I mentioned (Asari-Dokubo) informed the decision to bar all former militant commanders from further interactive meetings with Mr. President,” the source added.

READ ALSO: Oil Theft: ‘Where Did Get Money To Finance His Empire’ – Rtd Gen. Knocks Asari Dokubo Over Comment

Similarly, one of our sources in the presidency said, “The president has given a directive that he would not like to meet any Niger Delta warlord or ethnic militia after the horrible experience when he granted an audience to Mujarhedeen Asari-Dokubo. You know the man Asari is a strong supporter and adherent of Mr. President. But the management of the fallout of his visit to the Villa was a nightmare to the Presidency.

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“You can recall that he came out of the president’s office to lampoon the Armed Forces, accusing its personnel of being the arrow heads of illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta. He has been seen arrogantly going about with many gun-wielding youths, boasting about the prowess of his private army to deal with constituted authorities, including the military and a sitting governor, precisely Rivers State Governor, Mr. Fubara.

“Many Nigerians, who believed that his actions enjoyed the backing and support of Mr. President because of his closeness to him, have been pouring insults on Mr. President. It’s highly embarrassing and the Presidency decided that this mess has to stop. So, Mr. President will no longer allow these notable warlords, Asari- Dokubo would not be allowed into the Villa again to see him.”

Meanwhile, the special adviser on media and publicity to the president, Ajuri Ngelale, has said he is not aware of the issue, let alone, the president’s directive on the matter.

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“I have not heard any of such speculation going around within the State House. While we appreciate the desire for intriguing reportage, I think we should avoid speculative assumptions that have no verifiable basis in fact.”messages sent to his phone to elicit his reaction to the report.,” Ngelale.

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NYSC Urges Bauchi Governor To Reconstruct Collapsed Camp Fence

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The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Bauchi State, on Friday, called on Gov. Bala Mohammed to help reconstruct the collapsed orientation camp’s perimeter fence.

Mr Kofre Umoren, the NYSC Coordinator in the state made the call at the scheme’s permanent orientation camp, Wailo in Ganjuwa Local Government Area during the swearing in ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘A’ stream II corps members deployed to the state.

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According to him, the fence which was destroyed by a natural disaster had exposed the corps members and NYSC officials to invasion.

“I wish to remind his Excellency about our broken fence which needs urgent attention considering the security implications which make the camp porous and expose the camp community to invasion,” he pleaded.

READ ALSO: NYSC Assures Impactful Participation Of Corps Members On Host Communities

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Umoren, who expressed gratitude to the governor over the complete renovation of corps members’ hostels and the construction of a brand new Multi-purpose Hall, said there could be no better demonstration of commitment, love and fatherly care for the youth than the gesture.

On behalf of the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig-Gen Olakunle Nafiu, management and corps members in Bauchi state, I wish to thank His Excellency for giving the NYSC a befitting and conducive orientation camp.

“As we continue to savour the beauty of this new camp; may I assure the governor and the good people of Bauchi that the corps members will continue to provide services where they are most needed in the state, especially in the rural areas,” said Umoren.

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The State Coordinator explained that a total of 1,107 Corps Members, comprising 585 males and 522 females, were successfully registered and were ready to be sworn-in.

READ ALSO: NYSC Coordinator Lauds Gov. Mohammed’s Commitment Towards Scheme’s Success

He warned the corps members to adhere strictly to the orientation course timetable, NYSC Bye-laws, extant rules and other relevant policies, sayong any deviation from them could result in appropriate sanctions.

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Responding, Gov. Bala Mohammed who was represented by Alh. Auwal Jatau, his Deputy, said that the people of Bauchi State appreciated and supported the goals and objectives of the scheme.

This, he said, was the reason why his government has been collaborating with the scheme in every possible way to ensure the success of the NYSC in the state.

He explained that the renovation of corps members’ hostels and construction of the new multipurpose hall were just in the first phase of projects intended to be executed in the camp by his administration.

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“The second phase which I assure would start very soon shall include, construction of staff accommodation, a clinic and other necessary facilities including the reconstruction of the collapsed fence that I’ve just been requested by the state coordinator,” he said.

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Wike Defends ₦39bn ICC Renovation, Renaming Edifice After Tinubu

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..Put your houses in order, Tinubu tells opposition parties

Amid growing accusations that President Bola Tinubu is behind the leadership crises plaguing various opposition parties and allegedly working toward a one-party state, the President has advised opposition parties to focus on putting their houses in order ahead of the 2027 general election.

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President Tinubu, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, made this call on Friday at the commissioning of the newly constructed Left-Hand Service Carriageway of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) Stage II, from Ring Road 1 (Apo Junction) to Wasa Junction, in Abuja.

Earlier in his remarks, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his support and responded to mounting criticisms over the ₦39 billion spent on renovating the International Conference Centre (ICC) and renaming it after the President.

Addressing lingering concerns about the opposition’s dwindling influence, Tinubu reiterated his commitment to multiparty democracy as pledged during his Democracy Day address. He insisted that, as a member of another political party, he could not mediate in opposition disputes.

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READ ALSO: Abati Clears Air On Begging Wike For Money

The opposition should put their houses together before the next election, so that nobody will accuse anybody of trying to stifle the opposition,” he said. “The President wants you to come together. If you cannot come together, the President cannot help you. This is politics. You’ll never unite if you continue to spread lies daily, condemning everything. Was Nigeria like this in 1960? Was Abuja like this three years ago?”

The President commended the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike, for reactivating and completing abandoned infrastructure projects across the city.

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With the commissioning of this Left-Hand Service Carriageway, we are addressing a longstanding challenge. I commend the FCTA for completing projects with discipline, quality, and efficiency,” Tinubu stated.

In his speech, Wike argued that the President deserved the honour, having significantly contributed to the development of the Federal Capital Territory.

“As politicians, yes, we must criticize. But because you’re criticizing doesn’t mean you shouldn’t acknowledge progress. We are not flagging off; we are commissioning completed work,” Wike said.

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READ ALSO: Wike, Fubara To Begin Dialogue After Osoba’s Mediation

Responding to allegations of wasteful spending, Wike said: “Some people just lack good taste. The only thing in that building that wasn’t changed is the blockwork. Everything else in the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre is brand new.”

He dismissed claims that the renovation was unnecessary or politically motivated, saying: “If you love this country, you will not criticize this project. It’s not about wearing one pair of shoes or carrying a backpack. It’s about delivering value and building for the future.”

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Taking a swipe at a media house that reportedly questioned the rationale behind naming the ICC after Tinubu, Wike said: “Somebody said it should have been named after the original builder. Nnamdi Azikiwe didn’t build the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport. Moshood Abiola didn’t build the stadium named after him. That argument doesn’t hold.”

He also challenged critics who referenced the original 1991 construction cost of ₦240 million: “What was the exchange rate then? What is it today in 2025? People must learn to analyze with context instead of criticizing.”
(Tribune)

 

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Parole Board Sensitizes Inmates In Benin, Urges Them To Key In

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Chairman, Edo State Parole Board, Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga (rtd.), has called on inmates in the state to utilise the opportunity provided by the parole.

INFO DAILY reports that parole is a means through which the government, in line with the appropriate laws, provides an opportunity to inmates who were convicted for at least seven years and above, and have served one-third of their sentence years to be released, and inmates sentenced for life and have served at least ten years to to be released, after such inmates must have applied to the parole board and the necessary investigations and documentations must have been done.

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INFO DAILY also reports that, however, the parole law exempts people convicted for treason, first degree murder, sexual offences, rape, etc from benefiting.

Speaking at a sensitization tour of inmates at the Benin and Oko Correctional centres, Edodo-Eruaga, said parole was the creation of Section 40 of the Correctional Service Act, 2019, adding that it’s aimed at rehabilitating and decongesting correctional centres across the country.

READ ALSO: 7 Inmates Escape From Osun Prison

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Edodo-Eruaga, accompanied by other members of the board, however, warned inmates who are eligible for the parole to be honest and be of good behaviour, stressing that anyone who gives misleading information in his or her application would be disqualified.

Good behaviour means the individual has not caused problems while in custody and has learned a trade to enable peaceful community reintegration,” she added.

The parole board chairman, who emphasized that parole aimed at rehabilitating and reintegrating the inmates into the society, declared that no one would be released into emptiness, that is, inmates to be released on parole must have something to contribute to the society in terms of trade, etc.

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This is why the parole will not just give anyone that opportunity. Such person must be of good behaviour, must have learnt a trade, so that when such inmate is released he will contribute to the society. The parole will not release anyone into emptiness. Such a person must have something to show that this is what I do that I can use to contribute to society,” she stressed.

READ ALSO:Niger Pardons 11 Inmates On Death Row

She also told the inmates that they would not just be released on parole, but a non-custodian officer would be assigned to them to follow up anyone released on parole.

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Also speaking, Mr. Abraham Naibo, Programme Assistant of the Prisons Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), urged the inmates to capitalize on their stay at the correctional centre to learn a trade, pointing out that, it will be wrong for them to appear before the board without a learnt skill.

He said the skill learnt while serving their terms will form the ground they could start their lives when they are finally reintegrated into the society.

Mr. Naibo further admonished the inmates to always carry the officers of the Correctional Centres along on their day-to-day activities while still on Parole, adding that, such will enable them (officers) know how reformed they have been.

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For the Controller of Corrections, Edo State, Sunday Oyakhire, represented by the Deputy Controller of Corrections, Ogbue Paul Agiliga, he appealed to the inmates to register for a skill, stressing that, it is going to be an added advantage for them to be qualified for the Parole programme.

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