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Don’t Kill Democracy In Nigeria, Dele Momodu Tells Tinubu

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Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Dele Momodu, has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it “anti-democratic.”

Tinubu’s decision, which includes suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, has sparked widespread criticism.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Momodu said the move contradicted the democratic principles Tinubu once championed.

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Momodu said, “I think it is very unfortunate. I know President Tinubu very, very, very well. Though I’ve not been in the same party with him and all that, we were together in exile, and he fought gallantly for this democracy. So a lot of us, co-comrades at that time, are actually very embarrassed that we have a pro-democracy leader in government, and yet what we are witnessing is worse than dictatorship.”

READ ALSO: How I Was Offered N5bn Bribe To impeach Fubara – Rivers Chief Of Staff

He added, “And I have said it openly so many times, in many open letters, you can fail in economy, no problem; people will forgive you and say you’re not a professor of economics. You can fail in other areas, but don’t fail in democracy.

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“You must deepen our democracy, which President Goodluck Jonathan succeeded in doing, which Obasanjo succeeded in doing, despite allegations and accusations of a third term attempt, still managed to hand over power to President Yar’Adua.”

He urged Tinubu to reconsider his approach.

“I’m pleading with President Bola Tinubu, ‘Please don’t kill democracy in Nigeria.’ Everybody who loves him will tell him this. I don’t; I’ve not asked him for anything, but we love him for his contributions to the motivation in the back, which is what is going down the drain,” Momodu stated.

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READ ALSO: Nigerian Airline Suspends Flights Amid Aircraft Lessor Dispute

Momodu also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of intimidating the opposition and warned Tinubu against being misled by advisers.

“I’m saying it now openly to millions of Nigerians that people are deceiving President Tinubu, and he should not allow people to deceive you.

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“He should just do his job. The only thing that can guarantee a second term is to do your job well. You do not need to intimidate anybody.”

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JUST IN: Tinubu Directs INEC Chairman Yakubu To Immediately Proceed On Leave

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly directed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to proceed on leave ahead of the expiration of his tenure.

Insider sources say the move comes in response to what they described as Mahmood’s “last-minute betrayal” of the All Progressives Congress government that appointed him.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma reportedly met with President Tinubu shortly after the president returned from a 12-day working vacation, alleging that Mahmood’s efforts to register new political parties at the end of his tenure had disrupted Tinubu’s preparations for a second term.

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READ ALSO:BREAKING: EFCC Chairman, Former Rivers Sole administrator Ibas In Aso Rock

The governor also claimed that Mahmood was covertly backing a candidate in the Imo State governorship election.

Following this briefing, Tinubu reportedly requested that Mahmood suspend all official duties and proceed on terminal leave.

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The decision has thrown the commission’s schedule into disarray, leading to the abrupt cancellation of Mahmood’s final quarterly consultative meeting with political parties, as well as a planned session with civil society organisations.

Tinubu is now expected to submit the name of a new INEC Chairman to the National Assembly in the coming days.

Mahmood was appointed to office by then-President Muhammadu Buhari on October 21, 2015, succeeding acting chairperson, Amina Zakari.

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400 Golfers Storm Abuja For Nigeria @ 65 Tourney

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More than 400 golfers are set to compete in the Nigeria @ 65 Independence Golf Tournament at the Tukur Yusuf Buratai International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja.

The week-long tournament, organised to mark Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary, will also honour retired and serving officers of the Nigerian Army.

The Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Dr James Agbonhese, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday that the tournament aims to promote unity, camaraderie and national pride.

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“This is more than a sporting competition. It is a reflection of our national values; unity, perseverance, discipline and excellence,” Agbonhese said.

READ ALSO:Customs Reschedule Superintendent Pre-test After Portal Problems

He said the event would also feature the commissioning of new facilities at the resort, including a midway hut, a modern golf practice range, a back nine starter shed and a golf cart bay.

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Agbonhese commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Grand Patron of the tournament, for his unwavering support.

The Vice Chairman of TYB Golf Club, Dr Ali Peters, who represented the Club Captain, Maj.-Gen. Samson Jiya, said the event was a symbolic tribute to the military’s role in safeguarding national unity.

As we celebrate, we must reflect on the legacy of our founding fathers and the sacrifices that brought us this far,” Peters said.

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READ ALSO:Naira Appreciates Massively Against US Dollar In The Black Market, Highest In 15 Months

He added that the new facilities would greatly improve the golfing experience for members and visitors.

Jummai Adamu, a member of the LOC, said more than 100 female golfers, including three professionals, would participate in this year’s tournament, reflecting golf’s growing popularity among women in Nigeria.

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Tournament Manager, Mr Shola Adebayo, said the event would feature daily games, networking sessions and cultural showcases.

It’s set to deliver not just top-level golf but an unforgettable experience for everyone involved,” he said.

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The tournament tees off on Sept. 27 and will conclude on Oct. 1 with a ceremonial tee-off.

Expected dignitaries include the DSS Director-General, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye.

Others expected are diplomats, retired senior officers and other distinguished guests.

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An award ceremony will be held later in the day to crown the tournament champion and honour winners across various categories.

NAN

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Fire On Board Forces Lagos-Atlanta-bound Aircraft Diversion To Ghana

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A Delta Airlines flight en route from Lagos, Nigeria, to Atlanta, United States, was forced to make an emergency diversion to Accra, Ghana, following a fire incident in the aircraft’s oven.

According to the spokesperson for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, on Thursday, the incident occurred on Tuesday, 23 September, affecting Flight DL055, which had departed from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

He said airline officials confirmed that while the fire was swiftly contained and posed no threat to passengers, the delay caused the crew to exceed their expected duty time, making them unable to continue the journey as scheduled.

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Following the unscheduled landing in Accra, the airline initiated rebooking arrangements for stranded passengers. Some were accommodated on a Delta Accra-New York service the same evening, with further passengers rebooked on the following night’s flight.

READ ALSO:Travel Chaos: Air Canada Shut Down By Flight Attendant Strike

He said, “However, some passengers were rebooked on the airline’s Accra-New York flight the same evening, and this effort was repeated on Wednesday night for additional passengers.

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“Flight DL055 LOS – ATL finally departed from Accra today, 25 September 2025, at approximately 1200 hrs.”

In a related development, Delta Airlines also cancelled its inbound flight ATL-LOS (Atlanta to Lagos) for Thursday, 25 September.
Though passengers were said to have been informed in advance, “The airline provided hotel accommodations and ground transport for those who still reported to the airport.”

To mitigate the disruption, the airline rebooked 23 affected passengers on Air France, while others were scheduled to travel via British Airways, KLM, and Lufthansa.

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READ ALSO:Bird Strike Forces Air Peace Flight To Emergency Return

The remaining passengers will be airlifted on Delta’s regularly scheduled flight tomorrow, 26 September, at 11:40 a.m.

He added, “Regarding today’s 25 September 2025 ATL – LOS arrival cancellation, although passengers were duly informed about the cancellation, the airline accommodated those who arrived at the airport by providing transportation to hotels as reported in the flight disruption this morning.

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“Twenty-three passengers had been rebooked on Air France, while others would be airlifted on British Airways, KLM, and Lufthansa Airlines. The remaining passengers are scheduled to depart on the airline’s scheduled flight tomorrow, 26 September 2025, at 1140 hrs.”

READ ALSO:How Obi Surprised Me Early Morning with ‘Ghana-must-go’ Bag — Charly Boy

Contrary to earlier reports, the Air France flight from Lagos has not been cancelled and is expected to operate at 01:30 a.m.

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Air France flight has not been cancelled as speculated, but would operate at 0130 hrs. Kindly note that I am attending meetings in Montreal, but I have had to constantly leave the hall to make calls and get feedback.

“Follow-up continues. While wishing you safe travels, do not hesitate to reach out to me if there is a further need to,” Achimugu added.

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