Politics

ExGov. Masterminded Meeting Where Buhari Was Assaulted, Insulted, Says APC Chieftain

Published

4 years ago

August 11, 2021

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yola South, Bakari Abdulmalik, has accused Muhammad Umaru Jibrilla Bindow, immediate past governor of Adamawa State of masterminding the meeting where President Muhammadu Buhari was insulted and assulted.

Abdulmalik who is the secretary, APC stakeholders forum in Yola South, noted that contrary to the ruse which “Bindow’s apologists are dishing out that the former governor convened a stakeholders meeting to reconcile warring factions”, Bindow actually assembled his “political stooges and appointees to assault and denigrate the person of President Muhammadu Buhari for not bringing him back to power at all cost and his refusal to give him any federal appointment.

“Bindow has been nursing morbid hatred against the person of president Muhammadu Buhari for sacrificing him in 2019 election and for not giving him any federal appointment.

“But as far as I’m concerned, that anger is misplaced, because you can’t expect a disciplined man like President Buhari to rig an election in order to hoist his party man who worked contrary to the people’s wishes to power.

“And secondly, Buhari appoints only people whose integrity he can vouch for. So the mindset that you should abuse Buhari for not bringing you on board is an error of judgement,” the stakeholder said.

He noted that going by the political identities of those who are in the meeting, it can be inferred that Bindow just called a meeting of “his stooges with the intent to malign the person of Mr. President because of the president’s perceived hard-line posture against the convener of the meeting (Bindow).”

Abdulmalik said those who openly abused the president must have read the body language of the convener of the meeting to have the audacity to abuse the president in the manner they did, adding that the fact that “they did not get reprimanded all added vent to the sordid spectacle.”

The APC chieftain said the silence of Bindow in the face of such assault and insult against the president was a direct indictment.

“We all know that Kabiru Mijinyawa was governor Bindow’s favorite under whom the governor rode the state roughshod till our party was ousted from power. The host of the meeting, was a commissioner under Bindow, the suspended caretaker chairman of Yola South APC was the chairman of the party when Bindow ruled and Yushau Adamu was also an adviser of the former governor.

“If Bindow has the president at heart, the moment they started abusing him, he ought to reign on them or even rebuke them. But listening to such vituperations amounts to complicity.

“Before the said meeting, APC was calm even though Bindow wants to tell the world the party was in crisis necessitating his intervention.

‘Nobody was abused and nobody wished anyone death. But surprisingly, during a so called reconciliatory meeting, we heard abuses and even death wishes. Can we in all honesty said a reconciliation took place.

“Reconciliation usually takes place between two parties involved in conflict, is Kabiru Mijinyawa in conflict with Prince Mustapha Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha or the others despite being hirelings of Bindow?” the stakeholder queried.

He added, “what Bindow intended to do was to malign all our stakeholders and cast them as weaklings who cannot resolve an internal party challenge till someone from far away intervened.

“In Adamawa State, Yola South is the area that produces the most influential stakeholders of APC. Aisha Buhari is our daughter, Binani is our daughter, Ribadu is our son, FCT minister is our son, Modi is our son, MC Tahir is our son but because of his desire for mischief, Bindow convened the so called meeting to spite leaders of the area.”

Abdulmalik added that if Bindow has the prowess for reconciliation, he shouldn’t have lost election in 2019, because it was under his watch that Nyako left the party to ADC.

“Our party was never divided like it was under Bindow forcing many to resort to open anti-party which led to the defeat of governor Bindow in 2019. But today a man with such poor credentials is the one convening a kangaroo reconciliation meeting. It shows how bad our situation is,” Abdulmalik said.

Abdulmalik added that Bindow has nurtured a prolonged scorn and hatred against the first family but noted that God decided to expose his devious antics through the viral audio since he refused to change his ways.

“We the true lovers of President Muhammadu Buhari will not forget in a hurry the number of times Bindow treated the president with scorn and outright disdain.

“Firstly, he once openly said that his loyalty is with Atiku and whoever is not happy about that should go to hell.

“Secondly, the man sponsored a song debasing and desecrating the first lady and by extension the first family despite being a beneficiary of the Buhari’s popularity.

“At a point in time when the first family was passing through its most challenging period when the president was critically I’ll, instead of sympathising with them, Bindow was busy scheming and praying for the president’s death so as to become the vice president.

“As for me the alibi the governor is using to defend his presence at the recent meeting which is to reconcile warring factions in the party is a ruse as there is no faction in Yola South APC as all the members of the party recognize and pay allegiance to Sulaiman Adamu, the suspended caretaker chairman.

“It therefore amounts to great disservice for the former governor to say he is trying to broker peace between imaginary warring factions. The only meaning any discerning individual will drive from that meeting is that it has provided another opportunity for enemies of the president to stage another odious plans against him.

“But God in his infinite mercies decided to expose them as he has done to many of the President’s enemies before,” Abdulmalik added.

Politics

Defamation Charges: Natasha Accuses FG Of Double Standard

Published

11 hours ago

September 23, 2025

Editor

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Monday, launched a strong legal offensive against the Federal Government, describing the criminal defamation charges filed against her as a brazen act of political persecution and an exhibition of double standard by the Federal Government.

In a preliminary objection seeking the dismissal of the six counts filed against her by the Attorney General of the Federation, the Kogi senator contended that while the Federal Government was quick to file charges against her based on the complaint of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the same government ignored her own earlier petitions against Akpabio.

The charges, filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, were brought following petitions by Akpabio and ex-Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, over remarks she allegedly made during a public address and a television interview.

Her arraignment on June 20 drew national attention, with many opposition figures alleging that the case was politically motivated.

She was granted bail on self-recognition after pleading not guilty.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, is being prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar.

In her defence on Monday, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed preliminary objections before both the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal High Court, challenging the jurisdiction of the courts and insisting that the Attorney-General of the Federation has no locus standi to prosecute what she described as a private defamation case.

Her legal team, led by four Senior Advocates of Nigeria—Prof. Roland Otaru (SAN); Dr. E. West-Idahosa (SAN); J.J. Usman (SAN); and M.J. Numa (SAN)—argued that the charges were “unconstitutional, frivolous, and designed to intimidate opposition voices.”

The defence further submitted exhibits showing that her comments fell within the ambit of public discourse and media commentary, noting that prosecuting her statements as crimes was inconsistent with democratic norms.

Her lawyers maintained that: “Defamation matters are inherently civil in nature and that attempting to criminalise them constitutes intimidation, suppresses free speech, and represents a misuse of the criminal justice system.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan also accused the authorities of selective justice, alleging that while her petitions over threats to her life by the complainants were ignored, the same institutions hastily filed charges against her.

She contends that the disparity represents a violation of her constitutional rights, “particularly Section 42, and represents discriminatory prosecution because of my opposition political affiliation.”

The charges centre on her claim that Akpabio allegedly instructed Bello to have her killed in Kogi State—a statement she reportedly made at a public gathering in Ihima on April 4, 2025, and later repeated during a television interview.

Prosecutors say the remarks were false, malicious, and capable of inciting violence, endangering lives, and breaching public order.

Her defence team has urged the courts to dismiss the charges at the preliminary stage, warning that allowing the matter to proceed would not only waste taxpayers’ resources but also undermine the credibility of the justice system.

Her strong pushback comes just hours after the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned the matter to October 20, following an objection raised by her counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN).

Meanwhile, a coalition of women’s rights organisations has taken the standoff between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate to the United Nations, accusing Senate leadership of gender-based discrimination.

In a formal complaint submitted on Monday to UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, Reem Alsalem, the Womanifesto Network—representing more than 350 organisations—argued that the Senate’s actions breach Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women which the country ratified in 1985.

“This is about the integrity of our democracy. If a senator can be silenced for reporting harassment, what hope do ordinary women have?” asked the group’s convener, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi.

The complaint urges the UN to pressure Nigeria’s government and the Senate to comply with a Federal High Court ruling by reinstating Akpoti-Uduaghan immediately, and to establish an impartial investigation into her harassment claim.

Signatories to the petition include Amnesty International Nigeria, FIDA Nigeria, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), and Stand to End Rape.

The activists warned that the Senate’s refusal to comply with the court order sends a dangerous signal to women in politics.

“This case shows that sexual harassment in politics isn’t just a personal violation—it’s a threat to women’s participation in governance,” the petition states.

As of press time, the UN Special Rapporteur’s office had not yet responded.

Akpoti-Uduaghan went public on February 20 with allegations that Senate President Godswill Akpabio harassed her—claims Akpabio has strongly denied. Days later, the Senate’s Ethics and Privileges Committee recommended a six-month suspension, citing breaches of parliamentary procedure.

The suspension stripped her of salary, security, and access to the chamber, drawing outrage from civil society groups who said the punishment was retaliatory and disproportionate.

On July 4, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled the suspension unconstitutional and ordered her reinstatement. But the Senate has blocked her return, arguing that the judgment contained no binding reinstatement order and remains “under litigation.”

Politics

Why I Visited Tinubu —Gov Fubara

Published

12 hours ago

September 23, 2025

Editor

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has revealed that he met President Bola Tinubu to officially inform him of his return after his suspension was lifted.

The governor, who was recently reinstated after six months of emergency rule in the state, was at the State House on Monday evening.

Addressing journalists shortly after the closed-door meeting, Fubara said he had a father-and-son discussion with the president on the way forward.

According to him, he sought Tinubu’s advice on certain matters to prevent another round of crisis in the state.

He said, “You are aware that the suspension was lifted midnight, 17th and I resumed on the 19th. I’m here to tell Mr President that I’m back and have also resumed my responsibility as Governor of Rivers State.

“It was a father and son discussion, telling him thank you and the areas he should guide me properly, so we don’t have a crisis again.”

Politics

Why I Refused To Challenge Emergency Rule – Fubara

Published

4 days ago

September 20, 2025

Editor

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has explained why he resisted the pressure from his supporters to challenge the emergency rule declared in the state by President Bola Tinubu, saying his decision was guided by a desire to secure peace, stability, and progress for the people.

Fubara stated this on Friday during a statewide broadcast after his return to the state following the expiration of the emergency rule.

The governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, Edison Ehie, arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, two days after President Bola Tinubu lifted the state of emergency imposed on the state and ordered his reinstatement.

Their aircraft with number 5N-BTX touched down at 12:15 pm and they were received to a heroic welcome.

On the ground to receive Governor Fubara were several of his supporters, including a former Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah; former Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh; former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Orji Ngofa; former Commissioner for Environment, Sydney Gbara; and former factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo.

Others present were former Commissioner for Youths, Chisom Gbali; former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi; former President of NUPENG, Igwe Achese; former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja; as well as former council chairmen of Port Harcourt City, Ezebunwo Ichemati, among others.

President Tinubu, on Wednesday, announced an end to the emergency rule, which ended the six-month tenure of ex-naval chief, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), as Rivers State sole administrator.

Rivers State has faced one of Nigeria’s fiercest political crises, pitting Fubara against his predecessor and FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.

Once allies, their fallout over control of state structures and resources split the House of Assembly, sparking impeachment moves, protests, and violence, including the burning of the Assembly complex.

President Tinubu intervened with a peace deal, which failed to calm frayed nerves, before the declaration of emergency rule.

In a statement on the cessation of the emergency rule on Wednesday, made available by the Presidency, the President said, “The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from September 18, 2025.

“It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”

Fubara was expected to resume on Thursday as many of his supporters thronged the gate of the Government House along Azikiwe Street, Port Harcourt, as early as 6am on Thursday, but the governor failed to resume.

On Thursday, at its first plenary after six months, the state House of Assembly called on the governor to immediately forward the list of commissioner-nominees to it for screening and confirmation.

The plenary was presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule at the Conference Hall of the Legislative Quarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The Assembly also called on the governor to submit the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, while noting that members would review how funds were spent during the six months of emergency rule.

In a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, the Assembly gave details of the resolution.

The statement read, “Returning from a six-month emergency rule induced by the political impasse in the state in the recent past, the Rivers State House of Assembly, on Thursday, at its first legislative sitting, through a motion, set the legislative agenda for the remaining part of the third season of the 10th Assembly.”

The statement indicated that the House Leader, Major Jack, on behalf of eight co-sponsors, in a motion, averred that the House considered it imperative to set the agenda to reflect current realities, while House members, in their contributions to the debate on the motion, applauded the motion and expressed support for all the prayers therein.

Addressing the state, Fubara described the emergency rule period as “enormously challenging” but said he willingly abided by the declaration to allow room for peace to be restored.

“As your governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr President and the National Assembly, guided by my conviction that the sacrifice was not too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State.

“This was why I also resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration of the state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions and all other actions that we endured during the difficult period,” he said.

The governor commended President Tinubu for brokering a peace deal between all parties involved in the crisis, noting that the intervention helped reconcile him, Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Our leader, Nyesom Wike, all members of Rivers State House of Assembly, and I as your governor have all accepted to bury the hatchet and embrace peace and reconciliation in the best interest of our dear state,” Fubara said.

Expressing gratitude to Tinubu, the governor reaffirmed his loyalty to the president, promising never to take his intervention for granted. He also appealed to residents who remain sceptical about the peace process.

“To those who have expressed genuine fear, frustration and uncertainty over the nature of the peace process, I assure you that your concerns are valid and understood.

“However, nothing has been irretrievably lost. There remain ample opportunities for necessary adjustments, continued reconciliation, and inclusiveness,” Fubara assured.

Fubara, however, charged political leaders, stakeholders, and institutions in the state to ensure that the peace achieved endures.

Fubara noted that with peace restored, his administration’s focus would now return fully to governance and service delivery.

‘Bond with Rivers continues’

Speaking shortly after he arrived at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor assured the people of the state that his government would continue to work in their best interest.

He expressed his gratitude to the people and residents of the state for the warm reception he received earlier at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in IKwerre local government area of the state.

However, no prominent politician loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike or any of his known supporters were present at the airport to welcome the governor.

Meanwhile, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, thousands were already jubilating when the news of the governor’s arrival at the airport became public knowledge.

The celebration changed into singing and dancing as musical bands supplied appropriate tunes to sustain the tempo as the governor’s convoy drove into the abode where he had been absent for the last six months.

Right inside the Government House, the atmosphere was also electric as workers also celebrated the governor’s return.

Fubara immediately inspected some offices and facilities in the seat of power before answering questions from the Government House press crew, where he expressed happiness with the show of love by the people and residents of the state.
(PUNCH)