News
‘Felt Like World Was Against Me’ – Jonathan Recounts Losing 2015 Polls As Incumbent

…says late Dokpesi stood by me in those trying moments
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has opened up on how he felt being the first incumbent Nigerian President to lose re-election.
The former President, who ran as the candidate of the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, polled lost to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 general elections, described the period as the toughest in his political life.
He said it felt like the whole world was against him.
Jonathan spoke in Abuja on Friday at the 1st Raymond Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture organised by the management of Daar Communications, in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR
Jonathan, who ran on the platform of PDP, polled 12,853,162 million votes to place second behind his main challenger, Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who won the election with 15,424,921 million votes.
‘What I went through…’
A relaxed Jonathan revealed that he passed through inexplicable emotional turmoil. He described feeling abandoned.
The ex-President recalled the fatherly role played by the late Chairman of Daar Communications, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, who stood by him all through his ordeal.
Jonathan said: “It is not easy to lose an election as a president. You will think the whole world is against you.
“But then, Dokpesi invited me before I handed over. I remember what he said to me when I lost the election.
“There were so many senior Nigerians (elder statesmen) who spoke. After I listened to all the conversations, he congratulated me and encouraged me to look beyond the election.
“This is how I commemorated that session.
“That communication gave me hope and helped me, not necessarily for the transition hour ahead of me, but also in my spiritual life as a private citizen.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Restricts Ministers’ Official Vehicles To Three, Downsizes Security Guards
“If you read my book, ‘My Transition Hours’, I explained it more elaborately.”
Tributes
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, paid glowing tributes to the late Dokpesi and enjoined Nigerians to cherish the freedom of speech they currently enjoy.
Mohammed said: “Our respect for freedom of speech is sacrosanct even as we continue to urge responsibility in the exercise of this freedom. Nigerians are free to speak about this dear country of ours.
“What we can and will continue to do is to avoid getting to the point where reckless negativity becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts.
“We will be making a grievous error individually and collectively if we choose to focus only on what is not working and not balance it with equal attention to the things we are getting right.
“And we are getting a lot of things right as a nation even in our present circumstances.
“The media has an important role to play in strengthening this balanced approach through your reportage as shepherds and drivers of public opinions.
READ ALSO:
“The late Dokpesì has played his part, and he did it in a way that he would never be forgotten,” he stated.
Dokpesi died on May 29, 2023. He was 71 years old.
Group Managing Director of DAAR Communications, Tony Akiotu, revealed that the late Chief Executive took ill a few weeks before his demise.
He also confirmed the news that the late Dokpesi died after falling off his treadmill during a routine exercise in his gym on the morning he passed on.
Family members, friends and colleagues of the late media mogul attended the event.
News
Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.
Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.
He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.
READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack
Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.
“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”
He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.
He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.
Watch the video here
News
Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.
The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.
READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached
Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.
He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.
Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.
“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.
“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
News
Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.
READ ALSO:ADC Penetrates Okpebholo’s District As Defections Strengthen Party in Edo Central
According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.
“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”
Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration
He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.
“I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”
In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.
The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.
Metro5 days agoMy Husband Abandoned Me On Our Wedding Night To Attend Political Meeting, I Want Our Marriage Dissolved
Headline4 days agoWoman Passes Out After Receiving 100 Strokes Of Cane
Politics5 days agoWarri Ijaw Hail INEC Delineation Report, Call For Additional Electoral Wards, Others
Headline4 days agoJUST IN: White House Locked Down Briefly As Gunman Opens Fire At Security Checkpoint
News3 days agoMore Pain For Nigerians As Cooking Gas Price Increases Nationwide
Politics3 days agoTwo Masked Men Gun Down Politician In His Rivers State Hotel
Metro4 days agoPolice Reject N500m Bribe, Recover N7.8bn Illicit Drugs In Lagos
Metro5 days agoMy Wife Stop Cooking My Food, Beats Me Black And Blue All the Time, Man Tells Court
News5 days agoAlleged Terrorism: Court Rejects Defendant’s Bid To Travel Abroad
Politics5 days agoWhat I’ll Do As President Of Nigeria — Amaechi














