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Sacked 75-year-old Minister Who Built N30 Mosque For Herders

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Some Nigerians were perhaps slightly surprised by the dismissal of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Sabo Nanono, especially by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), who is not wont to sacking underperforming members of his cabinet since he came into power in May 2015.

But Buhari on Wednesday sacked Nanono (Kano State) and his Power counterpart, Saleh Mamman (Taraba State), according to presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina.

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Adesina also announced that the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abubakar, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Agriculture while the Minister of State for Works, Abubakar Aliyu, is to take over as Minister of Power.

READ ALSO: 2023: Akeredolu Denies Having Presidential Ambition As His Posters Flood Streets

“I wish to reiterate once more, that this process shall be continuous,” Adesina had quoted Buhari as saying, adding that the decision was taken after “critical self-review” of the performances of the two ministers.

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The two dismissed ministers were in August 2019 sworn in as part of the over 40 ministers who make up the current Federal Executive Council.

Kano-born Nanono, 75, was sacked amid plans by the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to recover grazing routes across the country.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that Buhari ordered the review of 368 grazing sites in 25 states despite widespread criticisms against open grazing and its attendant security consequences.

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The 17 Southern governors had kicked against open grazing and given September 1, 2021, as the deadline for states in the region to sign Anti-Open Grazing Bills into laws.

Nanono was sacked months after a memo conveying his approval of N30m for the construction of a ‘Friday’ mosque for herders became public knowledge.

The memo, dated December 10, 2020, which leaked in May 2021, showed that FMARD under Nanono approved the contract of the building of the mosque to El-Shukhur Multi-Buz Nig. Ltd, despite the fact that a search through the 2020 budget by The PUNCH showed that no mosque construction was stated in the ministry’s estimates.

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Many Nigerians had flayed Nanono for the action of building a mosque for herders with taxpayers’ funds, saying he should also build a church for displaced Christians and a shrine for displaced traditionalists.

FMARD under Nanono had confirmed the leaked memo as being authentic and stressed that it built the mosque for livestock farmers sacked from their settlements by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.

“To put the facts straight, the memo is authentic and appropriate in all ramifications.

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“It is original and was issued by the ministry for the construction of a worship centre for a community of livestock farmers who were sacked and displaced in Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents and are being resettled in Ngarannam/Mafa Local Government, Borno State,” the Director of Information, FMARD, Theodore Ogaziechi, had said in a statement.

Nanono was born in the Gabasawa Local Government Area of Kano State on April 11, 1946, according to information available on the ministry’s website.

“He attended Zakirai and Gwarzo Primary Schools, Birnin Kudu Secondary School, Government College Kano from there he proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration in the year 1972.

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“Also in 1977, he obtained his Master’s Degree in public policy and Administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison USA.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: FG To Take Action Against Nigerians Refusing Vaccination

“The ex-minister also attended an Advanced Management Course at Harvard Business School, Boston Massachusetts In 1994.

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“He was a university lecturer, civil servant, a farmer, a banker who rose to the position of Managing Director of African International Bank.

“He also attended several courses, conferences, workshops and seminars within and outside Nigeria. A fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria became the Chairman and board member of numerous organizations in Nigeria and married with children,” the citation read.

(PUNCH)

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INEC Has Not Confirmed ADC State Leaders – Party

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed a report claiming that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed a list of its state chairmen across Nigeria.

In a statement on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the circulating report titled “Coalition Update: INEC Confirms ADC State Chairmen Nationwide” as “fake news” aimed at creating confusion within the party.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, to the best of our knowledge and verification, has issued no such confirmation, neither officially nor unofficially,” Abdullahi said.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: INEC Recognises David Mark-led ADC Leadership

He explained that choosing and approving state leaders is the party’s internal responsibility, not INEC’s.

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The process of constituting and ratifying state leadership within any political party lies squarely within the party’s constitutional prerogative. INEC only recognizes what the party submits through the appropriate channels after due process,” he added.

Abdullahi urged ADC members and the public to ignore the fake list and wait for official communication.

READ ALSO:ADC Will Take Over Aso Rock, Lagos Govt House In 2027 — Aregbesola

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We therefore urge our members and stakeholders to remain calm, vigilant, and guided by official communication from the national leadership of the ADC,” he said.

He reassured supporters that the ADC remains committed to discipline, structure, and internal democracy, adding that any genuine updates on party leadership will be shared through verified platforms.

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How Bello Deceitfully Assured Me Of Kogi Guber Ticket For 4 Years — Onoja

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Former deputy governor of Kogi State, Edward David Onoja, has revealed that his former principal, Yahaya Bello, assured him for four years that he would succeed him as governor, only to change his decision a day before the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.

Onoja made the disclosure during an interview on MIC ON Podcast published on Saturday night, where he recounted his political journey and his relationship with former Governor Bello.

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LEADERSHIP recalls that Onoja had served as Chief of State for about four years before becoming deputy governor under Bello until their tenure elapsed.

READ ALSO:Kogi Govt Reacts To Natasha’s Allegations Against Akpabio, Yahaya Bello, Gov Ododo

“For four years before 2023, he (Yahaya Bello) was the one who called me and said, ‘You will succeed me, get prepared.’ And of course, I planned, I worked, and when it was time, he gave all of us the opportunity (to contest),” Onoja said.

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According to him, about seven cabinet members at the time, including himself, picked up the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination forms on Bello’s directive, but in the end, Bello’s support was with the current governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo.

At the end of the day, his heart and his choice was with the current governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,” he said.

READ ALSO:PHOTOS: Moment Supporters Throng Out To Welcome Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan In Kogi

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Onoja revealed that Bello broke the news to him just a day before the party primaries, a decision he respected despite his disappointment.

When he broke the news to me a day before the primaries, I told him, ‘You are the boss, you are over me, what you see is what I see, so let’s go get the job done, but I hope you are not making a mistake.’ There were no issues, and then we went to the field and did our best for our candidate,” he stated.

Onoja, who is now a board member of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), emphasised that despite the turn of events, he remained committed to ensuring victory for the party’s eventual candidate and winner of the last Kogi State governorship election, Ododo, who went on to succeed Bello.

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Alleged Infidelity: Soludo’s Wife Issues Senator Ekwunife Ultimatum To Apologize

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Mrs. Nonye Soludo

…dares her for fidelity oath, paternal DNA test challenge

The wife of Anambra State governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has issued Senator Uche Ekwunife 72 hours ultimatum to withdraw claims of Infidelity against her and tender a public apology, or face legal action.

She also challenged the senator for both of them to swear an oath of fidelity before the Blessed Virgin Mary or subject their children to DNA tests.

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The challenge followed claims by Ekwunife, deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2025 Anambra governorship election, who alleged that Mrs Soludo was once close to former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju.

In a statement issued on Friday, Nonye Soludo accused the former fenale lawmaker of fabricating allegations and dragging her children into political disputes.

READ ALSO:Anambra Guber: No Competition, Other Candidates Just Raising Funds – Soludo

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She described Ekwunife’s comments as malicious and said: “Since Uche Ekwunife claims to be a converted Catholic, I challenge her for both of us to swear an oath of fidelity and chastity at any cathedral in front of the Blessed Sacrament and the Bible.

“I will swear (with my children) that in my 55 years on earth, I have known only one man—Chukwuma Soludo. On your part, you should also swear (with your children or your political ambitions) that since you got married, you have never cheated on your husband,” she declared.

Soludo’s wife also invited Ekwunife to scientific verification through DNA testing.

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READ ALSO:Suspect Arrested for Running Illegal Drink Factory In Anambra

“I challenge you, Uche Ekwunife, for us to subject our children to paternity tests in three reputable hospitals in London. I will pay all the expenses, including travel for you and your family. If the results confirm that your husband fathered all your children, I will not only congratulate you but also present a cash award,” she added.

The governor’s wife emphasised her Christian upbringing and marital fidelity.

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“I married him as a virgin and my fidelity to him in 33 years of marriage and for life is ironclad,” she said.

READ ALSO:Anambra Guber: INEC Releases Total Number Of Registered Voters Ahead Election

Declaring that her life has never depended on government patronage, even as First Lady, Mrs. Soludo vowed to sustain her defence “with decency, character, and grace.”

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My weapons are decency, character, and grace. I am a long-distance runner, and I welcome you to the marathon,” she stated.

The confrontation stemmed from Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s earlier questions over Senator Ekwunife’s academic qualifications. The APC deputy governorship candidate responded with sharp criticisms, prompting the governor’s wife to step into the feud.

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