Metro

Why I, Jonathan Opposed Tambuwal’s Emergence As Speaker — Obasanjo

Published

5 months ago

January 12, 2026

Editor

Former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has opened up on how he and former president Dr Goodluck Jonathan opposed the emergence of former Deputy Chief Whip Aminu Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Emeka Ihedioha as Deputy Speaker in 2011.

He disclosed this in a leadership colloquium and 60th birthday celebration organised in honour of Tambuwal, held at Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Chief Obasanjo, who later emerged as Chairman of the erstwhile ruling party, the People’s Democratic Party Board of Trustees, said the opposition to Tambuwal’s emergence as Speaker was informed by party interest and the desire to promote gender inclusion in the leadership of the National Assembly.

Checks revealed that in the keenly contested election for Speaker of the Green Chamber, Tambuwal from the northwest defeated his rival for the exalted seat, Akande-Adeola, incidentally from the southwest.

Further checks revealed that the leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria and incumbent president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, directed lawmakers under the ACN to vote for Tambuwal.

Obasanjo, who maintained that his position was to promote gender sensitivity, noted that the rebellion by PDP lawmakers was to exercise independence of the Parliament.

He said, “Our thinking was that if, for the first time, a woman had become Speaker of the House, she should be encouraged to remain there.

“But your members thought otherwise, and you made your decision. And we supported your decision. Initially, even you were not sure of where we would stand, but we stood with you.”

Reflecting on Tambuwal’s stewardship, Obasanjo described the senator representing Sokoto South as a warm and humble personality.

Speaking in a similar vein, Dr Jonathan acknowledged the frosty relationship between the executive arm and the leadership of the House of Representatives during his tenure as president.

He said, “When he was Speaker, I was the President, and we had some disagreements.

“But one thing I must give to Tambuwal is that members of the House believed so much in him.”

“He held the House together. His colleagues always believed in him, and as President then, I appreciated that quality of leadership, even when we disagreed.”

Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, who was Senate President during the period under reference, Senator David Mark, owned up that he was privy to the rebellion against the emergence of Mulikat Adeola as Speaker.

David Mark noted that he subordinated his loyalty to the PDP to the independence of the National Assembly.

He said, “They came to me and said, ‘Sir, whether you like it or not, you are adopting us as your sons.”

“They told me clearly that whether the President and the party wanted them or not, they would emerge Speaker and Deputy Speaker, and that I would sponsor them.”

“For once, Mr President, I disobeyed you.”

In his short remarks, former vice president and ADC presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar described Tambuwal as a leader in the making.

He added, “We are celebrating a remarkable Nigerian leader. We hope he will live up to the prayers and expectations of Nigerians.”

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, as “a man deeply committed to the unity of this country and to building consensus for development.”

The favored candidate of the PDP for the seat who lost to Tambuwal during the voting, Honourable Mulikat Akande-Adeola, who also graced the occasion, told the gathering of top chieftains of the ruling APC, the main opposition party, the PDP and the ADC that she nursed no grudge against those who frustrated his aspiration for the seat of Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“Only what God wills comes to pass. Tambuwal has been Speaker and a leader. There is no animosity among us.”

In his remarks, Tambuwal expressed concern over growing apathy against government occasioned by poor governance.

He noted that the power elite must reflect deeply on the growing spate of imposition of leaders.

Apart from the two former presidents, the event had in attendance President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio, represented by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro; Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah; former Speakers of the House of Representatives Patricia Etteh and Yakubu Dogara; Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe; and the Minister of Housing, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.

Other party chieftains sighted included Rotimi Amaechi , Kayode Fayemi, Aminu Masari and Udom Emmanuel, former governors of Rivers, Ekiti, Katsina and Akwa Ibom states, respectively.

Others were former governor of Osun State and national secretary of the ADC, Rauf Aregbesola; Ibikunle Amosun and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, incidentally former governors of Ogun State and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha.
(TRIBUNE)

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

21 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.