News

Why I Won’t Support Tinubu –Dele Momodu

Published

3 years ago

August 27, 2022

Dele Momodu

A presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and Publisher of Ovation magazine, Dele Momodu on Friday recounted his experience with the wife of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Remi Tinubu, at the funeral of a chieftain of the APC, the late Kemi Nelson in Lagos.

Momodu, in a terse statement posted on his verified Instagram page via @delemomoduovation, said his decision to support the PDP was aimed at unseating the ruling APC.

He said, “Only two people, apart from the photographers, witnessed what happened between me and Senator Oluremi Tinubu yesterday, at the funeral service of Chief Kemi Nelson at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church in Ikeja, Lagos.

“Before some people add salt and pepper (sic) to it, I need to state precisely what happened. Senator Tokunbo Abiru and Dr Tunji Olowolafe and I had walked in about the same time and we went to greet my very dear sister, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. Immediately she saw me, we exchanged our usual pleasantries and then she asked me, “So, Bob Dee, you’re not going to campaign for my husband?” I smiled and remained very calm before replying, “Your Excellency, I’m in PDP.” She apparently didn’t find it funny and regaled us with the past I shared with her husband and I tried to calm her down.

“Anyway, I went back to my seat and pondered on what just happened and I soliloquised. Before the PDP primary, I had been asked repeatedly by journalists if I’ll dump PDP if I don’t get the ticket, my answer was NO (sic). So if I had gotten the PDP ticket, would I step down for TINUBU of APC, the answer is No (sic).

“I joined PDP because APC was leading Nigeria to Golgotha. APC candidates are promising to continue BUHARI’S ‘good works!’ (sic) I joined PDP in order to sack APC from power and to do this I needed a strong opposition party. I had preached to my younger friends that only a mainstream party like PDP can achieve this in 2023.”

Momodu, however, said that while he would respect the opposing views of his friends, he chose to place Nigeria over friendship.

He added, “This remains my conviction. I practice what I preach. Those who disagree are in other parties and I respect their opinions and wish them well. I’m in PDP. I love ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU. We’ve truly come way back. I love PROFESSOR YEMI OSINBAJO. I love RT. HON. CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI… And all my APC friends… (sic) But APC has done too much damage to Nigeria.

“I choose to place Nigeria above friendship… I will try my best to support and encourage our PDP candidate ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR (sic) to do the right things in our party and to rescue our dear beloved country from the vestiges of oppression, religious intolerance, poverty, terrorism, infrastructure decay, economic wows, unemployment. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

PUNCH

News

Lagos Govt Warns Against False Oba-elect Claims In Epe

Published

3 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has issued a strong warning to people presenting themselves as the Oba-elect of the Olu of Epe Kingdom, following the recent passing of His Royal Majesty, Oba Shefiu Adewale, the 19th monarch of the kingdom.

Oba Adewale, who died on May 31 at the age of 86, was laid to rest the same day in accordance with Islamic rites.

In a statement released on the official Facebook page of the Lagos State Government on Friday, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mr Bolaji Robert, clarified that no official approval has been given to anyone regarding succession to the Olu of Epe stool.

“The public, especially residents of Epe and its environs, are hereby informed that the state government has not approved any person as the new Olu of Epe. Anybody parading themselves as such is acting unlawfully,” the statement read.

The commissioner emphasized that the process of selecting and installing traditional rulers in Lagos is governed by clearly defined legal and administrative protocols, none of which have been activated for the Olu of Epe succession.

Mr Robert urged residents to disregard any claims by self-proclaimed monarchs and avoid offering traditional courtesies or recognition to such people, warning that doing so could amount to aiding impersonation.

He also revealed that security agencies have been directed to ensure peace and investigate any unauthorized claims to the royal title, with a view to prosecuting offenders under the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration remains committed to upholding due process and safeguarding the integrity of traditional institutions across the state,” the commissioner added.

News

AEDC Gives Reason For Blackout In Parts Of Abuja

Published

3 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, has explained that the blackout being experienced in parts of the nation’s capital is due to a technical fault.

AEDC made this known in a notice on Saturday on its X account.

The Disco said the outage affected several areas in Abuja, including Jabi, Kado Estate, part of Life Camp, Gishiri, Mabuchi, Kadokuchi, Navy Estate, Anan House, Jahi Village, NAF Conference Centre, Lake View Phase 1&2, Custom Quarters, Dakibiu and environs.

The Disco said it is working to fix the technical fault.

However, it did not state when electricity supply would be restored to the affected areas.

“We regret to inform you that the ongoing power outage affecting your area is due to a technical fault.

“Our technical team is working tirelessly to restore power supply as quickly as possible.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to serve you better,” the Disco stated.

News

UNICAL VC Selection Thwarted As Court Halts Process, Transfers Case To Abuja

Published

3 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

The processes of getting a new Vice Chancellor to replace Professor Florence Obi of the University of Calabar, UNICAL, has reportedly been thwarted following the restraining order by National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Calabar, stopping the Governing Council from proceeding with the ongoing selection process.

The court order with Suit No. NICN/CA/40/2025, signed and sealed by its registrar, Egba Juliet Peter, directed stoppage of the selection process pending determination of the motion.

A new Vice-Chancellor was slated to emerge at the end of the current administration’s tenure in December 2025 but this schedule will no longer be.

The Suit was filed by one of the applicants, Professor Joseph Eyo Duke, a claimant, challenging the advertisement published on 27 May 2025 which listed that possible contenders must possess at least 10 years post-professorial experience.

Prof. Duke said such a requirement is unlawful. arguing that it emanated from an emergency meeting of the University Council held on 25 March 2025.

He further insisted that the criterion is rooted in a non-existent regulation.

The motion ex-parte, dated and filed on 21 July 2025, sought an interim injunction restraining UNICAL and its Governing Council from enforcing or acting upon the advertisement pending determination of the motion on notice.

Upon hearing counsel the claimant, Ubong Akpan, Justice Sanusi Kado granted accelerated hearing of both the motion on notice and the substantive suit.

He also ordered the transfer of the matter to Abuja to be heard by a vacation judge.

The judge directed all parties to maintain the status quo, refraining from any action that could jeopardise the fair hearing of the suit. and fixed August 7, 2025 for hearing of the motion on notice at the Abuja Division.