Category: Nigerian Tribune

At a high-level panel session convened by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership during the launch of the Athena Election Observatory in Abuja, leading political figures, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), called for deep reforms, stronger institutions, and improved transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Themed ‘Innovation in Electoral Technology 2015-2025: Gains, Gaps and the Road Ahead,’ the forum brought together policymakers, academics, and civil society actors to assess the impact of technology on Nigeria’s elections, especially the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal systems by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Governor Chukwuma Soludo commended the progress made by INEC under Professor Mahmood Yakubu, describing the agency’s technological advancements as transformational.

He recalled that Anambra was the first state where INEC deployed the BVAS and IREV on a statewide basis and will likely be the last state to conduct an election under Yakubu’s tenure.

‘I believe in technology, and I believe INEC has done greatly well. We must give INEC some credit. There are a few bad eggs, but a lot of good people there have delivered credible results’, Soludo said.

The governor noted that the transition from manual to electronic processes represented a remarkable leap from past elections, particularly when compared to the 2007 polls.

‘If the experience in Anambra since 2019 is anything to go by, we can score INEC’s performance at 90 percent, clear, transparent, open, and accountable,’ he added.

Soludo, however, stressed the need for better staff training and strict enforcement of penalties for officials who violate INEC regulations. ‘Those who collate and falsify results must be prosecuted and jailed. INEC must train its officers properly, and political parties must do the same for their agents’, he noted.

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State commended Athena for organizing the dialogue, describing it as a timely intervention ahead of upcoming elections.

He applauded INEC’s introduction of the BVAS system as a very good innovation but called for deeper integration between BVAS and the IREV portal to ensure real-time transparency.

‘For me, going forward, let there be proper integration of BVAS and IREV. As accreditation is happening, voting results should reflect online in real time. Infrastructure is key to solving this problem because technology depends on connectivity’, Gov Lawal said.

Lawal urged Nigeria to emulate countries like India, Brazil, and Ghana, where technology has greatly reduced manipulation in elections. He emphasized that the success of any electoral innovation rests on the rule of law, institutional strength, and security integrity. ‘Let us build institutions, not individuals. Without rule of law, no matter what we do here, it amounts to nothing. Politicians must stop using security to intimidate voters for selfish interests’, he stated.

Rauf Aregbesola, former Minister of Interior and now ADC National Secretary, argued that the credibility of elections begins with how INEC officials are appointed.

‘The issues in Nigerian elections are not as simple as we make them. The way the INEC Chairman and Commissioners are appointed does not inspire confidence. We must review it’, Aregbesola said.

He proposed a system where political parties with at least five members in the National Assembly would nominate candidates for INEC leadership positions to ensure fairness and inclusivity.

‘It may require constitutional amendment, but it can be done. The principal beneficiary of manipulation cannot be the one appointing the umpire’, he noted.

Aregbesola also urged INEC to publicly demonstrate any technology it intends to deploy before elections, emphasizing transparency and stakeholder confidence. ‘Don’t tell us you are using BVAS only for us to discover a different system on election day,’ he cautioned.

He further recommended linking voter registration to the National Identification Number (NIN) to eliminate inflated voter registers and multiple registrations.

‘It does not speak well that we register 93 million voters and get less than 20 million votes. A credible register is the foundation of credible elections’, he said.

The panelists agreed that while electoral technology such as BVAS and IREV have improved transparency, institutional weaknesses, poor training, lack of accountability, and political interference remain major obstacles.

They called for continuous innovation, stakeholder engagement, and legal reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and restore citizens’ confidence in the ballot.

A two-year-old girl, Aryatara Shakya, was recently chosen as Nepal’s living goddess in another display of the country’s centuries-old custom. The little girl was carried by her family from their home in a Kathmandu alley to the temple palace during Nepal’s biggest Hindu festival.

The selection, rooted in religion and tradition, has once again drawn global attention to Nepal’s living goddess tradition, a practice that continues to interest and puzzle people around the world.

The living goddess, also known as the Kumari or living virgin, is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists and believed to represent divine feminine energy.

A Kumari is a young, prepubescent girl chosen from the Shakya clan within Nepal’s Newari Buddhist community. It is believed that the girl is possessed by the goddess Taleju or Durga.

However, behind the calm and ceremony lies a system of beliefs, selection rules, and emotional effects that make this one of the world’s most unusual traditions.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at five facts about Nepal’s living goddess tradition.

1. Chosen before age four

One striking part of Nepal’s living goddess tradition is that candidates are often selected between the ages of two and four. The selection is carried out by priests who look for 32 qualities, including clear skin, calm behaviour, and physical balance.

This means that before they can fully understand the world around them, these young girls are made symbols of holiness and begin a new life inside the temple palace.

2. They live in isolation

After selection, the Kumari lives almost entirely inside the temple palace, meeting only a few caretakers, family members, and priests. She is rarely allowed outside except during major festivals when she is carried through the streets for people to worship.

While this isolation is meant to preserve purity, it also keeps the child from everyday experiences like going to school, playing outdoors, or meeting other children.

3. She loses her divinity at puberty

In Nepal’s living goddess tradition, the Kumari’s divine role ends as soon as she reaches puberty. Once her first menstrual cycle begins, she is believed to lose her purity and must step down immediately.

After this, she returns to ordinary life, learning to do chores, attend school, and live outside the temple. Many former Kumaris find this change difficult because they move from being worshipped to living like everyone else.

4. They face difficulties adjusting later in life

Many former Kumaris struggle to adjust to normal life after years of being kept indoors and treated as sacred. Doing everyday tasks, making friends, or walking freely in public can be hard at first.

Some also face emotional struggles as they try to adapt to a world that once saw them as goddesses but now treats them as ordinary people.

5. Curse of marriage

A well-known Nepalese belief warns that any man who marries a former Kumari will die young. This fear has led many former living goddesses to remain unmarried for most of their lives.

Although Nepal is becoming more modern, this old belief still affects how people see former Kumaris, making it hard for many of them to live freely after leaving the temple.

Dangote Group has partnered with Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) to establish a fertiliser plant with an annual production capacity of three million metric tonnes of urea, making it one of the world’s largest.

The facility, located in Ethiopia’s South-East region, will utilise natural gas from the Hilal and Calub reserves to boost agricultural productivity, create jobs, and enhance food security across the Horn of Africa.

Speaking at the launch, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the project as a symbol of cooperation, peace, and progress, reflecting the country’s determination to harness its potential and strengthen its global presence.

He urged Ethiopians to unite in driving industrial and agricultural growth.

Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote, praised the Ethiopian government’s economic reforms and infrastructure development, noting that they have made the country attractive to investors.

He said the partnership represents a milestone in Africa’s drive toward industrialisation and food security.

Dangote revealed that the Gode project is only the beginning, with plans to produce more fertiliser types and make Ethiopia a regional hub.

He also announced plans for a polypropylene bagging plant and commended financial institutions backing the venture.

The ceremony was attended by senior Ethiopian officials, investors, and financiers, with Somali Region President Mustafa Omar calling Dangote ‘the anchor investor Ethiopia has been looking for.’

Nigeria’s ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise is reshaping the financial sector, with Union Bank, Polaris Bank, and Keystone Bank emerging as prime targets for potential acquisitions or mergers.

As the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) presses ahead with its March 2026 deadline for compliance with new minimum capital requirements, attention is turning to lenders yet to meet the benchmark.

Union Bank and Keystone Bank, in particular, are viewed by analysts as attractive prospects for stronger institutions seeking to expand market share and meet regulatory thresholds. Industry observers believe that mergers involving these banks could redefine the competitive structure of Nigeria’s banking industry, consolidating capital and improving operational efficiency.

The recapitalisation drive gained momentum following last week’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, where the CBN Governor confirmed that 14 banks have already met the new capital requirements. Market watchers are now monitoring banks still in transition-those raising fresh equity, negotiating mergers, or awaiting regulatory approval-to determine who will meet the March 31, 2026, deadline.

At the same time, the CBN’s resolution strategy for banks under its control has added another dimension to the unfolding consolidation wave.

In a major development, Unity Bank Plc shareholders recently approved a merger with Providus Bank Limited during a Court-Ordered General Meeting held on September 26, 2025. Under the approved scheme, Unity Bank shareholders will receive either N3.18 per share or 18 fully paid Providus Bank shares (N0.50 each) for every 17 Unity Bank shares held. The merger is expected to be finalised by December 2025, pending regulatory clearance.

The move marks one of the most structured mergers in recent years, setting a precedent for other mid-tier banks exploring consolidation as a pathway to meet recapitalisation targets.

Similarly, Union Bank of Nigeria has completed its merger with Titan Trust Bank Limited, following final approval by the CBN. While full transaction details remain undisclosed, analysts continue to scrutinise the implications of the deal, especially concerning legacy ownership and capital structure.

Market speculation also suggests that fresh merger talks involving Union Bank, Polaris Bank, and Keystone Bank could be in motion, as the CBN explores viable paths to strengthen their financial health. Analysts believe that forthcoming developments in these institutions could play a defining role in shaping the next phase of Nigeria’s banking consolidation.

Several banks have already taken decisive steps to raise capital ahead of the CBN’s deadline.

FirstHoldco Plc is finalising its additional capital raise through a private placement, following an off-market transaction involving 10.46 billion shares sold in July 2025.

Sterling Financial Holdings Company successfully concluded a public offer of 12.58 billion ordinary shares at ?0.50 each, raising ?88.07 billion to boost capital adequacy and fund strategic expansion.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) completed a Rights Issue of over 3.15 billion ordinary shares at ?50 per share, raising approximately ?157.84 billion, subject to regulatory approval by the SEC and CBN.

Wema Bank Plc closed a ?50 billion private placement-the final phase of its ?200 billion capital-raising plan-and awaits regulatory approvals.

FCMB Group Plc received shareholder approval to raise fresh equity via an Offer for Subscription, aligning with its recapitalisation strategy.

Jaiz Bank Plc also announced plans to increase its capital base to ?150 billion, signalling readiness to meet the CBN directive.

The recapitalisation exercise has spurred renewed interest in bank stocks, with investors weighing the impact of dilution on earnings per share (EPS) and future price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios. Analysts at Proshare’s Economic and Market Intelligence Unit (EMIU) forecast that EPS for several banks could decline by the end of 2025 due to expanded capital bases.

As a result, portfolio managers are expected to rebalance holdings based on forward-looking P/E estimates rather than trailing ratios. Currently, the average P/E ratio of Nigerian banks stands at 2.6 times-higher than the three-year industry average of 2.2 times.

Despite these shifts, profitability in the banking sector remains strong. Over the last three years, banks’ gross earnings have grown by 56%, with overall profitability rising by 66% annually, underscoring sector resilience amid regulatory reforms.

The Central Bank is expected to intensify oversight as the March 2026 deadline approaches, ensuring that all banks meet the capital thresholds. For institutions like Union Bank, Polaris Bank, and Keystone Bank, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether they pursue mergers, fresh equity injections, or strategic acquisitions.

Analysts believe the CBN’s ongoing intervention will lead to a leaner, stronger, and more competitive banking system-one capable of supporting Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy target by 2030.

As discussions continue, investors and the public are advised to rely on verified information rather than market speculation, as the next wave of consolidation promises to redefine Nigeria’s financial landscape in the months ahead.

UAC of Nigeria PLC (UAC) has finalized its acquisition of Chivita/Hollandia (CHI Limited), following regulatory approval from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

The deal, first announced on July 30, 2025, transfers ownership of one of Nigeria’s foremost food and beverage companies, best known for its Chivita juice and Hollandia dairy brands, to UAC.

Eelco Weber, Managing Director of CHI Limited, welcomed the development, noting that the business is well-positioned for growth under its new ownership. ‘We are pleased to have received regulatory approval for this transaction. We look forward to a smooth transition and to seeing Chivita/Hollandia thrive under UAC’s ownership,’ he said.

Fola Aiyesimoju, Group Managing Director of UAC, described the acquisition as a strategic milestone for the group. ‘We are excited to officially welcome the Chivita|Hollandia team and brands into the UAC family, and we are eager to work together to build on their strong legacy and market leadership,’ he stated.

The acquisition strengthens UAC’s position in Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, giving the group a larger stake in the rapidly growing juice and dairy segments. CHI Limited, with its flagship Chivita and Hollandia brands, dominates categories such as fruit juice, evaporated milk, and drinking yoghurt.

For UAC, the transaction aligns with its growth strategy of expanding its brand portfolio and leveraging established distribution networks. For The Coca-Cola Company, the divestment reflects a shift toward an asset-light model globally, even as it reaffirms its $1 billion investment commitment to Nigeria over the next five years.

The announcement coincides with UAC’s recently released half-year 2025 results, which showed a 33 percent year-on-year revenue jump to N110.4 billion, representing 56 percent of its 2024 full-year turnover. Operating profit nearly doubled to N12.59 billion, while pre-tax profit declined 25 percent to N11.1 billion due to the absence of last year’s foreign exchange gains.

Investor sentiment has remained strong. UAC’s share price has surged 134 percent year-to-date as of October 3, 2025, including a 10 percent intraday spike on Friday, likely reflecting optimism around the Chivita|Hollandia deal and the company’s growth outlook.

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has strongly condemned the recent comments made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole on national television, describing them as a ‘reprehensible assault on the fundamental rights of Nigerian workers’ and ‘a gross distortion of established labour laws.’

In a hard-hitting statement jointly signed by NUPENG’s National President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, the union expressed ‘profound dismay’ that a former labour leader could now be ‘a vocal advocate for corporate oppression,’ campaigning against the very rights he once fought to protect.

‘We witness with utter disappointment a former labour leader now transformed into a vocal advocate for corporate oppression, actively campaigning against the very rights he once championed,’ the statement read. ‘His attempts to rationalize the victimization of workers for exercising their fundamental rights of association and peaceful action are not only nauseating but represent a flagrant misrepresentation of Nigerian Labour Law and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions.’

NUPENG equivocally labelled Senator Oshiomhole a betrayer of labour movement ideas, describing his latest remarks as ‘the prattle of an apostate, intoxicated by the opium of power and dollarized into betraying the cause of the downtrodden Nigerian workers.’

The union said it was ironic that the man once regarded as the voice of Nigerian workers had now become an advocate for the ‘unconscionable capitalists’ opposed to unionization in their enterprises.

Citing sections of the 1999 Constitution and relevant labour laws, NUPENG reaffirmed that ‘every person in Nigeria: citizens and foreigners alike has the right to freedom of association and assembly,’ and that ‘no employer has the right to interfere with an employee’s freedom to join or form a union.’

The union recalled that Section 9(6) of the Labour Act expressly forbids any contract that attempts to exclude a worker from trade union membership, while ILO Conventions 87 and 98, both ratified by Nigeria, guarantee workers’ rights to form and join unions without interference.

The oil and gas workers’ body dismissed as ‘absurd and archaic’ Oshiomhole’s suggestion of a ‘moratorium on unionization,’ calling it ‘a regression to an unknown phase in human history that has no place in a modern democratic society.’ The union challenged him to ‘state to the whole world the section of the Labour Act or Trade Unions Act where such a slavish provision exists.’

Reacting to Oshiomhole’s criticism of the ongoing Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) strike, NUPENG described his position as ‘an act of profound historical revisionism and political amnesia.’ The union emphasized that PENGASSAN’s solidarity action with its members at the Dangote Refinery, where over 800 engineers were reportedly sacked for unionizing, ‘is a protected legal action under Section 31 of the Trade Unions Act.’

‘The principle that ‘an injury to one is an injury to all’ is the foundational ethic of trade unionism globally,’ NUPENG asserted. ‘For some Undistinguished Senators to now find this principle inconvenient only reveals a trading of once avowed class consciousness for a place among the oppressors.’

The union further expressed dismay that Oshiomhole, who once served several times in the Governing Council of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and in the Committee on Application of Standards that reviews global violations of workers’ rights, could ‘demonstrate such monumental ignorance of trade unionism.’

Referring to a past comment allegedly made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, NUPENG recalled the description of Oshiomhole as ‘a comrade in the morning and a politician by night,’ suggesting that the statement now rings truer than ever. The union accused the former labour leader of ‘rewriting history to suit his current reactionary advocacy’ and questioned his moral standing to lecture anyone on integrity or strategy.

In a dramatic conclusion, NUPENG declared Senator Oshiomhole persona non grata among Nigerian oil and gas workers for what it described as ‘the Undistinguished denunciation of the PENGASSAN strike against the unjustifiable sack of 800 engineers.’ The statement said the declaration means that ‘henceforth, we will not participate in or lend legitimacy to any event featuring Senator Oshiomhole,’ while urging the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and ‘conscionable civil society organisations’ to take note.

‘Oshiomhole’s denunciation and insensitivity to the plight of 800 engineers and his resistance to unionism in the petroleum and gas sector is a dangerous toxin designed to weaken the resolve of the working class and strengthen the class enemy,’ NUPENG warned. ‘We will continue to deploy every legal and industrial instrument available to us, in full compliance with Nigerian law and global labour standards, to secure justice.’

Declaring that Oshiomhole’s position on the PENGASSAN strike ‘qualifies him as the Judas Iscariot of Nigerian trade unionism,’ the union concluded with its enduring slogan: ‘Solidarity Forever! Our solidarity remains constant, for the union makes us strong.’

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has dismissed as false, mischievous and politically motivated reports alleging that he ordered the withdrawal of security detail attached to his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniekan Umanah, the government described the claim as a ‘false alarm’ designed to create unnecessary tension and distrust among leaders in the state.

The rebuttal followed viral reports alleging that policemen attached to the two residences of the former governor in Akwa Ibom had been recalled, sparking mixed reactions and political speculations within the state.

While some commentators accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government of attempting to arm-twist the former governor, others interpreted the development as evidence of a possible rift between Governor Eno and his predecessor.

Umanah, however, dismissed the insinuations as baseless. ‘The Governor did not issue any directive to withdraw security operatives from the immediate past Governor.

‘There has been no complaint or report from any former Governor or their media aides about the withdrawal of security personnel. The rumour exists only in the imagination of those peddling it,’ he clarified.

The Information Commissioner described the publication as a deliberate act by mischief-makers to distract from the administration’s development agenda and strain the cordial relationship between the two leaders.

He reaffirmed that Governor Eno remains focused on peace, unity, and stability across Akwa Ibom and would not be drawn into divisive or sensational politics.

‘Governor Eno will continue to ensure that all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, enjoy the full protection and benefits of the law,’ Umanah added.

He also urged journalists and media houses always to verify reports before publication to avoid spreading misinformation capable of heating up the polity.

Oyo State Government has sealed off Covenant College of Health Technology and Medical Sciences, Apata, Ibadan, for operating without proper accreditation and for offering unauthorised health-related programmes.

The enforcement operation was carried out on Friday by a team from the Oyo State Ministry of Health, led by the Director of Nursing Services, Dr Kehinde Oyebode, who represented the Commissioner for Health during the inspection.

Officials revealed that the institution had been deceiving unsuspecting members of the public by running unapproved courses under the guise of legitimate health training. Among the fraudulent programmes identified were so-called ‘Nursing Technician’ and ‘Nursing Assistant’ courses, which are not recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) or approved by the Ministry.

‘Let it be clear: there is no such thing as a ‘Nursing Technician’ or ‘Nursing Assistant’ course within the framework of Nigeria’s approved health training curricula,’ Oyebode stated.

‘This institution has been operating illegally and misleading students and parents who believe they are enrolling in accredited professional programmes.’

Oyebode expressed concern over the implications of such unauthorised operations on public health and safety. She noted that the school had not only commenced academic activities without approval, but had also been collecting tuition fees from students despite having no regulatory clearance from relevant authorities.

‘This is a serious violation. The health sector is not one where we can afford to cut corners,’ she emphasised.

‘Untrained and unlicensed individuals posing as health workers endanger lives. The government will not tolerate this kind of illegality.’

She explained that nursing education in Nigeria is strictly regulated, and only accredited Schools of Nursing or approved institutions affiliated with recognised teaching hospitals are permitted to train individuals in the nursing profession.

In line with its findings, the Ministry of Health issued an immediate shutdown order on the college’s operations, pending compliance with all necessary regulatory requirements, including programme accreditation and institutional licensing.

The Ministry further issued a public advisory warning residents of Oyo State and beyond to steer clear of Covenant College of Health Technology or any similar institutions offering unrecognised health programmes.

‘We urge parents, guardians, and prospective students to always verify the accreditation status of any health-related institution before making commitments. The list of approved schools is publicly available through the Ministry and regulatory bodies like the NMCN,’ Oyebode said.

This incident adds to growing concerns over the proliferation of mushroom institutions across Nigeria that exploit the demand for professional training in healthcare by offering fraudulent courses with no legal standing.

Stakeholders in the education and health sectors have repeatedly called on government agencies to intensify monitoring and enforcement to prevent unsuspecting citizens from falling victim to these illegal setups.

The enforcement action reinforces Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration’s strong stance on education reform, public accountability, and ethical standards in both public and private institutions across Oyo State.

Government officials reiterated their commitment to sanitising the education landscape and ensuring that only credible, accredited, and professionally guided institutions operate within the state.

The Oyo State Ministry of Health reiterates that Covenant College of Health Technology and Medical Sciences remains shut until it secures proper licensing and programme accreditation from relevant authorities.

For inquiries or to verify the accreditation status of any health training institution, members of the public are advised to contact the Ministry directly or visit the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) website.

Chief Executive Officer of Winhomes Global Services Ltd, Engr Stella Okengwu, has said that the confidence of foreign investors in Nigeria is at risk if their ongoing concerns are not urgently addressed by the federal government.

In a statement signed Monday, Okengwu accused the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi of actions that may threaten foreign investors’ confidence and undermine the rule of law.

She said the project in question, Winhomes Estate, is a $250 million diaspora-backed housing and tourism development designed to promote national growth and attract sustainable foreign investment.

According to her, the initiative was inspired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and has drawn support from Nigerians in the diaspora and foreign partners.

‘We believed in the Renewed Hope vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – a vision that inspired us to invest massively in Nigeria’s future.

‘But the recent actions and public comments of the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, have crossed legal boundaries and endangered investor confidence,’ she said.

Okengwu explained that Winhomes legally acquired 20 hectares of land, subdivided into 2,500 plots – each valued at ?150 million – within a serviced estate equipped with roads, drainage, libraries, hospitals, and perimeter fencing.

She added that about 400 plots worth ?60 billion were affected by the ongoing coastal road diversion, bringing total estimated losses to ?85 billion.

‘This is diaspora sweat and real capital – now endangered by ministerial overreach,’ she said.

The Winhomes CEO further alleged that the minister invoked the President’s name in a matter still before the court, calling the action ‘improper and dangerous.’

‘This conduct exposes the President’s office to reputational risk and undermines judicial independence,’ she said, citing Section 1(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which upholds the supremacy of the rule of law.

Okengwu clarified that the dispute is still before the Federal High Court in Lagos (Suit No. FHC/L/CS/10063/25), contrary to reports suggesting a judgment in favour of the Federal Government.

‘The case is still ongoing before Justice Akintayo Aluko. No judgment has been delivered. Any attempt to revoke land titles mid-case is contemptuous and unconstitutional,’ she said.

She also alleged that the minister visited the disputed site and declared it under his control – an act she described as ‘deeply corrosive to Nigeria’s investment climate.’

Addressing concerns about the source of project funds, Okengwu said the investment was financed through legal financial channels such as Sendwave, MoneyGram, Western Union, and other CBN-regulated platforms.

She added that Winhomes is certified by the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, confirming the legitimacy and transparency of all inflows.

‘Any suggestion that these funds are illegal is reckless and defamatory. These are lawfully earned funds from hardworking Nigerians abroad,’ she warned.

She called on President Tinubu to intervene by halting further ministerial comments, reaffirming judicial independence, and ordering a transparent valuation of diaspora investors’ losses.

She also urged the presidency to facilitate dialogue between WINHOMES and the Ministry of Works through their legal representatives, and to order investigations into alleged irregularities linked to the project.

‘Mr. President, this is a moment for decisive leadership. Either we protect the Constitution and investor confidence, or we allow ministerial impunity to erode decades of trust. The world is watching.’

She maintained that the Winhomes project represents a model for diaspora-led national development and warned that disputes of this nature could discourage future foreign direct investment in Nigeria.

FROM the Olubadan Ladoja penultimate Friday’s coronation , there were, as bound to be, viral Bola Tinubu moments.

One, was the brief socializing with the free-spirit Osun governor, Jackson Adeleke. The president, as seen in the video was bantering with the PDP governor, blocked by Osun APC from joining the President in the ruling party in the spirit of the southern coalition being coupled by the Nigerian leader, to smoothen his reelection. In what was obviously a friendly poke, the President while shooting for a handshake, quipped ‘ijonko o’ (how is dancing), an unveiled reference to the governor’s penchant for regular display of his dancing dexterity, despite his size, which makes his usual energetic ‘moonwalk’ a rich spectacle. Not one to let such affability go to waste, he, while bowing to take the President’s offered handshake, replied with unmissable flourish; ‘ijowadaada sir’ (dancing is great sir). That brief exchange should reinforce to Osun APC stalwarts that their leader in Abuja has a soft spot for the one they don’t want in Osun. May God help the state opposition if Jackson moonwalks over them to re-election next year. That would be the political end of many current leaders of Osun APC. To stand a chance of proving to their Abuja leader whose body language has shown that he would prefer the incumbent Osun governor as a member of the Progressive Governors (like Delta, Akwa-Ibom and likely Rivers), Osun APC leaders must get the nomination right by going for the aspirant with consolidated voting base like the incumbent. Until Borno State caught up with Osun days back, as the highest-netting in fishing new voters, Adeleke’s Osun West was topping nationally, an undeniable proof of his get-out-the-vote groundwork.

It shows a man who is ready.

Kano, another huge-voting state is mirroring Osun, though its political climate isn’t yet as crystal. President Tinubu no doubt, covets the vote-sweeping influence of former governor and NNPP lord, Rabiu Kwankwaso who was also at the Ibadan event and whose attempt at drawing the attention of the Nigerian leader also created another Tinubu moment. A viral video showed the President security team initially bouncing him off the periphery of the President’s perimeter as he (Tinubu) arrived the Mapo Hall venue but before he could be roughened up, the President signalled he should be allowed access to him.

By any measure and every standard, Kwankwaso is a heavy-hitter in Nigerian political firmament and holds joint-record with AyodeleFayose and KayodeFayemi, both of Ekiti State, of non-consecutive gubernatorial second term. He is also the 2023 presidential candidate with the largest votes from a state; his Kano State, creaming almost a million votes at a go. He had been minister of defence and currently governs Kano, the largest voting state of 2023 poll, through his son in-law, incumbent Governor Abba Yusuf. So there is no way the Kano strongman is unknown to the President security team and in many public fora, Tinubu, before and when he came into office, had acknowledged Kwankwaso a friend. So what went wrong? It is in public domain that Kwankwaso is open to a return to APC, potentially to help re-elect his friend and possibly position himself for an enhanced 2031 run when power is expected to return to the North. President also wanted him. But there is AbdullahiGanduje alongside other Kano APC big men in the middle, like Osun APC leaders, reportedly standing against having their former leader and his hand-held governor back in the fold, where Governor Yusuf will become the de jure leader, and his father in-law; Kwankwaso, the de facto leader.

Unlike Osun where the President reportedly agreed that Adeleke and APC leaders should first test might in next year gubernatorial poll to know who should lead his coalition in the state ahead of 2027, Tinubu, according to his orbit had done a lot to assure Kwankwaso of his commitment to their partnership if he returns to the APC fold for him, including having to painfully pinch Ganduje. But the Kwankwasiyya leader has been allegedly irresolute, constantly shifting his conditions to meet before decamping. Weeks back he went public in the media space with his desire and conditions, with the President reportedly souring on him and deciding to look elsewhere for solutions to his Kano deficits, notably the 2023 gap of 419,938 votes between him in second place and Rabiu in the lead.

When security begin to bounce someone who used to have access to their principal, words must have definitely gone around and about. The Ibadan scenario looks like using the right hand to pull a naughty child’s ear and using the left to rub the back of his head. Did RMK get the message?

Then there was the BAO snub at the Ibadan airport where attending governors formed a beeline to welcome the Nigerian leader. Pray, why is the President resorting to public snub and its attendant opprobrium to manifest his discontent towards his allegedly errant party governors, especially those of Yoruba extraction?. First it was the Lagos man, Babajide Sanwoolu who the President refused to acknowledge and greet during the controversial commissioning of a portion of Lagos-Calabar highway on May 30 this year. The President is from Lagos and was governor of the state like Sanwoolu between 1999 and 2007. By standing up to then-President Olusegun Obasanjo of then-ruling PDP, he gave the governor’s seat character, elan and respect. Though they later made whatever was between them up eight days after through the intervention of the nebulous GAC, the incumbent had been served as they say. It’s doubtful if a swashbuckling Governor Tinubu of his time and term in Lagos would have peacefully resolved such public shaming with any president whether of his party or from the opposition.

BAO, arrayed from his names, is the political sobriquet of the 57-year-old Ekiti governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji. Married to a professor, the governor has been practically what anyone aspiring at Ekiti level could be, including serving as the secretary of the Falegan committee that made the creation of the state possible. It is just fitting that he leads the state he helped create. He should also be allowed to lead as he deems right and if found wanting, his reelection fate should be left for Ekiti electorate to determine. Period.

Before the Ibadan debacle, I had heard from power corridors in Abuja things weren’t well between the Governor and the President who is also the national leader of their party. While BAO has been variously judged average and even below average in governance delivery, his problem with Abuja was said to be mainly political and just like the Sanwoolu situation, the President gave a public confirmation to the behind-the-curtain muttering that Oyebanji is no longer a ‘son’ in whom he is well pleased. At the airport reception, the President walked past him as if he didn’t exist despite his three-piece white agbada ensemble, standing at the head of the line of other governors and dignitaries. The security just moved in-between them as the President looked away and straight, unlike the Kwankwaso case later when the Nigerian leader rescued the Kano fellow from his security who appeared to be following strict orders.

Oyebanji’s alleged sins are mainly political and the constitution covers freedom of association. If President Tinubu as APC national leader thinks Oyebanji is derailing from the vision of the party, there are better ways of reining him in or keeping him out permanently without resorting to embarrassing his person, for fleeting political power. Yes I know people can bone (naija street lingo for snub) offending beloved, as a way of expressing disavowal so they come bearing repentance and desiring forgiveness but even for Trump the ruffler, there are acts that won’t be presidential. Add to the fact the President is a Yoruba elder who shouldn’t be handling the proverbial festival like a teen (agbakinseoro bi ewe).

Like President Tinubu, the two governors, publicly humiliated over if I heard right, alleged acts that he himself would endorse as survival politics in his days in the thick, wild forest of politics, are Yoruba. While he is definitely older than both, respect should be reciprocal. And I ask, is it only South West APC governors that are overreaching in the President’s estimation? Will the President treat Northern APC governors this way regardless of political sin? Did ordinary palace guards of a Northern emir not break down doors in utter disregard for established protocol to let their lord into an event where the President was already seated? Whoever sells his own short will pay heavily for outsiders.

If the public smackdowns are the President’s way of settling scores especially with governors who he would not be able to monitor directly on election day, then he risks a situation Yoruba will describe as bottling the crimson inside while spitting out bright saliva. It is dangerous when people play along. If you see my hand you can’t see my mind situation. Whenever I see Governor Sim smiling the President into superlatives. a Yoruba adage is always jumping at me; ‘onikun lo mero’. Won’t interpret.

When you need to make others feel small for you to feel big, it is the highest manifestation of inner weakness. Dishing to others what you can’t take is against divine rule of do unto others as you want others do to you. Why publicly disgracing someone who has come to honour you?

The latest presidential humiliation is two too many. If the President is this way in the public, how toxic can things get with him in private when displeased, considering how he has been making grown men feel very small in full glare because he wanted everybody on board his re-election plans. The tortoise in-laws, even when rightly wronged, will always carry the shame of doing too much to shame their offending son-in-law. Haba! Kilode!