Category: PM News

Nigeria’s first astronaut, Chief Owolabi Salis, has met former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as part of what he described as a strategic consultation with prominent national leaders aimed at charting a new course for Nigeria’s democratic and socio-economic development.

Salis, a New York-based lawyer and chartered accountant, disclosed that the meeting with Atiku marked the beginning of a series of planned engagements with key statesmen, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Heads of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

According to him, the consultations are driven by growing concerns over Nigeria’s democratic trajectory despite more than two decades of uninterrupted democratic governance.

He lamented that the country had yet to fully harness its enormous potential, attributing the situation to electoral malpractice, weak democratic institutions and self-serving political leadership.

‘It is unfortunate that Nigeria is still drifting after over two decades of democracy despite its enormous potential,’ Salis said.

He argued that the consequences of poor governance are most evident in the widening gap between the rich and the poor, with many Nigerians unable to afford basic healthcare and other essential services.

According to him, thousands of vulnerable citizens continue to die from preventable illnesses because they cannot afford basic medications, while the wealthy often seek medical treatment abroad.

Salis said he personally spends between $4,000 and $5,000 monthly to support indigent Nigerians with food and medical expenses, stressing that the scale of hardship reflects deeper systemic failures.

He also pointed to inadequate infrastructure in many communities, particularly those inhabited by low-income earners, as evidence that governance has failed to meet citizens’ expectations.

The former Lagos State governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) called for comprehensive electoral reforms, insisting that credible elections remain the foundation of national development.

‘There is currently a dangerous trend that allows for rigging and writing of election results, which is dangerous for national development,’ he said.

Recalling his experience during the Lagos governorship election, Salis claimed he witnessed electoral irregularities firsthand while inspecting election materials at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He further expressed concern over declining public confidence in key democratic institutions, including the judiciary and the National Assembly.

While declining to disclose the details of his proposals, Salis said he has developed practical solutions to Nigeria’s democratic challenges, which he intends to present privately to President Tinubu and other national leaders during the planned consultations.

‘I believe I have solutions, but I would rather discuss them directly with the country’s leaders than in the media,’ he said.

A Federal High Court in Ibadan on Thursday sentenced a 40-year-old woman, Omodunmami Ayantola to one year in the correctional centre for trafficking 45.6kg of Cannabis.

Delivering judgment, Justice Uche Agomoh convicted and sentenced Ayantola based on her guilty plea and the evidence tendered against her by the prosecution.

Agomoh added that she reduced the convict’s jail term because she did not waste the time and resources of the court before pleading guilty. She said that the convict was also a first time offender.

‘The convict has shown signs of remorse and has promised to turn a new leaf after completing her jail term. To serve as a deterrent to others, Ayantola is sentenced to one year imprisonment from the date of arrest. The dried weed substance found in her possession shall be destroyed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),’ Agomoh said.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr D.O. Otunla, had told the court that the convict committed the crime on April 1, at Eleta area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Otunla said that the NDLEA operatives received intelligence reports from informants that Ayantola was into illicit drug dealing.

According to him, the operatives arrested the convict in possession of a substantial quantity of Cannabis Sativa weighing 45.6kg.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provision of Section 11(C ) of the NDLEA Act Cap n30 Law of the Federation, 2004.

National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has vowed that the party will overcome what he described as legal and political schemes by anti-democratic forces.

Dickson, in a statement posted on his verified X account on Wednesday, said Nigeria’s democracy and multiparty system must survive ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former Bayelsa State governor said the NDC was confronting ‘legal and contrived shenanigans’ but expressed confidence that the crisis would eventually pass.

‘Nigeria’s democracy must survive. Multi-party democracy must survive no matter the different odds we may face in the course of returning Nigeria to the right course,’ he said.

Dickson expressed confidence that the judiciary would uphold the law and resist attempts to use the courts to undermine the country’s democratic process.

He also accused unnamed political figures whom he had previously supported of using government institutions to remove people from office, victimise innocent citizens and spread unfounded allegations.

Dickson alleged that the individuals had repaid the support extended to them, their families and communities with ‘wickedness and evil.’

Despite the challenges confronting the NDC, the former governor said he was encouraged by the growing number of Nigerians joining the opposition party.

According to him, leaders, young people, women and other citizens have continued to register and participate actively in the party’s activities.

Dickson said he had worked with other party leaders to strengthen the NDC nationally and position it as a credible political alternative.

He maintained that the current political crisis would not derail the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

Enugu Air has confirmed that one of its aircraft was involved in a runway excursion after landing at the Benin Airport on Thursday, with all passengers and crew safely evacuated and no injuries or fatalities recorded.

In a public notice issued after the incident, the airline said the aircraft veered off the runway after touchdown but stressed that everyone on board disembarked safely.

‘We confirm that all passengers and crew have safely disembarked and there were no injuries or casualties,’ the airline stated.

Enugu Air said the aircraft has been secured, while the relevant aviation authorities have been notified in line with established safety procedures.

According to the airline, an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the runway excursion and assess the condition of the aircraft.

The incident is also expected to cause temporary adjustments to some flight schedules.

Enugu Air assured affected passengers that they would be contacted directly and provided with the necessary assistance.

‘As a result, there may be temporary adjustments to some flight schedules. Passengers affected by any changes will be contacted directly and provided with the necessary assistance,’ the statement said.

The airline reaffirmed that the safety of its passengers, crew and operations remains its highest priority, adding that it would continue to provide updates through its official communication channels as more information becomes available.

A runway excursion occurs when an aircraft departs the runway surface during takeoff or landing. Such incidents can range from minor events to more serious occurrences, depending on the circumstances and resulting damage.

No further details were immediately available on the cause of the incident or the extent of any damage to the aircraft.

Rauf Aregbesola, the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has boasted of his legacy during his time as governor of Osun State.

While speaking in a recent video, Aregbesola revealed that he was staying in his friends house during his eight year tenure as governor of Osun State. He claimed that throughout his tenure, he did not own a house of his own.

He also claimed that he is the first governor with such a record, asking those who would disagree with his claim to come forward with proof.

‘I’m the first governor in Nigeria to rule a state for eight years without owning a house of his own. I stayed in my friend’s house for eight years as a governor in my father’s land. Whoever says that what I’m saying is not true should come out and show me the house I own,’ he stated.

The former Minister of Interior under the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari served as governor of Osun State from 2019 to 2018.

The Court of Appeal has rejected bail application of Mr. Garba Mohammed Dukku, a retired Director of Finance and Administration with the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) who was convicted and sentenced to 24 years’ imprisonment for the diversion of public funds amounting to approximately N319 million.

Mr. Dukku had approached the Court of Appeal seeking to be admitted to bail pending the determination of his appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which sentenced him to a total of 24 years imprisonment for corruption and money laundering offences, J. Okor Odey, Head, Media and Public Communications, ICPC, said in a statement on Thursday.

In its ruling, the Court of Appeal held that the Appellant/Applicant failed to show any exceptional circumstance to warrant the exercise of the Court’s discretion in granting bail pending appeal.

The Court consequently refused the application.

The Court, however, granted an accelerated hearing of the substantive appeal in order to ensure the expeditious determination of the matter.

Mr. Dukku was convicted by the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, on six counts bordering on corruption and money laundering.

The ICPC had told the court during trial that between 2012 and 2013, Mr. Dukku fraudulently diverted a total sum of N318,250,000 belonging to the AMMC into his personal Fidelity Bank account in various tranches, including N56.25 million, N71 million, N53 million, N54 million, N46 million, and N36.3 million.

The Commission further proved that the diverted funds were subsequently transferred to Bureau de Change operators for unauthorized purposes.

Although Dukku claimed during trial that the funds were handed over to his superiors, the Court dismissed the defence for lack of credible evidence and held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice Omotosho consequently sentenced the convict to four years’ imprisonment on each of the six counts, amounting to a total jail term of 24 years.

The court also imposed an option of fine equivalent to five times the amount involved in each count, totaling approximately N1.6 billion.

‘The ICPC welcomes the decision of the Court of Appeal refusing bail pending appeal and views it as a reaffirmation of the principle that applications for such relief must be supported by exceptional and compelling circumstances.

‘The Commission remains resolute in its commitment to the diligent prosecution of corruption cases and the protection of public resources from abuse and misappropriation,’ Odey said in the statement

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Obidient Movement have fired back at former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje over his attack on the Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket.

Ganduje had described the ticket as ‘dead on arrival,’ insisting that Obi and Kwankwaso lacked the political strength and governance records required to win the 2027 presidential election.

Reacting, NDC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Abdulmumin Abdulsalam dismissed the former Kano State governor’s assessment.

‘I think Ganduje is just blabbing,’ Abdulsalam said in an interview with The Punch.

He claimed Ganduje had lost political relevance in Kano and was being sidelined within the ruling APC.

Abdulsalam expressed confidence that the NDC would defeat the APC in Kano because of Kwankwaso’s political influence in the state.

‘We are confident of clearing all the state Assembly seats. We are also confident of winning the senatorial, House of Representatives and governorship elections as well,’ he said.

He described Kwankwaso as a formidable political force, noting that Ganduje previously served as his deputy governor.

The NDC spokesman also pointed to Obi’s performance in the 2023 presidential election as evidence of his nationwide popularity.

He predicted that Nigeria’s economic difficulties would attract more northern voters to Obi in 2027.

National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, also questioned Ganduje’s credibility and defended the records of Obi and Kwankwaso.

Tanko claimed Obi left ?75 billion in Anambra State’s coffers at the end of his tenure as governor.

He also cited infrastructure projects and overseas scholarship programmes implemented by Kwankwaso’s administration in Kano.

According to him, the educational programmes produced pilots, nurses and engineers for the state.

Tanko maintained that Ganduje had no basis to question the achievements of the two former governors.

‘His statement and attempt to discredit the duo are dead on arrival,’ he said.

Political and community leaders in Kogi East Senatorial District of the state on Tuesday said they would remain eternally grateful to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Usman Ododo for the socio- economic infrastructural development the zone has witnessed in the last three years.

The Chairman of Ankpa Local Government Area in the state, Alhaji Ademu Muhammed Yahaya, led the commendation of President Tinubu and the state government as the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and the Presidential Communications Team continued their inspection of federal and state governments’ legacy projects in the state.

In Ankpa Local Government Area, the team inspected a 12-kilometre internal road, with a 24-kilometre double -side drainage network undertaken by the Governor Ododo Administration.

Addressing the team, Kogi State Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Engr Joseph Oluwasegun, said the road network was a legacy project implemented by the state government through the Agro – Climatic Resilience in Semi Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) – a World Bank counterpart-funding project.

The commissioner, who also chairs the state ACReSAL, said the project comprising land reclamation, stabilization and channelization is a strategic intervention by the state government to reclaim degraded environment, control erosion and free more land for agricultural and other economic purposes, thereby enhancing food sufficiency and security.

‘I want to first commend Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo for always according to counterpart funds for ACReSAL projects across the state utmost priority.

‘The World Bank will only release its funds when the state government provides its counterpart funds for compensation and other ancillaries.

‘Governor Ododo is one of the governors that do not default in the provision of counterpart funds,’ the commissioner said.

He added that the project has improved livelihoods in the area and reduced poverty in no small way through the micro-loan component, which rural farmers and cooperative groups have immensely benefited from.

Engineer Oluwasegun described the intervention as a campaign promise to the people of Kogi East, which Governor Ododo has kept, adding that similar projects are ongoing in other senatorial zones of the state because of its impact and the multiplier effect for the citizens.

Oluwasegun said over $2m has been disbursed to cooperative groups in the community through the intervention, thereby reducing poverty and improving their livelihoods.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Ankpa Local Government described the erosion control intervention project in the area as the largest government project ever conducted in the local government.

‘Ankpa Local Government is an old local government. It was in the Benue-Plateau State and later in the old Kwara State before the creation of Kogi State. But I can categorically say the project is the biggest and most impactful by any administration for this local government.

‘We cannot thank the Governor and President Bola Tinubu enough. We will show our appreciation fully during the polls,’ he said.

Also, a community leader and Secretary of Olubojo Community, Elder Yahaya Samuel, said the project had relieved them of years of hardship and economic loss arising from erosion menace and dilapidated road.

He expressed profound gratitude to the state government for the intervention and promised President Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress candidates in the area of massive votes in the 2027 polls.

At the Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, the team inspected the new College of Health Sciences building undertaken by TETfund under its 2024 Intervention as well as the university’s new Senate Building under the tertiary education intervention agency’s 2024 High Impact Intervention at the cost of N643m and N3.1bn, respectively.

Similarly, the team inspected the Iyale-Ogane-Enugu Road – a 60-kilometer rural road under construction in Dekina Local Government Area.

The State Commissioner of Agriculture, Mr Timothy Ojoma, said the road construction is a reflection of the state government’s determination to open up agrarian rural areas, boost production and enhance commerce in the state.

Bus drivers operating from the Obalende Motor Parks Ikoyi, Lagos who had earlier complained about the abandoned heap of refuse at the motor parks by LAWMA workers which was releasing offensive odours affecting the people around on Tuesday thanked Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for responding swiftly.

Both drivers and commuters thanked Sanwo-Olu for saving them from health hazards by giving a marching order to the Lawma workers to clear the refuse at the parks.

Some of those who spoke with PM NEWS at the parks on Monday morning stated that they were pleasantly surprised by the way the Lawma workers stormed the Parks on Sunday morning with Caterpillar and about five trucks to evacuate the refuse they had abandoned for more than three months.

They said the prompt action the governor took few hours after the story about the refuse broke shows that Sanwo-Olu is not only a listening leader but also a leader with human heart.

They said the Governor’s attitude of responding to public complainants timely since assuming office has helped him immensely in achieving unprecedented success in all areas in Lagos.

They appealed to him to give a standing order to the Lawma workers to henceforth ensure they remove any refuse at the parks within 14 hours and not abandoned it again.

They also appealed to him to stop some of the unscrupulous Lawma workers from further demanding for money from the public before they could drop their refuse inside the trunks stationed there.

They said some of those who don’t have the money demanded normally leave in annoyance to go and dump the refuse anywhere they like especially on top of the bridge.

According Mr Sunday Odo, ‘I thank Governor Sanwo-Olu for coming to our rescue at Obalende Motor Parks timely to save us from contacting diseases from unpleasant odours oozing from the abandoned refuse.

‘We thought there was no trucks to evacuate the refuse since months ago when the refuse dump was shifted from inside the park to the present spot due to the ongoing reconstruction works in there.’

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has declared that his previous criticisms of the President are now baseless and irrelevant but were not lies.

Bwala made the statement during a heated exchange with Channels Television anchor Seun Okinbaloye on Wednesday’s edition of Politics Today.

Okinbaloye had questioned Bwala about critical comments he made against Tinubu before joining the administration.

Asked whether describing those comments as baseless meant he had lied, Bwala replied: ‘They are not lies. They are baseless. Not important for conversation.’

The presidential aide expressed frustration over the continued scrutiny of his past statements, claiming the presenter had asked him the same question more than five times.

‘When will you get tired of asking me the same question?’ Bwala asked.

He described the issue as inconsequential and accused Okinbaloye of advancing the opposition’s narrative.

‘The joblessness of the opposition, it seems they have carried you in that bus,’ he said.

Bwala argued that the interview should focus on issues affecting Nigerians, including the economy, education and insecurity.

He said greater attention should also be given to a letter from United States President Donald Trump commending Tinubu’s leadership and the growing security cooperation between Nigeria and the US.

According to him, the Tinubu administration has made substantial progress in strengthening collaboration among Nigeria’s security agencies and international partners.

Bwala criticised the amount of time spent discussing his previous comments rather than examining the contents and credibility of Trump’s letter.

‘Nigerians want to hear what is happening to their lives, their economy, education and, most importantly, security,’ he said.

He also accused the media of failing to apply the same level of scrutiny to opposition politicians who had changed parties or reversed previous positions.