Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Those aggrieved by the outcomes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries got soothing words from the chairman of the ruling party, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, who took responsibilities for post-primary grievances.

He took the responsibility on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC) for all the disputes generated by the primaries that produced the party’s candidates for the 2027 general election.

Yilwatda said he was tendering a public apology to all aggrieved members over what he described as perceived wrongs for the entrenchment of unity in the party.

The party chair spoke yesterday in Ibadan during the launch of the Oyo State APC Campaign Office, located around Dandaru Junction, Mokola – UCH Road, Ibadan.

Flanked by some NWC members, Yilwatda appealed to members who felt hurt, injured, prevented or excluded in any form to forgive the party and remain united ahead of the 2027 general election.

He said the responsibility extended beyond Oyo State, stressing that the committee that conducted the primaries was constituted by the national leadership and therefore, any mistake committed by it amounted to a mistake by the leadership of the party.

He urged all state party chairmen across the country to take the message of apology to all members of the party.

Yilwatda said: ‘This is not for Oyo State alone. Anywhere anybody made a mistake in a state, it is our mistake because the committee was set up by us and they are representing us.

‘If anybody is hurt, if anybody is injured, if anybody is prevented or excluded in any form or the other, we take responsibility. On television and before Nigerians, we take responsibility of all that has happened. I appeal to everybody that we are sorry.’

The APC national chairman urged members at polling units, wards and local government areas across the country to regard the matter as an internal family affair

Yilwatda assured that the party was taking Oyo State seriously because of its strategic importance and large voting population, second only to Lagos.

He noted that through its governorship candidate Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the party is seeking to restore Oyo to its glory days, urging all members to work together in unity.

Alli commended Yilwatda for fulfilling his promises to the state within two days.

He appreciated him for honouring the invitation to meet with governorship aspirants and stakeholders, saying the achievements recorded within the period surpassed what the stakeholders had been able to accomplish on their own.

He said the promises made when the national chairman invited the aspirants had now been fulfilled.

‘We cannot thank you enough for what you have come to do. What you have achieved successfully in two days, we have not been able to accomplish,’ Alli said.

He assured the national chairman that the party in Oyo would continue to do what is expected.

Former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has revealed how ex-military ruler Ibrahim Babangida privately warned former President Olusegun Obasanjo against trusting his deputy, Atiku Abubakar.

Duke’s account appears in Seun Oloketuyi’s new book, How to Win Elections in Nigeria, which chronicles the intrigues of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

According to Duke, tensions between Obasanjo and Atiku had reached a boiling point as the president prepared for his 2003 re-election bid. Atiku’s political manoeuvres, he said, raised doubts about his loyalty, prompting Obasanjo to confide in allies about what he saw as betrayal.

Duke recalled receiving a late-night call from Obasanjo, who complained bitterly about Atiku’s conduct. ‘I urged him to remain calm and promised to fly to Abuja the next morning,’ Duke said.

What followed was a dramatic meeting at the presidential villa involving Obasanjo, Atiku, Babangida, and Abdulsalami Abubakar. Babangida reportedly reminded Obasanjo of earlier agreements made after his release from prison and warned that northern leaders might resist backing his second-term bid.

But the most striking moment came after the meeting ended. As Babangida and Obasanjo walked back alone to retrieve Babangida’s forgotten keys, the former military ruler dropped his diplomatic tone.

‘I warned you not to trust that your deputy,’ Babangida allegedly told Obasanjo. Moments later, in front of the others, he looked at Atiku and declared: ‘This one cannot rule Nigeria.’

Duke said the episode underscored the depth of distrust between the two men and highlighted the brutal realities of political betrayal. ‘Betrayal is a very crazy thing in politics,’ he reflected.

The frosty relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku has endured for decades, marked by accusations of corruption, abuse of office, and political sabotage. Obasanjo recently reignited the feud, alleging that Atiku once offered ?5 million to the late Speaker Ghali Umar Na’Abba to initiate impeachment proceedings against him.

Atiku, a presidential candidate in next year’s general election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissed the claims as fabrications, accusing Obasanjo of bitterness over his failed third-term agenda.

The revelations in Oloketuyi’s book add fresh layers to one of Nigeria’s most enduring political rivalries. This uneasy partnership shaped the country’s democratic journey and continues to reverberate ahead of the 2027 election.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy to commence the installation of 3,700 base towers across the country to close 20 million digital access gaps.

Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy Minister Bosun Tijani, who made this known yesterday, said President Tinubu wants everyone in Nigeria to have access to telecommunications irrespective of their location.

Also yesterday, the Federal Government inaugurated the National Innovation Hubs Standards Framework with critical groups such as the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the European Union, Denmark Government and the Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) calling on stakeholders to contribute meaningfully towards successful implementation of the framework.

Delivering a keynote address at the opening of the National Innovation Hub Standards Framework’s Formal launch and Validation, Tijani said the Tinubu administration is building Nigeria’s digital future on three critical layers that focus on how technology can be used to impact the lives of the citizens.

He added at the event organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) that Nigeria is currently attracting billions of dollars into the banking sector with the dominance of unicorn companies based on the solid financial frameworks.

The minister said the framework, which is built on digital infrastructures make banking transactions seamless and better in Nigeria than in the United States.

Highlighting the significance of digital infrastructures, Tijani said: ‘The banking community and CBN also did something that inspired me; for those who follow, they built Nigeria’s interbank settlement system, which is one of the best on the African continent.

”That’s why you see banking services sometimes in Nigeria are better than what you would find in countries like the US.

‘We got Nigeria to build an interbank settlement system, and we have connectivity. Most people don’t know that that’s why we have financial technology companies that are some of the best on the African continent.’

The minister also said government has secured funding for the laying of 90,000- kilometre fibre-optic cables to boost connectivity in the country. He said that the project would commence in October.

‘By the time we’re done with the project, it’s going to be either the third or second longest fibre-optic network on the African continent, somewhere between what we have in South Africa and Egypt. And this is a project that will start in October,’ Tijani added.

Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi, said the inauguration of the framework would open a vista of opportunities for start-up hubs across the country.

He said:’ Today for me marks a remarkable milestone in our journey of making innovation evenly distributed in Nigeria. We know innovation doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens in an ecosystem, and that ecosystem also doesn’t happen by accident; it happens by design.

‘But to design it, we need to be intentional about it. In some locations it happens organically, but in some other locations we need to make some effort to make it happen, and to do that today we are here to socialise the national innovation hub standard framework.’

The Benue State House of Assembly on Thursday recommended the suspension of the Chairman, Kwande Local Government (LGA), Mr Vitalis Neji, for three months over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.

The recommendation followed consideration of the report of an ad hoc committee constituted by the house to investigate the allegations against the council chairman.

Presenting the report during the plenary, the Majority Leader and Chairman of the committee, Mr Peter Ipusu, said that Neji appeared before the committee but was unable to satisfactorily defend himself against the allegations levelled against him.

Following the presentation and debate on the report, members unanimously called on the Speaker, Mr Alfred Emberga, to rule on the committee’s recommendation.

Ruling on the matter, Emberga announced the suspension of Neji for three months to allow for further investigation into the allegations against him.

He said that the suspension took effect immediately pending the outcome of the investigation. (NAN)

As we count down to the 2027 general elections, the presidential campaigns have begun, in line with the elections timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Accordingly, I wish to reiterate my view on the hypocrisy of the elites, and how they have largely conbtributed to the current political, economic and social chanllenges of our country, and how the elites of this country should view and participate in governance in 2027 and beyond.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been taking some bold decisions and reforms in the past three years since the beginning of his administration. Those decisions have in many cases, further worsened the hitherto excruciating and brutal microeconomics and social situations of majority of Nigerians. For instance, according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, as at two months ago, the number of multidimensionally poor Nigerians have increased to over 140million from the 133million as at the time President Tinubu became the President in May, 2023. Indeed the reforms have yielded some macroeconomic outcomes like the stabilization of foreign exchange. However, at the microeconomic level; the brutal and exacerbating national insecurity, increasing cost of living, rising employment, etc are yet to demonstrably and significantly reduce to bearable levels. This situation, have triggered regional, and national concerns, debates, and/ or controversies, as the government tries to defend, rationalize, justify, deny, and even somtimed push back (rightly, or wrongly).

Consequently, some of those decisions, or reforms have exposed the hypocrisy of the elites of this Country with regard to where they stand on germane issues that affect the masses or generality of the citizenry of Nigeria. In most cases, the hue and cries are louder or sustained, only if those decisions or reforms affect the elites, their families and friends. They are not really concerned or do not demonstrate the same level of emotions and sensitivities with regard to issues that only impact the masses of this country.

By ‘elites’, I mean, the middle-class citizens, who are mostly educated, gainfully employed, and part of the governance and leadership structure of Nigeria; in the civil service, public service, and private sector. We are mostly employees or employers of labor as professionals, traditional leaders, religious leaders, businessmen/women, entrepreneurs, academics, craftsmen, etc.

Except for a few, we, the elites have been serially failing the masses of this Country, by not really taking tangible actions that add value to our national collective good. Most of us remain aloof to our current national, and sub national realities. While some of us engage in ‘armchair ‘criticisms or cynicism’. The key questions are; What contributions and sacrifices are the Nigerian elites really making to better the political, economic, and social situation of our Country? What solutions are we offering, and/ or how are we part of the solutions? Curiously, when things affect our relatively comfortable lives, we try to gaslight the situations and behave as if ‘we are all in it together’ with the poor citizens.

Furthermore, during elections, about 80% of the people who go to vote, are the masses, i.e the poor people and the needy. Majority of the elites do not even turn up to vote during elections. We are not really part of actual political process, except if our selfish and parochial interests will be served, and yet we expect Nigeria to be better. Those are some of the things that I call the ‘hypocrisy of our expectations’.

When reforms or policies affect the masses, most of Nigerian elites do not really care, while some of them only engage in political statements, or play to the gallery. The elites are not persistent, and assertive on things that largely affect the masses. This behavior of the majority of Nigerian elites (which is similar to elitist behaviors in other societies and countries) has been the bane of our growth and development as a nation since independence – over 65 years ago. Sadly, majority of the elites that have been the architects and part of the problems that Nigeria and Nigerians are facing today; from our collusion in wanton corruption, to our deliberate or inadvertent contribution to the political, social, and economic retrogression of Nigeria – either by our actions or inaction.

An instance of some government decisions that further exposed the hypocrisy of the elites of this country was the allegations of ‘forced retrenchment’ of some staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which happened between 2024 and last year (2025) under the current its leadership. There were claims of attempts to force some staff of CBN that are from some sections of Nigeria, out of the CBN. The CBN insisted that the exercise was based on an initiative to downsize an over-bloated CBN. The CBN claimed that part of the initiative, was the offer of exit packages to ‘willing staff’ that will accept to voluntarily resign. There were also allegations that the CBN leadership was planning to the Headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from Abuja (Northern Nigeria) to Lagos.

There was a major push back by some elites against the actions of CBN, and the questions I was asking were; How many of the CBN staff are actually children of the 65% multi-dimensional Nationally poor Nigerians – whether they are from northern or southern Nigeria? How many of them are children of the masses? I even heard that in some cases the elites don’t want their children to be transferred out of the CBN Headquarters in Abuja. How many children of the masses are working in those ‘elitist’ federal government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies? Therefore, it is only in the aforementioned cases that you hear Nigerian elites shouting or crying out.

If the elites of the Nigeria, put the level of fervor, gusto, and determination that we use to pursue our individual and collective interests, to pursue good governance, fairness, equity, justice, unity, and demand for accountability; Nigeria would have been far ahead of its current situation, which is far behind its peers across the world, i.e Malaysia, Brazil, etc.

Moreover, Nigerian elites should apply the same sentiments, commitment, and gusto to ensure the performance of political leaders not just at federal level but also at sub-national levels- Nigeria. How are the elites are advocating for, or pushing the agenda for government at federal and subnational levels to deliver good governance, catalyse economic recovery, growth and development, etc? And yet we still expect that by some magic, Nigeria will suddenly recover from the current multidimensional challenges, and zoom to economic prosperity, and social justice! That is why I will continue to talk about the hypocrisy of our expectations.

The elites and conspiracy of

corruption:

Most Nigerian elites have been serially failing the people of this country, even worse than the politicians. And why am I saying so? Because, we constitute the powerhouse of governance in Nigeria; as Presidents, Governors, Federal ministers, Chairmen of Boards, or Managing Directors. Chief Executive Officers, Board members (in public and private sector), Permanent Secretaries, Commissioners, Directors, Businessmen, Businesswomen, Entrepreneurs, Academics, Professionals, Religious Leaders, Traditional Leaders, etc. We are all members of the ‘Elite’ strata of Nigeria, and have been privileged and so Blessed by Almighty God. It is sad, and an ultimate disservice, that most of us that have been privileged to be in those privileged positions (currently or in the past), are in cahoots with the vested interest to further plunder resources or cripple the economy of Nigeria. Most of us have become the key drivers of the corruption value chain in Nigeria. And yet we conveniently blame Presidents or governors or ‘politicians’ at our convenience. What level of shamelessness!

Interestingly, for every politician that commits graft, you will find more that 10 elites that enable, facilitate, and protect corruption. Sadly, most of those corrupt elites are so crafty, that most of the time, they escape justice. While most of the elites share money, political positions, or when some of them engage in corrupt practices; they do not have religious, tribal, ethnic, or regional sentiments. Indeed, Nigerian elites are mostly united in the conspiracy of corruption in all its ramifications.

The elites of Nigeria should stop being ‘happy passive consumers and looters of our commonwealth’. We should dutifully and conscientiously, deliver our respective responsibilities for a better Nigeria.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed relevant federal agencies to collaborate with the Sokoto State Government to prevent a recurrence of the boat accident in Gorau Community, Goronyo Local Government Area, which claimed several lives and left others missing.

The President specifically directed the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to work closely with the state government to ensure that waterway safety standards are strictly enforced.

Tinubu gave the directive on Friday while reacting to the boat mishap, which he described as a tragedy, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The President also commended emergency responders and local authorities for their swift intervention in rescue and recovery operations following the accident.

Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of life, Tinubu extended his condolences to the bereaved families, as well as the government and people of Sokoto State.

‘The news of this boat mishap deeply saddens me. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families during this difficult time. I pray that God grants the departed eternal rest and gives their loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss,’ the President said.

He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the accident and assured the people of Sokoto State of the Federal Government’s support as they grapple with the tragedy.

The latest directive underscores concerns over recurring boat accidents across the country and the need for stricter enforcement of safety measures on inland waterways.

The leadership of the Amirah Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has commended the peace in the Southeast.

Dr. Sumaye Fadimatu Hamza spoke at a briefing in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, ahead of its 11th national conference taking place at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Umuahia.

She said, contrary to reports on social and mainstream media, the Southeast, especially Abia State, the host state of the national conference, was peaceful.

Hamza, who disclosed that members from all 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), would be arriving in Abia State for the three-day event, thanked Governor Alex Otti and the people of the state for their support, hospitality and commitment to the successful hosting of the conference.

She said the theme for this year’s conference, ‘Faith, Resilience and Responsibility: Muslim Women Responding to Challenges,’ was carefully chosen because it reflects the realities of the time in the country.

According to her, the theme also reflects the urgent need for individuals, families, communities and institutions to respond positively to the challenges confronting the nation.

The FOMWAN national leader said the conference would provide an opportunity for Muslim women to dialogue, reflect, learn and network, adding that they also aimed to design an action plan that would strengthen families, communities and institutions.

The Muslim women’s leader, who highlighted some of the achievements and interventions the organisation had made in the past, disclosed that its interventions cut across education, politics, the economy and other sectors of the Nigerian state.

She reminded Nigerians that government alone could not address the challenges facing the country, emphasising that nation-building was a collective responsibility.

This is even as they called on the government and wealthy individuals in the country to massively invest in education and skills development, mental health and psychological support for communities, women’s employment and leadership, youth mentorship and responsible citizenship, among others.

They also prayed for peace, security, justice and a prosperous Nigeria where the government and citizens would work collaboratively.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in last Saturday’s Osun State election, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, on Friday called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to rein in his supporters and halt alleged attacks on members of the opposition party in the state.

Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, made the appeal while speaking with journalists at the State House, Abuja, shortly after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The APC candidate alleged that attacks on members of his party had continued after the election, claiming that four or five people were attacked in his hometown, Ikire, on Friday morning.

He said the incidents had been reported to security agencies and urged Adeleke to prevail on his supporters to embrace peace and allow political actors in the state to coexist without violence.

‘I want to advise the governor that it’s important for him to talk to his people. Violence against our people is not too good, and he needs to talk to them so that each and every one of us can be on the same page’, Oyebamiji said.

Asked to shed more light on concerns he had earlier raised over alleged attacks on APC members following the declaration of the governorship election results, Oyebamiji said the situation had persisted.

‘Well, yes. Even as of this morning, in my own village, Ikire, some were attacked; about four, five people were attacked. We have informed the security operatives accordingly. That’s what I have to say about that’, he said.

Oyebamiji, however, appealed to APC members and his supporters across Osun State to remain calm and peaceful, stressing that electoral contests should not be allowed to undermine the peace of the state.

According to him, elections should be approached peacefully because the ultimate purpose of government is to serve the people.

‘The most important thing is to run every election with a peaceful mind. It is important for us Nigerians to know that government is about people, and because it’s about people, it is important that we be peaceful. I want to appeal to our people in Osun that they need to be peaceful,’ he said.

The APC candidate also said the party was still reviewing the outcome of the August 15 governorship election and had yet to make a final decision on its next course of action.

He said the party would make its position public after completing its examination of the election results and other relevant records.

‘For now, the APC is still examining the books, and by the time we spread our sheets, we’ll be able to get back to the public on what our own opinions are and what decisions we want to take, but the take-home is that they should be calm,’ Oyebamiji said.

Oyebamiji’s visit to the Presidential Villa came less than 24 hours after Adeleke met President Tinubu at the State House on Thursday.

Adeleke, who contested the August 15 election on the platform of the Accord Party, was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after polling 511,067 votes.

Oyebamiji, his closest challenger, scored 444,815 votes, leaving a margin of 66,252 votes between the two leading candidates.

Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji carried 11.

Following his meeting with Tinubu on Thursday, Adeleke had thanked the President for allowing what he described as a free and fair election in Osun, saying Tinubu’s conduct reflected his longstanding commitment to Nigeria’s democratic struggle.

Oyebamiji’s comments on Friday, however, indicated that the APC was keeping its options open on the election outcome, even as he urged party members to remain peaceful pending the conclusion of its review.

Nigeria’s Pamela Bawa and Esther Mbah will take on Egypt’s Mariam/Rana in the Round of 16 of the women’s main draw at the 2026 CAVB Beach Volleyball Continental Senior Championship in Alexandria, Egypt, today.

The Nigerian pair are scheduled to face the Egyptian duo on Court 3 at 12 noon local time, according to the official match schedule.

The encounter is one of eight women’s Round of 16 matches listed for today as the championship enters a crucial stage.

Other matches on Court 3 will see Nadia/Verónica of Mozambique face Lu/Jany of Cape Verde, Amina/Diouma of Senegal meet Amelou/Bechar of Algeria, while Donne/Joanita of Mauritius take on Njie/Gambou of Gambia.

On Court 2, Marwa/D. Eghotashy of Egypt will play Tofolvi/Chapole of Lesotho, while Alexandra Erhardt/Darham of Morocco face Dania/Adeline of Seychelles. Cameroon’s Irina/Nina will meet Vanessa/Sinaportar of Mozambique, with Una/Yatku of Madagascar taking on Sena/Wavinya of Kenya.

The women’s competition is part of the African Beach Volleyball Championship being held in Alexandria from August 18 to 22.

The tournament has brought together leading beach volleyball teams from across Africa, with continental honours and qualification opportunities for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games among the major objectives.

For Nigeria, Esther and Pamela will be hoping to advance beyond the Round of 16 when they meet the Egyptian combination today.

Grassrunners FC and Abakaliki FC will meet in the final of the 14th Ogunjobi Gold Cup after both teams won their respective semi-final matches yesterday.

Grassrunners defeated Sunshine Stars 3-1, while Abakaliki FC edged Ikorodu City 2-1 to secure their places in Saturday’s final.

The final will take place at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, at 10am on Saturday.

Grassrunners, making their debut in the competition and yet to taste defeat, will be seeking to crown their impressive campaign with the trophy. They will, however, face an Abakaliki FC side that has also shown its strength throughout the tournament.

Sunshine Stars took an early lead in the first semi-final when Onoja Mathew scored in the 15th minute.

Grassrunners responded in the second half, with Agbejoye Papi equalising in the 58th minute from a difficult angle.

Papi struck again in the 86th minute to put Grassrunners ahead before Adeola Fadel added a third goal in the 89th minute to complete the comeback.

The second semi-final also produced an entertaining contest.

Ikorodu City took the lead in the 11th minute through Ayanda Tolulope. Abakaliki FC, however, responded through Moses Amanekwu, who scored his second goal of the tournament.

Amarachukwu Uche then put Abakaliki FC ahead in the 48th minute with a fine finish from a corner to secure the 2-1 victory.

The two teams will now meet in a winner-takes-all final for the 14th Ogunjobi Gold Cup.