TCN: Solar streetlight projects NASS are constituency projects to support grid security 

 

 

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has noted a publication authored by Emmanuel Oluwole Uti of FIJ alleging that TCN paid N1.28 billion between May and June 2025 for solar streetlight projects “outside its mandate.”

In a statement on Saturday, the Company clarified that the projects referenced are National Assembly Constituency Projects duly captured in the Federal Government approved appropriation budget and nominated by Honourable Members and Distinguished Senators to serve vulnerable communities.

“TCN did not initiate or request these projects. They were included in TCN’s capital projects by the National Assembly, with the Company designated as the implementing agency by the relevant authorities, in line with established government practice.

 

“It is important to emphasize that the funds utilized for these projects do not belong to TCN and are not sourced from the Company’s Internally Generated Revenue.

“They are Federal Government appropriations budget duly approved by Mr. President. Consequently, all payments, including those referenced by FIJ, were processed through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) in strict compliance with extant financial regulations,” TCN statement said.

The Company went further to say that “the procurement process was carried out with approvals from relevant Government agencies such as the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

 

“As an organization whose 330kV and 132kV transmission lines and towers crisscross the nation, TCN has consistently undertaken nationwide sensitization programmes on safety, asset protection, and the dangers of vandalism and bush burning.

“Experience has shown that well-lit communities help boost public confidence, reduce vandalism and theft, and ultimately safeguard the integrity of the national grid.

 

“The interventions listed by FIJ in Jigawa, Kano, and Kogi States were therefore implemented by TCN at the instance of the National Assembly request to improve security in vulnerable communities, enhance visibility, and support socio-economic activity in beneficiary areas, while also contributing to the protection of national power infrastructure.

 

“While TCN’s core statutory mandate remains bulk power transmission, the Company is empowered to execute constituency and other federal government projects when duly assigned. These interventions should not be erroneously interpreted as a deviation from TCN’s primary responsibility as the transporter of bulk electricity nationwide.

 

“It is also worthy of note that, as a government agency, there is no provision in law prohibiting TCN from executing projects assigned to it by the National Assembly or other arms of government, provided due process is followed in accordance with the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

 

“All procurements relating to these projects, including the seven payments cited by FIJ to Au Step Nigeria Limited, Empire Technical Projects Construction Services Limited, and Ideal Engineering & Construction Company Limited, were carried out in strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act.”

Clarifying further, TCN said: “Competent contractors were engaged, and the projects are being monitored to ensure quality delivery and measurable impact for the benefiting communities.”

 

“TCN therefore appeals to media organizations and stakeholders to verify information with the Company prior to publication. This will ensure factual, balanced, and accurate reporting, while preventing the spread of misinformation.

 

“The Transmission Company of Nigeria remains committed to its statutory mandate of wheeling bulk power across the nation and to supporting national development objectives through the transparent execution of projects duly assigned by the government and the National Assembly,” the statement concluded.

I chose Nigeria, Democracy over Obasanjo -Atiku

 

 

*Reveals why OBJ is unforgiving, vindictive

 

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s latest public outburst against him is yet another failed attempt to rewrite history, insisting that no amount of bitterness can erase either the constitutional stand he took against the infamous third-term agenda or the pivotal role he played in Chief Obasanjo’s personal and political journey.

 

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said he watched the former President’s interview with profound sadness, not anger, because it reflected the disposition of a man who has allowed personal resentment to cloud historical truth.

 

Atiku said the genesis of Chief Obasanjo’s hostility towards him is well known to Nigerians.

 

“I am proud that I stood against the third-term agenda. I am proud that I stood by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have no apology whatsoever for frustrating every attempt to subvert our democracy for personal ambition.”

 

“If Chief Obasanjo’s bitterness stems from my refusal to support an unconstitutional third term, then I wear that resentment as a badge of honour. No individual, regardless of his status or accomplishments, is bigger than the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Constitution is supreme, and I chose Nigeria over personal loyalty.”

 

Atiku noted that the struggle against the third-term agenda was never about two individuals but about preserving Nigeria’s constitutional democracy for future generations.

 

“The Nigerian people won that battle. Democracy won that battle. History has already delivered its verdict.”

 

The former Vice President said it was therefore unfortunate that the same man whose unconstitutional ambition was resisted now seeks to sit in judgment over those who defended the Constitution.

 

Atiku said it was particularly instructive that barely twenty-four hours before Chief Obasanjo’s latest outburst, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, publicly paid glowing tribute to the economic management team he led, describing it as “the best Nigeria has ever had.”

 

“Whether or not the timing is merely coincidental is for Nigerians to judge. What is beyond dispute, however, is that while distinguished Nigerians who served at the highest levels continue to acknowledge my contributions to one of Nigeria’s most successful periods of economic management, Chief Obasanjo appears determined to diminish them.”

 

“Chief Obasanjo may choose not to appreciate my role in building one of Nigeria’s most prosperous economic eras, but history has been far kinder. The record speaks for itself, and so do the testimonies of those who worked closely with that administration.”

 

Atiku further stated that Nigerians also deserve to remember the other side of history which Chief Obasanjo conveniently omits.

 

“History records that while Chief Obasanjo was in prison, I stood firmly by him. I supported his family, worked tirelessly with other patriots for his release and never wavered in my belief that he deserved his freedom.”

 

“When he eventually regained his freedom, he had little to his name. I received him, clothed him, ensured he was properly cared for and extended every support necessary to help him regain his footing. Beyond that, I mobilised political structures, built alliances and made enormous personal and political sacrifices that culminated in his emergence as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

 

Atiku said he harbours no regrets over any of those acts.

 

“Do I regret helping Chief Obasanjo? Absolutely not. When God gives you the opportunity to lift another human being, you do so without expecting repayment. Acts of kindness are matters of conscience, not commercial transactions.”

 

He added, however, that gratitude should never be replaced with revisionism.

 

“If the true history of Chief Obasanjo’s political journey is ever written—free from selective recollection and personal bitterness—Atiku Abubakar will feature prominently as one of those whom God used to change the course of his life and political career.”

 

The former Vice President expressed disappointment that, at a time when Nigeria is battling economic hardship, mass unemployment, insecurity and widespread despair, a former President would devote so much energy to recycling old grudges instead of contributing solutions to the country’s challenges.

 

“The 2027 election should be about rebuilding Nigeria, restoring security, reviving the economy and giving hope to the next generation—not reopening old political wounds.”

 

Atiku said he had deliberately maintained restraint over the years out of respect for the office Chief Obasanjo once occupied and in deference to the relationship they once shared.

 

“That restraint should never be mistaken for weakness or docility.”

 

“There comes a point when silence in the face of repeated distortions of history ceases to be a virtue. While I have no desire to engage in a public quarrel with a man I once stood beside in his most difficult moments, neither will I permit falsehoods, half-truths and calculated attempts to rewrite history to go unanswered.”

 

“Chief Obasanjo is entitled to his opinions. He is entitled to his personal grievances. What he is not entitled to are his own facts.”

 

Atiku reaffirmed that his attention remains firmly fixed on Nigeria’s future.

 

“I have chosen the path of service over resentment, vision over vendetta and national renewal over personal recrimination. Those who mistake my civility for capitulation, or my restraint for weakness, make a grave mistake.

 

“History is stubborn. It cannot be rewritten by bitterness, nor erased by repeated falsehoods. In the end, history will render its verdict—and so will the Nigerian people.”

ALERT: Enemies bent on creating rift between Obi and Kwankwaso -Media Office

 

 

The Peter Obi Media Office (POMO) has decried unrelenting efforts of political enemies to create rancour in presidential ticket of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

This is contained in a statement issued by the office on Friday.

Said the statement: “The Peter Obi Media Office acknowledges recent, coordinated efforts by political adversaries and disruptive individuals to create division, misrepresent our leader’s objectives, and foster artificial rifts within our movement dedicated to improving Nigeria.

“They dubiously try to ascribe their imagined words to our principal, aiming to create division in his fold. We feel it is imperative to directly and unequivocally address these manoeuvres,”, the Office said.

The statement went on to say that: “Let us be clear: our endeavour is, and always has been, driven by a commitment to national progress, not personal ambition, ethnic appeals, or petty partisan squabbles.

 

“While our opponents are expending valuable time and resources on creating distractions, fabricating narratives, and attempting to undermine our unity, the pressing realities faced by ordinary Nigerians remain unchanged.

“Millions of households are grappling with escalating living expenses, rampant inflation, and widespread unemployment. A significant number of our citizens live in constant fear for their safety and their ability to earn a living across the nation.

 

“Our public institutions are in critical need of capable, ethical, and accountable leadership to provide essential services. This is precisely what our principal, Peter Obi, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) are committed to delivering. These are the fundamental challenges that demand our collective intelligence, energy, and unwavering dedication.

 

“To engage in the unproductive arena of political slander would be a disservice to the struggling populace who place their hope in our principal for viable solutions. We urge those who are attempting to sow discord to redirect their efforts towards proposing concrete solutions to the immense challenges confronting our nation.

“Regardless of sponsored disinformation campaigns or calculated attempts at division, a movement founded on truth, competence, and a genuine desire to restore Nigeria will not be deterred.

 

“We implore our devoted supporters, including the OBIdients and Kwankwasoiyya movements, and all Nigerians of good conscience, to disregard rumours, fabricated stories, and deliberate provocations, including the purported sack of the Obidient Movement National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko.

“Our opponents rely on division because they lack a tangible record or a compelling vision to present to the public.

 

“Our collective strength lies in our shared dedication to forging a Nigeria that is functional, prosperous, and secure. Let us remain resolute, undeterred, and fully committed to the crucial task of transforming Nigeria from a consumption-based economy to one focused on production,” the statement concluded.

Oriire Kidnap: FG arraigns Ansaru Commanders, 3 others on fresh charges of terrorism, murder

 

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, arraigned two commanders of the Ansaru terrorist organization captured by the Department of State Services (DSS), and their three foot soldiers, for terrorism, kidnapping and murder of two teachers of schools in Orire LGA of Oyo State.

The five suspects were arraigned before Justice Salim Ibrahin of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In August 2025, DSS operatives captured Mahmuda top commander, Abubakar Abba Mahmuda Abu Bara’a and his deputy, Abubakar Abbas aka Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri.

According to security sources, after the capture,  Ansaru made two attempts- one in December 2025, and another in February 2026, to free their commanders. However, the attempts were reportedly foiled by DSS intelligence to the state security council, after which the secret police continued to update intelligence on the group’s activities.

 

On May 15, 2026, several armed men belonging to Ansaru terror group stormed some schools in Oriire LGA of Oyo State, kidnapping 46 people made up of 39 students and seven teachers. Apparently, to mount pressure on government to  release their two captured commanders in DSS’ custody, the terrorists killed two of the teachers.

On July 10, 2026, however, security forces from the DSS and the military, police and other security agencies, stormed the forest where the terrorists were holding the abductees, freeing the hostages.

During the rescue operation, DSS operatives captured three more members of the Ansaru terror organization- Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani.

On July 23, the three men pleaded guilty to concealing information regarding the Oriire school kidnapping and for membership in the proscribed Darul Salam/Ansaru group. They were promptly handed life imprisonment.

Relatedly, a Federal High Court in Abuja, last week, sentenced Mahmud Usman (Abu Bara’a) and his deputy Mahmud al-Nigeri, to life imprisonment after they both pleaded guilty to some charges in the 32-count charge of belonging to a terrorist organization, among other charges.

After the sentencing, feelers from the DSS suggested that the secret police was dissatisfied with the judgement and was going to appeal.

However, in a fresh twist, the DSS, on Wednesday, changed strategy, opting to arraign the terrorist commanders and three of their foot soldiers on fresh charges of terrorism, kidnapping and murder of persons in Oriire LGA.

Justice Salim adjourned the matter to September 24 for the commencement of trial. He ordered that the five suspects remain in the custody of the DSS.

XXXXX

Breaking: FG arraigns ‘BOSYA President’ Kaigama for terrorism

 

The Federal government, on Wednesday, arraigned President of the Borno State Youths Association (BOSYA), Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, recently arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS), for terrorism.

Kaigama was arraigned before Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court, in Abuja.

 

The self-styled youth president had during an interview session last week on Channels Television, admitted that he had discussions with Boko Haram terrorists on alleged ransom payments for victims they kidnapped.

Security sources disclosed that the secret police is in possession of rock-solid evidence of extortion of victims’ families by Kaigama.

Justice Ibrahim adjourned the matter to September 25, 2026, for the commencement of trial, even as he ordered that the youth president remain in the custody of the DSS. Authority.

Nigeria 2027 and the overwhelming ‘Trump card’

 

By Ike Abonyi

 

” _To be an enemy of America can be dangerous, but to be a friend is fatal.”_

— Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State.

 

 

 

The upcoming make-or-mar 2027 Nigeria’s Presidential election is being increasingly dominated by the figure of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has become a pivotal, almost decisive, element in Nigeria’s political landscape. His influence is so pronounced that Nigeria’s democratic trajectory appears, at times, to be that of a political dependency of the United States, with Trump himself acting as the de facto arbiter of its democratic destiny. This centrality is not accidental; Trump has emerged as the ‘Trump card’ – a metaphor drawn from card games signifying a hidden advantage or decisive resource – for the crucial 2027 polls.

 

In narrative contexts, a trump card is a potent tool, a secret weapon or unexpected advantage deployed at a critical moment to shift power dynamics and secure victory dramatically. It allows a character to circumvent established rules or resolve narrative impasses. The anticipation of when and how this secret weapon will be revealed builds suspense, offering insight into the character’s strategic acumen. In essence, a trump card is typically revealed at a very crucial moment to transform a potential loss into a decisive victory.

 

This concept is directly applicable to Nigeria’s political arena. The author plants the seeds of this ‘secret advantage’ beforehand, allowing the audience or opponents to sense its existence, even if its precise nature and timing remain unknown. By all accounts, Nigeria’s democratic journey towards the 2027 election is faltering, and Donald Trump has become the critical factor poised to be the election’s ultimate trump card.

 

A recent example of Trump’s impact was a wave created by a purported letter from him to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending his administration’s efforts against terrorism. This message, arriving six months before a critical presidential election, was a significant boon for the ruling party and a source of consternation for the opposition. Regardless of the letter’s authenticity, the intense reactions it generated underscored Trump’s strategic importance in Nigeria’s electoral calculus.

 

The ruling party swiftly leveraged this purported endorsement for political gain, while the opposition vehemently disputed its legitimacy. This divergence in how both factions engage with Trump highlights his crucial role as the ‘trump card’ that could significantly shape the 2027 presidential outcome. This concern is rooted in historical precedent; in 2015, the U.S. played a role in the downfall of the then-ruling President Goodluck Jonathan and his Peoples Democratic Party,  PDP, and led to the rise of the current ruling  All Progressives Congress,  APC.

 

Interestingly, both the ruling party and the opposition are now seeking Trump’s favour, albeit for different reasons. The incumbent government is hoping that Trump will overlook their numerous shortcomings – such as questionable backgrounds, corruption allegations, and electoral manipulation records that are very well known to the U.S and look the other way to enable them to capitalise on their incumbency advantages. Conversely, the opposition is strongly imploring Trump to take a more active interest in the election, specifically by critically scrutinising the known dirty dealings of President Tinubu while he lived in the U.S. Their primary demand is for Trump to facilitate a free, fair, and credible election, a prospect that deeply unsettles the ruling party.

 

This intense focus on Donald Trump raises questions about Nigeria’s sovereignty, making it appear more like a political colony than an independent African nation. This reliance on an external ‘trump card’ reflects a persistent tendency to embrace undemocratic practices.

 

Trump’s involvement in Nigeria’s political discourse intensified after he secured a second term in 2024, sparking hope among the opposition that he would champion democratic reforms. However, his subsequent actions have been unpredictable, creating ambiguity.

The appointment of his son-in-law, Massad Bolous, a known ally of the Tinubus in charge of African Affairs, opened the door for suspicion on Trump’s real agenda for Nigeria, especially the vital 2027 poll.

 

Consequently, both the Tinubu administration and the opposition, propelled by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, are expending considerable resources and energy lobbying in the U.S. rather than engaging directly with the Nigerian populace. Their focus is not on mobilising voters, whose ballots often carry little weight, but on securing the ‘trump card’ that could influence the U.S. stance on electoral fraud or support for a fair election.

 

These ‘Trump Card’ variables are not peripheral to the 2027 election; they represent a significant geopolitical influence with Nigeria at its centre, reshaping global electoral dynamics. U.S. political rhetoric under President Trump acts as a major catalyst for the approaching pivotal election.

 

Various Political commentators term these influential factors ‘Trump Cards,’ which local candidates and coalitions must either leverage or counter. When discussions arise about Nigeria ‘awaiting’ Donald Trump’s influence on the 2027 election, they consider how shifts in U.S. foreign policy and global geopolitics under his presidency might affect Nigeria’s political landscape.

 

While Trump does not directly control Nigerian elections, a U.S. presidency significantly impacts the economic climate, diplomatic relations, and campaign narratives. The strategic manoeuvring by President Tinubu and the fragmented opposition, including their lobbying efforts, are shaping the electoral dynamics. Meanwhile, a substantial portion of Nigerian voters remain undecided, not strongly aligned with either side of the Atiku/Tinubu lobbying teams.

Instead, they are seeking fundamental changes in their governance, and many see Peter Obi and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as embodying this desire, owing to his unimpeachable record of integrity and prudence.

 

In contrast, the incumbent administration under Tinubu is concentrating its efforts on employing statecraft, international diplomacy, and cross-party alliances to solidify its prospects for re-election. The administration has actively pursued foreign policy avenues and engaged reputable international lobbying firms in Washington to promote its stringent macroeconomic policies—including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates—as crucial measures for achieving long-term economic stability and growth.

 

A significant strategy of the APC’s lobbying contingent involves weakening opposition structures by encouraging the defection of prominent opposition figures, such as state governors. Furthermore, there are concerted attempts to financially incentivise certain youth groups and other state-level organisations before the official campaign period commences.

 

Regrettably, despite acknowledging that a divided opposition contributed to the APC’s victory in 2023, Atiku Abubakar’s lobbying efforts do not appear to be prioritising the unification of opposition platforms. This is likely due to his unwillingness to make the necessary concessions, as the established political office zoning arrangements are not advantageous to him.

Notwithstanding, the current Tinubu administration appears vulnerable, potentially to a fractured opposition bolstered by the Obi/Kwankwaso alliance—especially given the prevalent cost-of-living crises and security concerns, which frame the election as a direct judgment on the incumbent’s performance. Renowned Ghanaian first President Kwame Nkrumah’s observation about neo-colonialism resonates with Nigeria’s current democratic experience: ‘The essence of neo-colonialism is that the State which is subject to it is, in theory, independent… In reality, its economic system and thus its political policy are directed from outside.’

Similarly, a former US Secretary of State, Zbigniew Brzezinski, articulated America’s pragmatic approach for a Nigerian lesson that: ‘America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests.’ May divine intervention guide us.

Peter Obi to Nigerians: Don’t be distracted by the trivialities of the ruling class

 

The Peter Obi Media Office says it has been compelled to react to the reactions to our principal’s recent television interview, having observed with growing concern the persistent attempts by paid political operatives, propaganda machinery, and elements aligned with the ruling establishment to divert national attention away from the pressing socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria today.

In a statement on Wednesday, the office said: “After the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Presidential Candidate painstakingly outlined the structural defects in our governance, the crippling economic hardship, and concrete steps toward national revival, the public has once again witnessed the predictable reflex of the ruling class: a desperate scramble to weaponise minor slips, cherry-pick narratives, and elevate non-issues over critical national debate.

“While millions of Nigerian families continue to suffer under the weight of hyperinflation, food insecurity, skyrocketing energy costs, widespread unemployment, and unrelenting insecurity, the political elite and their mouthpieces are fixated on peddling trivialities. This is not an accident; it is a calculated political strategy designed to keep the public emotionally agitated and intellectually distracted from demanding real accountability.

“We wish to state unequivocally:

  • Nigeria is in a crisis of governance, not a battle of soundbites: The debate that Nigeria desperately needs today is not about political drama or deliberate semantic distortions; it is about how to rescue a failing economy, restore the purchasing power of the naira, secure innocent lives, and transition our nation from a consumption-driven economy to a productive powerhouse.
  • *We reject the rules of engagement set by the ruling class:* The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement and the millions of patriotic Nigerians who stand with us will not be dragged into the gutter of trivial controversies created by those who have failed the nation. We refuse to allow those responsible for the country’s current plight to set the agenda for public discourse.
  • *An appeal to the Nigerian public and media*: We urge the press and the Nigerian public, particularly the youth whose futures are at stake, to remain vigilant and discerning. Do not yield to the diversionary tactics of propaganda. Whenever the handlers of this administration attempt to turn a national conversation into a circus of irrelevancies, ask them the hard questions:
  • _Where is the plan to lower food inflation?
  • How do we secure our farms and highways?
  • What is being done to rescue millions falling below the poverty line?_

Peter Obi remains unwavering in his commitment to a new Nigeria built on competence, character, transparency, and actionable solutions. No amount of coordinated distraction or smear will deter him from speaking truth to power and standing firmly with the Nigerian people.

Let us remain focused on the issues that truly matter.

“A new Nigeria is possible, but only if we refuse to be distracted,” it concluded.

Wrestle with your failures, not your opponents — Atiku tells Tinubu

 

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to abandon political grandstanding and confront the monumental failures of his administration, saying no amount of macho rhetoric can rescue a government that has already lost the confidence of its people.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described President Tinubu’s declaration that he would “wrestle his opponents to the finish” as the lamentation of a drowning man desperately seeking to divert attention from an abysmal record in office.
Atiku said it was particularly disturbing that such a reckless and undistinguished remark was made in response to a solemn appeal by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria for credible, transparent and peaceful elections. He said the President’s flippant response underscored the prevailing sense of aloofness that has come to define his administration and reflected a troubling lack of the courtesy, humility and decorum expected of a President during such a high-profile engagement with one of the country’s most respected moral institutions. Rather than reassuring Nigerians of his commitment to electoral integrity, the President chose bravado over statesmanship.
“Mr. President, you are a drowning man. Wrestle with your failures, not your opponents,” Atiku said.
He noted that a President presiding over the worst cost-of-living crisis in recent memory ought not to be talking about wrestling political opponents but about wrestling inflation to the ground, defeating hunger, restoring security, stabilising the naira and rebuilding public confidence in government.
“The President should wrestle with the millions of Nigerians who now skip meals because food has become a luxury. He should wrestle with the insecurity that has turned farming communities into graveyards and highways into hunting grounds for criminals. He should wrestle with the unemployment that has robbed an entire generation of hope. He should wrestle with an economy suffocating under policy inconsistency, reckless borrowing and dwindling investor confidence.”
According to Atiku, when leaders fail, they often resort to political theatre in the hope that loud rhetoric will drown out the cries of suffering citizens.
“These are the words of a drowning man. A government that has little to celebrate inevitably seeks refuge in chest-thumping. But Nigerians are no longer interested in political performances. They are interested in performance in government. Empty slogans cannot fill empty stomachs. Boastful declarations cannot lower food prices. Threats against political opponents cannot restore the value of the naira.”
The former Vice President said the greatest opponent confronting President Tinubu is neither the ADC nor any other opposition party.
“His greatest opponent is his own record. Every unpaid worker, every struggling business, every unemployed graduate, every victim of insecurity and every hungry family is a living testimony to the consequences of his administration’s choices. That is the contest he has consistently failed to win.”
Atiku reminded the President that democracy is not a wrestling ring where intimidation determines the winner.
“Democracy is a marketplace of ideas and accountability. Governments earn another term through competence, compassion and measurable results—not through combative rhetoric. In 2027, Nigerians will not be stepping into a wrestling arena. They will be stepping into polling units to deliver a constitutional verdict.”
He urged President Tinubu to devote the remainder of his tenure to addressing the nation’s deepening crises instead of manufacturing imaginary political battles.
“The Nigerian people are not looking for a wrestler. They are looking for a leader. History will not remember who shouted the loudest. It will remember who governed the best.”

Oriire Kidnap: FG arraigns Ansaru Commanders, 3 others arrested by DSS

 

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, arraigned two commanders of the Ansaru terrorist organization captured by the Department of State Services (DSS), and their three foot soldiers, for terrorism, kidnapping and murder of two teachers of schools in Orire LGA of Oyo State.

The five suspects were arraigned before Justice Salim Ibrahin of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In August 2025, DSS operatives captured Mahmuda top commander, Abubakar Abba Mahmuda Abu Bara’a and his deputy, Abubakar Abbas aka Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri.

According to security sources, after the capture,  Ansaru made two attempts- one in December 2025, and another in February 2026, to free their commanders. However, the attempts were reportedly foiled by DSS intelligence to the state security council, after which the secret police continued to update intelligence on the group’s activities.

 

On May 15, 2026, several armed men belonging to Ansaru terror group stormed some schools in Oriire LGA of Oyo State, kidnapping 46 people made up of 39 students and seven teachers. Apparently, to mount pressure on government to  release their two captured commanders in DSS’ custody, the terrorists killed two of the teachers.

On July 10, 2026, however, security forces from the DSS and the military, police and other security agencies, stormed the forest where the terrorists were holding the abductees, freeing the hostages.

During the rescue operation, DSS operatives captured three more members of the Ansaru terror organization- Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani.

On July 23, the three men pleaded guilty to concealing information regarding the Oriire school kidnapping and for membership in the proscribed Darul Salam/Ansaru group. They were promptly handed life imprisonment.

Relatedly, a Federal High Court in Abuja, last week, sentenced Mahmud Usman (Abu Bara’a) and his deputy Mahmud al-Nigeri, to life imprisonment after they both pleaded guilty to some charges in the 32-count charge of belonging to a terrorist organization, among other charges.

After the sentencing, feelers from the DSS suggested that the secret police was dissatisfied with the judgement and was going to appeal.

However, in a fresh twist, the DSS, on Wednesday, changed strategy, opting to arraign the terrorist commanders and three of their foot soldiers on fresh charges of terrorism, kidnapping and murder of persons in Oriire LGA.

Justice Salim adjourned the matter to September 24 for the commencement of trial. He ordered that the five suspects remain in the custody of the DSS. Authority.

Ex-Prestige Assurance Executive petitions Speaker Abbas over alleged wrongful dismissal

 

 

A former Head of Business Development at Prestige Assurance Plc, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Edet, has petitioned the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, alleging wrongful termination of her employment, discriminatory treatment, workplace harassment, and corporate governance breaches by the insurance company.

 

In the petition dated July 20, 2026, and addressed to the Speaker through Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, Esq., Edet asked the House to investigate the circumstances surrounding the termination of her appointment and direct the company to grant her what she described as equitable disengagement benefits.

 

Edet, whose employment was terminated on April 24, 2026, described the dismissal as “wrongful, premature and procedurally defective,” alleging that she was denied severance benefits despite years of service and outstanding performance.

 

According to her, she joined Prestige Assurance in July 2021 as a management staff member with an annual business target of about ₦9 billion. She claimed that through business development initiatives and market expansion, she increased her portfolio to approximately ₦25 billion by the end of the 2025 financial year.

 

She further stated that the company had acknowledged her performance in a confirmation letter dated October 27, 2022, which commended her professionalism and commitment to the company’s growth.

 

The petitioner, however, alleged that despite her performance, she was dismissed on allegations of lateness and dereliction of duty, claims she described as false and inconsistent with the operational realities of the insurance industry.

 

She argued that marketing executives in the sector often engage clients and insurance brokers outside the office before official resumption time, a practice she said contributed significantly to the growth of her portfolio.

 

Edet alleged that her dismissal was motivated by discrimination and personal hostility rather than poor performance or misconduct.

She also accused the company of applying different standards in the disengagement of management staff.

 

According to her, previous executives who left the company under similar or less compelling circumstances received generous severance packages, including several months’ salary, gratuity and other benefits approved by the board.

 

She cited the cases of a former Company Secretary, Mr. Odulana, Mr. Samson Omoware of the underwriting department, and another staff member identified as Mr. Awofuye, whom she claimed were accorded more favourable exit terms than she received.

 

The former executive further alleged that the company denied her fair hearing before terminating her appointment.

 

She claimed she was never issued a formal query, invited to any disciplinary panel, informed of allegations against her in writing, or given an opportunity to defend herself before the termination letter was issued.

 

Edet also alleged that Prestige Assurance operates without a duly approved Human Capital Policy Manual governing disciplinary procedures for management staff, describing the situation as a serious corporate governance concern.

 

She accused the company’s management of workplace bullying, intimidation, abuse of executive authority and actions inconsistent with corporate governance standards applicable to regulated financial institutions.

 

Among other requests, Edet urged the House of Representatives to investigate the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Prestige Assurance over the allegations, direct the company to grant her disengagement benefits comparable to those previously approved for other executives, sanction the company for alleged discriminatory labour practices, and compel it to release her official vehicle, which she claimed was due to become her property under company policy.

 

She is also seeking payment of two years’ salary amounting to ₦64 million, in addition to other benefits she said are due to her.

 

The petition stated that she remains willing to provide additional documentary evidence to support her claims.

 

Prestige Assurance Plc had not responded to the allegations contained in the petition as of the time of filing this report. The allegations remain those of the petitioner and have not been independently verified.

 Did Abacha Actually Die On Top Of A Woman?

 

 

By Festus Adedayo

The Yoruba establish a direct causal relationship between tragic news and emotional grief. They observe that if the ears are not fed with rotten news, the mind will not be consumed by grief. Whatever his motive for publishing his book, DSS @40: My Journey Behind the Shield, retired Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) Dennis Amachree has reawakened an unpleasant yet momentous chapter in our national history. In doing so, he proves right the ancient adage that a twenty-year-old pounded yam can still burn one’s fingers as though it were fresh off the mortar. Through his book, Amachree resurrects the narrative surrounding the sudden, gladsome news of the demise of Nigeria’s former Commander-in-Chief and military dictator, General Sani Abacha.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how the libido of men in power is a critical factor we must reckon with when analyzing the mechanics and texture of political authority. Even previously, I undertook a broader analysis of what I called thesexual history of the Nigerian presidency. It was a salacious narrative of the perceived sexual exploits of occupants of Dodan Barracks and Aso Rock, the two residences of Nigeria’s power. Amachree’s DSS @40: My Journey Behind the Shield underscores why this dimension of power cannot be brushed aside or taken for granted. In it, the author posits that on June 8, 1998, General Abacha did not die from a poisoned handshake from former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, but from cardiac arrest during an intimate encounter with a paramour at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa Guest House in Abuja.

On a social media platform, a commentator questioned whether Amachree was acting as an interloper, whether he had breached official secrecy rules, and why he chose to release this account at this particular time. My response focused on the formal process of declassifying official information and documents — the administrative procedure for removing security markings from secret government records to make them accessible to the public. Typically, declassification occurs through three main mechanisms: automatic declassification over time, systematic review by government agencies, and mandatory requests by interested members of the public.

Declassified records do not always tell the absolute truth, as governments often hold back unverified or raw intelligence from public disclosure to prevent panic. This appears to be what occurred in the Abacha episode. Generally, when official records reach a certain age — frequently 25 years — they are unsealed, provided they do not fall under specific exceptions whose release could compromise national security or trigger widespread public unrest. Sensitive national security files often remain classified indefinitely to protect state interests.

Because Abacha died 28 years ago, the public has spent decades navigating competing theories. One popular claim alleged that he ate apples laced with a lethal potion prepared by foreign intelligence agencies. His ADC, from whom authentic fact could have come, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, propounded another theory, claiming Palestinian President Yasser Arafat was used to assassinate him. He further noted that Abacha began exhibiting unusual physical traits immediately after a handshake.

However, Al-Mustapha cannot be held to be a witness of truth if indeed Abacha died this way which, in African context, was a taboo. Again, he is the abore (Yoruba traditional male priest who assists in performing rituals, making offerings, and serving as a spiritual intermediary) of the Abacha shrine from whose mouth evil narratives are never expected to ooze out. By waiting for the required passage of time, Amachree fulfilled the standard criteria for declassifying information, granting him the administrative leeway to disclose what he knew about Abacha’s final hours.

However, whistle-blowers and former intelligence officers are sometimes deployed to divert public focus from pressing national issues or distract from an unfolding, unpleasant political reality. That could also possibly be Amachree’s assignment.

Expectedly, pushback and denials followed Amachree’s revelations. They are however a healthy development for public discourse. In an engaging opinion piece in the Vanguard newspaper, Tony Eluemunor challenged Amachree’s narrative using medical and situational evidence. Eluemunor argued that while Abacha suffered from diabetes and cirrhosis, he was severely ill on the night of June 8, despite the presence of two foreign paramours with him.

Of a truth, the whole country knew, prior to his expiration, that Abacha was ill. A few days before his passing, he appeared on national television looking gaunt, his lips unusually coloured and his goggles seemingly hiding critical information about his visage. The fact that he had two Filipinos with him on the night of his death, according to Eluemunor, presents a stark, troubling paradox: a ruler fiercely resisting Western influence and railing against America whom he called “global policemen of democracy,” while simultaneously permitting foreign liaisonsunhindered access into the innermost sexual and territorial borders of Nigeria’s power base.

Since Abacha’s era, numerous Nigerian public officials — governors, ministers, legislative leaders, and political aides —have compromised the dignity of public office through personal indulgences. Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole recently courted controversy regarding a widely circulated video involving a South African lifestyle influencer (euphemism for prostitutes) Ms. Leshaan Dagama, aboard a chartered aircraft. Such conduct appears to be a recurring pastime among powerful men.

Upon reading my previous piece, someone reminded me that all men, regardless of their situation in places of power, remain complicit in the borderless irritancy of the male member. Malawian feminist scholar and former government minister, Dr. Jessie Kabwila, noted this during a public address in June 2025. There, she stated candidly: “All men are weak before women.” Centuries prior, in his seminal History of Sexuality, philosopher Michel Foucault similarly challenged Western society’s understanding of sex, power, and discipline, demonstrating how carnal desires intersect with structures of institutional control.

What has largely kept the full truth of Abacha’s final moments shrouded from public scrutiny is religious sensitivity. Till date, no one knows what ailed and probably killed Umaru Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari. I strongly advocate that Nigerian leaders ought to be exempt from religious boundaries from the moment of their ascension to office up until their death. Upon assumption of office, they should totally become the collective property of the Nigerian state. Consequently, the full, unvarnished facts surrounding their final days should belong strictly to the public record, free from religious taboos, hypocritical cover-ups, or selective official secrecy.