Connect with us

news

LG chairmen threaten to drag Wike to EFCC

Published

on

wike

THE 22 council chairmen in Rivers State have threatened to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged plan by the state Governor, Nyesom Wike, to order the diversion of the June 2015 federal allocation meant for local governments.

The council chairmen, who are all members of the All Progressives Congress, accused Wike of instructing the state Accountant General to divert the federal allocation meant for the councils for this month.

The state Public Relations Officer of the All Local Government of Nigeria, Mr. Samuel Eyiba, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said the reason for the alleged directive from the governor remained unknown to them (council chairmen).

Eyiba warned that apart from the EFCC, council chairmen in the state had resolved to take the matter to other relevant bodies.

“We are also aware that the Rivers State Government under Nyesom Wike has given instruction, though not written, to the Accountant-General of the state to divert the FAAC allocation meant for the 23 local government councils for this month.

“The reason for this instruction is yet unknown to us. We have resolved to take this unpopular instruction to the appropriate quarters should they go on with their plans, including petitioning the EFCC and related agencies,” Eyiba said.

Reacting, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Sir. Opunabo Inko-Tariah, told our correspondent in a telephone interview that he was not aware that the governor gave any directive to the accountant general, describing the council chairmen’s allegation as spurious.

He said, “I have not heard of such a directive from the governor and so can’t verify the authenticity or otherwise of the allegation.

“However, how did they know there was such a directive if it was oral as they claim? Are they (council chairmen) insinuating having a pact with the Accountant General?”

Eyiba also alleged that members of the state APC were attacked by their counterparts from the Peoples Democratic Party at the premises of the Federal High Court.

Eyiba also claimed that the PDP thugs intimidated and harassed innocent bystanders while some local government chairmen were beaten and dispossessed of some of their belongings.

He said, “We have noted sadly that the PDP and their thugs today at the Federal High Court premises, Port Harcourt, displayed high level of violence by intimidating, harassing, dispossessing innocent by-standers, including some local government chairmen of their belongings.

“In spite of their violent posture, the APC supporters were not deterred. We therefore call on the security agencies to check the excesses of the PDP thugs led by Mr. Samuel Nwanosike.”

But the State PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Samuel Nwanosike, described the claim by the council chairmen that he led thugs to the premises of the Federal High as a blatant lie.

Nwanosike explained that both the APC and the PDP members were at the court premises and wondered why he was singled out by the council chairmen.

“I am a law abiding citizen and was at the court premises like any other Rivers person. The APC and the council chairmen want to intimidate members of staff of the court and the people of Rivers and we decided to also be at the court premises to stop their attempt to silence Rivers people,” he said.

            source: the punch

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

news

Benue, Kwara Killings: Primate Ayodele Warned But They Never Listened

Published

on

Primate Ayodele Never Said Seyi Makinde Would Become President’’ – Media Aide Clarifies*

When Nigerians started celebrating after the United States launched an attack against terrorists in Nigeria on December 25, 2025, Primate Ayodele stood out when he said the nation shouldn’t celebrate yet because there would be reprisal attacks.

Many quickly lashed out at him, calling him all sort of names like prophet of doom, fake prophet, bet9ja prophet, to mention but a few. However, the prophet stood his ground and continued to warn President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his team that terrorists are planning to attack some Nigerian states.

His words after the US-led attack were:

“Nigerians shouldn’t celebrate yet, and President Tinubu shouldn’t celebrate either, because the powerlessness of his government is getting exposed, and America can come up with anything against him. This won’t stop kidnapping or insecurity in Nigeria.

“The government of Nigeria must work on it because the US cannot do it without the Nigerian government.

“Another bombing is coming up, and these bandits are ready for the consequences. They are also ready to counter-attack heavily; the government must get prepared for the outcome.”

Many didn’t know that Primate Ayodele isn’t a prophet that just speaks for attention sake, he speaks as directed by the most high God and that’s why he is always fearless in his approaches. Despite the fact that even the presidency celebrated it, he called their attention to some plans of terrorists across the country.

It’s been barely two months after the attack of the United States, and the country is back to more folds of insecurity across the country. Bandits have launched full-fledged attacks on the nation, killing several innocent souls without getting checked or arrested.

If only security operatives listens to Primate Ayodele’s warning, he vividly mentioned some of the states that bandits or terrorist would be visiting. He shared them in a prophet at least twice, including in video recordings but we wonder what these security operatives do with sensitive messages like this.

In one of the prophetic moment, he mentioned about eight states that will be attacked by terrorists if care isn’t taken.

“These states, Nasarawa, Abuja, Ondo, Kaduna, Sokoto, Benue, Katsina, Yobe, should be paid close attention to. They should deploy more soldiers to these states.”

Just yesterday in Benue, In Benue State, 17 people, including a Mobile Police officer, were killed when gunmen attacked the Abande market in Mbaikyor Ward, Turan district of Kwande Local Government Area. Gunmen opened fire on traders and residents, killing many on the spot. Police spokesperson in Benue State, Udeme Edet confirmed the attack.

In Katsina, In Katsina State, at least 20 residents were killed when bandits stormed Doma community in Tafoki Ward, Faskari Local Government Area.

Witnesses said the attackers moved unhindered, shooting villagers and setting houses and vehicles ablaze before fleeing. Faskari Local Government Chairman Surajo Aliyu confirmed the incident, describing it as a deadly reprisal and the worst in recent months.

In Kwara too, Primate Ayodele had said earlier before now, just after the Eruku incident, that he still sees attacks in the state.

In fulfilment of this, bandits killed at least 10 villagers in Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area. The attackers, reportedly operating from the Borgu National Park forest in neighboring Niger State, invaded the communities around 6.00 pm, firing sporadically and setting houses ablaze.

Sincerely, all of these could have been avoided by they failed to listen.

Continue Reading

news

Former Pension Reform Task Team Chairman, Dr. Abdulrasheed Maina, Hospitalised After Sudden Collapse in Abuja

Published

on

Former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Dr. Abdulrasheed Maina, on Tuesday evening slumped while attempting to access his office premises in Abuja and was immediately rushed to a private hospital for urgent medical care.

The incident occurred after complications arising from an untreated knee injury reportedly caused him to lose balance and fall on a staircase, resulting in a head impact that required immediate medical attention from personnel at the scene.

Confirming the development in an official statement, Emmanuel Umahi Ekwe, Esq., Media Assistant to Dr. Abdulrasheed Maina, speaking on behalf of his family, said the former pension reform chief was promptly stabilised and transferred to a private medical facility in the Federal Capital Territory, where he is currently under close supervision by a team of doctors.

According to the statement, preliminary medical evaluations indicate that Dr. Maina remains under observation, while specialists have advised that arrangements for a possible air ambulance evacuation may be considered should his condition require advanced or specialised treatment.

The situation has drawn concern from associates, professional colleagues, and well-wishers across the country, given Dr. Maina’s prominent role in Nigeria’s public sector and pension reform initiatives.

His family has appealed to the public for prayers, understanding, and respect for privacy during this critical period, assuring that further updates will be communicated as developments unfold.

 

Continue Reading

news

President Tinubu in Turkey: Guard of Honor and Strategic Agreements Signal New Era in Bilateral Relations

Published

on

 

By Prince Adeyemi Shonibare

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, was accorded a full guard of honor during his official state visit to Turkey, a ceremonial reception reserved for world leaders and a strong signal of the respect Nigeria commands on the global stage.

The ceremony, held at the Turkish Presidential Complex in Ankara, featured military pageantry, national anthems, and formal protocol before high-level bilateral talks commenced.

The Presidency confirmed that President Tinubu briefly stumbled due to a camera cable while proceeding to the presidential lodge but stood up immediately and continued his engagements without interruption, stressing that the incident had no impact on the visit or his health.

More importantly, the visit delivered substantive diplomatic and economic outcomes. During talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on January 27, 2026, Nigeria and Turkey signed nine cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding, covering military cooperation, higher education, diaspora policy, media and communication, halal accreditation, diplomatic training, and the establishment of a Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).

At a joint press conference, President Tinubu emphasized the need to deepen cooperation in security, trade, and economic development, while President Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and commitment to strengthening strategic ties.

With Turkey’s strengths in defense technology, intelligence, education, and industrial capacity, the agreements open new opportunities for technology transfer, security collaboration, trade expansion, and human capital development.

In essence, the Turkey visit stands as a diplomatic success, defined not by a fleeting moment, but by honor, respect, and concrete agreements that advance Nigeria’s security, economy, and international standing.

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending