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ADEBUTU’s 200,000 Cards for Votes …. Ogun people rejected being auctioned

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PDP/Adebutu's case against Abiodun pack of lies, distortions, says APC, gov in final written address

ADEBUTU’s 200,000 Cards for Votes …. Ogun people rejected being auctioned

By Olayemi Oke

 

 

From the outcome of police investigations into the criminal activities of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the March 18 governorship election in Ogun State, Hon Oladipupo Adebutu, and as widely reported in the media, it can be concluded without any fair of contradiction that he wanted to reap manifold blessings from outright fraud. He wanted to reap where he did not sow.

 

 

 

 

 

Going by the ongoing revelations from different security agencies, Hon. Adebutu distributed over 200,000 Verve ATM cards to buy votes across Ogun State during the governorship election of March 18. However, the bubble burst when many of his agents were arrested by security agents, with POS operators also testifying that they (agents) came to them to withdraw money with the cards preloaded with N10,000 each. That being the case, the number of votes Adebutu legitimately earned during the said election is contestable.

 

ADEBUTU’s 200,000 Cards for Votes …. Ogun people rejected being auctioned

 

 

For him to have procured over 200k ATM cards, it means he wanted to have unfair advantage by having over 200,000 induced voters. It has been established that illegal, toxic votes amounting to this very figure are among his electoral haul. If the illegal, toxic and contrived votes are deducted from his electoral haul, what is left and legitimate is just under 62,000 votes. The rest were fraudulently procured and remain unlawful.

 

 

 

It is high time INEC and the security agencies sanitized our political process by ensuring that such characters as Adebutu do not pollute our political process. Apart from the Verve cards, he distributed money across the wards and polling units in order to corrupt the electoral process. Because his father is rich, he believes he can buy up Ogun State. Such people, if they ever manage to get to power, will be just like caterpillar and cankerworm: they will wreck the state.

 

 

I must sincerely state that the damning accusations and the means of commiting the crime greatly beat the imagination of many around the world. How could someone in this century be so aggressively desperate for power! I was taken aback when I read the Premium Times reports on these allegations, and the most unfortunate aspect of the shenanigans was the role played by a commercial bank like Zenith in the saga despite its years of operations in the banking industry.

 

There is no way Zenith Bank could claim that it didn’t know that the original motive behind the request for 200,000 preloaded cards two days to an election in which its customer had interest was to bribe the electorate and flagrantly manipulate the electoral outcome in his favour. In fact, by this development, Adebutu, his PDP comrades and Zenith Bank have taken Nigeria’s democracy back to the stone age.

 

Looking at Adebutu closely, he doesn’t strike one as a serious personality with the requisite mental direction for governance; the basic fact about his person is that he is a desperate man in politics with little or no guiding ideology and political orientation as a compass for good governance.

 

Ogun State is known for setting the pace in all human endeavours and as a sophisticated people with a great culture, but Adebutu went so low to disgrace the state in the most odious manner. It is my belief that the good people of Ogun State must have known by now that their interests can never be protected by such a fraudster. Rather, those bunch of political bandits are out to milk the State and its people dry to satisfy their selfish and parochial interests. They should be banned from the political process and sentenced to long jail terms for their violation of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.

Oke is a broadcast journalist in Abeokuta, Ogun State
yemioke@gmail.com

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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Power, Protocol, and Papal Grace: The Inside Story of How It All Went Down in Rome By Bianca Ojukwu

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Power, Protocol, and Papal Grace: The Inside Story of How It All Went Down in Rome By Bianca Ojukwu

There’s something about the Vatican that strips away titles and trappings. In the shadows of St. Peter’s Basilica, under the searing Roman sun, global leaders, power players, and everyday pilgrims become equals—bound by reverence and ritual.

Power, Protocol, and Papal Grace: The Inside Story of How It All Went Down in Rome By Bianca Ojukwu

I should know. I was there.

On my last trip to the Vatican—during the funeral of Pope Francis just weeks earlier—I had witnessed something unforgettable. As President Donald Trump arrived and a crowd of dignitaries swarmed to greet him, a sharply-dressed, no-nonsense priest cut through the noise with a firm:

Scusi. This is St. Peter’s Basilica, not the White House. Kindly take your seats.

Boom. Order restored. And a reminder: here, no one upstages the moment.

So when I returned for the Installation Mass of Pope Leo XIV, I knew I’d be witnessing not just history, but human theater—with the Nigerian delegation right in the mix.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, leading the delegation, arrived in good time—early enough to soak in the atmosphere, greet dignitaries, and observe the ancient rites. As we settled into the square, I spotted Peter Obi and Kayode Fayemi, former governors and political heavyweights, already seated. After the President had taken his place, I went over to greet them—and in a rare gesture of statesmanship, they chose to accompany me to pay their respects to the President.

What followed was a surprisingly warm and humorous exchange. Far from the icy tensions back home, Tinubu welcomed them with ease, smiling, laughing, and trading quips like old friends reunited at a family function. They soon returned to their seats—but that moment, however brief, spoke volumes about what’s possible in Nigerian politics when the ego is set aside.

But Rome doesn’t care who you are. The sun showed no favoritism. Under the blazing Vatican heat, everyone—presidents, pilgrims, priests—sat exposed. The square is merciless. People faint. They’re carried off in stretchers. It’s part of the experience.

One man, seated directly in front of me, collapsed mid-Mass. Paramedics were far off, and panic briefly rippled through the crowd—until Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, leapt into action. He darted to the vestibule and returned with a cold bottle of water that was used to revive the man before medics arrived.

Meanwhile, the President—stoic and composed—sat through the entire three-hour liturgy, standing and kneeling as required, skipping only Communion. Afterward, he lingered. He chatted with Nigerian priests, seminarians, posed for selfies, and shared laughs, showing none of the fatigue one might expect.

And oh—that suit.

Tailored to perfection, the President’s power suit turned heads across the square. The cut, the stride, the confidence—it was presidential flair meeting ecclesiastical ceremony. He walked up to greet the new pontiff with grace and gravitas.

So yes, Vatican ’25 wasn’t just a religious event—it was a convergence of power, humility, diplomacy, and humanity.

From protocol to personal moments, this was history not just witnessed, but lived.

And for those of us lucky enough to be there, one thing is clear:
In Rome, you don’t just attend a Mass. You become part of a moment that echoes through eternity.

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Ngozi Okafor Unleashes a Wave of Youth Energy Through Transformative TV Content

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Ngozi Okafor Unleashes a Wave of Youth Energy Through Transformative TV Content

Ngozi Okafor Unleashes a Wave of Youth Energy Through Transformative TV Content

Renowned organizational psychologist, author, and international youth mentor, Ngozi Okafor, has unveiled a new line of inspirational television programs aimed at educating, empowering, and guiding the Nigerian youth. With over two decades of experience in youth development across the UK, USA, and Nigeria, Ngozi is bringing her message of hope and transformation directly to the screens of millions of young Nigerians.

The new programs, set to debut in the coming weeks, will focus on themes such as self-discovery, entrepreneurship, leadership, financial literacy, and mental wellness. Designed to bridge the gap between information and real-life application, each episode will feature stories of resilience, expert insights, and practical advice to help young people navigate life with clarity and confidence.

“Our young people are gifted, but many are simply not guided,” said Ngozi Okafor. “These programs are my way of reaching out—to say, ‘I see you, I believe in you, and here are tools to help you build your future.’ It’s not just about being on TV. It’s about starting conversations that lead to transformation.”

Ngozi’s journey in youth empowerment has spanned four continents, beginning in the UK with Hope Worldwide International, supporting vulnerable and homeless youth. In Atlanta, USA, she worked with Junior Achievers, leading business and leadership simulation programs, while also engaging youth in community service through initiatives like Meals on Wheels.

Back in Nigeria, Ngozi’s voice became familiar to thousands through Youth Arena on Armed Forces Radio 107.7 FM, a program that partnered with the Central Bank of Nigeria to teach financial literacy to young Nigerians through engaging broadcasts and workbooks.

Beyond media, Ngozi has directly supported more than 50 young entrepreneurs by providing startup resources such as sewing machines, baking ovens, and seed funding. Her work reflects a lifelong mission: turning inspiration into action.

“This TV project is more than content—it’s a movement,” she added. “We are building a generation that is self-aware, skilled, and ready to lead. And we’re doing it one story, one screen, and one young person at a time.”

Ngozi Okafor’s upcoming television programs promise to fill a critical void in youth development programming and are expected to air on both national and regional networks. Additional details about scheduling and partnerships will be announced soon.

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Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Rome Visit Amid Smears and Propaganda Storm

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Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Rome Visit Amid Smears and Propaganda Storm

Presidential hopeful and former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has calmly addressed a wave of politically charged misinformation following his recent visit to the Vatican, where he attended an inauguration ceremony. The backlash, largely fanned by known government allies Femi Fani-Kayode, Reno Omokri, and Omoyele Sowore, misrepresented the nature of his visit and falsely accused him of refusing to “pay homage” to the Pope until a supposed presidential intervention.

Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Rome Visit Amid Smears and Propaganda Storm

Contrary to the sensational headlines, Mr. Obi clarified that he did not meet the Pope, nor was such a meeting on his agenda. “I bought my own ticket and traveled for what I believe is a personal, non-political trip,” he told a close confidant in Abuja before departing. Emphasizing his commitment to modesty, Obi disclosed that he flew economy class, adding, “It’s the difference between business class and economy that I use for donations to build classrooms.”

Obi’s visit to Rome mirrored his past trips to the Vatican, including the 2013 inauguration of Pope Francis. A Papal Knight and longstanding Catholic faithful, Mr. Obi is no stranger to such events. This time, he traveled alongside former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi, both of whom held official passes granting them VIP access. They also paid a visit to Cardinal Francis Arinze, a 90-year-old Nigerian cleric and longtime Vatican figure — an act Obi has made a tradition of during such visits.

The criticisms have drawn widespread rebuke, with many questioning why a man known for self-funding his travels and donating millions to health and education continues to face political smears, while those squandering public funds remain unchallenged. Obi’s quiet return to Nigeria was followed, as usual, by school and hospital visits — the kind of grassroots outreach that has cemented his reputation as a man of service, not spectacle.

As misinformation continues to plague Nigeria’s political discourse, observers are calling for a return to truth and substance. “Enough of the lies. Enough of the propaganda. The truth has no tribe,” said a supporter who met with Obi before his Rome trip.

In an era of performative politics, Obi’s response has once again underscored his consistent message: humility, service, and transparency over noise.

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