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APC National Convention hope dashed as committee secretary resigns

Published

8 years ago

June 3, 2018

The Secretary of the National Convention Committee of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Ben Nwajumogu, has resigned his appointment.

He confirmed earlier speculations that he quit the job late on Friday at a news conference with newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.

Nwajumogu cited domestic issues as the reasons for his decision explaining that although he was no longer the committe’s secretary, he remained a member of the 240-member panel.

In his place, the National Working Committee of the APC announced the appointment of the Chairman of the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, as his replacement. The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed this development in a telephone interview with SUNDAY PUNCH.

Abdullahi confirmed that the NWC had received and accepted Nwajumogu’s resignation and named Ndoma-Egba as his replacement.

However, findings by SUNDAY PUNCH revealed that Nwajumoga was asked to step down following pressure from the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.

A top-ranking party leader privy to what transpired behind the scenes told our correspondent in confidence that the governor “practically relocated to Abuja” to mount pressure on the party leaders and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

The source stated, “Rochas (Okorocha) was behind it. He went about calling for the man’s (Nwajumogu) removal. He went to the Vice President and came to our chairman to say the man is his problem.

“He put pressure on the VP and our chairman, insisting that the secretary, who he said had not hidden his dislike for him, should be removed. The governor even requested that he should be allowed to nominate someone else from Imo.

“The chairman put his feet down and said the position was not zoned to Imo State. Our chairman also insisted that the secretary be given a ‘dignified exit’ and be allowed to resign instead of an announcement of a replacement.

“The committee secretary agreed to step down in the interest of the party. That was how a quick search, which was done in consultation with relevant stakeholders, was carried out overnight and Senator Ndoma-Egba from Cross Rivers State was given the challenge.”

In response to a question as to whether, he was indeed asked to resign as part of an agreement to pacify Okorocha, Nwajumogu denied the charge.

He admitted that there was no love lost between him and the governor, saying it was nothing personal and that the governor had always threatened to leave the APC if things were not done his way.

Nwajumogu said, “I heard he threatened to leave the party if his position was not taken… This started more than two weeks ago and it is just a coincidence because I had made up my mind to leave.

“I am just hoping that now that I have left, my governor, Rochas Okorocha, returns to Imo and spend more time to attend to the various issues that he has created for himself.”

He said stakeholders of the APC in Imo State were opposed to Okorocha’s leadership style based on principles.

Nwajumogu stated, “Our opposition to that is something that is based on principle; based on the fact that 95 per cent of Imo citizens and indeed south-easterners are not happy with what is happening in Imo State.

“It is very clear today that this is no longer an Imo issue but a South-East issue. It is very clear now that the entire South-East has lost confidence in the leadership of Rochas Anayo Okorocha and all we are saying is that Nigerians should take note that we no longer have him as our leader.”

He also insisted that he left on his own volition because he took the decision to enable him to attend to his obligations to his family, adding that no one forced him to resign.

According to him, whatever decision a politician takes there are “political consequences.”

On his resignation, he stated, “Yesterday, I tendered my resignation as the Secretary of the APC Convention Planning Committee and the resignation was accepted last night by the national chairman of the party.

“The reason why I resigned primarily is that when I was appointed, the date for the national convention, as we were informed, was to be on May 14.

“Eventually, that date was moved to June 2 and there were hopes that the convention would hold between June 2 and 9. However, the date has now been moved to June 23 and it will conflict with my family activities and responsibilities.

“For example, two of my children are graduating from a university in England within this month and I have a responsibility to be there and I have some other jobs at hands too. So, I decided that since I won’t have the time for this convention, I should resign so that the position can be given to somebody who has the time.”

According to him, the committee has only received N13m from the party. This, according to him, was what was used to pay for hotel bills, office equipment for the secretariat and other activities so far carried out by the committee.

He described some media reports that he was sacked for misappropriation of funds as the handiwork of mischief makers.

In response to a question on controversies surrounding the membership of the committee, Nwajumogu said party stakeholders across board nominated some of the members of the committee.

He said, “We have a total of about 20 members for each committee and the committees are 12. That makes it 240 members. In that regard, the NWC sent about 108 people to the committee. We got nominations from different groups.

“The Buhari Support Organisation, the Buhari Campaign Organisation, the wife of the President and various interest groups in the APC, including the diaspora organisations, and of course, there is no way I will be a member and the Secretary of the National Convention Committee and I will not have nominees in the convention.

“I brought about 18 members of my own which was granted to me and approved by the national convention chairman. Some of my nominees are Yoruba, northerners and Igbo.

But Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, the Chief Press Secretary to Okorocha, said the ex-convention secretary should look elsewhere for the reasons why he was removed.

He added, “What else would he (Nwajumogu) have said? He knows what removed him.

“They came from a political party that believes in manipulating everything; and certain offices require high level of decency. They are not meant for vampires.

“And if he insists that the governor did it, we won’t also regret that because the same governor took him to the Senate and he is today Eneke, the bird.”

Also speaking on the reasons behind Nwajumogu’s resignation, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said it was the ex-secretary’s personal decision which he said must be respected.

He said, “To the best of my knowledge, the reasons he gave were personal and the National Working Committee has appointed somebody else, Senator. Victor Ndoma-Egba.”

news

FCMB Limits Exposure in Fraud Attempt

Published

2 weeks ago

March 28, 2026

Sahara Weekly

More than ₦3 billion was targeted, but about ₦677 million reached the culprits, with recovery and prosecutions underway, reflecting how banks are responding to more sophisticated fraud risks.

Nigeria’s expanding digital banking sector is facing increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts, as financial institutions adapt to faster transactions and broader online services.

A recent case involving First City Monument Bank (FCMB), linked to fraudulent activity detected in December 2025, has drawn attention to how banks are responding to such incidents, with a focus on limiting exposure, recovering funds and working with law enforcement.

According to findings referenced in proceedings before the Lagos State Special Offences Court, the incident involved unauthorised transactions tied to a digital product. Early reports erroneously suggested more than ₦3 billion was lost. Subsequent clarification shows that over ₦3 billion was targeted, ₦2.4 billion was blocked and recovered, while ₦677 million got into the possession of the culprits. This outcome reflects the bank’s cyber security and monitoring capabilities, as well as improved collaboration among regulated financial institutions and with law enforcement agencies. Several suspects and beneficiaries have been apprehended, while recovery and prosecution efforts are ongoing, led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Proceedings at the Lagos State Special Offences Court have resulted in convictions, including that of a repeat offender, with restitution orders issued. Related matters are also being handled at the Federal High Court in Lagos, where additional suspects are being tried in connection with the scheme. This process is aimed at ensuring that bad actors are identified and permanently blacklisted from the financial system.

Authorities say recovery efforts are continuing as additional funds are traced.

Analysts note that the pace of legal action reflects closer coordination between financial institutions and enforcement agencies in addressing cyber-related financial crime.

The case comes as banks contend with more complex fraud methods, including social engineering and automated exploitation of system processes.

As digital products and platforms expand, so too does the risk associated with cyber-crime and related fraud.

“The scale of digital banking means risks are evolving alongside the systems,” said a Lagos-based financial analyst. “Institutions are now judged by how they manage these events.”

Observers say the sector is moving toward a stronger focus on response and recovery, rather than prevention alone.

This includes improving monitoring capabilities, strengthening transaction controls and enhancing collaboration with regulators and law enforcement. The FCMB case, with limited exposure relative to the amount targeted and ongoing recovery, reflects that shift.

For customers, the primary concern is the safety of their funds. In this case, there has been no indication of losses affecting customer deposits. Maintaining that level of protection remains central to sustaining trust in the financial system.

Nigeria’s financial sector continues to grow, supported by digital innovation and expanding access to banking services.

However, analysts say fraud attempts are likely to persist as systems become more complex and interconnected.

They say institutions will increasingly be judged not only on their ability to prevent incidents, but on how effectively they respond and recover when they occur.

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Ex-APC Deputy Guber flag bearer, Joshua MacIver backs Tinubu, express fears over implosion in Bayelsa APC

Published

3 weeks ago

March 21, 2026

Sahara Weekly

….congratulates new State Party Chairman, Warman Ogoriba

APC Deputy Governorship Candidate in the 2023 general elections in Bayelsa State, Great Joshua MacIver has declared his total commitment to the re-election of President Bola Tinubu come 2027, declaring that the Tinubu re-election project is non-negotiable.

Great Joshua MacIver, in his statement titled ” BAYELSA APC CONGRESSES: GOING FORWARD, A CALL TO LOOK INWARDS” and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, warned APC leaders in the state to look Inward and take note of certain factors which may hinder or cut short our victory.

According to Great Joshua MacIver, such noticeable pitfalls include the imbalance in the united front being put up by the State Governor,Senator Douye Diri among various political blocs in the state.

In the statement issued at the weekend. Great Joshua MacIver stated that “First, before His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, joined the APC in the state, there were clearly two political blocs that made up the party, with the approximate population ratios of the blocs standing at 95% to 5%.”

“After the entrance of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, ONLY THE SMALLER BLOC IS BEING CARRIED ALONG IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE PARTY, leaving the greater percentage to their fate, and this situation has the potential to build anger and dissatisfaction in our dear party.”

” The consequence of this has been the high level defection we have witnessed in the party recently and we believe more may likely follow, if we do not put our house in order.”

” If we do not pull together as a party, we may witness a situation where we will lose key stakeholders, especially after the State and National Assembly Primaries as well the Gubernatorial Primaries.”

“Finally, while it is very clear that we are the party to beat in the 2027 elections and that our loyalty to Mr. President IS NON-NEGOTIABLE, we must make haste to say that we cannot afford to create situations or loopholes in our unity which will be exploited by other political interests in the state. We cannot afford to under-rate anyone.”

“Our core interest remains the re-election of Mr. President, a project to which we have committed our all. We also pledge our total loyalty to the party as we have no alternative to the APC. However, our concern is that we must, as a party, look inwards and ensure that we do not create loopholes that can impede our common goal.”

Great Joshua MacIver, however congratulated the newly elected State Executives of the APC in Bayelsà State led by Hon. Warman Ogoriba, saying their emergence is welcomed at this critical time in our national history.

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How Primate Ayodele Foretold Borno Suicide Bomb Attack A Few Weeks Ago (VIDEO)

Published

3 weeks ago

March 17, 2026

Sahara Weekly

“You Can’t Use Primate Ayodele To Score Points For Your Failed Political Ambitions” – Fulani Group Blasts Umar Ardo

At least 23 people were killed in a series of suspected suicide bombings, police in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri said on Tuesday.

https://www.stanbicibtcbank.com/nigeriabank/personal/products-and-services/all-loans/stanbic-ibtc-mreif-home-loans

More than 100 other people were injured in the blasts that took place on Monday evening in the capital of Nigeria’s restive Borno state.

No group has claimed responsibility for the suspected attacks.

The deadly blasts come after a military post was attacked overnight Sunday to Monday, which authorities blamed on suspected Islamist militants.

This sad incident is coming barely two weeks after Primate Elijah Ayodele, the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church specifically warned against attacks in some states. He mentioned these states while calling on security operatives to pay close attention to them.

These were his words:

“Another attack is coming up in these following states where the military must watch carefully and intelligently; Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, Borno, Kwara and Kogi state. They want to do a deadly attack, it’s preventable but it depends on how they will handle it. I have told you about the danger coming up.”

@primateayodele

#borno #nigeria #fulfillment #security #primateayodele

♬ original sound – Primate Ayodele

Unfortunately, some of our military agencies don’t believe spiritual intelligence can save the country from so much danger hence, their neglect of this prophetic warning but now, it has been fulfilled with the miliary losing credibility by the day while Primate Ayodele continues to gain momentum.

Likewise, At least 26 passengers and crew sustained varying degrees of injuries on Monday following an accident involving the Kaduna–Abuja train, according to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

Opeifa explained that the train departed Rigasa in Kaduna at 7:15 a.m. and was approaching Asham station around 9:16 a.m. when a loud bang was heard after the power car and trailing locomotive collided with one of the passenger coaches.

In July 2025, Primate Ayodele asked nigerians to pray not to see train mishap on the Kaduna-Abuja route.