Politics
Peter Obi’s Spokesman exposes blackmail plot, dismisses bribery allegation
He cited recent libelous publications by Mr. Ezenekwe, noting that he did not bother to observe the basic journalism rule of contacting the accused to state his side of the story.
Referring to the latest of such stories alleging the offering of N10 million bribe to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, Obienyem said: “Ikenna Ellis Ezenekwe, a well known fraudster, lied that Obi gave 10 million Naira to PDP Chairman.
“Obi has not seen the PDP Chairman in the last 2 months, yet he reported how Obi gave him 10 Million Naira, which he rejected. You and I know that Obi can only give such an amount to schools!”
The Media Aide went down memory lane, recalling running battles with Mr. Ezenekwe, whom he described as a notorious blackmailer.
Recalling some of their encounters, he wrote: “I have had many encounters with Mr. Ellis Ikenna Ezenekwe in the past. In the January of Obi’s administration, he visited my office begging me to appeal to the then Governor Peter Obi to make him an assistant. He even wrote a letter to that effect, which is attached.
“At that time, I did not know that he was part of the delegation from ASA USA to monitor elections, but he left the group and pursued other interests. Till today, ASA USA is demanding the refund of the money with which they sponsored him.
“At a point, it became clear that Ikenna is a fraudster. He can do anything for money. He started Sahara Reporters with Mr. Sowore, but because he always went behind to collect money from people to work against his colleagues, they expelled him. Seeing what Sahara Reporters has become, one wonders what Ikenna would have been by now.
“He started Nankareports and people of Nanka revolted and he switched to Ukpaka reports, when it became notorious for blackmail, he metamorphosed into 247ureports. Meanwhile, his contemporaries have all moved ahead of him because he thinks he can build an empire on lies and fraud.
“Because of the type of live he lives, his American wife divorced him. He married a Nigerian without disclosing to her his genotype (AS), when they had SS child, his wife protested. The case was heard by their kindred and the pastor of their local church. The woman threatened to leave him, saying she did not know somebody could be fraudulent with his own family and future. His case was taking up by the Association of People Living with Sickle cell, using it to warn intending couples not to hide their genotype to each other. The same group fell out of favour with Ikenna, when he insisted they would pay for him to carry news sensitizing people about sickle cell in his site.
“At a time, he resurrected the news of erosion killing some people in his town of Nanka, an event that happened in 1974 and presented it as a fresh event. He colluded with the man involved in 1974, who lost his entire family . He got Channels’ people to interview the man and packaged the event as just happened. Consequently, the man was showered with relief materials and money. Obi visited as a Governor and gave the man N100,000 and materials and promised to relocate him to a safer place. Many organisations, even Scout and Red Cross organizations in the state visited and made donations. When the scam busted, Channel’s returned to the man who confessed he was acting Ikenna’s script. He said all the relief materials and money he garnered were shared with Ikenna.
“The most odious of Ikenna’s fraud was when he sent a text to me and said he was crying making the request of $10,000 dollars from Obi needed to treat his father who was dying of prostate cancer. He said I should not judge his past since it was a matter of life and death and begged I should just tell Mr. Peter Obi about it because, according to him, “Obi is a Christian with unlimited capacity to forgive.” I chuckled and said to myself, “So this man knows he has been unfair to Obi.” He sent another text directly to Obi.
“As predicted, Obi gave me the $10,000 for him. Later I came to discover that he sent the same text to all the Governors at that time and some of them might have assisted.
“As from the 30th of December, 2013, I started receiving text messages from one Ifeanyi Ezenekwe, Ikenna’s younger brother. He said he was desperately in need of meeting me. I cannot go into details, but when we eventually met in my office, he narrated to me how Ikenna used their father’s ill health to make money from politicians and how he did not remit one kobo for the treatment. He said their father mighty eventually die of broken heart rather than prostrate. Who would not be moved? He said he was having series of issues with Ikenna and that he was a victim of Kano riot. He used 08067432993 to send texts.
“A PHONE CALL FROM IKENNA EZENEKWE TWO MONTHS AGO
Since we left office, I have not spoken with Ikenna Ezenekwe, but two months ago, precisely on the 2nd of July, 2018, my phone rang repeatedly. When I picked, I was surprised it was Ikenna Ezenekwe. I have his 08083368888 but he used a new number to call me: 08136697979.
“Ikenna started with apologies over series of unpleasant issues between us. As usual, he said he was a changed person, and to buttress that, that I should hear him out. He went on and on telling me how Obi has turned out to be the best thing that has happened to Anambra State and how he would make a good president. He said it was an insult for those he was better than to chose him as the VP. After about 15 minutes of talking, I said to him that he should not worry since Mr. Peter Obi was not angling for any post.
“Further, Ikenna told me that a politician in the South-East vowed that Obi would never be considered for a VP position was about to mobilize them to launch coordinated attack on him by posting falsehoods about him. He said the offer was tempting, but that as a “born again”, his conscience was troubled. Upon all my persuasion, he declined to name those about to be mobilized with him.
“Knowing Ikenna as synonymous with fraud and mischief, I asked him how much. He said if Mr. Peter Obi could give then $50,000 dollars, that he would make the team to turn back on the offer and work for him (Obi). I told him that he should be aware by now, that it is only on medical condition that Obi would bring out such money. Off course, going by his father’s saga, that area is foreclosed.
“Subsequently, having realized that the old fraudster was at it again, I did not pick his calls.
“It was not surprising when, in the last three weeks, he started dishing out falsehoods against Mr. Peter Obi.
“Obi has not seen the PDP Chairman in the last 2 months, yet he reported how Obi gave him 10 Million Naira, which he rejected. You and I know that Obi can only give such an amount to schools!
“While we await more lies from Ikenna, it is pertinent that the public knows who he really is.”
Obasa Appointed to CPA African Executive Committee
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has been appointed as a Sub-National Representative to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African Executive Committee.
The announcement was formally conveyed through a letter from the CPA Africa Region, which was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, on Tuesday, March 10. The appointment confirms Speaker Obasa’s three-year tenure, spanning 2026 to 2029.
Lawmakers took turns to congratulate Speaker Obasa, praising his devotion to parliamentary service and his consistent efforts to strengthen legislative practice. They described his appointment as a recognition of his hard work and a reflection of Lagos State’s growing influence within the Commonwealth. Members noted that his achievements continue to bring pride not only to Lagos but to Nigeria as a whole.
In his remarks, Speaker Obasa expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support, urging them to remain steadfast in prioritizing the progress of the Assembly and to continue working collectively to advance the legislature. He further directed the Clerk to send a formal letter of appreciation to the CPA African Region for the honour bestowed upon him. “Let us always put the House of Assembly first and never relent in our efforts to move the legislature forward, ” Obasa concluded.
The CPA African Region plays a pivotal role in advancing the interests of African parliaments within the Commonwealth. It is widely recognized for promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, respect for human rights, democracy, and good governance across member nations.
TINUBU RENEWS TENURE OF THREE PERMANENT SECRETARIES
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the renewal of tenure for three Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service, in line with existing public service regulations.
The approval was disclosed in a statement issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, indicating that the renewed appointments will take effect from April 27, 2026.
The affected officials include Kachallom Shangti Daju, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; Beatrice Jedy‑Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Justice; and Mary Ada Ogbe, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Regional Development.
According to the statement, the renewal represents a second and final four-year tenure for the officials, in accordance with the provisions of Public Service Rule 020909, which allows Permanent Secretaries an initial four-year term with the possibility of a second term based on satisfactory performance.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson‑Jack, congratulated the Permanent Secretaries on their reappointment and urged them to see the renewed mandate as a call to greater dedication and excellence in service delivery.
She further encouraged them to deploy their experience and professional expertise toward strengthening governance and advancing national development.
The statement was signed by Eno Olotu, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and dated March 6, 2026.
Politics
Governor Dauda Lawal’s Prompt Action Against Insecurity in Zamfara State Yielding Positive Result’ – GDL Media Force Fires Back at Critics
‘Governor Dauda Lawal’s Prompt Action Against Insecurity in Zamfara State Yielding Positive Result’ – GDL Media Force Fires Back at Critics
The attention of GDL Media Force and other well-meaning supporters of the Dauda Lawal-led administration has been drawn to a recent statement syndicated on social media by influencers from a group calling itself the Zamfara Good Governance Forum, which ludicrously attempted to portray the Governor’s security efforts as a “total failure.” This characterisation is not only divorced from reality. Still, it represents a desperate attempt by political opponents to rewrite history and undermine a Governor whose growing influence and performance clearly terrify them. It should be on record that in the whole of the North West region, Governor Dauda Lawal has tackled insecurity head-on with verifiable evidence that even those in the opposition have commended him for his huge investment in equipment that will further give security and armed forces an edge over those fueling insecurity in the country.
Since his assumption as Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Lawal has vowed that as the Chief Security Officer of the state, as well as the chief rescuer, an unprecedented commitment to tackling the security challenges that have plagued Zamfara for over a decade is his top priority and he is engaging it with much gusto. Unlike previous administrations, that engaged in shadowy deals with non-state actors, this Governor has chosen the path of transparency, capacity building, and decisive action. He was one of the Governors who openly declared that His administration would not negotiate with bandit rather his administration with fight them to a standstill and ensure they are cleared out.
In a bid to address the issues of insecurity with a well-planned arrival plan, he procured heavy Security Assets that even the Federal Government commended, him for. The recently procured and unveiled 25 units of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and an 80-meter endurance surveillance drone capable of covering 50 kilometres and operating continuously for eight hours. This represents the single largest state-government investment in security hardware in the history of Zamfara State.
The Defence Minister, during the inauguration ceremony, praised what he described as a clear demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to protecting lives and property, making the striking projection that “if we continue like this in the second term, Zamfara will look like Dubai”. This is not praise from a partisan source it is professional acknowledgement from the highest level of Nigeria’s defence establishment that Governor Lawal is doing something right.
Beyond heavy military hardware, the Governor has operationalised the Community Protection Guards in accordance with the law, providing them with 60 brand-new, well-equipped Hilux operational vehicles and specialised motorcycles to ensure swift response and effective first-responder services in difficult terrains. This is complemented by the distribution of 150 Hilux vehicles to mainstream security agencies including the Nigeria Police, DSS, and NSCDC, plus 20 Toyota Buffalo vehicles (both armoured and soft-body).
Perhaps most significantly, Governor Lawal established the Zamfara State Security Trust Fund, which provides a predictable, structured framework for logistical support to security forces. This moves the state away from the era of fragmented, reactive responses to a professional, sustainable security architecture.
When recent attacks occurred including the unfortunate February 19 incident in Anka LGA, Governor Lawal did not go into hiding or issue condolence statements from his office in Gusau. He immediately convened and personally presided over an emergency security meeting with all heads of security agencies at the Government House in Gusau, tasking them to urgently review the current security framework and implement coordinated countermeasures.
The Governor charged security chiefs to maintain “heightened vigilance, strengthened intelligence, and immediate, coordinated countermeasures” to ensure that criminal elements do not gain further ground. He also commiserated with affected communities and assured them of his administration’s full support both logistical and institutional. This is not the behaviour of a detached leader. This is the conduct of a Governor who understands that his primary constitutional responsibility is the protection of lives and property.
The public needs to understand the pedigree of those behind these allegations. The so-called “Zamfara Good Governance Forum” has a well-documented history of partisan attacks against Governor Lawal. A simple review of their previous statements reveals a pattern they have consistently attacked the Governor while remaining conspicuously silent during the administrations that presided over the worst years of banditry in the state. Interestingly, these attacks often coincide with political manoeuvres by the immediate past governor, Bello Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence. The Zamfara State Government has previously accused Matawalle of using federal security apparatus to intimidate opposition figures in the state. The current criticism fits a familiar pattern, when you cannot defeat a Governor politically or at the ballot box, you attempt to undermine him through sponsored propaganda spreading sheer falsehood to ensure the public turns their back on a performing Governor who is rebuilding the rot the Matawale-led administration caused.
These same critics who now demand a “security roadmap” conveniently ignore that Governor Lawal inherited a state that was virtually a failed entity where farmers could not access their lands, where markets were paralysed, and where government had lost all credibility through failed negotiations and ransom payments to bandits.
Critics also conveniently ignore a fundamental reality Governor Lawal is the only opposition governor in the entire North-West geopolitical zone. Since taking office in 2023, his administration has received no federal intervention funds beyond statutory allocations no special palliatives, and no enhanced security support that flows to states with ruling-party governors. Yet despite this political isolation, he has managed to fund security without resorting to new borrowing, while monthly servicing N1.2 billion in inherited debts from the Bello Matawalle-led administration. This is governance under siege fiscally constrained, politically isolated, yet still delivering.
Governor Dauda Lawal has never claimed that the battle against banditry is easy or that success will come overnight. What he has demonstrated is sincerity of purpose, strategic vision, and relentless commitment. From the Security Trust Fund to community protection guards, from armoured personnel carriers to surveillance drones, these are not the actions of a leader who has failed. The growing influence of Governor Lawal across the North-West clearly frightens those who benefited from the old order of insecurity. When banditry thrives, politicians who negotiate with criminals remain relevant. But when peace is restored through genuine security architecture, such elements become obsolete.
Zamfara State is on the path to lasting peace. The detractors may continue their campaign of falsehood, but the facts on the ground speak louder than their sponsored propaganda. Governor Dauda Lawal remains focused, undeterred, and absolutely committed to restoring full normalcy to every inch of Zamfara State. The people of Zamfara see the progress. The Federal Government acknowledges the investment. And history will remember who truly fought for the state’s liberation.
Signed: GDL Media Force Support Group
March 4, 2026
Abuja, Nigeria
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