El-Rufai: Naira Redesign Doesn't Make Any Political Or Economic Sense

 In an interview on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily programme on Wednesday, Nasir El-Rufai, the Kaduna State Governor and member of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC), said that some persons are hiding behind the president’s “desire to do what he thinks is right.”

“The currency redesign, you have to understand the president. People are blaming the Governor of the Central Bank for the currency redesign, but No.

“You have to go back and look at Buhari’s first outing as president.

“He did it; the Buhari-Idiagbon regime changed our currency in secret in order to catch those who were stashing illicit funds.

“It is a very good intention. The president has his rights. But doing it at this time within the allotted time does not make any political or economic sense.”

Governor Ademola Adeleke Borehole Drilling To Mark 100 Days In Office Begins

 Just in: Governor Ademola Adeleke Bore hole drilling begins in Osun State as part of activities to mark 100 days in office. Bore hole drilling begins at Olufon Ward 04, Owotutu central mosque Ifon Osun.

Interviewed Chief Imam Owotutu Central mosque Ifon Osun, Alh Musa Muhamadu Jamiu.

Gunmen Attack INEC Office, Police Station, Residential Building In Anambra

 Gunmen early Wednesday morning attacked the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

A source said the hoodlums burnt the commission’s headquarters using Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs.

The gunmen also attacked a police station in Nnobi, in the same local government area, and a residential building inside the station, where they killed a boy, and injured a girl.

The level of damage in the police station was, however, not yet ascertained at the time of this report.

The state police command’s spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incidents in a press statement.

He said the attack happened at about 1:45 am on Wednesday, confirming that the attackers came in huge numbers, and we were ferried to the scenes of the incidents in four Toyota Sienna vehicles.

He added that the command had heavily deployed security personnel around the state to forestall such attacks in other places.

The release read: “Anambra State Police Command today, 1/2/2023 has reinforced security deployment in the state, following an attack on the INEC office in Idemili South, Ojoto and Nnobi Police Station.

“The hoodlums came in their numbers by 1:45 am today 1/2/2023, with four unmarked Sienna vehicles armed with IEDs, petrol bombs and other explosives.

“They invaded the INEC office, the Police Station and the residential building in the station. Unfortunately, one boy aged 16 years a relative of a serving policeman in the station was murdered by the armed men, while the other, a female aged 15 years old sustained a gunshot injury. She has been taken to the hospital where she is receiving treatment.”

2023: I Am In Talks With Kwankwaso, Obi & one of them may possibly come - Atiku

 People Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has said that he is in touch with the presidential candidate of New Nigerian People Party (NNPP) Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso for possible support.

In an interview with BBC Hausa service, Atiku said he is also holding talks with the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi.

He said the duo of Obi and Kwankwaso are not in anyway a threat to his chances in the election.

“I see no threat because we are not together with them (Kwankwaso and Obi). We are in talk with them, one of them may possibly come,” he said.

On the lingering PDP Crisis, Atiku said, “Each party has its internal crisis, we are still talking with them. Most are neither in PDP nor in other parties and definitely that will not make us loose the election because we okay with the elections preparations for now.

“Elections now is not like in the past when a governor will dictate who to vote for, elections today is in the hands of the voters.”

The presidential candidate also promised to open all Nigeria’s borders if elected president.

Fuel Scarcity May Affect Election Logistics — INEC

 Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu has said that the logistics arrangement for the general elections scheduled to hold on February 25 and March 11, might be affected by the current fuel scarcity in the country, IGBERETV reports.

Speaking at a consultative meeting with transport unions such as the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), amongst others on Tuesday, January 31, Mahmood said the commission will meet the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to look into ways to ameliorate the situation.

The INEC Chairman said; 

"The commission shares your concern about the fuel situation in the country and its impact on transportation on election day.

"The truth is that our arrangement may be negatively affected by the non-availability of products.

"For this reason, the commission will this afternoon meet the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to look into ways to ameliorate this situation.?"

Our Client Wanted To Say Pupsy"– Lawyer Writes To Federal Polytechnic Nekede

 Student of Federal Polytechnic Nekede Sharon Ogechi Okoroafor has hired a lawyer who will defend her after her reckless statement went viral on social media.

The lawyer who has appealed to the management of the institution, has said that their client never meant to defame the character,standard and integrity of the institution.

The statement reads:

Re: THE CASE OF OKOROAFOR OGECHI SHARON(THE GRADUATING STUDENT OF FED POLYNEK IN A VIRAL VIDEO)

We are solicitors to OKEREAFOR OGECHI SHARON (our Client under our Pro Bono (Free Legal Services) on whose behalf we write this memo to you.

We are aware that she will be facing the school disciplinary panel this morning and we wish to use this medium to express our confidence that the panel will carry out their duties in compliance with the principles of Fair hearing, Good conscience and Natural Justice devoid of harassment, intimidation and threats.

We have met and discussed with our Client and evidence before us shows that she has no intention to defame the character, standard and integrity of the institution. In her words what happened in the said viral video was a slip of tongue as a result of her uncontrollable ecstacy over her graduation. Her intended words were “God and Pupsy” (Not P*ssy) in appreciation of the almighty God and her Dad. It is clear therefore, that she had no intention whatsoever to use such a “fowl word” in the said viral video to cajole or blackmail the institution as no lecturer or name of the institution was mentioned or referred in the said viral video.

Our lawyers are already on ground at the institution now to follow up the proceedings at the panel against any form of intimidation or harassment.The integrity and standard of the said institution is not in doubt especially since my Senior brother, Rev Dr Arimanwa took over as the Rector.

Indeed,Justice is for all parties.
Kindly accept the assurances of our warmest regards.
Barr Ikechukwu Nwaopara
Solicitor & Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria

Notorious Kwara Cultist Ojulari Caught At APC Rally With 2 Guns

 Police operatives in Kwara said a suspected member of Aye Cult gang, Safi Abolaji, aka Ojulari, was arrested at the rally of All Progressives Congress, APC held on Monday at Sarumi, in Ojuekun area of Ilorin, the state capital with two guns, cartridges and charms.

Abolaji was overpowered by public-spirited persons and policemen at the rally after he was discovered with the dangerous weapons, SP. Okasanmi Ajayi, Kwara Police Command spokesperson said in a statement.

The suspect, who, according to the police was recently released from prison, confirmed that he is to be a member of the PDP in Kwara and could not explain why he was at the rally of the APC.

The statement read: “Acting swiftly on intelligence to the effect that, at the APC political rally on January 29, 2023, at about 1530 hrs, held at Ojuekun Sarumi area, Ilorin, one Safi Abolaji, AKA Ojulari “M,” age 44, of Kankatu area, Ilorin, was overpowered by public-spirited persons and policemen with two locally-made short-guns with cartridges and some charms found in his possession.

“During the investigation, the suspect, who confirmed to be an active member of the Aye confraternity and who was also just recently released from the correctional facility after serving a prison term, could not sufficiently explain his presence at the rally, having confirmed to be a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

An investigation into the matter is ongoing to establish his motive and to arrest other members of his cult group.The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Paul Odama, has for the umpteenth time warned criminal elements to change their ways or leave Kwara State in their own interest.

“He promised that the command would not leave any stone unturned in making Kwara State conducive for all positive human endeavours,” the statement read.

Ajayi said the suspect would be charged in court as soon as the investigation into his case is concluded.