The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised concerns over threats to his family following a New Year’s Day media chat in which he criticized the policies of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obi made the allegations in a post shared on his Facebook page on Monday night.
He wrote, “Have I really crossed the line? I ask this question because my New Year message has now led to threats against my life, my family, and those around me.”
The former governor of Anambra State also criticized APC’s publicity secretary, Mr. Felix Morka, accusing him of issuing veiled threats. According to Obi, Morka accused him of “crossing the line” and warned that he would face the consequences.
Obi called on Nigerians to point out where he may have erred, saying, “If I have truly crossed the line, I invite anyone to point it out, as I remain committed to upholding decorum. However, I will not be silenced in my resolve to speak truthfully, especially as our nation continues to drift toward undemocratic practices.”
Furthermore, Obi accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of stifling freedom of speech and becoming increasingly authoritarian and repressive.
The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Oluseyi Makinde, has said that the organizers of the Children’s funfair that led to the death of 35 innocent children in a stampede on December 18,2024, will face trial.
The organisers, included an ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola Ogunseyi; the owner of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Fasasi Abdullahi Babatunde, Re remanded at the Agodi Custodial Centre.
Makinde further stressed that he has been receiving calls from different people questioning why the organisers should not be allowed to go free.
He said,”Quite a number of people have been reaching out to me, saying this thing happened in Anambra State and FCT, nobody went to jail. “Why is it in Oyo State that some people are going to jail? I told them that Oyo State is not Anambra State, and no matter how highly placed you are, justice must be done.
“The judiciary is here, it is in their court, if you think they can be granted bail pending the trial, I don’t have anything against it, but the people must face trial.”
Operatives of the Odeda Division of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested Akintoye Waris for allegedly stealing and slaughtering a Savannah he-goat valued at N200,000 for his child’s naming.
The spokesperson for the command, Omolola Odutola, on Saturday, revealed that Waris was arrested on January 2, 2024, in the Odeda Area of the state, along with his accomplice, Ajayi Yusuf.
The suspects had allegedly invaded a farm in the area to steal the goat, having ensured that the farm owner, simply known as Mark, had taken the cattle for grazing on December 25.
Odutola stated that after discovering one of the goats was missing upon his return, a search was conducted in the community.
During the search, the police said some villagers confirmed seeing the two suspects with the missing goat on a motorcycle, heading toward Olodo town.
The command noted that while acting on the tip-off, detectives were immediately dispatched, leading to the arrest of the suspects in the early hours of January 2, 2025.
Odutola stated, “During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime, explaining how they stole, transported, and later slaughtered the he-goat on December 27, 2024.
“They disclosed that the goat was used to prepare food for the naming ceremony of Akintoye Warris’s daughter, which was held at Olodo.
“The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation at the Divisional Crime Branch.”
She assured the concerned residents that the suspects would be prosecuted in court once the investigation is concluded and added that any further developments in the case would be communicated in due course.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, started the new year with the arrest of a wanted drug kingpin and Lagos socialite, 61-year-old Alhaja Aishat Feyisara Ajoke Elediye on Wednesday 1st January 2025 in her mansion at Okota area of Lagos following the interception of a truckload illicit drug consignment from her staff same day.
Known in the drug underworld as “Iya Ruka”, Alhaja Ajoke as she is fondly called in social circle, has her true identity shrouded in mystery for years while she remained on the wanted list of NDLEA for leading one of the drug cartels operating from Mushin area of Lagos. The lid was however blown off her invincibility on Wednesday 1st January 2025 when NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence intercepted a white Izuzu truck carrying 44 jumbo sacks containing 1,540 kilograms of imported cannabis and driven by one of her staff, 41-year-old Abideen Adio. Thereafter, the operatives stormed her hideout at 33 Adebayo Oyewole street, off Ago Palace way, Okota, where they arrested her.
On the surface, Alhaja Ajoke is a businesswoman who imports fabrics and shoes from China but beneath is a massive illicit drug trade. She is also recognized as the Iyalaje of Blessing Sisters, an influential club of society women in Lagos.
In another major operation, NDLEA officers on Friday 27th December 2024 arrested a US-trained Hollywood and Nollywood filmmaker, Emeka Emmanuel Mbadiwe, who is also a motivational speaker at his Lekki Hotel room following the arrest of his partner, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James, earlier same day at a warehouse in Ajao estate Ikeja, where he was sent by Mbadiwe to collect a shipment of 33 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 17.30 kilograms, which arrived the Import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja on 24th December 2024 from the United States on a Delta Airline flight, concealed in large wooden boxes.
An ex-convict, Sodade Sunday Eniola, who was arrested by operatives of the Tincan Command of NDLEA in June, 2024, for drug trafficking, prosecuted and sentenced to four years in prison has been arrested again by officers of the MMIA Strategic Command of the Agency for passport racketeering. When he was convicted by a Federal High Court in Lagos on 14th June 2024, the trial judge gave him an option of paying N750,000 fine, which he paid and was let go.
However, in series of operations in December 2024, NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Lagos airport intercepted no fewer than 52 passports of different countries from shipments going to Canada, Russia, and other countries concealed in shoe soles and food items. Further investigations led to the arrest of four members of three syndicates involved in the racket. The arrested suspects include: Sodade Sunday Eniola; Ayinde Saheed Awwal; Salaudeen Afeez Ayode; and Sheriff Adebayo Bamigbade. Both the exhibits and the suspects were on Monday 30th December 2024 handed over to the Zonal Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service in Lagos for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) for its recent invitation to tour the Port Harcourt Refinery and verify its operational status. The invitation followed Obasanjo’s remarks during an interview with Channels Television, where he questioned the efficiency of the refinery, citing advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). According to Obasanjo, SPDC’s concerns about corruption at the refinery raised doubts about its functionality.
In a statement, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, defended the organization’s efforts, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and accountability. Soneye invited the former president to inspect the progress made at the refinery since its rehabilitation, highlighting the comprehensive overhaul undertaken to align the facility with international standards. He noted that similar projects were ongoing at the Warri, old Port Harcourt, and Kaduna refineries.
Soneye also underlined NNPCL’s transition from a government corporation to a private entity, stating that the shift had reoriented the company’s focus towards profitability and global competitiveness.
However, Obasanjo, through his media aide Kehinde Akinyemi, dismissed the invitation as disrespectful. Speaking to Punch, Akinyemi revealed that no formal invitation had been sent to the former president as of January 2, 2024. Obasanjo described the public announcement of the invitation as an “absolute insult,” criticizing NNPCL for failing to follow proper protocols.
“Is that the right way to invite a former president of the country? Who says Baba has even seen the statement or read the news? It is a total disrespect for the office of the former president,” Akinyemi said. “Ask the NNPCL that as of January 2, have they written to him? Is there any official letter addressed to him, inviting him to the refinery? It is an absolute insult, and the former president cannot dignify such with a response.”
The controversy has sparked debates over NNPCL’s approach and the broader issues surrounding Nigeria’s refinery rehabilitation projects. Critics argue that addressing corruption and operational inefficiencies is essential for achieving meaningful progress in the oil and gas sector.
The newly installed Ajeniju of Halleluyah, Oba Jelili Olaiya in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State has been repeatedly beaten to a pulp by youths from Ido Osun community for installing a Chief Imam, conducting Jumat service on their land.
Oduduwa News reports controversy trailed the installation of Oba Olaiya after he was promoted from a community head to Part II king without the consent of Ido-Osun community.
It was gathered when Oba Olaiya was made king, the people of Ido-Osun were not pleased claiming he is under the community.
He was said to have built his palace on Ido Osun land which further angered the youths.
“Last week, he turbaned one Ahmad Tijani as Chief Imam while we still have Chief Imam in Ido-Osun. Today they were gathering at the palace for Jumat service which the new Imam will preside over, the youths from Ido Osun revolted, he was beaten and injured when the matter escalated.” a security source confided.
Another security source said: “Police later rescued the monarch from the scene and he has been taken to hospital because he was badly injured.”
When contacted, the Special Adviser to Govennor on Security, Samuel Ojo said: “I can’t make any comment about it now, I will make my findings and get back.”
Effort to speak with Osun Police Command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola were abortive. She did not respond when her phone rang out as at the time of filing this report.
The Government of Ondo State has announced the passage of Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi.
The State Government made the disclosure today in statement made available to newsmen as read in part:
“It is with profound sadness that the Government of Ondo State announces the passing of Hon. Temitayo Oluwatuyi, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), on January 4, 2025.
“He was involved in a ghastly car accident on Sunday, 15th December, 2024, while traveling to Ibadan and was subsequently hospitalised. Hon. Oluwatuyi was a dedicated public servant whose unwavering commitment to administrative coordination, policy advisory, and implementation had a significant impact on Ondo State.
“He served with distinction and played a crucial role in the state government, working closely with the Governor and other top officials of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“Having served government in various capacities, including as Chairman of Akure South local government, Commissioner and twice as SSG, Hon. Oluwatuyi will forever be remembered for his invaluable contributions to the development of Ondo State. The Government of Ondo State extends its deepest condolences to the Oluwatuyi family of Akure, friends, and associates during this difficult time.
“The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, approved the appointment of Tayo Oluwatuyi as the SSG on January 24 , 2024.
“He also served as SSG under the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu”.
The Presiding Bishop of Rapture Empowerment International, Dr Sina Olaribigbe, has been stabbed to death over suspicion of sleeping with a married woman.
It was gathered the incident occurred on Thursday at BCGA area behind Olorunda local government Secretariat, Osogbo, Osun State. A source confided the couple had been having misunderstanding leading them to live separately.
However Bishop Olaribigbe was said to have been involved in ensuring that peace reigned in the union before they started living separately. It was gathered the Bishop was on the bed of the wife, making the aggrieved husband stab him to death in the compromising position. When contacted, Public Relations Officer of Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola confirmed the incident.
She said: “Olaribigbe used to settle fight between the couple. We were told the pastor was at the wife’s place today when the estranged husband got there.
“He stabbed the Pastor, he was on the wife’s bed when the incident happened. The husband stabbed him severally and he died. It was learnt the husband acted on the suspicion that the pastor was sleeping with the woman.“
As 2027 general elections draw closer, a lot of permutations and scenarios are being conceived by aspirants and political associates from the ruling party in Oyo State. These scenarios are not limited to only the ruling party but also the opposition party, other political lightweights are equally plotting their own schemes with the ambition to take over Agodi seat in the next political dispensation.
The intrigues and political manouvering that usually trail every political circle have already started with political associates and loyalists already pitching their tents with their preferred aspirants.
In corroboration to the above assertion, a group of political associates has begun drumming support for the former Senator of Oyo North Senatorial District, Senator Hosea Agboola popularly known as Halleluyah. The group in a show of solidarity displayed their banner hanged with the inscriptions of “Tested & Trusted, Halleluyah 2027, Asesile Ni Abowaba”.
According to a member of the group who spoke to Oduduwa News and did not want his name in the print said, they decided to use the ocassion of the recently held Christmas party at the residence of the party chieftain in Igbojaye, Itesiwaju Local Government to launch the solidarity movement.
The members of the group hinged their decision on the antecedents of Senator Halleluyah who according to them is renowned for his philanthropic activities and the wealth of political knowledge that have helped a lot of politicians in the State.
Though, the party chieftain has neither confirmed nor denounced his intention to run for the governorship position publicly but his fans and his loyalists have been drumming support for him.
Recall, the relationship between the PDP Chieftain, Senator Hosea Halleluyah and the Executive Governor of the State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has gone sour and this was in connection to their political interest in the last 2023 general elections. Makinde and three other PDP governors pitched their tent with the former Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike who failed to clinch the Party’s presidential ticket while Halleluyah and his loyalists declared support for Atiku Abubakar, who eventually won the Party’s presidential ticket.
In the twist of events, Oyo State Governor, Makinde and three other governors teamed up with the then Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike to form a parralel group called G-5 as a rebel against their Party’s presidential flagbearer and declared their support for the incumbent President Bola Tinubu who was the presidential flagbearer of APC and eventually became the Landlord of Aso Rock.
The Oyo State Government has said that the distribution of letters of appointment to 5,600 newly recruited basic school teachers in the state will begin on Monday, January 6, 2025.
The distribution exercise will take place at Local government Universal Basic Education Authorities, LGUBEAs situated in all local government areas across Oyo state.
The Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran stated this today during a meeting with Education Secretaries in Ibadan.
Dr. Adeniran charged the new teachers to be innovative and embrace modern techniques and approach in imparting knowledge.
Adeniran, who restated the Board’s zero tolerance for examination malpractices, said the new teachers’ appointments take effect from January 1st, 2025.
He, however, noted that about 12 local governments are overbloated with teachers, while some local governments are understaffed, saying a redistribution will be done to ensure equity and justice.
Dr. Adeniran urged the newly recruited teachers to display patriotic commitment, high level of integrity, and professional diligence to your duties.
“As young teachers, you are expected to be creative, adaptive, talented, and progressive. We urge you to be innovative, I therefore urge you to be the teacher for this age and the game-changing teacher for the future,” he said.
“You will be expected to be part of our dream for the revolutionalize the basic education sub-sector”, the Chairman added.
Speaking further, he said, “This is yet another testimony in our quest to reposition basic education in Oyo State in line with Governor Seyi Makinde’s campaign promises to our people, especially in the rural areas, many of which, have shortage of teachers as a result of retirements and other issues.”
“The first batch of 5,600 newly recruited teachers out of 7,000 who were successful after the rigorous recruitment processes will receive their letters from Monday.”
Adeniran also disclosed that the Seyi Makinde government has paid N2.5 Billion as counterpart fund for the 2022 & 2023 UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects, to enable basic schools and junior secondary schools to continue enjoying unhindered infrastructural development.
While congratulating the new teachers, the Chairman advised them to demonstrate the highest level of professional ethics, urging them not to fail in their professional code of conduct as teachers.
The Chairman commended Governor Seyi Makinde for approving the appointment to fill vacant position in the education industry, stating that his intervention in the sub-sector has placed Oyo in the forefront among its peers.
He listed the LGUBEA offices in the 33 Local government areas as follows:
Ido LGUBEA- SDP office, Iyana, Akufo.
Ibadan South-West LGUBEA- Opp. Magara Police Post, Iyaganku Quarters.
