News

Sanwo-Olu Congratulates Buhari, Says He’s Perfect Man for the Job

Published

7 years ago

February 27, 2019

Eric

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his victory in the just concluded presidential election.

In a statement by his media and communication team on Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu described Buhari’s success at the poll as “not only well-deserving, but a valid testimony to the fact that Nigerians acknowledge and are appreciative of his reformative initiatives designed to bring forth a better Nigeria”.

”Your Excellency, I heartily congratulate you on your success at the recent presidential election held across Nigeria last weekend. Your landslide victory is a validation and appreciation of your hard work and commitment to the fight against corruption. With this deserved victory, your selflessness and dedication to the services of our motherland have become a new leadership model in Nigeria.

As expected, the reward for good work is more work. So, your victory in the nationwide free and fair election, which is a validation of how your leadership has rekindled hope in millions of Nigerians at home and abroad, has provided yet another valuable opportunity for better Nigeria since democracy has found a permanent place in our country,’’ Sanwo-Olu said.

Sanwo-Olu, who also described President Muhammadu Buhari as the perfect man for the job of taking Nigeria out of the inherited socio-economic quagmire, noted that the evident giant strides of the President in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, security and economic stability should be sustained.

‘’I am sure that Your Excellency will use this victory and your second term of four years in office to complete all the great projects you embarked upon. You are the perfect candidate for the job of re-ordering the nation and setting her on the path to greatness. The zeal to do something more sustainable for the masses of the country has made your electoral victory reality. All your hard work to achieve an economically viable and one indivisible Nigeria has paid off.’’

The APC flag bearer however called on Nigerians to live in peace and harmony, saying that there is a lot more to benefit from ‘‘what unites us than what divides us.’’ He advised Nigerians to see elections as a means to an end and not the end itself.

‘‘Elections are a four-year cycle activity, which means that when there is life, we will have another round of elections in the next four years. Therefore, it does not do us any good to fight ourselves over it. We all cannot belong to the same political party or lean towards the same candidates, that is why it is a contest, but we have a duty to live together in peace and harmony, regardless of our political leaning.

Making specific reference to Lagos, the APC standard bearer urged non-indigenous Lagosians to ignore the rumoured fracas or intimidation of Igbo by some elements in the State. He said nothing of such will happen in Lagos.

“Many ethnic nationalities have settled in Lagos and have made this place a home. We cannot allow a four-year election cycle to divide us. I therefore, urge all our Igbo and Hausa brothers and sisters to continue to live in peace as we have lived together over the years. Everyone is safe in Lagos,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

Sanwo-Olu, who has resumed campaign activities, urged Lagosians to believe in the All Progressives Congress-led government to continue to deliver the good for the citizens.

He reiterated his commitment to run an inclusive government, where all ethnic nationalities will have a say in the affairs of the state.

‘‘We have done it before. We will do it again. No part of Lagos will be left out of the scheme of things. We will run a Lagos that no one, regardless of where he or she comes from, will be intimidated. We will run a Lagos where every hardworking Lagosian, irrespective of his or her root will have economic empowerment and thrive in commerce. This is what we promise, this is what we will do.’’ Sanwo-Olu said.

Finally, Sanwo-Olu congratulated the National body of the All Progressives Congress as well as all candidates of the party that won positions into the Upper and Lower Chambers of the National Assembly, saying their victory will help to fast track development in the country.

News

Court Grants Malami N200m Bail in DSS Terrorism, Firearm Charges

Published

2 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Eric

Justice Joyce Abdulmalikof the Federal High Court Abujahas admitted a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son Abdulazizto N200 million bail in the charges bordering on alleged terrorism and illegal firearms possession brought against them by the Department of State Service (DSS).

Malami and his son were, however, ordered to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of the bail conditions imposed on them by the Court.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted them bail while ruling on their bail applications, which were argued by their lead Counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN).

The judge ordered the former AGF and his son to get two sureties each, one of whom must own landed property either in Maitama or Asokoro.

Justice Abdulmalik said that the title of the property must be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court, along with valid international passports.

The sureties are also to depose to an affidavit of means and submit their two recent passport photographs to the court.

Malami and his son were also ordered to submit their international passports and recent passport photographs to the court.

The judge subsequently fixed March 4 for the commencement of the trial.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had arraigned Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and illegal firearms possession.

In the charge, Malami was accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers, whose case files were handed to him while he served as the AGF and Minister of Justice.

Malami and Abdulaziz are equally accused of warehousing firearms in their residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birain Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, without lawful authority.

The DSS accused Malami in count one of the charge, with knowingly abetting terrorism financing, while the ex-AGF and his son are charged in counts two to five, with unlawful, possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5720 live rounds of cartridges and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, contrary to and punishable under relevant Sections of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and Firearms Act, 2004.

News

Fubara Appoints New SSG, Chief of Staff

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Eric

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has appointed Dr. Dagogo S.A. Wokoma as the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) and Barrister Sunny Ewule as Chief of Staff, after the recent shake-up of the State’s political and administrative structure.

The appointments were announced on Thursday in a Special Government Notice signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, and made available to journalists. Both appointments take immediate effect.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, the governor appointed Dr Dagogo Wokoma as Secretary to the State Government and Mr. Sunny Ewule as Chief of Staff.

The statement said the appointments take immediate effect, adding that the new appointees would be sworn in at 2:00 p.m. at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Port Harcourt.

The development comes amid the protracted political crisis in the State, which recently escalated into impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, by the State House of Assembly. The crisis was eventually diffused following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, had last week announced during plenary that the Assembly formally withdrew the impeachment notice against the governor and his deputy after the President’s intervention.

Political observers suggest that the dissolution of the cabinet may be part of efforts to rebalance the power structure in the following the peace accord. However, it remains unclear whether the new appointees are aligned with the governor or loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The statement read in part: “The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has appointed Dr. Dagogo S.A. Wokoma as the Secretary to the State Government and Barrister Sunny Ewule as the Chief of Staff.

“Both appointments are with immediate effect. The new appointees will be sworn in at 2:00 pm.today, Thursday, February 26, 2026. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Port Harcourt.”

News

Court Strikes Out Forgery Case Against Ozekhome As FG Withdraws Charges

Published

3 days ago

February 24, 2026

Eric

The Federal Government has formally withdrawn the forgery charge filed against senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome, bringing an abrupt pause to a case that had drawn public attention.

The charge was originally instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
It followed a judgment delivered by a London court over a property linked to the late former FCT minister, Jeremiah Useni.

In January, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation took over the matter from the ICPC for what it described as effective prosecution.

However, proceedings took a new turn on Tuesday at the FCT High Court.

The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed Peter Kekemeke that the Federal Government was withdrawing the case file for “further instruction”.

He explained that the decision was taken in line with the provisions of Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Counsel to the defence, Paul Erokoro, SAN, told the court that his team had no objection to the withdrawal of the charge.

In a brief ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that since the application was not opposed, it was granted.

He consequently struck out the charge and ordered that the case be dismissed.

The withdrawal effectively halts legal action against Ozekhome over the alleged forgery linked to the disputed property transaction.