Headline

Abubakar Remains Nigeria’s Most Successful Leader – Osoba

Published

6 years ago

May 8, 2020

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Among an army of reporters, who have written their names in gold both in the field of journalism and other life endeavours, is Chief Olusegun Osoba. The veteran of not a few disciplines, including politics, entrepreneurship and a whole lot more, has practically seen all there is to see, and even at above 80, continues to positively affect humanity. In this brief chat he had with Chief Dele Momodu via social media, the one time governor of Ogun State bares all in naked reality. Excerpts:

As far back as 1988, you were eulogised in a song by Chief Ebenezer Obey which has remained evergreen till date, how do you feel listening to the song today

I may never have been a publisher like Chief Dele Momodu, but I am an employer of labour today, so it gives me great joy to listen to that song.

Every new record, talk about the US to UK, my friends all over the world will send it to me immediately and my house was the very first place to hear every new records so if we are at a party and the party is not moving well, my friends will just say let’s go to Segun’s house.

Sir, could you please share a bit of your journalism background with us

Tafawa Balewa story was the first story that set my journalistic career on the right course. This was before I went ahead to work in three different newspaper companies, I will give glory to God for being kind in every aspect of life. While tutoring me, the Awujale informed me of a Yoruba saying thus: the evening of our lives will be greater than the early part.

Very early in life, you were a member of the Boys club. How was it in those days

Well, I can tell you that education is not complete without enough secondary ‘street wise’. As a young man, I was introduced to Osogbo Orientation Club which was an expatriate club; I was in the Boxing session, training to become a boxer. At 15, I was a strong member of the Lagos Alakoro boys and girls club, which was founded two months earlier. There were so many of them then, and we were trained to do social services. I can confidently tell you that was where we got to know how to be ‘street wise’. I was virtually in every club at Methodist Boys High School; I was in the Boys’ Scout, Red Cross, Debating society and many others. Our education was an all embracing one.

Could you please tell us some the schools you attended because I can tell people from Methodist schools are already in high spirit

I attended African Church School, Osogbo for my elementary education. I started sojourn in Osogbo before proceeding to Methodist Boys High School in Lagos, from where I went to the University of Lagos to study Journalism. I must make bold to say that Methodist Boys High School Lagos was a strong foundation for me. Everything about the school is inspirational; the motto, the hymns, the songs were all full of inspiration.

So at what stage did you go into Journalism sir

Funnily enough when I left school, my Sunday School teacher (Ogundiya), who was an engineer at the City Council and I were recruited into the City Council in Lagos as building inspectors. I did the job for two years between 1962 and 1963. Then I used to contribute to Letters to the Editor column of some papers. When I wrote Daily Times, I was instantly given a job as a Reporter, I finally went to University of Lagos for a Diploma in Journalism.

You are reputed as probably the greatest reporter ever in Nigeria. Can you share some of the stories you broke that gave you such honour with us

I celebrate reporting and till date, I see myself as a reporter. I don’t see myself as a journalist. Before the Tafawa Balewa story in 1966, I had been behind so many big stories, and even after the Tafawa Balewa story, I wrote many major stories, among which is the coup that ousted Gowon. I had to dig deep to get the breakdown of what happened.

I remembered Chief Ebenezer Obey singing “Ajala travelled all over the world”. Is it true that Ajala travelled all over the world

It’s true. When he came back to Nigeria, I took pictures with him, and I still have the picture. I was one of those who went to welcome him.

What would you say are the most important tools for a reporter to be successful

A reporter must always be sober, confident and keep and maintain contacts. A good reporter must never fail to socialize.

You have come across so many presidents in Nigeria in the course of your job, can you describe them one after another

Let me start with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa: He was highly decent, reserved and commands a lot of respect. I can’t remember sharing a long talk with him; he only smiles and say “hello, how are you?” and that’s all, but a lot of his cabinet members, such as Maitama Sule, were my friends.

As for General Aguiyi Ironsi; I didn’t have enough to do with him because his tenure was short; I think 6 months in office. When General Yakubu Gowon came, we became friends, and we are still friends till today. I had strong contact with Gowon and General Murtala Mohammed. I maintained very strong relationships in the administrations through to General Olusegun Obasanjo.

Of course, many of the ministers in Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s administration were my very close friends. I also became very close to the Vice President, Alex Ekwueme.

I was an insider during the regime of General Muhammadu Buhari largely because the present Alake of Egba land was working with General Tunde Idiagbon, the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, and we were more like members of the inner caucus of that government.

General Sani Abacha was the only leader after me. I didn’t even get close to him. The same with Obasanjo when he became President. Though we came from the same Ogun State, I was the only governor who never asked anything from him. I told him to do good to Ogun when he deems fit.

Alhaji Umar Yar’dua and I were governors in 1999, and I had been close to his brother Shehu Musa Yaradua, who was the link between us and Obasanjo’s government. It is worthy of note that Shehu Musa Yaradu and I also worked for Abiola. He gave me some appointments and was the one who facilitated my National honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger CON award.

The administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan did very well though I was not opportune to spend time with him, and irrespective of what anybody says, I am an integral part of this present government of Buhari.

Now, of all these governments, which would you say is the most successful? Let’s remove President Buhari because he is still there, but of all the past governments, which one came close to rescuing Nigeria

Different times with different challenges; Gowon had different challenges, and Buhari in his first coming had an economic problem and had to use the system of trade by batter. I forgot to mention the regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar; he registered Action for Democracy (AD), and I can tell you he offered me a ministerial position, but I told him I will like to be governor. For many years I was close to him, and his wife and I were in the assembly together in 1988/89. I can tell you that all of them, he was the closest and might be the closest till today, but talk of comparison, he also had many challenges.

Where were you on October 19, 1986 when Dele Giwa was killed

Funnily enough, a day before, we were at a luncheon when Dele complained that some people are accusing him of gunrunning, I think that was October 17th or 18th. And the day he was killed, I was in the house when a phone call came in to say that Dele Giwa has been shot.

Are you not surprised that so many years after, not even a trace to finding his killer

It’s very sad and uncomfortable that with our huge resources, not only have we not resolved Dele Giwa, we have not also resolved Bola Ige; very painful because the last social outing we had was at my wife’s 50th birthday celebration, and the cheque he gave to my wife is still in my safe. I kept it there for his loving memory, is it not terrible we have not resolved Bola Ige’s death, Papa Alfred Rewane’s death, Mrs. Kudirat Abiola’s death, Suliat Adedeji, Funsho Williams and many others. So many assassination issues, in fact don’t let us talk about it.

I want us to talk about your days in London; we were together in London during the last days of Abacha, I can remember you broke the news of Abacha’s death to me. So can you please share with us how you spent those days

Abacha’s death was June 8, 1998. I remembered you and I were always taking a walk around Swiss Cottage and those areas to exercise.

What makes Egba people thick considering the likes of Professor Wole Soyinka, Prince Bola Ajibola and many more.

I will say that the Egbas have a history; we have heroes like Lisabi. According to history; the first doctor, the first accountant among others were Egbas. We have heroes that we can look up to.

There seems to be a strong rivalry between the Egbas and the Ijebus, how did you end up marrying an Ijebu-Igbo lady

The lady who won my heart; it is God’s doing. The rivalry between the Egbas and the Ijebus is just an intellectual rivalry because the Ijebus are very social like if you attend the Ojude-Oba festival, you will see understand.

You are a holder of many chieftaincy titles, can you please tell us some of them and where from

When I became the Akinrogun, the then Ooni of Ife spent almost a whole week in Abeokuta, and Oba Williams Ayeni, the then Oragun of Ila, virtually all notable people from Nigeria came for the ceremony as well as all the best musicians. Akinrogun came in from Egba. Aremo came in from the Awujale, who was surprised I devoted all my energy to solving the water problem in Ijebu-Ode. Then tanker drivers used to hold the Ijebus to ransom. I came in as governor and restored water back to Ijebu-Ode. The Awujale was so impressed and adopted me as his son, and he gave me the Aremo title, which means the first son. He will always call me every day and prayed for me, and till today the Awujale still calls me at least once every day.

Another major title was from the Yewas; the Yewas were happy that I brought development to their area, for example the road I did from Idiroko to Ipokia is still the best road in that axis. I can say that it was based on my performance as governor that I got many titles.

As an elder statesman, what is your attitude to the issue of division in Nigeria? Do you think politicians will continue to disunite us for their own personal gains

I’m part of the politicians and I’m part of the problem. I must tell you that power must be devolved from the centre to the regions. Even in the United Kingdom, where is unity? When I was young, we were made to believe that communism is the best. If UK, the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) can’t maintain it, then it’s impossible, so we have to devolve power.

Talk about COVID-19; We were victims of bad journalism recently, do you think we are doing what we ought to do about COVID-19

I will start by saying that the kind of journalism that happened in respect of you and me was out of envy. The shocking thing is that by the time I arrived in Nigeria, all my family members were running; we were treated like we were on death roll. Some people started saying all of us that went to London were treating ourselves in private hospitals, and I phoned Chief Rasak Okoya, Chief Kesington Adebutu (Baba Ijebu) and others and they said they are in their houses and comfortable. So I self-isolated myself for many days, and till today I haven’t been out of my house.

Whatever has a beginning must have an end but we should have a part 2 of this chat and I’m sure if we call on you again, you will answer us sir.

You are a publisher and I am a reporter so a Publisher can call on a reporter at anytime.

The first Nigerian to have won the prestigious Nieman Fellowship for Journalism, Chief Olusegun Osoba was elected on two different occasions as Governor of Ogun State, first from January 1992 until November 1993 with the Social Democratic Party (SDP). In 1999, he was elected again as governor with the Alliance for Democracy party (AD), holding office between May 1999 and May 2003.

Chief Osoba is married to Chief Aderinsola Osoba, the Beere Awujale of Ijebu. They are blessed with four children, two boys and two girls: Kemi, Olumide, Oluyinka and Tobi.

Credit to @Adetayo_bishop for support

Headline

GbajaGate: I’ve Done No Wrong, Govt Playing to Shut Me Up – Adeyemi Matthew Speaks from Hiding

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2026

Eric

Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the man alleged to have forged government appointment letters and falsely paraded himself as the Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and Presidential Economic Advisory Council, has denied the allegations against him, claiming the Presidency is attempting to silence him.

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES from an undisclosed location on Thursday, Adeyemi insisted he had done nothing wrong and described the government’s actions as a “defence mechanism.”

“You know the government we have. They are just playing a defence mechanism to shut me up. My organisation was set up in 2024,” he said.

Adeyemi declined to disclose his whereabouts, saying he had gone into hiding because his life was under threat.

“They are now after my life. I have gone into hiding. I’m underground,” he said.

When asked whether he had fled the country, he declined to respond directly.

“I will not be able to disclose any information now. I don’t consider myself safe,” he added.

The embattled suspect also declined to provide his alleged appointment letter or any document to support his claim that he was legitimately appointed, saying his lawyers had advised him not to discuss the matter publicly.

“I just decided to speak to you out of respect. My lawyers are working on something. Whatever they say, I will let you know,” he said.

The Presidency has accused Adeyemi of forging appointment letters and other official documents while falsely presenting himself as Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, agencies it insists do not exist.

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said Adeyemi and two others have been charged before the Federal High Court on an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, impersonation and related offences.

According to the Presidency, concerns first emerged after the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission reported that another body appeared to be performing functions similar to its statutory responsibilities.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, subsequently petitioned the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force, alleging that forged appointment letters bearing fake signatures, official seals and reference numbers had been used to create the impression that the suspects were presidential appointees.

The Presidency said investigations revealed that Adeyemi and his associates allegedly operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, held meetings with Nigerian and foreign officials and sought diplomatic support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for visa applications.

According to the Presidency, police arrested Adeyemi on October 27, 2025, after which searches conducted at his office and residence allegedly yielded forged government documents.

Investigators also alleged that financial intelligence uncovered 34 bank accounts linked to Adeyemi, including accounts allegedly opened in the names of purported government agencies.

The Presidency further claimed that Adeyemi used forged documents to open an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria in the name of the alleged agency, although investigators found that no public funds were paid into the account.

Onanuga also dismissed allegations that Gbajabiamila demanded money from Adeyemi, saying the accusations surfaced only after the suspect was granted police bail.

The case is scheduled to come up before the Federal High Court on July 27.

Headline

Court Dismisses Abejide’s Suit, Upholds Mark-led Leadership of ADC

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2026

Eric

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday affirmed Sen. David Mark’s leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Justice Musa Liman, in a judgment, also dismissed the suit filed by Rep Leke Abejide challenging Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as national chairman and national secretary of the party for lacking merit.

Justice Liman upheld the preliminary objections filed by ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, Mark and Aregbesola which challenged Abejide’s suit.

The judge held that the court lacked the jurisdiction to dabble in the internal affairs of ADC, as the suit was non-justiciable.

He also held that Abejide lacked the legal right to have instituted the suit, having failed to show to the court that his rights had been violated in any way as a result of the emergence of Mark-led leadership.

He equally held that Abejide, who is a member of the House of Representatives, failed to explore the party’s internal mechanism for dispute resolution.

Justice Liman also resolved the three issues in the substantive suit in favour of the defendants.

On whether Mark, the former Senate president and Aregbesola, who was the former Governor of Osun, emerged as leaders of the party in compliance with the enabling laws, the judge resolved this against Abejide, the plaintiff in the suit.

He held that the handing over of the leadership of the party by Nwosu to Mark did not violate the provisions of the party’s constitution.

The judge agreed that the disputed July 2, 2025, meeting of the party was a stakeholder meeting which preceded the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, which produced Mark and Aregbesola as the party’s leaders and was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Justice Liman, therefore, declared that the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola as leaders of ADC was valid and in accordance with the constitution, the Electoral Act, 2026 and the party’s law.

The judge consequently awarded a fine of N2 million each in favour of all the defendants which shall be paid by Abejide.

He also awarded a N10 million fine against Abejide’s lawyer in compliance with the Electoral Act, 2026.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abejide had instituted the suit to stop the Mark-led leadership of ADC.

In the originating summons, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, filed on Feb. 15 by Idris, the lawmaker sued ADC, Ralph Nwosu, Mark, Aregbesola and INEC as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

NAN reports that Nwosu was the former national chairman of ADC who stepped down for Mark, the ex-Senate president.

Abejide, among the eight reliefs, sought an order nullifying Nwosu’s handover or transfer of ADC’s leadership to Mark and Aregbesola as interim national chairman and interim national secretary respectively on July 2, 2025, at Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, for being illegal, unlawful, null and void.

He sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as leaders of the party “as their purported appointment, selection or election was unlawful, illegal, null and void.”

He also sought perpetual injunction restraining INEC from recognising Mark and Aregbesola as ADC’s interim national chairman and interim national secretary.

He alleged that their appointment, selection or election did not meet the requirements of Section 82 of the Electoral Act, 2022, among other prayers.

NAN

Headline

Alleged N27.4bn Scandal: Presidency Exonerates Gbajabiamila, Says Adeyemi Matthew is a ‘Con Artist’

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2026

Eric

The Presidency has volunteered details on how a certain Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, allegedly built an elaborate web of forged documents, fake government appointments and fictitious agencies to deceive public officials and present himself as a senior presidential appointee under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The Presidency, in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Adeyemi as “a con artist” who allegedly used forged appointment letters bearing the name of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to create and operate a non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, later referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

According to the statement, the alleged scam was uncovered after officials of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council raised concerns that another purported government agency appeared to be operating alongside it.

The Office of the Chief of Staff subsequently alerted security agencies, accusing unnamed individuals of forging official appointment letters purportedly issued from his office.

“The attention of this office has been drawn to the activities of certain individuals and groups engaged in the forgery of official appointment letters purportedly issued from my office,” Gbajabiamila said in a petition dated October 17.

“The fake documents, bearing falsified signatures, reference/folio numbers, and seals, have been used to claim leadership appointments to non-existent entities, with particular reference to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.”

The Chief of Staff disclosed that Adeyemi had allegedly established an office at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, where he reportedly hosted meetings with Nigerians and foreign nationals while presenting himself as the Director-General of the fictitious agency.

According to the petition, the group even sought diplomatic support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate United States visas for its purported staff.

“The above development not only constitutes a serious criminal act but also undermines the integrity of the Presidency and the credibility of official government communication,” Gbajabiamila wrote.

“I therefore urge you to initiate a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend those involved and also to uncover the network facilitating the forgery.”

Foreign Affairs Ministry raises red flag

The statement revealed that concerns over Adeyemi’s activities had also reached the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs after he reportedly convened a meeting with ambassadors at the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Abuja on October 10, 2025, without the ministry’s knowledge.

In a letter dated October 15, 2025, signed by Ambassador Anderson Madubuike and addressed to the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Chief of Staff, the ministry sought clarification regarding the status of the purported agency.

“This act contravenes extant rules and regulations guiding diplomatic practices globally,” the ministry stated.

The enquiries triggered correspondence among the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the Chief of Staff.

Responding to the enquiries, Gbajabiamila categorically denied appointing Adeyemi or recognising the agency.

“Prince Adeniyi Matthew, Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, is unknown to any office, nor do we have any dealings with the said council,” he wrote.

“My attention was drawn to a letter of this purported application, which is fake, and my office has instructed the police and other relevant security agencies to carry out investigations on the person and the entity he claims to represent.”

The Presidency stressed that the Chief of Staff could not have issued any appointment letter because appointments into government offices are the exclusive responsibility of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Police uncover alleged forgery network

Following the petition, the Police launched an investigation and arrested Adeyemi on October 27, 2025, at the Abuja office from where he allegedly operated the scheme.

Searches conducted at both his office and residence in Suleja reportedly yielded several documents and exhibits believed to be connected with the operation.

Investigators said Adeyemi claimed that one Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola assisted him in procuring the forged appointment letter.

However, police investigations established that Tanimola had died in a fire incident at Kachi Hotel in Abuja on October 22, 2025, five days before Adeyemi’s arrest.

According to the State House, investigators established that the agency Adeyemi claimed to head never existed, while the appointment letters and several official documents recovered during the investigation were allegedly forged.

Police also accused him of falsely presenting himself as a presidential appointee and fraudulently requesting a diplomatic note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate visa applications for himself and members of his organisation.

Investigators further alleged that Adeyemi operated no fewer than 34 bank accounts, including nine accounts opened in the names of fictitious organisations, including the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and Public Private Partnership (FIPA-APP).

The investigation also found that he allegedly succeeded in opening a Central Bank of Nigeria account by misleading the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation using forged documents.

The Presidency, however, noted that investigators confirmed no government funds were ever paid into the account.

“The act of the suspect constitutes criminal forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence, thereby bringing the office of the Chief of Staff to the President and the Presidency to disrepute before the public and international community,” the police report stated.

Eight-count charge filed

Based on the outcome of the investigation, police filed an eight-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against Adeyemi and two alleged accomplices on November 27, 2025.

The matter is scheduled for hearing on July 27.

According to the Presidency, Adeyemi, while on police bail, recently resurfaced with fresh claims that the Chief of Staff had genuinely appointed him as Director-General of the agency.

The statement noted that the claim directly contradicted the statement he voluntarily made to investigators during the police probe.

It said the renewed allegation prompted Gbajabiamila to issue another public disclaimer on June 8, reaffirming that Adeyemi was an impostor.

Presidency urges caution

The Presidency said Adeyemi had a history of alleged fraudulent misrepresentation, recalling that in 2016 he allegedly presented himself as President-General of the World Youth Organisation, claiming it was affiliated with the United Nations before the UN reportedly disowned the organisation.

Describing the case as that of “a con artist who appears to have built a web of false claims to deceive unsuspecting government officials and the public,” the Presidency urged politicians and members of the public to avoid drawing conclusions before the ongoing criminal trial is concluded.

It further advised that, since the matter is before the court, interested parties should allow the judicial process to determine the allegations against Adeyemi and his co-defendants.