Prominent Nigerian politician, Mohammed Abdullahi, has urged the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to address head-on the serious allegations of sexual harassment brought against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and others, rather than relying on hired blackmailers and image launderers to deflect public scrutiny. Abdullahi pointed to the recent involvement of one Professor Mgbake, whose contradictory statements and questionable conduct during her so-called exposé on Senator Natasha revealed her as a serial liar.
He noted that while Mgbake publicly denied any link to the Senate President, she contradicted herself by revealing Senator Akpabio’s private phone number during her media attacks—an action that, according to Abdullahi, not only exposes her deceit but also suggests coordination. He described her role in the ongoing media campaign as a calculated effort to distract from the real issues and shield the Senate President from ability.
He stated that it was both disgraceful and cowardly for a high-ranking public officer like the Senate President to associate with individuals of such questionable reputation in a bid to discredit genuine complainants and distract from a matter of national importance. “Rather than defend himself with honour, Akpabio has chosen to hide behind people whose public records are smeared with controversy and criminal allegations,” Abdullahi said.
Abdullahi also questioned the authenticity of the academic credentials being paraded by Professor Mgbake, noting that her so-called professorship remains shrouded in doubt. “It is unfortunate that a matter as sensitive and serious as sexual harassment is being reduced to a media circus involving paid agents and individuals who themselves lack public trust,” he added.
He urged Senator Akpabio to face the allegations with the courage expected of a national leader and stop funding smear campaigns aimed at undermining the voices of his accs. “This is about integrity and ability. No Nigerian—no matter how highly placed—should be above scrutiny. The Senate President must rise to the occasion and prove his innocence through facts, not hired propaganda,” Abdullahi stated.
Recently, the Edo Governorship Election Tribunal delivered judgement on the petition of the PDP Governorship candidate on the 2024 Edo State Governorship Election which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the APC candidate as the winner. The PDP had complained that the APC did not win the highest number of valid votes and that the election was marred by substantial irregularity because of non-compliance with the strict requirements of the law. Shorn of legal jargon, the petition simply alleged that INEC rigged the election for the APC, that the APC candidate was nor duly elected.
The judgement of the tribunal is now a matter of public discourse because it is not just a judicial determination. It goes beyond that. It is a metaphor for what has become the fate of democracy in Nigeria. The problem with judicial involvement in election disputes in Nigeria is not because it is leading to the judicialization of politics. The problem is the gradual but determined destruction, through judicial decisions, of credible incentives for free and fair elections in Nigeria. If there is no strong incentive for the electoral management body to ensure free and fair elections, then the electoral system is not competitive. Without competitive elections, that is, elections were powerful incumbent could easily lose, it will be difficult to sustain democracy in Nigeria.
To understand what damage is being done to democracy in the sort of judgement delivered by the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal, it is important to restate the fundamentals of democracy. At a time when the leading democracies in the world are drifting towards autocracy or fascism in their politics, simply restating the fundamentals of democracy becomes a revolutionary act. In a time when transitional democracies like Nigeria and some of the African countries are shifting towards electoral autocracy, it is important to remind ourselves the meaning of democracy.
There are three fundamentals features of democracy. The most fundamental is political equality. Democracy starts from the premise that citizens in a polity are equal. This equality finds expression in the simple fact that they tly make laws that regulate their affairs and govern themselves. In the classical Greek City-state, Athens, the mythical home of democracy, political equality meant that all male citizens met at the Agora daily to deliberate and make laws and take turns periodically to sit in the magisterium to decide disputes. In the larger and complex modern society, political equality means that every adult citizen has a right to elect those who will sit in the modern Agora (parliament) and presidential villas to make laws and execute them. So, the first and foremost mark of a democracy is that the people choose their leaders as political equals. The concept of political equality has great implications for how the electoral system is designed and the management of the larger political institutions.
The second fundamental of democracy is the guarantee of freedom and liberty of the people. If the people are politically equal, it means that no one should violate the dignity of anyone. It means that the essence of government is that no one’s life is more valued in a fundamental sense than that of another. This is why Robert A. Dahl argued that “Democracy is not only a process of governing. Because rights are necessary elements of democratic political institutions, democracy is inherently also a system of rights. Rights are among the essential building blocks of democratic process of government ”.
The third fundamental of democracy is that the regime in power can easily be removed by the people whenever they are dissatisfied of its performance. This is what Robert Dahl calls ‘responsiveness’. The beauty of democracy is that those who occupy public offices know that if they do not satisfy the expectations of the people, they could lose their positions of power. This reality of losing elections and accepting the outcome is what Joseph Schumpeter identified as the essence of democracy and what makes democracy superior as an engine of economic and social development. The feasibility of removing non-performing public officials is the inherent feature of democracy that makes it a more reliable driver of economic growth than any other model of governance.
The device through which democracy achieves its purposes is elections. Modern democracy has been reduced to representative democracy. This is so because the only way we can achieve self-determination in a large and complex society is by having a few people representing the rest of us. These representatives are chosen through periodic elections. There are no more popular democracies. We have only representative democracies. The heart of representative democracy is elections. The most important work that citizen of democracies do is to elect representatives who thereafter act on their behalf on issues of public interest.
[b]There are elements of good electoral system that leads to democracy. These elements are grouped together as elements of ‘free and fair’ elections. Free and fair elections have three elements that ensure that they can produce a democratic governance. The first element is that every adult citizen can to vote. In many countries, 18 year olds are old enough to vote. Making good provisions for every adult citizen to to vote is the most important element of free and fair elections. The second element is that voting must be voluntary and uncoerced. This is the notion of freeness. Political freedom requires that citizens make a choice of who governs in the atmosphere of freedom. This is also an aspect of competitiveness. Except there is freedom to freely associate politically and to vote whoever we like, there is no competitive elections. And this leads to the third element of a democratic electoral system, namely, that votes are accurately counted and announced. The integrity and credibility of the electoral system are hinged on the pillar of accurate counting of votes and announcement of results. We can attest that Stalin got it right when he noted that those who count the votes are more important than those who cast votes.[/b]
Competitiveness requires that opposition to incumbents enjoys the full complement of political rights to freely organize and mobilize against the incumbents. Where the political environment and voting process are suppressive and oppressive against some contestants for public offices, there are no democratic elections. The final fundamental element of a good electoral system is that the votes are accurately counted and announced. This is why, as Stalin once noted that those who count the votes are more important than those who cast the votes.
[b]These core elements of a good electoral system are incorporated in our electoral laws and procedures. The Election Act of 2022 has improved on some of the deficiencies of the electoral system by providing safeguards against electoral fraud. Prevalent electoral frauds destroy the heart of electoral democracy because it substitutes the will of a few for the will of the people. Where elections are notoriously and consistently fraudulent, elections can no longer be competitive because the opposition will find it difficult to win the incumbents, even where there is clear demand by the electorates for change of leadership. Free and fair elections have inherent and instrumental values. Inherently, free and fair elections make real the notion of political equality and self-determination at the heart of democracy as a value and practice. If elections are not free and fair, it means that the will of the few will trump the will of the majority. It means that citizens are not self-determining because those who make and execute laws are not their representatives. Instrumentally, free and fair elections make strong the incentive structure of democratic governance that ensure political officeholders respond to the needs of the people because they could be removed from power next time.[/b]
The responsibility to realize these features of a good electoral system which are largely stated in our electoral law rests on INEC. Over the years, INEC has failed this responsibility. It is safe to say that since 1999 we have witnessed a continuing degeneration of the integrity of the electoral system. Each general election seems to be worse than the preceding one. This is as the technology of electoral management improves. This degeneration of the integrity of the electoral system as its technological and logistical quality improves has made many to argue that the problem with elections in Nigeria is human agency not law, not technology. In of the institutional pessimists, the fact that despite the incorporation of real-time electronic transmission of results from the polling units to the election view portal (IreV) and the assurances by INEC leadership that had a foolproof technology platform, the 2023 presidential election was rigged because INEC shut down the IreV and refused to electronically transmit results. At the presidential tribunal, INEC argued that it had the discretion to go back on its commitment. INEC gutted its most secured guarantor of free and fair elections So, the 2023 presidential election failed because INEC decided to rig the election, not because technology failed or legal provisions were insufficient.
[b]The reform of the electoral law in 2022 tried to improve the credibility and reliability of elections in Nigeria by eliminating the avenues for rigging. To ensure the accuracy of votes, it provides for biometric accreditation and mandates that where the result of votes in a polling unit is more the the total number of voters duly accredited through the biometric data capture system, the result is invalid. The law also mandates that before voting begins the polling officers should write down in a prescribed form the serial numbers and other details of voting materials, result sheets and other sensitive material. Failure to do this is a substantial non-compliance that nullifies the result from the polling unit. In Edo governorship election, INEC refused to follow these safeguards and declared a result wildly different from those it ed on its electronic platform. In this instance, a strong safeguard against electoral manipulation was gutted by compromised and corrupt officials. Human agency fails the test as it did in the 2023 presidential election.
[/b]
The argument in of the role of human agency in the failure of Nigeria’s electoral system to meet the requirements of free and fair elections does not end with the istrative management of elections. It extends to the judicial management of elections through electoral dispute settlement. The Electoral Act, 2022 provides a clear guide for effective and coherent judicial management of elections. It requires the court to nullify elections where these fundamental conditions of free and fair are not satisfied. But as the Edo Governorship Tribunal judgment shows, the human agency problem shows up again. Judges misconceive the essence of election jurisprudence and misdirect themselves to absolve corrupt electoral officers and approve clear electoral fraud. Through the wrongful exercise of human agency, the judiciary undermines the institutional basis of electoral democracy by encouraging electoral manipulation.
By its judgment delivered on April 2, 2025, the Edo Governorship Tribunal perpetuates the judicial for electoral mismanagement. In that judgement, the Edo State Governorship Tribunal dismissed the petition of the PDP candidate at the governorship election against INEC for declaring the APC candidate as the duly elected Governor of Edo State in the 2024 governorship election. The PDP candidate petitioned the Tribunal on the basis that the INEC invalidly declared the APC candidate as winner based on false invalid results. Evidence of independent poll watchers is that the declaration was fraudulently made with result sheets that were not the ones used at the polling units. INEC allegedly printed two different result sheets and used one to declare results unrelated to the real results ed to its result viewing portal. Also, many polling units had results where the total votes declared for the candidates were more than the number of accredited voters. This is despite that the Electoral Act mandates that the serial numbers of all the materials used for voting should be written in a prescribed form before voting to ensures the authenticity of the results. This safeguard was introduced because INEC officials often divert sensitive materials to politicians who write false election results which are used to declare electoral victory. To stop this, the Electoral Act in Section 73(2) requires that serial numbers of all voting papers, accreditation sheets and result sheets must be written down in prescribed form before voting. If this is not done the results are invalid. The tragedy of the Edo election is that all these safeguards were violated. INEC declared a winner with polling unit results different from polling unit results it had posted electronically in real-time from the polling unit after the voters were counted. Evidently, the result sheets used to declare the winner were fraudulently procured and not the only used for the election.
We need to break down the Edo election petition to properly understand the core issues and the legal position on each of them. The first issue concerns non-compliance, specifically under Section 73(2) of the Electoral Act, which mandates that before the commencement of polls, INEC must record the serial numbers of al sensitive materials such as BVAS machines, ballot papers, and result sheets, in the prescribed form. Failure to do so renders election in that polling unit automatically void. The Supreme Court in Augustine v. INEC clarified two crucial points. First, the prescribed form is Form EC25B, as specified by INEC itself. Second, that this is a ‘strict liability provision’. This means that the petitioner only needs to tender documentary evidence that the forms were not filled. The idea that only the ‘maker’ of the document can speak to the form, or that the polling unit witnesses must be called, is a legal fiction, with no grounding in Nigerian jurisprudence especially given recent reforms such as Section 137 of the Electoral Act, which states that oral evidence is unnecessary where the documents themselves show clear non-compliance.
The second main leg of the petition deals with the fraudulent collation of election results. This is perhaps the most damning allegation, because it highlights a systematic manipulation of results by the umpire himself. In the Edo election, INEC printed and deployed duplicate results sheets which were used to declare figures that bore no resemblance to what occurred at the polling units. This was of course established by TAP Initiative which took the results to a forensic examiner in South Africa. They have also petitioned IC to investigate and prosecute those found culpable. At Polling units, the APC would score 31 votes. This is the result posted on the Irev (the results are still there), but in the declared result certified by INEC you would see the votes recorded for APC in a result sheet not signed by the agent as 431. The position of the Supreme Court on the matter is unambiguous. In the case of Uzodinma v INEC, the Supreme Court held that where improper collation is alleged there is no need to call for polling unit agents as witnesses; since the conduct of the elections is not in dispute.
In its judgment, the Tribunal rejected the evidence of wrong collation because the BVAS machines supplied by INEC were not operated to show the actual results. The Tribunal described the process as ‘dumping evidence before the court’. This is pathetic. The tribunal relied on the words of Justice Okoro to the effect that what is required to prove over-voting is to provide BVAS machine, the accreditation sheets, and result sheet. The Tribunal interprets this to mean that because the INEC’s official who presented the BVAS machine did not operate them, the court cannot presume about the evidence. The irony is that it was the court that ordered INEC tendered BVAS machines. Why did the court not mandate the INEC to operate the machine before the court? Why should INEC’s errors of failure be to the detriment of the victim of its manipulation? It is sad that the tribunal gives INEC the opportunity to violate the law and go free and punish the electorates and the victims of the manipulation by INEC and the politicians.
What the Edo Governorship Tribunal did in effect is to validate an electoral coup executed by INEC. They have allowed INEC to hijack the constitutionally protected power of the citizens to elect their leaders; and have endorsed the deployment of a system that allows INEC handpick winners of electoral contests without recourse to the will of the people. This is not about PDP and APC. This is simply about INEC and how they have become the greatest single threat against our democracy today. It is also about how election dispute adjudication is enabling INEC to continue to usurp the people’s power and play rough through crippling technicalities. If the judiciary allows the travesty that took place in Edo State on September 21, 2024, to stand, then we might as well all go home. 2027 and all other elections will be farcical, impotent rituals used by the ruling class to give the unilateral appointment of political officeholders the imprimatur of democratic responsibility.
This sort of judicial decision on election cases is problematic because they underline the weakness of electoral management system and electoral jurisprudence in Nigeria. If the electoral management process is done right, the judiciary will have little role to play. When it is done badly, and the judiciary too plays its role badly, it creates an incentive for the electoral management to continue to fluff its role in the electoral process at the behest of corrupt and desperate politicians. This vicious circle continues unless the appellate courts reassert its authority to force the electoral management body to do its job right under the law.
The judgement of the Edo Governorship Election Tribunal is a metaphor of how Nigeria has become an electoral autocracy no longer a democracy. Elections are a veneer on oligarchic grasp of power in defiance of what the people do or say.
*_Dr. Amadi is the Director of Abuja School of Social and Political Thought_*
As part of its unwavering commitment to community development and social responsibility, itel, a leading mobile phone and electronics brand, has brought a lasting solution to the water scarcity challenges facing residents of Brigade Gama (B) Kasuwar Takari, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State. In a remarkable gesture to mark World Water Day 2025, itel commissioned an electric-powered borehole at Brigade Gama providing clean and safe water to the community
For years, residents of Brigade Gama have battled with insufficient access to potable water, a challenge that has particularly affected the residents of the community. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, as well as food vendors have had to endure difficult conditions due to the unavailability of clean water for commercial and domestic use. Recognizing this pressing need, itel stepped in through its Love Always on CSR initiative, which is focused on making impactful, long-term contributions to underserved communities. The newly commissioned borehole is electric-powered, ensuring that the community does not run out of safe clean water – hence there’s electricity in the community. The project also speaks directly to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 – ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
During the official handover ceremony, of the community, healthcare staff, and government representatives gathered in celebration and appreciation. Speaking at the event, itel’s ATL Marketing Manager, Dolapo Samuel Olorun-nimbe highlighted the brand’s dedication to societal welfare and the rationale behind the project.
“At itel, we believe that access to clean water is not a privilege – it’s a fundamental human right. This electric-powered borehole is more than a project; it’s a promise. A promise that we see our customers, that we understand their daily challenges, and that we are here to make life better in every way possible. Through our Love Always On initiative, we are committed to impacting lives positively, especially in areas where help is needed most,” he said.
The excitement and gratitude in the air were palpable, with elders, women, and children visibly elated by the new development. Representing the community, Suleiman Mohammed Gama, the community leader of Gama, expressed deep gratitude to itel for the timely intervention.
“For a long time, our people have suffered due to lack of clean water. This has affected our health, our economy, and our daily lives. What itel has done today is nothing short of a miracle. They didn’t just give us water – they gave us hope, dignity, and a better future. We are thankful and pray that other companies follow this shining example,” he said in his address to the itel team.
The Councilor of Gama Ward Abdulkarim Mohammed Ibrahim, Imam of the Gama Mosque Mallam Abdurazaq Ibrahim and Ambassador Mohammed Danlarabawa CEO Grassroot Care and Aid Foundation praised itel for the intervention and also acknowledged that the borehole will significantly improve hygiene standards and patient care delivery, especially for expectant mothers and newborns. They further urged itel to provide solar-powered boreholes in their subsequent interventions.
The event concluded with a symbolic opening of the water facility, accompanied by cheers, cultural performances, and an informal interaction between itel representatives and community . The joyous mood underscored the power of thoughtful corporate social responsibility in transforming lives and fostering goodwill.
You will recall that itel provided electric borehole to Koran Goje Community in Kano State April 19, 2023 also as part of its Love Always On corporate social responsibility initiative where over 5,000 community dwellers have faced multiple challenges in accessing safe water, including health risks and costs associated with using untreated water.
Northern Renaissance Network Congratulates Olufemi Soneye on Prestigious NIPR Spokesperson of the Year Award –
The Northern Renaissance Network (NRN), a leading socio-economic advocacy group, extends its heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), on his well-deserved conferment as the Spokesperson of the Year by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the highest body regulating public relations practice in Nigeria.
Mr. Soneye clinched this prestigious award after emerging as the winner in the ‘Distinguished Spokesperson – Oil and Gas’ category for the second consecutive year, outshining industry veterans such as Chinedu Ukadike of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Igo Weli of Shell Petroleum Development Company.
This remarkable achievement underscores Mr. Soneye’s exceptional leadership, strategic communication prowess, and commitment to excellence in public relations.
“This award is not only well-deserved but also a testament to the transformative work Mr. Soneye and his team are doing to reposition the NNPC Ltd brand,” said Agada Abuh Theophilus, spokesperson for the Northern Renaissance Network. “Under his leadership, NNPC Ltd has evolved from an organization once perceived as opaque and insular to a transparent, able, and people-centric institution that prioritizes effective communication with its stakeholders.”
Since assuming his role, Mr. Soneye has spearheaded a remarkable transformation of NNPC Ltd’s corporate communications, leveraging his vast experience in public relations to elevate the company’s brand to one of the most respected in the global energy sector. His strategic vision has redefined how NNPC Ltd engages with the public, enabling trust and goodwill through proactive, transparent, and inclusive communication strategies. The public communications unit, under his stewardship, has excelled in projecting NNPC Ltd as a beacon of innovation, reliability, and corporate responsibility.
“Today, NNPC Ltd stands tall as a leading brand in the energy sector, not just in Nigeria but across the continent,” Theophilus added. “This is largely due to the tireless efforts of Mr. Soneye and his team, who have consistently demonstrated professionalism, creativity, and a deep understanding of the dynamics of public perception. Their work has set a gold standard for corporate communications in Nigeria.”
Mr. Soneye’s wealth of experience, spanning decades in media and strategic communications, has been instrumental in navigating the complex challenges of managing the public image of a national institution like NNPC Ltd. His ability to craft compelling narratives, engage diverse stakeholders, and address public concerns with clarity and empathy has significantly enhanced the company’s reputation.
The Northern Renaissance Network urges NNPC Ltd to sustain this momentum, ensuring that the gains made in brand perception and public trust are consolidated and expanded.
While celebrating this milestone, the Northern Renaissance Network calls on Mr. Soneye to remain steadfast in his efforts to reshape lingering negative perceptions some Nigerians may still hold about NNPC Ltd. “Your excellent work is yielding tangible results, but the journey is far from over,” Theophilus emphasized.
“We encourage you not to rest on your laurels but to redouble your efforts with even greater dedication to completely transform public perception and cement NNPC Ltd’s legacy as a world-class organization.”
The Northern Renaissance Network once again congratulates Mr. Olufemi Soneye and the entire NNPC Ltd communications team for this outstanding achievement. We are confident that his leadership will continue to inspire excellence and drive positive change in Nigeria’s energy sector.
How Two Childhood Friends Built Zap, Nigeria’s First Non-Custodial Exchange
Would you quit your stable job at Goldman Sachs to start your own crypto company in Nigeria amid a bear market? That’s precisely what our co-founder, Moore Dagogo-Hart did. Meanwhile, our founder and CEO, Tobiloba Asu-Johnson, was completing his master’s degree while laying the foundation for what would become Zap Africa.
Where it all Began
Zap didn’t start as a business idea. It began as a friendship. Tobi and Moore have known each other back when they were 9 years old. Though they attended different universities, they still shared a deep interest in tech and finance. It was during both their university years that they became fully immersed in crypto. But unlike most traders who relied on custodial exchanges, they went the opposite way. They had always been ”DeFi guys,” and they saw the potential of non-custodial exchanges early on and only had their assets in them.
Then came the wake-up call.
The year was 2022. Platforms like Patricia, FTX and Celsius were collapsing, one after the other, Bitcoin had plummeted to $20K, and trust in Nigerian crypto platforms was at an all-time low. They watched as friends, family and everyday people saw their life savings disappear overnight. This caused one of, if not the major challenge in the Nigerian crypto space faces: trust.
Why? s have no real control over their assets.
Tobi and Moore knew there was a better way. So, they decided to create a solution. They weren’t looking at it from a business perspective, but more as traders who knew what the community truly needed. That’s when Zap was born.
They envisioned a platform where s wouldn’t have to depend on any central entity to hold their funds, a platform where financial security and autonomy were non-negotiable. And that’s when they decided to build Nigeria’s first-ever non-custodial exchange.
Building Zap in the Face of Challenges
Starting a company is never easy, but launching a crypto exchange in the middle of a bear market in a country with unclear regulations? That made it even harder.
There was and still isn’t a clear enough framework for digital assets in Nigeria. This was one of the biggest challenges they faced at first. That’s why securing Zap’s EU VASP license early on was a major milestone.
Funding was another unexpected milestone for us. Zap’s pre-seed round closed at a $4 million valuation, something many startups struggle to achieve so early. You always hear stories of startups struggling for years, scraping by on small rounds, but this brand secured $300K in its first year, allowing the company to scale faster than initially anticipated.
Another big challenge was working with banks. A lot of financial institutions are still very traditional, so they’re quite hesitant to crypto exchanges. This then leads to difficulties in integrating with them as partners. Even in countries with clearer regulations, banks often impose restrictions that make it harder for s to transact seamlessly.
One of the most important and difficult challenges was building the right team. Hiring skilled individuals is one thing, but finding people with the right mindset is another. Anyone can have a great CV and the right technical skills, but if their attitude isn’t right, it becomes a problem. The founders had to focus not just on recruiting talent but on building a team that can lead and scale together. That foundation is what continues to drive Zap forward today.
And then there’s trust. After so many failed crypto platforms, why should s believe in Zap? The answer is simple: consistency. The longer Zap stayed, the more people trusted them. That trust is what allows the company to grow.
Over the past year, Zap has seen a significant shift. There are more s, bigger transaction volumes and increased confidence in the Zap platform.
Zap into the Future
Now, Zap is gearing up for our biggest innovation yet… a non-custodial wallet. With it, you will have complete control over your crypto assets. No third-party access. No restrictions. Just pure financial freedom.
With the wallet, you will still have access to Zap’s usual fast swaps, but we’re also introducing international payments, which will make it easier for you to send and receive money across borders in any currency. This is something that hasn’t been done in Africa at scale before.
Another major part of this wallet will be spending. Payments are a big challenge in Nigeria, and we see crypto as a way to solve that problem. So, Zap is building a virtual card, which will allow you to spend your crypto easily.
This is just the beginning. Over time, Zap plans to introduce more ecosystem products. The goal is to create a platform where people can access any financial service they need, all powered by crypto.
In the long run, we don’t just want to see Zap as just a Nigerian exchange. Our vision isn’t just “Nigeria to the future,” it’s Africa to the future. We want Zap to be the go-to crypto platform for Africans. That’s why we’re currently working on expansion into Canada, the US, Europe, and the UK.
Zap is about redefining financial independence in Africa, ensuring that people are no longer at the mercy of failing platforms and broken systems. At the heart of it all are two childhood friends who refused to let obstacles stand in their way.
Media Campaigns Against Tompolo , Dennis Otuaro, and Others baseless, sponsored by oil bunkers in Niger Delta
1. We wish to categorically dissociate Government Tompolo, CEO of Tantita Security Company, Dennis Otuaro, of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, and others from the baseless accusations of killing and kidnapping circulating in a viral video. These allegations are not only unfounded but are also a calculated attempt to tarnish the reputations of Tompolo, Dennis and others who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of the Niger-Delta region.
2. It is evident that the individual behind these accusations is being sponsored by oil bunkers and thieves in the Niger Delta who aim to undermine the integrity of Tompolo, Dennis, and others.
3. Since being contracted to provide security services around the nation’s oil pipelines, Tantita Security Company has successfully apprehended countless oil bunkers and crude oil thieves, significantly improving oil production and ensuring that Nigeria meets its OPEC quota.
4. Furthermore, under Dennis Otuaro's leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, the Niger Delta has witnessed a period of relative peace. The programme has played a significant role in training and retraining numerous ex-agitators, transforming them into responsible citizens who actively contribute to national development.
5. The recent media attacks and character assassination of Tompolo, Dennis Otuaro, and others come as no surprise. Their effective management of oil pipelines and the Presidential Amnesty Programme has drawn envy from forces who previously benefited from oil bunkering activities and fraudulent schemes within the amnesty programme.
6.We call on those sponsoring these character assassinations to desist immediately. It is imperative to reemphasize the commitment of Tompolo and Tantita to protecting Nigeria’s oil pipelines, as well as Dennis Otuaro's dedication to developing initiatives that enhance the lives of ex-agitators.
Signed: Senior Comrade Gabriel Aniete - Spokesman for Niger-Delta Renaissance Network
Media Campaigns Against Tompolo , Dennis Otuaro, and Others baseless, sponsored by oil bunkers in Niger Delta
1. We wish to categorically dissociate Government Tompolo, CEO of Tantita Security Company, Dennis Otuaro, of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, and others from the baseless accusations of killing and kidnapping circulating in a viral video. These allegations are not only unfounded but are also a calculated attempt to tarnish the reputations of Tompolo, Dennis and others who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of the Niger-Delta region.
2. It is evident that the individual behind these accusations is being sponsored by oil bunkers and thieves in the Niger Delta who aim to undermine the integrity of Tompolo, Dennis, and others.
3. Since being contracted to provide security services around the nation’s oil pipelines, Tantita Security Company has successfully apprehended countless oil bunkers and crude oil thieves, significantly improving oil production and ensuring that Nigeria meets its OPEC quota.
4. Furthermore, under Dennis Otuaro's leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, the Niger Delta has witnessed a period of relative peace. The programme has played a significant role in training and retraining numerous ex-agitators, transforming them into responsible citizens who actively contribute to national development.
5. The recent media attacks and character assassination of Tompolo, Dennis Otuaro, and others come as no surprise. Their effective management of oil pipelines and the Presidential Amnesty Programme has drawn envy from forces who previously benefited from oil bunkering activities and fraudulent schemes within the amnesty programme.
6. We call on those sponsoring these character assassinations to desist immediately. It is imperative to reemphasize the commitment of Tompolo and Tantita to protecting Nigeria’s oil pipelines, as well as Dennis Otuaro's dedication to developing initiatives that enhance the lives of ex-agitators.
Signed: Senior Comrade Gabriel Aniete - Spokesman for Niger-Delta Renaissance Network
Tensions between Governor Monday Okpebholo’s APC-led istration and President Bola Tinubu’s government deepened Wednesday after a leaked video showed APC chieftain and former Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, openly criticizing the President and the Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi SAN, over the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
In the footage, Shaibu, seated beside the Secretary of Akoko Edo Local Government Area, delivers a scathing assessment of the federal government’s handling of the situation and its attempt to remove Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office.
“Removing Fubara was very unlawful and unconstitutional. You can declare a state of emergency, even bring a sole , but you cannot remove elected government officials. The governor still remains, that is how it is done. He will just be there ceremoniously,” Shaibu said.
The comments land at a sensitive time for Okpebholo’s government, which is already grappling with strained relations with the Presidency. This marks the second instance in recent weeks where senior figures in Edo APC have publicly challenged the President and the Attorney General.
The first confrontation erupted after Okpebholo moved to suspend elected local government chairmen across Edo State; a move that directly violated a Supreme Court ruling. The Attorney General swiftly issued a nationwide directive warning governors against such actions. Despite this, Okpebholo’s istration pressed on, triggering sharp reactions from the Presidency. APC insiders say the President and the Attorney General viewed the governor’s defiance, along with the media blitz launched by his aides to justify the illegal suspensions, as a deliberate affront.
Shaibu’s latest outburst escalates the standoff, with the former Deputy Governor privately describing the President’s actions as unlawful and the AGF’s legal advice as unconstitutional. His remarks, captured on video, raise fresh questions about Governor Okpebholo’s loyalty to the APC-led federal government and his alignment with the President’s political agenda.
Presidency sources confirmed late Wednesday that they are aware of Shaibu’s statement. However, there is no indication yet of how the President intends to respond.
A HEARTFELT COMMENDATION TO TANTITA SECURITY SERVICES LIMITED AND HIGH CHIEF GOVERNMENT OWEIZIDE EKPEMUPOLO (TOMPOLO)!
As a strong advocate for development and empowerment, I deeply commend the commissioning of the Sologha Ekpemupolo JAMB CBT Centre in Ogulagha, Delta State, by Tantita Security Services Limited. This initiative is a bold step toward transforming education in the Niger Delta and empowering our youths with the tools they need to succeed.
Providing cutting-edge technology, solar-powered infrastructure, and modern learning facilities is a clear demonstration of responsible corporate leadership. This is the kind of impact-driven investment that uplifts communities and secures a brighter future for our people.
I also use this opportunity to urge corporate institutions operating in the Niger Delta to embrace and fulfill their corporate social responsibilities (CSR). The development of our region is a collective effort, and companies benefiting from our land must contribute meaningfully to education, infrastructure, and social welfare.
I congratulate High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) and the entire Tantita Management team led the Managing Director, High Chief (Engr.) Kestin Ebimorbowei Pondi – (FNIIS, FNSE) for considering the welfare of communities in the region and taking corporate responsibility seriously.
Inspite of my reservations, this is a corporate gesture worthy of acknowledgement and commendation. I hope this initiative paves the way for more meaningful collaborations and continued development in our beloved Niger Delta.
Together, we can build a prosperous future for our people!
*Courtroom Drama as Final Written Addresses Adopted in Edo Election Petition*
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal convened today to adopt final written addresses in the petition filed by Dr. Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the declaration of Sen. Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2024 governorship election.
The packed courtroom reflected the high stakes of the proceedings, with Dr. Asue Ighodalo in attendance alongside PDP Edo State Chairman, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemin, Sen. Clifford Odia, and Hon. Friday Itulah. The APC’s delegation included Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, Comrade Philip Shaibu, and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Justice W. Kpochi, chairing the three-man , granted each respondent 15 minutes to adopt their final submissions, while the petitioners were allowed 30 minutes in what would prove to be a heated debate.
Counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the first respondent, adopted the electoral body’s final written address, urging the tribunal to dismiss the petition. He argued that the petitioners had not proven their case, describing the petition as incompetent for failing to request the annulment of the entire election.
Counsel for Sen. Okpebholo, the second respondent, aligned with INEC’s arguments. He contended that the petitioners had failed to tender essential documents such as Form EC25D, which records ballot paper serial numbers, relying instead on Form EC25B, which merely documents the quantity of materials received and returned.
Counsel for the APC, the third respondent, adopted the positions of the other respondents, insisting that the petitioners were required to demonstrate non-compliance polling unit by polling unit, ward by ward, and local government by local government.
Responding on behalf of Dr. Ighodalo, counsel for the petitioners argued that the petition had been successfully substantiated. He highlighted that the petitioners had challenged results from 765 polling units — a volume of votes capable of affecting the overall outcome. Citing the Supreme Court decision in Uzodinma vs. Ihedioha, he submitted that the law does not require petitioners to challenge all polling units or tender alternative results. He also pointed out that the documents tendered were certified by INEC and itted without objection.
The petitioners’ counsel dismissed claims that polling unit agents needed to testify to the documents, noting that the disputed collation took place at ward and local government collation centres, where polling unit agents were not present. He emphasized that INEC’s IReV results had been affirmed by multiple Supreme Court decisions, including Lawal vs. Matawalle.
Concluding his submission, the petitioners’ counsel urged the tribunal to consider the cumulative impact of the irregularities across the disputed polling units, rather than dismissing the petition on technical grounds.
Outside the courthouse, Hon. Ifaluyi Isibor, a PDP chieftain, addressed the press, expressing confidence in the petitioners’ case.
“We provided witnesses, we provided documents certified by INEC themselves, we cited Supreme Court judgments in similar matters, and the respondents failed to defend the electoral heist we witnessed in Edo State. Can you imagine that not only did INEC not object to the documents we tendered, they failed to produce even a single witness to defend their case?”
“Edo people did their part by voting for us, our lawyers have done their part, now everything is in the hands of the judiciary and God. We believe they will ensure that justice is served and impunity punished,” Ifaluyi-Isibor concluded.
The tribunal reserved judgment, with a date to be communicated to the parties.
Adeyanju commends Fubara on his adherence to the rule of law, urges him to prioritize the welfare of Rivers people amidst distractions -
1. I wholeheartedly commend His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, for his exemplary leadership and respect for the rule of law in obeying the recent Supreme Court ruling on local government istration.
2. By directing the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct fresh elections for the local government councils and ordering the Heads of Local Government istration to take charge of the 23 LGAs as an interim measure, Governor Fubara has demonstrated a rare commitment to constitutional order and democratic principles. His decisive instruction for outgoing local government chairmen to hand over power by Monday, March 3, 2025, further demonstrates his resolve to uphold the Supreme Court’s outlawing of caretaker arrangements. A bold and commendable step forward.
3. Governor Fubara’s actions send a clear message: the welfare of the people of Rivers State must remain paramount, even amidst the distractions and political turbulence orchestrated by detractors. Nigerians across the country are rooting for you, Your Excellency.
4. We urge you to remain steadfast, focused, and resolute in your mission to serve and uplift the good people of Rivers State. The political landscape may evolve, and challenges may arise, but we implore you to stand tall and firm. The people of Nigeria believe in your ability to navigate the complexities of governance and to decisively tame any forces that seek to undermine the progress of Rivers State.
5. Let me be unequivocal: since former Governor Nyesom Wike has chosen to make himself the black sheep of the Rivers family, he must be dealt with decisively. His antics and self-serving machinations cannot be allowed to prevail against the collective interest of the people. Governor Fubara, you must ensure that Wike understands that Rivers State is not his personal fiefdom. He cannot and will not go against the will of the people. Do not give him a breathing space. His influence must be curtailed, and his opposition to progress must be met with the full weight of your authority as the leader chosen by the people.
6. We, Nigerians, are confident that come 2027, you will emerge stronger, more determined, and fully equipped to crush any opposition, particularly from Nyesom Wike in the interest of all Rivers people. Your leadership is a beacon of hope, and we stand resolute in our for you. Governor Fubara, we en you to stay true to your principles, remain unshaken, and continue to work tirelessly for the good of Rivers people. The nation watches, and history will judge you kindly for your courage and dedication.
Deji Adeyanju Esq. Human Rights Lawyer and Partner, Deji Adeyanju & Partners
For Lagos’s Finest Ice-Cream, Doughnuts and Coffee come to Pitstop Village Ikoyi, Lagos!
Ikoyi just got a whole lot tastier! Friday, 14th of February 2025 was a day of love, but also a day of signature menus and tasty doughnuts as Scoop’d Signature Cafe & a new Krispy Kreme store opened at Pitstop Village in Ikoyi, Lagos state! It was a celebration of good food, great vibes, and even better company.
So whether you want that morning coffee boost, a power lunch with Scoop’d’s famous sandwiches and salads or you want to end the day with sophisticated ice cream sundaes, Pitstop Village is the place to be. The glamorous location is the new place to be seen in Lagos’s premiere location. And if you need that birthday surprise, you can order Krispy Kreme’s famous dozen doughnuts ahead of time for pick up, with prices starting at 4,500 naira only, they have got great taste and great value.
Scoop’d Signature Cafe is redefining what it is to get fine food, in a cool contemporary location. It’s where your taste buds meet sophistication, bringing signature meals that are locally sourced but globally inspired to food lovers who are out for nothing but quality food only. For a date, a birthday, business or pleasure, Scoop’d at Pitstop Village, Ikoyi is the place to be.
The launch event was a taste of things to come. Lagos gourmets were out in full force, it was the place to see and be seen. A lineup of top influencers like Saskay, Aunty Adah and food enthusiasts like Chef Amaka were present, to experience the Scoop’d Signature Cafe magic firsthand.
The guests enjoyed an exclusive tasting of the menu, that contained signature dishes like the protein bowl, signature salmon, turkey temptation, the tuna toastie, coupled with flavours of ice cream ranging from sweet vanilla, chocolate extreme, strawberry dream, ginger delight and topped up with flavorful doughnuts, cupcakes, burgers, croissant and cookies. The menu had a feature of indulgent treats and savoury delights, all designed to elevate the dining experience. Safe to say, every bite was a hit!
But was it just the food that stole the show? No, it was not. The atmosphere was electric, the beautifully designed space was elegant and just looking out the patio, and the background was blessed with a beautiful view of the Lekki – Ikoyi Link Bridge making an iconic aesthetic for pictures & videos.
It was an afternoon to with guests mingling, capturing Instagram-worthy moments, and sharing their experiences online. The event created a buzz that spread across social media, putting Scoop’d Signature Cafe & Krispy Kreme on the map as the go-to spot for anyone craving high-quality service dining in a stylish setting.
Missed the store opening? No worries, Scoop’d Signature Cafe and Krispy Kreme at Pitstop Village, Ikoyi is officially open. Go see (and taste) what all the hype is about and follow Scoop’d Signature Cafe, Scoop’d Ice Cream Bar and Krispy Kreme Nigeria on social media and never miss an event! Whether you’re in the mood for a quick, satisfying bite or a fun foodie hangout, this is one spot you’ll definitely want to check out.
ogugwa1992:
The only reason this noise is happening is that Cardoso and his team refused to sign ‘chop-and-clean-mouth’ deals. If they were playing along with the old cabal, we wouldn’t hear a thing!
I laughed when i read about Directors in the CBN complaining about Cardoso consultants. These Directors all have massive houses in Abuja. some of them have 5-7 official cars each. Lets not talk about all their allowances. If you know, you know!!
On Monday, February 9, 2025, Times, one of Nigeria’s well-known online publications, published a piece which left me wondering whether it was really from the same platform I have always respected.
The “exclusive” focused on the appointment of consultants and advisers at the CBN, but while I read to see whether they were going to present evidence of incompetence or lack of qualification with regard to the profiles in the article they were responding to,the piece appeared to read like an attack on the female consultants and advisers.
Times went as far as calling them “Cardoso Women”. This was upsetting and I found it to be a blatant display of sexism because the fact remains that these women are not just names on a page – they are our daughters, sisters, wives, mothers, aunties, and nieces, quietly getting the work done. They are human beings, and this is not how to treat our own.
As a woman who has faced her own share of sexism, I found the publication’s approach to be a reflection of the patriarchy that still grips certain quarters of Nigerian society. Women cannot be intelligent, accomplished, and competent – without having to justify their existence.
The piece completely ignored the qualifications and experience of these women. It dispensed largely with balance, which is a key journalism tenet. There was no mention of their qualifications or experience; no source was named in the exclusive piece about three globally recognized, highly competent, well-qualified go-getters with over 80 years of cognate experience between them.
was worried because this isn’t the first time Nigerian women have been dragged simply for being excellent. We saw it with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who faced relentless attacks when she served as Minister of Finance. Despite her impeccable credentials – Harvard, MIT, World Bank – critics ignored her work and resorted to personal attacks.
It happened to Dora Akunyili of blessed memory, who revolutionized NAFDAC, saved countless lives by taking on counterfeit drug barons, and was still vilified by vested interests. There is also the case of Arunma Oteh, who was put through the misogynistic
wringer.
That same script seems to be playing out again because whenever a woman steps up, instead of engaging with her ideas, detractors throw a low blow but history vindicated Okonjo-Iweala, Akunyili and Oteh – and it will do the same for these brilliant women at the CBN.
The piece in quoting an unnamed source at the CBN wrote that “there are 29 experienced directors, 170 deputy directors, and over 400 PhD holders in CBN. There is no need to domicile consultants in the bank.”
This provides a perfect segue into the profiles of these three amazons.
Nkiru Balonwu and Daphne Oterie Dafinone are both PhD holders so let’s make that 402 PhD holders at the CBN. The more, they say, the merrier. In a country where many call themselves doctors without the requisite scholarship or qualifications, the assumption was that the publication was going to call their qualifications or experience into question, but the focus was largely on how much they are paid but the curious thing was that while the piece focused on the three women, it was eerily silent on their male colleagues.
It is curious but not surprising that the piece chose to ignore the men. Why? Because in many minds, a man’s competence is assumed, but a woman’s must always be defended.
Is this not is sexism and patriarchy at work? It is also intriguing that the online platform published this piece at a time when the reforms at the CBN are bearing fruit. The naira is stabilizing, the FXCode has brought sanity and banished speculation in the FX market and foreign portfolio investors are falling over themselves to invest in Nigeria.
This seems to me like an unnecessary distraction.
Dr. Dafinone comes from a family which has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as producing the highest number of Chartered ants in the whole wide world. She is by no chance an upstart.
Daphne Dafinone has a PhD in Internal Audit & Corporate Governance from City University, London. Before her PhD, she had obtained an MSc Internal Audit & Management Finance from the same university after graduating with a BA (Hons) Economics degree from the University of Manchester in 1987.
Her first job, verifiable from publicly available records, was at KPMG Peat Marwic MClintock Chartered ants in the United Kingdom. It is a globally recognized fact that KPMG only hires the best.
Before coming to the CBN consultancy, Dr. Dafinone rose to the position of Chief Operating Officer of Crowe Dafinone which makes her a bonafide owner-manager.
The publication also alluded to the fact that she is a board member of NIRSAL but the piece forgot to mention that Dr. Dafinone was audit committee chair on the board of CitiBank Nigeria. As we say in Naija: na where NIRSAL take reach Citibank?
With a focus on development finance and governance at the CBN, Dr. Dafinone has brought over 35 years of experience in corporate governance, due diligence, corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and debt restructuring to her role.
Change always invites pushback!
Ms. Shola Phillips is not just a Special Adviser to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria on Compliance & Risk. She is a globally renowned and well-respected
Compliance and Risk expert.
According to her profile, Ms. Phillips “is leading the design and implementation of a new department with the mandate to improve compliance within the Bank and across the Nigerian Banking industry by spearheading initiatives that foster good governance and ethical conduct via the introduction of ability measures.”
Let us ask a quick question: is Shola Phillips qualified to be an adviser to the CBN governor? Where do we start from? One: Let us consider her 25 years of experience as a senior compliance director across the wholesale and retail sectors of the financial service industry; Two: let us pay attention to her regulatory knowledge spanning multiple dynamic and complex jurisdictions – the UK, Europe, United Arab Emirates, HongKong, Singapore, Japan, United States of America, and multiple jurisdictions in Africa.
Three: let us ponder on her education at the University of Reading, where she graduated with a degree in Economics and the Cardiff Business School in Wales where she bagged
her MBA.
Shola is not a local champion, no sir! Starting her career at home as a Corporate Finance associate at Prudent Merchant Bank Limited she set out for world domination and has worked at Handelsbanken Private Bank, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ruffer LLP, Rothschilds, and the Permal Group.
She was Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Citibank Nigeria Limited before going ahead to serve as Global Functions Regional Compliance Director for the Europe Middle East & Africa region at Citigroup and then the Global Head of Compliance for Risk Management at Citigroup, Inc. Talk about global domination.
Last time I checked, we have only two Nigerian born lawyers who are Senior Advocates of Nigeria and Queen Counsels now Kings Counsel. They are Professor Fidelis Oditah and Professor Oba Nsugbe what that means is that Oditah and Nsugbe are at the top in two jurisdictions; Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
What have they got to do with the CBN? Well, let us talk about Dr. Nkiru Balonwu. Like Dafinone, Balonwu comes from a family of renowned lawyers and her ambition, as she wrote in a recent, LinkedIn post was to rise all the way to the Supreme Court.
But she pivoted first to academia and then business and consulting. A consummate scholar, she took her first degree in Law from the University of Manchester, her Master’s from University College London and then a doctorate from the University of
California, Berkeley
She has been called to the bar in England, Nigeria, and New York – a feat any lawyer will tell you is incredibly difficult. ing just one bar exam is challenging; ing three, across different legal systems, is an achievement that demands extraordinary intellectual rigor.
When Dr. Balonwu returned to Nigeria she was hired at the University of Lagos where she was the inaugural, meaning FIRST EVER, lecturer in Gender & Law at Unilag. She was Senior Fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, Harvard Kennedy School from 2022-2023. Her focus was on the role of the private sector in influencing and constructing gender policy in Africa.
While still in her 30s, Dr. Nkiru Balonwu was appointed CEO of Spinlet, then Africa’s largest music streaming platform—long before Spotify, Tidal, or Deezer entered the continent. She is the Founder & Creative Director of the Africa Soft Power Group, which includes African Women on Board, ASP Global, and RDF Strategies.
This influentialthink tank and advisory group has collaborated with global powerhouses like Facebook,
MTN Nigeria, MTN Benin, Ford Foundation, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Africa Investment Forum (AIF), Afreximbank, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), and Mastercard Foundation, among many others.
Beyond consulting, Balonwu is a respected board member of leading institutions such as BusinessDay (Nigeria’s premier business and financial newspaper), the International Federation of Periodical Publishers (FIPP), Africa Prosperity Network, and Asaase Broadcasting Company Limited in Ghana. She also serves as Chairperson of the Sickle Cell Aid Foundation (SCAF).
Now, let us talk about money and compensation which was a main focus of the piece. A consultant from McKinsey, Bain, or Accenture bills hundreds of thousands of dollars for the same strategic work these women are doing. PwC, KPMG, and Deloitte charge top
dollar just to send analysts – yes, analysts – into an office.
Let’s be real – if these professional women were young “white boys” who know far less,
nobody would bat an eye.
I believe that articles like this that usually scare away qualified, competent Nigerian professionals from coming home to work and help the Nigerian government.
I wish this piece was not published by Times which I have a lot of respect for.
*Afusat Kassim, a media and Advertising practitioner writes from Lagos.
… _Esan North East Collation Witness Recants, its Over-voting_
… _Oredo Witness Confirms Computation of “Strange Results” in Okpebholo’s Favour_
Dramatic moments unfolded at the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal as witnesses presented by the All Progressives Congress (APC) offered conflicting testimonies over the election of Senator Monday Okpebholo as Governor of Edo State—a result being challenged by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
Esan North East Collation Witness Recants, its Over-Voting
The APC’s Collation Agent for Esan North East LGA, Theophilus Afuda, initially swore in his witness statement that there were no incidents of over-voting during the September 21st governorship election. However, under cross-examination by PDP’s lead counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), Afuda reversed his stance, conceding that cases of over-voting and non-serialization of electoral materials were evident in key exhibits, including certified copies of result sheets and Form EC25B.
He further confirmed that INEC failed to document the serial numbers of ballot papers, result sheets, and other sensitive election materials in the required forms—an omission the PDP argues renders the results invalid in the affected polling units.
“Can you confirm that the prescribed form for recording serial numbers before voting is EC25B?” Owonikoko asked.
“Yes, My Lord” Afuda responded.
“Take a look at the Form EC25B before you. There is no entry of serial numbers for result sheets or BVAS machines. Can you confirm?”
After reviewing the document, Afuda itted: “I can’t find any entries My Lord.”
Oredo Collation Witness Confirms Computation of “Strange Results”
Another APC witness, Engr. Gabriel Idi, who served as the party’s collation agent for Oredo LGA, also delivered explosive testimony. Under cross-examination, he acknowledged that the final results INEC used to declare Okpebholo winner did not match the polling unit results ed onto the IREV portal.
He further itted that while collation agents were required to results before they were recorded into Form EC8C, when presented with the polling unit results used to collate the final figures INEC announced he confirmed that they lacked the signatures of party agents and did not match the signed original EC8A results from polling units which were ed onto IRev.
“These results are strange, My Lord. I do not know where they emanated from,” Engr. Idi confessed, prompting murmurs across the courtroom.
Owan West Witness Exposes INEC’s Lapses
The inconsistencies in the APC’s defense deepened when Frank David, the party’s witness from Owan West LGA, took the stand. Under cross-examination, he acknowledged that INEC presiding officers were required to document the serial numbers of sensitive electoral materials, such as ballot papers and result sheets, in Form EC25B before voting began—but itted they failed to do so.
This procedural omission, already a focal point in the PDP’s case, further fueled arguments that the electoral process was compromised.
Tribunal Adjourns Amid Mounting Tension
As the PDP strengthened its case, Hon. Ifaluyi-Isibor, a PDP chieftain, weighed in on the proceedings:
“We knew the APC would be unable to defend their electoral heist, so we are not surprised that their witnesses are confirming to the tribunal that the election was rigged. In fact, we are grateful to the APC’s witnesses for telling the truth under oath.”
He added:
“For us, the issue is a simple one: if you remove all the invalid votes from INEC’s failure to record sensitive materials, cancel polling units where over-voting occurred, and collate the correct results, Barr. Asue Ighodalo clearly won the election. We hope the tribunal agrees, as every claim we have made is backed by certified, documentary evidence.”
With witness testimonies raising fresh doubts about the credibility of INEC’s final declaration, the tribunal adjourned the case to Thursday, February 13, 2025, for the continuation of hearings.
The Ijaw Youths Network Celebrates Philanthropist, Engr Mathew Tonlagha on his Birthday
The Ijaw Youths Network has celebrated the Chairman of Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, Mr Mathew Tonlagha on his birthday.
The IYN described Tonlagha as an amazing personality with extraordinary exploits in ministering to the needs of his people.
The IYN in a statement on Saturday by its President and Secretary, Frank Ebikabo and Federal Ebiaridor, respectively described the successful businessman and silent billionaire as a simple humble and amazing progressive.
The IYN said that Engr has brought succour to thousands of people across the Ijaw nation and beyond through individual efforts as a successful business.
The popular youth group noted that the Executive Director of Fenog Nigeria Limited has rendered life changing in diverse ways to people in their moments of needs.
The IYN commended Tonlagha for strategic corporate assistance to Niger Deltans in need and for taking high profile hospital bills of the sick in the promotion of the common good.
The leadership of IYN noted that
Engr. Tonlagha has a unique reputation for impact, comion and generosity.
The IYN stated that the Ijaw Nation is proud of Tonlagha’s dedication to humanity and commitment to the development of the Niger Delta.
The youth group prayed the Alnighty God to continue to sustain him in the service of God and humanity.
The statement reads in part, “The Ijaw Youth Network is happy to all sons and daughters of the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta to celebrate a worthy son and a silent achiever, Engr Mathew Tonlagha.
“Engr Tonlagha’s ion for the ijaw nation and individuals in genuine need has no doubt endeared him to the hearts thousands of people within and outside the Niger Delta who are out to celebrate him on this unique day.
“As a body of youths across the Ijaw nation, we are proud to identify with this illustrious son of the land for his unwavering determination for the sustenance of peace, development and philanthropy in the region.
“We are very proud of him as a great and worthy son of the Ijaw nation, who believes in the peace and development of the Niger Delta.
“We wish him many more years of peace, protection and good health in the service of God and humanity.”
Clearwater farms, an equestrian business based in Kaduna, is on a mission to enrich Nigeria’s equestrian landscape by providing world-class services and fostering opportunities for more people to connect with the beauty of horses and the sport of Polo.
As part of this vision, Clearwater is making its Lagos debut at the 2025 Lagos International Polo Tournament, set to take place from February 4th to February 23rd at the Lagos Polo Club in Ikoyi.
This year’s tournament boasts 33 teams vying for four major cups and six subsidiary awards. Clearwater Farms’ Polo team will compete in the Lagos Open games on February 4th and 7th, and the Lagos Low Cup on February 18th and 19th, 2025.
“We are excited to participate in one of Nigeria’s most prestigious polo events. This opportunity allows us to showcase not only our horses but our team’s skill and the dedication and excellence that define Clearwater Farms,” said Brigadier General Kapeh Alwali Kazir (Rtd)., Chairman, Clearwater Farms.
Our goal is to inspire greater appreciation for Polo and to offer unparalleled equestrian services that meet the needs of players, horse owners, and families across the country.”
Founded on a legacy of expertise spanning over five decades, Clearwater Farms is renowned for offering a comprehensive suite of equestrian services. Clearwater Farms’ state-of-the-art facilities currently house over 60 horses, with stabling options available for out-of-town horse owners. It also provides horse rentals for players, transportation services and training programs for both children and adults. They also offer a riding school catered towards beginners.
A key part of Clearwater Farms’ growth strategy includes expanding operations to Abuja and Lagos, with a focus on developing new markets for equestrian sports.
Clearwater Farm’s veterinary clinic is set to deliver advanced medical services, including diagnostic care with specialized x-ray equipment, ultrasound and scanners amongst others. In addition, a mobile farrier unit offers expert hoof care services on-site, ensuring convenience for horse owners.
“Our expansion into Lagos is a significant step for us.
“We want to contribute to the development of a vibrant equestrian community by offering services that enable both beginners and experienced riders to thrive in this sport” Brigadier General Kazir added.
*INEC Throws in the Towel: Fails to Defend Allegations of Rigging Edo Governorship Election*
In an extraordinary twist at the Edo 2024 Governorship Election Tribunal, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has failed to call any witnesses to defend itself against allegations that it colluded with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the election in favor of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The shocking development came after INEC’s legal counsel formally moved to close its case without presenting any witnesses—a motion accepted by the Tribunal. This abrupt end to INEC’s defense leaves the electoral body relying solely on cross-examinations and arguments from APC and Okpebholo’s lawyers, a move legal experts say is fraught with risk.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has mounted a robust challenge to the election results, accusing INEC of orchestrating widespread irregularities and vote manipulation. Leveraging the 2022 Electoral Act, PDP’s legal team focused heavily on documentary evidence rather than oral testimony.
Key provisions of the Act—such as Section 137, which prioritizes documentary evidence over oral testimony, and Section 73(2), which mandates the nullification of results in polling units where ballot paper and BVAS serial numbers were not pre-recorded—form the crux of the PDP’s petition.
The Tribunal has already itted critical BVAS machines into evidence, devices the PDP claims will expose over-voting and discrepancies in the declared results. Testimonies from PDP witnesses, including local government agents and an expert witness (PW12), detailed systemic manipulation during result collation. Independent monitors, such as Athena Centre and TAP Initiative, have corroborated these claims, further denting INEC’s credibility.
By opting not to call witnesses, INEC appears to be taking a gamble, leaving its defense in the hands of APC and Governor Okpebholo’s legal teams. Analysts suggest this approach could backfire, as INEC must now contend with its own certified records and the BVAS data, which the PDP argues clearly contradict the declared results.
This development follows revelations from an undercover investigation by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), which alleged INEC’s complicity in inflating votes for the APC. The report, combined with the PDP’s evidence and legal precedent, paints a damning picture of the electoral body’s role in the disputed election.
In a viral reactions on x app, Nigerians music fans have dragged the former record label boss, EezeeTee, saying he "takes royalty rights from a number of his artistes," denying them of their rights.
Tooing the trend chart on social media, Wednesday, with hashtag, #ExposeEezeeTee, the music lovers called on the record label boss to allow artistes under his record label to "breathe."
Below are some of the tweets:
@Kola_wire urged the record boss to settle his artistes.
"People like Eezeetee are many in the music industry, Eezeetee needs to change and settle all the rift he as with all his artiste. He needs to change."
@Faizah7__ said "Exploiting Artistes need to stop, Record label owners need to be able to give for all there Artistes royalties, because seeing @Eezeeglobal been accused of exploiting artiste like Mercy Chinwo saddens my heart. All this needs to stop."
@tweetsbyife said "I am of the opinion that @EeZeeGlobal needs to be investigated, He has to stop denying all his artiste there royalties, All his artiste deserves better from him; This needs to stop."
@Mukyaalaj said "Allegations have surfaced against Eezeetee, claiming he's been involved in unethical practices, including withholding artists' royalties and manipulating their careers. YouTuber BeingReal George has brought these accusations to light. @EeZeeGlobal"
Nasir el-Rufai Is a Drowning Man Seeking To Take Malam Nuhu Ribadu Down With Him
Malam Nasir el-Rufai is frustrated. He lost out in Kaduna, where the Governor has wisely refused to be his Man Friday, and he lost out in becoming a minister after Kaduna residents raised several petitions against him for paying killer herdsmen, who perpetrated the Southern Kaduna Genocide, which rather unsurprisingly stopped as soon as Nasir left office.
In his bitterness, he has started drowning politically, and he wants to take Malam Nuhu Ribadu, perhaps the most honest Nigerian who ever lived, a man who rejected the largest bribe in Nigeria's history.
If you look at the so-called evidence he displayed against Malam Ribadu, in the form of a sensational headline from 2006, it does not invalidate what Malam Ribadu said. The then Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission did not say that then-Governor Bola Tinubu was corrupt, had been investigated, found guilty, or had been indicted.
He made a general statement about ALL serving Governors at that time, without excluding anyone. Malam Ribadu said that based on the general feeling at that time, they were lucky not to be in the same position as Governors Dariye and Alamieyeseigha. He did not say they had been investigated and found to be corrupt. He was speaking about the general perception about those Governors. Perception, as Nasir el-Rufai knows, is not reality.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was a new agency at the time of that statement in 2005/6, and the head of the Commission needed to instil the fear of God in all Governors by reminding them that the EFCC was watching.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation also applies that psychological operations strategy, which is called a show of force. Shows of force are rhetoric or actions designed by a military or law enforcement body to instil fear of committing a crime in those vulnerable to temptation.
Nasir el-Rufai mentioned the transcripts of the Federal Executive Council for that period, which he claims corroborate his assertions. If they exist, which they do not, then he is challenged to provide them.
The fact is that Malam Nuhu Ribadu did not say that President Bola Tinubu was corrupt when he was the Chairman of the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission.
And how could Nuhu Ribadu have done that and become close friends with the same Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who engineered his emergence as the Presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria a mere four years later?
Malam Nasir el-Rufai will have to do better than his current manipulations. On the contrary, it was he who accused General Buhari of corruption, only to turn around and become his chief vuvuzela within months.
On October 4, 2010, Nasir el-Rufai said the following about Buhari: "Mallam El-Rufai wishes to remind General Buhari that he has remained perpetually unelectable because his record as military head of state, and afterwards, is a warning that many Nigerians have wisely heeded. His insensitivity to Nigeria’s diversity and his parochial focus are already well-known. In 1984, Buhari allowed 53 suitcases belonging to his ADC’s father to enter Nigeria unchecked at a time the country was exchanging old currency for new.
Against all canons of legal decency, he used retroactive laws to execute three young men for drug-peddling after they were convicted by a military tribunal and not regular courts of law. Buhari was so high-handed that he gave himself and his officials immunity even from truthful reporting. That obnoxious Decree 4, against which truth was no defence, was used to jail journalists and attempt to cow the media as a whole. That tyrannical legislation shows the essence of his intolerance. These are facts of recent history."
Three months after making this statement, Malam Nasir el-Rufai was kissing General Buhari's backside.
That is why he thinks that Nuhu Ribadu is like him. He is projecting his very low moral standards on others.
Exactly seven days before the September 21, 2024 Edo State governorhsip election, Godwin Obaseki, the state’s then governor, described the exercise as a ‘do-or-die affair’ with violence and manipulation in the offing.
“This election is do or die; if they do, we will die. Next Saturday by this time, vote for the PDP [Peoples Democratic Party] to become the next governor,” he said during his party’s rally in the Ekemwan area of the state.
As 17 political parties prepared for election day, over 35,000 policemen arrived in the state. Military personnel and officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) ed to boost security and help the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
When the exercise ended, Frank Mba, a Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) charged with security during the election, said the conduct was peaceful and there were no incidents of violence or manipulation.
But FIJ has found contradictory evidence that the conduct was flawed before, during and after election day.
Throughout this election, there was no single threat recorded,” Mba said during a press briefing on September 23. “The election was violent-free. There was no recorded incident of the kidnapping, assault, or molestation of any INEC staff, other persons, or other stakeholders involved in the elections.
“There was no recorded incident of arson, no recorded incident of serious assault on the police or of other law enforcement agencies. We were able to keep the land, the air, and the waterway safe. Citizens were able to go out and cast their votes with minimal incidents.”
This was inaccurate.
IN ETSAKO WEST, VIOLENCE MET MALPRACTICE
When the election ended, INEC announced that Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) candidate, garnered 291,667 valid votes, with PDP’s Asue Ighodalo getting 247,274 votes, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) 22,763 votes, making up the top three of the 17 candidates. The gap between winner and runner-up was 44,393 votes.
The commission relied on results from all 18 local government areas in the state, but one stood out: Etsako West.
Sources told FIJ that INEC did not have the result of collated ballots for this LGA’s 12 wards but went on to announce a total without them. Emerging victorious here, the APC got 32,107 votes, while the PDP got 17,483 — a whopping gap of 14,624 votes.
To the claim of unavailability of authentic results, FIJ obtained certified true copies of collated results from all LGAs. The CTC INEC provided for Etsako West had two unique features: a conspicuous ‘Replacement Copy’ text printed atop it and no stamp on the bottom right of the page, making it different from all copies from the other 17 LGAs.
FIJ has attached CTCs of Uhunmwonde and Esan South West LGAs below to show a clear disparity with the one for Etsako West. This begged the question: what happened to the results for this one LGA?
WHERE DID THE RESULT SHEETS GO?
FIJ learnt that in the early hours of September 22, when INEC officials were collating the LGA’s results at the Auchi Council Hall, bullets began raining on the building.
It was some time around 3 am, and the sound came first before the hall’s occupants understood the situation. Benji Ojietu, deputy chairman of the LGA, was hit. A bullet tore through the darkness, shattering windows and penetrating his right shoulder, leaving entry and exit wounds.
‘THE POLICE DID IT. NONBODY ELSE’
“We were still collating 10 wards’ results and awaiting results from ward 11 and one other when it happened,” he told FIJ in December.
“On our way to the venue earlier, there was heavy police and military presence there, and there also was a Department of State Services (DSS) office nearby, so how did anyone gain entry to shoot up the place when we weren’t even allowed to drive in?”
Ojietu did not see the attackers, and he said the police made no arrests in connection to the incident. Three months later, he believes those who did it were familiar.
”The INEC officials conducting the exercise that morning left the hall before the shooting began,” Ojietu added. “During the encounter, there was no return fire. All the shots came into the building, and people fled for their lives.”
When FIJ asked who he thought was responsible for the attack, he said, “The police did it. No one else had access.”
When the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership published its report on the election, the CSO said INEC could not provide CTC for two 12 wards; 11 in Etsako West and one in Ikpoba Okha. For the latter, the commission cancelled results in this single ward, but there was no explanation for the missing CTC for the former until FIJ found one.
‘INEC ANNOUNCD RESULTS WITHOUT RESULT SHEETS’
A source present at the collation hall where the shooting occurred, showed FIJ copies of the collated results they obtained from the venue. This source, who sought anonymity for fear of attack, said they recovered the sheets after the incident, and were taking it to Benin City, the Edo State Capital, when they learnt INEC had announced results for Etsako West.
”How did INEC get the figures when there were no ballots or sheets to rely on?” This source rhetorically quizzed. “I reported this development and kept the result sheets in my possession until a time when it would be needed.”
INEC could not provide CTCs for 11 of the 12 wards in this LGA — because the commission did not have them.
All 10,928 VOTES LOST. ZERO RESULTS IN IKPOBA OKHA’S MOST POPULATED WARD
After INEC announced results for an LGA without election materials, the commission said it was still awaiting results to arrive from Oredo and Ikpoba Okha LGAs.
Faruk Adamu Kuta, the commission’s Returning Officer, announced the suspension of the exercise on September 22, saying collation officers from the outstanding LGAs were yet to arrive with their reports. Well, these results later arrived.
Two days later, INEC and the APC issued statements explaining why collation could not occur in those areas. According to them, Mba had claimed there were security threats, and it was only safer to collate in Benin, the capital city.
Meanwhile, when the results sheet arrived in Benin, there were figures for all but Oregbeni ward in Ikpoba Okha, with 10,928 accredited voters. There, the commission cancelled results. Why? INEC never said.
In its form EC40G, INEC indicates one of four reasons for vote cancellation: over voting, non-replacement of BVAs after failure, declared emergency/disruption, or inability to deploy men and material. For cancelled results in some of this LGA’s polling units, the commission ticked the third box, but for this ward, there were no forms explaining the reason for cancellation. All 10,928 votes were lost.
On December 20, FIJ called Rita Amadi, head of INEC’s legal department whose signature appears on the CTC, but she refused to comment, saying the matter was before a tribunal.
At this time, three things had already happened:
INEC announced results for an LGA where physical election materials were lost during a violent attack
The commission cancelled election results for a ward without saying why, then said DIG Frank Mba told them there was a violence scare
Mba claimed after the election that there were no violence incidents across the state
RAMPANT OVER-VOTING MARS CONDUCT
The most common reason for vote cancellation during the Edo election was over-voting. Where Bimodal Voter Accreditation (BVA) systems failed, the commission resorted to manual accreditation, consequently leading to manipulations.
Sometimes, these were spotted, but other times the manipulated results made it through.
In Polling Unit 8, Ward 10 (Ologbo) of Ikpoba Okha, only 130 of the 794 ed voters were accredited, but in INEC’s Form EC8A, the APC scored 66 votes, while the PDP scored an impossible 258 votes. In words, the PDP’s votes were written as ‘Two hundred and fifteen six’. This showed over-voting occurred in this polling unit.
FIJ spotted several cancellations on the Form EC8A document, indicating it was manipulated, and while the total number of valid votes were written as ‘Three hundred and thirty’ in words, ‘331’ was written in figures, while ‘130’ for accredited voters remained unchanged in figures.
FIJ also spotted that no agent signed the copy for the APC or the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
– Chaos erupted outside the Governorship Election Tribunal in Benin City today when an unidentified man, dressed in clothing resembling that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), began firing sporadically into the air. The incident has sparked accusations from the PDP, who allege that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) orchestrated the act as part of a broader scheme to disrupt the ongoing legal challenge over the disputed Edo State governorship election.
In a statement issued by Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, the party condemned the shooting as a “desperate attempt” by the APC to frustrate the tribunal’s proceedings and discredit the PDP. The statement emphasized that the PDP had, before the start of the Tribunal proceedings, instructed all its to avoid the venue in anticipation of potential APC-instigated violence.
“Pray tell, why would the PDP attempt to disrupt the only opportunity it has to reclaim the mandate given to it by the people of Edo State during the last governorship election?” the statement read. It also highlighted that the gunman, whose was captured moving freely on a busy street outside the court premises in a viral video circulating on social media, acted openly yet was not apprehended by the police who were nearby.
Eyewitness s suggest that the shooter arrived at the courthouse in a white unmarked Hilux wearing a mask and PDP-branded attire, before causing panic with gunfire. Videos from the scene show people scattering as the gunman fired into the air multiple times. Security personnel eventually restored order, but the incident has left many questioning the adequacy of law enforcement’s response.
The PDP alleged that the APC, known for employing similar tactics in local councils and public spaces, orchestrated the act to intimidate and distract from the tribunal’s critical proceedings. They called on law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute the shooter, an alleged APC member whose identity is reportedly discernible from the circulating footage.
The incident underscores the heightened tensions surrounding the governorship election tribunal, where the PDP is contesting the declared victory of Monday Okpebholo of the APC. The PDP insists that its victory was stolen through widespread irregularities and has pledged to use the tribunal to reclaim its mandate.
The Edo PDP concluded its statement with a stern warning to the APC: “We say enough is enough of this rascality and lawlessness. This must stop immediately before it leads to a total breakdown of law and order in the State.”
It is that time of the year again when the big cities of Nigeria come alive with vibes, flashy outfits, and endless events.
It is that time of the year again when the big cities of Nigeria come alive with vibes, flashy outfits, and endless events. Yes, we are talking about Detty December – Nigeria’s annual festival of fun, entertainment, and spending!
Once a casual season for Christmas jollof and family time, Detty December has transformed into a global magnet for Nigerians in the diaspora, tourists, and Afrobeat lovers worldwide. Whether it is concerts, beach parties, weddings, or fashion shows, this cultural phenomenon has become the go-to season to let loose and soak up everything Nigeria has to offer. But beyond the good vibes, have you ever stopped to think about the economics of it all?
The Detty Economy: Dollars, Pounds, and Euros
Detty December is more than a social calendar; it is a money-making machine. Every December, thousands of foreigners, and Nigerians in the diaspora jet into the country to be part of the action. They come with suitcases packed with gifts – and pockets loaded with foreign currency. Dollars, pounds, euros, and even dirhams are exchanged to naira in record amounts. From booking flights and hotels to spraying wads of cash at weddings, the influx of foreign currency during this period is no joke.
According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), remittances from the diaspora are one of the key pillars ing the Nigerian economy. In 2023 alone, diaspora remittances exceeded $20 billion. And guess what? A huge chunk of this comes during the festive season, when people abroad are not just sending money home to family, but are also coming home to spend it themselves.
From the dollars exchanged at Murtala Muhammed Airport to the POS machines at concerts and restaurants, Detty December channels significant liquidity into the economy. The ripple effect benefits industries from tourism and hospitality to logistics, events, and even local artisans. After all, you cannot attend an owambe without rocking custom-made aso-ebi, right?
A Whole Economy Built Around Vibes
A Booming Entertainment Industry:
One of the biggest beneficiaries of Detty December is the entertainment industry. The calendar is packed with events that attract both local and international audiences. These events sell out weeks in advance, with ticket prices ranging from tens of thousands of naira to VIP packages running into millions. Add in sponsorships, merchandise, and food vendors at these events, and you have a thriving ecosystem generating millions of naira.
Hospitality - Hotels & Beyond:
The hospitality sector truly cashes out during Detty December. Hotels in the big cities are packed, with room rates skyrocketing—some luxury spots even double their prices! But it’s not just the hotels; the shortlet rental industry is having its moment too. Fancy apartments in Lekki, Victoria Island, and Asokoro are booked solid, with landlords smiling to the bank. Everyone wants that “home away from home” vibe while living the Detty December dream. Even smaller towns like Calabar, famous for its carnival, enjoy a surge in visitors, boosting their local economies.
And it doesn’t stop there. Salons and barbershops stay buzzing as people prep for concerts, beach parties, and all the “owambe” moments. Market women, and even roadside hawkers selling gala and drinks by traffic lights make more sales.
Transportation companies also get in on the action, with ride-hailing services and car rentals raking in profits as people move from event to event.
It’s a season where every player in the economy—big or small—gets a slice of the festive pie. Who says December isn’t for everybody?
Food, Drinks, and Nightlife:
Detty December is incomplete without food and drinks. From luxury restaurants to street food vendors at festivals, the dining scene experiences a massive boom. Small chops, suya, and cocktails are in constant demand at concerts and parties. Bars and clubs also run at full capacity, with bottle service and drink orders becoming the norm.
Payment Infrastructure & Financial Inclusions:
The success of Detty December events relies heavily on Nigeria’s growing digital payment infrastructure. From online ticket sales for shows like Nativeland, Flytime Fest, and Rave with MoMo, to seamless POS transactions at event venues, the shift toward cashless payments has transformed how people engage with the festivities. This trend also ties into financial inclusion efforts. As vendors and small businesses adopt payment platforms like Paystack, Flutterwave, and Moniepoint, they gain access to broader customer bases and more transparent transactions.
The CBN and Remittance Promises
For years, the CBN has pushed remittances as a lifeline for the economy, with initiatives like the Naira 4 Dollar scheme encouraging Nigerians abroad to send money through official channels.
During Detty December, the impact of diaspora dollars is crystal clear—helping families fund festivities while injecting foreign exchange into the economy. It’s a win-win: the naira gets some breathing room, and the forex reserves get a boost.
Now, here’s the scoop: the CBN is set to roll out the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) this December. This game-changer will let Nigerians abroad complete KYC remotely, no long-distance trips or stress needed. With this, remittances could go beyond just holiday spending to fuel long-term investments in healthcare, infrastructure, and more.
A Cultural Export with Economic Value
Beyond the immediate spending, Detty December has become a soft power tool for Nigeria. The sheer energy of the season – captured in viral videos, Instagram posts, and YouTube recaps – positions Nigeria as a global cultural hub. Tourists from all corners of the globe are now including “experience Detty December” on their bucket lists. This influx not only boosts the tourism sector but also helps change the global narrative about Nigeria, showcasing the country’s vibrancy, resilience, and creativity.
So, whether you are jamming at an event, or simply enjoying a plate of small chops with friends, – you are part of a larger movement. And to our diaspora fam, keep bringing those dollars – we will put them to good use.
Reno Omokri, former Nigerian presidential spokesperson and bestselling author, has become the first Nigerian to abseil down and climb back up Victoria Falls.
The feat was accomplished on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2025.
Omokri completed the descent and ascent of the Batonka Gorge, a 354-foot drop, without a guide, using only ropes and a harness. He wore protective headgear for the descent, which he completed in 2 minutes and 39 seconds, but removed it for the climb back up.
This extreme adventure adds to Omokri’s history of challenging climbs, including hikes on the Inca Trails in Machu Picchu, Peru, the Phnom Kulen mountain range in Cambodia, and treks in Nepal. He also flew over Mount Everest in 2019.
The event was witnessed and documented by James Chinotimba, Manager of Abseil Victoria Falls, and his staff. The entire feat was captured on video.
When questioned by Zimbabwean and Zambian journalists about his motivation, Omokri stated, “Nigeria is the greatest country on Earth, and the Nigerian spirit within me compels me to at least attempt great things to show the world through my lifestyle that the mainstream media is wrong about how they classify Nigeria.”
Local government istration in Edo State moved closer to normalcy today as several suspended chairmen resumed office in compliance with a State High Court ruling. Among those returning were the chairmen of Esan South East, Esan North East, and Etsako West local government areas, who received votes of confidence from their respective councillors.
The reinstatements follow a December injunction by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court, which declared the suspensions illegal and ordered the immediate reinstatement of the affected chairmen. The order has been widely hailed as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
Barrister Anthony Ehilebo, Special Adviser on Media to PDP gubernatorial candidate Asue Ighodalo, described the decision as a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s independence. “The judiciary has once again demonstrated its role as a safeguard for democracy,” Ehilebo said. “The illegal suspension of these chairmen violated their constitutional rights and undermined the autonomy of local governments.”
The reinstatements are seen as a political setback for Governor Monday Okpebholo, marking his first significant loss since assuming office. The suspensions had drawn widespread criticism, with many accusing the state government of leveraging unconstitutional powers to sideline opposition-aligned officials.
However, the State Government continues to double down on its position that the Chairmen and Vice-chairmen were lawfully suspended. “An injunction cannot restrain an action that has already been completed”, opined Kassim Afegbua on AIT’s television show Democracy Today. Afegbua is a member of the Edo State Investigative set up by Gov. Okpebholo to look into the allegations he brought against the chairmen.
Observers have also lauded the federal government for its neutral, pro-LGA autonomy stance. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi have been praised for refusing to endorse what many viewed as an anti-democratic move. Their non-interference has been interpreted as a commitment to upholding democratic norms across all levels of government.
For the reinstated chairmen, attention now turns to governance. Hon. Louis Imhandegbelo, chairman of Esan South East local government, expressed gratitude to the judiciary and his councilors for their , stating: “We are grateful to the judiciary for standing firm on the side of justice. I particularly thank my fellow councillors for the unanimous vote of confidence. Our focus now is to deliver on the mandate given to us by the people.”
Analysts believe that the Supreme Court’s July 11th judgment, which upheld constitutional protections for local governments, will likely influence similar disputes in the future, reinforcing Nigeria’s democratic framework.
Nigeria Technology Awards (NITA) Names Oke Umurhohwo As Most Enterprising Tech Marketing Personality of the Year
The Nigerian Technology Awards (NiTA) is known for celebrating innovation and excellence in the Nigerian Tech industry. Since inception in 2015, NIGERIA Technology Awards (NiTA) has celebrated over 1000 Corporate Organizations & Individuals for Technology Excellence & Innovations in Nigeria. This year’s event was no different, and among the celebrated individuals was a spectacular man - Oke Umurhohwo who received a well-deserved recognition as he was awarded as the "Most Enterprising Tech Marketing Personality of the Year."
Oke Umurhohwo’s journey in the tech marketing world has been an inspiring journey. He is known for his creative approach and ability to drive results; consistently setting himself apart as a leader in his field. He has a knack for identifying opportunities and transforming ideas into impactful campaigns, and this has earned Oke an honored reputation in the tech marketing space.
Oke Umurhohwo, a man of boundless intellectual capacity, bagged a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Sciences at the University of Lagos, proceeded to bag a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science and a Master’s Degree in Business istration at the prestigious University of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria.
With Oke’s acquired depth of knowledge, he has lead the marketing department of the renowned Itel company in Nigeria for {} years, leading them with outstanding excellence and extending the market reach of Itel with expert marketing skills all over the country. Oke's innovative strategies and exceptional mindset have helped brands establish strong market presence and build lasting relationships with their audiences. He is celebrated for his ion, consistency, and commitment to excellence, which have all contributed to his remarkable career growth. From leading groundbreaking campaigns to mentoring young marketers and content creators, Oke embodies the qualities of a true industry leader.
Winning the "Most Enterprising Tech Marketing Personality of the Year" award is a remarkable achievement and an addition to many of Oke’s symbol of excellence. It is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and innovative thinking. In his acceptance speech, Oke expressed gratitude to his team, clients, and ers who have been part of his journey. He also highlighted the importance of continuous learning in order to keep up with the ever evolving tech industry. He noted that this award is not just a personal achievement but also recognition of the collective efforts of everyone who has ed him in his journey & growth.
NiTA’s recognition of individuals like Oke is a reminder of the incredible talent we have in Nigeria’s tech space. It also encourages young professionals to aim high and make meaningful contributions to the industry. As we celebrate Oke Umurhohwo’s achievement, it’s clear that his story will continue to inspire many others to dream big and work hard.
The Edo State House of Assembly’s suspension of all elected chairmen and vice-chairmen across the 18 local government councils has sparked widespread outrage, with critics describing the move as a blatant violation of the Nigerian Constitution and the recent Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy.
The House acted on a petition submitted by Governor Monday Okpebholo, who had earlier demanded that the local government chairmen submit statements of s to him—a demand widely criticized for its lack of legal basis. The suspended chairmen, all of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had already obtained an injunction restraining the governor from interfering in their constitutionally guaranteed functions.
Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees that “the system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this Constitution guaranteed.” Legal experts point to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling reaffirming that state governments lack the legal authority to interfere in the operations or finances of local governments.
Reacting to the development, Barr. Anthony Ehilebo, a PDP chieftain and Special Adviser on Media to Barr. Asue Ighodalo, lambasted the suspension as both illegal and politically motivated. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ehilebo remarked “This all started when the governor asked the LGA chairmen to submit statements of s to him. Of course, he has no legal backing to make such a demand; and everyone will recognize that it flies in the face of the recent Supreme Court judgement on the financial autonomy of local governments. In fact, the governor and the assembly are in contempt of the Supreme Court. The purported suspension of the local government chairmen by the state assembly is as absurd as the president asking the National Assembly to suspend state governors because they refused to submit statement of s to him. This is a witch hunt. The LGA chairmen are all PDP . The suspension is unknown to law and will be ignored.”
PDP’s Official Condemnation
In a strongly worded statement, the Edo State PDP Chairman described the suspension as an abuse of power. “This suspension is nothing but a desperate attempt to silence opposition and undermine local government autonomy. It is politically motivated, unconstitutional, and dead on arrival.”
The statement further called on the judiciary to intervene and uphold the rule of law, urging civil society to resist what the party described as a “reckless assault on democratic institutions.”
Legal Community Reacts
Prominent legal experts have been swift to criticize the suspension. Barr. Osaretin, a constitutional lawyer, expressed particular concern over Governor Okpebholo’s directive to councils regarding special funds. “The letters the governor sent to councils asking them not to spend special security/environmental funds are particularly egregious. The Governor has no constitutional authority to prevent councils from either accessing or spending their monies. He also cannot ask them to send statements of to him. The legislative arm of the councils is there to perform oversight functions for the Council, not the governor and not the state assembly. His Attorney General needs to give better advice.”
Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Olisa Agbakoba had earlier condemned the similar suspension of the Chairman of Alimosho Council in Lagos state by the Lagos State House of Assembly, emphasizing the constitutional protection of local government autonomy. “I don’t understand how a resolution would be ed by a State Assembly to suspend an elected chairman. The House of Assembly or a governor of a state does not have the power to remove or suspend an elected chairman or vice-chairman of a council. It is absolutely unconstitutional.
“The 774 local governments were created by Section 7 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the chairmen are democratically elected. The 774 council chairmen are elected by the people and not by any politician, group of people, or an institution like the House of Assembly.”
Agbakoba emphasized that the only legal avenue for removing an erring local government chairman is through a decision of the council’s legislative body or councillors.
The suspension has raised alarm among civil society organizations and democracy advocates, who fear that it undermines Nigeria’s federal structure. By sidelining elected local government officials, Governor Okpebholo and the Edo State House of Assembly risk eroding public trust in democratic governance and setting a dangerous precedent.
The PDP has vowed to challenge the suspension in court, calling for an immediate reversal of what it describes as a “brazen assault on the Constitution and the rule of law.” As legal battles loom, stakeholders across the state are closely watching how the judiciary will address what many see as a litmus test for local government autonomy in Nigeria.
Josepholome: 8:20am On May 14
, Dennis Otuaro, and Others baseless, sponsored by oil bunkers in Niger Delta 