Category: Governance

Tinubu Reverses Appointments, Recalls NTA DG, ED

September 2, 2025 (updated September 2, 2025) Published by

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the recall of Mr Salihu Abdullahi Dembos, the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

This was made known in a statement on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

ObasEmpire reports that Dembos briefly vacated the post following some management changes in the agency.

Dembos was appointed DG of the TV network by President Tinubu in October 2023. He will now return to complete his three-year tenure.

The President similarly directed the recall of Mr Ayo Adewuyi, the Executive Director of News, to complete his three-year tenure, which ends in 2027.

Adewuyi was appointed by President Tinubu in 2024.

The new directive effectively reversed the previously announced appointments of a director-general, executive director of news, executive director of marketing, and managing director of NTA Enterprises,” the statement read

Recall that in August, President Tinubu had approved the appointment of a new Director-General and two Executive Directors for the NTA.

The President also approved the appointment of a Managing Director, NTA Enterprises Limited.

According to a statement by the presidency, the fresh appointments were aimed at strengthening national broadcasting.

The previously appointed management of the NTA were as follows:

Rotimi Richard Pedro (Lagos, South-West) is appointed Director-General.

Karimah Bello (Katsina, North-West) becomes Executive Director, Marketing.

Stella Din (Plateau, North-Central) is the new Executive Director, News.

Sophia Issa Mohammed (Adamawa, North-East) assumes office as Managing Director, NTA Enterprises Limited.

The statement added that the appointments take immediate effect and reaffirm the President’s commitment to strengthening national broadcasting as a platform for unity, cohesion, and soft diplomacy.

Just In: Ex-AGF malami’s Convoy attacked

September 1, 2025 (updated September 1, 2025) Published by

A convoy of the African Democratic Congress leader in Kebbi State and former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, came under attack by suspected political thugs in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.

The incident reportedly occurred shortly after Malami’s return to the state, while he was on a condolence visit to several families in the metropolis.

Witnesses said about 10 vehicles in the convoy were vandalised, while several of his supporters sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Malami, who served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice between 2015 and 2023, described the attack as politically motivated.

“I was in Birnin Kebbi solely to pay condolences to families who lost their loved ones while I was away, not for political campaigns.

It’s painful and unfortunate. Some thugs emerged from the APC state headquarters, armed with weapons and stones, and attacked our convoy, destroying vehicles and injuring our supporters.

When it comes to politics in Kebbi State, there is no retreat, no surrender,” Malami said in an interview with journalists.

However, the All Progressives Congress in Kebbi State has denied any involvement in the incident.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Isa Assalafy, in a statement, condemned the attack and described Kebbi as a peaceful state.

No government that enjoys the massive support of the people and is confident of victory in 2027 would want the peace of the state disrupted,” Assalafy said.

He further alleged that armed security personnel attached to Malami’s convoy opened fire during the confrontation, which he claimed escalated the situation.

Police authorities in Kebbi had yet to release an official statement on the attack as of the time of filing this report

BREAKING: Finland Court sentences Simon Ekpa to six years in prison for terrorism

September 1, 2025 (updated September 1, 2025) Published by

A District Court in Finland has sentenced the self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra Government in Exile, Simon Ekpa, to six years in prison for terrorism-related crimes.

ObasEmpire that Ekpa was arrested by Finnish authorities on 21 November 2024, following an investigation by the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) into allegations of inciting terrorism and promoting violence through social media, activity that was believed to have contributed to unrest in southeastern Nigeria.

Following his arrest, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court, which determined that the charge was based on “public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent”, alleged offenses dating from August 2021 to November 2024.

During this period, the NBI also froze Ekpa’s assets, as well as those of his associates and related companies

BREAKING: Thugs Invade ADC Event in Kaduna, Injure Supporters.

August 30, 2025 (updated August 30, 2025) Published by

Suspected thugs on Saturday disrupted an African Democratic Congress (ADC) event in Kaduna, leaving several supporters injured and properties vandalised.

Viral videos circulating online show the attackers storming the venue, which was decorated in ADC colours, and assaulting participants.

Photos from the scene also revealed party members with varying degrees of injuries.

The incident comes weeks after opposition politicians formally adopted the ADC as the platform for a united front against the ruling party.

Among key figures in the coalition is former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

ADC Leaders in Kaduna Write David Mark Over Activities of El-Rufai

August 30, 2025 (updated August 30, 2025) Published by

Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State have petitioned the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, over what they described as divisive activities of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

The group led by Adamu Ahmed Dattijo, at a press conference in Kaduna on Saturday, said El-Rufai’s conduct and that of his associates threatened the unity and stability of the ADC in the state.

The ADC was formally adopted in July as the coalition party for opposition politicians, with David Mark named national chairman and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola appointed secretary. El-Rufai is among the high-profile figures who aligned with the party under the new arrangement.

The briefing was attended by stakeholders and coalition members drawn from the 23 local government areas.

A letter dated August 14, 2025, signed by more than 160 members has been addressed to Mark. The petition warned of attempts by El-Rufai and his allies, Ja’afaru Sani and Bashir Sa’idu, to “hijack” party structures and sideline the recognised state executive.

We are deeply concerned about the survival of our party in Kaduna State,” the letter read. “Instead of promoting inclusiveness, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has chosen the path of arrogance and imposition. He holds meetings only with his loyalists while ignoring duly elected ADC leaders across the 23 local government areas.”

The group also accused the former governor of plotting to inaugurate what they described as an “illegitimate coalition transition” in Kaduna, insisting that such a move was fraudulent and lacked the support of authentic party stakeholders.

They argued that El-Rufai’s style of leadership was already causing division within the coalition and could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

If this continues, we risk entering the 2027 polls as a divided and weakened party, which will only result in electoral failure,” Dattijo warned.

The Kaduna ADC leaders urged the national leadership to intervene immediately, stressing that “no individual, no matter how highly placed, is bigger than the party.”

El-Rufai had recently told supporters in Kaduna that he would not contest for any political office in 2027, stating that his renewed political involvement was only to support credible leadership at the state and national levels.

2027 presidency: I’m contesting, not stepping down for anyone – Amaechi

August 28, 2025 (updated August 28, 2025) Published by

Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that there is “no retreat, no surrender” in his quest to contest the presidency in 2027 under the platform of the ADC.

Amaechi stated this while addressing newsmen in Kano after a meeting with a coalition of traders in the state. He insisted that the ADC primary election must be open, stressing that he would not step aside for any aspirant.

“I will contest the ADC presidential primary, and by God’s grace, I hope to win so that I can face Tinubu in 2027.

“I am not stepping down for anyone. Let the people decide who they want to lead,” Amaechi declared.

The former Minister of Transport maintained that every aspirant in the party had the right to seek the ticket, describing the contest as healthy for internal democracy.

Weighing in on the state of the country under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the ADC chieftain criticised the administration, saying Nigerians were dissatisfied with its policies and governance style.

Whether the government wants to conduct credible elections or not, one thing is certain—time is up. Nigerians are tired because no one is happy under Tinubu, not even in Rivers or across the South. He tries to frame it as a North-South contest, but the truth is people are suffering everywhere,” he said.

JUST IN: PDP Explains Delay in Punishing Wike, Others Over Anti-Party Activities

August 27, 2025 (updated August 27, 2025) Published by

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has explained why it has yet to sanction the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and other chieftains accused of anti-party activities during the 2023 general elections.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the party was committed to resolving its internal challenges through democratic processes rather than authoritarian action.

This is not a command structure. The PDP is not a one-man party. Different views and contestations exist, and the responsibility of leadership is to bring these together. We are handling issues methodically and in line with democratic principles,” Ologunagba said.

He noted that the party had prioritised reconciliation in the aftermath of the 2023 polls but was now at the stage of enforcing discipline. According to him, membership of the PDP comes with constitutional obligations, and those who defy them must face consequences.

Reprimands have been issued, and we expect compliance. The time has come for every member to roll up their sleeves and work for the party. We want to look forward, not backward,” he added.

Ologunagba further disclosed that preparations for the party’s elective National Convention, scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, were being carried out with strict adherence to due process. “Every organ and stakeholder of the party has been informed and invited,” he stressed.

Wike and his allies, popularly known as the G-5 governors, had opposed the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and openly campaigned for rival parties.

United States Jails Nigerian Monarch Over $4.2 Million Covid-19 Loan Fraud

August 27, 2025 (updated August 27, 2025) Published by

The Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has been sentenced to more than four years in prison in the United States.

The monarch, 62, was convicted on charges of conspiracy to exploit COVID-19 emergency loan programmes created for struggling businesses.

Oloyede, who holds dual U.S. and Nigerian citizenship and resides in Medina, Ohio, was on August 26 handed 56 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko.

In a statement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio on Tuesday, the monarch, was also ordered to “serve three years of supervised release after imprisonment and pay $4,408,543.38 in restitution

He also forfeited his Medina home on Foote Road, which he had acquired with proceeds of the scheme, and an additional $96,006.89 in fraud proceeds investigators had seized.

From about April 2020 to February 2022, Oloyede and his co-conspirator, Edward Oluwasanmi, conspired to submit fraudulent applications for loans that were made available through the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act,” the statement read.

In April, the duo pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax fraud charges linked to a pandemic relief scam that siphoned over $4.2m in federal stimulus funds.

The court was told that Oloyede, who also worked as a tax preparer, “operated five businesses and one nonprofit, while Oluwasanmi owned an additional three business entities.

Both defendants used their businesses to submit loan applications using false information.

They obtained approximately $1.2 million in SBA funds for Oluwasanmi’s entities and $1.7 million for Oloyede’s entities,” the statement added.

According to investigators, “Oloyede submitted fraudulent PPP and EIDL applications in the names of some of his clients and their businesses

In exchange, Oloyede would receive 15-20% of their loans as the fee, or kickback, for obtaining the loans for them, without reporting this income to the IRS on his own tax returns.”

The funds were then used for personal gain, prosecutors said.

Investigators learned that the defendant used funds obtained from these loans to acquire land and build a home and purchase a luxury vehicle,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office disclosed.

In all, Oloyede “caused the SBA to approve 38 fraudulent applications, amounting to $4,213,378 in disbursed loans and advances.”

BREAKING: Benue Assembly suspends four members for attempting to impeach Speaker

August 22, 2025 (updated August 22, 2025) Published by

The Benue State House of Assembly has slammed three months suspension on four lawmakers for allegedly initiating impeachment moves against the Speaker of the House, Hyacinth Dajoh.

They are member representing Makurdi North, Alfred Berger, his Kian state constituency counterpart, Terna Shimawua, Cyril Ekong of Obi state constituency, and James Umoru, representing Apa state constituency

After the suspension, the House also readjusted its leadership to include Mr Kennedy Angbo as the new Deputy Majority Leader, Douglas Akya emerged the position of Deputy Chief Whip, while Elias Audu got the position of the new spokesman of the House.

Meanwhile, the House Friday commenced the screening of five commissioner nominees while two of the nominees, Ogwu Odeh and Imojime Tiza would have their turn on a later date.

We shall defeat Pharoah against us, Adeleke assures PDP members

August 22, 2025 (updated August 22, 2025) Published by

Vows to reopen LG secretariats, end power tussleOsun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has said that his administration and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state would defeat the Pharaoh facing the state and get its dues back.

The governor had gone on vacation to the USA, during which he attended his nephew’s (Davido) wedding in Miami before returning to the State on Thursday.

The governor, who spoke, yesterday, at a reception held in his honour by members of the PDP at the party’s secretariat in Osogbo, after his return from vacation to the United States (U.S.) where he also attended his nephew’s (Davido) wedding in Miami, said he had transformed the state from a state of pity to that of confidence and prosperity and would not allow anyone to reverse the trend.

He also charged party members and residents of the state to participate en masse in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration in a bid to retain the party in government next year.

The governor also said that his administration would ensure that the council secretariats in the state are reopened and start operating.

Adeleke, who declared that he was being confronted by strong forces that he likened to the Biblical Pharaoh, said some people were still in shock over the achievements of his administration.

Also speaking, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, urged party members not to despair over the defection of some party members, saying that PDP’s greatest strength in the state is the masses, who have seen the transformational works of the Adeleke-led administration.

Earlier, the party Chairman, Sunday Bisi, reiterated the need for party members to mobilise people for the ongoing voter registration.

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