Connect with us

News

After Meeting NGF Chairman, Akpabio Apologies To state Governors Over N30bn Claim

Published

on

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has finally apologised to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) under the leadership of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State over his comment on the N30bn allowance allegedly given to them to cushion the effect of inflation in food prices.

This was coming after the Senate President held a meeting with the NGF Chairman and some of his counterparts in Abuja yesterday.

Akpabio had, at a plenary sitting last Tuesday, said an “unverified report” indicated that state governors received N30bn each from the Federation Account to cushion the effect of inflation and the high cost of food prices.

The statement has generated controversies in the public space, with some commentators asking governors to come clean about the money they did not collect.

However, on Monday, Akpabio in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, retracted the statement, saying the SP held the governors in high esteem.

The statement reads below:

“During the session, the President of the Senate commented on the payment of an unverified cumulative sum of about N30bn to the sub-national governments by the Federal Government for various interventions to ameliorate the food situation of our citizens at the sub-national governments.

“The unfortunate conjectures to take away the kernel in the material facts of FAAC payment are rather regretted. In considering the well-intended motive of urging state governments to collaborate with the Federal government of President Bola Tinubu to facilitate strategic interventions to mitigate the prevailing economic situation in the country remains the underpinning motivation in the comment.

“The President of the Senate is not oblivious to the fact that state governments are functional partners in all the efforts of the current administration of President Bola Tinubu and are also valuable stakeholders’ in the various legislative engagements of the legislature in creating the nexus between the legislature and the people.”

Eyiboh added that Akpabio has always demonstrated commitment to team building and shall not do less in the circumstance.

He, therefore, urged the sub-national governments not to be distracted by any misunderstanding of the context and true meaning of the statement.

He added, “The President of the Senate recognises and appreciates the current efforts of the governors at ameliorating the adverse effects of the current inclement socio-economic environment and therefore invites more hands on the plow to complement the renewed hope agenda.”

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

“I Can Decide To Revoke The Land Allocated To Onitsha Main Market And Build A School On It” — Gov Soludo

Published

on

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has sparked fresh controversy after stating that he has the constitutional power to revoke the land allocated to Onitsha Main Market and repurpose it for public use, including building a school. The governor made the remark while addressing market leaders amid the ongoing dispute over the continued Monday sit-at-home observed by traders in the state.
Soludo recently ordered the closure of Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders allegedly complied with sit-at-home directives despite the state government’s ban on such actions. He described the practice as “economic sabotage” and warned that the government would no longer tolerate disruptions to commercial activities in Anambra, one of Nigeria’s major economic hubs.
According to the governor, the Land Use Act empowers the state to revoke land allocations for overriding public interest, adding that affected owners would be compensated and could challenge the compensation in court if dissatisfied. He further warned that shops that remain closed could be sealed, fined, or taken over by the government and reassigned to willing traders.
The decision has generated mixed reactions, with critics accusing the government of punishing ordinary traders and worsening economic hardship, while supporters argue that enforcing a full business week is necessary to restore economic stability and investor confidence in the state. Some lawmakers and stakeholders have also urged the governor to adopt dialogue and caution, citing potential losses and unrest from prolonged market closures.
As tensions continue, the development highlights the broader struggle between government authority, security concerns, and economic survival in the South-East, with Onitsha Main Market—one of West Africa’s largest commercial centres—at the centre of the storm.

Continue Reading

News

Kano Assembly Speaker Jibril Falgore Leads 21 Lawmakers Out of NNPP After Governor’s Exit

Published

on

The Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly, Jibril Ismail Falgore, alongside 21 other legislators, has formally resigned from the New Nigeria People’s Party following Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s departure from the political platform.

The mass resignation, announced on Saturday, includes the Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Bello Butu-Butu, Majority Leader Lawan Hussain, and other principal officers of the state legislature, signaling near-total collapse of NNPP structures in the assembly.

According to a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Assembly, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, the lawmakers declared total support for Governor Yusuf, who had exited the party just 24 hours earlier alongside eight federal lawmakers and all 44 local government chairmen in the state.

The defecting legislators include Deputy Majority Leader Garba Shehu Fammar, Chief Whip Muddasir Ibrahim Zawachiki, Majority Whip Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu, and lawmakers from constituencies across Kano including Ajingi, Albasu, Bagwai/Shanono, Bebeji, Bunkure, Dawakin Kudu, Fagge, Gabasawa, Garko, Gwale and Karaye.

The statement emphasized that the Kano State House of Assembly had verified and authenticated the complete list of defecting lawmakers to properly inform the public and clarify their political position following the governor’s resignation from NNPP.

The legislators reaffirmed their unwavering commitment and loyalty to Governor Yusuf’s administration despite the political realignment, pledging to continue supporting the policies and programmes being implemented across the state.

Governor Yusuf had communicated his decision to leave NNPP in a letter addressed to the party chairman of Diso-Chiranchi Ward in Gwale Local Government Area, effective January 23, 2026, citing persistent internal disputes and legal challenges that have undermined party stability.

In the resignation letter, the governor expressed appreciation to NNPP for the platform and support extended to him since joining in 2022, while acknowledging that deepening internal divisions had created an untenable situation requiring decisive action.

The NNPP Secretary of Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Kabiru Zubairu, acknowledged receipt of the governor’s resignation while commending his achievements in infrastructure development, urban renewal, healthcare delivery, education and economic empowerment during his time in office.

Zubairu admitted the existence of lingering internal challenges within the party and stated that NNPP had no option but to accept the resignation, describing Governor Yusuf as one of the most outstanding governors produced by the political platform.

The wave of defections marks a dramatic political shift in Kano State, where NNPP had dominated since the 2023 elections under the influence of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya movement.

NNPP national officials have condemned the development, labeling it a betrayal of the sacred trust given by Kano voters. National Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson dismissed claims of irredeemable party crisis as baseless, while Kwankwaso declared he is not for sale and would not compromise his principles.


Continue Reading

News

Singer TIME Drags Georgina Onuoha Over Comment on Davido’s Father’s Reaction to Paternity Saga

Published

on

Nigerian singer, TIME has publicly called out Nollywood actress Georgina Onuoha following her criticism of Davido’s father, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, over his reaction to the ongoing paternity controversy involving the Afrobeats superstar.
The drama began after Georgina Onuoha questioned why Davido’s father appeared to defend his son amid allegations that he welcomed a child with a woman identified as Anu Adeleye. In a post shared online, the actress described Davido as “irresponsible,” sparking mixed reactions across social media.
Reacting to her comment, TIME took to X (formerly Twitter) to drag the actress, accusing her of ignoring key details surrounding the case. He referenced statements made by Davido, noting that he had never met the said lady before the first DNA test, and questioned why people were not discussing other individuals mentioned in the saga.
“Madam Georgina, did you hear the part Davina said she’d never met her prior to the first DNA test? Why are y’all not talking about the bank official the girl mentioned to Dr. Sikiru Adeleke?” TIME wrote.
According to reports, Aanu’s mother has been identified as Grace Ayotomide Labinjoh, who has consistently maintained that Davido is her daughter’s biological father despite the singer and his family denying the claim.
TIME’s remarks triggered a fresh wave of debate online, with some social media users backing him for defending Davido’s family, while others accused him of unnecessarily attacking Georgina Onuoha.
As the paternity saga continues to trend, the clash between TIME and Georgina Onuoha has added another layer of controversy, keeping Davido and his family at the center of public discourse.

Continue Reading

Trending