Politics

Nigerians should be ready for more shocking corruption reports -Lai Mohammed

Published

10 years ago

January 27, 2016

Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed said Nigerians should be prepared for more shocking revelations on corruption, which is yet to be released.
Mohammed raised the alarm that treasury looters had resorted to fighting back, using various means.
Speaking to chiefs of newspapers on Tuesday,he said

”When I met with the news and political editors in Lagos on Sunday, I said, among other things, that the government is aware that in fighting corruption, corruption will also fight back.

“I also said that those who stole us dry are powerful. They have newspapers, radio and television stations as well as online platforms, and an army of supporters to continuously deride the government’s war against corruption.”Well, I can tell you today that corruption is already fighting back, and it is fighting hard and dirty.

When we make subsequent revelations, you will be more shocked than you are now.”

Sponsored articles have started appearing in the newspapers and in the social media while ‘Talking Heads’ have started making the rounds in the electronic media, all deriding the fight against corruption as well as this Administration. Not stopping there, they have been creating distractions by sponsoring articles in both local and international media to deride the Administration’s policies generally, tag the President a budding dictator and even write off his 2016 budget. We know that the sole purpose of these attacks is to distract attention from the war on corruption.

“It is saddening that some otherwise credible voices have unwittingly allowed themselves to be railroaded into the bandwagon of pro-corruption orchestra. They engage in sophistry to try to rally Nigerians against the anti-corruption battle.
“Also, one of those who benefited from the Dasukigate even had the temerity to deride the anti-corruption war as ‘selective’, when in saner climes he should have been so ashamed of himself that he would have apologised to the nation and hunkered down…for good. These sponsored attacks are not about to stop. In fact, they will become more intense and more coordinated in the days ahead. But the good news is that we are winning the war. Nigerians are now talking more about corruption. Nigerians are now counting the cost of corruption to their lives.

“We call on Nigerians not to be taken in by the antics of the sponsored denunciation of the anti-graft war. The treasury looters, who have so much resources in their kitty, and their cohorts will throw everything but the kitchen sink at this Administration, But we have no doubt that Nigerians are discerning enough to know the truth which, in the words of President Muhammadu Buhari, is that unless Nigeria kills corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.
“This Administration will neither be distracted nor intimidated by anyone into abandoning or weakening the fight against corruption, which is a war of survival for our nation. No amount of media or other attacks will stop the fight. The pseudo-analysts and hack writers will labour in vain in heir quest to stop the train of this anti-corruption fight.”

The minister said the information on corruption was meant to sensitise the nation on the evil of corruption.

“Let me restate, for emphasis, that when we give instances of mind-boggling acts of corruption, our intention is not to vilify anyone but to sensitise Nigerians as to how harmful corruption is to the country and the people. The truth is that what we have revealed so far is nothing but the tip of the iceberg. Nigerians should stay tuned for more shocking revelations in the days ahead.”
For those doubting the allegations, the minister said they should investigate the information he provided to know if it was true or not.

He added:

“Do you know that What has so far been revealed as per taking in the Dasukigate is about N54.8billion Whereas, in the entire 2015 all the zonal intervention act cost N52 billion. This is the cost of corruption for you.

When the money meant to construct roads is looted, the end result is that the roads are not built and the people suffer and even die in avoidable road accidents. When the money meant to provide electricity is looted, we all are perpetually sentenced to darkness. When the money meant for healthcare is pocketed by a few, we are unable to reduce maternal and infant mortality. These are the costs of corruption. Let us not just talk about corruption in the abstract, let us be counting its cost to our lives in order to drive home the point that corruption must be tackled decisively for Nigerians to feel the impact of governance.”

The government has been criticized for disobeying court orders or trampling on the rights of accused people. Mohammed disagreed.

He said: “What are we even talking about? Is the human right of the 55 persons more important than human rights of 170 Nigerians? But again, let me make it clear that we do not disobey court orders”.

When prodded to provide information on the 55 persons, he said the easiest way is to go to the court or the EFCC to find out who they are as they all have one pending case or the other in the court bordering on corruption.

Politics

2027: Anytime Tinubu thinks I am no longer valuable, he has the right to sack me —Nyesom Wike

Published

1 day ago

January 16, 2026

lagoslately

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has every right to remove him from office whenever he is deemed no longer useful.
Wike made the remark while addressing recent political discussions surrounding his role in the Tinubu-led administration. He stressed that his appointment is entirely at the president’s discretion and not a matter of entitlement.
According to the former Rivers State governor, his focus remains on delivering results and justifying the confidence reposed in him, rather than worrying about removal from office. He added that leadership positions come with responsibility, not permanence.
Wike’s comment has since sparked reactions across political circles, with many viewing it as a reaffirmation of loyalty to President Tinubu and the principle that public office is service-driven, not guaranteed.

Politics

“Can Sanwo-Olu claim leadership in Lagos?” Fayose questions Fubara’s ‘001’ stance

Published

4 days ago

January 13, 2026

lagoslately

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has queried claims of political leadership within the All Progressives Congress (APC), criticizing Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for declaring himself the party’s “001” in the state.
Fayose argued that political leadership within a state cannot be self-proclaimed, insisting that it must be earned through influence, structure, and recognition by party stakeholders. He questioned whether similar claims could be made in other states, asking rhetorically if Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, could unilaterally declare himself the political leader of Lagos.
According to Fayose, such declarations risk deepening internal divisions within the party and undermining established party hierarchies. He advised party leaders to prioritize unity and internal democracy over personal assertions of dominance.

Politics

2027: Obi is the only Person that matters in ADC — Fayose

Published

5 days ago

January 12, 2026

lagoslately

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) may struggle for relevance in the 2027 general election if it fails to present former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, as its presidential candidate.
Fayose made the assertion while commenting on the ongoing realignments and coalition talks among opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 polls. According to him, Obi remains the most influential political figure capable of galvanising national support and giving any opposition platform a realistic chance against the ruling party.
He stressed that Peter Obi’s political appeal, especially among young Nigerians and urban voters, makes him indispensable to any serious opposition movement. Fayose argued that without Obi at the centre of its presidential ambition, ADC risks fading into political obscurity.
“As far as 2027 is concerned, Peter Obi is the only person that truly matters in ADC. Any party that fails to recognise his political weight is only deceiving itself,” Fayose said.
The former governor noted that the 2023 presidential election fundamentally altered Nigeria’s political landscape, with Obi emerging as a dominant force beyond traditional party structures. He added that Obi’s performance at the polls proved that Nigerians are increasingly driven by personality, credibility, and perceived competence rather than party loyalty alone.
Fayose also cautioned opposition parties against internal power struggles and ego-driven politics, warning that such tendencies could weaken collective efforts to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
He urged ADC leaders to prioritise strategic decision-making and national interest over personal ambitions, stressing that failure to do so would limit the party’s ability to attract voters, allies, and relevance on the national stage.
As preparations for the 2027 elections gradually gather momentum, Fayose’s remarks are expected to further intensify debates around opposition unity, candidate selection, and the future political direction of Peter Obi, whose next move remains a subject of nationwide interest.