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Present National Assembly is Transparent – Saraki replies Obasanjo

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Chief Obasanjo had written to both chambers of the National Assembly calling the attention of the lawmakers to issues bordering on budgets and finances of the parliament. He raised issues of fiscal policy irresponsibility, extravagance and impunity, particularly the determination of the legislators to procure state-of-the-art exotic cars.

But responding to the letter in a statement personally signed by him, Saraki, however, assured the former president that the National Assembly, which he chairs, was aware of the current economic realities and was also cutting its expenditure.

“Yesterday, I acknowledged receipt of a letter from former President Olusegun Obasanjo in which he called the attention of the National Assembly to some issues.

“I will want to assure President Obasanjo that the leadership and membership of the 8th Senate are committed to good governance, transparency, accountability, due process and responsiveness to the economic reality of our nation.

“It is for this reason that the legislative chamber has introduced bold and progressive reforms in the management of the finances of the National Assembly.

“This is of even greater importance during a tough fiscal period for our country.

“Like I said, the Senate must lead by example in terms of our own funding, budgets and accountability; showing, beyond doubt, value for money.

“I have canvassed that we must lay bare the budget of the Senate, the National Assembly and its affiliated institutions.

“I equally canvassed the need to strengthen the capacity of the legislative institution to carry our effective oversight of the executive arm.

“That way, we can ensure the budget leads to the realisation of the policy objectives of the Buhari Administration,’’ he wrote.

The Senate President reiterated the commitment of the Senate under his leadership, to work to block all areas of revenue leakages while also strengthening the anti-corruption agencies.

Noting that he held the former president in high esteem and would formally reply his letter outlining the actions of the Senate to address Obasanjo’s concerns, Saraki wrote, “I appreciate President Obasanjo for his consistent role in always reminding those of us in government about our responsibilities to the general public and offering timely advice where necessary.”

 

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Ex-Minister Nnaji Resigns to “Protect Integrity,” Denies Forgery Claims

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Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has stepped down from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, citing the need to safeguard his integrity and prevent distractions to the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Presidency confirmed Nnaji’s resignation on Tuesday, following heightened public scrutiny over allegations of certificate forgery and inconsistencies in his academic records.

In a statement released the same day, Nnaji said his decision came after “careful reflection and consultations with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians.” He described the claims as part of a “sustained campaign of falsehood” that he believes is politically motivated, aimed at undermining both his character and office.

“These baseless allegations and media distortions have caused personal distress and begun to distract from the important work of the ministry and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

Nnaji emphasized that his resignation should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt, but rather as a personal choice to uphold due process and allow judicial proceedings to take their course.

“I cannot, in good conscience, allow these distractions to overshadow the noble objectives of the Tinubu administration,” he added, reaffirming his decades-long record of dedication and service.

Appointed in August 2023, Nnaji’s tenure ended amid investigations into alleged procurement irregularities and a public dispute with the Enugu State Government over the certificate forgery allegations.

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Gov AbdulRazaq Blames Saraki, PDP for Kwara’s Security Woes — Cites 2018 Offa Robbery

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Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has blamed the deteriorating security situation in the state on the legacy of the 2018 Offa bank robbery, linking the incident to the leadership of former Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking with journalists during a visit to Oke-Ode, the governor accused Saraki of “playing politics with security” and urged him to take responsibility for the tragic robbery incident that claimed 33 lives before criticising the current administration.

> “It was under PDP. Bukola Saraki bears a court statement that he is the leader of PDP in Kwara. Under his leadership, 33 people were killed in one day,” AbdulRazaq said in a viral video.

The governor further alleged that the armed gang behind the deadly robbery were Saraki’s loyalists, claiming they used “Aso Ebi of Saraki’s wedding” and vehicles branded with his name during the operation. He maintained that the PDP lacked the moral authority to challenge his government’s efforts in tackling insecurity.

In September 2024, a Kwara State High Court delivered judgement on the case, sentencing five suspects to death by hanging after finding them guilty of armed robbery and culpable homicide.
The convicts — Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Adeola Abraham — were part of the gang responsible for the massacre.

Meanwhile, several communities in Kwara South and Central, including Oke-Ode, Patigi, and Marri, continue to suffer repeated attacks by armed gangs, leading to rising fear among residents and mass displacement from rural areas.

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Jonathan: Boko Haram Once Nominated Buhari for Peace Talks

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has revealed that Boko Haram insurgents once nominated former President Muhammadu Buhari to represent them in peace negotiations with the Federal Government.

Jonathan made this known during the public presentation of Scars, a book by ex-Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd.), in Abuja. He said the nomination came through one of the dialogue committees set up during his administration.

He explained that he expected Buhari, after assuming office in 2015, to leverage that unique opportunity to reach a truce with the group — but the insurgency persisted, underscoring the complexity of the conflict.

Jonathan also highlighted that Boko Haram’s access to sophisticated weapons showed foreign involvement, not just hunger or poverty. He described the Chibok girls’ abduction as a permanent scar on his presidency and urged military officers to document their experiences for future understanding.

 Boko Haram first emerged in Borno State in the early 2000s and became a full-blown insurgency after the death of its founder, Mohammed Yusuf, in 2009. In 2012, the group listed Buhari among trusted northern leaders to mediate, but he publicly declined.

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