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Saraki Assembles Sans To Battle Police Over Invitation

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The Senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Rafiu Ibrahim , has said a team of senior legal experts will handle the allegation of complicity in the Offa robbery saga levelled against the President of the Senate , Bukola Saraki, by the police .

The police have insisted that Saraki is needed to make certain clarifications on the statement of the suspects arrested in connection with the robbery despite the legal advice from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice , which absolved the Senate President of any complicity in the act .

But Ibrahim , who is among the 14 senators , who defected from the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday, told our correspondent in a telephone interview that Saraki’ s lawyers , who are mainly Senior Advocates of Nigeria , were already brainstorming on the case .

The Senator ’ s clarification appears to be an indication that the Senate President may not honour the police invitation and would rather ask his lawyers to handle the matter.

His declaration came on the heels of the insistence of the Force PRO, Moshood Jimoh , that Saraki still had a case to answer notwithstanding the fact that a team of investigators grilled the Senate President last week in his office .

Ibrahim said , “ The Senate President has a very strong legal team of many senior advocates of Nigeria who are already working on the issue. He has a legal issue with the police and he will take the case up legally . ”

He explained that the executive arm of government bungled a fresh strategy that was being coordinated by Saraki aimed at reconciling aggrieved federal lawmakers with the APC leadership when the police reportedly barricaded the Senate principal officers’ homes in Abuja .

He said , “As we were strategising on how to convince our members to let us reconsider our stand and shelve our plans to defect , the police brought a letter by 8 pm on Monday , asking the Senate President to appear before them by 8 am on Tuesday.

“ The following day, very early in the morning, the EFCC went to the house of the Deputy Senate President , Ike Ekweremadu , blocked his house and successfully ensured that he did not go out.

“Simultaneously , some policemen were also at the home of the Senate President with a specific instruction to prevent him from leaving his house . Those who could carry out such actions could as well kill the principal officers or bomb their houses.

“ My concern at the moment is to ensure that the Senate President is alive . The agents of government are getting desperate just to actualise their plans. ”

Ibrahim added , “ Their plan was to ensure that the two of them were not available for plenary on Tuesday so that some senators could remove Saraki and Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy Senate President, respectively .

“ However , God , in his infinite mercies and powers , used some people to disorganise their plans by helping Saraki to preside over plenary on Tuesday. It was God , nothing else .

“ We adjourned abruptly on Tuesday because the federal authorities deployed armed policemen who laid siege to the residences of our presiding officers.

“ If they can put the SP and the DSP under house arrest , what stopped them from arresting senators on the streets of Abuja and institute frivolous litigation against them ?”

The senator added that members ’ defection on the floor of the National Assembly chambers would be in phases . ”

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U.S. Revokes Wole Soyinka’s Visa, Restricting His Entry Into the Country

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Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has disclosed that the United States government has revoked his visa, effectively barring him from entering the country for now.

Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, Soyinka said he was notified of the development through an official letter from the U.S. Consulate dated October 23, 2025.

He explained that he decided to make the matter public to inform organizations and individuals expecting him in the U.S. not to proceed with any travel-related plans.

> “I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” Soyinka said, expressing shock at the decision. “I don’t have any criminal record or even a misdemeanour that could warrant such an action. I keep asking myself—have I ever misbehaved toward the United States?”

According to Soyinka, the letter from the Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) Section of the U.S. Consulate stated that the revocation was in accordance with U.S. Department of State regulations but gave no specific reason for the decision.

His revoked visa was a B1/B2 category, typically granted for business and tourism purposes.

Earlier in September, PM News reported that Soyinka had declined a request from the U.S. Consulate to attend a visa re-interview, saying he initially believed the notification letter was fake or a scam.

Despite the development, Soyinka emphasized that he bears no animosity toward U.S. authorities, adding that his previous interactions with American diplomats had always been cordial.

He concluded by noting that he would continue to seek clarification on the matter but does not regard the revocation as a personal attack.

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“Successive Governments Abandoned My Projects” — Jonathan

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed regret over the abandonment of projects he initiated as governor of Bayelsa State after assuming office as Vice President in 2007.

Jonathan, who spoke on Wednesday at the inauguration of the Best Western Plus Hotel in Yenagoa, said he had begun the construction of one five-star and two three-star hotels during his tenure as governor, but the projects were neglected by succeeding administrations.

He lamented that many state governments waste public funds because new leaders often refuse to continue with projects started by their predecessors.

Recalling his administration’s efforts to develop the hospitality sector, Jonathan said the idea was to promote tourism and attract international visitors to Bayelsa State.

“When I took over as governor, there were no quality hotels to accommodate guests. We awarded contracts for the Tower Hotel and two three-star hotels to encourage tourism and improve the local economy,” he said. “Unfortunately, when I left office, those projects were abandoned.”

The former president said the development hindered Bayelsa’s growth and deprived the state of opportunities to generate revenue and jobs through tourism and investment.

Governor Douye Diri, who also spoke at the event, commended the hotel’s owner, Dr. Harcourt Adukeh, for his vision and contribution to the state’s economic development, describing the project as a major boost to Bayelsa’s hospitality industry.

The newly inaugurated Best Western Plus Hotel, an affiliate of the global Best Western brand, features modern facilities and overlooks the scenic Oxbow Lake, positioning Yenagoa as an emerging destination for tourism and business in the Niger Delta.

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Cameroon Opposition Leader Declares Himself Winner Ahead of Official Results

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Cameroon’s opposition candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has proclaimed victory in Sunday’s presidential election — a daring move made days before the nation’s electoral body is set to announce official results.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Tchiroma stated that “our victory is clear and must be respected,” urging the government to “accept the truth of the ballot box” or risk “plunging the country into turmoil.” He further promised to release detailed regional results soon, insisting that “the people have spoken.”

Under Cameroonian law, only the Constitutional Council has the authority to announce final results. The government has repeatedly warned that any premature declaration of victory crosses a “red line.”

Tchiroma’s move draws parallels with the 2018 election, when opposition figure Maurice Kamto also declared himself winner against long-serving President Paul Biya before official tallies were released. Kamto was later detained, and his supporters’ protests were forcefully dispersed.

President Paul Biya, in power for 43 years and the world’s oldest sitting head of state, is seeking yet another term. Despite Biya’s dominance, Tchiroma — a former employment minister — has gained unexpected momentum among younger voters, making this one of Cameroon’s most competitive elections in decades.

As both sides share tally sheets and handwritten results on social media, each continues to claim victory — raising fears of possible post-election unrest in the Central African nation.

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