Top Nigerian newspaper headlines and breaking news in Nigeria today, Tuesday, April 4, 2023.
Kenneth Okonkwo Speaks on Obi, Oyedepo Phone Conversation
Kenneth Okonkwo, the spokesman for the Labour Party’s Presidential Campaign Council has commented on an alleged leaked phone conversation linked to his principal, Peter Obi.
The leaked phone conversation was said to be the voices of Obi, and the Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo
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It had insisted that the LP presidential candidate had feared that the election was a religious war.
The audio went on to claim that the cleric stated that he believed Obi’s assertion.
However, the spokesman of the party took to his social media to counter negative assumptions deduced so far from the clip.
Okonkwo claimed political criminals were trying to spin the conversation as if Obi was making a religious statement.
He said:
“Political criminals are trying to spin the conversation as if Obi was making a religious statement.
“Our attention has been drawn to the publication of this audio tape of a private conversation between @peterobigregory and Bishop Oyedepo. It is not surprising that these political criminals are trying to spin the conversation as if Obi was making a religious statement.”
Alleged Leaked Audio with Peter Obi: Oyedepo Speaks
The Founder of Living Faith Church, David Oyedepo has reacted to the alleged leaked audio tape between him and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
Oyedepo made the reaction while preaching on Sunday at the church’s headquarters in Ogun State.
The Bishop said he has never campaigned for any politician during any election in the country.
Reports about the duo’s conversation regarding the just concluded election occupied the social media space after an online news outlet made the publication.
The audio claimed Obi was appealing to the Bishop to help solicit votes from Christians in the South-West.
Obi had allegedly told the Bishop presidential election was a religious war as such he needed votes in that region.
The audio voice had said:
“Daddy, I need you to speak to your people in the South-West and Kwara, the Christians in the South-West and Kwara. This is a religious war. Like I keep saying: if this works, you people will never regret the support.”
However, reacting to the controversy Oyedepo said he never spoke to any group of people on behalf of any politician.
He said:
“Nobody had ever told me what to say in this world. No. I have never campaigned for anybody or speak on anybody’s behalf and I will not do that till I go to heaven.
“There is no (political) party in this country that didn’t come to me for prayers and advice. I advised them, some, they didn’t take. Those who chose to take it, they see results; those who said no, they are going about it (laughs). If you still come again, I will still tell you, it doesn’t change.”
Goodluck Jonathan, Others Receive African Heritage Awards
Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday received African Heritage Awards held in Kigali, Rwanda.
Jonathan was recognized as the African Democracy and Peace Icon at the event, which was the celebration and global recognition of Africans’ outstanding achievements.
Other recipients of the maiden African Heritage Awards were
Botswana’s Dr Seretse Kahama Ian Khama, and Tanzania’s Late John Magufuli.
Kahama was honoured with the African Philanthropist Award, and Late Magufili bagged the African Icon Award (Posthumous).
Also honoured Africa’s most prominent activist and grassroots campaigner was Mallam Hamzat Lawal, with the African Humanitarian Award.
Others who won the African Humanitarian Award are Vice President of Liberia, Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, Founder and Director, Bright Kids Uganda; Victoria Nalongo Namusisi, Head Water Access, Rwanda; Christelle Kwizera and Fred Swaniker, Founder of African Leadership University.
The founder of Heritage Times and event organizers, Moses Siloko Siaisa while speaking said the event was a dream come true.
He stated that the event was specifically put together to honour distinguished Africans in their various fields of endeavours.
He said:
”Africa has a place in the world.
“Rwanda is setting the pace for Africa’s growth and development.”
Jonathan also spoke at the event saying leaders are not the bosses of their people but their servants.
Mallam Lawal, who is the Chief Executive of Connected Development and Founder of Follow the Money, both African-based organizations achieving Sustainable Development Goals in his remarks, dedicated his award to his mother.
Other distinguished Africans recognized at the event include Professor Patrick Lumumba, who was given the Africa Advancement Icon Award, Engr.
Simbi Wambote was awarded the Champion of Local Content Development in Africa Award.
While Olumide Akpata won the Africa Legal Icon Award.
Gunmen Kill One, Abduct Pastor, Others in Benue
Gunmen in the on Sunday invaded a Church located at Akenawe, Tswarev in the Ukemberagya/Tswarev council ward of Logo Local Government Area, Benue State killed one, and abducted three members, including the resident pastor.
The gunmen were said to had invaded the local church while they were holding vigil.
A source from the area who identified himself as Terkir told newsmen that the attackers came to the church in the wee hours of Sunday.
He said,
“Worshippers were in the Church (name of the church not disclosed) when some gunmen attacked them, one person was killed, five others were injured while four of them including the resident pastor, Rev. Pst. Gwadue Kwaghtyo, were captured and taken to an unknown destination.
Terkir added some persons who sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals in Ugba and Anyiim all in Logo LGA
Confirming the incident, Chairman of Logo LGA, Mrs Salome Tor, said that one young boy was killed while three worshippers were abducted.
She said,
“The attack was on a church in one of the wards of the local government. They (worshippers) were in a vigil were surrounded by Fulanis.
“They (Fulanis) kidnapped three people and killed a boy. They also butchered two people with machetes and those (injured) are in the hospital.
Nigerians React as Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika Spends N12bn to Buy 10 Firefighting Trucks
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed on Sunday that his ministry spent N12 billion to acquire 10 firefighting trucks.
Sirika disclosed on Sunday via a post on his Twitter account.
In the post Sirika said he commissioned ten firefighting trucks for the Federal Airports Authority, FAAN.
He further noted that the last time the FAAN bought new trucks was 15 years ago.
“Just commissioned 10 Firefighting trucks, total cost of over 12Bn Naira. More to come in due course. Safety has been the Buhari focus in Aviation, since 2015. Hitherto FAAN has not bought new trucks in 15 years,” Sirika tweeted.
The N12 billion paid to acquire the trucks means Sirika’s ministry used N1.2 billion to buy each of the trucks that are mostly used in Africa and Arab countries.
However, the cost of the firefighting trucks has led to criticism from some Nigerians.
Reacting to Sirika’s post, some said one truck shouldn’t cost as much as N1 billion.
According to a lawyer with username, @MikeInyeneesq, the Twitter user wrote: “Last minute clearing of Government funds. Datti was right, inflated government contract is another form of corruption. 12Bn naira should be able to build you a firefighting vehicle plant.”
Another Nigerian, with username, @bellotabdullahi, said: “10 or 100? Are they flying firefighting trucks? Do they foresee and forestall accidents? N1.2Bn per truck?! I want to believe is a typo if not pls @officialEFCC beam your searchlight here!”
Also commenting on the truck’s cost is a user with the account, @Valchekwas
He wrote, I spent the last hours researching how much fire trucks cost; the expensive high-end trucks cost $650,000 (which Nigeria never gets the best of, I can bet these are used trucks too).
10th NASS Leadership Should Be Open Not Zoned – Ndume
Lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has said that the 10th National Assembly’s leadership should be open rather than zoned to particular geographical region in Nigeria.
Ndume, stated this when he made an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
He noted that he is waiting on his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to make a decision on the leadership of the incoming Senate and House of Representatives.
With more than 55 Senate seats out of 109 and more than 160 out of 360 House of Representatives seats, the APC won the majority of the legislative seats during the elections.
Many APC chieftains and legislative member-elect have expressed interest in the highly coveted positions in the red and green chambers.
However, Ndume said the time is not yet ripe for him to be the Senate President though the constitution does not stop him from running.
He said that his party produced the President-Elect, Bola Tinubu from the South-West zone and the Vice-President-Elect, Kashim Shettima from the North-East does not stop lawmakers from the two zone from aspiring to the leadership of the incoming 10th National Assembly.
“Of course, if I say I want to contest and the party say, ‘No, it’s not fair for the Senate President to come from the North or the North-East, do we then now say that we want to contest against the wish of the party which we did at one time and the aftermath was a bit clumsy and we don’t want to have a repetition of that?” Ndume asked.
“For me, the leadership of the National Assembly should be open in the first instance.
“The Senate President is not supposed to be a regional President; it’s a Senate President of the Nigerian Senate.
“We have 109 senators. The leadership emergence is not clearly stated. Section 50 of the constitution states that the Senate President shall be elected among the members.”
Police Rescue Kidnapped Woman In Osun
The operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Osun State on Sunday disclosed that they rescued a woman who was abducted days ago by unknown gunmen.
The woman was among the victims of an ambush on the passengers who were on a commercial vehicle along the Osogbo-Ikirun Road during the weekend.
Confirming the rescue of one of the victims, the Osun State command of the Nigerian Police force through the spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola revealed that operations to free other abducted passengers have started.
Opalola also said that the driver of the vehicle who was attacked by the gunmen has been found.
She said, “The operatives rescued the kidnap victim of the Ikirun/Osogbo Road abduction that occurred on Friday.
“The woman has been rescued alive and taken to the hospital for necessary medical attention.”
Presidential Election: Kwankwaso Accuses INEC of Fraud
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, (NNPP) in the 2023 election has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of fraud.
Kwankwaso claimed INEC fraudulently allocated votes to the President-elect, Bola Tinubu who was the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the February 25 election.
The former Kano State Governor made the accusation in an interview with BBC Hausa Service.
He stressed that Tinubu could not have won because Nigerians were no more interested in the APC.
To Kwankwaso, Nigerians now preferred his party which he claimed has a bright future with “big politicians” trooping in.
He said:
“Another interesting thing is that more people, particularly big politicians, are seriously indicating interest in our party, and they are willing to make necessary contributions to move the party forward. Take a look at our rivals, particularly the PDP.
“They are in a serious crisis, particularly as it concerns its leaders. In Kano State, some thought PDP will be of help to them, or game changer, but they were disappointed woefully. Same with the APC.
“All these votes you see INEC mentioned were fraudulently allocated to its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu. The truth is that Nigerians don’t like APC anymore, hence our party is the one that has the future.”
Many Feared Dead, Houses Burnt as Gunmen Attacks
An unspecified number of people have been reportedly killed and hundreds of houses burnt when gunmen in the early hours of Sunday attacked Aloko, a community in Oganenigu Ward of Dekina Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State
Reports has it that the gunmen who came in their hundreds started shooting sporadically and also setting houses ablaze on arrival.
The Oganenigu Ward Chairman of the All Progressives Congress ( APC), James Adah, was among that we’re kidnapped during the attack.
“There’s a humanitarian crisis on our hands. Most of our people have run to Iyale, Ikpakpala, Odolu, and a host of others to take refuge, while others that have no place to go are stranded on the Abejukollo-Anyigba Road,” a resident of the community, Richard Adejo, says
The State Governor Yahaya Bello has issued a Statement, where he called for calm over the attacks.
He said, “the vile and satanic attack as a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Oganenigu who have enjoyed relative peace and security for years.
“My administration will continue to face out crisis entrepreneurs from the state and ensure that those involved shall be brought to book under the laws. The government will never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in its resolves to rid the state of criminals,” he said
However, the state police command as at the time of filling this report is yet to react to the development.
Nigerian Singer, Portable Arraigned in Court
Nigerian Singer Habeeb Okikiola better known as Portable has been arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force on six counts bordering on assault before an Ogun State High Court sitting in Ifo.
The “Zazu Zeh” crooner was arrested
on Friday, March 31, 2023 after displaying irrational behaviour and insulting Police Officers who were performing their legal duties at his bar.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has said that the controversial singer will face more than six charges in court.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Twitter announced that Portable would be facing more than six charges apart from resisting arrest and injuring a policeman.
He wrote: “He will be charged to court for beating up a guy in Ota, who filed a petition to CP Ogun.
“There are many pending cases of assaults on people and attacks, and he will be investigated because people have complained against him.”
“So, there is no sentiment in law, let him appear in court, and allow the judge to listen to the charges against him. He has no constitutional immunity anyway,” he concluded.
AFCON 2025: CAF Approves Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba
Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspectors have shown their satisfaction with the facilities and equipment at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, saying the arena is suitable and also in good form for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria put forward a joint bid with neighbours Benin Republic to co-host the 2025 African Cup of Nations.
The CAF team, however, noted some corrections that must be made at the stadium to make it ready and perfect for the competition come 2025.
Speaking with newsmen after the inspection, the Chairman of Delta Sports Commission, Tonobok Okowa, promised that the state would fix the few areas the visitors pointed out as quickly as possible.
The stadium hosted last year’s National Sports festival, and according to Okowa, “the facility has been updated to meet any international standard in terms of hosting any sporting competition.”
“As we speak, the team from CAF just left Asaba, and they are satisfied with the facilities at the Stephen Keshi stadium. They inspected the main bowl, training facilities, hotels, and other important facilities that will ensure the smooth running of the competition.
“They pointed out a few things, which we will fix as soon as possible,” Okowa stated.
Guinea was originally scheduled to host the 2025 African Cup of Nations but was stripped of the right owing to slow preparations.
It would be recalled that Nigeria co-hosted the 2000 AFCON finals with Ghana.
Sabinus Wins First International Award
Nigerian comedian, Emmanuel Chukwuebuka with the stage name Sabinus, has won an international award.
Sabinus was awarded the African Content Creator Award at the Rwanda International Movie Awards.
The comedian shared the good news on his official Instagram page on Monday, April 3.
Checks revealed this would be the first international award the comedian was receiving.
Before now, the content creator had taken home an award from Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award in 2022.
The Instagram photos revealed Sabinus holding the award trophy.
He said:
“Thanks Guys For The Support And Love !!!
Won African Content Creator Award At The Rwanda International Movie Awards 2023.”
Senator Orji Kalu’s Wife, Ifeoma is Dead
Senator Orji Kalu’s first wife, Mrs Ifeoma Kalu, has died at the age of 61.
The former Governor of Abia State announced the passing of his wife on his official social media page.
The bereaved senator described Ifeoma as a woman of virtue who was committed to the service of God and humanity.
He also charged the public to remember Mrs Ifeoma and her loved ones in prayers during this difficult period.
Kalu included in the announcement that his late wife’s memorial service would take in the United States of America.
He said:
“With a heavy heart and pain, we announce the passing on to the eternal glory of Mrs Ifeoma Ada Kalu aged 61.
“She was a woman of virtue who was committed to the service of God and humanity.
“A memorial service in her honour is scheduled to hold in the United States of America.”
The All Progressives Congress in Delta State has reportedly expelled the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, from being a member of the party over alleged anti-party activities and other unnamed offences.
The Delta APC announced Omo-Agage’s expulsion in a letter dated March 31, 2023.
Recall that Omo-Agege, the governorship candidate of the APC in the Delta State lost to the Governor-elect a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sheriff Oborevwori.
Omo-Agege scored 240,229 votes was 120,005 votes while the Governor-elect of the PDP, Oborevwori scored 360,234 votes.
In the expulsion letter signed by the Chairman, Ulebor Isaac, on behalf of the State Executive Committee of the Delta APC and Secretary, Inana Michael, and 23 others, unanimously resolved and adopted the expulsion of Omo-Agege as a member of the party by the executive committee of the Orogun ward and Ughelli North Local Government chapter.
The letter reads,
“The State Executive Committee of all Progressive Congress Delta State in a meeting held on the 31st March, 2023 at the State Secretariat, Asaba, after due deliberation of the Notice of Resolution of Expulsion of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as a member of the party by the executive committee of the Orogun ward and Ughelli North local government chapter dated 20th March, 2023.
“And in accordance to the provision of Article 21.2 (1)(II)(VII) 21.3 and 21.5(g) of the constitution 2022 (as amended) we unanimously resolved and adopted the expulsion of Senator Ovie Omo Agege as a member of the party.
The letter further reads, “Consequently Senator Ovie Omo-Agege hereby stands expelled as a member of the party with immediate effect for various offences committed and acts of anti-party activities and gross misconduct that has brought shame and ridicule to the image of the party in the state which affected the party in the just concluded elections.”
Skit Maker, Jay Kay Dies in Auto Crash
Popular skit maker, John Kennedy Kanu, Popularly known as BrosJayKay is dead.
The comedian and actor reportedly died on Monday in a fatal car accident around the Rumuodara East-West Road in Port Harcourt Rivers State.
Jaykay was said to have rammed into a parked refuse truck and died on the spot alongside his girlfriend.
His friends also confirmed the fast-rising comedian’s passing on Facebook.
One Uzoma Favour said:
“Bro Jk why u no beg death? Y good people de die quick? Why do u have to leave us with this plenty n painful memories. Bro Jaykay plz wake up. His death made me to remember d pains I felt wen I loss my Dad. RIP till we meet again.”
Another named Hype Man said:
“Though it’s been a very long while we lost presence, but looking at your achievements and how far you’ve come in the entertainment business keeps me going. It’s so sad to hear of your sudden demise in the early hours of this morning.”
“I pray God gives your mom and kid brothers the strength to bear this loss. Rest in peace John Kennedy,”
