Politics
Oshiomhole Challenges Obi to Bible Oath Over Private Jet Controversy
Oshiomhole Challenges Obi to Bible Oath Over Private Jet Controversy
Former Edo Governor insists he witnessed Obi’s private jet use, calls for religious test to settle dispute
BENIN CITY — A fresh political controversy has erupted following claims by former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, that Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi frequently uses private jets despite public claims to the contrary.
Speaking in a recent interview on SYMFONI TV, Oshiomhole challenged Obi to a public oath-taking, proposing that both men place their hands on a Bible to settle the dispute.
“Obi is a Christian; I’m a Christian. Please bring a priest, bring your Bible, and I’ll put my hand on it, and let Obi put his hand on it,” Oshiomhole said, emphasizing their shared faith as the basis for the challenge.
The former governor alleged that he personally encountered Obi at the Executive Jet Wing in Lagos on at least two occasions. According to him, on one instance Obi was alone, while on another he was accompanied by his wife. Oshiomhole further claimed that he himself had flown a private jet from Benin and landed at the same time as Obi.
The remarks come amid a broader political exchange regarding Obi’s travel arrangements, which have been a subject of public debate. Obi’s media adviser, Dr. Valentine Obienyem, has since disputed Oshiomhole’s claims, pointing to a long history between the two politicians, including instances where Oshiomhole had previously praised Obi and invited him to campaign in Edo State.
The proposal for a Bible oath has sparked mixed reactions among political observers, with some describing it as an unusual but telling escalation of the ongoing verbal duel between the two prominent figures.
As of press time, neither Peter Obi nor his media team had responded directly to the specific challenge issued by Oshiomhole.
Oshiomhole Challenges Obi to Bible Oath Over Private Jet Controversy
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Politics
Obi Positioning for SGF Role Under Atiku’s ADC Ticket – Sowore
Obi Positioning for SGF Role Under Atiku’s ADC Ticket – Sowore
LAGOS — The political landscape ahead of the upcoming general elections was thrown into fresh turmoil yesterday following explosive allegations by the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who claims that his Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) counterpart, Peter Obi, is secretly working to install Atiku Abubakar as president. In a statement made available to journalists, Sowore alleged that Obi is not genuinely pursuing the presidency but is instead positioning himself for the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in an Atiku-led administration.
According to Sowore, the former Anambra State governor has been surreptitiously directing his teeming supporters to work for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, rather than campaigning for his own party. “Obi is positioning himself to become Atiku’s SGF,” Sowore stated bluntly. “He is secretly directing his supporters to work for the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku. This is a betrayal of the movement that trusts him.” The allegation suggests a complex political realignment where the NDC and ADC are allegedly operating in a synergistic, if covert, manner. Sowore’s claims imply that the Obi movement is being used as a vehicle to siphon votes and energy toward Atiku’s bid, with the promise of a high-ranking position in the cabinet as the reward.
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The accusation, if proven, could have significant implications for the opposition’s unity. Sowore, a vocal activist and former presidential candidate, has historically positioned himself as a critic of the political establishment, often accusing major party candidates of engaging in backroom deals that undermine the will of the electorate. The claim that Obi is eyeing the SGF role—typically the highest administrative office in the presidency—suggests that he may not be confident in winning the top seat, or that a consensus power-sharing arrangement has been struck behind closed doors.
The statement, however, raises questions about the current state of party coalitions. The article identifies Obi as the “NDC presidential candidate” and Atiku as the “ADC presidential candidate,” party labels that differ from their traditional political affiliations (Labour Party and PDP, respectively). This suggests a major realignment of political platforms in this election cycle. Neither the Obi campaign nor the Atiku campaign has issued an official response to Sowore’s allegations at the time of filing this report.
The news has sparked immediate debate on social media, with supporters of both camps expressing confusion and anger. Sowore’s supporters have praised him for “exposing the truth,” while Obi’s loyalists have dismissed the claims as a desperate attempt to remain relevant in a crowded political space. Political analysts suggest that if Sowore’s claims hold any weight, it could lead to a massive voter apathy among the youth demographic that has largely backed Obi’s previous bids.
As the election date approaches, the political arithmetic appears to be shifting rapidly, with accusations of secret pacts and strategic positioning becoming the order of the day. Sowore has vowed to continue exposing what he describes as the “unholy alliances” shaping the future of the nation.
Obi Positioning for SGF Role Under Atiku’s ADC Ticket – Sowore
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Politics
Okonkwo Alleges Return of Subsidy, Accuses NNPC of Plotting Trillions in ‘Lost Profit’
Okonkwo Alleges Return of Subsidy, Accuses NNPC of Plotting Trillions in ‘Lost Profit’
Says FG’s 30-Day Fuel Discount Not Sourced from Dangote
The spokesman for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign, Kenneth Okonkwo, has raised an alarm over the Federal Government’s new 30-day fuel discount policy, describing it as a deceptive return to the previously abolished fuel subsidy regime.
In an interview with Channels TV on Sunday, October 11, 2026, Okonkwo criticized the policy for failing to source petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery. He argued that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) is poised to claim trillions of naira in alleged lost profits as a result of the scheme.
Okonkwo, a political commentator, stated that because the NNPC is not producing domestic refined fuel, the discount is essentially an “import-related subsidy” that benefits foreign refineries and shipping operations rather than local ones.
“The NNPC is not taking from Dangote at all, but they’ll claim trillions in lost profit,” Okonkwo said. “Since NNPC isn’t producing domestic refined fuel, this discount is essentially an import-related subsidy benefiting foreign refineries and shipping operations instead of local ones.”
He warned that the return to a subsidy system opens the door to financial fraud, particularly through the inflation of consumption figures.
“You could report 70 million liters when only 15 million liters were used,” he cautioned, noting the risk of opaque accounting in the sector.
As an alternative, Okonkwo advocated for supplying crude oil directly to the Dangote Refinery for domestic processing to reduce import costs. He stated that domestic refining is a central pillar of the ADC’s economic proposal.
The ADC chieftain’s comments come amid ongoing debate over the Federal Government’s new fuel price mechanism. The government, through Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele, has maintained that the 30-day discount is a “NNPC margin cut” and not a subsidy.
Under the arrangement, NNPC Retail is expected to forgo its profit margin on petrol rather than using public funds to stabilize prices. However, Okonkwo contends that this still constitutes a subsidy, as it artificially reduces consumer costs while masking the true financial burden on the state oil company.
Okonkwo Alleges Return of Subsidy, Accuses NNPC of Plotting Trillions in ‘Lost Profit’
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Politics
2027 Elections: FG Warns Hotel Owners Against Illegal Activities, Suspicious Funds
The Federal Government has warned hotel owners and managers across Nigeria against allowing their facilities to be used for illegal activities, including the movement of illicit funds, as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, issued the warning while addressing the second edition of the JAGZ Hospitality Conference in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Fagbemi, who was represented by Fernandez Marcus-Obiene, Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Justice Sector Reform and ICT/Digital and Innovative Technology, said the hospitality industry had an important role to play in promoting security and peaceful elections.
The conference, themed “The Hotel at the Centre: Money, Elections, Security,” brought together government officials, security personnel, financial crime regulators and hospitality industry stakeholders to examine the responsibilities of hotel operators as the country approaches another election cycle.
Fagbemi urged hotel managers to strengthen their security arrangements, maintain accurate records of guests and cooperate with relevant authorities when legally required to provide information concerning individuals or groups using their facilities.
He stressed that hotels must not become channels for illicit financial transactions or provide cover for activities capable of undermining public security during the election period.
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The Attorney-General’s warning comes as political parties, campaign organisations and political interest groups increase their activities ahead of the 2027 polls. Hotels and event centres are expected to host political meetings, campaign teams, journalists, business representatives and security personnel.
The government therefore wants hospitality operators to ensure that their businesses comply with relevant laws and financial regulations while maintaining professional standards and political neutrality.
Fagbemi’s warning also reflects growing concerns about the possible use of commercial establishments to facilitate suspicious financial transactions during election campaigns.
At the conference, stakeholders emphasised the need for stronger cooperation between hotel operators, law enforcement agencies and financial regulators to identify and address suspicious activities without disrupting legitimate hospitality services.
The convener of the conference and Group Managing Director of Charis Ultimo Hotels Limited, Lugard Agbomoagan, said the hospitality sector had evolved beyond providing accommodation to become an important part of international tourism, foreign investment, cross-border business and financial transactions.
He argued that hotel operators needed a clearer understanding of their legal obligations when dealing with customers, political organisations and transactions involving substantial sums of money.
Agbomoagan stressed that the objective was not to portray hotels as centres of criminal activity but to encourage preparedness, professionalism and compliance.
He also urged hotel managers to review their security arrangements ahead of the election period rather than wait until incidents occurred.
As an example of security preparedness, Agbomoagan said The JAGZ Hotel operated a dedicated surveillance unit that monitored closed-circuit television footage around the clock to observe activities within the premises and respond to potential security concerns.
The conference also highlighted the importance of maintaining reliable guest records and ensuring that suspicious transactions are handled in accordance with applicable anti-money laundering requirements.
The warning follows an earlier directive by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) cautioning hotel and event-centre owners in Abuja against allowing their premises to be used by political organisations or factions whose leadership was not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The FCTA had directed operators to verify the status of political groups seeking to use their facilities and maintain proper records of transactions. It warned that non-compliance could attract severe consequences, including the revocation of property title documents.
Although the FCTA directive applies specifically to the Federal Capital Territory, the latest comments by the Attorney-General underline the Federal Government’s broader concerns about election security, financial transparency and the responsibilities of businesses during the political season.
However, the warning does not mean that hotels are prohibited from accommodating politicians or hosting lawful political meetings. Rather, operators are being urged to ensure that their facilities are not used to facilitate criminal activities and that they comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
With the 2027 elections approaching, hotel owners and managers face increased pressure to strengthen internal controls, protect guests and employees, maintain accurate records and cooperate appropriately with law enforcement agencies.
The Federal Government’s message is that the hospitality industry must remain professional and politically neutral while ensuring that its facilities are not exploited for illegal financial activities or other offences during the electioneering period.
2027 Elections: FG Warns Hotel Owners Against Illegal Activities, Suspicious Funds
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