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Presidency attacks Ortom over comments against Buhari on Arise TV
ABUJA—THE Presidency last night attacked the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom over his comment when he appeared on Arise television programme where he said that Nigerians are regretting voting for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
The Presidency accused Ortom of blaming the President where he has allegedly done nothing to improve the welfare of the Benue state people.
In a statement issued by Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, the Presidency said Nigeria has had enough of failed politicians who blame others as a diversion for their inability to improve citizens’ lives.
The statement read: “There are two types of politicians in Nigeria today. The first are politicians who are leaders that offer solutions to the challenges facing the voters and the country. They bring forward policies, and implement them, to improve the lives of others.
“The second, politicians who offer excuses for the challenges voters face. They avoid ideas and instead blame others for problems they have either not solved or have themselves created.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is a leader. He inherited a treasury that had been emptied by previous administrations – and he sought and succeeded in repatriating billions of dollars of stolen funds from overseas. His administration discovered more than 500,000 bank accounts operated by Ministries, Agencies and Departments. In these accounts, the money belonging to the government was kept.
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“Same government agencies went to the banks to borrow money kept by sister agencies at exorbitant interest rates. What is more, some of the signatories had left the service or were “unknown” and so no one had access to the funds.
“MDAs are now compelled to use the Treasury Single Account, TSA, domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria. And the President brought forward the first and only plan to address farmer-herder clashes in 100 years, supporting states to rediscover grazing reserves and create ranching lands that have successfully reduced tensions while increasing harmony and saving lives.
“Governor Samuel Ortom, office holder, is that other politician. He inherited unpaid salaries and pension arrears – and rather than find a way to raise the funds to pay them, he has blamed the President.
“This is a President who has not failed to pay the salary of those working for the federal government and declared the failure of states to do so “a national disaster.”
“To avert this, he had, at various times lent money to the states in excess of N1.682 trillion, and Benue, Mr Ortom’s state did not miss out on all occasions: Salary Bailout, Excess Crude Loan and Budget Support loan, each repayable in 20 years. Lagos for instance didn’t collect any of the loans.
“A few other states declined to take one or two. Mr Ortom, an office holder who collected on all occasions, currently holds the country’s longest record of unpaid salaries and pensions, has no reason, absolutely no reason, to blame President Buhari for the mess in which he put his state and its workers.
“Having first come claiming that his predecessors created the arrears, it was his business to prove that he was better by paying. Instead of doing that, he joined them! And while he runs up even further salary and pension debts on top of those he was bequeathed, instead of respecting the voters who elected him to office, he publicly attacks them in unprintable words and has raised his own thuggish militia to harass and violate them.
“The Governor now claims the voters wish to be “rescued by the PDP” and “regret voting for Buhari.” The voters, of course, will not be asked to vote for the President again because – as a leader – President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC respect term limits and the constitution, and will stand down next year at the end of his second democratically elected mandate.
“It seems unlikely, however, that any voter would seriously consider it possible to be “rescued” by a party that would today, allow a politician such as Governor Ortom in its ranks.
“What is certain, however, is that Nigeria has had enough of failed politicians who blame others as a diversion for their inability to improve citizens’ lives.”
Vanguard
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Orji Kalu Admits Selling Heavy Weapons to International Buyers
Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has disclosed that he previously operated an international arms business, selling heavy weapons to buyers in different countries, including anyone willing to pay for them.
The former Abia State governor made the revelation during an interview on Arise Television on Monday, November 9, 2026, while discussing his business history and relationships with former and current African leaders.
Asked directly whether he was an arms dealer, Kalu answered in the affirmative, explaining that dealing in weapons was once one of his major business activities outside Nigeria.
He, however, said he eventually abandoned the business after his parents intervened and insisted that he should stop.
“My major business used to be outside this country to deal in arms. I was an arms dealer,” he said.
According to Kalu, his decision to leave the business followed appeals from his mother and father.
“But my parents, my mother, my father came and said I must stop, and I stopped,” he added.
During the interview, the senator was asked whether he sold weapons to people who intended to use them to kill others.
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Kalu dismissed the suggestion, insisting that his primary motivation was to make money rather than concern himself with how buyers used the weapons.
“I was selling guns to make money, whether they blow up, it’s not my business,” he said.
He also denied that his arms business was exclusively linked to the African National Congress (ANC), which fought against apartheid in South Africa.
Rather, he said he was willing to sell to any buyer who had the financial capacity, regardless of the country involved.
“No, I was selling to anybody who wants to buy. If you have the money, you want to buy in D.R.C, I sell to you, you want to buy in Namibia, you want to buy…” he said.
When asked where he obtained the weapons, Kalu declined to provide details, describing the information as his private business.
The interviewer also questioned him about whether he supplied weapons to Libya during the leadership of its late ruler, Muammar Gaddafi.
Kalu responded that he sold to anybody who had the money to buy, adding that Gaddafi was a good man.
“May his soul rest in peace. He was a good man. If you have money to buy, when I was selling, I would sell to you,” he said.
The senator further sought to distinguish his former business from the proliferation of small arms in Nigeria, maintaining that he dealt in heavy weapons traded from one country to another.
“No, these are heavy arms that were sold country to country,” he explained.
His disclosure comes against the backdrop of persistent security challenges in Nigeria, including banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and the proliferation of illegal firearms.
The interview also touched on Kalu’s longstanding relationships with South African political leaders, which he traced to his friendship with the country’s late former president, Nelson Mandela.
He said Mandela introduced him to other South African leaders, including former President Thabo Mbeki and incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Kalu also discussed his relationship with former President Jacob Zuma, saying his connections with successive South African administrations developed through those political relationships.
Orji Kalu Admits Selling Heavy Weapons to International Buyers
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“Your Connections Won’t Save You,” Police Warn Traffic Offenders
“Your Connections Won’t Save You,” Police Warn Traffic Offenders
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has warned motorists that using their connections with senior police officers, government officials and other influential personalities will not save them from arrest and prosecution for traffic violations.
The Command specifically cautioned motorists against driving against traffic, popularly known as one-way, stressing that offenders would face the consequences of their actions regardless of their social status, position or connections.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Monday, November 9, by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh.
The police expressed concern over the increasing disregard for traffic regulations by motorists who deliberately drive against traffic, ignore road signs and bypass designated diversions in an attempt to avoid congestion.
According to the Command, the practice is particularly dangerous around road construction sites, diversion points and other locations where traffic movement has been temporarily or permanently restricted.
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It also warned motorists against contacting senior police officers, government officials or influential individuals to facilitate their release after being apprehended for traffic violations.
“No individual, regardless of status, position or connections, will be exempted from the consequences of violating traffic regulations,” the statement said.
Following the warning, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi, directed the Command’s Motor Traffic Department (MOTOPOL) and all Divisional Traffic Officers to intensify enforcement operations in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant traffic management agencies.
Sanusi directed the officers to ensure the arrest and immediate prosecution of motorists caught driving against traffic or disobeying lawful traffic instructions.
However, the police commissioner also warned officers involved in the enforcement exercise against exploiting motorists through extortion.
He stressed that any officer found engaging in such misconduct would face disciplinary action in accordance with existing police rules and regulations.
The Command urged motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic signs and comply with instructions from authorised traffic officers.
It warned that the few minutes motorists might save through reckless driving were not worth the risk of losing lives or causing damage to property.
The police also appealed to residents to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.
Residents can also contact the FCT Police Command through its emergency telephone numbers: 08032003913 and 08061581938.
“Your Connections Won’t Save You,” Police Warn Traffic Offenders
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Babcock Student Survives Suspected Suicide Attempt, Receives Treatment
A 400-level student of Babcock University, Ogun State, has survived a suspected suicide attempt at his hostel and is currently receiving medical attention, following an intervention by his roommates.
The incident, which occurred on November 8, 2026, attracted widespread attention after videos circulated on social media showing the student near a hostel window as his roommates struggled to restrain him and pull him away from the ledge.
The university management confirmed that the student was alive and receiving treatment, dismissing social media reports claiming that he had died.
According to the institution, both the affected student and one of his roommates sustained injuries during the incident. The roommate was treated and subsequently discharged, while the 400-level student remains under medical care at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital.
The university commended the roommates for their prompt intervention, noting that their actions helped prevent what could have been a tragic outcome.
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In a statement signed by its Associate Vice-President for Communication, Media and Branding, Dr Johnson Akintayo, the institution said it had commenced an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Although the incident has been widely described as a suspected suicide attempt, the university has not officially established the student’s motive or the factors that may have contributed to what happened.
Management also disclosed that the student’s parents had been contacted and were on campus to support him during his recovery.
Beyond medical treatment, the university said it would provide the student with appropriate support and guidance to aid his recovery and well-being.
Babcock urged members of the public and media organisations to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information, particularly claims about the student’s condition and the circumstances of the incident.
The institution also appealed for sensitivity in discussing the matter, stressing the need to respect the privacy of the student and his family.
The incident has renewed attention on student mental health, emotional well-being and the importance of providing accessible support systems within higher institutions.
The university reiterated its commitment to the safety and welfare of its students, adding that it would take appropriate steps based on the findings of its investigation.
Babcock Student Survives Suspected Suicide Attempt, Receives Treatment
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