News
Female aide caused dispute between Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa – Former SSA
Female aide caused dispute between Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa – Former SSA
A former Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategies to late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Dr. Doyin Odebowale, has explained what led to the feud between the new Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Akeredolu.
Odebowale said in a viral video that the late Akeredolu would not listened to anybody who spoke against Aiyedatiwa, before they fell apart. “Aketi will always shut you down,” he said.
According to him “The mistrust between Aiyedatiwa and Akeredolu started when it was found that a female aide to Akeredolu’s wife had been sharing confidential information about Akeredolu’s health with Aiyedatiwa.
The former Special Assistant alleged that “the woman was scheming to become deputy governor after the death of Akeredolu.
“Where is the woman now, She is with Lucky. What infuriated the First lady at that time that she decided to misbehave was the fact that while this woman was pretending to be with Aketi, she was getting information about the state of health of Aketi and was ingratiating herself towards Lucky.
“She was seeing Lucky. She will not talk to Lucky but they were seeing in Abuja.
“She was scheming to be deputy governor in case Aketi dies. That was the genesis of the mistrust between Aketi and Lucky. Aketi never listened to anybody who spoke against Lucky.
READ ALSO:
- Rivers: Speaker loyal to Fubara resigns, quits Assembly
- McDonald’s Malaysia sues Israel boycott movement for $1 million in damages
- Visitor visa holders can now work in UK — Government
“He will shut you down. Aketi will sit from morning till night signing useless files from these people who are now talking about forgery.
“Aketi mismanaged his health. The perfidy of many of his aides was unrivalled. They won’t allow him rest, they won’t allow him sleep.
“He took ill and the next thing is when will he die? People started holding meetings against the man who never offended them. I will talk about Babajide once Aketi is buried.
“Aketi rejected many Chieftaincy titles. He stuck to Arakunrin. Those that made allegations of forgery should bring out the documents and show who collected the money.
“I was making money for the state and they were spending it. I made doctors to resign because they were collecting double salary. People were retiring but wage bill was still going up.
“In the Health Management board, doctors were travelling abroad but the state was unable to employ because they were collecting double salary.
Reacting to the allegations, the state commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Rasaq Obe, denied allegations that he paid momey to be nominated as Commissioner under late governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Obe, in a phone interview, equally denied allegations that he had quarrel with Babjide over supply of diesel in the state.
He said he led the effort for Akeredolu to emerge victorious in Ilara Mokin ward in Ifedore local government area in the 2020 governorship election.
READ ALSO:
- Security operatives recuse 21 travellers kidnapped in Kogi
- 112,000 passengers benefit from FG’s 50% fare cut – Luxury bus owners
- Arsenal’s title hope suffers major setback with 2-1 loss to Fulham
According to him, “I supported Akeredolu and gave him all assistance in 2020. I followed him through the campaigns so it is not true to say I was a nobody politically. There was no need to pay the First Lady or her son for me to be made Commissioner.
“It is unfortunate that Odebowale is making this vituperations days after the passing of Akeredolu. He was part of the persons that benefitted from the illness of Akeredolu.
“There was nothing to quarrel about between Babajide and I. I never supplied diesel to any part of the state.”
On the issue of forgery of Akeredolu’s signature, Engr. Obe said petitions have been sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission adding that the concerned persons would soon be invited.
Engr. Obe stated that the country would be seen as a banana Republic of nobody was prosecuted and punished for forging late Akeredolu’s signature.
“Let us bury Akeredolu. The gate of justice will be opened. The political solution and the advice to unify the party as advised by Tinubu do not include forgery. Forgery of a Governor’s signature and authorisation of millions of naira are too criminal to be ignored.
“The individual doing all the forgery must be produced. Some of us were harassed. They hated me because I punctuated their activities. It is when the new Governor open the books, you will know the extent of damage.”
Female aide caused dispute between Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa – Former SSA
(Vanguard)
News
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
News
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
News
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
The Federal Government has defended its decision to borrow to address budget deficits, despite surpassing revenue targets in 2024.
Finance Minister Wale Edun and Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu clarified this position during a session with the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Finance, Budget, and National Planning. The meeting focused on the 2025–2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
Last week, the National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s $2.2 billion loan request to fund the N9.7 trillion deficit in the 2024 budget partially.
During the session, key agency heads, including Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) CEO Mele Kyari, Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Zacch Adedeji, presented their revenue reports.
The agencies reported exceeding their 2024 targets.
- Customs Service: Generated ₦5.352 trillion by September 30, surpassing its ₦5.09 trillion target for the year. For 2025, the agency projects ₦6.3 trillion, with a 10% increase planned for 2026.
- NNPCL: Achieved ₦13.1 trillion in revenue, exceeding the ₦12.3 trillion projection for 2024. Kyari announced a ₦23.7 trillion revenue target for 2025.
READ ALSO:
- Mixed reactions trail moves to privatise PH, Warri, Kaduna refineries
- Ronaldo’s brace propels Al Nassr toward AFC champions league quarters
- Nigeria would have been better under Peter Obi, too much nepotism under Tinubu – Senator Abaribe
- FIRS: Surpassed multiple tax collection goals, including ₦5.7 trillion from company income tax against a ₦4 trillion target. Education tax collections also exceeded expectations, reaching ₦1.5 trillion compared to a ₦70 billion target.
Overall, ₦18.5 trillion of the ₦19.4 trillion 2024 revenue target had been achieved by September, indicating the goal will be exceeded by year-end.
Despite these surpluses, the government insists borrowing remains essential to cover budget gaps and support vulnerable populations.
Bagudu explained, “Even with agencies exceeding revenue targets, borrowing is necessary to address deficits and boost productivity, particularly for the poorest. This aligns with Agenda 2050, which aims for a GDP per capita of $33,000.”
Edun also reiterated that loans were critical for adequately funding the budget.
The committee, led by Senator Sani Musa, questioned the rationale behind the borrowing and demanded further transparency. The Immigration Service was specifically asked to provide documents regarding an “unacceptable PPP arrangement” before the end of the week.
The session underscored the government’s balancing act between increased revenues and fiscal challenges requiring external borrowing.
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
-
metro13 hours agoBREAKING: Port Harcourt refinery begins operation
-
Business2 days agoJust in: Dangote refinery reduces petrol price for marketers
-
metro1 day ago40-foot container falls on car in Lagos
-
Politics3 days ago2027: Lagos Speaker, Obasa joins gov race, may battle Seyi Tinubu, others
-
Politics1 day agoLagos 2027: Seyi Tinubu campaign team releases his life documentary
-
International1 day agoTrump to sack 15,000 transgender officers from U.S. military: Report
-
Entertainment1 day agoPolygamy best form of marriage for Africa – Okey Bakassi
-
metro1 day agoPolicewoman dismissed in Edo threatens to kill children, commit suicide