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Obasanjo says Igbo ancestry claim ‘laughable’
Obasanjo says Igbo ancestry claim ‘laughable’
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has responded to allegations about his Igbo ancestry, calling the claims laughable.
Rumours have circulated that Obasanjo’s father was from Anambra State. This claim gained traction during the 2023 election when he was accused of supporting the Labour Party’s Peter Obi due to these supposed Igbo roots.
In a statement released on Friday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo acknowledged the allegations, saying, “It just makes me laugh.”
Obasanjo made these remarks while hosting the leadership of the Ndigbo Amaka Progressive Market Association, a group representing major markets in Lagos State, at the boardroom of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
During the meeting, Obasanjo expressed his belief that no Nigerian should be forced out of any part of the country, stating, “We own this country together.” He emphasized that the unity of Nigeria was fought for by all ethnic groups, not to separate but to unite.
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He added, “So, if anybody says to me that somebody should leave any place, he will be the one to leave.”
The former President also mentioned that the group had reached out to him for support in establishing the Owerri Central Market, which is set to be a leading market in the country. He noted that the concept of the Central Market in Owerri has been considered since Imo State was created but has yet to be realized.
Obasanjo expressed his optimism about the project, saying, “I am glad it is coming up again and I hope this time, we are all going to make it real. It is going to be big, the first of its kind.” He also praised the governor’s interest in the project and expressed confidence in its success.
Chief Emeka Dallas Emmanuel, the group’s spokesperson, read a letter signed by Comrade Chinedu Ukatu and Evangelist Iwuchukwu Ezenwafor, stating that the market would be a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. The group sought the former President’s support in making the international market a reality, which they believe could significantly reduce street hawking.
Obasanjo says Igbo ancestry claim ‘laughable’
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News
Photo News: Kwara Security Strategy Committee Submits Report to Gov AbdulRazaq
Photo News: Kwara Security Strategy Committee Submits Report to Gov AbdulRazaq
L-R: AIG Aderemi Opadokun (Rtd); Air Commodore Asa Buhari (Rtd); Major General Abidoye Olayemi (rtd); Team Lead Kwara State Security Strategy Committee, Major General Garba Abdulwahab (rtd); Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON); Rear Admiral A.B Lawal (rtd); Col. A.A Lawal (rtd); Alhaji M.A Jimba; Director of Special Services Governor’s Office, Mrs. Folorunsho Idayat Adeola; and Permanent Secretary General Service, Alhaji Shuaib Yitta, during a visit by members of the committee to the state governor (to submit their report) at the Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin, on Wednesday.
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News
Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle
PORT HARCOURT – The Rivers State Police Command has paraded two young men arrested over the alleged murder of a commercial motorcycle operator, whose motorcycle they reportedly stole after luring him into a remote forest in the state.
The suspects, identified as 24-year-old Abubakar Sani and 20-year-old Yusuf Magaji, were arrested following an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Emohua.
The police said Sani allegedly confessed to participating in the killing of the victim, identified as Sani Musa, before the suspects escaped with his motorcycle.
Musa, a native of Zago Town in Kafin Hausa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, was reportedly operating as a commercial motorcycle rider in Rivers State before his death.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly lured the rider to a remote forest in Mbiama, Ahoada West Local Government Area, where they attacked and stabbed him to death.
His body was subsequently dumped in thick bushes, while the suspects allegedly fled with his motorcycle.
The police further disclosed that the suspects planned to transport the stolen motorcycle to Kano State through a waybill arrangement, allegedly hoping to evade security checks and conceal the motorcycle’s origin.
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The alleged criminal operation was uncovered at about 1pm on October 22, when police operatives received intelligence that some individuals were dismantling a suspected stolen motorcycle at Choba Motor Park.
Acting on the information, operatives of the VCRU moved to the location and arrested Sani and Magaji, who were both said to be from Kano State.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the murder and subsequently led investigators to the Mbiama forest, where the decomposing remains of the deceased were recovered.
The recovery of the body provided investigators with further evidence in the ongoing investigation into the killing.
The command said arrangements were being made to release the deceased’s remains to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites, following a request by his relatives.
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the murder, identify possible accomplices and ensure that everyone connected to the crime is brought to justice.
The police command reiterated its commitment to combating murder, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across Rivers State.
It also urged residents to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to help prevent criminal activities and improve public safety.
The two suspects are expected to face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.
Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle
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Tinubu’s Aide Challenges Reports of Presidential Convoy Stoning at Abuja Mosque
Tinubu’s Aide Challenges Reports of Presidential Convoy Stoning at Abuja Mosque
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Presidential aide O’tega Ogra has dismissed reports that President Bola Tinubu’s convoy was attacked with stones by angry youths following his attendance at Friday prayers at a mosque in Abuja.
Ogra, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Engagement, Strategy and New Media, described the reports as an opposition-driven narrative, insisting that footage of Tinubu leaving the mosque presented a different picture of what transpired.
The controversy followed the President’s visit to the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, Garki, Abuja, on Friday, November 13, 2026, where he observed the Juma’at prayer.
Shortly after the visit, a video shared by former Kogi West senator and African Democratic Congress chieftain, Dino Melaye, circulated widely on social media, purportedly showing youths throwing stones at a convoy believed to be carrying the President.
Some individuals in the footage were also heard chanting slogans, including “Ba ma yi, ba ma so”, an expression of rejection.
However, Ogra challenged the account, releasing another video showing Tinubu waving to a crowd of youths as he departed the mosque in his official vehicle.
In a post accompanying the footage, the presidential aide accused opposition elements of promoting a misleading account of the incident.
“Contrary to the narrative being pushed by the opposition, with videos of their alleged paid thugs at the National Mosque today, here is footage of Mr President leaving the mosque after Friday prayers this afternoon,” Ogra wrote.
The footage showed the President, dressed in a white outfit and black cap, acknowledging people gathered around his vehicle, with some cheering and taking photographs with their mobile phones.
The conflicting accounts have generated debate over what actually happened during the presidential visit, particularly whether stones were thrown at the convoy.
While reports of hostile chanting have emerged from the scene, the allegation of stone-throwing remains disputed, with no independently verified evidence conclusively establishing that the President or his convoy was struck by stones.
The development comes amid heightened political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Earlier on Friday, Tinubu warned politicians and their supporters against political violence, thuggery and other activities capable of undermining the country’s democratic process.
In a statement personally signed by him, the President said security agencies had been authorised to confront acts of political violence and other anti-democratic activities with full force.
He condemned reported violence at political gatherings across the country, stressing that political campaigns should focus on issues that promote citizens’ welfare and national development.
Tinubu maintained that violence should have no place in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Tinubu’s Aide Challenges Reports of Presidential Convoy Stoning at Abuja Mosque
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