News
Ali Baba spills what Obasanjo told him on how to become Nigeria’s President
Ali Baba spills what Obasanjo told him on how to become Nigeria’s President
Ali Baba, the ace comedian, has revealed political strategies he claims were shared with him by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on how to become Nigeria’s president.
In an interview on Outside The Box, the 59-year-old entertainer said Obasanjo allegedly shared the strategies with him via chat because he thought he was venturing into politics and wanted to guide him.
Ali Baba claimed that Obasanjo emphasised the importance of gaining the support of seven governors, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, to clinch the presidential seat.
“I was speaking with Obasanjo one time, and he listed some things that are necessary in politics,” the comedian said while picking up his phone to show proof that he documented his conversation with the former president.
“He thought I was going into politics, so he was happy I was talking to him about politics. He said ‘Ali, I’m happy you are catching up with politics, but you still have a lot to learn about how governors and presidents are selected’.
“He said ‘you need seven governors to win an election. Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Kano, Kaduna and the CBN governor’. Then I said ‘Kano and Kaduna don’t have money,’ he said ‘that is for the numbers’…
“You need 44 of the most popular senatorial districts.”
The comedian, born Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, also alleged that Obasanjo mentioned the key tasks to be accomplished in the first term to increase the chances of being re-elected.
READ ALSO:
- FCT Minister Wike hosts suspended Rivers assembly members in UK
- NRC, Plateau sign MoU to revive Jos–Kuru train
- Bauchi accountant-general Sirajo Jaja arraigned for alleged N8.3bn fraud
“You need to have awarded 10 contracts and 15% of that contract can give you a marginal impact at the polls. And you must award this contract in your first year of assumption of office,” he said.
“If you don’t do that, then, you can’t ask the people for anything because when you give them at the first year of your getting into office, when it’s time for elections you just tell them ‘Do you want to continue this contract or not’.”
Ali said Obasanjo emphasised the importance of making strategic appointments, including “the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), controller-general of customs, head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), inspector-general of police (IGP), and CBN governor”.
The comedian said Obasanjo allegedly advised on steering clear of corrupt governors who are “loaded” and can be “financially useful when needed”.
“He said you must name your CJN, IGP, controller general of customs, head of the NNPC, CBN governor, and you must suspend pending cases of corrupt past governors who are loaded,” he added.

Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo
“Don’t forget that those guys have war chests that they are just sitting and waiting for who they want to align with. No matter how much EFCC milks from them, they still have plenty.
“These are people who were sitting on a monthly federal allocation. Don’t forget that some states that when they get their federal allocation, they don’t touch it.
“They actually add to it because their state’s internally generated revenue is higher than what the federal government gives to them.
“So if the federal government gives them N3, they can add N4 to it and spend N7. When they leave office, EFCC can’t come looking for them because they added money to what the federal government gave them, but you see that internally generated revenue that is their sweat as it is called, it is their money, they generated it themselves. They can determine what they want to do with it.”
Ali Baba alleged that Obasanjo highlighted the importance of securing support from key figures, including foreign countries, the wealthy, religious leaders, and bloggers.
According to him, “he also advised infiltrating opposition parties and strategically influencing delegates by offering incentives to ensure loyalty during elections”.
“This is the meaty part of it, he says ‘Get US or China support because of their businesses in your country, they would support,” he said.
“Get National Association of Nigerian Students, market women, National Union of Road Transport Workers. Unsettle the organized labour. Get 10 of the richest Nigerians on your side. Infiltrate your opposition party and let them decamp for elections.
“So let me explain. You have your party and I want to infiltrate the party. I will send my people to leave my own party and join your own party before the elections. So when the time of election comes, they will then disrupt the whole thing.
“They will probably be the ones they will put in charge of electioneering campaign and you won’t know that the reason they decamped was to make sure that your own campaign doesn’t succeed. So when you are planning, they inform their original party.
“Obasanjo continued saying infiltrate the opposition party, but delegates one year before your congress.
“So I asked how do you buy delegates then he said “you know who and who that would be selected as delegates, give two of his daughters job in the bank, give another’s wife a shop, sponsor another’s trip to Hajj so when the time for election comes and you say this is the person I’m supporting, they won’t mess up because of what you have done.
“While some people are trying to raise money to give dollars, you already have bought their loyalty since. Have a hand in appointing all parties’ chairmen.
“Secure INEC and state rec, blogs, social media, religious leaders, royal fathers, appointment of board of chairman and DGs. Get four constitutional lawyers on retainship.”
Ali Baba spills what Obasanjo told him on how to become Nigeria’s President
News
Tinubu Unveils ₦3.3tn Electricity Bailout to Revive Nigeria’s Power Sector
Tinubu Unveils ₦3.3tn Electricity Bailout to Revive Nigeria’s Power Sector
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping ₦3.3 trillion power sector bailout aimed at clearing long-standing debts and stabilising Nigeria’s struggling electricity industry.
The intervention, implemented under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme, is designed to resolve liabilities accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025, following a comprehensive verification process.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga disclosed that the ₦3.3 trillion electricity debt settlement represents a full and final agreement to restore financial stability across the sector. He explained that the debts, largely driven by unpaid invoices, tariff shortfalls, and subsidy obligations, had significantly weakened liquidity in the power value chain.
Implementation of the power sector debt repayment plan has already commenced, with 15 generation companies signing settlement agreements worth about ₦2.3 trillion. The Federal Government has raised ₦501 billion so far to fund the initiative, out of which ₦223 billion has already been disbursed, while additional payments are ongoing.
READ ALSO:
- Brymo Sparks Debate After Saying Men Who Apologise to Women Deserve Suffering
- Boko Haram/ISWAP Attack Borno Police Station, Kill Four Officers, Hunter
- NDLEA Arrests Lagos Pastor, Wife With 11kg Skunk Cannabis
The Nigeria electricity sector bailout is expected to inject much-needed cash into the industry, ensuring that gas suppliers receive payments, power plants can sustain operations, and electricity generation becomes more stable. With improved liquidity, officials say the country could begin to see gradual improvements in power supply, reduced grid disruptions, and better service delivery.
Special Adviser on Energy to the President, Olu Arowolo-Verheijen, said the programme is not just about clearing debts but rebuilding trust across the industry. She noted that restoring confidence is critical to attracting investment, maintaining consistent gas supply, and ensuring that power plants operate efficiently.
She further explained that the initiative forms part of broader power sector reforms in Nigeria, including nationwide metering improvements and the introduction of service-based tariffs that align electricity costs with the quality of supply. According to her, the government is also prioritising electricity supply to businesses, industries, and small enterprises, recognising that reliable power is essential for job creation and economic growth.
The Tinubu administration believes the electricity sector stabilisation plan will reduce reliance on generators, lower the cost of doing business, and improve productivity across key sectors of the economy. Analysts say resolving the sector’s liquidity crisis could unlock new investments and strengthen Nigeria’s overall economic performance.
President Tinubu also commended stakeholders for their cooperation in addressing long-standing challenges in the industry and confirmed that the next phase of the reform programme, Series II, will commence within the current quarter. The phase is expected to deepen structural reforms and ensure long-term sustainability of the electricity market.
Tinubu Unveils ₦3.3tn Electricity Bailout to Revive Nigeria’s Power Sector
News
MURIC Demands Sack of INEC Chairman Over Alleged Bias, Calls for Replacement
MURIC Demands Sack of INEC Chairman Over Alleged Bias, Calls for Replacement
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the immediate removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, describing him as a threat to religious harmony in Nigeria.
In a press release issued on April 6, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group accused the INEC chairman of authoring what it described as a “toxic 80-page legal brief,” allegedly used by the United States of America to indict Nigeria over claims of Christian genocide.
MURIC expressed dissatisfaction with what it termed the “graveyard silence” of the Federal Government over calls from Islamic organisations for Amupitan’s removal. According to the group, the government’s inaction reflects a lack of sensitivity to the concerns of the Muslim community.
The organisation further alleged that Amupitan’s continued leadership poses a risk to the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system, claiming that a planned voter registration or revalidation exercise could disenfranchise Muslim voters.
“MURIC hereby declares a vote of no confidence in the current INEC boss,” the statement read, urging the Federal Government to replace him with what it described as a “tolerant Christian” to restore confidence and balance.
The group also accused the INEC chairman of failing to address the allegations against him, noting that his silence has raised concerns among observers. It argued that public officials in other countries often resign over similar controversies, citing examples of past resignations by international political figures.
MURIC warned that Nigeria’s progress could be hindered if individuals accused of misconduct remain in sensitive public offices, stressing that Amupitan’s continued stay in office represents what it called a “sit-tight syndrome.”
Describing the INEC chairman as an “electoral burden” and a “threat to religious harmony,” the group insisted that his resignation or removal is necessary to safeguard national unity and the integrity of the electoral process.
As of the time of filing this report, neither INEC nor the Federal Government had issued an official response to the allegations.
MURIC Demands Sack of INEC Chairman Over Alleged Bias, Calls for Replacement
News
Tinubu Commissions Gateway Airport, Pledges to Crush Banditry in Nigeria
Tinubu Commissions Gateway Airport, Pledges to Crush Banditry in Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu has pledged to defeat banditry, terrorism, and insecurity across Nigeria, promising continued investment in the country’s security architecture. He made the declaration while commissioning the Gateway International Airport and several other federal projects in Ogun State on Saturday.
Speaking at a reception following the inauguration, Tinubu said his administration will intensify efforts to protect lives and property across the nation. “We will win over banditry and defeat insecurity. We will continue to invest more to strengthen the security architecture of Nigeria,” he stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to national safety.
The president described the Gateway International Airport as the economic nerve center of Nigeria’s corridor, highlighting its role in boosting the aviation sector, trade, and socioeconomic development in Ogun State and the wider region. The airport is integrated with independent gas and energy infrastructure, ensuring sustainability and operational efficiency.
Tinubu also lauded Governor Dapo Abiodun for using improved federal allocations to develop infrastructure capable of driving Ogun State to greater economic heights. He praised the state government’s focus on mobility, security, agriculture, and industrial development, noting that projects like the airport and new Gateway Airlines will enhance trade, logistics, and employment opportunities.
READ ALSO:
- La Liga: Barcelona Fight Back to Beat Atletico Madrid 2–1
- Gov Yusuf Pledges Full Support for Tinubu, Declares APC Unbeatable in Kano
- Military Arrests Two Suspects, Recovers Weapons After Jos Crisis
Governor Abiodun, in his remarks, emphasized the transformative impact of the airport and related infrastructure on Ogun State’s economy. He noted that the state’s internally generated revenue has grown from ₦40 billion to over ₦250 billion annually, while its GDP increased from ₦4 trillion to ₦17 trillion over the past seven years. He added that the airport features a four-kilometre runway, modern control tower, advanced aviation systems, and cargo facilities, making it a centerpiece of the state’s emerging aerotropolis.
The ceremony also saw the launch of Gateway Airlines, operating Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, alongside cargo services designed to expand trade and logistics capacity. Beyond aviation, Ogun State has invested heavily in roads, healthcare, and housing, including over 1,600 km of rehabilitated roads, more than 7,000 affordable homes, and 140 primary healthcare centers, according to Governor Abiodun.
The event was attended by prominent dignitaries including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, state governors, lawmakers, captains of industry, and traditional leaders. Both praised the collaboration between federal and state governments in delivering critical infrastructure, with Tinubu’s leadership highlighted as key to Nigeria’s development and security progress.
Tinubu emphasized that the federal government’s reforms and infrastructure investments are people-centered, aimed at improving daily life, fostering prosperity, and ensuring national security. He added that these efforts are designed to overcome violence and terrorism while positioning Nigeria for sustained economic growth.
Tinubu Commissions Gateway Airport, Pledges to Crush Banditry in Nigeria
-
metro2 days agoPastor Found Dead in Guest House After Night Out With Married Female Church Member
-
Health2 days agoMen Encouraged to Ejaculate More to Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk
-
International3 days agoIran Announces ‘Bounty’ on US Pilots After Claiming Downing of Fighter Jet
-
Politics2 days agoAdeleke’s Aide Anisu Resigns, Defects to APC
-
Politics2 days agoWike: PDP Not Financially Ready for 2027 Presidential Election
-
International18 hours agoNetanyahu Condemns ‘Christian Persecution’ in Nigeria in Easter Message
-
Africa3 days agoNigeria Apologises Over ‘Igbo King’ Controversy in South Africa as Protests Turn Violent
-
metro2 days agoFinal-Year UNIJOS Student Discovered Dead Following Attack Near Campus


