Obasanjo’s position on Rivers emergency rule hypocritical, says Presidency
The Presidency yesterday chided former President Olusegun Obasanjo for criticising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.
It accused the former leader of hypocrisy and poor democratic legacy, urging him to purge himself from deceit.
Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, who reflected on Obasanjo’s tenure, highlighted many undemocratic actions of his administration between 1999 and 2007.
“Obasanjo is trying every trick possible to whitewash his bad democratic records by attempting to exonerate himself from blame for how Nigeria’s democracy has fared,” Olusegun said in a post on his verified X handle.
The former president, who spoke at the colloquium marking the 60th birthday of Emeka Ihedioha, had condemned Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly, warning that “democracy is dying in Nigeria.”
Olusegun flayed Obasanjo over his remarks, recalling instances where the former leader allegedly undermined democracy.
He cited Obasanjo’s involvement in the controversial removal of opposition governors, interference in legislative processes, and an attempt to extend his tenure beyond the constitutional limit.
“This is the same OBJ that turned himself into a kingmaker and a demigod in his second term in office. Anybody who disagreed with him became prey,” Olusegun added.
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The presidential aide recalled Obasanjo’s role in the controversial 2003 elections, where Alliance for Democracy (AD) governors were rigged out of office, leaving only former Governor Tinubu of Lagos State as the last man standing
Olusegun also accused Obasanjo of masterminding unconstitutional impeachments, recalling how former governors of Anambra, Ekiti, Plateau, Oyo, and Bayelsa states were removed through “kangaroo impeachments,” most of which were later overturned by the courts.
He recalled the infamous abduction of former Anambra State Governor Chris Ngige, who was forced to sign a resignation letter at gunpoint by senior security operatives under Obasanjo’s watch.
“This is the same OBJ who unilaterally declared his Vice President’s seat vacant over a corruption indictment and even declared unnecessary public holidays just to prevent courts from ruling on Atiku’s legal challenge,” Olusegun said.
He also recalled how the former president imposed a state of emergency in Plateau and Ekiti states and suspended the governors and the Houses of Assembly without directly accusing them of any wrongdoing.
“In Obasanjo’s case, his reason for suspending Joshua Dariye and the Plateau legislature was failure to end violence between Muslim and Christian communities.
“He didn’t accuse the Assembly of anything. Yet, he suspended them. Now he’s criticising Tinubu for suspending those who are the direct actors in the Rivers crisis,” Olusegun fumed.
The presidential aide described Obasanjo as “the grandfather of hypocrisy in Nigeria,” insisting that he lacks the moral standing to lecture the current administration on democracy.
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But the decision to declare the emergency rule in the Southsouth state gained more support, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State hailing the president for saving the state from anarchy.
To resolve the conflict that heralded the governor’s suspension, the people of Ikwerre called for the setting up of a peace committee to reconcile Fubara and his former leader, Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The umbrella body of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, Ikwerre People’s Congress (IPC) Worldwide, appealed to President Tinubu to set up a committee to reconcile the governor and the minister.
The group said in a statement by its Chairman, Livingstone Wechie; Vice-Chairman, Ihunwo Obi-Wali and Secretary-General, Stanley Nworgu, that the committee should be made up of eminent leaders and stakeholders.
“This is with a view to immediately restore the democratic order in Rivers state in the best interest of Nigeria and for the better legacy of President Bola Tinubu,” it added.
The group expressed concern over said the suspension of democratic structures, saying it had given the state a bad image.
It added: “ Mr. President, the message you sent has been passed through your intervention but Rivers people must not suffer a shortlived democracy for any reason because we have paid our dues despite this political imbroglio.
“ We believe that Mr. President is motivated by the aspiration of Nigerians on this matter and that he is committed to take steps to solve than escalate the matter. It is doubtless that we did not bargain for this unfortunate development and the innocent populace in Rivers should not be punished for it as in this circumstance.
“Whereas as a people we are unhappy with the unwarranted political feud among the two sides, Ikwerre people are worried about the false image now created about our dear state which has now led to serious capital flights, fears of uncertainty among citizens, loss of investors confidence among others.
“Rivers people are very desperate to have their democratic rights restored so they can enjoy the liberty of the democracy the voted for that should be accountable to the masses. All we want is a government we can call our own”.
Barcelona beat Atletico to set up cup final against Real Madrid
It will be the eighth time there has been an El Clasico in the Spanish Cup final, with the nation’s two most successful club sides set to meet on 26 April in Seville.
Ferran Torres’ first-half effort proved decisive for Barcelona at Metropolitano Stadium, with the Spain forward poking the ball past Argentine goalkeeper Juan Musso after Lamine Yamal’s superb pass had split the home defence.
It was no more than the visitors deserved, with 17-year-old Yamal a constant source of danger and Raphinha also twice threatening to extend Barca’s lead.
Unlike the thrilling first-leg tie in February, when Diego Simeone’s side twice scored late on in a dramatic 4-4 draw, this was a tighter and more tense affair without the grandstand finish from Atletico.
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The hosts did have opportunities.
Substitute Alexander Sorloth elected to shoot instead of squaring the ball to Antoine Griezmann for a tap-in, while the Norway forward was also ruled offside after rattling in what he thought was an equaliser.
However, in truth, Atletico were second best to Hansi Flick’s side for long periods, with the record 31-time winners always appearing relatively comfortable as they extended their unbeaten run to 21 games across all competitions.
The Catalan club remain the only side in Europe’s top-five leagues yet to lose in 2025 and remain on course for a potential quadruple.
Barca, who have already won the Spanish Super Cup this term, lead the La Liga table by three points from Real Madrid.
They also host Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on 9 April (20:00 BST).
Meanwhile, the final against Carlo Ancelotti’s team in Seville will come just over two weeks before a potentially pivotal fixture between the clubs in the Spanish top flight.
Wike congratulates Okpebholo on tribunal victory
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has congratulated Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo on his victory at the tribunal.
The Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting on Wednesday, affirmed Okpebholo as the duly elected governor of Edo.
A three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, against the election outcome.
The petition challenged the result of the governorship election held on Sept. 21, 2024 but was struck out by the tribunal for lack of merit.
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Reacting, Wike, in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, urged the governor to remain focused on delivering good governance.
He advised Okpebholo not to be distracted but to remain dedicated to serving the people of Edo.
Wike described the tribunal’s ruling as a confirmation of the mandate freely given to Okpebholo by Edo voters.
The minister expressed confidence in the governor’s ability to bring relief and development to the state.
“This victory belongs to the people of Edo who elected, as their governor, Okpebholo.
“I believe in him, and with the way he has started, his government will positively impact Edo and its people,” he added.
(NAN)
Teacher arrested in Osun for allegedly molesting 7-year-old pupil
22-year-old male school teacher, Rufai Akorede, has been arrested in Ilesa, Osun State, by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for allegedly molesting a seven-year-old female pupil.
The NSCDC stated that Akorede is accused of “thrusting his manhood” into the child’s mouth in a classroom after school.
Following a report, the Osun NSCDC Commandant, Igbalawole Sotiyo, ordered an immediate investigation, which revealed the alleged molestation began in 2024, according to a statement signed by the state command’s public relations officer, Kehinde Adeleke.
According to NSCDC, in his confessional statement, Akorede admitted to the crime, explaining that after school hours, he instructed the victim to close the windows in the classroom before assaulting her.
“The second incident happened on March 20, 2025, after school hours. It was only the teacher and the girl who were in the class, and he pressed her buttocks,” Adeleke said.
Akorede was arraigned before the Magistrate Court in Ilesa, Osun State, on March 26, 2025, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded in the correctional centre. The trial has been adjourned.
In a separate case, 20-year-old Tiamiyu Samuel was arrested for allegedly having unlawful carnal knowledge of a 12-year-old girl in Gbongan, Osun State.
Adeleke, the NSCDC spokesperson, stated that Samuel had known the victim for three years and, after she rejected his advances, forcibly dragged her into his room on March 23, 2025, with the help of an accomplice.
The suspect allegedly threatened the victim with a cutlass before assaulting her, causing the victim to bleed. He then threatened to kill her if she told anyone.
“The accomplice is currently at large but will be apprehended to face the consequences of his actions. The suspect admitted committing the offence and a medical report confirms that the victim’s hymen was broken,” Adeleke said.
The NSCDC has assured the public that once the investigation is concluded, the suspect will be charged in court.
The Osun NSCDC urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and safeguard their children from such predatory individuals. The Commandant also warned that those engaging in such heinous acts will face severe consequences
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