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NNPP BoT suspends Kwankwaso, others for hobnobbing with Tinubu, Atiku

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has taken a decisive step by suspending Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, their presidential candidate in the February 25th election, due to alleged anti-party activities.

In a similar vein, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has also been suspended.

This move has been coupled with the appointment of new national officers to ensure the smooth functioning of the party during this period.

Dr. Agbo Major has been designated as the acting National Chairman, while Mr. Ogini Olaposi will serve as the acting National Secretary, both supported by 18 other individuals.

The suspension, set for a duration of six months, was voted on during the party’s special general assembly, which took place at Rockview Hotels in Apapa.

This course of action comes after the NWC of the party, on August 24th, suspended the party’s founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, and the National Publicity Secretary, Major.

Secretary of the BoT, Babayo Muhammed Abdulahi, addressed the media after the meeting in Lagos, highlighting Kwankwaso’s alleged affiliations with President Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), without obtaining authorization from the board. As a consequence, Abdullahi announced the revocation of Kwankwaso’s position as the NNPP national leader.

Abdulahi further emphasized that the suspension of the NNPP founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, was a blatant and severe violation of the party’s constitution.

He clarified that Aniebonam had already resigned from the position of BoT Chairman, leading to the election of Dr. Chief Tope Aluko as the new BoT Chairman, and Abdulahi as the new BoT Secretary. High Chief Tony Obioha was also elected as the BoT spokesperson.

Abdulahi also stressed that the pre-election Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Kwankwasia Movement, The National Movement (TNM), and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has been invalidated by the actions of the NWC.

Abdulahi said: “The purported suspension of the founder is a flagrant gross violation of the NNPP constitution such that it is tantamount to recklessness and irresponsibility on the part of the incompetent NWC.

“The BoT decided that material evidence in the public sector affirmed that Kwankwaso was involved in anti-party activities in various meetings, suggest political discussions with the President, Atiku and Obi without authorisation from the board.

“This has earned him six months suspension pending the outcome of investigation by the Disciplinary Committee.

“The BOT insisted that the avoidable violation of MoU between NNPP on the one part and Kwankwasia, TNM and NAGAFF on the other has no other choice than to withdraw from the partnership.

“It is therefore to state clearly that the MOU have been rendered void.”

Also speaking, the acting chairman said his team would hit the ground running by healing the wounds created by the suspended NWC members.

Major said the party would remain the most ordinary friendly party in the country and urged other members that are displaced for one reason or the other to return to its fold.

“We don’t intend to shut anybody out or censor anybody but we want to ensure that we remain on track and maintain our people-oriented ideology,” he said.

The special general assembly meeting was attended by the new NWC and members from across the country.

08/29/2023
We’ll deliver millennium tower project in 2 years –Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike declared that the ministry will deliver the Millennium Tower project in the next two years.

Wike stated this in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with contractors handling different projects in the FCT.

The Millennium Tower at Central Area, Abuja, is a multifunctional edifice with facilities for cultural exposition, tourism, socialisation, recreation, hospitality, and commercial activities.

The project is being handled by Salini Construction Nigeria Limited but was abandoned due to lack of funds.

He said that the tower was a very important project that would change the landscape of Abuja city.

“It is a very ambitious project, but again if we are talking of Abuja being one of the best cities in the world, then we must have such a facility.

“I can tell you it is not easy to go into that project, but we have decided that whatever it takes, it is going to be one of the legacy projects for President Bola Tinubu.

“In fact, we are looking at the next two years, if the way we are going to structure our payment is agreeable with the contractor,” Wike said.

NAN reports that the project, conceived in 2005 had reached 40 per cent completion, and is expected to, upon completion, self-finance itself from revenues generated from all the commercial activities in the complex.

The scope of the project comprises a cultural centre with four museums, an expansive arcade consisting of 40,000m2 platform for hosting national and other events.

It also consists of a five-star hotel with 55 luxury rooms and nine suites for about 130 persons, offices, passive and active recreational facilities, 1200 capacity auditorium, conference rooms,

Others are exhibition halls, shops, a sport centre with an indoor pool, gyms, fitness, squash courts and a two-level 1,200 capacity basement car park.

The millennium tower itself is a 170-meter-tall structure accommodating a revolving panoramic restaurant for more than 130 diners.

The minister added that a careful analysis of all the awarded contracts with the contractors and his team have revealed that most of the projects were abandoned for lack of funds.

“The Minister of State, myself, the permanent secretary, and directors have concluded that it is not possible to carry on with the entire projects in the FCT.

“Therefore, we agreed to take them in order of priority. We have tried to work out most of the projects being handled by Julius Berger and agreed to see that these projects are fully completed,” he said.

Wike added that the Villa Roundabout being handled by China Geo-engineering Corporation (CGC) Nigeria Limited, would be completed in the next six to eight months.

He equally said that the ministry would ensure the completion of the projects being handled by Cetraco Nigeria Ltd, and also put a facelift on Garki, Wuse and part of Maitama in the next one week.

He said that the contractors would be mobilised immediately, adding that Asokoro would equally have a facelift in no distant time.

On the Abuja light rail rehabilitation project, the minister said that an agreement has been concluded with CCECC Nigeria Limited to give them their money in the next two days so they can go to work.

“We are also discussing with the company on the operation cost, because it will not be good to rehabilitate and then you cannot operate.

“We have told them that on Thursday, we are going to meet to talk about the operation cost,” he said.

Wike pointed out that part of the problems of the projects was because they were not being funded by the national budget.

He said that in view of the funding challenge, the ministry would pick some projects that could be completed within a specific period and then decide on what to do again in the following year.

08/29/2023
Armed Forces College inaugurates 258 participants of Senior Course 46

A total of 258 middle level military officers has commenced an 11-month operation leadership course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State.

The Senior Course 46 participants include 147 from the Nigeria Army; Navy 59; Air Force 41; 10 international students and one from the Defence Intelligence Agency.

The Commandant AFCSC, AVM Hassan Alhaji said that the course was very significant to the progression of the participants in their military careers.

According to him, the objective of the course is to prepare the participants for increasing responsibilities both in command and staff appointments.

“This is in the light of varying security challenges that are besetting our countries, which makes it imperative for you to improve your capacity as middle level commanders to better ensure peace and security in your respective domains.

“Consequently, it is our fervent desire that you become better trained officers at the end of this course,” Alhaji said.

The Commandant expressed the hope that at the end of the course, “we would have sufficiently built your capacity with the appropriate skill sets to operate as Grade 2 staff officers.

“And equally prepare you to function effectively at the operational level of the services of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other nations present today”.

He advised them to be very adaptive, hardworking and ready to lay a solid foundation in their careers as the course will prepare them for the burden of leadership required of operational level officers.

“Bear in mind that for you to succeed on the course, you will need to have a good sense of time management, drive for knowledge, punctuality, espri-de-corps, self-confidence and above all, personal discipline.

“In line with the principles of Mission Command, you will be given the opportunity to exercise ingenuity, initiative, responsibility and leadership in all College activities,” he said.

He assured that the college “will be fair and objective in assessing them”, but said they must be diligent and hard working to pass through the course.

“The choice, therefore, is yours to make and I hope it will be the right one.

“You are not here to play and fail. And you will fail if you play. You are here to win.

“It is my wish to see all of you win, graduate and be awarded the qualification “Pass Staff Course” at the end your stay here,” Alhaji said.

A former Commandant of AFCSC, AVM Ebenezer Alade (rtd), delivered the inaugural lecture on “Making of an Effective Command and Staff Officers for Contemporary Operating Environment”

08/29/2023
N5bn Palliative: FCT to boost transportation, food –Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCTA is considering transportation and food supplies support with the N5 billion palliative received from the Federal Government.

Wike stated this in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with contractors handling different projects in the FCT.

The Federal Government had on Aug. 17 announced a N5 billion palliative for each state of the federation, including the FCT, to cushion the impact of the removal of the petrol subsidy.

Some of the state governments have confirmed receiving N2 billion from the amount, while awaiting the N3 billion balance.

However, the minister said that the FCT was not included in the N5 billion palliative until he wrote a memo informing President Bola Tinubu of the development.

He added that Tinubu has approved the amount, adding that other states have received N2 billion already, expressing confidence that the FCT will equally receive soon.

“But we are yet to decide on what to do with the N2 billion palliative. We have not chosen any area yet.

“Are we going to concentrate on food, but we are thinking that the issue of transportation is very very important, particularly the urban mass transit.

“People would like to have easy transportation to go to where they want to go, and if you give them rice and they eat the rice today, what about transportation tomorrow?

“So, we have not come up with what actually we are going to use the money for, but I believe food support and transportation is very key,” he said.

The minister added that efforts were ongoing to bring back urban mass transportation to be able to reduce the suffering of the masses in terms of transportation.

08/29/2023
Troops apprehend 17 suspects for alleged crimes in Plateau, Kaduna

Troops belonging to Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a military task force entrusted with maintaining peace in Plateau, parts of Bauchi, and Kaduna States, have successfully apprehended 17 suspects on charges related to murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other criminal activities.

In a statement provided by Captain James Oya, the Media Officer of the operation, it was revealed that these arrests took place between August 21 and August 28 across various locations within the region of their operational responsibility.

“Troops arrested five suspects for killing one Mr. Joshua Deme on his farm in Kassa village, situated within Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau,” Captain Oya stated. He continued, “We also executed a meticulously planned operation in Jagindi Tasha village, located in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, leading to the arrest of a long-sought suspected kidnapper, Mr. Baba Habu.”

Further emphasizing the successful efforts, Captain Oya explained, “We effectively thwarted a kidnapping attempt in Angwan Takai village within Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau. This achievement was facilitated by the rapid response of our troops to a distress call.” Over the stated period, the troops achieved a series of milestones – apprehending suspects, rescuing kidnapped victims, foiling armed robbery endeavors, and preventing potential attacks on vulnerable communities.

Arms and ammunition were also seized from some of the apprehended suspects. Captain Oya reported, “In parallel endeavors, our troops conducted operations at Gwash and Kamantan villages in Jos North and Zango Kataf local government areas of Plateau and Kaduna. Here, we succeeded in recovering firearms, including a pistol, cartridges, and rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.”

Amidst these operations, the security forces managed to detain a notorious armed robber, Mohammed Lawal, in Kafanchan town. The seizure of two fabricated rifles and one pistol accompanied his arrest. A truck transporting vandalized railway tracks was intercepted along Gidan Ado village in Riyom.

The operations also extended to addressing drug-related offenses. “A drug kingpin, Maxwell Davou, was apprehended in a sting operation with substances suspected to be illicit drugs at Waye Foundation Du in Jos South,” Captain Oya stated. The troops’ determination led them to engage bandits around Alaghom and Mangu, eventually neutralizing some and retrieving weapons.

The comprehensive efforts of the troops extended beyond criminal activities as they intervened to manage 237 cows that were damaging crops on farms across Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local government areas.

08/29/2023
Minister to sanction NRC MD over poor maintenance of Idu Train Station facilities

Following complaints by passengers of non-functional toilet facilities in some of the train stations, the Minister of Transport, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali has vowed to sanction the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Fidet Okhiria.

In an unscheduled visit to the Idu Train Terminal in Abuja at the weekend, the minister was greeted with a series of complaints by passengers at the station.

The complaints ranged from non-functioning of toilet facilities in some of the coaches, non-payment of allowances, and unkempt condition of the coaches.

Alkali said, “Seeing is believing, as I have seen by myself. I inspected the coaches and some of the toilet facilities are not working.

“I received a complaint from the security escorts that in the last five months their allowances were not paid and I am happy that the MD of NRC is appearing before the ministry on Tuesday to brief.

“I am now well informed that the lifts and escalators aren’t working, which makes it very difficult for the elderly and the disabled persons to use the train for traveling. Therefore, he would explain why the disciplinary action wouldn’t be taken against him”.

According to the minister, the essence of the visit was achieved.

“So, from the experience when the visit is scheduled, they will be able to put some of the things in place because they know you are coming to see it”

He assured that in the next 48 hours, the escalators and the lift will be working.

“I am also going to ensure that the outstanding allowances of the escorts are paid on Monday.

“I am going to liaise with the Ministry of Defense so that we’re going to ensure that we’ve maintained unmanned area vehicles so that it’d give them protection from the air. “The coaches are unkempt. The seats aren’t clean. So, we need to ensure that all these things are put in place,” he stressed

08/29/2023
Real Estate Bill, solution to housing sector challenges – REDAN

The Real Estate Association of Nigeria (REDAN) has disclosed that the Real Estate Bill when passed into law would address the numerous challenges developers face in delivering quality and affordable housing in the country.

President of the Real Estate Developers Association (REDAN), Alhaji Aliyu Wammako, who disclosed this in an interview in Abuja, said the lack of real growth of the sector is due lack of legislation that would provide the direction.

He said signing the bill into law would curb fraudulent practices in the business of real estate development and ensure real estate businesses conform to the National Building Code.

“To tackle all the numerous challenges facing the sector, the Real Estate Bill has to be passed into law. This will help to effectively regulate the real estate sector, giving the body the power to regulate the sector and take better charge of the activities of our members,” he said.

He also called for the recapitalisation of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to strengthen it further to deliver on its mandate of providing mortgages for citizens.

08/28/2023
FG forcefully retires four senior police officers

*Says they failed to voluntarily resign after new IGP’s appointment

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has executed the compulsory retirement of four Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) in a notable development that has garnered attention. The Commission, basing its decision on legal statutes and established regulations, made this announcement.

This decision was reached following the invocation of specific sections of the law, namely “Third Schedule, Part 1 M, Para A&B of the 1999 Constitution,” and further bolstered by “Section 6 of the Commissions (Establishment) Act 2001, para a, c, d, e, &f.”

The high-ranking officers who are affected by this directive include Dan-Mallam Mohammed, Moses Jitiboh, Hafiz Inuwa, and Adeleke Bode.

The PSC’s official spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, conveyed this information through a statement.

The crux of the matter, according to the PSC, lies in the refusal of the aforementioned Deputy Inspectors General to tender their resignations following the appointment of their junior counterpart, Kayode Egbetokun, as the new Inspector General of Police.

This decision was made with the intention of ensuring a seamless transition and maintaining the hierarchical integrity within the police force.

The action taken by the Police Service Commission not only highlights the importance of adherence to established regulations but also underscores the dynamics that are integral to the internal operations of law enforcement agencies.

The move, though significant, is part of the Commission’s efforts to uphold a structured and efficient functioning of the police force under changing leadership dynamics.

“In the wake of the appointment of the acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun on the 19th of June, 2023 by Mr. President, the Commission had expected in consonance with the revered tradition of discipline and regimented culture of the Nigeria Police Force that those DIGS who were seniors in rank prior to his elevation will voluntarily apply for retirement or elect to leave the Force.

“The Commission, having waited for ample time with no such application from any of them, took the decision to compulsorily retire them in order to uphold discipline which is the bedrock of the Force, and to discourage status reversal which is inherently inimical to the exercise of authority by the Inspector General.”

It also announced the appointment of four new senior police officers to replace the relieved DIGs.

See full press statement below:

PSC RETIRES DIGS DAN-MALLAM, JITIBOH, HAFIZ AND ADELEKE, APPOINTS SANI KA’OJE, SOKARI-PEDRO, AYUBA EKPEJI AND USMAN NAGOGO – decision to uphold discipline, discourage status reversal

The Police Service Commission in exercise of its statutory powers, pursuant to the Third Schedule, Part 1 M, para A&B of the 1999 Constitution, reinforced with Section 6 of the Commissions (Establisment) Act 2001, para a, c, d, e, &f, has compulsorily retired four Deputy Inspectors General of Police.

The affected DIGs are Dan-Mallam Mohammed, Moses Ambakina Jitiboh, Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa and Adeleke Adeyinka Bode.

In the wake of the appointment of the acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun on the 19th of June, 2023 by Mr. President, the Commission had expected in consonance with the revered tradition of discipline and regimented culture of the Nigeria Police Force that those DIGS who were seniors in rank prior to his elevation will voluntarily apply for retirement or elect to leave the Force.

The Commission, having waited for ample time with no such application from any of them, took the decision to compulsorily retire them in order to uphold discipline which is the bedrock of the Force, and to discourage status reversal which is inherently inimical to the exercise of authority by the Inspector General.

Accordingly the former DIGs have been mandated to Immediately proceed on compulsory retirement with effect from Friday, 25th August, 2023.The Commission appreciates their immense contributions and efforts towards peace and security of our country and also wishes them well in their future endeavours in retirement.

Similarly, the Commission also approved the appointment of four Assistant Inspectors General of Police to the rank of Deputy Inspectors General of Police which would be subject to ratification by the Board of the Commission to replace the retired DIGs.

The newly appointed DIGs who are without Pending Disciplinary Matters and/or without any serious medical conditions and health impairments were drawn from the same respective geo-political regions of the retired ones.

They are DIG’s Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje; Daniel Sokari – Pedro, Ayuba Ekpeji, and Usman Nagogo.

While congratulating them for their elevation to the enviable rank of DIGs, the Commission hopes that their appointment will add value and greater vigour to the efforts of the Nigeria Police in delivering on its mandate.

Ikechukwu Ani

Head, Press and Public Relations

Monday, August 28th 2023

08/28/2023
Tinubu won’t hesitate to sack underperforming ministers, says Ngelale

Senior Adviser to the President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale on Monday said that his principal will not spare any minister who fails to perform his or her duties satisfactorily.

Ngelale, who said that following the aftermath of Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 election, he had meticulously outlined his objectives for various sectors within the country, added that the President’s uncompromising stance on failure is evident as he inaugurated new ministers, making it clear that underperformance will not be tolerated, according to

The presidential spokesman emphasized these sentiments during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily which was monitored by NIGERIAN ANCHOR.

He highlighted Tinubu’s resolute approach to enforcing standards, drawing parallels with his tenure as the governor of Lagos State, where he was unafraid to take disciplinary action when necessary.

The stakes are high, as Ngelale underscored, “He is not somebody that is afraid to levy quick sanctions to ensure that they get the results that he wants because, ultimately, if this administration fails, they will not say a minister failed or a set of ministers failed. They will say President Bola Tinubu failed, and he will not accept failure.”

Ngelale explained that during the transition period between Tinubu’s election and his inauguration on May 29, the President was proactive in forming “a series of reform committees across all the sectors.”

Ngelale pointed out, “[Tinubu] basically looked at exactly what His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari has achieved and said, ‘This is what we want to do to build on all these achievements.”

A structured approach has been adopted. Ngelale elaborated, “We’re going to effectively implement a plan within a certain amount of time based on time-based benchmarks that when a minister has come in, we would be able to measure their performance against.”

In a groundbreaking departure from historical norms, Ngelale noted, “Every minister coming in absolutely knows what they have to achieve within the time frame that’s been given to them by the President, and that’s something in the history of Nigerian governance we’ve never seen before.”

08/28/2023
Tinubu chairs inaugural Federal Executive Council Meeting

President Bola Tinubu is currently presiding over the inaugural session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The meeting commenced shortly after noon on Monday and is attended by prominent officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Sen. George Akume, and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan. Other participants comprise Chief of State to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, new ministers, and key government functionaries.

The Federal Executive Council is established under the Ministers’ Statutory Powers and Duties Act, functioning as an advisory body to the President, who holds the position of the FEC’s chairman.

Its role involves providing guidance to the President to determine the strategic course of the government. While the President remains the ultimate authority in executive decision-making, the FEC plays a crucial role in shaping the government’s direction.

Serving as the federal government’s cabinet, the FEC is an integral part of the executive branch. Its members are appointed by and are accountable to the President.

This gathering follows the recent inauguration of 45 ministers by President Tinubu, as they take up their roles in his administration.

08/28/2023