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  • I’ll challenge Ekiti APC Gov primary in Court- Bamidele

    I’ll challenge Ekiti APC Gov primary in Court- Bamidele

    An All Progressives Congres (APC) in Ekiti State, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has said he would challenge the party’s governorship shadow poll which produced, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji in court.

    Bamidele insisted that the process that produced Oyebanji, who is believed to be the anointed choice of Govenor Kayode Fayemi was fraught with irregularities as there was no election held on January 27 across the 177 wards in the state.

    Although, Bamidele and six others had pulled out of the race, he garnered 706 votes to emerge distant third while Oyebanji got 101, 703 votes to emerge the winner.

    In a statement in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, Bamidele alleged the figures reeled out by the election panel chaired by Jigawa Governor, Abubakar Badaru were
    concocted in the Government House to suit a certain sinister purpose.

    He vowed that all necessary legal action would be taken to test the viability of the results declared and correct the alleged malfeasance perpetrated during the poll to deepen democracy and entrench the rule of law in the system .

    According to him: “We are of course taking immediate steps within the confines of our party constitution and the law to seek redress for this blatant abuse of trust and due process by the State actors.

    “So whilst on this quest to seek an amicable resolution to this impasse, I urge all to remain calm and prayerful that justice and truth will prevail for the benefit of the people of Ekiti”.

    Bamidele added it was unfortunate that the process of conducting the poll was “hijacked, truncated, compromised and bastardised by those at the helm of affairs in the state”, which he said was tantamount to a complete abuse of trust and leadership.

    “It is public knowledge that no primary election took place on Thursday, 27th January, 2022 but yet, rather disappointedly, results were announced based on concocted and fictitious vote counts.

    READ ALSO: Ekiti 2022: No aspirant boycotted APC primaries, says Badaru

    “The underlining level of impunity, desperation and perfidy which characterized the entire rigging process was so much and thought beclouding that I was alloted 700 plus votes in a State wide gubernatorial primary election in a State where I had scored over 90,000 votes in just one out of three Senatorial Districts to emerge as a Senator.

    “More specifically, the breakdown of the votes alloted to me indicated that I got 150 votes in Ado Ekiti, my beloved second home where I had recorded Twenty Eight Thousand votes out of the 42,000 votes that gave me the House of Representatives mandate way back in year 2011 to represent Ado / Irepodun-Ifelodun Federal Constituency.

    “But we will remain resolute, strong, focused and faithful in the face of this impunity, total lack of regard for the electoral due process and executive rascality by a chosen few who were elected to represent the interests of Ekiti people,” he said.

    Bamidele applauded the party at the National , State, Local Government and Ward structures for their continued support and in ensuring the tenets of democracy are continuously entrenched in the political entities and governance of Ekiti State .

    “I have fought quite a number of battles in my life based on my sense of indignation to injustice; but I had never been this resolved to stand up and challenge principalities and powers in utmost determination to defeat darkness and make the lights of Ekiti and her people shine again”.

  • 18 klled, several abducted as terrorists sack Niger community

    18 klled, several abducted as terrorists sack Niger community

    Over 18 people were killed, 40 injured and several abducted when terrorists invaded Galadima Kogo community in Shiroro local government area.

    The attack started around 5 pm on Saturday and lasted for hours.

    The Nation learnt that the terrorists issued a four-day notice to the villagers prior to the attack.

    The notice, it was gathered, coincided with the withdrawal of security personnel from Galadima Kogo.

    Several houses were razed and several cattle of the residents rustled during the attack.

    A resident of Galadima Kogo told The Nation they received a notification from the bandits that they would attack in four days.

    He said leaders of the community informed the security taskforce deployed to the community but they were shocked when the security was withdrawn from the community.

    The Convener, Lakpma Youth Assembly, Jubrin Allawa confirmed the incident.

    Hr said that the security taskforce posted to the area was withdrawn from adding that this gave the terrorists to have a field day in their attack.

    The Concerned Shiroro Youths of Niger state also condemned the withdrawal of security from the community.

    A statement by the co-Conveners Sani Abubakar Kokki and Bello Ibrahim, the group said that they had found the bodies of 12 people who were gruesomely massacred, adding that several others were sustained gunshot injuries while several others are still missing.

    READ ALSO: 30: What does the figure portend for Yorubas in the Nigerian nation?

    “The decision taken by government to withdraw the security personnel notwithstanding the accompanying reason is reckless and insensitive in its entirety, especially to the plights of innocent and unarmed law abiding citizens already ravaged by incessant insecurity.

    “Considering how porous, prone to insecurity and vulnerable to deadly attacks by the rampaging terrorists Galadima Kogo is, one can easily conclude that the withdrawal of security personnel at this material time is a deliberate attempt to further jeopardize people’s lives and put them in the line,” the group stated.

    The youths told the government to restore the withdrawn security personnel and deploy additional security personnel to other areas prone to insecurity with immediate effect.

    “Enough is enough as we can no longer fold our arms watching while our lives are being wasted senselessly by criminal elements. Forewarned is forearmed as a stitch in time saves nine!”, the statement read.

    The Nation learnt that the bodies of 18 victims were brought to the Minna General Hospital late on Saturday night while several injured persons are currently receiving treatment at the Minna General Hospital and the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna.

    Niger Police spokesman DSP Abiodun Wasiu, said information on the attack can only be given by the Commissioner for local government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Mr Emmanuel Umar.

    Umar could not be reached as at the time of filling this report.

  • I will decide on 2023 presidency in Easter – Ngige

    I will decide on 2023 presidency in Easter – Ngige

    The Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige has stated he will make his intentions known on 2023 presidency by Easter.

    The former Anambra Governor said he is still making consultations on the issue with major stakeholders in the country.

    Ngige spoke at the Anambra office of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Awka at the weekend when he gave out empowerment facilities to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State.

    Overwhelmed by the empowerment, Anambra women led by lady Nancy Okafor begged Ngige to declare for the presidency, adding that he was the right person from the South East for the position.

    Okafor said that they had waited for his declaration for the presidency without any response, adding that they were no longer comfortable with his silence on the issue.

    Read Also: 2023: Cleric speaks on Tinubu’s presidential ambition

    “We don’t want to wait for three months for you to decide whether to run or not, we’re mandating you to throw your hat in the ring for that position,”she said.

    Ngige, who refused to respond on the issue at first, said he came for the empowerment programme which would help them set up their families, adding that was the most important thing for him.

    According to him: “This is the phase two of the empowerment programme to help your businesses. If you sell any of the materials you will be arrested, rather, use them to create employment and earn a living ”

    He added that the bags of rice were his own personal donation to the people., adding that all the items amounted to over N50 million.

    “There are water pumps for farmers, generating sets, dyers from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment among other items, including uncountable number of bags of rice from me and they are all for women

    “I want to use this opportunity to inform you that we’re going to do phases 3 and 4 respectively. What I want to do is to create addressee for our party members in the State,” the Minister said

    On the 2023 Presidency, Ngige said: “We’ve started political talks again. Please, give me around Easter where we’re going to have another session like this to discuss your request.

    “I’m still consulting the political leaders in the country on your request, by that time I will decide, I know it’s my right to decide on that. I will take such decision at the appropriate time.”

  • Amid probe, Abba Kyari makes first public appearance at IGP Alkali’s son’s wedding

    Amid probe, Abba Kyari makes first public appearance at IGP Alkali’s son’s wedding

    The suspended erstwhile head of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari, yesterday graced the wedding Fatiha of Maina Alkali, the son of Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba.

    Kyari had not been seen in public functions or activities since the outrage that greeted his Facebook post on August 4, 2021 amid his controversial involvement with alleged internet fraudster Hushpuppi.

    He eventually deleted the post and disappeared from the Blueville and also from Instagram where he had over 80,000 followers. His last post on the platform was on July 26, 2021.

    However, the Borno indigene took to his verified Facebook page with over 450,000 followers yesterday to share photos from the wedding ceremony.

    Kyari had been suspended in July 2021 for alleged involvement in a $1.1 million Internet fraud allegedly perpetrated by Hushpuppi and four others; AbdulRahman Juma (Abdul); Vincent Chibuzo (Kelly); Rukayat Fashola (Morayo); and Bolatito Agbabiaka (Bolamide).

    Read Also: PHOTOS: Suspended DCP Abba Kyari makes first public appearance at IGP Alkali son’s wedding

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation had alleged that Hushpuppi paid $20,600 to two bank accounts allegedly provided by Kyari on January 20, 2020.

    Kyari denied any wrongdoing.

    The Nation learnt that yesterday’s wedding ceremony took place at the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar El-Kanemi, in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

    Sharing over 400 pictures on his Facebook page, he wrote: “Today At the wedding of our younger brother Maina Alkali in Maiduguri my home town.

    “May GOD bless their union with Happiness, Prosperity and Beautiful children, Ameen Ameen.”

    In some of the pictures, he was seen shaking hands with immediate past Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Hakeem Odumosu, Obinna Iyiegbu popularly known as Obi Cubana and others.

    The wedding also had in attendance, the Senate President Ahmad Lawan; former governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima; Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director/CEO of Tiamin Rice, Aminu Ahmed, among other dignitaries.

    It was also learnt that the event was attended by host Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno and his Yobe and Jigawa State counterparts, Mai Mala Buni and Badaru Abubakar respectively.

  • APC chair: Governors in the dark as Buhari keeps party guessing

    APC chair: Governors in the dark as Buhari keeps party guessing

    By Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation and Jide Orintunsin, Abuja

    • Anger over secret push of Bawa Bwari, Abdullahi Adamu for slot

    • Northeast aspirants in jeopardy as govs favour Northcentral

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) hierarchy, including governors elected on the platform of the party, remained in the dark last night over who would receive the blessings of President Muhammadu Buhari among those clamouring to be the party’s next national chairman.

    There had been no word from Buhari at press time on his choice for the exalted position, thus leaving the governors, party leaders and aspirants guessing.

    That was 24 hours after Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State said the party expected the president to guide the party in formulating its zoning arrangement of which the national chairmanship is crucial.

    Party sources however hinted that the incoming national chairman may emerge through a consensus being worked out by governors elected on the platform of the party.

    There were indications that the governors favour the Northcentral for the ticket.

    Members of the President’s kitchen cabinet, popularly called The Cabal, were said to be considering the right aspirant to recommend to Buhari.

    There was however fresh anger in the party over an alleged secret push for a former Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bawa Bwari and the Chairman of the APC National Reconciliation Committee, ex-Governor Abdullahi Adamu for the slot.

    Some forces, including two APC governors, are said to be rooting for Bwari for the office of national chairman while some members of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) are backing Adamu.

    It was not immediately clear whether the former governor of Nasarawa State would bow to pressure.

    It was however learnt that the state chapter of APC may not back him.

    If Adamu and Bwari, a strong ally of ex-President Ibrahim Babangida, join the chairmanship race, the list of aspirants will swell to 13.

    The others are ex-Governor Abdulaziz Yari;  Mallam Saliu Mustapha (Turaki Ilorin); ex-Governor Umar Tanko Al-Makura;  Senator Sani Mohammed Musa; and ex-Governor Ali Modu-Sheriff.

    Also in the race are Sunny Sylvester Monidafe; Mohammed Estu; ex-Governor George Akume; ex- Governor Danjuma Goje; ex-Governor Isa Yuguda and Alhaji Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “APC is on the edge on the choice of a new chairman for the party.

    “The intrigues have left our leaders divided and the situation is becoming complicated because of the forthcoming primaries for the 2023 polls.

    “All our leaders, especially the governors, are positioning themselves to control the party structure or secure a vantage position in the new National Working Committee (NWC).

    “Some hawks are desperate to alienate members of the legacy parties who formed APC.

    “As it is now, the party is fragile and any slip on the new chairman may leave members divided for 2023 general elections.

    “Already, there are speculations that some party leaders are secretly romancing with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as part of Plan B  in case APC becomes fractious.

    “This is why most governors are agitating for a consensus candidate to save the already charged situation.”

    A governor who confided in The Nation said: “To keep our party united, only a consensus candidate should emerge as our next national chairman.

    “We have been consulting on this alternative.

    “We need to close ranks beyond the cosmetic shuttles of Abdullahi Adamu’s committee which cannot achieve much.

    “Most governors believe in consensus, but we are looking in the direction of the President for guidance.

    “He has not opened up to the governors and our leaders on where APC is headed.”

    But another party stalwart said of the consensus option: “It’s not true. Things are still in a state of fluidity.

    “As taciturn as ever, the President is yet to make any pronouncement.”

    The top source confirmed that “the only weighty voice in The Cabal has been trying to recommend two aspirants from the Northcentral.

    “Buhari is exiting power but he has a mindset on the type of APC he wants. So, he is still central to the outcome of the National Convention.”

    Meanwhile, there were indications that some forces, including two governors, have been pushing for a former Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bawa Bwari, to lead the APC.

    A few other leaders, including CECPC members, are seeking the APC chairmanship slot for the Chairman of the APC National Reconciliation Committee, ex-Governor Abdullahi Adamu.

    A party source said: “The emergence of Bawa and Adamu in the calculations for APC chairmanship race is part of the complexity we are talking about.

    “We know Bawa is an ally of ex-President Ibrahim Babangida and a PDP politician in spirit.

    “Do they want the nPDP component of APC to lead the party to the detriment of the defunct CPC axis?

    “Is that our best bargain?

    “Apart from age factor, how can Adamu, who is reconciling aggrieved members, now be the chairman of APC? Do they want him to approbate and reprobate at the same time?

    “In the case of Adamu, it may lead to a fresh crisis of confidence between him and ex-Governor Umar Tanko Al-Makura, who may see it as backstabbing, and there will be division in Nasarawa State chapter of APC.

    “There is anger in the party over the alleged aspiration of Adamu. Many are also uncomfortable with Bawa.”

    At a meeting of Nasarawa APC stakeholders during the week to support Al-Makura, Governor Abdullahi Sule said: “You can use what you have. In this state, it is only Umaru Tanko Al-Makura that has indicated interest in the race for the national championship of our great party, the APC.”

    Northeast aspirants in jeopardy as governors favour Northcentral

    The ambition of two APC governors to run as vice presidential candidate of the party is also believed to be jeopadising the interest of three national chairmanship aspirants from the Northeast.

    Investigation revealed that two APC governors and a former governor from the Northeast are keen to be picked as presidential running mate while three aspirants from the region are jostling for the national chairmanship position.

    The Nation gathered Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Governor Baba Gana Zulum of Borno State and his immediate past predecessor, Senator Kashim Shettima, are being touted as possible vice presidential candidates.

    Those jostling for the leadership of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) from the region include former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff, Chief Sunny Sylvester Moniedafe and former Minister of Aviation, Mallam Isa Yuguda.

    Zulum, according to sources, was originally supporting his political “godfather” , Senator Shettima, for  vice president, but the situation may have now changed as he himself seems to be interested in the position.

    A source said some highly influential stakeholders from the Northeast in concert with the governors may have ceded the national chairmanship to the Northcentral in expectation that the vice president ticket would come to the zone (Northeast).

    But Mallam Mamman Mohammed, spokesperson to Governor Mai Mala Buni, denied the rumour. According to him, his principal has no such ambition.

    He said: “It is a clear rumour. My principal has not discussed vice presidential aspiration with anybody. As far as he is concerned, he is on a mission to conduct a successful national convention that will give the party victory in 2023.

    “We have heard this rumour for quite a long time. But like I said, he hasn’t discussed such ambition with anybody. It is a rumour and remains a rumour.”

    Senator Modu-Sheriff had recently alleged a plot by some people from his home state to scuttle his chairmanship aspiration.

    The former two-term governor of Borno State penultimate weekend told newsmen in Abuja that those pushing the narrative that the position of national chairman had been zoned to the Northcentral were afraid of his political stature, hence their plot to shut him out of the national convention.

    “Some people are afraid because they know that I am competent to do what I am aspiring to do,” he said.

    Another aspirant for the chairmanship position, Chief Moniedafe, said he was unperturbed by the interest of anyone from his zone aspiring to be vice president.

    He said he could not stop anyone from actualising their dream, but for him, his national chairmanship aspiration is meant to ensure “a stronger and united APC for a better Nigeria”.

  • Outrage as four teenagers kill girl, burn head for money rituals

    Outrage as four teenagers kill girl, burn head for money rituals

    By Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta; Kunle Akinrinade and Alao Abiodun

    Police in Ogun State have arrested four teenagers for killing the girlfriend of one of them for money-making ritual.

    The suspects, Wariz Oladehinde (17), Abdul Gafar Lukman (19) and Mustakeem Balogun (20), were arrested on Saturday morning by detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer for Adatan,  Abiodun Salau, following a tip-off from the head of the community’s security guards, Segun Adewusi.

    The fourth suspect, Soliu Manekodunmi (18), who escaped from the scene when his three accomplices were arrested, was later tracked to his hideout and apprehended.

    It was learnt that the suspects were sighted burning something suspected to be human head in a local pot, and the strange smell from the pot gave them away to the community’s security guards.

    One of the suspects, Soliu Manekodunmi, was said to have volunteered his girlfriend and lured her to the location in Oke-Aregba area of Abeokuta, the state capital, where she was hacked to death and dismembered.

    The Police Public Relations Officer for Ogun State, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who disclosed this to newsmen, said the suspects had confessed that what they were burning in the local pot was the head of Soliu’s girlfriend.

    Oyeyemi said: “The suspects also confessed that the girl, identified simply as Rofiat, was lured by her boyfriend Soliu to where she was murdered by the four of them, after which they cut off her head and packed the remains in a sack and dumped it in an old building.

    “They subsequently led policemen to the building where the dismembered body was recovered and deposited at general hospital mortuary for autopsy.

    “The short cutlass and knife used in cutting off the deceased’s head were also recovered.

    “The Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole, who described the action of the suspects as the height of callousness, ordered a massive manhunt for the fleeing boyfriend of the victim by name Soliu.

    “Following the matching order given to the DPO of Adatan Division by the Commissioner of Police, the DPO and his men eventually arrested the fleeing suspect in his hideout.

    “The CP also ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation with a view to arraigning them in court as soon as possible.”

    The action of the teenagers sparked outrage yesterday as many Nigerians on social media described the gruesome actions of the teenagers as “despicable and callous”.

    Some others lamented the scourge of ritual killings especially being perpetrated by youths who are carried away by the get-rich-quick syndrome.

  • I received 19 written threats for undertaking banking revolution – Soludo

    I received 19 written threats for undertaking banking revolution – Soludo

    A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof Charles Soludo has narrated his personal experience when he undertook some reforms in the banking sector.

    Soludo, who is the governor-elect of Anambra State, said he received 19 written threats, including physical attacks for undertaking the banking revolution in Nigeria.

    Soludo served as governor of CBN from 2004 to 2009.

    He disclosed this as a guest speaker at the first Graduation Day of students of School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG), founded by a former Minister of Education, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, on Saturday in Abuja.

    Soludo noted that disrupting the existing social order was dangerous, saying beneficiaries of the current order are powerful enough to organise and viciously fight back to protect their privileges.

    According to him, with the objective to retain power within the context of short electoral cycles, politicians are afraid to undertake the necessary disruptive changes to guarantee long term safety and prosperity for all.

    The Federal Government recently backtracked on its decision to remove subsidy from petrol because of its likely backlash.

    He said: “Oil is on its way out, but dismantling the decades-old debilitating institutions and politics around it won’t be a tea party. Nigeria is now at a fiscal cliff with a crunching solvency challenge. Youth unemployment, insecurity, poverty, inflation, etc threaten the social fabric. Migrating to a post oil world of 4th Industrial revolution and sustainable prosperity will require massive disruptive transformations and restoration of a productive social contract.

    “Such disruptions will come at great costs, and could indeed be dangerous. It is not far to imagine what could befall serious disruptors. In Nigeria, we remember what happened to Murtala Muhammed, and the history books are replete with hundreds of examples of the inherent risks.

    “At a personal level, undertaking the banking revolution in Nigeria came with 19 written threats to me and my family, including physical attacks. Disrupting the existing social order is dangerous. Beneficiaries of the current order are powerful enough to organize and viciously fight back to protect their privileges.

    “On the contrary, the masses who are the ultimate beneficiaries are not organized enough to act as a bulwark against the special interests. As things stand currently, we are standing between the rock and the hard place. With the objective to retain power within the context of short electoral cycles, politicians are afraid to undertake the necessary disruptive changes to guarantee long term safety and prosperity for all.

    “On the other hand, the existing trends are totally unsustainable and the system is living on borrowed times. Everyone is sleepwalking to the hard place, and praying that somehow a miracle will happen along the way.

    “So, who is ready to put his head on the line to lead such productive but dangerous disruptions? Are the SPPG graduates ready for the assignment? I assume that you can’t wait to get to work, to apply your knowledge for a new Nigeria. Am I right? You have my prayers! As I pray for your success, let me throw up a few random nuggets to chew on your way.”

    According to him, politics has become big business, adding that appointment or election into public office is seen largely as an opportunity to ‘eat’ rather than a call to selfless service.

    Soludo lamented that less than one percent elite have a stranglehold on the public purse, sprinkling occasional crumbs to the citizens as ‘dividends’

    He said: “Politics has become big business. Appointment or election into public office is seen largely as an opportunity to ‘eat’ rather than a call to selfless service. There is an army of rich (big men) who have never worked or done any productive work in their life and believe that it is their right to expect something for nothing.

    “The tiny less than one percent elite have a stranglehold on the public purse, sprinkling occasional crumbs to the citizens as ‘dividends of democracy’. The citizens themselves either out of helplessness or acquiescence join the party, expecting the politicians to dole out pittance out of the public treasury as charity.

    “The citizens actually clap for such phantom ‘charity.’ Politicians who refuse to do so are deemed as ‘stingy’ or ‘wicked,’ and the circus goes on. With a rentier system, a culture of freebies emerged, and most people don’t expect to pay for anything, including taxes, electricity, water, petrol, etc.

    “A classic feature of the political environment is that corruption has become part of the ‘culture,’ with little incentive for honesty. Honesty is scorned as wickedness, foolishness or mere pretense, and those who dare to be different have a steep price to pay. So, who among you is ready to be honest and scorned by society?

    In her remark, Dr. Ezekwesili lamented the way politics in Africa is being run, saying it had distorted the society.

    Ezekwesili charged the graduates to embrace leadership skills that would transform the society. Leaders take the pain so that others can enjoy it.

    “The society must be contested for and you should pioneer the space for that leadership,” she said.

    She said that the school would be replicated in another six African countries as a way of liberating Africa out of extractive colonialism.

  • PHOTOS: Suspended DCP Abba Kyari makes first public appearance at IGP Alkali son’s wedding

    PHOTOS: Suspended DCP Abba Kyari makes first public appearance at IGP Alkali son’s wedding

    Read Also: BREAKING: Suspended DCP Abba Kyari makes first public appearance

  • Suspended DCP Abba Kyari makes first public appearance

    Suspended DCP Abba Kyari makes first public appearance

    The suspended erstwhile head of the Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari on Saturday, graced the wedding Fatiha of Maina Alkali, the son of Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba.

    Kyari has not been seen in the public since the suspension.

    Following the outrage against his Facebook post on August 4, 2021, Kyari deleted the post and disappeared from the Blueville.

    He also disappeared from Instagram where he had over 80,000 followers.

    His last post was on July 26, 2021 on the platform.

    However, the Borno-born cop took to his verified Facebook page with over 450,000 followers on Saturday to share photos from the wedding ceremony.

    Read Also: Court defers hearing in suit against Abba Kyari’s extradition

    Kyari was suspended in July 2021 for alleged involvement in a $1.1 million Internet fraud allegedly perpetrated by Hushpuppi and four others; AbdulRahman Juma (Abdul); Vincent Chibuzo (Kelly); Rukayat Fashola (Morayo); and Bolatito Agbabiaka (Bolamide).

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation had alleged that Hushpuppi paid $20,600 to two bank accounts allegedly provided by Kyari on January 20, 2020.

    Kyari denied the wrongdoing.

    The Nation learnt the wedding ceremony took place at the palace of Shehu of Borno Abubakar El-Kanemi in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

    Sharing over 400 pictures on his Facebook page, he wrote: “Today At the wedding of our younger brother Maina Alkali in Maiduguri my home town.

    “May GOD bless their union with Happiness, Prosperity and Beautiful children, Ameen Ameen.”

    In some of the pictures, he was seen shaking hands with immediate past Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Hakeem Odumosu and Obinna Iyiegbu popularly known as Obi Cubana, others.

    The wedding also attracted the Senate President Ahmad Lawan; former governor of Borno, Kashim Shettima; Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; president of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; managing director/CEO of Tiamin Rice, Aminu Ahmed, among other dignitaries.

    It was also learnt that the event was attended by host Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno and his Yobe and Jigawa counterparts, Mai Mala Buni and Badaru Abubakar respectively.

  • BREAKING: Ooni orders restrictions over robbery in Ile-Ife

    BREAKING: Ooni orders restrictions over robbery in Ile-Ife

    The Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi on Saturday announced restrictions for residents of the ancient community over surge in robbery cases.

    Oba Ogunwusi, through Lowa Adimula of Ile-Ife, Abraham Adekola, told The Nation: “The restrictions order was arrived at after the kingmakers with other chiefs held a meeting today and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi who was not around endorsed the order.

    “The Imperial Majesty, Oba Ogunwusi has ordered lockdown from 11 pm to 5am in Ife township from today. No vigil, night party, night prayers in all churches and mosques, etc.

    “This is because the activities of robbers in Ile-Ife are on high which is causing sleepless nights among the residents.

    “The police with the local securities are now in the community to ensure security. Anyone caught in within these hours will be treated as such. The restriction is till further notice.”