Last week was one that was surrounded with fresh controversy from the polity; the discovery of millions of dollars in a private residence in Ikoyi, the exchange of words between the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and Governor El-Rufai, and the “battle” between Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido and Governor Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari of Zamfara state.
Obviously, the last may not have been heard from these cases as this new week may still go on with more. The trending topic in the country is the 43 million dollars alongside other currencies found in an Ikoyi home last week.
Pictures of the found money circulated the public space like wild fire; the questions started coming in – who owns the money? Who owns the apartment wherein the bogus amount was found?
Shortly after the information spree, the National Intelligence Agency came forward laying claim to the money, later on, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state said the money belongs to his State. Names of certain individuals (Senator Solomon Adeola, Rotimi Ameachi, Mo Abudu – although these personalities have denied any connection to the found money) were rumored to be behind the money but still, no name has been officially pronounced as owner of the Ikoyi residence.
Many questions are still begging for answers, who owns the money? Is the NIA trying to cover up for certain persons? Is finding the owner of an apartment in a highbrow part of Lagos a difficult task to carry out? Who is actually telling the truth? Hopefully, Nigerians will get to know the real situation soon.
After an open exchange of words, Hon. Yakubu and Gov. El-Rufai last week publicly displayed their pay slips and gave analysis of how security votes allocated to Kaduna state was being utilized respectively. The open “attack” by the duo has gotten many Nigerians happy, are you asking why? Oh, it’s because many consider this a victory for the common man.
Many are of the opinion that many more of such “argument” will further deepen the roots of our democracy, expose the excesses of political leaders and make the people understand the act of governance better. Will the National Assembly go ahead to reveal their budget as demanded by El-Rufai? It remains to be seen.
After Gov. Yari declared that God was “punishing” his people with meningitis type C, Emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido replied by saying God had nothing to do with the disease that has claimed the lives of about 500 people, and that the governor should look for a solution to the plight of his citizen.
The Yari/Sanusi controversy is still ongoing. After attacking and counter attacking each other’s comment recently, both eminent individuals are in the news again. Sanusi’s call for northern leaders to further educate their citizens has met Yari’s – “Practice what you preach” comment. Indeed, the Northern leaders need to improve on the educational sector in their environment to enable the youths have the opportunity of a glorious future.
On Wednesday and Thursday this week, the Nigerian Professional Football League will be alive again as matches will be played across various stadia in the country. Table toppers, Mfm Fc go away to Akwa United, Plateau United host Katsina United, champions Rangers go away to Gombe United alongside other scintillating fixtures.
Also, the second leg matches of the UEFA Champions League quarter final will be decided on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. Will Barcelona be able to pull through with another comeback after three nil defeat in Turin? It remains to be seen.
Segun Odunayo tweets from @Segun_Odunayo
