Category: News

Mr Okpebholo spoke on Tuesday in Benin at the official inauguration of the newly revived Edo Line, a state-run transport company.

The event was broadcast on Channels TV, a Lagos-based television station.

Edo Line was established in 1968 but had not been functional since 2010, with some of its staff members redeployed to the Edo State Ministry of Transport.

During a political rally in Edo on Friday, Mr Okpebholo warned Mr Obi not to enter the state without notifying him or obtaining security clearance.

The governor, a member of the APC, claimed Mr Obi’s recent visit to St Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences, where he donated N15 million for the completion of projects in the school, triggered violence and the death of three persons.

“This message is for the man who claims he has no ‘shishi’,” he said at the rally, apparently referring to Mr Obi, who often uses the slang to express his disdain for extravagance, particularly by politicians during campaigns.

“For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance,” the governor declared.

Continuing, Mr Okpebholo said: “There’s a new sheriff in town. He cannot just come into Edo without informing me. His security will not be guaranteed. If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking.”

The remarks have elicited criticisms from civil society groups, lawyers, politicians, and other Nigerians, with many asking the Edo governor to withdraw the comments and apologise to Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State.

But speaking on Tuesday, Mr Okpebholo said he has no regrets over the warning against Mr Obi.

The governor defended his action, arguing that the directive to Mr Obi was advice and should not be misinterpreted as a threat.

“I am not supposed to talk much due to the rain. Even when they said I couldn’t talk, but just one sentence, everyone was crying,” Mr Okpebholo began, referring to the criticisms that trailed his remarks against Mr Obi.

“What I said was simply advice, don’t come to Edo without telling me.

“My job is not only to work for Edo people, but my job is to save the lives of Edo citizens and visitors coming into Edo.

“If telling him (Peter Obi) to notify me of his coming as the chief security officer of the state is a crime, so be it,” he said.

“I have no regrets about what I have said, and I repeat it: before you come into Edo State, notify me. It is not a threat.”

The governor claimed that before the 2024 governorship in Edo State, he had received a similar “advice” from the then commissioner of police in the state not to leave the airport and that his failure to heed the advice resulted in the death of his police orderly.

“I have advised the former governor of Anambra State, if he likes, let him take it. If he likes, let him dwell on social media. It does not concern me.

“I had a security report and advised the former governor of Anambra State to inform me whenever he is coming to Edo State,” he said.

Wike backs Okpebholo on remarks against Obi

Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, backed Mr Okpebholo on the governor’s remarks against Mr Obi.

Mr Wike, who performed the ceremony for the commissioning of the revived Edo Line, argued that the governor was right to insist on prior notice from Mr Obi for security reasons.

“Some people can harm anybody (like Obi) and then accuse the governor of being responsible because he knows a coalition member is coming. So governor, you are right,” said the FCT minister, a former governor of Rivers State.

The FCT minister claimed that, during his time as Rivers governor, Mr Obi obtained official clearance from him before entering the south-southern state.

“When I was governor of Rivers State, when Peter Obi was coming to my state, he notified me, and I provided vehicles and logistics for him, because at that level, as a presidential candidate, anything that happens to him will be my fault,” the minister said.

“All I am saying is, if you are coming, tell me because I am here to protect you.”

Turning to Mr Okpebholo, Mr Wike said: “You didn’t say, ‘Don’t come.’ But people play politics. They give people money to go on television and twist facts. Premium Times

The plan included a combined external loan package of $21.5 billion, €2.2 billion, and 15 billion Japanese Yen, as well as a €65 million grant.

Additionally, the Senate endorsed a N757.98 billion domestic bond issuance to settle outstanding liabilities under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), some of which date back to December 2023.

The red chamber said the approval was to bring relief to thousands of retirees affected by payment delays.

The Senate maintained that the foreign borrowing plan and domestic bond issuance were key components of the 2025–2026 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), documents that outline Nigeria’s fiscal direction for the coming years.

Chairman of Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator AliyuWamakko, presented the report that underpinned the approval.

Wamakko confirmed that the proposed external loans were mostly concessional, offered at low interest rates and long repayment terms, designed to support the country’s critical sectors without overly burdening public finances.

Tinubu, in his correspondence to the National Assembly, described the loans as essential for driving growth across vital sectors, including power, transport, health, education, water, and agriculture.

He highlighted the urgency of addressing the country’s massive infrastructure shortfall, especially following the removal of fuel subsidies, which had strained government revenues and increased pressure on citizens.

“In light of the significant infrastructure deficit in the country and the paucity of financial resources needed to address this gap amid declining domestic demand, it has become essential to pursue prudent economic borrowing to close the financial shortfall,” Tinubu stated.

A standout element of the approved measures is the new $2 billion Foreign Currency Denominated Issuance Programme in the domestic debt market.

Enabled by Presidential Executive Order No. 16 of 2023, the programme is designed to allow the government to raise foreign currency from within Nigeria rather than from international creditors.

According to the Senate, this initiative can deepen the domestic capital market, attract foreign investors, and reduce pressure on Nigeria’s foreign reserves.

The funds from the programme will be ring-fenced and invested in strategic projects, such as energy, transportation, and digital infrastructure.

The initiative aims to tap into the vast foreign currency liquidity within the country, from private sector players, diaspora remittances, and foreign businesses operating in Nigeria, while offering a return on investment to participants.

“The initiative provides an alternative to external borrowing, reduces pressure on foreign reserves, and allows investors to earn returns on their dollar holdings while contributing to national development,” the senate committee stated.

Equally critical is the Senate’s approval of Tinubu’s request to issue nearly N758 billion in bonds to clear pension arrears under the CPS.

The federal government had struggled to fulfil its pension obligations due to persistent revenue shortfalls, leading to widespread hardship among retirees.

The move, which aligns with the provisions of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) of 2014, is intended to restore public trust in Nigeria’s pension system.

According to Tinubu’s letter to the Senate, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had already approved the bond issuance in February 2025.

“The bond issuance will cushion the hardship of retirees, restore trust in the pension system, and stimulate liquidity in the domestic market,” the senate committee report stated.

The president stressed that the measure would significantly improve the welfare of retirees by enabling them to meet basic needs, access healthcare, and avoid unnecessary hardship or premature deaths due to delayed entitlements.

Despite concerns about rising public debt, lawmakers supporting the plan argued that the long-term economic benefits, such as increased infrastructure, job creation, and macroeconomic stability, outweighed the immediate costs.

The combined funding strategies were expected to generate jobs, improve access to education and healthcare, bolster food and water security, and enhance public service delivery across Nigeria.

While critics may raise concerns about growing debt, the Senate insisted that the approved loans, grants, and bonds represented a strategic response to the country’s pressing fiscal and development challenges.

The Senate stated that its endorsement of Tinubu’s borrowing plan marked a significant fiscal shift, one aimed at stabilising the economy, funding vital infrastructure, and delivering overdue justice to pensioners across the country. ThisDay

The lawmaker who is serving a six-month suspension by the upper lawmaking body had vowed to resume sitting after a court verdict asking the Senate to recall her.

However, when she attempted to resume on Thursday, her convoy was stopped, denying her entry into the premises.

Senator Natasha, who was inside a black car, was stopped from entering the National Assembly. The car in front of her, carrying activist Aisha Yesufu, was also stopped from entering the National Assembly.

But later on, she alighted from her car and proceeded into the National Assembly on foot, accompanied by some supporters. Channels TV

Obi visited Benin on July 7, 2025, and donated ₦15m million to St Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences for the completion of projects in the school.

However, the Edo governor condemned Obi’s visit to the state, insisting that his visit coincided with the resurgence of violence in the state.

He had warned the former Anambra State governor not to visit the state again without prior notice or face the consequences.

Okpebholo’s remarks have attracted a lot of backlash and condemnation from both some prominent Nigerians and social media commentators.

But in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Sunday, the governor claimed that his remarks were misinterpreted.

“The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to various misinterpretations surrounding the recent remarks made by His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, regarding the visit of Mr. Peter Obi to the State.

“It is imperative to state clearly that the Governor did not issue any form of threat to Mr. Obi, but rather emphasized the need for high-profile individuals, particularly politically exposed persons, to notify and seek security clearance from the Governor before embarking on any public engagements within the State.

“As the Chief Security Officer of Edo State, it is the Governor’s constitutional responsibility to safeguard the lives and property of all residents and visitors alike.

“This duty includes ensuring that adequate security measures are put in place during high-profile visits or events that may attract large crowds or media attention.

“When such protocols are ignored, it creates serious security vulnerabilities, not only for the visitor but also for citizens who may be caught in avoidable threats,” the statement read in part.

It added that Okpebholo’s position is particularly relevant in light of the rising attacks and abductions of religious leaders, especially Catholic priests and Christian clerics.

“In today’s volatile security environment, this wisdom cannot be overstated. Governor Okpebholo is not Peter Obi, who, as Governor of Anambra State, detained Nasir El-Rufai when he visited.

“Furthermore, the Governor’s concerns should not be twisted for political mileage by individuals seeking to score cheap points.

“The State Government will not fold its arms and allow politically motivated activities to endanger lives. We expect leaders, no matter how highly placed, to align with the protocols and security realities of the areas they visit.

“Governor Okpebholo is committed to a safe and inclusive Edo State for all. His administration is working tirelessly to address the insecurity it inherited, and his call for coordination and orderliness should be seen as a measure of responsible governance, not hostility.” Channels TV

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) chapter, has strongly rejected President Bola Tinubu’s move to rename the institution after the late former President Muhammadu Buhari

In a statement released by the Chairman of the UNIMAID chapter of ASUU, Dr. Abubakar Mshelia Saidu, described the decision as “politically motivated,” and a “brazen affront” to the university’s legacy, history, and academic integrity.

The renaming, announced at a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held in Buhari’s honour on July 17, has drawn widespread criticism both within and outside the university.

The union is now mobilising its Congress, veterans, and extended executive council to resist the move.

“This action is not merely shocking; it desecrates the sanctity of our alma mater,” the union said, especially as “the university prepares to mark its 50th anniversary under the widely respected ‘UNIMAID’ identity.

ASUU warned that the decision amounts to sacrificing the institution’s hard-earned reputation for political patronage.

The statement also noted that public outrage is mounting, and ASUU’s response would be “unequivocal, forceful, and commanding.”

While calling for collective resistance, the union emphasised that it will respond intellectually and factually, urging members and the public to contribute views ahead of upcoming deliberations.

“We must articulate our adamant opposition and demand the immediate reversal of this ill-conceived and deeply offensive decision,” the union declared.

UNIMAID is a leading federal university in Nigeria, founded in 1975, and noted for maintaining academic excellence despite ongoing insecurity in the North-east.

Those opposed to the renaming argue that Buhari already has multiple public institutions named after him, especially in Borno State, stressing that this latest move is unnecessary and divisive. Arise News

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday, the state Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, said the military had engaged the attackers during the incident but failed to make any arrests, despite the proximity of a checkpoint.

“The checkpoint is barely 200 metres from where this incident happened.

“The response we got was that none were arrested and none were captured. None of those killed were affected by all that happened,” she said.

She noted that the attacked community is near an access road and surrounded by military checkpoints, making the lack of arrests more concerning.

Ramnap stated, “It is not a hidden community that we would say it is far, and that is why the people were not able to access help.

“We do not want to stereotype and say that the entire Army compromised in this case.

“However, there is room to do more investigation, and the governor specifically requested that at least they should have some form of arrest.

“If you are that close and you engaged them closely like that, you should be able to say this is where they followed and the measures to arrest them, but so far, no arrest has been made.”

Ramnap described the attack as unprovoked and despicable, adding that in addition to killing people, the assailants destroyed crops on farmland.