Category: News

In his book “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience,” launched on Tuesday in Abuja, Shehu disclosed that he crafted the Villa rat invasion story to divert public attention away from concerns about President Buhari’s health and capacity to govern.

Prior to Buhari’s return to Nigeria on August 19, 2017, after nearly three months of medical treatment in the United Kingdom, the Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had alleged that Buhari had been replaced with a clone named Jibrin from Sudan.

Upon Buhari’s return, some Nigerians began to question whether it was truly him or the so-called clone, Jibrin of Sudan, as Kanu claimed.

The situation grew more suspicious when the Presidency announced that Buhari would be working from home instead of his office at the State House, further fueling doubts about his health and leadership capability.

In Chapter 10 of the book, titled “Rats, Spin and All That,” Garba Shehu revealed that the situation became a serious concern for him after Buhari’s Social Media aide, Bashir Ahmad, announced on Twitter (now X) that the former President had returned but would be working from home.

Shehu narrated, “So in the few hours of the president’s return, I picked up a conversation in the office of the CoS, where the chief, a few principal officers and the permanent secretary sat over lunch, a damage to a cable was noticed and it needed fixing.

“Someone speculated that rats may have caused that damage, given that the office was unused for a long time.

“When the surge in calls for explanation of why the president would be working from home, if truly he had recovered his health and fit for the office came, I said to the reporters that the office, which had been in disuse, needed renovation because rats may have eaten and damaged some cables.”

Shehu recalled that the story about rodents invading Nigeria’s Presidential Villa and damaging furniture and the air conditioning system went viral, even ranking among the top five news items on the BBC World News bulletin.

The ex-presidential spokesperson in the book continued, “With reporters wanting to know more, the number of calls increased, with some, including the BBC Hausa, interrogating me on the type of rats we had in the Villa that could eat wire cables.

“To get them (journalists) off my back, I referred them to the strange rats that invaded the country in the 1980s during the rice armada that came here aboard ships bringing the commodity from Southeast Asia.

“As was known of them, in their destructiveness, those rats ate just anything anyone could imagine. Many critics disagreed with me, saying that we were covering up the president’s ill health. Some people had a good laugh over the narrative, and an insignificant few believed me. Punch

In a post on X yesterday, Obi released an official appointment letter from 1996 to debunk allegations that he worked for the military leader.

Abacha ruled Nigeria from 1993 until his death in 1998, and his regime was criticised for widespread human rights violations, suppression of dissent and large-scale looting of public funds.

Many critics had accused Obi of secretly collaborating with the Abacha regime.

But Obi, who released a document appointing him to a Federal Government Task Force on Ports Decongestion by the late military leader, said:  “In consonance with my established principles of defending everything I am involved in, and in the interest of all men and women of goodwill, especially those committed to the pursuit of truth, I hereby attach the letter which documents my co-opting, along with others, into the Taskforce on the decongestion of the Ports.

“As I stated during my interview at the weekend and consistently maintained in the past, I had never met General Sani Abacha before that encounter.’’

He clarified that his role was purely economic and civic, not political, explaining further that his engagement was rather a civic response to inefficiencies plaguing port operations at the time.

He also reiterated that the group’s intention was to advocate better logistics and economic outcomes for Nigerian businesses.

He further expressed skepticism that the release of the document would silence critics whom he referred to as “mischief makers with ulterior motives”.

The former Anambra governor said that placing the record in the public domain was consistent with his long-standing commitment to transparency and accountability.

He said:  “This clarification is offered in the interest of truth, to reaffirm that our actions were driven solely by a sense of civic duty and not political ambition. “I don’t expect this copious evidence to bury this Abacha case because the mischief makers have ulterior motives, but it’s being placed in the public space for posterity and in line with my transparency pledge to Nigerians on any issue I am involved in.’’

The letter which was dated 24th April, 1996, signed by, Alhaji Abu Gidado, Honourable Minister of State for Finance, and addressed to The Secretary, Lagos Commerce Association, was titled: “APPOINTMENT AS CO-OPTED MEMBERS OF THE TAX FORCE ON PORTS DECONGESTION”

It reads:

The girl, Miss Joy Afekafe, was convicted for causing the death of Dr Mrs Funmilayo Sherifat Adefolalu, a lecturer at the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, Niger State, on 28 October 2023 at her Gbaiko residence.

Presiding over the case, Justice Mohammed Adishetu Mohammed of Minna High Court No. 4 ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved the charges of armed robbery and culpable homicide against the teenager.

According to the Principal State Counsel in the office of the Attorney General of Niger State, the two-count charges of armed robbery and culpable homicide are punishable under Sections 221 and 298 of the Penal Code.

Joy Afekafe had served as a housemaid to the late Dr Adefolalu from 2 October 2023. She was introduced to the household by Pastor Ojo Peters of the Voice of Mercy Church, Minna, which both the deceased and Joy’s mother attended.

While staying at the residence, Joy reportedly began stealing property and foreign currency, prompting Dr Adefolalu to dismiss her from her role.

Following her dismissal, the underage girl enlisted the help of two friends—identified as DJ Wallex and DJ Smart—to retaliate.

In her statement to officers of the Homicide Squad, State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Niger State Police Command, the convict detailed how her accomplices—who remain at large—stabbed the deceased multiple times with knives. As the victim tried to defend herself with a stool, they overpowered her, seized the stool, and struck her on the head, leading to her immediate death. The attackers then stole two mobile phones, a laptop, and foreign currency from her bedroom.

Delivering the judgment, which lasted over two hours, Justice Mohammed stated that the prosecution had established both charges against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.

He ruled: “On the whole and for all the reasons stated in this judgment, I hold that the prosecution was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that: Dr Mrs Funmilayo Sherifat Adefolalu is dead.

“That the death of Dr Mrs Funmilayo Sherifat Adefolalu was caused by the convict with her friends, now at large, when they used knives to stab her severally and eventually hit her with a wooden stool with the intention to kill her.

“From the evidence before me, I’m satisfied that the prosecution has proved the offences of culpable homicide punishable with death and armed robbery against the convict.”

Justice Mohammed noted that, based on the convict’s statement to the SCIID made on 3 November 2023 and her testimony in court, she was 14 years old at the time of the offence.

He added, “Although she is now 16 years old, by the provisions of Section 221 of the Penal Code, Laws of Niger State 1989, whosoever is found guilty of culpable homicide punishable with death shall be sentenced to death by a method prescribed by the trial judge.

“However, where the convict is less than 18 years old at the time of the offence, a sentence of death shall not be pronounced or recorded. Instead, the court shall sentence the person to life custodial or to such other terms.”

He subsequently sentenced her to life in a custodial centre for culpable homicide and ten years for armed robbery. Tribune

ASUU branches in two federal universities, the University of Jos and the University of Abuja, have already commenced strike action in compliance with the directive.

President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, who confirmed the development on Monday in Abuja, said what the institutions are doing is simply enforcing a National Executive Council (NEC) resolution of the union that any month in which salaries are delayed beyond three days, members should withdraw their services until the salaries are paid.

Piwuna lamented the lackadaisical attitude of government officials toward the issue of lecturers’ salaries, which he described as a paltry amount.

He explained that since the migration of university workers from the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), union members have experienced significant hardship due to salary delays.

He disclosed that the leadership of the union has engaged relevant government officials, including the Minister of Education and the Accountant General of the Federation, without any positive result. Hence, the ASUU NEC resolved to enforce the “No Pay, No Work” policy.

He said: “What they are doing is just enforcing a NEC resolution. We have agreed at NEC that our members are going through a lot since our migration out of the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System. Certainly, our salaries are delayed for a week and sometimes 10 days before our members receive the paltry amount we get to help us carry out our duties well.

“Therefore, we agreed that if there is no pay, there will be no work,” Piwuna said.

On whether other universities are joining the strike action, the ASUU President said all institutions that have not been paid are expected to withdraw their services, insisting that this was the resolution at NEC and the only way to address the challenge, which he noted is being deliberately caused by some government officials, especially at the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

He said any institution that has not been paid will join the action because “we are tired of talking about this.”

“We have spoken to the relevant authorities—the minister is aware, the Office of the Accountant General is aware. All those concerned are aware that this thing has been happening. We’ve had meetings with them to express our dissatisfaction with the way our salaries are being paid, and they have not taken any action. We want to work, but we cannot because they have not allowed us to work,” he stated.

Piwuna maintained that the government has no genuine reason for the delay in salary payments because the platform used for payments has no issues.

According to him, when the money finally gets to the universities, nobody has complained of being underpaid or not receiving their salary.

“So, the platform through which the payment is effected has not been the problem. It’s just a deliberate effort by the Office of the Accountant General to delay the release of the funds. The platform is working well, but those who make it work are not willing to make it work. We think it’s a deliberate act; that is the point we are making,” the ASUU President added.

He, however, noted that the issue of salary delays is the immediate challenge facing union members and warned that the outstanding N10 billion Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) should be released promptly by the government to avoid another round of struggle.

He noted that the Federal Government was supposed to pay lecturers N50 billion in outstanding EAA but only released N40 billion, leaving a balance of N10 billion.

“On the EAA you talked about, the total amount was N50 billion, and what they gave to us is N40 billion. N10 billion is still outstanding. We hope that this is paid quickly so that we do not have to fight over it,” the ASUU President said.

Chairman of the University of Jos branch of ASUU, Jurbe Molwus, had announced the withdrawal of services by members of the union at the university, citing the delay in the payment of their June 2025 salaries.

Molwus said this followed the National Executive Council resolution directing branches to take action when salaries are not paid by the third day of a new month, and the congress affirming the position. He said union members have abstained from lectures and statutory meetings.

The chairman stated further that any time salaries are not paid by the third day of the month, there would be a continuous withdrawal of services by the lecturers.

He also said the strike monitoring team of the branch had been activated to ensure compliance.

Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja branch, have also withdrawn their services on Monday as a result of the delay in the payment of their June 2025 salaries, Nigerian Tribune has gathered.

Chairman of the UniAbuja branch of ASUU, Dr. Sylvanus Ugoh, did not return calls to confirm the strike action by his members.

The spokesperson of the University of Abuja, Dr. Habib Yakoob, when contacted, however said he was not in a position to speak on the issue and advised that the question be directed to the branch chairman of ASUU. Tribune

Lawal, who served under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari during his first term, announced his decision in a letter dated June 29, 2025, and addressed to the chairman of APC in Bangshika Ward, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The letter partly read, ”I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the All Progressive Congress.

“In due course, I will make public my current political affiliations where I plan to join other compatriots to work towards making Nigeria a better living place for all its citizens.

“This resignation takes immediate effect.

“Please, remain blessed and extend my warm regards to other members of your party.”

Lawal is believed to be part of a growing political coalition seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu and end APC’s dominance in the 2027 general elections.

The coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, has recently adopted the African Democratic Congress as its platform ahead of the polls. Punch

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the election slated for August 16 in 12 states, is to fill legislative vacant seats due to the deaths or resignations of lawmakers who left office to contest for executive positions.

Oscar Aghedo, an aspirant for Edo House of Representatives for Ovia South-West/North-East Federal Constituency assured of adequate representation, especially in the area of infrastructural development if elected.

He gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen at the APC’s national secretariat after picking up his expression of interest and nomination forms to contest for the bye-election.

“Today is a great day for me, having purchased these forms to run for the Federal House of Representatives for Ovia South-West/North-East Federal Constituency.

“My intention to represent my people is to make good laws for our country and to ensure proper representation, especially in the area of infrastructural development.

“I assure you that I will make my people proud, some of my constituents are here with me and I sincerely appreciate them for their support so far,” he said.

Aghedo appealed to the APC National Working Committee to ensure credible and transparent primaries slated for July 19.

He said that if elected, he would ensure the implementation of constituency projects, while giving priority to youth and citizens’ empowerment across Ovia South-West and Ovia North-East.

“The immediate past lawmaker, who is now the Edo deputy governor, had done remarkably well in infrastructure development.

“I will not just build on that, but will give priority to human capacity development,” he said.

The aspirant described the Edo governor as a father, saying that the people of the state were proud of his leadership style and achievements across the state.

“By the grace of God, I have the blessings of God, the governor’s support, and the mandate of my people.

“I have made several contributions to my constituency and my community. That is why they believe in me and I have a lot to offer if elected to office,” he said.

He added that if elected, youth and women empowerment and support for the less privileged would be his priorities.

“Keeping the youth meaningfully engaged will reduce the crime wave and other social vices. We must create avenues to keep them productive and focused.

“Fortunately, insecurity in my constituency is currently low, but we must not relax; we will work to keep it at the barest minimum,” Aghedo stressed.

Also at the APC national secretariat, was Yakubu Waziri, an aspirant for Chikun/Kajuru Constituency, for Kaduna State House of Representatives.

He noted that for a long time, the area had constantly been in the news for negative reasons, saying that the situation had improved because of President Bola Tinubu and the Kaduna State governor’s intervention.

“We are not just experiencing relative peace; we are enjoying permanent peace, to the glory of God,” he said.

He promised to give priority to security and youth empowerment if elected.

The aspirants said that he had no fears going into the election, saying that he has God on his side and the support of the people as well as the governor.