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Akpabio Aide Rejects Report, Says Letter Aims to Damage Senate President

Published

3 months ago

November 23, 2025

249 Views

Dr Jibril Lawal Tafida, a Special Adviser to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has washed his hands off a damaging document against his principal, which was purportedly written by him.

The document, in the form of a letter addressed to the Office of the President, The Presidency, Aso Villa Abuja, dated November 22, 2025, chronicled alleged corruption in the National Assembly and the story of his abandonment by the Senate President when he lost his mother.

The document is making the rounds on social media.

In a four-paragraph notice dated 22nd November, 2025 entitled: “DISCLAIMER ON A FABRICATED DOCUMENT CIRCULATING IN MY NAME”, Dr Jibril Tafida stated that he did not write, author, endorse or authorise the said document in any form.

Tafida said that the unsigned letter was a deliberate attempt to weaponise his name in order to malign the leadership of the Senate and create disaffection where none existed.

He urged the public, media organisations, political actors, and digital distributors, and online publishers to disregard, delete, retract, and desist from circulating it.

The disclaimer reads in extenso: “My attention has been drawn to a lengthy text currently circulating in the media and online platforms, attributed to me and purporting to contain allegations against the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON. I state unequivocally and without ambiguity that I did not write, author, endorse, or authorize the said document in any form.

“The content, tone, structure, and allegations contained therein have the clear intention of sowing discord, smearing reputations, and exploiting my name for political mischief – a cursory glance at the letter will immediately reveal the falsehood as the Senate President is not a member of the Tenders Board of the National Assembly, and therefore has nothing to do with contracts or contract awards in the Senate or NASS.

How then can he be accused of corruption in contract awards or contract padding? For further clarity, my short stay here shows that the entire premises of the National Assembly are owned and managed in its entirety by the FCDA through its contractor, Laralex Nigeria Ltd. I reject in its entirety and distance myself completely from the publication.

“I continue to hold the President of the Senate in high esteem, both personally and professionally. Our working relationship has been cordial, respectful, and grounded in cooperation and mutual trust. At no time have I expressed or harboured the sentiments contained in the said document.

“This is a deliberate attempt to weaponise my name in order to malign the leadership of the Senate and create disaffection where none exists. I urge the public, media organisations, political actors, and digital distributors to disregard, delete, retract, and desist from circulating it.

“I reaffirm my loyalty to the Office of the President of the Senate and the Senate as a whole. I remain committed to supporting the work of the National Assembly in the interest of national stability, unity, and democratic progress.”

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JUST IN: IGP appoints CSP Ali Giwa as Force new media officer

Published

34 minutes ago

March 7, 2026

Charles Flames

2 Views

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has approved the creation of a dedicated New Media Office within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and appointed Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ali Giwa to lead it.

The move forms part of an ongoing restructuring of the Force’s communication apparatus. CSP Ali Giwa, a cybersecurity specialist who has served at the National Cybercrime Centre since February 2025, will head the newly established unit focused on digital and social media engagement.

This development follows the recent removal of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Hundeyin as Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO). Hundeyin, who held the position for approximately six months, has been replaced by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Okon Placid as the new FPRO.CSP Giwa brings significant experience in public relations to his new role.

He previously served as Assistant Force Public Relations Officer at the Annex in Obalende, Lagos (2017–2022), Deputy Police Public Relations Officer for Lagos State (2014–2017), and Public Relations Officer for the Nigeria Police Cooperative Multi-Purpose Society Limited.

The appointments and creation of the New Media Office aim to strengthen the NPF’s public communication strategy, particularly in managing online narratives, educating citizens on social media platforms, and enhancing overall media relations amid evolving security challenges.

An official statement from the Force Headquarters is expected shortly to confirm the details and outline the mandates of the new structure.

News

Much Expectations from Newly Promoted Deputy Inspectors General of Police (Images)

Published

23 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Charles Flames

32 Views

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has promoted seven Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) to the rank of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) in a strategic move to bolster the leadership cadre of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The promotions, announced on Friday, March 6, 2026, followed a thorough evaluation process involving merit-based assessments, seniority considerations, service records, written examinations, and oral interviews held at the PSC’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.

The newly elevated officers are:

– Zachariah Fera Achinyan, fdc (formerly AIG Zone 4, Makurdi)

– Zango Ibrahim Baba (formerly AIG Department of Logistics and Supply)

– Isyaku Mohammed (formerly AIG Armament, Force Headquarters, Abuja)

– Margaret Agebe Ochalla (formerly AIG FCID Annex, Lagos)

– Mohammed Abdul Sulaiman, mni (formerly AIG Police Accounts and Budget, Force Headquarters, Abuja)

– Kenechukwu Onwuemelie (formerly AIG Zone 15, Maiduguri)

– Umar Shehu Nadada, mni (formerly AIG Zone 14, Katsina)

These elevations come on the heels of the recent confirmation of DIG Fayoade Adegoke to the substantive rank of DIG, positioning him to join the Force Management Team.

The PSC noted that the promotions are essential to address vacancies arising from the retirement of eight DIGs who previously held key strategic roles.

In a statement, PSC Chairman, retired DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu, congratulated the promoted officers and charged them to justify the trust placed in them by upholding the highest standards of professionalism.

He emphasized the importance of prioritizing national security and fostering stronger collaboration with the Commission to advance ongoing reforms and development within the NPF.

The development is seen as part of broader efforts to refresh senior leadership in the force amid recent retirements, including that of prominent DIG Frank Mba and others, ensuring continuity and strengthened operational capacity.

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Tinubu Assigns Jimoh Ibrahim to UN, Omokri to Mexico, Fani-Kayode to Germany, Yakubu to Qatar

Published

1 day ago

March 6, 2026

Charles Flames

40 Views

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the postings of 31 career and 34 non-career ambassadors to various countries and the United Nations.

The Senate confirmed the ambassadors-designate last December.

POSTINGS OF NON-CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS

S/N NAME MISSION APPROVED

1. SENATOR GRACE BENT: LOME-TOGO

2. SEN. ITA ENANG: SOUTH AFRICA

3. IKPEAZU VICTOR: SPAIN

4. NKECHI LINDA UFOCHUKWU: TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL

5. MAHMUD YAKUBU: QATAR

6. PAUL OGA ADIKWU: THE VATICAN CITY HOLY SEE

7. VICE ADMIRAL IBOK-ETE EKWE IBAS: THE PHILIPPINES

8. MR. RENO OMOKRI: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

9. HON. (ENGR.) ABASI BRAIMAH (FMHR): BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

10. MRS. ERELU ANGELA ADEBAYO: PORTUGAL

11. BARR. OLUMILUA OLUWAYIMIKA AYOTUNWA: TOKYO, JAPAN

12. RT. HON. UGWUANYI IFEANYI LAWRENCE: ATHENS, GREECE

13. BARR. CHIOMA PRISCILLA OHAKIM: WARSAW, POLAND

14. AMINU DALHATU: UNITED KINGDOM, UK

15. LT. GEN ABDULRAHMAN BELLO DAMBAZAU: BEIJING, CHINA

16. HON. TASIU MUSA MAIGARI: GAMBIA

17. OLUFEMI PEDRO: AUSTRALIA

18. BARR. MUHAMMED UBANDOMA ALIYU: ARGENTINA

19. LATEEF KAYODE ARE: USA

20. AMB. JOSEPH SOLA IJI: RUSSIA

21. SEN. JIMOH IBRAHIM: UN PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE

22. FEMI FANI KAYODE: GERMANY

23. PROF. ISAAK FOLORUNSO ADEWOLE: OTTAWA, CANADA

24. AJIMOBI FATIMA FLORENCE (F): AUSTRIA

25. MRS. LOLA AKANDE (F): SWEDEN

26. AYODELE OKE: FRANCE

27. YAKUBU N. GAMBO: SAUDI ARABIA

28. SENATOR PROF. NORA LADI DADUUT: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

29. BARR. ONUEZE CHUKWUJIKA JOE OKOCHA SAN: DUBLIN

30. DR. KULU HARUNA ABUBAKAR: TUNIS, TUNISIA

31. RT. HON. JERRY SAMUEL MANWE: PORT OF SPAIN.

T&T POSTINGS OF CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS LIST

S/N NAME MISSION APPROVED

1. AMB. NWABIOLA EZENWA CHUKWUMEKA: COTE D’IV/OIRE

2. BESTO MAIMUNA IBRAHIM: NIAMEY-NIGER

3. MONICA OKWUCHUKWU ENEBECHI: SAO TOME, STP

4. AMB. MOHAMMED MAHMUD LELE: ALGIERS-ALGERIA

5. ENDONI SYNDOPH PAEBI: OUAGADOUGOU-BURKINA FASO

6. AHMED MOHAMMED MONGUNO: CAIRO EGYPT

7. AMB.JANE ADAMS (NEE OKON) MICHAEL (F): KINGSTON-JAMAICA

8. AMB. CLARK-OMERU ALEXANDRA (F): LUSAKA-ZAMBIA

9. CHIMA GEOGGREY LIOMA DAVID: BAMAKO-MALI

10. AMB. ODUMAH YVONNE EHINOSEN: MALABO –E/GUINEA

11. AMB WASA SEGUN IGE: BEIRUT, LEBANON

12. RUBEN ABIMBOLA SAMUEL (F): ROME, ITALY

13. AMB.ONAGA OGECHUKWU KINGSLEY: MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE

14. AMB.MAGAJI UMAR: KINSASHA, DR CONGO

15. AMB.MUHAMMAD SAIDU DAHIRU: NEW DELHI-INDIA

16. AMB. ABDUSSALAM HABU ZAYYAD: DAKAR-SENEGAL

17. AMB SHEHU ILU BARDE: ACCRA GHANA

18. AMB.AMINU NASIR: ETHIOPIA

19. ABUBAKAR MUSA MUSA: N’DJAMENA, CHAD

20. AMB. HAIDARA MOHAMMED IDRIS: THE HAGUE-NETHERLANDS

21. AMB.BAKO ADAMU UMAR: RABAT-MOROCCO

22. AMB. SULU GAMBARI OLATUNJI AHMED: MALAYSIA

23. AMB.ROMATA MOHAMMED OMOBOLANLE (F): TANZANIA

24. AMB. SHAGA JOHN SHAMAH: BOTSWANA

25. SALAU, HAMZA MOHAMMED: TEHRAN, IRAN

26. AMB.IBRAHIM DANLAMI: KENYA

27. IBRAHIM ADEOLA MOPELOLA (F): COTONOU-BENIN

28. AMB.AYENI ADEBAYO EMMANUEL: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

29. AMB.AKANDE WAHAB ADEKOLA: BERNE-SWITZERLAND

30. AMB. AREWA (NEE ADEDOKUN) ESTHER (F): WINDHOEK-NAMIBIA

31. AMB.GERGADI JOSEPH JOHN: LIBREVILLE-GABON

32. AMB. LUTHER OGBOMODE AYO-KALATA (F): SIERRA LEONE

33. DANLADI YAKUBU NYAKU : KHARTOUM-SUDAN

34. BELLO DOGON-DAJI HALIRU: BANGKOK, THAILAND

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received agrément from the United Kingdom for the High Commissioner-designate, Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu. Similarly, France has sent the agrément for Ambassador Ayo Oke.

The Ministry has also conveyed the nominations of the other 62 designated envoys to all the countries concerned, including a request for their agreements in line with standard diplomatic practice.

President Tinubu has directed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should immediately commence the induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and High Commissioners.