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JUST IN: Shina Peller bows out of Green Chamber, drums up support for successor
The Ayedero of Yorubaland, Honourable (Dr.) Shina Abiola Peller, has urged the returning members of the House of Representatives to extend his cordial relationship with them in the last four years to his successor, Honourable Shina Oyedeji aka O’Shine.
Honourable Peller, who represented Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency at the ninth National Assembly, made this appeal yesterday after attending the valedictory session of the House.
The Ayedero, who described the last four years in the House as “awesome” added that it served as great opportunity for him to know how government works, especially in the legislative arm. He also recalled that it was a deliberate plan on his part not to return to the House for second term. He added that his decision was driven by his desire to give room for the other zone of his constituency to produce the next representative which hasn’t happened in the last 16 years.
Similarly, Honourable Peller used the avenue to acknowledge the leadership feat of the House Speaker, Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, describing it as outstanding and remarkable. He noted that the Speaker was able to steer, stabilize and put the House together as one in spite of the different political, religious and ethnic affiliation of members.
Honourable Peller thanked his constituents for giving him the opportunity to serve them, while he urged them to give overwhelming support to his successor in the overall interest of the constituency.
His statement read in full:
“Yesterday, we had the valedictory session which marked the end of the 9th House of Representatives.
The last 4 years in the House has been so awesome as it gave me the opportunity to know how government works especially in the legislative arm. It also gave me the opportunity to work and mingle with different personalities with diverse culture from different federal constituencies of the federation.
“I must acknowledge and appreciate the outstanding and remarkable leadership feats of our speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who was able to steer, stabilize and put the House together as one, for good four years notwithstanding our different political affiliations.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be returning to the House for a second term, which was the plan from the onset in order to give room for the other zone of my constituency to produce the next representative which hasn’t happened in the last 16 years.
“As I sign out from the 9th National Assembly, I hope that the cordial relationship that I have built with members in the House will be transferred to my successor, Hon. Shina Oyedeji (O’Shine) of Kajola Local Govt, in the overall interest of my constituency which is made up of four local governments namely Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola and Iwajowa.
“To God be the glory for everything! Special thanks to the loving people of my constituency for giving me the opportunity to serve them.”






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El-Rufai’ loses mother, Hajiya Umma
She died at a time El-Rufai remains in custody following his arraignment by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion of public property and money laundering.
Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, the mother of detained former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai, is dead
Her grandson, Hon. Bello El-Rufai, confirmed the development on Friday in a Facebook post:
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. I would like to inform the public of the demise of my Grandmother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai who passed away a few hours ago. She is the biological mother of our father, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
We are grateful for the life she lived and may Allah SWT bless her gentle soul. On behalf of our family, we seek your prayers.”
She died at a time El-Rufai remains in custody following his arraignment by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion of public property and money laundering.
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Kano Deputy Governor Resigns
The decision to step down does not amount to an admission of the allegations leveled against him by the Kano State House of Assembly.
The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdusalam Gwarzo, has resigned from office ahead an ongoing impeachment process by the State House of Assembly.
Spokesperson for Kwankwasiyya Movement , Habibu Mohammed, confirmed the resignation in a statement on Friday, stating that the decision was taken in the overall interest of the people and to ensure stability in the state’s governance.
The Assembly had earlier issued an impeachment notice to the deputy governor over allegations of misappropriation and gave him a two-week ultimatum to respond. The deadline elapsed penultimate Friday,
The statement explained that recent developments had significantly limited the deputy governor’s ability to fully discharge the responsibilities of his office, making it necessary for the position to function without constraints in the public interest.
It, however, clarified that the decision to step down does not amount to an admission of the allegations leveled against him by the Kano State House of Assembly.
The embattled deputy governor who is a strong ally of Rabiu Kwankwaso refused to follow the governor to join the APC.
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Abia State Holds State Burial for Renowned Evangelist Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai
The Abia State Government on Thursday, March 26, 2026, organised a grand state burial service in honour of the late Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, one of Nigeria’s most influential Christian evangelists and founder of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association.
The solemn ceremony took place at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Ogurube Layout, Umuahia, beginning at 10:00 a.m. It drew top government officials, religious leaders, and mourners from across Nigeria and beyond to celebrate the life and legacy of the cleric, who died on October 6, 2025, at the age of 80.
The remains of Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, a native of Asaga in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, were earlier received with full honours at the Akwa Ibom-Abia state boundary before being conveyed to Umuahia for the state funeral service.
The body had previously lain in state in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where he resided for many years.
Governor Alex Otti’s administration described the late evangelist as a “towering figure” whose life of faith, leadership, and humanitarian impact left an indelible mark on Abia State, Nigeria, and the global Christian community.
The state burial was part of a week-long programme of funeral rites that culminated in the final interment on Friday, March 27, 2026, at his hometown of Asaga, Ohafia.
Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, born on January 7, 1945, was celebrated as an international preacher who ministered for nearly six decades. He was widely respected for his powerful crusades, teachings on faith and prosperity, and establishment of numerous charitable initiatives, including educational and medical outreach programmes.
Dignitaries in attendance included senior government functionaries, clergy from various denominations, and notable figures who paid glowing tributes to his spiritual legacy and contributions to nation-building through the gospel.
The state burial reflects Abia’s recognition of Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai’s immense role in promoting moral values and spiritual development. Family members, while expressing gratitude for the honour bestowed on their patriarch, described his passing as a “glorious home-going.
”As the final interment proceeds today in Asaga, Ohafia, many have described the occasion as not just a farewell but a celebration of a life well-lived in service to God and humanity.
The Abia State Government has urged residents and visitors to observe the period with dignity and solemnity.
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