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“You are not qualified to speak about fighting corruption” -PDP tells Tinubu
“This statement by Senator Tinubu is completely sacrilegious and an assault on the sensibility of Nigerians, having regards to his records of alleged corruption and having been described variously as an embodiment of corruption in his public life.”
Following president-elect Bola Tinubu’s declaration that his administration will make corruption less attractive, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told him that he cannot speak on the issue.
A statement from Tinubu’s camp after his commissioning of some judiciary projects in Rivers State, had quoted him saying: “You don’t expect your judges to live in squalor, to operate in squalor and dispense justice in squalor. This is part of the changes that are necessary. We must fight corruption, but we must definitely look at the other side of the coin.
“If you don’t want your judges to be corrupt you got to pay attention to their welfare. You don’t want them to operate in hazardous conditions.”
Tinubu commended Wike for his foresight in providing judges and magistrates the best working and living conditions. He noted that with such provision, the governor had shown sufficient support for the fight against corruption, particularly, in the judiciary.”
But speaking at a press conference at the national secretariat of the PDP in Abuja on Friday, the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the party and indeed all sensible Nigerians are alarmed, scandalized and embarrassed by Tinubu’s statement. According to him,
“This statement by Senator Tinubu is completely sacrilegious and an assault on the sensibility of Nigerians, having regards to his records of alleged corruption and having been described variously as an embodiment of corruption in his public life.”
He alleged that it is in the public domain that as Governor of Lagos State, Senator Tinubu promoted and institutionalized corruption as an act of governance.
The PDP spokesman added: “It is on record that Senator Tinubu is alleged to be deeply involved in the infamous cases involving Alpha Beta Consulting Limited and Alpha Beta LLP, allegedly owned and controlled by him and through which over N100 billion belonging to Lagos State was reportedly stolen through shady tax collection deals.
“It is also public knowledge that there have been numerous allegations and evidence of corruption and complicity by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the declaration of Senator Tinubu as the winner of the February 25, 2023 Presidential election. Today Nigerians and indeed the world believe that that declaration was a product of the corruption of the Process, Institutions and the Law by the APC and its Presidential candidate.
“It is therefore ludicrous that an individual who has been widely alleged to be an enabler and beneficiary of corruption can attempt to put himself forward to Nigerians as a champion of anti-corruption. Of course, corruption cannot fight corruption!
“If indeed Senator Tinubu is desirous of fighting corruption, the starting point should be that he publicly and personally address Nigerians on the numerous allegations of corruption, including the Alpha Beta cases and alleged improper acquisition and conversion of Lagos State Government landed properties worth billions of naira to himself, family, associates and cronies.
“Clearly, Senator Tinubu’s pontification or claims on corruption is a further attempt to corrupt, cultivate, patronize, lure and compromise the Judiciary ahead of the commencement of the hearing of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on Monday, May 8, 2023 and nothing more.”
The PDP therefore called on the judiciary to be wary of attempts by the APC and the president-elect to patronize them in the course of the discharge of their Constitutional duties as impartial arbiter, particularly in the pending Petition before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
culled: Vanguard
News
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.
News
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.
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.
El-Rufai’ loses mother, Hajiya Umma
Kano Deputy Governor Resigns
Abia State Holds State Burial for Renowned Evangelist Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai
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