TheNewsGuru

Tag: Bola Ahmed Tinubu

  • Nigerians drag President Tinubu for ignoring herdsmen killings in Benue

    Nigerians drag President Tinubu for ignoring herdsmen killings in Benue

    Nigerians have taken to social media to berate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his silence on the recent massacre in Benue State, where over 200 people were reportedly killed during a night attack on the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area.

    The backlash followed President Tinubu’s June 13 condolence message to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a deadly plane crash in India that claimed the lives of 270 people.

    While the message was issued less than 24 hours after the incident, the presidency has yet to make any comments on the terrorist attack in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where hundreds of people were reportedly killed on Friday.

    The contrast has sparked anger and disbelief among Nigerians, especially on 𝕏 where many users condemned the federal government’s perceived indifference to the plight of its citizens.

    One user, @UnkleAyo, wrote: “It’s been more than 24 hours since 200 people were slaughtered in Benue, a people under the country you claim to preside over. Nothing from you yet but this was you to India. Cursed may you be.”

    Echoing the sentiment, @OurFavOnlineDoc said: “The Nigerian president sent commiseration to the prime minister of India within 24 hours of the plane crash… Yet it is over 48 hours that 200 people are reportedly butchered by terrorists in Benue and the president says nothing. What an inhuman lunatic.”

    Others questioned the value of Nigerian lives in the eyes of their government. “200 lives lost in Benue. 200 futures cut short… What is the value of a single Nigerian life?” asked @aproko_doctor.

    @patrickanum decried the silence from the presidency: “Under Tinubu’s watch, Benue State has become a killing field. Villages wiped out, lives lost, yet silence from the Commander-in-Chief.”

    Another user, @IamTheTownCrier, criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of focusing more on political endorsements than citizen welfare: “The primary purpose of any Government is the security and welfare of its citizens. APC has failed Nigerians in all ramifications.”

  • Onakoya defends visit to Tinubu, says not endorsement

    Onakoya defends visit to Tinubu, says not endorsement

    Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has addressed the allegations that he is a ‘sell-out’ for taking photos with the president of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    This comes after President Tinubu, on Tuesday, shared a photo of the duo on his X handle, hailing the impact of the founder of Chess in Slums Africa.

    However, hours after the photo went viral, Onakoya came under fire for featuring in a photo with President Tinubu.

    In response to the backlash, the Chess In Slum founder published a lengthy thread on his X account, stressing that his organisation’s impact goes beyond just providing charity, but rather aims to empower children with critical thinking skills and vocational education.

    “I have no interest in partisan politics because of the sensitivity of the work that I do. If that ever changes, then I would resign my role as CEO of Chess in slums Africa,” he posted.

    “I’ll say a few things… The anger, the hate, the love, the applause, the criticism, all of it is valid and I embrace it,” Onakoya began. “I am a world record holder which means I have attained something no one else in the world has ever done. I was recently honoured and awarded by the city of New York. To be honoured and received by the President and the highest office in my own country for this reason is not a crime.”

    Onakoya also highlighted his achievements, including breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.

    He expressed gratitude for the recognition he received from President Tinubu, but maintained that this did not imply an endorsement of the president’s policies.

    “A visit is not an endorsement. I will visit many more people and will continue to sell my chess boards,” Onakoya clarified. “You may not understand my intentions or character because the only thing you know about me is what I let on social media. But reputation is not character. It’s been 10 long years of staying with this one thing, so I know for a fact that I have earned the benefit of the doubt.”

    Onakoya emphasised that his organisation’s work is not driven by partisan politics, but rather by a commitment to empowering children and promoting education. “I have no interest in partisan politics because of the sensitivity of the work that I do. If that ever changes, then I would resign my role as CEO of Chess in Slums Africa,” he stated.

    The chess champion also highlighted the impact of his organisation’s work, including partnering with the Lagos State Government to rehabilitate street children.

    “We’ve been working with the Lagos state government for about a year now to take kids from Jakande and Isale Eko off the streets. One of them recently graduated from furniture school and is living again,” Onakoya said.

    Onakoya expressed his commitment to his work and his vision for the future.
    “In a decade or two, the Chess/STEM institute will stand and it will be a place where thousands of children will dream again and be educated in a way that makes them valuable to the world. All the strong opinions we have now falls flat in the face of this.

    “My fight is different. I’m not on the fence. I took a stand 10 years ago for the country I want to see,” he said.

  • Wike renames International Conference Centre after President Tinubu

    Wike renames International Conference Centre after President Tinubu

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has renamed the Abuja International Conference Centre to the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.

    Wike confirmed this during the Inauguration of the ICC in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The Minister also disclosed that other halls in the facility had been renamed after Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kekere-Ekun.

    “Today, this Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre can stand any other International Conference Centre. And in doing that, because the National Assembly has also supported us, I have told you that as we were inspecting the project, at the back, we have two halls. We have to remember those who have also supported the FCT. The National Assembly is one such arm of government.

    “So we have named one hall Tajudeen Abbas hall, we have named Godswill Akpabio hall, and your Vice President, we have named one of these halls after the Vice President, and then the CJN, we have also named one of the halls after the CJN. And these are the three arms of the government, working together.

    “So I just said since it is a property under you, and the building is under you, then, it should have small names on those halls, but it should be under the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre,” he said.

    “It is important for the public to understand and to know why today, this is called the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre. This Conference Centre was built in 1991 under the military government. Since that time, nothing has happened to this International Conference Centre.

    Wike also ascribed the completion of the rehabilitated conference centre to the leadership of President Tinubu, stating, “Within eight months Mr President, this is what we have. And I agree that without your leadership, it wouldn’t have been possible.”

  • Eight important things to know about new NNPC group CEO, Bayo Ojulari

    Eight important things to know about new NNPC group CEO, Bayo Ojulari

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday sacked the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, including its Group Chief Executive Officer, GCEO, Mele Kyari, and board chairperson, Pius Akinyelure.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Tinubu also approved the appointment of Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the new head of the state-owned oil firm.

    The newly reconstituted 11-member board features Ahmadu Musa Kida as Non-Executive Chairman, alongside Bayo Ojulari as the Group CEO.

    Adedapo Segun, who succeeded Umaru Isa Ajiya as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) last year, has been retained as a member of the new board.

    The board also includes six non-executive directors representing Nigeria’s geopolitical zones:

    • North West: Bello Rabiu
    • North East: Yusuf Usman
    • North Central: Babs Omotowa, former MD of Nigeria LNG
    • South South: Austin Avuru
    • South West: David Ige
    • South East: Henry Obih

    Who is Bayo Ojulari?

    Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari, who hails from Kwara State, is a  seasoned professional in the energy sector, who brings over three decades of industry experience to his new role. His career spans key leadership positions at Shell, where he worked for more than 24 years before venturing into private consultancy and executive roles in the oil and gas sector.

    Ojulari is also graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering (1985–1989), Ojulari began his career at Elf Petroleum Nigeria, working as a Fields and Process Engineer from 1989 to 1991.

    He later joined Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, in November 1991 as an Associate Production Technologist. Over the years, he steadily climbed the corporate ladder, taking on various technical and managerial roles, both in Nigeria and internationally.

    His international experience spans Europe and the Middle East, where he worked in various technical and leadership roles including strategic planner, asset manager, field developer, and production engineer.

    In November 2015, Ojulari was appointed Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCo, a role he held until July 2021.

    Following his departure from Shell, he established BAT Advisory and Energy Company Nigeria Ltd, where he served as board chairman, offering consultancy services to energy firms.

    In early 2024, he took on a new challenge as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company, playing a key role in its acquisition of a Shell asset in Nigeria.

    Ojulari has also served as Chairman and Board Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigerian Council) and is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

    His appointment as GCEO of NNPCL comes at a pivotal time for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which has long been plagued by allegations of corruption and inefficiency. 

    With his extensive background in oil exploration, corporate strategy, and asset management, the new NNPCL boss is expected to drive much-needed transformation in the nation’s petroleum industry.

  • Why state of emergency on Rivers State must be reversed -Atiku, stakeholders

    Why state of emergency on Rivers State must be reversed -Atiku, stakeholders

    The former People Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has condemned the State of Emergency declared on Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the former Vice president made his opinion known in a World Press Conference held on Thursday.

    TNG reports that Tinubu in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday evening suspended the Rivers governor, Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu for six months, appointing Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd)  as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during this period.

    JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE BY CONCERNED LEADERS AND POLITICAL STAKEHOLDERS IN NIGERIA ON THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU

    Fellow Nigerians,

    We, a cross-section of leaders and political stakeholders from across the country, have come together to address the dangerous and unconstitutional actions taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on March 18, 2025—to wit, the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State and the illegal suspension of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and the State House of Assembly.

    This action is not only unlawful but a clear attempt to subvert democracy and impose federal control over a duly elected state government. We strongly condemn this development and call on all Nigerians of good conscience to resist this brazen assault on constitutional governance.

    Seemingly, Mr President’s illegal and unconstitutional proclamation was driven by the protracted insidious political crisis in Rivers State, culminating in the recent ruling of the Supreme Court. Ordinarily, all parties involved would have been expected to follow laid-down procedures, motivated by good faith, to quickly implement the judgment of the highest court of the land. We note that Governor Fubara’s disposition is geared towards full implementation of the ruling of the Supreme Court, despite provocative statements from opposing quarters.

    It is also notable that Mr President’s broadcast to the nation on 18th March 2025 betrayed his bias and is infra dig of the sophisticated communication expected from the highest office in the land. By so doing, the President dragged himself and his highly exalted office into the arena of the political brawl, thereby denigrating his high office through inelegant language, predisposed excessiveness and malignant deportment.

    The Constitutional Violations

    1.Illegal Removal of a Governor and State Assembly

    The Nigerian Constitution does not empower the President to remove an elected Governor, Deputy Governor, or State Assembly under any circumstances. The procedure for removing a Governor is clearly outlined in Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) through an impeachment process initiated by the State House of Assembly—not by presidential proclamation.

    2.Misuse of Section 305 on State of Emergency

    Section 305 of the Constitution allows the President to declare a State of Emergency only in extreme cases where public safety, national security, or Nigeria’s sovereignty is at serious risk. However, it does not grant him the power to suspend elected officials or to demolish democratic structures as is currently being attempted.

    Furthermore, Section 305(1) states that any proclamation of emergency is subject to the provisions of the Constitution—meaning it cannot override the tenure and removal procedures of a Governor.

    3.Failure to Meet Constitutional

    Requirements for Emergency Rule
    The conditions under Section 305(3) for declaring a state of emergency include:

    War or external aggression
    Breakdown of public order and safety
    Natural disasters or any other grave emergency threatening Nigeria’s corporate existence

    None of these conditions exist in current circumstances in Rivers State. There is no war, no widespread violence, and no breakdown of law and order warranting emergency rule.

    4.Failure to Follow Due Process

    Even if an emergency declaration were valid (which it is not), it would still require a two-thirds majority approval of ALL members of the National Assembly—that is, at least, 72 Senators and 240 members of the House of Representatives. If this approval is not secured, the proclamation must automatically cease to have effect.

    5.Alternative Legal Avenues Were Ignored

    If the issue was the dysfunction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the President could have encouraged the National Assembly to intervene under Section 11 of the Constitution. However, even under such an intervention, the Governor and Deputy Governor cannot be removed by any arm of government except through constitutional means, as the proviso to S. 11(4) clearly provides.

    A Manufactured Crisis for Political Control

    This State of Emergency declaration is not about security—it is about power. The disagreements within Rivers State stem from the defection of 27 Assembly members from the PDP to the APC, their loss of seats under constitutional provisions, and the subsequent political manoeuvring to undermine the Governor’s mandate.

    Rather than allowing the law to take its course, the federal government has engineered a crisis to justify this unconstitutional action. The excuse of pipeline vandalism—an issue squarely under the control of federal security agencies and privately contracted security firms—is laughable. If security breaches are the concern, the first question should be: Who controls the police, the military, and the DSS? The Governor or the President?

    Our Demand and Call to Action

    1.Immediate Reversal: We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately revoke this unconstitutional proclamation and reinstate the elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and State Assembly of Rivers State.

    2.National Assembly’s Rejection: We call on patriotic Senators and Representatives to vote against this illegal action when it comes before them for approval. The National Assembly must not be used to legitimise an unconstitutional power grab.

    3.Judicial Intervention: We urge the judiciary to act swiftly in striking down this proclamation, as it sets a dangerous precedent that could be used to arbitrarily remove any Governor in the future.

    4.Nigerians Must Defend Democracy: We call on all civil society organisations, political groups, and Nigerians of good conscience to stand firm in the defence of this democracy that we have all toiled to build. Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship requiring the replacement of an ELECTED GOVERNOR with a MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR.

    Conclusion

    A peaceful Niger Delta is critical to the economic health and stability of Nigeria. The federal government should not manufacture political crises that could disrupt this fragile stability.

    We must never allow personal political interests to override the principles of federalism, democracy, and constitutional governance. This is not just about Rivers State—it is about the future of Nigeria’s democracy.

    We thank you all.

    Thursday, 20th March, 2025

  • EmergencyRule: How Fubara abruptly called off meeting, ‘fled’ from govt house

    EmergencyRule: How Fubara abruptly called off meeting, ‘fled’ from govt house

    The whereabouts of Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, are currently unknown after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Tinubu in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday evening suspended the Rivers governor  and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu for six months, appointing Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd)  as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during this period.

    Sources close to the situation told New Telegraph that before the president’s declaration, the Rivers governor was initially in a meeting with some visitors at the Government House in Port Harcourt, watching the President’s broadcast.

    However, after the broadcast, Fubara abruptly called off the meeting and left the Government House for an undisclosed location with some of his aides.

    TNG also understands that security personnel assigned to various sections of the Government House were reportedly replaced in the wake of the emergency declaration, alhough it is unclear who authorized the change.

    Some unconfirmed reports also suggested that officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have begun investigating some state officials in connection with the ongoing crisis.

    The situation remains tense, and further details are awaited as developments unfold.

  • BREAKING: Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers State

    BREAKING: Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers State

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday night.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the President made the declaration during a nationwide broadcast.

    “The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started,” Tinubu said.

    The President said that since the political crisis began in Rivers State, he had made a personal intervention to resolve it, but his efforts proved abortive.

    The President then appointed a retired military chief, Ekwe Ibas, to oversee the state’s affairs immediately after declaring a state of emergency.

    The development comes amid escalating violence between former Governor Nyesom Wike and the current Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as the two continue their protracted political feud.

    Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has reportedly been attempting to unseat Fubara, intensifying the political tensions in the state.

    Following the unrest, two major petrol pipelines in the state were sabotaged by suspected militants.

    In a bid to restore order in the oil-rich state, the federal government took the drastic measures to curb the increasing violence and instability lingering in the state.

  • BREAKING: President Tinubu hosts Wike, Fubara, others [Full List]

    BREAKING: President Tinubu hosts Wike, Fubara, others [Full List]

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday evening held an Iftar dinner with the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the president also hosted other governmental heads, including Ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies at the presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Also present at the Iftar dinner which is  part of the annual ritual of the President, are Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Minister and cabinet members.

    Among the state governors in attendance are Dr. Alex Otti of Abia State, Pastor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Hyacinth Alia of Benue , Babagana Zulum of Borno, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Muhammad Yahaya of Gombe, Umar Namadi of Jigawa and Uba Sani of Kaduna,

    Others are Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Mohammed Bago of Niger, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Duoye Diri of Bayelsa and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State.

    Also in attendance were heads of key government agencies: the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Professor Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, the Acting Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, the Comptroller General of the Federal Fire Service, Jaji Abdulganiyu, and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi.

    The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Abba Kyari and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed.

  • FCT Minister, Wike and sons pay Christmas homage to President Tinubu (photos)

    FCT Minister, Wike and sons pay Christmas homage to President Tinubu (photos)

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike and his sons, Jordan and Joaquin, paid Christmas homage to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his Lagos home.

    The visit, held on Thursday, December 26, allowed the minister to interact further and provide the president with more of his plans to make the nation’s capital the hub, which has been the thrust of his administration since he was made the minister.

    Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the FCT Minister, in a statement noted that President Tinubu warmly welcomed the minister and his children in the spirit of Yuletide, while they had brief discussion.

    Meanwhile, Wike, has said there is no regret in supporting President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections.

    The minister during a thanksgiving service in Ochigba by the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Ahoada East and West Local Government Areas of the state, appreciated President Tinubu for believing in him.

    According to the FCT Minister, he was threatened before the presidential elections for supporting Tinubu, adding that he would do the same thing if another opportunity comes.

    He said, “I have no regrets, I have no apologies. If the opportunity comes I will do the same thing.”

  • Tinubu’s sons visit Maiduguri, donate over N500m to flood victims

    Tinubu’s sons visit Maiduguri, donate over N500m to flood victims

    The sons of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Seyi and Yinka have donated N500m to Maiduguri flood victims.

    During a recent visit to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, the President’s sons donated to condole with the state over the flood disaster that befell the state last week.

    They were accompanied by friends, and associates.

    During the visit, Seyi made it clear that this was just the beginning of his commitment to alleviating the suffering of young people impacted by the flood.

    He further praised the people of Borno State for their remarkable resilience in the face of numerous challenges and expressed optimism that the state will emerge stronger from this tragedy.

    The donation included essential items such as food, medical supplies, and household necessities.

    Specifically, Seyi provided:

    – Food Items: cartons of spaghetti, tomato paste, groundnut oil, salt, bags of flour, rice, maize, Maggie, thousands of loaves of bread, and other staples

    – Medical Supplies: critical prescriptions for almost 50,000 children and adults, including antimalarials, anti-hypertensives, antiparasitics, anti-diabetics, analgesics, and antibiotics

    – Household Necessities: 10,000 pieces of mosquito nets, blankets, mattresses, kettles, wrappers, buckets, mats, sanitary pads, and wash kits.