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Yes, I Can Confirm, It’s Amaechi’s Voice

Published

6 years ago

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By Olawale Olaleye

Since my brother and friend, the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi started trending with a supposedly leaked audio, where he was heard crucifying his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, friends and colleagues had sent me different versions, seeking to know if it was his voice. I’m confirming that now. It’s his voice.

Oh, they also wanted to know if he actually said those things about the president. Again, he did, clearly not in the context of what has been flying around. What you have been listening to is the doctored version of his encounter with the blackmailers, who had been on his case in over five months, asking for money and threatening to release the tape close to the election period.

So, let’s talk about some of the things he said.

In one instance, he said there was poverty in the land in Buhari’s three years of leadership and concluded that conversation with the fact that the solution to Nigeria’s problems was to kill everyone. Any intelligent person would have noticed the incoherence in the start-up line and the end note. Something was missing.

The missing line was where he said the reason people were complaining was that there was no access to freebies and so, they blamed Buhari for impoverishing them. Therefore, if we were averse to fighting corruption, the solution was in killing everyone. But that part had been taken off.

Interestingly, it is one analysis Amaechi does every time and we fight over it because I personally don’t like the sound of it that we are broke only because we no longer have access to cheap money. On that, the blackmailers and their sponsors failed.

Two, there is the line he allegedly said the president did not care and could not read. Terrible lot! This was made to appear as if he was denigrating Buhari. Again, they lied and cheaply so.

The issue was about the criticisms of the president as an indication that he was no longer wanted by the people. Like he is wont to say: the president does not care. He does not even read them. But again, that too was cut out of context to suit their predetermined plot of putting him in a place of discomfort and clearly at loggerheads with the president.

If you listened to that bit very clearly, he even urged them at that point to report that aspect, noting that the president laughs over such uninformed criticisms. The manipulation here was very unsmart and tawdry.

The aspect of the citing of a university in Daura and another in his own village was quite unintelligent by those who pushed it out. Indeed, it was the point he asked that it should not be published. He felt a need as a minister to do that for his people and the president’s people too.

Please, tell me what is wrong in that and I shall give you a million reasons why it is in order? It is called development politics and practically spot-on.

Till today, one of the things being used against former President Olusegun Obasanjo is that he did not make any conscious effort to develop or cite any major project in his home state let alone South-west. The presidential library is being dismissed as personal and a product of corruption. So, what is wrong in Amaechi bringing development to Daura and his own village?

After all, today, Obasanjo and the late military ruler, Sani Abacha do not occupy the same place in the hearts of their people. In Kano, Abacha remains a hero, because he took development to his people. In Ogun, go and find out how they see Obasanjo. On this, Amaechi is on the right path and the matter is open to debate.

Whoever are the blackmailers behind the audio, pained that Amaechi refused to accede to their demands, which they would have further used against him, should try something else.

They can’t set Amaechi against the president. He doesn’t just love Buhari, he had envisaged his presidency two years before the election of 2015 and gave his all to see it materialise. He nurses no regrets and he’s determined to fight to see Buhari return even though we always disagree on this. I don commot for that bus tey tey.

Please, let the opposition try something else; something more creative, instructive, debatable and wowing. This one is dead on arrival. Wawuuuuuu!!!

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Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Spends Second Night In EFCC’s Cell Over N1.3 Trillion Alleged Fraud

Published

23 hours ago

on

November 7, 2024

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Immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has spent second night in the custody of the anti-graft commission.

 

Okowa is currently being investigated and detained over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

 

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

According to sources within the commission, Okowa was invited to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he’s subsequently detained by officials.

 

One of the sources stated, “Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested. The commission is investigating him regarding the N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

“He is also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas. He reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project. The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

Investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State. He is currently being held at the EFCC facility in Port Harcourt.

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Lagos Government Shuts Down Redeemed Church, Celestial Church, Clubs, Event Centres Over Noise Pollution

Published

1 day ago

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November 6, 2024

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The Lagos State government has shut down a branch of Pastor E. A. Adeboye’s Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Celestial church, nightclubs and event centres over noise pollution.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who made this known on Wednesday, said the churches, clubs and event centres were sealed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in the Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota areas of the state.

The sealed establishments include: Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Lounge & Lodging, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.

The commissioner in a post on X said, “In a bid to address noise pollution and other environmental violations, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) took action yesterday, closing down several establishments across different parts of the state.

“This enforcement drive, focusing on areas like Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota, is part of LASEPA’s continuous efforts to uphold environmental standards and safeguard public health.

“The affected establishments include Honourable Lounge & Lodging, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.”

 

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Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja: Tinubu directs flags be flown at half-mast

Published

2 days ago

on

November 6, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has directed that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half mast for seven days across the country to mourn the passing of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The late Army chief, who was appointed by Tinubu on 19 June 2023, was said to have passed away on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in a statement on Wednesday by his office Director of Information & Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, said the president expressed regret over Lagbaja’s death.

Akume said, “President Bola Tinubu has expressed regret following the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, after a brief illness at the age of 56.

“The President has directed that national flags be flown at half mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed Army chief.

“He profoundly appreciates the services of the departed to the nation and wishes the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

Meanwhile, the Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and Bello Matawalle, have commiserated with the president, the military, and Lagbaja’s family over his death.

In a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, the ministers described Lagbaja’s death as a great loss to his family, the Army, and the nation at large.

“The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the Ministry of Defence, as our working relationship with him was commendable; he exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.

“The late Chief of Army Staff contributed significantly to internal security operations across Nigeria and also exhibited a high level of professionalism.

“He will be greatly missed by the family, the military, and the nation, as he served the nation with commitment and dedication,” the statement added.

 

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