Politics
‘Go After More Sponsors Of Opposition’ – Coalition To Tinubu
A pressure group has urged President Bola Tinubu to go after all those who sponsored his opponents as a run up to the 2023 presidential election.
With the president having suspended and handed Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele over to the Department of State Services (DSS), tongues are wagging that Emefiele is facing the music for daring to stand between President Tinubu and his ambition.
Now, a call has gone from the Coalition of Northern Patriots (CNP) to the president to met out the same measures to the managing director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, and his counterpart at the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Emmanuel Jime.
The CNP alleged that the duo bankrolled the presidential ambition of the former governor of Rivers State and former minister of transport, Rotimi Amaechi from proceeds of corruption.
The coalition made the call in a statement signed by its president, Samson Aaron.
The CNP is of the opinion that Bello-Koko and Jime are corrupt for which they want the president to probe their activities with a view to bringing them to justice.
According to Aaron, after the duo wasted millions on Amaechi’s presidential bid that failed, they went ahead to use taxpayers’ money to fund the campaign of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This, Aaron claimed was on Amaechi’s instructions.
He maintained that Bello-Kobo and Jime have turned their agencies into Amaechi’s cash cow, which has seen them operate with high-handedness, impunity, and disrespect for constituted authorities.
In his opinion, Amaechi wanted Hadiza Usman out of the way for his selfish purpose of entrenching criminality and fraud, especially in the maritime sector.
He is also of the position that at the NPA and NSC, fraud through kickbacks and money laundering have become the order of the day just to meet the demands of their boss.
The CNP averred that the duo of Bello-Koko and Jime are bad eggs in the current administration, who must be dismissed forthwith.
Aaron urged president Tinubu not to stop at the CBN only, as the president’s decisiveness has brought renewed hope to the masses.
In his words, “The suspension and arrest of Godwin Emefiele came as a relief to many Nigerians. It showed that the President is out to sanitise the mess he met on the ground.
“While this is the right step, we have pieces of evidence that there are even more unscrupulous individuals still in government. These bad eggs will soon contaminate the system if not fished out.
“The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko, and Emmanuel Jime, his counterpart at the Nigerian Shippers Council, should be investigated. We have enough proof to back this claim.
“Bello-Koko and Jime funded the failed presidential bid of Rotimi Amaechi, whom they see as their boss. They carried this out with efficiency after the sack of Hadiza Usman.
“And when Amaechi lost the APC ticket, he ordered his loyalists to use taxpayers’ money to sponsor Atiku to defeat Tinubu. They failed again. These individuals have become so powerful that they carry out high-level fraud, bribery, and money laundering.
“We, therefore, call on the president to probe these two and prosecute them if found guilty. This administration started on a strong foot and it must sustain it by going all out for other corrupt officials.”
The Osun State chapter of the Accord Party has cautioned its members against anti-party activities in the forthcoming National and State Assembly elections.
A government house statement released in Osogbo on Wednesday added that the party warned that all members must support Accord candidates at the polls.
Rising from a closed door stakeholders’ meeting, the party noted several reports of Accord members allegedly backing candidates from PDP, APM, APP and even APC, directing that those members or leaders caught in such acts will face severe disciplinary actions.
The meeting presided over by Governor Ademola Adeleke passed a resolution that all disagreements over selection of legislative candidates should be resolved and the party must unite behind the candidates already fielded by the party.
Under no circumstances should any Accord member be caught sponsoring or working for legislative candidates of other political parties. Such behaviour will not be tolerated, the stakeholders meeting resolved.
READ ALSO: Dangote Credits Tinubu’s Economic Reforms with Driving Nigeria’s Economic Recovery
The meeting further directed a small committee to work on constituencies where such abnormalities are noted and take appropriate measures to stop the menace and even sanction the culprits if they persist in such anti-party conduct.
The Accord leadership in the state was also directed to activate monitoring actions to identify those involved in such conduct and call them to order as urgently as possible.
Meanwhile, Gov Adeleke used the Forum to register his gratitude to party members for their steadfast support during the turbulent electioneering process.
“I am deeply grateful to our party members for their depth of loyalty and courageous disposition throughout the democratic struggle. Osun people trusted us and they fought for us under the divine direction of God Almighty.
“We praise God Almighty, the courageous people of Osun state, the electoral commission and you, our loyal party members and leaders. I will remain steadfast in my commitment to the people, the party and God almighty.
“I task us to support our party candidates in the forthcoming legislative elections. We must avoid anti-party activities. Severe sanction awaits any party member who works against the candidates of the party.
“I have also tasked our candidates to reach out to all segments of the party. We must run an inclusive campaign. All shades of opinion must be mobilised for resounding success in future elections”, the governor admonished leaders at the stakeholders’ forum.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised the alarm over a fake online recruitment notice claiming that the commission has commenced the recruitment and training of ad-hoc staff ahead of the 2027 General Election.
INEC issued the warning on Monday, August 31, 2026, following the circulation of a message online directing prospective applicants to a website purportedly created for the recruitment exercise.
The electoral commission dismissed the information as false, stressing that the recruitment notice and website did not originate from it.
SEE MORE: 2027: ‘We Must Build the Table’ — Opposition Leaders Meet in Abuja to Challenge Tinubu
In a statement, INEC said, “The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to a message circulating online claiming that the Commission is currently recruiting and training ad-hoc staff for the 2027 General Election.”
The commission further clarified that the website being circulated is not its official recruitment portal.
“This information is not from INEC. The website/link being circulated is NOT an official INEC recruitment portal,” INEC stated.
The electoral body warned Nigerians against clicking on the link or providing personal information through the platform, particularly as fraudulent recruitment websites can be used to obtain sensitive details or solicit payments.
“Members of the public are strongly advised NOT to click on the link, submit personal information, upload documents or make any payment through the platform,” the commission warned.
INEC advised members of the public to rely only on its verified communication channels and official websites for information concerning recruitment and election-related activities.
“INEC’s official recruitment and election-related announcements are published through the Commission’s verified communication channels and official websites,” it said.
The commission directed Nigerians seeking authentic information to visit its official website, inecnigeria.org.
INEC also noted that it had previously warned the public about fraudulent websites and fake recruitment advertisements purporting to originate from the commission.
The electoral body urged Nigerians to disregard the latest notice and avoid further circulating it.
“Please disregard and do not circulate this false recruitment notice,” INEC said.
The commission concluded its warning with an appeal to Nigerians to verify the authenticity of online information before clicking on links or submitting personal details.
“Stay informed. Stay safe. Always verify before you click,” INEC stated.
Several opposition political leaders and prominent figures have converged on Abuja for a summit aimed at forging a united front ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The meeting, being held at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, attracted notable opposition figures including the Peoples Redemption Party presidential candidate, Donald Duke; Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, Adewale Adebayo; and former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu.
SEE MORE: ‘APC Is Irredeemable’ — Ex-Minister Timipre Sylva Dumps Party, Blasts Tinubu Govt
The summit was convened by political pressure group G-100 as part of efforts to bring opposition parties together to mount a stronger challenge against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.
Also attending the gathering are the Allied Peoples Movement vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura; PRP National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed; SDP vice-presidential candidate, Usman Bugaje; and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi.
The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, and G-100 Convener, Salihu Lukman, are also among those participating in the summit.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Lukman urged opposition parties to put aside their differences and work towards a common objective of advancing the interests of Nigerians.
He stressed that the proposed cooperation was not about forcing political parties to dissolve or abandon their identities, but about creating a platform where they could work together towards a shared goal.
“We are not asking any political party to dissolve. Let us agree that we must build the table before negotiating the seats,” Lukman said.
The summit comes amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties and political actors exploring possible alliances and coalition arrangements.
Plateau Govt Backs BBNaija Housemate Sheba, Urges Massive Votes
NMDPRA Shares July Domestic Cooking Gas Supply Details
OB3 Pipeline Set for First Gas, AKK Hits 95% – NNPC Ltd
Ingentia Energies Appoints New MD
Osun Accord, Adeleke Strategise for Legislative Elections
Dangote Credits Tinubu’s Economic Reforms with Driving Nigeria’s Economic Recovery
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
