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Reactions Follow Deyemi’s Letter To Attah After Banky W Poll Loss
Nollywood actor, Deyemi Okanlawon, has caused a reaction on social media by penning an open letter to Thaddeus Attah, the Labour Party’s (LP) Eti-Osa Honourable-Elect, congratulating him on his victory over musician and politician, Banky W.
In a lengthy letter shared on his Instagram account on Friday, Deyemi asserted that he voted for Banky W because he believed he was the most suitable candidate for the job.
He also congratulated Attah on his victory and urged him to share his plans for Eti-Osa, acknowledging that despite his extensive research on the official, he was unable to find any concrete information.
Additionally, the actor extended an invitation to the newly elected official to respond to his inquiries through an Instagram chat.
He wrote,”(Edited) OPEN LETTER TO HOR-ELECT THADDEUS ATTAH.
“Dear Sir,
“I’ll like to use this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr. Thaddeus Attah @jt.atta of the Labour Party(LP), as the winner of the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.
”Before I go ahead with what I will like to say, I will like to fully disclose that I voted for Mr. Bankole Wellington of the Peoples
“Democratic Party (PDP) as I honestly thought he would have been the best candidate for the job. I do have immense faith in our
“discernment as a people to elect the right candidate, however I am also quite worried about the role tribal sentiments,
“cyberbullying and herd mentality on all sides has played in our electoral process. That being said, I am a firm believer in.
“democracy and I would want nothing more than for the people’s wish to prevail so once again I congratulate you Sir.
“Mr Attah, same as with a lot of Lagosians, I only first heard of you when you were announced the winner a few days ago. Since
“that time I have made a significant effort to find out as much as possible about our newly elected federal HOR candidate. To my
“surprise, my quest for answers left me even more puzzled as to who you really are as well as what your qualifications, past
“precedents and plans are for the people of Eti-Osa. With little or no online presence, and for someone that overthrew both an
“incumbent and a public figure, I am yet to find any indications of your campaign manifesto. It would therefore be a great pleasure
“if you Sir will do me the honour of accepting an invitation to join me online for a live Instagram conversation this weekend to address concerns and respond to questions many others like myself may have.
“Finally, without seeking to influence or enforce any candidate on anyone, I will like to use this medium to urge all well-meaning,
progressive Lagosians ahead of the March 11 elections to find their own individual voice such that when we head to the polls we
“ensure the person we are voting for reflects our collective want for great leadership and our desire for excellent governance. I look forward to a lively discourse.
“Your constituent.
“Deyemi Okanlawon.
The statement caused a debate on social media, some trolls, argued that there was no need to question him.
Vincentokonkwo said,”Ko necessary he won out to grace and am sure so many candidates across Nigeria were equally lucky Abi you wan set ring light for over 84 elected LP members of house and senate or it is because it’s someone I know that is involved.
Ifbnw said, “How many of the APC reps in the past years did you single out for public questioning?. This is a poor mix of performativeness, bullying and hypocrisy laced with faux concern for how competent Mr. Thaddeus is.
“If you really want to get to know him, you’ll send a DM, send an email, arrange to meet him in person, discuss his ideas and plans and then translate that to your online audience or organize events for him to gain more visibility online, if you must. Instead of publicly putting him on the spot to question his competence simply because you don’t know him.
“Your logic indirectly also implies that this seat is Banky’s birthright because he’s popular and if you don’t see how that’s the problem we are fighting against on a national level, then you’re part of the problem.”
its_tegadominic said, “So, this is nicely written, but I beg to differ, personally I have seen his works and he campaigned, he may not have been as loud as Banky but he did his bit, like I said to those who cared, Labour Party was literally a minority at a time so most people didn’t believe in them, in the case of Banky it was all clear why he didn’t win, when you are angry it affects everyone, that’s what happened.
”When I first saw his bill on my street I knew he was going to win, I asked around about him and reports I got was also
encouraging, I have seen his manifesto and he means well, what we need to do is let them know that politics is not as before, you won’t be a mediocre and hide under the party umbrella and think you will last, I wish him all the best as he behaves well. I wish Banky all the best as well. There is a lesson to learn from this election… March 11 for GRV.”
mrcantuc said,”Oga go rest, is he the only person that you need to question over elections stuff?. You have been quiet over the presidential election na here you wan show yourself abeg go rest.”
Oil marketers have warned that Nigerians may soon pay as much as ₦1,500 per litre for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, as global oil prices surge following the escalating conflict involving Iran in the Middle East.
The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, issued the warning on Tuesday while speaking on a television programme on the impact of the global crisis on fuel prices.
According to him, the current volatility in the international oil market has already pushed petrol prices above ₦1,000 per litre at the depot level, with the ex-depot price from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery now standing at about ₦1,175 per litre.
He explained that once logistics, transportation, and other operational costs are added, the final pump price could rise significantly, possibly reaching ₦1,500 per litre in the near future.
Despite concerns about the rising cost of fuel, Gillis-Harry noted that steady availability of petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery remains a major relief for Nigeria, stressing that consistent supply is better than a nationwide fuel scarcity.
He added that the refinery’s production capacity is helping to stabilize supply across the country at a time when global markets remain highly unstable.
The latest price adjustment by the Dangote Refinery marks the fourth review within two weeks. Petrol prices increased from ₦995 per litre to ₦1,175 per litre, while diesel rose from ₦1,430 to about ₦1,620 per litre.
The development comes amid a sharp spike in international crude oil prices triggered by fears of supply disruptions due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Brent crude recently climbed above $102 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose to around $101 per barrel.
Industry analysts say the rising oil prices are already having a ripple effect on Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, forcing depot operators and fuel marketers to adjust their prices in response to the global market trend.
Meanwhile, the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has stated that although Nigeria introduced a crude-for-naira arrangement to support local refineries, the facility still purchases crude oil at international market prices, leaving it exposed to global price fluctuations.
The United Nations has raised the alarm over a dramatic surge in attacks on schools worldwide, reporting a 166% increase between 2021 and 2024.
The rise highlights the escalating dangers faced by children in conflict zones.
United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, revealed the figures during the annual meeting of the UN Human Rights Council on the rights of the child on Monday.
The session, themed “Mainstreaming the Rights of Children in Armed Conflict: Prevention and Protection,” focused on protecting children amid global conflicts.
Al-Nashif noted that the attacks were particularly concentrated in Sudan, Ukraine, the Gaza Strip, Myanmar, and Ethiopia, where children remain among the most vulnerable victims.
“In 2024, armed conflict directly affected nearly one in six children globally—about 470 million children,” she said. “Years of lost education, trauma, and lasting mental scars shape societies for generations. Long after the fighting subsides, children continue to face deadly risks.”
She highlighted Gaza as having the world’s highest number of child amputees per capita, warning that the impact of war goes far beyond immediate violence.
In Lebanon, government figures show that more than 450,000 people were displaced in less than a week, with at least 394 fatalities, including 83 children, during the 2024 conflict with Israel.
Al-Nashif also stressed the disproportionate risks for displaced children, who are more likely to die from disease linked to unsafe water and sanitation than from direct violence.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a 2025 cholera outbreak killed 340 children, underscoring the long-term consequences of conflict.
She called on states to uphold their international obligations to protect children, insisting that protecting children is “both a legal obligation and a humanitarian moral imperative.”
Also speaking at the council, Vanessa Frazier, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, warned that violence against children continued at extreme levels in 2025.
She urged mainstreaming child protection across peace, security, humanitarian, human rights, and development efforts, emphasizing that children should actively participate in shaping policies designed to safeguard them.
Frazier highlighted her office’s global campaign, “Prove It Matters,” aimed at amplifying children’s voices in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
The UN report underscores the urgent need for coordinated international action to protect children and ensure their safety in conflict zones worldwide.
Portugal officially inaugurated its new president, Antonio Jose Seguro, on Monday, pledging to bring stability to a nation shaken by political uncertainty and natural disasters.
Seguro, the centre-left candidate, won last month’s presidential run-off against far-right rival Andre Ventura, following weeks of catastrophic storms that killed at least seven people and caused approximately €4 billion ($4.6 billion) in damage.
Speaking at his swearing-in ceremony in Lisbon’s parliament, Seguro emphasized cooperation with the minority right-wing government and vowed to end the country’s “electoral frenzy.”
SEE MORE: Spain, Portugal Plunge Into Darkness Amid Widespread Power Outage
“I will do everything I can to put an end to this electoral frenzy,” he said, pointing to the inability of previous governments to complete their terms.
Amid global crises, including conflicts in the Middle East and a more isolationist US approach under President Donald Trump, Seguro stressed the importance of multilateralism.
“The force of law has been replaced by the power of the strongest,” he remarked.
Seguro succeeds Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a conservative who leaves office at 77 after serving two five-year terms.
While the Portuguese presidency is largely ceremonial, Seguro’s leadership signals a commitment to political stability and international engagement.
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