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Anambra 2021: Soludo remains APGA Guber candidate – Ex-CBN boss’ spokesman, Pauly Onyeka insists

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4 years ago

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The camp of former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor Prof. Charles Soludo, has rubbished the recent court orders declaring Chuma Umeoji as the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA ahead of the November governorship election.

Most recently, the Imo State High Court sitting in Owerri, had on Wednesday declared Umeoji as the authentic candidate of the Anambra ruling party.

High Courts in Jigawa and a few other states have also delivered similar judgements in favour of the Jude Okeke-led faction of the party.

The Okeke-faction of the party is challenging the victory of Charles Soludo in the primary election that saw Umeoji’s disqualification during the screening process.

On Wednesday, the Imo State High court dismissed a suit filed before it seeking to nullify the Owerri Convention of APGA which led to the emergence of Chief Jude Okeke as the National Chairman of the party.

Speaking with the media in reaction to the Imo High Court order and other similar rulings from High courts of different states, Hon. Pauly Onyeka, a spokesman to the former CBN Governor said that Jude Okeke, Umeoji and their co-travellers were going about doing what he described as ‘forum shopping.’

By this, he meant that they are moving from one court to the other; courts of the same level of jurisdiction and obtaining judgements from judges who, according to him, may be their friends and in the process making a mockery of the judiciary.

“In any party, you will have those that would not want things to go the normal way; those that would always want to play pranks and such are the people you see parading themselves with Okeke and Umeoji himself,” he said.

“According to the Constitution of this country, every party is to put up a guideline for its primary election. And that’s what APGA did.”

He explained that APGA had followed its guidelines strictly and religiously, leading to the emergence of Soludo as its candidate through a primary election that was shown live all over the world.

“And it was adjudged one of the best primary elections so far in the country. Umeoji himself was disqualified even before the primary,” he continued.

“He (Umeoji) was constitutionally disqualified because he was disqualified by a body that was put up to do the screening process and that body looked at him critically and believed that he does not have what it takes to be the candidate of APGA in such an election and then disqualified him.

“So having been disqualified, he doesn’t even stand any chance of parading himself as a candidate. For me, it is ridiculous that somebody who was disqualified; somebody who believes solely in the leadership of the party that’s as far as Victor Oyeh is concerned…this Umeoji believed in Victor Oyeh as the Chairman of the party and believed in everything he was doing that was why he subjected himself to the screening via that Victor Oyeh’s faction.

“Now immediately you found out that it didn’t favour you, that was the moment Victor Oyeh became for him a non-Chairman of APGA and he started looking for one nonsense or the other and before you knew it, he threw up someone who was a meddlesome interloper; someone who was not known in APGA as a stakeholder let alone being the National chairman and started following him and calling him his Chairman.

“And that was how the issue of Jigawa’s judgement came up. When you look at all these things, you’ll see that it’s somebody who wants to be the governor of a State by all means not that you want to subject yourself to the likeness or hatred of the people over you.

“That’s what a good person would do. Once the people say they don’t like you or they’re not voting for you, you go. Same thing as when the party says it doesn’t want you because you lack what it takes to be its candidate.

“But this time around, because he needs it, by all means, it’s not something that’s being pursued as a matter of reason. He’s pursuing his own candidature and election as a matter of course, not as a matter of reason. Now, they’ve started what we call ‘forum shopping.’ They are moving from one court to the other.

“And they go to courts of same level of jurisdiction. Is it not making a mockery of the judiciary? They had gone to Jigawa…instead of going to Anambra. We have many High Courts in Anambra here both state and federal but you decided to do forum-shopping maybe because you have a friend who is a judge somewhere that will give judgement.

“So you migrated all the way from here to Jigawa, Taraba and now he has also gone to Imo State. I mean, it doesn’t make sense. It’s so ridiculous. The Jigawa judgement was a nullity ab initio because it was a default judgement. It was given without proper constitution of the court.

“Soludo, INEC and APGA were not there at the court. It was only Umeoji’s people that came and at best they tried to impersonate INEC and APGA by sending someone who came and did the undoable by mentioning that he was representing the two.

“That is as bad as that. But this is a lot of rubbish that would be killed with only one stone. Once the Appeal Court in Kano starts its sitting on the matter, you’ll see how events would be unfolding.

“You can’t build something out of nothing. It’s not possible. So, immediately this issue comes up in the Appeal Court, it is very clear they’ll nullify all these things these people have been doing in the courts and uphold Soludo’s victory as APGA’s candidate.

“Mind you, courts don’t go into the internal issues of any political party, the only thing court does is to make sure you follow your guidelines and the constitution. And once the court sees that APGA followed its guidelines and the constitution in coming up with Soludo as its candidate, there is nothing any court can do about it.

“It’s something that is very fundamental as far as judicial issues are concerned in this country and even all over the world. The Imo State judgement falls into the same forum shopping.

“So how do you build something on nothing and you want it to stay? What would Imo State High Court do that is different from the one Jigawa has done?

“They’re courts of competent jurisdiction and no one can counter what the other has said and even if they did, the only court that will make such decisions strong is the Appeal Court. So we’re waiting for the Appeal Court. Just mind you that till tomorrow, Soludo remains the duly elected candidate of APGA in Anambra State.

“Don’t mind these jamborees the so-called Umeoji’s camp is throwing up. In fact, that guy is trying to popularise himself but in doing so, he’s ending up notorising himself. “

Culled from the Daily Post Nigeria

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Africa

U.S. Signals More Strikes in Nigeria as Abuja Confirms Joint Military Campaign

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2 weeks ago

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December 27, 2025

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The United States has warned that further airstrikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria are imminent, as Nigerian officials confirmed that recent attacks were part of coordinated operations between both countries.

The warning came hours after U.S. forces struck militant camps in Sokoto State, an operation President Donald Trump publicly framed as a response to what he described as the killing of Christians in Nigeria. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were only the beginning.

“The president was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Hegseth wrote on X. “The Pentagon is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight—on Christmas. More to come. Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation.”

Nigeria’s foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed on Friday that the strikes were carried out as part of “joint ongoing operations,” pushing back against earlier tensions sparked by Trump’s public criticism of Nigeria’s handling of insecurity.

The airstrikes followed a brief diplomatic rift after Trump accused Nigeria’s government of failing to protect Christians from militant violence. Nigerian officials responded by reiterating that extremist groups in the country target both Christians and Muslims, and that the conflict is driven by insurgency and criminality rather than religious persecution.

Speaking to Channels Television, Tuggar said Nigeria provided intelligence support for the strikes in Sokoto and described close coordination with Washington. He said he spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for nearly 20 minutes before briefing President Bola Tinubu and receiving approval to proceed, followed by another call with Rubio to finalize arrangements.

“We have been working closely with the Americans,” Tuggar said. “This is what we’ve always been hoping for—to work together to combat terrorism and stop the deaths of innocent Nigerians. It’s a collaborative effort.”

U.S. Africa Command later confirmed that the strikes were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities. An earlier statement, later removed, had suggested the operation was carried out at Nigeria’s request.

Trump, speaking in an interview with Politico, said the operation had originally been scheduled for Wednesday but was delayed at his instruction. “They were going to do it earlier,” he said. “And I said, ‘Nope, let’s give a Christmas present.’ They didn’t think that was coming, but we hit them hard. Every camp got decimated.”

Neither the U.S. nor Nigerian authorities have disclosed casualty figures or confirmed whether militants were killed. Tuggar, when asked whether additional strikes were planned, said only: “You can call it a new phase of an old conflict. For us, this is ongoing.”

Nigeria is officially a secular state, with a population split roughly between Muslims and Christians. While violence against Christian communities has drawn increasing attention from religious conservatives in the United States, Nigeria’s government maintains that extremist groups operate without regard to faith, attacking civilians across religious lines.

Trump’s public rhetoric contrasts with his 2024 campaign messaging, in which he cast himself as a “candidate of peace” who would pull the United States out of what he called endless foreign wars. Yet his second term has already seen expanded U.S. military action abroad, including strikes in Yemen, Iran, and Syria, as well as a significant military buildup in the Caribbean directed at Venezuela.

On the ground in Sokoto State, residents of Jabo village—near one of the strike sites—reported panic and confusion as missiles hit nearby areas. Local residents said no casualties had been recorded, but security forces quickly sealed off the area.

“As it approached our area, the heat became intense,” Abubakar Sani told the Associated Press. “The government should take appropriate measures to protect us. We have never experienced anything like this before.”

Another resident, farmer Sanusi Madabo, said the night sky glowed red for hours. “It was almost like daytime,” he said. “We only learned later that it was a U.S. airstrike.”

For now, both Washington and Abuja are projecting unity. Whether the strikes mark a sustained shift in strategy—or another brief escalation in a long war—remains unclear.

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Africa

Nigeria–Burkina Faso Rift: Military Power, Mistrust, and a Region Out of Balance

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4 weeks ago

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December 14, 2025

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The brief detention of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and its crew in Burkina Faso may have ended quietly, but it exposed a deeper rift shaped by mistrust, insecurity, and uneven military power in West Africa. What was officially a technical emergency landing quickly became a diplomatic and security flashpoint, reflecting not hostility between equals, but anxiety between unequally matched states navigating very different political realities.

On December 8, 2025, the Nigerian Air Force transport aircraft made an unscheduled landing in Bobo-Dioulasso while en route to Portugal. Nigerian authorities described the stop as a precautionary response to a technical fault—standard procedure under international aviation and military safety protocols. Burkina Faso acknowledged the emergency landing but emphasized that the aircraft had violated its airspace, prompting the temporary detention of 11 Nigerian personnel while investigations and repairs were conducted. Within days, the crew and aircraft were released, underscoring a professional, if tense, resolution.

Yet the symbolism mattered. In a Sahel region gripped by coups, insurgencies, and fragile legitimacy, airspace is not merely technical—it is political. Burkina Faso’s reaction reflected a state on edge, hyper-vigilant about sovereignty amid persistent internal threats. Nigeria’s response, measured and restrained, reflected confidence rooted in capacity.

The military imbalance between the two countries is stark. Nigeria fields one of Africa’s most formidable armed forces, with a tri-service structure that includes a large, well-equipped air force, a dominant regional navy, and a sizable army capable of sustained operations. The Nigerian Air Force operates fighter jets such as the JF-17 and F-7Ni, as well as A-29 Super Tucanos for counterinsurgency operations, heavy transport aircraft like the C-130, and an extensive helicopter fleet. This force is designed not only for internal security but for regional power projection and multinational operations.

Burkina Faso’s military, by contrast, is compact and narrowly focused. Its air arm relies on a limited number of light attack aircraft, including Super Tucanos, and a small helicopter fleet primarily dedicated to internal counterinsurgency. There is no navy, no strategic airlift capacity comparable to Nigeria’s, and limited logistical depth. The Burkinabè military is stretched thin, fighting multiple insurgent groups while also managing the political consequences of repeated military takeovers.

This imbalance shapes behavior. Nigeria’s military posture is institutional, outward-looking, and anchored in regional frameworks such as ECOWAS. Burkina Faso’s posture is defensive, reactive, and inward-facing. Where Nigeria seeks stability through deterrence and cooperation, Burkina Faso seeks survival amid constant internal pressure. That difference explains why a technical landing could be perceived as a “serious security breach” rather than a routine aviation incident.

The incident also illuminates why Burkina Faso continues to struggle to regain political balance. Repeated coups have eroded civilian institutions, fractured command structures, and blurred the line between governance and militarization. The armed forces are not just security actors; they are political stakeholders. This creates a cycle where insecurity justifies military rule, and military rule deepens insecurity by weakening democratic legitimacy and regional trust.

Nigeria, despite its own security challenges, has managed to avoid this spiral. Civilian control of the military remains intact, democratic transitions—however imperfect—continue, and its armed forces operate within a clearer constitutional framework. This stability enhances Nigeria’s regional credibility and amplifies its military superiority beyond hardware alone.

The C-130 episode did not escalate into confrontation precisely because of this asymmetry. Burkina Faso could assert sovereignty, but not sustain defiance. Nigeria could have asserted its capability, but chose restraint. In the end, professionalism prevailed.

Still, the rift lingers. It is not about one aircraft or one landing, but about two countries moving in different strategic directions. Nigeria stands as a regional anchor with superior military power and institutional depth. Burkina Faso remains a state searching for equilibrium—politically fragile, militarily constrained, and acutely sensitive to every perceived threat from the skies above.

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Lifestyle

Kaduna Governor Commissions Nigeria’s First 100-Building Prefabricated Housing Estate

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2 months ago

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November 14, 2025

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Kaduna, Nigeria – November 6, 2025 — In a major milestone for Nigeria’s housing sector, the Governor of Kaduna State has commissioned a 100-unit mass housing estate developed by Family Homes and executed by Karmod Nigeria, marking the first-ever large-scale prefabricated housing project in the country.

Completed in under six months, the innovative project demonstrates the power of modern prefabricated construction to deliver high-quality, affordable homes at record speed — a sharp contrast to traditional building methods that often take years.

Each of the 100 units in the estate is designed for a lifespan exceeding 50 years with routine maintenance. The development features tarred access roads, efficient drainage systems, clean water supply, and steady electricity, ensuring a modern and comfortable living environment for residents.

According to Family Homes, the project represents a new era in Nigeria’s mass housing delivery, proving that cutting-edge technology can accelerate the provision of sustainable and cost-effective homes for Nigerians.

“With prefabricated technology, we can drastically reduce construction time while maintaining top-quality standards,” said a spokesperson for Family Homes. “This project is a clear demonstration of what’s possible when innovation meets commitment to solving Nigeria’s housing deficit.”

Reinforcing this commitment, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State emphasized the alignment between the initiative and the state’s broader vision for affordable housing.

“The Family Homes Funds Social Housing Project aligns with our administration’s commitment to the provision of affordable houses for Kaduna State citizens. Access to safe, affordable and secure housing is the foundation of human dignity. We have been partnering with local and international investors to frontally address our housing deficit,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Ademola Adebise, Chairman of Family Homes Funds Limited, noted that the project embodies inclusivity and social progress.

“The Social Housing Project also reflects our shared vision of inclusive growth, where affordable housing becomes a foundation for economic participation and improved quality of life.”

Karmod Nigeria, the technical partner behind the project, utilized its extensive expertise in prefabricated technology to localize the process, employing local artisans and materials to enhance community participation and job creation.

Industry experts have described the Kaduna project as a blueprint for future housing initiatives nationwide, capable of addressing the country’s housing shortfall more efficiently and sustainably.

With this pioneering development, Kaduna State takes a leading role in introducing modern housing technologies that promise to reshape Nigeria’s urban landscape.

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