Former presidential aide and broadcaster Reuben Abati has strongly criticized the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, over his directive to decorate the historic First Niger Bridge exclusively with pictures of President Bola Tinubu.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Umahi had issued the order on Wednesday during an inspection of ongoing rehabilitation works on the bridge, stating that the move would reward the President’s hard work in the region once all illegal advertisements are cleared.

Key Highlights from Abati’s Critique:

• Accusations of Discrimination: Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, Abati argued that dedicating public infrastructure to only one political figure during a campaign season is discriminatory.

• Demand for Fairness: Abati insisted that if political posters are allowed on the bridge, the space should be open to all candidates without any monopoly or favoritism.

• Public Funds Belong to All: Emphasizing that the rehabilitation was funded using taxpayers’ money, he maintained that the infrastructure cannot be reserved exclusively for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The posters that should be there should be the posters of all candidates. It’s campaign season… If there will be no poster, then even President Tinubu’s poster must not be there. There should be no discrimination because the money that the Ministry of Works used to rehabilitate that old bridge is Nigerians’ money.” — Reuben Abati

Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has officially ended her long-standing feud with celebrity fashion designer Toyin Lawani, bringing their years of estrangement to a close.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Iyabo shared warm pictures of herself and Toyin on Instagram, reflecting on the value of genuine friendship and how time apart reshaped their bond. Tagging Toyin, she wrote:

“Life taught us that real friendships aren’t perfect, they are real. We had our moment apart, but real friendship always finds its way back.”

Key Highlights of the Reconciliation:

• Background of the Rift: The two celebrities, who were once close and starred together on The Real Housewives of Lagos, fell out around 2022 following a public disagreement.

• The Root of the Tension: The fallout was reportedly linked to Toyin’s friendship with Laura Ikeji—who had a prior dispute with Iyabo—with Iyabo accusing Toyin of gossiping and taking sides.

• Social Media and Public Distance: The tension resulted in both stars unfollowed each other on Instagram, and Toyin notably missed major family celebrations involving Iyabo’s daughter, Priscilla.

• A Fresh Start: The reconciliation first became apparent when the duo re-followed each other on social media, culminating in Iyabo’s public announcement of their renewed friendship.

Popular Nigerian Afrobeat artist Seun Kuti has grouped former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and President Bola Tinubu together, arguing that both political figures operate within the same capitalist framework.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking during an appearance on the Sell Afrika to Afrikans podcast, Kuti asserted that neither leader offers a true alternative, as they both represent a system he characterizes as exploitative and oppressive.

Key Takeaways from Kuti’s Interview:

• The Trap of “Big Man-ism”: Kuti argued that Africans have been conditioned to depend on powerful individuals or a “messiah” to solve their problems, rather than recognizing their own collective capability to drive change.

• Cultural and Psychological Conditioning: The singer linked this reliance on leaders to a form of spiritual slavery that feeds into Africa’s broader political and physical struggles.

• Loss of Self-Reliance: He emphasized that many citizens no longer believe they hold the power to build schools, fix roads, or solve their own societal challenges without the intervention of political elites or external forces.

“Peter Obi is not different from Tinubu. They’re all the same… These are capitalists. These are exploiters. They’re oppressors. We don’t believe that we have those power because we believe in the messiah, in the big man, in the chosen man.” — Seun Kuti