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Gunshots Mar Bayelsa Rally, State Government, Wike Allies Trade Accusations

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A rally held in Yenagoa by NEW Associates, a group aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, descended into chaos as gunshots were fired, prompting a fierce exchange of blame between the Bayelsa State Government and the group.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The rally, convened to promote President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign, took place at the Church of God Mission Camp Ground in Igbogene despite the Bayelsa government’s prior opposition, citing ongoing political tensions linked to the crisis in neighbouring Rivers State.

Governor Douye Diri had publicly opposed the rally, warning that it could aggravate the political crisis involving Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who recently faced suspension under a state of emergency declared by President Tinubu.

In the wake of the gunfire, Secretary of NEW Associates, Ebilade Ekerefe, accused the Bayelsa government of orchestrating the violence. Meanwhile, the state government condemned the shooting, calling on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to launch an immediate investigation.

Bayelsa’s Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, issued a statement expressing deep concern over the violence, asserting that it validated the government’s earlier warnings about the rally’s risks.

The statement emphasized the need for law enforcement to thoroughly investigate and prosecute those responsible for the attacks.

Originally set for April 12, the NEW Associates rally was postponed after rival political groups aligned with Governor Diri and former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, scheduled competing rallies for the same venue and date. Both rival rallies were later moved to April 26, coinciding with the rescheduled NEW Associates gathering.

As security tightened around Tombia Roundabout, the alternative venue for the Diri and Tambuwal rallies, the events were eventually cancelled, while the NEW Associates event went ahead at Igbogene.

The Bayelsa government expressed alarm at the outbreak of violence, noting that the rally’s organisers had previously hinted at potential disruptions by remarking that “the good, the bad, and the ugly” would attend.

Authorities criticized the decision to hold a political event at a religious venue and argued that it violated the Electoral Act and Independent National Electoral Commission guidelines. They also warned religious bodies to steer clear of political activities and pledged sanctions for any violations.

In response, Ekerefe denounced the attacks in a statement titled “They Said the Rally Would Not Hold. Yet It Held.” He alleged that the Bayelsa government tried to undermine the rally by threatening to revoke certificates of occupancy for potential venues and by pressuring youth groups to boycott the event.

Despite these alleged efforts, Ekerefe praised the resilience of NEW Associates’ supporters and security personnel, claiming the rally was a success despite the disruptions.

He accused the government of fixating on attendance figures rather than recognising the significance of the rally’s execution, and hailed the event as a demonstration of the group’s unwavering commitment to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Ekerefe said, “Despite the threats, propaganda, and intimidation tactics, our members and supporters turned out en masse, defying the odds to ensure the rally’s success. They attempted to use violence to disrupt us, but they failed.”

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The Bulldozers Are Coming! Kano Targets Azman University In Massive Illegal Property Crackdown.

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Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has dismissed recent claims by 2027 presidential hopeful Peter Obi regarding Nigeria’s power generation goals. During an Arise Television interview, Onanuga clarified that Nigeria’s core electricity crisis stems from structural deficits—such as gas supply shortages, a $4 trillion legacy debt owed to suppliers, and an aging national grid—rather than a lack of generation capacity.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Onanuga noted that the nation already possesses an installed capacity of 13,500 megawatts, exceeding Obi’s promise to add 10,000 megawatts. He argued that the former governor lacks a clear understanding of the existing infrastructure limitations. Furthermore, Onanuga highlighted that the Tinubu administration is actively tackling these issues through the Electricity Act, which decentralizes power management, and the establishment of the Grid Asset Management Company Limited (GAMCO) to improve performance. He maintained that power generation has seen marked improvement since the current administration took office in May 2023.

President Bola Tinubu’s aide, Bayo Onanuga, has challenged Peter Obi’s pledge to increase Nigeria’s electricity generation by 10,000 megawatts within four years. In a recent interview, Onanuga stated that Obi’s plan ignores the reality that Nigeria’s installed capacity is already 13,500 megawatts—a figure that remains underutilized due to structural failures.

Onanuga identified the country’s primary obstacles as an outdated national grid, chronic gas supply issues, and a massive legacy debt of over ₦4 trillion owed to gas companies. He asserted that the current administration is addressing these systemic problems through legislative reforms, specifically citing the Electricity Act, which allows states to manage their own power generation, transmission, and distribution. Onanuga concluded that electricity output has already trended upward since May 2023 and that the government’s focus remains on optimizing existing assets rather than merely chasing higher capacity targets.

Bayo Onanuga is pushing back against Peter Obi’s recent promise to boost Nigeria’s power supply by 10,000 megawatts. According to President Tinubu’s spokesperson, the real issue isn’t a lack of capacity, but a broken system.

Onanuga pointed out that Nigeria already has 13,500 megawatts of installed capacity, most of which sits idle due to three main roadblocks:

  • The Grid: Outdated infrastructure that cannot handle current demands.

  • Gas Supply: A crippling lack of fuel for power plants.

  • Legacy Debt: A massive ₦4 trillion debt pile-up owed to gas suppliers.

Onanuga credited the Tinubu administration with tackling these hurdles head-on, specifically through the new Electricity Act that empowers states to generate and distribute their own power. He insists that the sector is already performing better than it was in May 2023 and that the focus is on fixing the structural bottlenecks, not just expanding capacity.

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Court Orders Probe Of Leaked Video In Alleged Coup Plot Trial

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On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja initiated an investigation into the unauthorized release of a video linked to the ongoing trial of six individuals accused of conspiring to topple President Bola Tinubu’s government.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Investigation into the Leaked Video

  • Court Directive: Following a complaint from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), regarding a video statement that surfaced on the social media platform of influencer “VeryDarkMan” despite a court-imposed restriction, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct an inquiry.

  • National Security Concerns: The DPP characterized the leak as a national security risk that prejudices the ongoing judicial proceedings, noting the video had already surpassed 6,000 views.

  • Defense Stance: While defense counsel denied involvement in the leak, they held varying views on a probe; some welcomed an investigation, while others, like Sanusi Musa (SAN), cautioned against acting without formal evidence.

  • Judicial Ruling: Invoking Section 232(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Justice Abdulmalik mandated the DSS to identify and bring any responsible parties before the court, noting that such prosecution would be handled separately from the main coup trial.

Trial Testimony and Bail Proceedings

  • Witness Testimony: A prosecution witness, an Army officer codenamed “DDD,” testified that the investigation was conducted by a multi-agency team—including the Army, DSS, DIA, and EFCC—and explicitly denied that the defendants were chained, coerced, or tortured during interrogation.

  • Defense Challenges: During cross-examination, defense lawyers challenged the interrogation process, specifically noting the absence of family members or legal representation during the suspects’ questioning; however, the witness stated no such requests were made by the defendants.

  • Bail Applications: The court heard bail arguments from the defense, which the DPP opposed; Justice Abdulmalik has reserved her ruling on these applications and adjourned the trial-within-trial for the first three defendants until June 25 and June 30.

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No Mercy! US Authorities Deport Nigerian Over “Violent Crimes” & Abuse Allegations!.

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  • Deportation of Nigerian National: A Nigerian citizen named Ayodeji Ajayi has been deported from the United States following a series of criminal convictions, which include domestic violence.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

    • Immigration Status: According to a statement released by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on their official account, Ajayi had been living in the US illegally for nearly two decades after failing to depart the country following the expiration of his student visa.

    • Criminal History: ICE reported that after abandoning his studies, Ajayi amassed a significant criminal record that includes convictions for domestic violence, trespassing, intimidation, and obstruction. Furthermore, his record includes charges involving kidnapping, rape, and family neglect.

    • Administrative Context: ICE attributed the removal of Ajayi to the immigration enforcement policies of President Donald Trump, noting the administration’s commitment to deporting criminal undocumented immigrants.

    • Missing Details: While the agency confirmed the deportation, they did not specify when it occurred, nor did they provide additional details regarding the jurisdictions of the convictions or the current status of his pending criminal charges.

    • Policy Enforcement: This action reflects the ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to intensify enforcement and increase the number of removals of undocumented individuals with criminal backgrounds across the United States.

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