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How Buhari Silenced Critics And Defended Me At FEC — Lai Mohammed Reveals.

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Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has disclosed how the late President Muhammadu Buhari once stepped in to defend him during a Federal Executive Council meeting after a fellow cabinet member allegedly criticised his performance in his absence.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to Nivo News, Mohammed made the revelation in his newly released book, Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration, where he documented key moments and behind-the-scenes experiences from his years serving in the Buhari administration.

The former minister explained that the incident occurred while he was in Washington DC for his routine biannual engagements with international media organisations and policy think tanks. During that period, he later learnt that a minister from the South-West had reportedly accused him at a cabinet meeting of not doing enough to publicise the administration’s achievements, despite the government’s perceived successes.

Mohammed recalled that Buhari immediately shut down the criticism, insisting that he had been effectively projecting the government’s accomplishments even from outside the country. According to him, the President told council members that he had recently watched some of his television appearances where he robustly defended and promoted the administration’s policies and programmes.

He described Buhari’s intervention as a powerful show of confidence and a strong endorsement that left no room for further debate.

The former minister also recounted how Buhari handled a petition written against him while he was still in office. He narrated visiting the President and noticing unusual tension from the Aide-de-Camp, who later revealed that a petition alleging misconduct against him had been submitted. Mohammed said Buhari expressed disbelief upon seeing his name mentioned but nevertheless ordered a probe, which eventually cleared him of all allegations.

Mohammed further revealed that throughout his time in office, Buhari rarely turned down his requests. However, one major exception almost occurred in 2018 following an open letter by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in which he criticised the administration and advised Buhari not to seek re-election.

According to Mohammed, Buhari initially directed that no response should be issued out of respect for Obasanjo’s seniority. He said he later engaged in a firm but respectful argument, stressing the need to defend the administration in the interest of the country. Although reluctant at first, Buhari eventually approved the response, with strict instructions that the former president should not be insulted.

Mohammed said the lengthy statement he later issued was well received, adding that several individuals subsequently informed Buhari that the response had been effectively handled.

He also narrated how he almost cancelled a planned media tour to areas reclaimed from Boko Haram insurgents in 2015 due to concerns from the Ministry of Defence, which insisted that presidential approval was required. Mohammed said Buhari promptly granted the approval, even though the trip had not been previously discussed with him.

Reflecting on his years in government, Mohammed noted that despite severe budgetary limitations facing his ministry, Buhari consistently provided special interventions that made critical programmes possible.

He concluded by describing Buhari’s leadership style as one rooted in quiet confidence and trust, noting that once the former president entrusted an official with responsibility, he gave them the freedom to act, believing that leadership came with its own sense of judgment and accountability.


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Isaac Fayose Sends Fresh Message To Sowore After Ekiti Attack, Urges Him To Join Peter Obi

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Isaac Fayose, younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, has called on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore to join forces with Peter Obi and other opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Fayose argued that Sowore could not effectively challenge the government on his own, urging opposition figures to set aside their political differences and work together.

He made the appeal while reacting to the attack on Sowore in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

In a video posted on his verified Facebook page on Friday, Fayose condemned the incident and warned that it highlighted the risks opposition figures could face in the country.

The social media critic said other opposition leaders could experience similar attacks if they failed to unite against the government.

“Sowore, you can’t fight alone. You need to unite with Peter Obi and other opposition figures. What happened to you in Ekiti can happen to anyone. This government does not want opposition,” Fayose said.

The businessman also urged security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack, insisting that they must face justice.

Recall that Sowore had accused the Ekiti State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS) of removing CCTV footage showing the attack on him in Ado-Ekiti.

The AAC presidential candidate alleged that the removal of the footage was an attempt to conceal evidence of the incident and shield those responsible.

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‘Voice Of Jacob, Hand Of Esau’ – Reuben Abati Raises Alarm Over Speculations In Uzodinma’s Court Case

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Former presidential aide, Reuben Abati, has questioned whether the circumstances surrounding the court judgment that nullified Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s candidacy for the Imo West Senatorial District election reflected what some have described as the “voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau”.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Friday, Abati examined the controversy surrounding the ruling and warned against making unsubstantiated claims about possible external influence on the judiciary.

The former presidential aide stressed that the legal battle was not yet over, pointing to the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which rejected the judgment and indicated its intention to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

Abati explained that the Imo APC had raised constitutional concerns relating to Section 285, particularly the provision stipulating that pre-election cases must be instituted within 14 days.

According to him, the party argued that Senator Rochas Okorocha, who challenged Uzodimma’s candidacy, failed to file the case within the constitutionally prescribed period.

He noted that the Court of Appeal would have the opportunity to review issues surrounding the procedure, timing, technicalities and evidence presented before the lower court.

Abati maintained that the legal questions raised by the Imo APC should be resolved through the appellate process rather than through speculation about the circumstances surrounding the judgment.

He said, “So the matter is not ended yet. They will go to the Appeal Court, and then, the Appeal Court will be able to look at the issues either about procedure, about timing, about technicality, about evidence, how evidence was filed, and whether the procedure should have been originating summons or another thing.

“That’s the purpose of an Appeal Court.

“Finally on that subject is the fact this is the voice of Jacob and the hand Esau, without putting on the table the implications of that caveat, because I’ve seen some people saying there are questions to be raised about some people having powers over the judiciary. But we cannot speculate in that regard.”

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Pat Utomi Drops Details Of Peter Obi’s Strategy To Bring Down Food Prices.

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A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Pat Utomi, has said the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, plans to strengthen the naira to ₦500 against the US dollar if elected president.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

As of Friday, the naira traded at ₦1,346.86 per dollar on the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), while the dollar exchanged for approximately ₦1,385 in the parallel market.

In a post on X, Utomi explained that strengthening the naira from about ₦1,350 to ₦500 per dollar would help tackle inflation, reduce poverty and improve Nigerians’ purchasing power.

He described the proposed exchange rate as a key component of Obi’s economic agenda ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Utomi projected that the price of a loaf of sliced bread could fall from ₦1,750 to ₦800, while a 50kg bag of imported rice could drop from ₦55,000 to ₦27,500.

He further estimated that a medium-sized tuber of yam could decline from ₦2,400 to ₦1,200, while a 50kg bag of maize could reduce from ₦75,000 to ₦37,500.

According to him, the price of a bunch of plantain could also fall from ₦2,500 to ₦1,250, while a whole chicken could become cheaper, dropping from ₦7,000 to ₦3,500.

The NDC chieftain also listed petrol and cement among the commodities expected to become more affordable under the proposed economic programme.

Utomi said the party was convinced that targeting a strategic appreciation of the exchange rate by strengthening the naira from ₦1,350 to ₦500 per dollar would be a winning strategy.

“We are convinced that targeting a strategic appreciation of the exchange rate by reasonably strengthening it from ₦1,350/$ to ₦500/$ as part of our manifesto is a winning strategy.

“It offers a direct, multi-faceted approach to curbing inflation, reducing poverty, and lowering the cost of living,” he said.

He added that the proposal reflects the party’s commitment to improving the living conditions of Nigerians, particularly those affected by multidimensional poverty.

“It clearly demonstrates our concrete plan to uplift the 140 million Nigerians currently experiencing multi-dimensional poverty,” he said.

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