Connect with us

latest

Shock Cabinet Shake-Up: Why President Tinubu Dropped Wale Edun As Minister.

Published

on

Many Nigerians were taken by surprise on Tuesday evening following the removal of Wale Edun as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who said President Bola Tinubu had approved the changes as part of a minor cabinet reshuffle.

Following the development, the President elevated the Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to the position of Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

In a related move, Ahmed Dangiwa was also relieved of his duties as Minister of Housing and Urban Development, with Muttaqha Darma appointed as his replacement.

Edun was appointed in August 2023 to oversee Nigeria’s fiscal and economic management, continuing a long-standing professional relationship with President Tinubu that dates back to his tenure as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance between 1999 and 2007.

Although widely regarded as one of the President’s trusted allies, sources told Premium Times that tensions between both men had reportedly been building in recent months.

Insiders attributed the strain to dissatisfaction over slow capital budget releases and delays in implementation, which disrupted the country’s January-to-December fiscal cycle.

In February, federal lawmakers accused Edun of recording “zero implementation” of the 2025 capital budget despite the approval of ₦1.15 trillion for capital expenditure. They also pointed to complaints from ministries, departments, and agencies over inadequate funding and unpaid contractors, with some opposition lawmakers reportedly pushing for his removal.

Edun, however, defended the administration’s approach, stating that the government had ended what he described as an “unsustainable” practice of printing money to finance projects, while prioritising debt servicing.

He also maintained that about 80 per cent of the 2024 capital budget had been implemented and assured that 2025 capital releases were ongoing, targeting full completion by December.

Tension At FEC Meeting

Sources further revealed that relations between the President and Edun worsened after a reportedly heated exchange during a Federal Executive Council meeting on December 10, 2025, which allegedly required intervention from a presidential aide.

According to one insider, the incident marked a turning point, suggesting that Edun’s position had become increasingly uncertain.

Following the clash, some of his responsibilities were reportedly transferred to the office of the Minister of State for Finance.

Efforts by Edun to repair the relationship, including a visit to Lagos, were said to have yielded no positive outcome.

The appointment of Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance in March was also interpreted by insiders as a sign of an impending shake-up.

By then, sources said it had become apparent that Edun’s exit from the cabinet was only a matter of time.

Advertisement

latest

Police Arrest NSCDC Officer With Pistol, 17 Bullets At Abuja Kubwa Market.

Published

on

An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been arrested for allegedly firing gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The officer, identified as Onoja Samuel, reportedly arrived at the market armed with a pistol following allegations that some traders had assaulted his wife.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed the incident while addressing journalists at the command on Wednesday, Naija News reports.

Sanusi said the police received a distress call from Kubwa Market, located in the Bwari Area Council, reporting that a man was shooting into the air.

Following the report, officers attached to the Kubwa Police Division were deployed to the scene, where they arrested the suspect.

According to the police commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) in the NSCDC.

He explained that the officer allegedly fired several shots during an argument with the traders.

“During the ensuing argument with the traders, Onoja Samuel, who is a DSC with the NSCDC, fired several shots into the air,” Sanusi said.

The police recovered a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition from the suspect.

Sanusi added that Samuel remained in police custody and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The commissioner also urged personnel of other security agencies operating in the FCT to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for their areas before conducting authorised operations.

He stressed that effective coordination among security agencies was essential to preventing confrontations and maintaining peace across the territory.

Continue Reading

latest

‘We Don’t Want Another Mohbad Case’ – Laolu Gbenjo Speaks On Toluwanisings.

Published

on

Nigerian gospel singer Laolu Gbenjo has cautioned the public against spreading unverified information about the circumstances surrounding the death of his colleague, Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Gbenjo’s warning comes amid growing controversy surrounding the late singer’s death and burial arrangements, with reports of disagreements among members of his family.

The gospel singer spoke on Tuesday during a night of tributes held in honour of Toluwanisings in Ibadan, Oyo State. He warned against allowing the situation to degenerate into a controversy similar to the one that followed the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad.

Describing the deceased as a devoted Christian and a genuine servant of God, Gbenjo said Toluwanisings was passionate about his faith and had a good relationship with people.

He urged the public to stop fuelling unnecessary controversy over the late singer’s death, particularly through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

“You can never see Toluwani in the midst of jobless people. He had a good heart. He was a friend to everybody. He served the Lord with all his heart. Don’t turn Toluwani into Mohbad. That madness on TikTok and Instagram must stop. If you are jobless, go and look for a job,” Gbenjo said.

Meanwhile, comedians Ayobami Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, and Olamide Oladimeji, also known as Dele Omo Woli, have threatened legal action against individuals allegedly linking them to Toluwanisings’ death.

Woli Agba disclosed this in a public notice shared on his Instagram page on Sunday.

In the notice issued by their solicitors, Gemgold, the comedians warned members of the public against publishing or circulating allegations they described as false and defamatory against them.

The legal notice maintained that the allegations were baseless and intended to damage the reputations of the two entertainers.

Continue Reading

latest

El-Rufai’s ₦1bn Legal Battle Takes New Turn As Court Fixes Judgment Date.

Published

on

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgment in the ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other respondents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers representing the parties adopted their respective court processes.

However, El-Rufai’s lawyer was absent when the case was initially called. The judge subsequently deemed the former governor’s filed processes adopted.

Counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), adopted the commission’s court processes and urged the judge to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

Similarly, the lawyer representing the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and Maimuna Lami-Shiru, Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), adopted their respective processes and asked the court to dismiss the case.

During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, arrived in court and apologised for his lateness.

When Akpan sought the court’s permission to adopt his client’s processes, Justice Abdulmalik informed him that the documents had already been deemed adopted.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2, 2026, when judgment is expected to be delivered.

Continue Reading

Trending