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”How Buhari Picked Fashola, Fayemi Over Tinubu, Osinbajo’s Candidates”; Source

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According to Dailypost, The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is in shock over the ministerial list released last Wednesday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Although the list will be revealed on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, names of those who made the cut are already in public domain.

But some party leaders, especially Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo and former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, are upset that the list did not contain the names of their nominees, New Telegraph reports.

Rather than pick the choice of ‘Jagaban’, Buhari selected former Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), estranged political godsons of Tinubu.

Similarly, Osinbajo could not get human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), on the list.

Falana, (from Ekiti State), was being tipped to emerge as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Osinbajo reportedly made a case to the president more than twice to consider Falana.

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Instead, Buhari chose Fayemi, for his hard work before and after the election.

Fayemi, who may head the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was the chairman of the APC National Convention in Lagos and later the Director, Directorate of Policy and Strategy of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

Also, Osinbajo promoted the name of Prof. Pat Utomi as a ministerial nominee for Delta State.

But the president opted for the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.

He is expected to serve as Minister of State for Petroleum.

A senior party member told New Telegraph that “Asiwaju was disappointed with the ministerial list as none of his nominees made the Buhari’s cabinet. He felt used and dumped.”

“Tinubu invested his resources to prosecute the Buhari presidential election such that the president’s wife, Aisha, said the former governor drafted her to join the campaign train.”

The president, it was gathered, sent copies of the ministerial list to Tinubu and the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

Tinubu, who received the list in company of his aides and political associates, including former Interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, looked through and was so surprised that he did not utter a word.

“Tinubu just took the list and called Chief Akande into an inner room in his Abuja residence,” the source said.

Thereafter, Akande called the president requesting for an audience. He got an appointment for 11p.m last Wednesday.

At the meeting, Akande asked why the president rejected Tinubu and South-West leaders’ recommendations for the ministerial list.

Buhari was said to have told Akande that since Tinubu produced the Vice President, others in South-West too should have a share of the appointments meant for the region.

Buhari reportedly hailed the efforts of Fashola and Fayemi, saying they deserved compensation.

On Fashola, the president said apart from being a two-term governor, he was chairman of the presidential fundraising committee and he worked more for his campaign unlike Yemi Cardoso, a former Lagos State Commissioner that Tinubu had proposed.

The president also justified the choice of Adebayo Shittu as Oyo State ministerial nominee.

He recalled that Shittu had been with him since his days in the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). Shittu was 2007 CPC governorship candidate in Oyo State.

For Ogun, Buhari explained that he had to defer to Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on the state’s nominee, because of their relationship since the days of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP).

While Buhari was the ANPP’s presidential candidate in the 2007 general elections, Amosun was the gubernatorial candidate of the party in Ogun State.

Former National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode Mustapha, was the candidate of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

However, Buhari agreed to cede the Osun ministerial slot to Obasanjo’s candidate, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a former governor of the state.

Besides, a group close to the president worked against Tinubu.

They are Governors Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna) and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

The trio, along with Pastor Tunde Bakare, were said to have played crucial roles in the choice of the ministerial list.

They resolved to whittle down the political influence of Tinubu because of the risk attached to allowing him have his protégés in many positions.

Speaking on the ministerial list, National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, stated that Tinubu had lost out in the Buhari’s government.

“When a man thinks he’s too smart, he will ultimately dribble himself. What has happened to Tinubu is that those he launched all kinds of war against have become the victors. He never knew that the attack he was launching against them was a way of actually helping those people.

“President Buhari who appointed Fashola, Fayemi and others doesn’t want people under Tinubu’s influence in his cabinet. Now, he can’t begin to claim them after they have been appointed despite his opposition.”

Former Chairman, Presidential Advisory Council on National Conference, Senator Femi Okunroumu, in his reaction said his prediction had come to pass that Tinubu would be humiliated by Buhari.

“I am having a good laugh. This is what I expected. In any case, Tinubu is stretching his luck too far as he wants to dictate who will rule Nigeria. Tinubu’s wings need to be clipped.”

“With the ministerial list, Tinubu has been dumped. He should not just be dumped, he should be disgraced,” Okurounmu said.

On his part, Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said he was not surprised with Buhari’s approach.

“I’m not disappointed at all. I warned before the election that Buhari would not change, although he said he is a converted democrat.

“APC is not a party; it is a gang of people whose sole aim was to remove Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as president. In a real party, you share the spoils of office before elections not after elections. This is what is happening in APC. We warned our people, but they failed to listen.”

Celebrities

‘It’s Christ over earthly possession’ — Judikay ends rift with EeZee Conceptz

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Judikay, the Nigerian gospel singer, has announced her decision to step away from the controversy surrounding her former record label, EeZee Conceptz.

In June 2024, Judikay petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, the founder of EeZee Conceptz.

She accused Ezekiel and his label of falsifying accounts and committing theft against her to the tune of £800,000.

The label founder was recently charged by the EFCC for the alleged exploitation of the gospel singer.

However in an Instagram post on Saturday, the ‘Capable God’ hitmaker said she has decided to “walk away” from the drama and prioritize the greater good and unity of the body of Christ.

She expressed her gratitude to her colleagues, family, and fellow believers for their support “during this period”.

“After prayerful consideration, I have made the deliberate decision to walk away from this entire drama and I choose to prioritise the greater good and unity of the body of Christ,” she wrote.

“My role as a member of the body of Christ takes precedence and I willingly make this sacrifice, drawing strength from the knowledge that Christ is of far greater worth than any earthly possession or vindication.

“With this conviction, I choose to step away. I sincerely express my heartfelt gratitude to the leaders in the body of Christ, my fellow believers, the gospel music community, and my precious family for their continued encouragement and prayers during this period.

“My focus and commitment remains on Jesus Christ and this ministry HE entrusted in my hands.”

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‘Mention people who used, dumped you’ — Nons Miraj dares viral fish pie seller

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Nons Miraj, the content creator, has responded to a recent claim made by Alax Evalsam, the pastry seller known for his signature ‘Fish Pie’ tune.

In August 2024, Alax’s life changed when he posted a video of himself singing while hawking his fish pies on TikTok.

Following his social media popularity, rumours circulated that Alax had received large sums of money from celebrities.

Miraj was one of the celebrities who helped him. She visited him, moved him into a rented apartment, and gifted him N200,000 and a car.

But on Wednesday, Alax claimed he was “used and dumped” by the people who supported him during his viral moment.

Reacting to Alax’s claims, Miraj challenged him to publicly reveal the names of those who allegedly took advantage of him.

The content creator insisted that her brand should not be associated with Alax’s claims, emphasizing that she had done her part to help him.

“You said some people used you; please do me a favor like I have done you a favor. Come out and clear the air on who used you,” she said in an Instagram video.

“I am not a user, God uses me to bless and help people. Don’t ruin my brand because you don’t want to call names. I’m daring you now to call the names of people that used you.

“The car, clothes, and house I gifted you are still with you. Don’t ruin my brand with this claim; call the names of the users, but don’t associate my brand with this.

“Out of all the people I have helped, I spent more money on you. My friends were against buying you a car but I bought it because I feel it is good for you to be mobile after being public.

“I also got you a deal with 1XBet. What else do you want from me? I have given you the necessary things so help yourself to the next level.”

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Celebrities

James Nolan, Briton who jumped bail, waives right to call witnesses in P&ID fraud trial

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James Nolan, a British national on trial over his involvement in the Process and Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID) fraud, has waived his right to call witnesses for his defence.

Nolan is standing trial alongside a company, Micad Project City Services Limited, on a 20-count charge of obtaining by false pretence, non-compliance with the Money Laundering Act 2011 (as amended), and criminal conversion of proceeds of crime to the tune of N151,394,328.

At the court session on Thursday, Bala Sanga, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), told the court that the business of the day would have been for the prosecution to call its last witness.

“But upon review of the case, we found that it is superfluous, and therefore we are dispensing with the last witness,” Sanga said.

Michael Ajara, Nolan’s counsel, did not oppose the prosecution’s submission.

Ajara told the court that the defence team would rely on the evidence and witnesses brought by the prosecution.

“Based on the evidence already before the court adduced by the prosecution, we shall be resting our case on theirs. So, we don’t intend to call any witness,” he said.

Obiora Egwuatu, the presiding judge, adjourned the matter until March 10 to adopt the parties’ final written addresses.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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