News
President Tinubu to Nigerians: Bear With Me, Palliatives Underway

…Says Bretton Woods Institution, foreigners can’t solve Nigeria’s problems
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday in Abuja assured Nigerians that the framework for palliatives to remedy the effects of fuel subsidy removal is being worked out, explaining that the decision to phase out the subsidy was taken in the best interest of the country.
He said the decision would guarantee future prosperity.
President Tinubu gave the assurance when he received members of Class 1999 Governors who paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa.
18 of the former governors were present at the Council Chambers where the President met them. President Tinubu and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, also belong in the 1999 Class of Governors.
While appreciating his colleagues who served during the birth of the 4th Republic in 1999, President Tinubu appealed for more patience from Nigerians, saying the government would increase efforts to alleviate the pains of the subsidy removal and speed up the process.
He said the government would ensure a full-proof social security structure that will not be compromised, especially in cash-transfer.
“I understand that our people are suffering, yet there can be no childbirth without pain. The joy of childbirth is the baby. Relief comes after the pain. Nigeria is being reborn. It is a rebirth of the country for the largest number, over a few smugglers.
“Please tell the people to be a little patient. The palliative is coming. I am doing the arithmetics. I don’t want the cash-transfer to fall into wrong hands. I know it pinches and it is difficult. In the end, we will rejoice in the prosperity of our country,’’ he told the governors, who were led by former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion.
Speaking on the importance of national unity and citizens’ cooperation to forge a stronger country that caters for the interests of all, President Tinubu stated clearly that only Nigerians can build their country, adding that he is irrevocably committed to serving the country.
“We must put the country in the right direction. No European, no Bretton Woods institution will do it for us.”
The governors visited the President to congratulate him on the victory at the polls, his instructive and visionary decisions on the economy, and election as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
“We served as governors and sat in this Council Chamber. All I wanted was democracy and the salvation of the country. I never thought I was going to be here as President, but God Almighty has brought me here,’’ President Tinubu stated.
The President assured the governors and Nigerians that he would work towards “unity, equity, stability, and prosperity of the country’’.
“My commitment to that democratic value is unwavering. I am overwhelmed and honored by this large number present here,’’ he said.
“I have an open door policy. You are my advisers. We went into the pond and wrestled with the pig. We got dirty, and cleaned up. That is why I am here today.’’
President Tinubu noted that the country would not make meaningful progress without fixing electricity, assuring that his administration would harness gas resources and explore every opportunity to ensure stable power generation and supply.
On security, the President who had earlier met with Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State to review situation in the North-East, appealed to Nigerians, especially Plateau State, to sheath their swords and use dialogue in resolving conflicts, adding that issues of borders were man-made
and not created by God.
“We will do everything possible to stabilize the country,’’ he added.
The former governors urged the President to pursue his vision for a greater Nigeria with vigour, steadfastness, and resilience, expressing their support for development policies, and promising to provide the necessary social structure for actualization.
“We are here with you. We are your foot-soldiers, and you can tap into our experience. You are a person who believes in Nigeria. With your good leadership, Nigeria will take its place,’’ the Chairman, Class of 1999 Governors said.
He affirmed that they were 20 at the meeting, including President Tinubu, who was former Governor of Lagos State and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, former Governor of Benue State, while ten of their mates had passed on.
Other governors at the meeting with President Tinubu were Niyi Adebayo, Ekiti State, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, Abia State, Sen. Sam Egwu, Ebonyi State, Adamu Muazu, Bauchi State, Donald Duke, Cross River State, James Ibori, Delta State, Obong Victor Attah, Akwa Ibom State, Chimaroke Nnamani, Enugu State, Saminu Turaki, Jigawa State, and Sen. Aleiro Adamu, Kebbi.
Others were Olusegun Osoba, Ogun State, Adebisi Akande, Osun State, Sen. Joshua Dariye, Plateau State, Attahiru Bafarawa, Sokoto State, Ahmad Sani Yarima, Zamfara State, and Rev. Jolly Nyame, Taraba State.
Dele Alake
Special Adviser to the President
Special Duties, Communication, and Strategy
July 12, 2023
News
Breaking: PANDEF replies Wike, we never took Tinubu to court

… Accuses minister of blocking peace efforts in Rivers crisis
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has debunked claims by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, in a recent media chat, alleging that the organisation to court President Bola Tinubu over his position on the Rivers State crisis.
Wike had criticised PANDEF over its stance on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. He described PANDEF as “the worst organization anybody can rely on,” accusing its leaders of being financially driven and politically motivated.
But addressing press conference on Friday, Co-Chairman, Board of Trustees of PANDEF and Chairman of the organisation’s Peace, Reconciliation Committee and former Governor of Cross River State, Victor Attah, and its President, Godknows Igali, said the organization had placed embargo on speaking on the issue.
Igali said: “There was no time that PANDEF took Mr President to court, maybe it’s it a slip of the tongue. It never happened. This is the first time that PANDEF as an organization is making a public statement on this situation in the Rivers State since the crisis started. And even when the peace committee started working we placed an embargo that they must not speak to anybody until we arrive at the threshold.
“Yes, there were personal views that were expressed by some members of PANDEF. But there was no time that PANDEF as an organization…there is no press statement. So it is unthinkable to say that PANDEF went to court at all.“
PANDEF also raised concerns over the refusal of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to engage with its Peace and Reconciliation Committee, despite President Bola Tinubu’s appeal for dialogue to restore stability in Rivers State.
Attah, lamented that Wike’s unwillingness to meet with the committee is obstructing efforts to de-escalate tensions in the state.
Attah detailed how PANDEF, a respected regional body established in 2016 to champion the interests of the Niger Delta, had taken proactive steps to mediate in the political crisis in Rivers State.
Following a Special General Assembly in Port Harcourt in October 2024, the group set up a seven-member High-Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee.
Notably, the committee excluded any representatives from Rivers State to ensure neutrality.
“In a determination to prevent a full-blown crisis from developing, we constituted a team of eminent elders from across the South-South region,” Attah said.
“However, despite repeated attempts, we have been unable to secure a meeting with Chief Nyesom Wike, who has continued to rebuff our peace efforts.”
According to Attah, a PANDEF delegation met with President Tinubu on March 11, 2025, to seek his intervention. The delegation made it clear that the success of any peace process hinged on Wike’s willingness to come to the table.
“We informed Mr. President of the difficulties we have faced in securing the cooperation of his cabinet minister,” Attah explained.
“It is deeply troubling that Chief Wike has dismissed PANDEF as ‘the worst organization for anyone to rely on’ in a recent media chat, yet the President did not treat us with such disregard when he received us.”
Attah stressed that dialogue requires mutual engagement and cannot be forced upon one party alone.
“It is not possible to clap with one hand. Negotiation can only take place if both parties in dispute agree to be accessible and available,” he said.
Given Wike’s continued rebuff, PANDEF is now considering withdrawing entirely from mediation efforts.
“If this impasse persists, we will have no choice but to disband the Peace and Reconciliation Committee and step back from any further attempts to resolve this crisis,” Attah warned. “However, our fear is that this could have catastrophic consequences.”
PANDEF urged President Tinubu to intervene and ensure Wike comes to the negotiation table before the situation in Rivers State spirals further out of control.
PANDEF’s National President, Igali described the FCT minister’s insinuation that they were financially induced as very cheeky. “That is very cheeky. Because I’ve said earlier, when you have a group made up of former governors, former ministers, chairman of traditional religious councils, some of whom have been themselves former governors and former ministers, It’s just totally out of question. Wike himself, is our son. Every son of Niger Delta is part of PANDEF.”
Igali also recalled on the organization has stood by Wike including when they were protest against his nomination as minister, and it was the late Elder Statesman, Edwin Clark, whom they accused Wike of disparaging him and his memory, that issues a statement in his defence.
“Let me tell you, when the minister became minister, and you will recall, in fact, there were some insinuations that somebody from the south, should not be minister of FCT, and there were even demonstrations in Abuja against the honorable minister of the FCT. It was the same PANDEF that came out to rebuffed the Nigerians, and the same chief Clark that he (Wike) waved at that issued a statement and said that every Nigerian can hold any position if the president finds him worthy and the Senate clears him.
“That press statement is there we can pull it out. After that, Wike the minister of the Federal Capital City, our son, received the delegation from PANDEF, in his office in appreciation, of his people standing by him. So if after some time, he now feels that it is a worse organization, well, maybe times have change.”
Details later…
News
Couple arrested for gun running in Delta, wife confesses to helping hubby dispatch firearms

A couple, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Bogbon Godwell, have been arrested by operatives of the Delta CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) for alleged gun running in the state.
The couple was picked up from their home following a sting operation by police detective on March 9, 2025.
State Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Edafe Bright, who confirmed this in a statement on Thursday, said that they were held following a credible intelligence on them at their residence in Okpe local government area of the state.
Mrs. Uche Joshua, the wife, was said to have admitted to helping her husband dispatch guns to clients in Warri and Sapele.
The police said it recovered a fabricated Beretta pistol with a single live ammunition, which was planned to be delivered to a client in Sapele from their residence.
During interrogation, Mrs. Joshua confessed to her involvement in the gun-running business, saying, “I helped my husband dispatch guns to clients in Warri and Sapele. I was the one who delivered the guns to the clients.”
Edale said that police are still investigating the couple and their associates, with efforts to recover more firearms and arrest other suspects.
Equally, on February 3, 2025, operatives arrested a suspected cultist and gun runner, Stephen Oma Odu, who has been on wanted list from Obagho community in Warri North LGA Delta State at Sapele town.
His arrest also led to the arrest of another 42 years old suspected cultist, Abel Festus, aka “TOMPOLO.” of Oghareki community in Ethiope West LGA, at Oghara town.
Two pump action guns and 24 rounds of live cartridges were recovered from Festus’ apartment.
“Two other suspected cultists were also arrested during the raid including Godspower Moses m” aka power of Kokori community in Ethiope West LGA Delta State and Oloriode Owebe m” 24 years of Oghareki community in Ethiope West LGA Delta State”, Edafe added.
Police says preliminary investigations revealed that they were suspected members of the Vikings’ confraternity.
Additionally, CP-SAT arrested 26 years old Oboyo, a notorious cultist and suspected kidnapper from Igbopa community in Ethiope West LGA, and recovered a locally made gun with a single cartridge.
According to Edafe, an “FBI” impersonated enlargement carrying his picture was also recovered, which he used for internet fraud.
“Other members of his gang which include Favor omowo “m” 29yrs aka “Voltage” of Jesse town in Ethiope West LGA Delta State and Gift Omowo “26yrs of Jesse community in Ethiope West LGA Delta State were also arrested.
“Trailing of his other fleeing gang members is on course while investigation is ongoing”, the statement added.
News
Nigeria lost ₦120 billion to Illegal charter operations –Keyamo

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has revealed how illegal private charter operations plagued the country’s aviation sector for over five decades and cost the federal government an estimated ₦120 billion in lost revenue over the past 10 years.
The minister made the revelation during fourth edition of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation’s Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja on Thursday. Keyamo described the issue as a “hydra-headed monster,” revealing that 80% of private jet owners in Nigeria have the habit of obtaining Private Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) licenses but use their aircraft for commercial operations daily.
He said the PNCF license is intended for private use, such as transporting family members or attending social or business events and that it attracts a significantly lower fees compared to licenses for commercial charter operations, which require higher fees and stricter regulations. The minister explained that private jet owners exploit this loophole to avoid paying fees and taxes for commercial purposes. He said for instance, while a commercial charter operator might charge $10,000 for a flight from Lagos to Calabar and pay the required fees, private jet owners with PNCF licenses conduct similar operations without remitting the necessary revenue to the government.
Keymao said that in the past 10 years, Nigeria lost approximately ₦120 billion due to unremitted fees and taxes from illegal charter operations. “They go and obtain the PNCF license, the private one, but all of them are back every day for business. All of them. This is how the federal government has been losing revenue,” he said.
Keyamo said private jets which operate without proper documentation or passenger manifests, makes it difficult to track who or what is on board. He raised concerns that these jets could be used for illegal activities, including smuggling, money laundering, and even terrorism. “You don’t even have the manifest of those inside the aircraft. Sometimes, when there’s a near accident with a private jet, we struggle to find out who was inside. It’s totally unregulated.”
To address the issue, Keyamo established a task force last year headed by the Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi to investigate illegal charter operations. The task force submitted its report last week, saying they uncovered “mind-boggling” findings. Among the recommendations the task force made is the total shutdown of the private charter wing at airports for a complete overhaul.
“The task force suggested shutting down the private charter wing for total reconfiguration in terms of security and the kind of machines we use to screen bags. We are still looking into how to implement these recommendations without disrupting passenger movement,” Keyamo said.
Daily Sun
-
News1 week ago
Senator Natasha: Don’t be in position men will talk to you anyhow – Tinubu’s wife tells women
-
News1 week ago
BREAKING: Doyin Okupe is dead
-
News1 week ago
Why I lied at Ebuka Obi’s church – Woman speaks after fake N500m mansion testimony
-
News2 days ago
Lagos HoA Crisis: Let Obasa Stay, Tinubu Tells Lawmakers
-
Entertainment1 week ago
Why I can’t forgive nurse who injected my husband – Mohbad’s wife
-
Politics1 week ago
Former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel in EFCC custody for alleged N700bn fraud
-
News2 days ago
Why we suspended Senator Natasha – Nigerian Senate writes IPU
-
Education1 week ago
Kano Govt. insists schools remain closed till April 6