Author: CKN

 

The United Bank for Africa has dismissed as false and defamatory a viral social media claim alleging that its Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, has divorced his wife, Awele.

In a formal notice issued by the bank’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, on Sunday, the institution described the publication as “fabricated, reckless, and malicious,” adding that it was intended to damage the reputation of the bank and its chairman.

The statement read,“The attention of UBA Group has been drawn to a false, defamatory, and malicious publication currently circulating on social media platforms, falsely alleging that the Group Chairman, Mr Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, has divorced his wife.”

UBA stressed that the claim had no factual basis and constituted a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.

It further stated, “These statements and all similar content are entirely fabricated, reckless, and without basis. The claims are a deliberate falsehood designed to mislead the public and cause reputational harm.”

The bank also confirmed that security agencies had been notified and arrests had already been made.

“The matter has been referred to the relevant law enforcement authorities, who have commenced action. We confirm that three individuals directly connected to the creation and dissemination of these malicious falsehoods have been arrested,” the statement said.

The individuals named include, Kingsley Akunemeihe (@Directorkem), Chigozie Ihebom, and John Nwanorue (@problemchimky)

UBA added that investigations were ongoing and may lead to further arrests and prosecutions of others involved in the alleged defamation campaign.

The bank warned individuals and platforms spreading the content to desist immediately, stating, “This serves as a formal notice to all individuals, platforms, and entities involved in the publication, reposting, or continued dissemination of this content to immediately cease and desist.”

It also directed that all related materials be taken down and preserved for possible legal proceedings, while cautioning that failure to comply would attract civil and criminal action.

UBA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the reputation and privacy of its chairman and the institution, saying it would pursue all available legal remedies against those responsible.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Interim National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ini Ememobong, has dismissed the recognition of a rival, Wike-backed leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that such acknowledgment does not confer legitimacy on what he described as a “faulty process.”

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme on Monday, Ememobong defended the emergence of the party’s interim leadership and argued that the ongoing crisis within the PDP requires political, not purely legal, solutions.

“Clearly, the judiciary, the laws of the land, are not able to solve political problems,” he said. “Political problems must find political solutions. Anytime you try to use the straight line of the law to solve multifarious political issues, you end up creating more problems.”

Ememobong clarified that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, currently serves as Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, while the party’s Interim NWC is led by Kabiru Turaki. He said his role as National Publicity Secretary is tied specifically to the interim structure.

Addressing the controversy surrounding the Supreme Court judgment that voided the party’s November national convention in Ibadan, Ememobong argued that the ruling exposed deeper structural issues rather than resolving them.

According to him, the root of the dispute lies in what he described as an illegitimate exercise of authority by suspended party officials. He maintained that actions taken by the rival faction were built on a defective foundation.

“Before you exercise power, there must be authority. Authority comes before power,” he said. “The origin of what they are holding on to started on the 3rd, on a letter sent to INEC by someone who, as of that date, had no capacity in law to act.”

Using an analogy, he added: “If you are suspended on the 1st and on the 3rd you come out to say you are now in charge and begin to issue directives, that foundation is faulty. Everything built on it will crash.”

Ememobong further argued that the Court of Appeal had already established that certain key actors in the dispute were suspended and had not been formally reinstated, rendering their subsequent actions invalid. He noted that attempts to overturn that position at the Supreme Court failed.

On the formation of the Interim NWC, he explained that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), with what he described as the required quorum, stepped in to fill a leadership vacuum created by the legal disputes.

“The party existed as a vehicle but didn’t have a driver,” he said. “So the NEC met, appointed an interim leadership, and mandated it to ensure that the party remains functional and ready for elections.”

He added that the interim leadership has already commenced key activities, including the sale of nomination forms and the establishment of guidelines for candidate selection.

Reacting to INEC’s continued recognition of the rival leadership, Ememobong accused the electoral body of bias, saying its position does not determine legality.

“The monitoring or attendance of INEC does not qualify or disqualify a process,” he stated. “INEC’s recognition cannot validate what is fundamentally flawed.”

He also took a swipe at the commission, suggesting it had compromised its neutrality. “This INEC, as constituted today, has been so discredited even before the elections,” he said, while expressing confidence that ongoing court cases would ultimately resolve the dispute.

Despite the deepening internal crisis and a wave of defections that has reportedly reduced the PDP’s governors’ ranks, Ememobong insisted that the party remains a viable political force.

“We are contenders, not pretenders,” he said. “Like the phoenix, no matter how down we go, when we rise, we take over again.”

He attributed the party’s current challenges to both internal disagreements and external pressures, warning against what he described as efforts to push Nigeria toward a one-party state.

“At the slightest opportunity, this party will spring surprises,” he added.

INEC’s Recognition Of Wike-Backed Group Doesn’t Validate Process – Ememobong is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A group from the Southeast region under the aegis of AlaIgbo Political Watchdog, APW, has vowed to create what it termed a new era of political rejuvenation in the Southeast by ensuring that only credible candidates are elected into political positions across Igboland in the 2027 general elections.

A press statement issued by its spokesperson, Prince Ben Ahanonu, stated that as a political advocacy group, it is committed to ensuring effective leadership in the region.

Ahanonu added that the group, in order to achieve its goal, has established a platform to engage with aspirants regardless of their party affiliations.

“It is our conviction that AlaIgbo predates modern political parties. Consequently, no political entity can significantly advance the region’s development unless leadership is rooted in credibility and selflessness.

“Therefore, we shall support candidates who demonstrate a zeal for transparent public service, devoid of any pursuit of personal aggrandisement,” the statement read.

APW added that it will support credible leaders who possess a proven track record of public service so that, when elected, they will be present and accessible.

The group remarked that only candidates who are committed to sacrificial service, in the legacy of the late Sam Mbakwe, will be supported.

“We will support candidates who reward excellence and hard work, rather than mediocrity, self serving individuals, or their mediocre circles.

“We are now accepting applications. Come and pitch your vision and strategic roadmap; following a rigorous internal review, we will champion the best candidate to the voters.”

2027: Igbo group vows to ensure only credible candidates are elected

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has praised Lucky Emmanuel and Ayobami Junior’s performances in Shooting Stars’ 3–2 win over Nasarawa United.

Chelle was in the stands at Lekan Salami Stadium on Sunday for the matchday 36 Nigeria Premier Football League fixture.

The coach singled out forward Junior as one of the standout performers but said he still has areas to improve.

“Lucky scored twice, but I wanted to watch Ayobami Junior,” Chelle told Shooting Stars media.

“He did well with the ball. He is very good.

“When without the ball, he needs to work harder to help the team. The players gave everything throughout the encounter.”

Emmanuel scored a brace for Shooting Stars in the win.

Chelle is expected to attend Tuesday’s clash between Ikorodu City and Wikki Tourists.

NPFL: Chelle praises Shooting Stars duo after win over Nasarawa United

Sporting Lagos and Doma United recorded victories on the opening day of the Nigeria National League Super Six playoff.

In the first game of the day, Sporting Lagos recorded a 1–0 win over Ranchers Bees.

Alex Leme netted the decisive goal for Jeffrey Buter’s side with a clinical header five minutes before the break.

They held on to their lead for the remainder of the game despite a strong fight from Ranchers Bees.

Doma United also beat Inter Lagos 1–0 in the day’s other fixture.

Fantami Yusuf fired home the winner in the 16th minute.

Doma United will face Sporting Lagos in their second game of the competition on Wednesday.

Inter Lagos will face Ranchers Bees the same day.

NNL: Sporting Lagos, Doma United claim victories on Super Four opening day

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, has hailed the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his administration’s bold and strategic efforts toward revitalising the nation’s refining sector.

PETROAN, in a statement on Monday by its spokesperson, Joseph Obele, particularly applauded the recent milestone achieved by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in signing a Memorandum of Understanding with reputable Chinese firms, Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Limited, aimed at accelerating the rehabilitation, restart, and expansion of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.

Commenting on the development, the National President of PETROAN, Billy Gillis-Harry, described the agreement as a timely and strategic intervention that signals a new direction for Nigeria’s refining sector.

He noted that the introduction of a technical equity partnership model would bring much-needed operational discipline, efficiency, and accountability that had been lacking in previous refinery rehabilitation efforts.

Billy Gillis-Harry further emphasised that this development represents a decisive shift from past approaches that yielded limited results to a more performance-driven model that ensures long-term sustainability.

According to him, PETROAN sees this initiative as a critical step toward restoring Nigeria’s refining capacity and reducing the nation’s overdependence on imported petroleum products.

Billy Gillis-Harry also outlined the wide-ranging benefits of the successful rehabilitation and expansion of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, including massive job creation.

Recall that NNPCL recently signed an MoU with Chinese firms to restart the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.

Bold move – PETROAN sends message to Tinubu, NNPCL on partnership to restart Port Harcourt, Warri refineries

A stalwart of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Buba Galadima, has appealed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to join the party to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Galadima made the appeal on Monday in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, monitored by DAILY POST.

The appeal came a day after former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso, joined the NDC.

The political heavyweights defected to the NDC from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, citing court cases and internal divisions.

Speaking on the programme, Galadima said, “We didn’t leave the ADC until there was a judgment setting a booby trap for everybody within the ADC.

“This is why we are using this opportunity to call on the remnants of our comrades in the ADC to come to the NDC, where we will have a level playing ground.

“We are particularly calling on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to jump ship and come to the NDC so that there will be a level playing ground for everybody.”

2027: Follow us to NDC to unseat APC Govt – Buba Galadima begs Atiku

Activist lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, has said there is nothing to celebrate about the reversal of the curfew on Amasiri community by Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru.

Idam said the lifting of the curfew would not halt the legal action he has already instituted against the state government.

In a statement he signed, Idam said the legal action would continue until the state government pays compensation for the extrajudicial killings carried out by the joint security operation, as well as for the harm, pain, and psychological distress inflicted on innocent members of the Amasiri community.

He also called for the reconstruction of properties destroyed in the course of enforcing the governor’s directive.

The statement reads: “The reported lifting of the vindictive curfew imposed on Amasiri, alongside the reversal of other ancillary sanctions, does not call for celebration. As I stated some hours ago, there is nothing to jubilate about, as the measures were unwarranted and unprovoked ab initio.

“While I acknowledge and welcome the development, particularly as we have commenced service of court processes in Maduabuchi O. Idam v. Chief of Defence Staff and 7 others today, it is important to make it clear that the lifting of the curfew and the reversal of certain ancillary sanctions, which were vindictively imposed, will not in any way halt the legal action already instituted.

“This action will proceed unless and until the reliefs sought are fully acceded to by the governor. These reliefs include, but are not limited to, the payment of compensation for the extrajudicial killings carried out by the joint security operation, the harm, pain, and psychological distress inflicted on innocent members of the Amasiri community, and the reconstruction of properties destroyed in the course of enforcing the governor’s directive.

“Until my reliefs are fully acceded to, I shall pursue this action to its logical and conclusive end.

“The power of the state exists to protect, not to victimize. This injustice must not go unatoned.”

Ebonyi crisis: Lifting of curfew nothing to celebrate – Lawyer makes demands from Gov Nwifuru

Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha H. Akpoti-Uduaghan, has picked up her Expression of Interest and Nomination Form of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ahead of the 2027 Kogi Central Senatorial District election.

This comes barely 48 hours after former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, picked the All Progressives Congress, APC, form for the same Kogi Central election.

Recall that Natasha has vowed not to back down for Bello, insisting that she will contest and win her re-election.

In a post on her Facebook page on Monday, Natasha lauded her husband, Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, for standing by her.

“If you had said no, I would not have taken this step towards the 2027 Kogi Central Senatorial election.

“But you did not. Instead, you looked into my heart, understood the depth of my purpose in consideration of our people’s calling, and chose to stand firmly beside me.

“By taking it upon yourself, out of your deep and unwavering belief in me, to purchase my 2027 senatorial nomination form, you did far more than support a political ambition,” the lawmaker said in her post.

2027: Senator Natasha dares Yahaya Bello, picks PDP form to battle ex-gov for Kogi Central

A former Commissioner for Works in Rivers State, Dax Kelly-George, has reportedly joined the growing list of governorship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It was gathered that Kelly-George has obtained the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, signalling his intention to contest in the forthcoming governorship election.

He is said to be an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Other aspirants in the race include the incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the APC’s 2023 governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, both of whom have also picked up nomination forms.

In a related development, the senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Ipalibo Banigo, has purchased her Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to seek re-election in 2027. Also, former Rivers State PDP chairman, Felix Obuah has purchased his Nomination and expression of Interest forms in the same Senatorial district as Banigo.

Kelly-George Joins Rivers APC Governorship Race, Banigo Seeks Re-election is first published on The Whistler Newspaper