Author: The Whistler Newspaper

The Nigeria Immigration Service has dismissed claims of scam in its passport application and payment process.

In a statement on Monday, the NIS spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, stressed that its passport system remains secure, transparent, and fully government-approved.

According to the statement, the only authorised platform for passport applications and payments is the official portal at passport.immigration.gov.ng, which serves Nigerians both within the country and in the diaspora.

“The NIS operates a secure, transparent, and government-approved passport application system… This remains the only authorised platform for all passport-related payments and processing activities,” the statement said.

The service denied allegations that a religious organisation is involved in its payment process, describing such claims as entirely false and inconsistent with its operational structure.

“At no time has the Service partnered with or authorised any religious organisation, private entity, or individual to act as an intermediary or receiving account on its behalf,” it stated.

The NIS warned that any third-party platforms or payment links claiming to process passport applications on its behalf are fraudulent and should be avoided.

“A simple review of our authorised payment portal confirms the transparency and authenticity of our platform. Any third-party payment links… are fraudulent and should be avoided at all costs,” the statement added.

The Service disclosed that it has commenced investigations into the origin of the claims, noting that preliminary findings point to the actions of individuals seeking to mislead the public or damage its reputation.

“Appropriate action will be taken against any individuals or groups found culpable,” it said.

Reiterating its compliance with government financial regulations, the NIS explained that it works strictly with licensed and accredited payment service providers integrated into its official system.

It warned that payments made outside its authorised channels are at the user’s risk, adding that the Service would not be liable for any losses arising from such transactions.

The agency urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and avoid dealings with unauthorised agents or platforms, emphasising that it does not recognise any third-party alternatives for passport processing.

“The public is strongly urged to exercise caution, access our services only via the official portal, and avoid any dealings with unauthorised agents,” the statement said.

The Service reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public trust, noting that it continues to strengthen its systems to prevent fraud and ensure efficient service delivery.

For further inquiries, the NIS advised members of the public to use its verified communication channels, including its social media platforms and 24-hour contact lines.

NIS Dismisses Passport Payment Scam Claims is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Chairman of United Bank of Africa, UBA, Tony Elumelu, has dismissed claims that he and his wife have parted ways.

UBA Group, in a statement at the weekend, said the claim against its chairman, which circulated in some sessions of the media, was false and malicious.

According to the firm, the police have already arrested three suspects linked to the alleged divorce claim.

“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.

“We confirm that three individuals directly connected to the creation and dissemination of these malicious falsehoods have been arrested,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the family of one of the suspects linked to the claim, Kingsley Akunemeihe, begged Elumelu to temper justice with mercy.

Ngozi Akunemeihe, sister to the suspect, made the appeal to Elumelu in a now-viral video shared on Instagram.

Similarly, activist Omoyele Sowore also called for the release of Akunemeihe.

DAILY POST reports that several unverified claims, which happened to be false, have been circulated on social media regarding Elumelu.

They’ve been arrested — Tony Elumelu speaks on alleged divorce with wife

Man United forward Matheus Cunha has said the Champions League “is not the same” without Manchester United, underlining the club’s importance to European football as they secured qualification for next season.

As reported by BBC Sport on Monday, the forward made the remarks after scoring in United’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Liverpool F.C. at Old Trafford, a result that guaranteed their return to the competition with games to spare.

Cunha was emotional about the club’s resurgence and insisted United belong at the highest level.

“The Champions League without this club is not the same competition, and this club without Champions League is not same club,” he said.

He also stressed that qualification should not be seen as the end goal for the team, but rather a foundation for bigger ambitions. “But it is not only the Champions League. We need to fight for the titles. This is the first one [step],” he added.

United’s improved form has come under interim manager Michael Carrick, who has overseen a strong run since taking charge. Cunha praised his influence and leadership within the squad.

“It’s one of the biggest privileges I have to play at this club.

“The Champions League without this club is not the same competition,” he said.

The Brazilian forward has been a key figure in United’s campaign, delivering important goals in decisive matches, including against Arsenal and Chelsea, helping push the team back into contention among Europe’s elite.

As the season enters its final stretch, Cunha insisted United must build on their progress and aim higher. “We could come much stronger for next season,” he said, reflecting the growing belief inside the squad.

Champions League ‘Not The Same’ Without Man United – Cunha is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The immediate past governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade, has lamented being sidelined without appointment for three years by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, despite his contributions to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ayade, who decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, made the disclosure in a statement reacting to a presidential directive ordering him to step down his senatorial ambition for the Cross River North district.

His words:” I dare not question his authority, but I challenge his conscience.

“According to 1 Timothy 5:18, the labourer deserves his wages. Therefore, I am worthy of a reward,” Ayade stated.

The former governor recalled being the first APC governor in South-South Nigeria, donating generously to the party’s national convention, providing vehicles and motorbikes, and currently running a free transportation scheme for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election.

Ayade said he was the first APC governor to propose Tinubu as the 2023 presidential candidate with “right of first refusal” and originated the mantra: “If Tinubu can fix Lagos, Tinubu can fix Nigeria.”

“For over three years, I have been sidelined without appointment,” he lamented.

On the senatorial ticket, Ayade alleged the presidential order favours those who “fought against the party,” including individuals armed with guns and machetes at collation centres during the election —citing available police records.

“Mr President may not be aware that the beneficiaries of his order are people armed against us, yielding a ticket to a newcomer from the opposition just under five months is a spiritual murder,” he bemoaned

United Bank for Africa (UBA) has dismissed as false and malicious social media reports alleging that its Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu, has divorced his wife.

In a statement issued by the bank, UBA described the claims as “entirely fabricated, reckless, and without basis,” adding that they were intended to damage the reputation of the institution and its chairman.

“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 statement read.

UBA confirmed that the matter had been reported to law enforcement authorities, resulting in the arrest of three individuals linked to the circulation of the posts. Those named include Mr Kingsley Akunemeihe (@Directorkem), Mr Chigozie Success Ihebom, and Mr John Surpruchi Nwanorue (@problemchimky).

According to the bank, investigations are ongoing and may lead to further arrests and prosecutions of individuals involved in originating or spreading the claims.

“Investigations are ongoing and are expected to lead to further arrests and prosecutions of all persons involved in originating, amplifying, or sustaining this defamatory campaign,” the statement added.

UBA also issued a warning to individuals, platforms, and entities sharing the allegations, urging them to immediately remove the content and preserve all related records. It cautioned that failure to comply could result in legal action, including defamation suits and claims for damages.

The bank reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its reputation and that of its Group Chairman, stating that it would pursue both civil and criminal remedies against those responsible.

“The UBA Group is resolute in protecting the reputation, privacy, and integrity of our brand, that of Mr. Elumelu, and will pursue all necessary legal avenues to ensure all responsible parties are identified and held accountable,” the statement said.

The statement was signed by Alero Ladipo, Group Head, Brand, Marketing, and Corporate Communication, UBA.

UBA Denies Divorce Claims About Tony Elumelu, Confirms Arrests is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A political analyst and the Chief Executive Officer of NMS media consultancy, Hassan Abdulsalam, has raised concerns over the proposed alliance between Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

According to him, the alliance may struggle to gain trust in Northern Nigeria and could face challenges due to weak party structure.

Abdulsalam, who spoke in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Monday, said while the alliance may appear attractive to many Nigerians, especially young voters, it is not without serious concerns.

“Obi-Kwankwaso alliance may look very attractive to many people, especially first-time voters,” he said.

“Kwankwaso has a strong hold on the grassroots in Kano and the North-West, while Obi appeals to the youth, especially Christian youths.”

He added that many Nigerians are frustrated with the current political system and are eager for change.

“People are fed up with the old political system. The economy is biting really hard, so change is being sought at all cost,” he said.

However, Abdulsalam noted that the alliance faces a major challenge in the North due to trust issues surrounding Obi.

“The Northern youths don’t really trust Obi to have the zeal and energy to come through for them in this time of need,” he said.

“In fact, many believe Obi barely knows the Northern reality, meaning he does not fully understand the problems of the North.”

He also pointed out that both politicians come from different political backgrounds, which could create internal imbalance.

“This may look like a marriage of convenience because of the mismatch,” he said.

“Kwankwaso’s politics is largely regional, while Obi is seen more as a technocrat than a traditional politician.”

The analyst further raised concerns about religion, saying it could affect acceptance of the alliance in the North.

“There is also the issue of religion. Some Northern voters believe Obi may prioritise Christians over Muslims or other groups, and that could create division in leadership.”

Despite these concerns, Abdulsalam said the alliance could still succeed if both leaders are strategic and willing to work together.

“It can work if they are intentional, strategic and able to harmonise their visions,” he noted.

Speaking on their reported move to the NDC, Abdulsalam described it as ambitious but risky.

“This move seems too ambitious, and people who are overly ambitious sometimes do not get it right. We have seen this before.”

He compared it to past Nigerian leaders.

“Buhari was too ambitious to rule and we saw and felt how things played out. Tinubu was also too ambitious to become president and we can see how things are playing out. If these people continue on the same path, we may end up in the same situation again,” he said.

He also questioned the strength of the party, warning that lack of structure could affect their chances.

“The defection would not be a problem if the party has structure and strength at all levels. It is not just about producing a president and vice president, the party must be able to produce governors, senators and members of the House of Representatives. I don’t think NDC is there yet.”

Still, he acknowledged that Obi and Kwankwaso may attract votes because of their personal popularity.

“People may vote for them because of their credibility and the strong connection they have with their supporters,” he said.

Abdulsalam stressed that for him, the party’s structure matters more than its name.

“The name of the party does not matter much to me. What matters is the structure of the party,” he said.

He also offered a broader assessment of Nigeria’s political leaders, saying none currently enjoys universal trust.

“None of them (Presidential candidate) has universal trust. President Bola Tinubu is seen as experienced, but his policies are not working for many Nigerians.”

On former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, he said, “He has strong support from the old political bloc, but people don’t trust him to lead Nigeria to where it should be.”

He added that while Obi enjoys strong support among youths and educated Nigerians, he still faces distrust in the North.

“For Obi, he has the youths and educated class, but Northerners still distrust him,” he said.

On Kwankwaso, Abdulsalam said, “He is trusted in the North and has strong grassroots appeal, but the North alone cannot win a national election. He needs to do more to gain wider national acceptance.”

He concluded by describing the Obi-Kwankwaso option as the lesser evil in Nigeria’s current political landscape.

“When we are faced with two difficult choices, we go for the lesser one. For now, Obi-Kwankwaso may be seen as the lesser evil, even though we don’t fully know what to expect.”

Recall that on Sunday both Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso opted out of the ADC to join the NDC.

Northern youths don’t trust Peter Obi – Abdulsalam

Senator representing Cross River North, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has accused former governor, Senator Ben Ayade of distorting facts and misleading the public over his political standing and role in the 2023 elections.

Jarigbe in a post on Facebook on Monday shortly after Ayade said he had stepped down from the 2027 Senate bid dismissed Ayade’s claims as “lies,” insisting that the former governor no longer holds political relevance in the state.

The former governor had stated, “Mr President wants me to withhold my Senate ambition. I yield to his request even as I pour tears of ill treatment and agony,” he said.

He however, suggested that “Mr President may not be aware that the beneficiaries of his order are people armed against us with guns and machetes in the collation centres,” he stated.

Recounting his contributions to the All Progressives Congress, Ayade noted, “I worked assiduously for the party and delivered almost 40,000 votes above PDP in the Presidential election, first in the history of our State.”

He however lamented, “For over three years, I have been sidelined without appointment.”

Expressing frustration over being asked to step down, the former governor said, “Yielding ticket to a newest entrant from opposition just under five months is a spiritual murder.”

He however urged, “Let us tarry and honour Mr President even as we still appeal for the review of his order.”

He also instructed his supporters “not buy the form as I’ll be guilty of going against the order of Mr President.”

Ayade maintained that, “We would support all our APC candidates… and join hands with our President and Governor to deliver APC at all levels in the State.”

But Jarigbe dismissed Ayade revealing that, “A man who admonished me for dressing in Hausa traditional attire and described it as a display of split personality cannot claim to be a lover of Muslims more than me,” Jarigbe adding, “He showed resentment towards Muslims and their traditional attire.”

The senator argued that electoral outcomes contradict Ayade’s claims of influence, noting that he secured broad support across the district, including from Muslim voters.

“The Muslims in Cross River North voted for me against Ayade. He is known for ethnic jingoism,” he stated.

Providing context from previous elections, Jarigbe said, “We defeated Senator Ayade in Cross River North while I was in the PDP. We won the Senate seat, two House of Representatives seats, and four House of Assembly seats,” he said.

“As a sitting governor, he only won his immediate constituency. We are not political weaklings. We come with votes because we have worked for our people.”

Jarigbe also challenged Ayade’s assertion that he worked for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election, saying, “He contested the presidential primary and lost woefully to PBAT. He refused to step down.”

“In the general election, he lost Cross River State to the opposition. Why is he lying?”

The senator further criticised Ayade’s political decisions, including his bid to return as governor after leaving the Senate, despite what he described as an expectation that the governorship should rotate to the northern part of the state.

“He feels too entitled, even when he is of no political value at the moment,” Jarigbe said.

On party politics, Jarigbe alleged that Ayade defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) only after losing control of the party structure in the state.

“He left PDP after we collected the structure from him. He felt empty, displaced and dejected. He did not leave for the love of APC,” he claimed.

He further accused Ayade of looting state resources saying, “He emptied our treasury and now wants another opportunity to deprive our people of effective representation.”

Jarigbe expressed confidence that political appointments under the current administration would be based on merit rather than what he described as “unrealistic ambitions.”

“The President will give appointments to realistic people, not those who build castles in the air,” he said.

The lawmaker also dismissed claims of zoning in the Cross River North senatorial district, insisting that, “There has never been zoning in the senatorial seat of Cross River North. Did I get to the Senate through zoning? No!” he said.

He further taunted Ayade over his social media engagement, alleging that the former governor restricted public comments on a recent post.
“Senator Ayade just made a post and blocked people from commenting. I dare him to unblock and see the reaction from the public,” he added.

Jarigbe however called on Ayade to align with the current leadership of the APC stressing that, “No matter how you embellish a lie, it will not become the truth. Senator Ayade should join hands with the leadership of the state and work for the party, just as we worked for him.

‘We Defeated You’ — Jarigbe Blasts Ayade Over 2023 Claims is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

 

The United States Mission in Nigeria has said that visa applicants, including Nigerians, are subject to continuous security vetting even after their visas have been approved.

The mission made this known in a statement posted on its official X handle on Monday.

Visa security vetting is the continuous, multi-layered screening process used by US authorities to evaluate a visa applicant’s background, criminal history, terrorism risk, and other security concerns.

According to the statement, the vetting process applies to all applicants regardless of visa type or location, and is designed to ensure that individuals remain eligible to travel to the United States.

“All visa applicants, no matter the visa type and where they are located, are continuously vetted.

“Security vetting runs from the time of each application, through adjudication of the visa, and afterwards during the validity period of every issued visa, to ensure the individual remains eligible to travel to the United States,” the statement read.

The statement serves as a timely advisory for prospective travelers, especially Nigerian applicants, underscoring the importance of compliance with U.S. immigration and security requirements throughout the visa lifecycle.

Former Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, has said President Bola Tinubu asked him to withdraw from the senatorial race, a request he said he has accepted despite expressing dissatisfaction over the development.

The former governor stated this in a statement on his Facebook page on Monday said that the directive followed a high-level consultation with the Presidency in Abuja.

“Mr President wants me to withhold my Senate ambition. I yield to his request even as I pour tears of ill treatment and agony,” he said.

The former governor, however, suggested that the President may not have been fully briefed on the political dynamics in Cross River State, particularly regarding those he claimed benefitted from the decision.

“Mr President may not be aware that the beneficiaries of his order are people armed against us with guns and machetes in the collation centres,” he stated.

Ayade recounted his contributions to the All Progressives Congress, noting that he was the first APC governor in the South-South region and played a key role in strengthening the party’s presence in Cross River.

“I worked assiduously for the party and delivered almost 40,000 votes above PDP in the Presidential election, first in the history of our State,” he said.

He also lamented what he described as years of political sidelining, adding that he had not received any appointment despite his support for the administration.

“For over three years, I have been sidelined without appointment,” he said.

Ayade further expressed frustration over being asked to step down in favour of what he described as a recent entrant into the party.

“Yielding ticket to a newest entrant from opposition just under five months is a spiritual murder,” he said.

Despite his grievances, the former governor urged his supporters to remain calm and respect the President’s directive, while also hinting at a possible review of the decision.

“Let us tarry and honour Mr President even as we still appeal for the review of his order,” he said.

He also instructed his supporters not to purchase nomination forms for the Senate race for now, stating that doing so would amount to disobeying the President.

“I suggest that my supporters should not buy the form as I’ll be guilty of going against the order of Mr President,” he added.

Ayade maintained that he remains loyal to the ruling party and pledged continued support for its candidates if the directive stands.

“We would support all our APC candidates… and join hands with our President and Governor to deliver APC at all levels in the State,” he said.

Tinubu Urged Me To Drop Senate Bid, Says Ayade is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded social critic, Justice Chidebere, popularly known as “Justice Crack,” in the custody of the State Security Services, SSS.

He was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime, breach of public peace, and felony, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Following the arraignment, counsel for the SSS, Mark Oruba, asked the court to remand the defendant in custody in the interest of public security.

However, defence counsel opposed the application, informing the court that although they had been served with the charges, they intended to file a bail application for hearing later in the week.

The presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, ordered that the defendant be remanded in SSS custody until May 25 for the commencement of trial and hearing of the bail application.

In a statement released on Saturday, May 2, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said Justice Crack was arrested following a post he made on social media featuring soldiers’ complaints about their feeding and general welfare. It said a deeper look at the matter revealed that the influencer’s engagement with the soldiers went beyond welfare concerns.

The Army said his post and interactions with the soldiers showed he was trying incite the soldiers to create discontent within the system.