Author: The Whistler Newspaper

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced early preparations for flooding and other disasters in Rivers and Bayelsa, following the predictions of high flood risks in the states.

The Head of Operations, Port Harcourt Office of NEMA, Dr Chidi Ogunda, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ coordination meeting on disaster preparedness and response in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The meeting brought together stakeholders, including the Nigerian Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Fire Service, Department of State Security, National Orientation Agency, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigerian Red Cross, among others.

Ogunda said the initiative was driven by the need to review past disasters, identify gaps, and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders to effectively mitigate the impending flooding.

“Disaster management is everybody’s business and, as such, requires all stakeholders to come together, deliberate, and develop strategies to manage disasters effectively,” he said.
He explained that the meeting aimed at fostering collaboration, sharing ideas, and strengthening response mechanisms across agencies and communities.

Ogunda said the 2026 National Flood Outlook identified 33 states and the FCT as high-risk areas, affecting 266 local government areas and 14,118 communities.

According to him, NEMA would soon commence training and capacity-building for stakeholders and communities to improve response to disasters.

“This meeting is to bring stakeholders together to share ideas and strategies on managing disasters within our jurisdictions.

“With these predictions, we must begin early preparation, build resilience, and ensure that all agencies are equipped to respond effectively,” he said.

He added that the agency would also engage and equip local actors, volunteers, and community leaders to respond promptly to the expected flooding.

The NEMA official said that Nigeria had moved from reactive disaster response to predictive and preventive strategies but needed to strengthen resilience.

He noted that since 2012, flooding had been recurrent in the country, stressing that efforts must go beyond response to building a resilient nation capable of mitigating disasters.
“Preparedness should not be limited to flooding alone but should be extended to fire outbreaks, road crashes, and other emergencies.

“Incidents occur daily and require coordinated responses from all relevant agencies,” he added.
Ogunda emphasised inter-agency collaboration, noting that different organisations had specific roles in disaster management.
Also speaking, the Area Commander, Choba Police Division, ACP Philip Udechukwu, said the police remained proactive in disaster response efforts.

He said that the police were always ready to assist and often take the lead, particularly during emergencies.
“Officers are often the first to respond to incidents, including fire outbreaks, even before relevant agencies arrive. Therefore, we are ready to assist,” he said.

Mr Nosakhare Obasohan, the officer in charge of Social Duty and External Relations, FRSC Rivers Command, said the corps was targeting a 10 per cent reduction in road crashes in 2026.
He said FRSC had trained community volunteers in post-crash care to provide first aid before the arrival of officials.
“We also operate a toll-free emergency number, 122, for reporting road crashes and other emergencies,” he stated.
A representative of the Federal Fire Service in Rivers, Superintendent Amadi Gift, said the agency had intensified sensitisation on fire prevention.
He called for stronger synergy among agencies to improve response to emergencies and reduce the impact of disasters.
“We do not wait for disasters. We visit homes, businesses, and institutions to educate them on fire safety and the use of equipment,” Gift said

NEMA Begins Early Flood Preparations In 2 High-Risk States is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Former Minister of Transportation and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Rotimi Amaechi has said his supporters have been directed not to engage in social media fights ahead of the ADC, presidential ticket contest.

Speaking in Lagos at the ADC Progressive Movement meeting, Amaechi opened up on why he is often attacked by the Obidents and Atiku supporters,

“My supporters don’t engage in fights on social media, My people don’t fight, have you seen any Amaechi person fighting on social media? it is between Atiku people and Obi people and Obi people abusing me we will never reply, he said.

“It’s not because we don’t know English or we can’t reply, the reason why we don’t reply is that we always want peace, the obidients insist ‘Obi or nothing’, do they have the numbers? that’s the question, he asked.

“The Atiku’s people say ‘Atiku or nothing’, do they have the numbers? you know there are things to say when you win. It becomes difficult to bring everybody together, so because we know we will win we’re not abusing anybody. So we can bring everybody together.

“So that question should not be asked to me because I am not abusing anybody. I am careful what I say, my team is under permanent instructions, don’t abuse anybody in ADC,” he stated.

Watch full video 

ADC: Amaechi reveals why his camp does not engage Atiku, Obi supporters

Afrobeats singer, Habeeb Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has alleged foul play after suffering defeat to skit maker Carter Efe in their celebrity boxing clash

Speaking during a live session on his Instagram page the controversial artist insisted that the match was unfairly officiated.

He said, “I was robbed. Carter Efe was not professional enough. He was struggling with his long hands and height. I threw him many punches, why didn’t you people count them? Any blow that I threw at him ought to count even if it meets him on the shoulder or hand. And to the organisers, I want my stream money amounting to about N200 million. Just give me my money before I cause trouble.

“They did ojoro for me. All of you are mad. Carter Efe was just holding my neck. I was punching him too but you people are not talking about that. They knew he was tall and had long hands but still put him in a boxing match with me.”

Despite surrendering his celebrity boxing title, Portable insisted that his personal life remained his greatest victory, revealing that he had just welcomed a new baby boy.

“You can only buy a belt with money, but a child cannot be bought. You people cheated. They can’t pay the money amounting to the sum of N23 billion. I thought I was going to dance with my belt but I ended up with my new baby.

“My wife just gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. I value that more than a belt. You can buy the belt but not my child,” he added.

Portable’s defeat marked the end of his reign as celebrity boxing champion after all three judges scored the fight 27–30 in favour of Carter Efe.

Before the match, the singer had confidently predicted victory, boasting that he would secure a third belt following previous wins over Charles Okocha and Speed Darlington.

“I will use you to collect my third belt,” Portable had declared. “Charles Okocha was bigger than you, Speed Darlington was bigger than you, and I beat them. I will beat you now.”

Carter Efe, however, responded boldly, saying, “One punch and you fall.”

Inside the ring, the comedian lived up to his promise, using his superior height and reach to dominate the three-round contest, landing cleaner punches and controlling the pace.

‘I Was Robbed’, Portable Alleges In Defeat To Carter Efe is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

With political realignments intensifying ahead of the next electoral cycle, the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket in Sokoto East is already taking shape, driven less by formal declarations and more by behind-the-scenes alliances, loyalty networks and the influence of entrenched power blocs.

Findings indicate that while no aspirant has officially emerged as the frontrunner, early manoeuvres suggest that success in the contest will depend heavily on political structure, elite backing and the ability to navigate the party’s internal dynamics.

Among those drawing attention is the serving member representing Wurno/Rabah Federal Constituency, Arc. Ibrahim Almustapha. A two-term lawmaker since 2015, Almustapha is widely regarded for his constituency outreach, a factor observers say could translate into delegate support if he formally joins the race.

However, his influence remains largely concentrated within Wurno and Rabah, leaving other parts of the eight-local-government senatorial district relatively untapped. Expanding his political footprint across the zone within a limited timeframe may prove decisive.

Also in contention is Hon. Musa S. Adar, a former federal lawmaker who represented Gada/Goronyo Constituency for four consecutive terms before losing his seat in 2023.

His legislative experience and name recognition across Sokoto East are considered strong assets.

Yet, uncertainty surrounding his reported resignation from a political appointment has raised concerns among party insiders, particularly regarding compliance with party guidelines, an issue that could affect his eligibility or acceptance within key APC circles.

Another major contender is Alhaji Isa Sadiq Achida, the immediate past state chairman of the APC and current North-West Zonal Secretary of the party.

Achida’s political rise has been closely linked to the influence of former governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, a central figure in Sokoto APC politics.

Analysts believe Achida’s longstanding loyalty to the party leadership, coupled with his strategic position within the APC structure, places him in a strong position in a delegate-based primary.

His track record as state chairman during which the APC secured key victories in the 2019 and 2023 elections continues to bolster his credentials.

He is also widely described as a grassroots politician, maintaining close ties with his base. Supporters point to his continued presence in his hometown despite prevailing security challenges in parts of Sokoto East as a sign of commitment and accessibility.

Also mentioned in political calculations is Alhaji Umar Ajiya Isa, a former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) staff.

His potential entry into the race is reportedly linked to elite backing, though it remains unclear whether he has formally aligned with the APC.

Unlike other aspirants, Ajiya Isa is yet to establish electoral credentials, and observers say his prospects will depend largely on his ability to quickly build grassroots support and leverage high-level connections.

Beyond individual ambitions, analysts say the Sokoto East contest will likely be shaped by broader considerations, including zoning arrangements, internal party negotiations and the preferences of influential stakeholders within the APC.

Security concerns are also expected to weigh on the minds of delegates, particularly in communities affected by persistent instability.

There is a growing expectation that the eventual candidate must demonstrate not only political strength but also the capacity to effectively represent and advocate for the zone’s pressing challenges at the national level.

Adamu Hussaini a political commentator said that the absence of coordinated reconciliation efforts in Sokoto East unlike in other zones has left the field fragmented, with multiple interests competing for dominance.

“There is no clear frontrunner at this stage. What will matter most is alignment with key figures and control of party structures”

With months to go before formal declarations and primaries, the race remains open. However, early alignments, strategic endorsements and the influence of power brokers are already emerging as critical factors that could ultimately determine who secures the APC senatorial ticket in Sokoto East.

Sokoto East: Early Contenders For APC Senatorial Ticket Emerge is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Popular Nigerian streamer, Carter Efe, has defeated controversial singer, Portable in a highly anticipated celebrity boxing match.

Carter Efe defeated Portable on Friday in a boxing match held at the Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos to win the N50 million prize.

The streamer won the fight after the third round.

Following his victory, Carter Efe is now holding the title of Nigeria’s “Celebrity Boxing King.”

DAILY POST recalls that Portable had previously defeated singer, Speed Darlington in April 2025 and actor Charles Okocha in December 2023.

Watch video

Carter Efe defeats Portable in celebrity boxing fight, wins N50m prize [VIDEO]

Benue State Government has announced the death of its Head of Service, Agbogbo Ode.

Ode passed away on Saturday following a brief illness.

A statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Serumun Deborah on Saturday, described the late Ode as a seasoned technocrat and a respected authority in public service, whose sudden demise marks a significant loss to the state.

The statement noted that Ode was widely regarded for his credibility, dedication, and immense contributions to the development and efficiency of the Benue State Civil Service.

His tenure, the SSG added, was defined by hard work, professionalism, and a commitment to institutional excellence.

The government extended its condolences to the deceased’s family, friends, associates, and the entire civil service community in the state, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.

BREAKING: Benue Head of Serivce, Agbogbo Ode is dead

Austin Okai, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has called out the party’s frontline presidential aspirant, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso for keeping mum on the Supreme Court judgement.

DAILY POST reports that the duo have maintained silence since the apex court ruled on the leadership crisis rocking the party.

Top leaders of the party, including former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, have reacted to the ruling which reinstated the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC.

Reacting to Obi and Kwankwaso’s silence, Okai in a post on his official Facebook page wondered if they were not excited by the court ruling.

He wrote, “After all the protests—and just 48 hours after David Mark and the ADC’s Supreme Court victory—Obi and Kwankwaso have still refused to say a word.

“Are they not happy that their own party won the same case they were protesting? They could have at least pretended a little. Haba!”

Reports alleged that the duo are planning to dump the ADC for Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

DAILY POST on Friday reported that a key figure in the Kwankwasiyya movement in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, Hon. Kabiru Adamu Abdullahi resigned from the ADC on Kwankwaso directive.

 

Okai questions Obi, Kwankwaso’s silence on S’Court judgement amid reported NDC move

A transparency group has faulted the viral claim that ₦210 trillion vanished from NNPCL between 2017 and 2023, saying the claim doesn’t pass the market-woman test.

In a statement signed by Mr Johnson Momodu for the Fiscal Accountability Committee of Tomorrow, FACT, the group tore into the Senate probe’s headline number, calling it “a category error disguised as a scandal.”

The statement said Nigeria’s 2024 budget was ₦28.7 trillion, arguing that the alleged missing sum is more than seven times the budget.

“In plain language, the allegation suggests one company handled value equal to over seven full years of Nigeria’s total national budget within a seven-year window,” the group said. “Even without a calculator, something should feel off.”

The group argues that the ₦210 trillion was a mashup of liabilities NNPCL owes — JV costs, royalties — and receivables owed to NNPCL, like subsidy claims.

“Adding them together and presenting the total as ‘missing money’ is not a minor error. It is a fundamental misunderstanding, or worse, a convenient distortion,” the statement read.

“If you owe your landlord ₦500,000 and someone else owes you ₦500,000, you are not one million naira poorer. You are balanced, at least on paper.”

The statement said even the Senate admitted that it never said ₦210 trillion was stolen, citing Committee Chairman Senator Wadada. “Once you remove the suggestion of theft, what remains is not a scandal yet. What remains is an accounting question.”

The group asks the senate to publish the full methodology behind the ₦210 trillion figure, separate actual losses from liabilities and receivables, and reveal names of any individual or account where any alleged unlawful payments were made.

“If the answer is No, then what we have is not a financial crime established in fact. What we have is a number in search of meaning,” FACT said.

The group insists it’s not defending anyone, saying “We are a coalition of Nigerian youths, accountants, and citizens who are simply tired of watching public debate collapse under the weight of exaggerated figures that defy common sense.”

The group asks the senate to “show us the math or withdraw the figure.”

NNPCL: Transparency Group Tackles Senate Over Alleged Missing N210 Trillion is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Rabi’u Bichi, has projected a sweeping victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Kano ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing what he described as an unprecedented consolidation of political forces within the ruling party.

Speaking in an interview with THE WHISTLER, Bichi, who is also the Managing Director of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, argued that the political dynamics that shaped the 2023 elections in Kano have significantly shifted in favour of the APC.

According to him, the convergence of key political blocs — including the structure associated with former governor Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Assembly caucus led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and a wave of high-profile defections from opposition parties — has created a formidable political machine.

“President Tinubu will secure a landslide in Kano because the political arithmetic that defined 2023 has been completely altered,” Bichi said. “That level of elite consensus did not exist previously, but today, the APC has unmatched reach across all 44 local government areas of the state.”

He pointed to a recent fundraising effort by party stakeholders, who raised ₦50 million to cover half of the President’s ₦100 million nomination form, as evidence of grassroots mobilisation and financial commitment within the party.

Bichi, who served as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign in Kano during the 2023 elections, also linked Tinubu’s prospects to ongoing federal interventions in the state. He cited projects such as the Kano-Maradi rail line and expanded irrigation initiatives under the river basin authority, alongside federal appointments involving Kano indigenes, as factors reshaping public sentiment.

“People are seeing a President who is delivering on his promises and maintaining strong ties with Kano,” he said.

He further argued that recent political realignments — including the defection of Governor Abba Yusuf — have effectively merged state and federal political structures, giving the APC both incumbency advantage and organisational depth.

“In Kano’s electoral history, that combination has always translated into a landslide outcome,” he added.

Bichi’s remarks follow a recent stakeholders’ meeting of the APC in Kano, where party leaders endorsed Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate for 2027. The meeting, held at the Coronation Hall of Government House, marked a significant moment in the party’s post-2023 consolidation efforts in the state.

2027: Why Tinubu Will Sweep Kano — APC Chieftain is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Nigerian Army has taken disciplinary action against a personnel attached to Operation Hadin Kai after he circulated what authorities described as a misleading social media post concerning the feeding of troops in the North-East theatre of operations.

This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-East, Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, who said the decision followed an internal review triggered by the viral publication.

Uba explained that the Army examined the content of the post, including the image shared by the soldier, and concluded that it did not present the full context of the ration issued at the time.

He noted that the Theatre Command, after what he described as a thorough internal assessment, rejected the claims being circulated online, insisting they did not reflect the actual welfare and feeding arrangements for troops in the region.

According to him, personnel deployed under Operation Hadin Kai are provided meals in line with approved standards, with welfare packages consistently implemented and occasionally improved during festive periods such as Sallah and Easter to enhance morale.

The spokesperson also highlighted that the feeding arrangement is managed through established oversight structures, including food committees comprising personnel from various ranks and led by senior non-commissioned officers. He said the system is designed to ensure accountability in planning, preparation, and distribution of meals within available logistics.

Uba further stated that investigations found the soldier guilty of misconduct through what he described as a deliberate distortion of facts, adding that the circulated image did not represent the complete ration allocated at the time.

He said disciplinary measures were imposed in accordance with the Armed Forces Act (Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004), stressing that the action was necessary to uphold military discipline and institutional integrity.

Reaffirming the Army’s position, Uba maintained that troop welfare remains a key priority despite ongoing operational and logistical constraints in the North-East theatre, adding that efforts continue to ensure personnel are adequately supported in the field.

He also advised personnel to channel grievances through official internal procedures rather than resorting to social media publications that could distort operational realities or affect morale and cohesion within the ranks.

Army disciplines soldier over viral post alleging poor feeding