Connect with us

Politics

Atiku blasts President Tinubu over economic policies, says Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road done purely because of Tinubu’s business relationship with Gilbert Chagour.

Published

on

 

In a statement released by Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Sunday, Atiku alleged that the Coastal Highway project is being expedited solely due to the business ties between President Tinubu and Gilbert Chagoury, the owner of Hitech, the contractor responsible for the highway project.

– Atiku said the contract was granted in violation of procurement regulations.

– Atiku disclosed that the involvement of President Bola Tinubu’s son and his associates on the boards of companies belonging to Gilbert Chagoury presents a clear conflict of interest.

– Atiku also claimed that Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, is a director on the board of CDK Integrated Industries, a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group, which manufactures ceramic tiles and sanitary towels.

– Atiku added that instead of enhancing the ease of doing business, the Tinubu government had allegedly demonstrated to the global community that his business endeavours and those of his family would consistently take precedence over national interests.

– Atiku claimed that project that is being done with more than $13bn was awarded without competitive bidding.

– Atiku also claimed that the ‘so-called’ Badagry-Sokoto highway would be awarded similarly at an enormous cost to taxpayers purely because Tinubu has put his interest ahead of the Nigerian people.

– Atiku said the demolition of tourist and recreational facilities and other properties within the Oniru corridor, including parts of Landmark, without ample notice, is one of the reasons foreign direct investments continue to elude the country.

– Atiku said that in more orderly environments, establishments like Landmark would have been provided with a minimum of two years’ notice to facilitate proper planning.

– The former PDP presidential candidate mocked Tinubu who has been globetrotting in search of foreign direct investments. Atiku said Tinubu claims to have secured over $30 billion from various companies, but none has been forthcoming.

Rather, all manufacturing firms have been posting heavy losses while some are exiting due to his poorly implemented exchange rate unification policy with even Aliko Dangote describing it as a huge mess at the recent annual general meeting of Dangote Sugar Refinery.

– Atiku also added that the awarding of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway was rushed.

He said the environmental impact assessment report was not even completed and the right of way for the 700 km stretch of the highway project was not secured.

– Atiku said the project was converted from a PPP to a government-funded project within the twinkle of an eye.

– Atiku also revealed that the N500m that was approved by the National Assembly for the project was ignored, while over N1tn was released by Tinubu’s administration without approval from the National Assembly.

 

Politics

Former Nigerian VP Sambo dumps PDP for APC

Published

on

Former Nigerian Vice President Namadi Sambo

Former Nigerian Vice President Namadi Sambo officially dumped the People’s Democratic Party for the ruling All Progressives Party, on Wednesday.

Ekwutosblog reports that the former VP under ex-president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration between 2010 and 2015 joined the Kaduna State Chapter of the APC on Friday.

An APC stalwart, Imran Muhammad, confirmed Sambo’s defection in his X account.

Details soon…

Continue Reading

Politics

Senate Questions Nomination Of Non-Indigene As Rivers Electoral Commission Chair

Published

on

Odey, a native of Cross River State, came under scrutiny from the panel, chaired by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, over his non-indigene status.

The Senate Adhoc Committee on the Emergency Rule in Rivers State has commenced the screening of nominees for the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), with a major point of contention emerging over the nomination of Michael Odey as the chairman of the electoral body.

Odey, a native of Cross River State, came under scrutiny from the panel, chaired by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, over his non-indigene status, particularly as he hails from the same state as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok Ekwe Ibas.

While defending his eligibility, Odey said his nomination does not contravene any provisions of the RSIEC enabling law.

“With utmost respect, I have gone through the RSIEC’s enabling law, and there is nothing that precludes the appointment of anybody outside the state as chairman of the electoral management body,” he said.

However, Senator Bamidele expressed reservations, noting that even if the law is silent on the matter, the implications of appointing someone from outside the state must be carefully considered.

He said, “We are also in possession of the law, so make it available to the committee because in my opinion, the Independent National Electoral Commission is about the Federal Republic of Nigeria. When we say State Independent Electoral Commission, it is about that state.”

The Senate Leader added that the nomination raises fundamental concerns about public perception and legal precedent.

“This is not a matter we are just going to gloss over. It has to be something we can defend. Even if the law does not prohibit such an appointment, we must ensure it is not repugnant to public conscience,” the lawmaker said.

He said the committee would re-examine the eligibility criteria under the RSIEC law to determine if such an appointment could serve as a viable precedent for the future.

Other nominees screened for membership of the commission included Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, Arthur Nwafor, Godfrey Mbudiogha, Joyce Akaniwor, Olive A. Bruce, and Chidi Halliday.

Continue Reading

Politics

Benue govt declares public holiday ahead of Tinubu’s visit

Published

on

The Benue State Government has declared Wednesday, June 18, 2025, a public holiday to mark the official visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the state.

Ekwutosblog reports that Tinubu had announced that he would cut short his schedule to visit Benue State over the recent attacks on the state.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Serumun Deborah Aber, the President is expected in the state on a one-day condolence visit to commiserate with the government and people of Benue over the recent spate of violent attacks that have led to numerous deaths.

 

The government stated that the holiday is intended to give citizens the opportunity to receive the president warmly but clarified that the directive excludes workers in essential services, including medical personnel, security agencies, and banking institutions.

“Residents across the state are encouraged to come out in large numbers to welcome the President and his delegation during what has been described as a significant and symbolic visit,” the statement added.

Continue Reading

Trending