A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal, has described the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road as a big scam.

A former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, has revealed what was different about his principal before he was sick and when he came back from treatment abroad.

Garba Shehu, spokesperson for Buhari, worked with the former president between 2015 and 2023, when he handed over to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Buhari’s longest medical trip to London lasted about 104 days, and Shehu said the former president came back energised with a totally different attitude to work.

Asked what was different about Buhari before he was sick and Buhari when he came back from treatment, the former presidential aide said, “There were far more restrictions because he read everything. He worked very late into the nights. I think after his return, greater control was put in place.”

On the former president’s recent ailment, he added, “It was not as intense as reported. He (Buhari) was hospitalized, and now he is being cared for.

“He is in recovery mode now. Each day he gets better, but until it’s all over, you can’t say it’s all over.”

Hundreds of persons, including members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and market women, among others, were on Friday denied access to the Edo State Government House during the celebration of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s victory at the Supreme Court.

The supporters of the party were reportedly barred from entering the Government House by security operatives who said they were acting on instructions.

Ekwutosblog recalls that the Supreme Court had on Thursday validated the decisions of the lower courts, the Election Petition Tribunal and the Court Appeal, which upheld Okpebholo as the winner of the September 21, 2024, governorship election.

As a result of the judgment, members and supporters of the APC, as well as market women and youths, gathered at the Benin Airport as early as 7:00 am to give the governor a rousing welcome.

The jubilant supporters were still at the airport at about 12.40 pm when the governor’s aircraft touched down.

Following the euphoria of the victory, the supporters, many of whom were not mobile, proceeded on foot in a road procession with Okpebholo’s convoy, chanting solidarity songs.

The procession, which lasted for about an hour, terminated at the Edo State Government House.

The supporters were, however, stunned when they were prevented by security operatives from going into the Edo State Government House with the governor.

The bewildered supporters took turns to lament the development, with many raining insults on the authorities.

One of the supporters, who simply identified herself as Mrs Omogiate, said they were informed by security operatives that only Very Important Personalities (VIPs) would be allowed into the Government House for refreshments

According to her, “in the worst moments of ex-governor Godwin Obaseki, supporters and members were not shabbily treated like this”.

Another supporter who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “They have won now, and they have decided to build a wall around themselves.

“I left my house before 700 am for the airport and stood under the sun for hours before the arrival of the governor.

“We engaged in a road show with him till we got to the Government House, only for us to be shut out. This is unfair.”