Popular singer and activist, Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, better known as Charly Boy, has described Nyesom Wike, Minister of the FCT, as the ‘mistake maker’ of the century.

The statement came after Wike told the people of Rivers State that he made a mistake and he is ready to correct the mistake at the appropriate time.

Wike and the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, have been embroiled in a face-off that has polarised the state House of Assembly into two camps.

“I want to say this clearly, in life we have made a mistake. I have made a mistake. I own it up and I say God forgive me. I have said all of you forgive me. But we will correct it at the appropriate time,” Wike declared.

Responding to the statement, Charly Boy, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, said Wike will very soon claim he made another mistake for supporting President Bola Tinubu in 2023.

He wrote: “I made a mistake in 2016 by supporting Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as PDP National Chairman. I made another mistake in 2017 by supporting Prince Uche Secondus as PDP National Chairman. I made another mistake for supporting Tambuwal for PDP ticket in 2019. I made yet another mistake in 2021 by supporting Senator Iyorchia Ayu as PDP National Chairman. And, most recently, I made a mistake in 2023 by supporting Sir Sim Fubara as my successor. I know very soon he will make another mistake for supporting Tinubu in 2023. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the mistake maker of the century.”

The factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro has declared that no amount of propaganda and frivolous allegations would make him jettison the pursuit of Igbo interest.

He spoke in reaction to allegations against him and some other chieftains of Ohanaeze Ndigbo by Ohanaeze President, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

Isiguzoro, who said there are clandestine meetings ahead of the 2027 election, which is aimed at satisfying the personal interest of an unnamed South-East governor in the All Progressives Congress, APC, said they would continue to frustrate such moves.

He said Professor Obasi Igwe, Dr. Harford Ugwu, and Professor Nwankwo Nwaezeigwe should be commended for standing tall in defence of Igbo interest and vilification.

“These noble individuals have exhibited unwavering courage in unveiling the hidden agendas and clandestine political machinations of the so-called ‘Ohanaeze Reconciliation Committee.’

“This committee, established in December 2023 with an office in Abuja, has been unmasked for its ulterior motive: to advance the 2027 Vice Presidential ambition of a Southeast Governor.

“The clandestine activities of this committee aim to pair a Southeast Governor as the running mate to a Northern presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.

“This strategic move seeks to exploit Northern discontent with the Federal Government to oppose President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

“Despite facing setbacks exposed by leaked audio recordings, the civil intrigues to unseat President Tinubu persist, with financial backing provided by the Southeast Governor.

“This subversive effort involves leveraging a faction of misguided Igbo Elders to engage with Northern counterparts, Fulani leaders, and Northern Monarchs.”

He said the proponents had “resorted to deceptive tactics, baseless accusations, and alarmist strategies to obfuscate the truth.”

He said the allegations directed against him were “groundless, malicious, and untruthful.

“No monetary demands for any medical trip were made to Chief Iwuanyanwu by Isiguzoro. We challenge Chief Iwuanyanwu to substantiate any claims he makes.

“Isiguzoro, along with Professor Obasi, Professor. Nwankwo Nwezeigwe, and other dedicated individuals, will not be deterred by ongoing threats, intimidation, or false media propaganda.

“Recent events highlight the urgency of safeguarding OHANAEZE NDIGBO from being co-opted for the 2027 Vice Presidential aspirations of the Southeast Governor.

“Attempts to extend the President General’s tenure from Imo State and deprive Rivers State of the rightful opportunity to lead OHANAEZE Ndigbo must be scrutinized and resisted by Ndigbo.”

He called on all Ndigbo and well-meaning Nigerians “to stand together to safeguard our collective future from divisive forces seeking to manipulate our destiny.

“It is only through collaboration, honesty, and a firm dedication to the truth that we can navigate the challenges that lie ahead.”

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has sworn in Alhaji Falalu Bawale as the state’s new Head of Service.

The Katsina Governor also swore in the immediate past Head of Service, Usman Isiyaku, as Special Adviser on Public Service Reforms and member of the State Executive Council.

Addressing the audience at the swearing-in ceremony after administering the oath of office and oath of allegiance to the appointees at the Katsina Government House Chamber, Governor Radda stated that both the new Head of Service and the Special Adviser were appointed on merit.

He called on all the permanent secretaries to join hands with the new head of service to enable them deliver for the progress of the state.

According to the Katsina Governor, the major challenge facing the incumbent administration was the issue of time, as the state government had a lot to cover.

Turning to the Special Adviser, Governor Radda described him as a committed and trustworthy personality, which prompted the state administration to retain him to enjoy more from his vast experience.

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday reportedly stormed a high court sitting in Ilaro, Ogun State and arrested two defendants.

The defendants, Alhaji Isiaka Fatai and Samuel Oyero, were standing over matters pertaining to suit No HCP/IC/2023 to wit: The State vs Awode Oladosu & 13 others, which was presided over by Justice A.A. Shobayo.

The case bordered on an allegation of arson reported by one Akeem Adigun (aka Socopao) in which Alhaji Isiaka Fatai, Oyero and 12 others.

It could be recalled that Agosasa was recently enmeshed in crisis, with property worth billions of naira destroyed with one life lost over an Obaship tussle in the town.

In a statement from the counsel to Alhaji Isiaka, Kehinde Bamiwola Esq, he alleged that the men of the DSS operatives used weapons on the two, stressing that “Alhaji Isiaka Fatai was beaten, slapped, man-handled, rough-handled and molested.

The Principal Registrar of the High Court and Sectional Head of High Court, Ilaro, Comrade Omololu Olusanya, who confirmed the incident, described it as shocking and disrespectful to the rule of law.

He noted that even after the judge had ordered the operatives not to make any arrest within the court premises, they still proceeded to arrest the two persons.

“They still went ahead and did the act to the extent that they assaulted one of our staff members, Mrs. Fadina, while doing that act. It’s a very sad issue that caused a lot of noise within the court premises.

“It was from the source that we heard they were DSS agents. If anybody sees them, one would think they were armed robbers.

“They did not wear anything that identified them as DSS, but they came to my lord this morning and said they had some people to arrest. That was when we knew they were DSS officers.

“ They approached the judge before the court session began. The honorable judge advised them that if they wanted to make an arrest, it must not be done within the court premises.

“They could stay outside and do whatever they wanted, but they refused that advice and carried out the arrest within the premises,” he said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has filed fresh charges against former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, his brother, Ahmad Sirika; and his company – Enginos Nigeria Limited, with over N19.4bn fraud.

The money is said to be for several aviation ministry contracts from the former minister, to Enginos Nigeria Limited, owned by Sirika’s younger brother, Abubakar.

The Sirika brothers and Enginos Nigeria Limited will on Tuesday be arraigned before Justice Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.

In the copy of the fresh charges, the EFCC alleged that Sirika, “while being the Minister of Aviation, on or about August 18, 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did use your position to confer an unfair advantage upon Enginos Nigeria Limited, whose alter ego, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika, is your biological brother, by using your position to influence the award to him, the contract for the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1,345,586,500.00.”

According to the anti-graft agency, Sirika’s alleged action contravened Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and was punishable under the same section.

In another count, the EFCC alleged that “on or about November 3, 2022, in Abuja,” Sirika used his position “to confer unfair advantage upon Enginos Nigeria Limited, whose alter ego, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika, is your biological brother, by using your position to influence the award to him, the contract for the establishment of Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport for the sum of N3,811,497,685.00.”

In another count, he was accused of corruptly awarding a N615,195,275.00 contract to his brother, to procure and install lift and air conditioners and power generators for the Aviation House in Abuja.

The EFCC alleged that Sirika, between August 2022 and May 2023 in Abuja, “had possession of an aggregate sum of N2,337, 840,674.16, which sum you knew indirectly represented the proceeds of criminal conducts of Hadi Abubakar Sirika, who was the Minister of Aviation at the time.”

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has ordered the immediate arrest and detention of Mr Emmanuel Ezeanochie, Chairman of Imo State Amalgamated Traders Association (ISAMATA).

The state government in a special announcement Monday night, said: “In accordance with his resolve to rid the state of corruption in all sectors, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the governor of Imo State, has ordered the arrest and detention of Mr Emmanuel Ezeanochie, the state chairman of Imo State Amalgamated Traders Association (ISAMATA).

“The order followed allegations that Mr Ezeanochie fraudulently used the name of the government to illegally appropriate land and market stalls for his personal use.

“In like manner, His Excellency has approved the immediate dissolution of the state executive committee of ISAMTA.”

According to the special announcement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientations, and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba, “His Excellency further directs the relevant security agencies to expedite investigations into the allegations against the former chairman of ISAMATA, Mr Ezeanochie and prosecute him if indicted.”