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BREAKING: ATIKU, TAMBUWAL, IMOKE IN CLOSED-DOOR MEETING WITH OBASANJO

Nicolas Adekeye / 2 months

1 min read

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election, is currently in a closed-door meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Atiku, who served as Vice-President to Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007, arrived at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Complex in Abeokuta at 12:37 pm, accompanied by Senator Aminu Tambuwal and Liyel Imoke, former Governor of Cross River State. The meeting, which also includes Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, is shrouded in secrecy, but speculation suggests it may be related to the current political climate in the country. Atiku’s visit comes after he recently hosted former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi at his residence in Adamawa State. Details of the meeting remain undisclosed, but it is believed to be part of efforts by opposition politicians to strategize and form alliances against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Details Later…

NIGERIA FACES LEGAL TROUBLE OVER MAMBILLA POWER PROJECT AS OBASANJO AND BUHARI GIVE CONFLICTING TESTIMONIES

Nicolas Adekeye / 3 months
0
2 min read

Nigeria’s defense in the long-standing legal battle over the $6 billion Mambilla Power Project has been dealt a significant blow after former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari gave conflicting testimonies before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Court of Arbitration in Paris. The contradictory accounts have raised serious questions about Nigeria’s defense strategy, potentially jeopardizing the country’s chances of avoiding a hefty $2.3 billion compensation claim by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company. Agunloye Obasanjo testified on January 22, 2025, dismissing the legitimacy of the 2003 contract, arguing that it was illegally signed by the then Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, despite the Federal Executive Council (FEC) rejecting it. “The agreement relied on by Sunrise Power was never valid. A minister cannot single-handedly approve a contract after the Federal Executive Council had rejected it,” Obasanjo declared. Malami & Fashola However, Buhari’s testimony on January 23, 2025, provided a starkly different narrative, admitting that his administration had recognized and engaged with Sunrise Power over the contract. “I directed the Attorney General, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the Minister of Works and Power, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), to negotiate with Sunrise Power,” he stated. Buhari’s admission has inadvertently strengthened Sunrise Power’s claim, suggesting that successive administrations recognized the contract, even if it was initially disputed. The contradictory testimonies have put Nigeria’s legal team in a difficult position. If Buhari’s admission is considered valid, it could be interpreted as an official acknowledgment of the contract’s legitimacy, making it harder for Nigeria to argue against paying the $2.3 billion compensation. With the case nearing its final stages at the ICC, legal experts believe Nigeria faces an uphill battle in proving its innocence.

FORMER PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO REFLECTS ON PRISON EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP

Nicolas Adekeye / 3 months

2 min read

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has opened up about his prison experience under the military junta of General Sanni Abacha in 1995. Speaking at an interactive session with 15 young African leaders at his presidential library, Obasanjo attributed his imprisonment to his inability to remain silent on national and international issues. “I refuse to keep quiet. For me, if there is anything to comment on, I did comment on them, and so, I landed in prison, and that is a challenge,” Obasanjo said. He also shared that his time in prison was a turning point that led him to seek the presidency in 1999, driven by a desire to save Nigeria from disintegration. Obasanjo, who had previously settled into agriculture after his military service, emphasized the importance of leadership and encouraged the young leaders to take on positive roles in shaping Africa’s future. “Go and be African leaders of tomorrow; you have even said it is leaders of today and not tomorrow. It is no longer tomorrow but today with positive disruptive action,” he urged. The former president also expressed concern about Africa’s debt, citing cases of reckless borrowing and corruption. “Most of the debts cannot be explained. Some outright corruption,” he noted. The interactive session was part of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation’s program, which brought together young leaders from various African countries. Obasanjo commended the foundation’s founder, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, for his efforts in nurturing young leaders. “What Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has been doing since 2013 is marvelous… I am very pleased and satisfied with him on this project,” he said.

FORMER PRESIDENT OBASANJO REVEALS NNPC REJECTED $750 MILLION OFFER FROM ALIKO DANGOTE TO MANAGE PORT HARCOURT AND KADUNA REFINERIES

Nicolas Adekeye / 4 months

2 min read

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) rejected a $750 million offer from billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote to manage Nigeria’s Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries in 2007. According to Obasanjo, Dangote made the offer through a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative, but NNPC turned it down due to its own inability to efficiently operate the refineries. Obasanjo recounted the events, saying, “Aliko got a team together, and they paid $750 million to take part in a PPP to run the refineries. My successor refunded their money, and I went to him to explain what happened. He said NNPC insisted on running the refineries themselves, claiming they could manage them, but I told him they could not”. Obasanjo expressed his frustration with NNPC’s decision, stating that the corporation was aware of its inability to effectively manage the refineries. He also questioned why NNPC is now working with Dangote, saying, “Not only will he make it (his refinery) work, he (Dangote) will make it deliver”. The former president’s revelation has sparked controversy, with many questioning NNPC’s decision to reject Dangote’s offer. Obasanjo’s comments come as the NNPC has invited him to tour the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which have recently undergone rehabilitation. However, Obasanjo has rejected the invitation, calling it “disrespectful”. Olusegun Obasanjo is a pivotal figure in Nigerian politics, having served as the country’s head of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as president from 1999 to 2007.

2025 HAJJ OPERATIONS: NAHCON...

POWER OUTAGE HITS MAKURDI...

THREE CHILDREN KILLED IN...

GASKIYA NGERI ILORIN: A...

POPE FRANCIS’ FUNERAL SCHEDULED...

CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS BACK...

2025 HAJJ OPERATIONS: NAHCON...

POWER OUTAGE HITS MAKURDI...

THREE CHILDREN KILLED IN...

GASKIYA NGERI ILORIN: A...

POPE FRANCIS’ FUNERAL SCHEDULED...

CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS BACK...

BREAKING: ATIKU, TAMBUWAL, IMOKE IN CLOSED-DOOR MEETING WITH OBASANJO

NIGERIA FACES LEGAL TROUBLE OVER MAMBILLA POWER PROJECT AS OBASANJO AND BUHARI GIVE CONFLICTING TESTIMONIES

FORMER PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO REFLECTS ON PRISON EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP

FORMER PRESIDENT OBASANJO REVEALS NNPC REJECTED $750 MILLION OFFER FROM ALIKO DANGOTE TO MANAGE PORT HARCOURT AND KADUNA REFINERIES

GASKIYA NGERI ILORIN: A TITLE BORN,.

POPE FRANCIS’ FUNERAL SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY.

CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS BACK NUPRC OVER.

2025 HAJJ OPERATIONS: NAHCON PROMISES HITCH-FREE.

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