Breaking News
Momodu Accuses Tinubu of Using ‘Fake’ VIP Escort Ban to Target Opposition
Popular journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, has alleged that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is using the controversial VIP escort withdrawal to target opposition figures and influence public sentiment.
The development began after an online list circulated claiming that several prominent Nigerians had been stripped of their police escorts.
The list included former First Lady Aisha Buhari, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Although the police later described the list as fake, the uproar it generated drew sharp reactions across the country.
Momodu, in a strongly worded commentary titled Why Are Nigerians So Easily Fooled?, argued that the entire controversy was a deliberate political experiment.
He said those behind the list wanted to test how Nigerians would react to the idea of withdrawing security from high-profile individuals, especially those outside government circles.
According to him, the inclusion of certain names was not accidental but part of what he described as a calculated attempt by government-aligned actors to manipulate public opinion.
Momodu insisted that the whole scenario was aimed at weakening a number of influential figures who remain critical of the administration.
“I instantly smelled a rat,” he wrote, suggesting that the intention was to provoke anger and turn citizens against successful or wealthy Nigerians.
“They deliberately included most unlikely names… It became clear to me that Atiku was one of their main targets.”
Momodu noted that Atiku Abubakar, being a former vice president, is constitutionally entitled to security protection and should not even be part of such a conversation.
He maintained that the fake list was nothing more than a “test balloon” released to prepare the ground for future actions.
The newspaper publisher added that he was not surprised when the list was eventually disowned because he had “predicted correctly within 24 hours” that the authorities would walk back the claims once public emotions shifted.
Expanding on his criticism, Momodu accused the Tinubu administration of attempting to paint wealthy Nigerians in a negative light, especially those who legally engage police personnel for private protection.
He warned that such tactics could have severe consequences in a country struggling with rising kidnappings and violent crime.
According to him, “Tinubu is willing and ready to set fire to an entire village in order to catch a few rodents. His motives are not pure.”
Momodu argued that a sincere reform of VIP security would involve recruiting more police officers and allowing private-sector beneficiaries to legitimately fund such expansion. He described the current approach as shortsighted and dangerous.
“No nation can afford to voluntarily expose its private and productive sectors to bandits and kidnappers,” he wrote. “It is preposterously myopic and visionless.”
He further alleged that the withdrawal of escorts—whether real or staged—was designed to make opposition figures more vulnerable while creating room for political allies to retain protection behind the scenes.
Momodu warned that the strategy fits into a broader attempt to silence “robust opposition” voices ahead of future political battles.
“Their next move is to ensure that the Atikus who can provide robust opposition… must be denied of security,” he claimed.
Momodu ended with a stark message about the nation’s direction, stating, “Tinubu is leading Nigeria to Golgotha.”
Breaking News
Ogun State Government Announces Pension, Gratuity Backlog Clearance Between 2012 and 2020
The Ogun State Government has announced the clearance of pension and gratuity arrears owed to workers who retired between 2012 and 2020, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of retirees.
The Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media parley organised by the Ogun State Ministry of Budget and Planning.
Okubadejo explained that the backlog was linked to the Defined Benefits Scheme, under which retirees receive monthly pension payments, stressing that the present administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun has not defaulted on pension obligations since assuming office.
“Since the inception of this administration, we have not missed a single month of pension payment. What we inherited were arrears tied to the Defined Benefits Scheme,” he said.
According to him, annual pension payments rose from ₦6.7 billion in 2019 to ₦20 billion in 2025, with projections showing a possible increase to ₦40 billion by 2029.
He disclosed that the state had so far paid ₦23.3 billion in gratuities covering retirees from 2012 to 2020, alongside ₦32.8 billion in outstanding gratuities for local government retirees inherited by the administration.
Okubadejo added that between 2019 and July 2, 2025, the state disbursed ₦93.26 billion in pensions under the Defined Benefits Scheme and ₦94.78 billion to local government pensioners.
He assured that the remaining backlog would be cleared as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) continues to improve, noting that over 300 workers who retired in July 2025 are currently receiving six-month palliatives pending the completion of their pension documentation.
The commissioner also described the newly approved Additional Pension Benefits (APB) as the first of its kind in Nigeria, adding that amendments to the state’s pension law would be pursued to formally integrate the scheme.
On the state’s fiscal outlook, Okubadejo revealed that the 2026 budget increased from ₦1.054 trillion in 2025 to ₦1.668 trillion, while Ogun’s economy expanded from ₦3.5 trillion in 2019 to ₦18.96 trillion in 2026.
He added that IGR grew from ₦50 billion in 2019 to ₦240 billion in 2025, with projections of ₦512 billion this year.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, said the 2026 budget reflects strong fiscal reforms, noting an 85 per cent budget execution rate in 2024 and sustained financial stability.
Other commissioners highlighted sectoral achievements, including massive road construction, increased healthcare funding, rail extension plans, education support programmes, and expanded housing projects across the state.
African Democratic Congress, ADC, chieftain, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to focus on the country’s future and vote for a change in leadership.
Obi spoke at a meeting with Hausa/Fulani chiefs in Abuja on Wednesday.
“We have to talk about the future of our country. All of you know what is happening to our country today. That’s why we are campaigning that you vote out this government,” he said.
He described the situation in Nigeria as dire, citing insecurity, hunger and hardship.
“today we have insecurity across Nigeria. We have hunger across Nigeria. We are suffering across Nigeria. The only thing that is working in Nigeria today is bad news. Every morning you wake up is bad news,” Obi stated.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate said a new administration would prioritize social services.
“We’re urging you to vote for a change and bring a new Nigeria, where our children will be in school. Our hospitals will work,” he added.
Obi also questioned government spending priorities, particularly in the health sector.
“today, if you’re sick in Nigeria you’re praying to Almighty God because we’re now in a country where our president spends 360 billion to buy and refit his plane and spends 36 million in capital vote for the Ministry of Health. There’s nothing working,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to use their votes to usher in what he described as a “new Nigeria” focused on improving citizens’ welfare and restoring key public services.
-
Breaking News2 months agoBreaking News: Nigerian Air Force Reportedly Kills 750 Terrorists in Borno State
-
Breaking News3 months agoTerrorists Want ₦2m ‘levy’ in Katsina Community Despite Peaceful Agreement
-
Breaking News4 months agoEx-EFCC Exhibit Keeper Kaduna Zonal Directorate, Allegedly Steals ₦22m
-
Breaking News5 months agoNiger Delta Group hails Tinubu, NUPRC for ₦373bn host community fund and 536 life-changing projects
-
News In Diaspora1 month agoNigerian JTF Arrests Woman Supplying Drugs to Boko Haram
-
Breaking News3 weeks agoNew Young Players are Coming in Super Eagles – Ibrahim Gusau to Fans
-
Business3 weeks agoBREAKING: No Fewer Than 28 Ships to deliver Petrol, other Commodities at Lagos Ports
-
Breaking News3 weeks agoEmergency: Arik Air Flight Landed at Benin Airport