

News
Abba Kyari, not Buhari, Responsible for our ban, say Shiites
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria has faulted its proscription on the basis that it was not approved by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), as required by law.
The group, popularly known as Shiites, is led by Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky,
The IMN said Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja, in issuing the proscription order on July 26, 2019, relied on a memo by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, claiming to have conveyed the presidential approval for the proscription application to the National Security Adviser, Babagana Mogunno.
The IMN’s legal team led by Femi Falana (SAN), also referred to a recently leaked memo addressed to the service chiefs, in which the author, Mogunno, accused Kyari of usurping presidential powers regarding matters, particularly relating to security.
The group also claimed neither Kyari’s memo nor a letter by Mogunno, dated July 23, 2019, requesting Buhari’s approval for the IMN’s proscription was exhibited in court.
These are contained in Shiites’ reply on points of law filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja in support of their suit challenging the court order proscribing and designating them as a terrorist group.
But the Federal Government in its documents filed at the court insisted that the proscription followed the law.
In the reply filed on February 28, Falana argued that Section 2(1)(c) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 categorically provided that “it is the approval of the President that must be sought and obtained and not that of any Chief of Staff to the President”.
The group argued that its claim in its application for the reversal of the ban that the necessary presidential approval not obtained was not debunked by Federal Government.
READ ALSO: EFCC Investigating Alleged N300m Contract Scam Involving Buhari’s aide Abba Kyari
Aside from the furious ruse made by the applicant/respondent at paragraph 4.21 – 4.23 of the counter-affidavit, the material allegation raised by the respondent/applicant (IMN) that the approval of the President was never sought and obtained and properly exhibited as required by the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013 was never disproved and controverted by the application,” Falana argued.
He also said, “The Chief of Staff, Mr Abba Kyari, however powerful, is not the President and assuming without conceding that the NSA sought his consent and approval to proscribe the respondent/applicant herein, any approval so sought and obtained is null and void for failing to conform to a statutory stipulation.”
The group also made reference to Monguno’s memo to the service chiefs to corroborate its point that Kyari had no constitutional role and that his memo said to have conveyed Buhari’s approval was a nullity.
Their lawyers said, “Particularly, where the very state official coordinating and supervising all the security apparatus in the country has accused the same Chief Staff (a merely itinerary employee of the President who has no constitutional role whatsoever of usurping the powers of the President, undermining security apparatus, allegations that borders on treason and flagrant desecration of the constitution.”
The group also said Kyari and Moguno’s memos categorised as Exhibit FGN 10, “was referred to in an affidavit” but “was not attached to the said affidavit” therefore “cannot be said to be part of the proceedings so as to be acted upon.”
– Punch
Follow us on Twitter @bonanaija
News
I will be receiving some notable figures from the ADC. – APC National Chair, Yilwatda.

Next week, I will be receiving some notable figures from the ADC. – APC National Chairman, Yilwatda.
Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), has announced that several politicians from opposing parties are planning to join the ruling APC soon.
During a meeting with Plateau APC stakeholders held at Crest Hotel in Jos yesterday, Yilwatda shared this.
He said, “Next week, I will be receiving some notable figures from the ADC.
“Some of those who had defected from PDP have reached out to ADC and are now returning to APC. Many of them have completed their ‘medicals’ and will be officially unveiled next week.
“In another two weeks, we will unveil yet another big figure who just finished his own ‘medicals.’
“He tried to unveil himself the day before yesterday, you probably saw it in the news. But officially, we’ll be receiving him soon. More people are coming. More senators are joining; more governors, more members of the National Assembly. The APC is the bride of the moment.
“Thank you so much for all you did—from the very beginning of my loss, through the burial, and even after.May God bless and reward you richly. I must also extend my deepest gratitude for how you stood your ground when we faced the setback at the Supreme Court.
“Many people thought that was the end of APC on the Plateau; that we had been buried politically. But what they didn’t see was the seed that had already been sown.
That seed germinated, and today, APC is stronger, more vibrant and growing bigger by the day.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome our new members.”
Abia State
2027: Prepare Your Will If You Plan to Write Election Results in Abia — Governor Alex Otti Warns

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has cautioned individuals plotting to manipulate the 2027 governorship election results to first “write their wills” before embarking on such a dangerous mission.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Umuahia, the governor emphasized that his statement was not a threat but a caution informed by intelligence reports suggesting that some displaced politicians are boasting about plans to “write” election results in 2027.
“This is not a threat but a warning. If you are planning to write election results in Abia, please write your will first,” Otti declared.
He dismissed remarks attributed to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, noting that power ultimately belongs to God.
“I do not have the anointing to speak about what will happen in 2027 in 2025. But I know that power belongs to God, and He gives it to whom He wants. We should not speak when the Lord has not spoken,” he said.
Governor Otti advised Kalu to focus on his duties at the National Assembly, adding that there was no animosity between them despite the Deputy Speaker’s repeated public criticisms.
“My relationship with the Deputy Speaker didn’t start with politics. This is the second time he has publicly attacked my administration. I forgive him, but I think he suffers from what I call ‘Information Deficiency Syndrome.’”
He further clarified that according to the Protocol Act of 2000, the sixth position in Nigeria’s political hierarchy belongs to the Deputy Senate President, not the Deputy Speaker.
On Governance and Infrastructure
Governor Otti commended the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) for its consistent efforts in maintaining a cleaner environment across Aba, Umuahia, and Ohafia.
“We are now moving to the next phase of waste management — recycling and turning waste into wealth,” he said, disclosing ongoing engagements with investors and institutions to actualize the plan.
The governor also announced progress in reviving key moribund industries, including Star Paper Mill, Aba Textile Mill, and Modern Ceramics, through collaborations with the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and other stakeholders.
“Government is an enabler. Our goal is to revive these industries, hand them to professionals to run as private entities, and create jobs for our people,” Otti stated.
Education and Health
Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming the education sector, revealing that over 5,395 new teachers have been deployed across the state, with plans to recruit an additional 4,000 due to rising enrollment.
He also highlighted improvements in healthcare delivery, including the reconstruction of general hospitals and recruitment of over 774 healthcare professionals, with applicants coming even from other African countries.
“We are building a health system powered by renewable energy to ensure every community has access to quality healthcare,” he said.
Power and Infrastructure Expansion
Governor Otti announced the installation of nearly 8,000 solar-powered streetlights across the state and ongoing projects aimed at achieving steady electricity supply in Aba, Umuahia, Bende, and Ohafia.
“When Aba Power reaches its full capacity of 188 megawatts, excess power will be distributed to Umuahia and other parts of the state. Light brings development, and darkness disappears where there is light,” he said.
He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu’s representative, Senator Dave Umahi, recently commissioned eight newly completed roads in Abia, with more infrastructure projects including the 25km Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road and Ihechiowa Ring Road set to begin soon.
On Defection Rumours
Governor Otti debunked speculations about plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that he remains committed to his principles.
“You don’t take decisions simply because others are taking them. We are not people who follow the crowd,” he affirmed.
Follow BONA NAIJA for more
News
American Accuses Reno Omokri of Deception, Calls Him “Pathological Liar” as Omokri Dismisses Christian Genocide Claims

A former Texas Mayor, Mike Arnold, has accused former Nigerian presidential aide Reno Omokri of deception and manipulation, describing him as a “pathological liar” who thrives on calculated deceit.
In a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), Arnold said he had witnessed Omokri’s alleged dishonesty firsthand during personal and professional encounters both in the United States and Nigeria.
“The truth about Reno Omokri is sad. I’ve seen it up close. Reno doesn’t lie like most liars. He lies calm, cool, constant. Up close, he’s reptilian. Chilling. Soulless. Yet so charming,” Arnold wrote.
Arnold, who claimed to have hosted Omokri in Texas and attended his birthday safari in Kenya, accused the former presidential aide of falsifying events, exaggerating connections, and fabricating ownership of luxury assets.
He recounted an incident where Omokri allegedly showcased luxury cars online, falsely claiming ownership of two vehicles belonging to Arnold’s friend.
Arnold also alleged that during a fact-finding mission to Nigeria on Christian persecution, Omokri promised high-level meetings with President Bola Tinubu, NSA Nuhu Ribadu, and the Sultan of Sokoto, none of which materialized.
“Looking back, those promises were props for his narrative for clout and manipulation,” he wrote.
Arnold further accused Omokri of misrepresenting him on Nigerian television, falsely introducing him as the current mayor of Blanco, Texas, and a close associate of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz.
“On live TV, he called me a Republican mayor—we don’t even have partisan municipal elections. He also said I’m a personal friend of Ted Cruz. False,” Arnold stated.
Quoting Psalm 101:7, Arnold said Omokri’s actions were “soulless” and “evil,” adding that “lying to cover up the Christian genocide raging in Nigeria is a bridge too far.”
“People must know Reno Omokri is a pathological, habitual, calculating, self-serving liar from someone who knows him personally so they won’t trust his sleazy attempts to bury the blood of tens of thousands of Nigerian martyrs with the manure spewing from his mouth,” Arnold wrote.
He also accused Omokri of harboring political ambitions, claiming that he plans to run for vice president under National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Omokri, however, recently appeared on Arise News Night, dismissing reports of a Christian genocide in Nigeria as “ludicrous,” insisting that both Christians and Muslims are victims of insecurity across the country.
“Killings happen equally to Christians and Muslims,” Omokri said, urging Nigerians not to allow Western narratives to sow religious division.
The exchange has since sparked intense debate online, with many Nigerians weighing in on the authenticity of Arnold’s claims and Omokri’s controversial statements on religious persecution.
Follow BONA NAIJA for more
Biafra
BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu’s Ailment Not Life-Threatening – Court Adopts NMA Findings

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adopted a medical report by a panel set up by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which found that the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is not suffering from any life-threatening ailment.
The NMA panel, constituted by the association’s president on the order of Justice James Omotosho, was tasked with determining Kanu’s actual health condition following conflicting claims from medical experts representing both the prosecution and the defence.
According to the report submitted to the court on October 13 by the prosecution team led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), and partly read in open court on Thursday, the panel concluded that Kanu’s condition is not life-threatening and that he is fit to stand trial.
Justice Omotosho, citing the report and noting no objections from either side, ruled that the trial would proceed.
The judge subsequently granted the defence six consecutive days — from October 23 to October 28 — to open and close its case.
Additionally, the court approved an oral application by defence counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), requesting that Kanu’s legal team be allowed to hold private consultations with him outside the Department of State Services (DSS) facility to ensure confidentiality.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the private meeting will take place in the courtroom between 9 a.m. and 12 noon on October 22, with only Kanu and his lawyers present.
The court further ordered that Kanu should continue receiving medical care at the DSS medical facility pending further proceedings.
One of Kanu’s lawyers, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed the development after Thursday’s sitting.
Follow BONA NAIJA for more
News
Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri Resigns from PDP with 23 Assembly Members

Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri Resigns from PDP with 23 Assembly Members
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on Wednesday during a state executive council meeting in Yenagoa, accompanied by 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, including Speaker Abraham Ngobere and Deputy Speaker Faithful Ebi.
His Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, confirmed the move, attributing it to ‘obvious reasons’ without specifics, while Diri thanked PDP supporters and reaffirmed his dedication to Bayelsa’s progress.
“Today, I have formally resigned my membership from PDP for obvious reasons.” – Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.
The defection ends the PDP’s control of the state since 1999 and hints at a potential shift to the All Progressives Congress before the 2027 elections.
Follow BONA NAIJA for more
-
Entertainment2 weeks ago
Big Brother Naija Live Update: KOLA, SULTANA Evicted #BBNaija
-
Music3 weeks ago
Odumodublvck Drops “Industry Machine” Feauturing Wizkid Ahead of 23-Track Album
-
Entertainment2 weeks ago
Imisi Crowned Winner of Big Brother Naija Season 10
-
Biafra3 weeks ago
Judgement Day: Tension in Abuja as Court Rules on Nnamdi Kanu’s No-Case Submission Today
-
Music News2 weeks ago
Odumodublvck Set to Drop ‘Industry Machine’ The Album Featuring Davido, Wizkid, Skepta & Stormzy
-
Music3 weeks ago
Sarz Drops Debut Album Featuring Wizkid, Asake, Skillibeng
-
Music3 weeks ago
Spyro Releases Debut Album The Men, The Boys & Your Guy
-
Sports4 weeks ago
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie Finishes Fourth in Inaugural Women’s Yashin Trophy at 2025 Ballon d’Or
-
News2 weeks ago
First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu Celebrates World Teachers’ Day 2025
-
Music News3 weeks ago
Nigerian singer Peruzzi to release new single “Die It” at midnight