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Fraud Suspect, Amb Sarki leads delegates to welcome Ban Ki-Moon
It has been described as nothing short of comical, the fact that Nigerian delegates to welcome the United Nations [UN] chief, Ban Ki-Moon to Nigerian is headed
by none other than Ambassador Usman Sarki, Nigeria’s ambassador to the UN, the man suspected to have aided and abetted a fraud activity in conjunction with a certain Alhaji Abdulrauf Olarenwaju Iliasu.
[Photo: Ambassador Sarki in the middle with Alhaji Iliasu (in white) to his left during the meeting with unsuspecting Nigerian Investors who they defrauded ]
Interestingly, Alhaji Iliasu Olanrewaju Abdul-Rauf was, on Monday, 24th August, 2015, declared wanted by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over fraud cases exposed by Elombah.com in conjunction with Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities International, Inc. [ERPDI].
Alhaji Iliasu Olanrewaju Abdul-Rauf was the National Coordinator, Federal Civil Service Staff with Disabilities Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Abuja, before he was flung away by the past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Ironically, Ambassador Sarki was caught in the act when he allowed Alhaji Abdul-Rauf to use his UN office in the US to fraudulently host unsuspecting investors whom he eventually swindled of the sum of One N1.7Billion under the guise of awarding contracts for the establishment of rehabilitation centers in the states of the Federation.
Incongruously, Ambassador Sarki is today, leading Nigerian delegation as they welcome UN’s Ban Ki-Moon during his three-day working visit to Nigeria.
It is also remarkable that Ambassador Sarki was on Friday, August 21, grilled for hours on end by the EFCC over his alleged involvement in the Alhaji Abdul-Rauf fraud saga.
Ambassador Sarki was accused by Persons with Disabilities International of “knowingly or deliberately and intelligently conspiring with Alhaji Abdulrauf Olarenwaju Iliasu to engage into corruption and defrauding innocent Nigerian investors of more than 4 billion Naira.”
As it was gathered by Elombah.com, Ambassador Sarki was ordered to appear before the EFCC on September 8, 2015, however, in order to avoid the popularity that might follow the invitation, he went to the EFCC earlier.
Related articles:
http://elombah.com/index.php/news/249-alhaji-iliasu-olanrewaju-abdul-rauf-declared-wanted-by-efcc
http://elombah.com/index.php/news/206-fraud-efcc-finally-awakens-grills-ambassador-sarki
Ambassador Sarki did not come to Nigeria to Answer the EFCC’s request for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring him on the 8th of September 2015 for questioning/interrogation on his direct conspiracy with Alhaji Iliasu to engage in corrupt and fraudulent acts.
ERPDI has earlier written an official complaint to the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, against Ambassador Usman Sarki, who advised them to file such complaint direct to the President of Nigeria because they cannot directly address it due to the UN Ethics and Values rules, with barred them from directly interfering with National issues.
According to ERPDI President, Chief Eric Ndubueze Ufom, “it is sad and shameful for Ambassador Sarki, who the UN Secretary General already knew that he was/is one of those known and recognized corrupt and fraudulent Nigerians, became the highest Nigerian Diplomatic, who led the Nigerian Team with the UN Secretary General, from our Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations Headquarters, New York, during this official visit to Nigeria.
“This made us to keep on thinking about how President Buhari can successfully, truly fight war against corruption, if he is surrounded by same corrupt government officials and Politicians, who were directly involved in several corrupt acts during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.”
Attached is the petition submitted by ERPDI to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon:
January 25, 2015
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
United Nations
1st Avenue, 32nd-47th Street
New York, NY 10017 United States
Dear Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon,
RE: OFFICIAL Complaint Against H.E. Ambassador Usman Sarki, DPR, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, New York and Nigeria
We, the Nigerians with Disabilities, our family members and healthcare providers Living in the United States want to first say, thanks to you, UN DESA and the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, for your excellent Services, to the World, especially, to us more than 25.5 Long-neglected Nigerians, 57 million Americans, millions of Africans and 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide. We thank you and the United Nations for ensuring that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was successfully negotiated with state parties, adopted, entered into force and being implemented worldwide.
L-R: Ambassador Chijioke Wigwe, Ambassador Obi-Okoye, Chief Eric Ndubueze Ufom, representing 25.5 Million Nigerians with Disabilities, during the signature signing ceremony on March 31, 2007 and Nigeria’s HMFA Ambassador Prof. U. Joy Ogwu, signing the CRPD.
Our members and organizations, were Nigerian-American members of the then, International Disability Caucus (IDC), International Diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA), Consortium of African Diaspora in the United States (CADUS), Nigerian Global Foundation, Houston Texas, NIDO and the Rehabilitation International (RI), which is a global network of more than 1000 organizations of persons with disabilities, service providers, agencies, professionals and experts in a broad range of disability-related issues. International Disability Caucus, Rehabilitation International and its members that included both able bodied people and persons with disabilities, were actively involved in the negotiations toward the Convention and today, we continue to promote universal ratification and implementation of the CRPD. We continued to protect and promote the rights and human dignity for more than 25.5 million Nigerians, 57 million Americans, Millions of Africans and 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide. Our members, were the ONLY Nigerians with Disabilities, who directly represented Nigeria, during several years of the UN Ad Hoc Committee Sessions to the CRPD, its adoption, Signature Signing Ceremony, entry into force, 1st -3rd Sessions of the Conference of State Parties. We continued to attend the 4th-6th Session of the Conference of State Parties, including the High-Level Meeting on Disability and Development with the overarching theme “The way forward: a disability inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond”.
Since November 25, 2014, we unsuccessfully made several attempts through our multiple complaints, filed against H,E. Ambassador Usman Sarki, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations and his co-conspirator, Alhaji AbdulRauf Olarenwaju Iliasu, to the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, The Presidency’s Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Development Matters and Special Duties; EFCC, Inspector General of the Nigerian Police, President Goodluck Jonathan.
Despite this UN Security Council and Peacekeeping Committed member, our Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, The Presidency’s Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Development Matters and Special Duties; EFCC, Inspector General of the Nigerian Police, President Goodluck Jonathan, being aware that our complaints are true, no positive actions was taken by them, and as a result today, H.E. Ambassador Usman Sarki, is still working in and out of the United Nations Headquarters New York, as Nigeria’s Deputy Permanent Representative and Alhaji Abdulrauf Olarenwaju Iliasu is still rooming the streets of Nigerian with more than 10 Nigerian Police Force, with automatic weapons, securing him 27/7, while he continued with their known and recognized financial fraud, crime sprees and abuse of Nigerians with Disabilities. We Officially informed Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, The Presidency’s Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Development Matters and Special Duties; EFCC, Inspector General of the Nigerian Police, President Goodluck Jonathan that because of their failure to address our complaints, which led to more abuse, intimidations, retaliations and fraudulent acts, we will be filling grievance against them to the United Nations, whose duties it is to directly questions their members of the UN Security Council and Peacekeeping Mission’s, undiplomatic, unethical, immoral and criminal acts.
Therefore, per the above, this OFFICIAL complaint is being filed against the Deputy Permanent Representative, H.E. Ambassador Usman Sarki, of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, for knowingly or deliberately and intelligently, grossly violating, the United Nations, Diplomatic Professional, Ethics rules and regulations, and Nigeria’s memberships to the elite UN Security Council, UN Peacekeeping Mission and other UN memberships mandates, which the United Nations set for EVERY member to abide by and obey in full, at all times and places.
H.E. Ambassador Usman Sarki, DPR, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, who regularly, directly, represents and attends UN Security Council, Peacekeeping missions and other UN meetings, on behalf of Nigeria, abused his diplomatic office and privileges given to him by the United Nations and the United States, were he, undiplomatically, unprofessionally, unethically, immorally, knowingly or deliberately and intelligently, conspired with Alhaji AbdulRauf Olarenwaju Iliasu, to use the names of the United Nations, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, and Nigerians with Disabilities, to mislead and misinform unsuspecting, innocent Nigerians investors that the United Nations, will be giving them the sums of over $1.5 billion for use in building Inclusive Rehabilitation Centers for Independent Livings, in six Geographical Zones of Nigeria. They thereafter, knowingly or deliberately and intelligently conspired with each other to fraudulently collected over 4 billion Naira from those unsuspecting Nigerian Investors.
On July 17, 2013, during the 6th Session of Conference of State Parties to the CRPD, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative, H.E. Ambassador Prof. U. Joy Ogwu, arrived at the General Assembly, UN Headquarters New York, to perform her duty and present Nigeria’s statement, but was shocked to find out that her name was not written on Nigeria’s Statement to be presented, but the name of her Deputy, Ambassador Usman Sarki. See the attached and UN Archive for details. She immediately stud up from the Nigerian seat and walked away. As one of the leaders of Nigerians with Disabilities, Chief Eric Ndubueze Ufom, also, stud up and followed Ambassador Ogwu and Dr. Amina Smaila, to question why her sudden departure from the General Assembly.
On July 17, 2013, at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, General Assembly, during the 6ths Session of Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, this member of the UN Security Council and Peacekeeping mission’s representative, Ambassador Sarki, who is very familiar with the United Nations, Diplomatic Ethics Rules and Regulations, walked into the General Assembly, sat on same Nigeria’s seat, which Ambassador Ogwu angrily refused to seat on. Ambassador Sarki, knowingly or deliberately and intelligently, representing Nigeria, in Nigeria’s statement, mislead and misinform the world and more than 25.5 million Nigerians and 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide and unsuspecting innocent Nigerian investors, the following incorrect that;
“In order to make like meaningful for Nigerians living with disabilities, the Government has approved the construction of a National Rehabilitation Institute and Resource Center. When Completed, the Centre is expected to become a hub for the West-African region in the area of research pertaining to the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities,” Said Ambassador Sarki. Please see the attached and UN Archive for details.
According to some of those unsuspecting Nigerian investors, who were victims of Ambassador Sarki and Alhaji Iliasu’s fraudulent acts with the names of the United Nations and Nigerians with Disabilities, Alhaji Iliasu was able to successfully convince them about Nigeria’s intention to construct National Rehabilitation Institute and Resource Centers, which copies of Ambassador Sarki’s above statement at the UN Headquarters.
Middle R & L: Ambassador Usman Sarki and Alhaji AbdulRauf Olarenwaju Iliasu and unsuspecting Nigerian Investors who they defrauded over 4 billion Naira
This OFFICIAL Complaint is also, being filed against the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Central Bank of Nigeria, and Federal Republic of Nigeria for their inactions to our multiple complaints filed against Ambassador Usman Sarki and his coconspirator, Alhaji Abdul-Rauf Olarenwaju Iliasu, with volumes of valid, debatable and verifiable evidence, which are proves beyond reasonable doubt showing how Ambassador Sarki, knowingly or deliberately conspired with Alhaji Abdulraud iliasu to commit over 4 billion Naira fraudulent acts, with the name of the United Nations.
ON OCTOBER 30, 2013, THE PRESIDENCY’S OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT ON ETHICS AND VALUES WROTE TO THE HEAD OF THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE FEDERATION AS FOLLOWS;
“I hereby wish to notify and inform your office that Alhaji Iliyasu AbdulRauf, who was a volunteer National Coordinator Ethics and Values Cooperative, was impersonating the Special Assistant (SA) to the Special Adviser to the President (SA-P) on Ethics and Values. He Also defrauded one Chief Eluobi of Aknaton Limited of over Twenty Million Naira (N20,000,000.00).”
“This was done without any authority by the SA-P for a None-Existing Contract of our Proposed Community Transformation Centres and Community Farms (CTs & CFs) nationwide, which are meant to serve as teaching Laboratories on Civics, Ethics and Mentoring at the grass-roots/communities, formally & informally.”
“NB: This case was reported to the Special Anti-Corruption Squared of the Police Force. He was detained, prosecuted and the case is still in Court.”
“This caused shocking Embarrassment to this office. This office by duty, according to the Schedule of duties of this office feels it is grossly unethical and criminal.”
“We learned he is now the Chairman of a program of the Less-Privileged Centres in the HOS Office.”
“We look forward to having an officer from the HOS that will liaise with this office for further consultation of urgently needed collaboration on Ethics and Compliance in the Civil/Public Service at all sectors and levels/Tiers.”
“This will ensure effective attainment of the Transformation agenda via Ethics and Value, which is logically indispensible to the success of all human endeavors.” By Dr. Sarah Jibril, Special Adviser, the Presidency’s Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values. Please see copy attached.
ON OCTOBER 31, 2013, WITHOUT ANY ATOM OF WASTE OF TIME, THE OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE OF THE FEDERATION TOOK DRASTIC, PROPER AND APPROPRIATE ACTIONS AS REQUIRED BY THE CIVIL SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS AND WROTE TO ALHAJI ABDULE-RAUF OLARENWAJU ILIASU AS FOLLOWS
“EMBARASSING ACTIVITIES OF YOUR SOCIETY”
As earlier brought to your attention, the head of the civil service of the Federation gave your society one room office space within the Federal Secretariat complex, Phase II, Abuja, to assist Federal Civil Savants with Disabilities.
2. The Reports reaching the Head of Service of the Federation have shown that;
i. Your Society continues to use the names of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and Presidency on your letter headed paper without approval and when advised to stop, you refused to desist.
ii. No NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) assisted by the Government with accommodation within the Federal Secretariat complex including the Staff Co-Operative Thrift and Credit Society accommodate within the complex abuse the use of the names of the OHCSF and the Presidency.
“iii. It is hoped that you are well aware, that it is a gross misconduct for Public Officers (able or disabled) to hide under the guise of any association or co-operative society to embark on the award of contracts to unsuspecting Nigerians.”
“iv. By Letter dated 12the September, 2013, the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation brought to your attention the embarrassments your society has caused the office of the Head of service of the Federation and the Presidency arising from the use of their names on your letter headed papers from contracts and requested you desist from those practices forthwith.”
“v. In Paragraph 13 of your response with reference number PWP/ABJ/0180/013, dated 17th September, 2012, You , you had stopped using the names of the office of the Head of Service of the Federation and the Presidency on your letter headed paper.”
“3. Despite your stance mentioned above, facts reaching the head of the civil service of the Federation that;”
“i. You continued to award contracts of several millions of Naira to unsuspecting Nigerians on letter headed papers hat create impressions as if those contracts are from head of service of the Federation or the Presidency contrary to the advice of this office to you and your purported correction. Photocopy of such contracts you awarded after your reply to head of service repeating same embarrassing letter headed paper is attached.”
“ii. In addition, information from the Office of the Special adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, reaching the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation showed that, Alhaji Iliasu Abdulrauf who purported to be the National Co-Coordinating Chairman/CEO, of your co-operative Society acted as Volunteer, National Co-Coordinator, Ethics and Values Co-operatives and in that Capacity impersonated the Special Assistant (SA) to the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values to the Embarrassment of Presidency;”
“iii. The he defrauded one Chief Eluobi of ARNATO Limited of over twenty million Naira (N20,000,000,00).”
“4. In view of the Facts in Paragraph 3 above I am directed to inform you as follows;”
“i. That the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has withdrawn the approval given to your Society to occupy ground floor block E, Room 020, Federal Secretariat Phase II, with effect from 1st November, 2013 and you are to surrender possession of same in tenantable condition on or before Wednesday, 6th November, 2013.”
“ii. That Your continued use of the names of the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and the Presidency on letter headed papers for the awards of contracts of several millions of Naira as if those contracts are from the OHCSF is not acceptable to the Government and you should desist from same without further delay.”
“iii. This letter is copied to the inspector General of Police, the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Director General State Security Services (SSS) and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs whose Ministry oversees the activities of persons with disabilities in the Federal Civil Service” HOS see the attached.
H.E. Ambassador Usman Sarki, who is part of the Nigerian Government, and who represents Nigeria at the UN Security Council, Peacekeeping and other UN meetings, despite the above very clear instructions given by his members of the Nigerian Government officials, Dr. Sarah Jibril, the Presidency’s Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, whose office is in charge to, “Ensure effective attainment of the Transformation agenda via Ethics and Value and compliance,” in the Civil/Public Service at all sectors and levels/Tiers, which is logically indispensible to the success of all human endeavors,” and the Presidency’s Head of Service of the Federation, Ms. Omotunde Ellen Thompson and other decisions, barring Alhaji Iliasu, from continuing to use the names of persons with disabilities and the United Nations to commit fraud, Ambassador Sarki disregarded them and continued to, undiplomatically, unethically, immorally, knowingly or deliberately and intelligently, conspire with Alhaji Abdulrauf Olarenwaju Iliasu to use the names of UN and Nigerians with Disabilities to commit fraud, in violations of the UN, UN Security Council’s and Peacekeeping missions, mandatory Diplomatic Ethics.
We humbly and respectfully request for your direct intervention and investigate our valid and arguable complaint against the Deputy Permanent Representative, H.E. Ambassador Usman Sarki, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations and Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thanks so much for timely addressing this arguable complaint.
Chief Eric Ndubueze Ufom, President
CC: H.E. President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Sarah Jibril, Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, ICPC, DSS, NIA, Transparency International of Nigeria, Nigerian Inspector General of Police (IGP), Transparency International World Headquarters, Nigerian National Human Rights Commission, Platinum Project, Global Construction Electric Works Ltd, Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation III, Ms. Ekaete Umoh, President JONAPWD, Mr. Danlami Basharu, NIDO, FCSSWDMPCS, Leaders for more than 25.5 million Nigerians with Disabilities and other interests groups.
—
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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former federal lawmaker, Haruna Yerima, has declared that President Bola Tinubu would secure victory in the 2027 presidential election if he retains Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Yerima made the statement on Saturday in Abuja while responding to calls by the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum urging President Tinubu to replace Mr Shettima and avoid fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
According to the forum, picking a Christian from Plateau, Benue, or Taraba State would help counter fears of an alleged Islamisation agenda.
The group warned that keeping the current ticket could give opposition parties an easy campaign tool.
But Yerima in the statement, dismissed these concerns.
“The claim that the APC may lose the 2027 presidential elections if President Bola Tinubu adopts Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate is insane and unfounded,” he said.
He described suggestions that an Atiku Abubakar–Peter Obi alliance could defeat Tinubu and Shettima as “a jaundiced and amateur political permutation without any empirical backing.”
“We dismiss this statement by one Dominic Alancha of a faceless organisation, Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum, who urged President Tinubu to drop Sen. Shettima and avoid repeating the Muslim-Muslim ticket,” he added.
According to him, fears of an Islamisation agenda have already been addressed by the administration’s policies of inclusion.
“In the last two years of President Bola Tinubu’s presidency, all doubting Thomases that the APC administration is not tilted to any religious group. It is appalling why that faceless group is trying to reincarnate a forgotten issue,” he said.
Yerima insisted that the choice of Mr Shettima was carefully considered and cannot be imposed upon.
“Vice President Kashim Shettima was chosen by President Bola Tinubu after thorough consideration of various factors. Any attempt to impose a running mate on President Tinubu would not only backfire but would be met by outright rejection by the president himself.
“President Tinubu is not a political neophyte that some dubious politicians would hide under a mushroom ethnic group to push for an unsaleable agenda.”
Yerima warned against injecting religion into politics.“It is puzzling that some people are driving faith-based sentiments on issues that are strictly loyalty and competence-based,” he said, praising Mr Shettima’s performance.
“Sen. Shettima has been diligently fulfilling the roles assigned to him by his principal with all diligence, competence, and dedication”.
The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has strongly condemned the alleged harassment and humiliation of an Ebonyi man, Mr. Michael Eje, who was reportedly brutalized by youths in Nkpor, Anambra State, for killing a snake regarded as sacred in the community.
A disturbing video that surfaced on social media showed Mr. Eje being paraded through the streets by angry youths who accused him of desecrating their tradition.
He was ridiculed, beaten, and made to chant dirges for the snake before being fined ₦50,000.
Reacting to the incident, Senator Nwebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District, described the act as “barbaric, dehumanizing, and unacceptable in a modern society.”
He said it was shocking that in the 21st century, an individual could be subjected to such humiliation for killing a snake in self-defense.
“I wonder why a man should be subjected to such a harrowing experience for killing a snake that posed a threat to him,” Nwebonyi said.
He stressed that no cultural practice should supersede a person’s right to life and safety.
The lawmaker called on the Anambra State Government, led by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, to immediately condemn the act and ensure that such incidents do not repeat themselves.
He noted that the same urgency with which the governor handled the recent renaming of Abakaliki Street in Awka should be applied to protecting the dignity of individuals, regardless of their state of origin.
Senator Nwebonyi also directed the Chairman of the Ebonyi State Indigenes Association in Anambra, Chief Moses Ofoke, to reach out to the victim and his family to document his experience and ensure he receives the necessary support.
Speaking about his ordeal, Mr. Eje, a native of Onueke in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, said he was working at a construction site when he encountered the snake hidden beneath a pile of old blocks.
According to him, the snake lunged at him, forcing him to kill it in self-defense.
He explained that he had no prior knowledge that killing a snake was considered taboo in Nkpor, and no one had ever informed him of such a custom.
“I only acted out of fear and instinct. I never knew there was any tradition against killing snakes here,” he said.
Mr. Eje narrated that after the killing, some youths accosted him, dragged him through the streets, and subjected him to beatings while mocking him.
He said he was later forced to perform rituals for the snake before being fined.
His wife, who also spoke, described the experience as traumatic and humiliating, noting that the family was still struggling to recover from the psychological impact.
The senator’s intervention has given hope to the victim and his family.
Mr. Eje expressed gratitude for Nwebonyi’s swift response and called on the authorities to ensure justice is served.
“What I went through is something I will never forget in my life. I thank the senator for standing with me. I just want justice,” he said.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with many Nigerians questioning the relevance of such practices in today’s society.
While some argued that cultural values must be respected, others insisted that human life and dignity should take precedence over any tradition.
Civil rights groups have also weighed in, urging the Anambra State Government to take concrete steps to protect non-indigenes from cultural practices that may endanger their rights.
They stressed that Nigeria’s diversity should not become a tool for victimization but a source of unity and mutual respect.
As of press time, the Anambra State Government had yet to issue an official response to the senator’s call.
However, stakeholders expect Governor Soludo to step in swiftly to address the matter and reassure the public that such treatment of individuals will not be tolerated.
For Senator Nwebonyi, the issue goes beyond one man’s ordeal.
He insists it is about upholding human dignity and ensuring that no Nigerian is discriminated against or humiliated simply for coming from another state.
Watch the video below.
A major political shift has unfolded in Kaduna State as former governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, spearheaded the merger of the entire structure of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The development, which signals a significant realignment ahead of Nigeria’s next political cycle, was announced during a coalition meeting held in Kaduna on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
The gathering brought together influential leaders, party executives, and stakeholders drawn from diverse political platforms.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting and signed by the Kaduna State Coalition Publicity Secretary, Hon. Darius Kurah, El-Rufai was identified as the key figure driving the coalition efforts.
He chaired the meeting, which was attended by ADC leaders, former commissioners, SDP executives, and several prominent figures from the state’s political class.
Among the attendees were Hon. Ja’afar Mohammed Sani, ADC Vice Chairman (North West); Elder Patrick Ambut, ADC Kaduna State Chairman; and Mallam Bashir Saidu, a leading ADC strategist in the state.
Addressing the gathering, El-Rufai described the merger as a decisive step toward building a credible political alternative in Kaduna.
He stressed that the coalition’s central goal is unity, with a strong emphasis on inclusive governance and people-centered development.
“Our mission is clear: to strengthen progressive leadership in Kaduna and Nigeria by rallying around shared ideals and ensuring that politics serves the people, not personal interests,” El-Rufai said.
Ja’afar Mohammed Sani, ADC Vice Chairman for the North West, praised the SDP leadership for what he called a “bold and courageous decision.”
He described the merger as a new dawn for credible leadership in Kaduna and a signal that opposition politics is reawakening.
Similarly, Elder Patrick Ambut welcomed the SDP members into the ADC fold, assuring them of full integration into existing party structures.
He noted that the coalition was not just about structures merging but about harmonizing ideologies for the collective good of the people.
Mallam Bashir Saidu reinforced this view, stressing that the merger represented “a convergence of visions and principles dedicated to building a future where governance is truly accountable.”
As part of the resolutions adopted at the meeting, the ADC National Working Committee (NWC) was tasked with setting up a Membership Registration Committee.
This committee will work closely with the Kaduna State chapter, alongside local government and ward units, to begin new membership registration while revalidating existing members.
According to the communiqué, this grassroots exercise is expected to strengthen the coalition’s reach, consolidate its base, and position it strategically ahead of future elections.
The meeting ended on a hopeful note, with stakeholders pledging commitment to building a formidable front capable of challenging the dominance of established parties in the state.
Political observers say El-Rufai’s move has reshaped Kaduna’s political landscape.
By leading the SDP into a merger with the ADC, the former governor has positioned himself once again as a central figure in the state’s opposition politics.
The coalition is seen as part of a broader strategy by opposition forces to rally around credible alternatives and build momentum ahead of 2027.
With grassroots mobilization already on the agenda, analysts suggest the ADC-SDP merger could become a significant force, particularly in northern Nigeria where El-Rufai still commands influence.
For now, Kaduna’s political terrain has shifted, and the coming months will determine whether this coalition translates into electoral strength or fades into another short-lived alliance.
The General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has said oral sex between a husband and wife is not sinful.
He made the comment during a question-and-answer session at a church service.
Though, it is unclear when the service took place, but a video of his remarks surfaced on YouTube on 22 August 2025.
During the session, a woman, believed to be in her 50s asked, “Daddy, Sir, is oral sex a sin?” Mr Suleman, popularly called “Daddy” by members of the congregation, chuckled before responding.
“Should I answer from the Bible?” he asked, as the audience urged him to speak. “Anything you do with your wife indoors is not a sin. So long as she’s your wife and both of you agree to do it, (it is not a sin),” he said.
Some congregants murmured at his response, but Mr Suleman continued: “I can show you (from the Bible). When the Bible was talking about the wife of your youth, it was talking about ‘go within thy walls, let thy hands pass through her cisterns.’ What do you think the Bible was saying? So long as it is not fetish, a ritual, it is not diabolic, (it is not a sin).”
He also dismissed claims that oral sex is inappropriate because the mouth is used to pray.
“Don’t you use the same mouth to gossip? Don’t you use the same mouth to tell lies?” he asked in Pidgin English.
Anticipating backlash, the preacher said he was unfazed. “Save your home, save your home,” he told worshippers, urging couples not to deny their spouse’s request for sex.
While Mr Suleman insisted the practice is permissible in marriage, health specialists have long cautioned against it.
Oral sex — also known as orogenital sex — involves using the mouth, lips or tongue to stimulate a partner’s genitals or anus.
Adegboyega Fawole, a gynaecologist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, warned in 2017 that it could expose people to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infections in the mouth, raising the risk of HPV-related oral cancers.
The virus is also linked to cervical cancer, genital warts and anal cancer.
Similarly, Bamidele Mutiu, a consultant microbiologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, explained in a 2021 interview that organisms causing sexually transmitted diseases survive in genital secretions and are not destroyed by saliva.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has revealed the scale of racism and hostility she has faced since becoming the first black woman to lead the Tories.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Badenoch admitted she did not expect the level of personal attacks she has endured online and within political circle.
“There’s a certain cadre of people who clearly can’t cope with the fact that I won this and I’m doing it,” she said.
“The level of personal attacks from anonymous people is hysterical.
Not just from MPs only two or three out of 120 but also online.
People used to talk about Trump derangement syndrome. I think there’s a Kemi derangement syndrome: ‘How could she possibly have done this?’.”
The 44-year-old politician, who was born in Wimbledon and raised in Nigeria before returning to the UK at 16, said much of the abuse has focused on her race and identity.
“On social media, there’s a lot of ethno-nationalism creeping up,” she noted.
“There are tropes around, ‘well, she couldn’t possibly have done this all by herself.’”
Badenoch rarely speaks at length about her race, often stressing that she sees Britain as a country where minorities thrive. She has previously argued that “Britain is not a racist country” and faced criticism for saying that white working-class boys struggle more than ethnic minorities on many social indicators.
“I always try to think of every possible explanation before I go to race and racism,” she told the paper.
“That is a healthy way to run a society. There will always be people who throw mud and hope it sticks.”
The Tory leader now faces a critical moment as she prepares for her first party conference speech.
With the Conservatives polling at just 17%, she is under pressure to unite her party and fend off speculation of a leadership challenge from her shadow justice secretary, Robert Jenrick.
On rumours Jenrick could soon replace her, Badenoch dismissed the claims as “wishful thinking.”
“There will always be sore losers—our candidate didn’t win, and so on,” she said.
“When I hear those things, I can tell those people are not focused on the country at all. Many of them think this is a game. But the lives of people in this country aren’t a game.”
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