Headlines
I’ll Not Apologise for My Views on Retiring Lagos Godfathers – El-Rufai

The Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, said on Monday that he had no apologies for his views on how to retire godfathers from politics in Lagos State.
The governor stated that his views were his views and would not retract them or tender an apology because anyone felt offended by them.
El-Rufai spoke with State House correspondents after he visited President Muhammadu Buhari to give him an update on the security situation in Kaduna State.
“If I was asked a question and I gave an answer, anyone that feels offended by the answer, it is his own business. I have no apologies, I don’t apologise for my views.
“I don’t have to explain anything to anyone. This is a democracy and in a democratic space, there must be room for people to express their views,” he said.
Recall that last week in Ikoyi, while speaking at an event in Lagos, the governor recounted how he retired godfathers from Kaduna politics.
He advised the people of Lagos State to apply his model to sack any godfather holding the state down.
It is widely believed that el-Rufai was referring to the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
When asked a specific question on whether he had any issues with Tinubu or the party generally, he said, “There is no dispute between me and anyone in the APC; the APC is one family; I don’t dispute with my own party.”
On his visit to the Villa, el-Rufai said he came to brief Buhari on the various security measures introduced by security agencies to confront criminalities in the state, especially kidanappings on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.
Also, the Governor of Benue State, Mr Samuel Ortom, was at the Villa.
He denied that Benue was insolvent or that the Internally Generated Revenue of the state was below 10 per cent of its share from the Federation Account in 2018.
However, he admitted that for the state to afford to pay the new N30,000 minimum wage, it must cut costs.
The governor mentioned one Gana as the leader of a criminal gang terrorising Benue and some neighbouring states like Taraba.
Ortom said, “The three local government areas of Katsina Ala, Ukum and Bukun are not safe. No educational, farming, commercial activities are going on; the Igbo that are major traders have vacated the place.
“On herdsmen and farmers, the place is relatively peaceful. The law is being implemented and we have arrested 400 people for committing various offences.”
In the same vein, the Anambra State Governor, Mr Willie Obiano, who visited Buhari to draw the Federal Government’s attention to failed federal roads in the state, also praised Buhari for the pace of work on the Second Niger Bridge.
He added, “He is doing a great work and he is honest, straightforward. He is a very good friend of mine and that friendship exists.”
The Punch
Headlines
2025: Again, Kenyan, Ethiopian Athletes Win Lagos City Marathon

The 2025 edition of the annual 42km 2024 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has been once again dominated by East African runners from Kenya and Ethiopia.
Kenya’s Edwin Kibet on Saturday emerged winner in the men category, clocking a time of 2:14:06 to win the $50,000 price money.
Kibet came third last year behind his compatriot Bernard Sang who won it with a time of 02:16:49 and another Kenyan Cheprot who came second.
It is Kibet’s second win in the competition following his first victory in the 2023 edition.
In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Guta Meseret Hirpa emerged victorious clocking a time of 2:37:04 for her first win in the competition.
First Nigerian to finish the race, Nyango Gyang Boyi, made history by finishing in the to 10 positions.
He finished the race in 8th place, clocking a time 2:25:41.58 which will earn him a prize award of $4,000. As the first Nigerian to finish the race, Boyi also won the N2million top prize in the Nigerian category.
The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was also one of the participants in this year’s Lagos City Marathon.
The 42km race commenced at Western Avenue, in front of the National Stadium Surulere, and finished in front of Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island.
This year’s edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon had thousands of runners competing for the top prize.
The annual event was to a gold label by the World Athletics in 2023 less than eight years after its first edition.
Headlines
CDS Visa Denial: No Comments, Canadian Embassy Declares

The Canadian High Commission in Nigeria has refused to make further comments on circumstances surrounding the denial of visas to some senior Nigerian military officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, citing privacy policies.
The Authorities however, acknowledged social media reports of the situation.
Musa and some military officials were denied visas to attend an event in Canada honouring war veterans, a situation the CDS revealed during an event in Abuja on Thursday.
Responding on Friday, via its social media handle, the Canadian High Commission stated, “The High Commission of Canada in Nigeria is aware of media reports related to planned travel by senior officials. However, for privacy reasons, we are unable to comment on the status of visa applications of specific individuals.”
Headlines
PDP Crisis Deepens As Anyanwu Defies Party, Court, Resumes As Secretary

The embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has defied the directive of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) amid the ongoing contention for his position.
Anyanwu, on Thursday, resumed at the PDP National Secretariat and continued his duties from his office, despite the position of the party’s NWC.
In a video call with Lere Olayinka, the spokesman of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Anyanwu said: “As you can see, I’m in my office. These are my people and we are working.”
Showing Olayinka around during the call, Anyanwu said: “You can see them jumping over the fence, that was how I stayed in my office to catch them through the CCTV.”
The video was posted by Olayinka on his Whatsapp status on Thursday.
The battle over the position of PDP National Secretary started when Anyanwu left to contest for the Imo State governorship election.
Following his departure, the South-East caucus of PDP endorsed the party’s National Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye, as his replacement.
Anyanwu lost the election and attempted to force his way back as the PDP’s National Secretary, a move which was vehemently opposed by Ude-Okoye.
On December 20, 2024, an Appeal Court ruled in favour of Ude-Okoye as the PDP’s National Secretary.
On January 28, a fight broke out between Anyanwu’s supporters and Ude-Okoye at the PDP National Secretariat during the party’s Board of Trustees, BoT, meeting.
The PDP Governors Forum had affirmed Ude-Okoye as the authentic National Secretary while the party’s NWC also took the same stand.
Similarly, the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade also backed Ude-Okoye for the position.
On Thursday, the NWC affirmed Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.
The statement reads: “After due consideration of the Memo and the attachments, the NWC overwhelmingly recognizes, acknowledges and confirms Rt. Hon. S.K.E Udeh Okoye as the substantive National Secretary of the PDP in full compliance with and obedience to the Judgement of the Court of Appeal, recognizing that there is no subsisting or superseding Judgment or Order from any Court of superior authority or hierarchy.”