Politics
Geregu-Gate: Yari asked to step down as a Senator as group alleges breach of public trust, terrorism financing
The Coalition for Change and Transparency (CCT) has demanded the immediate resignation of Senator Abdul-Aziz Abubakar Yari from the Senate over what it describes as a blatant breach of public trust in the scandal now known as “Geregu-Gate.”
The group accuses the Zamfara West senator of flagrantly violating Nigeria’s Code of Conduct for public officers by accepting the chairmanship of Geregu Power Plc while holding public office, a move that exemplifies the deepest corruption and self-enrichment plaguing Nigerian politics.
The latest scandal revolves around the sudden acquisition of Geregu Power Plc by the obscure Ma’am Energy, which purchased a controlling 77% stake from Femi Otedola in a deal valued at approximately $750 million.
Ma’am Energy, incorporated just months ago with minimal public footprint—its website vanishing shortly after the announcement—promptly installed Yari as chairman.
This directly violates Section 5 of the Code of Conduct, prohibiting public officers from positions of conflicting personal interest, and Section 6, barring full-time officials from managing private businesses beyond farming.
Comrade Agboola Tunde, spokesperson for the CCT, declared, “Senator Yari’s greedy grab for the Geregu chairmanship is an outrageous insult to Nigerians enduring endless power outages and economic hardship.
“As a full-time senator, he has no business running a multibillion-naira power company—it’s a clear, shameless conflict of interest that turns public office into a personal ATM.
“This man is not serving the people; he’s looting opportunities for himself and his cronies while Zamfara and other parts of the nations wallow in darkness and poverty.”
Tunde added: “Yari’s hands are dripping with the proceeds of illegal gold mining that directly finances banditry and terrorism in the North-West.
“Multiple reports, including seized gold shipments and security analyses, link him to cartels smuggling billions in gold to arm bandits who kidnap, kill, and terrorize innocent citizens.
“By proxy, he’s funding domestic terrorism—betraying his oath, endangering lives, and profiting from bloodshed.
“How can such a man remain in the Senate, pretending to make laws while his alleged networks fuel anarchy?”
Tunde noted, “This Geregu deal stinks of insider corruption: a shadowy new company, family ties rumored in ownership, and a politician with no power sector expertise suddenly helming a national asset.
“Regulators who waved this through must explain themselves—did political connections blind them? Yari must resign now, or the Senate risks being seen as a haven for crooks. We’ll rally the nation until he’s forced out.”
Tunde further demanded, “The Code of Conduct Bureau must launch a comprehensive, unbiased investigation into Yari’s entire asset portfolio, from his governorship to today.
“Publicly declare everything—properties, accounts, deals—no selective probes or hidden files. There can be no cover-up; political protection won’t shield him forever.
“Nigerians demand full transparency to trace any illicit funds funneled into ventures like this.”
The group notes that the latest scandal is not surprising, as Yari’s eight years as governor of Zamfara from 2011 to 2019 were marred by rampant corruption allegations, including massive embezzlement of billions in public funds, inflated contracts, suspicious money movements probed by the EFCC and ICPC, property forfeitures linked to illegal activities, and a surge in banditry fueled by unchecked illegal mining under his watch—leaving the state impoverished, insecure, and underdeveloped while he allegedly amassed unexplained wealth.
Tunde continued, “Yari’s pattern is clear: dodge accountability, exploit connections, and enrich himself at public expense. Geregu-Gate is the breaking point—this terrorist-financing enabler and serial corruptor has no place in the Senate.
“Resign immediately, face justice, and let honest leaders emerge.”
The CCT vows sustained pressure, including petitions and protests, until Yari steps down and faces thorough scrutiny.
Politics
Tinubu Assures Investors Nigeria Is Open for Business, Welcomes Coca-Cola’s $1bn Plan
By Francis Wilfred
President Bola Tinubu has assured local and international investors that Nigeria remains open for business, saying his administration is implementing reforms aimed at creating a more predictable, competitive and investment-friendly environment.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at the 75th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) in Abuja on Monday, the President said the government is addressing key challenges facing businesses under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Our message to investors, both Nigerian and international, is clear: Nigeria is open for business,” Tinubu said,
He noted that reliable infrastructure, efficient logistics, access to foreign exchange, stable regulations and a supportive tax system are critical to attracting investment and expanding production.
According to Yomi Odunuga, the President said ongoing economic reforms are designed to build a more productive and competitive economy, reduce dependence on imports, strengthen local manufacturing and create jobs for Nigerians.
Tinubu welcomed the Coca-Cola System’s proposed $1 billion investment in Nigeria over five years, announced in 2024, describing it as a strong vote of confidence in the country’s economy.
He said the administration is focused not only on the volume of investment attracted but also on its impact on employment, skills development, technology transfer and local sourcing.
“We are interested not only in the amount of capital that comes into Nigeria, but in what that capital does here,” he said.
The President also praised NBC’s continued expansion of production capacity, including new production lines in Oyo and Kano states, describing such investments as vital to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving policies, infrastructure and regulations to support businesses, while urging the private sector to complement government efforts through investment, innovation and job creation.
Tinubu further highlighted the importance of human capital development, commending NBC’s Supply Chain Academy for training over 1,400 young Nigerians and supporting women’s empowerment and community development initiatives.
He urged investors to take advantage of opportunities across Nigeria, expressing confidence that the country can build a stronger economy driven by local production, exports and globally competitive industries.
Politics
Kano Governorship: Accord Party Governorship Candidate Gashash Getting More Endorsement From Kano Electorates.
By Jabiru Hassan.
The movement for Democratic Protection and good governance (MDSG) declared it's full support to the Accord Party Governorship Candidate Ambassador Dr. Mukhtar Gashash in the forthcoming general elections.
In a chat with our correspondent in kano, the national president of the movement, Alhaji Dauda Mohammed Ali, stated that it is time for the people of kano state to bring new steward who is seriously planning to transform the state with highest regard.
He expressed his confidence that Ambassador Dr Mukhtar Gashash will do his best to ensure that kano state becomes more examplary at both sector without bias which is the task previous administrators failed to achieve.
Alhaji Dauda Mohammed Ali reiterated that " this time around, our movement is working day and night to make sure that Kano people mostly youths remained Committed to actualize real change in the state's politics, leadership and transformation under the Accord Party government".
He called on the people of kano state especially the eligible voters to vote Ambassador Dr Mukhtar Gashash due to his Transformation plans for the progress of kano state and it's citizens at both Urban and rural settlements.
Responding to a question about Accord party's strength in kano state, Dauda Mohammed Ali disclosed that in today's democracy, competent candidates should be tipped for an elective positions not the popularity of the political parties stressing that Ambassador Dr Mukhtar Gashash has been found to be the best option for kano state due to his track record on competency, transparency as a real democrat.
Politics
Caught in the middle: Ortom’s silent dance between two camps.
There are growing questions about where Mr. Samuel Ortom, a former Governor of Benue State and a prominent figure in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), truly stands politically ahead of 2027.
Ortom was a key figure in the divisions within the PDP before the 2023 general elections and was widely associated with support for Mr. Peter Obi, who finished third in that contest. More recently, however, he has publicly expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The latest discussion began after a visit by Mr. Peter Obi to Benue State. Reports indicate that a vehicle said to belong to Ortom was used to receive Obi at the Air Force Base airport in Makurdi. It is not clear who authorized the use of the vehicle, and Ortom has not commented publicly on the matter.
During the same visit, Obi was reportedly prevented from travelling to Yelewata, where he had intended to condole with families affected by violence. Obi’s team attributed the blockage to supporters of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The Governor’s spokesman, Sir Tersoo Kula, denied any involvement by the Governor. He suggested the incident may have been staged to damage the Governor’s reputation, or that it could have resulted from disagreements within Obi’s own support base.
Ortom has not issued a statement clarifying his position on the 2027 elections or on the vehicle in question. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
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