Organ Harvesting: Photos of The 15-Year Old Boy Ekweremadu Took To The UK

Below are photos of the alleged 15-Year Old boy taken to the United Kingdom by Senator Ike Ekweremadu

The boy identified as David Ukpo Nwamini was flown to the UK to donate one of his kidneys to Ike Ekweremadu’s daughter who has a kidney ailment.

Ike Ekweremadu and his wife have been arrested in the United Kingdom by the police on allegations of child trafficking and organ harvesting after Ekweremadu had flown David to UK for the kidney transplant.

Ekweremadu and his wife were subsequently denied bail in court, and the case adjourned to July 7 for further hearing.

Shortly after the news of Ekweremadu’s arrest, David Ukpo shared a cool photo of himself on his Facebook handle with the caption;

“Grace sweet

Let us keep hustling”

20 senators set to dump APC, party’s majority under threat

The majority control of the  All Progressives Congress in the Senate is currently under threat as no fewer than 20 APC senators have concluded plans to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party and others.

The PUNCH learnt that the APC, which had earlier lost 13 senators to the opposition parties, might lose more parliamentarians aggrieved for losing their return tickets to the National Assembly during the party primaries.

It was gathered that the party leaders were worried that if the rate of defections continued and the opposition PDP gained more members, the ruling party might lose its majority status in the Senate.

During Wednesday’s plenary, Senator Dauda Jika representing Bauchi Central, announced his defection to the NNPP, bringing the number of APC senators to 67.

Currently, the five minority parties in the upper chamber have 43 senators with the PDP boasting 39 senators, while the Young Peoples Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Labour Party and the New Nigeria People’s Party have four senators.

To stem the gale of defections, the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, met with the APC senators behind closed doors at the National Assembly complex, Abuja, some minutes past 2 pm on Wednesday

Adamu, who first went to the office of the  President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, for a brief meeting before the general meeting, said that the party was worried by the wave of the defections among the APC senators.

Speaking to journalists after his meeting with the APC caucus, he noted that it was a usual occurrence during the election period but it was enough for any leader to worry over the loss of any member.

He stated, “The meeting with the senators was most fruitful. The issue of defection is an unfortunate development when it happens but this is a season where there are all sorts of behaviour in the political space and ours is not an exception.

“In every election year, this kind of thing gives cause for stakeholders to sneeze and Nigeria is not an exception so is the APC, not an exception. I don’t care about what is happening in other parties, my focus is on the APC. But we all know that the occurrence is not only happening in the APC, it’s happening across other political parties too. And because we are the ruling party, our problems are exaggerated before the public.”

Adamu also said he did not know if the problem of defection would persist in the party but he had met with his colleagues at the National Assembly and he believed the issue was surmountable.

He added, “There is no responsible leader that would not be worried when he loses one member not to talk of two. At the moment we are faced with the stark reality of our problems. I have committed my colleagues at the National Assembly to face the problem squarely and see the problem as solvable. We are in politics, I don’t know what would happen tomorrow, and nobody does.”

 Meanwhile, a lawmaker who spoke to one of our correspondents on the condition of anonymity, stated that the party chairman had to come down to the National Assembly to dissuade the senators from defecting from the ruling APC.

According to the source,  not lesser than 20 senators intend to leave the APC  to other parties, particularly the PDP within the next week.

The source said, “The party chairman came to have a meeting with the APC senators because he said that they learnt through intelligence that not lesser than 20 more senators were planning to defect to other parties within the next one week.

“The chairman asked each of the aggrieved senators to lay bare their grievances which we all did one after the other. Having heard our problems, the chairman instructed that we put them into writing.”

The lawmaker also stated that Adamu promised that the party would look into the issues raised and do something about it as it was a dangerous time for lawmakers in the party to defect because it was the election year and such moves were grave for any political party.

The source added, “The chairman asked us all to put all of our complaints into writing after which the APC caucus leaders would sit with the National Working Committee and look into the issues raised.

“Senator Adamu further stated the party would then see what it can do to help the situation. He, however, stated that lawmakers who do not feel comfortable with the help provided by the parties can then leave. But leaving without proper consultations with the party sends a wrong signal of discord. It presents the party as if in disarray and without proper leadership.”

“This is an election year and it’s not good to present the party as having leadership issues,” the source quoted Adamu to have said.

The PUNCH reports that there has been a wave of defections across the APC senatorial seats.

A number of the APC senators had cross-carpeted to other parties due to their failure to secure a return ticket to the NASS with many of them alleging that their states’ governors hijacked the senatorial primary elections.

In the past week since the resumption of the plenary, not less than six senators have sent their defection letters to the Senate President.

They include the Majority Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi representing Kebbi North senatorial district, who defected to the PDP.

Abdullahi alleged that the democratic challenges and deficits in Kebbi State did not just start from the last congresses, but from July last year “when the governor illegally decapitated the state leadership of the party, imposed unelected ward, local government and state executives of the party.”

He stated in his defection letter to the Senate, “At a point, I thought of resort to the courts, but decided against that course of action after realising that political challenges require political solutions in the democratic arena where it is the people and not the judges who are the final arbiters.

“I came to this decision after a very hard struggle with my conscience and emotions. It is either to remain on the side of my people or to selfishly look the other way. All politics is local. I cannot therefore in good conscience, continue to work for the success of this administration at the centre while the people of my state, my primary constituency, continue to wallow in abject poverty and destitution under the misrule and manipulation of a despot.

“I have, therefore, decided to pitch my tent with the Peoples Democratic Party to join forces with my compatriots at home who are struggling against incompetence, imposition and violation of democratic norms, principles and practices.”

Also former governor of Kebbi State, Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), defected from the ruling APC to the PDP stating that his “predicated on the fact that there is no internal democracy in the APC.”

He alleged that the state’s governor, Atiku Bagudu, had  “bastardised, the party and electoral processes in the state which are now characterised by high-handedness and unfairness.”

Similarly, Senators Ahmad Babba-Kaita (Katsina North), Lawal Gumau (Bauchi South), and Francis Alimikhena (Edo North) also announced their defection from the ruling party on Tuesday at the plenary.

While Babba Kaita and Alimikhena defected to the opposition PDP, Gumau on the other hand, defected to the NNNP.

The notice of their resignation and defection was contained in three separate letters read during plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on the floor.

But, the senator representing Oyo South Senatorial district, elected on the platform of the PDP, Senator Kola Balogun, Tuesday formally defected to the APC.

APC Senate spokesman

The Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ajibola Basiru, in an interview with Channels Television, allayed fears of the party losing its majority status.

Basiru noted that despite the gale of defections that had the APC caucus in the chamber, it had gained more members.

He said, “I want to first say that all politics are local. The politics of the State of Osun is different from national politics. I don’t know any of the existing National Assembly members in the State of Osun that has defected. So, if the argument is based on defection, I don’t see how the defections of somebody in Kebbi State or Katsina State will affect the fortune of my party in the State of Osun. ”

 He claimed that the number of the APC senators had increased to 67.

On why the lawmakers were defecting, Basiru said, “As to the question of the people who have been defecting, they may have their reasons, some of them may be because they have lost their popularity in their party; it may be because of the peculiar challenges or what they faced in their state.

“All I know is that the South-West has spoken in Ekiti and will speak louder in Osun, to say that the PDP, to the extent that it does not even have regard for the cohesion and federal character nature of the country, and it does not even care about the feeling of the people of southern Nigeria in terms of power shift, would be roundly rejected in the election of July 16, 2022.”

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, did not respond to calls or attempted to answer the questions sent via WhatsApp.

However, a member of the National Working Committee, who craved anonymity, said that defection was normal in politics.

“It doesn’t mean that it will hamper the chances of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“The real electioneering starts from September. We are not under any form of pressure or panic mode,” he said.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, described the defections as a welcome development.

He said “What happened today is a welcome development; it shows that Nigerians will begin to have legislators that will formulate laws that will change the narratives of insecurity, lack of employment and a purposeful representation. It shows that the party is the only hope for the people. We are hoping that more will still join our party.”

In his reaction, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Yabagi Sani, said the senators’ action did not come as a surprise.

“It is democracy in action. People have the right to associate with whoever they want to associate with. The moment people see that their interests will not be advanced where they are, of course, they will change. There is nothing strange about what is happening. It happened before to the PDP when five chieftains including governors moved to the APC. I don’t think it is anything that is unheard of in this country. It is now left for APC to put its house in order,” he submitted.

‘APC defections  ominous’

Prof Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, a political science lecturer at Lagos State University, believed the recent defection is an ominous sign the APC must checkmate.

He added, “What we are looking at is a very complex 2023. In this case, we cannot assume that the APC and PDP, being dominant parties, will carry the day.  We are also seeing a very high power politics by the ruling oligarchy in Nigeria, realigning the way that undermines the power shift to the South.

“This is the indication because when people move from one political party to the other in the Nigerian context, it is unhealthy and symptomatic of the fact that we don’t have institutionalised political parties in Nigeria.

The permutation of either of them getting victory will be quite complex and tough. The current defection from Tinubu’s party is ominous for the APC,” he argued.

Also speaking, Mr Tonye Isokariari, said the defections were not unusual, adding, “People cross-carpet when they feel the party is not working for them. But is not the right thing, more people will also join the APC as much as people in the APC are leaving.”

Meanwhile, no fewer than 15 APC members in Kano State have defected to the NNNP.

They include a former governor of the state and now the Senator of Kano Central, Ibrahim Shekarau; a member representing Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal, Constituency, Alhassan Rurum; member representing Takai/Sumaila Federal constituency, Shamsudden Dambazau and former member representing Kiru/Bebeji and former Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority, Jibrin Kofa.

The former Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, it was gathered, was considering joining the NNPP.

Tough Times Ahead for Nigerians as US, UK, Others Policies to Make Goods, Debts More Expensive, Naira Weak

Nigerians may face difficult times in the next weeks as a result of US and UK interest rates increase, as well as Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine

From Naira depreciation to growing debt payment costs and expensive importation of petrol and other items these are some of the expected headaches.

In the recent week's US, UK have all announced increases in their interest rates in a bid to fight rising inflation

Aggressive interest rate rises by major central banks in the developed world are causing pain to Nigerian businesses, households and investors through costly loans, and weakened Naira.

The market outlook turned gloomier this week after the Bank of England and the Swiss National Bank followed the US Federal Reserve is pushing up interest rates to tackle soaring inflation.

US raised its interest rate to 1.75%, the UK to 1.25% and the Swiss government by 3%.

The rate hikes mean a stronger currency for the developed countries to the detriment of most of the world’s currencies including Nigeria's Naira .

According to Investopedia , higher interest rates mean higher returns for investors, meaning more foreign investors are likely to live in Nigeria in search of more as money goes where money grows.

Consequences of higher interest rates in developed countries for Nigeria

External loans to get more expensive

A major consequence of strong foreign currencies will have is the cost of payment of Nigeria's external debts.

Should the government resume its decision to collect another loan the interest rates will be higher.

A Higher borrowing cost is troubling particularly when you take into consideration that IMF is warning that the debt servicing could gulp 100% of federal government revenue.

It is not only government, corporations and institutions that borrowed in dollars may be put under extra strain and might be forced to increase goods to add to their earnings.

Cost of importation

Higher interest rates will mean Naira depreciation and more pain to importers.

Nigeria is largely an import-dependent country from petrol to machinery and raw materials.

The strengthening of dollars and other foreign currencies could mean more expensive importation and ultimately a higher cost of goods for Nigerians.

Legit.ng had earlier reported that in the first three months of 2022, Nigerians spent a whopping N5.9 trillion on importation.

This amount might not be enough to import a similar quantity of products in the next months.

Capital outflows

One obvious impact is that foreign investors will enticement of more investors to the US, UK others.

Already, Nigeria’s capital inflows hit a four-year low of $9.66 billion in 2020, before dropping to $6.7 billion in 2021, data from NBS report shows.

IMF calls on Nigeria to abandon the official exchange rate

Legit.ng had earlier reported that the International Monetary Fund is asking Nigeria to ditch the official exchange rate.

According to the IMF, the use of the official exchange rate is hurting the economy of Nigeria and asked the CBN to review its policies.

IMF also called for the Nigerian government to do away with fuel subsidy and use the funds in building infrastructure.

FG not serious about solving Nigeria’s power supply crisis —Akpatason

The Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and former President of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Peter Akpatason, has said the government was not serious about solving the country’s electricity supply crisis.

In a chat with Vanguard, Akpatason lamented that the faulty privatisation of the assets of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, worsened the electricity shortage in the country.

He said: “The sellers of the assets of the defunct PHCN were the buyers and it ended up people selling to themselves and forcing the government to raise funds for them to fund their businesses.

“Yet, Nigerians are not getting benefits of privatisation as well as the investment that the government made.

“The first thing the nation should do to address the issue of power shortage is to have a strategic plan for increasing the power generation capacity as well as the distributive channels and then secure those channels to make sure that there are no interruptions, man-made interruptions. Unfortunately, I’m not sure that there is any clear master plan for the country at the moment.

“Sometimes ago, we were given the impression that the solution to power supply crisis was the privatisation of the various sectors in the power sector or the assets of defunct PHCN. Unfortunately and I believe very strongly that privatisation was not properly done.

“One would expect that government would try to quadruple the amount of power the nation is able to generate on daily basis and to invest more either through Public Private Participation, PPP, or any other means it can, to improve the distribution channels and ensure that power gets to the end-users or consumers. And also, protects the assets of the operators in the supply chain.

‘’What happened recently and the frequent crash or collapse of the national grid is a clear example of the unpreparedness of the operators and the actors charged with the responsibilities of protecting these assets.

“If there is vandalism that leads to maybe shutting down an aspect of the national grid or the entire national grid comes down, it causes very serious damage to the supply chain and Nigerians are made to suffer from it. Apart from ensuring effective distribution also, it is very important to make sure that we protect ourselves from vandalism as a result of the unwholesome activities of criminals.”

2023: Senator Shettima Selected As Tinubu’s VP, APC NWC Member Reveals

There are feelers that stakeholders in the North, on Monday, opted for Former Borno State governor, Senator Kashim Shettima, as running mate to the standard bearer of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu.

A source told Daily Independent that stakeholders in the region believes that the former Borno State governor is a better option than the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who were reportedly in the race.

Speaking under condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, the National Working Committee (NWC) member said that “after careful consideration we settled for Senator Kashim Shettima. He will give us the votes we need.”

Confirming the report, Dr Garus Gololo, an APC Chieftain commended the choice of Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate, adding that “the decision of the NWC will help the party to win the north.”

“This development means that before 12pm on election day, the APC will defeat Atiku and other opposition candidates, hands down. It’s a clear sign that we will win the 2023 elections. Nothing will stop us, Isha Allah,” he maintained.

Details later.

‘If Bola Ahmed Tinubu wins in 2023, it would be a plus for Nigerian youths’ – Daddy Freeze

Famous media Personality, Daddy Freeze has stated that if APC’s candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu wins the keenly contested Presidential election come 2023, that it would be a plus for the Nigerian youth and Nigerians in general.

Freeze made this known while reacting to Mr. Jollof claims that he would forever be a supporter of Tinubu.

Daddy Freeze assured him that despite their differences in supporting candidates, he would still be his friends and ‘drink’ partner..

“Baba you have the right to chose BAT who is a great man and a visionary leader. While I chose Peteru Obi. Different choices shouldn’t mean we can’t drink beer together.”

Daddy Freeze added, “One of the things Nigerian youths need to work on is freedom of political choice. I love Peter and I am Obidient. This doesn’t mean I don’t value Ashiwaju, his political majesty and his vision as a leader. I would vote for Peter and support him with whatever I can, but if BAT wins, it’s still going to be a plus for the youths and for Nigeria.

Let’s make this election fun and May the best man win…Let’s vote our respective candidates in love and peace..”

1 terrorist killed as police foil attack on Kaduna-Abuja Highway

A combined team of police and military operatives foiled a mission by bandits on the Kaduna-Abuja Highway on Monday.

The team killed one of the bandits, and recovered one AK47 rifle and nine of their operational motorcycles.

Police spokesman in Kaduna State, DSP Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Kaduna.

He stated that the feat was another indication of successful and purposeful synergy between the police and the military in Kaduna State.

“On Monday, June 13 at 2:55 a.m. a team of Police Operation Puff Adder and that of the army’s Operation Thunder Strike on routine patrol along the Kaduna-Abuja highway encountered the bandits at Sabon Sara.

“An exchange of gunfire ensued as a result of which the friendly forces truncated the bandits’ mission forcing them to retreat into the forest as one bandit was neutralised.

“Upon a search of the general area, an AK47 rifle and nine bandits’ operational motorcycles were recovered,’’ he stated.

The police urged residents in the area to report people with suspected gunshot wounds to security agencies as “injured criminal elements will be hibernating around nearby communities to access healthcare services’’.

What to expect from 2023 presidential candidates based on their Zodiac Signs

An unexplored perspective on the candidates vying for the country’s topmost political position.

Some people are born leaders, but some aren't; and even if you're known to be the most respected zodiac sign, you might not necessarily be the best leader.

When we talk about what it takes to be a perfect fit for Nigerian presidency, it's usually a combination of logical and emotional qualities, while remaining ethical enough to not become a money-driven robot that is unresponsive to the pulse of society.

With the reveal of flag bearers for the 2023 presidential election, As we bring you an unexplored perspective on the candidates vying for the country’s topmost political position.

Atiku Abubakar- PDP - Sagittarius

Atiku Abubakar

Atiku’s birthday is 25th November so he is a sagittarius, one of the fire signs.

Fire signs are about energy, motivation, and are often quick to get inspired. A Sagittarius is idealistic but often over-promises and under-delivers.

Martin Van Buren, the 8th president of the United States, was said to have a "sunny disposition," which goes along with optimist traits common in Sagittarians. He faced numerous challenges during his presidency including a border dispute with Britain over Maine and New Brunswick. Van Buren sent an envoy to Britain to negotiate a treaty, which his enemies saw as weak diplomacy.

After the US fell into a financial panic in 1837, Van Buren proposed an independent treasury to manage federal funds, which passed, but his enemies again blamed him for the crisis. Maybe he was too enthusiastic to find fixes, or maybe he was too impatient to wait out the challenges, both common qualities in Sagittarians. Either way, he didn't deliver enough to get re-elected in 1840.

Atiku Abubakar has participated in every presidential election since 1993. For 29 years, he has held the presidential ambition close to his heart despite recording losses. While the optimism is inspirational, the fear of pulling a Van Buren lingers.

Peter Obi - Labour Party - Cancer

Peter Obi, 2023 Presidential Candidate

Cancers are known for their compassion, sensitivity, intuition and optimism and Peter Obi, born in July, falls squarely under this category. However, being a water Ssgn, Cancerians are known to be rooted, realistic, and are receptive to the feelings and opinions of others.

Revered as the Father of the Nation by the South Africans, Nelson Mandela was a statesman who rose to become the country’s first black head of state. He reconciled a nation divided along racial lines and dismantled the legacy of apartheid.

As a Cancer zodiac sign, Nelson was deeply loyal and could be relied upon to follow through. He went above and beyond to help those that he loved and Cancers are typically one of the most devoted zodiac signs. Nelson Mandela had a unique ability to empathise with people around him, and this kept people close to him.

In the same way, Peter Obi has attracted a loyal supporter base who believe that he could be counted on to fix Nigeria. However, with low self awareness, Cancers are overly sensitive, moody, and vindictive.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu - APC - Aries

     Bola Tinubu

Aries are spontaneous and courageous. They have a sense of adventure, are determined, and are good at initiating new projects. They have high energy and can initiate quick actions, sometimes to their own hurt. An Aries is likely to think after doing, rather than vice versa.

Tinubu, born in March, obviously wears his heart on for all to see. When Yemi Osinbajo, who Tinubu shares a godfather relationship with, declared his interest in running for president, the Jagaban was quick to publicly disown his godson. Tinubu may have felt really betrayed by the Vice President. At the APC primaries, while his victory speech intentionally played down on shading the VP, his body language towards the friendly opponent was that of passive aggression.

As an Aries, Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United states, was destined to be full of energy and impulsiveness. Jefferson's quick temper and impulsiveness found a voice in his advocacy for states' rights over that of the federal government as well as in his match of wits with John Adams.

As president, we can expect the Jagaban to be impulsive and energetic in making decisions. We can also certainly expect a president who will address the nation LIVE for real, with very interesting shades and media baits littered in his speech.