News
Nigerians Knock Ex-Governor Okowa For Fleeing To APC To Avoid EFCC Probe Of N1.3trillion Fraud Allegations
The social media backlash is coming shortly after Okowa posted on his verified Facebook account the video of his speech at the official defection to APC.
The immediate past governor of Delta state, Ifeanyi Okowa has faced backlashes from Nigerians following his speech at the official defection of the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and other bigwigs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC), on Monday at the cenotaph, Asaba.
The social media backlash is coming shortly after Okowa posted on his verified Facebook account the video of his speech at the official defection to APC.
Social media users who took to his official Facebook account accused him of defecting to the APC as a result of the fear of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the allegations of N1.3 trillion fraud against him.
Okowa, who was the 2023 PDP vice-presidential candidate, had during the Monday official defection to the APC claimed that his decision to defect to the APC was motivated by the “collective interest of Delta State, not personal political ambition.”
He described the move as a “strategic and patriotic” realignment designed to better position Delta State for future development under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and to “connect” to Abuja.
“Whatever decision we took was based on the common good and the need to change our path in the best interest of our state. It was not about me. It was not about the governor, but the fact that there is the need for us to connect to Abuja.” Okowa had stated.
A netizen, identified only as Henry, told Okowa to stop deceiving the people. “Stop deceiving us from PDP to APC because of yourself interest. You have told us that APC is the bad party but Today you’re telling us that APC is the best party. God isn’t sleeping”
Another user, Matthew Chukwu, wrote on Okowa’s official Facebook account, “Shameless set of people. Trading the people for position. To tell you that Delta is the most corrupt state in Nigeria, the first time all state apparatus are decamping. That is why irrespective of the huge monthly allocations, there is no development in Delta. Okowa is being accused of misappropriating 1.3 trillion naira. He accept to decamp to cover the case up. Sheriff is busy using Delta state money to pay Okowa’s debts. Delta is finished.”
Nnamdi Chidiebere Samson, wrote “Okowa’s achievements as a former governor laid a solid foundation for development in the state. With this defection, his vision and legacy now stand to be complemented and accelerated through stronger collaboration and support from the federal government under the APC, unlocking even greater opportunities for growth and transformation.”
Chikezie Chekwas, wrote “Sir, you decision to jump ship is best known to you but the excuse of connecting to Abuja I see it as an obsolete excuse. Whether the governor is in the same political platform with the President or not, it will not increase nor reduce the state allocation from federal government.”
Rientarha Gabriel Orueri wrote “Okowa don’t be deceived, after elections you will go to Kuje Prison.” and Chima Uche Joshy wrote ” APC shame. I once rooted for you and fought even my friends last election to see that you become vice president. Even when they called you a traitor to the south agenda but I kept pushing for you based on your intelligence. But you just shamed yourself.”
Isaac O. Okah wrote “A whole Vice Presidential candidate defecting to another party? Buy small shame make you use am rub body.” and Emamuzou Ogheneerobor wrote “Because of you, our Ambiable Governor Sheriff might loose 2027 election.”
Dauda Yusuf Wotu wrote “Very shameless walahi, seeing same you that criticised the APC in two years ago to be number two citizen under PDP today praising and shouting APC” and Essien Titus Michael wrote “You are shameless sir, just because EFCC want to probe you of N1.3 trillion you stole, you shamelessly went to APC, the only useless party with demonic influence that condole criminals. Congratulations Your shameless Excellency.”
Ben O Nwangozi wrote “The Fear of Tinubu EFCC. Your sin have been forgiven.” and Joel Okoro wrote “A shameless man. Anyway, the fear of EFCC is the beginning of wisdom.”
James Frank wrote “Shameless man, fear of EFCC” and Charles Igben wrote “Mumu man, it will end in tears, EFCC will get off your back for sometime but one day you will still be called for questioning” and Real Perparazy wrote “Fear of EFCC. Whether you like it or not.”
Ugwu O. BlessedIsaac wrote “You go still clear yourself for the N1.3 trillion embezzlement, if not now, later.”
-Sahara reporters
Entertainment
Davido breaks silence after Grammy Award loss
Five-time Grammy nominee, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has reacted after losing the Best African Music Performance category at the 68th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles, United States.
The Afrobeats star shared a message of faith and resilience following the outcome of the ceremony, which took place on Sunday night at the Crypto.com Arena in California.
In a post on his Instagram page, Davido shared photos with his wife, Chioma, from the event and wrote, “Oluwa Dey my side,” alongside prayer and music emojis.
Hours later, he posted another set of pictures of himself and Chioma at the Grammys, reflecting on the loss in a longer caption.
“I said baby listen we lost again let’s not go ! she said ‘Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat’ we outside,” he wrote.
Chioma also reacted via her Instagram page, praising the singer, “You already know that you’re the perfect one, @davido,” she wrote, while sharing photos from the awards night.
Davido was nominated in the Best African Music Performance category at the 2026 Grammy Awards but lost to South African singer Tyla, who won with her song Push 2 Start.
Other nominees in the category included Burna Boy (Love), Ayra Starr and Wizkid (Gimme Dat), Davido (With You featuring Omah Lay), and Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin (Hope & Love).
The win marked Tyla’s second Grammy Award, following her first victory in 2024 for her hit single Water.
Speaking during the awards ceremony, the singer revealed that With You, featuring Omah Lay, almost did not make the final tracklist of his album 5IVE.
“Man, it’s so crazy because that song almost didn’t make the album. With You was not in anybody’s top five.
“And now look at it go. Every time I was performing it, my heart would just start beating like, what if I didn’t put this song?” he told OkayAfrica.
Davido also recounted how he learned about the Grammy nomination, saying the news came unexpectedly while he was in Dubai, days before his birthday.
“I was in the car, actually, checking a car, and then my phone rang. They were like, ‘Oh yeah, another nomination.’ I was like, wow. Thank God,” he said.
“With You” was released in April 2025 as the 17th track on Davido’s fifth studio album, 5IVE, and has since become one of his most successful recent records, surpassing 100 million streams on Spotify.
Despite the song’s success, Nigeria did not record a win at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
Davido said he is now focused on touring and releasing new music.
He is also billed to perform at Coachella 2026, where he will be the only Nigerian artiste on the festival lineup, performing on April 11 and April 18, 2026, in Indio, California.
-Guardian
Entertainment
Kunle Afolayan gives reasons to marry many women
Nollywood filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, has stirred reactions after advising men to “marry many women” while reflecting on his upbringing in a polygamous home.
The actor and producer made the remarks at the watch party of Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens, with a clip from the event going viral on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, Afolayan linked his existence and achievements to his late father’s decision to marry several wives.
“Without my father, there wouldn’t have been a KAP Village or even Kunle Afolayan. I am the seventh born of my father because my father had ten wives. For the men, marry many women, or rather be involved with many women. You know why? If my father didn’t, he would not have born me, and that is the honest truth. But today, a few of us are lifting his legacy. Life is short, death is constant. Nobody has life forever. Everybody has a period. Use your period,” he said.
While his daughter, Eyiyemi Afolayan, joined him on stage, the filmmaker compared his childhood experience with his relationship with his children.
“They are lucky. For her, staying by my side is luck. Do you know why? I couldn’t stand it with my father. My father didn’t know my school. My father didn’t know my date of birth. He did not know anything about me other than, ‘He is the son of that person.’ But today, I’m so proud of my father,” he added.
Afolayan also spoke about fatherhood.
“Sometimes when people say ‘Happy Father’s Day,’ I’m always saying whether he pays child support or not, he’s still a father. I have been going to court because I want to get a divorce. I don’t mind being in the witness box, and I experienced the shit, so that I can marry many wives,” he said.
He thereafter prayed for his daughter, praising her role in the series.
“Hephzibah, her mother is the one who gave her the name. I don’t care, but I am proud of you. You started with the film, you did the first season, and now with the second season, you did amazingly well. My good Lord will continue to increase you in wisdom, in knowledge, and in understanding. If this is your path, the good Lord will see you through.”
However, this is not the first time the filmmaker has spoken about his late father’s polygamous lifestyle.
In March 2021, Afolayan told BBC Pidgin that his father, Adeyemi Afolayan, who died in 1996, married 10 wives and had 25 children, a decision he said took a toll on the family.
“I would not want to marry many wives because my father had 10 wives and I knew what happened throughout that period. I knew that really distracted my father. In this age, nobody needs to tell you before you know what’s right,” he said at the time.
He also disclosed that growing up in a polygamous home affected bonding among the children due to language and other barriers.
Afolayan further narrated how he battled poverty in his early years, revealing that he once lived in a one-room apartment in Ebute-Metta and sometimes had to deal with flooding.
“I was born in Ebute-Metta and have lived in one-room apartment before that we even have to grapple with flood sometimes. It’s not shame to say have been poor before. But if you see how l made it, it’s a matter of consistency. My father was a very popular filmmaker and ordinarily, people would expect me to life the kind of live akin to Hollywood stars,” he said.
“But that wasn’t the case. How would one live such life when you’re living in a room with ten women. That doesn’t mean there was no love among us.”
He had advised young filmmakers to start with the little resources available to them while working towards their dreams.
-Guardian
Article
Court adjourns Ganduje’s corruption trial to April 15
A Kano State High Court has adjourned until April 15 the trial of former governor Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat Umar, and son, Abdullahi Umar, alongside five other defendants, over alleged misappropriation of public funds amounting to billions of naira.
The defendants are facing an 11-count charge bordering on bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds. The remaining accused persons are Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lasage General Enterprises Ltd.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecution told the court it was ready to proceed and drew attention to a motion dated November 24, 2025, seeking leave to file additional proof of evidence.
However, defence lawyers raised objections, informing the court that multiple applications were pending and must be resolved before the trial could continue.
Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo, counsel to some of the defendants, said the defence had filed a motion dated July 17, 2025, seeking a stay of proceedings.
Adekunle Taiye-Falola, representing the third and seventh defendants, also referred to a separate motion dated May 23, 2025.
In addition, Muhammad Shehu, counsel to the fifth defendant, told the court that an affidavit had been filed notifying it of a pending application for stay of proceedings before the Court of Appeal.
Abubakar Ahmad, counsel to the sixth defendant, informed the court that he had filed a notice of preliminary objection and an application for extension of time to respond on points of law dated February 2, urging the court to fix a date for hearing.
Only Faruk Asekome, counsel to the eighth defendant, indicated readiness to proceed with the trial.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the presiding judge, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, adjourned the matter to April 15 for the hearing of all pending applications and preliminary objections.
The trial has suffered repeated delays due to legal challenges. The high court had earlier dismissed preliminary objections raised by the defence as “incompetent” and affirmed its jurisdiction to hear the case.
That ruling was appealed by the defendants, who argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction. However, in October 2025, the Kano Division of the Court of Appeal struck out the appeal, citing failure to properly transmit the record of appeal.
-Guardian
-
Article10 months ago5 Life Lessons from Manchester City EPL Current woes
-
Sports10 months agoLiverpool Announce Jürgen Klopp Return To The Club
-
Business10 months agoMTN Teams Up With Meta To Boost WhatsApp Call Quality
-
News10 months agoCommonwealth Observers Prepare For Gabon Presidential Election
-
Article10 months agoPonzi Scheme CEO Francis Uju Udoms of Addfx Case still Unresolved Despite SEC certification
-
News10 months agoChibok Girls: 11 Years Of Anguish, Broken Promises
-
News8 months agoNASRE Promises Support To Daily Times Group Business Editor, Oseni, Over Serious Road Accident
-
News10 months agoWike’s Enviable Road Construction Method along Nyanya- Maraba Highway
