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Richest man worldwide, Musk, says “I’ve no plans to own TikTok US service”

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The world’s richest man, Elin Musk and a top advisor to US President Donald Trump, has said he has no interest in acquiring social media platform TikTok’s operations in the United States, in comments released Saturday.

“I’ve not put in a bid for TikTok and I don’t have any plans for what I would do if I had TikTok,” said Musk in comments made via videolink at a German forum in late January that were released on the weekend.

TikTok is facing down a US law that ordered the company broken off from its Chinese owner ByteDance or otherwise be banned in the United States over national security concerns regarding the data it gathers on users.

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In one of his first acts in office, Trump ordered a pause on enforcing the law that should have seen TikTok effectively made illegal in the country a day before he took office for a second term.

Soon after, Trump said he would be open to Musk — the owner of social media platform X, Tesla and a slew of other companies — buying the platform.

Musk, however, said he did not wish to acquire the company.

“I don’t use TikTok personally, so, you know, I’m not that familiar with it,” he said. “I’m not chomping at the bit to acquire TikTok.”

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Musk bought social media giant Twitter, which he renamed X, for $44 billion in 2022, insisting he was doing so in order to safeguard “free speech.”

Since his takeover, rights campaigners warn there has been a spike in hate speech and disinformation on the platform.

Musk was one of Trump’s main financial backers in his presidential campaign, and is heading the US president’s budget-slashing initiatives.

His so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) has targeted a range of federal government agencies and regulators, with the apparent intent of shutting them down and firing staff, especially those not in line with Trump’s political agenda.

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On Saturday, a US judge issued an emergency order blocking Musk’s government reform team from accessing personal and financial data for millions of Americans stored at the Treasury Department, court documents showed.

In the comments at the forum in Germany, Musk also took aim at Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which are meant to support historically oppressed and disenfranchised communities.

DEI is simply racism rebranded,” he said. “I’m against racism and sexism no matter who it’s directed against.”

US officials have been racing to enact Trump’s war on DEI across the federal bureaucracy — dismantling training initiatives, scrapping grants and sidelining hundreds of workers.

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In Germany, Musk has voiced firm support for the far-right anti-immigration AfD party — a political taboo in a country whose Nazi past remains a sensitive subject.

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Reps Demand Action on N3.2bn Infraction Allegations in Labour Ministry

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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called for an inquiry into financial Expressing concerns over the disregard for parliamentary oversight,  amounting to N3.2 billion under the leadership of former Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Ministry of Labour, Williams Alo and Yerima Tafa.

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The legislative body has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (IPCC) to take appropriate steps regarding the matter.

The Chairman House Committee on Public Accounts, Rep. Bamidele Salam,con Monday, who expressed concerns over the disregard for parliamentary oversight, crcriticised persistent failure of ministries and government agencies to respond to audit queries.

According to Rep. Salam, despite repeated invitations, the Ministry of  Labour has neither provided the necessary documents nor defended itself against 32 audit queries from the 2020 audit report.

He noted that while the Auditor General’s report contained specific recommendations, the committee extended multiple opportunities for the ministry to respond—efforts that were ignored. He further lamented the broader trend of government bodies failing to honor parliamentary summons, undermining the National Assembly’s constitutional role in ensuring accountability.

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The committee has also directed the current Permanent Secretary, Saliu Usman, to appear within 72 hours to address the outstanding audit queries for the 2021 financial year. Failure to comply may lead to the adoption of the Auditor General’s recommendations. Similarly, the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Transportation, Women Affairs, and Humanitarian Services have been given the same timeframe to respond to related matters.

Committee members emphasised the urgency of resolving these audit queries before the next report is presented in April. Some lawmakers also raised concerns that the Minister of State for Labour, being a former legislator, should understand the importance of engaging with the National Assembly on financial oversight issues.

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Appeal Court Returns APC LG Chairmen Fired By Adeleke

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa pm

The Court of Appeals sitting in Akure has reinstated the elected Local Government officials who were previously fired by Governors Ademola Adeleke, and has ordered their immediate resumption of office.

Recall that on assumption of office in November 2022, Governor Adeleke sacked the local government officials after a High Court decision had earlier upturned their election.

The High Court sacked the council officials after their election which was organised by OSSIEC.

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The Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and other political parties had approached the High Court to challenge the council elections.

They prayed the court to declare the election as a nullity because it was only the APC candidates who contested vacant positions and the ‘options given to them was either a YES or NO’.

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Detained popular TikToker, Seaking regains freedom after Adeboye’s request

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

TikToker Olumide Ogunsanwo, also known as Seaking has been released after spending some time in police detention.

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Omoyele Sowore announced the news on Instagram, expressing gratitude to everyone involved in securing his freedom

He wrote: “We are pleased to confirm that Olumide Ogunsanwo @seaking303 has been released from @PoliceNG custody after our prompt rejection of the initial bail condition requiring a Level 12 or 10 civil servant, resulting in a swift agreement and release on administrative bail, signed by me.”

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Recall, on Feburary 6, Seaking was rearrested in Lagos over his defamatory comments against the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and flown to Abuja.

Reacting, Pastor Adeboye during a monthly Holy Ghost Service called for the release of the TikToker stating that he was not involved in his arrest.

The clergyman noted that those who moved for the arrest of the Tiktoker didn’t carry him along when they took action over alleged derogatory remarks against him by the social media user.

The popular cleric has, however, directed the release of the Tiktoker, saying he is only fulfilling prophecy.

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“I heard that there was someone who lambasted me thoroughly; What’s my offense? because I asked my people to fast for 100 days, I didn’t ask him o. I didn’t ask anybody who is not a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to fast. Only my children. But God said that it will happen.

“I was told that some people got so angry and they went and arrested the fellow. Ha, release him, he is fulfilling prophecy

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