News
Leaked Memo: There Are Moles In Tinubu’s Govt – Onanuga Panics, Reveals Next Action

The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has asserted that there are moles in the incumbent administration working secretly for the opposition.
Though he did not directly mention which party, Onanuga believed there were individuals who were leaking documents out to the public and stressed the need for the Federal Government to take decisive action to identify and remove individuals.
He noted that the civil service framework is currently under investigation following the request of the Presidency.
The purpose of this investigation, Onanuga said, is to identify and eliminate individuals who are considered “moles.”
Naijablitznews.com understands that a recent internal memo was allegedly leaked, suggesting that President Tinubu approved the disbursement of N500 million out of a total of N1 billion to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
These funds were intended for the inauguration of a 37-member Tripartite Committee responsible for discussing the New National Minimum Wage.
Onanuga, however, expressed displeasure with the development, stressing that these moles are responsible for the unauthorised disclosure of the classified documents.
“This step is crucial in ensuring the security and maintenance of sensitive information,” Daily Post quoted the presidential aide saying.
Onanuga said, “What is worrisome is, how come a memo written by SGF to the President bearing the President’s signature leaked out? It means that there are some fifth columnists-within the government.
“It’s not the first time a memo will leak. There was a memo leak when the President went to UNGA about a request for money to pay for his hotel bills, and you wonder where it is leaking from.
“There are so many moles around who are probably doing the bidding of the opposition. They do not respect the civil service rule for handling official secrets. And it shows that the government should look inwards to probe how memos between officials are getting into the public space. Memos that are supposed to be secret are not supposed to be flying all over the place.”
‘This Is Financial Recklessness’ – PDP Blasts Tinubu Over Purported Approval Of N500 Million For Inauguration Of New National Minimum Wage Committee
Earlier, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reacted to President Bola Tinubu’s purported approval of N500 million for the inauguration of the 37-man Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage.
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, inaugurated a 37-man Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on January 30, 2024.
However, a letter addressed to the President by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, released by an anonymous journalist, shows the initial request submitted to Tinubu was a budget of N1.8 billion, which he refused to approve.
The report alleged that Akume submitted another budget of N1 billion, but Tinubu insisted that the committee begin with N500 million.
Reacting, the opposition party, in a statement released through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described the purported approval as the height of profligacy and financial recklessness.
PDP noted that it is highly provocative that Tinubu is spending such an amount of money, especially when Nigerians are undergoing excruciating economic hardship.
The PDP further called on Tinubu to speak out, come clean and address the nation on this weighty allegation.
News
Edo guber tribunal: APC witness confesses there was over-voting, INEC flaws

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Edo Guber Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday suffered a major setback when a key witness for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Afuda Theophilus, admitted under cross-examination confessed that over-voting occurred in Esan North East Local Government Area—directly contradicting his sworn testimony.
The witness, who had been presented by the APC to defend the election’s integrity, initially asserted in his written witness statement that there were no incidents of over-voting.
However, when confronted with official polling unit results, he conceded that the total number of votes cast exceeded the number of accredited voters.
This shows there was over-voting?” Asue Ighodalo’s lead counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), asked.
“Yes,” Theophilus replied, before attempting to offer an explanation.
His testimony became even more damaging when he was questioned about Form EC25B, the INEC-prescribed document for recording the serial numbers of sensitive election materials before voting. Referring to the INEC Manual for Election Officials, Owonikoko asked him to confirm that Form EC25B was the required document for documenting the serial numbers of result sheets and ballot papers. Theophilus agreed.
However, when presented with the actual Form EC25Bs used during the election, he was forced to acknowledge that they had not been filled in—lacking serial numbers, signatures, or any identifying details.
“There is no entry of serial numbers of result sheets or the BVAS machine. Can you confirm?” Owonikoko asked.
“I can’t find it…” Theophilus hesitantly responded.
When pressed further to confirm that the serial numbers were missing, he admitted, “Yes, they are not there.”
Reacting to the revelations, Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor, speaking on behalf of the opposition, stated that the testimony exposed serious irregularities in INEC’s handling of the election and raised major doubts about the credibility of the results.
“Our legal team has argued that failure to complete Form EC25B alone constitutes non-compliance with electoral guidelines, invalidating results from affected polling units.
” This is the law—it is not my opinion. It is a strict liability issue, and once again, we are grateful to the APC for sending us such honest witnesses,” he remarked.
With its own witness inadvertently strengthening the opposition’s case, the APC’s defence appears increasingly fragile. The tribunal’s ruling on these revelations could have significant consequences for the outcome of the governorship election.
News
“I move procurement committee from analog to digital -Senator Ipansagba

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Procurement, Senator Jide Ipansagba has said Nigerians will soon experience new era of procurement system akin to international practice
The Senator who took over from Senator Monday Okpebolo, now the current governor of Edo State had a well planned mission for the committe.
He said his committee was putting in place measures to ensure that all MDAs were aligned to the new administration’s paradigm shift, where ordinary Nigerians can bid and win contracts unlike what was obtainable, and also move BPP from analog to digital.
The Senator who represents Ondo North senatorial district spoke to journalists in his Abuja office assured Nigerians of righting all wrongs. That his goal is to provide equal opportunities for Nigerians to participate in competitive bidding, which can lead to cost savings.
The committee also discourages single-source procurement, which often does not provide good value for money.
He said, “Many wrongs will be corrected. We want to make sure that only qualified persons get the contract job they tendered for.”
The lawmaker explained that the idea of MDAs calling for bids and lining people up for a rigorous Pre-qualification exercise only for the contract to go to persons or companies who did not participate in the process was no longer acceptable.
Ipansagba said, “Due process must be followed. We want the country to experience a new era of procurement system that is acceptable to international practice.”
“I can assure you that this Senate is sincere about the new deal we are bringing forward in accordance with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President and the uncommon Senate President.”
“We are also transitioning from
traditional analog procurement methods to digital means, working closely with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
“The goal is to bring Nigeria’s procurement system on par with global standards, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
The committee which acts as an advisory body to the BPP, will promote a more inclusive
procurement process where everyone has an equal opportunity to bid.
“The committee, under my chairmanship will discourage portfolio contractors who lack the necessary resources and expertise to handle government contracts”
Speaking about his preparedness to interface with MDAs by contractors, he said “the committee will evaluate both the commercial and technical tenders submitted by contractors to MDAs before awarding any government contracts.
“We will ensure that contractors have the capacity, resources, and manpower to fulfill the obligations.
“The committee follows the Public
Procurement Act of 2007 as its guiding principle in carrying out its duties. Our aim is to make Nigerians and the constituted authority happy with our
performance, working in alignment with the new administration’s agenda. Nigerians should be rest assured that this committee will deliver.
The committee chairman further explained that his committee was privileged to have highly experienced Nigerians who have made their mark in governance and in business as members.
He said, “I can assure you that my committee will investigate activities in the procurement system since 2019 and ensure we right the wrongs to regain the confidence of the public in the procurement system.”
“We want a system where you don’t need to know anybody before you can bid or win contracts.
News
Speaker Abbas Urges NWDC to Assess Needs Of North-West

…as he inaugurates house committee for oversight
The Speaker of House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has urged the newly formed North West Development Commission (NWDC) to carry out a thorough assessment of the region’s needs as it begins operations.
Speaker Abbas who stated this during the inauguration of the House Committee on the North West Development Commission on Wednesday in Abuja, emphasised the importance of exploring diverse funding options to effectively achieve the commission’s objectives.
He highlighted his personal connection to the initiative, and noted that, as a representative from the North-West and a key advocate for the bill that led to the creation of the commission, the moment was particularly meaningful to him.
Speaker Abbas emphasised the crucial role of the North-West geopolitical zone in Nigeria’s economy and society, ans described it as a historic hub of agricultural excellence, renowned for producing staple crops like millet, sorghum, and groundnuts in vast quantities.
With a population exceeding 47 million, he highlighted the region’s immense cultural and economic potential. However, he expressed concern that this potential remains hindered by significant challenges.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Chairman NWDC, Rep. Gumi assured of a transparent and results-oriented approach to tackling the region’s socio-economic and security challenges.
He underscored the urgency of addressing rising insecurity, economic stagnation, and infrastructural deficiencies, calling for immediate intervention.
“This is more than just a committee inauguration; it is a moment of renewed hope and determination. Our people have endured hardship for too long, yet they remain resilient. Today marks the start of decisive action to transform the North-West,” he stated.
Gumi outlined the committee’s broad mandate, which includes overseeing NWDC activities, fostering partnerships with development agencies, and collaborating with the private sector to facilitate rehabilitation, resettlement, and regional development across the seven states—Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
He also stressed that security was central to the Commission’s objectives, and noted that sustainable development cannot be realized in a region grappling with banditry, kidnappings, and economic distress.
To achieve this, he committed to rigorous oversight visits to NWDC projects across the seven states, ensuring that budget allocations align with regional development priorities. He also stressed the need to build partnerships with international development agencies and private sector players while implementing a quarterly review system to track progress, address challenges, and refine strategies.
Gumi highlighted the importance of learning from other regional development commissions to avoid inefficiencies and policy pitfalls.
Unveiling a proposed work plan, he described it as a blueprint for immediate action, with a focus on youth empowerment, infrastructure development, security enhancement, and leveraging the region’s agricultural and commercial potential for sustainable economic growth.
“Our approach prioritizes transparency, inclusivity, and measurable results.
“Policies must go beyond paperwork to deliver real, tangible improvements in people’s lives.
“With unity, dedication, and shared purpose, we will address the challenges, seize the opportunities, and create lasting change for the generations to come. Together, we will lay the foundation for a prosperous, inclusive, and thriving North-West,” he said.
He therefore called for collaboration among all stakeholders—federal and state governments, traditional institutions, civil society, and the private sector to ensure the NWDC achieves its mandate.
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