REVEALED; Why ex–President Buhari stayed away from Babangida’s book launch in Abuja

Jonathan Vatsa, the former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Niger State and a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has expressed little surprise at former President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to skip the public presentation of General Ibrahim Babangida’s autobiography, ‘The Journey of Service’, in Abuja on Thursday.

Vatsa suggested that Buhari’s absence was rooted in lingering resentment over the 1985 coup that ousted him from power.

Speaking to reporters in Minna on Saturday, Vatsa emphasized that he would not rush to comment on the book, as he had already read it. He quipped that it would have been a world-changing event if Buhari had attended the launch.

Vatsa went on to allege that the memory of what he called the “mother of all betrayals” — referring to his detention by Babangida after the coup, which prevented him from bidding farewell to his late mother — still haunts Buhari.

The event, which took place in Abuja, was attended by a host of distinguished personalities, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, military heads of state Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as leaders from other African nations such as Ghana’s Akufo-Ado and Sierra Leone’s Ernest Koroma. Prominent Nigerian figures such as former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Yemi Osinbajo, Namadi Sambo, traditional rulers, and state governors were also in attendance.

Vatsa further reflected on his previous statements about Buhari’s disregard for Niger State during his two terms in office, reiterating that he had been vindicated by Buhari’s absence, despite the state’s overwhelming support for him in both of his presidential campaigns.

According to him, “the whole world knows that Niger State was made a scapegoat by former President Buhari because of IBB. For eight years he did not pay any serious official visit to the state, and no single federal project was executed in the state. The Baro port project, which recently generated some political heat in the state, was abandoned by Buhari, including all the federal road projects across the state.

“The people of the state were made to pay for sin they know nothing about. It was the case that when two elephants fight, the grass suffered. He sidelined the state just because of the sin of one person.”

When asked to comment on the book that has continued to generate reactions across the country, the former publicity secretary of the APC in the state said that he will comment on the book after digesting all the contents, stressing that “there are things that I am expecting from the book, so you people should wait until I read it, I will invite all of you when I am ready to comment on the book”, he added

Twelve persons confirmed dead in ghastly road accident between bus and Trailer

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Niger Command has confirmed the death of 12 persons and multiple injuries in an accident on the Agaie-Lapai Highway.

The state FRSC Sector Commander, Kumar Tsukwam, confirmed this to newsmen in Minna on Saturday.

He said personnel of the corps were still at the scene to collect accurate details of the accident as at press time.

He assured that the FRSC would conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident and provide updates as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses reported that the accident occurred when a bus traveling from Minna to Katcha Local Government Area of Niger collided head-on with a trailer at Jippo Village, near Mashina Community.

According to the witnesses, three of the deceased women were from the same family.

Three other passengers, including two women and the driver, sustained varying degrees of injuries and were currently receiving treatment at Lapai General Hospital.

Speaking from his hospital bed, the driver of the passenger bus, Mohammed Baba, explained that the accident happened when the trailer driver attempted to overtake another vehicle, resulting in the head-on collision.(NAN)

You must tender Public apology for your outburst – SAN tells Senator Natasha

In a recent development that has sparked controversy, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Monday Ubani, has urged Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to recognise the error of her actions and offer a public apology following her disruptive outburst in the Senate chambers.

During a heated Senate session, the senator’s vocal protests and apparent disregard for parliamentary decorum raised questions about the overall conduct of the chamber.

Ubani, a respected legal figure, expressed concern over the senator’s approach, stating that her actions undermined the institution she serves.

While acknowledging that every senator, including Akpoti-Uduaghan, has the right to raise concerns and demand a fair hearing, Ubani questioned whether her method—marked by shouting and disrupting proceedings—was the most effective.

He emphasised that Senate rules are in place to ensure order and dignity within the institution and warned that flouting these guidelines could set a dangerous precedent both within the Senate and beyond.

“While it’s important for every senator to be heard, is it appropriate to resort to disorderly conduct, particularly when the issue could have been addressed more civilly?” Ubani remarked, referring to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims about her seating arrangement.

Ubani further criticized the senator’s remarks in a radio interview with Berekete Family Radio, suggesting that her response reflected a sense of entitlement rather than a desire for constructive change.

He contrasted her behavior with that of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who, after a similar seating issue during Bukola Saraki’s tenure, apologized once he understood the reasoning behind the changes.

Ubani noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s combative approach, both in the chamber and afterward, showed a lack of respect for the established processes of the Senate.

Issuing a cautionary note, Ubani warned that such a disregard for parliamentary protocols could potentially weaken Akpoti-Uduaghan’s influence as a lawmaker.

He urged her to reconsider her actions, adopt a more humble stance, and extend an apology to the Senate.

“Those who are supporting her now may not stand by her when it truly counts,” Ubani cautioned.

In an effort to defuse the situation, Ubani also appealed to the leadership of the Senate to refrain from applying any disciplinary measures against the senator, urging them to handle the matter with care and avoid escalating the dispute further.