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IPOB: Senate Seeks Extradition Of Simon Ekpa, Rejects Release Of Nnamdi Kanu

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The Senate has moved to partner with the Finland government to extradite the factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Simon Ekpa.

Ekpa attracted attention in August 2021 after IPOB introduced sit-at-home on Monday across the South-East to protest the continued detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The separatist group eventually suspended the order, but Ekpa has continued to declare sit-at-home in the region every Monday.

Gunmen seeking to enforce the order have continued to resort to violence and killings across the five South-East states of Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia and Anambra.

On Wednesday, the Senate shut down a motion by Senator Osita Izunaso, representing Imo West, seeking to address the enforcement of sit-at-home in the South-East by unknown gunmen.

Izunaso’s motion also sought the release the IPOB leader, Kanu.

But the motion was rejected after the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, told the Red Chamber that it was against the Senate standing rule to try to interfere in a matter before the court.

Izunazo had in his motion, which was co-sponsored by other lawmakers from the South-East, lamented the needless loss of innocent lives in the region on account of IPOB sit-at-home.

He said, “The sit-at-home civil disobedience actions in the South-East has led to the disruption and destruction of economic activities and immeasurable financial losses for businesses, workers, and the local economy.

“The sit-at-home protests disrupt the education of students, leading to missed classes and delays in academic progress. And such prolonged disruptions have long-term effects on students’ learning outcomes and educational development.”

Izunaso expressed worry that if nothing was done to check IPOB factional leader, Ekpa, who continues to fuel the sit-at-home, “he may succeed in corrupting the minds of Nigerian youths and turning them against the government which is tantamount to a treasonable felony.”

The South-East lawmakers, therefore, prayed the Senate to “condemn the sit-at-home in totality as well as the nefarious activities of Simon Ekpa who is the gang leader.”

The motion “urges the Federal Government to collaborate with the Finnish government and extradite Simon Ekpa for prosecution.”

It also urged the Federal Government to use a political solution approach in handling the case of Nnamdi Kanu.

“Invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs (when appointed) and relevant stakeholders to carry out a thorough investigation as well as bring other sponsors of the act to book,” the motion proposed.

The Senate accepted all the prayers but refused the third prayer seeking political handling of Kanu’s case.

Patrick Ndubueze, (All Progressives Congress, Imo North), said, “I will say that nobody is going into the judicial issues. Our government should use bail to bargain for peace.

“If Nnamdi Kanu is released, there will be peace.”

Also, former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, said the South-East governors hadn’t done enough to stop the sit-at-home menace.

He said, “I must say that the military has done a lot to help. The South-East governors need to drive the solution to the problem.”

The lawmaker representing Abia South, Eyinnaya Abaribe, said he and a former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, had in the past met with Finland ambassador over Ekpa, “and what she told me was that it is a government-government interaction.”

On his part, Senator Ifeanyi Uba (Anambra South) urged the Senate to ask the Federal Government to obey all court Orders on Kanu, but no senator accepted to second the motion.

Responding, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said the South-East governors had not done enough to end IPOB sit-at-home in the region.

Akpabio said, “What have the various state governments in this region done to stop this menace?

“If the governor of the state himself observes the sit and home and the civil servants who work for the government also sit at home. The criminals would be empowered,” he said.

 

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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