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Tinubu: ‘Last man standing!’ Now Tony Elumelu is mocking Nigerian youths
By Sunny Igboanugo
Onye oha n’ekili ekili adiro mma ikpo ntu. Loosely translated, it means a man supposedly being admired by the public, has no business with packing ashes. It is a popular Igbo proverb that tells you to stay away from an igbo (Indian hemp) joint, if you don’t want to be seen as a hoodlum.
I’ve just finished watching a short video clip in the social media in which Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, hosted Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his home and the drama that went with it. I was practically pinching myself to see if indeed I was not dreaming.
Why do I say so? There’s something completely wrong with the image that outing cut. What I saw, simply did not fit into the persona of the multi-billion business mogul, arguably one of Nigeria’s influential men of stature. There was something clearly odd out there.
Of course, Tinubu, a man well-advertised as possessing very “sharp” brain, has been up and about, since he was declared victorious in the election, visiting members of the top echelon – the billionaire world in Nigeria – players in the exclusive club of Nigerian celebrated fat cats.
Before now, images of him with African richest man, Aliko Dangote, had surfaced. I had also seen him with Femi Otedola, another member of that club. I’m sure that within this period, there would be more of such visits. After all, as a sharp man, the Jagaban Borgu, might just be putting what his admirers confer on him at play.
While I didn’t have any problem with the previous images, knowing that in their world, it is what it is, as people are wont to say these days, but with the Elumelu joining in the fray and in the manner he did to boot, I do have a problem – plenty of it. There’s something that tells me that the Delta State-born billionaire, was either play-acting or following a script meant to send a message out to the public over the event of last two weeks. Was that scenery meant to contrive a image of fait accompli on Nigerians regarding the 2023 presidential election? Nobody would doubt with his status, he would not be well-acquainted and there might be plenty of such visits in the past, with Tinubu, who is also one of the most influential Nigerians around today, arguably. So, I wouldn’t have any issue of the two of them visiting each other or even running things together.
Like I do know many wealthy men actually spread their wings around in obvious political game. I know of one particular one, who distributes his money to as many politicians as possible in the hope of reaping dividends at the end of the day should some of “investments” hit target. There is no telling, that Elumelu might as well have contributed to Tinubu’s political slush fund.
Much as it might not really be morally acceptable, I might not have any problem with that either. What I find completely odious, if not reprehensible is what appears to me like a mockery of Nigerians. I’ve tried to put it in context, but unfortunately, there seems no other interpretation I could give this than the banker willingly stepping into the morass of objectionable conduct.
Now, why do I pick Elumelu out of the bunch? This is a man, who has somehow connected with youths of Africa or makes a show of doing so. While others might either be keeping quiet with their own programmes, or fancied using their money to enjoy the best life has got to give – cruising around the world in expensive yachts or buying expensive cars – the bank chief has gone beyond that to establish The Tony Elumelu Foundation through which he has promoted, established and empowered thousands of African youths.
Now, is it the same man that would act in such a manner that obviously negates the same ideal he seems to be promoting by conducts clearly diametrically opposed to the clear message the same youths have passed to the entire world through the February 25 presidential election?
Don’t get me wrong. Though the youths have shown their preference and the direction they are headed in the current Nigerian socio-political firmament, nothing compels or impels him to follow in that direction, being an older man, widely travelled and widely connected to know much more and much better.
But what is on ground today goes far more than just making a political choice. He cannot say he is not aware about the general feelings not only among Nigerians, but specifically the youths about the election that produced Tinubu, his guest the winner of that election. Why descend into the arena, when everything is still oozing of bad smell? That’s the point.
What I saw in that video, might as well be likened to a star-struck kid facing a Cristian Ronaldo, Roger Federer or Davido. He was not only seen exhibiting what could only pass for obscene excitement, but had the temerity of recording it in a video and sending it out to the social media, for the consumption of the same youths he is supposed to be mentoring. What a contradiction! couldn’t he have kept the outing private, knowing the present mood of the nation until the coast at least becomes clearer? What indeed calls for such level of laughter and joy in Nigeria today, with the INEC performance? As I said earlier, these issues are relevant because it is about Tony Elumelu and what he represents. Else, nobody would bother.
Yes! Plausible as his TTEF may be, it is still a one man show and the effect pales completely to insignificance compared to what a country with good leadership could give to the same youths, which is what the youths are pursuing at the moment. In other words, he could do more for Nigerian youths if he helps in enthroning good leaders in Nigeria or at least does not encouraging implausible electoral processes that will produce doubtful products, such as we have in Tinubu, his guest. Is it lost on him that the 2023 presidential election is being seen as the worst in the history of Nigeria or does he belong to the group that are applauding INEC today or are saying it doesn’t matter?
On Wednesday, Olawale Rhodes-Vivour, father of the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for this year’s election, captured the essence of the Nigerian youths in recent years thus: “It is true that there is this momentum that commenced at the point of #EndSARS and that momentum is the flood that is pushing up a lot of people that we’re talking about now. The momentum itself is a momentum of character. Nigerians have just had enough. They wanted to have good government. They just want to have normal decent people in power. that’s all they’re asking. We’ve had so much of the negatives that the Nigerian people have been pushed to the wall.
“At the point of #EndSARS, there was nobody who was the face of the momentum. So, the momentum began to look for its own officials. On the national level, they found Peter Obi and Datti Ahmed. You know their antecedents – they’re people that we can be proud of. If I go anywhere in the world and Datti or Obi is my President, I will not be ashamed. But you can imagine when I go into Heathrow and the person who won is my President, you know my passport, I begin to see if I could turn the green to yellow, because what usually happens is that they just move you – you’re from Nigeria -oya, stay there and let’s deal with legitimate people first.”
This is indeed what seems to be at the heart of the current struggle in Nigeria today, the reason the message in that imprudent, if not thoughtless Tinubu-Elumelu mocking video seems quite obvious. It is even so, when the issues surrounding that election are still live.
What Elumelu seems to be saying is that he is satisfied with the election that produced Tinubu. In other words, he’s giving his endorsement to the outcome, regardless of the notorious, if not squalid details flowing from the entire exercise. It is either that or that he just doesn’t care as long as it is good for business.
Again, it is not that as a private citizen, he doesn’t have the right to host any visitor of his choosing or even support a political candidate he fancies, but it is about the message that he seems to be sending and consequences thereof.
Already, the reactions are coming with the social media currently abuzz. I’ve just read one of the reactions entitled: Nothing hidden that shall not be revealed, which is literally linking Elumelu to the current cash crunch in the country using the Tinubu affair as evidence.
It reads: “A a rare video clip that speaks volume. You may choose to call it a thank you visit. These are the evil bankers that frustrated CBN and the Nigerian masses. Made sure all CBN cash released where diverted to one man. Yet the public were deceived. A classified visit of Seyi and his father Tinubu’ to Tony Elumelu. In the next video you could hear him propose a ministerial appointment for one of his daughters.”
Of course, notwithstanding that the veracity of this claim, could be ensconced in the bowels of fiction than reality, the accomplished banker and businessman will have to devote many of his time to do more of explaining henceforth, except he is no longer interested in maintaining his rather pristine public image.
For certainly, he will not be smelling roses, now, in the near future and probably for a long time, if not forever – a byproduct of momentary indiscretion of gathering the axiomatic ant-infested faggots. The way the cookie crumbles, you might say! .
Igboanugo, a journalist, wrote from Lagos
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has denied reports that it is selling scrap materials, equipment, or components from its refineries to individuals and private companies.
A Friday statement titled ‘Fraudulent Claims on Sale of Refinery Scrap and Equipment’ issued by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, in Abuja, described the circulating reports as misleading and false.
“The Company wishes to categorically state that this information is untrue. NNPC Limited has not issued any request for bids, tenders, expressions of interest, or approvals for the sale of scrap materials, refinery components, or any items from the warehouses or inventories of any of its refineries”.
It also distanced itself from persons reportedly presenting themselves as the company’s representatives or agents, claiming to facilitate the sale of so-called “scrap metals” or refinery equipment.
“These individuals are not authorised by NNPC Limited and are attempting to mislead members of the public.”
The Company therefore advised the public, corporate organisations, and industry stakeholders to disregard any such claims or solicitations and to exercise caution in dealing with anyone making such representations.
“For the avoidance of doubt, NNPC Limited is not conducting, nor has it authorised, any sale of scrap metals, equipment, or refinery components from any of its facilities”, the statement added, saying that any legitimate disposal of assets by NNPC Limited will only be conducted through established and transparent processes, publicly communicated through the Company’s official channels and in accordance with applicable regulations.
“Members of the public who encounter individuals or entities making such claims are encouraged to report the matter to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
“NNPC Limited remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the responsible management of national energy assets”, the statement added.
“Disorder cannot be rebranded as authenticity simply because it occurs in public. The allegations regarding judicial interference are equally speculative and irresponsible,” were the words with which the Presidency, pushed back on Saturday to the allegation suppression of democracy in Nigeria by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Sunday Dare, spokesman to President Bola in a quick riposte after the ADC’s National Legislators Serving and Former Forum criticised President Bola Tinubu over remarks describing the convention as “noise and a street convention,” dismissed the coalition party as suffering from internal disarray.
Ukeje, on the heels of the ADC national convention recently at the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja, despite a last-minute alleged attempt to block the gathering had argued that Nigeria is at a critical democratic juncture and accused the administration of shrinking political space.
The group also referenced Tinubu’s past as an opposition leader who once advocated political pluralism and judicial independence, saying his current leadership posture appears inconsistent with those democratic values.
Dare, who described the ADC as a party struggling to maintain “coherence and balance” in a statement titled: ‘WHAT’S THAT NOISE! Response to Hon. Nnenna Elendu Ukeje and the ADC Forum of National Legislators- Nigeria’s latest bunch of conspiracy theorists,’ wrote: “Even before the official commencement of the election season and before the Polls open, the “opposition”, a hurriedly stitched together contraption in search of a launch pad are screaming blue murder.
“The script is familiar: attack and blackmail the President, discredit and second guess the electoral process and hold Press briefings to flaunt unsubstantiated allegations and lies against the administration.
“All of these so that the international community will “help” them. In Honorable Nnenna, the ADC legislators found someone fit for the role. As former chair, foreign affairs committee, 7th and 8th House of Representatives she was their best voice.
“Sadly, ADC will need more than the sophistry and phonetics in her delivery. Let’s begin to tear apart her claims and that of her ADC Forum. The so-called ADC National Legislators Coalition delivered an outing remarkably full of theatrics but expectedly short on substance, restraint, and constitutional fidelity.
“What Nigerians just witnessed from the ADC motley crowed is not a principled defense of democracy, but a calculated attempt to weaponize rhetoric, manufacture outrage, and distract from internal disarray within a political party struggling to maintain coherence and balance. Ironically, the ADC press conference began on a note of truth.
“In their own words, they painstakingly chronicled the democratic credentials of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—his historic role in strengthening opposition politics, expanding democratic space, defending pluralism, and standing firm even under military and authoritarian pressures.
“They reminded Nigerians that he mobilized resistance, nurtured political contestation, and remained a central pillar in sustaining democratic governance.
“On that point, they were correct and that is because they could not change that solid democratic foundation and narrative of President Bola Tinubu. Let’s give them some acknowledgement for stating it plainly.
“But having established those facts, they took a curious turn—attempting, without evidence, to portray the very same individual as a threat to the democratic values he has consistently upheld.
“That contradiction is not just weak—it is intellectually untenable. A leader’s record is not a switch that flips overnight. The same discipline, convictions, and democratic instincts that defined President Tinubu’s political journey have not suddenly evaporated.
“You cannot spend the first half of a press conference affirming a man’s lifelong commitment to democracy, and the second half alleging—without proof—that he has abandoned it. It simply does not hold.
“On the specific issue that triggered this reaction: the President did not mention the ADC—by name or by implication. His remarks were general, as is consistent with his style as a national leader addressing a broad audience.”
Dare noted that the decision by the ADC to assume those remarks were directed at them is, at best, an exercise in self-indictment. If the description of “noise” resonates, perhaps the issue is not with the statement—but with the conduct it reflects.
“This is not a matter of suppression; it is a matter of standards. Democracy thrives on competition, yes—but it also demands organization, coherence, and credibility. Disorder cannot be rebranded as authenticity simply because it occurs in public. The allegations regarding judicial interference are equally speculative and irresponsible.
“Nigeria’s judiciary remains constitutionally independent, and no amount of conjecture can substitute for evidence. Attempting to cast doubt on the integrity of the courts based on political disagreements is a dangerous path—one that weakens institutions rather than protects them.”
Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League as Eberechi Eze’s rocket sealed a tense but vital 1-0 win against Newcastle on Saturday.
For the first time since October, Arsenal had started a league game out of pole position after Manchester City’s 1-0 win at Burnley on Wednesday sent them to the summit.
But Eze lifted the Gunners back into first place with his sublime strike in the first half at the Emirates Stadium.
Eze’s 10th goal this season opened up a three-point lead over second-placed City, who were booking their place in the FA Cup final with a 2-1 win against Southampton, while Arsenal were in league action.
It was an essential victory for Arsenal, whose 2-1 defeat at City last weekend was a huge blow to their title hopes.
After losing just three of their first 49 matches in all competitions this season, Arsenal had been beaten in four of the previous six, suffering successive league defeats for the first time since 2023.
Having blown substantial leads in the title race in 2023 and 2024, allowing City to pip them in the trophy, the north Londoners’ recent slump has left them in danger of squandering another golden opportunity to win their first English crown since 2004.
City have a game in hand on Arsenal, keeping the destiny of the title in their hands.
However, they do not play their next league game until May 4 when they visit Everton, giving Arsenal the chance to move six points clear when they host Fulham next weekend.
Before that, Arsenal visit Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
City’s win against Burnley had ended Arsenal’s 209-day run as leaders due to their superior goals scored tally.
While Arsenal are back on top with a one-goal better goal difference than City, their failure to run up the score on toothless Newcastle could come back to haunt them.
Newcastle have been in even worse form than Arsenal, and this was their ninth defeat in 12 league games, adding to the pressure on under-fire boss Eddie Howe.
Eze drilled narrowly wide from the edge of the area, a warning that Newcastle failed to heed as the England midfielder put Arsenal ahead in the ninth minute.
Once again, Arsenal’s set-piece mastery paid dividends, but Newcastle were guilty of woeful defending.
Martin Odegaard found Kai Havertz inside the area, and he teed up Eze — left unmarked in virtually the same position as his shot moments earlier — to smash a superb curler into the top corner from 18 yards.
Arsenal’s 17th goal from a corner this season set a new Premier League record for a single campaign.
After playing just six short corners in the league all season prior to facing Newcastle, Arteta’s men deployed three in the first half alone to exploit a vulnerability in the visitors’ defence.
Arsenal were far from flawless themselves, and keeper David Raya was almost caught out by Sandro Tonali’s dipping drive from distance.
Havertz limped off in the 34th minute to extend his injury-plagued season.
And there was more bad news for Arteta on the injury front when Eze was forced off early in the second half.
Arsenal lost their rhythm after the injuries, and Yoane Wissa should have made them pay when he volleyed over from eight yards.
Arsenal’s anxiety was palpable in the stands and on the pitch as Dan Burn’s header was clutched by Raya in the closing stages.
Shaking his head on the touchline, Arteta breathed a sigh of relief as a gripping title race took another twist.
Caveat: Beware of fraudsters! *NNPC not selling off assets!
Presidency to ADC: You can’t bully yourself to power! No vacancy in the Villa
Eze fires Arsenal back to top of Premier League table
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