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Nduka Obaigbena, a congenital blackmailer and hustler, “lies without shame” Says Alake and Onanuga
Ordinarily, we consider it beneath us as well-bred media professionals to continue to engage in public spat with Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, a congenital blackmailer and hustler, especially in deference to ceasefire calls by well-meaning leaders and elders. The interventions followed our statement on Monday entitled “Obaigbena and His THISDAY/ARISE News’ Hypocritical Grandstanding On Public Morality”.
But we crave the indulgence of these well-meaning Nigerians to allow us respond to Obaigbena’s latest rambling, called a statement.
The largely diversionary composition was an attempt to deodorise his ethical problems.
Obaigbena tried to deflect attention from those pertinent issues we raised about ethics. There is nothing he said to creditably detract a jot from our accurate summation of his well-known perverse and ignoble approach to media practice over the years, a practice that continues to undermine the integrity of journalism profession in the country.
In his first statement attacking us, Obaigbena craftily attempted to mis-characterise as an attack on free speech, our principled stand against his blackmail to have Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu appear on Arise TV and its PDP sponsored Town Hall meetings.
In the second statement, he was still adamant that our candidate must attend his Town Hall debate, despite our stance that our candidate is already executing another communications strategy to reach the most important target: the Nigerian voters. We, repeat again: We will not make our candidate available to validate a scheme which, in the light of unassailable information at our disposal, is nothing but a racket by the Arise TV owner, designed to embarrass our candidate.
We now proceed to give a blow-by-blow response to Obaigbena’s latest very poor attempt at red-herring:
Rigmarole on Dasukigate:
How laughable that Obaigbena is now denying he was not in EFCC custody for receiving illicit funds from National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki. He attempted to rationalise that the money received was compensation for losses incurred by newspaper proprietors following the clampdown by security agents. But he craftily glossed over the meat of the matter: the grave misconduct to have the funds paid into the bank account of Hydrocarbon, a shell company (obviously set up for money-laundering) to which Obaigbena was the sole signatory. Since NPAN has bank accounts, why was the money not transferred there directly?
Moreover, the petty lie in Obaigbena’s statement was punctured by the joint disclaimer issued on 12 December 2015 by Tribune, New Telegraph and Peoples Daily in whose names he had collected money. The three newspapers said they did not receive a kobo.
His claim that he pocketed the chunk of the money received from Dasukigate as compensation for the alleged terrorist attack on his Abuja office is a laughable afterthought.
Rewriting June 12 story:
Contrary to Obaigbena’s lame attempt to rationalise his campaign against June 12 as action taken in furtherance of his membership of National Republican Convention (NRC), nothing can be further from the truth. His long story about sitting close to MKO Abiola on a London-Johannesburg flight begs the questions. He craftily sidestepped the issue of being recruited by the military regime to go on CNN to unconscionably declare “Abiola did not win any election”, shortly after NEC suspended the announcement of June 12 results. That dirty campaign was to prepare the grounds for the eventual annulment on June 23 of the election. If Obaigbena was pro-democracy as he falsely claims, why did he take up media consultancy work to Ernest Shonekan, the head of the Interim National Government, cobbled together by the junta to legitimise the illegality?
South African/London fiascos:
Obaigbena also tried to downplay the gravity of his misadventure in South Africa for which he had to flee, abandoning his office equipment and furniture till today. On one hand, he lied that it was President Nelson Mandela who asked that he set up the newspaper in South Africa because the dominant newspapers in the country were owned by the white establishment. On the other hand, he claimed that the same white establishment frustrated his venture. He forgot that when he floated ThisDay South Africa in 2003-4, a black President was in power!
Contrary to claims that he met a hostile environment, his habitual unethical practices gave him out. His business model of funding his newspapers and a champagne lifestyle from proceeds of blackmail rackets fell flat in South Africa where rules of a good society are rigidly enforced. To deceive advertisers, he inflated his circulation figures which the regulatory agency frowned at. Also, he owed printers and his workers. Gale of complaints against the “carpetbagger from Nigeria” soon reached the authorities and one official was quoted as famously saying, “You call yourself Thisday, very soon it will become That-day”. The prophecy came to pass with chilling accuracy soon after.
On his misadventure in London, Obaigbena disingenuously put it down to Forex crisis as if it happened this year or last year. The details of the judgment by the presiding judge were damning enough: Obaigbena lacks the personal honour and integrity to run any decent company.
His claim that his seven year directorship ban has been appealed is not the full story. He already lost one appeal at the Chancery in August.
Payment of salaries/pension:
Obaigbena tried to deflect his chronic indebtedness as something common in the media industry. It is an affliction peculiar to THISDAY/Arise which purports to make lots of money (as reflected by bumper advert patronage) but curiously still fails to pay workers as and when due. Even when the economy was relatively “good”, Obaigbena never paid workers regularly. His popular saying to staff, as well known in the industry, is that : “THISDAY/Arise ID card alone is your meal ticket”.
Such corrupt philosophy underlies the unethical practices in media companies run by Obaigbena.
A classic illustration of the untold hardship and dehumanization of his workers was provided by Mr. Paul Ibe, who is now the Special Adviser on Media to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Obaigbena tricked Ibe to South Africa with mouth-watering offers. But Ibe ended up enduring hunger there before finding his way back to Nigeria. Following a suit filed at the National Industrial Court in 2011 (suit no NICN/ABJ/26/2011), Mr. Ibe was awarded damages against Obaigbena for backlog of salaries, non-remittance of taxes and pension deducted from his wages over the years and outstanding entitlement. Tens of other staff of Thisday have died due to lack of money for medical care while awaiting Obaigbena to pay them their entitlements.
Open partisanship/Mefy racket:
We observe too that Obaigbena disingenuously sidestepped the questions raised about employing the services of Dr Reuben Abati, a card-carrying member of PDP as anchor person on Arise TV, as well as Obaigbena’s multi-million Naira consultancy role in the ill-fated attempt by a sitting Central Bank governor, Godwin Emefiele to compete for APC’ presidential ticket.
These are weighty moral issues Obaigbena, with all his resourceful facilities to lie and dissemble, could not defend.
Again, we challenge him to deny if Abati wasn’t the running-mate of Senator Buruji Kashamu on PDP’s platform in the governorship contest in Ogun in 2019. Kashamu was a wanted drug lord in the US. Of course, the same Abati, who never allows any opportunity to pass without attacking Asiwaju Tinubu daily, would have been one of those Obaigbena would have lined up at his dubious Town Hall meetings to “interrogate” Tinubu! Such shameless, unethical practice!
Further, while pontificating on public morality, Obaigbena conveniently ignored the perversity of collecting hundreds of millions as “media consultant” to Godwin Emefiele, the occupant of a critical public office from which utmost sobriety and non-partisanship is expected. Through patronizing reportage in THISDAY/Arise, Emefiele was egged on to openly descend into the political arena and bid for the presidential ticket of APC in its last primaries in what is now commonly called the “Mefy racket”.
This has antecedents: Obaigbena was also “consultant” to President Jonathan as he was to Chief Ernest Shonekan. Whatever happened to journalism ethics?
The culture of media merchandising:
In a futile attempt to burnish his image, Obaigbena resorted to dropping the names of U.S. and UK leaders who had attended events staged by him. Dropping the names and pictures of these former Western leaders who attended paid-for-appearance ThisDay events as if they attended when serving in office, is another Obaigbena’s vainglorious clout chasing scheme to scam the public. He failed to disclose that the high-profile personalities who delivered keynote addresses at such events were handsomely paid from money he collected through media blackmail from captains of industries notably bank chiefs. To con the outside world, Obaigbena had boasted in an interview with New York Times that he had corporate fortune of $100m accruing to his company annually. But later, tax officials in Lagos could not reconcile those bogus claims with his tax records and non-remittance of taxes deducted from workers. It was so easy to expose his fake lifestyle.
Since Nduka Obaigbena introduced his blackmail and extortionist brand of journalism into Nigeria, generation of Bank CEOs, company Chief Executives, politicians and Governors from 1999 have suffered in silence, seeking liberation from oppressive journalism by intimidation. In 2009, Nduka Obaigbena raided Niger Delta states with his Thisday Entertainment’s packaged Niger-Delta Peace Concert. He coerced the Niger-Delta Governors then to contribute hundreds of millions of Naira with a promise to bring A-list pop stars such as Jay-Z and Beyonce to perform. After collecting the money the promised superstars didn’t show up. One of the governors was at the airport till almost midnight waiting to receive the superstars. These governors complained and suffered in silence because they were afraid of Nduka and his Thisday Newspaper which he has turned to instrument of oppression.
We took notice of Reuben Abati’s ramblings on Arise TV on his Wednesday Morning Show where he laboured in vain to defend his despicable record and perversions. Abati queried our statement that he is a registered member of PDP.
The query is rather for him. How did he become a deputy governorship candidate to the Late Senator Buruji Kashamu in 2019 without a membership of PDP as required by law?
We really do not expect much from Abati. He is a known pathological liar, who has lived on lies and deceit all his professional life. While he has successfully created the image of a conscientious public intellectual over the years, the fact is that he is a morally bankrupt man who has no scruples in selling his soul to the devil as long as money is involved.
Abati has very odious reputation within the corporate and political circles as “anything goes newspaper columnist” as long as the money is right.
Alake, Adviser, Media and Strategic Communication, and Onanuga, Director of Media and Publicity, sent the statement on behalf of All Progressives Congress (APC) Media and Communication Directorate
……Stop Using Governor Oyebanji’s Name” — Orin Ora
…….Ward Fires Warning Over Fasuyi Endorsement
Fresh political tension reportedly erupted in Orin Ora Ward, Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State, as aggrieved party members and residents allegedly rejected the re-election bid of Senator Cyril Fasuyi over what they described as “three years without visible development.”
The protest mood in the ward was said to have intensified following claims that the senator had repeatedly blamed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for not funding constituency projects and budget allocations.
According to sources within the ward, residents expressed frustration over what they called “unfulfilled promises, lack of empowerment, and absence of meaningful projects” since the senator assumed office.
Political stakeholders in Orin Ora Ward were also said to have rejected alleged attempts to impose Senator Fasuyi on the people ahead of the 2027 elections.
“There is no Sakamaje endorsement here. Orin Ora Ward cannot be forced into supporting any candidate,” a party source reportedly declared.
The stakeholders further warned against dragging the name of Governor Biodun Oyebanji into what they described as “political imposition tactics.”
Residents reportedly insisted that any endorsement must reflect the genuine wishes of the people and not political pressure from powerful interests.
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, on Friday began the screening of aspirants for various elective positions ahead of its 2027 election primaries, with a member from Ekiti State, Afuye Idowu, filing the first petition, calling for the disqualification of Senator Cyril Fasuyi from the forthcoming Ekiti North Senatorial District primary elections.
The petition, dated May 2, 2026 and addressed to APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, accused Fasuyi — who currently represents Ekiti North Senatorial District in the Senate and is seeking the party’s ticket for a return — of poor legislative performance, violation of the petitioner’s fundamental rights, and instigating his unlawful arrest and imprisonment on false allegations.
The petition was copied to the APC National Secretary, Senator Basiru Ajibola, and the APC Senatorial Primary Elections Screening Committee.
On legislative performance, Idowu said Fasuyi had nothing to show for nearly three years in the Senate. “In the almost three years that Senator Cyril Fasuyi has been a member of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he has not personally sponsored any landmark legislation or bill that will benefit the people of Ekiti North Senatorial District, Ekiti State or Nigeria as a whole.
“He is not reported to have moved any serious motion or made any significant contributions to debates on the floor of the Senate, which implies that the people of Ekiti North Senatorial District do not have a voice of representation in the Senate,” the petitioner stated.
The petitioner also recounted how a public review he conducted in 2025, assessing the performance of past and present National Assembly members, drew a violent response from the senator.
While he said other lawmakers were inspired to better performance by his observations, Fasuyi allegedly took offence and sent thugs to harass him on several occasions.
The situation, according to Idowu, escalated dramatically on the night of July 31, 2025, when he said officers of the Rapid Response Squad RRS of the Ekiti State Police Command arrested him around 9pm at a private residence on the instigation of the senator, and without any prior invitation or notification.
“I was detained and taken before an Ado Ekiti Magistrate Court. Before my arraignment, I was informed that I could be released only if I promised that I would retract my previous statements about the poor performance of Senator Fasuyi and begin to praise him,” he wrote.
When he refused to make such a promise, the RRS officers applied for him to be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service NCoS for 14 days while investigations continued.
“The charges against me were subsequently withdrawn based on lack of evidence and I was discharged,” he stated.
Idowu argued that the 2027 elections must produce legislators capable of giving legislative support to the administration’s reform programme.
“An assessment of Senator Cyril Fasuyi during the time he has so far spent as a member of the National Assembly clearly shows that he is completely antithetical to the Renewed Hope Agenda and the ideology of our great Party. A non-performer like him surely does not deserve to be on the ballot as a candidate of our Party in the 2027 elections,” he wrote.
He urged the national chairman to ensure that only competent aspirants are cleared for the senatorial primary election, from which a deserving candidate would emerge for the 2027 contest.
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2027 Politics: Dipo Bamisaye Speaks on Tinubu, Oyebanji, Says Ekiti North Needs Aggressive Development
Engineer Dipo Bamisaye, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a seasoned infrastructure expert, has declared his intention to represent Ekiti North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
In this exclusive interview with Publisher of Newsthumb, Sotayo Olayinka, Engr. Dipo Bamisaye speaks on his political journey, relationship with Governor Biodun Oyebanji and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, as well as his plans for infrastructure, youth empowerment, agriculture, and security in Ekiti North. He also shares his views on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the future of Nigeria.
Enjoy the interview…
Good afternoon, sir. Can we meet you?
I am Engineer Dipo Bamisaye, a native of Ijesha-Isu in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State. I have been actively involved in politics for about 15 to 18 years.
This is the third time I will be showing interest in representing Ekiti North Senatorial District. I contested in 2018 and also indicated interest in 2022/2023, but at the time, former Governor Kayode Fayemi advised me to step down for Senator Adetunmbi.
I have been a loyal supporter of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu since the days of the Alliance for Democracy while I was working with ExxonMobil. Today, I am a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers.
I have spent over 30 years in the engineering and infrastructure sector, working across virtually every state in Nigeria. I have handled projects in the North, South, South-East, and South-South, especially in rural infrastructure development.
I have also worked with the World Bank Group as a consultant on the FADAMA agricultural programme. Academically and professionally, I have trained in several countries. I studied bridge construction at the University of Florida in the United States, highway transportation in Ohio, mechanized agriculture in Gauteng, South Africa, and water treatment in China and Germany.
All these experiences have prepared me for leadership and service. My desire to contest for the Senate is to complement the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and bring development closer to the people of Ekiti North.
Beyond politics, I run the BO Charity Trust, through which I have supported communities for over 12 years. Even without holding public office, I have facilitated boreholes, transformers, and other community projects because of my passion for helping the people.
“My Love for the People Inspired Me to Join Politics”
As a technocrat and successful businessman, what attracted you to politics?
What attracted me to politics is my passion for service. People around me kept saying, “If you can do all these things without holding office, imagine what you could achieve with a political platform.”
Over the years, I have supported students with JAMB forms and educational assistance. I have also worked closely with political leaders like the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, who remains my mentor. Through him, I learned a lot about leadership and governance.
If given the opportunity to serve in the Senate, I will work closely with both the President and the Governor to deliver more dividends of democracy to our people.
“Governor Oyebanji and I Share a Cordial Relationship”
What can you tell us about your relationship with Governor Biodun Oyebanji?
Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji is someone I hold in very high regard. We have a cordial relationship, and we attended the same institution, Ondo State University, now Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.
I admire his humility and leadership style. During the build-up to his first-term election, when many political actors were still undecided, members of the university alumni association rallied support for him. At the time, I was President of the Alumni Association and also a member of the university council.
We strongly believed in his capacity and worked tirelessly for his emergence. I also discussed extensively with Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who supported the project as well.
To further demonstrate our support, I led a group of alumni members who contributed funds to purchase his nomination form — not because he could not afford it, but because we believed in his vision for Ekiti State.
Today, we remain proud of his achievements and hopeful for his second term.
“Ekiti North Needs More Aggressive Development”
There is already an incumbent senator in Ekiti North. What new ideas are you bringing?
The incumbent senator is our brother, and this is not about personalities. However, we believe Ekiti North can do much better. Representation goes beyond lawmaking; it also involves lobbying for development projects and attracting federal presence.
Ekiti North is in dire need of infrastructure development. Many of our roads are in terrible condition. If elected, I will actively engage federal ministries and agencies to ensure projects are facilitated to our communities.
Education is another key area. Many students still travel long distances to write CBT examinations. We intend to facilitate CBT centres across communities in Ekiti North.
Agriculture is also very important because farming remains the backbone of Ekiti’s economy. We plan to introduce modern mechanized farming, support young farmers with equipment, and encourage agro-processing and light manufacturing. For instance, products like cassava and maize can be processed locally into finished products, creating jobs and boosting the economy.
Security is equally critical. Because of our proximity to northern routes, Ekiti faces security threats. We will support efforts toward improved policing and stronger security collaboration to protect our communities.
“Youth Empowerment Will Be a Major Priority”
What is your agenda for youth employment?
Youth empowerment will be one of our top priorities. Agriculture alone can employ thousands of young people if properly modernized.
Government cannot employ everyone, so our focus will be on capacity building, entrepreneurship, and innovation. We plan to introduce “Train the Trainers” programmes, especially in technology and vocational skills.
From my experience working with the World Bank Group, I understand the templates that can help young people become self-reliant and employers of labour within a short period.
“We Are Mobilising Massive Support for President Tinubu”
What role are you playing in support of President Tinubu’s administration?
We are already mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu across the country. I am among those coordinating the “Renewed Hope Engineers,” a platform created to highlight the achievements of the President in infrastructure and development.
By June, we plan to launch activities across the 36 states and the FCT to showcase projects such as rail development, road construction, and other engineering achievements under the administration.
As an engineer, I can confidently say the President is laying foundations that will stand the test of time.
“Student Loan Scheme Is One of Tinubu’s Biggest Achievements”
What achievements of President Tinubu stand out to you most?
One major achievement is the Student Loan Scheme. Many young Nigerians previously lacked access to quality education because of financial constraints. This initiative gives students greater opportunities and independence.
I also believe it will reduce insecurity because many youths previously became vulnerable during elections due to financial hardship.
Another major achievement is infrastructure development, especially road construction. As an engineer, I understand the importance of durable concrete pavement technology being used on major roads today. Though projects may take time, the long-term benefits will be enormous for future generations.
“I Believe in Free and Fair Primaries”
What is your position on allegations of candidate imposition ahead of the primaries?
Governor Oyebanji has made it clear that he is not interested in imposing candidates. His position is simple — if consensus is possible, fine; if not, there should be free and fair primaries.
I strongly believe in democracy and transparent elections. President Tinubu himself has always encouraged fair competition within the party.
“Policies That Benefit Nigerians Deserve Support”
Some people accuse lawmakers of being rubber stamps. What is your view?
If a policy is designed for the benefit of Nigerians, I see nothing wrong in supporting it.
For example, the removal of fuel subsidy was necessary because the system was riddled with corruption. The Student Loan Bill is another important initiative that deserves support because it helps indigent students access education.
If supporting good policies is called “rubber stamping,” then so be it. What matters most is the welfare of Nigerians.
“Nigeria Needs Stronger Community and State Policing”
Lastly, what is your wish for President Tinubu and Nigeria?
My prayer is that God grants President Tinubu wisdom, strength, and good health to continue leading Nigeria.
I also strongly support the idea of state policing and community policing. Security challenges can be addressed more effectively when local communities are actively involved in protecting themselves.
With the right leadership, commitment, and cooperation, I believe Nigeria can achieve greater progress and stability.
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