General
Jumoke Okoya Sent Thugs After Kemi Nelson’ Supporters—Ayo Alli-Balogun
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The battle for supremacy between two of the most powerful female politicians in Lagos; Mrs Kemi Nelson, the South West Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Mrs Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, the Women Leader of Lagos Chapter of the APC, appears to have taken a new dimension as the supporters of the two gladiators have resorted to physical combats.
Reports from the women indicated that the matter has culminated into attacks and counter-attacks by their supporters and we gathered that these have led to body injury and destruction of properties.
Just as pictures of Alhaja Abiodun, Mrs Okoya’s Personal Assistant, who was allegedly seriously injured, have been flying around, a video has equally surfaced, under police supervision, where the office of Mrs Nelson was destroyed by thugs alleged to have been sent from the camp of Mrs Okoya-Thomas.
There have been different versions to the story, but the woman, whose name is being peddled to have battered the PA of Mrs Jumoke Okoya Thomas, Miss Ayo Alli-Balogun narrated what she said led to the crisis.
Ms Ayo Alli-Balogun is a Human Development Consultant and Politician and an APC stalwart and loyalist as well as a mentee of Mrs Kemi Nelson.
According to her, “I feel I owe it to you all to give a summed up explanation on what happened on 27th of August, 2018 at the All Progressives Congress State party secretariat.
“For a while now, Mrs Jumoke Okoya-Thomas (APC Lagos State Women Leader) has been on a war path with APC South-West Women Leader, Mrs Kemi Nelson for reasons best known to her.
“I, Ayo Alli-Balogun became aware of Hon Jumoke’s detest for her superior and South-West Women Leader of our great party, All Progressives Congress at the final mega campaign rally of H.E Kayode Fayemi days before the Ekiti State gubernatorial elections 2018.”
Alli-Balogun alleged that Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, out of nowhere and no provocation, started raining insults on Mrs Kemi Nelson that, she, Madam Jumoke was not allowed into the VIP pavilion of the rally.
She stated that whilst Madam Jumoke was raining her insults, she saw her (Alli-Balogun) and immediately verbally attacked her calling her “Aja Kemi Nelson” meaning Kemi Nelson’s dog!
“I ignored her and proceeded to my seat. Madam Jumoke Okoya-Thomas’ attack on my person came to a head on Wednesday 22nd August 2018 at the country home of the Lagos State Governor, H.E Ambode during His Excellency’s Sallah gathering. Madam Jumoke accused me of staring at her and threatened to deal with me.
“The shocking thing about her utterances was that, at no point did I have any close contact with her; not to say I attempted any form of attack on her.
“The worrying bit about her utterance and actions is that Madam Jumoke seems to be clairvoyant and can see things that don’t exist. Madam Jumoke was seated about 15 huge tables away from where I stood with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to receive His Excellency who was making the rounds greeting and taking pictures with guests.
“I noticed Madam Jumoke’s visible agitation as she wagged her hand towards my direction in a threatening manner when she said “you are staring at me! I will deal with you!!” Naturally, I was shocked by Madam Jumoke’s conduct so I informed party leaders present,” she revealed.
Ms Alli-Balogun added that the leaders promised to look into the matter and asked that she should go on with my dancing.
She added, “However, I thought it imperative to notify APC State Chairman of my experience with Madam Jumoke Okoya-Thomas during the governor’s sallah gathering.
She narrated further, “I visited the State Party Chairman on Thursday 23rd of August, 2018 but he had left, I called and booked an appointment for Monday 27th of August, 2018 to which the party State Chairman agreed.
“On the fateful day, I went to the State Chairman’s office in company of three senior women of the party to inform him of Madam Jumoke’s threat to deal with me.
“As fate would have it, I was informed that the State Chairman was in a meeting.
“While waiting, Madam Jumoke exited the Chairman’s office and later returned to the office about 10mins later. All this while I was at the reception area of the Chairman’s office with the three women who accompanied me there.
“After waiting for an additional 30mins, I decided to leave as it was apparent Madam Jumoke was going to be in the office for a long time. On my way to the South-West Women leader’s office within the party secretariat, I was apprehended by Madam Jumoke’s PA (Alhaja Abiodun) and her police orderly.
“They both descended on me with slaps, blows and lashes from a horse whip wielded by the police orderly attached to Madam Jumoke.
“I naturally attempted to defend myself and detached myself from the stronghold of the vicious Alhaja Biodun. I then returned to the Chairman’s office to show him my battered face, body and clothes.
“About an hour later in Mrs Kemi Nelson’s office in the presence of Deputy and Vice Chairman of the party. Six hefty fierce looking men in black Tee-shirts with scorpion drawn on them burst into the South-West Women Leader’s office.
“They told us they are from Lagos Island and have been directed to kill Mrs Kemi Nelson and me.
“Mrs Jumoke Okoya-Thomas at some point during the assault came into Mrs Kemi Nelson’s office shouting that “Kemi Nelson is in the toilet, she must be killed! Once she’s killed her followers would disperse” in Yoruba.
“The armed men beat up everyone found in Mrs Kemi Nelson’s office. The most horrifying thing is the stabbing of Mrs Kemi Nelson’s Chief Security Officer for not telling them (cultists) where Kemi Nelson and I were.
“Every equipment found in Mrs Kemi Nelson’s party office were destroyed! We were rescued by a team of the Nigeria Police Force about an hour later.
“Whilst Madam Jumoke Okoya-Thomas was speaking to the police Area Commander who visited the party secretariat; she was quoted to have said to the Commander that “she was fighting for her right”, “she admitted inviting the armed men in black Tee/shirt with scorpion drawn on the back and refused Alhaja Biodun to be interrogated by the police at the Party’s State secretariat.
“I am immensely grateful to God for sparing the lives of Mrs Kemi Nelson, team of women with us and also my good self.”
Information however, revealed that the camp of Mrs Jumoke Okoya-Thomas has taken to both the online and offline media to disparage Mrs Kemi Nelson, alleging that her supporters were the first to attack those of Mrs Jumoke Okoya-Thomas.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The South African Consulate General in Lagos, in partnership with Brand South Africa and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), is hosting the 4th edition of the South Africa Focus Week in Lagos, Nigeria, from April 22 – 26, 2026.
The annual platform continues to grow as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering social cohesion between South Africans and Nigerians while positioning South Africa as a preferred destination for business, tourism, and education. Since its inception in 2023, South Africa Focus Week has attracted over 1,500 participants, bringing together stakeholders from across sectors, including trade and investment, arts and culture, tourism, aviation, and the culinary industry.
The 2026 edition holds particular significance as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democratic Constitution, enacted in 1996, as well as 32 years of unbroken diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria, established in February 1994. These milestones underscore the enduring partnership between the two nations, rooted in shared history and strengthened through formal agreements and ongoing collaboration.
The 2025 economic relationship between South Africa and Nigeria reflects a strategically significant, multi-dimensional partnership anchored in trade, energy security, investment flows, and strong institutional cooperation. While bilateral trade remains structurally imbalanced – with South Africa exporting US$468.48 million and importing $1.69 billion, resulting in a $1.22 billion deficit – this dynamic is largely driven by South Africa’s reliance on Nigerian crude oil, positioning the relationship as one of strategic interdependence rather than imbalance alone.
This partnership is further elevated by the relative economic weight of both countries. According to IMF projections, South Africa’s economy is valued at approximately $443.6 billion, while Nigeria’s stands at around $334.3 billion in nominal terms for 2026. As two of the largest economies on the continent, their bilateral engagement constitutes a central axis of African economic activity, with disproportionate influence on the success of continental integration efforts.
Beyond trade, the relationship is reinforced by deep two-way investment linkages. South African firms -including MTN Group, Shoprite, and Standard Bank – maintain a strong presence in Nigeria, while Nigerian companies such as Access Bank and Paystack have established a growing footprint in South Africa. Although investment flows are asymmetrical and some Nigerian firms have faced operational challenges, these exchanges reflect an emerging bi-directional economic corridor that extends beyond goods trade into services, finance, and digital innovation.
Aligned with Brand South Africa’s mandate to build the country’s global reputation and competitiveness, the week-long programme will convene leaders from government, business, civil society, academia, and the media. Discussions will focus on leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a tool for market access and global positioning, with Nigeria serving as a key focal point.
The South Africa Focus Week has features a series of high-level engagements and cultural activities designed to deepen economic ties and promote collaboration: South Africa–Nigeria Infrastructure Investment Conference (April 22, 2026) which was held under the theme South Africa–Nigeria Partnership: Unlocking Infrastructure Opportunities,” the conference will bring together key stakeholders in infrastructure development to explore collaborative projects in road, rail, and transportation systems.
The forum also examined the role of Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) and facilitated discussions on project financing and implementation with institutions such as the DBSA and Nigeria’s Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
This was followed by the 2nd Economic Diplomacy Roundtable (Thursday, April 23, 2026), which was hosted in partnership with MTN Nigeria under the theme Role of Technology in Infrastructure Development, the roundtable will convene senior government officials, private sector leaders, and industry experts to identify investment opportunities and strengthen strategic partnerships.
Friday, April 24, was for Arts and Culture Experience, which is a dedicated cultural day will showcase Lagos’ creative spaces and features a panel discussion on South Africa’s arts, film, music, and culture. The programme includes a South African film screening, engagements with filmmakers, and a networking reception aimed at fostering collaboration between the creative industries of both countries.
The event continues on Thursday, April 25, with Freedom Day Celebration and Closing Ceremony. This commemorative event will celebrate 30 years of South Africa’s Constitution, 32 years of freedom and democracy, and the enduring diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria. The ceremony will also provide an opportunity to reflect on outcomes from the week and outline future areas of cooperation.
The celebration forms part of Brand South Africa’s Global South Africans Programme, which recognises and connects South Africans in the diaspora as ambassadors of the nation’s values and identity.
The week climaxes with the 4th edition of the South Africa Golf Tournament at Ikoyi Golf Club on Saturday, April 26, 2026, which will be done in partnership with Crossflex International.
According to a statement, the event aims to strengthen people-to-people relations through sports diplomacy, bringing together South African and Nigerian golfers in a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Mr Tunde Ayeni, has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Spokesperson of the anti-money laundering agency, Mr Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest of the businessman on Friday but declined to provide further details, according to TheCable.
Mr Ayeni was accused of diverting the N36.5 billion and $30 million loans from Polaris Bank Limited to companies with which he has links.
He was alleged to have obtained the credit facilities for marine security, electricity distribution, and real estate projects, but moved them to telecom investments tied to NITEL/MTEL assets via a NATCOM account.
After the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoked the operating licence of Skye Bank in 2018, it nationalised it to Polaris Bank.
The EFCC has been looking into the alleged diversion of funds by Mr Ayeni, resulting in his arrest in Abuja on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
He is being grilled over the matter and would be arraigned in court once the investigation is concluded.
This is not the first time Mr Ayeni has been nabbed and probed by the EFCC, as this happened a few months after his bank lost its licence.
The then acting spokesman for the EFCC, Mr Tony Orilade, said Mr Ayeni was quizzed by detectives over issues related to fraud and embezzlement allegedly committed by him when he was Chairman of the bank a few years ago.
By Adedapo Adesanya
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