The Executive members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State have removed their chairman, Alhaji Sala Umar, citing misconduct and non-compliance with party guidelines. In an official letter addressed to the party’s headquarters in Gusau, the council leadership confirmed that a vote of no confidence was passed on the chairman during a meeting held on 23rd September 2024, which was attended by two-thirds of the members. The letter, signed by Nura Yusuf (Acting Secretary), Musa Muhammad (Legal Adviser), and Salisu Adamu (Ward Chairman), highlighted multiple grievances against Umar. These included his failure to…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested and paraded a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer, ASC 11 Maikano S/Tasha, for allegedly supplying arms, ammunition, and drugs to bandits in the state. The arrest was announced by the Commissioner of Police, Shehu Muhammad Dalijan, as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to combat banditry. Maikano was apprehended in possession of a significant quantity of ammunition, including AK-47 rounds and anti-aircraft bullets, alongside drugs such as cannabis. The officer confessed to his involvement, admitting, “Yes, I was caught with drugs and bullets on my way to the bandit camp,…
An Osun State High Court in Ede has ordered the remand of the Elegbedi of Egbedi, Oba Muideen Azeez, and four other defendants at the Ile-Ife Custodial Centre following their inability to meet the bail conditions granted by the court. The traditional ruler, along with Akibu Abioye, Yisa Akolapo, Rasidi Ayandiran, and Sarafadeen Abioye, is facing a 29-count charge, including arson and malicious damage of a farm in Iloba town. At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Justice Kudirat Akano granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N5 million each, with two sureties. The judge stipulated that one of…
Justice Hauwa’u Bubari of the Federal High Court in Kaduna has sentenced Audu Ishida and Elisha Smith to a total of six years imprisonment for fraud-related offences. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna Zonal Directorate, prosecuted the duo on separate charges of impersonation, retention of proceeds of fraud, and money laundering. According to a statement posted on the EFCC’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, both Ishida and Smith pleaded guilty to the charges during their trial. This prompted the EFCC’s prosecution counsel, M.E. Eimonye, to request their conviction and sentencing. After reviewing the case, Justice Bubari…
Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the just-concluded Edo State election, has accused members of his party of selling their votes to rival political parties. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, the winner of the election on Sunday. Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. Akpata finished a distant third with 22,763 votes. During an interview on Channels TV, Akpata attributed his defeat to the widespread vote-buying that occurred during the election, lamenting that even members of the…
The Coalition for Kaduna Political Groups (KPG) has raised concerns over the internal crisis currently plaguing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warning that it could significantly affect the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections. In a statement signed by its leadership, including Convener Ibrahim Murtala Kachia, Co-Convener Solomon Jacob Maiyaki, PRO Dr. Victor Bobai, and Secretary General Mrs. Daniel Blessing, the group expressed alarm over the leadership struggles, divisions, and erosion of trust within the PDP. They cautioned that these issues have cast doubt on the party’s ability to function as a credible opposition. The group highlighted recent developments…
The Kwara State High Court has sentenced five suspects involved in the infamous 2018 Offa bank robbery to death. Justice Haleemah Salman, presiding over the case, found the five individuals guilty of multiple charges, including illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery, and culpable homicide. The judge stated that the offences, under Nigerian law, are punishable by death. The 2018 Offa bank robbery remains one of the most brutal criminal incidents in the state’s history, resulting in the deaths of several people, including police officers and civilians. More details to follow…
Edo State Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, has expressed anticipation for a congratulatory message from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the recently concluded gubernatorial election, Asue Ighodalo. After receiving his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday, Okpebholo visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he met with President Bola Tinubu. During his visit, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate pledged to lead as a “servant-leader” and emphasised his commitment to the development of Edo State. “For me, I’m coming as a servant to serve the Edo people. That is what is…
The Federal Government has approved a significant increase in the monthly allowance for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), raising it to N77,000 effective from July 2024. This development was confirmed in a statement issued by Caroline Embu, the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations for NYSC. The increase aligns with the recently enacted National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. The decision was communicated through a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated September 25, 2024, and signed by its chairman, Ekpo Nta. This followed advocacy efforts led by Brigadier General Y.D. Ahmed, the…
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) Imo State chapter has announced its decision to challenge the outcome of the recently concluded local government elections held across the 27 local council areas and 305 wards in the state. The party expressed its dissatisfaction with the election process, accusing the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) of undermining the election guidelines to favour the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration. In a petition sent to ISIEC and made available to the media in Owerri, the SDP State Chairman, Ifeanyi Henry Eluwa, strongly criticised the manner in which the election was conducted. He claimed that…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), labelling him a “serial complainer” who refuses to accept election results that do not favour him or his supported candidates. Felix Morka, the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, made the statement during an interview with Arise TV. He dismissed Obi’s concerns regarding the recently concluded Edo State governorship election, asserting that his opinions on the matter were irrelevant. Morka said, “Peter Obi is a serial complainer who will not accept the result of any election that is not in his favour or the…
At least 28 people have died, and 19 others were seriously injured after a bus swerved off the road and plunged into a river in southern Ethiopia on Wednesday, local authorities have confirmed. The tragic accident took place in the Wolaita region, about 400 kilometres (250 miles) south of the capital, Addis Ababa. According to local officials, the bus, which veered down a steep slope, was severely damaged, with its roof ripped off due to the impact of the crash. Rescue and search operations are ongoing, as authorities have yet to determine the exact number of passengers on board at…
The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its decision to boycott the upcoming local government elections scheduled for October 5. The party cited an ongoing legal case, initiated by a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Tony Okocha, as a significant reason for its withdrawal from the election. State PDP Chairman, Aaron Chukwuemeka, disclosed the party’s stance during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the party’s secretariat in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. Chukwuemeka, who is reportedly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, explained that the legal proceedings…
The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has officially presented Certificates of Return to the winners of the local government chairmanship election held last Saturday. The All Progressives Congress (APC) secured a sweeping victory, winning all 27 chairmanship and 305 councillorship positions across the state. ISIEC Chairman, Charles Ejiogu, presided over the presentation ceremony on Tuesday. He explained that the issuance of the certificates was in accordance with legal requirements, adding that certificates for the vice chairmen and councillors would be distributed in the coming days. Speaking at the event, Ejiogu emphasised the significance of the election and the peaceful…
A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled October 24, 2024, for the hearing of a contempt charge filed by the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, against Marvellous Godwins Omobayo for allegedly refusing to comply with a court ruling. The court date was set by Justice James Omotosho after Shaibu’s legal counsel, Reuben Egwuaba, informed the court that a motion had been filed seeking the committal of Omobayo, who had taken over as the deputy governor, to prison. Egwuaba argued that Omobayo failed to honour a valid court order that reinstated Shaibu to his position. Justice Omotosho…
The Adamawa State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the official results of the recently concluded governorship election in Edo State, describing it as “daylight robbery.” During a press briefing in Yola on Tuesday, the party called on its national leadership in Abuja and Edo State to swiftly seek legal redress to challenge the outcome of the election. Ahmed Shehu, the Adamawa State PDP Chairman, who addressed the media at the party’s secretariat, expressed the chapter’s alignment with the stance of the PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and PDP governors, who have all claimed that the election…
The Zamfara State Sector Command of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) has called for collaboration with the State Fire Service to enhance the efficiency of rescue operations, particularly during road crashes involving fire outbreaks. The appeal was made by the state FRSC Sector Commandant, Umar Massaudu, during a courtesy visit to the Director of the Zamfara State Fire Service Board, Abdullahi Jibbo, in Gusau, the state capital. Commandant Massaudu highlighted the need for joint efforts between the FRSC and the State Fire Service, particularly in the areas of training and retraining FRSC personnel on firefighting techniques. He emphasised that…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has directed the Department of Development Control (DDC) of the FCTA to commence the demolition of structures obstructing roadways at the Kugbo International Market. The directive was issued during an inspection tour on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, as Wike assessed the ongoing construction of the market and a new structure proposed to house the Ministry of Livestock Development in the Central Business District. The Kugbo International Market is a public-private partnership project between the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL), an FCT agency, and Mesotho Group Limited, a private organisation. Wike…
The Yobe State House of Assembly has expedited consideration of a bill mandating compulsory tests for sickle cell disease and hepatitis prior to marriage in the state. The bill, sponsored by five legislators, received its second reading on Wednesday, marking a significant step towards its passage into law. The bill is being spearheaded by Kachalla Ajiya Maina (Machina constituency), Mohammed Isa Bello (Mamudo), Nasiru Hassan Yusuf (Damaturu Central), Buba Ibrahim Kalallawa (Damaturu 2), and Sanda Kara Bade (Bade West constituencies). Its aim is to prevent the spread of sickle cell disease and hepatitis, raise public awareness, and enhance access to…
The Federal Government has declared that it will not intervene in the ongoing dispute over petrol pump prices between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery. According to the government, both parties are free to determine their own market prices for petrol, commonly known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). This position was made clear by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, during a press briefing at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday. Onanuga explained that since the deregulation of the petroleum sector, both NNPCL and Dangote Refinery, as key players in…