The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has declared that the party is determined to take over the leadership of Rivers State in future elections. Ganduje made this assertion during the defection of Dawari Ibietela George, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), to the APC. He assured that the state chapter of the party would be “rebuilt and repositioned” to establish a firm political foothold. The APC chairman emphasized the party’s strategy of welcoming diverse interests while promoting fairness among members. He praised George’s political experience, referring to him as a “big fish,”…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has condemned a lawsuit filed by one of its chieftains, Tony Okocha, seeking to block the disbursement of funds to local government councils in the state. In a statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, the APC criticized Okocha’s legal action, accusing him of undermining governance at the grassroots level and acting against the interests of the state. Nwauju noted that Okocha and his caretaker committee had been removed from office by a court ruling but have continued to act contrary to the judgment. “We are shocked at the continuous and…
The Taraba State Task Force on Environmental Protection, Public Safety, and Prohibition of Land Degradation has linked its crackdown on tree burning for charcoal production to the need to prevent desert encroachment and environmental degradation. This effort has triggered concerns among residents over the rising cost of charcoal, with many families lamenting the additional hardship in light of the high prices of cooking gas and fuel. Addressing the public outcry, the chairman of the task force, Gen. Jeremiah Faransa, acknowledged the economic challenges but stressed that the government’s primary goal is to stop the illegal logging and burning of economic…
A legislative move by the Senate to establish the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship in Bama, Borno State, garnered overwhelming support from stakeholders during a public hearing on Monday in Abuja. The public hearing, organized by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund, featured the sponsor of the bill, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan (APC, Borno Central). He emphasized that the rising unemployment rate and the overreliance on white-collar jobs highlight the need for a specialized university focused on agriculture and entrepreneurship. “Entrepreneurship education provides students with the knowledge, skills, attitude, and motivation needed for success in business ventures,”…
The Gombe State Police Command has arrested 21-year-old Mubarak Haladu for kidnapping, culpable homicide, shop breaking, and theft. Haladu allegedly abducted his seven-year-old nephew, Haruna Bello, and demanded a ransom of N1.5 million from the boy’s father, Bello Haladu. ASP Buhari Abdullahi, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrest on Friday, detailing the tragic sequence of events. “Mubarak made a ransom demand through a phone call, leaving his brother devastated,” Abdullahi said. The police launched a search operation, but the young boy was later found dead in an abandoned building. Bello Haladu, the boy’s father, recounted the ordeal: “I…
The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested three suspects in possession of illicit drugs during a raid in Lere Local Government Area. ASP Mansir Hassan, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrest on Sunday, revealing that the operation took place on Saturday evening in compliance with directives from the Commissioner of Police. “At about 2000hrs on Saturday, our operatives conducted a raid at identified black spots in Unguwan Mangou, Saminaka town, Lere LGA,” Hassan said. The suspects were identified as Ahmed Sama’ila and Nuhu Ahmadu, both from Lazuru village, and Sagir Idris from Mangorori, Saminaka town. “They were found…
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has emerged victorious in all 44 local government chairmanship seats and 484 councillorship positions contested in the just-concluded local council elections in Kano State. The results were announced by the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi, on Saturday. Malumfashi disclosed that six political parties, including AA, AAC, Accord, ADC, APM, and NNPP, participated in the election. He emphasized that KANSIEC fulfilled its constitutional mandate by organizing, planning, and conducting the elections across the state. “The exercise has been largely peaceful and successful in all ramifications. The Commission…
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Abia State have threatened to resume their suspended strike on November 2, 2024, if the state government fails to show commitment and transparency in negotiations over the payment of the new minimum wage. The unions insist that the effective date for implementing the new minimum wage remains July 29, 2024. Following a State Action Committee and Executive Council meeting on Saturday, NLC Chairman Okoro Ogbonnaya and TUC Chairman Ikechi Enogwe, among others, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government to conclude negotiations. The ultimatum began on October…
The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified its opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, describing the move as “anti-party.” Tinubu’s government announced the nomination of Ojukwu, the widow of the late Biafran warlord Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, on Wednesday. However, APC stakeholders in Anambra have expressed discontent, arguing that Ojukwu is associated with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), not the APC. Chief Bunty Onuigbo, representing Anambra APC stakeholders, criticized the appointment, while Dr. Josef Onoh, Bianca’s brother and former spokesperson of Tinubu’s campaign council,…
A prominent political figure, Iyiola Oyedepo, has criticized the current administration in Kwara State, accusing it of failing to provide good governance and direction. Oyedepo, a former member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, made the remarks during the launch of a new socio-political initiative tagged the *Kwara Redemption Movement* (KRM) at a press conference held in Ilorin over the weekend. Speaking at the E-Phonix Hotel, GRA, Ilorin, Oyedepo said the KRM aims to address the perceived lack of equity, justice, and fairness in governance and resource distribution in the state. He clarified that the movement is not a…
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has sworn in the 44 newly elected local government chairmen and 484 councillors, with a directive for them to assume office on Monday, October 28, 2024. The oath of office was administered by the state Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Haruna Isa Dederi, during a ceremony held on Sunday at Africa House, Government House, Kano. The event attracted thousands of supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). In his address, Governor Yusuf congratulated the elected officials, describing their victory as a significant milestone in the consolidation of democracy in Kano. He praised the…
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to uniting the Igbo-speaking states by reviving the annual Ahiajoku Lecture, which will be held before the end of 2024. Speaking at a world press conference in Owerri, the Director General of the Ahiajoku Centre, Raymond Emeana, said the event aims to reignite interest in one of the most cherished cultural heritages of the Igbo people. Emeana noted that inquiries and excitement from Ndigbo both at home and in the diaspora have shown strong anticipation for this year’s lecture. “The Ahiajoku Lecture Festival offers a platform not only to…
The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has presented Certificates of Return to the winners of Saturday’s local government elections. KANSIEC Chairman, Professor Sani Malumfashi, handed the certificates to the 44 elected council chairmen at a ceremony held on Sunday. Among the newly elected officials is Sa’adatu Yushau Tudunwada, who made history as the Chairperson of Tudunwada Local Government Area (LGA). Malumfashi described the certificate presentation as the culmination of KANSIEC’s responsibilities. “The issuance of today’s Certificates of Return marks the conclusion of our mandate, which we have fulfilled diligently and in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of…
The Energy Reforms Advocates of Nigeria, in collaboration with the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Vanguard for Change, have criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) for its inability to restore the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries, despite substantial investments. At a press conference held in Abuja on Friday, the groups expressed concern over the NNPCL’s persistent delays and warned the corporation, led by Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari, against the importation of allegedly adulterated fuel. They lamented that the rehabilitation projects, despite promises of progress, remain stagnant. According to the groups, Kyari has repeatedly assured Nigerians of…
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Y.D. Ahmed, has announced that the scheme will prioritize the posting of corps members, particularly medical personnel, to rural communities. Ahmed disclosed this during a meeting with the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. He emphasized that deploying corps members to underserved areas aims to improve the wellbeing of indigent Nigerians. “Rural areas in Nigeria need corps services more than urban centres,” Ahmed said, highlighting the scheme’s commitment to supporting healthcare delivery…
The Abia State Government has refuted claims made by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) regarding a purported bill aimed at ceding 90% of local government funds to the state, leaving the LGAs with only 10%. The allegations were contained in a letter jointly signed by the NLC’s state chairman and secretary, and addressed to the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly. In a statement signed by Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, the government described the NLC’s claims as “disrespectful and baseless.” “At no time did the executive arm of government send any…
The Abia State High Court, Bende Judicial Division, presided over by Justice C.U. Okoroafor, has reiterated that its earlier order barring the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from conducting state, local government, and ward congresses in the state remains in effect. The court order, issued on October 25, follows a suit marked HB/3/2024 filed by Francis Etuzu, Chidindu Kalu Kalu, and Enyinnaya Ogbu. In addition to reaffirming the subsisting order, the court directed that contempt proceedings be served on the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; the Abia PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Alwell Asiforo Okere; and the committee’s Secretary, Kenneth Madubuike.…
The Kano State Government has announced a restriction on movement across the state ahead of Saturday’s local government elections. The Commissioner for Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, disclosed this on Friday, explaining that the measure is intended to safeguard lives and property during the polls. According to Dantiye, the movement restriction will be in effect from midnight to 6 p.m. on election day to ensure the peaceful conduct of the exercise. “Only personnel providing essential services, including election officials, security operatives, and accredited journalists, will be exempt from the restriction,” he said. Dantiye urged residents to comply with the directive and…
A chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the recently concluded local government elections in Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State, Ahmadu Yunusa Yusuf, has described the polls as a “charade.” Speaking to reporters, Yusuf alleged that elections did not take place in any part of Kagarko LGA, contrary to the announcements made by the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KAD-SIECOM). “It is laughable that despite no election being conducted, the state electoral body went ahead to declare the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as winners across all 23 local government areas,” he said. Yusuf criticized the results, stating that…
Former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju-Kennedy Ohanenye, has pledged her unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu and his administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” despite being relieved of her ministerial position earlier this week. In a post on her X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Ohanenye reaffirmed her determination to work alongside Tinubu in his efforts to address Nigeria’s challenges. “This is a test of time, a highly spiritual movement that no human being can stop,” she wrote. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is destined to fix Nigeria, and I, Barr Uju Kennedy, will fight alongside him to the last.” The former minister…