Former Senate Majority Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Daniel Bwala as Special Adviser on Public Communications and Media. Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, emphasized that Tinubu’s decision demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities and a capacity for inclusivity. “Bwala’s appointment is a rare demonstration of large-heartedness in leadership, a quality that is difficult to find in many leaders today,” Ndume said. Bwala, who previously served as the spokesperson for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 presidential election campaigns, was among those recently appointed by Tinubu to serve in this prestigious role.…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has described the upcoming Ondo State governorship election as a significant opportunity for Nigerians to demonstrate that their frustrations and dissatisfaction can lead to meaningful change. Makinde called on the people of Ondo State to turn out en masse and cast their votes for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emphasizing the party’s potential to address Nigeria’s challenges and deliver good governance. Rallying Support for the PDP In a statement on Friday, Makinde urged voters to make a bold statement against what he described as the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) lack of people-centred policies. He highlighted…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that he is not intimidated by the prospect of joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) if he decides to do so. Wike made the declaration while addressing his reasons for not supporting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 elections. He attributed his decision to the lack of equity and fairness within the PDP. Wike’s Stand on PDP and Atiku’s Candidacy Explaining his stance, Wike said, “I came out in this country and said I was not going to support Atiku’s presidency…
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused its sacked Caretaker Committee Chairman, Tony Okocha, of defying the rule of law. In a statement issued on Friday by the party’s state Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, the APC alleged that Okocha and his associates were engaging in the same practices they had previously condemned in others. “Tony Okocha is trampling on the rule of law, and he knows it. The very same thing both he and his paymaster have accused others of doing is what they are blatantly engaging in,” the statement read. Nwauju further described Okocha…
Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced the upcoming launch of the biometric passport application system for Nigerians residing in the United Kingdom and other countries. The initiative, which aims to streamline the passport renewal process, is set to go live in the UK, Italy, and the United States on Friday, November 15, and will expand to other countries globally by December 1. High-Level Discussions in the UK Tunji-Ojo recently led a delegation, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, to meet with UK officials, including Home Secretary Rt. Hon. Yvette Cooper, to discuss the…
A deadly clash between rival illegal mining groups, Anguwan Kampani and Galaxy, in Minna, Niger State, escalated into chaos, leading to the death of a tricycle rider allegedly shot by police operatives during an intervention on Friday. The incident triggered outrage among tricycle riders, who blocked the major highway around the state secretariat, halting vehicular movement between Chanchaga and the town to demand justice for their colleague. Genesis of the Conflict The crisis reportedly began two days earlier at an illegal mining site in Wushishi Housing Estate, where a dispute over mining rights erupted into a violent confrontation. The clash,…
Ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Ondo State, the Labour Party (LP) has dismissed reports of its candidate, Olusola Ebiseni, being disqualified by the courts. The party urged Nigerians, particularly voters, to disregard the claims, which it described as misleading and disruptive. This comes after the Abuja Division of the Appeal Court on Wednesday overturned a previous Federal High Court ruling that upheld Ebiseni’s candidacy. The appellate court’s three-member panel, led by Justice Hamma Barka, declared the appeal brought by the Labour Party against Ebiseni and others “allowed.” Earlier, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had…
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has urged his supporters to remain steadfast and intensify efforts to ensure victory in Saturday’s governorship election. Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, made the appeal on Thursday in Akure during an interactive session organized by the Special Engagement Committee of the APC National Campaign Council. The governor cautioned against complacency, emphasizing the need for continued mobilisation in the remaining hours before the election. “We have only one agenda ahead of us: to deliver victory on Saturday. We have campaigned across the state and listened to the plights of the people,” Aiyedatiwa stated.…
The former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, Ndubuisi Nwobu, has accused some leaders of sabotaging the party over the past 28 years. Nwobu made the accusation on Thursday during a meeting of party stakeholders convened to welcome the newly elected State Chairman, Chidi Chidebe. Nwobu claimed that certain individuals who identified as party leaders had betrayed the PDP by accepting funds from political opponents to undermine the party’s progress. “Anambra loves the PDP. The only problem is that those who call themselves our leaders go out, collect money from our opponents, and work against the…
The United Kingdom Home Office has announced an increase in the monthly proof-of-funds requirement for student visa applicants, effective January 2, 2025. The new regulation raises the required amount to £1,483 (approximately N3 million) per month for students in London, reflecting inflation and the rising cost of living in the UK. For students studying outside London, the monthly requirement will increase from £1,023 to £1,136 (approximately N2.4 million). This adjustment aims to align the financial requirements for international students with those for domestic students, ensuring all students can sustain themselves independently during their studies. The Home Office stated that international…
The immediate past Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has expressed confidence in facing the ongoing probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), claiming he knows the individuals behind the investigation. Okowa made the disclosure during a solidarity visit by the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, led by Maj.-Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (retd.), the Orodje of Okpe, to his residence in Asaba. The former governor, who served two terms, is being investigated by the EFCC over an alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion. Speaking on the matter, Okowa described the allegations as malicious and politically motivated, accusing certain individuals of…
President Bola Tinubu has called on political stakeholders and the electorate in Ondo State to uphold peace and decorum during the forthcoming gubernatorial election. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu emphasized the importance of ensuring a free and fair electoral process to strengthen Nigeria’s 25 years of democratic governance. “As Ondo State prepares for its off-cycle governorship election, President Bola Tinubu urges all political stakeholders and the electorate to uphold peace and decorum and fulfil their civic responsibilities without fear before or after the elections,” the statement read. Tinubu expressed his…
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has dismissed reports circulating online about an ongoing recruitment exercise, urging job seekers to beware of scammers. This clarification was made in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide. He emphasized that the warning became necessary due to fraudulent attempts to deceive unsuspecting job seekers. “The attention of the FRSC has been drawn to a publication by online platforms misinforming the public about ongoing recruitment of personnel into the services of the Corps. This medium is to let the public know that the Corps is not…
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed of treachery and undermining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by conspiring to retain the chairmanship of the PDP Governors’ Forum in the North. Wike made these allegations during a media parley at his office in Abuja on Wednesday, where he criticized Mohammed’s leadership approach and motives within the party. According to Wike, the PDP had a tradition of alternating the Governors’ Forum chairmanship between the North and South after each tenure. However, he claimed that Mohammed and others broke this tradition, conspiring to retain…
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, has voiced support for the Federal Government’s proposed tax reform, asserting that it is not targeted at any specific region. This comes after President Bola Tinubu submitted four bills to the National Assembly aimed at streamlining Nigeria’s tax processes, enhancing efficiency, and removing redundancies. In response to concerns raised by the Northern State Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Northern Council of Traditional Rulers, who expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed derivation-based VAT distribution model, the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, clarified that the reforms aim to rectify flaws in…
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has disqualified Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party candidate for the Ondo State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024. The unanimous decision by the three-member panel was read by the panel’s chairman, Justice Adebukola Banjoko, on Wednesday. Justice Banjoko stated, “The appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024, brought by the Labour Party against Chief Olusola Ebiseni and two others, is allowed.” The judge further assured that the Certified True Copy of the judgment would be made available to all parties involved for review. This ruling overturns an earlier decision by Justice Emeka Nwite of the…
The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Justice Sunday Adeniyi of the State High Court in Abeokuta to deliver a fair and impartial ruling in a case seeking to disqualify its candidates from the upcoming council elections. The factional PDP chairman, Sikirulai Ogundele, along with 13 local government party chairmen, filed the suit numbered AB/484/2024, challenging the eligibility of certain individuals to represent the PDP in the election. The plaintiffs argue that some candidates on the ballot are not listed in the party’s official register, as recognized by the National Working Committee (NWC). The suit,…
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has issued a strong warning against vote-buying in the upcoming Ondo State governorship election, set for Saturday. IPAC Chairman Yusuf Dantalle delivered the warning during a stakeholders’ voter sensitization event in Akure, the Ondo State capital. He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to maintain neutrality and impartiality throughout the electoral process, ensuring a fair environment for all political parties and candidates. Dantalle called on all stakeholders to uphold democratic principles, respect the rights of others, and prioritize the interests of the people of Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole.…
A national dialogue advocating for a return to a parliamentary system of government was held in Abuja, with key figures, including Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Yakubu Dogara, Rauf Aregbesola, and Usman Bugaje, underscoring the unsuitability of the current presidential system for Nigeria. The dialogue, organized by the Parliamentary System Support Group (PSSG) in the House of Representatives, aims to gather support for a bill sponsored by 83 PSSG members advocating the shift, which is awaiting its second reading in the House. Speaking at the event, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, chairman of the Northern Elders Forum, traced Nigeria’s roots back to the 1914…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned a 56-year-old man, Adesokan Olalekan, before the Federal High Court in Lagos on charges of drug trafficking. The defendant, facing a single charge of dealing in cannabis sativa (commonly known as hemp), appeared before Justice Ayokunle Faji, where he pleaded guilty to the amended charge. Following his plea, NDLEA prosecutor Mr. Aondofa Korinjo presented the facts of the case through NDLEA operative Mr. Peter Ereche, who recounted the circumstances of the defendant’s arrest. Ereche testified that NDLEA operatives apprehended Olalekan with cannabis sativa concealed in a black nylon bag. Upon testing,…