The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Kazeem Akinleye, the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Osun State, over allegations of misconduct concerning a contract awarded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) at Osun State University (UNIOSUN). The APC claims that Akinleye, leveraging his close relationship with the state government, facilitated the award of a N297 million contract to a company linked to him. In a statement issued by Kola Olabisi, the Osun APC Director of Media and Information, the party…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Salihu Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has openly criticised the party’s leadership, including both former President Muhammadu Buhari and current President Bola Tinubu, for what he describes as their role in ruining the country. In a candid statement released on Saturday in Abuja, Lukman expressed his disillusionment with the APC’s governance, emphasising that the 2027 elections present a critical opportunity to replace the current administration and chart a new course for Nigeria. Lukman’s remarks reflect deep frustration with the trajectory of the APC under its past and present leadership. He argued that…
Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, has announced his decision to take an indefinite leave of absence from his official duties, citing urgent medical concerns within his immediate family. The announcement was made through a formal memo submitted to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Friday. This decision marks a significant pause in Ngelale’s extensive responsibilities within the administration. In his statement, Ngelale expressed the difficulty of making such a choice, emphasising that it was made only after thorough deliberations with his family. “This agonising decision was taken after significant…
The Labour Party (LP) in Kaduna State has clarified that the recent appointment of Nenadi Usman as the National Caretaker Chairman of the party is in line with the conclusion of Barrister Julius Abure’s tenure. This move aims to ensure the party’s continuity and effectiveness as it navigates a critical leadership transition. In a statement issued on Saturday by Mr. Yusuf Solomon Danbaki and Sani Sahabi, Chairman and Secretary of the State Labour Party Interim Committee, the party highlighted the need for unity and acceptance of the new leadership to maintain the momentum and relevance of the party. The statement…
A tragic boat accident in Lafia East Local Government Area of Nasarawa State claimed the lives of four individuals on Thursday, highlighting the critical need for better infrastructure in the region. The victims, comprised of one man and three women, were farmers travelling from Alogani village to Ashangwa market when their overloaded boat capsized. Eyewitness Abdul Hamid Sale, who witnessed the harrowing incident, described the tragedy as a needless loss of lives that could have been prevented. Sale explained that the lack of adequate road networks forced the farmers to resort to the perilous boat journey across the local river.…
The Chief Magistrate Court 2 in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, has sentenced 15 notorious gang members, locally known as Shila Boys, to prison terms ranging from one to five years for a series of criminal offences. The Shila Boys, infamous for their involvement in street crime, were convicted on charges including extortion, receiving stolen property, thuggery, criminal conspiracy, and causing grievous bodily harm. Presided over by Magistrate Abbas Adamu, the court delivered its judgment after the youths were tried and found guilty based on the evidence presented by the prosecuting police officer, ASP Iliya Akawu, who represented the…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Counter Terrorism Centre to tackle the growing menace of counterfeit drugs and chemical threats in Nigeria. This collaboration was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was announced by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement released on Friday. The National Counter Terrorism Centre operates under the Office of the National Security Adviser and plays a critical role in Nigeria’s security framework. The MoU between NAFDAC and the Centre is part of the broader National…
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has issued a public warning about a surge in fraudulent activities involving scammers who falsely claim to represent the NDDC Youth Internship Scheme. The commission has clarified that registration for the internship scheme officially closed on 31st August 2024, and any communication suggesting otherwise should be considered suspicious. In an official statement released on Friday by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, the commission alerted the public to the deceptive tactics being employed by these fraudsters. According to the statement, numerous individuals have reported receiving unsolicited messages falsely informing them that…
Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Ideato North South Federal Constituency (PDP, Imo), has strongly refuted claims that a legitimate Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congress took place in Rivers State over the weekend. According to Ugochinyere, the event was not an official party congress but rather a gathering organised by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, under the guise of a PDP congress. The controversy unfolded as PDP state congresses were conducted across various states, including Rivers, Benue, Katsina, and Kogi. These congresses were marked by widespread discontent and complaints, with several…
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to revert to the previous pricing of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, amid recent price hikes across the nation. This appeal comes as Nigerians continue to grapple with economic hardships exacerbated by inflation and the removal of fuel subsidies. In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC expressed deep concern over the current economic challenges facing Nigerians. The statement, released to Newsmen on Friday, highlighted the widespread suffering and hunger afflicting the population. Professor Akintola emphasised that the…
On Friday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja firmly rejected an appeal from governorship aspirants of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Arthur Esene and Anselm Ojezua. The duo had sought to disqualify the PDP’s candidate for the upcoming governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, scheduled for September 21. The appeal, designated CA/ABJ/CV/863/2024, aimed to overturn a previous decision made by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja. On April 17, Justice Omotosho had dismissed their case, ruling it as statute-barred, meaning it was filed outside the legally permitted timeframe. The court also found that Esene and…
Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has highlighted the challenges faced by Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Group, in bringing his refinery to operational status. Atiku’s comments come amid his broader criticism of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led governments, which he accuses of implementing policies detrimental to the private sector. In a statement posted on X, Atiku emphasised the resilience and determination required for private sector success in Nigeria, using Dangote’s journey as an example of overcoming significant hurdles. He noted that if Nigeria is to achieve economic growth through private investment, the…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has provided detailed updates on its ongoing preparations for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. During a press briefing held in Abuja, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mr Sam Olumekun, represented by the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Mary Nkem, emphasised the commission’s commitment to conducting the elections with the utmost integrity and transparency. Mr Olumekun highlighted the critical role of the media in the electoral process, stressing that journalists serve not only as conveyors of information but also as key…
In a significant update ahead of the upcoming local government elections, the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) has amended the age qualification for candidates, reducing the minimum age from 30 to 25 years. This change, announced by the Commission’s Chairman, Babatunde Osibodu, aligns the state’s electoral guidelines with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, allowing a younger cohort of candidates to participate in the democratic process. According to Osibodu, the adjustment follows a comprehensive review of the laws governing local government elections in Ogun State. The decision was made to bring OGSIEC’s guidelines in line with Section 7(4) and…
The Lagos State Police Command has taken custody of Adeleye Ayomide, a 23-year-old accused of murdering Idowu Christiana, a 300-level student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Ayomide was handed over to the police by the Nigerian Army’s 9 Brigade Headquarters in Lagos on Thursday, 5th September 2024, marking a significant step forward in the investigation of the tragic incident. The transfer of the suspect was confirmed by the Lagos State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who made the announcement via his official X (formerly Twitter) account. “23-year-old Ayomide Adeleye has been handed over to…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has strongly condemned the recent surge of violence perpetrated by unidentified gunmen, which has left several security personnel dead and public facilities destroyed. The attacks targeted the council headquarters of the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area (LGA), resulting in the death of security guards. Additionally, the Divisional Police Headquarters in Obowo LGA was set ablaze, and a policeman was brutally killed in his home near the NEPA junction in the Umulogho community of the same LGA. In a press statement, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Lancelot Obiaku, expressed the party’s…
The Delta State Police Command announced on Thursday that a suspected kidnapper, Joel Ochuko Ofoye, has died following a gun battle with police operatives in Ewu community, Ughelli South Local Government Area. The incident occurred during an investigative operation led by the police, aiming to crack down on a kidnapping ring operating in the area. Speaking at a press conference in Asaba, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Olufemi Abaniwonda, disclosed details of the encounter that led to the suspect’s demise. He explained that the police had previously arrested Ofoye on 18th July as part of an ongoing investigation into a…
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has taken decisive action to dissolve its executive committees in Taraba, Benue, Oyo, Bauchi, and Gombe states. This decision, announced in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Ladipo Johnson, followed an emergency meeting held by the NWC in Abuja on Thursday. The dissolution affects the entire executive structure of the party, from the state level down to the ward level in the affected states. According to Mr Johnson, the dissolution is part of a broader strategy to revitalise and reposition the NNPP in these key…
The political crisis within the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) continues to deepen as the party’s National Chairman, Edozie Njoku, issued a stern warning to the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Njoku expressed his growing frustration with Soludo’s stance on the leadership tussle, cautioning that his patience is wearing thin. Despite multiple court rulings affirming Njoku’s position as the legitimate National Chairman of APGA, the dispute remains unresolved. Njoku emphasised that while there is still an opportunity for reconciliation, this hinges on Governor Soludo’s willingness to engage constructively. The…
In a significant legal victory for opposition parties, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order restraining the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) from imposing exorbitant fees on candidates contesting in the upcoming local government elections. The ruling comes after KANSIEC announced that chairmanship and councillorship candidates would be required to pay N10 million and N5 million respectively as part of their election bid. This decision sparked widespread criticism, leading to legal action spearheaded by several political parties. Justice Emeka Nwite, presiding over the case, granted the restraining order in response to a lawsuit filed by the…