Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has stated that Northern governors cannot oppose President Bola Tinubu, whom he described as a leader they collectively helped to elect. This comes amid reports of Northern governors rejecting aspects of a tax reform bill sent to the National Assembly by President Tinubu’s administration. In a communiqué issued Monday, the Northern Governors’ Forum, chaired by Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa, expressed concerns over elements of the bill, notably its provisions on Value Added Tax (VAT) distribution. The proposed legislation, forwarded by Tinubu to the Senate and House of Representatives on October 3, 2024, includes provisions…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
With just 17 days to the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, the Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) deputy governorship candidate, Susan Gbemisola Alabi, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Alabi formally joined the ruling APC during its campaign tour in Akoko North West Local Government Area, where she was welcomed by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and APC State Chairman, Ade Adetimehin. Her defection follows her resignation from the SDP on October 2, when she notified the party’s National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, of her decision. During the campaign, Governor Aiyedatiwa, who is also the APC’s governorship candidate, promised…
Abubakar Gummi, representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State in the House of Representatives, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), departing from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on which platform he was elected. Gummi announced his defection in a letter read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during Wednesday’s plenary, attributing his decision to unresolved internal crises within the PDP. He highlighted the recent removal of the PDP chairman in his local government, leading to the emergence of two chairmen and disrupting the party’s democratic operations. However, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda challenged the defection, urging the Speaker to honor his…
Comrade Usman Okai Austin, former candidate for the Dekina/Bassa Federal House of Representatives and National Coordinator of the National Youths Frontier, has expressed support for Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s potential bid for the Nigerian presidency, calling him “overwhelmingly qualified.” Okai highlighted Makinde’s two terms as governor, his achievements, and his extensive political experience as key indicators of his suitability for the country’s top office. He made these remarks in response to claims suggesting that Makinde is a “mole” working for the All Progressives Congress (APC), dismissing them as unfounded. “There’s no harm in a governor aspiring for the Presidency,”…
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to dismiss demands for the redeployment of Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola. Speaking at a press conference in Akure on Wednesday, Ondo State IPAC Chairman, Mr. Olaoluwa Adesanya, affirmed IPAC’s confidence in Babalola’s integrity and capability to oversee a credible, fair, and free election on November 16. Adesanya highlighted that Babalola had maintained transparency by involving IPAC in all INEC activities related to the upcoming polls. He described allegations of her collusion with political parties as unfounded and unsubstantiated. “IPAC Ondo State…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) plans to use operatives of the Amotekun Corps to influence the November 16 governorship election in the state. In a statement by Ayo Fadaka, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the PDP governorship candidate, the opposition expressed concern over the recent appointment of Amotekun Corps Commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, as Chairman of the Security Committee for the APC campaign council. The PDP claimed this move would mobilize Amotekun operatives as “thugs” during the election and vowed to resist the alleged plot. “We…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied accusations from the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) that its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, ignored a court order regarding the prosecution of electoral offenders. In a statement released Wednesday in Abuja, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, addressed the allegations, which stemmed from media reports in which SERAP claimed the Commission failed to prosecute individuals involved in electoral offenses during the 2023 General Election. SERAP had alleged that INEC neglected to appoint independent counsels to prosecute unnamed governors and deputy governors for various electoral…
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has sentenced a final-year student of the University of Port Harcourt, Henry Nathaniel Ekanem, to 14 years imprisonment for internet fraud. Justice A.T. Mohammed delivered the judgment on Wednesday following Ekanem’s arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a seven-count charge of obtaining money under false pretenses and impersonation. According to a statement by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Ekanem defrauded a victim, Diana Roskov, of $22 by impersonating Coran Capshaw, the manager of American singer Chris Stapleton, through fraudulent WhatsApp and Instagram chats. Oyewale disclosed that Ekanem…
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS). This appointment, announced in a statement on Wednesday by presidential media aide Bayo Onanuga, will remain in effect until the return of the substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja. Amid speculation surrounding Lagbaja’s status, Army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu had clarified on October 20 that the COAS was on leave. Onanuga reaffirmed that Lagbaja remains the substantive Chief of Army Staff. Before his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps, based in Jaji, Kaduna. A…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured residents of the FCT that President Bola Tinubu has instructed him to address their demands promptly. Wike made this statement on Wednesday during the flag-off ceremony for the rehabilitation of the 10-kilometer Aguma Palace-Radio Nigeria-New Market Road in Gwagwalada Area Council. The minister emphasized the FCT Administration’s (FCTA) commitment to ensuring that governance brings tangible benefits to residents, particularly through the development of infrastructure in the area councils. Wike explained that the road project was selected based on inputs from stakeholders during a recent town hall meeting between…
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed concern over the conduct and statements of the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that the ruling party’s actions could endanger Nigeria’s constitutional democracy. HURIWA, in a statement, accused the APC of displaying a tendency to dominate key democratic institutions, including the Judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The association alleged that the APC appears to have “pocketed” these institutions, allowing the party to boast about winning future elections with impunity. The rights group cited the APC’s performance in the Edo State governorship election as evidence of the party’s…
The Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday adjourned the case seeking to void the nomination of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Olusola Akinbode, for the November 16 local government elections. The plaintiff, Gbenga Akinwande, is challenging the APC primaries that led to the nomination of Akinbode as the party’s Yewa North Council chairmanship candidate. He also joined the APC and the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) as the first and second defendants in the suit. Akinwande claims that Akinbode did not participate in the screening process conducted at the APC Secretariat in Ayetoro and…
The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the arrest of seven suspected internet fraudsters on Wednesday. The suspects were apprehended on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, in the Kubwa area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The EFCC stated that the arrests followed credible intelligence linking the individuals to internet-related fraud. During the operation, officers recovered 13 mobile phones of various brands and one vehicle. The Commission noted that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 25 suspected internet fraudsters in various locations across Benin City, Edo State. The arrests were confirmed on Wednesday by the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate. According to the Commission, the suspects were apprehended based on credible intelligence regarding their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud. Items recovered during the operation include eight luxury vehicles, laptops, and mobile phones. The EFCC stated that the suspects will face court proceedings once investigations are completed.
The Kano State Sharia Court in Kofar Kudu has ordered the remand of Nasiru Mukhtar, who is accused of assaulting Imam Malam Murtala Sulaiman during morning prayers. The alleged incident took place on October 22, 2024, at a mosque in Tudunwada, where Mukhtar reportedly stormed the premises, grabbed the imam by the neck, slapped him, tore his clothing, and seized his microphone. The imam subsequently filed a complaint with the state police command, leading to Mukhtar’s arrest. In court, Mukhtar’s defense counsel requested bail, arguing that further investigation was necessary. However, presiding Judge Malam Isah Rabi’u Gaya denied the request,…
The Niger State Government has given a 48-hour ultimatum to a joint task force committee to resolve persistent gridlocks along the Lambata-Maje-Diko Road, which have severely disrupted commuter travel. The task force, comprising commissioners for Homeland Security, Transport, and Works, alongside representatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, Department of State Security, Vehicle Inspection Office, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, has been tasked with restoring smooth traffic flow in the affected area. The committee’s directives include the immediate removal of all broken-down articulated vehicles and those parked along the roadside. Additionally, they have been tasked…
Ebonyi State has received a significant delivery of medical equipment valued in billions of naira, aimed at equipping 13 general hospitals and other health facilities across the state. The equipment, which includes delivery beds, operating beds, and various specialized beds, marks the fourth tranche of medical resources procured under Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration. During an inspection of the equipment, housed in a central warehouse, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, emphasized that the acquisition addresses longstanding challenges within Ebonyi’s healthcare system. He highlighted the government’s efforts in overcoming equipment shortages as a major milestone in enhancing healthcare delivery.…
The Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, has approved the sum of N600 million for the payment of 2024/2025 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for 18,734 students in public secondary schools across the state. The disclosure was made by the Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, during a press briefing held in his office on Tuesday. Jones explained that the payment aligns with the state’s Free Examination Fees for Public Schools Law, which mandates the government to cover examination fees for both internal and external examinations in public schools. “With the enactment of this law, every internal and external examination…
The Ogun State House of Assembly has called on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to intensify efforts in repairing deteriorating federal roads across the state, particularly the Abeokuta-Ibadan road. Speaker of the House, Oludaisi Elemide, made the appeal during Tuesday’s plenary session held at the Assembly Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Elemide emphasized the need for FERMA, through its Comptroller of Works and officials in Ogun State, to support the state government’s efforts in road infrastructure by conducting urgent palliative works on the affected federal roads to ease vehicular and pedestrian movement. “There is a pressing need for FERMA to…
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday held a telephone conversation with U.S. President Joe Biden, during which they discussed several key issues, including the recent release of Tigran Gambaryan, the Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed the details of the call while briefing State House correspondents in Abuja. According to Tuggar, the conversation took place around 4 p.m. Nigerian time and lasted approximately 30 minutes. Among the topics discussed was the need for Africa to have a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Tuggar revealed that President Biden assured…