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…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
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…
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has expressed support for the creation of special seats for women in the National and State Assemblies to enhance their political participation and representation. The National Chairman of IPAC, Yusuf Mamman Dantelle, gave this backing during his opening address at the Council’s 2nd Policy Roundtable held in Abuja on Friday. Themed “64 Years of Independence, Inclusive Democracy, and the Options of Special Seats for Women,” the event focused on fostering gender equality in Nigerian politics. Dantelle emphasized the importance of inclusive governance, noting that democracy thrives when all citizens are actively involved in political processes.…
A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, Asuquo Ada, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing political realignment and personal conviction. Ada’s defection adds to the series of high-profile exits from the PDP in the state. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Friday, Ada said his decision to join the APC was in line with his political aspirations, as the party controls both the state and federal governments. Before his defection, Ada served as the Director-General of the campaign team for a PDP governorship aspirant in the…
Tunde Rahman, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, has emphasized the need for politics to be free of bitterness. Rahman made the remark in response to Tinubu’s meeting with the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, at the National Mosque in Abuja. The meeting, which took place during the Jumat prayer and wedding ceremony of Senator Danjuma Goje’s daughter, was also attended by key political figures. Among them were the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Mohammed Bala, Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South), and…
A fresh controversy has erupted in Kano State as the Federal High Court on Friday sacked the 44 chairmanship and councillorship candidates of the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) ahead of Saturday’s local government election. Delivering the judgment, Justice Simon Amobede nullified the candidacies following a suit filed by a faction of the party led by Dalhatu Shehu Usman. The court directed the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) to accept and clear the faction’s list of candidates instead. The defendants in the suit include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), KANSIEC, the Inspector General of Police, and the…
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has clarified that it played no part in the removal of fuel subsidies by the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The IMF made the statement during a press conference at the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings held in Washington, D.C., United States. Abebe Selassie, Director of the IMF’s African Department, emphasized that the decision to end fuel subsidies was entirely domestic. “The decision was a domestic one. We don’t have programmes in Nigeria. Our role is limited to regular dialogue, as we have with other nations like Japan or the UK,” Selassie said, as…
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have announced a seven-day nationwide warning strike, beginning from midnight on Friday, October 25, 2024. This decision was disclosed by JOHESU’s National President, Kabiru Minjibir, during a press briefing held after the unions’ expanded National Executive Council (NEC) hybrid meeting in Abuja. Minjibir explained that the unions had yet to receive any favorable response from the federal government regarding critical demands, despite assurances made during meetings with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). “If at the end of the seven-day warning strike the federal government fails…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that special telephone hotlines will be provided for media practitioners covering the November 16 off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State. These hotlines will enable journalists to verify unclear issues before publishing reports. Amosa Lamidi, INEC’s Head of Electoral Operations, disclosed this during a workshop organized for media executives in Akure, the state capital. Lamidi, represented by Mr. Tope Onojobi, said the hotlines would be made available before election day to ensure smooth communication. He also revealed that INEC would establish a situation room to receive calls and handle inquiries from journalists during…
Mr. Chidi Chidebe has emerged as the new Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, following a congress held on Thursday at the Women Development Centre, Awka. Chidebe, a former PDP Youth Leader in the state, secured 1,080 votes to defeat Amechi Onowu, who polled 960 votes in the tightly contested election. In addition to Chidebe’s victory, Charles Anierobi was elected as the Deputy Chairman, while Mr. Ebele Onunkwo emerged as the party’s Secretary. The Chairman of the Anambra PDP Congress Committee and Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ossai, urged the new leadership to focus on…
The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Abia State has officially kicked off its campaign ahead of the upcoming chairmanship and councillorship elections scheduled for Saturday, November 2. The party’s state chairman, Chris Onukwue, addressed supporters at the campaign flag-off held at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba. Onukwue urged candidates to extend their outreach to every part of the state, emphasizing the importance of grassroots engagement. “We are determined to win these elections. I call on all our candidates across the 17 LGAs to work closely with the party leadership to secure victory at the polls,” Onukwue said. In their responses,…
The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 21 individuals for allegedly attempting to interfere with the recently concluded local government elections in the state. ASP Mansir Hassan, the command’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna. According to Hassan, the suspects, identified as political thugs, were caught trying to block transportation routes and disrupt the distribution of election materials by targeting ad hoc staff responsible for election logistics. “They were intercepted by operatives from Operation Fushin Kada, who acted promptly to prevent the obstruction of the electoral process,” Hassan said. The police also…