As floods continue to devastate communities along the River Niger, corpses have reportedly been washed away in Udaba, a community in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State. This was disclosed by Joseph Odemokpai, the Councillor representing Ward 8, which includes Udaba, Ofukpu, Agbavo, and Osomhegbe, during an interaction with journalists in Benin City. Odemokpai lamented the dire situation, revealing that several communities remain submerged and the water levels are still dangerously high. “The entire communities have been ravaged by floods, and we are working to relocate residents to safety camps. Unfortunately, in Udaba, some corpses have been…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
Former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has described his defeat in the 2015 presidential election as one of the most challenging moments in his political career. Jonathan, who shared his experience during the 1st Raymond Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture in Abuja on Friday, said the loss felt overwhelming, as though “the whole world was against” him. “It is not easy to lose an election as president. You will think the whole world is against you,” he remarked. Jonathan contested the 2015 election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari of the…
The Niger State Government has approved a new minimum wage of N80,000 for civil servants at both the state and local government levels. Governor Mohammed Umar Bago announced the decision on Friday after meeting with leaders of the organised labour at Government House, Minna. He disclosed that the implementation of the new wage structure will begin in November. According to the governor, the approval followed extensive deliberations between the government and labour leaders. “We have decided to approve the sum of N80,000 as the minimum for both state and local governments. The N80,000 approved is sustainable, and as our agricultural…
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), has reacted to Tony Okocha’s recent claim that the 27 embattled Rivers lawmakers never defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Okocha, who was recently removed by a court as Chairman of the Rivers State APC Caretaker Committee, said in an interview in Abuja that he had attempted to recruit the lawmakers into his political structure but they declined. He added that the legislators were currently at odds with Governor Siminalayi Fubara. “I need to make this clear to everyone. Much as I want to…
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for Umuahia North in the upcoming Abia State local government elections, Raymond Ofoegbu, has called on Governor Alex Otti and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to abandon the Labour Party (LP) and return to APGA. Speaking on FLO FM in Umuahia on Wednesday, Ofoegbu argued that the political interests of both Obi and Otti would be better secured within APGA if they rejoined the party before the 2027 elections. “At a critical time like this, when betrayal has become the order of the day, I am adding my voice to urge…
A 26-year-old bank employee who facilitated the laundering of funds for a notorious transnational crime group has been sentenced to three years in prison. Funmi Abimbola, a resident of Rosse Court Terrace, Lucan, was identified as a key facilitator for the Black Axe organised crime syndicate. International law enforcement agencies have described the group as one of the most dangerous in the world, with operations spanning fraud, human trafficking, drugs, arms smuggling, and murder. Abimbola, a former Bank of Ireland employee with a Master’s degree in Human Resources, managed multiple accounts and controlled the activities of money mules in Ireland.…
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has approved ₦80,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the state, with immediate effect. Mbah made the announcement on his social media platform, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare. “Today, I’m happy to announce a new minimum wage for workers in Enugu State, reflecting our fidelity to their welfare, which we have been resolutely committed to,” Mbah stated. He confirmed that the approved sum of ₦80,000 will take effect immediately as the new minimum wage across the state. The governor explained that the decision is rooted in the belief that labor…
A Magistrate Court in Owerri, the Imo State capital, has declined jurisdiction over a suit filed by the Imo State Police Command against Chinonso Uba, a radio broadcast journalist popularly known as Nonsokwa. Uba is facing a five-count charge, including conspiracy, treason, and arson. However, Magistrate Adikaibe ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, preventing the defendant from entering a plea. Following the ruling, the defense counsel, C.K. Mgbekonye, requested the court to grant Uba bail. However, the prosecuting attorney, N.S. Onwochie, opposed the application, citing Section 93 (1) of the Imo State Administration of Criminal Justice…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on journalists to maintain factual and impartial reporting throughout the electoral process to prevent misinformation and promote peaceful elections. Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), made this appeal during a media forum for reporters, producers, and on-air personalities organized by the Commission. Olumekun, who was represented by the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, emphasized the media’s crucial role in fostering democracy, stating that democratic elections are impossible without the media. According to Olumekun, the collection of Permanent Voter Cards…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has postponed its scheduled ward, local government, and state congresses. According to Newsmen, the congresses were initially slated for October 26, November 2, and November 9, 2024, respectively. In a statement released on Tuesday, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, confirmed the postponement. Morka noted that new dates for the congresses would be announced soon. “New dates for the congresses will be announced in due course,” he stated.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, will be stunned by the results of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State. Makinde, who leads the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West, also predicted the APC’s defeat in subsequent elections across the geopolitical zone. He described the ruling party as a “nemesis” to Nigerians, insisting that the PDP remains strong in Ondo State. “The PDP will defeat the APC. If wishes were horses, everyone would ride them. The people of the South West, especially…
Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has declared that key chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). Aiyedatiwa, who is the APC’s candidate for the election, asserted that the PDP’s influence in the state has waned, urging residents to vote decisively against the opposition party. “The PDP’s umbrella has been torn into shreds. I want you to use your votes to chase away other political parties,” the governor said during his campaign tour of Ese Odo Local Government Area on Wednesday. He emphasized that prominent members…
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has appealed to Nigerians to allow the party to move beyond its internal disputes. Ologbondiyan’s remarks, made on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, came in response to the ongoing rift between PDP’s former presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The former PDP National Publicity Secretary stressed that the party is bigger than individual factions and urged Atiku and Wike to reconcile for the collective good of the party. “The PDP is larger than two individuals. It is…
The Zamfara State Commissioner of Information and Culture, Mua’zu Haidara Kaura, has resigned from his position to participate in the upcoming local government elections. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara has commenced the sale of nomination forms for the polls scheduled for November 16, 2024. The Zamfara State Independent Electoral Commission (ZASIEC) announced that the sale of forms for chairmanship and councillorship positions would begin on October 25, 2024. PDP aspirants have already launched their campaigns across the state ahead of the elections. Meanwhile, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has yet to release an official…
Nigeria’s Coalition of Opposition Lawmakers has raised concerns over an alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a faction backing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to secure a court injunction halting the monthly statutory allocations to Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State. The coalition’s spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere, warned that any attempt to block the release of funds could destabilize governance and trigger a crisis in the state. Ugochinyere claimed that credible information from reliable sources revealed that the group, working with anti-democratic forces, has initiated a legal process at the Federal High…
The Abia State Government has pledged to contribute significantly to reversing the decline in Nigeria’s crude oil production Governor Alex Otti made the commitment on Tuesday at his residence in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, while receiving a delegation from the Defence Headquarters Joint Monitoring Team, led by Maj. Gen. J.A.L. Jimoh, on a working visit. Governor Otti expressed concern over the sharp decline in Nigeria’s crude oil production, revealing that it was one of the key topics during his recent discussions with the National Security Adviser. Citing production figures for June, July, and August, the governor noted…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on journalists to ensure accurate and impartial reporting of the electoral process, warning against the dangers of fake news. Speaking at a media forum organized by the Commission for reporters, producers, and on-air personalities, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Sam Olumekun, emphasized the critical role of the media in fostering democracy. Olumekun, who was represented by the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, stated that misinformation could incite unnecessary tension and violence. “The media is essential to democracy, and a democratic…
Amid the ongoing leadership tussle within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Bauchi State PDP Coalition Youth Stakeholders have expressed their unwavering support for the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum. The group criticized Damagum’s detractors, stating that many of them failed to secure victories in their polling units during the last elections. Speaking to journalists in Bauchi on Tuesday, the coalition’s leader, Sagir A. Sardauna, warned against any attempts to undermine the party’s acting chairman. “We will not tolerate any attacks or disrespect toward our National Chairman,” Sardauna declared. The group pledged to oppose any unconstitutional efforts to…
A Federal High Court sitting in Zamfara State has declined a request for an ex parte order by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), backed by the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, to hold the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting. The faction approached the court amid escalating internal disputes within the party, seeking permission to convene the NEC meeting. However, ruling on the matter, Justice Salim Ibrahim refused the request for the ex parte order. Earlier, InfoStride News reported that Governor Bala Mohammed and his faction had filed the suit to…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has postponed its ward, local government area (LGA), and state congresses initially scheduled for October 26, November 2, and November 9, 2024, respectively. The development was confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday by the APC Osun 6National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka. Morka assured that new dates for the congresses would be announced soon. “New dates for them 88congresses will be announced in due course,” he said. The postponement comes amid growing anticipation of the congresses, which are crucial to the party’s internal reorganization ahead of upcoming elections.