The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the persistent killings, kidnappings, and violent crimes across Nigeria. In a post via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi condemned the tragic ambush that claimed the lives of several Supersports TV crew members and a police officer along the Ihiala-Orlu Road in Anambra State. The attack occurred as the victims were traveling to cover the Super Eagles’ 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya. Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, lamented the worsening security situation, stating that non-state…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has condemned the police assault on Okonkwo Onyemaobi Kenneth, the Young Progressive Party (YPP) councillorship candidate for Otolo Ward 1 in Nnewi North Local Government Area, during the recent Anambra State local government elections. In a statement issued by Chinyere Kalu, IPAC’s National Publicity Secretary, the council described the attack as “outrageous, barbaric, and despicable.” IPAC expressed outrage that police officers used tear gas to subdue Kenneth, who lives with a disability and was only at the polling unit to exercise his right to vote. “Instead of receiving protection, he was assaulted and dehumanized in…
A former presidential spokesman, Doyin Okupe, has raised concerns that the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State could severely undermine the nation’s democracy if left unresolved. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, Okupe warned that the conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, poses a serious threat to national stability. Okupe described the rift and the resulting turmoil in the state as unfortunate, comparing it to the historic feud between late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Samuel Akintola, the then Premier of…
Ahead of the October 19 local government elections, several members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State. The defectors were officially welcomed by the APC on Sunday in Yagba West Local Government Area. Speaking during the reception, Kogi State Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Engr. Joseph Oluwasegun, highlighted the achievements of the APC in the state, asserting that the party deserves to win the upcoming council elections. Oluwasegun dismissed the relevance of opposition parties in the state, predicting an easy victory for the APC. “APC is Kogi,…
With just 30 days left in his tenure, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has requested the governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to constitute a transition team to facilitate a seamless handover. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Joseph Eboigbe, conveyed this in a statement on Sunday in Benin City. Eboigbe explained that the incoming administration’s transition team would interface with the outgoing government to ensure continuity. Governor Obaseki will conclude his two-term, eight-year tenure on November 12, 2024. He will hand over to Senator Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, who emerged victorious in the September 21, 2024, governorship…
Flood victims in Adankolo, located in Lokoja LGA of Kogi State, have appealed for immediate intervention from the government and international organizations to mitigate the impact of severe flooding in the area. The disaster has destroyed several homes, public buildings, and farm produce, plunging residents into extreme poverty. Many affected residents expressed their willingness to relocate but lack the resources to do so. During a visit to Adankolo New Layout on Sunday, some victims reiterated the need for resettlement support from the government. They lamented that flooding has become an annual occurrence, wreaking havoc on the community. Madam Patricia Ameh,…
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse the latest petrol price increase, pending the outcome of a lawsuit before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The suit challenges the legality of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) authority to raise petrol prices. The recent price adjustment has pushed the price of petrol at NNPCL outlets in Lagos to N998 per litre, up from N855, while Abuja stations now sell at N1,030, up from N897. In some areas of Lagos, other stations sell the product for as high as N1,050 per…
The Chairman of the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KAD-SIECOM), Hajiya Hajara Mohammed, has assured that the commission has no intention of rigging the upcoming local council elections scheduled for October 19, 2024. Mohammed issued a stern warning to politicians to refrain from violence and hate speech throughout the election period, urging all parties to ensure peaceful conduct. Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement and sensitization meeting on Saturday, she called on political parties to support the election officials deployed to their constituencies to ensure a free, fair, and credible election process. “There is no plan to rig the election; that…
Over 5,000 delegates have gathered to elect 39 new executive members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano, marking a significant step toward resolving decades of internal disputes that have hindered the party’s leadership. The congress, held at the Sabon Gari Pillars Stadium on Saturday, was inaugurated by Halilu Abubakar Mazagari, chairman of the party’s national electoral panel. He emphasized the party’s commitment to a peaceful and transparent election, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other key stakeholders actively involved. Addressing concerns about internal party conflicts, Mazagari described the disputes as normal for a large political organization…
Activist and politician Aisha Yesufu has declared that she is not a registered member of the Labour Party (LP) or any other political party in Nigeria. Yesufu, who was a prominent member of the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign council, made the clarification during an appearance on Mic On, a podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye. The activist emphasized that her involvement in politics is not driven by personal gain or the pursuit of political appointments, as she has built her financial independence through entrepreneurship. “For me, I worked on my financial independence before I started speaking on the Nigerian issues,”…
The Imo State Police Command has thwarted an alleged attempt by suspected organ traffickers, arresting a 38-year-old man connected to the abduction of a 19-year-old girl in Owerri. Addressing journalists on the development, the command’s spokesperson, ASP Henry Okoye, disclosed in a press statement that the incident occurred on October 10, 2024, following intelligence reports about a suspected kidnapping and organ trafficking syndicate operating in the Douglass area of the state capital. According to Okoye, the swift intervention of police operatives on visibility patrol led to the arrest of Justine Emmanuel, a 38-year-old man from Amaimo in Ikeduru LGA of…
Suspected armed bandits on Saturday blocked the busy Gusau-Funtua highway, abducting an unspecified number of travellers in Tsafe Local Government Area, Zamfara State. The assailants reportedly blocked the road between Kucheri and Magazu communities, indiscriminately shooting at vehicles to halt their movement. The spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, ASP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the attack. He disclosed that joint rescue operations involving the police and other security agencies are underway to free the kidnapped victims. “The incident occurred this afternoon. The bandits blocked the road and opened fire on commuters, abducting some of them. The command, in collaboration with…
Faisal Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, the son of former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, has died following a car accident. A family source, speaking under anonymity, confirmed the tragic incident to Daily Trust, revealing that Faisal was involved in a fatal accident along the Kaduna-Zaria highway on Saturday evening. “The accident occurred along the Kaduna-Zaria highway. He was rushed to an undisclosed hospital, but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead upon arrival. His father was present at the hospital, and arrangements are already underway to convey his remains home for burial,” the source said. This marks the second major tragedy involving…
The Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Phrank Shaibu, and President Bola Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, engaged in a heated exchange on Sunday over the president’s recent travel from the United Kingdom to France. Shaibu criticized Tinubu’s frequent trips abroad, asserting that the Federal Government should not serve as a “travel agency” for the president. Tinubu’s recent two-week vacation to France has sparked controversy, with many accusing him of neglecting his responsibilities amid the country’s economic challenges. In defense of the president, Onanuga argued that Tinubu is entitled to enjoy his “private time” during his…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced its state congress in Kano, expressing determination to rebuild its strength and reclaim power in the 2027 general elections. Speaking at the congress on Saturday, the party’s Northwest Zonal National Vice Chairman, Senator Bello Hayyatu Gwarzo, expressed confidence that the PDP would achieve a strong comeback nationwide. “We are laying a solid foundation to revive the party both in Kano State and across the nation,” Gwarzo stated. “We want to ensure that all hands are on deck to guarantee victory in the upcoming elections, so we can deliver the dividends of democracy to…
Adeleke Adeyinka, the All Progressives Congress (APC) councillorship candidate for Abeokuta South Local Government, was shot dead on Saturday by unknown gunmen. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. in the Jide Jones area of Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Reports indicate that the assailants arrived in a tinted vehicle, after which one of them stepped out, shot Adeyinka at close range, and proceeded to smash his head until he died. A viral video seen by journalists shows the victim lying face up in a pool of blood. A source who requested anonymity said, “The killing happened around 2 p.m. It…
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Federal Criminal Investigative Department (FCID) at Force Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Abiodun Alabi, has urged journalists nationwide to avoid publishing sensational or unverified news that could aggravate the insecurity in some parts of the country. DIG Alabi, who also serves as the Coordinating DIG for the South West Geo-political Zone, made the call on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, while delivering a lecture during the 2024 annual Press Week organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti Council. Speaking on the topic “The Role of Media in…
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has approved the payment of a N73,000 minimum wage for state workers, surpassing the federal government’s N70,000 benchmark. Aiyedatiwa made the announcement on Saturday during the flag-off of the Ondo Central Senatorial District campaign for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the upcoming off-cycle governorship election. The event took place in Ondo City, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area. Highlighting his administration’s commitment to the welfare of the people, Aiyedatiwa said the decision to pay N73,000 reflects a dedication to improving workers’ well-being. “We are committed to the welfare of our…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and its 2019 Bayelsa governorship candidate, David Lyon, over alleged anti-party activities. In addition to Lokpobiri and Lyon, several other party members were also suspended, including Commissioner for Power Kharim Kumoko, Commissioner for Lands and Survey Peres Biewari, former APC state chairman Jothan Amos, NEC ex-officio member Godbless Diriwari, and APC Youth Leader in Southern Ijaw, Sabi Morgan. The suspensions were announced following a disciplinary review by the party’s leadership in Bayelsa State. Speaking in Yenagoa, Mitin Eniekenemi Senator, the APC Chairman for…
Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has called on the suspended acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, to switch allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Melaye accused Damagum of undermining the PDP and described him as an “agent of destruction.” “APC agent of destruction, enough is enough, Damagum. Go and join APC in peace. Bye-bye, Damagum, the harm you’ve done is enough,” Melaye wrote. Damagum, along with PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, was suspended by a faction of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC)…