The International Press Centre (IPC) has issued a call for journalists and media professionals covering the upcoming Edo governorship election on 21 September to prioritise their safety. The appeal was made by the IPC’s Executive Director, Mr Lanre Arogundade, through a statement released by Melody Akinjiyan, the Press Freedom Officer of the centre. Arogundade stressed the importance of journalists taking extra precautions while covering the election, citing the persistent risk of attacks on media personnel during election periods. “It is crucial for journalists covering the Edo election to remain safety-conscious and avoid situations that could jeopardise their well-being,” he warned.…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
The Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi, has reaffirmed the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s dedication to alleviating the hardships faced by Nigerians. He made this statement while addressing a large gathering of APC supporters during a zonal rally campaign held ahead of the upcoming local government elections in Gumel, Hadejia, and Jahun. Speaking to the enthusiastic crowd, Governor Namadi emphasised that the APC-led administration, both at the federal and state levels, is fully committed to mitigating the current economic difficulties affecting citizens across the country. “The APC is doing everything within its capacity, both at the Federal and state…
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has expressed strong confidence in the All Progressives Congress (APC) achieving a sweeping victory in the upcoming local government elections slated for Saturday, 21 September. Speaking at the grand finale of the party’s campaign rally held at Ndubuisi Kanu Square, Owerri, the governor addressed a large gathering of party supporters and candidates for various elective positions. He firmly stated that the APC’s popularity, particularly at the grassroots level, coupled with its people-oriented policies, would ensure a resounding success at the polls. “The APC has worked hard to connect with the people through meaningful policies. With…
Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, on Thursday, submitted a comprehensive report on transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector to President Bola Tinubu. Jega was appointed as the co-chairman of the Presidential Committee on the Implementation of Livestock Reforms by the Tinubu administration in July 2024. The report is expected to provide strategic recommendations to revamp the livestock industry in the country. The submission took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, marking a significant step towards addressing challenges in the livestock sector, including conflicts between farmers and herders, as well as improving productivity and sustainability. Further…
Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio, announced on Thursday that the Senate would work on amending the constitution to support the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy. He made this statement while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to former Interim National Secretary, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. A statement released by Akpabio’s Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted the Senate President as expressing gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his efforts in advancing local government autonomy through the Supreme Court. Akpabio emphasised that under his leadership, the Senate would make…
The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Dr Hajiya Zubaida Umar, has disclosed that 1,061,254 Nigerians have been affected by floods across the country this year. Of these, 634,035 individuals have been displaced, while 94,741 houses have been submerged. Dr Umar, represented by Dr Daniel Obot, NEMA’s Director of Disaster Risk Reduction, made this revelation during the “2024 Downscaling of Flood Early Warning Strategies for Early Actions” event held on Thursday in Birnin Kebbi. She also warned that 16 local government areas in Kebbi State are expected to be severely impacted by floods in the coming months. …
Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, the Edo State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has organised a prayer session to ensure a violence-free and successful electoral process. The prayer session, held on Thursday in Benin City, was organised as a response to the tensions and threats that have emerged during the political campaigns leading up to the election. Speaking at the event, Apostle Irekpono Omoike, the State Chairman of CAN, urged the electorate to vote for the candidate of their choice, while also emphasising the importance of peace. “The prayer has become necessary given the political atmosphere. We…
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately planting moles within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State to create internal divisions for political gain. The governor made this claim during a visit from the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) on Wednesday. The visit came just a day after the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) met with the governor, who also serves as the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum. Mohammed voiced concerns about the ongoing rift within the Rivers State PDP, which has seen a power struggle between the incumbent governor,…
The Niger State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with armed robbery and acts of thuggery in Minna, the state capital. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the arrests were made following a report on September 14, 2024, at around 10:45 pm. The Chanchaga Police Division received information that a group of six hoodlums, armed with cutlasses and knives, had attacked individuals near the Old City Gate, by Eastern Bypass in Minna, robbing them of mobile phones and other valuables. Upon receiving the report, police patrol teams and local vigilantes were swiftly deployed to…
The Osun State Police Command has apprehended suspected members of the proscribed Yoruba Nation movement. The arrests were made known by the Command’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, Giwa-Alade Emmanuel, during a parade of the suspects at the police headquarters in Osogbo on Wednesday. Among those paraded were 61-year-old Fagbayi Oluwafemi, 63-year-old Joy Faseyiku, and 64-year-old Alabede Janet. According to Emmanuel, the suspects were arrested for alleged conspiracy, unlawful assembly, secessionist activities, and treasonable felony while addressing traders at the Obada Market in Ikire. The police spokesperson revealed that the trio had been encouraging traders to abandon their allegiance to Nigeria…
The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) has responded to allegations circulating in the media, accusing the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of hypocrisy for endorsing the party’s governorship candidate in Edo State, Barrister Olumide Akpata. Peter Obi recently visited Edo State to campaign for Akpata ahead of the gubernatorial election scheduled for Saturday. In a statement signed by the group’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Umar, POMR refuted claims that Obi’s support for Akpata contradicts his long-standing principles on power rotation. The media team argued that critics are attempting to divert attention from key election issues by attacking Obi’s backing of…
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has made it clear that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not have a preferred candidate in the upcoming Edo State governorship election. Musa made this statement on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City, which included representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies. Musa emphasized that President Tinubu’s stance is for the will of the people to prevail. “The President’s favourite will be the candidate that the people of Edo State choose,” he said. He further highlighted the President’s directive to ensure…
Ahead of the Edo State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, 21st September 2024, a socio-political group, Edo Collectives, has issued a stern warning against the importation of thugs into the state. The group expressed concerns about the potential for violence during the election, following reports of the influx of hired thugs. In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by the group’s secretary, Musa Osagie, Edo Collectives cautioned that any attempt by external forces to disrupt the election would be met with resistance. “There are reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has brought in thugs from Kogi and Imo…
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has urged members of the dissolved National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, formerly led by Julius Abure, to put aside their differences and work with the National Caretaker Committee to strengthen the party. Obi, represented by Datti Baba-Ahmed at the inaugural meeting of the caretaker committee in Abuja on Tuesday night, clarified that it was the party’s constitution that brought an end to Abure’s tenure, not the actions of any individual. He said, “No governor unseated Abure, the constitution unseated him. His tenure came to an end. As of…
Only five political parties have registered to participate in the upcoming local government elections in Kwara State, scheduled for September 21, 2024. These parties include the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Peoples Movement (APM), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Accord Party (AP). This was revealed by Mohammed Baba Okanla, Chairman of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC), during the 42nd edition of the Media Parliament organised by the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin on Wednesday. Okanla also disclosed that over 21,000 unemployed individuals applied for ad hoc positions…
The Adamawa State Government has approved N2.9 billion for the reconstruction of Yola Town Market, which was devastated by a fire five months ago. The new market is expected to house 69 modern shops and will be completed within nine months. This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr John Dabari, during a briefing with journalists following the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting. The meeting was presided over by the Deputy Governor, Kaletapwa Farauta, at the Government House in Yola on Wednesday. Dr Dabari explained that the remodelling of the market would incorporate modern architectural designs aimed…
A faction of the Labour Party (LP) led by Julius Abure has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of targeting the party for retribution due to its active support for the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, during the 2023 general elections. The allegations were made during a media briefing held by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, at the party’s National Secretariat on Wednesday in Abuja. According to Ifoh, INEC’s actions appear to be influenced by the involvement of key Labour Party leaders in the last general elections. Ifoh further claimed that…
Ahead of the Edo State gubernatorial election on Saturday, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has vowed that voters will make it challenging for those planning to rig the election. Speaking on Wednesday in Benin during the grand finale rally for the party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata, Obi emphasised that the era of election rigging in Nigeria is nearing its end. The former Anambra State governor expressed his determination that the electorate would take firm control over the electoral process, stating that anyone attempting to manipulate the outcome of the September 21 polls would face severe consequences. “Election rigging is…
Traders at the New Gbagi International Market, Ibadan, operating under the New Gbagi Petty Traders Association, have reported the loss of two members and the hospitalisation of 27 others following the demolition of their shops by the Oyo State Government. The Chairman of the association, Engineer Kolawole Oyewole, disclosed this during an interview with Newsmen on Tuesday. He expressed deep concern over the situation, which has had a devastating impact on the livelihoods of the traders. According to Oyewole, the demolition, which began on Sunday, has taken a severe toll on the traders. In addition to the two deaths and…
Less than a week after a tragic boat accident claimed over 40 lives in Gummi, Zamfara State, another boat has capsized in Bukkuyum Local Government Area, resulting in further loss of life. The incident occurred on Tuesday at Mashayar Garba Rogo in Bukkuyum town, with over 50 passengers aboard. According to Muhammad Usman, a local resident, the boat was carrying mostly children and a few adults, who were attempting to cross the river to their farms when the vessel capsized. Four children tragically drowned in the accident. While two bodies have been recovered, two others remain missing. Twelve survivors have…