The Osun State Civil Societies Coalition (OSCC), a prominent alliance of civil society organisations in the state, has called on President Bola Tinubu to reinstate subsidies on electricity and fuel or face potential new waves of protests from Nigerians. The coalition issued this ultimatum in a statement released following the conclusion of the official 10-day #EndBadGovernance protest. In a statement signed by Waheed Lawal, the chairman of the OSCC, the coalition expressed strong disapproval of President Tinubu’s recent nationwide address concerning the protests. Lawal criticised the president for failing to address the core issues raised by the demonstrators, asserting that…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), has underscored the critical role of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and values as the bedrock of the nation. He highlighted that it is both the constitutional duty and commitment of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and other military and security agencies to safeguard and fortify these fundamental principles. In a recent visit to Gombe, Air Marshal Abubakar shared these insights during a meeting with the State Governor, His Excellency Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya. The CAS reiterated that while the primary responsibility for maintaining security lies with state governors, they can rely on…
The Ogun State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has vehemently condemned the N250,000 nomination fee imposed by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGISIEC) for the upcoming local government elections. This fee, announced during a stakeholder meeting on Thursday, has sparked controversy and outrage from various political parties, with the ADC leading the charge against what it considers an unjust financial burden. OGISIEC Chairman, Babatunde Osibodu, detailed the new fee structure, specifying that male chairmanship candidates must pay N250,000, while male councillorship candidates are required to pay N150,000. Female councillorship candidates are subject to a lower fee…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State has successfully concluded its ward congresses, resulting in the election of new ward executives across the state’s 168 political wards. Held on Saturday, the congresses were conducted without incident, signalling a promising start for future party activities. The congresses were praised for their peaceful and orderly execution, a fact that many delegates noted with optimism. They expressed confidence that the upcoming local government and state congresses would follow suit and be conducted in a similarly smooth manner. Abubakar Bawa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, commended the party leadership…
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emphasised the need for vigilance and proactive measures to ensure that the Dangote Refinery, a crucial investment for Nigeria, is not obstructed by any internal or external forces. His comments reflect growing concerns over recent disputes regarding crude oil allocations essential for the refinery’s operations. In a statement posted on X, Atiku Abubakar likened the anticipation surrounding the refinery to the expectations of a parent awaiting a newborn, underscoring the importance of nurturing and safeguarding significant investments. He urged Nigerians to actively support efforts that prevent any deliberate attempts to hinder the progress of…
On Saturday, renowned activist Aisha Yesufu lauded Nigerians for their courageous stand against perceived injustices, affirming that their actions have demonstrated their refusal to be subjugated. Her commendation came in the wake of the widespread protests during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria campaign and the one-million-man march. The protest, which was planned to coincide with the culmination of ten days of demonstrations, aimed to highlight various grievances and advocate for significant changes. Organisers had announced their intention to hold a massive one-million-man march across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with the primary demand being the reinstatement of the fuel…
On Thursday night, a hotel manager in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, was tragically shot and killed by gunmen suspected to be members of the Eiye Confraternity. The deceased, identified as Anthony Balogun, had been managing the hotel owned by his mother before the violent incident occurred. The shooting took place around 8 p.m. at the hotel, situated in the Olunlade area of Ilorin. According to eyewitness accounts, two individuals entered the hotel and requested to see the manager. Anthony Balogun, assuming they were potential customers, left his room and went to the reception area to meet them. The situation…
The kidnappers of two Kogi State University students have decreased their ransom demand from N50 million to N10 million. The students were abducted last Friday, coinciding with the kidnapping of the Caretaker Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Dare Micheal, and his three aides. While Dare Micheal was released due to health issues that made it impossible for him to travel with the kidnappers, the three aides and the two students remain in captivity. Initially, the kidnappers had demanded N100 million as ransom for the hostages. However, this amount was later reduced to N50 million, and more recently, the demand…
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has issued a call for members with grievances over the recently concluded local government primary elections to address their concerns through established internal mechanisms. This appeal, made by the Osun PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi, comes in response to reports of dissatisfaction from some aspirants regarding the primary process. In a statement released on Saturday, Bisi assured that the party is committed to addressing all genuine complaints and emphasised the importance of using the party’s internal channels for resolving disputes. He stated that the PDP’s leadership is dedicated to ensuring…
The Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has made significant strides in its battle against human trafficking and smuggling, with recent operations leading to the arrest of four suspected human traffickers and the rescue of nine individuals exploited as prostitutes. Additionally, the command has intercepted a substantial amount of smuggled petrol, further showcasing its dedication to curbing illegal activities in the state. The commandant of the NSCDC in Oyo State, Augustine Padonu, made these revelations during a press briefing held at the command’s headquarters in Ibadan on Friday. Padonu detailed how the command’s Anti-Human…
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called upon the Federal Government of Nigeria to heed the demands and grievances of the youth, which sparked widespread protests across the nation. Addressing these concerns is crucial, he warned, as failing to do so could have serious repercussions. Obasanjo made these remarks on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during a meeting with six members of the National Assembly. The lawmakers present were advocates of a significant bill proposing a single six-year presidential term and a rotation of the presidency between the North and South of Nigeria. The former President emphasised the legitimacy of the…
Chief Olabode George, a former National Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has voiced grave concerns about the party’s internal discord, attributing the ongoing crisis to rampant personal ambitions among its members. According to George, this factionalism is a significant barrier to genuine reconciliation within the party. In a recent statement, George highlighted how individual aspirations are causing disunity and obstructing efforts to address the party’s divisions. He emphasised that the party’s elders need to intervene decisively to address these personal ambitions that he believes are undermining the party’s unity and progress. “The personal ambitions of certain individuals…
The Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has scheduled its Chapter Congresses for Saturday, August 10, 2024, across all 31 local government areas of the state. The congresses aim to elect new Chapter Executive Committee members, in line with the party’s constitutional provisions and the guidelines set forth by the National Headquarters. The announcement was made by the state publicity secretary of the PDP, Borono Bassey, who issued a statement on Friday detailing the procedure for the upcoming elections. Bassey emphasised that the congresses are a crucial step in ensuring the democratic process within the party,…
Barely a week into the Local Government Council elections in Bauchi State, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has announced its decision to withdraw from the electoral process. The party cited serious concerns over the credibility and fairness of the election as the primary reasons for its withdrawal. Furthermore, the SDP is calling for the dissolution of the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC), which it accuses of bias and corruption. The party made its stance known at a press conference in Bauchi on Friday. SDP’s State Secretary, Comrade Nasir DanBauchi, voiced strong criticism against BASIEC, alleging that the commission was…
At least five people have lost their lives following a tragic canoe mishap in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State. The incident occurred on Thursday, August 8, when a canoe carrying passengers capsized while crossing the Gamoda River near Nahuce village. According to a local resident who spoke with Journalists, the boat was transporting twenty passengers when it overturned. Despite rescue efforts, five individuals were confirmed dead, while fifteen others remain missing. In a statement issued to the media, Police Spokesman DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam confirmed the details of the incident. He reported that, “Information from a reliable source…
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has refuted President Bola Tinubu’s assertion that the Federal Government allocated N570 billion directly to the 36 states of Nigeria. In a statement published on the Oyo State official website on Thursday, Governor Makinde clarified that the reported funds were not a direct federal allocation but rather part of a broader international financial arrangement. According to Makinde, the N570 billion mentioned by President Tinubu was actually World Bank funding intended for COVID-19 recovery, with the Federal Government merely acting as an intermediary between the World Bank and the individual states. Oyo State Governor Challenges President…
Russia and China have formalised a new agreement to bolster their coordination in the exploration and utilisation of outer space, with a particular emphasis on ensuring the safety and sustainability of these activities. This development was announced by the Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement released on Friday. The statement revealed that high-level consultations were held between the foreign ministries of the two countries in Moscow. These discussions centred around various aspects of outer space exploration, with a focus on maintaining peace and stability in space. During the consultations, representatives from both nations engaged in a comprehensive dialogue on several…
Former federal lawmaker and activist Shehu Sani has underscored the rarity of politicians implementing electoral reforms that could potentially lead to their own political downfall. Sani made this observation during a discussion at the first Roundtable of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abuja, which focused on “The Role of the Judiciary in Nigeria’s Democratic Sustainability.” Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, reflected on the contrasts between his experiences in civil society and politics. He suggested that these experiences have provided him with a unique perspective on the integrity, or lack thereof, within Nigerian politics. Sani…
The Allied Conservative Congress (ACC) has called for the election of a President of South-East extraction in 2027, asserting that such a move would bolster national unity in Nigeria. The party’s stance was highlighted during the inauguration of its Abia State executives in Umuahia, a significant event attended by key figures within the party. Olusegun Peters, Chairman of the ACC, articulated this position, emphasizing that the Igbo ethnic group has yet to produce a Nigerian President since the assassination of General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi on 29th July 1966. Peters, who was represented by Ibrahim Abdullahi, the ACC National Vice Chairman for…
On Thursday, the Jigawa State Government announced the formation of a ten-member committee tasked with overseeing the implementation of the National Minimum Wage. This development was revealed by the State Commissioner for Information, Youth Support, and Culture, Sagir Musa, following a meeting of the state executive council. Musa explained that the council had approved the establishment of this committee to ensure the effective implementation of the new minimum wage across the state. The move comes in response to the recent national directive aimed at improving the remuneration of workers and addressing issues related to fair wages. The newly constituted committee…