No fewer than 120 supporters of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gulu Ward of Lapai Local Government Area, Niger State, on Saturday. The defectors were received at the APC ward secretariat in Gulu Vatsa by former Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, and a stalwart of the ruling party in Niger State, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa. They cited the performance of State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago over the last year as their reason for leaving the PDP. The defectors, primarily youths and women, stated, “We decided to leave the opposition party…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by some members of the Action Alliance (AA) challenging the party’s National Convention held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, which produced Adekunle Omo-Aje as the National Chairman. Delivering the judgment, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the officers elected at the National Convention are the recognized officials of the party. He stated that the election was conducted in accordance with the party’s Constitution and was supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Reacting to the judgment, the National Chairman of AA, Adekunle Omo-Aje, described it as an end to the…
With 78 per cent of votes counted, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has secured over 55 per cent of the total votes cast, placing him in a strong position against six other presidential candidates. His closest challenger, Biram Dah Abeid, has garnered less than 23 per cent of the votes. As counting continued on Sunday evening, incumbent President Ghazouani maintained an almost unassailable lead in the nationwide election held on Saturday, June 29. The country’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced the preliminary results late Sunday afternoon, after counting more than 78 per cent of the ballots. Following…
Lazarus Atu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged the party’s leadership in Abia State to avoid imposing unpopular candidates and to allow internal democracy to thrive ahead of the State and National Congress. This appeal follows the recent zoning of the state chairmanship position of the PDP to Abia North by the State Party Caucus, which met on June 1, 2024, in Umuahia. In an interview with journalists on Saturday in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, Atu stressed the importance of adhering to democratic principles in the upcoming congresses. “We all know that the hallmark of…
The Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reiterated its decision to boycott the local government election slated for next month. The Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) has scheduled the council poll for July 13, 2024. Initially, the APC expressed readiness to participate but later confirmed that it would not partake in the election. On Saturday, the youth wing of the party announced that it has taken its opposition further by taking legal action against the electoral body and the state government. In a communiqué signed by Khalil Sajo, the coalition of APC youth groups stated…
The debate over whether Okigwe or Owerri will produce the next Governor of Imo State after Orlu Zone has intensified with the formation of a new political group, Owerri Zone Peoples Mandate (OWZOPEM), over the weekend. The group is led by Prof. Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, Capt. David Mbamara, who has been named Chairman, and Chief Mike Nwachukwu, Chairman of the Strategic Committee. In a communiqué issued after their inaugural meeting in Owerri on Saturday, June 29, the group announced the establishment of a high-powered committee to engage with Okigwe Zone through the Okigwe Global Elders Forum and Orlu Zone via…
Gombe State High Court has sentenced an Immigration officer, Dabiet Onyemi Gilbert, to one year in prison for defrauding a job seeker of N800,000. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted Gilbert on a one-count charge of obtaining by false pretence. The EFCC had received a petition from the victim and investigated the case, leading to Gilbert’s prosecution and conviction. Justice H.H Kereng of the State High Court handed down the sentence to Gilbert. In a related development, Justice Muazu Abubakar of the Bauchi State High Court sentenced Saleh Haruna to five years in prison for forgery and intent…
In a significant crackdown on crime, the Imo State Police Command has paraded 17 criminal suspects arrested for various offenses including terrorism, kidnapping, and armed robbery. Additionally, two kidnapping victims were rescued early today. The operation was carried out by the anti-kidnapping unit of the command. Parading the suspects at the Command Headquarters, Police Commissioner CP Aboki Danjuma informed journalists that the suspects were arrested at their hideouts across various locations within the state. According to Danjuma, seven individuals suspected of engaging in terrorist activities within the Oguta Axis were apprehended. They were found in possession of 2 pump-action guns,…
President Bola Tinubu has vowed that the terrorists responsible for the recent bomb attack in Borno State will face severe consequences. Tinubu condemned the attacks, which resulted in multiple deaths and injuries in Gwoza Local Government Area, describing the incident as a desperate act of terror. He stated that the attack reflects the mounting pressure on terrorists and the success in degrading their capabilities. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the president declared that those behind the violence will face justice. “We will not allow the nation to descend into an era…
The Katsina State Government has requested an explanation from the Katsina State Emirate Council regarding the absence of several District Heads at the 2024 Idel-Kabir Hawan Sallah celebration. In a letter signed by Saki Rabiu Jibia, Director of Administration and Supply at Government House, the Governor’s Office directed the Emirate Council to provide reasons for the non-participation of these district heads in the celebration. The letter, dated June 27, 2024, referenced a previous letter from the Emirate Council dated June 7, 2024, and called for a prompt response. This development indicates the state government’s commitment to ensuring the involvement of…
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has criticized the contractors responsible for handling the evacuation of drainages in the state for their lack of diligence. Idris expressed his frustration over the situation, revealing that despite allocating N100 million for the drainage clearing project, the refuse was not properly evacuated. In a video, the governor voiced his anger, showing the drainage left unattended after such a significant expenditure. Speaking in Hausa, he said, “We spent N100 million to clear this drainage, but this was left. It’s not free.” Governor Idris has since ordered the immediate disposal of the refuse abandoned by…
A violent clash between rival groups over a girlfriend has resulted in the deaths of 21-year-old Rabiu Shehu, known as Rambo, and another person in Gwallameji, Bauchi. The spokesman of the Bauchi State Police Command, SP Ahmed Wakili, revealed this in a statement made available to journalists on Friday. He stated that the incidents occurred on Thursday in Gwallameji, on the outskirts of Bauchi metropolis, and Bakin-Kura, within the metropolis. According to Wakili, the first incident began when police received a distress call from Gwallameji, reporting that a group of hunters, led by 49-year-old Commander Saidu Musa, armed with machetes…
In a landmark moment of bipartisan, national, and sub-national cooperation, the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, has brought critical focus to the escalating issue of malnutrition in Northern Nigeria. At a policy dialogue organized by the Athena Centre, held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja on Thursday, June 27, 2024, the governors of Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara states pledged to partner with the Federal Government and development partners to combat the rising scourge of malnutrition. In his opening remarks, Osita Chidoka, the founder and Chancellor of the Athena Centre, called on…
Barely two weeks before the local government council elections in Delta State, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councillorship candidate has passed away. Identified as Hon. Jumi Odaji, he was seeking a second term to represent Bowen Ward 20 (Agbassa & Alders Town) in Warri South Local Government Area in the upcoming July 13 local government election. Odaji died on Thursday night, and the cause of his death remains unknown at the time of this report. Meanwhile, some prominent Deltans have filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Asaba, seeking to stop the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC)…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday commenced its campaign rallies for the Ebonyi State local government council election in Ezza North. During the event at Ebiaji, the council headquarters, Ebonyi State APC Chairman Mr. Stanley Okoro-Emegha encouraged supporters to work towards the party’s victory at the polls. He emphasized the importance of unity among the supporters, urging them to view the party as an indivisible family. Okoro-Emegha expressed his commitment to making Ebonyi an opposition-free state by recruiting those who have not yet joined the APC during the campaign season. The party’s candidate in Ezza North LGA and Chairman…
Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, has appealed to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, to resolve their differences and prioritize peace. Addressing the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, Mrs. Jonathan emphasized the need for governance and urged both leaders to move past election-related conflicts. “We at this point plead that election has come and gone, and now is the time for governance,” Mrs. Jonathan said. “As a peace advocate, I call on the warring parties in Rivers State to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance, knowing…
The Abia State government has praised the residents of Eket Street, popularly known as Ama Hausa, by Owerri Road in Umuahia, for the significant improvement in the sanitary condition of their surroundings. The area, which predominantly hosts the Northern community and the Umuahia Central Mosque, has shown remarkable progress in cleanliness. Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, acknowledged the efforts of the Northern traders and other residents in aligning with the state’s clean environment initiatives. Ogbonna highlighted the improved environmental conditions during his address to the Northern community. Ogbonna also inspected a spot near the Umuahia Central Mosque that has…
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concerns over increasing poverty in Nigeria, highlighting the need to strengthen the country’s social protection system. This was outlined in a communique jointly signed by UNICEF Country Representative Cristian Munduate, EU Ambassador to Nigeria Samuela Isopi, and Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun. The communique followed the 3rd Edition of the Social Protection Cross Learning Summit held in Abuja on Friday. The communique emphasized that Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country, faces significant challenges in human capital development, including deficiencies in health, education, nutrition, water, hygiene,…
Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya has suspended the village head of Garin Majidadi, Mohammed Majidadi, and Abdullahi Panda, the councilor representing Kumo East Ward in Akko Local Government Area, due to their alleged involvement in the theft of an electricity transformer. The suspension, announced by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, was based on the Gombe State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2013. Both officials were paraded by the police and are currently facing trial for conspiracy in the theft at Garin Majidadi. “The suspension is a preventive measure to ensure no interference in the legal process,”…
The Nigeria Police Force in Nasarawa State, in collaboration with the military, successfully neutralized a group of armed robbers on June 29, 2024. The operation led to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of various stolen items. According to a press release by DSP Ramhan Nansel, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Nasarawa State Command, a distress call was received at approximately 0310hrs by the Divisional Police Officer in Karshi, reporting an ongoing armed robbery around the Karshi by-pass. Nansel detailed the swift response: “Upon receipt of the information, police operatives, in collaboration with the military, swiftly…