Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has alleged that the Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu is currently implementing four national budgets simultaneously. In a statement issued on Saturday via his X handle, the former Anambra State Governor stated that available evidence confirms the government’s operation of multiple budgets. He described this practice as a blatant disregard for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability, warning that it is a recipe for chaos, confusion, and catastrophe. Obi demanded an immediate reversal of the situation, advocating for a more responsible and transparent approach to budgeting. He stressed that neither…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down two sachet water factories in Owerri for operating in unhygienic environments. During a routine inspection carried out on Friday, NAFDAC also cautioned another factory in the Imo capital city. The affected factories are Elmabo Table Water and Sylchap Enterprise Table Water, while Giver Table Water received a warning over minor issues. Speaking to journalists at the end of the enforcement, the Imo NAFDAC Coordinator, Mrs. Mercy Ndukwe, explained that the factories were sealed for poor manufacturing practices. “We have invited them all to visit the NAFDAC office…
The Cross River State Government has been ordered not to evict the 1,415 allottees from the government-owned cocoa estate. A State High Court sitting in Effraya, presided over by Justice Ebri Eno, issued the ruling on Friday in a suit numbered HE/16/2024, involving Mr. Charles Mgbe and other allottees. The court granted an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the state government from evicting the smallholder farmers pending the determination of the matter. Following the court session, counsel to the claimants, Ntufam Mba Ukweni, SAN, stated, “The order of injunction restrains the defendants, their agents, and servants from harassing, threatening, intimidating,…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed confidence that it will be difficult for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to win the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states. Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum made this assertion while inaugurating the PDP National Campaign Councils for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections on Thursday in Abuja. Damagum pointed to the process by which the candidates emerged as a clear indication of the party’s strength and potential for victory in the elections. “We will not sit down and allow anybody to search, grab, and steal. We will be battle-ready for any…
The Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) has announced the postponement of the state local government elections from July 6 to November 16. Dr. John Chen, Chairman of the commission, disclosed this development while addressing newsmen on Friday in Makurdi. He cited logistical constraints as the reason for the change, emphasizing that the commission needed more time to prepare and procure necessary election materials. “We have commenced the process of rescheduling by developing a revised timetable that will accommodate all critical activities and allow sufficient time for adequate preparation,” Dr. Chen stated. He added, “Today serves as the date for…
The National Youth Leader of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Auwal Musa, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of politically targeting the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso. Musa stated that the EFCC has no justification to probe Kwankwaso, labeling the investigation as politically motivated. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Musa described Kwankwaso as an “honest and hardworking” individual and argued that investigating him would be a waste of time. He asserted that the probe was instigated by political rivals aiming to tarnish Kwankwaso’s image. “I challenge the EFCC to come up with…
Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice for Sokoto State, Barrister Nasiru Binji, announced on Friday that the deposed district heads in the state have indefinitely lost their royal and traditional status, as the court order on their reinstatement has been vacated. Binji explained that the court order, which had initially stayed actions against the district heads, ceased to exist seven days after it was granted. “The deposed district heads have not been reinstated, as the court order granted by the court has abated,” he said. Citing Order 13 Rule 3(3) of the High Court of Sokoto State Civil Procedure Rules…
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju on Friday criticized the ‘commando-style’ raids conducted by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Adeyanju urged the anti-graft agency to adopt more refined methods to avoid human rights violations. His statement followed an incident where EFCC operatives allegedly assaulted a lady in a Lagos hotel. Adeyanju described the EFCC operatives’ actions as a violation of the hotel staff’s rights. “We have observed with great concern the increasing disregard for citizens’ human rights and the adoption of commando-style investigation and arrest methods by officers of the EFCC,” he said. “The latest incident involves…
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, clarified on Friday that the tenure of the current local government and council chairmen will end in June 2026, not 2025. Consequently, INEC will not conduct local council elections in 2025. Yakubu explained that the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) guarantee a four-year tenure for the Chairmen and Councillors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), contrary to the three-year tenure provided in the Electoral Act 2010. Speaking during a meeting with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abuja, Yakubu emphasized that the tenure of the current…
The Gombe State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal has scheduled July 9 for the continuation of hearings on petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contesting the results of the local government elections held on April 27, 2024. The PDP has filed a petition challenging the victory of Gombe Local Government Chairman Sani Haruna and his deputy, Muhammad Adamu, both of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as the Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission (GSIEC). Additionally, the PDP candidate in Billiri Local Government has filed an action against the declared winner, Mrs. Egla Idris. The PDP’s petition, made…
Former United States President Donald Trump has criticized President Joe Biden’s policies, claiming they are detrimental to Americans. Trump asserted that Biden has poorly managed the US economy, resulting in disastrous inflation rates. Speaking during the US presidential debate hosted by CNN in Atlanta, Georgia, in the early hours of Friday, Trump highlighted the rising prices and cost of living as critical issues ahead of November’s presidential election. “He has not done a good job. He’s done a poor job,” Trump stated. “And inflation is killing our country. It is absolutely killing us. I gave him a country with essentially…
The Police in Lagos on Thursday arraigned a 32-year-old bartender, Emmanuel Johnson, for allegedly stealing N2.3 million from his employer. Johnson is charged with theft and breach of peace before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecutor, Inspector Edet Ekpo, informed the court that Johnson committed the offense on June 11 at 10:50 p.m. at No 2/4, Peter King Ilogbo, Badagry. Ekpo stated that Johnson failed to deposit the money into his employer, Mr. Collins Emeka’s account, and instead converted the funds for personal use. “All efforts made by the complainant to…
Former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili cautioned leaders in Nigeria and Kenya on Thursday against high-handedness, warning it is unwise for leaders to push their citizens to the breaking point. In a post on X, Ezekwesili reflected on recent events and questioned whether Nigerian and Kenyan leaders would learn the right lessons. “It is unwise as a Leader to push your Citizens to the point where they say, ‘Enough is simply now Enough,’” Ezekwesili stated. “According to Proverbs, Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” She added, “Will Hubris allow the contemporaries of…
The Labour Party (LP) has asserted that it remains the only platform capable of ensuring Peter Obi’s victory in the 2027 presidential election. This statement was made by the National Vice Chairman of the party, Ayo Olorunfemi, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, monitored by reliable media outlets. Peter Obi, who ran for the presidency under the Labour Party in the 2023 election, has been under pressure from some members of his Obidients support group to leave the party, which has faced internal crises since the elections. However, Olorunfemi dismissed these calls, stating that true Obidients…
Rivers State Governor Siminialayi Fubara has asserted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed the state. Fubara made this statement while receiving a delegation from the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, led by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Thursday. Expressing disappointment at the party’s silence on the ongoing crisis between him and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Fubara declared that Rivers State would henceforth stand independently to defend its democracy. “In our state today, we are no longer doing party. We are doing a movement, so you don’t blame me if I don’t go to the side of…
The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed Prince Yusuf Kadiri, SAN, as the deputy governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for the upcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State. In a judgment delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite on Thursday, the court held that the LP acted within its rights in nominating Kadiri as the running mate to its flag-bearer, Olumide Akpata. Justice Nwite ruled that the electoral body had no right to reject Kadiri’s nomination, stating that the party’s actions were in accordance with the provisions of both the Electoral Act 2022 and the amended 1999 Constitution. The issue…
The Ishieke Police Division in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State was attacked by unknown gunmen on Wednesday night. During the ensuing gunfight, five of the assailants were reportedly killed by the police. The incident began around 9:30 p.m. with heavy gunfire, forcing residents to seek shelter. According to eyewitness Tony Nwori, the gunmen arrived at the police station in two cars and began shooting sporadically. The gunmen engaged in a shootout with the on-duty policemen in front of the station for over 30 minutes until additional security operatives arrived for reinforcement. Another source reported that the situation attracted…
The Ekiti State Police Command has announced the arrest of suspects involved in last week’s serial killings in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State. The city was gripped by tension after three people were killed in broad daylight over the span of two days. The first victim, a commercial motorcyclist, was killed on Tuesday. On Thursday, a popular POS operator known as Alfa was murdered in the Adebayo area, near the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital. A few hours later, a trader at Oja Bisi was also killed, causing widespread commotion. The police paraded the suspects, which include members…
The Federal Government has initiated an investigation into the alleged breach of data of Nigerians held by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced the probe via his X handle, stating that both the NIMC and the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) are involved. This follows an alarm raised by Paradigm Initiative, a pan-African social enterprise, which on Thursday alleged that National Identification Numbers (NINs), Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), and other personal data of Nigerians were being sold on a website for as low as N100. Despite these claims, NIMC…
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the arraignment of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on an alleged money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to July 17, 2024. At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Bello’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, informed the court of an application before the Chief Judge for the transfer of the case (charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024) to the Federal High Court, Lokoja, pursuant to Section 45 of the Federal High Court Establishment Act. Adedipe stated that the prosecution had been notified and their opinion sought via…