Political leaders in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State have staged a protest in support of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The protest is led by Ogundu Chinda, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; Martins Amaewhule, former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly; and George Ariolu, former Council Chairman. The demonstrators are urging the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to maintain a police presence in the councils and resist any intimidation efforts. The protest, which is taking place along Ikwerre Road, has caused significant traffic congestion. Last week, IGP Kayode Egbetokun…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
On Monday, an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan ordered the remand of three men, Kehinde Olagbemiro (55), Kunle Oguntoye (45), and Morakinyo Mukaila (57), in a correctional facility over allegations of armed robbery and murder. The defendants, whose addresses were not disclosed, are charged with conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder. Magistrate Maruff Mudashiru did not take the pleas of the defendants, citing lack of jurisdiction. He instructed the police to forward the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. The case was adjourned until September 2 for mention. Prosecutor Inspector Femi Oluwadare told the court…
At least two people were feared dead on Monday after heavy rainfall caused severe flooding at Trademore Estate in Lugbe, along the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Road. The estate, home to numerous civil servants and other residents, has perennially been affected by flooding. In a video documenting the flood, a resident urgently called on the Federal Government and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, for immediate assistance, reporting that two individuals had been swept away by the floodwaters. This incident follows a prediction from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on Sunday, which forecast thunderstorms and hazy weather conditions from…
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has been elected Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum. Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, was elected Vice Chairman. This decision followed a meeting of the Southern Governors Forum in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday. The meeting, which lasted about five hours, saw the attendance of 13 governors and three deputy governors from southern states. Among those present were: – Governor Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) – Governor Godwin Obaseki (Edo) – Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo) – Governor Alex Otti (Abia) – Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) – Governor Ademola Adeleke (Osun) – Governor Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi) – Governor…
Yunusa Tanko, spokesman of the defunct Obi-Datti presidential campaign council, has hailed the unification of the Labour Party’s (LP) Deputy Chairman, Lamidi Apapa, and National Chairman, Julius Abure’s factions as a positive development. Tanko noted that the decision by both factions to set aside their differences and collaborate suggests a shared common purpose. “Politics is dynamic, and anything can happen at any time,” Tanko told media outlets. “If they have decided to work together, they may have a common purpose, and if it’s in the interest of everybody, why not?” He added, “If it’s for the interest of everybody, it’s…
The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday announced the recall of Mr. Bright Iyamu, one of three lawmakers suspended on May 6 over an alleged plot to impeach the Speaker and other principal officers. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Iyamu (PDP-Orhionmwon South) was suspended along with Donald Okogbe (PDP-Akoko-Edo II) and Adeh Isibor (APC-Esan North-East I). Announcing the lifting of Iyamu’s suspension during plenary, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku stated that Iyamu had shown remorse for his actions. Following Iyamu’s recall, other lawmakers appealed to the Speaker to consider lifting the suspension on the two remaining lawmakers. However, the…
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has launched an investigation into the gruesome murder of retired Brigadier General Uwem Harold Udokwe of the Nigerian Army. According to verifiable media outlets, General Udokwe was murdered by gunmen suspected to be armed robbers in the nation’s capital on Saturday. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed in a statement that the deceased was attacked and killed at his Sunshine Homes Estate residence around 3 am on Saturday. “Upon receipt of the report of the incident, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth C. Igweh, ordered…
Suspected bandits have kidnapped Revd. Fr. Mikah Suleiman, the parish priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church in Damba, Gusau, Zamfara State. The Acting Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Very Revd. Fr. Nuhu Iliya, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday. “With sadness in our hearts, we write to inform the general public of the kidnap of one of our priests, Revd. Fr. Mikah Suleiman. This sad event occurred in the early hours of today, Saturday, 22nd June 2024 in the Father’s rectory. Fr Mikah is the Parish Priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church Damba, Gusau, Zamfara State,”…
Residents of the Mereri and Damba areas of Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, have voiced their anguish over persistent terrorist attacks, urging both federal and state governments to take immediate action to ensure their safety. Addressing journalists in Gusau, Alhaji Mustapha Usman, a traditional leader from Damba, expressed frustration over the government’s inaction. “Why should both the federal and state governments abandon us to the terrorists? We don’t sleep with our two eyes closed, as the bandits are ravaging seriously in these areas,” he said. Usman described Damba and Mereri as hotbeds of banditry, where criminals operate freely without any…
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai visited former President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday at his residence in Daura, Katsina State. The visit comes less than 24 hours after Buhari received Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). El-Rufai’s visit follows a series of high-profile meetings with Buhari, indicating ongoing political consultations. Further details of the discussions between El-Rufai and Buhari have not been disclosed.
In a strategic move to enhance the country’s foreign reserves and bolster the value of the Naira, the Federal Government has revamped the National Gold Purchase Program. This initiative was highlighted when the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, presented a newly refined gold bar to President Bola Tinubu in Abuja. The gold bar, sourced from artisanal and small-scale miners and refined by an agency of the Ministry, signifies a milestone in the government’s efforts to reform the solid minerals sector. Alake praised President Tinubu for his support, assuring that the sector will soon contribute significantly to the nation’s…
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has issued a stern warning to politicians in Ondo and Edo States, urging them to refrain from arbitrary attacks on journalists during the forthcoming elections. This warning was issued through a communique at the end of the NUJ’s quarterly National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Ibadan from Thursday to Saturday. The communique was drafted by Comrade Amos Etuk (Chairman, NUJ Akwa Ibom State Council), Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu (Chairman, NUJ Anambra State Council), Comrade Chiroma Ali Ibrahim (Secretary, NUJ Borno State Council), and Comrade Mary Replong Domtur (Secretary, NUJ Plateau State Council). It…
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to reach a compromise to prevent disruptions in the academic calendar. Speaking at a news briefing in Akure on Sunday, NANS Senate President, Henry Okunomo, emphasized the need for immediate and decisive action to avoid a potential strike by ASUU, which has issued a three-week ultimatum to the government over outstanding demands. Okunomo called on President Bola Tinubu to allocate sufficient resources to the education sector, improving infrastructure, providing necessary teaching aids, and ensuring timely payment of salaries and benefits…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has scheduled its councilorship and chairmanship primary elections for June 26-27, 2024, in preparation for the upcoming local council elections. In a statement issued in Ilorin, party spokesman Olusegun Olusola Adewara confirmed the dates and outlined the procedures for selecting candidates across the 16 local government areas of the state. “The party will adopt primary elections and or ratifications where applicable to determine its candidates,” Adewara stated. “This is in furtherance of our party’s commitment to true democracy where people’s rights to aspire to serve are strictly protected.” The PDP has also…
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating condition of the health sector under Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration, describing it as the worst in the state’s 33-year history. In a statement issued on Sunday, Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal alleged that the Adeleke administration’s approach to healthcare is marked by negligence and inadequate manpower. Lawal criticized the governor for failing to address the pressing needs of the sector. “The height of cruelty for a democratic government is to pay lip service to the health sector by refusing to engage the needed…
Former lawmaker Senator Shehu Sani has described Atiku Abubakar’s recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari as akin to “trekking in the Sahara” if it had political undertones. Atiku, the former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election, visited Buhari on Saturday at his residence in Daura, Katsina State. He was accompanied by the immediate past Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, along with other PDP stakeholders. Commenting on the visit, Sani noted on his X handle on Sunday that while a Sallah homage was understandable, a political mission would be…
Residents of High Level in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, are grappling with significant losses following severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall on Friday. InfoStride News reports that the construction of an underpass in High Level contributed to the extensive flooding in the area. The project, undertaken by Baahaus Global Investment Nig. Ltd., has been linked to the blocked water channels and drainages, exacerbating the flood’s impact on local businesses and livelihoods. Victims of the flooding have alleged negligence on the part of the construction company, which they claim blocked all water channels, forcing water into homes and business premises.…
Troops of Operation UDOKA have successfully destroyed 14 boats and numerous drums of crude oil recovered from oil bunkerers at Isimini Waterside in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State. The operation, led by Major General Hassan Dada, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu, resulted in the arrest of six suspects, who have been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) for further questioning and prosecution. Maj. Gen. Dada, accompanied by Brigadier General Olusola Diya, Brigade Commander of the 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ohafia, disclosed to journalists…
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has expressed concerns over the ineffectiveness of over $36 billion in loans meant to fund 197 projects in Nigeria, as the country’s debt profile surged to N121.67 trillion. Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. The criticism follows a recent report from the Debt Management Office, which revealed that Nigeria’s debt had increased from N97.34 trillion at the end of 2023 to N121.67 trillion by the end of March 2024. Reacting to the rising debt, SERAP alleged that the World Bank’s loans have failed to alleviate poverty in…
Politicians from the Okigwe Zone in Imo State have called on their counterparts from the Owerri Zone to support their bid for the governorship in the 2027 election. This appeal was made during a meeting held at the residence of His Royal Majesty Eze Oliver Ohanweh in Isiala Mbano LGA, attended by notable figures including former governor Ikedi Ohakim and Senator Patrick Ndubueze. The politicians argued that equity and fairness necessitate that the Okigwe Zone should produce the next governor of the state. They pointed out that their tenure was cut short with the emergence of Rochas Okorocha from the…