Dr Doyin Okupe, former Director-General of Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign Organisation and a seasoned political strategist, has criticised those attacking him for endorsing President Bola Tinubu’s economic recovery plan, labelling his critics as misguided and uninformed. Okupe, who previously served as a Presidential Spokesperson, addressed the backlash in a statement made in Lagos on Monday, urging Nigerians to rise above partisan divisions for the greater good of the nation. Following his public support for some of the current administration’s policies, Okupe has faced a barrage of criticism, particularly on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Some Nigerians have accused him…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
The ongoing floods in Yobe State have caused severe disruptions and damage, prompting calls for the Federal Government to intervene urgently to alleviate the suffering of affected communities and avert an impending humanitarian crisis. Senator Musa Mustapha of the Yobe East Senatorial District made a passionate appeal for immediate action following the recent floods that have isolated nine local government areas from the state capital, Damaturu. Senator Mustapha expressed deep concern over the dire situation, highlighting the significant impact of the flooding on the livelihoods of the residents. “This natural disaster could worsen the existing hardships faced by our people,…
The Kebbi State Independent Electoral Commission (KESIEC) announced on Sunday that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won all contested positions in the recent local council elections held on Saturday. Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad-Mera, the Chairman of KESIEC, declared the APC victorious in all 21 chairmanship and 225 councillorship seats across the state. Speaking in Birnin Kebbi, Muhammad-Mera confirmed that 17 political parties, including the APC, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Labour Party (LP), African Action Congress (AAC), Boot Party, Action Peoples Party (AP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP), among others, participated in the elections. He stated that the Commission ratified and…
The Kwara State Environmental Sanitation Task Force has taken a firm stance on enforcing environmental laws, convicting and fining more than 400 offenders for violating sanitation regulations. This announcement was made by the State Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge, following a three-hour environmental sanitation exercise carried out across the state on Saturday. Addressing journalists after the exercise, Hajia Buge expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance observed, noting a marked improvement compared to previous efforts. “The exercise was successful because there is an improvement in the level of compliance,” she remarked. However, she stressed the need for greater…
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has firmly denied allegations that it refused to register graduates of Science and Laboratory Technology (SLT) at its orientation camp in Gombe State. Reports had circulated that polytechnic graduates who studied SLT were allegedly denied access to the camp for failing to present professional certificates from the National Institute for Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT). Responding to these accusations, the Gombe State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Chinwe Nwachuku, described the reports as “untrue and baseless”. She clarified that all SLT graduates who reported at the camp were registered, regardless of whether they possessed the professional licence…
In a series of pointed remarks, former United States President and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Americans about Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Trump, known for his outspoken criticism of his political rivals, characterised Harris as a significant threat to American democracy, claiming that her presidency would usher in poverty, chaos, and instability. Taking to social media platform X, Trump launched a scathing critique of Harris, labelling her as the “weakest presidential candidate in US history”. He emphasised her liberal track record, arguing that her policies would be disastrous for the country. Trump’s…
Bauchi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has successfully elected a new set of executive officers to lead the party in the state. The election, which took place over the weekend, marked a significant step for the PDP as it prepares to solidify its position as the ruling party in Bauchi State ahead of the 2027 elections. Pharmacist Sama’ila Adamu Burga emerged as the new Chairman of the Bauchi PDP, with Falalu Attah elected as the Deputy Chairman. The other newly elected officials include Bakoji Aliyu Bobo as Secretary, Danlami Garba Abubakar as Zonal Chairman for Bauchi South,…
The Stakeholders Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State has strongly opposed the imposition of Idris B. Nana as the new chairman of the party in the council. This move has sparked controversy and discontent among the party’s members, who are calling for a more transparent and inclusive approach to leadership within the local chapter. Gambo Ibrahim, who had been leading the APC in Suleja for over two years since the Local Government Party Congress in October 2021, was recently replaced by Idris B. Nana. However, the decision to appoint Nana as…
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has fired back at critics who have taken to social media to insult and misinterpret his posts. In a series of defiant remarks, El-Rufai emphasised his indifference towards the negative feedback, stating that the course of events would unfold as destined, regardless of public opinion. El-Rufai, posting on X (formerly Twitter) under the title “POLITICS & PUBLIC SERVICE?”, quoted the famous Latin phrase “veni, vidi, vici” attributed to Julius Caesar, meaning “I came, I saw, I conquered.” This quote sets the tone for his message, underscoring his resilience in the face of criticism. He…
Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has made startling claims regarding the political dynamics that shaped the emergence of President Bola Tinubu. According to Lamido, former President Muhammadu Buhari never wanted Tinubu to succeed him, nor did he trust his Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, to take the reins. Instead, Buhari’s preferred successor was ex-Senate President Ahmed Lawan. In a recent interview with *Tribune*, Lamido discussed Buhari’s perceived reluctance to support Tinubu’s presidential bid and how this influenced the political landscape leading up to the 2023 presidential election. Lamido emphasised that Tinubu’s rise to power was largely a result of…
The International Press Centre (IPC), through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) initiative, has expressed strong disapproval over the detention of Muktar Dahiru, a journalist based in Kano and working with Pyramid FM. Dahiru’s arrest has raised concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists in Nigeria, particularly in Kano State, where he was detained for allegedly sharing content deemed offensive by the state government. Reports indicate that Dahiru was arrested by the police on Thursday, 29 August 2024, following a post he made on his Facebook page. The content, which criticised Kano State government officials, including Governor…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating a plan to interfere with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during the upcoming September 21 governorship election. According to the PDP, the APC is allegedly recruiting fake Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff to manipulate the accreditation process in favour of their candidate. During a press briefing in Benin City on Friday, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, the state chairman of the PDP, detailed these allegations, asserting that the party’s intelligence unit had uncovered the APC’s scheme to deploy youths posing as INEC technical…
The North Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has expressed strong disapproval over the endorsement of Abdullahi Ganduje as the party’s national chairman by Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who also serves as the Chairman of the North Central Governors’ Forum. The forum accused Governor Sule of prioritising personal interests over the collective good of the North Central region, the APC, and President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Saleh Zazzaga, Chairman of the North Central APC Forum, voiced these concerns during a press briefing in Jos, Plateau State, on Saturday. He criticised Governor Sule’s recent visit to the APC secretariat in…
Nigerian-American Kelechi Ndukwe has made history as the first Nigerian to command a US Navy warship, marking a significant milestone in the annals of naval achievements. Recently promoted to the esteemed rank of Navy Captain from Commander, Ndukwe’s remarkable journey through the US Navy has been characterised by dedication, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to service over the past two decades. His appointment to this prestigious role reflects his exemplary service and stands as a testament to his trailblazing career. Ndukwe’s naval journey began in 2003, following his completion of a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from…
The British Government has awarded the esteemed Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to 82 Nigerian students for the 2024 academic year, providing a significant opportunity for these scholars to pursue master’s and PhD programmes in the United Kingdom. Such initiative underscores the UK’s commitment to fostering educational development in Nigeria and strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. According to a statement released by the British High Commission in Abuja, the scholarships were awarded to 32 Nigerians under the Chevening programme, and 50 were granted Commonwealth scholarships. This year’s cohort will study a broad range of disciplines across various UK institutions,…
Between 2021 and 2023, more than 1,425 international students who had gained admission to universities in the United Kingdom were denied entry upon arrival at UK airports. Among those affected were 161 Nigerians, whose visas were revoked at the point of entry, preventing them from starting their courses in the UK. This has raised significant concerns among education stakeholders and immigration experts about the conduct of border authorities and the increasing hurdles faced by foreign students. According to data obtained from the UK Home Office via the Freedom of Information Act, Indian students were the most affected, accounting for 644…
Sylvester Ezeokenwa, factional Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has voiced his confidence that the ongoing internal strife within the party will not undermine the re-election prospects of Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo. In a recent interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ezeokenwa addressed concerns regarding the party’s stability and its potential impact on upcoming elections. Ezeokenwa, who assumed the role of APGA chairman in May 2023 following an elective convention in Awka, Anambra State, drew parallels between the current situation and past crises within the party. He pointed out that APGA has faced and overcome similar challenges…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Congress Committee in Kogi State has accepted the withdrawal of Captain Joe Agada from the chairmanship race, marking a significant turn in the political landscape of the state. Agada, who had been one of the leading contenders, announced his withdrawal on Saturday morning, a decision that has sparked varied reactions within the party and beyond. In a statement released by the Head of the Media Committee, Comrade Usman Okai Austin, the PDP acknowledged Agada’s withdrawal and expressed its best wishes for his future endeavours. However, the acceptance of Agada’s decision was not without a pointed…
Severe flooding has wreaked havoc in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, displacing more than 3,633 people across five communities. The devastating floods, which occurred on 25th August, have left families scrambling for shelter and struggling to rebuild their lives amidst significant loss and damage. Imam Garki, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Northwest Zonal Coordinator, highlighted the extent of the destruction in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kaduna. According to Garki, the affected communities include Fadan Tsoho, Zonzon, Zangon Kataf, Unguwan Wakili, and Zonkwa, where many homes were submerged and…
In a tragic incident that has shocked the community, three students from Faudiya School in Geidam Local Government Area, Yobe State, were killed by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents. The attack, which took place at around 3 a.m. on Friday, targeted the school operated by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN). This violent act has raised serious concerns about the ongoing security challenges in the region and the safety of educational institutions. According to eyewitness accounts, the gunmen stormed the school premises under the cover of darkness, catching the students off guard as they slept. The attackers dragged…