The Labour Party has expressed its disappointment over President Bola Tinubu’s recent remarks, which it described as making a mockery of Nigerians’ plight with poverty. National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, criticized the President’s statement, emphasizing that Tinubu was elected to reduce, if not eliminate, poverty and not exacerbate it. Ifoh’s reaction comes in response to President Tinubu’s comment that Nigerians are not the only ones suffering from poverty. “We are disappointed but not surprised by the comments made by President Bola Tinubu about the excruciating poverty his administration’s policies have unleashed on Nigerians since he took…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Thailand has made history by becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to approve same-sex marriage. The landmark decision follows the Senate’s passage of a marriage equality bill on Tuesday. According to Al Jazeera, the upper house of the Senate approved the bill with a decisive vote of 130 to four, with 18 abstentions. The new legislation will now be sent to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for royal assent and is expected to come into force 120 days after its publication in the official Royal Gazette. Once enacted, Thailand will join Taiwan and Nepal as the only places in Asia where…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described as grossly insensitive and unacceptable the recent allegation by Rabiu Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), that the ruling party was attempting to take Kano State “through the backdoor” by declaring a state of emergency. In a statement issued Tuesday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka criticized Kwankwaso’s comments, particularly given his prominent status. Morka expressed disappointment, noting that Kwankwaso’s remarks were made in reference to the ongoing emirate tussle in Kano. The APC urged Kwankwaso to focus on seeking peaceful and political solutions to the royal conflict…
Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has openly declared his support for Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the upcoming September 21 governorship election, causing a rift between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC. Speaking at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin City during Father’s Day celebrations, Shaibu criticized Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate, labeling him a “Lagos-based lawyer” and a product of “godfatherism.” He expressed his preference for Okpebholo, one of two “homeboys” among the 16 candidates, predicting that Okpebholo would succeed Governor Obaseki on November 12. Shaibu also acknowledged Olumide…
Supporters of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Tuesday destroyed a statue of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Obi Akpor Local Government Area, amid rising political tensions in the state. The protest was sparked by attempts from local government chairmen, loyal to Wike, to extend their tenure. The chairmen refused to vacate their offices after their terms ended on Monday, citing a six-month extension granted by a pro-Wike faction of the Rivers House of Assembly. The conflict between Wike and Fubara dates back to 2023, when they fell out over control of the state’s political…
Danlamin Abdullahi Saku, Chairman of Katcha Local Government Area in Niger State, was attacked and beaten by hoodlums following his alleged failure to settle a debt of over N1 million owed to a creditor. InfoStride News reports that the incident occurred on Sunday when Alhaji Yanda, from whom the chairman borrowed the money, sent a group of boys to deliver a message demanding repayment. Instead of addressing the demand, Saku reportedly slapped one of the boys, which led to a fight during which he was beaten severely. Sources reveal that Saku was rushed to the General Hospital in Katcha and…
Suspected bandits attacked the Ewehko community in Maro Ward, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Monday, killing five villagers. Luka Bulus, a local resident, reported that the victims were attending a village meeting when the bandits struck at 2:14 pm. The assailants set motorcycles belonging to the victims ablaze during the attack. “Another tragic incident occurred in our community today. In broad daylight, bandits launched a deadly assault on Ewehko, popularly known as Unguwar Paul. The attack happened at about 2:14 pm on 17/06/2024. As of the time of this report, the bodies of four men and one…
The Delta State Police Command has arrested a General Overseer (GO) and founder of a new generation church in connection with an alleged attempt to kidnap a fellow bishop in Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area. During the execution of a search warrant at the residence of the GO, identified simply as Bishop Godfrey, the police recovered three army uniforms and over 20 SIM cards. Bishop Godfrey was arrested alongside his wife, an assistant pastor, and several church elders. They are currently detained at the Ughelli Police A’ Division. The GO was traced to a hideout where he had fled…
The Rivers State Police Command has denied allegations that its operatives were involved in any shooting during a recent protest in Port Harcourt. Viral video clips have surfaced showing moments when security officers allegedly shot sporadically during a protest. The protest was led by Ijaw youths at the Port Harcourt City Council secretariat, demonstrating against the tenure extension of local government chairmen who were expected to vacate their offices on Monday. One of the leaders of the protesting youths, identified simply as Ichemanti, claimed that one of the demonstrators was shot by police during the incident. However, Rivers Police Public…
A fresh crisis is brewing in Rivers State regarding the tenure of the 23 local government council chairmen. Former militant warlord and Niger Delta leader, Muhajid Asari Dokubo, has urged the council chairmen to accept the end of their three-year tenure and “go home quietly.” Governor Siminalayi Fubara had earlier instructed the chairmen, with support from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to step down at the end of their terms. However, the chairmen have refused, claiming that a pro-Wike faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly extended their tenure. The Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule,…
The acting chairman of the Bauchi State chapter of the Labour Party, Alhaji Mohammed Sabitu Aliyu, has reaffirmed the chapter’s commitment and loyalty to the leadership of National Chairman Julius Abure. Speaking with journalists on Monday, Sabitu Aliyu commended Abure as “the best chairman the party has produced since its formation.” He praised Abure’s performance since assuming office, stating that the Abure-led leadership “has the capacity, capability, and wherewithal to move the party to greater heights, especially in future elections.” Sabitu Aliyu revealed that the party’s leadership and other stakeholders are actively working to deepen democratic practices within the party,…
Former lawmaker Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone, has accused former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of marginalizing the Southern Kaduna people during his eight-year tenure. Speaking at a Sallah dinner with family and friends, Sani reacted to allegations that El-Rufai’s administration diverted N423 billion in state funds. Sani stated, “The Southern Kaduna people fought El-Rufai’s government to a standstill and never compromised, while the people of Zone two and three were busy applauding him even when he was stealing their monies with his cronies.” He criticized El-Rufai for neglecting Southern Kaduna and failing to include them in the state’s…
In a significant judicial decision, a Missouri judge has overturned the conviction of Sandra ‘Sandy’ Hemme, who has spent 43 years in prison for a 1980 murder. Judge Ryan Horsman ruled that Hemme has established her actual innocence and must be released within 30 days unless the prosecution opts to retry her for the murder of Patricia Jeschke, a 31-year-old library worker. The New York Post reports that the case began on November 13, 1980, when Patricia Jeschke failed to report to work. Concerned, her mother went to her apartment, eventually gaining entry through a window. Inside, she found her…
Ahead of the State and National Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Enyinnaya Apollos, a party chieftain and former Chief Press Secretary to the ex-governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has indicated that the opposition party is set to produce youthful leadership aimed at enacting necessary changes. Following a State caucus meeting on June 1 in Umuahia, the PDP zoned the chairmanship position to Abia North in preparation for the congress. Speaking to newsmen in Umuahia, the Abia state capital, Apollos emphasized the party’s deep roots in the grassroots. “We value the experience of our elders but we…
The leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State as chairman of its reconciliation committee. The announcement was made early Monday morning in a communiqué from the South South zonal conference held in Calabar on Sunday. The communiqué stated, “We have resolved to set up a reconciliation committee in the South-South region. This will be headed by HE Sen. Bassey Otu, governor of Cross River State.” The committee aims to bridge existing gaps, foster collaboration, and strengthen the party’s presence and influence in the region. The communiqué also reaffirmed the party’s…
In a recent interview with Arise TV, monitored by media outlets, Salihu Lukman, the immediate past National Vice Chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), criticized the party’s performance on key campaign promises. Lukman rated the APC’s efforts on security, economic stability, and anti-corruption as very poor. Lukman voiced his concerns about the new leadership continuing the practices of the previous administration under President Buhari. He stated, “I admit that in terms of meeting up with our campaign promises, we have done badly, no doubt about it. And what are those campaign promises? Issues of security, the economy,…
Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, the Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections, has called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to focus more on security and human development issues in Kano State. During a Sallah homage by the Governor on Monday, Kwankwaso praised Yusuf’s commitment to advancing education and women empowerment initiatives, noting that these efforts are in line with the values of the Kwankwasiyya philosophy. Kwankwaso, drawing on his experience as a former governor, stressed the importance of effective monitoring to ensure the fair distribution of empowerment grants. In his response, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf…
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved Israel’s six-member war cabinet, following the departure of coalition leader Benny Gantz from the government. The decision was announced during a meeting of the political security cabinet on Sunday evening, as reported on Monday. Gantz’s exit prompted the dissolution, with Netanyahu explaining that the cabinet was initially formed at Gantz’s request as part of the coalition agreement. Nationalist-religious Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had called for the establishment of a new war cabinet featuring coalition party leaders, emphasizing the need to continue Israel’s bombardment of Gaza despite international calls…
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will secure a victory in the upcoming Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 2024. Speaking at the APC South-South conference in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, Akpabio urged APC members from Edo State to intensify their efforts to defeat the candidate from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “For those of you from Edo State and any part of the South-South region, the election that is coming up in September 2024, you all must head towards Edo, both in prayers and everything. We have to…
Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, a chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has called on political officeholders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors, and members of the National Assembly, to honor the promises made during their election campaigns. In a statement released to coincide with the Eid Adha festival, Oguntoyinbo urged political leaders to embrace the principle of sacrifice in managing the nation’s affairs. “Political leaders should emulate Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah’s command and his fulfillment of promises made to Allah,” Oguntoyinbo stated. He emphasized the need for leaders to make necessary sacrifices to foster national growth and…