Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced the formation of a committee to oversee the coronation of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin. This announcement was made on Monday. Olakulehin was nominated and appointed as the 43rd Olubadan by the kingmakers in April this year. Governor Makinde recently approved his appointment. The coronation is scheduled to take place on Friday, July 12, 2024. According to a statement provided to the media on Monday, the committee is headed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo. Other members include the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism,…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Barely 24 hours after the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) accused Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration of allegedly squandering over N28 billion on a hotel project, the state government attributed the variation in the contract sum to inflation induced by the APC-led Federal Government. The Edo State chairman of the APC, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, had, during a press conference on Saturday, accused the Obaseki administration of mismanaging state resources on projects like the Radisson Hotel, while the ownership status of the hotel and other projects, such as the Edo Modular Refinery, remain unclear. Tenebe called on the…
House of Representatives member Mukhtar Chawai, representing Kauru federal constituency, visited Ribang village to sympathize with the families of six students who drowned in the Mbang River last week. The tragedy struck as the students were returning from GSS Fadan Chawai in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where they had gone to write their junior WAEC exams. Chawai offered condolences to the Chief of Chawai, Alhaji Yahaya Mohammed, at Tarya Village en route to Ribang Village. He lamented the poor state of the nine-kilometer road and the lack of essential infrastructure, including a bridge, school, and hospital. During…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the commencement of the process to elect new leaders from the ward to the state level in Imo State. This follows a recent shakeup in the state leadership that led to a mass resignation of members. The announcement was made during a stakeholders meeting at the party’s state secretariat in Owerri. State Caretaker Committee Chairman Chidi Dike, who addressed the gathering, assured attendees that the upcoming congress would be conducted in a manner acceptable to all. Dike emphasized that the exercise, once completed, would reposition the party and strengthen it to face future…
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced that local government elections in the state will be held on October 5, 2024. Retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, Chairman of RSIEC, made this declaration during a stakeholder meeting on Monday at the Commission’s office on Aba Road, Port Harcourt. Justice Enebeli assured that under his leadership, the Commission would conduct free, fair, credible, and violence-free local government elections. He emphasized adherence to the electoral rules and highlighted the purpose of the meeting as an educational session for stakeholders and the voting populace about the upcoming election. He called on security agencies…
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has refuted reports suggesting that some ward members in certain states were asked to revalidate their membership during the ongoing membership drive. In a statement issued on Monday by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the NWC clarified that the membership drive and registration of new members are solely aimed at eligible Nigerians interested in joining the party. The NWC emphasized that the membership status, rights, and privileges of existing members remain valid and unaffected by the membership drive. The statement reads in part: “The NWC in clear terms…
Ahead of the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, has called on the people of the state to use their votes to punish the incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government for its alleged underperformance. During a solidarity visit from members of the ‘Obidient Movement’ in Edo South Senatorial District in Benin City, Okpebholo emphasized the need for change. “If they had done well, I would not have contested. I urge you to punish them with your votes because if you leave it for them, our unborn children will suffer,” he…
In a recent development, the Edo State Police Command has taken action following the death of one Omobude, involving members of the Edo State Security Network (ESSN). Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, confirmed the arrest of ESSN members linked to the incident during a briefing in Benin City. According to reports by verifiable sources, the altercation leading to Omobude’s death occurred after ESSN members were called to intervene in a fight instigated by Hassan Haladu. Upon arrival at the scene, it was reported that the ESSN members restrained Omobude, inadvertently leading to his suffocation and subsequent death. Commissioner Adegboye disclosed…
Socio-political activist Reno Omokri has accused Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), of showing allegiance to the Biafra flag. Omokri’s accusation follows Obi’s call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as well as EndSARS protesters and other detained freedom fighters. Obi made this appeal to the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government while addressing journalists in Anambra State on Saturday. Obi emphasized that protesters and freedom fighters have the right to express their grievances through protest. In a post on his X page, Omokri criticized Obi, stating:…
Tension has gripped Benue State following the abrupt suspension of a thanksgiving church service organized in honor of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). The Caretaker Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Unongu Simon, issued a statewide radio announcement directing the suspension of the service scheduled for Sunday, citing security concerns. The service, which was set to take place at NKST Church in Daudu, was intended to be followed by a grand reception for the SGF. However, Chairman Unongo emphasized that no public event could proceed in the area without official approval from his office. In defiance…
In response to the recent cholera outbreak in parts of the country, the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) has urged residents to containerize their waste to reduce the spread of diseases. The agency emphasized that proper waste containerization would facilitate easier collection and disposal, mitigating the health risks associated with exposed waste. Abayomi Hunye, the newly appointed Special Adviser to the Governor and Managing Director of OGWAMA, made this appeal while inspecting ongoing rehabilitation work at the Kurata Dumpsite in Ota. Hunye warned that indiscriminate exposure of waste can contaminate underground water, leading to water-borne diseases such as cholera.…
Anambra State has embarked on a new initiative aimed at recovering 100,000 tonnes of plastic waste as part of efforts to combat environmental pollution. The launch of the operation, known as the ‘All Anambra Community Plastic Waste Recovery Challenge’, took place in Awka. Mr. Felix Odimegwu, the Commissioner for Environment, announced the initiative during the launch, highlighting its ambitious goal to tackle plastic pollution effectively. He noted that last year’s similar initiative surpassed expectations by recovering over 10,000 tonnes of plastic waste. “This year, we have set an ambitious target to recover 100,000 tonnes. Plastic Waste Recovery Challenge 2.0 will…
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…
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,…