The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has provided further updates on the upcoming governorship election in Ondo State following the conclusion of party primaries. The Commission confirmed that seventeen political parties have uploaded their candidates’ nomination forms by the deadline of 6:00 PM on Monday, May 20, 2024, when the dedicated portal automatically shut down. “The personal particulars of the governorship candidates and their running mates will be published on Saturday, May 25, 2024, one week from the last date for the submission of nominations as provided in Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and listed as item 4…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has vowed to continue contesting as long as he remains healthy. In an interview with the Hausa service of the Voice of America in Abuja, Atiku expressed his determination to persist in his presidential ambitions. “Of course, I will keep contesting again and again as long as I am alive and healthy,” he stated. “Even the former US President Abraham Lincoln contested seven times before finally winning.” Atiku, who will be 81 by the 2027 presidential election, has sought the presidency six times and has been on the ballot as…
Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday organized a one-million-man march to demonstrate their support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The rally, led by Chief Tony Okocha, Chairman of the APC caretaker committee in the state, aimed to show the President that he has strong backing in Rivers State. Okocha stated that the march was a clear message of continued support for President Tinubu and his policies. Details soon…
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abubakar Dingyadi, has urged Nigerians to refrain from placing the entire blame for the escalating insecurity in the North-West region on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Instead, he believes the primary responsibility lies with the governors of the region. Dingyadi made this assertion while presenting a paper titled “Insecurity, Politics, and Democracy in Nigeria: A Reflection of Yesterday and Our Challenge Today” at a function organized by the Northern Coalition Group for Transparency and Justice in Kaduna. He called on President Tinubu to hold the governors, particularly those in the North-West, accountable for…
The police in Lagos State have arrested a 33-year-old man, Adegun Aboderin, for illegal possession of a pistol. Lagos State Police spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest on Thursday via his X handle, @benHundeyin. According to Hundeyin, the suspect was apprehended early Thursday morning during a stop-and-search operation at Abule-Ado in the Amuwo-Odofin area. “The police, on a stop-and-search operation, arrested the suspect at 6:00 a.m. at Abule-Ado. During the search, a locally fabricated semi-automatic pistol was recovered,” Hundeyin stated. He added that an investigation into the case is ongoing.
A policeman was killed by a stray bullet on Wednesday while on duty at the Terminus area of Jos, the Plateau State capital. The incident occurred when a team of policemen faced resistance from hoodlums defying a state government order to vacate the busy neighborhood to ensure free flow of traffic. Despite repeated warnings, the hoodlums continued to display goods, primarily second-hand clothes and bags, on the road. The Joint Task Force, comprising personnel from the Police, DSS, NSCDC, Immigration, FRSC, and Operation Rainbow, was tasked with maintaining order in the area. During the confrontation, warning shots were fired to…
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has affirmed that the state government maintains a cordial working relationship with all security agencies operating within the state. Governor Radda made this known while hosting four police officers from the state command who received special awards from the Inspector General of Police for their exemplary performance in combating insecurity in the state. The governor commended the security personnel for their unwavering support and dedication in addressing the state’s security challenges, emphasizing the government’s pride in their sacrifices. He highlighted ongoing collaboration between the state government and security agencies to tackle insecurity affecting…
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill to reinstate Nigeria’s old National Anthem, a move sponsored by the Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere. Despite opposition from some lawmakers, the bill was debated for a second reading and quickly advanced to a third reading amid a rowdy session. In parallel, the Nigerian Senate held a closed executive session on Thursday to deliberate on the potential change of the national anthem. While the rationale behind this initiative has not been disclosed, the proposal has already sparked criticism from concerned Nigerians. The old National Anthem was used from Nigeria’s independence in 1960…
Justice Mashkur Salisu of the Federal High Court in Osogbo has granted Osun State lawmaker, Kanmi Ajibola, permission to sue the National Assembly and the 36 State Houses of Assembly for their refusal to amend laws related to corrupt practices in Nigeria. Ajibola, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Ilesa Branch, and representative of Oriade State Constituency, has included the Attorney-General of the Federation and his counterparts in the 36 states in the suit. On Wednesday, Justice Salisu granted all the requested leaves after hearing arguments from Ajibola’s counsel, Barrister Salihu Aliyu, regarding the plaintiff’s standing and…
Dry season rice farmers in Jigawa State have expressed concerns over the rising costs of fuel and fertilizers, which have adversely affected rice production in the state. Farmers voiced their grievances during a visit by Governor Malam Umar Namadi to rice farms in Gabarin village, Ringim Local Government Area. Alhaji Dauda Ali, a large-scale farmer speaking on behalf of the farmers at Gabarin, highlighted that many small-scale rice farmers are incurring losses due to the increased costs. “Many farmers around this area have abandoned their farms due to the cost of petrol and fertilizers,” he said. Ali, who manages over…
The Defence Headquarters has called on Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State to substantiate his allegations against the military, following his claims that the military is aiding and profiting from terrorism in the state. Governor Radda made these accusations during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today.” In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, emphasized that the military would not engage in a public exchange with the governor. Instead, he urged Governor Radda to present his evidence to the military high command. “The attention of the Defence Headquarters was drawn to…
As the September 21 governorship election approaches, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has stated that it would be difficult for him to reconcile with those who have offended him during his tenure. Governor Obaseki made these remarks during a visit to the Edo State Muslims Pilgrim Welfare Board to bid farewell to intending pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj and to launch the state government’s “Feed the Vulnerable” program for Muslims in Benin City. This statement came in response to an appeal by the State Chairman of the Muslims Pilgrim Welfare Board, Sheik Ibrahim Oyarekhua, who urged the governor to reconcile…
Kola Ologbondiyan, a former spokesman for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of overreacting to a recent meeting between PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi. Ologbondiyan criticized the APC for focusing on political maneuvering rather than governance. This statement follows a meeting in Abuja between Obi, Atiku, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and Sule Lamido, amid rumors of a potential coalition for the 2027 presidential election. Addressing the speculation on social media platform X, Ologbondiyan wrote, “I just can’t stop laughing at the theatrics of these APCites. In one…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has constituted a 152-member national campaign council for the upcoming Edo governorship elections scheduled for September 16. This announcement was made in a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja on Wednesday. Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa will chair the council, which will be inaugurated on June 11. Ologunagba emphasized the commitment of the National Working Committee to securing victory for the party in the Edo election. The campaign council includes Governors Kefas Agbu of Plateau and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta as deputy chairmen. Prominent members also include former President…
Yola, May 22, 2024 — A Chief Magistrate Court in Adamawa State has remanded nine men in a correctional centre in Yola on charges of criminal conspiracy and armed robbery. The Chief Magistrate Court I in Yola, presided over by Magistrate Mohammed Fufore, issued the remand order following the arraignment of the defendants by prosecuting police officers, Inspector S. S. Nicholas and ASP Francis Audu. Seven of the defendants — Abdulwahab Abdulkarim, Musa Mohammed, Ibrahim Buba, Mallamjo Yunusa, Haruna Umar, Musa Buba, and Sumai Buba — pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by Inspector Nicholas. These charges…
Ibadan, May 22, 2024 — An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan has ordered the remand of 46-year-old Mutiu Balogun in a correctional facility over the alleged killing of a 70-year-old man. Balogun, whose address was not provided, faces a charge of murder. Magistrate Olasinmibo Sanusi-Zubair did not take his plea due to lack of jurisdiction. She directed the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice. The case was adjourned until June 25 for mention. Prosecutor Inspector Oladejo Balogun informed the court that the offence occurred on May 16 at about 1:30 p.m.…
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed concern over the “coronation” of candidates of ruling parties instead of proper conduct of local government elections across various states. Yakubu voiced his concerns during a meeting with executive members of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commission (FOSIECOM) at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday. He acknowledged the shared responsibilities between INEC and FOSIECOM in conducting elections and the challenges faced by State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) in fulfilling their mandates. Yakubu highlighted INEC’s efforts to foster a partnership for credible elections in Nigeria through the…
The Ogun State Government has begun the second phase of the N1 billion Operational Grant disbursement for Micro and Small scale Enterprises under its OG-CARES scheme. This phase will benefit approximately 2,822 entrepreneurs. The first phase, conducted in 2023, saw 1,000 micro-enterprise entrepreneurs receive N100,000 each, while those in the small-scale category received N350,000 each. The event, held at the Obas’ Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, featured Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by his Deputy, Engr. (Mrs) Noimot Salako-Oyedele. Governor Abiodun emphasized that this initiative aligns with his administration’s “Building Our Future Together” agenda, aiming to support the growth and…
Armed security personnel from the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) took control of strategic locations at the Kano House of Assembly on Wednesday as lawmakers began the process of amending the State Emirates Council Law that established five emirates. The amendment to the Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment Number 2) Law 2024 (1445AH), sponsored by Majority Leader Lawan Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa, representing Dala Constituency, successfully passed its first reading. Journalists covering the proceedings were required to identify themselves before being granted entry, and all roads leading to the Assembly Complex were barricaded. The original…
The Kogi East APC Youths Movement has issued a stern warning to politicians to stop promoting ethnic politics in Kogi State. At a press conference held in Lokoja on Tuesday, the Convener of Kogi East APC Youths Movement, Comrade Promise Emmanuel, accused some politicians of exploiting ethnic politics for their selfish ambitions, under the guise of advocating for the people. While Emmanuel did not name specific politicians, he cautioned that members of the Igala/Bassa nation are not ethnic bigots, contrary to the portrayal by certain groups within the state. “Today, we address a political menace which has been perpetuated by…