Former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) member, Salihu Lukman, has stated that it would be like a mirage for the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, to become president without years of building and negotiation. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Lukman advised Kwankwaso to renegotiate his relationship with APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, to have a chance at the presidency. Lukman remarked, “The ambition of Senator Kwankwaso is to become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Where he is today, I can confidently say that it will be…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Protesters armed with placards bearing various inscriptions such as “Ondo APC rejects Kangaroo primary election,” “No primary held in Ondo,” and “We want a fresh election,” among others, have demanded a rerun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Ondo State. The protest coincided with the National Working Committee meeting, where aggrieved aspirants were being placated to reconcile and support Aiyedatiwa ahead of the governorship election in November. The leader of the protesters, Kolawole Johnson, who is also a party youth leader in Akure South, declared that only a rerun election could pacify their people back home in…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has unveiled a more than 200-member campaign council ahead of the forthcoming September 21 governorship election in the state. Tony Anenih Jnr, the party’s State Organizing Secretary, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City. Anenih revealed that the campaign structure includes an advisory council, which is a management committee to be headed by Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and a campaign council made up of 200 eminent members of the party. He further stated that the women’s wing of the campaign council would be headed by the…
A total of 627 delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will today elect the party’s standard-bearer ahead of the forthcoming November governorship election in Ondo State. The delegates were elected during the party’s congress held across the 18 local government areas of the state. No fewer than seven aspirants are seeking the ticket of the party after they were cleared a few weeks ago. The aspirants include Adeolu Akinwumi, Bosun Arebuwa, Sola Ebiseni, Agboola Ajayi, Bamidele Akingboye, John Ola Mafo, and Kolade Akinjo. Two of the aspirants, Ajayi and Ebiseni, had previously contested for the party ticket but failed.…
The Action Alliance (AA) has announced April 27 as the date for its Ondo State governorship primaries in preparation for the November 16 poll. Mr. James Vernimbe, the AA National Secretary, made this known in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja. In the statement, Vernimbe notified the public of the party’s decision to hold its governorship primary election at 8:00 am prompt on April 27 at No. 69B Hospital Road, Akure. He also confirmed that the party had informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the election, specifying that the mode of the election would be indirect, using…
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) convened a meeting on Thursday with aggrieved governorship aspirants in a bid to foster unity ahead of the November 21 off-cycle election. During the meeting, which took place at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, the NWC engaged with aspirants who had raised concerns about the primary election conducted last weekend. The election, overseen by a team led by Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, declared Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the winner with 48,569 votes in the direct primary exercise, defeating 15 other aspirants. Some of the aggrieved aspirants, including…
Agboola Ajayi, the former deputy governor of Ondo State, has emerged as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November governorship election. Ajayi secured 264 votes during the party’s primary, surpassing his closest rival, former House of Representatives member Kolade Akinjo, who received 157 votes. Ajayi’s victory sets the stage for a competitive race in the upcoming election as he seeks to unseat the incumbent governor. More details on this development will be provided shortly.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has appointed Mr. Tunde Onakoya, the National Master of Chess and the Guinness World Record Holder for the longest Chess Marathon, as the Sports Ambassador of the State. The announcement was made on Thursday during a meeting between Governor Abiodun and Mr. Onakoya at the governor’s office in Abeokuta. Governor Abiodun praised Mr. Onakoya’s achievements, highlighting his determination, resilience, and hard work. He noted that Mr. Onakoya’s success serves as an inspiration to many young people across Nigeria. The governor also commended Mr. Onakoya for establishing the ‘Chess in Slums Africa’ foundation, aimed at…
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has accused a section of northern political elites of plotting to thwart President Bola Tinubu’s potential reelection bid in 2027. The forum alleged that ongoing disruptions and agitations in the North are part of this scheme. AYCF President General Yerima Shettima claimed that the plot involves setting unrealistic standards for the Tinubu administration to discredit it and sway public opinion. He stated, “The campaign of vilification and destabilization is part of a broader strategy to weaken Tinubu’s support base in the North, with Minister of State for Defence Bello Mohammed Matawalle being the primary…
Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi has stated that he is not driven by desperation to become president in 2027 but rather by a desire to uplift impoverished and disadvantaged Nigerians. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the former Anambra State governor highlighted the importance of addressing critical issues facing Nigeria beyond election periods. He emphasized the continuous nature of public service, stating, “We live in a system where public office holders and politicians are only seen during elections. I can tell you that it is an everyday job.” Obi stressed his commitment to improving the lives of the poor…
Abass Mimiko, the younger brother of former Ondo State Governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has been declared the gubernatorial candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) for the upcoming November governorship election in the state. The announcement was made on Wednesday following affirmation by party members during the primary election held at the party’s secretariat in Akure, the state capital. In his acceptance speech, Abass Mimiko, a medical practitioner, outlined his key focus areas, which include education, health, the economy, and security. He emphasized his commitment to ensuring food security and surplus within a year of assuming office, along with providing…
Jubril Gawat, the Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on New Media, has refuted claims of his intention to contest in the 2027 governorship elections in Abia or Anambra States, following the emergence of a campaign poster online. The poster indicated that Gawat would be running for the 2027 Abia State governorship election under the Labour Party (LP). However, Gawat clarified his stance, stating that he has no plans to contest for any governorship position in any state. Taking to social media platform X, Gawat thanked those who shared the poster and emphasized his unwavering commitment to…
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that he has shattered the barrier of “who is your father” in the political landscape of the state. He made this declaration during the Students’ Legislative Summit organized by the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, in conjunction with the Students’ Representative Council, University of Ibadan. The event, which was attended by dignitaries including the Minister of State for Youth, Ayodele Olawande, and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, represented by a delegate, highlighted the importance of youth participation in governance. Governor Makinde emphasized the need for Nigerian…
The Kano State Government revealed that it expends approximately N1.2 billion monthly to provide portable drinking water in the metropolis, according to the Commissioner for Water Resources, Ali Makoda. Makoda disclosed this during a media briefing in Kano, highlighting the breakdown of the expenses. He stated, “We spend N400 million monthly on diesel, N387 million on chemicals, while electricity bills take N280 million.” He attributed the water scarcity in the state capital and its environs to obsolete equipment, particularly at the Tamburawa Water Treatment Plant, a key supplier to the metropolis. Additionally, Makoda noted that the high temperatures in the…
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that the FCT Administration will waive taxes for diplomatic missions in Abuja. This decision mirrors the exemption of Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad from taxes. Wike made this announcement during a meeting with the Ambassador of Cote D’Ivoire to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, in Abuja. He assured the ambassador, saying, “Let me also say that the issue of tax will be waived. I will call the authority that is responsible for cooperation with you on this issue. I know that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has told me that the same thing…
Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, is currently experiencing an artificial scarcity of premium motor spirit, commonly known as fuel, leading to long queues at filling stations and increased prices. Reports indicate that most filling stations in Lokoja metropolis were not open for sales, with some independent marketers reportedly withholding their products from customers. Those filling stations that were open had long queues, and some independent marketers were selling petrol above the official pump price, ranging from N700 to N730 per litre. Black marketers were also selling fuel at even higher prices, between N1000 to N1200 per litre. A motorist,…
Former Director-General of the defunct Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organization, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has asserted that his trial and conviction in 2022 were politically motivated. Okupe, who was convicted on 19 December 2023 by the Federal High Court in Abuja for money laundering to the tune of N700 million, maintained that he was never convicted of corruption, contrary to insinuations in some quarters. He alleged that elements within the presidency orchestrated his prosecution. Speaking on Arise TV, Okupe clarified, “I was never convicted of corruption. Ibwas discharged from all 34 charges of corruption. I was discharged completely.” He further claimed…
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has initiated a probe into the financial transactions of the state under the administration of former governor Nasir El-Rufai, spanning the years 2015 to 2023. This move comes in response to concerns raised by Governor Uba Sani over the state’s financial situation, including a debt burden of N587 billion, N85 billion, and N115 billion in contractual liabilities inherited from the previous administration. In a letter addressed to the state’s Ministry of Finance, the Assembly’s Clerk, Sakinatu Idris, requested details of financial transactions, loans, and contract projects awarded during El-Rufai’s tenure. The letter, with reference…
Amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has called for Christians and Muslims to unite against Israel, likening the country to Nazi Germany and accusing it of pursuing an “evil and demonic agenda.” In a statement posted on X, Fani-Kayode urged both religious groups to set aside their differences and resist what he described as Israel’s atrocities. He criticized Israel for its actions, stating, “How can a nation that thrives on carnage, ethnic cleansing, genocide and mass murder, that feeds on racism, apartheid, religious intolerance and injustice and that rejoices in killing women, children and babies…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed an investigation into alleged contract fraud amounting to $8 billion involving former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and other individuals in the aviation industry. Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, clarified during a media briefing in Abuja that the probe extends beyond Sirika to include several officials who have worked in the ministry in recent years. Olukoyede emphasized that the investigation is part of the EFCC’s mandate to ensure accountability and protect the national interest. He cautioned against characterizing the probe as targeting Sirika personally, stating, “Don’t make it look like…