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…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
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…
A former National Vice Chairman, North-West, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Salihu Lukman, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for creating more doubts in the minds of Nigerians, contrary to expectations that he would replicate his earlier success as Lagos governor. In a statement issued on Tuesday titled “Illusive Politics: What is to be Done,” Lukman expressed disappointment with the policy missteps and reversals characterizing Tinubu’s government. Lukman lamented that after 25 years of democratic rule, Nigeria has yet to produce leaders who genuinely accommodate the interests of citizens. “Painfully, against every expectation that President Asiwaju Tinubu will…
A former National Vice Chairman (Northwest) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Moh. Lukman, has criticized his party for failing to meet the expectations of Nigerians over the past nine years. In a statement on Tuesday, Lukman, while reaffirming his membership in the APC, expressed deep disappointment in the performance of elected governments, comparing them unfavorably to military regimes. “Poor management of national resources has continued to the extent that insecurity and threats to human lives have become the new normal,” Lukman stated. “The worst part is that we have elected governments, at virtually all levels, performing worse…
The Forum of Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for the resignation of the party’s national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje. The North-Central chairman of the forum, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, made this call during an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Jos. Zazzaga expressed concern over the ongoing calls for Ganduje’s removal from office, stating that his insistence on retaining his position does not bode well for the party. He questioned the decision of the party’s stakeholders from the North-West, who recently passed a vote of confidence in Ganduje, asserting that such decisions would only create confusion within the…
Activist and political analyst Atiku Abubakar has stated that President Bola Tinubu inherited a nation in disarray, both economically, politically, and security-wise. Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s News Day, Abubakar insisted that the President is on track and requires time to address the issues inherited from the previous administration. “The President, in my opinion, has done well. This is because he met a country in disarray, economically, politically, and security-wise. But he has been able to put things in proper perspective, even though we expect him to do some more,” Abubakar said. He further emphasized that President Tinubu…
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to review the recent policy on airport toll gates, urging that members of the Armed Forces be exempted from toll payments. This resolution was reached on Tuesday following a motion presented by Abdulsamad Dasuki during a plenary session. The Federal Executive Council had recently announced the withdrawal of the exemption for certain high-ranking individuals from paying tolls at the nation’s airports. In his motion, Dasuki argued that members of the Armed Forces deserve special recognition and should not be subjected to toll payments at airports and major train stations. “Men…
Pope Francis has addressed the controversy surrounding his position on same-sex couples, emphasizing a distinction between blessing individuals and blessing unions. The Pope explained that while he allows the blessing of individuals, he does not extend this to same-sex unions. In an interview with CBS’s ‘60 Minutes’, the Pope was questioned about what appeared to be a shift in Vatican policy after he approved blessings for Catholics in same-sex unions. “Last year, you decided to allow Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples,” CBS ‘60 Minutes’ anchor Norah O’Donnell noted. “That’s a big change. Why?” “No, what I allowed was not…
An All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart and former member of the House of Representatives, Nze Chikwem Esiaga, has expressed concern over the factional leadership crisis plaguing the Abia State chapter of the party. Esiaga lamented that the fragmentation within the party has severely compromised its chances of winning elections and forming a government in the state. He called on the national leadership of the APC to either establish a caretaker committee or conduct fresh congresses at various levels within the state to prevent further division. The ex-federal lawmaker made this appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday in Umuahia, the…
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has criticized a recent verdict by Senator Magnus Abe regarding the status of 27 stranded Rivers lawmakers. Eze described Abe’s comments as indicative of his role as a “perverse political hireling.” Eze, a former national spokesman for the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), also remarked that the wave of resignations in Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s cabinet is a necessary step for a renaissance in the current administration. Eze condemned Abe’s distorted interpretation of the Constitution concerning the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers who defected and thus vacated their seats…