Socioeconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The lawsuit is based on Akpabio’s failure to recall Bauchi Central Senator Abdul Ningi and his inaction regarding the alleged N3.7 trillion budget padding. Senator Ningi had raised concerns about the alleged disappearance of N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget. His allegations led to a three-month suspension by the Senate due to his inability to substantiate the claims of budget padding. Activist lawyer Femi Falana had demanded Ningi’s reinstatement, a request that has not been fulfilled by the Senate. SERAP announced the lawsuit on its…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Ukraine has reported a drone attack on the Morozovsk airbase in Russia, claiming to have killed or injured 20 airfield personnel and severely damaging eight Russian warplanes, as stated by officials in Kyiv. Russian defense officials, on the other hand, stated that they intercepted 40 Ukrainian drones and that only a power substation was damaged in the attack. Neither side’s claims have been independently verified, according to the Guardian UK. The Morozovsk airbase is reportedly used by Russian tactical bombers to launch guided bombs at Ukrainian military targets and frontline towns and cities. In a separate incident, Russia fired five…
The Reformed Arewa Youth Coalition (RAYC) has criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of disregarding the principle of federal character in his appointments. During a press conference in Abuja over the weekend, the group alleged that Wike was managing the FCT as if it were his personal fiefdom, where his decisions were unquestioned. Comrade Attahiru Musa, the President of RAYC, expressed concern over what he described as lopsided appointments under Wike’s leadership. “Wike has shown a disturbing pattern in his choice of appointments. He has transformed the FCT into a reflection of Rivers State,…
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, has praised the troops of 1 Brigade Nigerian Army for their dedication and sacrifice in combating terrorism and insurgency in North West Nigeria. Gen Lagbaja expressed his commendation during an operational visit to 1 Brigade Area of Responsibility in Gusau, Zamfara State, on Saturday, April 6, 2024. He was briefed by the Commander of 1 Brigade, Brig Gen Sani Ahmed, on the troops’ activities and successes in the ongoing Operation Desert Sanity II in Zamfara and neighboring states. During the visit, Gen Lagbaja pledged increased support for the Brigade, including combat…
Troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully neutralized three terrorists in Kidandan Village, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The terrorists were intercepted while in transit to repair their motorcycles. According to a statement from the Nigerian Army’s official X page, the operation was based on credible intelligence targeting the terrorist group, known for using motorbikes to carry out nefarious activities in the region. “The terrorist group was in transit to repair their motorbikes, which they used as mobility when unleashing their acts of terror on the populace in Kaduna State and across the North-West region,” the statement read.…
Immigration officers in Oyo State have been accused of assaulting journalists, including Seun Falomo, a cameraman with Galaxy Television. The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, shortly after an official from the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (OYRTMA) was arrested and detained for apprehending an immigration officer who violated traffic rules. According to sources, in retaliation, the immigration officers arrested the OYRTMA official, stripped him naked, and detained him at their Zone F headquarters on Old Ife Road in Ibadan. They then turned their aggression towards the journalists present to report the incident, assaulting Falomo and others and threatening to…
Sir Celestine Omehia, former Governor of Rivers State, has criticized the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, advising him to reduce his desire for power and greed and allow Governor Siminalayi Fubara to govern effectively. In a statement sent to media outlets on Friday, Omehia accused Wike of being tormented by an undying inclination for power, leading to unstable moments. His comments were in response to Wike’s recent live television interview in Abuja, where he referred to some PDP leaders in Rivers State as “expired politicians and buccaneers” for supporting Fubara. Omehia described Wike’s outbursts as those of a…
Chief Patrick Ogbu, former Chairman of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), has announced his candidacy for the chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State. He made this declaration on Friday at his residence in Makurdi, the state capital. A longstanding member of the PDP, Chief Ogbu emphasized his commitment and passion for the party’s success, stating that he is ready to leverage his energy to transform it. He presented himself as a capable candidate to reposition the party in the state, highlighting the need for strong and capable leadership to address challenges and embrace opportunities. Chief Ogbu…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has pledged to conduct a free, fair, and transparent primary election to select its candidate for the November 11 governorship election in Ondo State. Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Duru, made this commitment on Saturday in Abuja as the party concluded the submission of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms by aspirants. “We assure aspirants that the party is interested and desirous of conducting a free, fair, transparent primary election in Ondo State,” Duru stated. The primary election is scheduled to hold on April 20, 2024, with sixteen aspirants already having picked forms for the…
The Abia State Government has officially removed HRM Eze Edward Ebere Eule as the traditional ruler of the Azumini autonomous community in Ukwa East LGA. The removal follows his suspension from office in February 2024 for alleged misconduct and actions unbecoming of a traditional ruler. A press statement signed by the Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu, announced that Governor Alex Otti has approved the withdrawal of Eze Eule’s staff of office and certificate of recognition. The decision to remove the traditional ruler was based on his alleged refusal to comply with directives stipulated in…
The victims of Thursday’s attack on Agojeju-Odo community in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State were laid to rest on Saturday. District Head and Ochala Onu-Ife Bagaji Odo, Chief David Akpa, confirmed to newsmen in his palace that the burials included two women and four children among others. Chief Akpa condemned the attack as barbaric and wicked, highlighting the brutality of the bandits who unleashed mayhem on his people. He expressed fear for the safety of surviving victims, especially as there are rumors of impending attacks on Bagaji Odo where they have sought refuge. “We are mourning our loved…
Alhaji Yakubu Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the 2023 governorship election in Kogi State, has condemned the suspected herdsmen attack on Agojeju-Odo community in Omala Local Government Area of the state. He made this statement in Lokoja on Saturday, calling for immediate action to stop the incessant attacks in the area. Ajaka expressed deep concern over the attack, which reportedly resulted in the death of 25 persons, with several others injured and farm produce destroyed. He emphasized the sanctity of every citizen’s life and called on the state government to fulfill its primary responsibility of ensuring the…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed determination to secure victory in the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states. Nze Chidi Duru, the APC Deputy National Organising Secretary, made this declaration at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja. Duru assured the 16 candidates vying for the APC’s ticket for the Ondo State governorship election on November 16, 2024, of a fair, open, and transparent primary election scheduled for April 20. He emphasized the significance of the Edo State governorship election as a test case, noting that the party is committed to determining its candidate through a free and…
Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has predicted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta 2027 general election. Senator Omo-Agege made this prediction while addressing party faithful in Ughelli, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, where he was welcomed back to the state after serving twice as senator and deputy Senate President. He assured supporters that the APC’s loss in the 2023 governorship election in Delta State would not be repeated in 2027. He stated, “We have lost the 2023 general election but I am sure APC will…
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the killing of 19 persons in Kogi State. The incident took place on Thursday in Omala Local Government Area of the state. Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, confirmed the incident in a chat with media personnel on Friday, stating that the Commissioner of Police has deployed operatives to the area. “As I speak to you, what we have counted is 19 persons. That is what the DPO and other stakeholders have been able to report to us,” Aya said. He added, “The Commissioner of Police has deployed officers of the Command such…
Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State has denounced a purported list of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee members for the state circulating on social media as fake. Fubara, who has been at odds with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, vowed to keep Wike’s camp restless. Speaking at the ground breaking of an automobile spare parts market in Port Harcourt, Fubara described the list, which includes names of Wike’s loyalists, as the work of cheap publicity seekers and agents of crisis. “I know that a lot of you saw something flying on social…
The Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) has set July 6, 2023, as the date for elections into the councils of all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. This announcement was made by the BSIEC Chairman, John Chen, during a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, the state capital, where action plans and activities for the election were unveiled. Chen stated that the elections would cover the positions of chairmen and councilors in the local government councils and council wards, including those in newly created council wards in the state. He mentioned that the decision to conduct the elections followed…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has distanced itself from the local government selections scheduled for April 6, 2024. In a statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary, Doifie Buokoribo, the party expressed a lack of confidence in the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC), alleging that its members are card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Buokoribo claimed that there is a prearranged list of winners who will be announced after the election, casting doubt on the credibility of the process. He recalled that BYSIEC had initially scheduled elections and requested parties to conduct primaries in…
The Labour Party (LP) state executives in Adamawa have rejected a vote of no confidence passed on them by 18 out of 21 local government chairmen of the party. The local chairmen had accused the state chairman, Christopher Nicholas, of incompetence and announced his removal, along with other members of the state executive committee (EXCO). Following the vote, the local chairmen had formed a state caretaker committee to replace the Nicholas-led EXCO. However, members of the Nicholas-led EXCO gathered at the Labour Party state secretariat in Yola on Friday, asserting that their removal was illegitimate. Nicholas dismissed the vote of…
A newborn baby abandoned in a forest in Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been rescued by concerned residents. The baby, believed to have been abandoned for about two days before being discovered, is currently being rehabilitated by the residents. According to a source, the baby is in stable condition and is being cared for by the residents who found him. A video circulating online shows women, likely local midwives, cleansing the baby while expressing their dismay at the act of abandonment. In the video, the women and a male voice condemn the action, questioning how someone…