Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has condemned the derogatory labeling of the state’s youth as thugs and called for an immediate apology and cessation of such remarks. The governor made this statement at Government House Makurdi on Friday, upon his return from an official trip to the United States of America, where he was warmly welcomed by various youth groups. Governor Alia expressed his displeasure, stating that it was unfair to tag the hardworking young people of the state as thugs, as such comments tarnish the image of the state. He said, “Any comment that does not…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, and Bishop Mathew Kukah of the Kukah Centre, have urged Nigerians to strive towards building a united nation. They made this call at the National Integration Conference themed: “Revisiting the National Question: Nigeria’s Elusive Search for National Integration,” organized by the Kukah Centre. Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, Tajudeen highlighted Nigeria’s pluralism and vast diversity in ethnicity, language, and religion as valuable assets. He emphasized that embracing and leveraging this diversity would propel Nigeria towards a more unified and prosperous future. “Our diversity should be our strategic advantage, making…
The Kogi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has adjourned the hearing of the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, until May 13 for the adoption of final written addresses. Ajaka is challenging the election victory of Governor Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The three-member panel of justices, headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, fixed the date after the APC, the 3rd respondent, closed its case on Thursday in defence of Gov. Ododo’s victory. Recall that the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) and Ododo had earlier closed their defence…
Troops deployed for counter-terrorism operations in the North West region, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), successfully intercepted an armed terrorist group in the Modachi general area of Isa Local Government Area, Sokoto State. Responding to a distress call, the joint operation was conducted to prevent a potential disaster and loss of lives in Sokoto State. The Nigerian Army reported that the operation resulted in the elimination of seven terrorists and the recovery of a significant cache of arms. The terrorists, traveling on several motorbikes, faced strong resistance from the security forces. As a result, seven AK-47…
The Kogi High Court in Lokoja has directed the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to appear before it on May 13 for allegedly disobeying its order. Justice I.A. Jamil of High Court IV issued the order while ruling in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 and Motion No. HCL/190M/2024, filed by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. The judge stated, “The said act was carried out by the respondent (EFCC) in violation of the order, which was valid and subsisting when they carried out the act. That same act of the respondent amounts to contempt.” EFCC operatives…
Dr Ayodele Olorunfemi has secured the gubernatorial ticket of the Labour Party (LP) in preparation for the upcoming November governorship poll in Ondo State. Olorunfemi emerged victorious in the party’s primaries held on Friday at the LP’s secretariat in Akure, the state capital. Hon. Olusola Ayodele, the chairman of the primary election committee, declared Olorunfemi as the winner, stating that he was the sole aspirant who met the party’s nomination requirements by obtaining the party’s nomination form for N25 million. “We have no other option than to pronounce the sole aspirant, Dr Ayo Olorunfemi, having fulfilled the condition in line…
The factions embroiled in the crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have agreed to collaborate for the party’s benefit. The conflict, primarily between factions loyal to Senator Kenneth Eze of Ebonyi Central Zone and Mrs. Euphemia Nwali, the local government chairperson, had caused a rift over control of the ruling party in Ezza South. Amidst the ongoing supremacy battle, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, the state Chairman of the party, convened an emergency peace meeting on Thursday at the Party’s state secretariat in Abakaliki, the state capital, with all warring groups…
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) reiterated on Thursday that the prices of petroleum products remain unchanged. This statement was issued by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, addressing the tightness in fuel supply experienced in some parts of Nigeria. Soneye attributed the supply challenges to logistic issues but assured that these issues have been resolved. He urged Nigerians to refrain from panic buying, emphasizing that there is sufficient product supply in the country. The statement from NNPCL read, “NNPC Ltd says the cause of tightness in fuel supply is resolved. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC…
Ebonyi State Government has distributed 10 Hilux to the Nigeria Army and to the Nigeria Police for joint security operations across the state. Governor Francis Nwifuru, who was represented by his deputy governor, Mrs Patricia Obila, performed the distribution of the vehicles on Thursday in Abakaliki. According to governor Nwifuru, the aim was to initiatiate accelerate operations of joint security outfits in the state, following the insecurity challenges facing the state. The joint security outfit was Christened “(Ijeoma), meaning safe journey. Ebonyi State is the only place you sleep with two eyes closed. During the last security meeting, I promised…
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…
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…