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…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
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…
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim and Folakemi Omogoroye, two of the 15 aspirants who contested the April 20 primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, have decried the alleged irregularities recorded during the exercise. In petitions filed to the Appeal Committee set up by the party for the primary, Ibrahim and Omogoroye called for the cancellation of the outcome of the exercise, describing it as a ‘robbery’ and an electoral process marred by irregularities. Omogoroye, urging the committee chairman to order a fresh election, stated, “I am urging you to cancel the election and order a fresh election in…
Wale Akinterinwa, an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ondo State, has accused Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State and Chairman of the party’s primary election committee of writing results. Akinterinwa claimed that the party did not conduct any primary election in all the 203 Wards of the state, despite Ododo announcing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the governorship candidate of the party after polling the highest votes at the primary election. In a statement signed by his campaign organisation spokesperson, Mr Segun Ajiboye, Akinterinwa described the APC’s primary election in the state as a show of shame. The statement…
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, announced on Tuesday that the Commission has uncovered a new financial scheme, worse than the crypto trading platform, Binance. Olukoyede stated that the EFCC has frozen approximately 300 accounts to safeguard the foreign exchange market. The scheme, known as the “P to P” (peer-to-peer) financial trading scheme, operates outside the official banking and financial corridors, posing a significant threat to the Naira’s value. “There are people in this country doing worse than Binance,” Olukoyede remarked. He revealed that one of the platforms involved in the scheme processed over…
The Appeal Committee set up for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Ondo State has announced that it has received three petitions from aspirants who participated in the exercise. Mohammed Abubakar, the Chairman of the five-member Appeal Committee and former Governor of Bauchi State, disclosed this at a briefing with journalists in Akure. Abubakar stated that the petitions were received from Olugbenga Edema, Jimi Odimayo, and Adewale Akinterinwa. The aggrieved aspirants complained that the primary did not hold in their various wards and the process was marred by irregularities. “We have received three petitions so far; one from…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates for the upcoming Edo State Governorship Election. A total of 17 political parties will be contesting in the election, with 16 male candidates and one female candidate. Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner & Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee at INEC, stated that the final list of candidates has been published at the INEC office in Edo State and uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms for public information. Campaign activities for the election are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, April 24, 2024,…
The Katsina State Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the official nomination fees for aspirants vying for the position of local government chairman and councillors in the forthcoming elections. During a press briefing held at the Katsina Government House Banquet Hall, the State Deputy Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Bala Abu Musawa, confirmed that the nomination fee for the local government chairmanship position has been set at N5 million. Aspiring councillors, on the other hand, would be required to pay a fee of N1.5 million for their nomination forms. Musawa emphasized that all payments for the…
Former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, has announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a resignation letter addressed to the PDP chairman in Mbutu Ward, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of the state, Ihedioha cited a misalignment between his personal beliefs and the current trajectory of the main opposition party. Despite his decision to step away from PDP, Ihedioha expressed his dedication to the advancement of democracy and good governance in the country. Having been a member of the party since its inception in 1998, the former governor highlighted his significant contributions to the growth and…
Residents of Kwara State are facing challenges due to arbitrary fuel price increases by petrol filling stations. Reports indicate that filling stations now dispense fuel at various prices, ranging from N580 to N715 per litre, depending on the point of sale. While NNPC sells at N580 per litre, major marketers like Total Energies sell fuel at N625. Independent marketers, on the other hand, dispense their products at between N710 and N715 per litre. Motorists in Ilorin expressed dismay over the arbitrary pump prices, questioning why such practices are allowed by regulatory bodies without consequences. The situation has led to an…
Over 1,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State decamped to the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) on Saturday. The decampees, hailing from Shanono and Bagwai local government areas, were formally received by the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, at the Kano State Government House. A press release by the Deputy Governor’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, highlighted Gwarzo’s delight in welcoming the defectors. He stressed that the NNPP prioritizes unity and assured that all members would be treated equally. Garba reiterated Gwarzo’s commitment to implementing programs beneficial to all residents…
Former youth leader of Benue South All Progressive Congress, APC, and Director of Operations, Alia/Ode Campaign Organization, Hon Anthony Adah, has advised party leaders to sheath their swords and embrace peace ahead of the next general elections in the state. Hon Adah, speaking during an interaction with journalists in Makurdi on Saturday, highlighted the detrimental effects of the lingering internal crisis rocking the party in the State. He expressed concerns that the ongoing discord could significantly impact the party’s welfare. The party has been embroiled in a deep crisis, leading to the formation of a faction loyal to Governor Hyacinth…
The New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in Adamawa State has announced its new interim executives. The newly constituted leadership includes Alhaji Bamangar Mubi as chairman, Beryl Sashi as secretary, Rilwanu Abdulkarim as youth leader, Hadiza Mohammed as woman leader, and Mustapha Mohammed as public relations officer. The acting state chairman of the NNPP stated during a press conference in Yola that the new executives emerged following the dissolution of the state executives by the party’s national body. He further mentioned that interim executives for local government and ward levels would be appointed soon. “As part of my responsibilities, I will…