The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially announced the final list of candidates for the upcoming Edo State Governorship Election. The Commission has also granted permission for political parties to commence public campaigns starting from Wednesday, 24th April 2024. In a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner & Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC revealed that 17 political parties have fielded candidates for the election, with 16 candidates being male and one female. Olumekun further stated that the final list of candidates has been published at INEC’s office in Edo State and uploaded to…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
A suspected drug kingpin, Sumaila Ata, also known as Summy, has been killed by security agencies in Ajaka, Igalamela Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The Transition Chairman of the Local Government, Cosmas Ilemona Atabor, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Saturday, describing it as unfortunate news. He explained that Ata had been a target of security agencies, repeatedly evading capture until his demise. According to Atabor, on April 19, 2024, security agencies received credible intelligence that Ata had received a large shipment of illegal drugs for distribution to unsuspecting youths. Swift action was taken to prevent further harm…
The Abia State Police Command has arrested an officer involved in the killing of a businessman, Emmanuel Michael Okocha, in Aba. This development follows the recent outcry by the Abiriba community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State over the alleged killing. Emmanuel Michael Okocha was reportedly shot dead along Aba-Owerri road in Aba for allegedly refusing to bribe some policemen despite having a complete vehicle license. In a statement issued on Saturday by the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Maureen Chinaka, the Abia State Police Command disclosed that the arrested officer, Police Corporal Obagi Njok, attached to Abayi Police Division,…
The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has deemed the judgements rendered by various courts in petitions arising from the 2023 general elections as justifiable. Speaking in Yola on Saturday, NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, commended the judges for delivering justice in these decisions. “Wherever there is justice, there is also commendation, as people connect to the justice of the case,” Maikyau stated. He made these remarks during the Emergency National Executive Committee meeting of the NBA in Adamawa State’s capital, where he urged governments at all levels to ensure decisions align with the constitution. As legal practitioners, Maikyau emphasized that NBA members…
The Abia State Ministry of Education, Umuahia, has instructed schools in the state to resume for the 2023/2024 third term academic session on Monday next week. In a statement signed by Mr Ikechuckwu Oriuwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, teachers in the state were directed to resume at their duty posts, with strict monitoring to ensure effective teaching and learning. The statement also called on parents to release their children and wards for resumption. However, the Ministry clarified that schools sealed in the state for failing standard tests would remain sealed and are not permitted to resume. In November…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disclosed that it is investigating 11 suspected oil thieves and one vessel, MT SAISNIL II, which were arrested by the Nigerian Navy. Mr Dele Oyewole, the Commission’s spokesperson, confirmed this development in a statement on Saturday. Oyewole stated that the suspects and the vessel were handed over to the EFCC by the Nigerian Navy, NNS Beecroft, Apapa, Lagos. He further explained that the vessel and its crew were intercepted and arrested on February 7, 2024, by naval officers. The suspects are allegedly involved in illegal oil bunkering and Automatic Identification System (AIS)…
The Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Adeniran Tella, stated on Friday that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) cannot be released to the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) for the local government elections scheduled for April 27. Dr. Tella made this statement in Ibadan during a discussion with NAN on the sidelines of a quarterly consultative meeting with civil society organizations in the state. He explained that BVAS contains sensitive voter data, and as per the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision, BVAS should not be released for local government elections. Dr. Tella emphasized that what OYSIEC needs…
The Ondo Vanguard for Good Governance, a group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), has raised concerns over the party’s decision not to hold a delegates’ congress ahead of Saturday’s governorship primaries in the state. The group accused the committee responsible for revalidating the party’s membership in the state of preparing the grounds for manipulating the exercise. They claimed that committee members were absent from the congress venues and allegedly allocated figures to create the illusion of a delegates’ congress being held. Tade Ogidan, the Chairman of the Ondo Vanguard for Good Governance, called for urgent intervention from President Bola…
The committee overseeing the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Ondo State announced that a total of 171,922 accredited members would participate in the election on Saturday. The primary is set to take place in 203 wards across 18 local government areas, with 16 aspirants, including the incumbent governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in the race. After a meeting with stakeholders and aspirants in Akure on Friday night, the Secretary of the seven-man committee, Ovie Omo-Agege, confirmed that none of the aspirants had withdrawn or stepped down. Omo-Agege stated that the committee was prepared to conduct the primary using the direct…
Malam Hisham Habib, the pioneer Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano, has challenged the assertions made by the National Chairman of the Party, Dr. Boniface Aniebonum, regarding Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiyya group’s alleged betrayal. Hisham contended that the entry of Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, the National Leader and Presidential Candidate of the Party in 2023, significantly elevated the party’s status more than any other event in its history. As a member and witness to the party’s activities before and after Kwankwaso joined with his supporters, Hisham stated that the statements attributed to the party’s founder lacked decorum…
The Zamfara State Government has announced the suspension of Colonel Rabiu Garba (retd), the Commandant of the local security outfit, Community Protection Guards (CPG). The suspension, effective immediately, was disclosed in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Mallam Abubakar Nakwadahe, and released to newsmen in Gusau, the state capital. The statement reads in part, “This is to inform the general public that Zamfara State government has suspended Colonel Rabiu Garba as Commandant of the state Community Protection Guards.” No reason was provided for the suspension; however, sources suggest it may be related to a radio live…
Former Rivers State National Assembly member, Dagogo Farah, has hailed the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 98th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting as a testament to the party’s resilience in the face of adversity. Amidst pre-meeting speculations focusing on navigating the North Central Zone’s leadership transition, particularly after Iyiorchia Ayu’s tenure was cut short, there were concerns about the party’s direction. Speaking after the meeting, Farah praised the timely sacrifices made by those committed to the party’s interests. He credited the political maturity of leaders like Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for averting crises. In a statement…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reiterated that Abdullahi Ganduje, the former governor of Kano State, remains its national chairman. Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary, affirmed this position in an interview on Arise Television monitored by the media. Morka stated that the ruling party would not adhere to the initial court order confirming Ganduje’s suspension as national chairman. He explained that the party has not received any summons regarding the restraining order against Ganduje and has thrown its support behind the recent ruling of the Kano Federal High Court calling for a stay of the order. The recent political…
Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Integrity Group, also known as the G-5, expressed jubilation on Thursday following the outcome of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. Notable figures such as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, former Governor Samuel Ortom, former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, and Governor Ifeanyi Uguwanyi of Enugu State were seen celebrating the results of the NEC meeting in Abuja. The PDP convened its 98th NEC meeting at its National Headquarters in Abuja, with a significant turnout of the party’s stalwarts. The National…
Bode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has revealed that the party is actively engaged in reconciling its members, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. George emphasized the PDP’s commitment to reconciliation, stating that the party aims to resolve all grievances internally without resorting to public confrontations. Wike had clashed with the PDP leadership during the 2023 presidential election when he and his G-5 group opted to support presidential candidates other than the PDP’s nominee, Atiku Abubakar. This decision led to a significant rift within the party, resulting in the removal of former…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee (NEC) held its 98th meeting in Abuja on Thursday, where 15 resolutions were made, as disclosed by Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary. The party criticized the President Bola Tinubu-led administration for its handling of economic and security crises in the nation. The communique issued at the end of the meeting highlighted several key points: – Commendation for the resilience and commitment of party organs towards the unity and stability of the PDP. – Appreciation for the courage of PDP members, especially youths and women, in resisting the divisive tactics of the…
Former governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has asserted his position as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the reversal of his purported suspension by his ward executives. Justice A. M. Liman of the Federal High Court in Kano halted Ganduje’s suspension on Thursday, also barring all respondents and their agents from implementing the decisions reached at the APC executive meeting held at the Ganduje Ward of Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area on April 15, 2024, pending the determination and hearing of a suit filed by Ganduje for the enforcement of his fundamental rights. The judge…
The Kogi State Government has demolished shanties and illegal structures around the Ganaja flyover bridge in Lokoja, the state capital, to curb criminal activities in the area. The demolition exercise, led by the Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Oluwasegun Joseph, took place on Thursday. Commissioner Joseph stated that the demolition was part of Governor Ahmed Ododo’s commitment to ensuring the security of life and property in Lokoja and its environs. He emphasized that the structures were illegal and had become a hideout for hoodlums and criminals. “We have been here on three different occasions, warning them to remove them…
Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of attempting to create a crisis to boost his relevance before President Bola Tinubu, who is allegedly “getting fed up” with Wike’s involvement in FCT governance. Secondus claimed that Wike is fabricating a non-existent crisis within the party. The PDP is scheduled to hold its 98th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday. In a statement by his spokesman, Ike Abonyi, Secondus stated that Wike is trying to portray a supremacy battle with former Vice…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has submitted a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC), requesting a review of the court order issued by Justice Usman Na’abba of the Kano State High Court, which directed the national chairman of the party, Abdulahi Ganduje, to refrain from presenting himself as the party’s national chairman. Justice Na’abba had previously issued an order restraining Ganduje from acting as the chairman. The petition, dated April 17 and signed by Mahmud Ganduje, the Chairman of Ganduje’s ward, and 26 others, urges the NJC to assess the adherence to judicial guidelines and the constitution regarding non-interference…