In anticipation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Ondo State, Funmi Waheed-Adekojo, a female aspirant, has cautioned the party’s leadership regarding the unwritten zoning arrangements in the state. Waheed-Adekojo expressed concern over the party’s stance on zoning, warning that it could have counterproductive consequences for the party. Speaking to newsmen in Akure, the state capital, the aspirant emphasized the importance of prioritizing competency over zoning in selecting candidates for the governorship polls. Waheed-Adekojo is the sole aspirant from the northern senatorial district out of the 16 aspirants, with the remaining 15 from the southern senatorial district. She…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
At least four individuals have lost their lives in the eastern Ukrainian city of Siversk due to shelling by Russian forces. The regional military governor of Donetsk, Vadym Filashkin, confirmed the casualties on Monday, noting that the deceased were men ranging from 36 to 86 years old. In a statement on Telegram, Filashkin urged the remaining residents of Siversk to evacuate the city, located approximately 10 kilometers west of the front line. Before the conflict, Siversk had a population exceeding 10,000. Despite Russia’s assertion of the entire Donetsk region as part of its territory, its control in the area remains…
The former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has stated that he is not interested in becoming a godfather to any governor in the state. El-Rufai made this known during a Capacity-Enhancement Workshop for Senior Government Officials in Borno State on Monday. He emphasized his hands-off approach to Kaduna’s governance since leaving office, noting that he has only visited the state five times in nearly a year. “I don’t want to be a godfather, and that’s why I don’t interfere in what is happening in Kaduna. I want him (the governor) to learn and get the job done by…
Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State has expressed confidence in having people of integrity and character standing with him amidst his recent face-off with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike. Speaking at Ndoni Town in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state over the weekend, Fubara emphasized the importance of integrity, citing former Governor Peter Odili as an example. Fubara stated, “I’ve said it before, and I’m saying it again: it doesn’t matter the number of people that stand with you. Even if you’re standing alone, no matter the side you’re standing, provided you are standing…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) state working committee in Kano has taken decisive action against some Ward Party Leaders who suspended the National Chairman of the Party, Umar Abdullahi Ganduje. Reports indicated that the APC Ganduje ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government had suspended Ganduje. However, the party’s local government officials quickly thwarted the suspension and removed those responsible. The APC Dawakin Tofa Local Government Chairman, Inusa Dawanau, informed reporters that those behind the suspension of the National Chairman were engaged in anti-party activities, and their records of meetings with the opposition had been exposed. In response to the suspension…
Members of the Ganduje Ward in the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State have suspended the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje. The suspension was announced by the Executive Council of Ganduje Ward, led by Haruna Gwanjo, during a press briefing in Kano on Monday. Gwanjo stated that the former governor must address corruption allegations related to his long-standing dollar bribery video case before his suspension can be lifted.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned five individuals before a Federal High Court in Lagos over an illegal deal involving petroleum products. The defendants, including a vessel named Mt Vinnalaris, Azeez Abubakar, Wisdom Borborley, Samuel Akpan, and Freedom Otuagoma, appeared before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on two counts bordering on unlawful dealings in petroleum products. They all pleaded guilty. Prosecutor R.A. Abdurasheed informed the court that the prosecution had filed a plea bargain agreement with the defendants. Consequently, the court adjourned the case until April 25 for the adoption of the plea bargain agreement. The court ordered…
Amidst tears and anguish, three corpses of individuals allegedly killed by soldiers in Gashu’a town, Yobe State, were buried on Monday. The Emir of Bade, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Suleiman, and the chairman of Bade Local Government Council, Ibrahim Babagana, were among the dignitaries who attended the funeral prayers of the victims. The tragic incident occurred after soldiers reportedly opened fire on peaceful protesters expressing their anger over the alleged reckless conduct of soldiers in the town, which led to a fatal accident involving their patrol vehicle and a tricycle. Governor Mai Mala Buni, who called for calm after the incident,…
Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has stated that the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government is currently subsidizing fuel for Nigerians, contrary to President Tinubu’s earlier declaration that the country can no longer afford fuel subsidies. El-Rufai made this assertion while speaking to journalists in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Monday. He claimed that the government is now paying more for fuel subsidies than before. The President had announced the end of fuel subsidies during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, leading to a significant increase in fuel prices and triggering economic hardships across the nation. However, El-Rufai stated…
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Ondo State Command has directed divisional officers and tactical teams to be on red alert to prevent any incursion into the state by Oodua Nation agitators. The State Commandant of NSCDC, Oluyemi Ibiloye, issued the directive during the weekly muster parade, where the corps’ operations during the recent Eid-el Fitr celebration were reviewed. He also instructed the teams to be prepared for other potential security threats. In a statement released to the press by the command’s spokesperson, Aidamenbor Daniel, Ibiloye emphasized the need for vigilance, stating, “The Intelligence Department, Armed Squad, Counter-Terrorism…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly caucus in Benue State has refuted claims of factionalization within the party in the state. The state chapter of the ruling party has been embroiled in turmoil following a rift between Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, over leadership of the party structure. In a statement issued on Monday by Hon. Philip Agbese, the joint spokesman of the National Assembly caucus, it was asserted that Benue APC is united and has no faction. Agbese dismissed those suggesting otherwise as “desperate comedians struggling for roles…
Pensioners in Akwa Ibom State have called on Governor Umo Eno to implement the payment of increased pension arrears for those who retired before 2012. The governor had approved increments in the pension of retirees before 2012, with implementation scheduled to commence at the end of April. In a statement signed by their secretary, Obong Cosmos Essien, the pensioners lauded the governor for ending the era of meager pension payments as low as N1000 or N2000 monthly in the state. They urged him to begin the implementation of the increased pension in arrears so that members could immediately benefit from…
The Edo State Police Command has arrested a police constable, Prince Chima, attached to the Department of Operatives (DOP), for allegedly threatening residents with an AK-47 rifle at their residence. Commissioner of Police in the state, Funsho Adegboye, disclosed this to newsmen in Benin City, stating that an orderly room trial has been ordered for the constable. According to Adegboye, the arrest followed the circulation of a viral video on April 7, 2024, showing a young man in a blue T-shirt, black joggers trousers, and blue palm slippers threatening violence with an AK-47 rifle. He explained that upon investigation, the…
Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, has criticized the invasion of the Oyo State House of Assembly in Ibadan by suspected Yoruba nation agitators, describing the act as not in the interest of the Yoruba people. In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Comrade Jare Ajayi, the organization emphasized that those who carried out the invasion did not represent the true interests of the Yoruba people. The invasion, which occurred on Saturday, saw individuals claiming to be Yoruba nation agitators declaring the creation of a purported ‘Democratic Republic of the Yoruba’ separate from Nigeria. Afenifere clarified…
Fear and uncertainty grip Kano as the government of Abba Kabir Yusuf prepares to arraign the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of the State, Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, over allegations of financial misappropriation. Reports indicate that some residents are planning to leave their homes due to concerns of potential violence by political thugs in the state. Charges were filed against Ganduje, his wife, and six others by the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)-led administration in the state at the Kano State High Court last Tuesday. The government had also launched a commission of…
The air component of Nigeria’s military special task force, “Operation Delta Safe,” conducted air strikes on several illegal oil refining sites and bases of economic saboteurs in Rivers State on Friday and Saturday. AVM Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information at the Nigerian Air Force, announced on Sunday in Abuja that the air strikes had significantly reduced the capabilities of oil thieves and ensured that economic saboteurs could no longer vandalize pipelines to steal crude oil. Gabkwet stated that an illegal refining site in the Idama community was destroyed, and four boats loaded with illegally-refined products were also…
The President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called for unity among leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South South region. Akpabio made the call during a meeting with state chairmen of the APC from the South South in Abuja on Sunday. Acknowledging the challenges faced by the chairmen, Akpabio promised to convene a stakeholders meeting in the near future, involving political officeholders from the zone, to discuss the way forward. He stated, “In the days ahead, a meeting of critical stakeholders, comprising state chairmen, National Assembly members, ministers, and other appointees from the region, would…
The Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), an Igbo think-tank, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). During a press conference held in Enugu on Sunday after an executive meeting, Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie, the President of ADF, made the demand, citing Kanu’s right to self-determination as enshrined in international charters. Awuzie expressed concern over Kanu’s continued incarceration, contrasting it with the release and reintegration of Boko Haram fighters into society, some even into the nation’s security architecture. He emphasized that Kanu’s struggle for self-determination aligns with democratic principles and…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the interception of significant quantities of opioid and cannabis in various operations across different states. In a statement issued by the agency’s spokesperson, Mr. Femi Babafemi, it was revealed that about 900,000 pills of opioid were seized in the Sabon Gari area of Kano State, leading to the arrest of two suspects on April 9. Additionally, a 48-year-old suspect was apprehended at Essit Ebum area of Calabar with 39.4kg of cannabis sativa on the same day. NDLEA operatives also intercepted a logistics truck on the Owerri-Onitsha road in Imo State, recovering…
The Zone 13 of the Nigeria Police Force, comprising Anambra and Enugu States, has disclosed the venue and schedule for the General Duty and Specialist Constable recruitment medical screening in both states. The announcement was made in a statement issued on Sunday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Ihunwo, in Enugu. According to Ihunwo, the medical screening for prospective candidates from Zone 13 will take place at the Police Hospital, Awka. The screening is scheduled to commence simultaneously nationwide on Tuesday, April 16, and will run until April 30, 2024. Candidates are advised to visit the recruitment…