The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared all 16 aspirants seeking their ticket to contest the November 20 Ondo State Governorship election. The decision was announced by the seven-man screening committee led by Sen. Joshua Lidani, which gave all aspirants the approval to contest the April 20 primary election. According to a report submitted to the party’s Directorate of Organisation in Abuja on Saturday, the committee considered various factors including eligibility, suitability, character, and support base in its decision-making process. Among those cleared were the incumbent Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Isaac Kekemeke, former APC National Vice-Chairman (South West), Olusoji Ehinlanwo, a…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced the disbursement of another N2 billion to the former chairmen of local government areas in the state who were sacked in May 2019. The former council bosses, who were elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2018, have been in dispute with the state government over the payment of their entitlements, previously urging the governor to settle their dues in full. Governor Makinde revealed the release of the N2 billion during a speech in Ogbomoso at the burial and thanksgiving service for Mama Ruth Adenihun Dare, mother of…
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has advised the families and friends of the newly inaugurated commissioners in the state not to exert undue pressure on them, as it could hinder their performance as members of the State Executive Council (SEC). During the swearing-in ceremony of at least 12 commissioners over the weekend, Aiyedatiwa warned the new cabinet members against engaging in corrupt practices and urged them to avoid actions that could negatively impact the state’s affairs. The governor emphasized the need for the new appointees to justify their appointments through dedicated service, stating that his administration is committed to…
Jimi Odimayo, a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, has appealed to the party’s leadership to refrain from fielding a candidate with a one-term limit ahead of the primaries scheduled for April 20. Expressing his concerns, Odimayo highlighted the potential advantage opposition parties might gain from such a decision during the November 16 election. The current House of Representatives member representing Okitipupa/Irele federal constituency also called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to reconsider his ambition in the interest of both the southern senatorial district and the ruling party. Odimayo emphasized that the constitution prohibits Aiyedatiwa from…
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and restrain the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, following a fresh threat of impeachment against Governor Siminalayi Fubara by members of the Rivers State Assembly led by Marthin Amaewhule. Eze, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urged Tinubu to “prevail on Wike to curtail the excesses of the 27 lawmakers,” whom he described as “the minister’s foot soldiers.” He emphasized the need for Tinubu to “call Wike to order to save the situation…
A section of the leadership of the Adamawa State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) convened on Saturday with organized labor and other stakeholders in an effort to mend a lingering rift within the party’s leadership. The meeting, called by the state executive committee of the party chaired by Christopher Nicholas, aimed to address the recent division within the party. However, a segment of the leadership led by the local government chairmen did not attend, having passed a vote of no confidence in the Christopher Nicholas-led committee last week. Speaking to reporters after the meeting at Labour House, Yola, the…
Former United States Ambassador to Bolivia, Victor Manuel Rocha, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for spying on the American government for over a decade on behalf of Cuba. Miami-based US District Judge Beth Bloom handed down the sentence on Friday after Rocha pleaded guilty to two counts, including acting as an agent of a foreign government. He was also fined $500,000, the maximum penalty allowed. Rocha’s espionage activities were described by Attorney General Merrick Garland as “one of the highest-reaching and longest-lasting infiltrations of the US government by a foreign agent.” Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen…
A dispatch rider, Monday Osazuwa, testified at the Special Offences Court in Lagos on Friday, revealing how the embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, allegedly instructed him on several occasions to collect a total of $3 million in cash. Osazuwa, who had worked as a dispatch rider at Zenith Bank since 2001 before joining the CBN as a contract staff member in 2014, narrated his experience while being led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN). The witness, who later became a senior supervisor (full-time) in charge of recording and…
Former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, praising his commitment to “politics without bitterness.” Ohakim described Onu as a rare gem whose wisdom and experience are sorely missed in Nigeria’s current state. In a statement, the former governor called on Nigerians to honor Onu’s memory by embracing the ideals he stood for. According to Ohakim, “Dr. Onu was a fine gentleman, unassuming and lived truly to the ambiance of politics without bitterness.” He added, “Nigeria has lost a rear gem whose maturity, brilliance,…
Suspected Fulani militias launched a deadly attack on Mandung-Mushu and Kopnanle villages in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, resulting in the death of about 10 people. Speaking to journalists on Saturday, Barr Farmasum Fuddang, Chairman of Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard, condemned the attack, describing it as a horrific and senseless slaughter of innocent residents. Despite the presence of security forces, including the DSS, army, and Police, Fuddang lamented that the attackers, identified as Fulani terrorists, were able to carry out their assault with impunity. He stated that more than fifty armed terrorists descended upon the villages,…
Civil servants in Jigawa State have reportedly failed to return to work following the conclusion of the Eid holidays on Thursday. The Federal Government had declared a two-day holiday for the festivities, which was later extended to Thursday due to the non-sighting of the crescent moon on Monday. The aftermath of the Eid celebrations has raised concerns about the efficiency and productivity of government operations, as a significant number of civil servants have not reported back to work. In response to this, the Jigawa State Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Muhammad K Dagaceri, has urged civil servants in the state…
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has urged communities in the state to establish vigilante groups to assist security agencies in combating the menace of herders’ attacksH. e made this call during the mass burial of the seventeen “Martyrs of the Anti-Open Grazing Law in Mbaikyor” at Mbaikyor, Mbalom, Gwer East Local Government Area of the state. The attack on Mbaikyor community by armed herdsmen on Thursday, March 7, 2024, resulted in the death of several individuals, including a retired army officer and a young boy. Two of the seventeen peasant farmers were buried earlier due to the advanced…
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has signed the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority Bill into law, during an event held at the governor’s office in Ibadan. The bill aims to bridge the gap in the enforcement of extant laws on traffic management, environmental sanitation, and other issues. The signing ceremony was attended by the deputy governor, Bayo Lawal; Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Onio; and the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Muhammed Abiodun Fadeyi. Governor Makinde, in his remarks, urged residents of the state to…
Sociopolitical analyst Reno Omokri has made a bold assertion, stating that the North and South will continue to control political power in Nigeria. Omokri emphasized that the unity and humility exhibited by both regions will ensure their dominance in the country’s political landscape. In a post on X, the former presidential aide suggested that unless other regions in Nigeria learn from the North and Western parts of the country, political power will remain firmly in the hands of these two blocs. He likened the political power dynamics between the North and South to a tennis game, where power is passed…
The Bauchi State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has officially distanced itself from the Forum of the Nineteen States, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chairmen and Secretaries, declaring the forum as non-existent. In a joint statement issued on Friday by the acting Chairman, Mohammed Sabitu Aliyu, and acting Secretary, Danlami Idi Danladi, they refuted claims made by certain individuals who purported to represent the executives of the Northern States. According to the statement, these individuals are not recognized as leaders and were actually removed from their positions due to actions against the party’s interests. Mohammed Sabitu Aliyu stated,…
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has established a seven-man Governorship Screening Committee to vet aspirants ahead of the party’s primary scheduled for April 20. The committee was inaugurated on Friday in Abuja by the party’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Duru, on behalf of the NWC. Duru urged the committee members to conduct the exercise with diligence, discipline, and friendliness, emphasizing the need to complete the screening within the projected timeframe. He also mentioned that the Appeal Committee would begin its work immediately after the screening. The committee, chaired by former Deputy Governor of…
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has dismissed rumors circulating in some quarters about the authenticity of his certificates, affirming that they are genuine and authentic. Aiyedatiwa made this known on Friday at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja after being cleared by the Screening Committee to contest the primary election. He addressed the issue of his certificates, stating, “Questions were asked and answered, and at the end of the day, I have been cleared that there are no issues. Especially the issue that has to do with the certificate that a petition was written, today that has…
A Former spokesman of the Peter Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation, Doyin Okupe, has offered advice on how Air Peace can survive the price war with other foreign airlines. Okupe emphasized that Air Peace must demonstrate boldness and resilience to withstand the price competition from other airlines operating international routes. He suggested that the Nigerian airline should be prepared for non-profit operations for up to a year. In a post on X, Okupe outlined the financial dynamics, stating that each flight costs about $100k with approximately 350 passengers. Given that about 4,000 passengers travel to the UK per day, even with…
Rights activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has criticized the six-month sentence handed down to popular social media personality Okuneye Idris Olarewaju, known as Bobrisky, over Naira mutilation. Adeyanju urged security agencies to consider a community service approach for victimless crimes like currency mutilation in the country. Justice Abimbola Awogboro delivered the sentence without the option of a fine to Bobrisky on Friday. The controversial celebrity has been in EFCC custody since his arrest last week and will serve the jail term at Ikoyi Prison, Lagos. Adeyanju’s statement expressed concern over the sentence, particularly highlighting Bobrisky’s status as a first-time offender and…
A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled April 19 for the hearing of a suit filed by the impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, against the State House of Assembly and others. The matter, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, was fixed for hearing on Friday after a team of lawyers, including Alex Ejesieme, SAN, sought a date for the case. Although the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/405/24, was not listed on the cause list, the defense team appeared in court. One of the lawyers informed Justice Ekwo that the matter was originally scheduled for Thursday but was rescheduled…