Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed concern over the “coronation” of candidates of ruling parties instead of proper conduct of local government elections across various states. Yakubu voiced his concerns during a meeting with executive members of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commission (FOSIECOM) at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday. He acknowledged the shared responsibilities between INEC and FOSIECOM in conducting elections and the challenges faced by State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) in fulfilling their mandates. Yakubu highlighted INEC’s efforts to foster a partnership for credible elections in Nigeria through the…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
The Ogun State Government has begun the second phase of the N1 billion Operational Grant disbursement for Micro and Small scale Enterprises under its OG-CARES scheme. This phase will benefit approximately 2,822 entrepreneurs. The first phase, conducted in 2023, saw 1,000 micro-enterprise entrepreneurs receive N100,000 each, while those in the small-scale category received N350,000 each. The event, held at the Obas’ Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, featured Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by his Deputy, Engr. (Mrs) Noimot Salako-Oyedele. Governor Abiodun emphasized that this initiative aligns with his administration’s “Building Our Future Together” agenda, aiming to support the growth and…
Armed security personnel from the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) took control of strategic locations at the Kano House of Assembly on Wednesday as lawmakers began the process of amending the State Emirates Council Law that established five emirates. The amendment to the Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment Number 2) Law 2024 (1445AH), sponsored by Majority Leader Lawan Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa, representing Dala Constituency, successfully passed its first reading. Journalists covering the proceedings were required to identify themselves before being granted entry, and all roads leading to the Assembly Complex were barricaded. The original…
The Kogi East APC Youths Movement has issued a stern warning to politicians to stop promoting ethnic politics in Kogi State. At a press conference held in Lokoja on Tuesday, the Convener of Kogi East APC Youths Movement, Comrade Promise Emmanuel, accused some politicians of exploiting ethnic politics for their selfish ambitions, under the guise of advocating for the people. While Emmanuel did not name specific politicians, he cautioned that members of the Igala/Bassa nation are not ethnic bigots, contrary to the portrayal by certain groups within the state. “Today, we address a political menace which has been perpetuated by…
A former National Vice Chairman, North-West, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Salihu Lukman, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for creating more doubts in the minds of Nigerians, contrary to expectations that he would replicate his earlier success as Lagos governor. In a statement issued on Tuesday titled “Illusive Politics: What is to be Done,” Lukman expressed disappointment with the policy missteps and reversals characterizing Tinubu’s government. Lukman lamented that after 25 years of democratic rule, Nigeria has yet to produce leaders who genuinely accommodate the interests of citizens. “Painfully, against every expectation that President Asiwaju Tinubu will…
A former National Vice Chairman (Northwest) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Moh. Lukman, has criticized his party for failing to meet the expectations of Nigerians over the past nine years. In a statement on Tuesday, Lukman, while reaffirming his membership in the APC, expressed deep disappointment in the performance of elected governments, comparing them unfavorably to military regimes. “Poor management of national resources has continued to the extent that insecurity and threats to human lives have become the new normal,” Lukman stated. “The worst part is that we have elected governments, at virtually all levels, performing worse…
The Forum of Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for the resignation of the party’s national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje. The North-Central chairman of the forum, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, made this call during an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Jos. Zazzaga expressed concern over the ongoing calls for Ganduje’s removal from office, stating that his insistence on retaining his position does not bode well for the party. He questioned the decision of the party’s stakeholders from the North-West, who recently passed a vote of confidence in Ganduje, asserting that such decisions would only create confusion within the…
Activist and political analyst Atiku Abubakar has stated that President Bola Tinubu inherited a nation in disarray, both economically, politically, and security-wise. Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s News Day, Abubakar insisted that the President is on track and requires time to address the issues inherited from the previous administration. “The President, in my opinion, has done well. This is because he met a country in disarray, economically, politically, and security-wise. But he has been able to put things in proper perspective, even though we expect him to do some more,” Abubakar said. He further emphasized that President Tinubu…
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to review the recent policy on airport toll gates, urging that members of the Armed Forces be exempted from toll payments. This resolution was reached on Tuesday following a motion presented by Abdulsamad Dasuki during a plenary session. The Federal Executive Council had recently announced the withdrawal of the exemption for certain high-ranking individuals from paying tolls at the nation’s airports. In his motion, Dasuki argued that members of the Armed Forces deserve special recognition and should not be subjected to toll payments at airports and major train stations. “Men…
Pope Francis has addressed the controversy surrounding his position on same-sex couples, emphasizing a distinction between blessing individuals and blessing unions. The Pope explained that while he allows the blessing of individuals, he does not extend this to same-sex unions. In an interview with CBS’s ‘60 Minutes’, the Pope was questioned about what appeared to be a shift in Vatican policy after he approved blessings for Catholics in same-sex unions. “Last year, you decided to allow Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples,” CBS ‘60 Minutes’ anchor Norah O’Donnell noted. “That’s a big change. Why?” “No, what I allowed was not…
An All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart and former member of the House of Representatives, Nze Chikwem Esiaga, has expressed concern over the factional leadership crisis plaguing the Abia State chapter of the party. Esiaga lamented that the fragmentation within the party has severely compromised its chances of winning elections and forming a government in the state. He called on the national leadership of the APC to either establish a caretaker committee or conduct fresh congresses at various levels within the state to prevent further division. The ex-federal lawmaker made this appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday in Umuahia, the…
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has criticized a recent verdict by Senator Magnus Abe regarding the status of 27 stranded Rivers lawmakers. Eze described Abe’s comments as indicative of his role as a “perverse political hireling.” Eze, a former national spokesman for the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), also remarked that the wave of resignations in Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s cabinet is a necessary step for a renaissance in the current administration. Eze condemned Abe’s distorted interpretation of the Constitution concerning the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers who defected and thus vacated their seats…
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Sampson Ogah, has criticized the deceitfulness displayed by many leaders in Abia State, stating it undermines the party’s electoral prospects. Ogah made these remarks over the weekend while speaking to journalists after an enlarged meeting of Abia stakeholders of the APC held in Umuahia, the state capital. “The way forward is peace in the party. That has to unite every leader in the party. Because if there is no peace, we are going nowhere,” Ogah stated. He emphasized the need…
The Benue State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its readiness to participate in the forthcoming local government elections in the state. The decision was made after extensive consultations with party leaders and members. Party chairman John Ngbede made the announcement during an expanded caucus meeting of the PDP on Monday in Makurdi. The Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) had recently declared the upcoming council election at a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi. Ngbede emphasized that the PDP is committed to participating in the elections and will oppose the All Progressives Congress (APC) to foster development at the grassroots level,…
The Lagos State Government has reported that fire outbreaks resulted in 82 casualties and property losses amounting to N25.37 billion. This was disclosed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde, in a statement on Monday. Oyerinde stated that the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) successfully rescued 376 victims and preserved property valued at N152.22 billion. “Fire safety officers from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) successfully rescued 376 victims and preserved property estimated to be worth N152.22 billion. The ministry regrettably recorded 82 casualties and property losses worth N25.37 billion,” Oyerinde said.…
The Director General of the Confederation of All Progressives Congress Support Groups (CASG), Prof. Kailani Muhammad, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu to remain vigilant, citing a conspiracy against him in the run-up to the 2027 presidential election. Prof. Kailani made this statement during the presentation of an Award of Excellence in National Service by the Supreme Head of the Nzuko Nd’Imo Organisation (NNIO) in Abuja. He highlighted that the Northern Elders Forum and other groups in the North are allegedly conspiring against the President. Kailani advised Tinubu to appoint members of CASG to his government, emphasizing that such appointments would…
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, George Okoye, has called on stakeholders to ensure that the party does not fade from Nigeria’s political landscape. Speaking to journalists in Awka on Monday, Okoye, a former member of the State Assembly, emphasized that the party’s leadership must not let personal interests and ambitions weaken the PDP. Okoye underscored the PDP’s role as the primary opposition party and a cornerstone of democratic practice in Nigeria. He urged the party’s leadership to unite and restructure the PDP for the betterment of the country rather than pursuing a so-called ‘New…
Ijaw leader, Edwin Clark, has called on the national chairmen of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Umar Damagum, to address the recent actions of Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, in Rivers State. Clark expressed concerns that Wike’s statements could incite a crisis in Rivers State. In a recent comment, Wike hinted at enjoying the possibility of Governor Siminalayi Fubara making mistakes that could cause him problems. In a letter, Clark reminded the leaders of the two major political parties of the potential consequences of unrest in Rivers State, emphasizing…
Fidelity Bank compliance officer, Ezekoli Ozoemenam, testified on Monday against social media celebrity Ismaila Mustapha, also known as Mompha, who is facing trial over money laundering charges involving N6 billion. Ozoemenam, the fourth prosecution witness, was led in evidence by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mr. Suleiman Suleiman. The witness testified about the details of an account at the bank allegedly linked to Mompha. The prosecution tendered the account document and requested the court to admit it as evidence. However, defense counsel Mr. Kolawole Salami reserved his objection to the tendering of the document. Mr. Suleiman then requested…
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has emphasized the importance of cooperation between Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Jonathan highlighted that such collaboration is essential for the well-being of the state’s residents. Jonathan, speaking as the special guest of honor at the inauguration of the Trans-Kalabari Road Project organized by the Rivers State Government on Monday, expressed his concerns about the challenges associated with the transition of power in the country. He noted that while transitions at the national level are generally better managed, those at…