An Appeal Court in Port Harcourt will deliver a ruling on June 2, 2024, regarding an application by pro-Wike lawmakers, led by Martins Amaewhule, contesting a Rivers State High Court decision that barred them from acting as members of the State Assembly. This legal dispute originates from a suit filed by the pro-Fubara faction of the Assembly, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo. Justice C.N. Wali of the Rivers State High Court had issued an ex parte order restraining Amaewhule and 24 others from parading as House members or holding sessions. In response, Amaewhule and his fellow lawmakers appealed the order, seeking…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
President Bola Tinubu has criticized state Governors for what he termed their overbearing influence on the administration of local government councils in the country. According to the president, issues of accountability and ineffectiveness hinder the growth of local council authorities, and state governors must be held accountable. The president made these remarks on Thursday during a meeting with the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. His criticism comes just days after the Federal Government sued the 36 state governors over local government autonomy. Taking a swipe at the governors, Tinubu pointed out that during…
The South East Governors’ Forum has condemned the Thursday morning attack that left two soldiers dead at a checkpoint in Aba, Abia State. The attack, which occurred at Obikabia junction, was reportedly carried out by suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as part of their efforts to enforce a sit-at-home directive meant to commemorate Biafra Day. The assailants also burned down security patrol vehicles. Addressing newsmen in Owerri on Thursday, Chairman of the Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, described the attack as “unfortunate.” “On behalf of my fellow governors in the South East Governors’…
The staff of the Delta State Legislature, under the umbrella of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), have embarked on an indefinite strike. A visit to the Delta State Assembly complex on Thursday morning revealed that the gates were locked. The workers are protesting the governor’s alleged failure to implement key campaign promises, accusing him of being indifferent to their legitimate welfare demands. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had pledged to implement the Staff Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) upon assuming office. However, one year later, the promise remains unfulfilled, leading to widespread disappointment and frustration among the assembly staff. Before…
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, assured farmers that they will receive the right value for their produce through new innovations introduced by the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC). Speaking at the commissioning of BIPC projects in Makurdi, Governor Alia reiterated his administration’s commitment to revitalize and establish a minimum of 10 industries within his first four years in office. Governor Alia emphasized his government’s dedication to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and providing opportunities for citizens to prosper. He highlighted that the BIPC requires liquidity of at least N7 billion to stabilize and drive…
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has strongly condemned the attack on a military checkpoint at Obikabia junction in the Ogbor Hill area of Aba, Abia State, on Thursday. The assault by unidentified assailants reportedly left four soldiers dead. In a statement on Thursday, Kalu described the killing of the military personnel, who were performing their lawful duties, as unwarranted, outrageous, unjust, cruel, and absolutely condemnable. Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, emphasized that the people of Aba, known for their enterprising spirit and technical skills, should not be misled into…
Terrorists reportedly killed 12 people and injured 20 others on Wednesday in an attack on the Maro Ward market, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. A former chairman of the local government, Cafra Caino, confirmed the incident to the media, stating that the assailants invaded the market around 3 pm, shooting sporadically. “12 bodies have so far been recovered while 20 others who sustained various degrees of injuries are now receiving treatment at a nearby hospital,” Caino said. He noted that this was the second attack on the weekly market by terrorists, causing panic among business owners and customers.…
Operatives of the Benue State Police Command have killed three suspected kidnappers and rescued two abducted individuals in a recent operation. The rescue took place early on May 29 in Ukum Local Government Area, where the suspects had reportedly demanded a ransom of N23 million for their captives. Superintendent of Police Catherine Anene, the State Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed that a team from Operation Zenda, a joint task force, stormed the kidnappers’ hideout around 6:00 am on Wednesday. According to Anene, the operation followed the kidnapping of two victims from their homes approximately a week prior. “On 29/5/2024 at…
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, has called on Governor Seyi Makinde and security agencies to increase the deployment of operatives to the Ogbomoso and Oke Ogun areas to combat the rise in kidnapping and other criminal activities. The union’s appeal was made in a communique issued at the conclusion of its monthly congress held on Wednesday. The communique, signed by NUJ Secretary Comrade Olusola Oladapo, was made available to the media on Thursday. Ogbomoso encompasses five local government areas, while Oke Ogun has ten. In the communique, the Oyo NUJ Council stressed the urgent need for…
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, for alleged electoral fraud in the November 11, 2023, governorship election. Governor Diri’s comments came after the election petition tribunal dismissed the APC and Sylva’s petition challenging his victory, citing a lack of merit. Governor Diri spoke on Tuesday night at the King of Glory Chapel in Government House, Yenagoa, during a thanksgiving service upon his return from Abuja. He highlighted that during the tribunal’s cross-examinations, APC witnesses weakened their own case with frivolous claims and inconsistent evidence. Diri also recounted…
Impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Philip Shaibu, announced on Tuesday his intention to challenge the emergence of Asue Ighodalo as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate for the upcoming state election to the highest judicial level. This follows a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja on Monday, which dismissed Shaibu’s suit seeking to nullify the February 22 governorship primary that produced Ighodalo as the PDP candidate. Justice James Omotosho ruled that Shaibu lacked the legal standing to challenge the primary’s outcome because he did not fully participate in the exercise and was not present at the venue on…
The Kano State Government is formulating a State Transport Policy to tackle the transportation challenges facing the state, aiming to establish modern transportation systems in the ancient city. State Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Muhammad Ibrahim Diggol, announced this initiative during a press briefing at the NUJ Press Centre in Kano on Wednesday. Diggol highlighted that the policy will provide a strategic framework for current and future transportation decisions in the state. The development process includes stakeholder consultations to review the draft policy. “The challenges of providing modern, efficient, and effective transportation in the state are becoming enormous due to its…
A Benue State High Court has restrained the Benue State Government from investigating the administration of former Governor Chief Samuel Ortom. The court order halts the activities of a commission of inquiry recently set up by the Benue State Government to examine the state’s income and expenditure from May 29, 2015, to May 28, 2023, covering Ortom’s tenure. Justice T. T. Asua issued the order while ruling on a motion ex-parte filed by former Governor Ortom. The order prevents the panel from proceeding until the hearing and determination of a motion on notice. Counsel to Chief Ortom, Oba Maduabuchi, SAN,…
The Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) has announced that elections to choose chairmen and councillors for the state’s 21 local government councils will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024. ADSIEC Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Umar, made the announcement on Tuesday, informing journalists in Yola that notices of the elections will be published at the ADSIEC headquarters and local government offices. Umar also stated that the timetable, schedule of activities, and timelines for the election exercise will be released within the next two weeks. “The Commission’s mandate to organize, conduct, and supervise elections is in fulfillment of the Constitution following…
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has welcomed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy and harmonization of foreign exchange (FX) rates. In response to Obasanjo’s recent criticism of some of Tinubu’s policies, the APC acknowledged that while the necessary measures have immediate harsh effects, the Tinubu-led Federal Government has taken steps to mitigate these impacts. InfoStride News reports that Obasanjo, in a statement on Sunday, remarked that some of Tinubu’s key policies, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and FX rate harmonization, were necessary but poorly implemented. He noted that these…
The Labour Party (LP) Caucus in the House of Representatives has criticized the state of Nigeria’s economy, stating it has “dangerously continued” in a free fall since President Bola Tinubu assumed office one year ago. In a statement signed by their leader, Afam Ogene, the lawmakers expressed doubt about Tinubu’s ability to rescue the nation, citing rising insecurity and economic hardship as contradictions to his renewed hope agenda promise. “Our Caucus had taken a backseat in the patriotic hope that, maybe, just maybe, the beneficiary administration would be able to work magic and pull the nation from the precipice of…
The German government has praised President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, describing his initiatives since assuming power on May 29, 2023, as “bold steps” toward elevating Nigeria. German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, made these remarks in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, highlighting the administration’s efforts over the past year to bolster the oil sector, tackle insecurity, and combat corruption. Günther emphasized the importance of staying focused on the ongoing economic reforms, which she noted were long overdue. “The nation’s economic reforms were long overdue, and it took Tinubu courage to implement them, knowing they…
Saudi Arabian authorities have issued a stern warning to all pilgrims participating in this year’s Hajj against entering the country with invalid Hajj visas. In a warning issued by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Saudi Kingdom threatened severe penalties for any pilgrim or group found to have entered the country illegally. The Ministry of Interior stipulated a penalty of deportation and a fine of 10,000 SR for anyone caught performing Hajj without an authorized Hajj permit. The warning was conveyed to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) through the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Royal…
The youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has rated President Bola Tinubu’s administration above average as it marks one year in office today, May 29. The Igbo group made this assessment while also urging the President to dismiss any cabinet member not significantly contributing to the realization of the Renewed Hope Agenda. In a statement released on Wednesday, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, commended President Tinubu’s efforts toward restoring the country’s economic fortunes. “President Tinubu inherited a battered economy, and while it does not take rocket science…
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to provide transparency regarding the fuel subsidy regime. In a statement made public on Tuesday, Atiku urged the President to outline the fiscal commitments and benefits stemming from the fuel subsidy reform and its impact on the Federation Accounts. “It is curious that since April 2024, fuel queues have mounted at many filling stations across Nigeria, and the infamous ‘black market’ has sprouted in several states. How much PMS is being imported and distributed, and at what cost? What is the implicit subsidy?” Atiku questioned. The…