The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Osun State has raised concerns over the impartiality of the Hashim Abioye-led Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) in conducting the upcoming local government election. In a statement signed by Wale Adebayo, the Osogbo APM Chairman, the party argued that Abioye’s affiliation with the ruling party creates a conflict of interest, casting doubt on the commission’s ability to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process. Adebayo, also the immediate past chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in the state, emphasized that the electoral body’s leadership should be impartial and not affiliated with any…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
High Chief Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe, the traditional ruler-elect of Mburubu community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, has called on investors to take advantage of the business opportunities available under the administration of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah. Onuokaibe made this appeal during the first edition of the Enugu Youths Investment Summit organized by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Enugu State chapter. The summit, themed “Tomorrow is here, the Place of Enugu Youths,” was chaired by Onuokaibe and aimed at promoting youth entrepreneurship and innovation. During his address, Onuokaibe highlighted the conducive investment climate in Enugu…
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has called on traders to refrain from hoarding foodstuffs for profit, emphasizing the need for collective action to combat the practice. Speaking during a meeting with members of the Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association at the Government House in Lafia, Governor Sule expressed concern over the tendency of some traders to hoard essential food items in anticipation of price increases. The governor highlighted the insensitivity of such actions, particularly at a time when many people struggle to afford basic necessities. He urged the traders’ association to educate its members about the negative impacts…
Since the return to civilian rule in 1999 after years of military dictatorship, Nigeria has grappled with the question of the most suitable form of democratic governance. The debate between proponents of the American-style presidential system and advocates for a return to the British-modeled parliamentary system has persisted, with each side presenting compelling arguments. Supporters of a return to the parliamentary system argue that it would eliminate wastage in governance and enhance accountability. They contend that a unicameral legislature, as opposed to Nigeria’s current bicameral system, would be less expensive and more efficient. In contrast, proponents of the presidential system…
The Northern Cross River Reconciliation Movement (NCRRM), a pressure group, has demanded accountability from Alphonsus Eba, the chairman of the ruling party in Cross River State, regarding donations received during the last general elections. The NCRRM insisted that Eba should provide a detailed account of all donations received from key funders of the elections. Failure to do so, they stated, should result in his resignation from the position. The group highlighted the party’s recent defeats in various elections, including the governorship, presidential, National Assembly, and rerun elections, as reasons for their demand. In a statement signed by its chairman, Mr.…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the House of Representatives from Ondo State has leveled serious allegations against the state’s Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. In an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, the lawmakers accused Aiyedatiwa of displaying animosity towards the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and sabotaging the party’s interests in the state. The federal lawmakers alleged that Governor Aiyedatiwa has shown disdain for his late predecessor, Akeredolu, who passed away in December, even before his burial. They claimed that Aiyedatiwa has been associating with political enemies of Akeredolu and cozying up to the opposition party, actions which they…
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has suspended its North-Central Zonal Secretary, Mr. Phillip Haruna, over allegations of wrongdoings. The suspension, with immediate effect, was announced in a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Yakubu Shendam, in Abuja on Friday. Shendam stated that the allegations against Haruna include gross misconduct, in contravention of Article 39 of the party’s Constitution. The decision to suspend Haruna was made by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) at its meeting on Wednesday, in accordance with the NNPP Constitution. The suspension is intended to allow for a proper investigation into the allegations against…
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has expressed concerns over Governor Hyacinth Alia’s alleged failure to enforce the Prohibition of Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law in the state. The law, enacted in 2017 under the administration of former Governor Samuel Ortom, was designed to address the conflict between nomadic Fulani herdsmen and local farmers, which often led to bloodshed, farm destruction, and community displacement. According to Chief Bemgba Iortyom, the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Governor Alia’s handling of the herdsmen crisis, characterized by a lack of public attention and enforcement of the ban on open grazing, has…
Members of the dissolved Rivers State Executive Committee (EXCO) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have taken the national leadership of the party to court to contest their dissolution. The dissolved EXCO members are also contesting the appointment of the Rivers APC caretaker executives, led by Tony Okocha. Respondents in the suit include national leaders of the APC, the seven-man Caretaker Committee of the party in Rivers State, the Inspector General of Police, the Nigerian Police Force, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The suit was filed by Sam Etetegwung and other elected members of the dissolved APC EXCO…
Innocent Umaru Jabayang, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the recently concluded rerun election in Taraba State, has announced plans to challenge the results in court. Jabayang contested the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing federal constituency by-election. Expressing his dissatisfaction with the outcome, Jabayang stated his intention to fight a legal battle against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its candidate, Sadiq Tafida, whom INEC declared as the winner. Addressing journalists in Jalingo, the state capital, Jabayang claimed that the election was marred by irregularities in many polling units in Jalingo. He asserted, “I will tread every…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State has instructed political parties and their aspirants to remove campaign billboards, posters, and jingles being aired on television and radio stations in the state. The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Anugbum Onuoha, disclosed this during an Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting in Benin. INEC stated that the directive was issued because the ban on election campaigns had not been lifted. The ICCES meeting, co-chaired by the state INEC REC and the state Commissioner of Police, Funso Adegboye, was attended by heads of other security agencies in the state. Onuoha…
Dr. Salihu Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the North-west, has expressed concern that the ruling party’s popularity is waning due to the policies of President Bola Tinubu, which have reportedly increased hardships for Nigerians. In a statement issued on Friday, Lukman warned that the APC could face rebellion if immediate action is not taken to address the situation. He emphasized the need for APC leaders to return to their former role as visionary politicians and implement substantial political reforms to realign the party with its original progressive vision. Lukman stated, “Given this…
The Nigeria Customs Service joint border patrol team Sector IV has confiscated a consignment of sex enhancement drugs valued at N19.6 million in Sokoto State. Mr. Kolapo Oladeji, the Coordinating Comptroller, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Sokoto. He also mentioned that trucks loaded with food items were intercepted at Kajji community on the Sokoto-Kebbi road. According to Oladeji, the intercepted trucks were heading to Niger Republic through the Kebbi border, which is a violation of regulations. He emphasized the Customs Service’s commitment to preventing food smuggling out of the country, especially given the current situation of rising food prices.…
The Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for the abrupt removal of the fuel subsidy, attributing it to the current hardships faced by Nigerians. Archbishop Ndagoso expressed his concern during a press briefing at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral in Kaduna, where he urged President Tinubu to have implemented the subsidy removal gradually instead of abruptly. He remarked that the removal of the subsidy should not have been executed like a “time bomb,” emphasizing the need for urgent actions to prevent further suffering and hunger among Nigerians. Ndagoso further attributed the economic…
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, has commended the Federal Government and state governors for consenting to the establishment of state police nationwide. Having been a strong advocate for state police creation, Ohanaeze views this decision as a crucial step towards addressing the country’s security challenges. In a statement released on Friday by Ohanaeze’s factional Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the organization emphasized that security is a local matter, and community policing is essential to combat insecurity, especially in the South-East region. Ohanaeze noted that the implementation of state police aligns with a key recommendation of the 2014 Constitutional Conference…
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed disagreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the Federal Government’s student loan scheme, describing it as a “ray of hope” for many students. ASUU had recently criticized the scheme, suggesting that it would lead beneficiaries into perpetual indebtedness and hinder universities from functioning effectively. In a statement, NANS Senate President, Akinteye Babatunde, urged ASUU not to interfere in the implementation of the scheme, emphasizing its potential to provide access to higher education for students facing financial hardship. Babatunde called on ASUU to prioritize students’ interests and support initiatives…
Ericbona Eliom Ushie, a politician from Cross River State, has been remanded in prison custody by the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja. Ushie, who contested the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries for the House of Representatives in Cross River State, is facing criminal charges, including stealing and fraud, before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Ushie on a 13-count charge bordering on obtaining under false pretense, contrary to sections (1a) and 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related Offenses Act, (2006) as amended. One of the charges against Ushie accuses him…
The Federal Government has announced that there will be no need to import food items into Nigeria despite the economic challenges facing the country. This statement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, following a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and state governors on Thursday. Idris revealed that the government had ordered a crackdown on food hoarders and that security agencies would work with state governments to arrest hoarders and ensure that food commodities are available to Nigerians at reasonable prices. He stated, “The governors and Mr. President have decided that security agencies will collaborate…
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has issued a directive for all former political appointees to return immediately all official vehicles in their possession. The directive, conveyed through a statement signed by Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor, instructs the Managing Director of Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC), Hon Chief Charles Orie, to take custody and conduct a proper inventory of these vehicles. The directive applies to all former Principal Officers to the Governor, former Commissioners, former Special Advisers, and former General Managers of Government Agencies, among others. Governor Uzodimma had earlier…
Dr. Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought and former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has criticized the leadership of the Labour Party (LP), describing it as “awful.” Amadi made this statement in response to the suspension of the party’s national treasurer, Oluchi Opara. Opara was suspended by the LP’s National Working Committee (NWC) just 48 hours after she accused the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, of misappropriating N3.5 billion in campaign funds. Opara claimed that the funds were raised from sales of forms and fundraising activities in preparation for the 2023…