Troops have apprehended an alleged kidnapper in Iguomor, a community situated in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, and retrieved vehicles and other items in the process. The operation was carried out by troops of 4 Brigade and personnel of Operation Wabaizigan, who arrested a suspected kidnapper and gun runner, Ekenaye Festus, along with four of his accomplices. The Nigerian Army made this known in a statement issued by the spokesperson of 4 Brigade, Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, on its X handle on Monday. Part of the statement reads: “Consequent upon consistent support of the good people of Edo…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
An Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt has granted an ex parte application to 10 representatives from Rivers State senatorial districts, led by Anabs Sara-Igbe. The application sought to serve court processes to factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) via substituted means. The three-man appellate court, led by Justice Oluwayamisi Williams-Dawodu, also approved an ex parte application for an expedited hearing of the suit filed by Sara-Igbe and nine others, representing River’s sons and daughters. The suit seeks constitutional…
The immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has dismissed reports suggesting his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking at the expanded executive meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday, Ortom reiterated his loyalty to the PDP, stating, “The rumours that I’m decamping to APC, I’m not going anywhere… I am committed to my party (PDP).” Ortom further addressed speculations naming him as the leader of the party in the state, emphasizing his dedication to the PDP and its ideals. He clarified, “APC has not invited me to join it… I am not a busybody…
Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Igboho, has called on President Bola Tinubu to order the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). In a video released on Monday, Igboho appealed to the Tinubu-led Federal Government to drop the treasonable charges against Kanu, citing his failing health as a reason for urgent action. Igboho emphasized that Kanu, like himself, is an agitator fighting for the interests of his people, stating, “This guy did not do anything.” He urged the government to release Kanu so he can be with his family. The activist…
The Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has called on politicians in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to give the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the necessary time to carry out his duties as the head of the FCT Administration. This call comes in response to recent comments by Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the FCT, who accused the former Rivers State governor of displaying an “I don’t care attitude” towards the security of the Nigerian capital. The AYA emphasized that the current state of the nation requires unity and collaboration, rather than politically motivated statements or actions. The group commended Wike for his…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially presented a Certificate of Return to its Edo State governorship candidate, Dr. Asuerinme Ighodalo, following the successful completion of the Edo State governorship primary election and the ratification of the exercise by the appeal panel. In a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the National Working Committee announced the presentation of the Certificate of Return to Dr. Asuerinme Ighodalo, the elected candidate of the party for the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State. The statement titled, “PDP presents Certificate of Return to its Edo State Governorship Election Candidate,…
The leadership of the Labour Party has rejected a letter sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by a factional group led by Lamidi Apapa, declaring Anderson Uwadiae Asemote and Monday Ojore Mawa as the gubernatorial and Deputy governorship candidates of the party. In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiorah Ifoh, the party clarified that the letter did not originate from them. Ifoh described the authors of the letter as fraudulent individuals seeking recognition. Ifoh emphasized that all letters or correspondences to INEC should be received with a stamp of acknowledgement, with…
Former Chief Whip of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, has alleged that the 2023 general election in the state was manipulated under the watch of then-Governor Nyesom Wike. Bipi made these claims during a solidarity rally for the current governor of Rivers State, organized by women groups across the 23 local government areas. He specifically claimed that the Labour Party (LP) “won all their elections” in the state. A video clip from the event captured Bipi reacting to recent remarks by Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Wike, in a previous…
Qatar has accepted President Bola Tinubu’s proposal for a meeting to discuss business matters, marking a significant development after earlier reports suggested that Qatar had rejected the proposed visit. Francisca Omayuli, a spokesperson for Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, confirmed that President Tinubu will visit Qatar on March 2 and 3, 2024. While she did not explicitly address whether Qatar had initially declined a meeting with the President, the Qatari government announced in a statement on Sunday that the Qatar Chamber of Commerce would host a business conference on March 3, 2024. “The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Abuja…
The Federal Government has advised Nigerian universities to explore diverse funding sources in light of economic challenges facing the country. President Bola Ahmad Tinubu made this call during the 6th & 7th combined convocation ceremony of Federal University, Dutse, held on Saturday. Represented by the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Kabir Bala, the President underscored the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for universities, considering the limitations of available resources. He encouraged universities to actively seek alternative funding avenues, stressing the importance of self-sustainability in the current economic climate. The President urged universities to leverage international funding…
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has labeled former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retired), as a “genocidist,” accusing him of leading a brutal campaign against the Igbo people during the Biafra civil war. In a statement by IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, Gowon was accused of orchestrating the “second bloodiest genocide” after the Israeli Holocaust against the Igbo people between 1967 and 1970. The accusation came in response to Gowon’s recent comments about the Biafra civil war, where he disclosed being criticized for allegedly being slow in prosecuting the war. Powerful declared that the current generation of Igbos…
The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG), a body of Muslim professionals, has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of an Islamic cleric who allegedly called for the killing of the First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, because she is a Christian. In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, and released in Abuja, MMWG condemned the cleric’s remarks, labeling him as “one of the bad elements in Nigerian society and not a true scholar of Islam.” The group urged security agencies to act swiftly based on a viral video circulating on social media showing the cleric…
The National Unity Forum (NUF), a civil society organization, has lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its handling of the 2023 general elections, describing it as an improvement over previous polls despite the challenges encountered. During a rally in Abuja on Sunday, the National Coordinator of NUF, Comrade Godwin Meliga, addressed journalists, acknowledging that while no election could be flawless, INEC’s conduct helped ease tensions in the country. Meliga emphasized that a compromised electoral process could have led to violent upheavals, potentially threatening Nigeria’s unity. He stated, “There’s nowhere in the world where elections will be 100 per…
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has congratulated Olumide Akpata on his emergence as the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Edo State Governorship Election scheduled for September 21, 2024. Akpata, a former National President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), emerged victorious in the LP governorship primary election held on Friday, February 23, after scoring 316 votes to defeat other aspirants. The election was conducted in a credible and transparent manner, with the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, serving as the chairman of the election committee and declaring Akpata the winner. Governor Otti commended the LP Governorship Primary…
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), to seek forgiveness and apologize to Igbos over his recent remark on the Biafra civil war. A chieftain of Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, criticized Gowon’s remark as inflammatory and called for reconciliation. Isiguzoro stated that Gowon’s comment, made after his visit to President Bola Tinubu, has reopened old wounds and inflicted anguish upon the Igbo community, both at home and in the diaspora. The factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze expressed that Gowon’s choice of words and narrative regarding the Biafra war has been insensitive…
The traditional ruler of Azumini Ndoki in Ukwa East LGA of Abia State, Eze Edward Ebere Eule, has been suspended from office by the Abia State government for alleged misconduct. The suspension comes amidst orders for him to immediately render an account of N8 million in community electricity funds allegedly deposited in a bank account. The royal father’s suspension for 30 days follows recommendations from the Board of Inquiry set up by the Abia State government to investigate alleged misconduct by some traditional rulers in the state. In a press release signed by Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and…
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has voiced concerns about a purported scheme to remove him from office. Shaibu stated that the scheme gained momentum following his election as a factional candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the upcoming governorship election. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, Shaibu disclosed that efforts to oust him intensified after he emerged as the factional candidate of the PDP. The returning officer in the PDP governorship primary and Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, had earlier announced Asue Ighodalo as the winner of the delegate election with…
Patience Key emerged victorious in the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) primary election held on Saturday, ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State. Key, who was adopted by party members and delegates, secured the nomination at the PRP secretariat in Benin. The primary election was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In her acceptance speech, Key expressed gratitude to the party for entrusting her with the monumental responsibility. She described their confidence in her vision and capabilities as an honor and a call to action. “As we stand on the cusp of a historic…
Pastor Azemhe Azena has emerged as the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) candidate for the Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024. Azemhe secured a total of 211 votes in the primary held on Friday in Benin City, defeating three other aspirants to clinch the party’s gubernatorial ticket. Having resigned from the Labour Party last month due to alleged ill-treatment by the Akoko-Edo Local Government chairman of the party, Azemhe defected to the NNPP to pursue his political ambition of governing Edo State. The other aspirants in the NNPP primary were Sebastian Iyere, who garnered 25 votes, Balogun…
Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are currently gathered in Abuja to discuss political and economic matters affecting the sub-region, particularly the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic from the bloc. The meeting aims to address the concerns raised by the three countries following ECOWAS’s condemnation of unconstitutional takeovers of power in those nations. Retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s former Head of State, emphasized the need for a swift resolution of issues to preserve the unity envisioned by ECOWAS’s founding fathers. The military juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their intention to…