In a recent statement, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has refuted claims that Chibuike Amaechi, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has resigned from the party. Eze accused former Rivers senator Magnus Abe and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of being the masterminds behind the challenges faced by the APC in Rivers State. Eze emphasized that Amaechi remains the leader of the APC in Rivers State and has not resigned from the party, contrary to speculation. He criticized Abe and Wike for seemingly vying for control of the Rivers…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Alhaji Abbas Njiddah Tafida, son of the Emir of Muri, has clinched the ticket as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Yoro/Jalingo/Zing federal constituency in the upcoming by-election in Taraba State. The emergence of Tafida as the consensus candidate was announced on Tuesday after he secured victory in the party’s primary held at the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo, the state capital. In a surprising turn of events, six other candidates withdrew from the contest just moments before the election commenced, clearing the path for Tafida’s victory. Among those who stepped aside were Bello Yero, former Permanent Secretary…
President Bola Tinubu has removed Mr. Babatunde Irukera, Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and Mr. Alexander Ayoola Okoh, Director-General/CEO of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) from their positions. In a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, it was noted that the dismissed chief executives have been directed to hand over to the next most senior officer in their respective agencies, pending the appointment of new Chief Executive Officers. The presidency emphasized that their removal from office is effective immediately. Ngelale further stated that the…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, which awarded N100 million in damages to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele. According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the commission intends to appeal the judgment immediately. Justice O.A Adeniyi of the FCT High Court had ruled that the EFCC’s detention of Emefiele during its investigation violated his right to liberty, leading to the fine. Oyewale stated, “The decision failed to take cognizance of the fact that the former CBN boss was held with a valid…
Reports have emerged of an oil spillage in the K-Dere community of Gokana Local Government Area in Rivers State. According to the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), the spill occurred on January 3, 2024, from the PPMC pipeline transporting crude to the Port Harcourt Refinery. The spill was detected through YEAC-Nigeria’s Crude Oil Spill Alert System (COSAS). While the community attributes the spillage to equipment failure, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has not yet conducted a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to assess the situation. The spill reportedly took place at a previously repaired but unclamped…
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has restated his dedication to supporting and respecting traditional institutions as the custodians of the people’s heritage and culture. This affirmation came during a special dinner held to honor the first anniversary of Alhaji Uba Kari’s appointment as the new Wazirin Bauchi in 2023. Represented by his deputy, Mohammed Awal Jatau, the governor acknowledged the significant role traditional institutions play in nation-building. He emphasized the importance of the traditional title of Waziri and urged the new Wazirin Bauchi to continue his commendable efforts. Governor Mohammed also called upon traditional leaders to support his administration’s initiatives…
The Labour Party has responded to the recent resignation of Dr. Doyin Okupe, the former Campaign Director of its Presidential Campaign Council during the last election. Dr. Okupe tendered his resignation from the party on Monday, citing ideological differences that arose after the 2023 general elections, according to a report by the media. In his reaction, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Mr. Obiora Ifoh, acknowledged Dr. Okupe’s history as a former spokesman for ex-presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, noting that he has always been aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Labour Party expressed gratitude…
Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the FCT High Court has ruled in favor of the suspended former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), awarding him N100 million in damages against the Federal Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for violations of his rights. The embattled Emefiele had taken legal action against the Federal Government, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and the EFCC to enforce his fundamental rights to life, personal liberty, fair hearing, and freedom of movement. Emefiele sought a declaration from the court that his continuous detention by the EFCC since June 10, 2023,…
The Supreme Court has affirmed the election victory of Governor Hyacinth Alia in Benue State, ruling in favor of his victory under the All Progressives Congress (APC). Governor Alia secured the win against the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Titus Uba. Prior to the Supreme Court’s decision, both the governorship election petition tribunal and the Court of Appeal in Abuja had upheld Alia’s election as the governor of Benue State. Following the unfavorable judgments at the lower courts, Uba sought redress by approaching the Supreme Court in a bid to challenge the outcome of the election.
Several aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who vied for the primaries in the Akoko North-East/North-West federal constituency bye-election in Ondo State have expressed dissatisfaction with the results. Ifeoluwa Ehindero emerged as the APC candidate after securing 105 votes in the primary held at Victory College in Ikare-Akoko, where he outperformed eight other contenders for the party’s ticket. Ehindero is now set to represent the APC in the February 3 by-election, which aims to fill the vacant seat in the federal constituency following the appointment of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo as the Minister of Interior by President Bola Tinubu. However, the…
Doyin Okupe, former Director General of the Peter Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organization, has stepped down from the Labour Party (LP), citing ideological disparities that surfaced after the 2023 elections. Okupe attributed his resignation to a misalignment between his lifelong adherence to right-wing and liberal democratic principles and the left-of-center ideology of the LP, making his continued membership untenable. In a letter released to the press on Monday, Okupe stated: “I hereby submit my resignation from the Labour Party with immediate effect. As you may recall, our presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, myself, and others departed from the PDP abruptly and…
Former PDP Chairman of Ebonyi State, Silas Onu, has clinched victory in the party’s primary bye-election, paving the way for the forthcoming Ebonyi South Senatorial zone election on Feb. 3. The election, which took place at the zonal party secretariat in Afikpo, Afikpo North Local Government Area, aimed to fill the seat vacated by Dave Umahi, the former Senate Majority Leader, who assumed the role of Minister of Works in President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Onu secured a total of 143 votes, outshining his sole opponent, Sen. Amah Nnachi, who did not receive any votes in the election. Lekan Rotimi, the…
Human Rights Activist Urges President Tinubu to Investigate and Suspend Minister Over Financial Misappropriation Allegations Renowned human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has called on President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action against the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, if found guilty of financial misappropriation. Adeyanju emphasized the need for a transparent and independent investigation into the alleged scandal. The controversy arose after a memo surfaced, revealing Edu’s directive to the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585.2 million into a private account belonging to Oniyelu Bridget, purportedly the Project Accountant for Grants for Vulnerable…
The Supreme Court is set to hear the suits brought by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 18 governorship election in Abia State, Okey Ahiwe and Ikechi Emenike, respectively. Both candidates are seeking the removal of Governor Alex Otti from office. Victor Nwokocha, the media adviser to Ahiwe, confirmed to Journalists that the case against Otti would be heard on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. However, he stated that it remains uncertain whether a final judgement would be delivered on that day or at a later date. Ahiwe and the…
The Federal Government has refuted claims of a planned demolition of 1,500 houses in the Xhidu community near Lugbe Phase II in Abuja. Kenneth Chigelu, the Head of the Press and Publicity Unit at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), clarified the government’s position in a recent statement. Reports had circulated last week that residents of the community had alleged the FHA’s intention to demolish their houses to make way for a housing estate to be constructed by a private developer. Residents voiced their concerns, citing violations of their constitutional rights, disregard for their welfare as citizens, and potential damage to…
The Lagos State Government has revealed its intention to launch a massive crackdown on illegal buildings in 2024. Dr Oluyinka Olumide, the Commissioner for Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, made this announcement in a recent statement released by Abimbola Emdin-Umehin, the Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPA). Dr Olumide emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards illegality in building construction within the state. He expressed dismay at the discovery of unauthorized additional floors in a building under construction at Isaac John Street by Oba Dosunmu Street, GRA Ikeja. The developer…
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended President Bola Tinubu for his directive to investigate the alleged N585 million scandal involving the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu. The minister has been under scrutiny for purportedly violating Nigeria’s Financial Regulations 2009, which mandate the segregation of public and personal funds in government transactions. In response to this development, President Tinubu, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, instructed a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the financial imbroglio. In a statement, Pedro Chibuzo Obi, the President of NANS, expressed support for the President’s…
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on President Bola Tinubu to give greater attention to the security of lives and property in the country. This appeal was made by the association’s Senate President, Mr. Elvis Ekudina, during a press conference held in Abeokuta. Ekudina emphasized the importance of NANS voicing its concerns about the state of the nation, particularly in addressing the ongoing security challenges such as kidnappings, bandit attacks, and assaults on security personnel. Ekudina also expressed deep concern over the recent attacks in some villages in Plateau State, which resulted in the loss of innocent…
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has set January 8, 2024, as the date for the commencement of physical and credentials screening for applicants seeking to join the rank of Police Constables in the General Duty and Specialist Cadres. This information was disclosed in a statement signed by the NPF spokesperson, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, on Sunday. The screening exercise is scheduled to take place nationwide from January 8 to 24, 2024. Applicants shortlisted for the screening are required to present several documents, including evidence of physical/mental fitness from a government-recognized medical hospital, evidence of good character from village/district heads, original and…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has called on the nine members of the National Assembly (NASS) from the state to clarify the status of the federal government’s rice intervention intended for distribution in their constituencies. In a statement issued on Sunday by Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Kwara State, the party referenced a viral video featuring Dekeri Anamero, a House of Representatives member representing Etsako Federal constituency of Edo State. Anamero claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu provided each NASS member with at least two trailers of rice for distribution in…