The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has rejected the call by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum for President Bola Tinubu’s resignation over the country’s current economic challenges. In a statement responding to the PDP Governors Forum, Idris stated, “The call is nothing but an attempt at distraction by people who should instead be busy supporting the President’s efforts at bringing economic relief to the Nigerian people.” Idris emphasized that President Tinubu would not resign, pointing out that his administration had provided financial support to all State Governments, regardless of partisan affiliation. He also highlighted the…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
Hoodlums Invade Coalition Centre, Assault Journalists and Electoral Officers Political thugs allegedly working for a leading aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Edo State on Saturday invaded the coalition centre, disrupting the exercise. The incident occurred at Lushville Hotels and Suites in GRA, Benin City. According to reports, results from eight local governments had already been announced before the hoodlums, numbering in the hundreds, stormed the venue. Despite the presence of heavily armed security operatives, the thugs assaulted journalists, chased electoral officers, and officials of the party’s State Working Committee out of the venue, leading…
The Catholic Bishop of Lafia Diocese, Most Rev. David Ajang, has urged the Federal Government to urgently tackle hunger and security challenges facing the nation. The Bishop made this call during a Thanksgiving Mass organized by Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Doma, on Sunday. Bishop Ajang emphasized that addressing insecurity and hunger would not only promote peace but also significantly improve the living standards of Nigerians. He highlighted the critical nature of the current situation, stating that security and hunger are major issues that require immediate attention. He called for action to be…
Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election, has criticized President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of failing to implement concrete policy steps to contain the crises of currency fluctuation and poverty in Nigeria. In a statement issued on his official handle on Sunday, Atiku claimed that Tinubu’s administration has continued to cause untold pain and distress to the economy due to wrong policies. He stated that the Nigerian economy would begin to find a footing again if the government opens itself to sound counsel and controls internal bleedings caused by corruption and…
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has approved the establishment of a 27-member committee to enforce a ban on hoarding of food items and rent-seeking in the state. This decision comes following the recent outlawing of hoarding of food items and other essential commodities in the state. The committee, chaired by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Alhaji Jabiru Tsauri, will be responsible for ensuring strict compliance with the Food Security Promotion Order in the state. It will also identify individuals engaged in hoarding grains and engage stakeholders in commodity pricing. Members of the committee include the Attorney General/Commissioner for…
In the face of ongoing economic challenges in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth wing has called on President Bola Tinubu to seek guidance from former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan on how to move the country forward. The youth wing emphasized the need for a leader capable of steering Nigeria towards economic recovery, citing what they perceive as Tinubu’s failure in this regard. Usman Okai Austin, the National Coordinator of PDP Youths Frontier, stated in a signed statement that former President Muhammadu Buhari spent eight years in office blaming Jonathan and the PDP. Okai further noted that…
There were tears on Saturday as the remains of Lady Caroline Aguiyi-Ironsi, the daughter of Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Thomas Umunnankwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, were laid to rest at Umuana village, Ndume Ibeku in Umuahia North local government area of Abia State. Lady Caroline, who passed away at the age of 68, was renowned in the community for her kindness to the people and advocacy for the ordinary citizens. Speaking at the event, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, described the late Lady Caroline Aguiyi-Ironsi as a woman of substance with a heart of gold, pure and natural. Governor Otti,…
The Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, has highlighted the critical role of judges of lower courts, such as magistrates and customary courts, in justice delivery. Ohwovoriole made this statement in Asaba during a courtesy visit by members of the customary court department and magistracy. He emphasized the importance of working together to achieve the objectives of the state government, particularly in enforcing the rule of law. In response to their request for an increase in retirement age to 65 years, Mr. Ohwovoriole explained that such matters are national issues and must follow established procedures and…
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former senatorial candidate of Benue South, Daniel Onjeh, has called on President Bola Tinubu to consider granting autonomy to local government and the judiciary. In a statement issued on Saturday, Onjeh also supported the creation of state police, emphasizing that it would help tackle insecurity in some parts of the country. Onjeh argued that granting autonomy to local governments would enable them to understand and address the unique security challenges within their jurisdictions. Onjeh proposed that local government autonomy should include providing the necessary financial resources and legal frameworks to establish…
House of Representatives member Dennis Idahosa has emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election. Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, the chairman of the APC Edo Governorship Primary Election Committee, announced this at the end of the election on Saturday in Benin. Uzodinma disclosed that Idahosa scored 40,483 votes to defeat eight other aspirants in the race. The likes of Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and Chief Lucky Imasuen had earlier withdrawn from the primary election.
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) conducted its primary election on Saturday to nominate a candidate for the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State, news emerged that one of the party’s aspirants, Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, had withdrawn from the race. Dr. Umakhihe’s withdrawal marks the third aspirant to back out of the primary election. Earlier withdrawals include Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Chief Lucky Imasuen, the former deputy governor of the state. In a letter addressed to the Edo State acting chairman of the party, Jarrett Tenebe, Dr. Umakhihe stated that he decided to withdraw from the contest…
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on Nigerians to pray for his mother, Mama Eunice Afeni-Jonathan, and his family following the death of his elder sister, Madam Obebhatein. Speaking during the burial of Madam Obebhatein in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Jonathan expressed that the death of his sister has traumatised their mother. Madam Obebhatein, who died at the age of 70 on January 11, 2024, was Jonathan’s only surviving sibling from his aged mother. Jonathan remarked, “Death, as they say, is something we all pass through. But the time it comes also matters. Yes, we will…
The Adamawa State Police Command has confirmed a surge in car snatching incidents, particularly in the metropolitan areas of Yola North, Yola South, and Girei local government areas. In a statement obtained by the media on Saturday morning, the State Police Command alerted residents to the rising cases of car theft. SP Suleiman Nguroje, the command’s spokesperson, emphasized that the police would conduct vigorous checks in the affected areas, which might lead to slow traffic flow. “The Commissioner of Police appeals to motorists for their understanding as the action is in the interest of their safety and security,” Nguroje stated.…
The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with Tantita Security Services, the military, and other security agencies, has arrested 40 individuals and confiscated two vessels involved in illegal activities at the Ogbogoro Oil Field, Brass Area, and Ekeni Area of Southern-Ijaw, Bayelsa State. According to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the suspects were apprehended and are under investigation for their alleged involvement in economic sabotage and oil theft. They will be arraigned in court to face charges related to these crimes. The seized vessels, which were used in the illegal activities, have been confiscated as part of the…
David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has called for an urgent meeting with key cement manufacturers in Nigeria to address the concerning increase in the price of cement. Umahi expressed his concern over the steep rise in the cost of cement, despite substantial patronage from road and housing contractors. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday, February 19, 2024, at the Ministry’s Conference Hall in Mabushi, Abuja. Orji Uchenna Orji, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, stated in a release in Abuja that the meeting aims to address the escalating cost of the product. The invited cement manufacturers…
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…
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.…