The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct military authorities to produce Segun Olatunji, the abducted Editor of FirstNews. Olatunji was reportedly abducted from his home in Lagos 12 days ago. In a statement issued on Wednesday by IPI President Musikilu Mojeed and Legal Adviser/Chairman of the Advocacy Committee Tobi Soniyi, the IPI called on President Tinubu to use his powers as Commander-in-Chief to order the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to secure Olatunji’s release. The statement revealed that Olatunji is believed to be in the custody of…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
President Bola Tinubu has restated his administration’s commitment to deepening democracy in Nigeria through adherence to the rule of law and the provision of good governance, justice, and fairness to all citizens. He made this known while hosting a delegation from the United States Congress led by Senator Cory Booker at the State House in Abuja. During the meeting, Tinubu emphasized the importance of defending democracy and ensuring that it translates into tangible benefits for the people, including quality healthcare, education, food security, shelter, and overall economic prosperity. He highlighted Nigeria’s role as a necessary partner for democracy in Africa…
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to serving out its full tenure, dismissing any notion of an early end to his tenure. He claimed that the people of Rivers State can attest to his victory in the 2023 gubernatorial election. Speaking during a solidarity visit by members of the Family Support Group to the Government House in Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara, represented by the Head of the Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, called on the people of the state not to panic. He assured them of his administration’s determination to protect their lives and properties.…
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has expressed deep sadness over the tragic death of three medical students of Abia State University, Uturu. The incident occurred last Thursday evening at the Nunya axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway as the students were returning to Aba after attending a ceremony at the university’s main campus in Uturu. The Public Relations Officer of the university, Chijioke Nwogu, confirmed the incident. In a statement released on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Kazie Uko, Governor Otti lamented the loss of the young medical students at a time when the state government was making significant…
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has demanded an immediate, independent, and comprehensive forensic audit of the 2024 Budget. Mohammed Ishaq, the acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, issued a statement emphasizing the need to uncover any instances of corruption, misappropriation, mismanagement, and unfairness between constituencies. The PRP urged that the audit should be conducted by a reputable and neutral third-party organization, with the findings made public to enhance transparency and accountability in the country. The statement also advocated for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s budgetary system, including the implementation of strict guidelines to prevent undue influence on budgetary allocations,…
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has refuted claims that he called for the resignation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje. This clarification was made in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Tersoo Kula, in Makurdi. The statement was in response to media reports suggesting that Governor Alia had called for Ganduje’s resignation. Kula emphasized that the governor has a good relationship with the Ganduje-led leadership of the APC and has never advocated for Ganduje’s resignation. According to Kula, Governor Alia has not convened, attended, sent a representative to, or participated in any…
Journalists have been prevented from entering the Grand Seasons Hotel in Nnewi, Anambra State, the venue of the Labour Party’s National Convention. The heavy security presence at the hotel is reportedly linked to the internal crisis within the party. Efforts by journalists to gain access to the venue were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages to the party’s spokesman, Obiorah Ifoh, requesting access for journalists with tags were rebuffed. In a related development, five individuals, described as hoodlums, were arrested at the convention venue and taken to the police headquarters for questioning. These individuals were allegedly distributing inciting leaflets critical…
Mr. Julius Abure, the embattled National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), has been re-elected for a second term by a unanimous affirmation of delegates, despite opposition from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). The election, which took place at the party’s national convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, was declared by the Chairman of the National Convention and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Mr. Ikechukwu Emetu. Abure’s re-election comes amidst a running battle with the NLC leadership, led by Joe Ajaero, who has called for his resignation. The NLC has also demanded the immediate constitution of a caretaker transition committee to…
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has officially confirmed a shortage of Umrah visas, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. In a statement signed by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, the commission acknowledged the challenges faced by Nigerian Muslims in obtaining Umrah visas for travel to Saudi Arabia. NAHCON expressed its commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to find a satisfactory resolution to the visa inaccessibility issue. The statement highlighted the high demand for Umrah visas during Ramadan as a significant factor exacerbating the shortage. Furthermore, NAHCON revealed that it has formally communicated its…
Sixteen members-elect of the Plateau State House of Assembly, all from the All Progressives Congress (APC), have issued a stern warning, declaring their readiness to resist what they termed as enemies of democracy. Led by Maiyaki Bala, the lawmakers expressed their readiness to confront those promoting the ‘rule of might’ through self-help, in clear violation of court orders. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Bala highlighted that the Court of Appeal in Abuja had ruled in their favor in November 2023, following appeals arising from judgments of the State and National Assembly Tribunal in Jos. He emphasized that they…
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has strongly condemned the recent bandits’ attack in Mairua, Faskari Local Government Area of the state, denouncing it as a heinous act of callousness. The attack, which took place last Saturday evening during the evening Ramadan prayers, resulted in the tragic loss of two lives and the abduction of two others. Expressing his condolences, Governor Radda, through the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Abdullahi Garba Faskari, pledged support for the bereaved families. He urged residents to pray for the safe return of the deceased’s abducted wife and daughter and for peace to…
Former Senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Ebonyi Central Zone, Hon. Lazarus Ogbee, has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State. His defection, alongside over 3,000 loyalists, marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Ezza South Local Government Area. This development comes on the heels of similar defections, including that of former Senator Obinna Ogba and House of Representatives aspirant Obinna Nwachukwu, who recently joined the APC in Ishielu Local Government Area. Speaking after his defection at Unueke, the Ezza South Local Government Area Headquarters, Ogbee commended Governor Francis Ogbonna…
The Accord Party has officially announced Comrade Kennedy Iyere as its governorship candidate for the forthcoming Edo State gubernatorial election. This confirmation was made in a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Omorogbe. The statement also addressed recent misleading information circulating regarding the party’s Deputy governorship candidate, Bright Enabulele, falsely claiming to be the flagbearer. The Accord Party clarified that Iyere emerged as the rightful candidate from the party’s primaries held on February 17, 2024. His candidacy has been duly registered on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal. The party expressed concern over Enabulele’s recent statement…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged to ensure that all embassies in Nigeria are provided with a conducive environment to carry out their duties effectively. Wike made this commitment during a courtesy visit by the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Shri Balasubramanian, in Abuja on Tuesday. He highlighted the significant presence of Indian companies in Nigeria, particularly in petrochemicals and fertilizers, among other sectors. “We would also like to have this kind of relationship in Abuja. You have seen the improvement in security; you have seen improvement in infrastructure in Abuja. That is…
Paul Akintelure, a prominent governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, has sadly passed away. Akintelure had been vocal about threats to his life, both direct and indirect, prior to his death. In a statement made on Thursday, March 21, 2023, Akintelure expressed concern over the escalating threats, stating, “The threats against me only strengthen my resolve to stand up for what is right and just. I will not allow fear to dictate our path forward.” Akintelure, who ran as the deputy governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) with Rotimi Akeredolu in a…
The Nigerian Army has announced plans to release more than 200 detainees who have been absolved of having links to the Boko Haram sect. These repentant detainees were arrested by the military during various raids in the heat of the insurgency. The detainees are set to be handed over to the Borno State Government for proper reintegration into society. The event is scheduled to take place at Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, the state capital, on Tuesday morning. According to reports, the cleared Boko Haram suspects have been found to be innocent of any wrongdoing by security operatives. The State Commissioner…
The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Jigawa State has called for the amendment of the state’s electoral law to provide political parties with a 360-day notice period to adequately prepare for elections. This plea was made during an extraordinary meeting held in Dutse, the state capital, on Monday. In a communique jointly signed by the Chairman, Murtala Musa, and the Secretary, Isa Adams, the council emphasized the need for reform in light of prevailing economic, social, and political circumstances affecting citizens across the state. The council highlighted the extensive hardship faced by the populace, requiring immediate and effective intervention…
A former Senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Ebonyi Central Zone, Hon. Lazarus Ogbee, has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, along with over 3,000 of his loyalists. The defection, which took place on Monday, marked the end of the leading opposition PDP in Ezza South Local Government Area. This development comes on the heels of former Senator Obinna Ogba and House of Representatives aspirant Obinna Nwachukwu joining the ruling APC in the lshielu Local Government Area of the state two weeks ago. Speaking after the defection ceremony at Unueke, the…
The President of Nigeria’s Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called on the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) to advocate strongly for the restoration of lasting peace in the war-torn region of Gaza. He made this plea while participating in discussions at the ongoing 148th Session of the IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. Akpabio emphasized the need for nations to rise above sentiments and prioritize the spirit of humanity by taking decisive actions to bring sustainable peace to Gaza. He highlighted key resolutions that should be considered, including access to humanitarian aid, restoration of normal life in Gaza, and discussions on a permanent…
In response to the recent surge in banditry and criminal attacks, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has received two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and 200 highly trained members of the Special Squad of the Nigeria Police Force. This development comes after a series of attacks, including the kidnapping of 137 schoolchildren from the Kuriga community, who were released last Saturday after 16 days in captivity. Governor Uba Sani announced the deployment on his verified Facebook page, expressing gratitude to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for fulfilling his promise to strengthen the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other…