The Labour Party (LP) faced intensified turmoil as members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) picketed the party’s national secretariat and several state offices. The crisis, which has been brewing since the conclusion of the 2023 general elections, escalated significantly last week. The LP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and his supporters, known as Obidients, appear to have distanced themselves from the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure. This distancing comes amidst internal strife within the party’s structure. Abure has been embroiled in several legal battles, including with the factional chairman, Lamidi Apapa. Recent allegations of financial impropriety…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
Eight students of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, have been expelled from the institution, while 23 others face disciplinary actions for violating the institution’s moral guidelines. The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Jesse Uneke, made this known during the third matriculation ceremony of the 2023–2024 academic session on Saturday. Uneke emphasized the institution’s commitment to producing quality graduates and maintaining strict discipline among its students. He stated, “This university maintains very strict discipline; the university rules and regulations are unforgiving when they are violated.” He further detailed the disciplinary actions taken against the…
Traditional rulers in Delta State have pledged their support to security agencies in unveiling the perpetrators behind the killings of military officers in Okuama community, describing the acts as unprovoked and barbaric. The monarchs, in a five-point communiqué issued at the end of a meeting of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers in Asaba, condemned the killings, which resulted in the deaths of officers on rescue missions. Chairman of the council and Orodje of Okpe, Major-General Felix Mujakpuero (retd), Orhue I, expressed condolences to the families of the slain officers, the Nigerian Army, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,…
Former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has urged for a revamp of Nigeria’s security framework to combat the widespread insecurity plaguing the nation. His call comes in response to the recent release of students kidnapped from Kuriga in Kaduna State. Atiku praised those responsible for securing the release of the abducted students and emphasized the need to reinforce the Safe School Initiative. Taking to social media platform X, Atiku underscored the necessity of overhauling the security architecture to effectively address the challenges of insecurity faced by Nigerians. Expressing his joy over…
The Ekiti State Hospitals Management Board has initiated the process of recruiting medical doctors to fill existing vacancies in the state health institutions. This decision follows the approval granted by Governor Biodun Oyebanji to the board to fill the vacant positions in the Ekiti State general and specialist hospitals. In a statement from the office of the Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Hospitals’ Management Board in Ado-Ekiti, interested applicants are required to possess relevant medical certificates such as MBBS, a recent practising licence, a certificate of full registration, and a discharge certificate or exemption letter from the National Youths Service Corps…
Effium Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has rejected a peace panel report led by the Bishop Emeritus of Abakiliki Diocese, Rt. Rev. Fr. Michael Nnachi Okoro, aimed at resolving a three-year-old war between the communities of Ezza-Effium and Effium. The war, which began on January 21, 2021, over a leadership tussle in the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property worth billions of naira. Efforts by the past administration of Governor David Umahi and the Federal Government to end the war did not yield desired results. In…
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to follow the lead of Abia State Governor Alex Otti by promptly complying with a court order mandating the Federal Government to recover pensions received by former governors and their deputies. In a statement issued on Sunday, SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, highlighted Governor Otti’s recent assent to a bill abolishing the payment of pension to ex-governors and their deputies as a positive example. The call comes in response to a judgment dated November 26, 2019, delivered by Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, which directed former governors and their deputies to…
The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), has stated that Lagos State is fully prepared for the establishment of state police. Pedro made this assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the 10th Ramadan Lecture organized by the Anwar-ul Islam Old Students Association (ACAOSA) on Saturday in Lagos. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria emphasized that he has been advocating for state police since as far back as 2001, as a means to enhance the state’s security. “As far back as 2001, I have always maintained that…
President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the need to ensure that schools are safe and secure for learning in reaction to the release of students abducted from the Kuriga area of Kaduna State. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu welcomed the news of the students’ release and highlighted the importance of collaboration between the federal government and states, especially regarding security matters. “The President commended the National Security Adviser, the Security Agencies, and the Kaduna State Government for the dispatch and diligence with which they handled this situation,” the statement…
The Osun State Government has inaugurated a Cyber Crime Action Committee to address issues related to cyber crimes, cyber bullying, and deliberate dissemination of false news online. According to a statement by Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, the establishment of the committee aims to enforce relevant provisions of existing laws. “The increasing wave of fake news negatively affects both the government and the opposition, and it is high time all operators were brought within the compass of the law in the exercise of their rights as guaranteed by the constitution,” Alimi stated. The committee, which is…
Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in the escalating cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, in the country. Speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, Oyintiloye expressed concern over the high cost of cooking gas, describing it as unbearable for the masses. He noted that despite the announcement by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, on February 22, directing LPG producers to halt exports, the decision has not led to a reduction in the price of…
Kaduna State Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, has confirmed the release of over 200 school children from Kuriga who were kidnapped by suspected bandits. Governor Sani made the announcement late Saturday night, expressing gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing the safety and security of Nigerians, particularly in ensuring the safe return of the abducted children. He stated, “In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released. Our special appreciation goes to our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for prioritizing the safety and security of Nigerians…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has initiated a reconciliation process aimed at uniting the party ahead of the 2026 governorship election in the state. Party leaders from the state down to the ward levels convened at the State Party Secretariat in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday for a meeting tagged ‘Unity Meeting’ to strategize and foster unity within the party. Speaking at the event, Senator Biodun Olujimi urged party leaders to set aside their differences and work together to restore the party’s prominence. She emphasized the need for forgiveness and innovative thinking to mobilize resources and revitalize the party.…
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has responded to comments made by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, regarding Anambra State’s political affiliation. In a statement issued by APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, on Saturday, the party refuted Ganduje’s assertion that Anambra State has been politically disconnected from the center by remaining in the minority party, APGA. Opara highlighted that despite being governed by a minority party, Anambra has fared better than many states claimed to be connected to the center, citing examples of progress and development under APGA’s leadership. He criticized…
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the establishment of a special committee for the screening of aspirants ahead of the governorship primary election in Ondo State. In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, on Saturday, the screening exercise is slated to take place at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza in Abuja, on Wednesday. Ologunagba called on all PDP governorship aspirants, critical stakeholders, leaders, and party members to take note of the date and prepare accordingly. Former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Sam Egwu, has been…
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a cautionary letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), advising against validating the Labour Party’s (LP) National Convention scheduled for March 27, 2024. The caution was contained in a letter addressed to the Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, by the NLC’s solicitors, Falana and Falana’s Chambers, dated March 22, 2024. The NLC accused LP Chairman Julius Abure and his associates of planning an illegal convention in defiance of court orders. The NLC highlighted that previous court rulings had declared the LP’s status and ordered inclusive conventions, making such a national convention illegal.…
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has criticized the National Assembly’s approach to the issue of state police, stating that it is not taking governors anywhere. Makinde made this statement during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, which was monitored by the media. He emphasized that the issue of state police requires a bill that should be transmitted to the National Assembly, rather than governors submitting memoranda. “I did not submit any memorandum on state police because my position is very clear. This is not arrogance, but I don’t think the approach will take us anywhere. You are asking…
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has advocated for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as a crucial step to addressing the security crisis in the region. In a statement issued by its President General, Goodluck Ibem, and made available to the media on Saturday, COSEYL emphasized that as long as Kanu remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), the rampant killings in the region may persist. Ibem highlighted that Kanu’s continued incarceration has exacerbated insecurity in the Southeast, leading to hardship, starvation, and economic…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a warning to the public, particularly those with relatives abroad, about a new scam involving individuals impersonating its officers. According to Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, the scammers contact unsuspecting citizens, claiming that their relatives have been arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, or another international airport in Nigeria for carrying illicit drugs upon arrival. After causing panic among the family members, the scammers then demand large sums of money to facilitate the release of the detained individuals. Babafemi stated, “We have thwarted a…
Callistus Okafor, a former deputy national chairman of the Labour Party, has denounced Mr. Julius Abure’s continued occupation of the national chairmanship seat, labeling it illegal due to his lack of election by any convention. Okafor criticized the planned national convention by the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, insisting that Abure must step down to allow for a strategic and all-inclusive convention to elect new national officers. Speaking on an Arise TV program on Friday, Okafor expressed his disapproval of Abure’s actions, including the planned secret convention without elected delegates and the conduct of ward, local government,…