The Arewa Initiative for the Defence and Promotion of Democracy (AIDPD) has expressed discontent with the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) over its position regarding the suspension of ex-Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF), Senator Abdul Ningi, in relation to the budget padding controversy. In a press statement released on Monday, the spokesperson for AIDPD, Tasiu Haruna, advised the ACF not to align itself with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but to remain “an umbrella association of all northerners.” The ACF had previously condemned the senate’s suspension of Senator Ningi (PDP – Bauchi Central) following his allegation on the BBC…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has visited the Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state, where military officers and civilians were killed in an ambush. The governor’s visit aimed to assess the extent of the damage caused by the incident. However, journalists were barred from covering the governor’s tour of the troubled community by the military Joint Task Force (JTF). The JTF operatives blocked the major entries to Okuama with an armoured personnel carrier tank, preventing vehicular and human traffic, including media personnel, from accessing the community. Governor Oborevwori was welcomed by the leader of the…
The Nigerian Army has issued a stern warning to the Okuama community in Delta State, urging them to prepare to face the full consequences of their actions. This warning comes in the wake of the killing of soldiers who were on a peaceful and mediatory mission following a communal clash between the Okuama and Okoloba communities. In a statement signed by Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, the Army criticized the Okuama community for resorting to propaganda instead of assisting in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators. The statement condemned the killing of troops from the 181 Amphibious…
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has expressed confidence that the legislative agenda of the 10th National Assembly will significantly enhance the standard of living for Nigerians. He made this assertion in Abuja on Monday during the public hearing on the Student Loan Access to Higher Education Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2024. The public hearing, organized by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and Tetfund and the House of Representatives Committee on Student Loans, Scholarship, and Higher Education Financing, aimed to gather input on the bill. Represented by the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, Akpabio commended President Bola Tinubu for…
President Bola Tinubu has officially presented the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag to the party’s standard bearer for the September 21 Edo State gubernatorial election, alongside his running mate, Dennis Idahosa, at the state house. During the presentation, President Tinubu expressed confidence in the APC’s prospects for victory in the upcoming election. The President commended the state leadership of the APC for their efforts in resolving internal conflicts that led to the emergence of the candidate and his running mate. He stated his belief that the path is now clear for the APC to assume leadership in the state after…
The Labour Party (LP) has issued a stern warning to federal lawmakers, particularly those from the House of Representatives elected under its banner, urging them to uphold the party’s supremacy or face disciplinary measures. The caution came via a statement released on Monday by Obiora Ifoh, the LP’s National Publicity Secretary. In the statement, the party expressed disappointment in the lawmakers’ conduct, noting that they have not lived up to the expectations of being true representatives of the people and the Labour Party. The party highlighted the sacrifices made by Nigerians in electing them. Ifoh specifically referenced a statement by…
In the aftermath of the killing of 16 soldiers on a peacekeeping mission, several houses in the coastal and rustic Okuoma community, in the Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, were engulfed in flames. According to a statement by the Director of Information at the Defence Headquarters, Tukur Gusau, the military personnel, including a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers, were killed by youths on Thursday during a peace mission to Okuoma community. General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. In a video posted by Channels Television,…
The safety of schoolchildren in Northern Nigeria has once again come under scrutiny as bandits carry out audacious attacks across the region. Between Wednesday, March 6, and Monday, March 11, approximately 800 Nigerians, mostly schoolchildren, were kidnapped by terrorists in various incidents. According to Amnesty International, Boko Haram terrorists abducted over 400 people, including women and children, in Borno State. The victims, who had left Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Gamboru Ngala council area to search for firewood, were targeted by the extremists. In another incident, over 280 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA primary school…
Adewale Giwa, a popular cleric in Ondo State and Senior Pastor of Awaiting the Second Coming of Christ Ministry, has urged residents of the state not to vote for stingy politicians in the forthcoming gubernatorial election. He warned that electing such individuals could have a detrimental effect on the state’s development. Speaking in Akure, the state capital, Giwa emphasized the need to avoid a repeat of the challenges experienced in the last seven years. He advised aspirants whose aim is to exploit the state to withdraw from the gubernatorial race. Giwa specifically called out one of the contestants whom he…
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has expressed his condolences to the family of the late Alhaji Muhammadu Bababa Ibrahim Hamza, former District Head of Darazo, who passed away last week. Governor Mohammed described the passing of the former district head as a significant loss to Darazo and the Bauchi Emirate Council. The governor, accompanied by top government officials, visited the late district head’s palace in Darazo on Sunday to pay his respects. He praised Alhaji Hamza as a reliable and respected traditional ruler who worked tirelessly for the best interests of his people and the Bauchi Emirate. On behalf…
The Federal Government has responded to the recent controversy regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it entered into with Messrs MPH Rail Development Limited, a United Kingdom (UK) firm, for the construction of the Port Harcourt–Enugu–Calabar–Abuja Standard Gauge Rail Line. The MoU, signed by the Ministry of Transport on March 13, 2024, has drawn attention and criticism from some Nigerians, particularly on social media, regarding the UK firm’s capacity to deliver the project, given its perceived newness in the rail construction industry. Critics, including former presidential aide Tolu Ogunlesi, highlighted the existing Warri—Itakpe Standard Gauge Rail, suggesting that the route…
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has called on Nigerians to remain focused and steadfast in prayer for the nation to overcome its current economic challenges. Sanwo-Olu made this plea during the Annual Ramadan Public Lecture, 1445 A.H, held at the Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos Island, on Saturday. The theme of the lecture was “The Current Economic Situation: Solution from Islamic Perspective.” Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the governor advised leaders to formulate policies that would benefit the nation’s economy. He also urged citizens to exercise patience with the government, emphasizing the need for a positive and supportive…
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has strongly condemned the killing of three officers and twelve soldiers by irate youths in Delta State. Primate Ayodele described the attack as a civilian coup against the military, emphasizing that it sends a wrong signal to Nigeria’s security system. The soldiers, including a Commanding Officer, two majors, one captain, and twelve soldiers from the 181 Amphibious Battalion, were on a mission to halt clashes between two communities in the southern state of Delta when they were murdered by warring community youths. In a statement signed by his media aide,…
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has strongly condemned the unprovoked killing of officers and soldiers attached to 63 Brigade at Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state. Governor Oborevwori stated that his government would take all necessary measures to apprehend those responsible for the heinous act and ensure they face the full wrath of the law. He also expressed condolences to the military and the families of the deceased officers and soldiers. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, Governor Oborevwori described the incident as contrary to the culture of Deltans, emphasizing the…
The Labour Party (LP) has urged the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, to resign and vie for the chairmanship position of the party if he is interested. LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, criticized Ajaero for what he termed as rascality, stating that it had undermined the NLC’s previous achievements. Ifoh’s remarks were made in response to a letter from the NLC Political Commission, the political arm of the NLC, which called for the suspension of the planned convention of the Labour Party in Umuahia, Abia State, and demanded the immediate resignation of the National Chairman…
Former two-term senator representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial district from 2015 to 2023, Obinna Ogba, has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. Ogba, a former governorship aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, described the APC as a very strategic and irresistible party. The senator defected with over 5,000 loyalists across the thirteen local government areas of the state over the weekend. This latest defection comes barely one week after another former PDP aspirant, Obinna Nwachukwu, joined the ruling party with his 2,000 loyalists. Speaking at the event held at Ezillo,…
The Adamawa State Government has announced a revision to the operational restrictions for tricycles, commonly known as Keke NAPEP, in Yola North, Yola South, and Girei local government areas (LGAs). According to the revised directive, Keke NAPEP operators in these LGAs will now be allowed to operate until 11pm, instead of the previous 10pm limit, during the Ramadan fasting period. Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, conveyed this adjustment in a statement released on Sunday. The extension of operational hours aims to accommodate Muslim faithful attending tafsir sessions, which typically run late into the night during Ramadan. The…
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to decisively tackle the insecurity plaguing the nation. In a statement issued on Sunday, the National President of the group, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, warned President Tinubu to avoid what he termed as the “Goodluck Jonathan treatment” by acting swiftly. Nnabuike expressed concern over the recent spate of abductions in the country, particularly within the last two weeks, which he believes is a deliberate attempt to undermine the government’s credibility. He drew parallels with the Chibok abduction during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, noting that…
Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, has disclosed that he received more than N1 billion for constituency projects in the controversial 2024 budget. The budget has been embroiled in controversy, with allegations from Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, that over N3.7 trillion could not be traced to any project. The allegations led to a three-month suspension for Senator Ningi after the House deliberated on them during Tuesday’s plenary. Senator Jarigbe Agom, representing Cross River North, also raised concerns, alleging that some ranking Senators received about N500 million for constituency projects, while others, including himself, received nothing or…
In preparation for the forthcoming November governorship election in Ondo State, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), operating under the banner of Ondo APC Aborigines, have established a nine-member committee. The committee, chaired by Christy Olufowose, is tasked with evaluating and screening all governorship aspirants within the party. The decision was reached during a meeting held in Akure, the state capital, which was presided over by former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Togo, Sola Iji. Emphasizing the need to learn from past experiences and avoid previous mistakes, the meeting aims to ensure the emergence of a suitable candidate…