Former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, has announced his candidacy for the national chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He aims to complete the tenure of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, who was ousted and hails from Benue and the North Central region. Suswam made this known during a meeting with the Benue North East PDP expanded caucus in Katsina-Ala on Friday. He stated that he has consulted with and received the blessings of key party leaders in the state, including former governor Samuel Ortom, Senator David Mark, Senator Abba Moro, and the State Working Committee (SWC) of the PDP.…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
The Bauchi State Civil Service Commission (BSCSC) has announced the promotion of 84 senior civil servants, including the elevation of the Deputy Chief Medical Officer to the rank of Chief Medical Officer at grade level 17. In a statement released to journalists on Saturday by Saleh Umar, the Commission’s information officer, it was revealed that the promotions were approved during the 11th plenary session of the Commission held on March 14, 2024. The statement indicated that the promotions were based on the review of 84 recommendations from various agencies, including the State Independent Electoral Commission, Health Management Board, Debt Management…
Pastor Tunde Bakare, overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, has asserted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) cannot eradicate corruption in Nigeria. Speaking at the men’s symposium held in honor of Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili’s 70th birthday in Abuja, Bakare emphasized that the ultimate solution to corruption lies in the manifestation of righteousness by the sons of God. Bakare stated, “There are many theories about how to end corruption in Nigeria; EFCC can’t do it; ICPC can’t fix it. The antidote to corruption is only one thing,…
Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has expressed sorrow over the passing of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II. Obi described Balogun’s demise as a significant loss not only to Ibadanland but to the entire nation, noting the late monarch’s commitment to national development. The Olubadan, who recently passed away, has been laid to rest according to Muslim rites. In a statement posted on X, Obi said, “I am saddened by the reports of the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II. He was a true…
The Accord Party in Osun State has suspended its chairman, Victor Akande, for alleged anti-party activities, following a resolution by six executive committee members during an emergency session in Ile-Ife. The suspension, which was also ratified by 13 local government chairmen in attendance, was based on accusations of Akande’s unilateral actions in party affairs and failure to respond to allegations against him. In a communique signed by all attendees, Akande was accused of conducting party activities without consulting other members of the state executive and acting dictatorially, leading to division within the party’s structure. The statement further alleged that Akande…
Special Adviser to Gov. Siminalayi Fubara on Political Affairs and Strategy, Darlington Orji, has rebutted recent allegations made by Rivers APC Chairman, Tony Okocha, regarding the administration’s performance. During a press briefing on Tuesday, Okocha criticized Fubara’s administration as “visionless” and accused them of reckless spending. In response, Orji defended the administration, highlighting its commitment to transforming Rivers State into a model state. He emphasized efforts to promote civil servants and ensure timely payment of workers’ salaries, arrears, and gratuities. Orji listed several ongoing infrastructure projects, including road and bridge constructions, the rehabilitation of the Psychiatric Hospital, and the revival…
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has inaugurated the newly constituted governing councils of the state-owned tertiary institutions, namely Rivers State University, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic. The inauguration took place at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. During the inauguration, Governor Fubara charged the council members to review the curriculum of the institutions to address the shortfalls in the educational system, aiming to enhance the acquisition and application of functional skills. Additionally, the governor approved the recommencement of the suspended employment process at Ignatius Ajuru University and cautioned against compromise in the…
The Abia State government has established an administrative panel of inquiry to review the recognition and issuance of staff of office to some traditional rulers on May 9, 2023, by the previous administration. The panel was inaugurated by the Abia State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs, Uzo Nwachukwu, and is chaired by Magistrate Uche Uwanuakwa Uche (retd), with Chuka Agomo serving as secretary. Other members of the panel include the chairman of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Linus Nto Mba, the second deputy chairman of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Franklin Nwosu, and…
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the interception of 940 rounds of live ammunition during a special anti-smuggling operation along the border line on Thursday. The Comptroller of the command, Ahmadu Shuaibu, disclosed this during a press conference where seized contrabands with a duty paid value of N557,120,828 were paraded before the press. Shuaibu explained that his officers had been tracking the ammunition for over two weeks from the neighbouring Republic of Benin before it was eventually smuggled into Nigeria. The smugglers had concealed the bullets inside sacks of cassava flakes (garri) in an attempt to deceive border security.…
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has declared its intention to secure every available electoral position in the state. Currently holding two out of the three Senate seats, ten out of eleven House of Representatives positions, and 21 out of the available House of Assembly seats, the party aims to further dominate the political landscape in the state. The Benue APC chairman, Austin Agada, expressed confidence in the party’s ability to achieve this goal while leading the State Working Committee to the National Assembly. He emphasized the party leaders’ commitment to unseating…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to restore the integrity of the 2024 budget by immediately ordering an open investigation into the alleged insertion as well as a holistic review of the budget. In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP demanded that Senator Akpabio report to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation into the alleged looting of N108 billion belonging to the people of Akwa Ibom State and the N86 billion alleged contract scam under his watch as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State…
The Abia State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has urged the establishment of a committee to combat drug abuse in the state, particularly in local governments and rural communities. Mr. Adelawa Adetunji, the Abia State Commandant of NDLEA, made this plea during a visit to Mrs. Pricilla Otti, the wife of the Abia State Governor, in Umuahia. Adetunji stated that the NDLEA was collaborating with the Governor’s office to eradicate drug abuse and emphasized the importance of the committee in supporting existing anti-drug efforts at the local level. He commended Mrs. Otti for her commitment to…
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has called for enhanced funding in education to drive human capital development in Nigeria. The governor made this appeal during a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, in Abuja. Accompanied by the state commissioner for education, Wemi Jones, and the Vice Chancellor of Kogi State University, Kabba, Professor KIT Eniola, Governor Ododo commended TETFund for its support to higher educational institutions in the state. He emphasized the need for more interventions, especially under the Special High Impact Intervention Fund, to further enhance tertiary education in…
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has approved the adjustment of official working hours in the public service for the Holy month of Ramadan. The decision, aimed at accommodating the religious observances of Muslim faithful, was communicated in a statement by the Chief Information Officer of the Office of the Head of Service, Alhassan Sule Mamudo. Effective immediately, public servants are required to report to their duty posts from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, Mondays to Thursdays, and from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm on Fridays. This adjustment is specific to the month of Ramadan and normal working hours…
Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (APC Katsina Central) has been elected as the new Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF), succeeding suspended Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi Central) who resigned from the position. Yar’Adua’s appointment was made following unanimous endorsement by Senators representing the three geopolitical zones in the North. Additionally, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC Borno North) has been appointed as the Publicity Secretary of the forum, a position previously held by Senator Summaila Kawu (NNPP Kano South) during Ningi’s tenure. In his address to the press after assuming office, Senator Yar’Adua emphasized the forum’s commitment to promoting Nigeria’s interests…
Former spokesman of the now-defunct Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Daniel Bwala, has outlined the prerequisite for holding the 2027 general elections in Nigeria. Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Bwala emphasized the necessity for Nigeria to be safe and secure for the elections to proceed. He lauded President Bola Tinubu’s efforts in rectifying the perceived errors of previous administrations. Despite this, Bwala expressed no regrets in his decision to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating, “I do my things based on conviction, and at the end of the day, if it doesn’t work out, I accept my fate.” Bwala…
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to collaborate with the National Assembly in the ongoing constitution review process. Senator Akpabio made this call during a courtesy visit by the NBA leadership to his office in Abuja on Wednesday. Senator Akpabio expressed delight at the visit, emphasizing the potential benefits of the lawyers’ input in the review process. He highlighted the need to update laws that are outdated and not aligned with current realities, describing some existing laws as “analogue.” Furthermore, the Senate President urged the NBA leadership to take steps to eliminate…
The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has scheduled April 22 for parties to present their final briefs of argument in the case filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, challenging the outcome of the November 11, 2023 gubernatorial poll in the state. The tribunal, led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye, approved the matter for the adoption of addresses after Governor Douye Diri, his deputy, Lawrence Awhrujakpo, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who were cited as respondents, concluded their defense. Each respondent presented a witness who testified before the tribunal and submitted several electoral…
Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged for a thorough investigation into the allegation of budget padding to the tune of N3.7 trillion raised by suspended Bauchi Central senator, Abdul Ningi. In a post on X, the former Vice President stated that Ningi’s suspension cannot silence the allegation of fiscal corruption in the Senate. He emphasized that the denial of the allegation is unacceptable and called for transparency in the investigation process. Atiku highlighted the importance of the 2024 Appropriation Act in the nation’s annual planning and development, noting that allegations questioning its…
Nyesom Wike, former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has reiterated his allegiance to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite facing threats of expulsion from the party. Wike’s rift with the PDP leadership stemmed from disagreements during the 2023 presidential election, where he advocated for the party to adhere to its internal power-sharing formula by zoning the presidential ticket to southern Nigeria. His stance led him to work against the PDP’s candidate, aligning himself with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and supporting the emergence of President Bola Tinubu. During a media parley…