Former Chief Whip of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, has alleged that the 2023 general election in the state was manipulated under the watch of then-Governor Nyesom Wike. Bipi made these claims during a solidarity rally for the current governor of Rivers State, organized by women groups across the 23 local government areas. He specifically claimed that the Labour Party (LP) “won all their elections” in the state. A video clip from the event captured Bipi reacting to recent remarks by Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Wike, in a previous…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
Qatar has accepted President Bola Tinubu’s proposal for a meeting to discuss business matters, marking a significant development after earlier reports suggested that Qatar had rejected the proposed visit. Francisca Omayuli, a spokesperson for Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, confirmed that President Tinubu will visit Qatar on March 2 and 3, 2024. While she did not explicitly address whether Qatar had initially declined a meeting with the President, the Qatari government announced in a statement on Sunday that the Qatar Chamber of Commerce would host a business conference on March 3, 2024. “The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Abuja…
The Federal Government has advised Nigerian universities to explore diverse funding sources in light of economic challenges facing the country. President Bola Ahmad Tinubu made this call during the 6th & 7th combined convocation ceremony of Federal University, Dutse, held on Saturday. Represented by the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Kabir Bala, the President underscored the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for universities, considering the limitations of available resources. He encouraged universities to actively seek alternative funding avenues, stressing the importance of self-sustainability in the current economic climate. The President urged universities to leverage international funding…
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has labeled former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retired), as a “genocidist,” accusing him of leading a brutal campaign against the Igbo people during the Biafra civil war. In a statement by IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, Gowon was accused of orchestrating the “second bloodiest genocide” after the Israeli Holocaust against the Igbo people between 1967 and 1970. The accusation came in response to Gowon’s recent comments about the Biafra civil war, where he disclosed being criticized for allegedly being slow in prosecuting the war. Powerful declared that the current generation of Igbos…
The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG), a body of Muslim professionals, has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of an Islamic cleric who allegedly called for the killing of the First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, because she is a Christian. In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, and released in Abuja, MMWG condemned the cleric’s remarks, labeling him as “one of the bad elements in Nigerian society and not a true scholar of Islam.” The group urged security agencies to act swiftly based on a viral video circulating on social media showing the cleric…
The National Unity Forum (NUF), a civil society organization, has lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its handling of the 2023 general elections, describing it as an improvement over previous polls despite the challenges encountered. During a rally in Abuja on Sunday, the National Coordinator of NUF, Comrade Godwin Meliga, addressed journalists, acknowledging that while no election could be flawless, INEC’s conduct helped ease tensions in the country. Meliga emphasized that a compromised electoral process could have led to violent upheavals, potentially threatening Nigeria’s unity. He stated, “There’s nowhere in the world where elections will be 100 per…
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has congratulated Olumide Akpata on his emergence as the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Edo State Governorship Election scheduled for September 21, 2024. Akpata, a former National President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), emerged victorious in the LP governorship primary election held on Friday, February 23, after scoring 316 votes to defeat other aspirants. The election was conducted in a credible and transparent manner, with the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, serving as the chairman of the election committee and declaring Akpata the winner. Governor Otti commended the LP Governorship Primary…
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), to seek forgiveness and apologize to Igbos over his recent remark on the Biafra civil war. A chieftain of Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, criticized Gowon’s remark as inflammatory and called for reconciliation. Isiguzoro stated that Gowon’s comment, made after his visit to President Bola Tinubu, has reopened old wounds and inflicted anguish upon the Igbo community, both at home and in the diaspora. The factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze expressed that Gowon’s choice of words and narrative regarding the Biafra war has been insensitive…
The traditional ruler of Azumini Ndoki in Ukwa East LGA of Abia State, Eze Edward Ebere Eule, has been suspended from office by the Abia State government for alleged misconduct. The suspension comes amidst orders for him to immediately render an account of N8 million in community electricity funds allegedly deposited in a bank account. The royal father’s suspension for 30 days follows recommendations from the Board of Inquiry set up by the Abia State government to investigate alleged misconduct by some traditional rulers in the state. In a press release signed by Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and…
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has voiced concerns about a purported scheme to remove him from office. Shaibu stated that the scheme gained momentum following his election as a factional candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the upcoming governorship election. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, Shaibu disclosed that efforts to oust him intensified after he emerged as the factional candidate of the PDP. The returning officer in the PDP governorship primary and Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, had earlier announced Asue Ighodalo as the winner of the delegate election with…
Patience Key emerged victorious in the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) primary election held on Saturday, ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State. Key, who was adopted by party members and delegates, secured the nomination at the PRP secretariat in Benin. The primary election was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In her acceptance speech, Key expressed gratitude to the party for entrusting her with the monumental responsibility. She described their confidence in her vision and capabilities as an honor and a call to action. “As we stand on the cusp of a historic…
Pastor Azemhe Azena has emerged as the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) candidate for the Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024. Azemhe secured a total of 211 votes in the primary held on Friday in Benin City, defeating three other aspirants to clinch the party’s gubernatorial ticket. Having resigned from the Labour Party last month due to alleged ill-treatment by the Akoko-Edo Local Government chairman of the party, Azemhe defected to the NNPP to pursue his political ambition of governing Edo State. The other aspirants in the NNPP primary were Sebastian Iyere, who garnered 25 votes, Balogun…
Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are currently gathered in Abuja to discuss political and economic matters affecting the sub-region, particularly the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic from the bloc. The meeting aims to address the concerns raised by the three countries following ECOWAS’s condemnation of unconstitutional takeovers of power in those nations. Retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s former Head of State, emphasized the need for a swift resolution of issues to preserve the unity envisioned by ECOWAS’s founding fathers. The military juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their intention to…
Dr. Salihu Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman, North-west of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has expressed his views on the upcoming Edo State Governorship election, highlighting the emergence of key candidates from various parties. In a statement issued on Saturday, Lukman noted that the election would be keenly contested, especially with the emergence of Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, and Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC. He emphasized the need for APC to field a popular candidate to contest against these “heavyweights,” pointing out that the party needed someone who…
Ambassador Obinna Ukor, a prominent member of the Obedient Movement in the Southeast States, has officially left the Labour Party (LP) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State. Ukor cited Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s exemplary leadership as a key factor in his decision to join the APC, noting the governor’s ability to lead beyond party lines. The event, which took place on Friday night at the APC’s state Headquarters in Abakaliki, witnessed Ukor expressing his political journey, stating, “Today is a faithful day in my political history because I was once a member of the Labour…
Less than 24 hours after Barrister Olumide Akpata emerged as the candidate of the Julius Abure-led national leadership of the Labour Party for the September 21 Edo State governorship election, the Alhaji Lamidi Apapa-led faction has also unveiled its candidate for the election. Akpata was declared the party’s candidate in a governorship primary by the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu, on Friday in Benin City, with 316 votes, defeating other aspirants. However, the Apapa-led faction of the party, in a letter dated February 22, 2024, and addressed to the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission…
Hon. Otuwe Kalu Oji, a former Abia State House of Assembly candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on the party’s leadership in the state to prioritize unity ahead of future elections. He emphasized that the party can secure victory at all levels of leadership in Abia if internal factions unite and work together towards common goals, setting aside personal grievances. Speaking to newsmen in Umuahia, Oji expressed regret over the APC’s performance in the 2023 elections, particularly its failure to win the state governorship seat. He attributed this outcome to ongoing conflicts among key party stakeholders in…
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has announced his intention to contest the state’s gubernatorial election in the forthcoming polls. He made this declaration on Friday during an interview on TVC news shortly after the burial of his immediate predecessor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Aiyedatiwa, who was sworn in as governor on December 27, 2023, following Akeredolu’s passing after a prolonged illness, expressed his desire to run for the November 16 governorship election. He emphasized that nobody wants to serve as governor for just one year and requested the opportunity to complete the term as allowed by the constitution. Speaking after Akeredolu’s…
Daniel Bwala, a former spokesman for the Atiku-Okowa 2023 presidential campaign, has labeled ex-Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi as a “Twitter president,” accusing him of grandstanding and inconsistency. Bwala’s remarks came in response to Obi’s reaction to the withdrawal of Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, from the FIBA Afrobasket 2025 Qualifiers due to financial constraints. Obi expressed dismay over the reports of the team’s withdrawal, highlighting the issue of scarce resources. However, Bwala criticized Obi for what he perceived as contradictory behavior, citing a previous statement by Obi advocating for responsible spending. Bwala accused Obi of “approbating…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has admitted that a technical issue affected the smooth operation of its Result Viewing Portal, IReV, during the 2023 presidential election. This acknowledgment was made by INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakub in the foreword of the commission’s report detailing the activities leading up to and during the general election. According to Prof. Yakub, the glitch was a result of the complex and sensitive nature of the systems involved, compounded by the genuine threat of cyberattacks. Despite this setback, the commission’s early and meticulous planning ensured the overall success of the election process, in line…