The Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has refuted claims of his intention to part ways with the party. This rebuttal comes in response to speculations circulating on various online platforms. In a statement issued by the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), Obi’s media team clarified that the news suggesting his departure from the party was false and malicious. The statement, signed by Obi’s Media Aide, Michael Jude Nwolisa, denounced the rumors as the handiwork of mischief makers seeking to sow discord within the party. The POMR emphasized Obi’s commitment to the Labour Party and…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
In a media chat earlier today, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, unveiled a comprehensive package of over 10 policy measures aimed at assisting residents during these challenging times. Backed by data, these measures are set to take effect immediately and cover a wide range of areas to uplift every Lagosian. Among the key policy measures announced are: – Introducing a 3-day work week for Levels 1-13 civil servants to provide relief and flexibility. – Implementing a 25% reduction on transport services for the State Public Transport system (BRT, Train, Ferry), putting back over ₦500 million monthly into the…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released its report on the 2023 general election, maintaining its tradition of transparency over the last four electoral cycles. The report, which showcases the election’s diversity in party representation, marks significant democratic progress, according to Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee. Olumekun highlighted that the 2023 general election saw four political parties winning gubernatorial races, seven parties winning senatorial seats, eight in federal constituencies, and nine in State legislatures. This shift in political representation across Nigeria signifies a broadening of the political landscape. The comprehensive…
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, is set to inaugurate eleven newly appointed Justices of the Supreme Court on Monday, February 26, 2024. The new justices, who have been cleared for the Apex Court bench by the Senate for over a month, will be sworn in by the CJN at the Main Courtroom of the Supreme Court. A statement by the Director of Press and Information of the Supreme Court, Dr. Festus Akande, confirmed the inauguration, which is scheduled for 10:00 am. Further details will be provided in due course.
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is set to have his legal team move for his release on bail on February 26, pending the determination of his trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Kanu has been in detention since June 2021, following his extradition from Kenya. While the Appeal Court initially acquitted Kanu of all charges related to terrorism, the Supreme Court overturned the ruling in December 2023, leading to the resumption of his trial at the Abuja Federal High Court. The legal team’s argument for bail will focus on several factors, including…
In a dramatic turn of events, the Zamfara State House of Assembly has been thrown into turmoil as 18 out of the 24 lawmakers have reportedly initiated moves to impeach the Speaker, Hon. Bilyaminu Moriki. The development has led to heightened security measures at the assembly complex in Gusau, with heavily armed security operatives stationed at the entrance gate to forestall any potential chaos. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a member of the House disclosed to newsmen in a telephone interview that plans have been finalized to impeach the speaker. The exact reasons behind the impeachment move have not been…
Arodiogbu Ijeomah, the National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South East, has strongly criticized Chief Osita Okechukwu’s recent call for the removal of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, as chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum. Okechukwu, a founding member of the APC, had urged Uzodinma’s removal following controversies surrounding the Edo APC primaries. In response, the zonal leadership of the APC in the South East denounced Okechukwu’s call, labeling his remarks as laughable. In a statement, Ijeomah questioned where Governor Uzodinma had gone wrong in his role as the Chairman of the Edo APC…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to conclude its case challenging the victory of Governor Duoye Diri in the November 11, 2023, governorship election in Bayelsa State. The party, along with its gubernatorial candidate, Timipre Sylva, presented additional witnesses on Thursday to support their claims that Diri did not win the majority of lawful votes cast in the election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Diri and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winners of the election, with Diri securing 175,196 votes against Sylva’s 110,108 votes. Sylva and the APC, dissatisfied with the results, approached the tribunal to…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has elected two candidates to represent the party in the upcoming September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State. Philip Shaibu, the incumbent deputy governor of the state, and Asue Ighodalo emerged as the party’s candidates in parallel governorship primaries held in Benin City. Shaibu was declared the winner of one primary with 300 votes, while Ighodalo emerged victorious in another primary held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium with 577 votes. The governorship primary committee, led by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, stated that 594 delegates were elected to participate in the primary, with 585…
Chijioke Edeoga, the Enugu State Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, has strongly condemned the arrest of the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Julius Abure. Edeoga described the police action as an abuse of rights and suggested it was an attempt to undermine the party’s prospects in the upcoming governorship contest in Edo State. In a statement personally signed by Edeoga, he expressed dismay at the public humiliation inflicted on Comrade Abure during the arrest and demanded greater respect for the Labour Party leader, who he noted, represents millions of party members across Nigeria. Edeoga criticized the…
Stakeholders in Anambra State, including civil society groups, political party leaders, community leaders, media, and women’s groups, have urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to expedite the process of conducting local government elections in the state. This call was made during a one-day engagement organized by the Africa Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) and Strengthening Transparency, Accountability in Governance, and Electoral Process (STAGE), in collaboration with various civil society groups. Itia Otabor, Director of Strategy at Centre LSD, emphasized the need for local government elections, citing the desire of most Anambra people for elected local government leadership, rather than…
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on President Bola Tinubu to implement the recommendations of the 2009 Nimi-Briggs committee’s renegotiated agreements. In a statement on Thursday, the Ibadan Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Professor Oyebamiji Oyegoke, urged Tinubu to address the central demands of public university lecturers and stop being insensitive to their plight. Oyegoke highlighted that the federal government has not mainstreamed billions of Earned Academic Allowances owed to ASUU members, nor has it commenced the implementation of the Nimi-Briggs Renegotiated 2009 draft agreements. He expressed concern over the pauperization of the intelligentsia, leading to an increase…
The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Mr Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as the chairman of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) ahead of its meeting on Monday. Other members of the committee confirmed include CBN Deputy Governors Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, Bala M Bello, Emem Usoro, and Phillip Ikeazor. Also confirmed are Lamido Yuguda, the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); Jafiya Lydia Shehu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance; Murtala Sabo Sagagi, Director at the CBN; Alloycius Uche Ordu; Aku Pullen Odukemelu; Mustapha Akinwunmi; and Bandele A. G. Amoo.…
The Senate has passed a bill seeking to establish the South East Development Commission, almost two months after it was passed by the House of Representatives. During plenary on Wednesday, the Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi, presented the Bill for an Act to Act as a Catalyst to Develop the Commercial Potentials of the South East and for Other Connected Matters, 2024 (HB.626) for concurrence and second reading. The bill, which had been passed by the 8th Senate but was not received by former President Muhammadu Buhari, was finally passed by the House of Representatives in December 2023, following years of…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has cautioned the Senate President, Godswil Akpabio, to be mindful of his statements to avoid escalating the already tense political climate in the state. Tambari Sydney Gbara, the party’s publicity secretary in Rivers, criticized Akpabio’s recent remarks at an event in Port Harcourt. Akpabio had appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to consider a candidate from the Ogoni ethnic group to succeed Governor Siminialayi Fubara. While acknowledging the importance of the Ogoni governorship project, Tambari stated that Akpabio’s timing was inappropriate given the current political climate and…
The Chairman of the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship direct primary election committee, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, has announced that a fresh primary will be conducted in 192 wards across the 18 local government areas of the state. Governor Otu made this disclosure while addressing newsmen at the Lushville Hotel and Suites, Gapiona Avenue, Government Reservation Area in Benin on Thursday. He stated that the last Saturday’s controversial primary election had been canceled. The ruling APC removed Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as Chairman of the Election Committee after the controversy that trailed Saturday’s governorship primary…
The Federal Government has announced the halt of cooking gas exportation in a bid to lower the price of the commodity in Nigeria. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo, made this known during the ‘Internal Stakeholders’ Workshop’ in Abuja, with the theme ‘Harnessing Nigeria’s Proven Gas Reserves for Economic Growth and Development’. Ekpo stated that the country would temporarily stop exporting Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, to address the scarcity and steep price surge within the country. “We are interacting with critical stakeholders to ensure that there is no exportation of LPG. All LPG…
The Nigeria Police Force has announced plans to review its ban on tinted glass permits, which was initially imposed in 2022 due to concerns about the role of tinted glass in aiding crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, illegal transportation of firearms, and human trafficking. In a statement, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated that the proposed lifting of the ban would be accompanied by stringent measures to prevent abuse and ensure strict compliance with guidelines governing the issuance and use of tinted glass permits. Adejobi revealed that ICT analysts and Enforcement Officers nationwide would undergo comprehensive…
Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, has emerged as the winner of a factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election. The primary was held for the September 21, 2024 governorship election. Shaibu was declared the party’s candidate after receiving 301 votes out of the total 559 votes cast at the primary, according to Honourable Moses Bartholomew, the Returning Officer. The primary was not without controversy, as personnel of the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) reportedly stormed the venue shortly after the voting process. Armed personnel blocked the entrance, preventing delegates and journalists from leaving the premises. Prior to…
Dr. Bishop Akhalamhe has emerged as the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) candidate for the upcoming Edo governorship election. The party chairman was adopted by party members in a primary election held in Benin, in the presence of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials. In his acceptance speech, Akhalamhe expressed gratitude to the party members for their confidence in him, promising that if elected, Edo State would witness significant development. “When a man is prepared for a mission, he is always excited when he has the support of the people. Today, I don’t just have the support of the people; I…