In a stern response to misconduct, the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State has sanctioned 26 students across various faculties for offenses including academic fraud and anti-social behaviors. The decision to penalize the students was made during the 127th and 128th Senate meetings, held on August 30 and October 4, 2023, respectively, and chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo. The affected students, hailing from the faculties of Agriculture, Science, Engineering, Arts, Management Sciences, and Pharmacy, faced diverse sanctions. Three students faced outright expulsion, while an additional three received indefinite suspensions for failing to appear before a properly constituted…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
In a noteworthy development during the 2024 budget debate, Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives, has called upon President Bola Tinubu to expedite the implementation of the Oronsaye Report on ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, emphasized the need for efficiency and consolidation of revenue through the execution of the report’s recommendations. During Thursday’s deliberations, El-Rufai acknowledged the potential for misinterpretation but underscored the importance of implementing the Oronsaye Report. The report, chaired by Steven Oronsaye, proposed restructuring MDAs, aiming to streamline operations. Notably, successive administrations have hesitated to…
Bauchi State High Court Seven has issued an interim order prohibiting Babayo Misau from presenting himself as the substantive chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. The order, granted pending the hearing and determination of a Motion on Notice, stems from a legal dispute between APC Concerned Citizens and Babayo Misau. The suit (No/BA/07/992/2023) brought by APC Concerned Citizens alleges that Misau violated party regulations and worked against the party’s interests in the recent state governorship election. Isa Mohammed, counsel to the plaintiffs, filed a motion, claiming that Misau’s actions contravened party laws and adversely affected the…
In a recent development, the Nigeria Police Force has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Farouk Adejoh, the spokesperson of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State, to provide further details regarding his claims implicating Commissioner of Police Bethrand Onuoha in recruiting thugs for a specific political party in the state. SP William Ovye Aya, the spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, strongly condemned Adejoh’s statement, considering it a direct challenge to the integrity and authority of the Nigerian Police Force. Aya emphasized that Adejoh must substantiate his allegations against the State Police Command and the Commissioner of Police…
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has administered the oath of office to Mayors and their deputies, appointed to oversee the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. Charging the newly sworn-in officials, Otti emphasized the importance of serving and securing their respective communities. The swearing-in ceremony, which took place at the Michael Okpara auditorium in Umuahia, saw 34 appointees taking the oath of office. During his address, Governor Otti outlined the immediate priority for the new appointees, urging them to reinforce the security architecture in their respective local government areas. He made a resolute declaration that no part of…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano has leveled accusations against the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), asserting that the latter is intensively attempting to sow discord and disrupt the tranquility of peaceful Kano through a series of allegedly sponsored failed protests. Dr. Musa Kwankwaso, a prominent APC member and former House of Representatives candidate from Madobi, Kura, Garun Mallam, voiced these concerns during a media briefing on Wednesday. Kwankwaso accused the NNPP of breaching the Peace Accord signed at the Police Headquarters by backing protests in the city. Highlighting the context, Kwankwaso stated, “We are all aware that the…
In a recent interview with Channels TV, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, declared that securing victory in Nigerian elections extends beyond the mere act of casting ballot papers. Doguwa, the former majority leader of the House of Representatives, offered his insights while responding to the controversy surrounding the Kano State Gubernatorial elections. He stressed that, in a democratic setting like Nigeria, various factors, including rules and regulations, play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of an election, emphasizing the crucial adherence to the rule of law. “When you ask…
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has formally distanced itself from a purported protest that unfolded at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi State. Issuing a statement on Thursday, Isaiah Davies Ijele, the Director General of New Media for MuriSam Campaign Council/SDP, clarified that those causing disruptions are not genuine SDP supporters but rather loyalists of the ruling party in Kogi State. Ijele emphasized that the SDP is a peace-oriented political party, with its ideology centered around promoting peace and pursuing justice through established democratic avenues. The party is currently seeking redress through the court, and Ijele…
In a scathing accusation, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State for allegedly undermining the rule of law through the recent appointment of caretaker committees for local government areas. The PDP, through its State Publicity Secretary, Chief Bemgba Iortyom (Vande-U-Mbaiwer), contends that the move lacks legal backing and raises doubts about the governor’s commitment to the promised autonomy for local government administration. According to the PDP’s statement, the appointment of caretaker committees for all 23 local government councils was executed without the required enabling law from the Benue State House of Assembly. The party…
Delta State Governor, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, presented a comprehensive N714.4 billion appropriation bill for the upcoming 2024 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly on Wednesday. Governor Oborevwori outlined the budget, named ‘Budget of Hope and Optimism,’ which allocates N316.6 billion (44%) for recurrent expenditure and N397.9 billion (56%) for capital expenditure. In his address, the governor emphasized that this proposal, his first since taking office, is designed to drive sustainable economic growth, boost investments and productivity, improve the ease of doing business, and foster ample opportunities for citizen participation in the economy. Addressing specific allocations, Oborevwori detailed, “In…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State has officially handed a Certificate of Return to Rauf Age-Suleiman, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, reaffirmed as the legitimate winner of the March 18 Amuwo-Odofin Constituency II House of Assembly election by the Court of Appeal. Professor Ayobami Salami, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), presided over the presentation of the certificate on Wednesday. During the ceremony, Salami encouraged Age-Suleiman to contribute to the growth of his constituency and Nigeria as a whole, extending congratulations and prayers for wisdom in his responsibilities. “Nothing but prayers has made this a possibility. I…
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has raised allegations against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing it of obstructing access to election materials used in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State. Following a directive from the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, INEC was ordered to grant SDP access for forensic assessment of the election materials. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Director of New Media for Muri/Sam Campaign Council/SDP, Isaiah Davies Ijele, expressed frustration, claiming that INEC had refused to comply with the court order. The statement highlighted, “Yesterday, on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, our forensic experts visited…
Dino Melaye, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the recently concluded Kogi governorship poll, has unequivocally declared his decision not to contest the electoral victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on November 11, citing a loss of confidence in the judiciary. In a statement made on Wednesday, Melaye expressed his skepticism, asserting that the judiciary no longer serves as the last hope for ordinary Nigerians but has become a department under the control of the All Progressives Congress. “Judiciary is no longer the last hope of the ordinary people; it’s now a department under the All Progressives Congress,”…
A coalition comprising 100 pro-democracy groups has expressed satisfaction with the Appeal Court’s decision, which solidified Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s election triumph in Rivers State. In a unanimous ruling on Tuesday, the Appeal Court upheld the verdict of the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal, dismissing four appeals challenging Governor Fubara’s victory. Petitions lodged by Tonye Cole (All Progressives Congress), Beatrice Itubo (Labour Party), Innocent Ekwu (Allied People’s Movement), and Lulu Briggs Dumo (Accord Party) were all rejected by the Tribunal. Undeterred, the opposition parties pursued the matter to the Appeal Court, where the initial decision was confirmed. Governor Fubara, representing the…
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, affirmed the crucial importance of the current administration not failing the Nigerian people during President Bola Tinubu’s presentation of the 2024 appropriation bill. Addressing the assembly, Abbas acknowledged the challenging circumstances faced by millions of citizens, stressing that the government must provide swift and sustainable solutions to alleviate the difficulties faced by the people. “It is a well-known reality that millions of citizens are going through really difficult times. For this reason, they also look to the Tinubu-led government to provide quick and sustainable solutions,” stated Abbas. Highlighting President Tinubu’s antecedents and…
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun announced on Tuesday during a working visit to Adamawa State that he has obtained President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the recruitment of 30,000 policemen annually. This significant increase, triple the previous annual recruitment of 10,000 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, aims to address the overworking of police officers, according to the IGP. Egbetokun acknowledged the challenges faced by police officers, stating, “I know that as of today in Nigeria, one policeman does the job of two to three officers. I know how you are being overburdened.” Highlighting the evolution of…
Senate President Godswill Akpabio asserted on Wednesday that Nigeria has achieved a milestone in 24 years that the United States took 185 years to accomplish. He made this declaration during the 2024 budget presentation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the joint session of lawmakers at the National Assembly. Akpabio emphasized the strategic positions held by former senators in the executive, fostering a robust relationship between the two arms of government. He noted that having ex-lawmakers in key executive roles ensures not only a necessary, but a symbiotic relationship, where they will collaborate closely. “Mr. President, the United States of…
In the aftermath of the Court of Appeal’s turnaround affirming Governor Abdullahi Sule as the victor in the 2023 Nasarawa State governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) issued a call on Tuesday for the Supreme Court to meticulously scrutinize the recent judgment. The state election petitions tribunal had initially ousted Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on October 2, declaring David Ombugadu of the PDP as the rightful winner. However, the appellate court overturned this decision, asserting that the tribunal had erred in recomputing votes, reinstating Sule as the governor. Stella Oboshi, PDP women leader in the state,…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State officially awarded a Certificate of Return to Rauf Age-Suleiman, the APC candidate, following the Court of Appeal’s confirmation of his victory in the March 18 Amuwo-Odofin Constituency II House of Assembly election. Presenting the certificate on Wednesday, Prof. Ayobami Salami, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), congratulated Age-Suleiman and urged him to contribute to the growth of both his constituency and Nigeria at large. Salami, in his address, invoked prayers for Age-Suleiman, asking for divine wisdom to guide his actions. Age-Suleiman expressed gratitude for the justice served through the legal process and…
In a resolute declaration, Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State emphasized his unwavering commitment to fulfilling promises aimed at improving the lives of youths in the state. Governor Fubara made this assertion during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2023 Batch C Stream II of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Represented by Hamilton Amadi, the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the governor assured corps members of his administration’s dedication to providing adequate security and welfare during their deployment in the state. Governor Fubara pledged to be steadfast and resolute in delivering the best…