Hon. Babayo Mohammed Akuyam, the recently elected Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, has made a commitment to voluntarily step down if his predecessor, Abubakar Suleiman, reclaims his position following a court-ordered rerun in his constituency. Following the nullification of Suleiman’s victory by the Court of Appeal, a rerun has been mandated in 10 polling units. Suleiman’s Deputy, Jamilu Barade, also faces fresh elections in nine polling units of Bauchi Central as directed by the appellate court. The political turbulence resulting from these legal decisions led to a leadership vacuum within the Assembly, paving the way for the…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has presented a substantial N521.6 billion 2024 Appropriation Bill to the House of Assembly for scrutiny. The budget, aptly named the ‘Budget of Disruptive Economic Growth,’ was introduced on Tuesday at the Assembly Legislative Complex in Enugu. Governor Mbah emphasized that the proposed budget represents a remarkable 132% increase compared to the revised 2023 budget, which stood at approximately N210 billion. The comprehensive plan allocates N107.2 billion for recurrent expenditure, while a substantial N414.3 billion is earmarked for capital expenditure. Breaking down the recurrent spending, Mbah outlined key components, including an opening balance of N11…
In a session held on Tuesday, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State unveiled the N325.3 billion 2024 Appropriation Bill before the House of Assembly, seeking their approval for the fiscal plan. Dubbed the ‘Budget of Home Run and Finishing Strong,’ the proposal comprises N178 billion for capital expenditure and N146 billion for recurrent expenditure. Governor Obaseki highlighted that the budget reflects a slight increase from the previous year, standing at N321.4 billion in 2023. The total projected revenue for 2024 is estimated at N303 billion, with key components including N55 billion from statutory allocations, VAT contributing N38 billion, Capital receipts…
In a scathing response to the recent bombing incident in the Tudun Biri area of Kaduna state, ex-Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani expressed profound dismay on Tuesday, labeling the event as a horrendous and costly mistake. Sani emphasized that the Nigerian Army’s error should not be treated lightly, underscoring the importance of acknowledging the sanctity of human lives. The incident, which occurred during a Maulud celebration on Sunday, involved a military drone targeting villagers. Taking to X to voice his concerns, the seasoned lawmaker urged authorities not to abandon the widows and families left grieving by the unfortunate event. Sani…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the postponement of the inauguration of its standing committees on Establishment, Finance, Publicity, Inter-Governmental, Conflict, and Resolutions, originally scheduled for Wednesday, December 6. Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary, conveyed this decision during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, following the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting. Morka emphasized that this information is crucial for those initially listed for the inauguration, advising them not to travel to Abuja for the event. He assured that a new date for the inauguration will be disclosed in due course.
In a significant development, key stakeholders of the Benue All Progressives Congress (APC), spearheaded by former Senate President Senator Ameh Ebute, have strongly condemned the recent attacks on Governor Hyacinth Alia by local government chairmen and the state party chairman. A communique, read by Chief Ebute in Makurdi, expressed deep displeasure over the content of a statement released by APC local government chairmen and the party’s state executive committee. The statement accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of disrespecting party structures in the state. The stakeholders disapproved of the actions of the local government party chairmen and the executive committee, particularly their…
Dr. Loretta Oduware Ogboro-Okor, a prominent female aspirant in the upcoming Edo 2024 governorship race, is championing the cause for increased participation of women in partisan politics. As she vies for the Labour Party ticket to contend for the state’s highest office, Dr. Ogboro-Okor expressed concern about the limited involvement of Nigerian women in the political arena, emphasizing the need for a significant shift. Addressing the issue during her official declaration of intent at the Labour Party secretariat in Benin on Monday, the aspirant asserted, “A lot of women are always at the back door; it is time we took…
In a recent development, the Supreme Court has rejected Emeka Ihedioha’s plea for a certificate of return as the legitimate governor of Imo State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ihedioha argued that Governor Hope Uzodinma was ineligible for the election, citing a previous court declaration of Uche Nwosu as the rightful candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Justice Tijjani Abubakar, delivering the verdict on Tuesday, deemed the motion lacking in merit and labeled it as unnecessary and vexatious. The court further imposed a cost of N40 million against Mike Ozekhome for bringing the matter before the judiciary. Stay…
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has informed the residents of Adamawa and Taraba states about an upcoming airborne geophysical survey within the bordering local government areas of the two states. Supported by the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project (MinDiver), the survey will be conducted by international consultant Excalibur, utilizing yellow-colored small airplanes equipped with aeromagnetic lenses. According to a press statement signed by Ishaku Kigbu, the Media and Communication Officer of MinDiver, full sensitization has already taken place in the concerned states. The aeromagnetic survey is ongoing, and residents are advised not to be alarmed when witnessing…
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has taken swift action, ordering an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding a tragic airstrike in Tudun Biri village, Igabi Local Government Area. The military airstrike, targeting terrorists and bandits, inadvertently claimed the lives of several individuals who were celebrating the Maulud festival on Sunday. In a statement issued on Monday, Governor Sani expressed shock over the incident and conveyed his condolences to the affected families. He stated, “Search and rescue operations in the area are ongoing. The State Government has dispatched top government officials to assess the situation, reach out to the families…
In response to a series of relentless robbery attacks targeting students, Gateway Polytechnic in Sapaade, Ogun State, has taken the unprecedented step of shutting down the institution. The management has instructed students to refrain from attending classes for the next two weeks due to concerns for their safety. Recent reports reveal that armed robbers have been plaguing the polytechnic, engaging in criminal activities such as theft and assaulting female students. Tragically, in the latest incident, a student lost their life, while nine others sustained injuries. Over the past two weeks, the assailants have conducted more than three attacks on students…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing a legal showdown at the Supreme Court, accused of unlawfully inaugurating himself as President amid ongoing legal challenges to the 2023 presidential poll. Chief Albert Ambrose Owuru, a presidential candidate in the 2019 general election, has invoked the doctrine of Lis Pendens, urging the Apex Court to invalidate Tinubu’s inauguration. Owuru, a Constitutional lawyer, argues that Tinubu’s election was futile and amounted to illegal self-help due to a pending suit against him at the Supreme Court (No. SC/667/2023). The suit involves Chief A.A. Owuru and the Hope Democratic Party as Appellants, with Respondents including…
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) issued a statement on Monday, exposing a disturbing revelation regarding sponsored efforts to tarnish the reputation of Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State. In the official declaration released to the media, the NNPP notified the public about orchestrated attempts by expelled members, including Tope Aluko and former state chairmen, to undermine key leaders of the party. The statement, signed by Ladipo Johnson on behalf of the NWC under the acting national chairman, Abba Kawu, highlighted the false narratives being propagated against Governor Yusuf and the party’s presidential candidate…
Troops from Operation Desert Sanity have reportedly apprehended three soldiers in Maiduguri, Borno State, on charges of stealing ammunition. The arrest took place in a covert operation along Njimtilo Road in Maiduguri. According to a military source, two of the soldiers were en route to Markudi, Benue state, while the third was heading to Abuja. One of the soldiers allegedly concealed ammunition in a bag of rice. The source disclosed, “On December 2, troops conducted covert operations at motor parks and along Njimtilo Road at Njimtilo, three soldiers were arrested. One was en route to Makurdi with 250 rounds of…
The Olowu of Kuta, Oba Hameed Adekunle Oyelude Makama, has issued a stern warning against the politicization of the Department of State Services (DSS) activities, urging individuals to refrain from baseless allegations and narratives that could tarnish the reputation of DSS officers. In a statement released on Sunday, the monarch responded to reports alleging financial misconduct by the DSS Director General, Yusuf Bichi. Oba Makama dismissed the news as unfounded and ludicrous, emphasizing that the unique nature of DSS salaries and allowances sets them apart from conventional civil servants. He stated, “The intention of the purveyors of the fake news…
The Nigerian federal government has announced its impending disbursement of funds through the N125 billion Presidential Palliative Programme, aimed at mitigating the effects of the fuel subsidy removal. Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, revealed in a statement on Sunday that the initiative comprises the Presidential Conditional Grant Programme and the Presidential Palliative Loan Programme. Under the Presidential Conditional Grant Programme, the federal government plans to distribute N50,000 to nano businesses across the 774 local government areas. Uzoka-Anite emphasized collaboration with various stakeholders, including state and local governments, federal legislators, federal ministers, banks, and others. Eligible nano…
Renowned All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Femi Fani-Kayode, asserted that the Department of State Services (DSS) played a crucial role in preventing the disruption of democracy in Nigeria during the tenure of the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari. Fani-Kayode made this statement in response to allegations against the DSS Director General, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, who was accused of misappropriating a subsidy grant intended for service employees by popular figure Jackson Ude. The DSS’s Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Peter Afunanya, refuted the claim, stating that no such grant was allocated to the agency. Speaking on the matter, Fani-Kayode…
In a recent revelation, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has exposed alleged plans by state government agents to finance a protest aimed at obstructing the discontinuation of funds to local governments with undemocratic structures in Benue and other states across the nation. According to a statement released by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Daniel Ihomun, the protest is purportedly directed not only against President Bola Tinubu but also targets Senate President Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Dr. George Akume, who serves as the APC Leader in Benue. Ihomun…
The Ogun State Government has taken decisive action by sealing three companies for violating various environmental laws within the state. Ruili Recycling Limited in Mowe, Robust International PTE Limited, also located in Mowe, and Star Pipe Limited in the Sagamu area of the state are the affected companies. This move is part of the government’s ongoing commitment to establishing a robust foundation for environmental best practices in the state. The closures were executed in response to the companies’ failure to adhere to environmental regulations. Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, announced the closures and provided details on the specific violations. Ruili…
The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has refuted any awareness of President Bola Tinubu’s directive to disburse four out of eight months of withheld salary arrears to its members. Professor Christopher Piwuna, the National Vice President of ASUU, made this assertion during an interview on the sidelines of a scholarship presentation event for university undergraduate students in Bauchi Zone, hosted at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Yelwa Campus, Bauchi. On October 20, 2023, Tinubu had authorized the partial waiver of the “No Work, No Pay” order imposed on ASUU members following their eight-month strike, which spanned from…