Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has explained his decision to rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC) after previously leaving the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Sani had exited the APC in October 2018 following disputes over the party’s primaries. He later joined the PDP and contested the 2019 senatorial election but lost to the current Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani. On February 16, the former lawmaker officially returned to the APC alongside some members of the PDP and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kaduna. Speaking on Friday during an interview on Hard Copy, a…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The legal battle between the Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has escalated, with the Abia State High Court in Obehie, Ukwa West Local Government Area, restraining the enforcement of Wabara’s suspension. Presiding over the case between Wabara and Abraham Amah, Justice L.T.C. Eruba issued an order preventing Amah from claiming the Abia State PDP chairmanship and from enforcing Wabara’s suspension. In the suit marked HUK/8/2025, Wabara sought a court injunction to halt the suspension imposed on him by the state PDP leadership. Granting…
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested the Chairman of Kiru Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed, for allegedly selling land worth over N100 million meant for the Kafin Maiyaki Mini Stadium. The Commission’s Public Relations Officer, Kabir Kabir, confirmed the arrest to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kano. According to Kabir, investigations revealed that a company, Mahasum, had purchased the plots of land allocated for the mini stadium, with the payment deposited into Mohammed’s personal account. He further disclosed that Mohammed’s account received N240 million between November 1, 2024, when he was…
The Rivers State House of Assembly has applauded the Supreme Court of Nigeria for its ruling affirming Martin Amaewhule as Speaker and recognizing the Assembly as the duly constituted legislative body of the state. This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu. Reacting to the judgment during the 129th Legislative Sitting of the Second Session, Speaker Amaewhule described the verdict as a victory for democracy and the rule of law. He asserted that the ruling validated their stance that “Governor Siminalayi Fubara was running an illegal administration with unscreened…
A fire outbreak involving a petrol tanker and an articulated truck on the Oko-Olowo-Jebba highway in Kwara State claimed the life of a man and a dog on Friday morning. The incident, which occurred at about 8:27 a.m. at Iyemaja Village, resulted in the death of the truck driver, identified as Wasiu. According to a statement by the spokesperson of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, the petrol tanker was carrying 33,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), while the truck driven by Wasiu was loaded with fertilizer. Firefighters arrived promptly and managed to contain the blaze, preventing further…
The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis is showing signs of improvement as he battles double pneumonia but will not lead the annual Ash Wednesday service marking the beginning of Lent. The 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since February 14 after suffering a severe respiratory infection that led to complications. While the Vatican has not specified how long he will remain in the hospital, it confirmed on Friday that he would not preside over the Ash Wednesday service on March 5, indicating that his hospitalization may extend into next week. A senior Vatican official will instead…
United States President Donald Trump has praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his soldiers for their exceptional bravery in the ongoing war against Russia. Trump made the commendation during a meeting with Zelensky at the White House on Friday, where discussions centered on securing U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense against potential future Russian aggression. Expressing optimism about an end to the conflict, Trump acknowledged the resilience of Ukrainian forces. “Your soldiers have been unbelievably brave,” he said. “We give them the credit. I give tremendous credit to your generals, your soldiers, and yourself. It’s been very hard fighting, very tough…
A Jigawa State High Court, presided over by Justice Ahmed Abubakar, has sentenced two men, Hamimu Auwalu and Ashiru Salisu, to death by hanging for culpable homicide. The convicts, both residents of Sabalari Village in Dutse Local Government Area, were found guilty of conspiracy, deceitful abduction for ransom, and culpable homicide. Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Abubakar ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that the convicts intentionally caused the death of Tahir Adamu Hassan on April 4, 2024, in Sabalari village. “The prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that the convicts had…
President Bola Tinubu has signed the 2025 Appropriation Bill into law, officially approving a total budget of N54.99 trillion for the fiscal year. The National Assembly had initially raised the budget from N49.7 trillion to N54.2 trillion following a request from the President before finally approving the N54.99 trillion total. Budget Breakdown Statutory Transfers: N3.645 trillion Debt Servicing: N14.317 trillion Recurrent Expenditure: N13.64 trillion Capital Expenditure (Development Fund): N23.963 trillion The allocation for debt servicing stands at N14.317 trillion, reflecting Nigeria’s financial obligations, while N13.64 trillion is earmarked for Recurrent Expenditure, covering salaries, overheads, and daily government operations. More details…
The 27 lawmakers from Rivers State reinstated by the Supreme Court on Friday erupted in jubilation, celebrating their victory with singing and dancing at the court premises in Abuja. The lawmakers, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and led by Martin Amaewhule, had been at the center of a political crisis in the state following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Their seats were previously declared vacant, and a factional leadership under Edison Oko-Jumbo had emerged. Delivering its ruling, the Supreme Court, in a judgment read…
Amid escalating tension in the Lagos State House of Assembly, 35 lawmakers arrived at the Ikeja High Court on Friday morning as the legal battle over the speakership unfolds. The lawmakers were taken to court by former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who is challenging his recent removal from office. Court Hearing Commences Amid Assembly Crisis The case, presided over by Hon. Justice Y.R. Pinheiro, was scheduled for hearing on Friday as the power struggle within the Assembly deepens. Obasa was ousted from his position while on a visit to the United States a few weeks ago, with lawmakers electing Hon. Mojisola…
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State have called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to immediately redeploy Government House staff who served under the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki. Operating under the aegis of Edo APC Leaders of Thought, the party chieftains argue that retaining these staff members poses a security risk to the new administration. Speaking on behalf of the group, Momodu Adams stated that many civil servants in the Government House had worked closely with Obaseki throughout his eight-year tenure, making their continued presence in Okpebholo’s administration a matter of concern. Urgent Need for Staff…
A Lugbe Grade 1 Area Court in Abuja on Thursday dissolved the 13-year marriage between Gaminana Aminat and her husband, Musa Abdulrahab, over allegations of domestic violence and disrespect. Presiding Judge Aliyu Kagarko granted the divorce in accordance with Islamic law after Aminat sought dissolution, citing her husband’s persistent misbehavior and lack of respect for her and her parents. The court also directed Aminat to observe the mandatory three-month Iddah period before entering another marriage. Aminat, who married Abdulrahab in 2012 under Islamic law, told the court that their union had produced three children. However, she accused Abdulrahab of repeatedly…
Mudashiru Obasa, the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has declared his resumption as the parliament leader after returning to the Assembly with armed security operatives on Thursday. “I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly,” Obasa asserted. Obasa was impeached on January 13, 2025, by lawmakers over alleged misappropriation while he was in the United States. Following his removal, his deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was sworn in as Speaker. Upon his return, Obasa rejected his impeachment, arguing that due process was not followed in his removal. His resumption is expected to spark further political tension…
Former President Muhammadu Buhari was unable to attend the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja due to short notice, his spokesperson, Malam Garba Shehu, has revealed. The high-profile gathering, presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, was attended by key APC figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, governors, National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), and other stakeholders. However, Buhari, former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi were notably absent. Speaking to BBC Hausa, Shehu explained that Buhari received the…
The North-Central APC Forum has announced the end of its agitation over the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday. The NEC ratified the zoning of the APC national chairmanship to the North-West, solidifying Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje’s position as party chairman. The forum had previously contested this decision, advocating for the North-Central to complete the tenure of former chairman Abdullahi Adamu, who was removed before completing his term. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Chairman of the North-Central APC Forum, Alhaji Saleh…
The leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Jigawa State and its 2023 gubernatorial candidate, Aminu Ibrahim Ringim, has strongly criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration, accusing it of failing in the education and health sectors. Speaking at a political gathering in Ringim, he alleged that the ruling party had neglected critical areas and called for urgent reforms, insisting that the people of Jigawa deserve better governance and improved social services. Education Sector Neglect Ringim decried the shortage of teachers in schools, describing it as unacceptable. “It is unacceptable to see only one teacher in an entire…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed 25 tons of illicit drugs in Kogi State, warning of their potential impact on insecurity if allowed to circulate. NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this on Wednesday in Lokoja during a public destruction exercise. He was represented by Ahmed Suleiman Ningi, NDLEA’s Director of Operations and General Investigation. Marwa highlighted that the 25,000 kilograms of illicit substances, if left unchecked, could further fuel security challenges in the country, particularly in Kogi State. Breakdown of Destroyed Drugs Providing details of the destruction, Marwa said the seized drugs included:…
The suit seeking to declare vacant the seat of Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, has been withdrawn at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/28/1/2025, was filed on February 18, 2025, by Hon. Augustine Nwachukwu, Hon. ThankGod Okeke, and three others believed to be loyalists of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The plaintiffs had sought the court’s interpretation of Sections 65(2)(b) and 68(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), arguing that any lawmaker who loses the membership of the party that sponsored their election should automatically forfeit their seat. They…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Southeast Zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. James Ugwu, have been cautioned against any actions that could amount to contempt of court regarding a purported zonal congress of the party in the Southeast. In separate letters addressed to INEC and Mr. Ugwu, Barr. Mike Nwankwo’s legal counsel reminded them of a subsisting court order (Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/325/2025), which prohibits the PDP from conducting the zonal congress. The letter, signed by Kalu Kalu Agu, lead counsel to Barr. Nwankwo, emphasized that INEC had already entered an appearance in the case…