Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a United States proposal to take ownership of 50% of Ukraine’s rare earth mineral rights in exchange for past military assistance. The offer was reportedly made by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during his visit to Kyiv on Wednesday, following remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that the U.S. was owed half a trillion dollars’ worth of Ukraine’s resources. According to the Financial Times, Zelenskyy is seeking U.S. and European security guarantees to be directly linked to any agreement on Ukraine’s mineral reserves. He also wants EU nations and other allies to…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has received 22 high-profile defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) into the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a zonal rally in Kafanchan, Southern Kaduna. The defectors include serving and former federal legislators, lawmakers from the Kaduna State House of Assembly, former council chairmen, state party chairmen, and opposition party flagbearers. Speaking at the event, Governor Sani declared that the APC is making inroads into Southern Kaduna, a traditional stronghold of the PDP, attributing the shift to his administration’s commitment to justice and fairness. “APC is taking over Southern…
The leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Jigawa State and its 2023 gubernatorial candidate, Malam Aminu Ibrahim Ringim, has criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for exacerbating economic and social challenges in the state and across the country. Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Hadejia, Jigawa State, Ringim condemned several policies of the state government, arguing that they fail to address the needs of ordinary citizens. He specifically criticized the recently launched citizens’ engagement programme by the Jigawa State Government, claiming it does not offer an effective platform for public participation. “A common man should be…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Northwest has reiterated its determination to reclaim power in the 2027 elections, emphasizing unity and strategic leadership. In a communiqué issued at the end of a high-level strategic meeting, PDP Northwest Chairman, Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, underscored the party’s resolve to reposition itself for national leadership. “The PDP of the Northwest zone should take its rightful position in the nation by providing quality leadership,” the communiqué stated. The party also called for the swift resolution of internal conflicts at the national level, asserting that Nigerians are looking to the PDP for direction and governance. Despite…
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has established an emergency security committee to tackle security challenges in the state. The committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, will work closely with security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property. Inaugurating the committee at the Government House, Governor Yusuf stated that members were selected based on merit and expressed confidence in their ability to enhance security and promote peace across the state. He identified youth idleness and loitering as major contributors to insecurity and reiterated his administration’s commitment to empowering young…
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has approved the appointment of 12 new Permanent Secretaries to strengthen the administrative capacity of the government for improved service delivery. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, announced the appointments in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Suleiman Ahmad Tudu, and made available to journalists in Gusau. According to the statement, the appointment process was conducted through due process and coordinated by the Office of the Head of the State Civil Service. The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are: Muhammad Salihu Sani Abubakar Hassan Shehu Usman…
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of using state power to suppress opposition, following the Court of Appeal’s ruling reinstating local government chairmen sacked by his administration. In a statement issued on Thursday, the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, warned Adeleke against actions that could trigger political unrest in the state. The APC insisted that the court’s ruling was binding and must be respected by all parties, including the state government. “The earlier Governor Adeleke realizes that Osun State is governed by law and not as an extension…
The Director of Finance, Hadejia Jama’are River Basin, Alhaji Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, has dismissed the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) as lacking the political influence to hinder President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in northern Nigeria come 2027. Illiyasu Kwankwaso, a staunch supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, backed the position that the North should wait until 2031 to reclaim power. He accused the ACF of being politically irrelevant, questioning its ability to speak for the region. “Most of you in this forum were in power for decades, but what did you do for the…
The Strengthening of Democracy in Nigeria Project has urged the decentralization of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enhance efficiency in electoral processes. Speaking at a press conference on Friday in Abuja, the group’s Advocacy Lead, Ezenwa Nwagwu, also called on the National Assembly to prioritize electoral laws that promote inclusivity, such as diaspora voting. Nwagwu assured that civil society organizations (CSOs) would intensify advocacy for electoral reforms, ensuring judicial impartiality in electoral disputes and INEC’s independence and transparency in managing elections. He lamented the persistence of electoral malpractice, weak governance structures, political party inefficiencies, and growing public distrust…
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced one Eze Kingsley to death by hanging for the murder of Wagbara David. Kingsley was found guilty of committing the crime on December 7, 2018, at No. 4, Rumumasi Community along the East-West Road, Port Harcourt. The convict, who was on trial for three counts of murder and infliction of grievous bodily harm, was reported to have stabbed David with a sharp object, leading to his death. A doctor at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) later confirmed David’s demise. Reports indicate that an argument…
Aloy Ejimakor, lead counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has stated that his client is not avoiding trial but will challenge any court that fails to uphold the rule of law. Ejimakor made this known in a statement following a routine meeting between Kanu and his legal team at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja. He emphasized that Kanu would no longer tolerate institutional bias against him in court proceedings. “During our visitation today, ONYENDU Mazi Nnamdi Kanu instructed us to convey to the civilised world his resolve to take his…
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed Russia’s readiness to collaborate with international partners to help restore stability in Sudan. Lavrov made this known on Wednesday during a meeting with Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Yusuf Al-Sharif, where he reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at normalizing the situation in the war-torn country. “As true friends, we are deeply concerned about the dramatic events unfolding in Sudan,” Lavrov said. “We are ready to join other external players in supporting efforts to normalise the situation.” He also noted that the full resumption of bilateral cooperation between Russia and Sudan would depend…
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abdulmajid Dan Bilki Commander, has expressed deep regret over his decision to campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 general election, citing the administration’s failure to meet Nigerians’ expectations. Speaking in a telephone interview with Daily Trust, Commander lamented that Tinubu’s leadership has disappointed many who voted for him. “In my entire life, I have never regretted an action as much as I regret campaigning for President Tinubu,” he stated. He acknowledged that while he remains an active APC member, he can no longer ignore the hardships Nigerians are…
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Yunusa Hudu Ari, the dismissed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Adamawa State, over his recent comments on the 2023 governorship election. In a press briefing held in Yola, IPAC Chairman in Adamawa State, Bello Babajo, condemned Ari’s statements, describing them as a deliberate attempt to undermine Nigeria’s judiciary and democratic processes. He accused the former REC of making “deliberate and misleading” remarks and called for decisive action against individuals seeking to destabilize the electoral system. Ari, in a widely…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended the Chairman of its Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Adolphus Wabara. Wabara’s suspension was carried out by the Abia State Working Committee (SWC) of the party during a meeting presided over by the State Chairman, Abraham Amah. Confirming the development, Amah told Newsmen that Wabara had indeed been suspended, promising to release further details in due course. “Yes, it is true. He has been suspended,” Amah stated. Political Power Struggle in PDP Wabara’s suspension is widely believed to be linked to the ongoing power tussle between loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital…
Several youth groups within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have declared their support for Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary, rejecting moves to replace him with former PDP Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye. The endorsement follows an ongoing leadership tussle between Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye over the National Secretary position. The PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) recently backed Ude-Okoye during a meeting in Abuja, a decision that Anyanwu dismissed, arguing that the tenure of 80% of the BoT members involved had already expired. “I’m a member of the BoT, I was not invited to the meeting, and neither was the…
A member of the House of Representatives, Amos Magaji, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, announced Magaji’s defection in a letter read on the floor of the lower legislative chamber on Tuesday. Magaji, who represents the Zangon Kataf/Jaba federal constituency in Kaduna State, cited the ongoing crisis within the PDP as the reason for his exit, stating that it had made it “impossible” for him to remain in the party. However, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda rejected the defection, insisting there was no crisis in…
Former spokesman of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council, Kenneth Okonkwo, has officially resigned from the party, citing internal conflicts and leadership challenges. Okonkwo, a Nollywood veteran, announced that his resignation will take effect on February 25, 2025. In a statement, he reaffirmed his commitment to good governance, stating that the Labour Party, in its current form, no longer aligns with his vision for Nigeria. “My entrance into politics is for good governance, and I will continue to work for it to ensure that Nigeria becomes a great country of incorruptible men. This aim can no longer be realized…
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed confidence that nothing will hinder his victory in the 2027 governorship election if he decides to seek a second term. Governor Fubara made this assertion on Tuesday while receiving a delegation of traditional rulers and leaders from the three Local Government Areas that constitute the Kalabari Ethnic Nationality in Rivers State. The delegation endorsed the governor for re-election, commending his leadership and commitment to infrastructural development, particularly the ongoing ₦200 billion Trans-Kalabari Road Project. In response, Governor Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to delivering tangible progress for the people of Rivers State, stressing…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Monday raided the Onitsha Bridgehead Drug Market in Anambra State, seizing suspected fake and adulterated pharmaceutical products. Leading the operation, Dr. Martin Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Southeast Coordinator, told journalists that the crackdown was part of a nationwide effort to combat substandard and falsified medicines. He emphasized that the exercise, which follows extensive surveillance and data collection, would be thorough and continuous. “This operation is happening simultaneously in major drug markets across the Southeast. Some traders were found storing chemicals in one shop, keeping empty containers, and mislabeling unbranded medicines…