Author: Ifeanyi N.

A top UN human rights expert has welcomed the Indian government’s decision to repeal the three controversial farm laws, expressing hope that any subsequent action on reforming the agriculture sector will be informed” by the country’s human rights commitments and taken through meaningful consultations with farmers, communities and unions. Addressing the nation on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti on November 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that his government had decided to repeal the three farm laws, which were at the centre of protests by farmers for the past year. He appealed to the protesting farmers to return to…

Two different camps within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC were at the weekend mounting pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to take their position on the amended Electoral Act Amendment Bill. The pressure on Buhari according to multiple sources is majorly on the contentious provision in the amended Electoral Act that provides for direct primaries in the selection of party candidates for elections. InfoStride News gathered that majority of the governors are against the provision as they feel that it denies them the godfather role of dictating candidates from their states for election. However, supporters of the 2023 presidential aspiration…

The Zamfara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has conducted its congress in the 147 wards of the state. Addressing newsmen shortly after the ward congress in Gusau, the state capital, the acting chairman of the party, Col. Bala Mande (rtd), said the members adopted consensus method, saying that there was no agitation from members. “The congress was conducted very peacefully because there were adequate security operatives across the state,” he added. According to the state chairman of the party, there was nothing like parallel congress, stressing that the electoral committee from the party’s headquarters commended the members…

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has said the defection of a former House of Representatives member, Hon. Anayo Ede to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is of no consequence. This was contained in a statement by the Chairman of the party in the LGA, Hon. Uche Egbonwonu. The ex-lawmaker was quoted to have said while defecting to the PDP that “for me, this is the time to move. After winning elections three times to go to the House of Representatives, I do not need anybody to tell me that my people…

Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara State has warned that anyone yet to revalidate his membership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and captured on the APC national website will no longer be considered as a member. The Governor made this declaration at the inauguration of new executive members of the party who emerged by consensus in the State Congress of the party. The governor’s declaration was coming on the heels of a factional congress held in Tsafe town, Tsafe Local Government Area of the State by one time Senator, Kabiru Garba Marafa. Matawalle, who expressed satisfaction in the way…

As US lawmakers’ visit to Taipei irked China, as Beijing sent eight military aircraft into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ), local media reported on Friday. The five US lawmakers arrived in Taiwan on Thursday to meet with government officials. The five-representative delegation is the second US congressional delegation visit to Taiwan this month. The recent visit is following a three-day visit to Taiwan by Senator John Cornyn-led group in November this year, reported Taiwan News. The country’s Ministry of National Defense described the planes as four Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, two Xi’an H-6 bombers, one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare…

Femi Fani-Kayode has described himself as a proud member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, insisting that he has no regrets making the move. Fani-Kayode had few months ago dumped the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, and made what appeared a shocking move to the APC, a Party he had criticised in all its existence. Fani-Kayode was one of the public figures who took it upon themselves to criticise every move of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and the APC. After he decamped to the ruling party, the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, allegedly arrested…

Nollywood actress, Foluke Daramola-Salako has reacted to backlash at her and her colleague for singing Tinubu’s praise in a viral video. The viral video had Nollywood stars, Foluke daramola and Mr Ibu chanting, “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu”. Nigerians took offence at it and knocked the celebrities in the video. The critics accused them of receiving money to endorse Tinubu. Reacting, Foluke said she did not receive any money to endorse any candidate, adding that she and her colleagues were present at the event to advocate for peace in the society. According to her, the gathering had nothing to do with politics…

The Enugu West Zone of All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed Comrade Adolphus Udeh as the authentic chairman of the party in the State. The group said they were in the same league with some stakeholders who met last week in Oji River Council and disowned Chief Ugochukwu Agballa, who was elected by Senator Ken Nnamani faction in the controversial parallel congress held on October 16. They insisted that Agballah not only breached their zoning convention, but was not a registered member of the party, having joined secretly after registration of the APC had ended. Agballa, who hails from the…

Veteran Nollywood actor, Mr Ibu has clarified reports on the viral video of him endorsing the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Tinubu for 2023 presidency. In a video shared on his Instagram page, Mr Ibu said he was at the event where Tinubu was endorsed. He clarified that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar is his candidate if he decides to run for presidency in 2023 and not Tinubu. According to the actor, Atiku has helped him a lot in the past and he had no intention of dumping him for another candidate. He said: “People approached…

Members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Enugu South Local Government Chapter, have sent a Save Our Soul (SOS) message to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi over highhandedness by the party’s leadership at the council area. The members also alleged that the present leadership of the party at the council area does not respect, acknowledge and accord due consultation to the elders of the party within the area. The SOS message is contained in an open letter addressed to Gov. Ugwuanyi and made available to newsmen in Enugu on Sunday. The letter was signed on behalf of the concerned members and elders of…

Furious over US President Joe Biden’s decision of extending an invitation to Taiwan for forthcoming online ‘Democracy Summit’, China urged the US to stop providing a platform to “Taiwan independence” forces. “China firmly opposes the US’s invitation to the Taiwan authorities to participate in the so-called Democracy Summit,” China’s foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian was quoted as saying by Radio Free Asia. “We solemnly urge the US to stop providing a platform to “Taiwan independence” forces,” Zhao said, adding: “Those who play with fire get burned,” Zhao added. The spokesperson’s remarks came after Beijing fined Taiwanese companies that have donated…

The National Vice Chairman, South West of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olasoji Adagunodo has revealed that the party has no anointed candidate ahead of the 2022 gubernatorial election in Osun State. Making this known in a radio phone in programme monitored by InfoStride News on Saturday in Osogbo, Adagunodo asserted that the constitution of the party did not allow for preferred candidate or aspirant until nomination and expression of interest forms are bought and due process followed. The National Vice Chairman also stressed that a consensus candidate still had to undergo affirmation according to the Party’s constitution. Adagunodo, who…

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has reacted to the report currently making the rounds on social and traditional media accusing the governor of referring to the entire people of his State as drunkards. InfoStride News recalls that reports emerged on many online media platforms on Saturday alleging that the governor had during a function in the state said “if you go round Makurdi town, our people start drinking beer from 9 am and some from there, they will go to sleep, and they come back and insult the governor for not helping them to add value to their lives”.…

Senator Kabiru Marafa’s faction of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has concluded its Congresses with the election of twenty-nine executive members to oversee the affairs of the faction in the next three years. The faction’s spokesman, Bello Bakyasuwa said there were thirty-two delegates from each ward and thirty delegates from each of the Local Government areas of the state. He said the state congress was hitch-free and that Surajo Garba Maikatako Gusau was elected as the faction’s chairman while Abubakar Yargaida emerged as the state secretary of the party. “Let me reiterate that this new leadership of…

Amid the deteriorating relations between Washington and Beijing, two US lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill earlier this week, which seeks to help Taiwan develop ties with other countries amid China’s coercive actions designed to isolate the country. The Promoting Ties with Taiwan Act, which was introduced this week aims to make it the policy of the U.S. government to use its diplomatic influence and reputation to help Taiwan expand connections with nations and partners around the world. The draft “Promoting Ties with Taiwan Act,” was introduced by Republican Michelle Fischbach and Democrat Scott Peters, Taiwan Focus reported. Taiwan has split…

The selection of a new Akinrun for Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State is shrouded in controversies as residents of the town have been protesting over the process. Members of the Gboleru ruling house on Monday thronged the State capital in Osogbo, protesting at the State Secretariat over efforts to sideline them by government officials. Head of the ruling house, Prince Jimoh Olayiwola, while addressing journalists demanded that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola intervenes in the matter with a view to calling overzealous government officials to order in the matter. “We want the Governor to come to our…

Despite the NotTooYoungToRun (NTYTR) law of 2018, Nigeria’s political space is still overtly dominated by the old generation and god-fathers, who determine who gets what and favour their cronies to the detriment of many young Nigerians that are willing to participate in politics. The Age Reduction Bill popularly known as NotTooYoungToRun is a constitutional amendment movement led by young Nigerians. The bill was conceived and pushed by several civil society groups including YIAGA Africa in May 2016. The group is headed by Samson Itodo, a human rights activist and good governance campaigner. The bill, which was sponsored in the House…

The ghost of recent Anambra State governorship election is yet to go to rest. A winner has emerged, but a loser believes that it is not over until it is all over. The development makes it imperative that two scenarios are sure to unfold in the coming days. In the first instance, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and his supporters in All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) are already looking forward to March 17, 2022, for a change of baton from Akpokue to Mr. Solution. But, while the governor-elect’s fans are getting ready for Soludo’s inauguration, the series of litigation lined up against…

The APC Chairman in Plateau State, Mr Rufus Bature has condemned the renewed cycle of attacks on unsuspecting people of Ta’agbe in Miango District of Bassa Local Government of the state. Recall that an attack on residents on Friday led to the death of an unspecified number of persons. The APC scribe in a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Sylvanus Namang, urged security agencies to synergize and apprehend perpetrators of the dastardly act. The chairman said the party was deeply saddened by the latest orgy of violence visited on the people, which led to…