The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to publish his assets. The group also urged the President to encourage Vice-President Kashim Shettima, ministers, National Assembly leaders, state governors, and local government chairmen to follow suit. The appeal came in response to Tinubu’s remarks during his first Presidential Media Chat, where he indicated his willingness to consider requesting the CCB to make his asset declaration public. In a letter dated December 28, 2024, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP commended the President’s statement, describing…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has addressed the public for the first time following his release from custody earlier this month. Farotimi was arrested on December 3, 2024, in Lagos and charged before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court for allegedly defaming legal icon Afe Babalola in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. On December 4, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ordered Farotimi’s remand in prison custody. Days later, on December 6, the Nigeria Police filed an additional 12-count charge against the activist. After weeks in custody, Farotimi was granted bail on December 20, 2024. The court set his…
Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has broken his silence on the upcoming governorship election, declaring his support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s second term bid. Fayemi made his position known during the All Progressives Congress (APC) end-of-year gathering at his Isan Ekiti country home on Thursday. While addressing party members, Fayemi affirmed his backing for Oyebanji’s re-election and challenged potential contenders to step forward if they believe they are qualified to compete. “I am a democrat and cannot discourage anyone from contesting for the governorship ticket. If you feel capable, come forward,” Fayemi stated. “But as for me and my…
Former Governor of Ebonyi State and Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has endorsed Governor Francis Nwifuru for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial elections. Umahi made the endorsement on Friday during a Christmas visit by members of the Izzi National Youth Forum to his Umunaga Uburu country home in Ohaozara Local Government Area. Speaking during the visit, Umahi praised Governor Nwifuru’s leadership and expressed his confidence that Nwifuru would serve Ebonyi State for two terms, just as he and other former governors of the state had done. “Even if, God forbid, your brothers or Izzi…
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has described President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform policies as unfavorable to northern Nigeria. Speaking on Thursday while hosting the Christian community at the Government House in Bauchi, Mohammed, who also serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, criticized the tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly, calling them biased towards a specific section of the country. The governor urged President Tinubu to withdraw the bills, warning that they could lead to financial challenges for the northern region. “The tax reforms will not provide the funds needed to pay salaries or…
The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has urged the public to report any misconduct by its officers to appropriate authorities, including the Heads of Complaint Response Units (CRU) in their states or the state Commissioners of Police. This call was made in a statement issued on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, titled “Public Notice: Misuse of Name, Office of the Inspector-General of Police.” The statement highlighted concerns over unprofessional conduct by some officers and warned against fraudulent activities involving the misuse of the name and office of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. “The Nigeria Police…
Prominent activist Aisha Yesufu has advised men to conduct DNA tests on their children, particularly if they have doubts about paternity. However, she warned against publicly sharing the results unless they prove the man is not the biological father. Yesufu’s comments were in reaction to a backlash faced by a user on the social media platform X, who disclosed that he conducted a DNA test on his newborn, which confirmed his paternity. Taking to her X handle, Yesufu stated, “Every man, most especially those that have doubts, needs to get a DNA test done on their children. Except the DNA…
Suspected kidnappers have abducted an Anglican cleric, Rev. Canon Olowolagba, along with his wife and two children in Ondo State. The incident occurred along the Ise Akoko-Iboropa road in the Akoko North-East Local Government Area. The abduction has caused panic in Ikaram-Akoko, Akoko North-West Local Government Area, the cleric’s hometown, prompting residents to engage in fervent prayers for the family’s safe return. Speaking to journalists in Akure, the Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Babajide Bada, confirmed the incident. He disclosed that the family was kidnapped on Sunday between 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm while traveling from Ipesi to…
The Plateau State Police Command has refuted claims of investigating the alleged theft of N180 million from the account of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) owned by social media commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). In a viral video released on Friday, VDM alleged that the NGO’s funds were stolen after a hacker accessed its website. He claimed a suspect had been arrested in Jos, Plateau State, in connection with the alleged theft. The video has sparked widespread reactions and criticism across social media platforms. However, when contacted on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Plateau State…
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has described his late Chief of Staff, Prince AbdulKadir Mahe, as a perfect gentleman, community leader, urbane public servant, and a statesman. In a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, in Ilorin on Saturday, Governor AbdulRazaq announced Mahe’s passing with deep sorrow and submission to the will of Allah. “In total submission to the will of Allah, we regret to announce the passing of the Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Prince AbdulKadir Mahe. He died this morning, December 28, 2024, as has been destined by Allah,” the statement read.…
The lifeless body of a man was discovered on Friday under the Okefia Bridge in Osogbo, Osun State. Eyewitnesses revealed that the deceased, whose identity remains unknown, was found partially unclad, with a bag containing clothes lying beside him. The body was first noticed around midday by passersby, prompting concerned individuals to alert security personnel. A local trader, identified as Chibuzor, confirmed that the sighting of the body led to the involvement of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command. The NSCDC personnel were later joined by officials from the Water and Environmental Sanitation Department of…
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogun State Command, have arrested a 27-year-old mechanic, Abiodun Ajao, for allegedly stealing and dismembering a customer’s vehicle. The suspect, who resides and works in Lagos, was apprehended in Idona, Ijebu Imusin, Ogun State, after driving the Honda car, registered as BDG 956-FJ, from Lagos. According to the NSCDC, Ajao had already begun disassembling the vehicle for sale when he was caught. Speaking during his interrogation by officers of the Corps’ Ijebu East Central Division in Esure, Ijebu Imusin, the suspect claimed the vehicle’s engine was damaged, prompting his decision…
Former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili, has lauded Governor Siminilayi Fubara for his courage in preventing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from turning Rivers State into his personal estate. Odili made the remark during a Christmas Ballad event organized by his family in honor of Governor Fubara and his family. He praised Fubara’s fortitude in standing against what he described as an unnecessary and fierce political battle initiated by Wike to capture the state. “Governor Fubara demonstrated remarkable courage in confronting and halting the quest by one man to capture the state as a private…
Kenyan President William Ruto has pledged to put an end to abductions following a series of disappearances that have drawn condemnation from rights groups, lawyers, and politicians. Security agencies in Kenya have been accused of conducting illegal detentions, particularly since youth-led anti-government demonstrations in June and July. The latest cases involve young men allegedly targeted for criticizing President Ruto online. Addressing a crowd in Homa Bay, a town in western Kenya, Ruto assured citizens of his commitment to stopping the abductions. He also urged parents to take responsibility for guiding their children. “We are going to stop the abductions so…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he has no regrets for supporting President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 general elections. Speaking during a thanksgiving service organised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ochigba, Ahoada East and West Local Government Areas of Rivers State, Wike expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for entrusting him with the position of FCT Minister. Wike, a former Rivers State governor who served for eight years under the PDP, stated that his decision to support Tinubu attracted threats before the elections. However, he insisted that he would make the…
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has signed the N750,282,200,000 appropriation bill for the 2025 fiscal year into law. The budget, recently passed by the Abia State House of Assembly, received the governor’s assent on Friday. Governor Otti commended the lawmakers for their thorough scrutiny and swift passage of the budget, emphasizing that it would enable his administration to deliver quality services to the people of Abia. “We can assure you that this government has its eyes on the ball and will continue to fulfill the promises we made to our people—promises to lift this state out of poverty and to…
Human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to compensate the families of victims involved in recent stampedes across parts of the country. Falana made this appeal on Friday in Akure during the Akeredolu Leadership Lecture Series, a programme organized by the Ondo State Government in honor of the late Governor Adebayo Akeredolu. The lawyer attributed the tragic incidents in Ibadan, Anambra, and Abuja — where over 65 people reportedly lost their lives while attempting to collect palliatives — to the failure of the Nigeria Police to provide adequate security at the gatherings. “It was…
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Ikechukwu Damian, has called on Governor Peter Mbah to intervene in an alleged plot by Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, a member of the House of Representatives representing Awgu/Oji-River/Aninri Federal Constituency, to remove elected ward executives in the council area. Damian raised the alarm in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, accusing the lawmaker of working to replace the ward executives with his loyalists. According to Damian, Onwuegbu recently met with the PDP State Chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, to seek his…
Dr. Doyin Okupe, former Director-General of Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign Organisation, has called for the South to produce Nigeria’s next president in 2027. Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday, Okupe emphasized the need for fairness in allowing the South to complete an eight-year term, mirroring the North’s tenure before President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Okupe acknowledged the qualifications of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, but argued that geopolitical considerations make it inappropriatef or Atiku to vie for the presidency in 2027.…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a scathing attack on Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), labeling him a “sacked NNPP imposter” and a “political refugee without value.” Kwankwaso had earlier boasted of his plans to render the APC politically irrelevant in Kano State by reducing its vote tally to less than 15,000 in the 2027 general elections. In a sharp response, the APC, through its Kano State Chairman, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, dismissed Kwankwaso’s claims as laughable, asserting that they emanated from someone who has allegedly lost his political…