A one-time confidante to Benjamin Netanyahu began testifying against him Monday in the former Israeli prime minister’s corruption trial in Jerusalem. Nir Hefetz, a former spokesman for Netanyahu, is a key prosecution witness expected to deliver critical testimony in the trial, which revolves around accusations that Netanyahu committed fraud, breach of trust and accepted bribes. The former premier, now opposition leader, denies any wrongdoing. Hefetz left a long career in journalism in 2009 to work as a spokesman for Netanyahu’s government, and in 2014 became the Netanyahu family’s spokesman and adviser. In 2018, after he was arrested in connection with…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
A former Governor of Sokoto State and notable member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Attahiru Bafarawa, has officially announced his retirement from politics after 45 years. He governed Sokoto from 1999 to 2007 Speaking in an interview with newsmen, the political heavyweight, who was a PDP presidential aspirant, said he would never contest for any elective office or accept a political appointment. “I don’t have the political will for politics now unlike before. Now, I don’t have that political will. I feel I have done my best based on the opportunity given to me and I am grateful for…
A 2023 governorship aspirant in Zamfara State, Alhaji Sagir Hamidu, has been shot dead by armed bandits. InfoStride News learnt that the incident occurred on Sunday when the assailants opened fire on travellers along the ever-busy Kaduna-Abuja Highway. According to Daily Trust, he was killed alongside other travellers. The Kaduna State Police Command could not be reached for reaction as at press time. The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige could not take calls and he is yet to respond to text messages forwarded to him by the media. However, a Facebook user, Kabeer Gambo Rigasa, raised the alarm…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State has condemned the return of one of its members, Hon Onyebuchi Offor, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Offor, a member of the House of Assembly in Anambra, who represents Ekwusigo state constituency, had before the November 6 governorship election decamped to APC, to support the party’s candidate, Senator Andy Uba. The lawmaker however announced his return to PDP last week, just a week after the APC lost the governorship election in the state. In a press statement, however, the publicity secretary of APC in Anambra State, Mr Okelo Madukife frowned at…
A leading governorship aspirant in Benue State, Mr. Terver Akase, on Sunday pledged to uphold the enforcement of the Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law which was enacted in 2017 by the present administration. Akase, the former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom, spoke Sunday in Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area of the state during the decamping ceremony organised to receive new entrants and defectors from other political parties into the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Akase commended Governor Ortom for his courageous leadership in protecting Benue’s territory from being overtaken by marauding herdsmen who have killed thousands of…
Deep into the gruelling negotiations over President Joe Biden’s big domestic policy package, when it seemed that bickering among Democrats would never stop, Speaker Nancy Pelosi let everyone in on a little secret. This, she confided quite publicly to reporters some time ago, “is the fun part. The grind of legislating, treacherous for some, a sport for others, and often unsuccessful in the slow-moving Congress, is where Pelosi resides, exerting relentless drive to advance Biden’s roughly USD2 trillion package Friday through the House, sending it now to the Senate. The House vote, with just one Democrat opposed, boosts momentum for…
Police officers and some civilians on Saturday scuttled the abduction of a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Nasarawa, Umar Nasiru. In a statement on Sunday, Public Relations Officer, ASP Rahman Nansel said the incident occurred at about 8:10pm. The spokesman noted that a distress call was received that six gunmen were in an active operation. They invaded Nasiru’s residence at the Bukan Kwato area of Lafia, the state capital. Commissioner of Police, Adesina Soyemi mobilised patrol teams around the axis to the scene. Nansel said the officers and courageous members of the community jointly foiled the attack. The assailants…
Lawal Usman, a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State, on Sunday said Governor Nasiru El Rufai is killing the All Progressives Congress, APC, gradually in the state. Usman said it was obvious that the PDP will take over the state in 2023 going by recent developments. Usman, also known as ‘Mr LA’, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the current All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration in the state had failed the people, especially with its policies. “The Gov. Nasiru El Rufai led administration has been killing the APC gradually in the state with…
Famous Nigerian singer, Davido has announced his decision on the use of the N200m contributed by his friends and fans. Recall that the 30BG singer took to his Instagram page few days ago asking his friends and colleagues to send N1m each to him. At first, Davido mentioned he needed N100m to clear his Rolls-Royce at the port. However, he surpassed the amount as he received 200m in the last 48hours. The singer, giving update on his Instagram page, announced that the N200m received will be donated to orphanages across the country. He also donated a personal sum of N50m…
The Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared an end to the leadership war between Sunday Bisi and Olasoji Adagunodo that has caused disunity in the party. Making this known in Osogbo during a chat with the media, the party Chairman, Sunday Bisi stated that the party is no more divided and aggrieved members have been successfully reconciled. Bisi also stated that the party is now ready to dislodge Adegboyega Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the governorship seat. According to the PDP Chairman, “As you can see, the PDP is very peaceful and…
A group within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), APC Nigeria4Nigeria Youths Alliance (APCN4NYA) has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the party from the North are morally bound to support the presidential bid of the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2023. That is the highpoint of the statement, issued by Secretary-General, Mr. Oludayo Ogunjebe in Abuja. According to the group, the contributions of Asiwaju Tinubu to the formation, growth and progress of the APC was too massive and difficult to be ignored by stakeholders in the build-up to the forthcoming poll. The…
Pakistan’s telecom regulator has for the fourth time lifted a ban on TikTok following assurances by the popular Chinese video-sharing platform that it would control “immoral and indecent contents. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had banned it in July after complaints that it was uploading and disseminating immoral contents. PTA has restored the services of TikTok on assurances of the platform to control immoral/indecent content, the regulator said on Friday. According to the PTA statement, the authority had last blocked access to the application on July 20 and since then, it had been communicating with the TikTok management on the…
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 6, 2021 governorship election in Anambra State, Valentine Ozigbo, has extolled the leadership qualities of the first indigenous Governor-General and President of Nigeria, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was the most prominent advocate of African nationalism. In a statement by Media Adviser to Valentine Ozigbo Campaign Organisation, Aziza Uko, a copy of which was made available to The Guardian, Ozigbo described the late Azikiwe as an enduring example of a generational leader whose “legend remains unmatched” decades after his death. “Zik of Africa embodied what we would expect…
Fears that the much expected national convention of All Progressives Congress (APC) may not hold this year emerged recently when Senator Kabir Marafa raised further constitutional huddles against the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC). Marafa had, in a press conference, chided the CECPC for rushing the Zamfara State congress, stressing that the attempt to overlook Section 85 of the Electoral Act 2010 showed that Buni and his group wanted to ground the party. The Zamfara-born former lawmaker faulted the CECPC for failing to comply with the stipulations of the Electoral Act in organising the state congress…
Plateau State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointment of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) officials. The confirmation was contained in a resolution of the House at its executive session on November 15, 2021, following the receipt of a communication from the governor dated November 12, 2021, requesting their confirmation by the House. In a statement, yesterday, by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Sabastine Hommuk, the resolution indicated that, given the bad state of the House of Assembly Chambers and with no alternative facility yet provided for the House sittings, the executive session became imperative. According…
The Biden administration on Friday said it will consider new measures to protect greater sage grouse, a bird species once found across much of the U.S. West that has suffered drastic declines in recent decades due to oil and gas drilling, grazing, wildfires and other pressures. The announcement of a range-wide evaluation of habitat plans for greater sage grouse came after the Trump administration tried to scale back conservation efforts adopted when Biden was vice president in 2015. A federal court blocked Trump’s changes. But Biden administration officials said the attempt set back conservation efforts even as the chicken-sized bird’s…
National Assembly has transmitted the electoral bill to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent. A terse statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Senate President, Senator Babajide Omoworare stated that the document reached the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday. “Please be informed that in pursuance of Section 58 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2 LFN 2004, the National Assembly has transmitted the Electoral Bill 2021 to Mr. President today Friday November 19, 2021”, the statement stated.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue has commended the Federal Government for the release of N18 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria in support of state governments. Ortom made the commendation on Friday during an interaction with Journalists at the Benue Peoples Government House, Makurdi. The governor, who clarified that the money was not a grant but a loan, said it would assist most states in tackling some fundamental challenges of development. Ortom said the Benue Executive Council (EXCO) would soon meet to prioritise the utilisation of the funds. He disclosed that for a state that had been running a…
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said he would not create problems for his successor by abandoning projects started by his administration. The governor stated this when the Group Managing Director of DAAR Communication Plc (AIT), Mr. Tony Akiotu led a delegation to present a letter of nomination to him as the DAAR Man of the Year 2021 Award at Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday. Wike said, though he is in his second tenure, he will not relent in delivering quality projects to the people. He disclosed that beginning from the first week of December, his administration would commence…
The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Osun State has challenged the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to go to court with all its evidence on the allegations of acquisition of arms and ammunition by the State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola within the next seven working days or cover its face in shame. It asked the party to withdraw the statement and apologize to the Governor and the people of the State. In a statement which was made available to the media by Barrister Kunle Oyatomi, the Osun APC Director of Media and Publicity, the party stated that the PDP had shown in…