Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, said the elites in Nigeria were behind the plot to divide the country. The lawmaker spoke to journalists on Saturday in his home town, Gashua in Yobe State. He disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari would later this month submit a supplementary budget to the National Assembly to request more funds to tackle insecurity. Lawan said the legislature would ensure that normalcy and security are restored to states facing kidnapping, insurgency, banditry and militancy. He stressed that the safety of lives and property would attract direct foreign investment, boost farming and make other sectors grow. “Mr. President…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has mourned the death of Mr. Yinka Odumakin, the renowned activist and spokesperson of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, describing the news of his passing as tragic and deeply devastating. Odumakin, according to his family, passed away on Saturday morning after battling COVID-19 complications. He was aged 59. Dr. Fayemi in a statement said the Yorubas and indeed Nigeria have lost a truly patriotic citizen, a fearless activist who consistently spoke truth to power and a man of the people who championed the cause of his people till he breathed his last. He…
Sanusi Maradun, a former Commissioner for Social Welfare in Zamfara, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). NAN reports that Maradun announced his defection on Saturday in Gusau, Zamfara State capital. The politician said he decided to join the APC based on its success in retaining grassroots politics in the state. “Anybody who wants to develop in politics must embrace APC under the leadership of the former governor of the state, Abdul’aziz Yari. “I served in Yari’s cabinet as a commissioner and I know the kind of efforts he made during his tenure…
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, and the new Speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament, Mr. Albert Bagbin, on Thursday, agreed to strengthen parliamentary relations to solve trade disputes involving some Nigerian traders in Ghana. The two speakers reached out to each other during a zoom meeting they held on Friday. Gbajabiamila told his counterpart that the two countries were like siblings that must “continue to explore the avenue of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing shared challenges, adding that there was much both could learn from one another”. Gbajabiamila also introduced the project he initiated with five other…
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has urged Nigerians to use the occasion of Easter to revive their hope despite the challenges they face on all fronts. The party in a statement signed by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan said just as the triumphant resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the death on the cross dispelled the darkness that covered the earth, “so shall our nation overcome all her challenges that appeared to have taken hold of our economic, social and political life.” The statement read: “Indeed, Easter, which underpins God’s salvation to mankind, also reinforces our collective faith that our…
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abia State has commended Aba residents for trooping out en mass to appreciate Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s developmental strides through their vote for the PDP and her candidate, Chimaobi Ebisike. The Abia PDP described the gesture as a sign of confidence the electorate has in the leadership of Governor Ikpeazu and the ruling party in the state. Alwell Asiforo Okere, the State Chairman of PDP, made the commendation when he received member-elect for Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Chimaobi Ebisike at the party’s secretariat in Umuahia. Ebisike had visited to present the certificate of return…
The Secretary-General of Afenifere, Basorun Sehinde Arogbofa, has described the death of Yinka Odumakin as shocking. Arogbofa, when contacted by the media stated that the death of the organization’s National Publicity Secretary was not only a loss to Afenifere but Nigeria as a whole. Odumakin, an activist and the spokesman of Afenifere was reported dead on Saturday morning due to alleged COVID-19 complications. According to Arogbofa who spoke in Akure, the Ondo State capital, himself and the late Odumakin worked closely while he was alive. “lt’s a terrible blow. A terrible blow to me as a person because we’ve been…
Spokesman of Afenifere, a Pan-Yoruba sociocultural group, Yinka Odumakin is dead. According to Daily Trust, the human rights activist died on Saturday. He reportedly died from COVID-19 complications. Effort by TheInfoStride to reach Chief Ayo Adebanjo, an Afenifere chieftain failed as his mobile lines were not teachable as at press time. Details later…
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Kalu, has said that the use of thugs during elections portends great danger to the nation’s democracy. Kalu said this on Friday while inspecting the ongoing construction of the two-kilometre Akama and Ugwuavor Roads in Arochukwu. Reports have it that the road was one of the 19 constituency road projects the lawmaker attracted to Abia North Senatorial District. He spoke against the backdrop of last Saturday’s Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency bye-election, which was reportedly marred by thuggery and violence. He called on Nigerians of good conscience and believers in democracy to…
There are strong indications that the planned deployment of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) for the November 6, 2021, Anambra State governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) might have hit the rock. It was gathered that the non-passage of the Electoral Act Amendment bill by the National Assembly before the end March as promised was a major impediment to the plan. TheInfoStride also learnt that the Easter break embarked on by the lawmakers would further delay the amendment process, as they would not resume plenary until Tuesday, April 13, 2021. It could be recalled that the 8th National…
South-West State chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have dared the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, to dump the party, after he warned the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party against postponing the South-West congress of the party. PDP had fixed April 10 for the event to hold in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. However, Makinde, in a statement issued by his media aide, Taiwo Adisa, warned the NWC against bowing to pressure to postpone the congress, saying such would be resisted. Makinde urged the NWC to rise to its responsibilities and prevail on the person or…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop interrupting the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR). PDP Publicity Secretary in Lagos, Taofik Gani, spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The electoral umpire has fixed June for the recommencement of the CVR. But the PDP said it was “embarrassing” that the process “is always announced as if it has intervals”. “That should not be; it should be a continuous and uninterrupted registration exercise.” Gani told INEC to let Nigerians know if they are facing logistics constraints. “Why should they say continuous voter registration while…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is split over the purported tenure extension plan by the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC). The committee, led by Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, was constituted after the ouster of National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, in 2020. Although, the CECPC got an extension to stay on till June 2021, there are speculations that the interim leadership is not willing to leave. On Thursday, the party notified the public of the extension of its nationwide membership registration and revalidation exercise by three weeks. It was alleged that the initial plot was to stretch by six to…
The earlier North Central decides whether it wants the presidential slot or the national chairmanship position of the two leading political parties ahead of the 2023 general election, the better. Otherwise, the region stands the risk of not getting anything tangible on the platforms of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The zone, which includes Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Nassarawa, Kwara, Niger and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), only tasted the highest seat of power when Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd.) became the military Head of State through the counter coup of July 1966. Since then, the…
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, yesterday, said he would be shocked if Wednesday’s attack duringa townhall meeting was politically motivated and targetted at him because no office is worth the life of even a chicken. He spoke on a day the Anambra State Police Command arrested five suspects and beefed up security around him. Soludo is a front line aspirant for the November 6, Anambra State governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. Soludo in an interview programme on Channels Television, recalled that the gun battle lasted for…
Some loyalists of Late Senator Buruji Kashamu have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, saying they want former Governor, Ibikunle Amosun to be their leader. TheInfoStride reports that the PDP defectors were received into the APC by Amosun at his Ibara, Abeokuta residence on Thursday. The PDP leaders, led by Chief Ibilola Solaja, held a meeting with Senator Amosun, pledging their support. Speaking on behalf of other decampees, Chief Olu Azeez from Ijebu North, told our correspondent in an interview that they chose to join the APC under Amosun’s leadership because…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has charged Christian faithful to seek God’s intervention over the country’s security and other crisis bedevilling it. The party urged Christians to dedicate themselves to more prayers during the Easter period, particularly in praying for their leaders. Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe and Chairman of APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) gave the charge in a statement issued by his Director-General, Press and Media, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed on Friday. According to the statement, Buni also called for love, unity, peace, harmony and tolerance among Nigerians. He called on religious leaders to use…
A statement released by Governor Seyi Makinde on the decision of the PDP National Working Committee to Proceed with the Southwest Zonal Congress on April 10, 2021 reads: “As the only serving PDP governor in the Southwest and an invested party in the PDP’s growth and development, I commend the National Working Committee (NWC) for the decision to go ahead with the Southwest Congress. “I am glad that they bowed to superior reasoning regarding the congress. I am also happy that the congress will be held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in line with our party’s constitution and as stipulated in…
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio’s purported emergence as leader of Akwa Ibom State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has split the party in the state. Chairman of the state chapter, Dr. Ita Udosen, faulted the decision of the Sam Ewang’s group for proclaiming Akpabio as the leader of the party. Udosen insisted that the decision of the Ewang-led group to name Akpabio leader of the party was illegal and of no effect since he lacked the powers to convene a stakeholders meeting that party organs boycotted at all levels in the state. He argued that only…
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has said a Southerner should succeed President Muhamadu Buhari. Sule declared his support for a power shift in 2023 on Thursday at the Government House in Lafia. The governor spoke when he met with the supporters of Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura seeking his election as All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman. “I have never said anything against the agitation for rotation of the presidency to the South. I don’t think it’s a bad idea, for peace in Nigeria, if there is a rotational presidency”, The Nation quoted him as saying. On the APC chairmanship race,…