At least 15 people have been confirmed dead and several others injured following coordinated late-night attacks by suspected bandits on villages in the Gwana District of Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State. The assailants struck on Saturday night, targeting the communities of Mansur, Digare, Sabuwar Sara, and Yalo. Most of the victims were members of local vigilante groups from the Gwana and Duguri Districts, who had been safeguarding residents from recurrent cross-border attacks allegedly perpetrated by bandits from neighbouring Gombe, Plateau, and Taraba States. According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers arrived heavily armed and opened fire indiscriminately, ambushing residents in…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Diran Odeyemi, has vowed to initiate a recall process against Wole Oke, the lawmaker representing Ijesa North (Obokun/Oriade) Federal Constituency, following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Oke, a fifth-term member of the House of Representatives, officially resigned from the PDP in a letter dated April 16, 2025, addressed to the party’s Ward 7 Chairman in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State. He cited the PDP’s declining political strength as a key reason for his departure. Speaking during a current affairs programme on Rave FM,…
Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Hyacinth Alia of Benue State have rejected invitations from the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, challenging the legal and constitutional basis of the summons. The committee had summoned the two governors and their respective state assemblies over alleged constitutional violations, legislative crises, and deteriorating security conditions in their states. The invitation was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the committee’s Head of Media, Chooks Oko. In Benue State, the controversy centers on the suspension of 13 lawmakers believed to be critical of Governor Alia. The suspended legislators had opposed the…
Human rights lawyer and political activist, Dele Farotimi, has reiterated his unwavering support for Peter Obi, stating that he would back the former Anambra State governor if he contests in the 2027 presidential election. Farotimi made the declaration during an appearance on Sunday Politics, a Channels Television programme, where he argued that current conversations about the 2027 elections are premature and potentially distracting. “If elections where our votes will count were held today, I would vote for Peter Gregory Obi—unless somebody else comes into the race that I think can do better,” Farotimi said. “If it’s still the same lineup…
As preparations gear up for the forthcoming local government elections in Lagos State, chairmanship aspirants in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) have called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure a transparent and credible primary election. In a joint statement issued by Segun Sekoni and Mustapha Rasheed on behalf of 12 aspirants, the group warned against the imposition of candidates and urged party leaders to uphold democratic principles. They emphasized that true leadership cannot emerge from undemocratic practices, stressing that the legitimacy of the party’s candidate hinges on a free, fair, and inclusive selection process. The aspirants raised…
Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have neutralised a suspected bandit in a precision strike in Taraba State. The operation, which took place on Friday, May 3, near Gafar Village in Ussa Local Government Area, was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday in Jalingo by the acting spokesperson of the Brigade, Captain Oni Olubodunde. Gafar Village was identified as a key transit route for criminal elements linked to attacks and thefts in the region. “Acting on credible intelligence, the troops engaged the suspects in a fierce firefight, killing…
A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has declared it is time to “bid the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) goodbye,” citing what he described as the opposition party’s steady decline due to internal impunity. Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Okechukwu, a public relations consultant and former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), said the PDP is “dangerously sliding from a major to a minor political party.” He recalled that with the formation of the APC in 2013, many had hoped for a vibrant two-party system that would ensure competitive democracy and strong governance.…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted claims that it has set a date for the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. The Commission also clarified that no decision has been made regarding the transfer or replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). This comes amid reports circulating that INEC had fixed May 27, 2025, for the commencement of CVR and other related services. In a statement issued on Sunday, INEC described the report as false and misleading, urging the public to disregard what it called a “fake and anonymous statement.” “In line with its…
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State, Abubakar Muhammad Kana, has refuted rumours circulating on social media suggesting that Governor Nasir Idris is planning to defect from the party. Speaking during an APC stakeholders’ meeting attended by Governor Idris, his deputy, former Governor Sa’idu Dakingari, and the Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Kana described the claims as baseless and misleading. “Kebbi State remains firmly under APC leadership and continues to record steady progress under Governor Nasir Idris,” Kana stated. He commended the governor’s performance and expressed satisfaction with the achievements recorded both at…
At least four persons have been reportedly killed and several others injured in a renewed attack by suspected armed herdsmen on Akpete village in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State. The attack occurred on Friday evening between 4pm and 5pm when the assailants, arriving on motorcycles and on foot, launched a coordinated assault on the community, opening fire from multiple directions. Local sources revealed that residents had earlier received intelligence of a possible attack and some youths mobilised to defend the village. However, they were overwhelmed by the large number of attackers. “Four people were killed and several others…
At least 300 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kawo Ward, Kaduna North Local Government Area, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Receiving the new members, a permanent member of the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Jamilu Haruna, described the defection as a strong endorsement of Governor Uba Sani’s leadership and achievements. Haruna stated that within two years in office, Governor Sani had made significant progress in areas such as infrastructure, agricultural reform, rural development, security, and education. “This defection is not surprising. Even members of the…
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has lashed out at federal judges following a court ruling that barred his administration from using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump expressed outrage over the decision, warning that it posed a serious threat to the safety and future of the United States. “Can it be so that Judges aren’t allowing the USA to Deport Criminals, including Murderers, out of our Country and back to where they came from?” Trump wrote. “If this is so, our Country, as…
Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to rein in his family, particularly his son, Seyi Tinubu, over allegations of assault, abduction, and inducement involving the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Atiku Isah. Atiku made the call in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Paul Ibe, on Thursday, describing the allegations against Seyi Tinubu as “deeply alarming” and a direct attack on democratic values and civil liberties. “The serious allegations made by Isah, alleging physical assault, abduction, and inducement at the hands of Seyi…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has directed all its Local Government and Ward Chairmen to immediately commence the registration of newly defected members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) without any form of precondition or documentation, including resignation letters from their former party. The directive was issued by the APC State Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, through the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, Esq. “This directive follows the unprecedented political realignment witnessed on the 28th of April, 2025, during which the entire executive structure of the PDP — spanning from the Ward level to the State level…
Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has debunked reports suggesting he is planning to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the rumours as baseless and politically motivated. Adeleke made the declaration on Wednesday during a meeting with leaders of the Osun State chapter of the PDP, held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Osogbo. Reacting to the speculations circulating on social media and other platforms, the governor reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP and assured party members of his continued commitment to the party’s ideals and leadership. “My people,…
Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s key economic reforms but stated that it is still too early to assess the overall performance of his administration. Otti, the only governor elected under the platform of the Labour Party (LP), made the remarks during an interview with Arise TV journalist, Rufai Oseni. A clip of the interview was shared on social media platform X. While backing the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, Otti emphasized that both policies were necessary, though their simultaneous implementation intensified the economic strain. “Subsidy removal was…
The Iranian government on Friday said that ongoing U.S. sanctions targeting its trade partners will not alter its policy direction, responding strongly to fresh threats from President Donald Trump against countries or individuals dealing in Iranian oil. In a statement issued by Iran’s Foreign Ministry, the country condemned what it described as Washington’s “illegal behaviours” and pressure tactics, asserting that such actions undermine diplomatic credibility. “The continuation of these illegal behaviours will not change Iran’s logical, legitimate and international law-based positions,” the statement read. It also warned that the sanctions have deepened global distrust in the United States’ commitment to…
Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s economic reform policies but cautioned that it is too early to assess the overall performance of the administration. Otti, the only governor elected on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), made this known during an interview with Arise TV journalist Rufai Oseni. A clip of the interview was shared on social media platform X. The governor endorsed two of the president’s most controversial policy decisions — the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira — describing them as necessary steps toward long-term economic…
The Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party (LP) has declared that the party will not be part of any opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections. This was made known in a communique issued after the party’s NEC meeting held in Abuja. Abure stated that the Labour Party would instead focus on internal restructuring and reconciliation efforts, with a view to strengthening its position ahead of the next electoral cycle. His remarks come amid ongoing efforts by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to form an opposition alliance aimed at…
The Jigawa State Police Command has confirmed that no explosion, fire outbreak, or fuel scooping occurred following the crash of a petrol tanker carrying 60,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Ringim Local Government Area on Thursday, May 1, 2025. This was disclosed in a press release issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Lawan Shiisu Adam, on Thursday. According to the statement, the incident involved a Howa tanker trailer with registration number Kano 549 BNK, driven by one Muhammad Ali, a 50-year-old resident of Yankatsari village in Dawakin Kudu LGA of Kano State. The tanker, which was…