A Magistrate Court in Owerri, the Imo State capital, has declined jurisdiction over a suit filed by the Imo State Police Command against Chinonso Uba, a radio broadcast journalist popularly known as Nonsokwa. Uba is facing a five-count charge, including conspiracy, treason, and arson. However, Magistrate Adikaibe ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, preventing the defendant from entering a plea. Following the ruling, the defense counsel, C.K. Mgbekonye, requested the court to grant Uba bail. However, the prosecuting attorney, N.S. Onwochie, opposed the application, citing Section 93 (1) of the Imo State Administration of Criminal Justice…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on journalists to maintain factual and impartial reporting throughout the electoral process to prevent misinformation and promote peaceful elections. Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), made this appeal during a media forum for reporters, producers, and on-air personalities organized by the Commission. Olumekun, who was represented by the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, emphasized the media’s crucial role in fostering democracy, stating that democratic elections are impossible without the media. According to Olumekun, the collection of Permanent Voter Cards…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has postponed its scheduled ward, local government, and state congresses. According to Newsmen, the congresses were initially slated for October 26, November 2, and November 9, 2024, respectively. In a statement released on Tuesday, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, confirmed the postponement. Morka noted that new dates for the congresses would be announced soon. “New dates for the congresses will be announced in due course,” he stated.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, will be stunned by the results of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State. Makinde, who leads the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West, also predicted the APC’s defeat in subsequent elections across the geopolitical zone. He described the ruling party as a “nemesis” to Nigerians, insisting that the PDP remains strong in Ondo State. “The PDP will defeat the APC. If wishes were horses, everyone would ride them. The people of the South West, especially…
Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has declared that key chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). Aiyedatiwa, who is the APC’s candidate for the election, asserted that the PDP’s influence in the state has waned, urging residents to vote decisively against the opposition party. “The PDP’s umbrella has been torn into shreds. I want you to use your votes to chase away other political parties,” the governor said during his campaign tour of Ese Odo Local Government Area on Wednesday. He emphasized that prominent members…
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has appealed to Nigerians to allow the party to move beyond its internal disputes. Ologbondiyan’s remarks, made on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, came in response to the ongoing rift between PDP’s former presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The former PDP National Publicity Secretary stressed that the party is bigger than individual factions and urged Atiku and Wike to reconcile for the collective good of the party. “The PDP is larger than two individuals. It is…
The Zamfara State Commissioner of Information and Culture, Mua’zu Haidara Kaura, has resigned from his position to participate in the upcoming local government elections. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara has commenced the sale of nomination forms for the polls scheduled for November 16, 2024. The Zamfara State Independent Electoral Commission (ZASIEC) announced that the sale of forms for chairmanship and councillorship positions would begin on October 25, 2024. PDP aspirants have already launched their campaigns across the state ahead of the elections. Meanwhile, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has yet to release an official…
Nigeria’s Coalition of Opposition Lawmakers has raised concerns over an alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a faction backing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to secure a court injunction halting the monthly statutory allocations to Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State. The coalition’s spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere, warned that any attempt to block the release of funds could destabilize governance and trigger a crisis in the state. Ugochinyere claimed that credible information from reliable sources revealed that the group, working with anti-democratic forces, has initiated a legal process at the Federal High…
The Abia State Government has pledged to contribute significantly to reversing the decline in Nigeria’s crude oil production Governor Alex Otti made the commitment on Tuesday at his residence in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, while receiving a delegation from the Defence Headquarters Joint Monitoring Team, led by Maj. Gen. J.A.L. Jimoh, on a working visit. Governor Otti expressed concern over the sharp decline in Nigeria’s crude oil production, revealing that it was one of the key topics during his recent discussions with the National Security Adviser. Citing production figures for June, July, and August, the governor noted…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on journalists to ensure accurate and impartial reporting of the electoral process, warning against the dangers of fake news. Speaking at a media forum organized by the Commission for reporters, producers, and on-air personalities, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Sam Olumekun, emphasized the critical role of the media in fostering democracy. Olumekun, who was represented by the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, stated that misinformation could incite unnecessary tension and violence. “The media is essential to democracy, and a democratic…
Amid the ongoing leadership tussle within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Bauchi State PDP Coalition Youth Stakeholders have expressed their unwavering support for the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum. The group criticized Damagum’s detractors, stating that many of them failed to secure victories in their polling units during the last elections. Speaking to journalists in Bauchi on Tuesday, the coalition’s leader, Sagir A. Sardauna, warned against any attempts to undermine the party’s acting chairman. “We will not tolerate any attacks or disrespect toward our National Chairman,” Sardauna declared. The group pledged to oppose any unconstitutional efforts to…
A Federal High Court sitting in Zamfara State has declined a request for an ex parte order by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), backed by the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, to hold the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting. The faction approached the court amid escalating internal disputes within the party, seeking permission to convene the NEC meeting. However, ruling on the matter, Justice Salim Ibrahim refused the request for the ex parte order. Earlier, InfoStride News reported that Governor Bala Mohammed and his faction had filed the suit to…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has postponed its ward, local government area (LGA), and state congresses initially scheduled for October 26, November 2, and November 9, 2024, respectively. The development was confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday by the APC Osun 6National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka. Morka assured that new dates for the congresses would be announced soon. “New dates for them 88congresses will be announced in due course,” he said. The postponement comes amid growing anticipation of the congresses, which are crucial to the party’s internal reorganization ahead of upcoming elections.
Suspected enforcers of a sit-at-home order killed two residents on Tuesday in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State. The assailants, dressed in black and wearing hoods, attacked around Old Express, off Sameck Junction, within Aba North Local Government Area. One of the victims was identified as a caretaker, while the identity of the second victim remains unknown. No group has taken responsibility for the attack, heightening fear among residents. According to The Nation, the gunmen went door-to-door within the compound. The caretaker, who came out to check on the visitors, was shot dead in front of his residence. Meanwhile,…
Armed bandits have killed a farmer and kidnapped his daughter along with two teenagers in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State. Sources revealed that the gunmen attacked John Ajaka on his farm, killing him and abducting his daughter, Owakoyi John, along with two other teenagers. The tragic incident occurred in Ogwule Ankpa Village, located in the Ogwule Ogbaulu Ward, while Ajaka was working on his farm. The Executive Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council, James Melvin Ejeh, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, describing it as “callous, despicable, and wicked.” Ejeh vowed that the perpetrators would be apprehended, noting that…
A canoe accident in Borong, a riverine community in Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, has left one person dead and two others missing. The mishap occurred on Tuesday, with details emerging on Wednesday morning. Umar Musa, a passenger on the canoe, recounted that the vessel struck a piece of wood in the river, triggering panic among those on board. “Some passengers jumped into the water, while others, like me, stayed in the canoe and were rescued,” Musa said. He confirmed that one of the three individuals who jumped into the river was later found dead, while the other…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Blessing Amaka David-Agwa, a fake fertility nurse, before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State. David-Agwa was arraigned on a 45-count charge bordering on fraudulent impersonation, forgery, and obtaining by false pretense, amounting to N28,278,600. The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Following her plea, EFCC counsel, Blessing N. Obasi, requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant at the Enugu State Correctional Facility. However, defense counsel, G. C. Madubuegwu, informed the court of a pending…
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the disappearance of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Yahaya Faruq. Faruq, who was serving in Ikuru Town, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, went missing under mysterious circumstances after reporting for a shift at his part-time job with LDM Chinese Mining Company in the area. The spokesperson for the state police command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident on Tuesday in Port Harcourt. “Yes, I am aware of it (Faruq’s disappearance). No fewer than four persons have been arrested and transferred to the State Criminal…
The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, reserved judgment in a suit filed by 19 state governments against the federal government, challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other institutions established through international conventions. A date for the ruling will be communicated to the parties. The states, in the suit marked SC/CV/178/2023, argued that the EFCC Establishment Act of 2004, which was based on a United Nations Convention against Corruption, violated Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The section mandates that international conventions must receive approval from a majority of state Houses of Assembly before…
The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concern over Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s handling of state affairs, describing his 10-month tenure as disappointing. In a statement issued on Monday by the PDP Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, the opposition lamented the deteriorating economic conditions in the state and criticized Aiyedatiwa’s failure to revitalize the local economy. “The emergence of Aiyedatiwa has proven unfortunate for the people of Ondo State. Economic activities are at their lowest ebb, with the governor showing no capacity to stimulate growth,” the statement read. The PDP also criticized the state government for approving…