The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has chosen to remain silent on the internal crisis affecting the party in Kano State. Speaking on Tuesday at his Miller Road residence in Kano, Kwankwaso told reporters that he had no intention of commenting on the situation. “I don’t want to talk, please. Don’t drag me into what I am not supposed to be dragged into. The chairman of the party has spoken and has been speaking. Reach out to him,” Kwankwaso said. The NNPP has recently been rocked…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has renewed its call for the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State ahead of the November 16 governorship election. Speaking at the campaign flag-off on Tuesday in Akure, the state capital, the PDP accused the REC of having personal ties to the state, raising concerns about potential bias in overseeing the election. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who leads the party in the southwest, urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace the REC, Babalola, to ensure a fair electoral process. Makinde also cautioned voters against…
Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, on Tuesday reaffirmed the party’s unity despite recent leadership changes, during a governorship rally in Ondo State. Addressing party faithful, Governor Adeleke, who chairs the Ondo State Governorship Campaign Council, emphasized that the PDP remains a united family. He disclosed that party leaders have met to ensure unity and respect for the PDP’s constitution, urging members to turn out en masse for the party’s candidate, Agboola Ajayi, in the upcoming election. The affirmation was contained in a statement issued by Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in Osogbo…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned individuals without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to stay away from polling centres during the November 16, 2024, governorship election in Ondo State. Prof. Kunle Ajayi, INEC’s National Commissioner overseeing Ondo, Ogun, and Osun States, issued the warning on Tuesday in Akure during the presentation of soft copies of the voter register to political parties. Ajayi reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible, and inclusive election, disclosing that 2,053,006 eligible voters have been registered for the exercise. “The Commission will commence the distribution of newly printed PVCs and uncollected cards…
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for raiding Urban 94.5FM in Enugu State, disrupting a live broadcast, and arresting a broadcaster, Favour Ekoh. Reports indicate that the EFCC operatives stormed the radio station on Monday evening, allegedly forcing staff members to sit on the floor while tampering with broadcasting equipment during the operation. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Chairman of NUJ Enugu Council, Comrade Sam Udekwe, condemned the EFCC’s actions, describing them as “unprofessional” and reminiscent of military-era tactics. “It is only during military takeovers that we witness such…
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has explained his decision not to touch the local government subvention since assuming office 17 months ago. Speaking during a meeting with candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the upcoming local government council elections, Otu said the funds were reserved for a legacy project intended to benefit the people. “The local government allocations have remained untouched because I believe the state requires substantial funds to invest in a legacy project that holds immense benefits for the people,” Otu stated. The governor revealed that the primary project is the state’s aviation…
The Zamfara State Independent Electoral Commission (ZASIEC) has set November 16, 2024, for the conduct of local government elections to elect Chairmen and Councillors across the state. Speaking at a press briefing held at the Commission’s Secretariat in Gusau, the state capital, the Executive Chairman of ZASIEC, Bala Aliyu Gusau, announced that the sale of nomination forms will commence from October 25 to November 1, 2024. He explained that the forms will be available to aspirants from all interested political parties in the state. “The purpose of this briefing is to officially announce the election date and the sale of…
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Nigeria Police of collecting N64 million for the release of its members detained before the September 21, 2024, governorship election. The party’s state chairman, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, made the allegation during a press conference on Monday in Benin City. “You will recall that the police were arresting our members on the false allegation of killing Inspector Akor,” Aziegbemi said. “The police shamelessly released our members after collecting about N64 million, ostensibly for bail. Astonishingly, more arrests have been made after the election. How low can the police…
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has approved a new minimum wage of N77,000 for the lowest-paid workers in the state, with immediate effect from October 2024. The announcement followed a meeting between the state government, led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tokunbo Talabi, and the leadership of organized labour in Ogun State, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), to discuss the wage implementation. Speaking on the governor’s directive, Talabi stated that Governor Abiodun has mandated that no worker in the state should earn below N77,000. He emphasized…
Ahead of the Ondo State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) will commence on Thursday across all 203 wards in the state. The Commission emphasized that backlog PVCs from previous registrations will also be available for collection at designated centres. INEC urged eligible voters to collect their cards in person during the approved dates, reaffirming that no cards would be issued by proxy. In a statement issued on Monday, Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said that details of the…
No fewer than 1,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State have defected to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The mass defection occurred in Tofa and Ghari Local Government Areas as the defectors aligned with the Kwankwasiyya Movement, led by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The new members were formally welcomed by the NNPP state chairman, Dr. Hashimu Suleiman Dungurawa, during a ceremony held at both locations. The event also served as the official flag-off of the party’s chairmanship campaign ahead of the upcoming local government elections. The NNPP candidates for the elections, Yakubu Ibrahim Adis (Tofa)…
A faction of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has disowned Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as the party leader, declaring his influence a threat to the party’s progress and existence. Leading the anti-Kwankwasiya campaign at the NNPP secretariat in Minna, Niger State, the factional National Chairman, Dr. Gilbert Agbo, asserted that Kwankwaso’s suspension by the National Working Committee (NWC) during a meeting in Lagos effectively ended his membership and leadership stake in the party. Dr. Agbo also supervised the symbolic burning of the Kwankwasiya group’s iconic red caps at the state secretariat, stating that the action was a clear message…
The National Think Tank Committee (NTTC) of the Action Alliance (AA) has approved an update of the party’s membership register nationwide as part of efforts to reposition the party for improved electoral success in the 2027 general elections. The party’s National Secretary, Vernimbe James, disclosed this in a statement, noting that the exercise precedes the party’s Local Government Ward, State Congresses, and National Convention. According to James, “The exercise is in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and the Action Alliance 2005 Constitution (as amended).” The membership update is scheduled to run from October 18,…
The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the persistent killings, kidnappings, and violent crimes across Nigeria. In a post via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi condemned the tragic ambush that claimed the lives of several Supersports TV crew members and a police officer along the Ihiala-Orlu Road in Anambra State. The attack occurred as the victims were traveling to cover the Super Eagles’ 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya. Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, lamented the worsening security situation, stating that non-state…
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has condemned the police assault on Okonkwo Onyemaobi Kenneth, the Young Progressive Party (YPP) councillorship candidate for Otolo Ward 1 in Nnewi North Local Government Area, during the recent Anambra State local government elections. In a statement issued by Chinyere Kalu, IPAC’s National Publicity Secretary, the council described the attack as “outrageous, barbaric, and despicable.” IPAC expressed outrage that police officers used tear gas to subdue Kenneth, who lives with a disability and was only at the polling unit to exercise his right to vote. “Instead of receiving protection, he was assaulted and dehumanized in…
A former presidential spokesman, Doyin Okupe, has raised concerns that the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State could severely undermine the nation’s democracy if left unresolved. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, Okupe warned that the conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, poses a serious threat to national stability. Okupe described the rift and the resulting turmoil in the state as unfortunate, comparing it to the historic feud between late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Samuel Akintola, the then Premier of…
Ahead of the October 19 local government elections, several members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State. The defectors were officially welcomed by the APC on Sunday in Yagba West Local Government Area. Speaking during the reception, Kogi State Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Engr. Joseph Oluwasegun, highlighted the achievements of the APC in the state, asserting that the party deserves to win the upcoming council elections. Oluwasegun dismissed the relevance of opposition parties in the state, predicting an easy victory for the APC. “APC is Kogi,…
With just 30 days left in his tenure, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has requested the governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to constitute a transition team to facilitate a seamless handover. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Joseph Eboigbe, conveyed this in a statement on Sunday in Benin City. Eboigbe explained that the incoming administration’s transition team would interface with the outgoing government to ensure continuity. Governor Obaseki will conclude his two-term, eight-year tenure on November 12, 2024. He will hand over to Senator Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, who emerged victorious in the September 21, 2024, governorship…
Flood victims in Adankolo, located in Lokoja LGA of Kogi State, have appealed for immediate intervention from the government and international organizations to mitigate the impact of severe flooding in the area. The disaster has destroyed several homes, public buildings, and farm produce, plunging residents into extreme poverty. Many affected residents expressed their willingness to relocate but lack the resources to do so. During a visit to Adankolo New Layout on Sunday, some victims reiterated the need for resettlement support from the government. They lamented that flooding has become an annual occurrence, wreaking havoc on the community. Madam Patricia Ameh,…
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse the latest petrol price increase, pending the outcome of a lawsuit before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The suit challenges the legality of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) authority to raise petrol prices. The recent price adjustment has pushed the price of petrol at NNPCL outlets in Lagos to N998 per litre, up from N855, while Abuja stations now sell at N1,030, up from N897. In some areas of Lagos, other stations sell the product for as high as N1,050 per…