The Chairman of the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KAD-SIECOM), Hajiya Hajara Mohammed, has assured that the commission has no intention of rigging the upcoming local council elections scheduled for October 19, 2024. Mohammed issued a stern warning to politicians to refrain from violence and hate speech throughout the election period, urging all parties to ensure peaceful conduct. Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement and sensitization meeting on Saturday, she called on political parties to support the election officials deployed to their constituencies to ensure a free, fair, and credible election process. “There is no plan to rig the election; that…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Over 5,000 delegates have gathered to elect 39 new executive members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano, marking a significant step toward resolving decades of internal disputes that have hindered the party’s leadership. The congress, held at the Sabon Gari Pillars Stadium on Saturday, was inaugurated by Halilu Abubakar Mazagari, chairman of the party’s national electoral panel. He emphasized the party’s commitment to a peaceful and transparent election, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other key stakeholders actively involved. Addressing concerns about internal party conflicts, Mazagari described the disputes as normal for a large political organization…
Activist and politician Aisha Yesufu has declared that she is not a registered member of the Labour Party (LP) or any other political party in Nigeria. Yesufu, who was a prominent member of the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign council, made the clarification during an appearance on Mic On, a podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye. The activist emphasized that her involvement in politics is not driven by personal gain or the pursuit of political appointments, as she has built her financial independence through entrepreneurship. “For me, I worked on my financial independence before I started speaking on the Nigerian issues,”…
The Imo State Police Command has thwarted an alleged attempt by suspected organ traffickers, arresting a 38-year-old man connected to the abduction of a 19-year-old girl in Owerri. Addressing journalists on the development, the command’s spokesperson, ASP Henry Okoye, disclosed in a press statement that the incident occurred on October 10, 2024, following intelligence reports about a suspected kidnapping and organ trafficking syndicate operating in the Douglass area of the state capital. According to Okoye, the swift intervention of police operatives on visibility patrol led to the arrest of Justine Emmanuel, a 38-year-old man from Amaimo in Ikeduru LGA of…
Suspected armed bandits on Saturday blocked the busy Gusau-Funtua highway, abducting an unspecified number of travellers in Tsafe Local Government Area, Zamfara State. The assailants reportedly blocked the road between Kucheri and Magazu communities, indiscriminately shooting at vehicles to halt their movement. The spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, ASP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the attack. He disclosed that joint rescue operations involving the police and other security agencies are underway to free the kidnapped victims. “The incident occurred this afternoon. The bandits blocked the road and opened fire on commuters, abducting some of them. The command, in collaboration with…
Faisal Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, the son of former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, has died following a car accident. A family source, speaking under anonymity, confirmed the tragic incident to Daily Trust, revealing that Faisal was involved in a fatal accident along the Kaduna-Zaria highway on Saturday evening. “The accident occurred along the Kaduna-Zaria highway. He was rushed to an undisclosed hospital, but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead upon arrival. His father was present at the hospital, and arrangements are already underway to convey his remains home for burial,” the source said. This marks the second major tragedy involving…
The Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Phrank Shaibu, and President Bola Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, engaged in a heated exchange on Sunday over the president’s recent travel from the United Kingdom to France. Shaibu criticized Tinubu’s frequent trips abroad, asserting that the Federal Government should not serve as a “travel agency” for the president. Tinubu’s recent two-week vacation to France has sparked controversy, with many accusing him of neglecting his responsibilities amid the country’s economic challenges. In defense of the president, Onanuga argued that Tinubu is entitled to enjoy his “private time” during his…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced its state congress in Kano, expressing determination to rebuild its strength and reclaim power in the 2027 general elections. Speaking at the congress on Saturday, the party’s Northwest Zonal National Vice Chairman, Senator Bello Hayyatu Gwarzo, expressed confidence that the PDP would achieve a strong comeback nationwide. “We are laying a solid foundation to revive the party both in Kano State and across the nation,” Gwarzo stated. “We want to ensure that all hands are on deck to guarantee victory in the upcoming elections, so we can deliver the dividends of democracy to…
Adeleke Adeyinka, the All Progressives Congress (APC) councillorship candidate for Abeokuta South Local Government, was shot dead on Saturday by unknown gunmen. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. in the Jide Jones area of Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Reports indicate that the assailants arrived in a tinted vehicle, after which one of them stepped out, shot Adeyinka at close range, and proceeded to smash his head until he died. A viral video seen by journalists shows the victim lying face up in a pool of blood. A source who requested anonymity said, “The killing happened around 2 p.m. It…
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Federal Criminal Investigative Department (FCID) at Force Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Abiodun Alabi, has urged journalists nationwide to avoid publishing sensational or unverified news that could aggravate the insecurity in some parts of the country. DIG Alabi, who also serves as the Coordinating DIG for the South West Geo-political Zone, made the call on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, while delivering a lecture during the 2024 annual Press Week organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti Council. Speaking on the topic “The Role of Media in…
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has approved the payment of a N73,000 minimum wage for state workers, surpassing the federal government’s N70,000 benchmark. Aiyedatiwa made the announcement on Saturday during the flag-off of the Ondo Central Senatorial District campaign for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the upcoming off-cycle governorship election. The event took place in Ondo City, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area. Highlighting his administration’s commitment to the welfare of the people, Aiyedatiwa said the decision to pay N73,000 reflects a dedication to improving workers’ well-being. “We are committed to the welfare of our…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and its 2019 Bayelsa governorship candidate, David Lyon, over alleged anti-party activities. In addition to Lokpobiri and Lyon, several other party members were also suspended, including Commissioner for Power Kharim Kumoko, Commissioner for Lands and Survey Peres Biewari, former APC state chairman Jothan Amos, NEC ex-officio member Godbless Diriwari, and APC Youth Leader in Southern Ijaw, Sabi Morgan. The suspensions were announced following a disciplinary review by the party’s leadership in Bayelsa State. Speaking in Yenagoa, Mitin Eniekenemi Senator, the APC Chairman for…
Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has called on the suspended acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, to switch allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Melaye accused Damagum of undermining the PDP and described him as an “agent of destruction.” “APC agent of destruction, enough is enough, Damagum. Go and join APC in peace. Bye-bye, Damagum, the harm you’ve done is enough,” Melaye wrote. Damagum, along with PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, was suspended by a faction of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC)…
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has refuted claims of internal divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Mohammed, who also serves as the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, insisted that there is no faction within the party. The governor made the remarks following a visit by the party’s embattled acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, alongside other PDP leaders from the North East, to the Government House in Bauchi on Friday. The visit came amid speculation surrounding Damagum’s alleged suspension. Reports earlier indicated that Damagum, along with PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, had been suspended by a faction of the…
A man identified as Musa Abdulai, suspected to be a supplier of food to bandits in Ekiti State, has been arrested by operatives of the Amotekun Corps. According to a press release obtained by Newsmen from the Head of Communications of the Ekiti State Amotekun Corps, Officer Adeleye Abiodun, the 35-year-old suspect, an indigene of Sokoto State residing in Shasha, Akure, Ondo State, was arrested on Monday, October 7, 2024, at about 6:30 p.m. Adeleye explained that Abdulai was apprehended by Amotekun operatives from the Ise-Ekiti Local Government Command during a patrol at the Oritan Forest Reserve, located between Ise…
The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested 22 suspects for alleged involvement in criminal conspiracy, theft, mischief, and receiving stolen property. The State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Musa, disclosed the arrests while briefing journalists in Sokoto on Thursday, reaffirming the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the state. Musa revealed that two suspects were apprehended following a complaint from the manager of SAMAG Engineering Company regarding the theft of aluminum conductor wires intended for the Sokoto East electrification reconstruction project in Goronyo Local Government Area. “Officers promptly responded to the report, and during the investigation, the stolen wires…
Police operatives in Ondo State have arrested a 34-year-old man, Monday Chukwu, for allegedly stabbing his friend, Kefa Ofando, 30, to death during an argument over a N2,000 debt. The incident occurred at Akintola village in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, where Chukwu reportedly attacked Ofando with a pair of scissors. Ofando succumbed to his injuries while being rushed to the hospital, having lost a significant amount of blood due to excessive bleeding. The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Oladipo Abayomi, confirmed the incident, explaining that the disagreement escalated, leading to the tragic death. “Operatives of the…
Independent observers have attributed the violence and arson following the recently concluded local government election in Rivers State to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s alleged refusal to obey a court ruling. The controversial election, held on Saturday, took place despite a court injunction restraining law enforcement agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from participating in the process. Some stakeholders in the state, particularly allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had opposed the election, insisting on compliance with the court’s directive. However, the election was conducted amidst violent clashes, resulting in the deaths of some residents,…
Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated the National Road Safety Advisory Council (NaRSAC) with a mandate for members to align with global best practices in reducing traffic crashes across Nigeria. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Shettima emphasized the critical importance of road safety, stating, “Road safety is not merely a matter of policy but a critical part of the lifeline that connects the people of this nation.” He urged the council to set National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) targets and ensure effective coordination among federal, state, and local governments to achieve…
The Borno State Police Command has re-arrested Kyari Kur, a convict who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Maiduguri following a flood-induced collapse of part of the facility’s perimeter fence in September. Kur, also known as Henry, was apprehended on Thursday after officers at the Gubio Divisional Headquarters acted on credible intelligence regarding his movements. In a statement on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed the arrest and noted that the police swiftly apprehended Kur in Gubio town. “The Police Command in Borno State, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Mohammed Lawal-Yusufu, confirms…