Author: Ifeanyi N.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the results of the Saturday gubernatorial election in Ondo State and announced plans to challenge the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the APC as the winner of the election on Sunday, with Aiyedatiwa securing 366,781 votes, defeating his PDP counterpart, Ajayi Agboola, who garnered 117,845 votes. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ayo Fadaka, the special adviser to Agboola, said the PDP uncovered “numerous actions aimed at compromising the electoral will of the people.” The party accused INEC of…

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has reaffirmed its allegations of lopsided appointments against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, stating that these claims are based on feedback from stakeholders within the North-Central zone. Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, Chairman of the North-Central APC Forum, made the clarification on Tuesday in response to a statement issued by Terrence Kuanum, the SGF’s spokesperson, who described the Forum’s accusations as false and misleading. In a statement released after a meeting in Abuja on Sunday, the Forum accused Akume of favoring the Tiv people of Benue State in…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to reduce the number of telecom tariff plans in the country to enhance consumer satisfaction and ensure transparency. The move will limit each mobile network operator (MNO) to seven tariff plans for data services, bundled with voice, SMS, and promotional offers, cutting down on the complexity of the current system. This development follows complaints about confusion arising from the nearly 400 tariff plans currently available to subscribers. A document obtained by The Guardian revealed that there are 369 tariff plans for voice and data services offered by major operators, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom,…

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has presented a budget estimate of N607 billion for the 2025 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly. The budget, titled “Changing Gears 2.0” reflects the administration’s focus on infrastructure, economic transformation, and human capital development, with a strong emphasis on execution. While presenting the budget, Soludo highlighted his administration’s determination to prioritize governance over politics, referencing the forthcoming governorship election scheduled for November 2025. “It is evident that there is no stopping our consistent acceleration in a steadfast execution mode. For sure, 2025 is a governorship election year in Anambra State. While…

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, have rejected the outcome of the recently concluded gubernatorial election in Ondo State. The party alleged widespread irregularities, including thuggery and vote-buying, claiming the election was a “slap on democracy.” Speaking at a press conference in Akure on Monday, SDP Chairman in Ondo State, Gbenga Akinbuli, called for the immediate cancellation of the election. Akinbuli accused political thugs of intimidating and harassing voters at Ward 10, Unit 19 in Ondo West Local Government Area. He also alleged that voters were offered between N7,000 and N10,000 to cast their…

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party (LP) has released the schedule for its upcoming congresses at the ward, local government, and state levels. In a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiorah Ifoh, the NEC disclosed that ward congresses will hold from February to March 2025, local government congresses from April to May 2025, and state congresses from June to July 2025. The NEC also directed states that have met the necessary registration requirements to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within the stipulated timeframe. Key Committees Established The NEC approved the formation of several…

The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Ayo Olorunfemi, and his African Democratic Congress (ADC) counterpart, Myson Aderemi Nejo, have extended their congratulations to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa following his victory in the Ondo State governorship election held over the weekend. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the poll on Sunday. In separate statements issued on Monday, both candidates described Aiyedatiwa’s victory as a true reflection of the will of the people. Olorunfemi, in his statement, commended the governor and expressed optimism for the state’s future under his leadership. “Please accept…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has confirmed the detention of its party leader, Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu by the Department of State Services (DSS) on charges yet to be disclosed. In a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Arc. Kayode Adebayo, members and supporters were urged to remain calm and assured that efforts are underway to secure the release of the detained leader. “Our principal has called for calm and directed all members of the party, supporters, and well-wishers to remain steadfast. This, he said, is one of the prices for our democracy, and this time shall…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent remarks on Nigeria’s leadership and governance, delivered at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, have sparked sharp criticism. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, described Obasanjo’s critiques as hypocritical, citing numerous failures and controversies during his own time in office. Obasanjo, known for his frequent criticism of subsequent administrations, labelled Nigeria a failing state while targeting former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu, whom he referred to as “Baba Go Slow” and “Emilokan,” respectively. Onanuga questioned Obasanjo’s moral authority to critique governance, citing instances of alleged…

The Edo State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of the Supreme Eiye Confraternity in possession of arms and ammunition. The suspects, identified as Osamudiamen James, 44, and Omokaro Joseph, 44, were apprehended by operatives of the Raiders Squad, according to the state’s Commissioner of Police, Umoru Ozigi, who disclosed the development to journalists in Benin City. Ozigi stated that James was initially arrested at Iyekemuose Street, Benin City. During interrogation, he confessed to being a member of the Supreme Eiye Confraternity and led police operatives to their armoury. “One Omokaro Joseph, also known as Joe Best, who is…

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has raised concerns about the growing trend of polygamy in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state, where individuals take multiple wives despite lacking the means to provide for their families. In a viral video shared on social media by TikTok user Kawu Garba, Zulum criticized politicians at both state and national levels for avoiding the issue out of fear of losing votes during elections. “The question is, which Islamic teacher has spoken out against this? Which member has kicked against this situation?” Zulum queried in the video. He added, “All they [politicians] say…

Former Senator Shehu Sani has expressed disapproval of the global practice of designating individuals as the “richest man” in the world or on the continent, arguing that such titles are misleading and unfounded. Sani contended that no individual possesses the capacity to sustain or feed an entire nation, let alone the world, and therefore should not be regarded as the richest person globally. In a post on his verified Facebook page, he wrote: “There is no such title as the world’s richest man or Africa’s richest man. A rich man is just a rich man for himself and his family.…

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is under a spiritual spell that hinders its political success. In a statement issued on Sunday by his Media Aide, Oluwatosin Osho, Primate Ayodele asserted that the spell is affecting the PDP’s ability to secure victory at the federal level and has created instability within the party. He urged the party to undergo spiritual cleansing to address the issue. “There is a spell on PDP. The party needs to undergo cleansing and look for a real candidate at the central, otherwise, the…

The Zamfara State Independent Electoral Commission (ZASIEC) has announced the results of the local government elections in Kaura Namoda and Birinin Magaji Local Government Areas, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerging victorious in both councils. In Kaura Namoda LGA, former Commissioner of Information, Mannie Mua’zu Haidara of the PDP, secured over 71,000 votes to win the election. The result was declared by the Returning Officer, Associate Professor Yusuf Kaura, who described the election as free, fair, and widely accepted by the participating political parties across the 11 wards. The All Progressives Congress (APC), which boycotted the election, garnered 813…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in the state of mismanaging public funds by prioritizing frivolous projects over critical needs. In a statement issued on Saturday by PDP chieftain, Mr. Nwoba Chika Nwoba, the party expressed dismay at the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru, alleging that billions of naira have been spent on less impactful initiatives, including the recent hosting of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The statement highlighted the party’s concerns about the state’s economic priorities amidst widespread poverty and delayed payments of salaries, particularly to teachers, whose…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has congratulated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on his victory in the November 16, 2024, governorship election. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, released in Benin City on Sunday, Okpebholo praised the people of Ondo State for re-electing the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate. He expressed confidence in Aiyedatiwa’s ability to bring prosperity and development to the state. “I celebrate my friend and brother, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, for emerging victorious in last Saturday’s governorship election. His victory is a good omen, and I am certain that we…

The Labour Party (LP) has suspended Senator Kevin Chukwu, who represents the Enugu East Senatorial Zone, over allegations of anti-party activities and insubordination. The suspension was announced by the party’s Amurri Ward executives in a letter addressed to the state chairman of the Labour Party through the local government chairman. In the letter, which was made available to journalists on Sunday, the ward executives detailed the reasons for the senator’s suspension. The letter, signed by Comrade Chika Okoh on behalf of the Executive Council of the Labour Party, Amurri Ward, reads in part: > “We, the members of the Executive…

Gunmen have reportedly abducted an officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and his orderly in Delta State. The incident occurred near the agency’s head office around 8:00 p.m. as the officers were heading home after work. According to sources, the heavily armed kidnappers ambushed the victims on the Isah-Ogwashi-Uku Road in Aniocha South Local Government Area. Sources suggest that the perpetrators may have been tipped off about the officers’ routine, enabling them to carry out the attack with precision. When contacted, the spokesperson for the NDLEA Delta State Command, Mr. John Kennedy, declined to comment on the…

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has revealed that 3,767 individuals lost their lives in 7,011 road traffic crashes (RTC) across Nigeria between January and September 2024. The disclosure was made by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, during the launch of the 2024 Road Traffic Crash Victims Remembrance Week at St. John’s Evangelist Cathedral Church, Bauchi, on Sunday. Mohammed, represented by the Bauchi State Sector Commander, Istifanus Ibrahim, also noted that 22,373 people sustained various degrees of injuries during the same period. Mohammed attributed the significant impact of road traffic crashes to Nigeria’s large population, stating, “As the most populous…

The Niger State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointment of Mallam Farouq Umar Isah as its substantive Clerk, following approval by Governor Mohammed Umar Bago. The Chairman of the House of Assembly Service Commission, Abdullahi Mohammed Dzwafu, officially presented the appointment letter to the new Clerk during a ceremony. Congratulating Isah, Dzwafu expressed optimism about his tenure. “The Commission and the Assembly are looking forward to working with you and hope you will bring your wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of your new responsibilities,” he said. Special Adviser to the Governor on Assembly Matters, Mohammed Bello…