Shamsudeen Dambazau, son of former Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, has been declared the winner of the Takai/Sumaila constituency of Kano State after a protracted legal tussle. Dambazau won his appeal against an earlier ruling of the Kano State Governorship and House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, which sacked him and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to issue a certificate of return to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Suraja Kanawa. Dambazau, however, appealed the ruling. The Appeal Court ordered INEC to reinstate Dambazau as the representative of the Takai/Sumaila constituency. The court held that Dambazau was…
Author: Emmanuel Anthony
The United Nations has reopened its building in Abuja, eight years after the property was destroyed in an attack by a Boko Haram suicide bomber. The Nigerian government undertook the rebuilding of the property and handed it over to UN officials on Thursday. On August 21, 2011, a car filled with explosives rammed into the building, setting off an explosion that killed 23 UN staff, including Nigerians, in the first suicide bomb attack in Nigeria. Witnesses said the car ran through various gates leading to the UN main building as armed guards opened fire to stop it. Days later, the…
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to remand former Chairman, Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, in the Nigerian Correctional Service’s centre pending the determination of the case. Justice Okon Abang who gave the order adjourned the matter till October 30 for the commencement of trial. Maina’s son, Faisal, is also being arraigned in the same court on a separate but similar charge. The anti-graft agency is arraigning the former pension task team chairman on a 12-count charge bordering on “money laundering, operating fictitious bank accounts and fraud.” The…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday called on the Federal Government not to release N7 billion Value Added Tax (VAT) refund to Bayelsa State Government. A statement by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena, in Abuja on Thursday, said that this would prevent vote-buying before and during November 16 governorship election in the state. He said that if the money was withheld, it would prevent the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led-government from diverting the money for the election of its governorship candidate. “Therefore, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, should delay approval…
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said that Nigeria is looking forward to embracing the new dawn of Africa-Russia partnership in general, and the revitalized Nigeria-Russia relations in particular. Buhari stated this at first plenary of the Russia-Africa Summit where more than 40 leaders are currently participating. The Russia-Africa Summit is co-chaired by President Vladimir Putin of Russia and African Union Chairman and President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Here is the full text of Buhari’s speech: I am delighted to participate in this first and historic Russia-Africa Summit. I thank our chief host, His Excellency Vladimir…
A son of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Adamu Atiku, and Adamawa State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abdullahi Adamu Prambe, are top on the list of commissioner nominees sent to the state House of Assembly by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri on Wednesday. Governor Fintiri submitted names of 23 nominees whom he requested the Assembly to consider for appointment as his commissioners. The State Assembly had on Tuesday approved the governor’s request for permission to appoint 40 special advisers. While Abdullahi Prembe was nominated from Song, Adamu Atiku [Atiku’s son] was nominated from Jada. Also nominated from Jada is…
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has declared former Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, wanted. Spokesperson of the commission, Mrs. Rasheedat Okoduwa, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. Okoduwa said the move followed Obono-Obla’s “repeated failure’’ to appear before the commission to answer questions bordering on allegations of fraud and corruption. Okoduwa itemized the allegations against him to include overstepping guidelines governing the panel by investigating unauthorized petitions. “Obono-Obla is facing series of allegations leveled against him by members of the public on his…
Grassroots politicians and kinsmen of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Robert Enogha and Chief Claudius Enegesi have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa State. Prior to his defection, Enogha was the Chairman, Bayelsa Environmental Sanitation Authority and former two-time member of the Bayelsa House of Assembly.Enogha, who was until his defection one of the restoration leaders in Ogbia, was also a former Commissioner for Environment. Enegesi, one of the political associates of Jonathan, was a Speaker in the old Rivers State when Ada George was…
Anxiety is mounting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, and other parts of the state over the condition of health of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who has been out of state for over a month.There are speculations by some that the Governor might be suffering from an undisclosed health condition, a situation which might be responsible for his several weeks’ absence from public sighting. It was rumoured that Akeredolu has gone for medical treatment outside the state, but his true state of health is yet to be ascertained. Issues bordering on Akeredolu’s health have continued to occupy centre stage in many…
Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has shocked the nation when he hinted that the least daily upkeep of a prisoner in America was higher than the proposed N30,000 minimum wage for the least Nigerian worker. Aregbesola made the startling revelation at a budget defence session of his Ministry with members of the Senate and House of Representatives joint Committee on Interior. He also pointed out that the least daily upkeep spent on a prisoner in America is N31,000 in Naira equivalent, which is also higher as compared to N730.00 budgeted for similar purpose in Nigeria. The minister, who bemoaned the…
At least seven persons, including five adults and two children, were on Saturday killed in a ghastly auto accident involving the advance team of Governor Godwin Obaseki on Benin-Auchi Expressway. Several other persons including one of the Governor’s drivers were also injured in the accident. Eyewitnesses said the accident occurred at Ehorin Uhunmwode Local Government Area, when a Toyota Hilux van on the Governor’s advance team had a head-on collision with a passenger Audi car. The advance team were said to be on their way to Ambrose Ali University, AAU, at Ekpoma for the convocation of the university. Three other…
The Federal Government has said it is in the process of investing a fresh $3 billion (N915bn) World Bank loan into the sector after spending N1.5trillion on the country’s power sector in the last two years. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this during an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings holding in Washington DC, United States.Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had in September said the federal government invested about N1.5 trillion in intervention fund in the Nigeria’s power sector in the last two years.Osinbajo said…
The immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir David Lawal, has spoken at length of how he accepted his appointment as the SGF, what he liked about the office, and how life has been for him after leaving the office.Lawal who spoke with newsmen in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, concluded that life has been good as he merely returned to the businesses, including farming, that made him comfortable even before he took up the job as SGF. He said, “I started my farm immediately after I got married. When I was getting married, people donated…
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has rubbished claims that he was concluding plans to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC), to pursue his second term bid at another party. Obaseki stated this on Thursday when he received members of the Godwin Obaseki Support Group (GOSG), who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House in Benin City, the state capital. The Governor said the APC is a party for the youths and the next generation, insisting that Edo State under him is focused on infrastructural and institutional reforms that would stand the test of time. Obaseki to acquire 100 new…
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the release of the sum of N10 billion Special Intervention Fund for immediate repairs and upgrade of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu State. Buhari made the disclosure during the meeting with a delegation of governors and leaders of the Southeast on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja and was contained in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Femi Adesina. The President said he was aware of the central nature of the airport, which was closed for repairs since August 24, to the socio-economic development of the Southeast. Buhari also said he was…
Chief Edward Onoja has resigned his position as Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, ahead of the November 6 governorship election in the state. Onoja is the running mate to the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer in the November 16 election. A letter by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade Arike, named former Director General (Protocol), Abdulkareem Jamiu as the new Chief of Staff to the governor. Jamiu is replaced by Dr. Gabriel Ottah as DG Protocol. Edward’s emergence as running mate to Governor Bello had been highly speculated and was confirmed…
Nigeria’s total public debt rose by N3.32trn in one year to N25.7trn as at the end of June 2019, the Debt Management Office has said. The Federal Government owed N20.42trn as of June 30, 2019, while the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory had a total debt portfolio of N5.28trn. The debt stock is made up of N8.32trn ($27.16bn) external debt and N17.38trn borrowed domestically, according to the DMO.The nation’s public debt, which stood at N22.38trn as of June 2018, increased to N24.39trn in December 2018 and N24.95trn in March 2019. The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria…
President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday said his administration’s efforts to curb insecurity in the country has resulted in Boko Haram terrorists being ‘substantially defeated’. “The nation is appreciative of the gallantry and sacrifices of officers and men of our Armed Forces in the campaign against insurgency and other internal security operations. This has led to the return of normalcy in affected parts of the nation,” Buhari said at the launch of the 2020 armed forces remembrance day emblem. “The Boko Haram terrorists have been substantially defeated and degraded to the extent that they are only daring soft targets.” The Nigerian president…
Nigeria Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan on Tuesday announced President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for approval of N10 billion for Kogi State. In the letter, Buhari said, the amount was expended on projects on behalf of the Federal government which he was seeking the refund through promissory notes and bonds. The letter also explained that 23 other states with authorised expenditures on behalf of the Federal government have been previously refunded, noting that Kogi State would be refunded on prompt approval of the Parliament. “I am seeking approval of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for N10 billion…
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Nanono, has come under fire for saying there is no hunger in the land in the face of escalating food scarcity and high cost of available foodstuff. The minister had said there is no hunger in Nigeria and the nation has enough food to feed itself. Nanono, who disclosed this while addressing journalists on the occasion of the World Food Day in Abuja, said he is always amused when he hears people complaining of hunger in Nigeria. “I think we are producing enough to feed ourselves. I think there is no hunger…
The Jos Division of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal has set aside the judgement of the Bauchi State National Assembly election petition tribunal and upheld the election of Umar Abdulkadir Sarki of People Redemption Party (PRP) as member representing Katagum Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives. It would be recalled that the National Assembly election petition tribunal sitting in Bauchi had on August 29 nullified the election of the member on ground that the election ought to have been declared inconclusive as there were cancellation of results in seven polling units wherein the number of total registered voters exceeded…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday said the alleged violent attack by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on its embattled National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, has further confirmed that the dysfunctional APC has finally been disintegrated. PDP said the fact that APC members openly took up arms against its leadership was a huge demonstration of their “eternal rejection of the APC and the President Muhammadu Buhari Presidency, particularly for the ruins they have caused our nation.” A statement by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, said “For APC members to publicly call their National Chairman a “thief”, as reported in…
The Rotimi Akeredolu-led All Progressives Congress-led government in Ondo State has denied the claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that it was funding the election of Yahaya Bello of Kogi State. The PDP had alleged that the APC in Ondo was planning to fund the re-election bid of Governor Bello. The ruling party described the allegation as a mischievous claim in a statement by its spokesman, Alex Kalejaiye. The statement said, “For the records, the state chapter plans to set up a committee that has a clear assignment: To boost the morale of our party members in Kogi State.…
Lagos State has recorded another building collapse, the second in 12 hours. Early Saturday, a house caved in at Orisha community in Magodo where four persons were feared dead. The latest collapse happened at Rademo Street, behind Recreation Centre, Ita Elewa, Ikorodu. Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said it was caused by the day’s torrential rain. He added that no life was lost. LASEMA, however, explained that the building which was constructed with mud bricks, had been distressed over time with visible cracks. General Manager, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, told newsmen that the state will ensure “full implementation of the…
The traditional ruler of Nawgu Kingdom in Anambra State, Nigeria, his Royal Highness Igwe George Okaa-Onwuogu met with the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis and presented him an African tusk. Igwe George Okaa-Onwuogu was pictured paying his respects to the Catholic Supreme Pontiff at the Vatican. During the meeting, Igwe Okaa-Onwuogu, clad in his traditional regalia and accompanied by his wife who was also dressed in traditional attire, is seen presenting an African tusk to Pope Francis. Igwe Okaa-Onwuogu was later admitted to the inner rooms of the Vatican City as the African Cultural Ambassador to meet with…
There appears to be fresh crisis in the fold of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Bayelsa State, following the suspension of the State Chairman, Hon. Jothan Amos, Secretary, Comrade Alabo Martins and 10 others over alleged fraudulent diversion of party funds and anti-party activities. It was gathered that the suspension which is coming barely one month to the November 16 governorship election in the state was carried out by factional members of the party loyal to the immediate past Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri. But on the other side, the factions loyal to the Minister of…
The Presidency has dismissed reports that President Muhammadu Buhari was getting married to a second wife. Reports had it that Buhari would yesterday marry the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster and Management, Sadiya Umar Farouq. This came following the continued absence of the current First Lady, Aisha, who has been out of the Presidential Villa since her trips to Saudi Arabia and UK. According to a source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Ms Farouk is a very close friend of Buhari and the Villa cabals love her. However, Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina,…
(CUPP), has raised a fresh alarm over alleged ongoing plot by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to alter and jettison the age-long tradition of selecting the 7 most senior Justices as members of the Presidential Election Petition Appeal. CUPP vowed to reject any move to handpick Justices to seat on Atiku Abubakar’s appeal in violation of the tradition of picking the most senior justices. The Coalition said it will not have confidence in a handpicked panel of Justices to hear Atiku’s appeal. In a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, CUPP National Publicity Secretary, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, said “As…
The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday threatened to issue a warrant of arrest on the former governor of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode and four others, who served under the ex-governor as commissioners. This decision followed two preliminary reports presented by two different ad-hoc committees set up by the House to investigate the 820 buses purchased by Ambode and to appraise the 2019 mid-year budget. The former commissioners involved included, Kazeem Adeniji (Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice), Olusegun Banjo (Commissioner for Budget), Akinyemi Ashade (Commissioner for Finance) and Wale Oluwo (Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources). Presenting the…
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ado-Ekiti has threatened that it will boycott the December 7 local government election in the state over alleged plot to rig. In a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday by Hon. Yinka Olomofe on behalf of Ado-Ekiti Council Stakeholders, the party directed its member to distance themselves from the election from a predetermined exercise. The party described the election as a shambolic exercise, alleging that information available revealed that Governor Kayode Fayemi had perfected plans to rig the exercise through political thugs. The opposition party alleged…
