Chairman of the National Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party in the just concluded Edo governorship election, and Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has warned that he may be forced to get involved directly in the Ondo State governorship election should the ruling All Progressives Congress drag him into their politics. Wike issued the warning while reacting to comments by his Ondo State counterpart, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu who accused him of being the godfather of Rivers politics. Governor Akeredolu, had in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Ondo State, Donald Ojogo, said the people…
Author: Emmanuel Anthony
Leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Saturday disclosed how Biafra, Oduduwa and Kwararafa Republics can be actualised. Kanu said these republics can be achieved through synergy and sincerity of purpose. A statement by the IPOB leader said he looks forward to the return of Karnem-Bornu Republic for Kanuri. He further called on Nigerians to join the IPOB’s October 1 sit-at-home. According to Kanu, “With synergy and sincerity of purpose, Biafra, Oduduwa, Kwararafa (Middle Belt) republics will become a reality in no distant time. “Even the highly venerated Habe Monarchies of Hausa Kingdom will be…
The Nigerian government on Saturday appealed to organized labour to suspend its planned nationwide strike over the increase in petrol price and electricity tariff. Recall the government and the organised labour, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), failed to reach an agreement on Thursday over the increase in petrol price and electricity tariffs in the country. Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on Saturday said the timing of the increase in the petroleum and power sectors was a necessary coincidence and not a plan by the government to increase the current economic realities of Nigerians. Addressing…
Mali’s former Defence Minister, Ba N’Daou, has been sworn in as President of the transition government while Colonel Assimi Goita was sworn in as Vice President. Goita heads the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on August 18. The emergence of N’Daou and Goita was announced earlier this week. They will lead Mali until the election of a new administration. Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, was in attendance. “Today, we witnessed the swearing-in of His Excellency Mr. Ba N’Daou and Colonel Assimi Goita as President and Vice President of Mali’s Transition…
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has described the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari government to build railways from Kano to Niger Republic with borrowed Chinese money as fraudulent and against Nigeria’s security interests. HURIWA also threatened to sue President Muhammadu Buhari in order to stop the multi-billion naira project. A Statement by HURIWA on Thursday, signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, strongly condemned the approval of about $1.96 billion contracts of the proposed project. The human rights group described the planned project as a misplaced priority and a grave threat to national security, insisting that it is…
Candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the just concluded governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has debunked claims that he is under pressure from the APC leaders to accept defeat. Ize-Iyamu, in a statement signed by his Director of Communication and Media, John Mayaki, called on media houses to disregard such speculations. Ize-Iyamu said he was shocked after seeing reports alleging he begged Governor Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party to return to APC after the election. The APC chieftain said that while he was yet to respond to the first report, another one emerged.…
President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the inclusion of the Chairman, United Bank for Africa, Tony Elumelu among Time 100 Most Influential People of 2020. In a statement signed by Femi Adesina, his Spokesman, the President commended Elumelu’s vision of Africapitalism. According to Buhari, Elumelu’s vision espouses that Africa’s private sector must play a leading role in the continent’s development through long-term investments, entrepreneurship, and regional connectivity. Buhari said that it was just a matter of time before such caught global attention. Buhari, in the statement, said that “Elumelu’s commitment to the development of African youths, whom he has given…
The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday accused the Police as well as top officers of other security agencies of allegedly aiding Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and the All Progressives Congress over the pockets of violence recorded in some parts of the state during campaign rallies. According to the PDP in a letter addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari where it appealed to the President to help put a stop to the violence, the party said the ploy was to intimidate voters ahead of the October 10 governorship poll. In the open letter addressed to…
The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed reports that he’s on the watch list of the United States, US. Atiku described the report as a recycled and regurgitated lie aimed at diverting attention from the US recent Visa ban threat. The former Vice President insisted that he has never been charged to court by the US Justice Department. Speaking through his spokesman, Paul Ibe, the former VP said the report which resurfaced barely 24 hours after the just concluded governorship election in Edo State was a cause for concern. A statement signed by Ibe…
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday said he holds no grudge against suspended APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. Obaseki said this while receiving his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Edo Governor asked Oshiomhole to join him in building Edo State, adding that the fight is not over. “On a specific note, I want to use this occasion to remind the former National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole that the fight is not over, to come and join in building the house where he was part of laying the foundation. “We have no malice;…
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Monday distanced himself from reactions attributed to him on the just concluded governorship election in Edo State. A statement attributed to Tinubu had surfaced on social media which quoted him as saying APC’s defeat was an indication that members of the party are not gods. He was, however, quoted as saying the extent the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), went in ensuring their victory was an indication that APC was closed to being gods. However, Tinubu dismissed the statement, stressing that such was not from him. Tinubu’s spokesman Tunde Rahman…
The National Coordinator, Concerned Advocates for Good Governance (CAGG), Olusegun Bamgbose, has advised members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to limit their celebration of the outcome of the governorship election in Edo State because Governor Godwin Obaseki may soon return to the All Progressives Congress, APC. Governor Obaseki left the APC for the PDP a few months to the governorship election after he was disqualified by the ruling party. Obaseki was, however, declared elected for a second tenure in office by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on Sunday after he defeated candidate of the APC, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu…
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has said that most previous Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot walk freely on the streets without being stoned. Oshiomhole said this in an interview with newsmen while recounting how he walks freely on the streets of Benin, capital of Edo state. He dared PDP Governors to do same. “If you play back PDP mega rally, their flagoff and see the reaction on when their new member entered. People are like – hired as they were, who is this? “Now look at when I entered the University of…
Key members of the Ebeano political dynasty in Enugu State on Saturday declared that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi will be the key decider of his successor in 2023. Among those who made the assertion are a former governor of the State and Senator representing Enugu East district, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, among others. They spoke when the members of the Ebeano political family visited Governor Ugwuanyi at the Government House. Nnamani, who professed his total loyalty for Ugwuanyi said they would support whoever he picked as a successor from any…
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has raised an alarm of children being recruited into the Boko Haram terrorist group. Speaking while receiving a committee of members of the House of Representatives at his office in Maiduguri, Zulum said the recruitment of kids into the terrorist group was due to the high rate of unemployment in the state. He also revealed that there are more than 700,000 Internally Displaced Persons in Monguno and another 400,000 in Gamboru Ngala without access to their farmlands. “The only solution we have now is to ensure the safe return of our people to their…
… Let me lose if my election will cost the blood of anybody – Obaseki Edo State Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu, has spoken on his alleged arrest by security agents. Shaibu said it is untrue that he was caught with illegal arms. His spokesman, Benjamin Atu, said this in a statement on Friday. He accused the former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, of plotting to use federal might to intimidate him and Governor Godwin Obaseki. Atu noted: “The Deputy Governor has not been arrested but we are aware of an ongoing plan to arrest him…
The Police Service Commission has warned police personnel deployed to Edo State for Saturday’s governorship poll to eschew acts of misconduct during the exercise. The Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. Ani warned the operatives on electoral duty in the state to operate within the ambits of the law and rules of engagement. He said the commission had deployed a special team to monitor the conduct of police personnel during the exercise. He said that infractions by any officer against the rules guiding election policing…
Stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State on Thursday gathered in Ibadan, the state capital to settle all the crises in the party, with a view to reclaiming the state. The APC stakeholders who urged their supporters and other members of the party to see themselves as one, insisted that the need to come together is necessary to unseat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government. The APC had lost the 2019 gubernatorial election to Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party, but has recently announced plans to unseat Makinde in 2023. At the meeting were…
The Edo State government has launched a sex offender register to name and shame rapists. The register also targets culprits of other forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, had decried the increase in SGBV. She vowed that perpetrators will be made to answer for their crimes. “Would-be employers, especially those working with vulnerable citizens, such as children, young adults, and persons with disabilities, are encouraged to carry out background checks for would-be applicants. “The Edo sexual offender database is fully connected with the National sexual offender database which was launched by the UN…
Days to the governorship election, tension is currently brewing in Ondo State following the attack on the convoy of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu by political thugs. According to sources, the campaign train of Governor Akeredolu who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress was on transit through Oba-Akoko to Ikare-Akoko in Akoko North-East Local Government of the state when the incident happened. While the APC alleged that the thugs were loyalists of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Eyitayo Jegede, the PDP has said it was APC supporters who were in the convoy of Akeredolu that attacked the campaign…
The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2019 Kogi State Governorship election, Natasha Akpoti, has lauded the United States of America for slamming visa ban on those who allegedly rigged Kogi and Bayelsa elections. The United States had on Monday said it has imposed visa restriction on some individuals it considered responsible for rigging during the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections in Nigeria. Reacting to the decision by the American Government, Akpoti said, “I applaud the decision of the US Government to impose visa ban on those who rigged Kogi election. It is a welcome development. “I…
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday attended an Extraordinary Summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the crisis situation in Mali. Osinbajo represented President Buhari at the summit in Accra, Ghana. A statement issued by Osinbajo’s Spokesman, Laolu Akande, said the Accra meeting forms part of several efforts by leaders in the sub-region to resolve Mali’s political crisis. The Vice president also met with representatives of the Nigerian community in Ghana to discuss issues bothering on their wellbeing in the West African country.
The Oyo State Government has announced the beginning of the 2020/2021 academic session for primary and secondary schools. Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, made the announcement in a statement on Monday. The first term of the new academic calendar will run between September 21 and December 18, 2020. The second term is expected to run from January 11 to April 9, 2021. Also, the third term will run between May 3 and July 30, 2021. Olaleye enjoined all stakeholders and members of the public to take note of the details of the academic calendar.
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has disclosed why he fell out with Adams Oshiomhole, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress. Obaseki explained that Oshiomhole’s ulterior motive was responsible for the IAS between them. The governor disclosed this while recounting how he helped Oshiomhole develop plans when he was governor of the State. Oshiomhole, a former National President of Nigerian Labour Congress, APC, was governor of Edo State from 2008 to 2016. Following the expiration of his second term, Obaseki succeeded him. But, their relationship soon turned sour and Obaseki had to defect from APC to the Peoples…
Labour Party (LP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to use the Edo governorship poll as a template for his administration’s electoral reform agenda. Julius Abure, LP National Secretary, gave the advice at a press briefing in Benin on Saturday. He told Buhari to ensure that the election was free, fair and credible. “There can never be democracy if electoral processes are not free, fair and credible. The president will not lose anything if the governorship election is credible. “We urged him to use this Edo governorship election as a basis for his government’s electoral reform agenda”, he said. The…
The most wanted criminal in Rivers State, Honest Digbara, aka Bobisky, yesterday died hours after his arrest. Bobisky died following multiple gunshot injuries and machete wounds, which he sustained during the crossfire that led to his arrest on Saturday. The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Joseph Mukan, had revealed that Bobisky and his gang on sighting the Police engaged them and in a return fire, his driver was fatally wounded, while he was arrested alive. Governor Nyesom Wike had placed a N30 million bounty on Bobisky’s head. He was a terror to many residents in the Ogoni area of…
Suspected Fulani mercenaries have killed a 60-year-old widow, a mother of 6 children and a 56-year-old man in Manyi-Mashin village, Zamandabo ward, in Atyap Chiefdom, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The alleged fatal attack on the community took place on Friday, September 11, 2020. This is contained in a statement issued by the National Publicity Officer, Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Luka Binniyat. Binniyat said the suspected Fulani militias burnt down almost all the houses in the village, looting and carting away valuables. The statement explained that though men of Operation Safe Haven promptly responded, the militia…
Professor of Education, Prof Florence Obi has emerged the 11th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar. Prof Obi, defeated about 12 other contestants to emerge the first female Vice-Chancellor of the 45-year-old institution. She succeeds Professor Zana Akpagu and is expected to assume office on the 1st of December 2020. Speaking after the selection, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution and Pro-Chancellor, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu said the exercise was transparent and followed the guidelines laid by the Ministry of Education. She said Professor Obi’s emergence is a victory for the women and said the 10th Governing Council…
The Benue State Security Council has said that it is set to meet with stakeholders from Sankera, following the interception and killing of the repentant militia leader, Terwase Akwaza, aka Gana by men of the Nigerian Army. Governor Samuel Ortom who announced this at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi while briefing journalists after the State Security Council meeting said the move would review the situation in Sankera following the incident. He said the council also resolved to continue with the amnesty program to cover those who retreated, even as he allayed the fears of the repentant youths who may be intending…
The countdown to the October 10 governorship election in Ondo State has continued to hot up following attacks by members of political parties against each other. The latest of the attacks occurred on Wednesday evening in Alade Idanre in Idanre Local Government Area of the state leading to the death of one person. With many injured during the fracas, it was gathered that the deceased simply identified as Taye was attacked when he was said to have adorned a branded fez cap of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). According to sources, Taye was said to have been challenged by thugs alleged…
