Author: Emmanuel Anthony

The Deputy Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly,  Hon. Yekini Idiaye, and four other lawmakers have declared their support for Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming governorship election. They are among the 10 lawmakers that were inaugurated in July 2019 while 14 others remain to be inaugurated due to the crisis that rocked the APC then. The lawmakers said their decision was to remain in the-now opposition party in the State on whose platform they were elected. The lawmakers vowed not to follow Governor Godwin Obaseki, to his new party, the…

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Senator Barnabas Gemade of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has again decamped to the All Progressives Congress. Gemade, who was the candidate of the SDP in the last general election has dumped the party in a low key ceremony at the weekend in his village, Gemade Village, Mbajov, Mbawar Council Ward of Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State. Gemade, a former National Chairman of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, dumped the APC for the SDP shortly before the 2019 general election. He contested for the Benue North-East senatorial district but lost to the incumbent Senator Gabriel Suswam. Speaking…

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As the Edo governorship election day draws close, appointees of Governor Godwin Obaseki have continued to resign on a weekly basis. The number has hit 42 and there are speculations that more will tender their resignation. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed September 19 for the poll. Many of those who dumped the governor are staunch members of the All Progressives Congress (APC). They refused to join Obaseki when he moved to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The governor defected when the APC disqualified him from participating in the primary. Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the PDP candidate in 2016, emerged…

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The death toll from a mortar attack in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital by Boko Haram, has risen from two to six. The State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Aliyu, stated this in an interview on Friday in Maiduguri. Aliyu explained that 27 people were fatally injured from the four (4) mortar attacks which affected Custom, Gwange, and Gidan Ayaba areas of the metropolis. According to him, “the victims included one female at Gwange and five others who were hit by the explosives in separate locations within Maiduguri.” The Commissioner also said that after the incidents, the command, in collaboration…

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday vowed to unearth all corrupt cases in Nigeria. Buhari said all corrupt cases both past and present would be revisited. He stated this at the Presidential Villa, Abuja and was contained in a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu. Buhari lamented that there has been an abuse of trust by some people in both the previous and this administration. He explained that the probe was responsible for the setting up of a commission to look into such cases of corruption. “All past and present corrupt cases will be fully investigated. “All of such cases will…

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United States President, Donald Trump has called for the postponement of the 2020 election. The American leader made the call on Twitter On Thursday. Trump expressed concern that the election would be fraudulent. His reason was the controversial universal mail-in voting. “With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history. It will be a great embarrassment to the USA. Delay the Election until people can properly, securely and safely vote???”, he tweeted. The presidential election is scheduled for November.

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The Nigerian Army has commenced an investigation into the circumstances that led to the attack in Borno state, Professor Babagana Zulum by Boko Haram terrorists who opened fire on his convoy, which made the Governor abort his trip to Baga to distribute Palliatives to IDPs in the area. The Army regretted the incident saying it was an isolated and most unfortunate incident that occurred in a territory where normalcy has since been restored with socio-economic activities picking up. A statement to this effect was issued by Col Sagir Musa, Acting Director, Army Public Relations and titled, ‘Re: report of Attack…

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A former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, has been appointed as Patron of the Former Governors Forum, a group made up of past state governors in Nigeria. In a letter signed by Babangida Aliyu, the Chairman of the group and former governor of Niger State, and Prof Tunde Esan, the Executive Secretary, Ibori’s appointment took effect from July 13, 2020. “In line with the provisions of the Former Governors Forum and based on the unanimous decision of the Executive Committee of the Forum, we convey to you your appointment as Patron of the Forum. “The Forum recognises your role…

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Former Governor of Abia State and Senate Majority Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has revealed what he did while he was incarcerated in Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja. Kalu said all the projects he had attracted from the federal government were executed without interruption while in prison. The Senator stated that the six months he was incarcerated and later released spurred his desire to work for the people of Abia North and the State in general. Kalu also reiterated that rather than diminish his quest to serve his people, his incarceration served as a source of motivation to take his…

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Details have emerged how top federal government officials, two former governors, and some traditional rulers benefitted from the controversial Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) contracts. A document recently released showed that police officers, officers from other security agencies and judiciary officials also got NDDC contracts worth billions of dollars over the years. This latest disclosure is in addition to the list sent by the minister of Niger Delta affairs, Godswill Akpabio, to the House of Representatives speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, which also included names of some members of the House of Representatives as contract beneficiaries of the commission The document contains…

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President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his happiness with the performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) interim leaders. He stated this during Tuesday’s meeting, according to his Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu. Buhari met virtually with state governors elected on the ruling party’s platform and members of Mai Mala Buni-led caretaker committee. In a statement titled, “President Buhari interacts with APC governors, commends party caretakers”, Shehu said during the meeting which had the Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo in attendance, the President said he was pleased with the work the caretaker committee has been doing. He…

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Three Commissioners of Edo State Oil Gas Producing Area Development Commission (EDOSOGPADEC) have resigned their position today, Monday, and declared support for the All Progressives Congress and its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. The Commissioners are Prince Emmanuel Odigie, Alhaji Aiwanu Oshiomhole, and Osamwonyi Atu representing Edo Central, Edo North Senatorial districts respectively and Orhionmwon. Hon. Osamwonyi Atu in his resignation letter pointed out that his decision to leave the Obaseki-led government was to attend to family issues which have become necessary. Few hours after their resignation, the Commissioners have pitched tent with the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Pastor…

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The Federal Ministry of Education on Monday announced that secondary schools for exit classes will resume on August 4th. This was announced in a statement signed by its Director, Press and Public Relations, Ben Ben Goong. Goong said the decision was reached at a virtual consultative meeting between the Federal Ministry of Education of the 36 states, the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, the proprietors of private schools and the Chief Executive of examination bodies. The Ministry further stated that students will have two weeks to prepare for the West African Examination, WAEC, which will start on the 17th of…

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A former Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mrs Nkoyo Toyo has called for the total scrapping of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over the alleged corruption perpetrated by some officials in the commission. Speaking with newsmen on Saturday, the Ex-Ambassador regretted the unfolding events at the Commission, in respect to the current probe by the National Assembly. “We do not need an NDDC for our resources to be managed, rather let us distribute the money to various state development agencies in the region and specifically direct the governors on how the money should be used. “We don’t need the manager…

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The Nigerian military has reintegrated 601 ex-Boko Haram terrorists into society. They include 14 foreign nationals from Cameroon, Chad and Niger. The Coordinator, Operation Safe Corridor, Major General Bamidele Shafa made the announcement on Saturday. The former fighters were freed at the DRR Camp in Mallam Sidi, Gombe State. General Shafa said on arrival at the camp, “the clients went through documentation processes to obtain vital background information and were subjected to comprehensive medical screening to determine their health status”. The military officer disclosed that their DNA samples were also collected and biometrics captured by the National Identity Management Commission…

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The former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. Dogara’s defection was disclosed to newsmen by the acting Chairman of APC, Mai Mala Buni. Buni and Dogara were said to have met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa. Dogara, according to the report, will address the public later. The former Speaker who was an APC member had defected to the PDP during the last general elections.

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to tender his resignation over alleged rampant cases of corruption in federal agencies. The national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, made the call in a media parley in Abuja. Secondus cited ongoing corruption investigations in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), and others. The PDP chairman said corruption has become a way of life among Nigerians while President Buhari plays the ostrich. He accused the president of abandoning his promise to fight corruption during electioneering…

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Nasarawa State Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NM) has said that 102 healthcare workers in the state have been infected with Novel coronavirus. The State NMA Chairman, Dr Peter Umaru, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Lafia. According to Umaru, 102 healthcare workers were infected out of the 292 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state as of July 22. The NMA chairman said that 77 of the healthcare workers were from public facilities while 25 were from private facilities. He explained that 16 of the healthcare workers were from Karu, 42 from Keffi, seven…

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The Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday, denied accusing members of the National Assembly of collecting 60 percent of the contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). This was contained in a letter read on the floor of the House of Representatives during plenary by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila. The former lawmaker said the only reference he made to 60 percent during his presentation before the NDDC committee a few days ago was in response to a question by a member of the committee. The former Governor of Akwa Ibom State explained in the…

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The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has ridiculed a member of House of Representatives, James Faleke. Ngige who appeared before the Adhoc Committee of the House of Representatives to answer questions over an alleged breach of a presidential directive called Faleke “a small boy” and claimed he was “Tinubu’s mate”. “I am at least seven years older than you. I’m sure. “I am the same age as your mentor in Lagos, Asiwaju (Bola Ahmed Tinubu). And I was Governor with him at the same time. He was a Senator, I was a Senator. “I am a two-time…

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The Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, on Wednesday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the 2021 budget is sent to the National Assembly before the end of September this year. Lawan stated this while referring the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper to the relevant committees of the Senate for necessary legislative action. He noted that the presentation of the budget before the end of September, would enable the National Assembly to complete necessary works and pass it before the end of December. The Senate president also mandated the various committee members to engage all the…

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The crisis of confidence rocking the Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has widened as a faction yesterday lifted the suspension slammed on a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Bimbo Daramola. A letter signed by eight ward executives and 26 other leaders of Ire ward II in Oye Council area and addressed to the local government and State Working Committee, said they took the action to save the APC from internal implosion, in view of the immense popularity Daramola mustered in the Ward. Those who signed the letter were: Vice Chairman, Adebayo Kotila, Organising…

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Details of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday have emerged. President Muhammadu Buhari will discuss with leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the crisis rocking Mali. He spoke on Tuesday while receiving reports from ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali, former President Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan was at the State House, Abuja, in the company of ECOWAS Commission President, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou. Buhari said he would ask the President of Niger, the ECOWAS Chairman, to also brief member-states on the current situation. The Nigerian leader thanked Jonathan for his comprehensive brief on…

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President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to call by the Senate asking service chiefs to step down. Senator Francis Fadahunsi representing Osun East Senatorial District in an amended resolution in a motion earlier moved by Senator Ali Ndume representing Borno South Senatorial District, on Tuesday requested that all service chiefs should step down. Senator Betty Apiafi seconded the motion and it was upheld by the Senate President. In his remarks, Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan resolved that there is a need for the government to look into what is happening wrongly in the military. Reacting, Buhari’s Spokesman, Femi Adesina on…

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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has disclosed that the Acting Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Kemebradikumo Pondei who slumped during the ongoing investigative hearing will not appear before the committee again. The Speaker disclosed this at the resumption of the session following the adjournment due to the collapse of Mr. Pondei. He noted that the committee will adopt the written response of the MD. Gbajabiamila was responding to questions after the NDDC boss collapsed and was rushed out for medical attention “There would be no need for the MD of NDDC to appear anymore…

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A human rights lawyer, Godwin Ojeh, has written President Muhammadu Buhari demanding the immediate sack of Godswill Akpabio as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. In a copy of the letter made available to newsmen on Monday, the lawyer also appealed to the President to take necessary steps to end corruption in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. By this, he urged the President to remove Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei and Cairo Ojuogboh from the NDDC Interim Management Committee. ‘’We passionately appeal to Your Excellency to curb the excesses of Mr. Akpabio by relieving him of the ministerial duties of the…

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The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has called on the Federal Government to protect Joy Nunieh, a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), from all forms of harassment and intimidation while she faces probe. The National President of NCWS, Mrs Laraba Shoda, made the call in a statement in Abuja. Nunieh is currently facing an investigation into an alleged financial recklessness of N22.6 billion said to have been perpetrated under her stewardship at the NDDC. Shoda said that Nunieh should be allowed to face the Senate Committee handling the probe to defend herself without intimidation. She…

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The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has denied he is planning for president in 2023. This was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Ola Awoniyi, on Saturday. Lawan was reacting to speculations that he could run for the highest office in the land after President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term elapses. In the statement, he said it was too early for anyone to harbour ambitions for 2023. “The report apparently has its source in beer parlour gossips and should be treated with the contempt which it and those who concocted it deserves. “It is true that the…

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The Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti on Friday dismissed a suit challenging the conduct of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ward congress in Ekiti State, by the National Working Committee (NWC). In what seems like a temporary relief to the ward Chairmen who emerged from former Governor, Ayodele Fayose’s faction, the court upheld the preliminary objection raised concerning the ‘justiceability’ of the case. The defendants in its objection filed against the case instituted by the group loyal to Senator Biodun Olujimi, said the principle of fair hearing has been violated on the strength that the ward Chairmen allegedly…

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The House of Representative Committee which is investigating alleged misappropriation of funds in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has summoned Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, to appear before it on Monday. This follows the appearance of the former Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Joy Nunieh, on Friday. Nunieh showed up before the committee via Zoom. She was scheduled to appear before the committee on Thursday, but her Port Harcourt home was surrounded by Police. It took the intervention of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to save her from the siege and she was taken to the…

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