My Blog

Category: Politics

  • Police Intercepts Vehicle Loaded with Political Thugs in Yobe

    Police Intercepts Vehicle Loaded with Political Thugs in Yobe

    The Yobe State Police Command says, working in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, it has interpreted an 18-seater bus boarded with political thugs in Gashua Local Government Area on mission to arrive at Damaturu to disrupt the electoral process.

    DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Yobe Police Command, Damaturu revealed in a statement made available to Nigerian Anchor in Damaturu.

    According to him “On 3rd February 2024 at about 0700hrs Military Checkpoint intercepted the bus while conveying thugs to Damaturu Metropolitan Council to cause mayhem in the electoral process but made their Waterloo, the police took them into custody for a district investigation and subsequent prosecution.

    The following are some of the suspects arrested: Abu Bakar Garba Bololo, aged 25, Habu Mato, aged 35, Suleman Musa, aged 50, Yusuf Danjuma, aged 33, Abdullahi Haruna, aged 45. Others are Zanab Mohammed, aged 25 of Unguwan Lawan and Rachael Bitrus, aged 23 and seven other syndicate members of Jakusko and Gashua LGA”.

    “The suspects claimed they were recruited to serve as agents of one of the opposition parties.

    Meanwhile, the investigation is swift to unravel the criminal implications of the matter”.

    “In this regard, the Commissioner of police in the state, Garba Ahmed, reiterated the commitment of the Police and sister Security Agencies to ensure the security and safety of the electorate and relative peace enjoyed in the State. 

    “However, calls on the good members of the public to remain resolute and shun violence, thuggery as security is firm to act on any untoward deviation”.

  • Enugu Rerun-Election: Labour Party Calls For Cancellation

    Enugu Rerun-Election: Labour Party Calls For Cancellation

    The Labour Party, LP, has described the House of Representatives re-run election in Igbo-Eze/Udenu federal constituency, Enugu State, as a sham and called for a total cancellation of the exercise.

    The national secretary of the party, Umar Farouk, who led its monitoring team to polling stations involved in the by-elections on Saturday, told journalists that due process was not followed.

    He said that accreditation was compromised, result sheets were hijacked, and BVAS machines were disregarded while voters were not allowed to exercise their right to vote.

    The LP national secretary, who addressed the press in the company of the party’s House of Representatives candidate, Dennis Agbo, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately cancel elections in areas where illegalities have been reported.

    In his comments, Dennis Agbo also called for the immediate and total cancellation of the supplementary election. He accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of using the local government vigilante to intimidate LP supporters.

    Agbo said LP members were chased away from polling booths by the local vigilantes and further alleged that INEC officials took instructions from PDP officials and allowed voting to take place in private houses.

  • Lagos by-election: Fashola inexplicably absent at polling unit

    Lagos by-election: Fashola inexplicably absent at polling unit

    A former governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), was inexplicably absent at his polling unit, to vote for his party’s (APC) candidate for the Surulere 1 House of Representatives.

    Fashola, who was expected at the polling unit with the wife, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, was not seen throughout the election.

    Journalists, who waited for the former Minister of Power, Works and Housing, from 8.a.m. when the election started, left for other places after hours of waiting, while some stayed till the end on the possibility of him coming.

    One of the party members who pleaded anonymity said that the former governor was actually expected to come around to exercise his franchise.

    ”We actually expected him but along the line it was clear that he will not be coming again. I heard that he is not in town,” the party member said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that voting for the Surulere Federal Constituency 1 in Polling Unit 002, at State Junior Grammar School (Special), Itolo Street, Eric Moore, Surulere, started at 8.00 a.m, as INEC agents arrived on time to set up the unit.

    The unit, which is the venue where Fashola was expected to cast his vote, saw voters trickling in.

    The unit which had 750 registered voters, recorded only 45 voters who came to exercise their franchise.

  • Kwara Governor Vows To Get Justice For Slain Monarch

    Kwara Governor Vows To Get Justice For Slain Monarch

    Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of Peter Aremu, the Onikoro of Koro-Ekiti in Ekiti LGA of Kwara state. 

    The traditional ruler was brutally killed during a home invasion by gunmen on Thursday, who also abducted his wife and two others.

    In a statement issued by Rafiu Ajakaye, the chief press secretary to the governor, Abdulrazaq denounced the incident as “reckless, shocking, and abominable.”

    The governor has urged security operatives to swiftly track down the perpetrators, rescue the abducted individuals, and ensure justice is served.

    “We will certainly get the perpetrators and ensure that this is their last crime against humanity,” Governor Abdulrazaq vowed. 

    “My profound condolences go to the people of Koro. Our hearts are broken, and we stand by them at this time and always.”

    This tragic event further compounds the unsettling pattern of attacks on traditional rulers, echoing the broader security challenges facing the nation.

    Just days ago, on January 29, two traditional rulers fell victim to suspected kidnappers in Ekiti state, heightening concerns about the safety of community leaders.

  • Governor Aiyedatiwa Appoints Commissioners, Special Advisers

    Governor Aiyedatiwa Appoints Commissioners, Special Advisers

    Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has forwarded to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation the names of six Commissioner-nominees.

    This was revealed in a statement signed by the Chief press secretary to the governor on Friday,
    Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan.

    The nominees are:
    1. Mrs. Omowumi Isaac, ACCA
    2. Mr. Olukayode A. Ajulo, SAN, OON
    3. Engr. Razaq Obe
    4. Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan
    5. Barrister Akinwumi Sowore
    6. Mr. Oseni Oyeniyi

    The Governor has also appointed the following individuals as Special Advisers:

    1. Hon. Olugbenga Omole, Special Adviser on Information & Strategy
    2. Mrs. Olamide Falana, Special Adviser on Gender Affairs
    3. Mr. Alabi Johnson, Special Adviser on Energy.

  • Bandits Kidnap FHA Director In Abuja

    Bandits Kidnap FHA Director In Abuja

    Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted Aondo Ver, a director at the Federal Housing Authority in the Federal Capital Territory. 

    The attack occurred around 12:30 am on Thursday merely 200 meters from a military base in Pambara, Bwari Area Council, Abuja.

    The assailants, firing indiscriminately, created panic before fleeing through the bushes with their captive. 

    Residents, including serving and retired military personnel, confirmed the incident, expressing shock at the audacity of the bandits given the proximity of a military base.

    Sources revealed that the targeted area, Pambara Extension, housed both civilians and military personnel. 

    The abducted director’s home was located a short distance from the military base known as ‘camp.’ Witnesses reported that despite the military presence, the bandits executed the kidnapping successfully.

    Concerns are escalating over the rising insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory, with residents and authorities expressing growing apprehension. 

    Efforts to obtain comments from the Nigerian Army’s spokesperson, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, and the FCT Police Command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. 

  • Forex Crisis Forces Bureau de Change Closure in Abuja

    Forex Crisis Forces Bureau de Change Closure in Abuja

    In response to the escalating foreign exchange crisis in Nigeria, Bureau de Change operators have taken a drastic step by announcing the indefinite closure of their offices in Abuja starting from February 1, 2024. 

    Abdullahi Dauran, the Chairman of BDC operators in Abuja, cited the scarcity of dollars as the primary reason behind this decision.

    Dauran emphasized that the increasing demand for dollars, fueled by online business transactions and cryptocurrency activities, has intensified the scarcity, leaving Bureau de Change operators with no choice but to shut down.

    Aminu Gwadabe, the president of the Association of Bureaux de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), acknowledged the development but provided no clear response, stating, “I saw it online, too.”

    Recent data from FMDQ on Thursday revealed a marginal appreciation of the Naira to N1,455.59 per US dollar from N1,482.57 on Wednesday. 

    However, the Naira’s depreciation worsened earlier in the week, reaching N1,482.57 per US dollar at the official market, surpassing the N1,470 quoted at the parallel market.

    Despite efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria, including injecting over $500 million to clear the forex backlog and other interventions, the Naira continues to struggle against the dollar. 

    In an attempt to address the ongoing decline, the CBN released fresh guidelines on Wednesday, targeting commercial banks and urging them to refrain from foreign currency speculation and hoarding.

  • Fire Guts Popular Church In Lagos 

    Fire Guts Popular Church In Lagos 

    A popular church which is known as Household of David Church at 7 Surulere Street, Industrial Estate, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos was on Wednesday morning gutted by fire.

    This was confirmed in a Facebook post by the Lagos State Fire Service.

    The fire started at about 10: 47am.

    According to the Lagos State Fire Service, the expanse church auditorium erupted in Fire from smoke that emanated from the ceiling.

    “Fire is presently under control as dampen down progresses to bring operations to conclusion.

    “The Fire was however made to confined within the church auditorium it started from while salvaging adjoining properties.

    “In Attendance: Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service Alausa and Ikeja Fire Stations.

    Property Involved: Auditorium and church-hold items

    Supposed Cause: Investigation to reveal in due course “, the post read.

  • Benue APC Chairman Suspended

    Benue APC Chairman Suspended

    The Benue State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Augustine Agada, has been suspended by the party’s leadership in Ehaje Ward 1 in Owukpa, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of the state.

    Agada and a ward member of the party were both passed votes of no confidence, effective immediately.

    The decision, made following the consideration of a petition by Comrade Dan Onjeh, the party’s 2023 Senatorial Candidate, accuses Agada of engaging in anti-party activities during the recent general elections.

    Citing provisions from the APC Constitution, the ward leadership listed seven grounds for Agada’s suspension. These included his failure to appear before the Ward Disciplinary Committee to address allegations, compelling evidence of working against the party’s interests, campaigning for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sen. Abba Moro, and losing his polling unit in key elections.

    The Ehaje Ward 1 leadership also alleged Agada withheld funds provided by the APC at the national level for logistics and election day activities. Additionally, Agada faces accusations of tampering with the list of APC election agents to undermine the party at the polls.

    The suspension, based on irrefutable evidence presented in the petition, was endorsed by the Ward Disciplinary Committee and subsequently discussed by the APC Ehaje Ward 1 Expanded Exco. The expanded Exco, invoking Article 17 sub-sections V and Vi of the party constitution, passed a vote of no confidence on Agada, suspended him immediately, urged relevant party organs to acknowledge the decision, and advised Agada to refrain from presenting himself as a party member or holding the position of Benue State Party Chairman.

  • Delta governor suspends commissioner, others

    Delta governor suspends commissioner, others

    Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has ordered the immediate suspension of the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Omoun Perez.

    Also, the governor ordered the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Bennett Agamah; Assistant Director, Agricultural Engineering, Oki Yintareke; and the Chief Accountant, Gabriel Idiatacheko, “to proceed on compulsory leave until further notice in line with civil service extant rules.”

    The decision was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Wednesday.

    The statement explained that the measures became imperative, “following the outcome of the review of the implementation of the Greenhouse project by the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.”

    The statement added that the decision was taken “consequent upon the interim report of the committee and in order to have an unimpeded access to information during the period of the investigations.”

    The statement read, “Oborevwori has constituted a seven-man committee chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, to investigate the claims and perceived infractions related to the management of the scheme by the ministry.

    “The government’s action is in no way a presumption of guilt but rather a necessary measure to uphold the sanctity of the investigative processes already instituted which is to ensure that the investigation is conducted without any potential for undue influence or bias.”

    Oborevwori had assured the people of the state of his administration’s commitment to ensuring the completion of all ongoing projects across the state.

    He also pledged to initiate new projects for the sustainable development of the state, according to a statement by his spokesman, Festus Ahon.