Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, wanted over an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257. According to the EFCC, the money was part of funds invested by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, a company reportedly linked to Sylva. The investment was meant for the construction of a refinery but was allegedly diverted. In a statement signed by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale on Monday evening, the anti-graft agency said the notice followed a warrant issued…

The United States Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal challenging the constitutional right to same-sex marriage; a major relief for LGBTQ advocates who feared the landmark ruling could be reversed. The decision, delivered on Monday, effectively upholds the 2015 judgment that legalized same-sex marriage across the country. The conservative-majority court offered no explanation for declining to take up the case, in line with its usual practice. The case was filed by Kim Davis, a former county clerk in Kentucky, who in 2015 refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, citing her Christian religious beliefs. Her refusal sparked…

Former NNPP chieftain and House of Representatives member, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has rejoined the All Progressives Congress (APC), officially ending his political journey with the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the Kwankwasiyya Movement. Jibrin, who represents Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, confirmed his defection on Monday in a statement shared with his supporters. He also declared his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. The lawmaker said he was received by thousands of supporters in his hometown of Kofa, Bebeji Local Government Area, where he made the formal announcement. “In a show of solidarity, I was warmly…

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has advised Nigerians and other Africans whose US visas were recently revoked to return home before facing possible arrest by immigration authorities. In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, the outspoken activist cautioned against overreliance on life abroad, saying every migrant will one day be reminded that America is not their home. “Nigerians and other thousands of Africans whose visas were recently revoked by President Trump should hasten and leave the country and return home before they get arrested by ICE,” Sani wrote. “No matter how long you live in…

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has condemned the decision of the United States government under President Donald Trump to list Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution of Christians. In a statement in Abuja on Sunday, the Secretary-General of the Council, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, described the move as unfair, one-sided, and a misrepresentation of Nigeria’s complex security situation. According to Oloyede, the violence ravaging parts of the country has no religious colouration, as both Muslims and Christians have been victims of terrorist attacks. “Terrorists are killing Christians and Muslims alike. What we face is…

John Nwosu, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in the just-concluded Anambra State election, has rejected the outcome, describing it as “a ruse and total subversion of the people’s will.” The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sunday declared Professor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) winner with 422,664 votes. The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, trailed with 99,445 votes, while Nwosu finished fifth with 8,208 votes. In a statement made available to journalists, Nwosu alleged that the election was marred by widespread vote buying and open financial inducement at polling units across…

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo on his re-election as Governor of Anambra State, describing the victory as “an affirmation of visionary leadership” and a reflection of the people’s confidence in his administration. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Soludo winner of Saturday’s off-cycle poll after he clinched all 21 Local Government Areas, a result that reaffirms the political dominance of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state. With this win, Soludo becomes the third governor in Anambra’s history – after Peter Obi and Willie Obiano to secure a second term in office. The…

International observers and civil society organisations have praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the peaceful and credible conduct of the ongoing Anambra State Governorship Election. In a statement shared by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Dayo Oketola, the Commission reported smooth operations across polling units, with voter turnout notably higher than in the 2021 governorship poll. Reports from INEC’s Situation Room indicated that voting commenced early in most areas, and the BVAS machines functioned seamlessly, ensuring efficient accreditation and voting. Ambassador Dr. Emmanuel Nkweke of the International Association of World Peace Advocates described the…

Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, has sharply criticised US President Donald Trump for calling Nigeria “a disgraced country,” describing the comment as offensive, undiplomatic, and un-American. Trump had made the remark during a White House briefing earlier in the week, warning he would “take decisive action” if reports of killings of Christians in Nigeria continued. His statement sparked outrage across Africa, with many describing it as an attempt to bully a sovereign nation. In a video that trended online on Friday, Senator Jibrin condemned the threat, saying Trump’s tone violated international law and ignored established diplomatic channels. “For the…

Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has distanced herself from a viral social media post that falsely claimed she criticised President Bola Tinubu’s handling of insecurity in Nigeria. The post, titled “Trump didn’t ‘hit’ us – our leaders did,” circulated widely on WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram, alleging that the former Finance Minister accused Nigerian leaders of “talking more than acting” on security challenges. In the fake message, the impersonator urged President Tinubu to “stop the damage control speeches” and “secure the people,” presenting it as a quote from the WTO chief. But Okonjo-Iweala, reacting via her…