Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has taken a swipe at local government chairmen in Adamawa State after reports emerged that their wives were flown to Turkey for a so-called leadership training. According to reports, 21 wives of LGA chairmen, along with top officials from the state ministry of local government, travelled to Istanbul last week. The trip was organised under the banner of equipping the women with “leadership skills.” Suleiman Toungo, chairman of Toungo LGA and head of ALGON in the state, defended the trip, saying it would enable their spouses to “offer useful advice on governance.”…

The Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Ofeme-Ohuhu in Umuahia, Abia State, Hajjia Rabia Adamu, has warned that Nigeria is heading for a full-blown crisis in the education sector due to a massive shortage of teachers. Adamu gave the warning on Friday at the maiden matriculation ceremony of the institution, where 160 students were formally admitted into the college. She noted that the system is stretched far beyond its limits and needs at least 1.2 million teachers to restore balance. One Teacher to 500 Pupils in Some Schools Speaking passionately, Adamu explained that the…

The General Manager of the Abia State Debt Management Office, Kingsley Nwaigburu, has dismissed claims credited to former Commissioner for Finance, Obinna Oriaku, about an alleged ban on Fulani cattle rearers in Umuajuju village, Isiala Ngwa South LGA. Oriaku had, in a social media post, claimed that some Fulani cattle rearers working for an Abia farmer, Akudo Alozie, were banned from operating in Umuajuju by orders of Governor Otti. But debunking the report on Friday, the General Manager of the Abia State Debt Management Office, Kingsley Nwaigburu, said Governor Alex Otti should not be dragged into a restriction order issued…

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has appealed to politicians and party stakeholders to put aside bitterness and embrace unity as the state marked its 38th anniversary. Speaking at a special banquet in Uyo, the governor reminded political leaders that beyond party lines, everyone remains an Akwa Ibomite. He stressed the need to “play politics with a human face,” warning that rancour and division could harm the state’s progress. “We Must Put Akwa Ibom First” Governor Eno praised the transformation of Akwa Ibom from its humble beginnings in 1987 to what he described as a “destination of choice.” He…

The Labour Party (LP) has lost one of its biggest political figures in Enugu State as Senator Kelvin Chukwu announced his move to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Chukwu, who represents Enugu East Senatorial District, broke the news on Wednesday during a town hall meeting in his Amuri community, Nkanu West LGA. The senator told his constituents that the endless crisis tearing the Labour Party apart has left him with no option but to seek a more stable platform. APC Gains Strength in South-East Chukwu’s defection is a significant win for the APC in Enugu, a state traditionally dominated…

Former Southeast spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has cautioned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) against issuing threats that could worsen the plight of Nnamdi Kanu, their detained leader. Reacting to IPOB’s recent warning of “unimaginable consequences” should anything happen to Kanu, Onoh said such inflammatory rhetoric risks hardening the government’s stance. He described it as a setback to ongoing political efforts to secure Kanu’s release from the Department of State Services (DSS) custody. Sit-at-Home as Economic Sabotage Onoh strongly condemned IPOB’s weekly sit-at-home orders, which he likened to economic punishment for the very Igbo people the…

A group known as Igbo Elders Forum has appealed to Governor Alex Otti to liaise with other South East Governors to secure the release of IPOB founder, Nnamdi Kanu. The group which arrived the Abia State Government House, Umuahia, Wednesday morning, cautioned that the deteriorating health of Nnamdi Kanu should not be ignored. The Spokesperson of the group, Emeka Ezebuiro and other members of the group who addressed the press in front of Abia Government House Umuahia, said they embarked on a peaceful journey to submit their appeals to Governor Alex Otti. The group expressed surprise that Nnamdi Kanu has…

Supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan trooped out in Abuja on Tuesday to celebrate the reopening of her locked office at the National Assembly. The Kogi Central lawmaker, who had been under suspension since March, was escorted from the FCT High Court to the Senate complex by her cheering supporters. She had appeared in court over a defamation case reportedly filed on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello. Her office, located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, was sealed in March following her suspension for allegedly breaching Senate rules. The action triggered heavy criticism…

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has said Nigeria is already reaping the benefits of its military partnership with China. Speaking at an event marking the 76th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos on Tuesday, Obasa noted that Chinese support; from training to local arms production is helping Nigeria tackle insecurity. According to him, the collaboration is not only improving Nigeria’s defense capacity but also contributing to regional stability across Africa. Strengthened Bilateral Ties Obasa recalled the recent high-level engagements between President Bola Tinubu and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, describing it as…

The National Assembly has moved forward its official resumption date, shifting plenary sessions from September 23 to October 7, 2025. The announcement was contained in a statement released in Abuja by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, on Tuesday. He explained that the new date was directed by the presiding officers of both chambers. “The resumption date of the National Assembly earlier scheduled for Tuesday, 23rd September, 2025, is postponed to Tuesday, 7th October, 2025,” the notice read. Committees to Keep Working While plenary sittings are on hold, standing and ad-hoc committees of the Senate and House of…