Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, has distanced himself from a viral post credited to him and circulated by Igbere TV (IGTV) on Facebook and another platform, “Olu Ndi Igbo”, on X (formerly Twitter). The publications, which alleged that Ekeoma made damaging statements against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, particularly regarding Kalu’s relationship with Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, have been described by Ekeoma as “fake, irresponsible, and criminal.” In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, Ekeoma condemned the report, describing it as “a display of…

The Abia State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has distanced itself from a protest allegedly held at the Government House, Umuahia, by individuals claiming to represent the union. In a disclaimer issued on Friday, the NLC State Chairman, Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya, said the protest was orchestrated by impostors who falsely used his name to cause unrest over the implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers in the state. Comrade Ogbonnaya clarified that he did not lead or authorize any protest related to CONHESS payments, stressing that the NLC leadership remains committed to maintaining a…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is poised to take over the governance of Abia State in 2027, expressing gratitude to the people for their support.  Addressing a mammoth gathering of APC supporters and members of the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) across the 17 Local Government Areas of the State in Umuahia, the capital on Sunday, Kalu emphasized that the party’s victory would be through the votes of the masses, not federal government force. He urged all Abia residents and eligible voters to obtain…

In a fresh political jab, former Edo State Governor and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has sent a clear message to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan: Don’t contest in 2027. Speaking during an interview on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, Oshiomhole didn’t mince words. He said only those who don’t truly care about Jonathan’s legacy would encourage him to return to the presidential race. “If a man had PDP at its peak and lost, only his enemies will push him to run again,” Oshiomhole said. According to him, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which defeated Jonathan in 2015, can still beat…

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has thrown a punch at politicians who forge or exaggerate their academic qualifications to secure political appointments. Reacting to a fresh certificate scandal involving Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, Sani advised political hopefuls to stick to the basics; their WAEC certificates. “All you need to contest elections or for political appointment is a secondary school certificate,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday. His comments come on the heels of a damning investigation by Premium Times, which uncovered that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) disowned Nnaji’s Bachelor of Science…

Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has issued a strong warning to former President Goodluck Jonathan not to yield to pressures urging him to contest the 2027 presidential election. Speaking in Lagos during a media chat, the 2023 PDP governorship candidate in Lagos said Jonathan’s return would be a political miscalculation. According to him, it would be difficult — if not impossible — for Jonathan to defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he described as a “political grandmaster.” “This same Tinubu defeated Jonathan from the outside in 2015. Imagine what he’ll do now as an incumbent with full structure,”…

The United Kingdom’s Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, has announced a sweeping new immigration policy that could see up to 150,000 illegal migrants deported annually; the boldest move yet in Britain’s ongoing border debate. In a video shared on her official X page on Sunday, Badenoch described the new framework – tagged the Radical Borders Plan – as “the toughest reforms Britain has ever seen” on immigration. Under the new plan, the UK government will launch a dedicated Removals Force, which will take over from the current immigration enforcement system. The new agency is expected to operate with expanded powers, including…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his weekend visit to Plateau State, where the President attended the funeral of Mama Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda. Atiku, in a post on his verified X account on Saturday, described the visit as a “sad reflection of priorities,” accusing Tinubu of choosing a political social function over showing solidarity with citizens devastated by ongoing violence in the region. Plateau State has been one of the worst-hit regions by unending violence in recent years – from banditry to communal clashes, with thousands…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has come out to dismiss reports suggesting he accused the late President Muhammadu Buhari of having ties with Boko Haram terrorists.  According to a statement released by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan’s comments were “grossly misrepresented” and taken out of context. The statement reads in part: “At no time did Dr Jonathan suggest, imply, or insinuate that President Buhari had any connection with Boko Haram or that he supported the group in any form.” Jonathan made his remarks at the launch of Scars, a book by former Chief of Defence Staff Lucky Irabor. He recalled…

Renowned legal heavyweight, Jibrin Samuel Okutepa (SAN), has taken a swipe at the Nigeria Police Force for what he described as a deliberate attempt to sidestep a Federal High Court order suspending the controversial tinted glass permit policy. The police, through its spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, had claimed ignorance of the court’s ruling – stating they were yet to be officially served with the order. The judgment, delivered by Justice H.A. Ngangijowa of the Federal High Court in Warri (Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025), temporarily halted enforcement of the policy, citing concerns over motorists’ constitutional rights. In a fiery response posted on…