Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, has invited the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to a meeting at Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.  In a significant move, the invitation issued from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo — marks the first time Fubara has officially addressed Amaewhule as the Speaker of the Assembly. Dated March 7, the invitation references the governor’s March 5 letter, in which he acknowledged receipt of the Supreme Court’s judgement. “I hereby write in furtherance of His Excellency’s promise stated in my letter…

The Peoples Democratic Party has again postponed its National Executive Committee meeting, rescheduling it for May 15, 2025. In a statement on Sunday, the PDP’s National Secretary, Sunday Ude-Okoye, said the meeting, originally slated for March 13, was delayed due to pending zonal, state, local government, and ward congresses, as well as the need for further consultations. This marks the fifth time the PDP has rescheduled its 99th NEC meeting, further deepening internal divisions within the party. The crisis within the PDP has intensified since Umar Damagum assumed office as acting National Chairman following the court’s removal of Senator Iyorchia…

The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has issued a harsh warning to roadside preachers who use loudspeakers in public places, notably markets, accusing them of producing noise pollution and frustrating people. He also banned open gospel preaching in the state, saying that everyone’s religion deserved to be respected. Soludo made this clear in a viral video that is currently spreading on social media, in which he confronted a preacher at a market. The governor warned the preacher against the act, claiming that it violates the law. He highlighted that one cannot exercise fundamental rights by disturbing others through noise…

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio on Saturday said the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended by the Senate for six months, traumatised him and others. Akpabio had come under heavy criticism following the sanction handed out to the lawmaker. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, cautioned the Senate against making the political atmosphere toxic for women. Major opposition parties in the country have also expressed outrage over the manner in which the complaint was handled. But Akpabio maintained his innocence, saying none of what she alleged…

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has described as untrue, the ₦700 billion fraud allegation leveled against his immediate predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, by the Network against Corruption and Trafficking, and being probed by anti-graft agency EFCC. “I don’t know where they get those figures from because it can’t be from Akwa Ibom State; it can’t be from us – we don’t have such figures,” Eno said at a town hall meeting in the Abak area of the state on Saturday. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor condemned what he described as a vilification of the past governors of the oil-rich…

The United Nations has urged women around the world to stand their ground in the face of adversity. The call was made as the world celebrates the 2025 International Women’s Day on March 8. According to the human rights group, the IWD is a chance to rise and make the world equal and better for everyone. “On International Women’s Day (8 March), that is the bold call for action for all women and girls worldwide. As we mark the 30th year of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the world is deeply unequal. “International Women’s Day is a chance…

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund on Saturday cautioned students against applying for student loans via fake portals and websites. The Fund warned that while it remains committed to ensuring that eligible students get the student loan, students should be cautious of fake websites posturing as the official website of the Fund. The clarification was made in a statement by Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the Director of Corporate Communications at the Fund. “The Nigerian Education Loan Fund wishes to reiterate that the ONLY official portal for student loan applications is [www.nelf.gov.ng (https://www.nelf.gov.ng). “Students and the public are advised to disregard any other links,…

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice John Tsoho, has reassigned the case of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to another judge. This development was disclosed in a statement signed by Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, on Saturday in Abuja. Recall that Kanu had requested the recusal of Justice Binta Nyako, the judge presiding over the seven-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government. While Justice Nyako recused herself from the trial and transferred the case file back to the Chief Judge for reassignment, the case file was, however,…

President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Prince Doyin Okupe, a seasoned medical doctor, politician, and strategist who made significant contributions to Nigeria’s political and healthcare sectors. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu extended his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and associates of the late Okupe, acknowledging his impactful role in the nation’s political landscape. “A prominent son of Iperu-Remo in Ogun State, Prince Okupe served as President Goodluck Jonathan’s senior Special Assistant on public affairs and President Olusegun Obasanjo’s special assistant on media. “During…

The Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has rejected her six-month suspension from the Senate. According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, she remains a legitimate senator amid what she called an “illegal” suspension. This was contained in a statement in which she reacted to the decision of the Red Chamber. “Against the culture of silence, intimidation, and victim-shaming, my unjust suspension from the Nigerian Senate invalidates the principles of natural justice, fairness, and equity. “The illegal suspension does not withdraw my legitimacy as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and I will continue to use my duly elected position to…