Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has issued a strong warning to the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, cautioning him against entering the state without prior notification and approval. Governor Okpebholo’s warning marks the second time Obi has been cautioned by an All Progressives Congress, APC-led state over visits, including those reportedly for humanitarian purposes. Addressing a gathering of political supporters in a video that has since gone viral on social media, the governor made it clear that Obi’s security would not be assured should he enter Edo State without officially informing the state government
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the appointment of Muhammad Babangida, the son of the former military President, as chairman of the revamped Bank of Agriculture. President Tinubu approved the appointment today, along with seven others. In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, and posted on his verified X handle, some of those appointed will serve as chairmen or directors-general of Federal agencies. 53-year-old Muhammad Babangida is an alumnus of the European University in Montreux, Switzerland, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Public…
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, slated October 10 to rule on a motion that is seeking to stop the ongoing trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu, in the application he filed through his team of lawyers led by a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, is praying the court to discharge and acquit him of the seven-count terrorism and treasonable felony charge the Federal Government initiated against him. The embattled IPOB leader maintained that the federal government failed to…
The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot, has freed an 18-year-old mentally challenged inmate and 122 others during her 2nd quarter, 2025, tour of the Medium Security Custodial Centres (MSCCs) in Ikot Abasi, Eket, Ikot Ekpene, and Uyo. The Chief Judge also called on officers at the Correctional facilities to ensure that hygiene is maintained to reduce the spread of communicable diseases. Justice Obot emphasized the significance of jail delivery in safeguarding justice and fundamental human rights stressing, “This exercise aligns with the constitutional mandate of the judiciary to ensure that no person is unjustly detained without…
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on Nigerians to stop abusing the naira, warning that acts such as spraying and stamping on the national currency are not cultural practices but punishable offences under the law. Olukoyede made the remarks on Friday in Lagos during a stakeholders’ sensitisation programme. Describing the naira as “a symbol of our sovereignty,” the EFCC boss expressed concern over the continued abuse of the currency, particularly at social gatherings where it is commonly sprayed, mutilated, or stamped. “Nobody who works hard to earn money will go out…
Bolaji Abdullahi, former minister of sports and interim spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says ending banditry in Katsina state would be a top priority for the coalition. His statement was in response to Dikko Radda, governor of Katsina, who dismissed the newly formed opposition coalition, adding that the group is made up of familiar politicians with no fresh ideas or solutions for the country. He said the coalition lacks credibility and has nothing new to offer Nigerians. Responding, Abdullahi criticised the government of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying it had long abandoned efforts to tackle the…
The Nigeria Police Force has announced the rescue of 31 kidnapped victims in two separate operations in Taraba and Edo states. This was contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday. In the statement, Adejobi said, “In a sustained effort against banditry and kidnapping, the Nigeria Police Force has again recorded significant breakthroughs in Taraba and Edo States, successfully rescuing 31 kidnapped victims in two separate coordinated operations. “In Edo State, on Friday, July 11th, 2025, at approximately 7:20 pm, police operatives from the state command swiftly responded to an attack along…
The U.S. Senate has approved the White House’s request to cancel 9.4 billion dollars in federal spending on foreign aid and the NPR and PBS broadcasters. The late Wednesday vote of 51-48 sent the bill to the House of Representatives, which is expected to give its final approval by July 18, CNN reported. If passed, the draft law would go to President Donald Trump for a signature. In early June, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the White House had sent a request to Congress to cancel 9.4 billion dollars in previously approved spending. It was identified as “wasteful’’ by…
A group of young political leaders on the platform of South-South Emerging Leaders’ Forum (SELF) has cautioned the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, against threatening the coalition-backed opposition party, African Democratic Congress (ADC) for its presidential ticket. According to the forum, Mr Obi would most likely dump coalition like he did before presidential primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2022, if the ADC does not hand over its ticket to him on a platter. In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Benjamin Kolowei,…
The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has temporarily suspended its recruitment application portal to improve system efficiency. The Secretary to the Board, Maj. Gen. AM Jibril (retd.), made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja. He stated that the suspension affects the portal dedicated to the recruitment of personnel into the board’s paramilitary agencies. Jibril stated that the board announced that the portal will reopen on Monday, July 21, 2025. He explained that the move was necessary to handle the surge in applications and ensure a smooth recruitment process. “This development will ensure that the…