Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The South-East APC Agenda Group (SAAG) has raised concerns over the actions of Dr. Alex Otti, the Labour Party Governor of Abia State, accusing him of deliberately downplaying the significant support he receives from President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The group highlighted that despite benefiting from substantial federal assistance, including increased monthly FAAC allocations that have freed up significant funds for the state, Governor Otti continues to operate from his private residence. In addition to the quadrupled allocations, the Abia State government has received several forms of support from the federal government, including N5 billion for the procurement of CNG vehicles,…

Renowned entertainer, business mogul, politician and youth leader, Obinna Simon, known as MC Tagwaye has dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Tagwaye, who made this known on Friday morning in Abuja, noted that his detection is coming after months of intense consultation and introspection. Tagwaye, who disclosed that he was a member of the presidential campaign team in the last general election, explained that the decisive move is born out of his deep-seated conviction that the APC has deviated from its original ideals and is no longer committed to the welfare and progress of…

The Rivers State House of Assembly has adjourned its sittings indefinitely, deepening the political tensions in the state over the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The decision of the House to adjourn indefinitely after passing three Bills into law, came less than 24 hours after Governor Fubara wrote another letter to the lawmakers, informing them lof his intention to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House for consideration and approval. The indefinite adjournment was decided during plenary on Friday, presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule in Port Harcourt. The governor had in the letter…

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to order over his comments on the Ijaw. The INC was reacting to alleged comments credited to Wike in which he said the Ijaw people ”were a minority of minorities in Rivers and other South South states except Bayelsa”. In a statement in Abuja on Friday, Chief Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, National Publicity Secretary INC, said that the congress had taken note of the FCT minister’s remarks. ”We will continue to maintain peace and stability, as we call on President Tinubu to caution…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has again written to the State House of Assembly, informing the lawmakers of his intention to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House for consideration and approval. The governor, in a letter dated March 13 and addressed to the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, said he intends to prevent the budget on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, or any other day within March that the House may deem fit. Fubara said his decision is in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment and in response to the lawmakers’ request for him to re-present the budget. He recalled the…

Tragedy struck at the Zone 9 Umuahia Abia State on Thursday as the Commander of the SRS in Umuahia, DSP Kenneth Ndu, slumped and died while eating with fellow officers According to sources, DSP Ndu had just returned from an investigative operation with his team when he decided to have a meal at the command headquarters. While eating, he reportedly gripped his spoon tightly, causing concern among his colleagues, who immediately rushed to assist him. Moments later, he collapsed. Efforts to save him were hampered by the lack of medical personnel at the Police Clinic on Bende Road, where he…

Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Thursday appealed to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to consider the interest of the people of the state and embrace peace to resolve the political impasse in South-South state. “It is important at this stage that we all embrace peace,” Fubara said when he commissioned some projects in the Okrika Local Government Area of the state. The governor said he needed peace to govern the state well and called on all dissatisfied political actors in the state to put all that had happened behind and commit to the full implementation of the February…

The Rivers State House of Assembly has asked the Department of State Services to investigate the Chief Judge of the State for alleged age falsification. This was the subject of plenary on Thursday at the Assembly following the presentation of some documents to the assembly by the leader of the House, Hon Major Jack. Afterwards the Deputy Speaker, Hon Dumle Maol raised an allegation against the Chief Judge of the state, Simeon Amadi. He said , “These document before me simply say that the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi falsified his age in service. Mr Speaker, that…

Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, has expressed his readiness to collaborate with Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to strengthen opposition politics in Nigeria. Speaking on Thursday after a closed-door meeting with Obi at the Government House, Bauchi, Mohammed said both he and the PDP admired Obi’s political style and vision for the country. “We have a lot of respect and admiration for him because of his style of politics, his statesmanship, his versatile nature, and his deep knowledge of the economy and governance,” Mohammed said. He added, “Peter Obi…

Amid calls on the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to step aside to allow unfettered investigation of the allegation of sexual harassment made against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senate on Thursday passed a vote of confidence on his leadership. The resolution of the Senate followed a motion by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele which was overwhelmingly approved by Senators. Bamidele in his lead debate said the Senate has decided not to be distracted further by the controversy generated by its suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her alleged misconduct. He said the Senate would henceforth focus on…