Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

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…

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has commended the Dunamis International Gospel Centre for conducting what he described as a “quintessential evangelism” during its recent crusade at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, without obstructing public movement or causing inconvenience to road users. Impressed by the orderliness of the event, Soludo announced a refund of the fees paid by the church for the use of the venue and invited the church, led by Pastor Paul Enenche, to hold future programmes at the location. The governor also disclosed that Ekwueme Square and its environs would undergo a major facelift in the…

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasiru El-Rufa’i, has disclosed that he left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with former President Muhammadu Buhari’s consent. The former Governor confirmed his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Monday. El-Rufai noted that developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation in the party. Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa service, El-Rufa’i said he had secured the consent…

Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were accused on Wednesday by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, of trying to dismantle the party, calling their actions self-serving and harmful to the opposition’s ability to survive. Wike also attacked the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) during a live media chat broadcast on national television stations in Abuja, calling it “stupid” for deciding to hold another South-South Zonal Congress. In contrast to his time in office, the former Governor of Rivers State claimed that the current group of PDP governors is not dedicated to the party’s continued existence. He…

The Senate has asked the Federal Government to establish a permanent military base in Gwer-West Local Government Area of Benue State to improve security and provide a faster response to attacks by bandits who often disguise themselves as herders. This was part of resolutions during plenary on Wednesday after Senator Tartenger-Zam raised a matter of urgent public importance, drawing attention to the worsening security crisis in Gwer-West. He criticised the slow response of the state government, stating that authorities often downplay the attacks as ‘mere skirmishes’. The Senate, therefore, unanimously resolved to push for a permanent military base in the…

The Rivers State House of Assembly has disclosed plans to ask the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebeli. This decision was made during the 134th legislative sitting, on Wednesday, with the lawmakers stating that the probe would focus on the commission’s financial activities over the past year. Assembly said this move was “to ensure transparency and accountability in public institutions”. This followed the warrant of arrest issued against the RSIEC chairman and four senior officials of the…

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, for Friday, March 21. This decision was confirmed on Wednesday after the case file was transferred to Justice Omotosho following a reassignment. Kanu is facing a seven-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government. Justice Omotosho was assigned the case after Justice Binta Nyako, the previous judge presiding over the matter, recused herself. Justice Nyako’s recusal on September 24, 2024, followed allegations of bias raised by Kanu and his legal team, who requested…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was on Wednesday denied access to the official quarters of the state House of Assembly along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, where lawmakers loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, have been holding their sittings. Fubara, who arrived at the complex in the company of top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, met a locked gate, effectively preventing his entry. Speaking to journalists at the scene, the governor accused Speaker Martin Amaewhule of deliberately avoiding him, stating that several calls placed to the lawmaker…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm the appointment of five nominees as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday, President Tinubu stated that the nominations were in line with Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the president to appoint electoral commissioners subject to Senate approval. The five nominees are: Umar Yusuf Garba – Kano; Saad Umar – Bauchi; Chukwuemeka C. Ibeziako – Anambra; Mohammad I. Ngoshe – Borno and Dr. Owede Kosioma Eli – Bayelsa. In…

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday extended his condolences to the family, friends, and associates of a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dubem Onyia, who died on Monday at 73. Tinubu conveyed his condolences through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled ‘President Tinubu mourns former Foreign Affairs Minister Dubem Onyia.’ Tinubu described Onyia as a brilliant administrator, accountant and respected political leader. The deceased hailed from Enugu State in the South-east. Apart from being a Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, he served as chairman of the International Technical Commission for…