Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The mood in Anambra State turned serious on Monday as sixteen political parties and their candidates came together to sign a peace accord ahead of the governorship election. In the same event, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) issued a firm warning that there would be no space for interference by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), its militant arm the Eastern Security Network (ESN), or any other non-state outfit. Represented by Deputy Inspector General Ben Okoro, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, made it clear that any attempt to disrupt the election would meet “an immediate, coordinated and overwhelming law…

The political tide in Kaduna State has turned sharply in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as several key opposition lawmakers have crossed over to join Governor Uba Sani’s team. The governor, who spoke during a mega rally at Kafanchan Township Stadium, described the wave of defections as a testament to his administration’s inclusive and fair governance style. “Kaduna State is now one big happy family under the canopy of the APC,” Uba Sani declared to a cheering crowd. Among the defectors was Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, who represents Southern Kaduna in the National Assembly. He was joined…

The Federal Ministry of Health has expressed profound concern over the abduction of consultant neurosurgeon Tochukwu Mbanugo from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi in Anambra State. In a statement signed by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the ministry condemned the kidnapping as “a direct assault on the nation’s health security and a threat to our collective wellbeing”. The statement noted that Dr Mbanugo was taken on October 30, 2025, while travelling from the hospital along the New Nnewi-Oba Road after an intense theatre session. According to the ministry, the kidnappers later…

All eyes are on Dodoma as President Samia Suluhu Hassan prepares to be inaugurated on Monday after a fiercely disputed election that opposition parties and rights groups say was marred by deadly crackdowns. The electoral commission claims she won with an astonishing 98 percent of the vote, but the opposition party CHADEMA, which was barred from competing, has rejected the result and called for a rerun. Unlike past celebrations at packed stadiums, the ceremony is expected to hold inside the State House, with no public attendance – a decision state TV says is for “security reasons.” For nearly a week,…

In unexpected international stir, the threat by Donald Trump to deploy U.S. troops to Nigeria has drawn sharp criticism from Nigeria’s Senior Advocates, who say such a move would trample the country’s sovereignty and violate international law. On Friday, President Trump announced that the U.S. was designating Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged killings of Christians and threatened that American forces might “go intro that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists.” Itse Sagay (SAN), a renowned constitutional lawyer, said any foreign military action without Nigeria’s consent would be “an act of aggression” under…

The Association of Resident Doctors of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) has announced that it will embark on an indefinite strike starting at 12 midnight on Saturday, 1 November 2025, over unresolved welfare and administrative issues affecting its members. The notice, dated 30 October 2025 and addressed to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was signed by President Dr George Ebong and General Secretary Dr Agbor Affiong. The strike call comes in response to the national body of resident doctors, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), also declaring an indefinite strike from the same date.…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR has said that proponents of State creation from the South East will make a presentation to defend their request before the National Assembly members.  He made the disclosure when the leaders of Aba State Movement from Ukwa/Ngwa bloc in the current Abia State led by the first Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the State, Chief Theo Nkire paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Tuesday. Kalu said that an invitation will be extended to everyone to defend their request. Recall that a Joint Committee…

Former and current U.S. President Donald Trump has told reporters aboard Air Force One that he is “not allowed” to run for a third term in 2028, effectively acknowledging what the U.S. Constitution already makes clear.  He said: “I have my highest poll numbers that I’ve ever had… I guess I’m not allowed to run, so we’ll see what happens.” The legal foundation for Trump’s admission lies in the Twenty‑second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” Trump has already served one term from 2017-2021 and…

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed claims that recent police promotions were tainted by favouritism or irregularities. Speaking at the decoration ceremony for newly promoted senior officers in Abuja on Tuesday, Egbetokun said every officer elevated under his watch earned it through merit, performance, and discipline – not connections or tribal ties. “The Nigeria Police Force has nothing to hide and nothing to defend,” the IGP said firmly. “Every promotion exercise under this administration has followed due process, guided by transparency and merit.” In recent weeks, some officers and social media commentators had accused the Force of “backdoor”…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, PhD, CFR has said that Nigeria’s energy and creativity is a reflection of Africa’s promising future. Kalu stated this on Wednesday when he received on a courtesy visit, delegation of young leaders from the Torchbearers of liberty fellowship. He cited a United Nations report which states that by 2030, 1 in every 3 new entrants into the global labour force will be African. He said to harness this potential, deliberate policy and legislation are expanding opportunity through initiatives such as the 600 million dollar iDICE partnership with the African…