Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The Federal Government has dismissed speculations that a potential alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi could unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election. The government said this through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a political current affairs show on Sunday, where he described the move as “an unfruitful adventure.” Keyamo, while analysing the emerging political alignments ahead of the next presidential contest, stated that Nigerians were already familiar with the tactics of the African Democratic Congress and would not be swayed by what he described as outdated…

The national Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has called on the immediate past governor of Kaduna, Nasir el-Rufai, to get a job and stop distracting President Bola Tinubu. Basiru gave this advice on Sunday in an interview with the Tribune. He urged El-Rufai to wait until 2027 before launching any media offensive against the ruling party. The APC scribe also questioned why el-Rufai was usurping strength on a political contest still two years away. Basiru’s remarks were in response to El-Rufai’s comments on Saturday in Sokoto, where he addressed African Democratic Congress, (ADC), supporters in…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given Governor Umar Bago of Niger State 48 hours to reverse what it described as the “arbitrary and unlawful” shutdown of Badeggi FM 90.1, an independent radio station in Minna, the state capital. In an open letter dated August 2 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation asked the governor to reinstate the station’s licence, withdraw threats to demolish its premises, and stop profiling its owner, Shuaibu Badeggi. “Your vague, unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations of ‘inciting violence’ against Badeggi FM and its owner are apparently made to silence the…

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has suspended its seven-day nationwide warning strike. The decision to call off the strike followed a virtual emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) held yesterday, during which the association reviewed recent engagements with the Federal Government. The industrial action was initiated to press for the implementation of key demands, including upward review of shift and uniform allowances, introduction of a separate salary structure for nurses, increase in core duty allowance, mass recruitment of nursing personnel, and the creation of a dedicated nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health.…

President Bola Tinubu on Friday called on young Nigerians active in the digital media space to harness their platforms as instruments of national unity. Speaking at the opening of the Progressives Digital Media Summit, themed ‘Unveiling the Critical Role of New Media in National Development, Tinubu emphasised the importance of verifying information before amplifying it. He urged the youth to serve as positive catalysts for societal development by building businesses that create employment and producing content that reflects unifying values. “I urge you to continue using digital platforms to advance our nation’s progress. Build businesses that employ others. Create content…

Former Kogi senator, Dino Melaye, has expressed regret for previously backing the All Progressives Congress, describing his past support as a mistake. He also expressed confidence in the African Democratic Congress to present a strong contender capable of unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027. Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Friday, Melaye acknowledged his past alignment with the ruling party but said he had since turned a new leaf. “Once I was blind, now I can see. I regret in totality. “Just like you confess your sins daily in the Lord’s prayer, I ask for forgiveness.…

Unions in Nigeria’s aviation sector have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over the prolonged delay in implementing a new salary structure for workers under the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency. In a joint letter dated July 31, the unions expressed frustration that, despite concluding negotiations with NAMA management over eight months ago, agreed salary adjustments remain unimplemented. The letter was signed by the General Secretaries of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, National Union of Air Transport Employees, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, and the Amalgamated Union of Public…

President John Mahama of Ghana has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocols, saying there’s no place for xenophobia in Ghana. Mahama disclosed this while receiving President Bola Tinubu’s special envoy led by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu at the Presidential Palace, Accra, Ghana. This is contained in a statement issued on Friday by Dr Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria. The Ghanaian president reiterated his commitment to advancing the ECOWAS protocols, especially pertaining to…

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the United Kingdom’s (UK) Conservative Party, says she no longer identifies with Nigeria, her ancestral roots. In an interview on the Rosebud podcast anchored by Gyles Brandreth on Friday, Badenoch spoke candidly about her Nigerian heritage and personal identity. Badenoch said she has not renewed her Nigerian passport since the early 2000s, adding that she no longer feels connected to the country despite her ancestral roots. “I have not renewed my Nigerian passport; I think not since the early 2000s. I don’t identify with it [Nigeria] anymore; most of my life has been in the UK,…

Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and some elders and leaders of the All Progressives Congress in the state, also known as the APC Leaders Caucus, have announced their endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term. The governor and the party chieftains at a meeting held at the Government House, Akure, the state capital, on Friday, also launched a group called ‘Ondo State for Tinubu 2027’ under which platform members of the party would work for the re-election of the President. Speaking at the meeting, Aiyedatiwa called for unity among members of the party and expressed optimism that…