Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
A presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, has cautioned former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, to be mindful of his statements after the former governor claimed that democracy in Nigeria had collapsed. Obi, while speaking at the 60th birthday colloquium for former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, in Abuja on Monday, said the progress made since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999 had been eroded. He stated, “If you looked at where we are today, it’s like, they (the PDP) started in 1999, laid the foundation. Some people came and took it to decking, and some people…
Singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has been spotted shopping with his fiancée, Natasha Osawaru, the granddaughter of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion. A viral video on Tuesday captured the couple at Seyi Vodi, a well-known celebrity boutique. They were seen carrying multiple shopping bags while store attendants assisted them. This public outing comes weeks after 2Baba and Natasha visited her grandfather, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, in what appeared to be part of their wedding preparations. Following his separation from Annie Idibia, reports surfaced in February that the singer had moved on with Natasha. He later confirmed their relationship in…
Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice-Admiral (rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has announced the resignation of the Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, describing the development as sad. The Administrator appreciated the immense contributions of Nwaeke in the short period he served the administration and wished him well in his future endeavors. Ibas said in the interim, Dr Iyingi Brown, Permanent Secretary Welfare, Office of the Head of Service had been appointed in acting capacity until the emergence of a new Head of Service. While congratulating her on her appointment, Ibas assured the people of Rivers of his commitment to neutrality,…
President Bola Tinubu on Monday inaugurated the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) to empower young Nigerians and nurture the next generation of leaders. Tinubu, represented by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said the academy would focus on skills development, employment, leadership and civil engagement. This, according to him will be achieved through world-class training in digital literacy, technical skills, entrepreneurship and the creative industries. Tinubu said his administration would ensure that the youth were equipped to compete on the global stage. He said initiatives like the Youth Investment Fund and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters would provide financial support, mentorship…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received the petition seeking the recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Secretary to the commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, received the petition on Monday. The constituents claimed the signed petition met the requirements as stipulated by the Constitution 1990 as amended. It was learnt that more than one-half of the registered voters in the district, over 200,000 people, signed in support. The recall petition followed a series of contentious events involving Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct” after…
The Nigerian Correctional Service has confirmed the recapture of five out of the twelve escaped inmates from Koton-Karfe Custodial Centre. The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has said five fleeing inmates from the jailbreak at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, have been recaptured. This comes after it was reported earlier that twelve inmates escaped the Custodial Centre. The NCoS in a statement on Monday by its Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar said the manhunt is ongoing for the other fleeing inmates. Umar, in the statement, said: “The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirms a security breach at the Medium…
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has dismissed reports claiming she apologized to the Nigerian Senate over the controversy that led to her suspension. In a statement on Monday, March 24, 2025, the lawmaker described the claims as “false and misleading,” reaffirming her stance on the issue that resulted in her six-month suspension. “The reports suggesting that I have apologized to the Senate and retracted my position are completely untrue. I stand firmly by my words and actions and have not issued any apology to the Senate or anyone regarding this matter,” she stated. She condemned those spreading the misinformation,…
Twelve inmates escaped in an early morning jailbreak at the Federal Correctional Centre in Kotonkarfe, Kogi State, on Monday. Kogi State Information Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo, described the incident as “unfortunate” and assured citizens that the government, working with security agencies, would take steps to prevent a recurrence. According to him, law enforcement agencies have re-arrested one of the escapees. “The theory that the inmates escaped through the tower without causing any structural damage raises serious concerns. “This calls for a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the escape, arrest the fleeing inmates, and identify possible saboteurs within the…
Suspended Rvers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has denied any links to militant groups, warning against attempts to incite violence or economic sabotage in his name. Fubara made this known in a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt, the state capital. The governor was reacting to trending videos alleging explosions at oil and gas installations in the state, which he described as “fake” and “malicious.” He urged security agencies to investigate the sources of the videos and take action against those responsible. The statement read, “Our attention has, once again, been drawn to…
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it undemocratic and unconstitutional. In a statement issued on Sunday, Wabara decried the suspension of the elected governor, deputy governor, and State House of Assembly members, replacing them with a sole administrator, describing the move as a “gross violation of Nigeria’s Constitution and an assault on democracy and the rule of law.” “This action is a direct attack on the essence of our Republic. “It deserves the strongest…