Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, has thrown jabs at a former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, over his political troubles with President Bola Tinubu, suggesting El-Rufai is now suffering the consequences of abandoning a former minister, Rotimi Amaechi. At the same time, Ndume warned that if Tinubu fails to address Nigeria’s challenges, he too may dump the ruling All Progressives Congress. The lawmaker, who was the Director-General of the Rotimi Amaechi Presidential Campaign, spoke during an appearance on Arise News on Tuesday. He used the platform to both criticise the current administration and reflect on the fallout between El-Rufai and…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) on Tuesday lost one lawmaker each in the House of Representatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The defectors — Hon. Peter Akpanke and Hon. Paul Nnamchi — formally announced their switch during plenary, with their defection letters read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. Akpanke, who was elected on the PDP platform, represents Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwara Federal Constituency of Cross River State. Nnamchi, elected under the LP, represents Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency of Enugu State. Both lawmakers attributed their defections to internal crises within their former parties and their desire to…

Following widespread criticism of the planned birthday rally for Peter Obi’s 64th birthday, the Obidient Movement has announced the suspension of its public fundraising efforts for the celebration. The movement had earlier announced its plan for a nationwide rally to celebrate Obi’s birthday on July 19. To fund the rally activities, the group had initially created four dedicated bank accounts jointly managed by Serah Ibrahim, Ezeokoli Blessing, and John Alor. However, the announcement sparked concerns about accountability as many questioned the necessity of the monetary aspect of the rally activity. Consequently, the backlash prompted the movement to suspend the fundraising.…

The Social Democratic Party has suspended its National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, over alleged financial misconduct and misappropriation of party funds. The party also suspended its National Auditor, Nnadi Clarkson, and National Youth Leader, Chukwuma Uchechukwu. The decision was announced in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, on Tuesday. “The suspended officials were linked to a series of unauthorised financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and diversion of funds without NWC approval,” the statement said. According to Aiyenigba, Gabam had submitted an unauthorised financial statement to INEC and published a summary in newspapers, prompting the party to alert law…

Uganda’s ruling party on said Tuesday that the country’s long-running president Yoweri Museveni will seek re-election in polls due early next year. The 80-year-old had been widely expected to try and extend his almost four-decade rule over the East African country. The opposition has faced a mounting crackdown ahead of the general election in January, with leading activists and politicians intimidated, abducted and detained. Museveni’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) party said in a statement on its website that the leader “seeks to retain the positions of the NRM chairman and party presidential flag bearer in the 2026 elections”. Tanga Odoi,…

The Vice President of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, and his wife, Maria Alckmin, on Tuesday, arrived in Nigeria for the commencement of the second session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism. On arrival at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the delegation was received by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia and Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole. Other government officials that received the delegation are the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, Minister of Agriculture, and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari; among others. The high-profile visit represents a watershed in…

Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (rtd), has come under serious allegations of financial misconduct, with claims that he deducted ₦200 million from Ahoada East Local Government’s monthly allocations. Additionally, new details have surfaced regarding the assault and reported resignation of Ahoada East Local Government Council’s Sole Administrator, Goodluck Ihenacho. Also, fresh facts have emerged about the assault and purported resignation of the Sole Administrator of Ahoada East Local Government Council, Goodluck Ihenacho. According to a voice note from the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Ahoada-East LGA, Mr. Hector Ekeakita, who was invited by the police alongside the…

Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, says Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa, is suffering from memory loss. On Saturday, Lamido claimed that President Bola Tinubu supported the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. Speaking during an Arise Television interview on Sunday, Alake described Lamido’s narrative as “false, revisionist and historically dishonest”. The minister insisted that Tinubu was a central figure in the fight to actualise MKO Abiola’s mandate. “I feel very appalled at his own submissions, which I would ascribe largely to selective amnesia at best, or at the very worst, an impairment of the medulla…

The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution will on July 4 and 5 hold a two-day zonal public hearing in the country’s six geo-political zones. The hearing is to gather citizens’ inputs on the proposed amendments. The committee, chaired by the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, said the public hearing will be held simultaneously in Lagos (Southwest), Enugu (Southeast), Ikot Ekpene (Southsouth), Jos (Northcentral), Maiduguri (Northeast) and Kano (Northwest). The hearing will examine critical national issues, including local government autonomy, electoral and judicial reforms, state creation, state police and inclusive governance. The Special Adviser to…

The endorsement of the senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the Senate, Ned Nwoko, for a second term has sparked sharp division within the All Progressives Congress in the district. Party leaders in Aniocha North, Nwoko’s home base, reaffirmed their support, while the senatorial leadership moved to disown the endorsement. On June 14, 2025, Nwoko was endorsed by a forum of APC local government and ward chairmen from the nine local councils of Delta North during a meeting held at his country home. The gathering, attended by key figures, including the Delta North APC Chairman, Chief Adizue Eluaka, was…