Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
Afrobeat star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has publicly criticized the Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Abba, over the ongoing political crisis in the state. Osun, currently governed by Davido’s uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, is facing heightened tensions between members of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress. The crisis stems from attempts by sacked local government chairmen, elected under the APC, to reclaim their positions despite court rulings removing them from office. Over the weekend, Governor Adeleke held a press conference urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene and restrain his Minister, Gboyega Oyetola, from…
The former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has called for the immediate reopening of non-drug markets that were closed down following the closure of the Head Bridge Drug Market in Onitsha. The drug market was closed by regulatory and security authorities last week because of suspected illegal drug trading in an area referred to as Ogbo Ogwu. Obi, who condemned the sale of illicit drugs in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, however, called for fairness in the enforcement of the law. “One unequivocally condemns such illicit drug trading activities and urges the government to…
The leadership of the Labour Party has denied reports circulating that its 2027 presidential ticket has been zoned to the South-East geo-political zone. In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party stated that it has not and will not zone any of its positions to any geographical zone or individual. Recall that the party on Sunday issued a statement titled “2027: Labour Party still available for Ndigbo to realise presidency – Abure”, which fuelled speculation that its presidential ticket has been zoned to the South-East. Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, had flown…
Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the departed leader of the Yoruba Socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, as an advocate of an equitable and progressive Nigeria. Adebanjo died on Friday, February 14 at the age of 96. In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, on Monday, the Vice President described Adebanjo as “a living bridge that connected us to the foundational struggles of our democracy. Shettima hailed Adebanjo’s extensive contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey, from his role as the Organising Secretary of the Action Group to his leadership in the National Democratic…
Popular Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has deactivated her Instagram account, fueling speculation surrounding rumours that her husband, billionaire businessman and politician Ned Nwoko, has allegedly welcomed a child with her senior colleague, Chika Ike. Social media has been abuzz with claims that Nwoko, who is married to six wives, Regina being the youngest, has secretly welcomed another child. The rumours gained traction after Chika Ike recently announced her pregnancy, sharing maternity photos that sparked both congratulatory messages and controversy. Adding to the speculation, Regina, known for publicly supporting her husband’s political career, was noticeably silent on his recent defection to…
The Edo State Government has confirmed 13 deaths from an outbreak of Lassa fever in the state. Stephenson Ojeifo, the director of public health at the State Ministry of Health, gave the update during an interview with reporters on Sunday in Benin. According to him, three cases of Mpox, otherwise known as Monkeypox, were also recorded, though with no fatalities. Mr Ojeifo said since the outbreak of Lassa fever was declared on 30 December 2024, the state had recorded 83 confirmed cases out of 378 suspected cases. “So far, we have 83 confirmed Lassa fever cases, with 13 deaths. “Seven…
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has urged the new General Officer Commander (GOC) of the 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, to intensify efforts to end the persistent sit-at-home protests enforced by non-state actors in the Southeast. Governor Nwifuru gave the charge during Major General Olatoye’s courtesy visit to Government House, Centenary City, Abakaliki, where he also called on security agencies to introduce a reward system to boost the morale of their personnel. “I am confident that you are familiar with the security challenges in the Southeast. God has been with us, alongside the dedicated military…
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has issued a 48 hours ultimatum to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to reverse the newly announced hike in Automated Teller Machine, ATM, transaction fees, calling it “unlawful, unfair, unreasonable, and unjust”. SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, in an open letter dated February 15, 2025, urged CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso to immediately reverse the policy. Recall that CBN in a circular dated February 10 announced that ATM withdrawals made at machines outside a bank’s branch premises will now attract a N100 charge per N20,000 withdrawn, while withdrawals at shopping centres, airports and…
The United States will temporarily shut its Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos on Monday, 17 February 2025, in observance of Presidents’ Day. This was disclosed in a post on X by the diplomatic mission. It assured the public that normal operations would resume the following day. “The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2025, in observance of Presidents’ Day. We will resume normal operations on Tuesday, 18 February 2025,” the mission said. The Presidents’ Day is observed in the United States annually on the third…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has intensified its enforcement efforts against the sale of illicit and counterfeit pharmaceuticals, sealing over 3,000 shops within the Idumota Open Drug Market in Lagos in the first week of operations. This was made known in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday by NAFDAC. During the raid, officials uncovered alarming violations, including vaccines stored in dilapidated, unventilated rooms sealed with iron sheets, posing severe health risks. Large consignments of banned and dangerous drugs were also discovered, including Analgin injections, diverted HIV antiretroviral drugs, and expired medicines slated…