Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has filed a notice of appeal to challenge the ruling of the Federal High Court, which ‘ordered’ the recall of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Senate. In a notice of appeal dated July 14, 2025, filed by Akpabio—through his lead counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, Akpabio is seeking to overturn the July 4 judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako. The High Court had described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension as “excessive” and without legal justification. The appeal, marked CA/2025, arises from suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, which was instituted by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to challenge her suspension from the Senate. Akpabio’s…

The Northwest Governors Forum has declared Tuesday, July 15, 2025, a public holiday across all seven states of the region in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday in a hospital in the United Kingdom. In a statement personally signed by the Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, the governors expressed profound grief over the demise of the elder statesman, describing it as a colossal loss to Nigeria. “The Northwest Governors Forum receives with shock and deep sorrow the news of the passing of our beloved former President, General…

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, says he leads a modest lifestyle without domestic staff and personally serves guests in his home. Obi made the remarks on Sunday in a post via his X handle, while reacting to the viral photos and videos of him serving food at a recent charity event in Imo state. “I am genuinely surprised that this simple act has become a topic of discussion. As governor, I always served others whenever we had events,” he wrote. “Even now, in private life, I do not have a house help.…

Vice President Kashim Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has paid a condolence visit to the family of late former President Muhammadu Buhari in London, following the elder statesman’s death in a UK hospital on Sunday. This was revealed in a statement issued on Monday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha. Upon his arrival in the British capital on Monday morning, the Vice President met with members of the bereaved Buhari family to convey the President’s heartfelt condolences and solidarity during their time of grief. Shettima…

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, on Monday, cancelled the commissioning of the New Edo Line, a transport company that has been moribund for the past 15 years. The commissioning was cancelled after guests had arrived at the venue. It was a few minutes before midday that guests at the venue were informed of the cancellation to honour the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. Sources said Governor Okpebholo was reminded of the implication of holding such a ceremony at a time the country is mourning and national flags are flying at half-mast. The Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, in a…

The Federal Government has directed immediate reforms in the emergency care services at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, following public outrage over delayed medical attention to accident victims at the hospital’s emergency unit. Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, issued the directive during an unscheduled visit to the facility on Sunday. He also revealed plans to launch a nationwide emergency care training programme aimed at standardising and improving response capacities across public hospitals. The visit came in response to a viral video showing victims of an accident allegedly left unattended at the hospital’s emergency…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CFR has expressed profound sadness over the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.  He described the loss as a significant blow not only to Nigeria but also to the international community, given President Buhari’s contributions to global progress. In a statement on Sunday following the report of the death, Kalu recalled former President Buhari’s legacies, highlighting his integrity, loathing for indiscipline, and other notable achievements, including the “rice revolution.” The Deputy Speaker also emphasized the importance of leadership, service, and dedication to citizens’ welfare, referencing President Buhari’s…

The Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), University of Abuja chapter, Mr. Nurudeen Yusuf, has denied media reports alleging that he assaulted a female staff member during a recent executive meeting of the union. Reports had earlier alleged that Yusuf physically assaulted one Mrs. Precious Sokari, the union’s treasurer, following a heated argument during a meeting, which reportedly violated university regulations and SSANU’s ethical code of conduct. The altercation was said to have stemmed from a disagreement over Yusuf’s alleged unilateral creation of eleven committees without consultation with the union executives—an action purportedly in breach of…

President Bola Tinubu has announced the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the development as a national loss. This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the passing of his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari. “President Buhari died today in London at about 4.30 pm, following a prolonged illness”, the statement partly read. Onanuga added that Tinubu has since reached out to the bereaved family. “President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow and offered his…

The leadership of the Labour Party has disclosed that no date has been set for its next National Executive Council meeting to decide the fate of erring members and chieftains of the party indicted for anti-party activities. Deputy National Chairman of the Labour Party, Ayo Olorunfemi, disclosed this in an interview with Journalists. The development comes a few days after Labour Party factional National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, announced that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would soon be expelled for working against the interest of the party. He stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief…