Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

It’s been two years since Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu CFR, emerged unopposed and assumed office as the Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives representing the nation, starting from the good people of Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State. In these two years, being his second term in the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has continued to relentlessly reassure not just the people of Bende, but the entire Southeast, that we have a voice in the Green Chamber, a strong, consistent, and respected voice in matters of national integration. There is no doubt that he has successfully secured our…

The Ondo State branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria has commenced an industrial action over an alleged failure of the state government to implement its agreement reached with the union. The union said the decision to embark on a strike followed the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum issued to the government on June 4, 2025, and the lack of response from the government to address the reneged parts of the agreements outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed on May 20, 2015. This was contained in a statement jointly issued by Afolabi Oluwafemi and Alade Kehinde, the chairman…

Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has forwarded 12 names to the House of Assembly for confirmation as commissioners in the State Executive Council.  In a statement by Governor Aiyedatiwa’s spokesman in the early hours of Friday, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the nominees are: Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun (former VC of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko); Ayorinde Abiola Olawoye, Ayodele Akande, Alabi Johnson, Amidu Takuro, Adewale Akinlosotu and Idowu Ajanaku. Others are: Oluwaseun Abosede Osamaye, Tob Loko, Olaolu Akindolire, Sunday Olajide, and Omoyofunmi Segun Henry. “In exercise of the power conferred on me by Section 192 (1&2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic…

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has restated readiness to provide leadership for the All Progressives Congress in Osun State and work hard for the party to return to power. The state will be going to polls on August 8, 2026 to elect another governor with the incumbent, Ademola Adeleke, expected to run on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party. However while speaking at the inauguration and award ceremonies organised by Iron Ladies Group, an association within in Osun APC in Osogbo on Thursday, the ex-Osun state governor, who was represented at the event by the…

Victor Ukaogo In the ever-evolving landscape of Nigerian politics, few figures have emerged as both a beacon of hope and a source of contention as Benjamin Kalu. As the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Kalu has become a significant player in Nigeria’s political arena, often positioning himself against the entrenched interests of what many have come to label the “Yesterday Men.” This term refers to the older generation of politicians who cling to power and influence, often prioritizing personal gain over the collective good. Kalu’s rise represents a challenge to these established figures, as he seeks to…

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu. The conferment came during Tinubu’s State of the Nation address at the special joint sitting of the National Assembly to mark Nigeria’s June 12, 2025 Democracy Day celebrations. It will be recalled that Kalu was previously awarded the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by President Tinubu in his national broadcast on October 1, 2024, to commemorate Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day. The President’s decision to…

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said he takes pleasure in seeing opposition parties in disarray and has no plans to help them organise themselves. “Political parties fearful of members leaving may be better served by examining their internal processes and affairs rather than fearfully conjuring up demons that do not exist. “For me, I would say try your best to put your house in order. I will not help you do so. It is, indeed, a pleasure to witness you in such disarray,” Tinubu said during his State of the Nation address at a joint session of the National Assembly…

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday says he will welcome Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) whenever he chooses to officially join.  Speaking during the commissioning of the Arterial Road N16 and other infrastructure in the Katampe District of Abuja, President Tinubu commended Wike’s contribution to governance and light-heartedly referenced the minister’s signature tune from his previous political rallies. “We have somebody—Nyesom Wike—he is not a member of my party (APC), not yet. “But the day he changes his mind and registers with the progressives, we will welcome him. Because we will enjoy…

The Labour Party (LP) faction led by Julius Abure has accused Peter Obi, former presidential candidate, of orchestrating the crisis in the party. Umar Ibrahim, the LP national secretary in Abure’s camp, made the claim while responding to Obi’s recent interview. Obi had said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) infiltrated the party, triggering the crisis within its ranks. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ibrahim accused Obi of misleading Nigerians on the actual cause of the party’s crisis, noting that nearly all political parties are grappling with one form of internal conflict or the other. “We sincerely hope that…

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dele Momodu, has tackled President Bola Tinubu for referring to some Nigerians as busybodies. Tinubu, on Tuesday, urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, not to be distracted by “busybodies and naysayers” but to focus on his mandate to transform the nation’s capital. However, Dele Momodu, in an interview with Channels TV on Wednesday, picked holes in President Tinubu’s comment. According to the PDP chieftain, it is now looking like Tinubu and Wike are co-leading the country. He said, “The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has held Lagos…