Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has signed a ₦695 billion supplementary budget into law – a move seen by many as a strong push to fast-track development across the state. The signing happened on Wednesday during the October edition of the Project Delivery Meeting at the Government House in Uyo. With this budget now into law, the governor wasted no time in backing it up with action. He announced the immediate release of ₦60 billion to contractors handling key infrastructure projects, particularly those with ready Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs). This fresh injection of funds is expected to breathe…

Residents of Umuezenta, Umuelenwa, and Okpuala villages in Mbawsi, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, have raised serious allegations against the Abia State Government over what they describe as fraudulent handling of compensation for lands acquired for the proposed Abia Airport Project. The communities say they are being short changed and ignored, despite their lands being bulldozed to make way for the ambitious infrastructure. During a media briefing on Tuesday, local leaders showed journalists around the proposed airport runway site, revealing deep grievances ranging from lack of proper agreements to suspected name-swapping in the government’s compensation list. In what appears to be…

Geoffrey Nnaji, the now-former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has come forward to explain why he abruptly stepped down from President Tinubu’s cabinet – and according to him, it has nothing to do with guilt. In a strongly worded statement released shortly after his resignation was confirmed by the Presidency, Nnaji made it clear: his exit was not an admission of wrongdoing but a personal decision to defend his reputation and allow the administration stay focused. “These attacks are politically motivated,” he said. “They’re meant to distract not just me, but the important work of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope…

Members of the House of Representatives will this week debate a motion seeking urgent medical intervention for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The decision followed an intervention during Tuesday’s plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu,CFR who in reaction to a point of order raised on the subject matter by the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, notified the House that it will be properly presented for hearing within the week. Aguocha had raised a point of order, (order 6 rule 2 on matters of privilege), stating…

It was far from business as usual on Tuesday inside the green chamber of the National Assembly as a heated face-off broke out between Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Rep. Obi Aguocha from Abia State. The Abia lawmaker had raised a point of privilege, drawing attention to a letter he sent back in August to the Speaker, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and President Bola Tinubu. The letter was a call for urgent medical intervention for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been in custody since June 2021. According to Aguocha, the letter has been…

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, on Tuesday, swore in three newly elected lawmakers following their victories in the August 16 bye-elections held across several states. The swearing-in ceremony took place during plenary at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, marking the official return of full representation for some affected federal constituencies. The bye-elections became necessary after the Green Chamber tragically lost four of its members between 2024 and 2025 due to illness. Among the late lawmakers were: Ekene Adams (Kaduna State), Isa Dogonyaro (Jigawa State), Olaide Akinremi (Oyo State), Oriyomi Onanuga (Ogun State) In addition,…

After a full decade at the helm of Nigeria’s electoral commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has officially stepped aside as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Yakubu, who was first appointed in 2015 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, completed two terms of five years each, navigating Nigeria through some of its most challenging and controversial elections. On Tuesday, October 7th, Yakubu formally handed over leadership to National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will now serve as Acting Chairman of the Commission pending the appointment of a new substantive head. Tinubu to Appoint New INEC Chairman Soon All eyes are…

Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, has distanced himself from a viral post credited to him and circulated by Igbere TV (IGTV) on Facebook and another platform, “Olu Ndi Igbo”, on X (formerly Twitter). The publications, which alleged that Ekeoma made damaging statements against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, particularly regarding Kalu’s relationship with Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, have been described by Ekeoma as “fake, irresponsible, and criminal.” In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, Ekeoma condemned the report, describing it as “a display of…

The Abia State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has distanced itself from a protest allegedly held at the Government House, Umuahia, by individuals claiming to represent the union. In a disclaimer issued on Friday, the NLC State Chairman, Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya, said the protest was orchestrated by impostors who falsely used his name to cause unrest over the implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers in the state. Comrade Ogbonnaya clarified that he did not lead or authorize any protest related to CONHESS payments, stressing that the NLC leadership remains committed to maintaining a…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is poised to take over the governance of Abia State in 2027, expressing gratitude to the people for their support.  Addressing a mammoth gathering of APC supporters and members of the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) across the 17 Local Government Areas of the State in Umuahia, the capital on Sunday, Kalu emphasized that the party’s victory would be through the votes of the masses, not federal government force. He urged all Abia residents and eligible voters to obtain…