Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The United Kingdom’s Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, has announced a sweeping new immigration policy that could see up to 150,000 illegal migrants deported annually; the boldest move yet in Britain’s ongoing border debate. In a video shared on her official X page on Sunday, Badenoch described the new framework – tagged the Radical Borders Plan – as “the toughest reforms Britain has ever seen” on immigration. Under the new plan, the UK government will launch a dedicated Removals Force, which will take over from the current immigration enforcement system. The new agency is expected to operate with expanded powers, including…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his weekend visit to Plateau State, where the President attended the funeral of Mama Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda. Atiku, in a post on his verified X account on Saturday, described the visit as a “sad reflection of priorities,” accusing Tinubu of choosing a political social function over showing solidarity with citizens devastated by ongoing violence in the region. Plateau State has been one of the worst-hit regions by unending violence in recent years – from banditry to communal clashes, with thousands…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has come out to dismiss reports suggesting he accused the late President Muhammadu Buhari of having ties with Boko Haram terrorists.  According to a statement released by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan’s comments were “grossly misrepresented” and taken out of context. The statement reads in part: “At no time did Dr Jonathan suggest, imply, or insinuate that President Buhari had any connection with Boko Haram or that he supported the group in any form.” Jonathan made his remarks at the launch of Scars, a book by former Chief of Defence Staff Lucky Irabor. He recalled…

Renowned legal heavyweight, Jibrin Samuel Okutepa (SAN), has taken a swipe at the Nigeria Police Force for what he described as a deliberate attempt to sidestep a Federal High Court order suspending the controversial tinted glass permit policy. The police, through its spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, had claimed ignorance of the court’s ruling – stating they were yet to be officially served with the order. The judgment, delivered by Justice H.A. Ngangijowa of the Federal High Court in Warri (Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025), temporarily halted enforcement of the policy, citing concerns over motorists’ constitutional rights. In a fiery response posted on…

The Isuikwuato Consultative Forum (ICF) *on Wednesday October 1* honored the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Abia State, Barrister Ikechukwu Uwana, in Abuja, on his distinguished elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). The event drew a notable gathering of prominent sons and daughters of Isuikwuato, officials from the Abia State Government, and personal friends and associates of Barrister Uwana. Leader of the Isuikwuato Consultative Forum and former Director of Operations at the Department of State Services (DSS), Chief Ray Nkemdirim, lauded Barrister Uwana’s achievement, attributing it to his relentless hard work, dedication, and profound…

The people of Kebbe Local Government Area in Sokoto Stat have raised urgent calls to the Federal Government, asking for permission to bear sophisticated weapons to protect themselves against the deadly Lakurawa bandits wreaking havoc in their communities. At a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Sokoto, residents, led by community leader Alhaji Adamu Kebbe, expressed deep frustration over what they described as government abandonment in the face of relentless attacks. According to them, the bandits have destroyed lives and properties with impunity, while security responses remain slow and ineffective. “We can no longer sleep…

Senator Iyiola Omisore, a prominent figure in Osun politics and the All Progressives Congress (APC), has officially announced his plans to contest the 2026 Osun State governorship election. The former deputy governor shared the news via his official X handle on Saturday. Omisore revealed that his formal declaration ceremony will take place on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the Osun APC Secretariat in Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, starting at 10 a.m. His campaign theme, “Fix the Broken, Restore Our Dreams,” signals his focus on revitalizing the state’s fortunes. In his announcement, Omisore called on the people of Osun to join his “Osun…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR has urged Abia State government and the South-East region to give credit to President Bola Tinubu, GCFR for ensuring that funds were made available for execution of projects.  Speaking during the commissioning of projects in Aba, Abia State on Friday, Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency of the State commended Governor Alex Otti for his efforts in enhancing the State’s infrastructure, calling on the governor to give due recognition to President Tinubu for his contributions to the region. He said: “As you know, I am not…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said he is ready to step down from the 2027 presidential race if a younger and more vibrant candidate emerges under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Atiku said he is not desperate to be president but is committed to rescuing Nigeria from what he described as “decades of bad leadership.” He stressed that young Nigerians must not shy away from the race, noting that ADC which he now supports after leaving the crisis-ridden Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); was formed to provide a strong opposition to…

The Lagos State government has pushed back against comments made by Labour Party leader Peter Obi over the demolition of plazas at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, saying the affected structures had no valid building permits. The plazas, located at the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) section of the market, were demolished last week by officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Urban Renewal Agency, and the Physical Planning Permit Authority. Obi, who visited the site on Tuesday with lawmakers including Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Victor Umeh, faulted…