Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
World powers on Thursday blasted US President Donald Trump’s steep tariffs on imports of vehicles and car parts, vowing retaliation as a widening trade war intensifies. Major car exporter Germany called for a firm response from the EU, while Japan said it “will consider all options.” Stock markets across Asia and Europe skidded into the red as auto manufacturers from Toyota to Hyundai and Mercedes led the plunge. The US duties will take effect at 12:01 am (0401 GMT) on April 3 and impact foreign-made cars and light trucks. Key automobile parts will also be hit within the month. “What…
Former presidential spokesman Laolu Akande says Siminalayi Fubara should be the first to challenge his suspension as River State governor by President Bola Tinubu. According to Akande, Tinubu would have swiftly approached the Supreme Court if a president had suspended him when he was Lagos State governor between May 1999 to May 2007. Tinubu, who was in the opposition whilst as Lagos governor, was recorded to have challenged the seizure of local government funds by the then-President Olusegun Obasanjo government. The former presidential aide said Fubara should not have waited for seven governors of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party…
The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, on Thursday said ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s plan to run for the presidency in 2027 will be his seventh failed attempt. Posting on his Facebook page, the minister’s spokesman charged Atiku to stop lying to himself after six previous failed attempts at the presidency. On Wednesday, Wike’s spokesman vowed that his principal will frustrate Atiku’s 2027 presidential bid while reacting to his recent comment that he had no regrets about not picking Wike as his running mate in…
Troops of the special military task force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), have arrested two suspected killers of Rev. Fr Sylvester Okechukwu. This is contained in a statement issued by Maj. Samson Zhakom, the media officer of OPSH, on Wednesday in Jos. Okechukwu, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kafachan, Kaduna State, was abducted on March 4, at about 9:15 p.m. Okechukwu, who was abducted at his residence in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, was later found dead on March 5. Zhakom said that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday following a raid troops conducted in…
The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a stern warning to members rumored to be planning to support opposing parties in the 2027 elections. Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, Chairman of Abia APC, addressed the speculations on Tuesday at the party secretariat in Umuahia. Ononogbu emphasized the party’s commitment to taking over the Abia State government in 2027, stating that any member or stakeholder found guilty of secretly or openly supporting another political party will face disciplinary actions according to the party’s constitution To address the allegations, Ononogbu announced that that there will be an establishment of…
Organized Labour in Rivers State has expressed deep concern over the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18, 2025. Labour strongly condemn the “baseless” declaration of state of emergency and suspension of the Executive Governor, Deputy Governor, and House of Assembly members who were elected by in Rivers people. It said that the state of emergency has impacted the local government workers who are yet to receive their salaries, as a result, are exposed to avoidable economic hardship. In a statement jointly signed by Comrade Alex Agwanwor, Sir Comrade Ikechukwu Onyefuru, State…
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said Nigeria needs urgent restructuring to enable citizens to enjoy the benefits of democracy. Speaking on Tuesday in Yola at a coalition meeting attended by members of various political parties, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate said things were not going in the right direction. “We need a new movement that we can use to correct things; if we do not act this time, our children will become slaves in their father’s land,” he said. Atiku added that he would soon address national issues and clarify his political stance, urging his supporters to…
A presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, has cautioned former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, to be mindful of his statements after the former governor claimed that democracy in Nigeria had collapsed. Obi, while speaking at the 60th birthday colloquium for former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, in Abuja on Monday, said the progress made since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999 had been eroded. He stated, “If you looked at where we are today, it’s like, they (the PDP) started in 1999, laid the foundation. Some people came and took it to decking, and some people…
Singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has been spotted shopping with his fiancée, Natasha Osawaru, the granddaughter of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion. A viral video on Tuesday captured the couple at Seyi Vodi, a well-known celebrity boutique. They were seen carrying multiple shopping bags while store attendants assisted them. This public outing comes weeks after 2Baba and Natasha visited her grandfather, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, in what appeared to be part of their wedding preparations. Following his separation from Annie Idibia, reports surfaced in February that the singer had moved on with Natasha. He later confirmed their relationship in…
Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice-Admiral (rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has announced the resignation of the Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, describing the development as sad. The Administrator appreciated the immense contributions of Nwaeke in the short period he served the administration and wished him well in his future endeavors. Ibas said in the interim, Dr Iyingi Brown, Permanent Secretary Welfare, Office of the Head of Service had been appointed in acting capacity until the emergence of a new Head of Service. While congratulating her on her appointment, Ibas assured the people of Rivers of his commitment to neutrality,…