Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

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…

Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has petitioned the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), accusing doctors attached to the Department of State Services (DSS) of falsifying his medical records and exposing him to life-threatening neglect. The petition, dated September 22, 2025, was signed by Kanu from DSS custody and released to the media through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor. It was also copied to the Federal High Court and the DSS Director-General. Kanu Details Ordeal in Kenya and Nigeria Kanu recalled his controversial arrest in Kenya in 2021 and his eventual transfer to Nigeria, which sparked international…

The Benjamin Kalu Foundation in collaboration with a Taiwanese medical team from Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps on Wednesday commenced a free medical outreach programme in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State.  The programme which kicked off in Bende metropolis will take place in several other communities of Bende, potentially extending beyond the local government area. It aims to provide medical care to about 5,000 to 10,000 patients with different medical conditions. Flagging off the outreach in Agbamuzu, Bende headquarters, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR, said that the programme is about…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered security agencies to track down and prosecute the killers of Somtochukwu “Sommie” Maduagwu, a young news anchor with Arise News Television, who was murdered during a robbery attack at her Katampe home in Abuja. The President, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, condemned the killing as “cruel and condemnable.” He directed investigators to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice without delay. Maduagwu’s death has sent shockwaves through the media community. Colleagues, viewers, and industry leaders described her as one of the brightest voices in…

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, PhD, CFR has congratulated the Speaker Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON on the occasion of his 60th birthday anniversary. Kalu in a congratulatory message, described Speaker Tajudeen as a true democrat, leader par excellence, with a track record of selfless and dedicated service to the nation. He noted that the Speaker has consistently demonstrated the qualities of a nation-builder, and commitment to sustaining Nigeria’s democracy and promoting good governance through effective representation. The Deputy Speaker also noted that Speaker Tajudeen has exhibited pragmatic leadership which has led…

The arraignment of activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, on charges of defaming President Bola Tinubu, was stalled on Tuesday at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The court ruled that the charges were not properly served on the defendants. The five-count charge, filed on September 23, also listed X Corp (formerly Twitter) and Meta Platforms (Facebook) as co-defendants. The case is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025. Sowore, founder of Sahara Reporters and a former presidential candidate, had on August 25 described Tinubu as a “criminal” while reacting to the president’s anti-corruption remarks during a visit to Brazil. DSS Orders Retraction, Sowore Refuses Before filing…

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Rivers State chapter, has ordered a seven-day warning strike across all 23 local government areas of the state. The action, which began Tuesday, follows allegations that more than 500 staff of Emuoha Local Government Area were removed from the payroll, leaving them without salaries. Emuoha Workers Cry Foul Last week, the aggrieved workers stormed the Emuoha council secretariat in protest, accusing the council chairman, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, of unjustly sacking them. They insisted their names were deleted from the payroll without due process. The protest, which drew attention from labour leaders in…

The standoff between labour unions and Africa’s biggest refinery escalated on Monday as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) directed its members to mobilise in support of the strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) against the Dangote Refinery. In a circular signed by its president, Joe Ajaero, the NLC ordered affiliates across the country to prepare for what it called a “decisive engagement” against what it described as the conglomerate’s anti-worker culture. “Commence with immediate effect, preparation for a vigorous and comprehensive unionisation of all workers within every Dangote Group facility under your…