Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, plans to return to the presidency, using the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as platform to actualise his renewed presidential ambition, Vanguard gathered authoritatively yesterday. A top official in Jonathan’s team confirmed to Vanguard that the decision to use the PDP followed extensive deliberation over where his chances were brighter in returning to power to provide quality leadership to the country, amid growing hardship and poverty. This, however, drew reactions from stakeholders in the polity. While some said the former president had the constitutional right to aspire, others cautioned him against rubbishing his image in what they…

The Enugu State Government has announced the commencement of a special verification exercise for pensioners, retirees,newly employed civil servants, and next-of-kin who were unable to participate in previous exercises. In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the government said the exercise is aimed at strengthening transparency, ensuring accurate record-keeping, and facilitating the prompt processing of legitimate entitlements. The verification will cover four categories: new employee verification, pension verification, gratuity verification, and verification of next-of-kin of deceased retirees eligible for benefits. DrumAfricanews reports that the exercise is scheduled to commence on Monday, May 18,…

●●●●emerges Nigeria’s Leader in Maternal Healthcare Access Prince Eze Ugochukwu In a significant achievement for maternal and child health in Nigeria, Imo State has recorded the highest percentage of live births delivered by skilled health personnel, according to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2024. Data released by Statisense shows that 97% of births in Imo State were attended by qualified health workers — placing the state at No. 1 nationally. This remarkable figure underscores the effectiveness of healthcare policies, infrastructure investments, and community health initiatives in Imo state. Imo’s performance is closely followed by fellow South East states…

BY COLLINS OPUROZOR There are moments in politics that demand your full attention. Yesterday’s APC senatorial screening for the 2027 elections, featuring Governor Hope Uzodimma, was one of them. When Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the party, looked Uzodimma in the eye and said, “We have no reason to ask you questions, because you are the answer to the questions,” something shifted in the room. No grilling. No skepticism. Just truth, spoken plainly. A man’s record had walked in before him, and that record was enough. This is rare. Politics in our clime is incurably combustible, maybe also belligerent.…

By Elder Abraham Amah In the ever evolving theatre of Nigerian politics, one name has continued to dominate conversations across party lines, geopolitical zones, and power blocs. That name is Nyesom Wike. Whether one agrees with his methods or disagrees with his style, one undeniable reality remains clear. Wike has become a central force in the political calculations of modern Nigeria. Today, many petit politicians spend more time discussing Wike than discussing governance, development, or ideology. This is not accidental. It is the natural consequence of political relevance. In politics, those who lack visibility often attack those who command influence.…

…as AMATA buys two tricycle pickups, 95 buckets for refuse disposal The Chairman of the Ariaria International Market Aba, Sir Hyacinth Ositadinma Nnabude, has charged all traders and other people that make their daily living within Ariaria International Market, including Okada (motorcycle) riders, truck pushers, wheelbarrow pushers and even load carriers (job men), to, as a matter of urgency, get involved in the extended continuous voter registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Nnabude, while speaking to journalists, said that with the governor’s wonderful leadership, which the majority of traders in Aba are currently feeling, they will reciprocate by…

…as Obi-Kwankwaso ticket looks clear Nigeria Democratic Congress, (NDC) has said that it’s decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria for a single four-year term and the vice presidential slot to the Northern Nigeria is a moral statement on national cohesion, intended to reduce tensions surrounding the nation’s long-running power rotation debate.’ DrumAfricanews reports that the NDC yesterday zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria for a single four-year term and the vice presidential slot to the Northern Nigeria. This was sequel to a motion moved by the member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State…

By Chimenu Amadi (IIC Leader) Go through major roads and highways in South Eastern part of Igbo land today. You can hardly move a few kilometres without encountering multiple police and military checkpoints. In some places, the checkpoints are so frequent that they frustrate movement, trade, and daily economic activity and that doesn’t come without illegal extortion and dues paid by motorist to these security outfits. How does an economy grow under such conditions and what has the five state Governors done or said to initiate free flow of movement in a bid to stop sabotaging the economy of the…

…says anytime Ijaw installs an Okirika/Kalabari governor, Ikwerre should forget Port Harcourt Leader of the Indigenous Igbo Congress (IIC) in Rivers State, Engr. Chimenu Amadi has lamented the ongoing ethnic and land boundary expansion by the Ijaw ethnic group, stressing that Ikwerre gave room for such actions through her long years of identity crisis and denial of Igbo identity. Amadi, an Ikwerre activist and a believer of the Igbo union, lamented that not just Ikwerre but other Igbo clans with identity crises, like Ndoki, are gradually sinking into the hands of the Ijaw expansionist agenda. Reacting to the recent…

BY NWACHUKWU RAYMOND “Until the Lion gets his own historian, the story of the hunt will tend to favour the hunter,” Chinua Achebe. It is a known fact that among the five governors of the South East extraction, none has come out to lend support to the Presidential aspiration of H.E Peter Obi come 2027. In fact, the Governor of his home State, Anambra H.E Soludo, has been at the forefront of those vehemently campaigning against his ambition, while the other governors, probably except for Alex Otti of Abia State, have not only moved to the APC but are cheerleaders…