Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received the petition seeking the recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Secretary to the commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, received the petition on Monday. The constituents claimed the signed petition met the requirements as stipulated by the Constitution 1990 as amended. It was learnt that more than one-half of the registered voters in the district, over 200,000 people, signed in support. The recall petition followed a series of contentious events involving Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct” after…

The Nigerian Correctional Service has confirmed the recapture of five out of the twelve escaped inmates from Koton-Karfe Custodial Centre. The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has said five fleeing inmates from the jailbreak at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, have been recaptured. This comes after it was reported earlier that twelve inmates escaped the Custodial Centre. The NCoS in a statement on Monday by its Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar said the manhunt is ongoing for the other fleeing inmates. Umar, in the statement, said: “The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirms a security breach at the Medium…

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has dismissed reports claiming she apologized to the Nigerian Senate over the controversy that led to her suspension. In a statement on Monday, March 24, 2025, the lawmaker described the claims as “false and misleading,” reaffirming her stance on the issue that resulted in her six-month suspension. “The reports suggesting that I have apologized to the Senate and retracted my position are completely untrue. I stand firmly by my words and actions and have not issued any apology to the Senate or anyone regarding this matter,” she stated. She condemned those spreading the misinformation,…

Twelve inmates escaped in an early morning jailbreak at the Federal Correctional Centre in Kotonkarfe, Kogi State, on Monday. Kogi State Information Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo, described the incident as “unfortunate” and assured citizens that the government, working with security agencies, would take steps to prevent a recurrence. According to him, law enforcement agencies have re-arrested one of the escapees. “The theory that the inmates escaped through the tower without causing any structural damage raises serious concerns. “This calls for a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the escape, arrest the fleeing inmates, and identify possible saboteurs within the…

Suspended Rvers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has denied any links to militant groups, warning against attempts to incite violence or economic sabotage in his name. Fubara made this known in a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt, the state capital. The governor was reacting to trending videos alleging explosions at oil and gas installations in the state, which he described as “fake” and “malicious.” He urged security agencies to investigate the sources of the videos and take action against those responsible. The statement read, “Our attention has, once again, been drawn to…

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it undemocratic and unconstitutional. In a statement issued on Sunday, Wabara decried the suspension of the elected governor, deputy governor, and State House of Assembly members, replacing them with a sole administrator, describing the move as a “gross violation of Nigeria’s Constitution and an assault on democracy and the rule of law.” “This action is a direct attack on the essence of our Republic. “It deserves the strongest…

Nigerian skit maker, actor, and activist, Adebowale ‘Debo’ Adedayo, widely known as Mr Macaroni, has strongly condemned attempts to pressure celebrities into activism over the state of the nation. He stated that celebrities should not be held responsible for issues that the generality of Nigerians refuse to confront. Mr Macaroni’s reaction came in response to a viral image circulating online, depicting a figure painted in green, hoisting the Nigerian flag, and holding a placard that reads, “Nigerians, let’s unfollow all useless celebrities keeping quiet now.” But, taking to his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, the outspoken entertainer did not…

A police Inspector, Effiong Bassey, suspected to have gone berserk, has shot three persons in Calabar, the Cross River State capital. The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday. According to the Command’s spokesperson, Ugbo Irene, the incident happened in the early hours of Sunday at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Atakpa, Calabar. She said Bassey “returned from his night duty at Ekondo Microfinance Bank and began to exhibit abnormal behaviour.” “Inspector Bassey refused to hand over the AK-47 rifle he was assigned and instead proceeded to block the station’s gate, preventing anyone from…

The Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi, has said that the ongoing controversy involving the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in the Senate has vindicated former Governor Yahaya Bello. Speaking to journalists in Lokoja on Sunday, Karimi stated that recent events show that Bello could not be blamed for the past disputes between him and Akpoti-Uduaghan before the National Assembly elections. He was reacting to the face-off between the Kogi Central senator and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which has sparked controversy. He said, “Former Governor Yahaya Bello must have seen it coming.” “Other Kogi lawmakers and I played…

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, the umbrella body of the thirty- six state Governors has said that it’s hands are tight as it cannot speak on the six-months suspension slammed on Governor Siminalaye Fubara of Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. In a statement on Saturday in Abuja by its Director General, Abdulateef Shittu, NGF explained that as a technical and policy hub comprising Governors elected on different platforms, the body decided to steer clear of taking positions that may alienate members with varying political interests. The statement read, “The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has received media enquiries requesting it…