Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced that a 2025 budget is being prepared to enhance healthcare delivery, education, agriculture, and infrastructure. Speaking on Thursday at the Government House in Port Harcourt, while receiving a delegation of the Rivers State caucus at the National Assembly, Ibas stated that the anticipated budget would also focus on creating more employment opportunities for the people of Rivers State and advancing technological development in critical areas of public life. The delegation was led by Senator Barinada Mpigi, representing Rivers South-East District. Other members included Senator Allwell Onyesoh and…
The lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Thursday, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for rejecting the process by some groups and individuals to recall her from the Senate. The Senator thanked the Nigerian electoral umpire for upholding justice constitutionally and refusing to bow to pressures from what she termed ‘undemocratic elements in Kogi and the Senate. Her statement comes a few hours after INEC had declared that the recall petition failed to meet the requirement of the Constitution and, therefore, can no longer be processed. In a statement issued by her media team on Thursday, Akpoti-Uduaghan praised…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied the rumours that he collapsed due to Ill-health last weekend, describing the rumours as a diversionary tactic aimed at shifting public attention from critical national issues. Speaking to journalists on Thursday in Abuja, Wike dismissed the reports as baseless, emphasising that he had no health concerns. “I don’t want to give credence to those who are interested in spreading rumours. First of all, I am a human being, not goods that will collapse. It is a human being that will collapse if there is any health problem. Fortunately,…
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos, says repair works on the Independence Bridge will continue. The governor also apologised to residents for the hours-long gridlock experienced due to the rehabilitation of the bridge. Commuters and motorists spent hours in traffic on April 2 due to the closure of the bridge in the Victoria Island area. Following public outcry, David Umahi, minister of works, ordered the immediate reopening of the bridge. Speaking on Thursday during the inspection of the bridge, Sanwo-Olu said the state takes full responsibility for the gridlock. The governor noted that the repair is for the good of…
Tragedy struck in Lagos on Thursday morning when a LAGFERRY vessel carrying passengers suddenly burst into flames at the Ipakodo Ferry Terminal in Ikorodu, leaving several people injured. The incident occurred around 6:00 a.m., amid heavy traffic congestion caused by the closure of Independence Bridge at Ahmadu Bello Way, Marina. Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene to carry out rescue operations, ensuring that all passengers were safely evacuated. In response to the fire outbreak, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) confirmed the incident in a statement from its Public Affairs Unit. According to LASWA, the fire involved the LAGFERRY…
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, has called for the probe of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his loyalists over the demolition of the state House of Assembly complex and alleged misappropriation of funds. Okocha based his call on the statement by former Head of Service in the state, George Nwaeke, who alleged at the weekend that Fubara sponsored the bombing of the Assembly complex to avert his impeachment by lawmakers. But Fubara’s Special Adviser on Electronic Media, Jerry Omotsegunwa, dismissed the probe call, saying, “It is laughable for any right-thinking individual to…
Senator Elisha Abbo, former APC Senator representing Adamawa North, has made serious allegations against Senator Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of political manipulation and abuse of power. He made these allegations while speaking on Arise TV. Abbo claims that Akpabio visited his hotel room late at night, seeking his cooperation, and subsequently predicted the removal of five senators, a prediction that allegedly came to fruition. Furthermore, Abbo alleges that Akpabio ordered the withholding of his final salary. These accusations have ignited significant controversy within Nigerian political circles, raising concerns about the integrity of the Senate and the exercise of political influence.…
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party at last year’s election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, says he will appeal the judgment of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, which affirmed Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress the winner of the September 21, 2024 poll. The Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member panel, in a unanimous judgment, dismissed the petition of the PDP and Ighodalo for their inability to prove the allegation of over-voting, affirming that Okpebholo scored the highest number of valid votes in the election. The tribunal faulted how the petitioners proved their evidence…
Coalition of health workers in Abia State comprising National association of Nigerian Nurses, Medical and Health Union of Nigeria and Nigerian union of allied workers have issued a 15 days ultimatum to the State government to pay the reviewed consolidated health salary structure (CONHESS). This is as the coalition says it has mandated individual unions to start mobilizing their members across the State about the plans to embark on strike if CONHESS is not paid. In a press release signed by Chairman of Nigerian Nurses and midwives, Ngozi Duke, Chairman of Medical and health union of Nigeria, Offor Solomon and…
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State on Wednesday swore in Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as the acting Chief Judge. Nzeukwu was sworn in five months after Imo State had been without a Chief Judge. The vacancy arose after the National Judicial Council recommended the immediate retirement of the former Chief Judge, Justice Chukwuemeka Chikeka, for age falsification. Uzodimma swore in Justice Nzeukwu alongside two new commissioners, Prof. Bernard Thompson Ikegwuoha and Dr. Vivian Egu, at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Chambers at the Douglas House, Owerri. Lawyers had called for the appointment of a Chief Judge to give direction, assign cases, and…