Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the detention of a former member of the House of Representatives, Muhammad Kazaure. In a tweet on his official X handle, the Peoples Democratic Party’s elder statesman described Kazaure’s detention as a disregard for due process. He said, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has once again plunged headlong into its well-worn pattern of lawlessness, arresting and detaining citizens with brazen disregard for due process and without offering any justification for its actions.” He cited the case of the VeryDarkMan, which he said was released…
A bill to establish the National Electoral Offences Commission has passed its second reading at the house of representatives. Speaking at plenary on Thursday, Adebayo Balogun, a lawmaker from Lagos and sponsor of the bill, said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is “overwhelmed” by the burden of handling electoral offences, which undermines the integrity of the electoral process. “The integrity of our electoral system continues to be challenged by many factors, including vote buying,” he said. “So, it is important that we have a commission separate from INEC solely in charge of prosecuting electoral offenders. Lawmakers supported the bill…
Alex Otti, governor of Abia state, has asked Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), to arrest Julius Abure, factional chairman of the Labour Party (LP). On Wednesday, the Abure faction of the LP indefinitely suspended Otti, Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT); Darlington Nwokocha, Victor Afam Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowunmi, from the party. Reacting in a statement issued by Ferdinand Ekeoma, his special adviser on media and publicity, Otti described news of his suspension as a “joke taken too far and an affront on democracy”. The Abia governor also accused Abure of impersonation, adding…
President Bola Tinubu has arrived at the Chinua Achebe International Airport in Umueri, Anambra State, as part of his official visit to the state. The President touched down aboard a Nigerian Air Force Airbus, adorned in traditional Akwete Igbo fabric paired with a red cap. He proceeded directly to the podium, where the national anthem was played to mark his arrival. Accompanying President Tinubu on the visit was his Special Adviser on Security, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu, along with other key officials. He was warmly received at the airport by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, his Deputy, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, members…
Supporters of embattled activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), have expressed delight over his release after spending six days in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) . Earlier, in a viral video posted by his supporters on social media , VDM was seen inside a car alongside his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, revealing that he was arrested on allegations of money laundering. He however questioned the credibility of the accusation, stating that someone in his financial position could hardly be involved in such an offence. He said: “How can EFCC accuse someone who isn’t wealthy…
Three Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House of Representatives from Katsina State on Thursday defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This brings to 27, the number of lawmakers in the 10th Assembly to have changed parties since it was inaugurated on June 13, 2023. Out of the figure, 24 members have dumped either the PDP or Labour Party and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to join the APC, one dumped the Labour Party to join APGA while two other LP members joined the PDP. The three members who resigned their membership of the PDP at…
The member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives, Amobi Ogah, has dismissed his purported suspension from the Labour Party, insisting his loyalty to Governor Alex Otti remains unwavering. The Julius Abure-led Labour Party faction recently suspended Otti and all LP lawmakers in the House of Representatives. Ogah on Thursday in Abuja said that the indefinite suspension from Abure’s faction had no weight and as such would not affect his loyalty to his state governor, Otti. He reiterated his determination to remain focused on his legislative duties and unshaken in his political conviction. “The suspension…
Members of the All Progressives Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance and other party supporters and support groups in Anambra State have been barred from wearing party uniforms during the official visit of President Bola Tinubu to the state scheduled for Thursday (today). The Anambra State government through the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Dr Alex Obiogbolu, disclosed this in a press statement made available on Thursday. Tinubu, during the official working visit, is expected to host a high-level town hall meeting between the President and key stakeholders in the state, at the newly-refurbished Dr Alex Ekwueme Square…
The Senate has passed two out of four major tax reform bills, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing overhaul of the nation’s tax administration framework. The two bills, one seeking to repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act and another to establish the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill 2025 along with the Nigeria Revenue Service Bill 2025, were passed following a clause-by-clause consideration during the Committee of the Whole and their subsequent third reading on the Senate floor. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had in October 2024 transmitted the four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration…
The leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) took another dimension on Wednesday with the suspension of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, over alleged anti-party activities. The party also announced the suspension of five of its elected lawmakers in the National Assembly for the same reason given above. The suspended lawmakers include: Senator Ireti Kingibe; Senator Darlington Nwokocha; Hon. Victor Afam Ogene; Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi. The National Secretary of the Julius Abure led faction, Umar Farouk Ibrahim announced their suspension in a statement on Wednesday. The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party had on May…