Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has deployed officers across the state ahead of political party primaries scheduled for Saturday, April 5. While addressing the Command’s strategy officers on Friday, Orutugu stressed the need for professionalism as political activities begin. He explained the deployment was in preparation for the primaries, where parties would choose their gubernatorial candidates. He said, “The officers deployed are admonished to provide security services in this regard. They are expected to be professional, apolitical and neutral. We also urged the political parties’ candidates to adhere to the rules by ensuring a peaceful…
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ayo Sotinrin as the managing director (MD) of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA). In a statement on Friday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to Tinubu on information and strategy, said the appointment is effective immediately. Onanuga said Sotinrin brings a diverse and extensive background in both the private and public sectors to his new role, having consulted for global institutions such as the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), Department for International Development (DFID), and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). “Before this appointment, he held the position of group chief executive officer at SAO…
The National Judicial Council has disassociated itself from the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as the acting chief judge of Imo State by Governor Hope Uzodimma. In a statement signed by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, on Friday in Abuja, the Council stated that although it received a letter from Governor Uzodimma requesting approval for the appointment of Justice Nzeukwu — who ranks fourth in the hierarchy of judges in the state — the NJC has yet to consider the request. The Council urged the general public to note that it is not a party to the purported…
The Labour Party caucus in the House of Representatives has welcomed Friday’s judgment of the Supreme Court, which removed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the party. The caucus noted that Abure’s exit would bring stability and reinvention to the party. According to the caucus, the judgment is a timely counsel to leaders who play god in the affairs of men, particularly in a democracy. In a statement issued on Friday shortly after the Supreme Court pronouncement, the leader of the caucus, Afam Ogene, described the development as a “Veritable tonic for the revitalisation of the party” that has…
A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa has issued an order restraining associates of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, from holding a mega rally in the state pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. The high court presided over by Justice I.A. Uzakah on Thursday granted the motion ex-parte in Suit No. BYHC/YHC/CV/133/2025 stopping the proposed rally which was scheduled to hold in Yenagoa on April 12, 2025. The suit which was filed by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo SAN, listed as the first and second…
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…