Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The South East Senate Caucus congratulates Senator Azuta Mbata on his emergence as the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide. In a statement in Abuja on Saturday, the leader of the Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said Senator Mbata’s victory at the election during the Ohaneze General Assembly in Enugu, marks a milestone in the history of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation. The caucus he said have firm confidence in Senator Mbata’s pedigree and leadership qualities that are solid enough to steer Ohaneze to achieve the much desired unity and development in Igboland and command the ability to also reach out…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has invited Wahab and Raheem Okoya, sons of billionaire businessman, Chief Razaq Okoya, for questioning over alleged naira abuse. Raheem and Wahab are expected to report to the commission’s Lagos office for questioning by 10 am on Monday, January 13, 2025. The brothers sparked widespread criticism after a video surfaced showing them flaunting and spraying bundles of N1,000 notes in a promotional clip for Raheem’s new song titled “Credit Alert.” In the video, the duo, dressed in white agbadas, danced while a mobile policeman held stacks of crisp naira notes, which they flung into…

A total of 108 officers from the Anambra Police Command were decorated on Friday at the Command Headquarters in Awka, the state capital. While 110 officers were approved for promotion by the Police Service Commission, 108 were present at the occasion. A breakdown of the officers decorated shows that twenty-four Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) were promoted to the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP), twenty Assistant Superintendents of Police were promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and sixty-six Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) were promoted to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). Speaking shortly after the…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed the sum of N126 billion for its 2025 budget. The Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, made the presentation while defending the 2024 budget implementation before the National Assembly on Friday. He pleaded with the National Assembly to approve the 2025 budget which is nearly three times the size approved last year. “Our proposal for 2025; the Commission requires the sum of N126 billion. So, we will like the support of the National Assembly members to ensure that we are adequately funded for the responsibilities we are required to discharge, and…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has hailed the emergence of a former Senator representing Rivers East, John Azuta Mbata, as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Fubara said that the politician’s victory at the poll in Enugu on Friday is a testament to his wide acceptance as an accomplished Nigerian whose test of character and integrity is exemplary. This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi. He said that the overwhelming votes of the delegates showed the implicit confidence of members of the socio-cultural organisation in his ability to…

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Senator John Azuta-Mbata on his election as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Azuta-Mbata, a former senator, represented Rivers East in the Senate from 1999 to 2007. He was elected as President of the preeminent Pan-Igbo socio-cultural group at its meeting in Enugu on Friday. President Tinubu also congratulated the group on the successful leadership transition and enjoined the new leaders to uphold the principles of their predecessors. A statement issued by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, explained that “the President recognises the critical role of socio-cultural organisations in nation-building; hence, his commitment to…

After nearly three years of controversy and litigation, a new Alaafin has been approved by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade. He said Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade after thorough consultations and divinations, has been recommended by the Oyomesi and approved by the Governor of Oyo State. According to the commissioner, a statement to this effect has been issued by the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government anod Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ademola Ojo, who said that the announcement has put to rest, all…

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Samuel Anyanwu, has said he is the authentic National Secretary of the party. The major opposition party is embroiled in a fresh crisis as both Anyanwu and another party chieftain, Sunday Ude-Okoye, are claiming the position of national secretary. Drum Africa reports that In December 2024, the Court of Appeal ruled that Ude-Okoye should replace Anyanwu as the PDP national secretary. The South East Zonal Executive Committee of the party nominated Udeh-Okoye to replace Anyanwu after he became the PDP gubernatorial candidate in Imo in the 2023 election. Anyanwu had obtained several court…

Following disparaging comments against the Spiritual Director of the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry (Uke), Rev Fr Emmanuel Obimma, aka Fr Ebube Muonso by some Anambra State Government Officials, a youth group, the Omambala Youths Association,(OYA) has given the Governor seven days to direct the withdrawal of such statements. The group, an umbrella body of Youths in the old Anambra Local Government Area comprising Oyi, Anambra East, Anambra West and Ayamelum pointed out and alleged that Mr Ejimofor Opara, the National Publicity Secretary of APGA, described the priest as a “hypocrite”, while the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, also called Fr…

The US Supreme Court on Thursday denied a last-minute bid by President-elect Donald Trump to halt sentencing in his hush money case. The top court, which includes three justices appointed by Trump, rejected his emergency application seeking to block Friday’s sentencing by a 5-4 vote. The court, in a brief unsigned order, said the “burden that sentencing will impose on the President-Elect’s responsibilities is relatively insubstantial” and noted that Trump will be allowed to attend virtually. The court also noted that Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the hush money case, has already said he plans to impose a sentence…