Author: Editor
Our Reporter, Port Harcourt Human rights group, PILEX Centre, has called on residents of Rivers State to shun the upcoming local government elections slated for August, labeling the process “illegal, unconstitutional, and a monumental waste of public resources.” In a press statement dated July 21, 2025, the Executive Director of PILEX Centre, Courage Nsirimovu, strongly condemned the planned polls under the supervision of the state’s Sole Administrator, Mr. Ibaas. The group described the process as “a product of crass illegality and brash impunity,” insisting that only an elected governor, not a presidentially appointed sole administrator, has the constitutional power to…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has rejigged his cabinet by swearing in six new Commissioners and a new Head of Service, while also reassigning three existing officials to new portfolios. The newly inaugurated officials include Dr. Godwin Anigbo as Head of Service; Engr. Benjamin Osita Okoh as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure; Prof. Benedett Ekwutosi Okoli as Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication; Enyinna Franklin Ogbonna as Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources; and Dr. Samuel Ogbu-Nwobodo as Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry. Also sworn in were Prof. George Ugwu as Commissioner for Health,…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has allocated a substantial $3 billion for the rehabilitation of the long-abandoned Eastern Rail Line. The Senate, during Tuesday’s plenary, commended the President for the initiative, describing it as a strategic move to boost transportation and economic activities across the Eastern region. Lawmakers hailed the decision as a significant step toward correcting historical infrastructural imbalances and addressing the longstanding concerns of the South-East and North-East zones. The allocation comes as part of the President’s $21 billion foreign loan request, which was approved by the Senate. Of this sum, $3 billion is specifically earmarked…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Nigerian Senate has approved a total budget of N105,140,926,744.08 for the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for the 2025 fiscal year. A breakdown of the budget shows the following allocations: Personnel Cost: N20,636,277,973.19 Overhead Cost: N8,949,992,489.81 Capital: N75,554,656,281.08 The budget is in accordance with the RMAFC Act, 2025, and represents 0.5% of the non-oil Federation Revenue as approved by the National Economic Council (NEC) in December 2024. The approval followed the presentation of the report by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs.
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has described Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo State’s threat and movement restriction on the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, as “a direct challenge to Nigeria’s unity and a brazen attack on the constitution.” The Chairman, South-East Senate Caucus, in a statement issued Wednesday in Abuja, slammed the Edo State Governor for the unprovoked threat which he noted, could stir crisis in the polity. Abaribe who insisted that the Governor lacked the constitutional powers to abridge any citizen’s right of free movement, said Okpebholo should be…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has re-opened its investigation into the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)’s acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing’s downstream assets and refinery upgrade. This follows a directive from the House mandating a fresh probe after the initial report on the matter was rejected for omitting critical details. Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, disclosed this on Wednesday, stating that the renewed investigation is entirely separate from the earlier inquiry conducted by the previous committee. He explained that the earlier report was discarded by the House due to…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Peter Obi’s running mate in 2023, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, has said that his former Principal is free to contest the 2027 presidential race with or without him as his running mate. The Kaduna-born Senator who featured on the Channels Television programme on Wednesday, stated this in a statement. Baba-Ahmed who attended the National Executive Council, NEC meeting of the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party, said Obi is much welcome to be Labour Party’s presidential flag bearer in 2027. “There are two key individuals that I have tremendous respect for; one is Peter Obi. I welcome…
Uzor Maxim Uzoatu A new experience in theatre is on stage at the esteemed University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The Senate Ceremonials Committee of UNN is presenting the Department of Theatre and Film Studies in Greg Mbajiorgu and Nneka Alio’s play, Beauty for Ashes, directed by Greg Mbajiorgu and Ugochukwu Ugwu, for the 54th Convocation Ceremony of the University on July 25 at the New Arts Theatre, UNN, starting from 4pm. According to Associate Prof. Greg Nnamdi Mbajiorgu, Head of UNN’s Department of Theatre and Film Studies and Fellow of Theatre Arts & Nuresdef Laureate, “Beauty for Ashes is a…
Our Reporter, Abuja Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has openly decried the pervasive culture of electoral manipulation in Rivers State. Speaking at the Port Harcourt International Airport upon his formal reception by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday, Amaechi vowed to challenge the state’s notorious reputation for “writing election results.” “Our state is notorious for writing results. We must stop them from writing results. They make noise after writing results,” Amaechi declared to a cheering crowd of supporters who braved the rain to welcome him. His remarks come amid widespread allegations of…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia As the National Assembly takes the draft amendment of the constitution to geo-political zones for their inputs, former Minister for Education, and Health respectively, Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike, has advocated a return to regional government, power devolution and fiscal federalism where the federating regions will control their resources and pay agreed royalty to the Centre. The elder statesman also demanded the creation of the long-agreed parity state for the South-East, and the drafting of a brand new constitution for Nigeria, describing the current constitution as “fraudulent, over patched and an imposition” by the military. Professor Madubuike who also…