Author: Editor

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The former Ebonyi State zonal vice chairman Central of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Kevin Chukwu, has formally resigned from the party and defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside more than 10,000 supporters drawn from various political parties. The defection ceremony, held in his Enyimba Agalegu community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, attracted party stakeholders, supporters, and residents from neighbouring communities. Addressing the gathering, Chukwu disclosed that his resignation from the PDP was officially submitted on January 8 to his ward chairman, who acknowledged receipt. He explained that his decision followed…

Our Reporter, Abuja  The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, has dismissed claims that the Obidient movement is divisive, describing such accusations as a tactic by politicians who fear accountability. In a statement issued on Monday, Tanko who was apparently reacting to the spokesman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, said attempts to portray Obidients as a source of division fundamentally misrepresent the movement’s origins and objectives. According to him, the movement did not arise from extremism or intolerance, but from widespread frustration over poor governance, rising poverty, institutional decay, and the exclusion of ordinary…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia As the controversy over the alleged doctoring of the New Tax Law continues, the House of Representatives has dismissed the interim report of an ad hoc committee set up by the Minority Caucus to re-examine the legislation. The House said the Minority Caucus’ action is procedurally improper and lacks institutional backing. Spokesman of the House, Hon. Akin Rotimi, stated in a statement issued on Sunday that under the Standing Orders of the House, only the plenary or the Speaker has the authority to constitute an ad hoc committee with parliamentary status. The statement read: “No political caucus,…

Our Reporter, Abuja  The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Imo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, seeking an urgent review and discontinuance of the prosecution of a trainee nurse, Ms. Chukwuyere Princess Mmesoma, over allegations of rights violations, evidence fabrication, and malicious prosecution by police officers. In a formal petition dated January 26, 2026, RULAAC called on the Ministry of Justice to intervene in what it described as “a grave abuse of police powers,” urging the state government to ensure the immediate release of Ms. Mmesoma. According to the civil society organisation, Ms. Mmesoma,…

By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu “The term of office of judges, their independence, security, adequate remuneration, conditions of service, pensions and the age of retirement shall be adequately secured by law.” Principle 11, United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary, (1985) Babajide Candide-Johnson became a judge of the High Court of Lagos State at 45. The son of the third Chief Judge of Lagos State, he is polyglot; fluent in several languages, including French. When his judicial tenure came to an end on 27 June 2021, 20 years after he became a judge, Babajide Candide-Johnson was the head…

Our Reporter, Abuja  The Special Counsel to Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor, has said that the recent conferment of honorary citizenship on Kanu by the State of Georgia in the United States further discredits claims that the IPOB leader is a terrorist. Ejimakor made the assertion in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he described the honour as proof of Kanu’s global recognition and moral standing. According to him, if Kanu were truly a terrorist, he would not have been deemed worthy of such a prestigious distinction by American authorities. “If…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia A group of elder statesmen under the aegis of the Abia Patriots has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to comply with a recent Federal High Court judgment affirming Senator Esther Nenadi Usman as the authentic leader of the Labour Party (LP). In a statement signed by the group’s Secretary General, Mazi Adindu Madumere, the Abia Patriots said the ruling delivered by Justice Peter Lifu aligns with an earlier Supreme Court pronouncement and should be promptly implemented by INEC. The group urged the electoral body to officially recognise the Senator Nenadi Usman–led caretaker committee as…

…Orders camp upgrade Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Alex Otti has promised automatic employment for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who distinguish themselves while serving in Abia State. The Governor  who made the pledge at the swearing-in ceremony of 2026 Batch ‘A’, Stream 1 corps members at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Umunna, in Bende Local Government Area, also ordered immediate upgrade of the orientation camp. Otti said Abia places premium on excellence and merit, urging corps members to be committed and outstanding in their places of primary assignment. “Our eyes will be on you wherever you are posted, and…

Our Reporter, Abuja  Frontline African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized the latest collapse of Nigeria’s national power grid, describing it as a continuation of what he termed an ongoing national embarrassment in the power sector. The national power grid was reported to have collapsed once again on Friday, leaving the entire nation without electricity supply. In a statement issued on Saturday titled “2026: The Collapse Continues,” Obi lamented that Nigeria recorded another grid collapse in January 2026, following a series of similar incidents in previous years. “In January 2025, we witnessed the first grid collapse…

Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka Fellows of the Anambra Local Government Accountability Fellowship (ALGAF) have been urged to intensify their advocacy efforts to ensure that local governance becomes more inclusive and responsive to citizens’ needs in Anambra State. The call was made on Friday during the ALGAF Monthly Leadership and Governance Workshop (MLGW), themed “Gender-Based Violence and Power Mapping for Strategic HDI Advocacy Towards Advancing Inclusive Local Governance at Community Levels in Anambra State.” ALGAF, a governance fellowship initiative, is implemented in Anambra State by Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) Nnewi, with technical support from the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room…