Author: Editor

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The All Progressives Congress (APC), Enugu State chapter, has raised the alarm that some individuals it described as “secessionists” are making efforts to destabilise the second-term bid of Gov. Peter Mbah in the state. The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in the state, Dr Ben Nwoye, made the allegation when he received members of the state chapter of Asiwaju Renewed Mandate South East (ARMSE), led by its leader, Chief Josef Onoh, in his office on Monday in Enugu. Nwoye, however, clarified that the secessionists were not agitators for a separate country from Nigeria, but groups within…

By Owei Lakemfa The inaugural lecture of Professor Wole Soyinka in the 1980/81 period at the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, was expectedly explosive. Its title, “The Critic and society: Bathes, Leftocracy and Other Mythologies,” left no one in doubt that this was an ideological offensive. It was the famous writer’s nuclear-powered intellectual attack against Leftists who had asserted themselves as a dominant force in the academic and student circles on campus. Although the missiles were targeted at the Left community led by respected historian, Dr. Segun Osoba, some were also fired at academics who seem to…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Valentine’s Day 2026 will be unforgettable for babies born on February 14 in select health facilities across Abia State, following a heartwarming humanitarian outreach by Her Imperial Majesty, Ambassador Olori Temitope Enitan Ogunwusi, wife of the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. In a symbolic gesture widely described as a “handshake across the Niger,” the royal mother made an unscheduled visit to health facilities, distributing Valentine gifts to newborns and their mothers. The outreach underscored the power of compassion as a bridge across ethnic and regional lines in Nigeria’s richly diverse society. The initiative, which marked the…

Our Reporter, Abuja  The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed criminal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, at the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. According to court documents, the charges stem from comments allegedly made by El-Rufai during a live television interview on Arise Television on February 13, in which he reportedly admitted to having knowledge of the interception. Prosecutors contend that the alleged act compromised public safety and national security, and instilled fear among Nigerians. In the three-count charge, the DSS…

Our Reporter, Abuja  Former Kaduna State Governor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday kept his words by honoring an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). El-Rufai was invited for questioning over alleged corruption linked to his tenure as governor. He arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja in the morning, accompanied by hundreds of supporters. His appearance comes days after he declined to submit to security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, last Thursday. El-Rufai had in a series of interviews, accused the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, of orchestrating…

Our Reporter, Abuja  The Presidency has countered claims attributed to former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, over the implementation of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, insisting that the law has already commenced and does not impose a 25 per cent tax on building materials or construction funds. In a clarification issued by the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, the Presidency dismissed as false a viral claim that the new tax regime would only take effect in 2027 and would introduce a 25 per cent levy on funds used for building materials and other transactions. Describing the assertions as…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The United States has imposed sanctions on Abu Musab Al-Barnawi and seven other Nigerians over alleged links to terrorism financing and cybercrime, freezing their assets within U.S. jurisdiction. The sanctions were contained in a voluminous document released at the weekend by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), an agency of the United States Treasury. The publication lists individuals and entities designated as Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) for terrorism, cybercrime, and other security-related offences. According to the document, the affected Nigerians were accused of links to extremist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq…

…Explains exit from Labour Party Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC). Obi made the declaration at the OBIDIENT Conference and Official Declaration for ADC, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The conference was themed “Activating the PO Effect in ADC.” Speaking to a cheering crowd of supporters, Obi expressed confidence in his chances at the polls, insisting that no amount of political intimidation would stop his ambition. Why…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Tragedy struck on Saturday in Enyim Agalegu community, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, as a mining pit collapsed, killing three persons and injuring four others. The incident occurred at a pit said to be under the mining lease of First Patriots Limited, formerly known as Royal Salt, where illegal mining activities were allegedly ongoing. Confirming the development on Sunday at the scene of the incident, the National Chairman of Enyim Agalegu Edukwu Opeke Federated Union, Oboke Chukwuma Collins, said he received a distress call around 4 p.m. on Saturday informing him that the pit had…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has issued an April deadline to contractors handling the Aba–Port Harcourt Expressway, directing that the project must be ready for commissioning by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May. He said Tinubu would inaugurate the project on May 12 during his visit to the South-East and South-South zones. Umahi handed down the ultimatum during an unscheduled inspection of the road on Saturday, expressing satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on key sections of the dual carriageway. He assured contractors that funding would not be a constraint, disclosing that arrangements had…