Author: Editor
By Promise Adiele The recent 2025 Anambra gubernatorial election witnessed a resurgence of electoral criminality in varying degrees. The eventual success of criminality in shaping the election’s outcome underscores its role as an active ingredient in the reconstruction of democratic values towards despicable ends. According to the results announced by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Chukwuma Soludo, the APGA candidate, won the election and was re-elected for a second term. However, reports and pictures of vote buying, open inducement of voters with packs of sausages, cans of drink, and shameless manipulation of the electoral process are, undoubtedly, expressions of democratic…
By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu In this season of the esteemed Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) powered by the seasoned journalist, Lanre Idowu, I want to lionize a quondam distinguished awardee. Even in the darkest of days and nights in Nigeria, there are adorable persons to celebrate in fine fettle. Kunle Ajibade, the Executive Editor/Director of PMNEWS and TheNEWS Magazine, belongs to that class of excellence. Kunle was on Saturday, November 30, 2024 deservedly presented with the DAME Honorary Fellowship Award. True to his ever rendering nature, Kunle dedicated the esteemed award to two greatly mourned Nigerian patriots – Dr…
Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka Two non-governmental organizations, the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) and Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI), have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently tackle voter apathy and vote-buying, describing both as serious threats to Nigeria’s electoral integrity. At a post-election press briefing in Awka, the groups commended INEC and voters for ensuring a largely peaceful governorship election but highlighted persisting challenges that could undermine credibility. PPDC’s Programme Officer for Access to Justice, Democratic and Electoral Integrity, Abdullahi Adamu, noted that despite the calm atmosphere across the 21 local government areas, low voter turnout…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The clash between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and a Naval Officer has drawn the ire of military veterans across the country. The veterans strongly condemned the confrontation, which occurred during an enforcement visit to a disputed land in Abuja on Tuesday, and demanded an immediate apology from the Minister. In a viral video, an enraged Wike was seen using abusive language on the officer, who maintained his composure throughout the encounter. Spokesman of the Coalition of Retired Veterans, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, in a statement, criticised Wike for verbally assaulting the officer during the confrontation.…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Nigeria’s worsening insecurity came to the fore again on Monday following the abduction of six directors of the Federal Ministry of Defence by gunmen along the Kabba–Lokoja highway. The incident occurred as the officials were travelling from Lagos to Abuja for a Directorate-level promotion examination. Sources said the victims were intercepted in what appeared to be a well-coordinated ambush, sending shockwaves through the Defence Ministry and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN). Disclosing the development in a statement, ASCSN President, Shehu Mohammed, and Secretary-General, Joshua Apebo, assured members that efforts were underway to secure…
By Jude Eze Since the convocation of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council (October 11, 1962 — December 8, 1965), more commonly called Vatican II, the Catholic Church can safely be described as a cosmopolitan conservative institution. This phrase, which I coined here, captures the Church’s enduring wisdom: while holding steadfastly to Her timeless traditions, She moves with the world at Her own divinely guided pace—cautiously, prayerfully, and prudently—so as not to be influenced by the very world She is sent to evangelize. It was in this spirit that some great theologians remarked that the Church must be careful “not to…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EEDC) has commenced the second phase of its free prepaid meter rollout under “Tranche B” of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) metering programme. The initiative, instituted by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), aims to bridge the metering gap in the power sector and eliminate estimated billing. EEDC’s Group Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Enugu. According to him, the Tranche B phase targets unmetered customers on service Band “A” feeders across the South-East region. Ezeh revealed that a total of…
By Vitus Ozoke There are moments in a nation’s history that reveal not only the weakness of its leadership but also the emptiness of its moral compass. The recent diplomatic mission by Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ministers to the United Kingdom to discuss the imprisonment of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu is one such moment – and a profoundly shameful one. Nothing demonstrates the Nigerian government’s lack of seriousness and maturity more clearly than this desperate attempt to intervene in a case where justice has already been done. Let’s review the basics. Senator Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, and a doctor…
By Zainab Suleiman Okino By virtue of its geographical location, news about Kogi State travels far and wide. Perched at Nigeria’s heart and sharing borders with ten states and the Federal Capital Territory, five in the North and five in the South, Kogi is the country’s great confluence, not just of rivers but of politics, culture, and identity. This strategic location gives Kogi a distinctive place in Nigeria’s political and social consciousness, making it impossible to ignore. Again, this prominence often draws as much scrutiny as it does speculation. Consequently, whatever affects any of its neighbouring states often resonates across…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Abia State Government is set to host a Technology and Innovation Summit as part of its efforts to promote technological advancement and digital transformation. The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting. He also announced the passage of the Abia Start-up Bill into law by the State House of Assembly, describing it as a milestone in the state’s digital growth agenda. According to him, the bill—sponsored by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations—aligns with Governor Alex Otti’s vision of building a robust digital…