Category: News

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has officially selected the North Senatorial District as the zone from which its governorship candidate for the 2027 elections will emerge. This decision was communicated through a statement signed by the State Chairman, Onyemaechi Nwele, and the State Secretary, Zaccheaus Ogbuefi, after a meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC) in Abakaliki.

The party emphasized that the zoning arrangement is rooted in principles of equity, justice, and fairness. The SEC further directed zonal leaders to ensure that seats for the State Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate are also equitably distributed within their zones, aligning with the aspirations of the people and preventing any potential conflicts.

According to the communiqué, the SEC formally approved the zoning of the governorship ticket to the Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone. It assured all party members of transparency and fairness during the upcoming primaries. The committee also stressed that zonal leaders must ensure inclusive participation in all activities leading to the 2027 general election to guarantee the party’s success at the polls.

All aspirants were warned to strictly follow the zoning guidelines and avoid any statements or actions that could disrupt peace and unity at the local level. The SEC also gave the green light for the sale of interest and nomination forms, promising a smooth process in line with the timetable provided by the Interim National Working Committee.

The committee reiterated its commitment to providing a level playing field for all contenders, ensuring adherence to the zoning formula, the party’s constitution, and the Electoral Act of 2026. It expressed confidence that these measures would lead the PDP to victory in the 2027 elections in Ebonyi State.

Additionally, the Ebonyi PDP passed a vote of confidence in the party’s Interim National Working Committee under Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, the Board of Trustees led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, and the PDP Governors’ Forum chaired by Oyo State Governor, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde.

On Friday, the National Working Committee of the Labour Party presented Abia State Governor Alex Chioma Otti with complimentary gubernatorial nomination forms. The ceremony took place at the Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, where party officials led by National Chairman Senator Nenadi Usman handed over the forms.

Senator Usman praised Governor Otti for exemplifying the party’s core values of equal opportunity and social justice through his administration in Abia. She emphasized that the free forms were a recognition of his exceptional governance and an incentive to maintain high standards.

The party’s National Secretary, Hon. Obioma Iheanacho, expressed gratitude for Otti’s unwavering loyalty to the Labour Party, especially during turbulent times when many members defected to other political groups. He lauded the governor’s consistency in both politics and administration.

In his response, Governor Otti expressed appreciation for the honor, promising to continue supporting the party and to uphold its ideals. He also commended Senator Usman for her leadership in resolving internal conflicts and steering the party toward stability. Otti highlighted that all legal challenges facing the party have been resolved, paving the way for a smooth electoral campaign.

Apart from Senator Usman and Hon. Iheanacho, other NWC members present included National Organizing Secretary Mrs. Oluchi Oparah, National Woman Leader Hilda Dokubo, and National Publicity Secretary Ken Asogwa. Also in attendance were former National Secretary Senator Darlington Nwokocha, who similarly received free forms, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, leader of Abia’s House of Representatives caucus, and members of the Abia State Executive Council.

The presidency has taken a swipe at the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing the party of failing to outline a coherent strategy for the country as the 2027 elections approach. In a scathing post on X, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga asserted that the NDC, much like the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has not provided Nigerians with a detailed policy blueprint.

Onanuga revealed that he had visited the NDC’s website multiple times to examine its manifesto, hoping to compare their vision with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. However, each attempt to download the document resulted in an error message: “No document found.”

According to Onanuga, this lack of a manifesto suggests that the party, which he described as a political refuge for Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, has no real plan for Nigeria. He noted that despite inviting visitors to read their manifesto, the website fails to deliver any substantive content.

“I was curious about the NDC’s manifesto, especially after Obi and Kwankwaso abandoned the ADC midstream,” Onanuga stated. “But I was disappointed. The site claims to have a manifesto, but when I tried to download it, I got nothing. This shows they have no plan for Nigeria yet.”

The presidency’s criticism comes amid ongoing political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Obi and Kwankwaso reportedly forming alliances to challenge the ruling party.

The Osun State chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party are locked in a war of words following the destruction of campaign billboards across the state. Each political group has pointed fingers at the other, denying any involvement and blaming their rival for the damage.

The Accord Party, through its state chairman Pastor Victor Akande, issued a statement on Friday in Osogbo accusing the APC of orchestrating the widespread defacement of its candidate’s billboards. Akande labeled the acts as premeditated sabotage and claimed they were executed by individuals with ties to the APC. “The Osun APC cannot escape responsibility for its actions. Denial is an afterthought. This blatant misconduct is impossible to overlook,” he asserted.

According to Akande, the vandalism occurred in multiple towns, including Osogbo, Ede, Ila, Ilesa, and Ile-Ife, leading to substantial financial setbacks. He noted that the destruction was systematic and caused losses running into millions of naira. “The billboard destruction was not random; it was a planned evil that cost us dearly in materials,” he said, adding that the party has already initiated legal proceedings and called on law enforcement to take decisive action. “We take this violation seriously and have commenced legal steps to address it. Such illegality will not go unpunished,” Akande warned, while urging party supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.

In a swift rebuttal, the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. In a statement from its Head of Media and Publicity, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, the APC accused the state government and its Accord Party allies of engaging in self-vandalism to tarnish the opposition’s image. “We categorically state that this accusation is false, unfounded, and a desperate attempt to falsely accuse the innocent,” the statement read.

The APC further alleged that its own campaign materials, particularly those of its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, have been repeatedly targeted by political thugs. “If anything, our candidate’s billboards and promotional items are the ones that have suffered relentless destruction at the hands of thugs visibly connected to the Osun State Government and the Accord Party,” the party claimed.

In addition, the APC suggested that the allegations are a diversionary tactic aimed at deflecting attention from ongoing scrutiny of state officials. The party confirmed that it has reported the matter to security agencies and expressed confidence that the authorities will address the competing claims appropriately.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has given the green light to Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to participate in the party’s 2027 governorship primaries following a successful screening exercise.

Held on Friday at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge, the screening was conducted by a committee headed by APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe, with a focus on incumbent governors seeking re-election.

Governor Alia’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms were sponsored by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Benue Chapter, and the Benue State Motorcycle Association (BEMOA). Leaders of these groups cited the governor’s people-centered governance and the significant progress witnessed in Benue under his leadership as reasons for their support.

Political analysts and APC insiders view this clearance as a major boost for Alia’s political momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections. Since taking office in 2023, the governor has prioritized infrastructure, security, civil service reforms, and social welfare programs.

This development marks an uptick in political activities within the APC as the party gears up for the next electoral cycle, with Governor Alia now positioned as a key contender for the party’s ticket.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has successfully screened a total of 11 state governors who are seeking re-election in 2027. This development precedes the party’s primary elections, which are set to take place on May 21.

The screening committee, chaired by the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, with National Secretary Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, conducted the exercise. The committee is expected to continue its work on Saturday.

The cleared governors include: Abba Yusuf of Kano State, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Umar Bago of Niger State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Sen. Bassey Otu of Cross River State, and Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State.

The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially announced the date for its first-ever national convention, which will take place in Nigeria’s capital. The announcement was made by the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, via the party’s official social media account on X.

According to the statement, the convention is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026, and will be held at the Los Angeles Event Centre located on Ahmadu Bello Way in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The event is set to commence at 10 a.m.

Senator Cleopas extended a warm invitation to all delegates to attend this landmark gathering, emphasizing its importance for the party’s future. The statement read: “The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) welcomes all delegates to its inaugural national convention holding on Saturday, 9th May 2026, at Los Angeles Event Centre, Ahmadu Bello Way, FCT Abuja, by 10 a.m.”

This convention marks a significant milestone for the NDC as it seeks to solidify its presence on the national political scene. The party has been actively recruiting members and building momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several high-profile defections from other parties in recent weeks.

During the cross-examination at the FCT High Court, the 14th prosecution witness in the money laundering case involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and two co-defendants clarified that he never communicated with any of the accused concerning the property in question. The witness, Ramadan Jibrin, an employee of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), stated under questioning by defense counsel Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, that he received no directives from Bello, Shuaib Oricha, or Abdusalam Hudu.

Jibrin revealed that his involvement in the transaction for the property at 35 Danube Street, Maitama, was solely through Shehu Bello Bala, who instructed him to assist with due diligence. He admitted that he did not attend the payment meeting and only learned about the amount paid from Yakubu Haruna. The witness also acknowledged that he had previously testified in a related case before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court.

Under questioning, Jibrin confirmed that he never met any of the three defendants throughout the process. He explained that he prepared legal documents such as the deed of assignment between Palchi Ventures Limited and White Tree Nigerian Limited, along with a power of attorney, based on instructions passed through Yakubu Haruna. The documents were later executed by the client and returned to him for delivery to Shehu Bello Bala.

The trial continues, with Justice Maryann Anenih scheduling a ruling on a pending application for May 22 and further hearings on June 16 and 17.

The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to food vendors operating within public schools, emphasizing strict compliance with health and safety regulations. Principals are now directly responsible for any breaches in their institutions.

This directive was announced during a strategic meeting at the Education District III headquarters in Falomo, Ikoyi, where the newly appointed Supervising Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Dr. Idowu Olufunke Oyetola, outlined her vision. She reiterated the government’s dedication to enhancing education quality across the district.

Dr. Oyetola stressed that all school-based food vendors must follow established rules, and school heads will face accountability for any infractions. “Violations will not be tolerated,” she warned, “and principals will answer for them.”

Beyond food safety, she urged principals to uphold excellence, discipline, and integrity in school administration, particularly with the upcoming West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Noting that Education District III is currently second in the state’s WAEC performance rankings, she called for improved academic results and a zero-tolerance stance on exam malpractice, warning of disciplinary action for violations.

Dr. Oyetola also mandated that all eligible students be registered and prepared for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in line with state policy. She highlighted the importance of accurate data for planning, directing schools to promptly update staff and student records in the state database. Additionally, officers nearing retirement must notify the district at least six months in advance to ensure smooth workforce transitions; non-compliance could delay document processing.

The Supervising TG/PS reaffirmed the state’s commitment to holistic education by requiring schools to participate in 15 approved competitions, with adequate training and logistics provided. She emphasized the Ilera Eko health scheme, urging staff to maintain active plans and schools to boost student enrollment in support of the Greater Lagos agenda.

Concluding, Dr. Oyetola called on school administrators to maintain high standards, shaping responsible future leaders and preserving the values of Lagos State’s education sector. “Every school must operate at optimal levels to positively influence learners,” she added.

Residents of Ebonyi State are urging the government to take immediate action to prevent potential flooding, following a warning from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) that the state and 18 others could experience flash floods due to heavy rains. The agency noted that prolonged dry conditions may harden the soil, reducing water absorption and increasing surface runoff, which could trigger floods in vulnerable areas.

In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Friday, a resident named Chinedu Ngwuta described the prediction as a crucial alert. He called on authorities to enhance public awareness through radio programs, market campaigns, and local language initiatives to safeguard lives and property. Ngwuta also urged the establishment of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps for at-risk residents, especially farmers who might be reluctant to leave their homes and farmlands without alternative shelter.

Another resident, Ukah David, criticized the government for allowing construction in flood-prone zones. He emphasized the need for continuous public education, noting that many traders and farmers continue to operate along waterways and other dangerous locations.

In response, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Environment, Victor Chukwu, stated that the government has already initiated measures to mitigate flooding risks. He warned residents against farming along waterways and urged communities to cooperate with environmental authorities. Chukwu revealed that the ministry has planned aggressive tree planting, drainage clearing, and other preventive actions to reduce flood impacts. He noted that since the first rainfall in the state, some communities, including residents of Mbukobe, have already experienced flooding that destroyed household items.