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Police Raises Flood Alert In Anambra, Urges Residents To Take Precautions

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Nigerian Police

By Akinwale Kasali

 

Following the unfortunate disaster that led to the death of a pupil of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School, Success Ezenwafor, who was swept away by floodwaters in Isiagu, Awka South Local Government Area of the state, the Anambra State Police Command has issued a flood alert to residents.

 

The Command has advised parents, guardians and caregivers to exercise heightened vigilance and take necessary precautions to protect schoolchildren following persistent rainfall and flooding in parts of the state.

 

The Police Command, in a statement on Wednesday through the Command’s Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the alert followed recent heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of the state, which tragically resulted in the death of a school pupil.

 

Recall that the late Success was on his way to School last Tuesday when the School Bus conveying him and other occupants was trapped and overturned by floodwaters.

 

Nine other occupants of the vehicle—seven schoolchildren and two adults—were rescued alive by operatives of the Anambra State Police Command, in collaboration with concerned residents, and taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka.

 

Success, however, was swept away by the flood and remained missing until his remains were recovered the following morning.

2027: Donald Duke Is PRP’s Presidential Candidate, As Court Voids Suit Seeking His Removal

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Donald Duke

By Akinwale Kasali

 

A former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke has been affirmed as the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP.

 

A  suit seeking o to void his emergence as the Candidate has been dismissed by the Court.

 

His Candidature was challenged by an aggrieved PRP Presidential Aspirant, Yakubu Kingsley, who was statute-barred.

 

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday dismissed the Suit.

 

In his judgment delivered in Wednesday, Justice Umar held that the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1234/2026, upheld the preliminary objections raised against the competence of the suit by Duke and the party.

 

The Judge held that the suit, being a pre-election matter, was filed in violation of the provision of Section 285(9) of the Constitution.

 

He said having been filed on June 10, 16 days after the results of the PRP’s presidential primary election conducted on May 25 was made public, it was statute-barred.

 

He faulted Kingsley’s contention that the 14-day limit allowed by the Constitution for the filing of pre-election cases ought to start counting from June 6 when the party’s appeal committee wrote to him to communicate its decision, rejecting his appeal.

 

Justice Umar proceeded to decline jurisdiction, and held that the suit, having been found to be statute-barred, robbed the court of the requisite jurisdiction to hear and determine it.

 

The Judge proceeded to also determine the suit on the merits and equally dismissed it on the grounds that the plaintiff failed to prove his case.

 

He faulted the plaintiff’s argument that Duke was not validly returned as PRP’s presidential candidate in the May 25 primary election, having allegedly not been a registered member of the party when the PRP submitted its membership register to INEC on May 4.

 

Justice Umar held that the issue of membership of a political party is an internal affair of the political party, which is non-justiciable and over which the court lacked jurisdiction.

 

The Judge also faulted the plaintiff’s claim that Duke did not comply with the party’s guidelines, was ineligible to participate in the primary election and ought not to have been cleared to contest, having allegedly failed to physically appear for screening at the party’s national secretariat.

 

He noted that while Kingsley referred to the PRP’s guidelines, which he claimed Duke violated, he failed to produce the said guidelines before the court as required.

 

Justice Umar rejected Kingsley’s claim of over-voting during the primary election in states like Bauchi, Kwara and Gombe, holding that he failed to prove over-voting as required by law.

 

Kingsley had, in his originating summons, urged the court to determine whether Duke was validly returned as the party’s presidential candidate in the May 25 primary election, having allegedly not been a registered member of the PRP when the party submitted its membership register to INEC on May 4.

 

He prayed for a declaration that Duke was ineligible to participate in the primary election and ought not to have been cleared to contest, having allegedly failed to physically appear for screening at the party’s national secretariat.

 

The plaintiff also prayed the court to set aside the results from Bauchi, Gombe and Kwara states over alleged over-voting and declare him the PRP presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

 

He further sought an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise Duke as the party’s presidential flagbearer and to instead recognise him as the PRP’s candidate.

Court Remands Alleged Fake DG Of PFIPC, Adeyemi In Kuje Prison

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Adeniyi Adeyemi Fake DG arrested
Adeniyi Adeyemi

By Ayodele Oni

 

The alleged fake Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew (38), is now a guest of Kuje prison, following an order for his remand by Federal High Court in Abuja.

 

Justice Mohammed Umar, in a ruling on Wednesday, ordered that Adeniyi remain in prison pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.

 

The judge’s order came shortly after Adeniyi pleaded not guilty to an eight-count charge of conspiracy and forgery brought against him and two others, Femi (surname unknown) and Anu (surname unknown), who are now at large.

 

The two other defendants are reportedly at large.

 

Following Adeniyi’s plea, the prosecution urged the court to remand him in custody pending further proceedings.

 

Justice Umar subsequently ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.

 

The court is expected to hear arguments on the bail application at a later date.

 

The charges against Adeniyi centre on allegations of conspiracy and forgery. He is accused of presenting himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC.

 

The defendant has, however, pleaded not guilty to all eight counts, meaning the allegations remain to be established in court.

President Tinubu Signs Bill To Extend Implementation Of 2026 Budget To December

By
Ayodele Oni
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President Bola Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

 

President Bola Tinubu has signed into law the Appropriation (Amendment) (No.4) Bill, 2025, extending the implementation period of the 2025 budget from September 30, 2026 to December 31, 2026.

 

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, (Information and Strategy) disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

 

According to the statement, the assent followed the amendment’s swift passage by both the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

 

The extension gives Ministries, Departments and Agencies more time to complete ongoing capital projects.

 

It ensures that funds already appropriated are fully put to work for Nigerians, without disrupting critical programmes.

 

The President commended the leadership and members of the National Assembly for their prompt consideration of the bill, a further sign of the cooperation between the Executive and the Legislature in the service of the nation.

Wike Stakes Political Future On Tinubu’s Victory, Says: “I Will Resign As Minister If President Loses In Rivers, FCT”

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister
Nyesom Wike

By Ayodele Oni

 

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has staked his political career on the 2027 presidential election results, vowing to step down from his ministerial position if President Bola Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election in Rivers and the FCT.

 

Wike ​‌‍​‌‌​‍⁠⁠‌⁠⁠‌‍​⁠⁠‌‌​made the promise in Abuja on Wednesday during a meeting with members of Apo mechanics and traders over their planned relocation to the informal sector in Wasa by end of the year.

 

The minister, who rallied the Apo mechanics and traders into his cross-party Rainbow Coalition, declared that his continued stay in cabinet hinged entirely on delivering electoral victory for the president in FCT and his (Wike’s) home state

 

Setting a firm countdown to the 2027 polls, the minister stressed that he operates on practical performance and accountability.

 

“The presidential election is on January 16, 2027. By January 17, 2027, I will announce my resignation as FCT minister should the president lose in Rivers and the FCT.”

 

Explaining his position to the crowd, the former Rivers governor argued that losing either territory would signify a failure of his performance and leadership.

 

“FCT is where I work. Rivers is my state. If I cannot deliver where I work, then I’m not worthy to be here.

 

“It means that whatever good thing I’ve been doing right here is meaningless. If I lose here, I shouldn’t be in that position. I’m a practical person. If I lose FCT, I have no business being the minister. ​‌‍​

 

“If I go back to my state and the president cannot win, then why am I shouting about president, president, president when I cannot win?

 

“If I don’t deliver this, remove me here. I will accept it,” he said.

 

Outlining his electoral roadmap for the capital, Wike disclosed that his Rainbow Coalition, a broad, cross-party political alliance, was being consolidated across the territory.

 

“Let us be clear on direction: for the presidency, it is Bola Tinubu! For the Senate, Philip Aduda. He is a man of the people, unlike those who only appear on television,” the minister said.

 

He called on members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), other political parties and residents of the FCT to unite behind the shared slate.

 

Directing the leadership of the Apo mechanics and traders to rally grassroots mobilisation, Wike urged them to bring out all residents, family members and non-indigenes connected to the Apo business ecosystem to vote.

 

He assured the mechanics and traders that they would be relocated by the end of the year.

 

In response, leaders of the Apo trading community lauded the minister for addressing long-standing infrastructure deficits and pledged their full backing for Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

 

Chief Chimezie Efe, Chairman of the Apo Traders Association, highlighted the economic impact of recent infrastructure developments, specifically referencing the newly-dualised Apo road.

 

“The road is so useful to us. It made our customers come close to us. In fact, since the road was built, our business has been moving well.

 

“Honorable minister, sir, I give you a promise that the entire members of the Apo Traders Association have agreed that our votes go to APC,” he said.

 

Also, Mr Chinedu Nweke, Coordinating Chairman of the Apo Mechanics and Traders Unity Forum, commended the minister for breaking a cycle of unfulfilled promises by past administrations.

 

“Before now, we had seen many ministers. They come and go with empty promises and end up doing nothing.

 

“You are the only minister we know because in the past, it was only on radio and television that we used to hear and see FCT ministers.

 

“But you have visited us several times and interacted with us. This shows you are truly a grassroots politician.

 

“The road dualisation and progress on our long-pending relocation to Wasa are dreams come true.

 

“The road dualisation you did has indeed improved economic activities of Apo Mechanic Village, and we are grateful. Whichever way you direct us, we follow you,” he affirmed

Uzodimma Tasks Auditors-General On Accountability, Public Trust

By
The Source
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0
Auditor Generals Meeting in Imo

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has charged Auditors-General across the country to uphold professional independence, integrity and accountability in the management of public resources.

 

Uzodimma gave the charge on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, while addressing participants at the 55th Biennial Conference of the Body of Federal and State Auditors-General held at Rockview Hotel, Owerri.

 

Welcoming delegates to Imo State, the Governor said the theme of the Conference: “Safeguarding Public Resources and Enhancing Citizens’ Trust: The Strategic Role of Auditor-Generals,” was particularly important to efforts to restore citizens’ confidence in government.

 

He stressed that public funds belonged to the people, adding that auditors had responsibilities beyond examining financial records to ensuring that government expenditure delivered value to citizens.

 

“Public resources belong to the people. Government only holds and manages those resources on their behalf,” Uzodimma said.

 

The Governor cited a payroll verification exercise carried out in Imo State, which he said uncovered irregularities including multiple payments, fictitious or non-existent employees and individuals who had left the public service but remained on the payroll.

 

According to him, the exercise enabled the State to save substantial public funds.

 

He said auditors must go beyond identifying financial irregularities by ensuring that appropriate corrective measures were taken, urging auditors to maintain their independence and ask difficult questions whenever public resources were improperly managed.

 

He, however, noted that audit queries should be regarded as requests for explanations and clarifications rather than acts of confrontation.

 

The Governor disclosed that Imo State enacted its Audit Law in June 2021 as part of efforts to strengthen the financial independence and institutional capacity of the State Audit Office.

 

He also called for continuous professional development for auditors, particularly in view of the increasing digitization of government financial transactions.

 

According to him, accountability is a shared responsibility involving the executive, legislature, accounting officers and auditors.

 

Uzodimma urged public officials to remain conscious of their responsibility as custodians of resources held in trust for the people.

 

Earlier, the Chairman of the Body of Federal and State Auditors-General and Auditor-General for Ondo State, Sir Sunday Adegoke, commended the Imo State Government for what he described as strides in social and infrastructural development.

 

Adegoke also praised the administration for its digital transformation initiatives, including the Imo Digital City and Digital Learning Centre. He said the developments reflected the State government’s efforts to modernise public governance and improve service delivery.

 

The Chairman called for stronger collaboration among audit institutions and other stakeholders to promote accountability, transparency, prudent management of public resources and citizens’ trust in government.

 

The Auditor-General for Imo State, Sir Azubuike Iwuajoku, expressed appreciation to Governor Uzodimma for providing the resources and enabling environment for the Conference to hold in the State.

 

Iwuajoku said the Conference would provide participants with an opportunity to exchange ideas, examine best practices and strengthen auditing practices across the country.

 

He said the deliberations would reinforce auditors’ commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance, with the ultimate objective of translating the outcomes into reforms capable of improving governance at all levels.

 

The General Secretary of the Body of Federal and State Auditors-General, Dr Garba Dutse, also commended the Imo State Government for hosting the Conference.

 

Dutse thanked Governor Uzodimma, the host Auditor-General, Sir Iwuajoku, members of the Local Organising Committee and other participants for their support towards the success of the event.

 

He also acknowledged the contributions of colleagues and security agencies, reaffirming the body’s commitment to promoting accountability, transparency and sound public financial management in Nigeria.

 

The event attracted top government officials and critical stakeholders.

Alleged Coup Plot: General Court Martial Shifts Ruling On Admisibility of Statements

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Coup Plotters in Court

By Ayodele Oni

 

For the fourth time, the military has again postponed the ruling of the General Court Martial, (GCM) sitting over the alleged coup plot case involving some military officers accused of attempting to overthrow the administration of President Bola  Tinubu.

 

The ruling, which was earlier scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2026, has now been rescheduled for Monday, October 5, 2026.

 

In a notice issued to members of the court and other concerned parties, the military said the sitting earlier adjourned to Wednesday has been postponed.

 

“The GCM sitting earlier adjourned to Wednesday, 30 September, 2026, has now been postponed to Monday, 5 October, 2026.

 

“The new sitting is scheduled to commence at 10am at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja.”

 

The notice, signed by Major M.U. Ardo, the Liaison Officer, did not state the reason for the postponement but expressed regret over any inconvenience caused.

 

The latest development marks the fourth time the ruling has been deferred, further delaying a decision in the military trial.

 

The ruling is expected to determine the admissibility of statements allegedly obtained from some of the accused officers, following a trial-within-a-trial conducted by the court.

 

Defence lawyers had challenged the admission of the statements, alleging that some of the accused officers were coerced by officials of the Defence Intelligence Agency, ( DIA), into making or reproducing statements they said contained false information.

 

During the trial-within-a-trial, the defence argued that the statements did not meet legal requirements for admissibility, alleging that lawyers or witnesses selected by some of the accused officers were not present when the statements were taken.

 

The defence also questioned the absence of video recordings showing the officers writing their statements in the presence of their chosen witnesses, as required under relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

 

The lawyers further alleged that some of the officers were not properly cautioned or adequately informed of their rights before making the statements.

 

The prosecution, however, presented evidence seeking to establish that the statements were made voluntarily and without improper pressure.

 

Some of the accused officers gave contrary testimony, alleging that they were subjected to coercion, intimidation, inducement and physical abuse during their detention.

 

According to evidence presented before the court, some officers alleged that they were made to believe that reproducing particular statements would facilitate their release.

 

They further claimed that some statements had already been prepared by intelligence officials and that they were compelled to copy or sign them, despite allegedly having no knowledge of certain matters contained in the documents.

 

Some of the accused officers also told the court that they did not personally originate or write the statements attributed to them, alleging that they were forced to reproduce pre-written documents containing claims or admissions they considered false or unrelated to their knowledge.

 

The General Court Martial is presided over by Air Vice Marshal H.I. Alhaji of the Nigerian Air Force.

 

The proceedings are being conducted at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.

 

The court’s decision on the admissibility of the disputed statements is expected to determine whether the evidence can be relied upon in the ongoing proceedings.

Again, Pantami Picks Gombe PDP Guber Ticket

By
James Orji
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0
Professor Isa Pantami

A former Minister of Communications has again emerged as the 2027 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in Gombe state. His candidacy was annouced by the party on Tuesday, a week after a high court ruled that he couldnot represent the party in next year’s governorship election.

The court which ruledon his legibility ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship candiadte to fly the party’s flag in the 2027 gubanatorial election.

Following the primary conducted by the PDP yesterday,the party annouced that the former minsiter defeated other cndidates, to emerge as the party’s canddate after scoring 2,054 votes. His closest rival in the primary election,  Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki scored 389 votes, acording to the result announced by the chairman ofthe Governorship Primary Election Committee, Johnbull Tiemlong Shekarau, whosaid the primary election held on Tuesday across the 114 wards across the 11 LGAs of the state.

Pantami while accepting the victory called on all the PDP stakeholders, inthe state including Mailantarki to work with him for the party’svictory next year.

The former minister was a memeber ofthe All Progressives Congress, APC before joining the PDP to pursue his governorship ambition.

FHC Orders Wike’s Son, Jordan, To Produce American Passport Over Alleged Untidy Land Deal

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Nyesom Wike son

By Ayodele Oni

 

Hearing resumes on Wednesday at a Federal High Court, FHC, Abuja in a land deal involving Jordan Wike, son of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike

 

The FCT High Court sitting in Maitama had on Tuesday, ordered Jordan, a Lawyer, to produce his American international passport before the court.

 

Justice Sylvanus Oriji made the order  during the resumed hearing of a suit filed against Jordan by Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Ltd.

 

The claimants, through their counsel, Hamza Dantani, had applied for the defendant to produce the passport after he told the court during cross-examination that he travelled out of Nigeria on Sept. 26, 2025 using his American passport.

 

The suit, marked CV/008/2026, followed allegations by the claimants that they first met Jordan in London and subsequently developed a relationship.

 

According to the claimants, they later met Jordan in Abuja and approached him for assistance in facilitating the acquisition of land in the Federal Capital Territory.

 

They alleged that Jordan assured them that he could facilitate the acquisition of 30 hectares of land in Katampe and another 30 hectares in Guzape.

 

The claimants further alleged that Jordan demanded $2.1 million as facilitation fees, with $2 million allegedly meant for his father, the Minister, and $100,000 for himself.

 

They claimed that the money was delivered on Sept. 26, 2025, in the presence of Adamu Sani, Aliyu Sarki and Sai Wani, while Jordan was accompanied by Onor Sandy.

 

The claimants alleged that after receiving the money, Jordan neither facilitated the acquisition of the land nor refunded the money, but subsequently became unreachable. But Jordan denied any such agreement and/or transaction.

 

At Tuesday’s proceedings, Jordan adopted his statement on oath in which he denied the allegations.

 

He was represented by Mr Ogwu Onoja, SAN, while some documents were tendered through him.

 

During cross-examination by Dantani, Jordan denied knowledge of the allegations and documents put to him by counsel.

 

Dantani subsequently asked the court to direct Jordan to write his full name and signature five times each on a plain sheet of paper.

 

The application was not opposed by the defence and was granted by the court. When asked where he was on Sept. 26, 2025, Jordan told the court that he was outside Nigeria.

 

Counsel then asked him which international passport he used to travel. And he

responded that he travelled with his American international passport and added that he could produce it if required.

 

Following the response, Dantani applied for an order compelling Jordan to produce the passport in court.

 

Justice Oriji granted the application and directed the defendant to produce the document.

 

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until Wednesday for continuation of hearing.

Obi Demands Better Living Conditions For Sokoto IDPs

By
James Orji
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0
Peter Obi
Mr Peter Obi

2027 Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi has called on the federal government to immediately improve the living condition of Internally Displaced Persons,IDPs, in Ramin Kura IDP Camp in Sokoto state, saying their current conditions is worrisome.

Obi made the call on his verified X handle on Wednesday, a day after his visited the IDP camp, noting that no Nigerian is worth living in camp, urging the government to tackle the problems that forced Nigerian out oftheir homes.

He visited the IDPs camp as part ofhis two days visit tothe state, and had, alongside his ruining mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso paid a courtesy visist tothe Sultan ofSokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III in his palace.

The NDC presidential hopeful said  ”we are all’ IDPs so long those currently living in IDP camps are not resettled back  to their homes by the government, noting that those in the Sokotocamp are not well taking care of, citing lack of eucational facilities for children in the camp, basic toilet and healthcare facilities for the residents ofthe camp.

He stressed that over 1000 IDPs are curretly housedin the camp despite the horrible living conditins, citing for instance, that as many as 10 persons are forced to live in some rooms.

 

“I have always insisted that as long as even one Nigerian lives in an IDP camp, we are all internally displaced,” Obi stated.

He said the country can change forthe better ifNigerians makethe right leadership  choices, saying this is what the Obi/ Kwankwaso, OK Movement stands for.

”New Nigeria is POssible and will be OK,” the NDC presidential candidate said.

.

 

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