Author: Lawan

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, has called on people of the South East States to shake off their historical apathy towards elections ahead of the January 2027 general polls. He argued that it would be folly for the people of the region to stay away from elections and later turn around to complain of marginalisation. The monarch spoke at the weekend, at the Imeobi Palace Onitsha, while delivering his address during the 25th Ofala Festival on the throne of Ezechima. He said, “I call on the people of the South East States to shake off their historical…

Former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, has taken a swipe at President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and other prominent politicians, accusing them of lacking firm ideological convictions and contributing to the political instability confronting the country. Lamido, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the frequent movement of politicians from one party to another demonstrated the absence of enduring political principles, arguing that most of the leading political actors were more interested in acquiring power than advancing the welfare of Nigerians.The former Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke with journalists in Dutse, Jigawa…

Plateau State is grappling with an estimated 11,000 cases of tuberculosis (TB), amid growing concerns over shortages of essential drugs, insecurity and overcrowding in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, which health officials say are complicating efforts to contain the disease. The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the state’s Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, Yohanna Bot, disclosed that 2,047 patients were identified and placed on treatment between July and September 2026, warning that the disease remained a major public health challenge. Bot spoke in Jos at the first biannual media advocacy meeting on the Global Fund AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM)…

Sterling Bank Limited (‘Sterling Bank’) has entered into a strategic financing partnership with Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited (‘Renaissance’) to improve access to capital for indigenous oil and gas contractors, strengthening the capacity of Nigerian businesses to execute critical energy projects and contribute to the country’s production ambitions. The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), brings Sterling Bank into the renewed Renaissance Vendor Financing Scheme (RVFS), a structured financing programme designed to address one of the longstanding challenges confronting indigenous service providers in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry: access to timely and affordable funding for contract execution. The…

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Presidential Campaign Organisation has expressed confidence that its candidate, Seyi Makinde, will defeat President Bola Tinubu in 12 states identified as battlegrounds for the 2027 presidential election, as well as other parts of the country. In a statement by the Director of Strategic Communication of the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO), Richard Ihediwa, the party said alleged intimidation, political manoeuvring and abuse of incumbency would not reverse growing opposition to Tinubu’s re-election bid.The statement followed reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council had identified Kaduna, Rivers, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto,…

..Says rule of law, justice delivery critical to attracting investment Retired Supreme Court Justice, Amina Augie, has warned that corruption, prolonged court proceedings and the high cost of justice are undermining public confidence in Nigeria’s legal system, calling for urgent reforms. Augie spoke while delivering an anniversary lecture titled, “The Rule of Law and Justice Delivery: The Last 40 Years, Today and Tomorrow — Whither Nigeria?” at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Law School Class of 1986, known as the Centennial Class of ’86, in Abuja. She said Nigeria had made democratic progress since the return to civilian…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of candidates for the January and February 2027 general elections, formally opening a campaign season that will run over the next four months. With the ban on campaigning lifted and the timetable now fixed, the country moves into what is expected to be one of the most consequential election cycles in its recent history. The elections will be contested by 18 presidential candidates, 4, 860 candidates for the 109 Senate and 360 House of Representatives seats, and thousands more standing for governorship and state assembly positions across the 36…

..As gov scraps daily ticketing, extends operational time to 10pm The Tricycle Riders Association of Enugu State has endorsed the state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for a second term in office, citing improved security, road infrastructure, and social amenities in the state. The association, popularly known as Keke Riders, also endorsed President Bola Tinubu, citing the Enugu–Onitsha Road, Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, New Artisan Bridge, Obinagu Flyover, and strategic appointments.This was even as Governor Mbah scrapped the N750 daily payment by tricycle operators and also extended their operational time from 9pm to 10pm. Mbah also said they would continue to operate…

•We won’t return it, says FG •Unveils $78.5bn investment plan, targets 7% growth as CBN vows to sustain reforms As global stakeholders draw the curtain on the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Bangkok, Thailand, Nigeria is returning home with renewed optimism about its economic prospects after unveiling a $78.5 billion investment pipeline anchored on 65 bankable projects. They cut across energy, transport, industry and mining, agriculture, health and urban services.The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, who led the Nigerian contingent, said the government targets seven per…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as “political gamblers”, urging Rivers residents not to entrust their future to them ahead of the 2027 general election.Wike, who is also the National Leader of the Rainbow Coalition, said the opposition figures had yet to convince Nigerians that they possessed the vision and proven developmental records needed to lead the country. But reacting in a telephone chat, Osa Director/National Publicity Secretary, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) said Wike should qualify as…