The crisis rocking the Labour party in Edo State has taken another dimension as a faction of the party led by the youth leader took over the party secretariat on Sakponba road in Benin city.

The state executive earlier announced the suspension of the youth leaders and others for anti-party activities.

But the story changed as the suspended youth leader stormed the secretariat with his supporters to take over the affairs of the party.

He claimed that the tenure of the state executive has expired and called on the national body of the party to begin the process of electing new executive …

Other members of the executive led by Kelly OGBALOI were forced to relocate to another venue on the same road

Touting that terrorism may further escalate in Nigeria, some eminent northern leaders on Friday cautioned the Federal Government to resist the pressure from the United States and the French governments to relocate their military bases from the Sahel to the country.

Accordingly, the Leaders, in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly (NASS) Leadership, said the government should not succumb to such pressure.

Signatories to the letter include Professor Abubakar Siddique Mohammed of the Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training (CEDDERT), Zaria; and Professor Kabiru Sulaiman Chafe, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, representing the Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP), Kaduna.

Others who also endorsed the letter are former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega; Professor Jibrin Ibrahim from the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Abuja; Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani) of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CCISLAC) Abuja; and Y. Z. Ya’u from the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Kano.

According to the letter, the American and French governments have allegedly been aggressive in lobbying Nigeria, along with other Gulf of Guinea countries, to sign new defence pacts that would enable them to redeploy their troops, expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

The leaders expressed concern that being the most strategically located among the Gulf of Guinea countries, Nigeria may succumb to this pressure, thereby jeopardising its defence and internal security.

The open letter stated thus; “The recent expulsion of French and American troops from Niger due to their perceived ineffective presence raises questions about the efficacy of hosting foreign military bases”.

Importantly, the Northern Leaders also argued that the primary goal of these bases, meant to tackle terrorism in the Sahel, has not been realised given that incidents of terrorism have continued to escalate since the said camps were set up by the two foreign powers.

They further submitted in the open letter thus; “It is important to clearly state that there are only dangers and no gains from such military operations.

“The American operations in Niger Republic, for example, were ostensibly to pre-empt and uproot terrorists from the Sahel region. The result has so far been quite unimpressive, if not a complete failure.

“It is apparent that the presence of American troops and other intelligence personnel in Niger Republic is not serving any useful purpose. This is for the simple reason that terrorism, far from abating, has risen dramatically since the US began its operations in the region”.

Furthermore, the leaders warned against any action that could compromise Nigeria’s sovereignty and independence for short-term strategic alliances that may have dire long-term consequences.

Stoutly defending their position, the leaders noted that hosting foreign troops often leads to hike in prices and living costs in most local areas, thereby affecting the lower-income population.

For them; “Environmentally, the construction and operation of military bases can lead to significant degradation of the local environment. This includes deforestation, soil erosion, water contamination, and loss of biodiversity, which are detrimental to agricultural communities and indigenous populations.

“The long-term environmental damage could further hinder economic opportunities and sustainable development”.

Though the open letter hit the media space more than 48 hours ago, no response has come from either the Presidency or the National Assembly (NASS) in respect of the open letter.

Speaking at the 2024 Zuru Emirate Uhola Cultural Festival and Agricultural…Read more

2027: Minister Seeks Adoption Of Akpabio As Sole Candidate Of All Parties For Senatorial Poll

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, on Saturday moved a motion for the adoption of the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, by the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District as sole candidate of all political parties for the 2027 election.

He spoke during a public reception at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium…Read more 

You’ve A Divine Duty To Unite Akwa Ibom People, Akoabio Tells Eno

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has charged the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on the need to unite the state across party lines for the continued development and progress of the state and not make his father’s enemies his enemies.

He described the Governor as a man of peace and an Apostle…Read more 

Abbas Greets Deputy Speaker, Kalu At 53

The 10th Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas on Saturday described his Deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, as a “worthy and dependable partner,” who has been a pillar of support to him.

The Speaker made this known in a birthday message issued by his Special Adviser…Read more 

Yahaya Bello Vs EFCC: Dele Momodu Speaks On Selective Prosecution

A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, has faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s conduct in its attempt to prosecute the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

According to the publisher of Ovation magazine, he had expected the anti-graft agency’s Chairman…Read more 

Peter Obi Narrates How Govt Agencies Call Him Names, Sits Over His Matter

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has alleged that some government agencies are now calling him names and organizing town hall meetings over his matter.

Obi made the allegation on Friday, May 3 while fielding questions…Read more 

2027: Group Accuses Zamfara APC Of Conniving With PDP Govt To Malign Defence Minister

The All Progressives Congress Northern Elites Development Group has fingered a two-term member of the House of Representatives in Zamfara State of being behind a youth protest against the Minister of State Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

The group also accused the lawmaker of conniving with the People’s Democratic Party…Read more 

Eno Seeks Akpabio’s Support For Realization Of Ibom Deep Seaport, Petroleum Depot

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has urged Senator Godswill Akpabio, to use his position as the President of the Senate to help the State realize the Ibom Deep Seaport, a Palm Oil Refinery, a Petroleum Products Depot in the State.

The Governor made this call on Saturday during a courtesy call on him by the Senate President…Read more 

Opay, PalmPay, MoniePoint Warn Customers Against Crypto Trading

Nigerian fintech companies, Opay, Moniepoint, Palmpay and Paga amongst others have warned their customers against trading in cryptocurrency or any other virtual currency on their apps.

The four leading fintech companies who made the announcement…Read more 

NNPCL, Marketers Trade Blames Over Fuel Scarcity

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has blamed the lingering fuel scarcity in the country on panic buying and sharp practices by some petroleum marketers who are exploiting the present situation to make more money.

The company also vowed that the fuel queues across the country…Read more 

Reject Any Bid To Site US, French Bases In Nigeria, Northern Elders Tells Tinubu

Northernelders has called on President Bola Tinubu-led administartion to resist all attempt to site the United States (US) and the French governments military bases from the Sahel to Nigeria.

Speaking in an open letter to President Tinubu and the leadership…Read more 

Emefiele’s Lawyer Tackles EFCC Over Manner Of Prosecution

Olalekan Ojo (SAN), lawyer to the Former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over its approach to prosecution of the defendant over alleged gratifications, abuse of office and others.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who is representing Emefiele…Read more 

Akpabio Vows To Protect Rights Of Nigerian Journalists

As the world celebrates International Press Freedom Day, Nigeria’s Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has promised to protect the rights of Nigerian journalists and media workers.

Akpabio made the declaration in a statement issued by his Media Adviser…Read more 

APC Youths Urges Gov Lawal To Focus On Governance

The youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State have urged Governor Dauda Lawal to use the state’s resources for the usefulness of the citizens, saying it is high time the governor should focus on governance.

This was as the APC youths wondered why the governor…Read more 

 

Here is New Telegraph’s news roundup of the top 15 latest Nigerian news making headlines today Tuesday, April 30 2024.

Put Interest Of Workers First, Labour Tells FG

As preparations for the 2024 Workers Day celebration intensify, Organised Labour has called on the Federal Government to put the interest of workers first in all its policies and programmes.

The Unionists who raised concerns that the policies of government…Read more 

Abbas, Gbajabiamila, Kalu Inspect Renovated Chambers As Reps Resume Tuesday

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas on Monday inspected the renovated chambers of the House ahead of lawmakers’ resumption on Tuesday.

Abbas inspected the chambers in the company of the immediate past Speaker…Read more 

Eleme Tanker Explosion: PDP Govs Want Quick Intervention On Federal Roads

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called for the quick intervention of the Federal Government on the East-West road and other federal roads across the country, to prevent the reoccurrence of last week’s petrol fire incident along the Eleme Petrochemicals.

The Director General of the PDP Governors’ Forum Dr. Emmanuel Agbo…Read more 

Tanker Explosions: Atiku Urges Fubara, Abiodun To Conduct Comprehensive Investigations

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State to thoroughly investigate the twin tanker explosions in their respective states.

Atiku, Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)…Read more 

Tinubu Declares Tuesday Open Retreat As Reps Engage NNPC, CBN, FIRS On PIA, Tax Reforms

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Tuesday in Abuja declare open a two-day retreat for members of the House of Representatives on major economic laws, policies, and programmes of the federal government, especially under this administration.

The retreat has been themed: ‘Economic transformation & development…Read more 

Grant Tax Waiver To Dangote Refinery To Subsidise Petrol, Diesel, Makinde Advises FG

A former parliamentarian who represented Ife Federal Constituency in the 7th Assembly, Hon. Rotimi Makinde has appealed to the Federal government to develop a policy that would help in subsidizing petrol and diesel production at the Dangote refinery through the introduction of tax waiver with the overall goal of making the products affordable for Nigerians to buy.

Makinde noted that such cushioning economic policy in the petroleum…Read more

Alleged Abuse Of Office: Emefiele Questions Court’s Jurisdiction To Try Him

The Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja, presided over by Justice Rahman Oshodi, on Monday adjourned until the end of the trial, his verdict on the application instituted by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try him on the charge made against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It would be recalled that the former CBN boss had through his counsel…Read more 

BREAKING: JAMB Releases 2024 UTME Results

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the much-anticipated 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results.

New Telegraph had earlier reported that over 1.94 million candidates…Read more 

Alleged Fraud: Taiwanese Investor Seeks Tinubu’s Intervention

A Taiwanese investor in Nigeria, Ivy Hung, has cried out to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in an alleged $1.164, 646 m fraud allegedly perpetrated against her company, Polleen Corporation by one Mr. Chiedu Christian Nwosu.

Narrating her ordeal to journalists in Abuja, Ivy Hung lamented that all attempts to bring Mr Nwosu…Read more 

BREAKING: Obaseki Increases Edo Minimum Wage To N70,000

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki on Monday increased the minimum wage for state workers from N40,000 to N70,000.

The governor made the announcement at the commissioning…Read more 

Refrain From Jeopardising Tinubu’s Effort To Secure Nigeria, Group Tells Govs

The state governments have been called upon by the Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) to desist from actions that could compromise President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to protect the country.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday in Abuja, the Group Chairman…Read more 

Five Things Tinubu Discusses With Bill Gates In Saudi Arabia

Following the meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Microsoft Founder and Philanthropist, Mr Bill Gates in Saudi Arabia, the details of what Tinubu discussed with the billionaire have emerged.

Emerging reports revealed President Tinubu disclosed…Read more 

Reps Mourn Victims Of Rivers Tanker Explosion

The Rivers caucus of the House of Representativeshas sympathized with the victims of the tanker explosion on the Eleme section of the East-West road in Rivers State.

Speaking in a statement issued on Monday by the leader of the caucus…Read more 

Tanker Explosion: Tinubu Mourns Rivers’ Victims

Following the gas tanker explosion in Rivers State, President Bola Tinubu has extended his condolences to the families of the victims of the fire incident caused by an articulated vehicle conveying petroleum products at the Eleme section of the East-West Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

New Telegraph had earlier reported that no fewer than five persons….Read more 

 

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Here is New Telegraph’s news roundup of the top 15 latest Nigerian news making headlines today Saturday, April 27 2024.

We’ll Banish, Not Bow To Terrorism, Military Assures Citizens

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has vowed the readiness of the Military to sustain ongoing aggressive counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country, until the “banishment” of threats to national security.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba…Read more 

Edo 2024: Obaseki, Igbinedion, Danjuma, Ikimi, Others Make Advisory C’ttee For PDP Guber Campaign

The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has been named the Head of the Advisory Committee for the 2024 Edo State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Campaign Council, with the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and National Leader of the PDP and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, as members.

Other members of the Advisory Committee include former Senator…Read more 

Yahaya Bello: EFCC Chairman To Face Criminal Trial For Contempt Of Court, May 13

A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja has ordered the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to appear in court on May 13, 2024, to show cause why an order of committal should not be made against him for allegedly disobeying court order.

The EFCC boss is facing a contempt charge for carrying out…Read more 

Delta To Begin Flights To Lagos From New York Dec 1

Mega carrier and one of the most successful airlines in the world, Delta Air Lines has concluded plans to restart daily service to Lagos from New York from December 1, 2024.

This is coming as the carrier’s fleet enhancement in service to Accra…Read more 

Constitution Amendment: National Integration Our Priority – Abbas

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has said national integration must be prioritised in the ongoing constitutional amendment.

Abbas made this in his keynote address at the National Integration Conference…Read more 

Defence Ministers Restate Commitment To Counter Insurgency, Regional Security

The Federal Government has restated its commitment to the ongoing counterinsurgency operations across the country, as well as regional peace and security.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, and his State counterpart…Read more

Jonathan Mourns Passing Of Ayogu Eze, Consoles Family

Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of Nigeria has commiserated with the late Ayogu Eze’s family as well as his professional colleagues in the media and political sphere on his demise.

Dr Jonathan in a condolence message on Friday to the deceased family…Read more

Stop Interfering In My Administration, Alia Tells Ex-Benue Govs

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia on Friday urged his predecessors who left office after serving four years to “shut up” and stop meddling in the affairs of his administration.

Governor Alia disclosed this while addressing newsmen…Read more

Tinubu: My Confidence In Nigerians Makes Me Take Tough Decisions

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said that he will continue to make difficult decisions on behalf of Nigerians.

President Tinubu made the declaration while speaking…Read more

TUC: New Minimum Wage Announcement On May Day Not Feasible

Barely four days to the Workers’ Day celebration, President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Mr Festus Osifo, has said that the much-awaited new minimum wage may not be announced on May 1.

The TUC President…Read more

Jegede, PDP Congratulate Ondo Guber Candidate

A two-time governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Eyitayo Jegede SAN has congratulated former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi on his emergence as the party’s candidate.

Also, the Publicity Secretary of PDP, Kennedy Peretei as described…Read more

LP, PDP Kick As US Report Reveals 2023 Poll Reflects Nigerians’ Will

The Labour Party (LP) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have kicked as the United States (US) Reports on Human Rights Practices revealed that the 2023 polls reflected the will of Nigerians.

However, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency…Read more 

Nigeria, Others To IMF: Adequate, Affordable Financing Critical To Reforms

Nigeria and other members of the African Consultative Group (ACG) have highlighted the importance of adequate and affordable financing to ensure that structural reform agendas produce the desired result.

They stated this at their recent meeting…Read more 

Air Peace To Begin Abuja-London Flights – Keyamo

Air Peace, a Nigerian airline on Thursday announced its plan to commence flights between Abuja to London.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development…Read more

Brain Drain: Only 58,000 Doctors Renewed Annual Practice License In 2023 – MDCN

The Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, Dr Fatima Kyari has said only 58,000 medical doctors renewed their annual practising fee in 2023 out of the 130,000 that the Council has registered since inception due to the migration of health workers to other countries.

The Registrar, who was represented by the Deputy Registrar…Read more

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