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                                                                Gov. Tambuwal  On Sunday, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, described the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, as the hero of the party’s presidential convention where on Saturday a former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, was elected the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections. Mr Ayu was referring to the stepping down of Mr Tambuwal for Atiku shortly before voting started, a development observers said decisively swung the contest and saved the party the tension of a close race and possible deadlock. However, according to PREMIUM TIMES, it has now obtained new information on Mr Tambuwal’s actions shortly before he withdrew from the race. Ou...

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently meeting with governors of states controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC). The meeting is holding at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. All the APC governors except that of Kaduna are believed to be at the meeting. The Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is being represented by his deputy. Also at the meeting is the APC national chairman, Abdullahi Adamu. The meeting is being held a few days before the presidential primaries of the APC scheduled for June 6 to 8. Details later…

Twelve presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were on Monday screened by the party’s Screening Committee led by former National Chairman, John Oyegun. The screening exercise is scheduled for two days, Monday and Tuesday, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. The National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, had earlier inaugurated the committee. Following the inauguration, the panel screened the aspirants one after the other. Those screened so far are; former Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajuiba; Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, Felix Nicholas; a U.S.-based pastor, former Governor of Ogun state, Ibikunle Amosun; Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, a serving senator, Ajayi Borroffice, former Senate President Ken Nnamani. Others are; Uju Ken-Ohaneye, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former governor of Zamfara State, Sani Yerima; former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu and Tunde Bakare, a cleric. Mr Tinubu, ...

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail at N500million to ex-Imo Governor Senator Rochas Okorocha. Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on Tuesday, rejected the objection of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to Okorocha’s bail application. Justice Ekwo said bail is at the discretion of the court, noting   that the Constitution provides for the defendant to be given adequate time to defend himself. The judge said bail is granted to the first defendant (Okorocha) at N500million, with one surety in like sum, who must reside and own property within the jurisdiction of the court. Justice Ekwo directed the Registry of the court to verify the documents of property to be presented as bail bond. He also ordered Okorocha to deposit his international passport with the court registry. The judge said Okorocha should   remain in the custody of the EFCC pending when he is able to meet the bail conditions. The judge also granted bail to Okorocha’s co...

Pupils and students in some schools in Onitsha and neighboring communities, Anambra State were on Tuesday chased out of their classrooms by hoodlums who claimed they were enforcing “Biafra Day” in the State. The miscreants were said to have also invaded markets and public places to chase traders and workers away. There were fears among residents whether to go out for their daily businesses following rumours of shift of Biafra Day celebrated every May 30 which was yesterday’s usual Monday sit-at-home. While some resolved to stay indoors for fear of being attacked, some of those who stepped out returned home. Those who spoke to the press at one of the markets said the hoodlums who stormed the market as early as 8.45am, insisted they should close their shops and   go home. “They said today must be observed as sit-at-home to mark the annual Biafra Day because yesterday was the normal Monday sit-at-home day and not Biafra Day,” a trader who spoke on condition of anony...

A former governor of Anambra State and leading PDP Presidential aspirant, Peter Obi has dropped the People Democratic Party (PDP) and withdraws from the party’s Presidential Primaries.   In a letter of resignation addressed to the chairman of the party, Obi stated that “latest developments” within the party has made it impossible for him to have a constructive contribution to the party Details later…..

The unknown armed men in a message sent to the targeted local government areas challenged security operatives in the state to get ready for action in ‘Biafra Land.’ Gunmen terrorising Anambra State have sent letters to nine local government areas, indicating their plans to attack them. The listed local government areas are Ihiala, Aguata, Nnewi South, Awka North, Awka South, Idemili North, Idemili South, Orumba South, Orumba North and Anambra East. The unknown armed men in a message sent to the targeted local government areas challenged security operatives in the state to get ready for action in ‘Biafra Land.’   The letter quoted by The Punch reads, “These local government areas should wait for us soon. We are warning our dear Professor (Professor Charles Soludo, Anambra State governor) that it is time for action and not time to speak big grammar and talking. All the security men occupying should get ready for action.   “Go and tell the President to release our oga (boss), Ony...

                                                           Magu The Police Service Commision (PSC) has promoted a former acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police. This was contained in a statement by the spokesperson of the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, on Monday. Mr Magu’s promotion comes few weeks to his retirement. He was promoted alongside many other senior officers of the force. LIS had reported how the former EFCC boss missed two previous promotions as the PSC said then that it needed clearance from Attorney-General Abubakar Malami His last promotion was in 2018 when he was elevated to the rank of a full commissioner in the Police. Mr Magu was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 to head ...

Nigeria’s Accountant-General, Ahmed Idris, has been arrested over alleged money laundering and diversion of public funds, LIS can authoritatively report. Those familiar with the development said Mr Idris was intercepted in Kano by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday evening and is being flown to Abuja, the nation’s capital, for interrogation. Our sources said the EFCC has for sometime now been investigating a case of diversion of at least N80 billion in public funds which was allegedly laundered through some bogus contracts. The companies used in laundering the funds have allegedly been linked to family members and associates of the accountant-general, investigators said. Our sources further said after progress was made in the investigation, Mr Idris was summoned repeatedly for interrogation but he failed to honour the invitations. “We kept inviting him but he kept dodging us,” one of our sources said. “We were left with no ch...