Category: Politics

AKURE, Nigeria (NPA) — Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has approved a series of infrastructure, healthcare, education and water projects aimed at improving living standards and accelerating economic development across the state.

Aiyedatiwa disclosed this in a statement issued after the State Executive Council meeting, where several strategic projects received approval.

According to the governor, one of the flagship projects is the construction of a 2.38-kilometre flyover in Akure to ease traffic congestion along the busy Alagbaka–Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) corridor.

The Executive Council also approved multiple road projects across several communities, including Idoani, Oke Agbe, Irele, Ilaje, Owo and Akure, among others.

The governor said the projects are designed to improve connectivity, facilitate economic activities and enhance access to critical services.

In the water sector, Aiyedatiwa announced that the state had secured counterpart funding for the rehabilitation of the Owena Multipurpose Dam.

He noted that the project would improve access to potable water in Akure and neighbouring communities.

The governor also unveiled plans to strengthen healthcare delivery through the procurement of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT) Scan and other specialised medical equipment for the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH).

According to him, the investment will boost healthcare services and support medical training in the state.

In the education sector, the Executive Council approved the upgrade of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, to the University of Agricultural Science and Technology.

Aiyedatiwa said the upgrade would position Ondo State for greater advancement in science, technology, innovation and agricultural development.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering projects that improve the welfare of residents, stimulate economic growth and drive sustainable development across the state.

ADO-EKITI, Nigeria (NPA) — Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has flagged off the Community Investment Fund (CIF) and commenced the disbursement of grants to Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) across the state as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots economic development.

Oyebanji said the initiative reflects his administration’s commitment to people-centred governance and inclusive economic growth.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the governor said the past 48 hours had demonstrated the unity and shared vision of Ekiti people towards building a more prosperous state.

According to him, he held strategic engagements with tricycle and motorcycle operators, as well as leaders and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), private sector operators and artisans.

He said the meetings focused on sustaining industrial harmony, improving welfare and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

“These are the men and women who keep Ekiti moving every day. Our discussions focused on protecting our industrial peace, improving welfare, and creating an environment where every local business can thrive,” he said.

The governor explained that the Community Investment Fund was designed to empower women at the grassroots by providing direct financial support to expand their businesses and improve household incomes.

“To back our commitment with immediate action, we flagged off and disbursed the Community Investment Fund to various Women Affinity Groups across the state,” he said.

“This financial boost goes directly into the hands of our grassroots women, giving them the economic power to scale up their businesses and support their families.”

Oyebanji reiterated his administration’s commitment to a people-first approach to governance, noting that development efforts would continue to focus on improving the welfare and livelihoods of residents.

He added that the support and cooperation received from various sectors of the state reflected public confidence in the administration’s development agenda and commitment to sustainable progress.

Newpost Africa reports that the Ekiti State governorship election is on June 20, 2026, when the voters will decide to renew Oyebanji’s mandate for a second term in office or go with the opposition. The governor is the flagbearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Freddrick Agbede, has defended the emergence of former President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s presidential candidate, describing him as the right person to lead Nigeria out of its current challenges.

Agbede spoke on Wednesday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he dismissed criticisms trailing Jonathan’s emergence as the PDP flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election.

Before addressing party matters, he expressed sympathy over the security situation in Oyo State, particularly the abduction of schoolchildren and their teachers who have reportedly remained in captivity for more than two weeks.

On Jonathan’s candidacy, Agbede alleged that critics of the former president were being sponsored to attack his nomination.

According to him, the PDP’s decision to field Jonathan reflects its commitment to offering Nigerians a credible alternative capable of addressing the nation’s economic and governance challenges.

“If President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will not sacrifice for the progress of Nigeria, where do you expect him to make that sacrifice?” he asked.

Agbede also dismissed reports of divisions within the PDP, insisting that those laying claim to the party outside the recognised leadership structure were impostors.

“I can authoritatively tell you that the other group you describe as a faction of the PDP are impostors,” he said.

The PDP stalwart expressed confidence that Jonathan possesses the political experience and leadership capacity to unite the party and lead it to victory in the next general election.

“I think the PDP and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan have the capacity to fix this country. He can strengthen this party and lead it to victory,” he said.

Responding to questions about Jonathan’s silence since the announcement of his emergence as the party’s candidate, Agbede said the PDP was carefully planning his formal presentation to Nigerians.

“Because President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is a peculiar brand, the PDP is strategically organising the process in such a way that presenting him to the public will be a big bang,” he said.

He added that Jonathan remained actively involved in the affairs of the party and was fully aware of decisions being taken by the PDP’s interim leadership.

Since the announcement of Jonathan’s candidacy, political observers have awaited an official response from the former president.

The development has also attracted reactions from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and activist Deji Adeyanju, who separately urged Jonathan to distance himself from the PDP’s declaration, citing ongoing legal disputes and leadership challenges within the party. Both men argued that doing so would help preserve the former president’s reputation as a respected statesman and global leader.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege has defended his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that he did not abandon the ruling party but was instead sidelined by it.

Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday, Omo-Agege described himself as a loyal party man who gave his full commitment to every political platform he belonged to.

“I never left the APC. The APC left me and my 240,000 supporters,” he said.

The former Delta governorship candidate maintained that he was a staunch supporter of President Bola Tinubu while in the APC, adding that his loyalty to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), his new political platform, was equally unwavering.

Addressing reports surrounding the NDC Delta Central Senatorial District primary, Omo-Agege expressed confidence that he would emerge as the party’s candidate once the National Executive Committee (NEC) formally releases the results.

“If you believe that I lost a primary in NDC, then I have a plot of land to sell to you in the middle of the Atlantic,” he said.

“You can take it to the bank that I won that primary. It has been conducted, and I won 100 per cent.”

He explained that, as a member of the party’s NEC, he was aware of the outcome but would wait for the official announcement before making further comments.

On his chances in the forthcoming election, Omo-Agege said the ruling party in Delta State viewed him as a formidable opponent.

“They are scared of me. They know what I can do. I have done it before, and I will do it again,” he said.

The former deputy senate president also criticised the administration of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, accusing it of failing to address key challenges facing residents.

According to him, the state government has not implemented policies capable of improving the welfare of the people and has focused largely on infrastructure projects without delivering broader development.

“The fact that you are called a governor is not enough. We must see policies that ameliorate the plight of the people,” he said.

Omo-Agege promised that the NDC would tackle insecurity, poor road infrastructure, inadequate healthcare facilities and other developmental challenges if elected into office.

He also argued that NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi would be better positioned to implement economic reforms than the current administration.

According to him, many of the policies being pursued by the Tinubu administration, including fuel subsidy removal, had also been advocated by Obi.

“The people trust Peter Obi to make these policies work better than what is presently being done,” he said.

Asked if the INEC appeal of the judgment that nullified its timetable as against the electoral act, he said the judgment of the court was a declaratory judgment.

“I am a member of the NDC. All that section 77 of the Electoral Act talks about is that your name must be in the register of a political party,” he said.

“Ovie Omo‑Agege left the APC after Senator Ede Dafinone was declared winner of the Delta Central Senatorial District APC primary election, a result that the former Deputy Senate President insisted he had actually won in his own statement.”

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly rebuked comments made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, regarding the Party’s affirmation of former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

In a press statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP described Keyamo’s remarks as hypocritical, noting that he once built his public profile by criticising governments and defending democratic freedoms, yet now seeks to deny others the same space. The Party accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of desperation and anxiety over the growing national clamour for Jonathan’s return, stressing that Nigerians remember the stability, economic growth, and investor confidence enjoyed under his administration.

The PDP further charged Keyamo to focus on the challenges confronting the aviation sector and the APC-led government instead of meddling in the Party’s internal affairs. It highlighted worsening economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and corruption scandals under the APC as issues deserving his attention, rather than unsolicited advice to Jonathan.

The statement dismissed Keyamo’s credibility, pointing to his failure in implementing policies and accusing him of attempting to lecture others while ignoring the government’s shortcomings.

Reaffirming Jonathan’s candidacy, the PDP assured Nigerians that no amount of intimidation or blackmail from the APC would prevent citizens from freely expressing their political preferences.

The Party emphasised that democracy guarantees the right to choose leaders without interference, and insisted that Jonathan’s return is being widely supported as a pathway to stability, national healing, and reduced political tension.

The PDP concluded by branding the APC government as “clueless” since 2015, urging Keyamo to look inward before pointing fingers at others.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja following the Eid-el-Kabir holiday in Lagos, where he undertook a series of political, governmental and national engagements.

The President arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 5:17 p.m. on Tuesday and was received by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and other senior government officials.

During the holiday, Tinubu hosted several dignitaries and political leaders for the traditional Sallah homage, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and members of the Senate leadership.

He also received members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, led by its Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as well as All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders from Oyo and Lagos states.

As part of his engagements, the President attended the International Fleet Review at the Eko Atlantic Waterfront in Lagos on Monday to mark the 70th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.

During the event, he commissioned three naval vessels — NNS Oloibiri, NNS Mambila and NNS Gurara — and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening maritime security and supporting the Navy’s operational capabilities.

Tinubu also held talks with the President of the Republic, Romuald Wadagni, in a meeting aimed at deepening bilateral relations, regional cooperation and economic partnership between the neighbouring countries.

Before the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, the President participated in the APC primaries held in Lagos, where candidates for various elective positions, including the presidency, were elected ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the Presidency, Tinubu was overwhelmingly endorsed by party members nationwide as the APC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.