The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has confirmed Pastor Peter Akpe as the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
The confirmation was announced during plenary on Tuesday, following deliberations by members of the House.
Akpe’s emergence comes after his nomination by Governor Douye Diri.
Prior to his appointment, he served as Chief of Staff to the governor, a position he held until his elevation to the deputy governorship.
Details shortly…
By Dr. CASMIR AGBO- CHAIRMAN LABOUR PARTY (CURRENT AND ORIGINAL), ENUGU STATE
I will be very brief but to the point. This has become necessary because of what I have heard and seen since the burial of late Ezea.
My Nsukka people, if you don’t know the full story of anything, please shut up and ask questions.
I got to know Okey Ezea, Late, during the time he contested for Governor of Enugu State during Sullivan Chime and I wholeheartedly worked for him without any benefits because of Nsukka course. I have known Edeoga from 1979 at Adada Secondary school then and we had related very well on that ground even though no personal thing as such.
Coming to the election time supra, I was very pivotal in making sure that the two contested under LP as the Chairman. When PO entered LP, we went to Asaba to nominate him as our flag bearer and from Asaba I was speaking with both men.
Late Okey Ezea told me point and blank that he will not contest as he was no longer in a good financial mood but begged that I persuade Edeoga to run so that they can combine. This made me do what I did.
I approached Edeoga and he refused to run under LP. He said that I should make the sale of forms Open to anyone. A request I refused because we only had 7 days left to the end of primaries. I was speaking with late Okey Ezea until I entered Enugu because Malachi Onyechi was carrying me in his car and dropped me at Umunya Anambra state where I picked public transport back to Enugu.
When I returned to my office, I called for a meeting of my state Exco and we deliberated on it and we all agreed to bring in Edeoga by fire or force.
At that time I was working together with NLC and TUC. At the office of TUC we adopted Edeoga without his knowledge. Remember that Odengene has been parading himself as the sole candidate of LP in Enugu State without my consent of which I refused to endorse him because of the love I have for my people who were marginalized but in majority. When Edeoga had it, he had no other option than to accept it. He swallowed it also because of the love he has for our people.
When late Ezea had what I did he called and commended me and now showed interest. His word to me was “this show of love from you to our people will never be forgotten, now I can run because I have a partner whom I can campaign with”.
By that time, the issue of the senatorial form was under contest as Enerst Ik Ugwu had left the House of Rep form he collected to collect Senatorial form. I refused him to fly that senatorial flag.
I insisted that he must continue with his House of Rep form but he pleaded that I allow him to have the senatorial ticket. That is a story for another day.
Now back to Okey Ezea Late. I took Edeoga, Prof. Bart Nnaji, Late Oyibo Chukwu, Late Okey Ezea, Paul Nnamchi and Hon Chidi Obetta to see Our National Chairman Dr Julius Abure in his office at Abuja.
Remember that many people have been going to Abure to have the form but he continued to call him to intimate me. I assured him that I will come up with men who will win elections for us. That show of confidence in me by Abure made me love him, otherwise he would have collected money and imposed condidates on Enugu State and nothing would have happened.
I told him at Abuja that Late Okey Ezea is the man to beat in my zone and if he fails to win, that he should remove me as the state Chairman. In fact I made that solemn declaration for the whole of ENUGU State in front of those men I mentioned.
That is why I frown at their behavior but many of you fail to understand the issue. Edeoga was not the favorite of Abure because Odengene had given out much money but because of my contact with Abure, he allowed me to field in candidates of my choice.
Back to Okey Ezea Late. The issue was how do we make sure that his name appears at INEC portal as LP candidate because Ik Ugwu had taken over and refused to yield to my request to quit the contest. Remember that Ik Ugwu also went to court up to the supreme Court. It was Edeoga’s team of lawyers that Okey was using as he had no money to prosecute that matter. This was done by Edeoga and financed by him.
Going backwards, Late Okey Ezea’s primaries would have hit the rock if not for Edeoga and two other persons who brought in money as Late Okey could not sponsor it. The venue of his primary was changed by me and him when they brought in thugs at Jewell of the Nile in Opi to prevent the primary. Edeoga called and sponsored the movement out of Opi. I went to another location even when INEC refused to show up insisting that it must be at Opi.
Edeoga brought out money with Okey Ugwueze and one other person. To pay for the agents, late Okey found it difficult but I insisted that he had to and he did it. I don’t know how it was done.
As per the campaign, it was Edeoga that bankrolled everything. Okey hardly shows up and when he does, it is late and he leaves before every other person. That is another story.
I had to say this because many people who tell the story of what they don’t know, annoy me.
How can any Nsukka man get up to say that if not for Okey, who is Edeoga. Some naive people here are insulting Edeoga and I ask for what?
Most of these small boys being used here to abuse and insult Okaome are showing us that they lack good training. How can some people go to the extent of booing Edeoga at Ideke’s burial if that actually happened.
So if I was around, some Nsukka people would have the temerity to boo me and I ask pls for what reason. If not for me, Nsukka wouldn’t have been on the ballot at all.
They were ready to buy everything. Do you think I am rich to reject money the way I did by 2022? It is out of home training and my conviction that Nsukka deserves the best but what I have been seeing and hearing, my people lack knowledge and experience to even navigate small zones around them. Why do we hate each other so much?
Oboigede Agbomeje will never leave how I am because of people who can’t appreciate others.
EDEOGA consulted widely before potting to PDP now APC. It was the behavior of the elected members that made Edeoga to even think of leaving.
We discussed it day and night. There was no move I or Edeoga made that was not discussed. He at times called me by 1am to discuss it with me.
How can they abandon us just immediately they started seeing money. Late Okey showed me who he was and I made no mistake in replying to him and told him to go to blazes if he forgot our journey so soon.
Well I leave everything to Almighty God but Edeoga is a man and truly his name is Okaome na Enugu State. I rest this matter for another day.
A coalition of young people from Kogi State has raised N100 million to procure the presidential nomination form of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election, describing the contribution as a show of confidence in his administration.
The N100 million cheque was formally presented in Abuja on Monday to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo.
Although President Tinubu has not formally declared his intention to seek re-election in 2027, leaders and stakeholders within the APC have continued to signal support for his potential second-term bid.
Party organs including the National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, zonal structures and the Governors’ Forum have openly endorsed him.
Addressing journalists during the presentation, Yilwatda described the gesture as a proud moment for the party, noting that it reflected a shift in youth engagement with governance.
He stated, “We are seeing young people from Kogi State taking decisive action—not to ask what the government or the President will do for them, but to ask what they can do to support Mr President so that he will return in 2027 and do much more for their people.”
According to him, the youths cited improvements in economic indices and security efforts as key motivations for raising the funds.
He said, “They listed their reasons, and they gave valid reasons why they want Mr President to come back. They said the economy has improved and that the indicators are looking green and positive. They also said Mr President is tackling security in their state, working together with the Governor to address pockets of insecurity within communities.
“Mr President has deployed the military, and the Governor has provided the enabling environment and supporting equipment for them to do their job. They also said Mr President has given Kogi indigenes several appointments, including the Chief of Army Staff, the INEC Chairman and other key positions.
“They further said that the Governor of Kogi State has performed excellently in infrastructure, road construction and agriculture. I have seen some of these projects on television, including the rice programme. He has empowered the youths and provided leadership for young people.
“We often say the youths are the leaders of tomorrow, but Mr Ododo and Mr President are saying the youths are the leaders of today. We can see this in the appointments made—many young people are now in governance.”
“Even in the party, I had the opportunity to become the youngest National Chairman under Mr President’s leadership. You can also see many young people appointed as CEOs in different capacities.”
Yilwatda said the party considered the donation historic and symbolic of growing youth participation in politics.
He continued, “That is why these youths have donated the sum of N100 million to Mr President for the purchase of his nomination form and expression of interest form. To me, this is something all Nigerians, especially the youths and party members, should be proud of. We are proud of the Kogi youths.
“This is the first time in Nigeria’s history that youths are not saying, ‘Take us to Mr President so he can give us something,’ but instead saying, ‘We don’t want to see him; we want to buy the form for him.’ That is unique. You are a torchlight. You are a pillar. You are an example to all the youths of Nigeria, and we are proud of you.
“The governor is here with them. They have presented both the dummy cheque and the actual payment. This is not a promise. This is not a voice note. This is not AI. This is real money. The cash has been paid into the party’s account.
“This is the second group to make such a commitment. The first group made a commitment but has not paid. These people came with both commitment and payment. With this payment, I want to announce that nobody should bother bringing money again to buy the form for Mr President, because the form has already been procured in advance by the Kogi youths.”
Governor Ododo, who accompanied the delegation, thanked God for what he described as visionary leadership at the national level.
He said, “I thank God Almighty for making this moment possible. We thank God for giving us a father—Mr. President—at this time in our country, a sincere leader who is leading from the front.
“In the history of this country, no government has given youths the space that Mr President has provided. I am a beneficiary of that.”
By Dr Jeff Ejiofor,
There was a time when driving through Enugu felt like negotiating history itself, narrow colonial roads, tight intersections, and endless traffic snarls that tested patience and productivity.
For decades, residents of the Coal City accepted congestion as a stubborn companion, especially in ever-busy corridors like Abakpa and the Eke Obinagu axis, where gridlocks seemed permanent fixtures of daily life.
Today, that narrative is steadily changing under the leadership of Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
His urban road infrastructural drive is not just a construction agenda; it is a deliberate rewriting of Enugu’s traffic story across the city as the rhythmic hum of construction equipment signals transformation.
The dualisation of several strategic roads stands as visible milestones of a government determined to restore order, dignity, and efficiency to urban mobility.
In Abakpa and along the Eke Obinagu axis, areas once synonymous with crunching traffic gridlock hope are no longer abstract.
Wider carriageways are emerging across routes that previously forced vehicles into frustrating bottlenecks.
Though construction is still ongoing in parts, the direction is unmistakable. When these projects are fully completed, the crippling congestion that once defined these corridors will become history.
The same forward-thinking urban planning is gradually redefining Enugu’s entire traffic profile, practically transforming a city once known for its narrow colonial streets into a modern metropolis with wider, traffic-friendly roads, built for efficiency and growth, making what used to take hours to take minutes.
Commercial drivers will breathe easier. Traders will meet customers on time. Workers will return home earlier to their families. The promise of free-flowing traffic is steadily moving from expectation to reality.
The ongoing dualisation of the Enugu–Abakaliki Expressway, executed in collaboration with the Federal Government, is indeed a bold stride.
This vital inter-state artery connects Enugu to Ebonyi and beyond.
Expanding it means more than easing vehicular pressure; it means strengthening economic ties across state lines, boosting commerce, and positioning Enugu as a strategic hub within the South East corridor.
Equally significant is the dualisation of the Enugu–Nsukka route, a lifeline linking the state capital to northern gateways and Abuja.
These critical inter and intra state connectors are not merely roads; they are economic veins.
Their expansion ensures smoother transportation of goods, reduces travel time, lowers logistics costs, and enhances the competitiveness of businesses operating in Enugu State and the wider South East region.
Perhaps the most symbolic of these interventions is the construction of a gigantic flyover at the Eke Obinagu axis, the first of its kind in Enugu’s history.
It is a well-known fact that for years, Eke Obinagu represented a perennial traffic crisis point, where frustration simmered daily. With construction progressing steadily, there is growing confidence that, upon completion, the stubborn congestion that once defined that axis will fade into memory.
The flyover stands not just as concrete and steel but as a monument to decisive governance and a practical solution to a long-standing urban nightmare.
Governor Mbah’s vision goes beyond simply expanding major highways. His administration understands that a city’s true character is reflected in its suburbs.
Places such as Abakpa, Emene, Coal Camp, Achara Layout, Gariki, and Idaw-River long forgotten by previous regimes are wearing new looks. Roads abandoned for over five decades are being resurfaced and restored. Entire neighbourhoods once defined by potholes and neglect now echo with the promise of renewal.
Highbrow districts such as Independence Layout, New Haven, Trans Ekulu, and GRA are not left out. Their internal roads have received unprecedented attention, enhancing aesthetics, property values, and overall urban appeal.
Even Thinker’s Corner, one of Enugu’s fastest-growing settlements known for its modern architectural designs, is being factored into the resurfacing revolution, a move that will further amplify the city’s beauty and cohesion.
What makes this infrastructural revolution remarkable is its long-term economic implication. Good roads are silent economic multipliers.
They attract investors who seek efficiency, predictability, and accessibility. They reduce operational costs for industries, encourage tourism, enhance real estate development, and inspire confidence.
Governor Peter Mbah is not merely constructing roads; he is constructing the future. He is repositioning Enugu as the pride of the East, an emerging mega city east of the Niger.
A city that blends heritage with modernity. A city where movement fuels growth. A city preparing itself to become a tourist hub of unimaginable status.
Indeed, as these milestones rise from blueprint to reality, one truth becomes undeniable: under this administration, Tomorrow is Here.
The Obidient Movement has rejected the outcome of Saturday’s Abuja Municipal Area Council chairmanship election, describing the exercise as a “brazen assault” on democracy and condemning the killing of one of its polling agents.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, alleged that the poll was marred by widespread irregularities, intimidation and voter suppression, which he said compromised its credibility.
The protest followed reports that the All Progressives Congress secured five of the six area council chairmanship seats in the Federal Capital Territory, winning in AMAC, Abaji, Bwari, Kwali and Kuje, while the Peoples Democratic Party clinched Gwagwalada.
The elections were held to fill six chairmanship and 62 councillorship positions across the FCT. Observers reported low voter turnout amid allegations of vote-buying in some areas.
Tanko disclosed that the movement backed the African Democratic Congress candidate for AMAC chairmanship, Dr Moses Paul, popularly known as Dr Mo, describing the support as part of a broader coalition driven by the vision of a new Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Tanko said the outcome of the election was not merely a political loss but an attack on democratic principles.
He alleged that party agents of the ADC were harassed and intimidated at several polling units, adding that the situation escalated into violence in Gwagwa, where one of their representatives, Musa Abubakar, also known as Dege, was reportedly killed while attempting to prevent ballot box snatching.
According to him, the killing instilled fear among other agents, forcing some to abandon their posts.
“Our agents were systematically targeted and threatened. The intimidation reached a tragic climax when one of our most committed agents was killed at his polling unit,” Tanko said.
He described the deceased as a devoted family man who believed in democratic change and insisted that those responsible for the violence must be brought to justice.
The movement further accused unnamed actors of orchestrating electoral fraud and held them accountable for the death of its agent.
It commended Dr Mo and his team for visiting the bereaved family and offering support.
Tanko called for a comprehensive and transparent review of the AMAC election results and urged security agencies to investigate the killing and prosecute those involved.
He also criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission, alleging that the restructuring of polling units without sufficient public awareness contributed to voter apathy.
According to him, many voters were unable to locate their polling centres and left without casting their ballots, resulting in what he described as a turnout of about seven per cent.
Tanko added that the intervention of former presidential candidate Peter Obi encouraged greater participation among supporters of the movement and its allied candidates, noting what he termed a marginal increase in turnout compared to previous FCT council elections.
He maintained that the will of the electorate in AMAC was subverted and urged the electoral umpire to address the allegations to restore public confidence in the democratic process.
The Benue State Government has approached the Federal Government for approval to establish a Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) centre aimed at rehabilitating repentant local bandits.
Josephine Habba, Director-General of the Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, disclosed this on Monday during a briefing with journalists in Makurdi.
She explained that the initiative seeks to reintegrate individuals who were coerced into serving as foot soldiers for armed groups, including women and pregnant women who were not originally criminals.
“These persons are not necessarily criminals but were taken in to do dirty jobs for those in the forest,” Habba said.
“Even pregnant women were abducted and turned into cooks. Our biometric survey identified over 1,800 people, but 400 have expressed willingness to undergo rehabilitation.”
The proposed DDR centre, part of a military programme certified by the United Nations, is intended to attract international attention to Benue and support the peaceful reintegration of participants into their communities.
Habba said the programme would last six months to a year, during which time the committee will engage in community resilience projects, restore destroyed livelihoods, compensate affected families, and rebuild schools and hospitals.
She added that the state government made a formal request to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, with the support of local leaders including the Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese, Bishop Isaac Dugu.
A committee of military officials, including Brigadier-Generals and Major-Generals, has already begun assessing the proposed facility.
The centre is expected to be located in Logo Local Government Area, with the project projected to cost millions of naira.
Habba emphasized that the commission, operational since 2023 following repeated attacks on communities in Benue, is working to create mechanisms to prevent recurring conflicts in the state.
A fire has erupted at the old terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, a facility currently undergoing extensive renovations as part of efforts to upgrade the airport’s infrastructure and enhance passenger experience.
The circumstances surrounding the outbreak remain unclear, but officials say the situation is under control.
Confirming the incident, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Henry Agbebire, said emergency teams were already on site managing the fire.
“We are aware of the outbreak, and our teams are responding immediately. A full statement will be issued shortly,” Agbebire said.
He reassured the public that no one was injured in the incident.
“No loss of lives has been recorded. Our firefighting units are working diligently to contain the fire and prevent further damage,” he added.
Passengers and airport users have been advised to remain calm while authorities assess the situation and the extent of damage to the facility.
FAAN promised to provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the closure of Nkwo Nnewi Spare Parts Market for one week following alleged non-compliance with the state government’s directive mandating markets to operate on Mondays.
The decision was conveyed in a press statement issued by the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor.
According to the statement, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, enforced the closure on behalf of the governor.
The action comes barely three weeks after the governor shut down Onitsha Main Market over similar failure to open for business on Mondays.
He stated that: “I hereby inform the general public that New Auto Spare Parts Asocciation (NASPA) Market, Nkwo Nnewi, is closed for business.
“The closure of the market followed low compliance with Mr Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s order to end Monday sit-at-home in Anambra State.
“The order to close the market was handed down on behalf of the governor by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, in company of the Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, AVM Ben Chiobi (Rtd) and Nnewi Mayor, Hon. Echezona Anazodo.
“Consequently, the market, whose date of closure is effective from midnight today, Monday, 23rd February, 2026, will reopen next Monday, 2nd March, 2026.”
The state government advised traders and customers to stay away from the market until the reopening date to avoid possible confrontation with law enforcement agencies.
It further warned that the market risks additional sanctions, including an extended shutdown, if compliance with the directive remains unsatisfactory when trading resumes next week.
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has instituted a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), challenging what he described as the unlawful invasion and search of his Abuja residence.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, was filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on February 20 by his counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN).
El-Rufai is contesting the legality of a search warrant issued on February 4 by a Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrates’ Court, which authorised operatives to search his residence.
In his application, the former governor asked the court to declare the warrant null and void, arguing that it lacked specificity, contained drafting errors, and failed to establish probable cause.
He contended that the warrant’s alleged defects rendered the search unconstitutional and in violation of his right to privacy as guaranteed under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
El-Rufai named the ICPC as the first respondent, while the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrates’ Court, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation were listed as second to fourth respondents, respectively.
He is seeking seven reliefs, including a declaration that the search conducted at his residence on Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 by operatives of the ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force breached his fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy under Sections 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the Constitution.
The former governor further urged the court to rule that any evidence obtained during the search is inadmissible in any proceedings against him, having allegedly been procured in violation of constitutional safeguards.
He also requested an order directing the ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police to return all items seized during the operation, alongside a detailed inventory.
El-Rufai is demanding ₦1 billion in general, exemplary, and aggravated damages for what he described as trespass, unlawful seizure, psychological trauma, and reputational harm.
The claim comprises ₦300 million as compensatory damages for emotional distress, ₦400 million as exemplary damages to deter future misconduct, and ₦300 million as aggravated damages for the alleged oppressive conduct of the respondents.
He also sought ₦100 million as litigation costs.
In his legal arguments, Iyamu maintained that the warrant contravened provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and the ICPC Act 2000.
He argued that the document failed to clearly specify the items sought, contained typographical errors, and broadly authorised “all officers” without defined limits.
The counsel cited judicial precedents, including C.O.P. v. Omoh (1969) and Fawehinmi v. IGP (2000), to support the position that evidence obtained through unlawful means should be excluded.
In a supporting affidavit, Mohammed Shaba, identified as a Principal Secretary to the former governor, alleged that officers stormed the residence under a defective warrant and seized personal documents and electronic devices without following due process.
He claimed the operation caused humiliation and emotional distress, adding that the seized items have yet to be returned.
The suit seeks judicial intervention to safeguard the applicant’s constitutional rights and restrain the respondents from relying on any materials recovered during the disputed search.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has approved the revocation of 485 land documents in Abuja after they failed official verification procedures.
The cancellations followed a comprehensive audit carried out by the Department of Land Administration in partnership with the Abuja Geographic Information Systems.
Authorities said a significant number of the documents were found to be inauthentic and did not meet established standards.
In a public notice issued by the Federal Capital Territory Administration and tagged Batch I, officials announced that the affected applications had been expunged from the ongoing regularisation database.
The notice was directed at individuals and organisations that submitted Area Council land documents for validation.
According to the statement, the minister approved the cancellation of all applications that failed authenticity checks and were confirmed to be fake.
The revoked documents cut across multiple Area Councils and layouts. In Bwari Area Council, affected locations include Ushafa Village Expansion Scheme, Ushafa Extension and Dawaki Extension I.
Within the Abuja Municipal Area Council, impacted districts comprise Kurudu-Jikwoyi Relocation, Kurudu Commercial, Karu Village Extension, Nyanya Phase IV Extension, Jikwoyi Residential, Sabon Lugbe and Lugbe I Extension.
Kuchiyako One layout in Kuje Area Council was also listed among the affected areas.
Among those impacted are institutions such as the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the Ministry of Justice Staff Multi-purpose Cooperative Society.
Under existing regulations, all land in the FCT is vested in the Federal Government, and Certificates of Occupancy must be processed through the Office of the FCT Minister and formalised by AGIS.
The latest revocations are part of broader land administration reforms introduced by the FCTA to tackle persistent issues including forged documents, double allocations and irregular grants allegedly issued by some Area Councils.
The reform effort gained urgency last year when the FCTA revealed that out of 261,914 Area Council land documents submitted between 2006 and 2023, only 8,287 — representing 3.2 per cent — had been screened, leaving more than 253,000 pending verification. Officials acknowledged that nearly 97 per cent of submissions were still awaiting clearance.
