The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has strongly condemned recent allegations made by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, accusing Nigerian pilots of operating aircraft while under the influence of marijuana.

In a statement issued on Friday by NAAPE’s Public Relations Officer, Engr. Blessing Ahmadu, the association described Kalu’s claims as “baseless” and “highly damaging” to the integrity and professionalism of Nigerian aviation workers.

Kalu, while speaking on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, alleged that “some Nigerian pilots smoke Indian hemp and fly aircraft while high.”

The comment has drawn intense criticism from the aviation community.

Reacting to the senator’s statement, NAAPE President Capt. Bunmi Gindeh urged Kalu to either present verifiable evidence to regulatory bodies like the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) or issue a public retraction and apology.

Gindeh emphasized that Nigerian pilots and engineers operate under strict international safety and medical standards, including random drug and alcohol tests, all enforced by the NCAA in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines.

“Safety is the number one priority in our profession. No licensed pilot in Nigeria is permitted to use psychoactive substances,” Gindeh said.

“These types of reckless statements can demoralize professionals, alarm the public, and damage the reputation of our aviation sector.”

NAAPE further highlighted the multiple layers of oversight involved in aviation operations in Nigeria.

These include: Pre-flight medical evaluations, recurrent simulator training, random toxicology screening and continuous monitoring by both airlines and regulators.

The association also reaffirmed confidence in the NCAA’s leadership and the agency’s consistent enforcement of global aviation standards.

While acknowledging Kalu’s right to contribute to public discourse, NAAPE cautioned against uninformed or exaggerated statements, especially by public figures, that could compromise public confidence in air travel.

“We find it troubling that individuals without aviation expertise often speak as if they are insiders,” Gindeh said.

“One would expect that a former airline operator like Senator Kalu would understand how the system works — sadly, this isn’t the case.”

NAAPE has extended an invitation to Kalu and the Senate Committee on Aviation to engage with aviation professionals and better understand the robust safety protocols and certification processes that govern the industry.

“Unfounded accusations do more harm than good. We urge the Senator to either prove his claim or withdraw it respectfully,” the statement concluded.

The Kano State government has filed a criminal case against former governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, ex-Nigerian Shippers Council executive secretary Hassan Bello, and five others, accusing them of diverting over ₦4.49 billion in public funds meant for investment in the Dala Inland Dry Port.

Filed under Criminal Suit No. KN/252/25, the case includes 10 charges, ranging from criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, misuse of public funds, to conflict of interest. The matter is being heard at the Kano State High Court.

In addition to Ganduje and Bello, the following individuals and entity are named in the suit: Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar – Ganduje’s sons, Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro – former Special Adviser to the Governor, Adamu Aliyu Sanda – Company Secretary of the Dala Inland Dry Port and Dala Inland Dry Port Ltd.

According to the charge sheet obtained by The Guardian, the state government claims that the defendants fraudulently diverted 20% equity of Kano State’s investment in the Dala Inland Dry Port, Illegally transferred 80% of the company’s shares, including the state’s portion, to a fictitious company called City Green Enterprise to conceal real ownership, Used state funds (₦4.49 billion) to carry out infrastructure projects such as a double carriageway, power installations, and fencing, all allegedly benefiting the defendants personally or their family members

The government further accuses the defendants of abusing their official positions and engaging in self-dealing, which violated public trust and financial regulations.

The prosecution also claims that the accused used sham companies to obscure their control over the project.

They reportedly coerced the original founders of the dry port project into relinquishing control, Forged documents and misled regulatory authorities, Facilitated a complex transaction chain — including through Safari Textile Ltd (STL Enterprise) to allegedly siphon ₦750 million in state funds

In a response to the reports, Dala Inland Dry Port Ltd issued a statement distancing itself from the accusations.

The company’s secretary, Barr. Adamu Aliyu Sanda, also one of the defendants, called the allegations “false and malicious.”

He insisted that verified documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) show no member of the Ganduje family has ever held a position as shareholder, director, or signatory in the company.

The case has been scheduled for hearing on November 17, 2025, before Justice Yusuf Ubale of the Kano State High Court.

Following the defection of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a new leadership team has taken control of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, vowing to rebuild, reconcile, and revitalize the party.

At a high-level meeting held in Enugu, the new PDP leadership described Mbah’s departure, along with several top officials, as “cringeworthy,” but insisted it would not derail the party’s future in the state.

In a joint statement signed by Dr. Godwin Udibe (Chairman) and Barr. John Nwobodo (Secretary), the PDP leaders acknowledged Mbah’s constitutional right to associate with any political party of his choice.

However, they criticized his decision to defect while dismantling the party’s structure he once led.

“Though the governor has left, the PDP in Enugu is far from dead. We have capable, progressive minds ready to reposition the party and reclaim the governorship by 2027,” the statement read.

Despite losing not only the governor but also state lawmakers, local government chairmen and their deputies, councillors, and party executives to the APC, the PDP insists it remains a “formidable force” in Enugu politics.

The new leadership announced plans for immediate reconciliation among aggrieved party members and a renewed membership drive aimed at attracting progressives across the state.

“Our mission is to unite and strengthen the PDP in Enugu. The vacuum left behind presents an opportunity for regeneration,” they said.

The Enugu PDP also praised the national leadership of the party, especially the efforts of the National Convention Organising Committee chaired by Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, for their commitment to restructuring and organising a successful national convention.

They further commended the decision to appoint Senator Ben Ndi Obi as the new Secretary of the Convention Committee, replacing Peter Mbah, who held the role prior to his defection.

“We thank the PDP national leadership for acting swiftly and responsibly. Senator Ben Ndi Obi’s appointment reflects the party’s resilience and strategic thinking,” the statement concluded.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled its plan to “redesign governance” in Nigeria, pledging to break away from the entrenched political practices of godfatherism, budget padding, and patronage politics.

In a statement titled “No Godfathers, No Budget Padding: How ADC Plans to Redesign Governance,” the party announced a bold reform agenda centered on transparency, community impact, and citizen participation.

The statement was posted Friday via ADC Vanguard, the party’s coalition mobilisation wing on X (formerly Twitter).

The ADC condemned budget padding, the inflation or manipulation of budget figures, as a major drain on national development. Civic groups have previously criticized the National Assembly for allegedly inserting over ₦10.96 trillion in additional projects between 2021 and 2025.

The party said it would ensure that under an ADC-led administration, at least 70% of all budgeted projects must directly benefit local communities, not vanish through bureaucracy or inflated contracts.

“Nigerian politics has for too long revolved around personalities rather than principles. Power has been used for patronage instead of progress,” the party stated.

The ADC emphasized that governance must be people-centered, stating:

“Every policy, every project, and every kobo spent must be judged by its impact on citizens, not how much it benefits the powerful.”

It promised to make governance measurable, transparent, and accountable, proposing a blockchain-backed digital ledger to track public spending in real time.

“With this system, Nigerians will be able to trace every naira from federal ministries to grassroots projects.”

Recognizing Nigerian youth as the country’s greatest asset, the ADC pledged to actively involve young people in governance.

It proposed empowering youth not just with jobs but also with the tools to monitor and audit government spending.

“Young Nigerians won’t just work for government, they’ll help hold it accountable,” the party said.

Plans include public dashboards, community data verification, and citizen monitoring platforms to ensure open governance.

The ADC said it would do away with secrecy and selective empowerment that have long characterized Nigerian governance.

“Ministries and agencies will function like value-driven enterprises, focused on measurable outcomes, not political favours,” the statement declared.

It added that government officials, including ministers, would be evaluated quarterly based on performance metrics such as infrastructure delivery, service quality, and social impact, not political loyalty.

“This is governance redesigned where merit replaces mediocrity, competence replaces connections, and service trumps politics.”

The party dismissed the idea of offering vague campaign promises, positioning itself instead as a force for structural change.

“The ADC isn’t joining the old game. We’re here to change the rules entirely,” the party said.

“We believe government should function like a business where the citizens are shareholders, and the dividends are better roads, safer communities, quality education, healthcare, and jobs.”

The ADC said its goal is to build a movement rooted in responsibility, innovation, and service.

“We are not asking Nigerians to dream of change. We are building it, one transparent policy at a time.”

The Obidient Movement, loyal supporters of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, have officially declared support for George Moghalu ahead of the upcoming Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.

At a press conference held at Moghalu’s campaign headquarters in Awka, the group’s National Coordinator, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, pledged that the movement would resist any attempt to manipulate the outcome of the poll.

“We are fully mobilised across all 5,720 polling units in Anambra State,” Tanko announced in a statement later shared with journalists in Abuja.

“Polling unit commanders have been inaugurated and are prepared to protect the people’s mandate.”

Tanko emphasized that the Obidient Movement has put in place strong digital surveillance and grassroots coordination mechanisms to prevent election rigging.

“We’ve deployed robust digital technologies and monitoring systems to ensure transparency. The days of writing results behind closed doors are over,” he said.

Tanko described the Obidient generation as politically conscious and determined to end the culture of electoral fraud in Nigeria.

“This generation of Nigerians will not tolerate electoral malpractice. The old order is gone,” he stated.

The group called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold neutrality and transparency throughout the process.

They also urged security agencies to ensure peaceful and secure voting environments across the state.

“We expect INEC to remain impartial and professional. Any compromise will be resisted using lawful and democratic means,” Tanko warned.

He added that Obidient volunteers, particularly youth and women-led units, have been trained to monitor all aspects of the electoral process, from voter accreditation to real-time result collation.

Tanko reaffirmed the group’s united support for George Moghalu, a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, noting that the candidate embodies the values and vision of the Obidient Movement.

“A new Anambra is possible, and together with the people, we will make it happen,” he declared.

The Anambra governorship race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive elections in the South-East, marking the end of Governor Charles Soludo’s first term under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Major parties, Labour Party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APGA are gearing up for a fierce battle in a state widely seen as Peter Obi’s political stronghold.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has described the wave of political defections in Nigeria as a distraction from the deeper crisis affecting citizens, the persistent scourge of hunger and poverty.

In his bi-monthly newsletter released Thursday, Makinde emphasized that the only defection that truly matters is when economic hardship exits the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

He argued that while the nation remains fixated on political maneuvering and cross-carpeting, families are battling real-life challenges that demand urgent attention.

“Everyone is talking about which politician is switching parties. But what about hunger? When will it switch sides and leave the people alone?” Makinde asked.

He referenced recent high-profile defections, especially by PDP governors moving to the APC, and said the media frenzy around them is missing the point.

“Political analysts are busy dissecting handshakes and silences. But I’ll be impressed when hunger defects to the APC,” Makinde said, reiterating comments he made during a recent press conference.

He warned that the growing inequality and economic despair in Nigeria pose a far greater threat than party politics.

According to him, Nigerians are being forced into “impossible daily choices,” a situation that must take precedence in national conversations.

Makinde noted that political gamesmanship cannot distract from the fact that many Nigerians are barely surviving.

“Hunger, not political affiliation, is what fuels hopelessness and anger. That is what we need to defeat,” he said.

Makinde stated that the PDP must rise to the challenge by becoming a platform that offers real solutions to economic hardship.

He stressed that Nigerians, not politicians, will ultimately determine the outcome of the 2027 general election.

“Forget the pundits. It’s the people who vote, and they remember when life was better when salaries mattered and hope was real,” he said.

“Our mission must be to rebuild that trust.”

He also pointed to the party’s upcoming national convention in Ibadan, describing it as a critical moment to reset priorities and reassert the PDP’s values.

Makinde urged Nigerians not to give in to despair, emphasizing that economic suffering is not permanent  but it will take collective awareness and engagement to change the narrative.

“Let others defect for comfort or gain. We must remain rooted in conscience,” he wrote. “When hunger finally defects, then will come prosperity and with it, dignity.”

In closing, the governor cautioned that politics must never lose sight of the human cost of its decisions. He criticized policies that ignore the daily struggles of Nigerians, stressing that governance must serve people, not statistics.

“Every economic policy that makes life harder brings someone closer to poverty,” he said.

“Politics should be about lifting people up, not pushing them down.”