News & Politics

The fresh wave of violence in Plateau State has once again exposed a painful reality. Nigeria is not just dealing with isolated attacks, but a deep-rooted and persistent security crisis. On Sunday, March 29, gunmen stormed the Gari Ya Waye area of Angwan Rukuba in Jos North, killing at least 20 people, with some reports placing the death toll closer to 30. Witnesses disclosed to Ayemafuge while recounting a chilling pattern: "attackers arriving on motorcycles in the evening, opening fire indiscriminately on defenceless residents. This is not an isolated incident; it is part of a recurring cycle of violence in the region.In response, authorities imposed a 48-hour curfew, yet another predictable government reaction that has, over time, become more symbolic than effective. From Kaduna State to Zamfara State, and even parts of Borno State during the height of insurgency, curfews […]

The Ondo state government has directed all political appointees planning to run in the 2027 general elections to resign by March 31, 2026.This is contained in an advisory directive issued by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN. The directive cited by Ayemafuge on Tuesday was titled "Advisory Directive on Resignation Requirements for Civil Servants and Political Appointees in Ondo State Intending to Contest the 2027 General Elections.”“It is strongly advised that all political appointees intending to contest the 2027 General Elections submit their formal letters of resignation on or before 31st March 2026, through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government,” the Advisory said.According to it, the purpose of the “Directive” is to ensure legal clarity, promote transparency, uphold the neutrality and integrity of the public service, and prevent avoidable disqualification or electoral […]

The Governor of Ondo State, Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has sacked all Senior Special Assistants(SSAs) and Special Assistants(SAs) in his administration with immediate effect. This is contained in a statement made available to Ayemafuge on Monday in Akure by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan.According to Adeniyan, the step is part of efforts to enhance efficiency and service delivery in the state.He expressed appreciation to the affected aides for their contributions to the development of the state and wished them success in their future endeavours. Adeniyan disclosed that the governor would appoint about 1,000 new aides drawn from the 203 wards across the 18 local government areas of the state.He added that the move was aimed at strengthening coordination and injecting fresh capacity into the administration. Ayemafuge gathered that the move was part of the realignment towards […]

As debates over Makoko resurface, competing narratives are blurring the line between genuine concern and misleading claims, complicating efforts at sustainable urban developmentThe Makoko issue has once again taken centre stage in Lagos, drawing intense reactions from the public as debates over the demolition resurface. Competing narratives are blurring the line between genuine concern and misleading claims, complicating efforts at sustainable urban development.Understandably, any discussion around demolition in such a densely populated, low-income community like Makoko in Lagos evokes strong emotions. However, the speed with which outrage has spread suggests that perception may be outpacing verified facts.Across media channels, the Lagos State Government has been tagged as acting out of self-interest rather than public good, with claims of a hidden land acquisition agenda dominating conversations. This framing, while compelling, risks oversimplifying a complex urban challenge that demands both empathy and […]

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Fubara Dagogo was yesterday suspended indefinitely from the party. He was suspended by party members and the ward executive committee of Ward 4, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.Dagogo had dragged the ruling party to the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to halt the planned APC convention. He claimed that he was unfairly excluded from contesting for the position of National Vice-Chairman, Southsouth, despite paying N5.1million for the form.Dagogo alleged that after paying the money, the party refused to issue him the nomination form. He prayed the court to suspend the Southsouth zonal Congress, declare him eligible for the nomination form, and void any election conducted without his participation.Dagogo also demanded N100million as damages for wrongful exclusion.The Chairman of APC Ward 4, Bonny, Richard Ibani, said the resolution was reached after the committee’s […]

Gunmen in early hours of Saturday stormed a health facility in Oke Ijebu area of Akure, the Ondo State capital, abducting medical personnel on duty. Ayemafuge learnt that the incident occurred around 2:00 a.m at a health centre located opposite Mega School, Akure. According to impeccable sources, the gunmen reportedly arrived in a bus and forcefully gained entry into the facility. Eyewitness disclosed to our correspondent that the attackers overpowered the few people present at the facility before rounding up health workers who were on night duty and some patients. A patient at the centre who narrowly escaped, said that the gunmen operated freely without resistance. He said; "hey came in a bus and entered the hospital forcefully. Before anyone could react, they gathered all the staff on duty and marched them outside. They took about six of them away,” […]

There was a gas explosion in Edibe Edibe area of Calabar, Cross River State on Saturday last week resulting from a gas leakage from a gas plant in the area which has led to the death of some people while over 60 victims were seriously burnt. Ayemafuge learnt that when the incident occurred, attempts were made to rescue the victims involved, yet some died as a result of serious gas burn while others were rushed to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for survival. Our correspondent learnt that the Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, Dr. Henry Ayuk visited the hospital to see the extent of damage that has been done to the victims who were still receiving treatment at the time he got there. On getting there, Dr. Henry Ayuk expressed a great shock and concern and immediately […]

The All Progressives Congress (APC) United Kingdom Chapter has formally endorsed the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for a second term in office. Our correspondent reports from the UK that the endorsement was announced during a special dinner organised on 22/03/26 to round off the President’s state visit to the United Kingdom. Speaking at the event, Hon. Tunde Doherty, Chairman of the APC UK Chapter and Chairman of the APC Committee of Diaspora Chairmen (APC-CDC), led APC supporters and diaspora groups in expressing their strong support for the President’s continued leadership and the Renewed Hope agenda. The event attracted several prominent government officials, party leaders, and distinguished guests. Among those present were the First Lady of Kwara State, Her Excellency Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq; the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; and the Minister for Youth […]

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has granted an interlocutory injunction restraining Mrs Oluwakemi Alao-Akala and other family members who are parties in the ongoing dispute over the estate of the late former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, from selling, disposing of or entering into any form of transaction on the contested properties pending the determination of the substantive suit.The order followed an application filed by the first daughter of the late governor, Oluwatoyin Alao Aderinto, who approached the court as claimant/applicant in Suit No. I/443/2024, seeking judicial intervention over the administration of the estate of the deceased politician.Joined as defendants/respondents in the suit are Oluwakemi Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi, listed in the court processes as executors and administrators of the estate of the late former governor.Ruling on the motion on notice for an interlocutory […]

Ondo state governor, His Exellency Prince Lucky Orimisan iyedatiwa, has reacted to a ruling of the Federal High Court in Akure restraining him from seeking another term in office, describing the decision as premature and a distraction from governance.The governor reacted to the judgement while speaking as a guest on Channels Television last night, 12/3/26.Aiyedatiwa said discussions about the 2028 off-cycle governorship election were unnecessary at this stage, noting that he had only recently secured a fresh mandate from the people of the state.“This is too early. Why don’t you wait till 2027 or when the off-cycle timetable will be out in early 2028? Maybe at that time, I might begin to think, wait a minute, do I have the right to contest or not? At that time, one can begin to seek interpretation of some of these clauses in […]