Author: Vardiafrica

Eleven members of the national working committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have rejected the return of Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Umar Damagum, acting national chairman of the PDP, said Anyanwu will resume as the party’s national secretary. Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi and chairman of the PDP’s Governors’ Forum; Abba Moro, lawmaker representing Benue south and minority leader of the senate; and other party officials, were present during the press conference. The acting chairman also said the planned national executive committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30 will no longer hold. Anyanwu, an…

There was an uproar in the Senate on Wednesday following the approval of a non- indigene, Dr. Michael Odey as the Chairman, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC. The confirmation of Odey, who hails from Cross River State, alongside other members of the Commission followed the consideration of the report of the Ad- Hoc Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers State presented by its chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central). The development sparked as a few senators objected the appointment of a non-indigene to head a sensitive position as that of a state electoral commission. Those confirmed…

The Senate has passed the 2025 budget of Rivers State, totaling ₦1.485 trillion, following the third reading of the appropriation bill on the Senate floor today. The passage came after the upper chamber considered the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State during the Committee of Supply session. The bill seeks to authorize the issuance of N1,485,662,592,442 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. The approved budget breakdown includes ₦120.8 billion for debt servicing, ₦287.38 billion for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, and ₦1.077 trillion for capital expenditure. While supporting the passage…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reinstated Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the party, following its meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday The party has also suspended its planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30th, and instead, the planned meeting will be an expanded caucus. Acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagun, announced the reinstatement at a news conference in Abuja. “Anyanwu is resuming as the national secretary,” Damagum said. “At the next caucus, we will make a decision leading to a proper NEC. Like INEC said, they don’t have…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed receiving letters of intent from 110 associations seeking registration as political parties. Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Wednesday, noting that the requests are being processed in line with the relevant laws and the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines. “As of Monday, 23rd June 2025, the Commission has received letters of intent from 110 associations that wish to register as political parties. We are diligently processing the requests in line with the procedure outlined in the law as well as our regulations and guidelines. We have acknowledged all requests…

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has strengthened bilateral ties with the Government of the Netherlands to advance NIS migration management tools and improve border control systems. This development followed a working visit to the Netherlands earlier this year by Comptroller General of Immigration, CGIS Kemi Nandap. A Dutch delegation led by Chargé D’Affaires, Mr. J. Bartelink of the Netherlands Embassy visited NIS Headquarters in Abuja for a strategic meeting. The visit focused on enhancing collaboration on migration governance, capacity building, and the formal transfer of crucial operational resources. Among the resources presented to the NIS were the Edison Software license keys and…

PayTV operator, Multichoice Nigeria, has slashed its decoder price by 50% from N20,000 to N10,000 in a strategic move to woo more customers and stem the tide of declining subscribers. The company said it will also be offering its customers a free upgrade to the next DStv package tier when they pay their current subscription in full from June 16 to July 31, 2025. Coming after losing 1.4 million subscribers between March 2023 and March 2025, Multichoice claims the initiative was its response “to the noticeable economic impact on the everyday lives of Nigerians.” By repositioning itself as a platform…

The European Union (EU) is set to launch a social protection programme aimed at assisting individuals affected by the recent attacks in Yelewata and other communities in Benue State, North Central Nigeria. During a visit to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Makurdi, EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Gautier Mignot, emphasised the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding between communities as essential tools for lasting peace—drawing from Europe’s own history of conflict. Ambassador Mignot stated that the EU would collaborate with state authorities to support peace-building efforts in Benue and provide development assistance. He noted that while the social…

The Nigerian government has signed an agreement with Brazil on defence, agriculture, trade and science technology as part of efforts to enhance security in both countries. This was contained in a statement issued by the media aide to the Defence Minister, Mati Ali The statement said the, “Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on behalf of the Nigerian Government, signed a defence agreement with the Government of Brazil.” The statement noted that the agreement was signed,”during the second session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM) held on Tuesday, 24th June 2025, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. “Minister Badaru signed…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday received Her Majesty Mary Elizabeth, Queen of Denmark, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to the President, confirmed the visit and described it as a sign of strengthening diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Denmark. Queen Mary Elizabeth, who holds the title of Countess Monpezat, was warmly welcomed by President Tinubu and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during her courtesy call at the Presidential Villa. Photos released by the State House show the dignitaries in a cordial atmosphere, reflecting mutual respect and a shared commitment to…