Author: Vardiafrica

The Progressive Governors Forum is currently holding a closed-door meeting at the Council Chamber of the Kebbi State Government House in Birnin Kebbi. The meeting of the Forum, comprising governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was chaired by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma. Top on the agenda are critical national issues as well as matters concerning the ruling party. Although the APC National Chairman is also in Kebbi, he is not part of the meeting. See photos from the meeting below:

The Rivers State Executive Council has taken a major decision at its first meeting since the suspension of the six-month state of emergency. The meeting, held at the Government House in Port Harcourt, reviewed key contracts and policies implemented during the emergency rule. Governor Siminalayi Fubara presided over the session attended by the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service, eight retained commissioners, and the Permanent Secretaries of Works and Education. After extensive deliberations, the Council cancelled the ₦134 billion contract for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat Complex earlier awarded to…

The Kano State Government has filed a lawsuit against former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, two of his sons, and several others before the State High Court over an alleged N4.49 billion fraud. The suit seeks to recover the state’s 20 per cent equity stake in Dala Inland Dry Port Limited and to reclaim public funds totalling N4,492,387,013.76, which were allegedly misappropriated. Filed on October 13, 2025, the case lists as defendants Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; his sons, Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar; Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro, his former Special Adviser; Hassan Bello, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council;…

The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture, NDCCITMA, backed by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has released cheques worth N1.5 billion to 1,500 people to boost businesses in the Niger Delta region. Speaking during the flag off of an Investments Partnership Scheme in Port Harcourt, the Chairman of NDCCITMA, Ambassador Idaere Gogo-Ogan, said the fund represents the first phase of disbursement to empower beneficiaries in the region. He noted that the nano group of beneficiaries, the poorest of the poor, would receive 200,000 naira each, while the micro, small-scale and medium-scale categories of the scheme would receive…

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), the nominee of President Bola Tinubu, for the position of chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Professor Amupitan, a professor of law, was confirmed by the upper chamber after his screening exercise on Thursday at the Plenary. The screening commenced around 12:50 pm after the Senate had suspended its rule to admit strangers into the hallowed chamber. The National Assembly had, on Wednesday, through a statement by Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, Director of Information at the National Assembly, on behalf of the Office of the Secretary, Research and Information, said…

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says Nnamdi Kanu’s health condition does not appear life-threatening. But the prosecution had opposed the application, insisting that the federal government had provided Kanu with adequate care in detention. At the court session on Thursday, Adegboyega Awomolo, prosecution counsel, said the report has been received and filed in court on October 13, and it has also been served on the defence. Kanu Agabi, the defendant’s counsel, admitted that they have been served. In the report read in open court, the NMA panel concluded that Kanu is fit to stand trial. Based on the information contained…

Sweden is set to begin stockpiling food as it prepares for war amid mounting fears of a potential war with Russia. The move comes after the country broke from its long-held tradition of military neutrality and officially joined NATO in 2024. Now, Stockholm is pushing ahead with plans to strengthen what it calls is its “total defence” strategy. According to Mail Online, the NATO member is set to invest 575 million krona (£45millon) in grain reserves, as part of the country’s next budget. Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin admitted: ‘We are well aware that the risk of Sweden becoming completely cut off is very low, but the risk…

Madagascar’s new military ruler will be sworn in as the country’s president on Friday, the military said on Wednesday, as the African Union suspended the island nation after a coup that ousted President Andry Rajoelina. The Indian Ocean nation has been plunged into its worst political upheaval in years after the elite Capsat army unit assumed power on Tuesday, moments after parliament voted to impeach Rajoelina, who appeared to have fled the country as street protests escalated. It becomes the latest former French colony to fall under military control since 2020, after coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon and Guinea. Capsat commander Col…

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, says the recent defections of the governors of Enugu and Bayelsa States to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, confirm its long-held warning that President Bola Tinubu is determined to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the defections as a betrayal of the people and a dangerous sign for Nigeria’s democracy. Abdullahi said that while the defections might appear to strengthen the APC, they in fact represent a loss for democracy and a deliberate effort by the ruling party to weaken the…

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Diri, who announced this on Wednesday at the exco chamber in the Bayelsa State Government House. He said his decision was for an obvious reason, but did not state the reason or the political party to which he will be moving. “After extensive consultations, today, October 15, 2025, I wish to notify you that, in keeping with the extant protocols, I, Governor Douye Diri, do hereby resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party,” he announced. The Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, was absent, but the governor…