Author: Vardiafrica

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). Confirming this in a statement on Monday, the governor’s media aide, Nuhu Anka, said the defection followed his principal’s consultation with stakeholders in the state. “The Government and PDP family of Zamfara State wish to formally inform the general public of an important political development following extensive consultations with stakeholders, political leaders, elders, and supporters across the state,” the statement read. “After careful consideration, and in the over riding interest of stability, progress, and the sustainable development…

The court of appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo state, challenging a federal high court ruling that allowed an amendment in a suit seeking to bar him from contesting the 2028 governorship election. In a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court held that the appeal lacked merit and awarded N2 million in costs against the governor. Uchechukwu Onyemenam, who read the lead judgment, held that Aiyedatiwa failed to show that the federal high court in Akure denied him fair hearing when it exercised its discretion to grant…

The Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) has rejected four out of nine nominees submitted by Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, for screening and confirmation as commissioners. During plenary on Monday, the Assembly confirmed five of the nominees as commissioner-designates, citing poor performance, petitions and controversies surrounding submitted documents as reasons for rejecting the other four, including Prof. Datonye Dennis Alasia, the immediate past Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). The nominees confirmed as commissioner-designates are Mr. Tonye Belgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth and…

The federal government will on March 27 launch a digital platform designed to integrate government agencies involved in import and export processes into a single portal to streamline trade operations. The platform, known as the National Single Window for Trade, will centralise documentation and approvals required for trade and port operations, allowing traders to submit information once for processing by multiple agencies. In a statement on Monday, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s trade system through digital technology. The agency said through the system, importers and exporters…

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the October 31 judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the national convention planned by the PDP for Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16. In a unanimous judgment, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved the four issues for determination against the PDP. The court held that the appeal by the PDP was without merit and that the Federal High Court was right…

A section of the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation building in Abuja has gone up in flames. Eyewitnesses report that the fire was first noticed in one part of the structure at approximately 8:20 a.m., with smoke billowing from the affected area. The incident was said to have occurred at Section C of the head of service building, within the Head of Service complex, as staffers in the building were seen moving away from the affected area while emergency responders were alerted to contain the situation. The media department of the Office of the Head of…

US President Donald Trump said Britain was giving “serious thought” to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East, but made clear he did not believe Washington needed British help in the war with Iran. “The United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer – But we will remember. We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!” Trump’s remarks came after Britain’s defense ministry…

IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, today decorated eight senior officers elevated to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in a ceremony at Force Headquarters, Abuja. In his address, IGP Disu described the ceremony as more than a symbolic adornment, emphasising that promotion to DIG recognises decades of dedicated service, professional excellence, and leadership capacity. He charged the officers to provide strategic direction, strengthen internal discipline, drive reforms, and ensure policing strategies remain responsive to evolving security challenges. He urged them to leverage their experience in intelligence-led policing, operational coordination, inter-agency collaboration, and accountability while inspiring confidence within…

Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader following the k!lling of his father, Ali Khamenei. The decision was announced on Sunday, March 8, by the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible under Iran’s constitution for selecting the country’s supreme leader. In a statement circulated by state media, the Assembly said Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen after what it described as a “decisive vote.” It called on citizens to remain united and support the new leader. The statement urged Iranians, “especially the elites and intellectuals of the seminaries and universities,” to pledge allegiance to the leadership and help preserve national…

Guinea has dissolved 40 political parties, including its three main opposition groups, via a late-night decree, fewer than two months after former junta leader Mamady Doumbouya was sworn in as president. Doumbouya, who has ruled Guinea with an iron fist, was elected in late December in a vote in which all major opposition leaders were barred. Guinea’s minister of territorial administration and decentralisation ordered the dissolution of the parties late on Friday for “failure to fulfil their obligations”. The decree also stripped them of control of their assets. Since coming to power in a 2021 coup Doumbouya has cracked down on civil liberties and…