News
“PDP Has Been Retrenched From the Southeast”, Stakeholders Tell Enugu Governor
After 24 years of dominating Southeastern politics since the restoration of democratic rule in the country in 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been retrenched from the zone because of its poor record and poor treatment of leaders from the area, according to the Enugu State Stakeholders Forum (ESSF).
The party no longer controls Anambra, Abia, Imo and Ebonyi states.
The Enugu stakeholders in a statement today in Enugu signed by its leader, Professor Joseph Aneke, and countersigned by their secretary, Dr Ifeanyi Agbo , noted that “Enugu as the capital of the Southeast cannot afford to be in an odd position in the zone”.
The stakeholders accused the PDP of pretending to be in charge of the executive arm of the state, saying the pretension would end the moment the Governorship and House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal delivers judgment on the authentic result of the gubernatorial vote.
“The performance of PDP’s various administrations in Enugu State, for instance, except that of Sullivan Chime, has been anything but inspiring”, the stakeholders said.
The forum claimed that the Southeastern people never forgot how the party treated Nigeria’s first Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, whose learning and personal integrity as well as unimpeachable leadership attributes gave the PDP its original reputation of a national movement that enabled it to win the historic 1998/9 general election by a wide margin.
“On two occasions”, it recalled, “Dr. Ekwueme sought the party’s presidential ticket and on two occasions it was denied him simply because he came from the wrong part of the nation.
“Still, the people continued to give the PDP the benefit of the doubt until the 2023 general elections when the party was routed because the people had become fed up”.
It explained: “The people voted overwhelmingly for change in the election by siding unabashedly with the Labour Party (LP) and its candidates”.
“The Labour Party won 88.7% of the presidential vote, two of the three senatorial seats, seven of the eight House of Representatives seats, and 14 of the 24 House of Assembly seats”.
The Enugu stakeholders described the result of the governorship election declared by INEC as “a pure electoral heist which cannot be defended or rationalised”.
Noting that the claim that PDP’s Peter Mbah won over 16,000 votes in his home Nkanu East Local Government Area composed of mostly villages and small towns “is ludicrous”, the forum said that the “figure is amusing to even the INEC national headquarters which announced at a press conference on March 22 in Enugu that it had slashed the number of votes allocated to Mbah to a little over 15,000, though enough to give the PDP a spurious victory”.
Concluded the stakeholders: “The truth is that the PDP has been retrenched from Enugu State and the rest of the Southeast, and it cannot come back”.
News
JAMB: UTME Registration Starts January 26
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed that registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will open nationwide on Monday, January 26, 2026.
In an official announcement released today, JAMB encouraged all prospective candidates to visit accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres as early as possible to complete registration, undergo biometric verification, select preferred examination towns, and avoid congestion toward the close of the window.
Applicants are reminded to come prepared with essential documents: valid O’Level results, National Identification Number (NIN), and a functional personal email address.
The board issued a strong warning against fraudsters and fake websites promising expedited or guaranteed registration slots, stressing that only processes completed through official JAMB-approved channels and accredited centres will be valid.
Additional information including exact registration fees, closing date, mock UTME schedule, and the full examination timetable will be published shortly on the official JAMB portal (www.jamb.gov.ng) and verified social media accounts.
Candidates, parents, and guardians are advised to monitor these official sources closely for authentic updates throughout the registration period.
News
JUST IN: Fire Outbreak Reported at Amuwo Odofin Industrial Estate, Lagos
Emergency responders are currently battling a fire outbreak at the Amuwo Odofin Industrial Estate, located in the Mile 2 area of Lagos State.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the incident and stated that its teams are actively attending to the scene. In an official alert issued earlier today, the service emphasized that the situation is under control.
“We’re assuring the public that we’re currently on top of the situation as the public need not to exercise fear,” the statement read.
The alert was signed by Margaret Adeseye, Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
Reports from witnesses and social media indicate a significant blaze, with thick smoke visible in the area and videos showing emergency efforts underway. One account suggested the fire may involve an industrial facility specializing in recycling, though official details on the exact cause, origin, or any potential damage or casualties have not yet been released.
Authorities continue to urge residents and nearby businesses to remain calm while operations proceed to fully contain the incident.
Further updates are expected as the response progresses.
News
Olubadan Ladoja tables top three national priorities for Tinubu to defeat
The visit, which took place less than four months after Ladoja’s installation as the 44th Olubadan, was the monarch’s first official meeting with the president since he ascended the throne.
•Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, and President Bola Tinubu / State House Photo
The traditional ruler of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, but warned that insecurity remains Nigeria’s most urgent national challenge.
The Olubadan was hosted today by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The visit, which took place less than four months after Ladoja’s installation as the 44th Olubadan, was the monarch’s first official meeting with the president since he ascended the throne.
It also came a day after Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde was received by Tinubu at the State House.
Oba Ladoja told President Tinubu that farmers are increasingly afraid to go to their farms, describing the spread of insecurity as a growing threat to livelihoods and food security, including in southern Nigeria.
While praising the President’s track record and governance style, the Monarch stressed that restoring safety, improving healthcare, and addressing food shortages must remain top priorities.
He, however expresses hope that current reforms will deliver tangible results by 2031.
Before he ascended the Olubadan throne, Ladoja served as the Governor of Oyo State between May 2003 and January 2006 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Oba Ladoja became Olubadan in September 2025 following the death of his predecessor, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who died in July after a short reign.
His emergence followed Ibadan’s traditional succession arrangement, which rotates the stool between the civil (Egbe Agba) and military (Balogun) lines. Olakulehin hailed from the Balogun line, making Ladoja’s succession from the civil line consistent with established custom.
Before he became the Olubadan, Ladoja occupied the position of Otun Olubadan, a role he assumed in August 2024 and which placed him next in line to the throne.
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