Police Seal Off Benue APC Factional Secretariat.

Tensions rose in Makurdi, the capital city of Benue State, as armed policemen sealed off the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Austin Agada. The office, located along JS Tarka Way opposite the Railway Market, was closed off early on Friday morning, creating a stir among party members and local residents. This police action coincides with the planned inauguration of members of the zoning committee by the Agada-led faction, which was scheduled to take place at the secretariat on the same day. The Publicity Secretary of the Agada faction, Daniel Ihomun, expressed his concerns, suggesting that the sealing off “may not be unconnected with the inauguration of members of the zoning committee for the forthcoming local government election.” According to Punch, policemen along with an Armored Personnel Vehicle were deployed to the site as early as 6 AM. Efforts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, for comments were unsuccessful as her phone was not answered at the time of reporting. The political atmosphere in Makurdi has been further complicated by the existence of two APC secretariats, each claiming legitimacy. The other secretariat, led by Benjamin Omakolo, is located along Kashim Ibrahim Way. In response to the developments, Terseer Agber, the Publicity Secretary of the Omakolo-led faction, issued a statement urging party members and the public to disregard the zoning committee constituted by the Agada-led group.

Nigerian Navy Arrests 14 Suspected Oil Thieves, Others In Akwa Ibom.

The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state, conducted a review of its anti-crime operations in the first quarter of 2024. The Commanding Officer of the base, Capt. Uche Aneke, noted in a report made available to journalists that a total of 14 suspects were apprehended for various crimes during this period. PlayUnmute Fullscreen According to him, the suspects were arrested for offences such as smuggling, oil theft, cultism, economic sabotage, sea robbery, and other criminal activities within the joint operations area (JOA). Aneke emphasized the Navy’s unwavering stance against maritime crimes and economic sabotage in Nigeria’s waterways. The suspects have been transferred to relevant security agencies for further investigation and prosecution. Aneke mentioned that the arrests and confiscations during this timeframe are not merely individual triumphs but rather accomplishments achieved through operational implementation and tactical execution, ensuring that the overall security situation in the operational area has been relatively calm. The Commander stated that the Base has successfully minimized criminal activities over the years through extensive operations in collaboration with security stakeholders within the joint operations area. He also revealed that Operation Delta Sanity, which includes FOB, Ibaka, has been strengthened by the dedication of FOB, Ibaka and other bases participating in the operations. Additionally, he shared that the base has hired 35 civilian employees who receive compensation and three meals daily to demonstrate their dedication to intelligence tasks for the base and foster a positive relationship with the local communities. He praised the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, for his role in providing the Nigerian Navy with the resources and moral support required to safeguard the waterways. Naija News understands that the FOB Ibaka is responsible for monitoring Nigeria’s Eastern flanks, which include sea approaches from Calabar to the new international maritime boundaries with the Republic of Cameroon. This area also encompasses land territories in Mbo, Udung Uko, and Oron LGAs of Akwa Ibom.

Kogi Commissioner Speaks On Gov Ododo Shielding Yahaya Bello From Arrest.

The Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, has vehemently denied allegations that Governor Usman Ododo facilitated the escape of his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, from an attempted arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The denial comes after a tense standoff at Bello’s Abuja residence, where EFCC officials had staged an operation. PlayUnmute Fullscreen In a recent interview with Channels TV, Fanwo clarified that Governor Ododo, who was present at the scene, did not assist Bello in evading the law enforcement officers. The commissioner emphasized that Governor Ododo is committed to upholding the laws and legal processes of the country. “Governor Ododo did not assist in Bello’s departure from his residence; the EFCC’s claims are misinformation aimed at furthering their objectives,” Fanwo stated, addressing the controversy surrounding the incident. The situation escalated when, after several hours of siege, Governor Ododo was seen leaving Bello’s residence, leading to speculation that Bello had sneaked out with him. This incident prompted the EFCC officials at the gate to discharge a volley of shots. However, Fanwo rejected these claims, describing them as “baseless” and the product of an organized disinformation campaign. Fanwo further argued that the former governor is not attempting to avoid arrest, citing a state high court injunction that protects Alhaji Yahaya Bello from harassment by the anti-graft agency. The commissioner criticized the EFCC’s actions and questioned the agency’s certainty about Bello’s whereabouts. “Bello is not evading anyone; the existing court injunction protects his fundamental rights,” he added, reinforcing the stance that both the current and former governors respect the rule of law and the Constitution of Nigeria.

APC Refutes Claims Of Presidency’s Involvement In Ganduje’s Suspension.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially refuted allegations that the presidency played a role in the purported efforts to remove its National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, clarified the party’s stance during an appearance on Arise TV on Thursday. PlayUnmute Fullscreen The controversy began after the APC’s Kano State chapter, through its spokesperson Ahmad Aruwa, accused some elements within the presidency of undermining and conspiring against Ganduje. Aruwa’s allegations, which were made in a viral video on social media, suggested a deep-seated plot within the higher echelons of power, implicating the presidency in the APC’s internal politics. In the video, Aruwa also criticized President Bola Tinubu for his silence, noting that Ganduje had been instrumental in bolstering Tinubu’s presence in Kano during politically turbulent times, despite opposition from some grassroots politicians. Responding to these allegations, Felix Morka stated that the claims made by the Kano APC did not reflect the official position of the national body of the party. “Much as I can’t tell the context in which Aruwa made the claim, it was not a true reflection of things,” Morka emphasized, distancing the national leadership from the controversy. He said, “First, I am just hearing about this. I didn’t monitor that information. I wouldn’t say much about it. I don’t know the context or circumstances in which he made those comments. But the national chairman of APC is still the national chairman and we have the leader of the party who is the president, who to the best of my knowledge recognises Ganduje as our national chairman. So nothing has shifted. “We know that the individuals who are behind this move to suspend the national chairman are people without membership in the party and any form of authority. I am sure you saw yesterday that all of the executive committee and members of the ward were at the national headquarters of our party to physically denounce all of the activities that occurred. “We are in a situation where some imposters and outsiders in the party are invoking legal processes to embarrass, create confusion, and disturb the peace of the party in Kano for no reason. From all indications, many of the members who were at that press conference where the announcement was made are individuals we profiled that are connected one way or the other with very senior officials of the NNPP.”

NBA President Speaks On Open University Law Graduate ‘Disgraced’ By Pastor Enenche.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau, has addressed the controversy surrounding the testimony of one Vera Anyim, who said she graduated from the National Open University with a B.Sc degree in Law. Recall that the law graduate had taken to the altar of the Dunamis Church in Abuja to testify that God made her the only graduate in her family. During the testimony, Vera said she graduated with a “BSc in Law” from NOUN. Enenche asked her what degree she had graduated with, and she replied that she had a B.Sc in Law. The clergyman had subsequently accused her of lying. The development sparked a nationwide outrage, with divergent opinions from Nigerians. Apologizing, Enenche said his action was based on his and the church’s aversion to seeming mediocrity and any appearance of untruth. Reacting to the situation at a press conference on Thursday, the NBA President said no university in Nigeria offers a B.Sc in law. He faulted the lady for arrogating to herself a title that never existed. According to him, “I was privileged to have watched the video of a woman who stood up in church and, supposedly, was giving a testimony of how she went through challenges and now has graduated from an open university or so. “And the man of God sitting in that congregation himself sensed that there was something wrong with the supposed testimony. “And what he said is also something that is complementary of the legal profession in a way. “Because he said, the way the person who was testifying spoke. “The English that she spoke, bad as the situation, was reflective of an English spoken by a lawyer. “And that was how he now posed the question. “And himself also acting like a lawyer that has mastered the skills of cross-examination and asked her to describe because he said, OK, if you read medicine, it should be NBBS. “Now that you have graduated and you have a law degree, what is it called? The person said, B.Sc. “So, should we be answering the question of whether there is B.Sc in law? “I don’t think so. It is not the Council of Legal Education that says so. “It is not the body of benchers that call lawyers to the bar that says you have B.S.c. It is not NBA. that says so. “It is not the body of benchers that call lawyers to the bar that says you have B.S.c. It is not NBA. that says so. “The person who attempted to arrogate B.Sc law to herself was found to have lied. We should really be wasting time talking about someone who has lied. “And of course, everyone knows that that is not the way to describe the degree in law is never described like that.”

Atiku and Wike attend PDP National Caucus meeting.

The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, attended the PDP’s national caucus meeting in Abuja this evening, April 17. The meeting comes ahead of the party's National Executive Committee meeting, scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 18. This is the first time that the former Rivers state governor will be attending a meeting of the PDP since after the presidential election last year. Wike has been at loggerheads with the PDP leadership and did not support the party’s candidate, Atiku, in the 2023 presidential election. Apart from his opposition to Atiku’s campaign in the election, Wike's decision to serve in the President Bola Tinubu cabinet, had worsened the rift between him and key stakeholders in the part. Critical decisions regarding the leadership of the party and other issues such as Wike's activities in the party will he discussed at the NEC meeting scheduled for tomorrow.

Former President Obama meets with Prince Harry to offer condolences to Manchester bomb attack victims

Prince Harry hosted former U.S. President Barack Obama Saturday at Kensington Palace, where they

Melania finally holds Donald Trump's hand during visit to Sistine Chapel in Italy (photos)

Melania Trump has finally been photographed holding her husband, US President, Donald Trump's hand in

Ellen DeGeneres bans Caitlyn Jenner from her talk show amidst row

Ellen DeGeneres is not about to stand by quietly while Caitlyn takes jabs at her. The renowned talk show host has reportedly banned Caitlyn Jenner from her talk show after a series of public rows over gay marriage.

Ellen is believed to have made the drastic decision following their most recent feud after Jenner in her tell-all memoir, Secrets of my life, accused DeGeneres of alienating her from the LGBTQ community.

Jenner claims that DeGeneres twisted her comments about gay marriage to engineer a shocking TV moment back in 2015. On her book tour, Jenner continued to trash DeGeneres and insisted that she was "burned" by the experience after DeGeneres put her on the spot by asking her to explain her views on LGBTQ.

"Ellen does not want to ever have Caitlyn back on the show,” a source told Radar. “She could not believe that Caitlyn took time to write about her in the book!”

A source close to Caitlyn Jenner told Radar online that Cait is not bothered by the ban and has no intention of ever returning on the show.

“That is fine with Cait, because she has no desire to go back on after what Ellen did to her last time! In fact, she said she thinks that Kris put Ellen up to it, because of the fact that they are really close friends and Caitlyn had recently just left Kris when it happened. Caitlyn really believes that Kris put Ellen up to the line of questioning that she went for in the interview. She was just defending herself against the whole situation in the book because she felt she never had the chance to," Jenner's pal said.

Robert Mugabe President says Zimbabwe 'not a poor country'

The long-time leader pointed to Zimbabwe's 90-percent literacy rate to support his claim.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe insisted on Thursday that his country is not a failed state and accused the US of being fragile because of its economic dependence on China.

Mugabe pointed to Zimbabwe's 90-percent literacy rate to support his claim that the southern African country, which has battled economic chaos in recent years, is one of the best resourced on the continent.

"We are not a poor country and we can't be a fragile country, I can call America fragile, they went on their knees to China," he said during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum on Africa in Durban.

"Zimbabwe is the most highly developed country in Africa after South Africa."

Long-time leader Mugabe has ruled through the country's dramatic economic collapse.

Hyperinflation wiped out savings more than 10 years ago, unemployment is sky-high and economic output has halved since 2000, when many white-owned farms were seized.

Oxfam's executive director Winnie Byanyima, who was also participating in the panel on the theme of failed states, said that oppressive leaders were to blame for the continent's challenges.

"Our leaders say we are rich, they say we are developed, they say we have resources but the people do not see that. They clamp down on freedom of the media and the rights of people," she said.

"Let us give others a chance, it is important that we have elections that are free and fair -- that reflect the will of the people, that is at the heart of governance."

Mugabe, 93, appeared to fall asleep at the end of the session

Prince Philip British monarch to retire from public duties

Prince Philip has been ever-present at his wife's side since she took the throne in 1952.

Britain's Prince Philip, the 95-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II, will retire from public engagements later this year, Buckingham Palace said Thursday.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who turns 96 on June 10, is the longest-serving consort in British history, and is still in good health.

But he has been reducing his workload in recent years, and said in 2011 that "I reckon I've done my bit, so I want to enjoy myself a bit now".

Philip conducted 219 royal engagements last year, and was in good form when he opened a new stand at Lord's cricket ground in London on Wednesday.

"You're about to see the world's most experienced plaque-unveiler," he quipped just before pulling the cord to part a small curtain.

The former naval officer's no-nonsense approach combined with his infamous and often politically incorrect off-the-cuff remarks has not made it easy for people to warm to his style.

But his unwavering, forthright style and devotion to duty and the queen has endeared him to the nation.

Prime Minister Theresa May offered him the whole country's "deepest gratitude and good wishes".

Philip has been at the queen's side since her coronation

"His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has decided that he will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year," the palace said in a statement.

"In taking this decision, the duke has the full support of the queen."

It said he would attend previously scheduled engagements until August, and would not accept any new invitations thereafter.

However, "he may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time", it said.

No fuss, no nonsense

Philip was in typical good form at Lord's

Philip has been ever-present at his wife's side since she took the throne in 1952.

They married in 1947 and will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on November 20.

It is likely that the monarch will be accompanied by younger members of the royal family on future engagements.

Prince William, second in line to the throne, has already announced that he is leaving his job as an air ambulance pilot this year in order to undertake more royal duties.

The announcement followed a meeting of royal staff from around Britain -- a rare gathering which prompted global speculation about the health of the monarch and her husband.

"Her Majesty will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements with the support of members of the royal family," the palace stressed.

Like her husband, Queen Elizabeth has gradually cut back her workload in recent years as they go into their nineties.

But she made a sacred vow before God and her people at her 1953 coronation to serve for life, which experts say she considers unbreakable.

She also witnessed how the monarchy was placed in peril by her uncle King Edward VIII's abdication in 1936.

'Inspirational'

Philip is patron, president or a member of more than 780 organisations, and while he will maintain his association with them, he will "no longer play an active role by attending engagements", it said.

The duke carried out royal duties on 110 days last year -- more than his grandchildren Princes William and Harry.

His 219 engagements last year were made up of 101 official visits, 91 receptions and 21 other engagements.

They were all carried out in Britain as Queen Elizabeth and the duke have cut down their overseas travel.

They made state visits to Germany and Malta in 2015 but have not left Europe since their visit to Australia in 2011.

In her statement, May paid tribute to Philip's contribution to public life.

"From his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen to his inspirational Duke of Edinburgh Awards and his patronage of hundreds of charities and good causes, his contribution to our United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the wider world will be of huge benefit to us all for years to come," she said.