SOUTH EAST YOUTH LEADERS ANNOUNCES MASSIVE ENDORSEMENT RALLY FOR TINUBU, KALU AHEAD OF 2027 ELECTIONS
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has declared plans to stage a high-profile endorsement rally for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in Abia State, drawing attention to what it describes as a new era of transformation for the South East. COSEYL’s leadership says the rally will attract five million people from across the zone, reinforcing the region’s support for both national figures in the build-up to the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on behalf of the group, President General Comrade Goodluck Ibem and Publicity Secretary Comrade Okey Nwaoru described the event as a historic mobilization to showcase Tinubu’s leadership and Kalu’s development efforts. Citing numerous projects ranging from educational infrastructure to agricultural investment and youth empowerment programs, they argued that the South East is “very pleased” with Kalu’s leadership and sees in him a dependable political bridge.
“Our people believe this duo can deliver a 90 percent electoral victory in the region,” Nwaoru stated confidently, adding that Senator Kalu’s outreach has fostered trust and unity in a historically skeptical political climate. Preparations for the rally are underway as COSEYL rallies support, projecting a turning point in South East political alignment ahead of 2027.
AGBAKOBA QUESTIONS TIMELINE IN AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN HARASSMENT ALLEGATION
Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Olisa Agbakoba, has cast doubt on the timeline presented by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in her allegation of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. At a press briefing, Agbakoba pointed out that while Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged the harassment occurred on December 8, 2023, she went on social media a day later to praise Akpabio and celebrate the same event in Uyo.
According to Agbakoba, “The contradiction between the alleged traumatic event and the subsequent public admiration demands close scrutiny.” He warned against dismissing such allegations out of hand but stressed that the credibility of the accuser’s narrative must also withstand public and legal analysis. He urged that institutional procedures, not media forums, are best suited to address such sensitive matters.
The case, which joins a growing list of sexual misconduct claims involving prominent figures, continues to fuel nationwide debate on accountability, gender justice, and political power dynamics.
ACTION COLLECTIVE CALLS ON AKPABIO TO STEP DOWN OVER HARASSMENT ALLEGATION
Mounting pressure on Senate President Godswill Akpabio has intensified on Monday April 14th as Action Collective, a socio-political group, has demanded his immediate resignation pending an independent investigation into sexual harassment allegations leveled by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. In a strongly-worded statement, the group argued that Akpabio’s continued leadership undermines due process and compromises the Senate’s moral authority.
“The National Assembly cannot serve as judge and defendant,” said National Coordinator Teddy Onyejuwe. Citing precedent from academia, where university officials stepped aside for similar allegations, the group urged Akpabio to show the same respect for institutional integrity.
Action Collective also criticized President Tinubu’s silence, warning that elite impunity could trigger deeper democratic decay. “This is about the soul of our democracy,” the statement read. “Shielding one powerful man at the cost of justice will discredit Nigeria globally.”
ILLEGAL MINING CLAIMS FOUR LIVES IN NIGER STATE AS DEADLY TRENDS CONTINUE
Tragedy struck again in Niger State as four individuals, all reportedly from Kano State, died during an illegal mining operation at Farin-Doki near Galadima Kogo in Shiroro LGA—an area that saw a similar collapse in June 2024 that killed 30. Eyewitnesses say two of the victims were trapped by falling rocks, while the other two died trying to rescue them.
Police authorities have confirmed the incident as the state grapples with increasingly deadly and unregulated mining activities. The ongoing crisis highlights gaps in environmental monitoring and regulatory enforcement across Nigeria’s informal mining sector.
HOUSE INAUGURATES OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON RIVERS STATE EMERGENCY RULE
In a decisive move to supervise the state of emergency declared in Rivers State, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Tuesday inaugurated a 21-member ad-hoc committee tasked with overseeing federal directives and governance under the new interim administration led by Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd).
With Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere heading the committee and Minority Whip Ali Isa J.C. as deputy, the panel includes some of the most experienced lawmakers from both chambers. Abbas emphasized that their work must be transparent, constitutional, and non-partisan. “This committee must restore trust in democratic oversight and ensure that emergency rule does not derail fundamental rights or the rule of law,” he stated.
The committee’s work is seen as a national litmus test for how far Nigeria’s legislature can stretch its constitutional muscles in times of political crisis, particularly as the emergency move remains contentious among Fubara supporters and opposition groups.
RIVERS JUDICIAL COMMISSION DISMISSES CHIEF MAGISTRATE’S ‘POLITICAL’ RESIGNATION CLAIM
The Rivers State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has rejected claims by a former Chief Magistrate, Ejike King George, who alleged he resigned in protest over the appointment of a military-style caretaker administration in the state. The JSC clarified that George was compulsorily retired in February 2025 due to prolonged unauthorized absenteeism from August 2023 through December 2024.
In a firm rebuttal, the JSC accused George of misrepresenting the reasons for his removal to stir public sympathy and politicize judicial discipline. “This was not a principled resignation — it was a forced exit due to dereliction of duty,” the commission stated, adding that there is no link between his retirement and the declaration of emergency rule in the state.
MUTFWANG VISITS PLATEAU COMMUNITIES AFTER MASSACRE, VOWS END TO ATTACKS
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State visited the grief-stricken communities of Zikke and Kimakpa in Bassa LGA following brutal attacks that claimed over 50 lives. In an emotional address, Mutfwang admitted failure in protecting the people despite security efforts and offered heartfelt apologies.
“We failed you. All arrangements were made, but we still failed,” he told survivors and local leaders. He pledged to strengthen local security structures and invest in community resilience, urging youths to remain vigilant during the farming season.
The governor was accompanied by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who vowed justice and pledged increased deployments. “These killers will soon be outnumbered. We will not rest until they are brought to justice,” Egbetokun declared.
The attacks have raised fresh concerns about Nigeria’s chronic rural insecurity, with recurring massacres eroding confidence in both state and federal responses. Governor Mutfwang’s visit and frank acknowledgment marked a rare gesture of accountability, even as communities demand protection and justice beyond words.
