Headline

Niger Crisis: PDP Govs Knock Tinubu; Reject Military Option

Published

2 years ago

August 5, 2023

…knock Tinubu over a number of ministers, seek a reduction

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have advised President Bola Tinubu against going to war with the Niger Republic over the military coup which ended civil rule in the country.

Chairman of the forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, said this while reading the communique of a meeting held between members of the PDP Governors Forum, the party’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and other stakeholders.

He said, “The meeting advised the President, Commander in Chief and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to go into any form of war with the Republic of Niger over the recent military coup in the country, rather all tools of dialogue and diplomacy should be further employed.”

On other issues discussed during the meeting, Governor Mohammed explained that those at the meeting emphasised the need for party discipline and re-iterated zero tolerance for anti-party activities and sabotage.

Stating that, “No individual or group of individuals will be allowed to undermine the unity of the party and its processes.”

He equally stated that the party leaders reiterated their commitmsng to repositioning and stabilizing the party.

Towards this end, he announced that the healing and reconciliation process are in progress and yielding results.

The meeting, he posited was a clear signal that unity and loyalty are still core values of the PDP and would be rewarded.

The communique read further, “All the Governors and organs of the party solidly support the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON, and the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, to rescue the stolen mandate in the tribunal and would do everything lawful towards achieving this.

“The Governors will work in partnership with the party at the states and national level to ensure good governance, transparency and accountability.

“The meeting congratulated the party for empanelling the Campaign Councils for the off-session elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States and urged the Campaign Councils to ensure victory for the party in the three States.

“The meeting counselled the Federal Government to show leadership in curtailing the cost of Governance.

“48 Ministers and several Special Advisers and Assistants should be reduced to ensure the health of our economy.”

Also speaking to newsmen shortly after the meeting, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke explained why he supported the nomination of his predecessor, Adeboyega Oyetola.

The governor cited his commitment to the overall interest of Osun State and all indigenes irrespective of political affiliations as his guiding principle in his service to the people of the state.

According to the Governor, the election process has since ended and that was time for all Osun people to join hands for the development of the State.

The Deputy Senate Minority leader, Senator Lere Oyewumi had announced the unanimous support of the Osun senators for Mr Oyetola, citing a directive of the state Governor.

Adeleke said, “I told our Senators to support Mr Oyetola. There is no need to embarrass him by withdrawing the support of the three PDP senators. We have a state to develop and my focus on that goal is total.

“Political maturity is needed to build the Osun of our dreams. Poverty knows no party difference. So we must support each other at all levels as long as Osun’s interest is at the center stage”, the Osun Governor told the journalists.

On his plans for Osun state, he said, “Our administration is working hard to develop the state business sector. So we need new partnerships with several federal and international agencies.

” I have the sense of urgency to change this label of civil service state. We want our industrial sector to grow. So we have to develop the abandoned free zone.

“This will drive inflow of investment. We hope to get the SME industrial clusters off the ground. We need mini-industrial parks all over the Senatorial district. We are reviewing the Omoluabi economic zone to make it truly functional.

”With the state cabinet in place, I seek to quicken the pace of our delivery.That is why we are hosting several delegations locally and internationally. That is why we are targetting national and global agencies’ ‘, he told media men at the event.

Those who attended the meeting included: the party’s Predidrntial Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, his running mate, Ifianyi Okowa. Others include: the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, the National Vice Chairman (South South), Chief Dan Orbih, National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.

Governors who attended the meeting include: Gov. Bala Mohammed, CON -Bauchi State -Chairman, Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri-Adamawa State, Gov. Sen. Douye Diri-Bayelsa State, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori-Delta State, Gov. Peter Mbah-Enugu State, and Gov. Ademola Adeleke-Osun State.

Others are: Gov. Godwin Obaseki-Edo State, Gov. Kefas Agbu-Taraba State and
Gov. Dauda Lawal-Zamfara State.

Other party chieftains at the meeting included: Hon. Kingsley Chinda -House Minority Leader and the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba among others.
VANGUARD

Headline

British Family Accused Of Boarding Dead Grandmother On EasyJet Flight

Published

4 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Editor

A British family has been accused of trying to board a dead relative onto an EasyJet flight from Málaga, Spain, to London Gatwick on Thursday, passengers said.

The woman, reportedly 89 years old, was wheeled onto the plane by five family members, who told airline staff she was unwell and had fallen asleep.

Witnesses said the woman was pushed in a wheelchair to the rear of the plane and lifted into her seat. Some claimed they overheard a family member tell a boarding clerk, “It’s OK, she’s just tired,” adding, “It’s OK, we’re doctors.”

Just before takeoff, the cabin crew realized the woman had died, and the plane was turned around, delaying the flight by 12 hours.

Petra Boddington, a passenger, said: “easyJet, when did you start letting dead people onto planes? Seriously!” Another, Tracy-Ann Kitching, added: “I saw her being wheeled onto the plane; someone was holding her head as they passed me! A doctor on board confirmed that was already dead when they sat her down.”

EasyJet has denied that a deceased person boarded the plane. The airline said the passenger had a fit-to-fly certificate and was alive when she boarded.

“The flight returned to the stand prior to take-off due to a customer on board requiring urgent medical assistance. The flight was met by emergency services, but sadly the customer passed away,” a spokesperson said.

The Guardia Civil in Málaga confirmed officers attended the aircraft, and the woman was declared dead on board. No arrests have been made.

Headline

Russian Strike On Odesa Region Kills Eight, Injures 27

Published

4 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Editor

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service has reported at least eight people killed and 27 others injured on Friday night after a Russian ballistic missile strike hit the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the attack targeted port infrastructure facilities in the town of Pivdenne, near Odesa, and damaged nearby civilian vehicles.

The strike came one week after much of Odesa was left without power, heat, and water following a “severe” aerial assault.

“Some of the injured were on a bus that was at the epicenter of the shelling. Trucks caught fire in the parking lot, and cars were also damaged,” the State Emergency Service said.

Emergency officials said the deaths occurred at a port infrastructure facility. Medical teams and first responders were deployed after the strike, but their work was disrupted by “ongoing air raid alerts,” according to Oleh Kiper, head of Odesa’s regional administration.

Russia has carried out repeated attacks on Odesa in recent days, damaging port facilities, civilian vessels, and key infrastructure.

Two major bridges linking the northern and southern parts of the Odesa region have also been hit, with repairs under way, Kiper said.

Elsewhere, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported a “massive” drone attack on the southern Mykolayiv region, which damaged civilian infrastructure and vehicles. No casualties were reported.

Odesa, Ukraine’s largest seaport and a major hub in the Black Sea region, has been a frequent target since the start of the war.

Last week, civilian, energy, and industrial sites in the city suffered extensive damage after what regional officials described as “one of the enemy’s most severe airstrikes,” leaving many areas without power and water.

Russia’s Defence Ministry has not commented on the attack.

Speaking hours before the strike during his annual Direct Line call-in show, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia was yet to “see Ukraine’s readiness for peace”.

“[Russia] is ready for negotiations and for ending the conflict via peaceful means,” Putin said, adding that it was up to Russia’s “Western opponents” to end the war.

(CNN)

Headline

Aircraft Crashes In Owerri With Four Persons Onboard

Published

4 days ago

December 17, 2025

Editor

Photo: File copy

A Cessna 172 aircraft with registration number 5N-ASR, operated by Skypower Express, has crashed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.

The aircraft had departed Kaduna International Airport en route to Port Harcourt International Airport before diverting to Owerri after the crew declared an emergency.

The crash occurred at about 8:00 pm on the airport premises, with four passengers and crew members onboard.

Confirming the incident, the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, said the agency had been notified of the crash.

According to the NSIB, the aircraft crashed on the approach area of Runway 17, but no fatalities have been recorded so far.

The statement said: “Following the occurrence, airport emergency services were successfully activated and arrived on site promptly. Reports indicate that there was no post-crash fire, and the runway remains active for flight operations, with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident.

“Efforts are currently underway to coordinate the recovery and evacuation of the distressed aircraft from the crash site to allow for a detailed wreckage examination.”

The NSIB said it has officially activated its investigation protocols in line with its statutory mandate

The Director-General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., sympathised with the management of Skypower Express over the incident and expressed relief that no lives were lost.

Badeh Jr. added that the Bureau’s investigation team is already coordinating with relevant authorities to secure the crash site and commence a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident.

Two days ago, 11 persons narrowly escaped death as a private jet crash-landed at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on Sunday morning.

The occupants, including passengers and cabin crew, were safely evacuated amid an intense atmosphere, eyewitnesses told The Guardian.

The private jet, owned by Flybird Aviation, crash-landed at about 9:30 a.m. while approaching Kano Airport en route to Abuja.

The incident attracted urgent attention, with emergency staff and other stakeholders converging at the runway to render rescue operations.

The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is yet to release an official statement on the incident. Unofficial sources disclosed that the passengers have been taken to an unknown destination.

Several aircraft incidents have occurred at Kano Airport, with several lives lost.

The last incident occurred in May 2002, when an EAS Airline aircraft departed the runway at Aminu Kano International Airport at 1:29 p.m. local time en route to Lagos.