Metro

Protesters Storm APC Secretariat, Demand Two Ministerial Nominees For Kaduna

Published

2 years ago

August 14, 2023

Scores of demonstrators from Kaduna State stormed the national headquarters of the All Progressives Congress on Monday to demand that President Bola Tinubu should add an additional ministerial nominee to the slot of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Chanting solidarity songs and displaying several banners that read, “Mr President, please respect other APC families in Kaduna State” and “Mr President, give Kaduna people their democratic dividends,” the protesters insisted on having the National Chairman of APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, address them.

Addressing journalists at the secretariat, coordinator of Kaduna APC Patriots, Prof Gandu Yusuf, said aside from repaying the votes from the state with two ministerial nominees, the president must also endeavour that only those who genuinely worked for the success of the party should be considered.

This was even as Yusuf stressed the 40 per cent votes the president garnered from Kaduna were from a combined effort of party loyalists and certain chieftains from some opposition parties.

He said, “The selection of former Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai for ministerial position in the state was incontestable due to his performance evaluation. It is however going to be catastrophic for the party to maintain only one family for state and federal appointments, more so without considering major contributors in the political success. All the APC members in the state can testify to the major contributors to the success of the party in the state as it is widely acknowledged.

“This group is therefore objecting any new ministerial nomination outside those that have contributed immensely and glaringly to the success of the party in Kaduna State especially during the presidential and governorship elections. Now that Malam Nasir El-Rufai could not make the ministerial list, we urge you and the Governor of Kaduna State to consider advising Mr President to consider the state for a second ministerial position for a balanced proportion status.

“We are all aware that our party could not secure any of the three senatorial seats in the state and could only win four out of the 16 National Assembly positions in the last elections for obvious reasons. But for alliances and genuine cooperation between Senator Uba Sani, co-contestants during the primary elections and some members of other political parties, we were able to secure up to 40 per cent votes for the president as well as securing the governorship ticket and also getting 22 number of seats out of the total of 34 seats for the state assembly.”

While receiving the demonstrators, Ganduje reassured them that their demand will be conveyed to the president.

“We thank you for coming and appreciate you were very orderly. I listened to your speech with keen interest trying to find out where you are heading to. But throughout your speech, I observed you harped on capacity. You were requesting Mr President to also nominate one of you from Kaduna and did not mention any geographical region from your state.

“And you remember Mr President said his cabinet will be a government of national competence, not a cabinet of geographical location. Thank you. We will convey your request to Mr President,” he stated.

Related Topics:Kaduna Ministerial Nominees

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Metro

JUST IN: Fire Guts Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone In Igbesa

Published

12 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Editor

A fire broke out on Sunday at the Ogun State Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa.

As of this report, there has been no official statement on what caused the incident. However, a resident said the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The source added that the fire spread quickly, affecting nearby houses before emergency responders arrived.

Details later…

Metro

AAU Postpones Resumption Date

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has approved, on behalf of the university’s Senate, the postponement of students’ resumption and commencement of academic activities.

In a statement,
Otunba Mike Aladenika,
Head, Information, Public Relations & Protocol, AAU, said the decision became necessary to enable the university to complete ongoing renovation works on student structures and facilities, aimed at enhancing the overall teaching and learning experience.

“According to him, the management is committed to providing a conducive environment for academic excellence and believes that this temporary adjustment will ultimately benefit our students.

“While the university management intends to announce a new resumption date, any student(s) still in our hostels are advised to vacate with immediate effect to allow for effective ongoing renovation works

“In light of this development, the university regrets to announce that the 140th Inaugural Lecture, originally scheduled for Thursday, 15th January 2026, and ongoing examinations have been postponed.

“A new date for the lecture and the completion of the examinations will be communicated to all stakeholders in due course.

“The university appreciates the understanding and cooperation of students, parents, and guardians on this matter.

“We urge all students to adhere to the new resumption date and prepare for a productive academic session.

“Parents and guardians are kindly requested to ensure their children/wards are aware of and comply with the revised resumption schedule.”

Metro

Protest Rocks Ekpoma Over Incessant Kidnapping

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Residents of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Saturday protested against incessant kidnappings in the area.

Ekpoma, in recent times has been under attack by kidnappers who snatched residents from their homes.

The protest grounded commercial activities as students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, also joined in the protest.

The protesters, in anger, also pulled down campaign billboards for the 2027 general elections mounted in the university hosting town.

Speaking on the protest, Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Austin Eigbiremolen, assured that adequate security would be deployed to Ekpoma.

According to him, the kidnappers would be chased away from the area in no distance time.

Also reacting to the protest, Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, dismissed was top of the security situation in Ekpoma, adding the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was already in Ekpoma.

Ikoedem said nine persons who were kidnapped on Friday were rescued unhurt after the Eagle Combat Drone Unit was deployed to the forest alongside local hunters.

“In the heat of the rescue operation, the kidnappers’ camp was located through real-time aerial intelligence.

“The ground troops stormed the camp, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon two locally fabricated AK-49 rifles.

“The victims, including five children were rescued unhurt. This landmark deployment underscores the transformative role of technology in modern policing and sets a new benchmark for operational enhancement in Edo State,” she said.