Politics

A Chinese court has convicted Zhang Zhan, a citizen journalist who reported the early days of COVID-19.

On Monday, Shanghai Pudong New District People’s Court sentenced her to four years in prison.

The charge was ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’.

Critics call it a punishment and warning to vocal nationals opposing government’s narrative of the pandemic.

Zhan, 37, becomes the first person to face trial for making revelations about coronavirus in China.

Read Also: China Condemns US Sanctions Over Hong Kong Crackdown

In February, the former lawyer traveled to Wuhan, origin of the outbreak. She shared videos of crowded hospitals …

Nigeria’s House of Representatives, on Monday, rebutted the reports making around that the lower house had apologised to President Muhammadu Buhari over the uproar that followed his recent invitation to address the National Assembly over the state of insecurity in the country.

The Green Chambers debunked the report in a statement issued on Monday by the spokesperson of the House, Ben Kalu, saying that the Presidency never sought an apology from the House of Representatives for carrying out her constitutional responsibility to the Nigerian electorate.

Read Also: 2021 Budget Scales 2nd Reading In House Of Reps

He stated that the …

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has expressed sadness over the passing away of the Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (retd).

Atiku in his tribute to Nkanga described him as a patriot, astute administrator and a pragmatic politician of no mean repute.

The former vice President in a statement issued on Monday by his Media Office and signed by Paul Ibe, said the death of Nkanga had left a vacuum that would be difficult to fill given his numerous contributions to the development of his native Akwa Ibom state, the …

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Mathew Hassan Kukah, over his comment on the station of the nation in his Christmas message.

Kukah had in a Christmas message titled: ‘A Nation in Search of Vindication,’ decried the nepotic nature of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration saying he is presiding over a country with prospects of a failed state.

He said the president had succeeded in sacrificing the dreams of Nigerians by pursuing a Northern hegemony. Kukah further said that there would have been a coup …

There are numerous fundamental reasons why many people oppose Governor Hope Uzodinma as Governor of Imo State. Some others including Governor Hope Uzodinma know these reasons but would prefer to wish them away and that makes the difference.

A lot of people know this but for different reasons make preferences to accept and support Governor Hope Uzodinma, some to repudiate and distance themselves while, and yet some others to be indifferent or are helpless. How for instance, should Imo professionals, the clergy, real elders and statesmen relate with events surrounding the 2019 governorship elections in Imo and the very controversial …

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, says he will re-impose lockdown beginning from January as the number of coronavirus cases surge in the state.

Wike gave hint of imminent second phase of lockdown amid rising cases of COVID-19 during the thanksgiving church service in celebration of the 90th birthday of Mrs. Priscilla Nwanediye Mark, at the St. Martin’s Anglican Church, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government on Sunday.

He lamented as worrisome the refusal of most churches and markets in the State to enforce compulsory wearing of face masks in adherence to COVID-19 protocol.

Read Also: Reps: Gov Wike Reacts As Buhari

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that he was saved from being killed by whiskers during the February 13, 1976 military coup.

Obasanjo, on Sunday disclosed that General Olu Bajowa (Rtd) was the one who saved him from the bullets of Lieutenant Colonel Buka Dimka.

Read Also: Why I Can’t Call For Sack Of Buhari’s Service Chiefs – Obasanjo

According to Obasanjo, who stated this at Igbotako in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State during the celebration of the 80th birthday of Gen. Bajowa, the former president, stated that ‘When Dimka coup came, if Olu had not been what …

United States President-elect, Joe Biden, has urged President Donald Trump to immediately sign the COVID-19 relief bill.

On Saturday, the Democrat accused Trump of delay despite the hard times Americans face.

Read Also: Coronavirus Cases Increase In 22 US States

Stressing the importance of the bill, Biden noted that it would keep small businesses afloat, extend unemployment benefits, and help struggling families.

‘It is the day after Christmas, and millions of families don’t know if they’ll be able to make ends meet because of President Donald Trump’s refusal to sign an economic relief bill approved by Congress with an

Jigawa State Governor, Muhammad Badaru, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC), may lose the 2023 election in the state if the crisis in the party is not checked.

Badaru stated this while speaking at the inauguration of the APC caretaker committee in Duste, state’s capital, on Friday.

He warned that he would no longer tolerate any party member associating with factions in the state.

Read Also: Insecurity: Gov Badaru Condemns Those Tackling Buhari

The committee’s inauguration is coming after Habibu Sara, former APC chairman in Jigawa, was removed from office after a caucus meeting.

Sara was accused of being …

Governors of the six states in the South-west have given a nod to the recommendation of a committee they set up for the establishment of the South-west Development Commission (SWDC).

It was learnt that the Technical Committee, set up towards the realisation of the commission, while submitting a memorandum for the establishment of the body to the Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the South-west Governors‘ Forum, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), urged the governors to use their political clout to ensure the passage of a bill to give a legal backing to the reification of the idea.

Read Also; Breaking:

The former governor of Kano state, Rabiu Kwankwaso has lost his aged father, Alhaji Musa Saleh Kwankwaso, who is the Majidadin Karaye and district head of Madobi, died at the age of 93.

The late Senior Kwankwaso is survived by two wives, 19 children, and many grandchildren.

Read Also: Dadiyata: Kwankwaso Blows Hot As Govt Critic Remains Missing

In a statement on Thursday, Mohammed Inuwa, the principal private secretary to the former Kano State Governor, said the traditional ruler died after a brief illness.

The statement read, ‘It is with a heavy heart and reverence to Allah (SWT) that we

The Progressives Governors Forum, which is the umbrella body of governors elected under APC, has appealed to Nigerians to set aside their ethno-religious and political differences and unite in order to resolve the nation’s security challenges.

This was contained in a statement titled, ‘Merry Christmas and 59 Happy Cheers to PGF Chairman, HE Abubakar Atiku Bagudu,’ signed by the forum’s Treasurer who is also the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in Abuja, on Friday.

Read Also: Nigeria’s Insecurity: House Member Kidnapped In Taraba

While wishing all Nigerians a Merry Christmas, a peaceful celebration and blessings of the season, the …