Television Nigerian

In honor of the late Deputy Governor, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who collapsed and passed away in his office on Thursday, Bayelsa State Governor Sen. Douye Diri has proclaimed a three-day state of mourning.

According to a statement signed by Hon. (Mrs.) Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, the state Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, all flags should be flown at half-mast starting on Friday, December 12, 2025.

“The Bayelsa State Government announces with deep regret and profound shock the sudden passing of the Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Ph.D. on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the age of 60,” the announcement states.

Earlier in the day, the Deputy Governor was actively performing official tasks.

While attending a scheduled meeting in his office, he passed out. He was taken to the Federal Medical Center in Yenagoa, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

“His passing is not only terrible, but it is a huge loss for the government, Bayelsa State residents, and the country as a whole.

“Senator Ewhrudjakpo was a distinguished public servant who represented the Bayelsa West Senatorial District, served as the State’s Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, and has been the Deputy Governor since 2020.

“Governor Douye Diri extends sincere condolences to his wife, Her Excellency, Barr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo, their children, the Ewhrudjakpo family, the Ofoni Federated Community, His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, and all of the State’s citizens on behalf of the Government and people of Bayelsa State.”

The governor also asks God to give the family and the state as a whole comfort and strength.

May the Lord’s sweet spirit rest in his arms.

Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has presented the Federal Government’s advanced plan to address weaknesses in the telecommunications sector in order to fight insecurity and kidnapping nationwide.

Tijani addressed the public’s worry over ransom negotiations and suspected crimes carried out via unregistered SIMs during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday. He said that the issue is “far more technical” than is commonly believed.

The Minister disclosed that although the required National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage was a first step, criminal networks have already moved away from basic unregistered lines and developed other strategies.

He clarified that in order to avoid regular towers, thieves increasingly use technology that route calls over several towers, a strategy that works best in isolated and poorly connected areas.

“They bounce calls off multiple towers instead of using the standard towers.” They like living in remote places because of this, Tijani said.

He pointed out that President Tinubu advocated for investment in towers in such unsafe locations since the current administration recognized this shortcoming.

The Minister unveiled a multifaceted connection strategy to improve security monitoring and eliminate these network blackspots.

According to him, Nigeria is still the “only West African country” with its own communications satellites, which the government is currently bolstering.

He explained, “This is why we are upgrading our two satellites, so that our satellites will work if our towers are not working.”

He claims that the government is making significant investments in the growth of fiber optic cables.

Tijjani revealed that a joint initiative with Huawei to install 4,000 new cellular towers throughout underserved rural regions was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council.

He affirmed that the project is anticipated to “significantly improve rural connectivity, stimulate commerce, and enhance security surveillance.” It is scheduled to begin next year.

Despite its importance, the Minister pointed out that the satellite deployment is still “the third leg” of the larger operation and will take longer to launch than the tower and fiber projects, which are “well in progress.”

Rumors of internal problems have been refuted by the Accord party’s (AP) leadership, who characterize them as baseless fabrications propagated by “political jobbers” and desperate opposition groups.

The party reiterated that its National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, has not been suspended in a statement issued by Hon. Oke Rotimi Michael, Spokesperson, Forum of State Chairmen (South West) and Chairman of Accord in Ogun State. This is in contrast to the widely circulated false story on the internet.

“It was explicitly stated that ‘the rumor making rounds that our National Chairman, Mr. Maxwell Mgbudem, Esq. has been suspended is absolutely and totally false,'” he said.

It should be mentioned that on December 3, 2025, the National Executive Committee met and voted a vote of confidence for both the National Chairman and the whole National Working Committee. Since it had been widely circulated, Mr. Mgbudem was never subjected to any kind of disciplinary punishment.

He underlined, “Accord still remains a law-abiding and constitutionally guided party.” “No one can use unfounded accusations to cause chaos among us.”

Additionally, the party rejected false material provided by Prof. Chris Imumolen, a past presidential candidate.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s defection to the Accord Party was harshly condemned by a faction of the party, allegedly led by Imumolen, who called the action a “back-door entry” and declared it “invalid.”

According to reports, the governor of Osun State announced his defection to Accord on Tuesday, citing the PDP’s internal strife.

Governor Adeleke’s stated action and his recent approval as the only candidate for governor are seriously questioned by the Imumolen-led group, which contends that his action did not adhere to party protocol.

But according to Hon. Oke Rotimi, Prof. Imumolen was officially kicked out of the political party for a number of anti-party behaviors, such as “trying to assume a leadership role that he does not have.” tried to take over party organizations in order to gain power. forcefully entering a national secretariat in 2024. ignoring party procedures and creating internal uncertainty

It is absurd that an expelled member still believes they are in a position of influence inside the party given their past behavior. According to Hon. Oke, “all reports from his camp should be ignored; they do not and will not speak for Accord.”

Additionally, Pastor Victor Akande, the State Chairman of Accord in Osun, denied the accusations made against the party and its candidate for governor, Ademola Adeleke.

Governor Adeleke officially joined Accord on November 6, 2025, according to Pastor Akande.

On December 9, 2025, the party publicly acknowledged him, and on December 10, 2025, he was declared the legitimate victor of the Accord Party Primary.

Instead of disseminating lies on social media, he urged other political parties to showcase their candidates’ accomplishments.

“Social media platforms are not used for elections. Those who are serious about competing ought to show off their accomplishments. He contended, “Osun State is Accord, and Accord is Osun State.”

Sadiq Abubakar Ciroma, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, has been officially welcomed into the All Progressives Congress (APC) by state Defense Minister Bello Muhammad Matawalle.

Ciroma was introduced to Matawalle on Friday by state APC chairman Tukur Danfulani, who also welcomed Ciroma and his followers into the party.

Speaking during the function, Matawalle said that Ciroma’s decision to join the APC would help the people of Zamfara and characterized him as a politician with vision and good judgment.

He promised equal possibilities within the party to Ciroma and his supporters.

Ciroma clarified that he left the PDP because he thought the APC’s leadership and performance in the state were more inclusive.

He accused Governor Dauda Lawal’s PDP-led administration of prioritizing tax collection over local communities.

Manir Haidara Kaura, the chairman of the Kaura Namoda Local Government Council, responded to the defection by accusing Ciroma of working against the PDP prior to a recent state assembly by-election.

Haidara questioned his allegiance by accusing him of working with APC stakeholders and disclosing party secrets.

At the State House in Abuja on Friday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met separately and behind closed doors with the governors of the states of Kaduna, Benue, and Cross River.

They reportedly met us in the midst of ongoing problems with governance and security in their areas.

Each of the three governors—Uba Sani of Kaduna, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, and Bassey Otu of Cross River—arrived separately to confer with the President.

Sources familiar with the discussions told The Nation that the sessions’ main focus was on the three states’ pressing economic and security issues, despite the Presidency not releasing a formal statement outlining the agenda.

The governors refused to talk to reporters after the meetings.

As they left the State House for their waiting cars, they greeted reporters briefly but remained silent.

Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, has been welcomed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) by Festus Keyamo (SAN), Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

Speaking during the State’s inauguration of Fubara’s Igwuruta-Airport Road, Keyamo claimed that the ruling party had laid a trap to catch a frog but had instead caught an elephant.

The minister praised President Bola Tinubu’s strategic leadership for attracting South-South voters to the APC.

He referred to the party as the biggest family in Africa while extending a warm welcome to the governor.

According to Keyamo, he was there when the governor received the APC membership card.

“I won’t end without warmly welcoming the latest catch in APC,” he declared. Sir Siminalayi Fubara was the elephant we caught when we put up a trap to catch a frog.

“May I say that we would want to thank Mr. President as a real son of the South-South? I am unable to depart without expressing my gratitude to Mr. President for everything that he has done for the people of South-South and Rivers State.

“The South-South has never had it better. In the South-South, we are currently six over six for the ruling party, having started from zero in 2015. Rivers State has never had resistance in the past, thus what we have from 2015 to the present is even an anomaly.

Rivers State has occasionally sided with the center for the advancement and welfare of its citizens. I want to express my gratitude to Mr. President for his audacious changes, which have drawn a large number of people to the ruling party.

Keyamo claimed that Governor Fubara had resolved one of the major issues facing the aviation sector with the flag off and road inauguration.

“We had always wanted to give that road a facelift so that those who arrived at Port Harcourt, one of our oldest international airports, would have a good view of the city and a good impression when they are driving into the city,” he stated. “The road leading to the Port Harcourt Airport once branched off the highway, and that road has been in deplorable condition.”

However, it appears that Rivers State is wealthier than us. We’ve been begging the governor to assist us in clearing the path. The world will know that you took care of us when we go from this place. The first issue you resolved for us was that.

On Thursday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 68 ambassadorial candidates were ratified by the Nigerian Senate.

Recall that President Tinubu ultimately delivered the names of sixty-eight (68) nominees for confirmation as Nigeria’s ambassadors to the National Assembly, which was a major step toward the country’s diplomatic representation abroad.

More than two years of Tinubu’s administration functioning without designated envoys to lead Nigeria’s missions, embassies, and consulates in various nations are essentially over with the eagerly anticipated submission.

It was recalled that stakeholders and foreign observers had put tremendous pressure on the Federal Government to appoint ambassadors quickly, particularly during a period when some US senators, congressmen, and foreign lobbyists had accused Nigeria of Christian persecution and genocide.

In order to further Nigeria’s foreign policy goals, improve bilateral and multilateral ties, and protect the country’s reputation and strategic interests in the international system, it is anticipated that the new ambassadorial appointments will be extremely important.

The 68 nominees are chosen from governments in each of the six geopolitical zones, with 34 of them being career diplomats and the remaining 34 being non-career appointees.

Three nominees, Ayodele Oke, Kayode Are, and Aminu Dalhatu, who were among the initial group President Tinubu sent to the Senate, were reviewed and approved by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs earlier on Wednesday. After a long meeting at the National Assembly, they were screened.

Below is the whole list:

34 CAREER AMBASSADORS: 1. Mwaobiola Ezeuwo Chukwuemeka, Ambassador of Abia
2. Maimuna Ibrahim Adamawa
3. Enpeji Monica Okochukwu, Anambra
4. Bauchi: Mohammed Mahmoud Lele, Ambassador
5. Endoni Sindup, Bayelsa
6. Ahmed Mohammed Monguno, Ambassador of Borno
7. Ambassador Jen Adams Ni Okun Michael from Cross River
8. Ambassador Clark Omeru Alexandra of Delta
9. Chima J. Leoma Davies of Ebonyi
10. Oduma Yvonne Ehinose, Edo
11. Wasa Shogun Ige in Edo
12. Adeyemi Adebayo Emmanuel, Ambassador of Ekiti
13. Onaga Ogechukwu Kingsley, Ambassador of Enugu
14. Magaji Umar, Ambassador to Jigawa
15. Mohammed Saidu Dahiru, Ambassador of Kaduna
16. Abdul Salam Abus Zayat, Ambassador to Kano
17. Katsina: Shehu, Ambassador
18. Katsina: Aminu Nasu, the ambassador
19. Abubakar Musa Musa, Kebbi
20. Haidara Mohammed Idris, Ambassador of Kebbi
21. Ambassador Bako Adamu Umar of Kogi
22. Kwara: Sulu Gambari, the ambassador
23. Romata Mohammed Omobolanle, Ambassador, Lagos
24. Shaga John Shama, Ambassador of Nasarawa
25. Salau Hamza Mohammed in Niger
26. Niger: Ibrahim Dan Lamy, Ambassador
27. Ogun: Mopolola Adjola Ibrahim
28. Ruben Abimbola Samuel, Ondo
29. Akonde Wahab Adekola, Ambassador of Osun
30. Oyo: Ariwani Adedokun Esther, the ambassador
31. Plateau: Gedagi Joseph John, Ambassador
32. Rivers: Luther Obomode Ayokatata, the ambassador
33. Danladi Yakubu Yaku Taraba
34. Bidu Dogondagi Zamfara NON-CAREER AMBASSADORS (31):
35. Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia
36. Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu of Abia
37. Senator Grace Bent from Adamawa
38. Senator Eta Enang from Akwa Ibom
39. Nkechi Linda Okocha, Anambra
40. Mahmoud Yakubu in Bauchi
41. Philip K. Ikurusi, Bayelsa 42. Paul Olga Adiku, Benue
43. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (rtd.) at Cross River 44. Reno Omokri at Delta
45. Hon. Abbasi Brahma, Edo
46. Erelu Angela Adebayo Ekiti 47. Barrister Olumilua Oluwayemika Ekiti
48. Rt. Hon. Ugwanyi Ifeanyi in Enugu
49. Imo: Mrs. Chioma Ohakim Barr
50. Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd.) in Kano 51. Hon. Tasiu Musa Maigari in Katsina
52. Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Aliu, Kogi
53. Olufemi Pedro, Lagos 54. Barr. Mohammed Obanduma Aliu, Nasarawa
56. Ondo: Ambassador Joseph Yusuf Shara’aji 55. Ondo: Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, PhD
57. Fani-Kayode Osun
58. Ajimobi Fatima Florence, Oyo
59. Lola Akande, Oyo
60. Yakubu N. Gambo, Plateau
61. Plateau: Professor Nora Ladi Daduut, Senator
62. Onweze Chukwudi Rivers
63. Dr. Kulu Haruna Abubakar of Sokoto
64. Rt. Hon. Jerry Samuel Manwe of Taraba
65. Adamu Garba Tarba-Nagri of Yobe
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs cleared the first batch (3).

66. Ayodele Oke of Oyo State
67. Amin Mohammed Dalhatu, Jigawa
68. Ogun: Lateef Kayode, a retired Colonel Are