Author: Candid Reporters

A bill seeking to strip vice-president, governors and deputy governors of immunity has passed second reading at the house of representatives. The constitutional amendment bill scaled through second reading during plenary on Wednesday. The proposed legislation is sponsored by Solomon Bob, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Rivers state. He said the bill seeks to “promote accountability in public office” by removing the immunity currently granted to the vice-president, governors, and their deputies. Section 308 of the constitution states that the president, vice-president, governor, and deputy governor, during the period he/she is holding the office, shall not be subjected…

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State has asked Heads of Local Government Area HLGAs of the 23 councils in the state to submit reports of two years activities of their councils to the government. It was gathered that the directive from the state government has unsettled HLGAs of the 23 councils in the state following the urgency of the message and the alleged political undertone attached to the directive. Recall that the suspended Governor Siminialayi Fubara had, following the Supreme Court’s judgement that invalidated the 2024 local government election, directed the HLGAs of the councils…

Governor Alex Otti of Abia state has flagged-off the reconstruction of the 4.32 kilometres Orpet – Umuafai – Lodu – Ahiaeke  Road and the 3.79 kilometres Ahiaeke – Okwuta – Bende Road in Umuahia North LGA totaling 8.11KM. Speaking during the event held at Ahiaeke, Governor Otti said he expects the project to be ready in nine months time. According to the Governor,”The successful completion of this roads will respectively end the daily hassles of thousands of people who ply them as they go about their regular social and economic activities. “The roads when completed would offer a wide array…

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has appointed Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG). In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ibas announced that the appointment of Worika takes immediate effect. The administrator emphasized that the decision was made after a careful evaluation of Worika’s credentials, extensive experience, and strong performance throughout a rigorous selection process. “Professor Worika holds a Ph.D. in International Environmental and Comparative Petroleum Law & Policy from the University of Dundee, United Kingdom. He has served in prestigious roles across academia, international organizations, and government advisory capacities,” the statement read.…

Hon. Lucky Johnson, House of Assembly Member representing Isuikwuato State Constituency of Abia State has officially resigned his membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing division and polarisation in the party. In the resignation letter dated 18th March, 2025 and addressed to Rt. Honourable Emmanuel Ihuoma Emereuwa, Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon.. Johnson said after due consultation with his constituents, and in recognition of the sterling performance of Governor Alex Otti, he has picked up the membership of the Labour party and now become a member of the Labour Party(LP). Read full statement below. NOTICE…

The United States mission in Nigeria has issued a stern warning to visa holders, cautioning that overstaying a visa could lead to severe consequences, including criminal prosecution and a permanent travel ban.  The US Mission made this announcement in a statement released on Monday “If you overstay your U.S. visa, you could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States as well as criminal prosecution,” the statement read. It further emphasised that US consular officers have full access to individuals’ immigration history and past violations. The statement added, “Consular officers have full access to your immigration history and…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently in a high-level meeting to discuss a petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly. CANDID REPORTERS gathered that INEC’s Acting Director of Publicity, Esther Chibuikem, confirmed the meeting, which is taking place at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. The meeting follows the receipt of the petition, which was submitted by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, on Monday. The latest development comes after the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, overturned an earlier ruling that had restrained INEC from proceeding with the recall process initiated…

Dr. Uche Ogah, President/Founder Masters Energy Group has congratulated Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu on his Phone.D conferment. I’m the congratulatory message, Dr. Ogah described it as a huge feather to his academic hat. Read full message below: Congratulations, My Dear Brother, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu, On Your Prestigious Academic Feat/Ph.D Conferment. On behalf of my family, friends and supporters, i wish to joyfully congratulate my dear brother and former Deputy Speaker, Abia State House Of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu, on recent huge feather added to his academic hat. Undoubtedly, the apex academic credential (Ph.D), meritoriously conferred on you by…

Another blast has occurred at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State. CANDID REPORTERS learnt that the explosion has further heightened concerns over the security of oil infrastructure in the region. This is happening barely a week after a major explosion on the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, The latest explosion, confirmed by the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), was reported on Sunday. The grassroots NGO, with a strong presence in the Niger Delta, disclosed that its youth volunteers had alerted the organization about the early…

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti says he is going to take a second look at the issues surrounding the agreement the State Government had earlier signed with the leadership of the Abia State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) on defraying of the arrears of pensions owed by the PDP  administrations in the State. Governor Otti stated this while responding to the request made by the Chaplain of the Federal Medical Centre Chapel, Umuahia, Rev. Ernest Onyeukwu during his sermon at the 80th birthday thanksgiving service of Senator Chris Adighije, organised on his behalf by the Abia…