By Gloria Ikibah

The political landscape in Abia State shifted on Sunday as more than one hundred members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) in Obingwa Local Government Area.

The event, which drew a massive crowd of supporters and party faithful, was attended by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who welcomed the new members and commended their decision to align with the APC and support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Leading the group of defectors, Barr. Ibe Nwadioha, a former PDP State Secretary, declared that their move signalled the decline of other political parties in Obingwa, pledging total loyalty to the APC and its leadership.

In appreciation of Kalu’s developmental strides and his role in promoting unity across Abia, the Obingwa community also honoured the Deputy Speaker during the ceremony, describing him as a bridge-builder and a key advocate for progress in the South East.

He said: “My entry into APC has marked the collapse of every other political party in Obingwa Local Government. It’s a landmark entry and it means that the wind of change which you have brought is sweeping across Obingwa and it’s coming like a hurricane. We will support Mr. President.”

Meanwhile, Obingwa APC stakeholders which included a former federal commissioner who represented the South East at the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Dr Nyerere Chinenye Ayim honoured the Deputy Speaker with a traditional attire and a matchete, symbolizing strength and courage.

The gesture which highlighted the warm reception of the Deputy Speaker by the people of Obingwa further underscored the significance of Kalu’s visit and the impact of the Renewed Hope Partners in the local government area. 

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has taken decisive steps towards ending analogue governance with the introduction of the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025, aimed at transforming public administration through technology-driven systems and innovation.

Speaking at a joint public hearing of the Senate and House Committees on ICT and Cybersecurity, Speaker Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen highlighted that the proposed law would mark a major shift in how government functions and how citizens interact with public institutions.

The initiative seeks to build a smarter, transparent, and accountable Nigeria, powered by digital tools and efficient service delivery frameworks. The legislation is designed to lay the foundation for a fully integrated e-governance system, ensuring seamless communication, real-time data management, and improved access to public services across all sectors.

The bill also aligns with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, reinforcing Nigeria’s ambition to become a leading digital hub in Africa while promoting inclusivity, innovation, and efficiency in governance.

overnment operates and how citizens access services.

According to Abbas, “it is a vision for a new way of governance  one that is efficient, transparent, and centered on citizens”.

He restated that Nigeria’s transition to a fully digital governance system is no longer optional but a national imperative essential for economic growth, accountability, and national security.

The proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill is designed to provide a comprehensive legal structure for data protection, cybersecurity, and inclusive digital access, ensuring that every Nigerian—urban or rural—is part of the nation’s technological future.

Chairman House Committee on Digital, ICT and Cybersecurity, Rep. Stanley Olajide, said the public hearing underscored Nigeria’s shared commitment to building a transparent and efficient digital administration.

He praised the wealth of expert contributions from stakeholders, describing them as vital to shaping an effective and realistic digital policy framework.

Olajide, who co-chaired the session with Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, expressed gratitude to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas for their vision and leadership in championing the country’s digital transformation.

He also commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, along with heads of NITDA, NIMC, NCC, and Galaxy Backbone, for their technical guidance in aligning the bill with international standards while addressing Nigeria’s specific needs.

In his remarks, Dr Tijani assured that President Bola Tinubu was committed to signing the bill into law once passed, describing it as a milestone that will position Nigeria as a continental leader in digital governance.

Senator Salisu noted that once enacted, the legislation would make Nigeria the first African country with a comprehensive law dedicated to the digital economy and e-governance, setting the pace for a more connected, transparent, and efficient public sector.

By Prosper Olayiwola

Fear has gripped residents of Yan Kwada village in the Faruruwa community of Shanono Local Government Area, Kano State, after bandits launched a fresh attack on Sunday evening, abducting five women, including nursing mothers.

According to local sources, the heavily armed assailants stormed the village in large numbers, firing gunshots into the air to scare residents before breaking into homes and seizing their victims.

“They came as usual, shooting sporadically and breaking into houses,” said a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. “They abducted five women, including nursing mothers. We couldn’t do anything because they were many and heavily armed.”

The source further revealed that two of the abducted women later regained their freedom under unclear circumstances, while three others remain in captivity.

Two of the women have returned, but three are still with the bandits. We don’t know their condition or where they were taken,” the resident added.

The latest attack comes barely a week after a joint military operation reportedly engaged bandits in a fierce gun battle in the same area, killing 19 of them. Despite that operation, locals say the threat of further attacks remains high.

“People here live in constant fear. Many villages have been deserted because of these attacks,” another villager lamented. “Some of us have relocated to Faruruwa town or even to the cities just to stay alive.”
Residents are now calling on security agencies and the Kano State Government to intensify patrols and sustain military presence in the border communities between Kano and Katsina States, where bandit incursions have become frequent.

As of press time, police authorities in Kano had yet to issue an official statement regarding the latest incident.