Blog - Abia ThinkTank News

Jul

14

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

Alleged Certificate Forgery: Ex-Minister Nnaji Pleads Not Guilty, Gets N20m Bail

Crime, News Flash

Alleged Certificate Forgery: Ex-Minister Nnaji Pleads Not Guilty, Gets N20m Bail The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, granted N20 million bail to the former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, after he pleaded not guilty to a six-count certificate forgery charge the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed against him. The anti-corruption agency alleged that Nnaji, who was a minister in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet from August 16, 2023, to October 6, 2025, before he resigned, forged his academic credentials, especially a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). He was…

Jul

14

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

Appeal Court Bars INEC From Recognising Mark-Led ADC Congresses

Judiciary, News Flash, Politics

Appeal Court Bars INEC From Recognising Mark-led ADC Congresses In a split decision of two-to-one, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday affirmed the judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any state congresses organised by committees appointed by the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). A three-member panel of the appellate court, in a lead verdict delivered by Justice Okon Abang, said it found no reason to set aside the restraining order the Federal High Court in Abuja had issued against the Mark-led ADC on April…

Jul

14

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

ADC Rejects Appeal Court Ruling, Heads To Supreme Court

News Flash, Politics

ADC Rejects Appeal Court Ruling, Heads To Supreme Court The African Democratic Congress led by David Mark has said the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on Monday in Abuja on the party’s congresses will not affect its direct primaries or the emergence of its candidates for the 2027 general elections. The party also disclosed that it had commenced the process of challenging the judgment at the Supreme Court, describing the appellate court’s decision as legally unsustainable. This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi. The development comes amid ongoing…

Jul

14

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

Why FGN Is Spending, Not Saving – Umahi

FGN, Infrastructure, News Flash

Why FG Is Spending, Not Saving — Umahi The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has strongly defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, asserting that strategic infrastructure investment rather than fiscal saving is the key to unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential. Addressing journalists during an inspection of the Calabar–Abuja Super Highway at the Ebonyi–Benue boundary, Umahi argued that no responsible government or economist would prioritise saving money while critical infrastructure remains undeveloped and citizens face economic hardship. He maintained that the administration is actively repositioning the nation’s economy by prioritising long-term development over short-term reserves. According to the Minister, the Tinubu…

Jul

13

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

Ikenna And Jenn Ukwa Foundation Hold Free Medical Outreach For Nkporo People

News Flash, Philanthropy, Politics

Ikenna and Jenn Ukwa Foundation Hold Free Medical Outreach for Nkporo People The Ikenna and Jenn Ukwa Foundation, in collaboration with the Ikenna Ukwa Progressive Group, on Saturday embarked on a free medical outreach and eye screening exercise for residents of Nkporo in Ohafia LGA of Abia State. The medical outreach, aimed at bridging healthcare gaps for the elderly, women, and children in rural communities was held at the Cottage hospital, Nkporo and approved by the Abia State Ministry of Health. Speaking during the event, co-founder of the Foundation, Hon Ikenna Nicolas Ukwa, who made a special appearance at the…

Jul

12

2026

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FGN Approves N50,000 Uniform Exam Fee For WAEC, NECO Candidates From 2027

Education, News Flash

FG Approves N50,000 Uniform Exam Fee For WAEC, NECO Candidates From 2027 The federal government says it has approved N50,000 as the new examination fee for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) for secondary school candidates from 2027. In a statement on June 18, issued by Adeniji Ibrahim, director of senior secondary education of the ministry of education, the approval followed a request by WAEC for an upward review of the fee for Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for candidates from 2027. Ibrahim said the decision stems from a meeting between examination bodies and…

Jul

12

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

INEC Extends Deadline For Submission Of Candidates For 2027 Presidential, NASS Elections

News Flash, Politics

INEC Extends Deadline For Submission Of Candidates For 2027 Presidential, NASS Elections The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the names and personal particulars of their candidates for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections following an appeal by political parties. In a statement issued on Sunday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the commission announced that the deadline, initially set for Saturday, July 11, 2026, has been extended to midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. According to INEC, the extension was…

Jul

12

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

‘If I am President, I Will Do Everything Possible To Make Opposition Parties Strong’- Peter Obi

News Flash, Politics

‘If I Am President, I Will Do Everything Possible To Make Opposition Parties Strong’ – Peter Obi The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, says if he were Nigerian president he would do everything possible to make opposition parties strong and participatory in governance. Obi made this known during an interview with media entrepreneur, Chude Jideonwo, aired on Saturday. According to him, what the politicians and political parties should be doing now to bring the country and other ideas together to work for the interest of the citizens. When asked if president Bola Tinubu believes his own party…

Jul

12

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

NDLEA Arrests South African Woman With Heroine At Abuja Airport

News Flash, Crime

NDLEA Arrests South African Woman With Heroin At Abuja Airport The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 38-year-old South African woman, Will Ann, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 5.75 kilograms of heroin into Nigeria while travelling with her three-year-old son. According to the agency, the suspect was arrested on Monday, July 6, 2026, during the inward clearance of passengers aboard Qatar Airways Flight QR1433 from Doha. NDLEA said the suspect allegedly concealed 14 large blocks of heroin in two suitcases and initially denied travelling with any checked-in luggage. In a statement…

Jul

12

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

Military Confirms Death Of Army Lieutenant In Rescue Of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

Military, Security

Military Confirms Death Of Army Lieutenant In Rescue Of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers Military sources have confirmed the death of an Army officer, Lieutenant F.A. Isaac, during the operation that rescued 44 abducted pupils and teachers from the Old Oyo National Park. The victims were rescued on July 10, 2026, in a coordinated operation involving security agencies after spending several days in captivity. According to the sources, Lieutenant Isaac was killed in the line of duty during the rescue mission and was buried the same day. Sources told Vanguard News that Lieutenant Isaac was among the officers leading efforts to…