News Flash - Abia ThinkTank News

May

2026

NDLEA Arrests Two Grandpas For Drug Trafficking In Abia, Ekiti

NDELA Arrests Two Grandpas For Drug Trafficking In Abia, Ekiti The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it has arrested an 83-year-old man, Pa John Ofiel, and a 78-year-old man, Ogunjobi Samuel, in separate operations linked to drug trafficking in Abia and Ekiti states. The arrests were disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi. According to the statement, “Pa Ofiel was nabbed by NDLEA officers on Tuesday 28th April 2026 during a raid operation at Samek by Powerline, Aba, Abia state following credible intelligence that he was dealing in illicit substances.…

May

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

ADC Begins Sale Of N100m Presidential Forms, Others, Set Dates For Primaries.

News Flash, Politics

ADC Begins Sale Of N100m Presidential Forms, Others; Sets Primaries’ Dates The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has released its timetable for the conduct of its 2026 primary elections, setting May 25, 2026, for its presidential primary and pegging its nomination form at N100 million. In a statement issued by Bolaji Abullahi, spokesman of the party, the ADC said the timetable outlines guidelines and requirements for the nomination of candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing its commitment to internal democracy, orderliness, and strict compliance with the Electoral Guidelines. According to the schedule, the process is already underway, with the…

May

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

Straight Of Hormuz: Any Ship That Pays Toll To Iran Will Feel Our Wrath – US Issues Strong Warning

Foreign Affairs, International, News Flash

Strait Of Hormuz: Any Ship That Pays Toll To Iran Will Feel Our Wrath – US Issues Strong Warning AttNews reports that the United States has issued a strong warning that any ship that pays toll to Iran would feel its wrath. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, OFAC, gave the warning on Friday. It stated that fulfilling any demand for an Iranian toll in exchange for passage through the Strait of Hormuz risks exposure to US sanctions. “Any ships that pay toll to Iran will feel our wrath. OFAC is issuing this alert to warn US and…

May

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

US To Review Aid, Humanitarian Assistance To Nigeria Over Insecurity

Foreign Affairs, International, News Flash

US To Review Aid, Humanitarian Assistance To Nigeria Over Insecurity The US government is moving to place stricter conditions on financial assistance to Nigeria with the House Committee on Appropriations recommending a 50 percent cut in aid and developmental assistance to the Federal Government over escalating insecurity and religious violence across the country. If passed into law, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill, 2027, would see Nigeria lose access to billions of dollars already earmarked by Washington for aid and development programmes for Fiscal Years 2027 through 2028 The bill, which made appropriations for national…

May

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

‘Obi, Kwankwaso Will Join NDC Next Week’ – Kwankwasiyya Movement

News Flash, Politics

‘Obi, Kwankwaso Will Join NDC Next Week’ — Kwankwasiya Movement Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano, will defect from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) next week, the Kwankwasiyya movement has informed TheCable. Habibu Mohammed, spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya movement, told TheCable on Friday night that the decision was sealed after a unanimous endorsement by stakeholders. Mohammed said discussions with the NDC have reached “about 90 percent”, with only minor issues left to tidy up, adding that the former governor and Peter Obi, 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), will move to the…

May

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

President Tinubu Begins 2-Week Trips To France, Kenya, Rewanda

FGN, News Flash

Tinubu Begins 2-Week Trips To France, Kenya, Rwanda President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday on a three nation visit to Kenya, Rwanda and France. This was disclosed by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. Giving a breakdown of the three nations trip, Onanuga said President Tinubu’s first stop will be in France, after which he will depart for Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the Africa-France Summit scheduled to begin next week. Co-chaired by President Emmanuel Macron and President William Ruto, the summit focuses on energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, restructuring of…

May

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

2026 Budget: Nigeria Service Debts With N15.81 Trillion

FGN, Economy, News Flash

2026 Budget: Nigeria Service Debts With N15.81 Trillion Nigeria will spend about ₦15.81 trillion on servicing its public debt in 2026, one of the largest components of a record ₦68.32 trillion budget, according to data from civic tech organisation BudgIT and official government figures. The spending plan, recently approved by lawmakers and signed by President Bola Tinubu, outlines total expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion, with debt servicing accounting for a significant share alongside capital and recurrent spending. BudgIT, in its analysis of the budget, said the allocation highlights the growing burden of debt obligations on Africa’s largest economy, warning that public…

May

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

The Big Masquerade Arrives: Ikenna Ukwa Picks APC Nomination Form For Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency 2027

Abia North, National Assembly, News Flash, Politics

2027: IKENNA UKWA PICKS APC NOMINATION FORM FOR AROCHUKWU/OHAFIA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY Frontline aspirant and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Ikenna Nicolas Ukwa, has formally purchased the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms of the party to contest the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives. Speaking to journalists shortly after obtaining the forms, Hon Ikenna Nicolas Ukwa said his decision to contest was borne out of a desire to offer purposeful and efficient representation and attract more federal presence in Arochukwu/Ohafia federal Constituency. He described his aspiration as “a mission to change the leadership narrative…

Apr

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

ADC Will Be On Ballot In 2027 – David Mark Assures Members Amid Legal Battles

News Flash, Politics

ADC Will Be On Ballot In 2027 – David Mark Assures Members Amid Legal Battles The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has assured party members that the party will be on the ballot for all elections in 2027 despite ongoing legal challenges. The assurance follows a recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the party currently taking legal steps including an appeal and an application for stay of execution. Speaking on Wednesday night after receiving a briefing from the ADC legal team, Senator Mark addressed party leaders on the ongoing litigation involving…

Apr

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

I Investigated Pastor Jerry For Alleged Money Laundering- EFCC Chairman

Abuja, News Flash

I Investigated Pastor Jerry Eze For Alleged Money Laundering – EFCC Chairman The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that the commission investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him of any wrongdoing. Olukoyede made the revelation on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja. He explained that the investigation was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions following unusual inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account. “We work by intelligence, we work by…