Headlines
Give South-East a Sea Port, Deputy Speaker Kalu Tasks Tinubu
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to assist the South-East region to acquire a seaport, noting that it will enhance the profession as traders.
He also urged Abia State Government and the South-East region to acknowledge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring funds were made available to execute projects in the region and other regions of the federation.
Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, made the call in Aba, Abia State, during the commissioning of projects, where he also commended Governor Alex Otti for his efforts in developing the state’s infrastructure.
“As you know, I am not a member of your party. I am a member of APC. But when it comes to development, it is important that citizens remember that we were first citizens of this state before we became political party members.
“And if you love your state, irrespective of the political party of your governor, you must find a way to work with that governor to succeed,” the Deputy Speaker said.
Mr. Kalu stressed the need for partnership between the state and federal government, and that due recognition be given to President Tinubu for making resources available to states through the removal of oil subsidy.
“It is my challenge to the commissioner for information and all the media houses in Abia State, please give credit to whom credit is due.
“The ones the President has done and the ones he has assisted, please make sure all Abians know that the President is supporting the governor of Abia State. It is important because it is the philosophy of the Igbos that if you thank a helper, he will do more,” he stated.
The Deputy Speaker also appealed to President Tinubu, represented at the event by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, to consider establishing a seaport in the South-East to enhance trade and economic activities.
“Mr. President, Sir, we want to thank you as Abians for what you are doing in our state through our governor and what you’re doing around the South East. Mr President, we need another port in the South East. Southeast are traders. We need a port so that our trading will be enhanced,” he said.
On the demolition of properties belonging to Igbo residents in Lagos, Mr. Kalu urged President Tinubu to intervene by appealing to the Lagos State Government to allow affected persons to regularise their documents instead of facing displacement.
“It bleeds our heart that within this hard time that houses are being destroyed but I know that Mr President who cares for the Igbos, who made the Igbos one of the first commissioners of finance in his administration, will listen to the hearing of the Igbos,” he said.
Source: VON
British Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer on Monday announced his resignation, bringing an abrupt end to a premiership that began with Labour’s landslide general election victory in July 2024.
Starmer made the announcement in a statement outside 10 Downing Street, where he reflected on his time in office and defended his record in government.
“Every decision I have made has been about putting the country I love first,” Starmer said as he confirmed he would step down as both prime minister and leader of the governing Labour Party.
The resignation marks a dramatic political development in the United Kingdom, coming barely two years after Starmer led Labour back to power following more than a decade in opposition.
His departure is expected to trigger a swift leadership transition within the party at a time of heightened political uncertainty.
Addressing supporters gathered outside Downing Street, Starmer described entering No. 10 in 2024 as “the proudest moment” of his life, saying he entered politics with the goal of improving the lives of millions of people.
The outgoing prime minister also highlighted what he considered some of his key achievements, including rebuilding the Labour Party after years of internal divisions and restoring public confidence in the party’s economic and national security credentials.
Starmer said he inherited a Labour Party that was “politically, financially and morally bankrupt” and faced repeated predictions that it was finished as a political force.
He argued that his leadership helped transform the party, including efforts to tackle anti-Semitism and reposition Labour as a credible alternative government.
His resignation has immediately intensified speculation over his successor. Attention has turned to Andy Burnham, who recently won the Makerfield by-election and is due to be sworn in as a Member of Parliament.
Political observers and Labour insiders believe Burnham could emerge as the overwhelming favourite to take over the party leadership. Some party members are already discussing the possibility of a “coronation” process in which Burnham becomes the sole candidate, avoiding a prolonged leadership contest.
If that scenario unfolds, Labour could have a new leader and prime minister in place by September, around the time of the party’s annual conference.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
Oyebanji secured a landslide victory, polling 319,224 votes to defeat his closest challenger, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, who garnered 40,543 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dare Bejide, came a distant third with 12,872 votes.
The election, held across all 16 local government areas of the state, was overshadowed by reports of irregularities and widespread allegations of vote buying, drawing strong condemnation from observers.
The official results were announced on Sunday morning by the Chief Returning Officer, Professor Adenike Oladiji, who declared Oyebanji duly elected after meeting the constitutional requirements.
In her declaration, Professor Oladiji stated: “I, Professor Adenike Oladiji, hereby certify that I am the Returning Officer for the Ekiti State Governorship Election held on June 20, 2026, and that the election was conducted in compliance with the provisions of the law. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of valid votes cast, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”
Source: Reuters
