By Rukevwe odeh

A political figure, Oye, has strongly criticised the Federal Government over what he described as excessive and unnecessary foreign travels by public officials, calling the practice wasteful and embarrassing for a country facing serious economic challenges.
He argued that instead of focusing on frequent overseas trips, government leaders should prioritise addressing pressing domestic issues such as insecurity, unemployment, inflation, and deteriorating public infrastructure.

Oye expressed concern that the high spending on international travels does not translate into meaningful benefits for Nigerians, insisting that such expenditure places a further burden on the nation’s struggling economy.

According to him, the pattern of continuous foreign trips by top government officials reflects poor judgment and misaligned priorities at a time when citizens are enduring hardship.

He further urged the government to cut down on frivolous spending and redirect public funds toward development projects that would have direct impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

Oye maintained that responsible leadership requires accountability and prudent use of public resources, stressing that Nigerians deserve transparency and better management of national funds.

By Favour Bibaikefie

Political calculations ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election are increasingly shifting attention to the vice-presidential position, with many influential northern politicians reportedly positioning themselves for the role.

The growing interest has fueled speculation that major political parties may once again field presidential candidates from the South, in line with the country’s long-standing power-sharing tradition, while the North focuses on securing the second-highest office.

President Bola Tinubu is widely expected to seek re-election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), while several southern political figures are also being mentioned as possible presidential contenders across opposition platforms. As political alignments continue to evolve, the choice of running mates is expected to play a significant role in shaping electoral strategies.

Within both the ruling APC and opposition parties, consultations and behind-the-scenes negotiations have intensified over who would be best suited to complement potential presidential candidates and strengthen regional support.

Political analysts believe the vice-presidential position is increasingly being viewed as a strategic pathway to the presidency in 2031, prompting heightened interest among ambitious northern politicians.

As parties prepare for their primaries and coalition talks continue, observers say the eventual selection of running mates could prove decisive in determining the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.

* Says Experience and Grassroots Connection Position Him for Effective Representation

By Divine Perezide

The political contest for the Burutu Constituency-I seat in the Delta State House of Assembly received a fresh boost on Friday as Ambassador Dere Podoki emerged as the candidate of the Action People’s Party (APP) ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Podoki’s emergence was the outcome of a consensus decision reached during the APP congress held at the party’s state secretariat in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

The development officially positions the seasoned community leader and development advocate among the contenders seeking to represent the people of Burutu Constituency-I in the Delta State House of Assembly.

Speaking with journalists shortly after his emergence, Podoki who is from ward-20, expressed confidence in his ability to provide effective and responsive representation for the people, citing his years of service in various community-based and regional organizations.

According to him, his experience in grassroots leadership, community engagement, development, and advocacy has adequately prepared him for the legislative responsibilities associated with the office.

Potoki stated that he is best suited for the position at a time when many constituents are demanding greater accountability, improved representation and accelerated development across communities within the constituency.

He argued that some politicians who had previously enjoyed the trust and mandate of the people failed to meet public expectations, creating the need for a new generation of leadership committed to delivering tangible results.

The APP candidate maintained that his aspiration is driven by a desire to advance the welfare of the people, promote inclusive development and ensure that the interests of Burutu Constituency-I receive adequate attention at the state level.

Political observers say his emergence has added a new dimension to the forthcoming contest, which is expected to attract significant attention in the constituency, across Burutu Local Government Area, and the wider Delta South political landscape.

With the election season gathering momentum, attention is already turning to the battle ahead, where Ambassador Podoki will face other candidates, including the incumbent lawmaker who is seeking a second term mandate to continue representing the constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly.

Analysts believe the race could be one of the most closely watched legislative contests in Delta State, given the growing interest among stakeholders and voters eager to assess the performance records, vision and capacity of the various candidates.

As campaigns gradually begin across the constituency, residents are expected to evaluate the competing candidates on issues relating to infrastructure development, education, youth empowerment, healthcare delivery, economic opportunities and overall community advancement.

The emergence of Ambassador Dere Podoki has therefore further heightened political activities in Burutu Constituency-I, setting the stage for what promises to be a keenly contested electoral battle in the months ahead.