Kidnapping which started in the Niger Delta region of the country during the era of militancy witnessed cases of abduction of expatriates ,with ransom , both in foreign and local currencies reportedly paid for the release of the captives. The worrisome situation orchestrated by these perpetrators of the twin evil of oil bunkering and kidnapping for ransom, was blamed on government’s neglect of their region. This was followed by a brazen agitation for resource control.

ABUJA—AHEAD of 2019 presidential election, the national leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has zoned the Presidency to the North, saying it has learned its lessons and would never repeat any such mistake in future.

Kogi State Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, says Governor Idris Wada’s performance will earn him victory in the November governorship election. Besides, he says among others in this encounter that the impartiality of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Police and relevant agencies will guarantee a free and fair election in Kogi on November 21.

Former member of the House of Representatives, Nze Chidi Duru, in this chat assesses the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari in the last four months and scores him high marks. However, he says that Buhari’s failure to appoint any body from the South-East into his government so far reinforces the perception that he is more of a northern president than a Nigerian president.

Mr Shehu Bankole-Hameed is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Bankole-Hameed, a member of the Lagos Forum in this interview refutes insinuations that there is infighting within the APC over appointments into the Muhammadu Buhari cabinet.