The Julius Abure-led leadership of the Labour Party, has warned its 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi. To desist from his ongoing campaign of calumny aimed at tarnishing the party’s image.

This no doubt points to the escalation of the crisis that has engulfed the opposition party and Peter Obi ahead of realignment for 2027 general election.

The party leadership, through its National Secretary, Umar Farouk, on Tuesday, accused Obi of waging a sustained campaign of media blackmail against the National Chairman, Julius Abure, and other top officials.

This comes as a fallout to Obi’s appearance on Arise Television, where he alleged that the All Progressives Congress had infiltrated the Labour Party to destabilise its leadership.

The party dismissed the claims as unfounded, challenging Obi to provide evidence and accusing him of shirking responsibility for internal party crises.

It urged Obi to desist from what it described as a sustained campaign of media blackmail against the party’s leadership.

The party said- “Our attention was called to an interview granted by Obi wherein he alleged that the APC-led Federal Government has infiltrated the leadership of the Labour Party and is fomenting crisis in the party.

“But when asked to produce evidence, Obi had nothing tangible to offer.”

“Unfortunately, Mr Obi continues to misinform Nigerians on the root of the internal crisis within the Labour Party, even though he knows that most political parties face one form of crisis or another,” he said.

Farouk placed the blame for the party’s internal strife squarely on Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, who he said remained suspended from the party for anti-party activities.

He insisted that the ruling APC had no hand in LP’s troubles, challenging Obi to present any proof to the contrary.

“Nobody is infallible. When good leaders fail, they should take responsibility. Obi failed in providing leadership for the party and should own up to that failure instead of shifting blame,” Farouk said.

He noted that despite their recent criticisms, Obi’s recognition of Abure as national chairman during his interview was a subtle acknowledgement of legitimate leadership.

“As far as we are concerned, the issue is settled. Julius Abure remains the national chairman of the Labour Party. That fact is not in dispute.

“We urge Peter Obi and other aggrieved members to come to terms with this and work toward the unity of the party,” he concluded.

Khaby Lame, the most followed person on TikTok, has been deported from the United States after allegedly overstaying his visa, The New York Times reported.

The 35 year Italian-Senegalese social media sensation, according to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was detained last Friday at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.

The agency confirmed the detention in an official statement, stating that Lame entered the country on April 30 but “overstayed the terms of his visa.”

Lame, who rose to international fame for his silent comedic reactions to overcomplicated “life hack” videos, has amassed over 160 million followers on TikTok.

His online popularity led to collaborations with global fashion brands, a role in a Hollywood film, and a reality show on Tubi titled Khaby Is Coming To America.

A total of 100 tickets have already been sold out for the first commercial flight operations of the Chuba Okadigbo Airport which will commence on Friday, 13th June 2025.

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Aviation and Transport Technology, Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu who made the disclosure while interacting with journalists on the preparedness for the commencement of the first commercial flight operation of the Airport, noted that the United Nigeria Airlines which will fly in from Abuja to Onueke Ebonyi State would be carrying not fewer that 100 passengers who have already booked the flight.

She said the State Governor subsidized the fare from N250, 000 charged by other Airlines to N100, 000 to enable the people enjoy the good work of the State Government.

“Instead of paying the huge amount of N250, 000 or N240, 000, Governor Nwifuru has reduced it to the extent that everyone can afford it. If you are going to Lagos from Onueke, you pay N100,000 Naira. If you are going to Abuja, you still pay N100,000 Naira.

“If you are coming from Abuja, the same N100,000 and if you are also coming from Lagos, you pay the same amount. And I’m sure he’s doing it just to celebrate this wonderful development stance and strategies since he came two years ago.

“Our governor has made air travel affordable. It’s a strategic move to celebrate the achievements of this two-year-old administration that has accomplished more than many would expect in two decades and the people are happy about that.

“Governor Nwifuru is giving the bonanza to enable people equally know and be aware of the airport here. Our flight operations are going to be first come, first serve, we’ll be able to have the 100-seater filled up. People should not prolong their traveling because this is a chance. This is a chance of a lifetime. Things are not really smooth, but we are going to do it.”

The commissioner emphasized that Ebonyi State is set to leverage the airport’s cargo facilities for international export of agricultural produce and solid minerals, including yams, rice, cassava, salt, and limestone.

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