Pocket News Nigeria

Donald Trump lands in Beijing for a high-stakes two-day visit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping Vice-President Han Zheng was at the tarmac to receive Trump as he walked down the steps from Air Force One. Han is among China’s top leaders and sending him to receive Trump is being read as Beijing showing the US president respect. Last time, during his 2017 visit, they sent a lower-level leader, State Councillor Yang Jiechi. Han also attended Trump’s inauguration last year. Joining Trump on his trip to China are some of the US's top business leaders. Nvidia's Jensen Huang, Tim Cook of Apple, Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX, and Larry Fink of BlackRock, are among those the US president says are travelling with him. "I will be asking President Xi, a Leader of extraordinary distinction, to 'open up' China so that these brilliant people can work their magic, and help bring the People’s Republic to an even higher level," Trump says in a post on social m...

By Casnova Yes — an Obi–Kwankwaso combination could become one of the strongest opposition tickets in Nigeria, especially if they successfully unite southern urban voters with northern grassroots support. But “could win” is different from “likely to win.” Here’s why many people think the combination is politically dangerous to the ruling APC: Peter Obi has strong support among many young voters, professionals, and southern urban populations. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has a loyal political structure in Kano and influence in parts of northern Nigeria through the Kwankwasiyya movement. In 2023, opposition votes were split among Obi, Atiku, and Kwankwaso. Analysts often argue that a united opposition would have made the election far tighter. Supporters believe combining the “Obidient” movement and “Kwankwasiyya” network could create a rare North–South coalition. Several political reports and discussions have focused on this possibility. But there are still serious problems: Structur...

By Eric Ukala There’s a simple way to tell if a political defection matters. Watch the people who claim it doesn’t, if they’re quiet, it was nothing, if they’re holding press conferences, writing threads, and suddenly remembering 2014 tweets, the defection just gave them a headache. Peter Obi’s move to the NDC did just that. The same opponents who spent years calling him “structureless,” “a social media candidate,” and “a regional aspirant” are now drafting obituaries for the Obidient Movement and holding strategy meetings at 2 a.m. You don’t call an ambulance for a mosquito bite. So why the noise? Defection only hurts when the defector has value.  In Nigerian politics, we’ve normalized cross-carpeting as seasonal migration so it is expected. Nobody blinked when all the South East Governors (except Otti) defected to the APC, not even when  senators defected but Obi’s move has caused seizures because he isn’t just a politician, he is a symbol. For his base, he is pr...

By Jeff Odaudu, Jos, Nigeria.  A frontline aspirant for the Mangu/Bokkos House of Representatives seat in the national assembly Chief. Mrs Josephine Dayilim has  assured her teeming supporters of quality representation if elected in the 2027 general elections to represent her constituency. She stated this  when she picked her nomination and expression of interest forms recently at the All Progressives Congress(APC) Plateau State Secretariat Kalwa House, Jos Plateau State. Flanked by her supporters she unveiled a people centric vision anchored on education, women and youth empowerment and community transformation for the socio economic improvement of the Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency. In her words: "We aim to invigorate renewed and sustained energy into my zone which is Mangu and Bokkos through laws and programmes that will impact directly into the lives of my constituents" She said she would aim to give everyone a sense of belonging through inc...

THE PLATEAU STATE APC YOUTH LEADER HON DANJUMA SELKONG BALI HAS NEVER BEGGED FOR GRATITUDE  OR ASKING FOR KICKBACKS.  HE IS AN OASIS OF CALM. SIGNED ONJEFU ODAUDU MANAGING EDITOR  POCKET NEWS NIGERIA

By Onjefu Odaudu Jos, Nigeria  The Plateau State Governor Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has declared the Plateau State Multi Sectoral Disaster Simulation Exercise open.  Governor Mutfwang represented by the Deputy Governor of the state Hon.Mrs  Josephine Piyo said " I wish to thank the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency(PLASEMA), our development and Humanitarian partners,local government heads of department, security institutions and indeed all critical stakeholders for the tireless effort they have all put in place in making this exercise a reality" "The most pressing responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property the theme of this exercise: "Enhancing Preparedness, Coordination and Response Systems  From Policy to Practice:Strengthening Sub-National Disaster Risk Management capacity is both timely and relevant" She said across the World communities are constantly threatened  natural disasters caused by climate chan...