Politics
Deputy PM will ‘unblock’ south east housing sites
The deputy prime minister has pledged to “unblock” sites not being developed for housing in the South East.
In an interview with BBC South East, Angela Rayner said there were lots of areas in Kent, Surrey and Sussex that needed to be “unlocked” for development, because developers are “frustrated that they are constantly in this process of being blocked”.
It comes after she approved a housing development previously refused by Conservative councillors in an area of outstanding natural beauty in Cranbrook, Kent.
In a major speech on Thursday Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reiterated the government’s pledge to build 1.5m homes in England over the next Parliament, saying there would be “no solution to the housing crisis without approving controversial development”.
The Kent Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) described the 165-home development at Cranbrook as “a political signal that the countryside is fair game for developers”.
Ms Rayner, who is also the Secretary of State for Housing, would not talk about individual planning scenarios but said the government had pledged to “build on brownfield sites first”.
Councils in Sussex have said they have major concerns about reaching the government’s new housebuilding targets because they are restricted by the sea to the south, as well as the South Downs National Park and High Weald National Landscape.

Local authorities in Sussex have expressed doubts about hitting the government’s housing targets
© Getty Images
“I don’t believe for one minute across the whole of the South East – which I know very well – that there is only the rolling hills of Sussex,” Ms Rayner said.
“There is lots of brownfield, lots of areas that need to be unlocked for development.
“And developers who have got land there are frustrated that they are constantly in this process of being blocked so what we want to do is unlock those sites and get those houses built.”

Angela Rayner says the government’s priority is to build on brownfield sites first
© Getty Images
Under new proposed house-building targets, authorities in Kent, Sussex and Surrey will have to build an additional 7,116 homes a year on top of existing targets.
The Surrey CPRE says it will mean a “tsunami” of development on the county’s green belt.
Ms Raynor said the environment and nature would be taken into account.
She said: “National parks and heritage sites, they’re all excluded and within the National Planning Policy Framework it clearly sets out what our rules are and it also talks about brownfield first.
“With local plans and mandatory targets it means local areas will identify the areas of land that they believe is where the houses should go and the infrastructure and we will help deliver it.”
Politics
Tinubu’s Minister, Uche Nnaji Resigns Over Alleged Certificate Forgery
Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology has tendered his resignation.
He resigned following some allegations of certificate forgery against him.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s media aide Bayo Onanuga who confirmed the resignation in a statement, said the president has accepted the Minister’s decision.
According to Onanuga, Tinubu has “accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him.
“President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.
“He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria.
“Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents.
“President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours”.
Politics
Biafra: Ojukwu told me first agitation was necessary, second not – Orji Kalu
Abia North Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, has revealed his meeting with the first Biafra agitator, late General Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu, during the last days of his life.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television monitored by Ekwutosblog on Sunday, Uzor-Kalu said Ojukwu told him that the first Biafra agitation was necessary but second was not.
He also refuted the allegation that he was less Igbo than the people of the entire Southeast.
“I am full blooded Igbo. I was with late Ojukwu in the later days of his life, and his wife, Mrs Bianca can testify to this that I was always coming to the General, and the General was coming to my village to stay some days or weekends.
“And then Ojukwu told me that the first struggle for Biafra was necessary, that the second one is no longer necessary.
“Even if these boys want Biafra, who are you going to rule when you kill all the Igbos? When you stop all Igbos from doing businesses?
“When on Mondays, if you see people going out for business, you start pursuing them and killing them? I mean, it is not rational. It is not just nice.
“I thought with what happened to Nnamdi Kanu, these boys should come together in a table and say, how do we get peace to resolve this matter politically? And not still talking tough as they are trying to behave.
“So I think even if they want Biafra, they should drop their arms and go with their flags and demand for what they want and negotiate for it and talk for a referendum.
“Even the man that fought the civil war, the wife is saying the same thing I’m saying. Minister Bianca Ojukwu knows the thought of her husband, and nobody will believe on the destruction of Igbo land. Enough is enough.
“Let us stop destroying ourselves. Let us stop destroying our properties. Let us stop destroying what we have.
“Look, there is no more commerce in the entire Igbo land. How are we going to live? Things are difficult. Things are very bad for people living there. So how are we going to live? These are the issues,” he said.
Politics
Nigerian Air Force Launches Coordinated Airstrikes Against Fleeing Coup Plotters in Benin Republic
Nigeria has carried out a series of precision airstrikes against members of the failed military coup in the Benin Republic, neutralising several suspected plotters and destroying their escape vehicles.
The operation was executed on Sunday after the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), acting under a joint security arrangement with authorities in Cotonou, tracked the movement of key coup actors attempting to flee in armoured convoys. Intelligence reports had indicated that the fleeing soldiers were heading south toward coastal exit routes.
A senior security official confirmed the mission, saying it was “carefully coordinated with Benin’s leadership” to prevent the coup backers from regrouping and to support efforts to stabilize the country after the attempted takeover.
According to multiple security sources, the airstrikes—lasting approximately 30 minutes—targeted fast-moving convoys believed to be carrying loyalists of the coup leader, Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri. The fleeing soldiers reportedly departed the country’s interior in an effort to evade capture.
Residents in parts of Cotonou reported hearing loud explosions and seeing thick smoke rising from the outskirts, sparking speculation that foreign aircraft were involved in the crackdown on the mutineers.
The development was later confirmed by Agence France-Presse (AFP), which reported that Nigerian jets conducted the strikes in coordination with Beninese authorities working to contain the mutiny.
Speaking on the operation, Nigerian Air Force spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the mission was carried out “in line with ECOWAS protocols and the mandate of the ECOWAS Standby Force.”
Sources told POLITICS NIGERIA that the strikes successfully disabled multiple armoured vehicles and sealed off escape corridors identified by the fleeing troops. Although no official casualty figures have been released, security insiders disclosed that “a number of hostile elements” were eliminated.
“All sorties were flown with the consent of Beninese authorities and adhered strictly to international rules of engagement,” another official said, noting that planners were careful to avoid civilian areas and minimise collateral damage.
The air operation followed the unsuccessful attempt by Lt. Col. Tigri and his faction—known as the Military Committee for Refoundation—to dissolve state institutions and seize power. Loyalist forces in Benin swiftly regained control, forcing several of the coup backers to attempt a southern retreat before they were intercepted.
-
Business1 year ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
-
Trending1 year agoNYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
-
Politics1 year agoMexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections
-
Politics1 year agoPutin invites 20 world leaders
-
Politics1 year agoRussia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky falls ill in police custody, rushed to hospital
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky transferred from Immigration to FCID, spends night behind bars
-
Education1 year ago
GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI
