Author: Damilola

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, against a ruling that allowed amendments in a suit questioning his eligibility to contest the 2028 governorship election. In a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court ruled that the appeal lacked merit and ordered the governor to pay N2 million as costs. Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam held that Aiyedatiwa failed to prove that the Federal High Court in Akure denied him fair hearing when it granted permission for the amendment of the…

Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. The development was confirmed on Monday in a statement issued by the governor’s media aide, Nuhu Anka, who said the decision followed consultations with political stakeholders and supporters across the state. “The Government and PDP family of Zamfara State wish to formally inform the general public of an important political development following extensive consultations with stakeholders, political leaders, elders, and supporters across the state. “After careful consideration, and in the overriding interest of stability, progress, and the sustainable development of Zamfara State,…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has raised the gantry price of petrol to N1,175 per litre, marking the third increase within one week. The latest adjustment was announced to fuel marketers on Monday, with the price of Premium Motor Spirit rising from N995 per litre, which had been set on Friday. The change represents an increase of N180, or roughly 18.1 per cent, in just three days. The refinery also reviewed the price of Automotive Gas Oil, widely known as diesel, which is now set at N1,620 per litre. The development comes shortly after reports suggested that another petrol price increase was…

Global crude oil prices surged past the $100 per barrel mark on Monday, recording their highest level since July 2022 as tensions in the Middle East continued to disrupt energy supplies. Brent crude climbed by about 16 per cent to $107.56 per barrel, up from roughly $91 recorded on Friday. Similarly, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose by nearly 13.96 per cent to $103.59. The spike in prices follows the continued shutdown of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, raising fears of the most severe energy disruption since the 1970s and posing…

Former FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has alleged that the club’s president, Joan Laporta, prevented the return of club legend Lionel Messi in 2023 to avoid internal tensions. Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 before later joining Inter Miami CF two years later. Speaking to Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, Xavi said discussions had begun early in 2023 after Messi led Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. “Leo was signed in January 2023 after winning the World Cup, we got in touch, and he told me he wanted to come back,”…

A fire outbreak at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja on Monday morning caused severe traffic congestion around the Federal Secretariat, leaving many commuters stranded and forcing several to continue their journeys on foot. The blaze reportedly started around 8:00 a.m., prompting emergency responders to rush to the scene as thick, dark smoke rose from an upper floor of the multi-storey building. Videos shared on social media showed heavy smoke billowing from a section of the complex, believed to be Section C of the building located within the Federal Secretariat. As…

President of the United States, Donald Trump, has warned that whoever emerges as the next supreme leader of Iran may struggle to remain in power without the approval of Washington. Trump made the comment during a Sunday interview with ABC News as the Islamic Republic moves closer to announcing a successor to its late supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Khamenei was reportedly killed last Saturday in strikes carried out by the United States in collaboration with Israel. Addressing the issue of Iran’s leadership succession, Trump suggested that the next supreme leader would need acceptance from the US to remain in office.…

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State has urged the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to prevent further violence following clashes that occurred during the party’s congress in Ibadan on Saturday. State chairman of the SDP, Michael Okunlade, made the appeal in a statement issued on Sunday, stressing the need to maintain the peaceful reputation of Oyo, popularly known as the Pace-Setter State. Okunlade said preserving peace in the state is crucial, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections. According to reports, suspected political thugs disrupted local government congresses organised by a faction of…

Southampton FC booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after securing a dramatic 1–0 victory over Fulham FC at Craven Cottage on Sunday. The Championship side sealed the fifth-round upset deep into stoppage time when striker Ross Stewart calmly converted a penalty to silence the home crowd. It proved a disappointing afternoon for Fulham manager Marco Silva, whose decision to rotate his squad heavily did not pay off. The Portuguese coach made nine changes to the side that had suffered a 1–0 defeat against West Ham United in the Premier League earlier in the week. The decisive…

The House of Representatives has reiterated its commitment to promoting policies and reforms that support the rights, inclusion and welfare of women and girls across Nigeria. This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the spokesman of the House, Akin Rotimi, to commemorate the 2026 edition of International Women’s Day. Observed globally every March 8, the day celebrates the achievements, resilience and leadership of women while also highlighting the continued need to address gender inequality. Rotimi said the lower chamber joined Nigerians and the international community in marking the occasion and acknowledging the contributions of Nigerian women at…