Author: Damilola

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has strongly denied reports that a proposed United States congressional bill — the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act 2026 (HR 7457) — mentioned its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over alleged “severe religious freedom violations.” In a statement issued Wednesday night by its spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed, the group described the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. “We state unequivocally that these allegations are unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with the verifiable public record of Senator Kwankwaso’s life and service,” the statement said. The movement highlighted Kwankwaso’s more than three decades in public office, noting that he…

Minister of Works David Umahi and Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) engaged in a tense verbal confrontation on Wednesday during a Senate session reviewing the N15 trillion Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project. The disagreement erupted as Oshiomhole questioned the minister over concerns surrounding funding transparency and project delays, triggering a sharp exchange between the two All Progressives Congress (APC) members. As questioning intensified, Umahi appeared visibly irritated and challenged the tone of the interrogation. “Sir, are you judging or asking me questions?” he asked while Oshiomhole pressed further. The senator responded firmly, saying, “You are not entitled to interrupt me.” The…

The family of legendary Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has refuted widespread social media claims alleging that the veteran filmmaker has passed away. In a video posted on Instagram on Tuesday, Leo Edochie, the actor’s first son, described the reports as baseless and wicked. “I’ve been receiving text messages and calls over the nonsense post by some people that our father, Chief Pete Edochie, is dead. It is a lie from the pit of hell,” he said. Leo reassured fans that his father is in good health and criticised those behind the rumour. “Our father is alive, hale and hearty. And…

President Bola Tinubu has named Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new chairman and Chief Executive officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The announcement was made on Wednesday in a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, “The appointment is subject to the Senate’s approval in accordance with the provisions of section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act, 2026.” It further disclosed that “President Tinubu sent a letter today to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, requesting the expeditious confirmation of Ambassador Yusuf to replace Professor Abdullahi Usman, who resigned this week,…

The House of Representatives has expressed alarm over what it called persistent underfunding of the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation (OAuGF), cautioning that the situation could weaken Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework and erode public accountability. The issue came up on Wednesday during the OAuGF’s 2026 budget defence before the House Public Accounts Committee at the National Assembly, chaired by Bamidele Salam. Lawmakers scrutinising the proposed N15.88bn allocation observed that it amounts to just about 0.027 per cent of the N58.47tn federal budget for 2026. They argued that the figure falls far short of what is required for an institution…

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set February 12 to consider multiple suits disputing the legitimacy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025. A three-member panel headed by Justice Mohammed Danjuma fixed the date to hear eight separate appeals questioning the validity of the convention that produced the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Tanimu Turaki. The appeals stem from judgments delivered by three federal high court judges and one state high court judge over the controversial gathering. How the dispute began In November 2025, a PDP…

Five members of the United States House of Representatives have introduced a bill that would require the US secretary of state to submit a detailed report on America’s response to what they describe as ongoing religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria. If enacted, the legislation would mandate the Departments of State and Treasury to consider sanctions — including visa restrictions and asset freezes — against “individuals or entities responsible for severe religious freedom violations” in Nigeria. Those specifically named in the proposed sanctions list include former governor of Kano State and national leader of the New Nigerian People’s Party…

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, has warned that the ministry’s proposed N10.49 billion budget for 2026 is insufficient to effectively carry out its responsibilities in trade facilitation, transport efficiency, and food security. The minister spoke on Tuesday while defending the budget before a joint session of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport and relevant House of Representatives committees covering ports and harbours, maritime safety, education and administration, shipping services, inland waterways, and ocean and fisheries. Oyetola explained that the proposal consists of N8.24 billion for capital projects, N453.86 million for overhead costs, and N1.81 billion for personnel…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by N25 per litre, bringing the ex-depot rate down from N799 to N774 per litre, in a move analysts say reflects a strategic adjustment to current market conditions. The refinery informed petroleum marketers of the price change on Tuesday, stating that the new rate takes immediate effect. In a notice issued by its Group Commercial Operations Department, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE said, “This is to notify you of a change in our PMS gantry price from N799 per litre to N774 per litre.” Industry checks…

 Former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said the standard of living in Nigeria has deteriorated under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Amaechi made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking at a protest at the National Assembly against the Senate’s rejection of real-time electronic transmission of election results. The protest, organised by civil society organisations and political actors, is demanding amendments to the Electoral Act to make real-time electronic transmission of results compulsory ahead of the 2027 general election. Addressing demonstrators and journalists, Amaechi, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the…