Author: Damilola

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said his political camp does not require the support of a sitting governor to mobilise backing for President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general election. Wike spoke on Saturday in Port Harcourt during the inauguration of the headquarters of the Rivers chapter of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, where he expressed confidence in his team’s capacity to deliver massive support for Tinubu’s re-election. He praised Desmond Akawor, the state coordinator of the group, for what he described as an extensive grassroots mobilisation effort across Rivers. “Desmond Akawor, you…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday carried out a mock accreditation and voting exercise across the Federal Capital Territory as part of its build-up to the FCT Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026. Speaking during a “train-the-trainers” session for Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs), INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), said the exercise was aimed at assessing the commission’s preparedness while strengthening the capacity of election officials ahead of the polls. Amupitan urged the trainees to approach the exercise with seriousness and to thoroughly study the election manual developed by the commission to guide their work. “What…

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Osun State has urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state over the lingering crisis surrounding control of local government councils. The groups — the Centre for Justice Initiatives (CJI), Community Advocacy and Initiative for Local Government Development (ILGD), and the Centre for Justice and Community Advocacy, Nigeria (CJCAN) — made the call on Saturday, claiming that constitutional and political mechanisms have failed to resolve the dispute between the state government and the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke swiftly rejected the demand,…

Manchester United continued their impressive run under Michael Carrick with a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s early Premier League fixture. The victory marked United’s fourth successive win since Carrick took over from Ruben Amorim, following earlier triumphs against Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham. Tottenham proved difficult to break down in the opening stages, with United struggling to create clear chances until the game swung in their favour midway through the contest. Spurs captain Cristian Romero was sent off after referee Michael Oliver judged his challenge on Casemiro to be worthy of a straight red card. United took advantage…

Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has announced her intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). She made this known during an interview with Nigerian football icon Segun Odegbami on 103.7FM Eagle7 Sports, monitored in Abeokuta on Saturday. The former commissioner made it clear that she has no plans to return to the Senate, stressing that her political focus is firmly set on the governorship race. “So moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the…

A political support group backing Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso has called for a joint presidential ticket featuring the former Kano governor and ex-Anambra State Governor Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general election. The Kwankwaso Support Group 2027 made the proposal on Friday in Kano, where its leader, Abba Gwale, urged Nigerians to rally behind an Obi–Kwankwaso alliance, describing it as a viable path to addressing the country’s growing challenges. Gwale said the group, as committed supporters of Kwankwaso, decided to openly back the proposed partnership in any political party, arguing that shifting political sentiments across the country favour such an…

A member of the United States House of Representatives, Riley Moore, has warned that any attempts to strengthen separatist movements seeking Nigeria’s break-up would ultimately put Christians at greater risk. Moore visited Nigeria in December on what he described as a “fact-finding mission” to assess claims of a Christian genocide, following remarks by US President Donald Trump, who had threatened to deploy troops to Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” to confront alleged perpetrators. During the visit, the lawmaker held talks with Nigeria’s national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and travelled to Benue State, where he met Governor Hyacinth Alia, as well as religious and…

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has delivered the condolences of President Bola Tinubu to the people and government of Kwara State following the deadly attacks on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaima Local Government Area. The communities were reportedly attacked on February 3 by suspected members of an Islamist group known as Lakurawa, leaving several residents dead and properties destroyed. Speaking on Saturday during a condolence visit to the state, Shettima described the killings as tragic and deeply disturbing, noting that the victims were law-abiding citizens going about their legitimate means of livelihood. He said the affected communities had long been known…

Syria and Saudi Arabia have signed a fresh set of investment agreements covering aviation, telecommunications, water projects and infrastructure, as Damascus intensifies efforts to rebuild after more than a decade of war. The deals were signed on Saturday, with Saudi Arabia emerging as one of the strongest supporters of Syria’s new Islamist-led authorities, who came to power after the overthrow of former president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Syrian Investment Authority chief Talal al-Hilali said the agreements included the launch of “a low-cost Syrian-Saudi airline aimed at strengthening regional and international air links”. He added…

The Nigeria Police Force says it has opened steps to investigate allegations linking Nzube Henry Ikeji, a Nigerian socialite, to a $2.5 million romance and investment scam. Director of the National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC), Ifeanyi Uche, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing, stressing that the matter would be handled thoroughly. Uche said the police are already reviewing publicly available information and will engage the platform that published the investigation in order to gather verified details. “This morning, I was able to summon my people for us to properly conduct an analysis of the facts that we have seen,”…