Author: Damilola

Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Seriake Dickson, has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). The former governor of Bayelsa State announced his defection during a press conference on Thursday in Abuja. The NDC was recently registered as a political party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in February. Dickson criticised the wave of defections by opposition figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that he would have remained in the PDP if the party had not been plagued by persistent internal crises. “Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria…

Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has told the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that the investigation against him is politically driven. The anti-graft agency is currently probing the former governor over alleged financial misconduct during his administration between 2015 and 2023. El-Rufai, who previously served as minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has been in ICPC custody since February 19 after being released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Investigators obtained written statements from the former governor as part of routine procedure. The handwritten statements, dated February 19 and February 20, 2026,…

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a new exit benefit package that will grant retiring federal civil servants a gratuity equivalent to 100 percent of their total annual emolument. The policy, which is scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026, was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the office of the head of the Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja. Under the newly approved scheme, Federal Civil Servants who have completed at least 10 years in service will be eligible to receive the gratuity upon retirement. The payment will be made in addition to the…

A federal high court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted Abba Kyari, the suspended deputy commissioner of police, of a 23-count charge bordering on alleged non-declaration of assets brought against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations against Kyari and the other defendants named in the case. Kyari had been arraigned alongside his two brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, who were accused of swearing false affidavits allegedly intended to conceal the origin of certain properties said to be linked…

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has congratulated former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his 89th birthday, commending the elder statesman for decades of service and commitment to Nigeria’s unity. In a message shared on his official X account on Thursday, the former vice-president celebrated Obasanjo’s enduring influence on Nigeria’s political and national development, describing him as a leader whose life reflects dedication, courage and patriotism. “Atiku wrote, “As President Olusegun Obasanjo marks his 89th birthday, I celebrate a life that has been defined by service, courage, and an enduring commitment to Nigeria.” “His journey…

The federal government has announced a six-year suspension on the establishment of new universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across Nigeria as part of efforts to improve quality and sustainability within the country’s higher education system. The decision was reached during a meeting of the Federal Executive Council chaired by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja. Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the temporary ban was introduced to consolidate existing institutions rather than expand the system without adequate capacity. “Today, access is not easy in the country. We…

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to immediately suspend its newly introduced cashless payment system following widespread traffic congestion at airports across the country. The directive was disclosed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, while briefing journalists after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by the president. The suspension comes barely four days after the rollout of the policy, which required travellers and motorists to make digital payments through ‘Go Cashless’ cards or POS platforms for airport entry gates, parking areas, lounges and other services — replacing decades-long cash transactions.…

The Federation International Football Association (FIFA) on Wednesday officially unveiled the final list of countries participating in the inter-confederation play-off tournament, confirming Democratic Republic of the Congo as Africa’s representative. The announcement effectively ends Nigeria’s hopes of securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the play-off route. In an accreditation notice issued to journalists ahead of the competition, FIFA outlined the structure of the tournament and confirmed the six nations that will compete for the remaining qualification slots. DR Congo’s confirmation follows the unsuccessful challenge mounted by the Nigeria Football Federation after the Super Eagles’ defeat in the…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the terrorism trial of Former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, to March 10. Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, were arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on February 3 on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms. The DSS accused the former justice minister of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were allegedly forwarded to the office of the attorney-general for legal action. At the resumed proceedings on Wednesday, Rotimi Oyedepo, director of public prosecution, informed the court that the…

The United States Embassy Abuja has suspended all visa appointments scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, citing security concerns linked to a potential protest in the nation’s capital. In a statement shared on X, the embassy said affected applicants would be contacted with instructions on how to reschedule their appointments. The decision follows protests earlier this week by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, over the killing of Ali Khamenei during recent joint US-Israeli military strikes on Tehran. Demonstrations were reported across several states, including Lagos, Kano, Niger, Sokoto, Gombe and Kaduna, with protesters condemning…