Author: Damilola

The Defence Headquarters Nigeria has clarified that recent military assistance provided by the United States to Nigeria is being delivered without any financial obligation to the Nigerian government. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Michael Onoja, director of defence media operations, explained that the collaboration is primarily designed to enhance troop training and reinforce Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations. Onoja urged Nigerians not to misinterpret the partnership, noting that such cooperation is consistent with existing international military training arrangements that allow Nigerian personnel to undergo capacity-building programmes abroad. “The American government is interested in combating terrorism, and the assistance…

The Gombe State government has approved a N5 billion contract aimed at introducing a comprehensive street naming system, standardised house numbering, and installation of modern signages across the state to strengthen urban development and public service delivery. The approval was announced by the Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Njodi, following the 52nd Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Friday. Njodi said the council deliberated extensively on the longstanding challenges created by the absence of clearly identified streets and organised residential numbering, noting that the initiative represents a critical step toward aligning the state with modern…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have rejected the newly amended Electoral Act 2026, warning that the legislation threatens Nigeria’s democratic framework and could entrench one-party dominance. President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 into law on February 18 after its passage by the national assembly. However, opposition leaders say the process and substance of the amendment raise serious concerns. Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, NNPP National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed, spoke on behalf of a coalition of opposition parties. He accused the ruling Bola Tinubu-led administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-dominated…

President Bola Tinubu has rejected allegations that he is undermining opposition parties or steering Nigeria toward a one-party system. The president made the remarks on Wednesday during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he addressed concerns about the shrinking space for opposition politics. Responding to claims that his administration is weakening rival parties, Tinubu said criticism comes with public office. “What they call you, any name, any nickname, critics must talk. When they accused me of killing opposition, I didn’t have a gun. I could have given myself a licence seeing as I have the…

National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has dismissed suggestions that his recent private meeting with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde was aimed at forging a political alliance, describing it instead as a friendly visit. The NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate met Governor Makinde on Wednesday at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan. The closed-door discussion reportedly lasted about two hours. Kwankwaso was in Oyo State to inaugurate the NNPP’s new state secretariat and to hold consultations with key party stakeholders, including NNPP National Chairman Ajuji Ahmed, Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson, and Board of Trustees Secretary Buba Galadima.…

President Bola Tinubu has called on the leadership of the 10th Senate to initiate constitutional amendments that would pave the way for the establishment of state police across the country. The President appealed on Wednesday during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. President Tinubu said the time has come to create a legal framework for state police, describing it as a necessary response to Nigeria’s shifting security landscape and a step toward strengthening grassroots policing. He argued that decentralising law…

A United States District Court has sentenced Paulinus Okoronkwo, a Nigerian-American and former General Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (now NNPC Limited), to 87 months in prison for his role in a $2.1 million bribery scheme involving Addax Petroleum. Addax Petroleum is a subsidiary of Sinopec, a Chinese state-owned oil and gas conglomerate. In a statement issued on Monday, US authorities said District Judge John Walter also ordered Okoronkwo to pay $923,824 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In addition, the court directed the forfeiture of $1,039,997 — representing the net proceeds from the sale of…

President Bola Tinubu has officially decorated Tunji Disu as the acting Inspector-General of Police at a ceremony held at the State House, Abuja. Disu assumed leadership of the Nigeria Police Force following the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun. Prior to his appointment, he served as an Assistant Inspector-General of Police. Speaking after the decoration, Disu described his elevation as a profound honour, saying it was a testament to his years of dedication to policing and national service. He expressed gratitude to the President for the trust reposed in him, noting that Tinubu’s remarks during the event carried deep personal meaning. According…

The planned arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, could not proceed on Wednesday due to his absence in court, prompting Justice Joyce Abdumalik to adjourn the matter to April 23, 2026. At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel Oluwole Aladedoye informed the court that although the case was slated for arraignment, the defendant was not produced because he is currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Aladedoye requested an adjournment until March 10 to allow the anti-graft agency produce the defendant, noting that the Department of State Services (DSS) had no…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought former Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria, before a Lagos court over alleged financial crimes amounting to $385,000 and N165,438,000. Okhiria was docked on Tuesday before the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering and related offences. According to the charge sheet, the anti-graft agency accused him of transferring large sums of money suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities to an overseas account. “That you, Fidet Okhiria Edetanle, while serving as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation,…