Author: Gbenga Oluranti Olaleye

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun the process of formulating its Election Project Plan (EPP) ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election. A senior official within the commission disclosed this This proactive step is part of INEC’s effort to refine and improve its election processes, with lessons learned from the 2023 general election being applied to the planning of the upcoming poll. The official revealed that the commission is updating its election templates in anticipation of the 2027 election cycle, with an emphasis on improving the efficiency and reliability of its operations. “The formulation also includes the production of…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has delivered a harsh critique of his successor, Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, calling it the worst in Nigeria’s democratic history. He has also expressed concern that the current government under President Bola Tinubu is following a similar path of misgovernance and corruption, potentially surpassing Buhari’s record. Obasanjo’s comments were made in the first chapter of his newly released book, “Nigeria: Past and Future.” The book, which Obasanjo unveiled last week to mark his 88th birthday, provides an in-depth analysis of Nigeria’s leadership history, offering sharp criticisms of past and present administrations. In the book, Obasanjo specifically condemned…

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to admonish the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, following comments attributed to him regarding the Ijaw people. The INC issued the appeal after Wike allegedly described the Ijaw as “a minority of minorities” in Rivers and other South-South states, except Bayelsa. In a statement released in Abuja on Friday, the INC’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, expressed concern over the remarks. He said, “We will maintain peace and stability, but we urge President Tinubu to caution the minister and refocus him on his…

Measles cases in Europe have surged by 100% over the past year, with 127,350 reported in 2024, marking the highest number since 1997, according to a joint statement by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF on Thursday, MArch 13. Dr Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, described the rise as “a wake-up call.” He highlighted the serious consequences of measles, which can lead to complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness, and long-term damage to the immune system. The surge in cases follows a sharp decline in immunisation rates, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, 500,000 children…

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Chairman of the Senate Interparliamentary Committee, has strongly criticised the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, dismissing her petition to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) as “dead on arrival.” In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, March 13, Ibrahim responded to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s escalation of her dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which she had taken to the international stage at a UN forum hosted by the IPU. Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Akpabio of political victimisation, following her suspension on March 6 after a public altercation over a seating arrangement in the Senate, which she claimed was intended…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the disbursement of over N700 billion to Nigeria’s tertiary institutions through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in 2025, with universities set to receive N2.8 billion each. The approval was announced by the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, during the 2025 Strategic Planning Meeting with heads of tertiary institutions in Abuja on Thursday, March 13. Echono detailed the allocation structure, confirming that 91.08% of the funds would be distributed directly to institutions. Of this, 48.90% is earmarked for annual direct disbursements, while 42.18% is designated for special direct disbursements. Additionally, 8.72% is set aside…

Amid swirling speculation about political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, and former Minister of State for Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman, have firmly rejected reports suggesting they are planning to defect to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) alongside former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. The rumours, which gained momentum after a viral video showed El-Rufai visiting the SDP headquarters in Abuja, sparked further speculation when Usman, a Labour Party (LP) chieftain, was seen at the same event. El-Rufai’s visit, where he alleged that the Federal Government was intentionally causing crises within opposition parties, was…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has sharply criticised the N15.6 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway project and the N21 billion spent on the construction of a new official residence for Vice President Kashim Shettima, describing both as wasteful, corrupt, and a reflection of misplaced priorities under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In his new book ‘Nigeria: Past and Future,’ released to mark his 88th birthday, Obasanjo condemned the federal government’s decisions, stating that the Lagos-Calabar highway project, which will cost a staggering N4.93 billion per kilometre, was a form of financial mismanagement. He highlighted concerns over the lack of competitive bidding for the…

South African mining magnate Dr Patrice Motsepe has been re-elected unopposed for a second four-year term as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) at the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo on Wednesday, March 12. The re-election was attended by FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The 63-year-old, who has led CAF since 2021, had remained reserved about seeking re-election but confirmed his decision in October 2024 following numerous requests from CAF member association presidents and other key football stakeholders across the continent. Motsepe, the owner of South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, expressed his continued commitment to enhancing African…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has set a new trial date for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for Friday, March 21, 2025. The case file was transferred to Justice James Omotosho, following a reassignment after the recusal of the previous judge, Justice Binta Nyako. Kanu faces a seven-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government. The trial had previously been delayed after Justice Nyako stepped down from the case on September 24, 2024, citing allegations of bias raised by Kanu and his legal team. Kanu’s lawyers had requested that the case be…