Author: Gbenga Oluranti Olaleye

As the political landscape begins to shift in anticipation of the 2027 general elections, the coalition aiming to unseat President Bola Tinubu is reportedly gaining significant traction. According to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s camp, increasing numbers of Nigerians are throwing their support behind the emerging alliance of opposition parties. Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to Atiku, revealed in an interview with Vanguard on Sunday that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is becoming increasingly uneasy about the coalition’s growing influence and the alignment of key opposition figures. “They’re scared because they know the coalition represents a formidable platform that could…

Calls are growing across Nigerian social media for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Benue State, following the killing of an estimated 200 people in a two-day rampage by suspected herdsmen. The online uproar comes amid widespread frustration at the government’s muted response to the crisis, particularly when compared to its swift intervention in Rivers State earlier this year. In March, the government suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and declared a state of emergency over a political standoff an incident that involved no reported deaths. Nigerians are now contrasting that action with the silence following the Benue…

Popular cleric Apostle Johnson Suleman has called on the Federal Government to acknowledge its failing security system and urged Nigerians to take up the constitutional right of self-defence amid rising violence across the country. In a post on X on Sunday, Suleman voiced his deep frustration over the ongoing killings in Benue State and other regions, highlighting the government’s inability to protect lives and property. “If the federal government knows it’s overwhelmed or its security architecture has failed, they should be humble enough to tell the citizens,” he wrote. Suleman reminded Nigerians that self-defence is enshrined in the constitution and…

Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, has reimbursed Hajj pilgrims from the state who fell victim to a foreign currency scam while on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board confirmed on Sunday. In a statement signed by Executive Secretary Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, the board revealed that an investigation was launched into reports that some pilgrims were defrauded of their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA). “Every pilgrim was given their $500 BTA in five $100 bills in a public setting under the supervision of Directorate of State Security officials, who ensured the currency was genuine. Each pilgrim signed for…

Nollywood actor Lekan Olatunji has opened up about a traumatic period in his life, revealing that he once lost his memory following a life-threatening accident. In a recent interview with Celebrity Gists, Olatunji recalled that the incident left him hospitalised for three months, during which he underwent multiple surgeries and struggled with memory loss. “There was a time I had an accident and it wasn’t easy. I was in the hospital for three months with memory loss. So I thank God for His grace,” the actor said. Olatunji expressed deep gratitude to the medical professionals who treated him, stating that…

A former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, has criticised key figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC) for sidelining Vice President Kashim Shettima during a recent event endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027. The event, held in the North-East on Sunday, descended into chaos after prominent APC leaders, including National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and North-East zonal leader Mustapha Salihu, failed to acknowledge Vice President Shettima in their remarks. The omission sparked outrage among party members and delegates, who disrupted the gathering in protest. Order was restored only after Deputy National Vice Chairman (North-East), Bukar Dalori, publicly…

Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has strongly condemned the recent spate of killings in Benue State, describing the perpetrators as “terrorists” and “enemies of us all.” Ahmad made the remarks on Sunday via his official X handle, in response to reports of over 200 people killed in separate attacks on the Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area. “What has been happening in Benue is condemnable and entirely unacceptable. Those responsible for these atrocities are terrorists and enemies of us all. Nigeria will win,” he posted. The attacks, believed to have been carried out…

The Principal Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State on Youth and Media Mobilisation, Honourable Atu Terver Joseph, has dismissed his Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary for allegedly acting against the interests of the state government. Mr John Ukeyima (Chief of Staff) and Mr Lubem Terkula (Chief Press Secretary) were both relieved of their duties following their participation in a protest condemning the escalating violence in the state. The protest, held in Makurdi on Sunday, was in response to continued attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen, most recently in the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area, where…

Veteran actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has accused the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party of deceiving the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Okonkwo, who formerly served as spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council before leaving the party in February 2025, made the allegations in an interview with Symfoni TV released on Saturday. He claimed that Abure and his executives falsely told Obi that they were recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), prompting the former Anambra State governor to return to working with the faction. Okonkwo lamented that despite warning Obi that the Abure-led…

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has lamented that many Nigerian leaders enter politics without adequate preparation, contributing to the poor reputation of politics in the country. Speaking at the 2nd Annual Daniel Taiwo Odukoya Memorial Lecture held at The Fountain of Life Church in Lagos on Saturday, Osinbajo said this lack of readiness has tarnished the image of politics not only in Nigeria but worldwide. Despite the widespread disillusionment, he emphasised that politics remains the primary avenue for leadership and influence. Osinbajo urged Nigerian youths to engage actively in politics, describing it as a crucial tool for shaping the nation’s…