Author: Gbenga Olaleye

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned the appointment of a sole administrator in Rivers State and the plan to conduct local government elections under his supervision, describing both as unconstitutional and dangerous for Nigeria’s democracy. Atiku’s remarks, delivered via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, followed similar concerns raised by elder statesman and business leader Atedo Peterside, who earlier cautioned the federal government against undermining democratic processes in Rivers State. The Rivers State Government recently appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as sole administrator to oversee the affairs of local government councils, following the expiration of…

Popular Nigerian socialite and entrepreneur, Cubana Chief Priest, has revealed that he will not be attending the highly anticipated wedding of Afrobeats superstar, Davido, due to a visa denial by the United States. Taking to his Instagram page, the nightlife businessman expressed sadness over his inability to travel for the ceremony, scheduled to take place on Saturday in the US. “I woke up with mixed feelings today because I will miss my best friend’s wedding,” he wrote. In an emotional post, Cubana Chief Priest appealed to the United States embassy in Nigeria (@usinnigeria) for support in securing a visa, saying…

President Bola Tinubu and Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago have expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Chief Audu Ogbeh, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ex-Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. Ogbeh, aged 78, died peacefully on Saturday, according to a statement issued by his family. In a condolence message released by his spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described Ogbeh as a “great patriot” whose intellect and dedication left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political and policy landscape. “Chief Audu Ogbeh was a patriot whose wisdom, dedication, and pursuit of progress left an indelible…

Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has stirred political discourse with fresh claims about the 2023 presidential election and bold promises ahead of a possible 2027 presidential bid. Speaking during an X Space discussion over the weekend, Amaechi claimed that Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, actually won the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State—contradicting the official results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). “I can agree with you to some extent that Obi won Rivers State. But I don’t know how the results were changed,” Amaechi said during the session. INEC had announced…

Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, has extended warm birthday wishes to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, on the occasion of his 57th birthday. In a statement issued on Friday and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, Nwoko described Yilwatda as a principled and visionary leader whose career has reflected unwavering dedication to service and nation-building. He praised Yilwatda’s emergence as APC National Chairman as both a recognition of his proven leadership capacity and a challenge to guide the ruling party towards unity and effective governance. “At 57, you…

Ayo Oyalowo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has asserted that President Bola Tinubu retains strong support in northern Nigeria despite claims to the contrary. Speaking on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, Oyalowo dismissed speculation that Tinubu’s popularity is waning in the region ahead of the 2027 general elections. “Tinubu has no problem with the North. Today, the North is well represented in this government,” Oyalowo stated, citing key appointments such as the recent naming of the Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), who hails from Kano State. He argued that criticisms…

Prominent political figures have strongly condemned the arrest and reported mistreatment of former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, by the Nigeria Police Force. Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate and one of the declared aspirants for the 2027 elections, described the arrest as a “miscarriage of justice” and “an abuse of state power”. Sowore was reportedly arrested on Thursday after voluntarily honouring an invitation from the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja. According to multiple accounts, the activist was assaulted, had his arm broken, and was sprayed with chemicals by officers believed to be acting on the orders…

Human rights activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has stated that former President Goodluck Jonathan is the only southern politician capable of defeating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election. Adeyanju made the claim in a post on X (formerly Twitter), though he acknowledged that Jonathan is unlikely to run. “GEJ is the only southern candidate that can defeat Tinubu but I don’t think he will run against Tinubu,” he wrote. Addressing questions about Jonathan’s eligibility, Adeyanju insisted that the constitution does not bar the former president from contesting again. “GEJ is not constitutionally barred from contesting. Our laws forbid…

Nigerian billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has lifted the lid on a dramatic clash with former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the controversial deregulation of diesel imports in 2004, in his soon-to-be-released memoir Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business. In excerpts from the book shared ahead of its official release, Otedola recounts a tense confrontation with President Obasanjo amid widespread reports of diesel scarcity across Nigeria shortly after the government deregulated the market. The policy shift had been strongly backed by Otedola and other key players in the private sector, who argued that private companies were well-positioned to meet…

Following the arrest of pro-democracy activist Omoyele Sowore by the Nigeria Police Force, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and the Arewa Youth Ambassadors have both called for his immediate and unconditional release. In separate statements on Thursday, both organisations strongly condemned the arrest, describing it as a violation of Sowore’s constitutional rights and a blatant abuse of police power. Peter Ameh, National Secretary of CUPP, emphasised that the detention breaches Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and opinion. He criticised the police for transforming from protectors of citizens into instruments of oppression, demanding…