Author: Gbenga Olaleye

Opposition parties and civil society groups have called on the newly appointed Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, to place national interest and electoral credibility above political loyalty, as he assumes office following a turbulent electoral cycle. Professor Amupitan, who succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu after a decade at the helm of the commission, has been described as a distinguished legal scholar and administrator. However, critics say his real test lies not in his credentials but in his ability to restore public confidence in a system marred by the controversies of the 2023 general elections.…

The Obidient Movement has extended its congratulations to Professor Joash Amupitan on his recent appointment as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), expressing optimism that his leadership will bring transformative changes to Nigeria’s electoral system. In a joint statement signed by Nana Kazaure, Director of Strategic Communications and Media, and Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator, the movement described Amupitan’s appointment as a potential turning point in the nation’s democratic journey. “As we reflect on the experiences of past INEC chairmen, we are hopeful that your tenure will mark a significant milestone in the electoral history of Nigeria,” the…

In a significant boost for Nigerian higher education, the University of Ibadan (UI) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have been ranked among the top 1,000 universities in the world in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, released on Thursday. Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, Chairman of the Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, hailed the achievement as a step forward in Nigeria’s global academic reputation. According to Okebukola, UI and UNILAG both fall within the 801–1,000 band globally, each achieving an overall score range of 35.5–38.9, marking a leap…

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un welcomed high-profile foreign guests, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev, as the country marked 80 years under the rule of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), state media reported on Friday. In a message praising “friendly and cooperative” ties with China, Kim highlighted the growing alignment between Pyongyang, Beijing, and Moscow amid shifting global alliances. The celebrations are expected to culminate in a major military parade showcasing advanced weaponry, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). China remains North Korea’s closest ally and economic lifeline, though the relationship has seen tensions…

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday approved the conferment of 959 national honours and endorsed key reforms to strengthen funding for the Nigeria Police Force during back-to-back meetings of the National Council of State and the Police Council at the State House, Abuja. Dr. Emanso Umobong, Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, told State House correspondents that the President had ratified the report of the National Honours Award Committee for 2024 and 2025, including 135 special awards given earlier this year. The honours committee, chaired by Justice Sidi Bage, screened over 5,000 applications before recommending 824 recipients for the upcoming…

Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Council of State on Thursday approved the exercise of the presidential prerogative of mercy for 175 individuals, marking a significant moment in the country’s justice and historical reconciliation efforts. The decision, announced during a meeting at the State House in Abuja and chaired by President Bola Tinubu, follows recommendations presented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). The recommendations were based on a report from the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy. Among those granted pardons are prominent historical figures, including one of Nigeria’s founding fathers, Herbert Macaulay,…

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has publicly criticised the Minister of Works, David Umahi, over the handling of questions relating to the cost of the controversial Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. In a viral video from an event held on Friday, Governor Makinde expressed his disapproval of the minister’s evasive responses during a recent live television interview. The incident, which aired earlier in the week on Arise TV, involved a heated exchange between Umahi and broadcaster Rufai Oseni, who had requested a kilometre-by-kilometre breakdown of the highway’s cost. Rather than provide a straightforward answer, Umahi dismissed the question as “elementary” and…

Former Vice President and presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has condemned the ongoing detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, describing it as a “stain on our belief in the rule of law” and an abuse of judicial authority. Atiku lent his full support to the campaign led by activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore calling for Kanu’s immediate release or lawful prosecution. In a strongly worded statement, Atiku lamented the defiance of court orders that granted bail to Kanu, calling it “an abuse of power and an assault on justice.” He stressed that the prolonged detention of Kanu remains an open…

Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has announced that a protest march demanding the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu will take place on October 20 in Abuja. The African Action Congress (AAC) founder shared the date on his X handle on Thursday, describing the demonstration as a “historic” and peaceful march to the Aso Rock Villa. “We now have a date for the historic #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. It is October 20 at 7 am,” Sowore wrote, urging Nigerians to join the call for Kanu’s release. In the…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a stern warning to marginal oil field licence holders who lack the capacity to operate, urging them to leave the sector rather than waste valuable time and resources. The President made this declaration on Wednesday during the commissioning of Green Energy International Limited’s (GEIL) $400 million crude oil export terminal in Otakikpo, Rivers State. Tinubu was represented at the event by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri. In his remarks, Tinubu emphasised the need for serious commitment from marginal field operators, stating that those who cannot meet the minimum…