Author: Gbenga Olaleye

Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), has called on the newly emerged factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Turaki, to lead a thorough rebuilding of the party as it prepares for the 2027 general elections. Babangida delivered the charge when Turaki, accompanied by selected members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), visited his Hilltop residence in Minna, the Niger State capital. Their discussions reportedly centred on party renewal, national stability, and the strengthening of political structures nationwide. The former military president commended the delegation for identifying with the government and people…

The Kano State Government has firmly dismissed widespread rumours suggesting an impending security crisis, assuring the public that the state remains safe, stable, and entirely under control. The clarification followed a State Security Council meeting on Sunday, attended by all senior security chiefs, during which Governor Abba Yusuf received detailed briefings on ongoing operations across the state. In a statement released on Monday by the Director-General of Media and Publicity, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa, the government emphasised that no credible intelligence points to any imminent threat to public peace. He stated that the circulating claims were “false, sensational, and deliberately crafted to…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticised the Federal Government following reports that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) spent N17.5 trillion in a single year on securing fuel pipelines. Atiku described the reported expenditure as unprecedented, alarming, and one of the most brazen financial scandals in Nigeria’s history. In a statement issued by his media office on Sunday, the former Vice President compared the alleged figure to the nation’s total fuel subsidy expenditure over more than a decade. He noted that approximately N18 trillion was spent on subsidies over 12 years—an intervention that, according to him, provided…

Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has sharply criticised former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other prominent government critics for what he described as “ignoble” attempts to undermine the administration’s efforts to combat terrorism. In a statement titled “Between Tinubu’s Capability and the Ignobility of Pseudo Statesmanship” and shared via his X account on Sunday, Dare condemned recent remarks by Obasanjo and “habitual presidential aspirants”, including Atiku Abubakar, suggesting that the current government has failed to protect its citizens amid rising insecurity. Obasanjo, speaking at an event in Jos, Plateau State on Friday, expressed…

President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that restoring peace, strengthening national security, and expanding economic opportunities remain the foremost priorities of his administration. His message was delivered in Lokoja on Sunday during a memorial event honouring the late former Kogi State Governor, Prince Abubakar Audu. The President was represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris. In a statement issued by the Minister’s media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, Idris told attendees that the Federal Government is unwavering in its determination to confront threats to the nation’s stability. He acknowledged recent security setbacks but emphasised that the administration is fully…

Two United States National Guard soldiers were shot on Wednesday, just a few blocks from the White House, triggering a primary security response and reigniting political tensions over President Donald Trump’s controversial anti-crime deployment of military personnel to American cities. The shooting, which unfolded near the busy Farragut West metro station, sent shockwaves through central Washington, D.C., as emergency services raced to the scene and heavily armed officers cordoned off surrounding streets. Initial reports suggested that the two soldiers — deployed from West Virginia as part of Trump’s expanded National Guard presence — had been critically wounded. West Virginia Governor…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised the Federal Government’s approach to recent kidnappings across the country, warning that negotiating with bandits poses a grave threat to national security and undermines the rule of law. In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said that although it rejoices with families whose loved ones have been freed—including worshippers abducted from Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun in Kwara State and students kidnapped in Kebbi—the government must answer tough questions. The party argued that these abductions would not have occurred if the…

The Benue State Government has dismissed reports claiming that Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia intends to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) following a purported “secret meeting” with Senator Iyorchia Ayu, describing the story as a baseless fabrication. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, labelled the circulating report as a “wicked, mischievous, and vicious smear campaign” aimed at diverting the governor’s attention from governance and misleading the presidency for political gain. Kula emphasised that Governor Alia routinely engages with elder statesmen and national figures without political or religious bias, noting that such…

The Senate on Wednesday commended President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for the swift rescue of dozens of kidnapping victims in Kwara and Niger states, while warning that attacks on schools and places of worship across Nigeria have reached alarming levels. The commendation followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Asiru Yisa (Kwara South) titled: “Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States – Call for Immediate and Comprehensive Federal Intervention.” Yisa expressed deep concern over the attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, where armed assailants killed two worshippers and abducted 38 people —…

Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, has declared the establishment of state police non-negotiable in efforts to tackle Nigeria’s escalating insecurity. Speaking on Wednesday while hosting his southern counterparts at his country home in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area, Abiodun said recent coordinated attacks targeting schoolchildren and worshippers had shown that no region in the country is insulated from banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism. Governors in attendance included Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Alex Otti (Abia), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo). Deputy governors…