Author: Gbenga Olaleye

A wave of political and public backlash has followed the Federal Government’s failure to formally recognise three Nigerian schoolgirls from Yobe State, who recently brought international acclaim to the country by winning top honours at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals in London. Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu, Rukayya Muhammad Fema, and Hadiza Kashim Kalli stunned the world with their exceptional performance in English language proficiency, debate, and talent categories, outshining thousands of participants from nearly 70 countries. Their victory placed Nigeria firmly in the global spotlight for academic achievement. While the Yobe State Government, under Governor Mai Mala Buni, announced plans for…

Leke Abejide, a senior member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the current House of Representatives member for Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency in Kogi State, has issued a stark warning to Nigerians about prominent coalition leaders including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi. In a recent interview on the Mic On podcast, Abejide criticised these political figures, arguing that they are neither infallible nor messianic figures. He pointed out that all of them have previously held governmental positions, yet Nigeria did not prosper significantly during their tenure. “Did Nigerians enjoy…

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has addressed rumours circulating on social media about the non-issuance of a Certificate of National Service (CNS) to corps member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, code number LA/24B/8325. In a statement signed by Caroline Embu, Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, the NYSC described claims that Rita was denied her certificate due to critical remarks about the government as misleading and false. “Contrary to false claims that she was denied a Certificate of National Service (CNS) due to critical remarks about the government, this assertion is entirely unfounded and false in its entirety,” the statement…

Leke Abejide, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise and ADC lawmaker representing Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency in Kogi State, has declared that President Bola Tinubu will win the 2027 presidential election even if former President Goodluck Jonathan decides to contest. Speaking on the Mic On podcast with Seun Okinbaloye on Saturday, Abejide predicted that Tinubu would secure more than 32 states in the forthcoming election, potentially losing only in Anambra and Ebonyi States. “My prayer is that they should run like that (on different political platforms) and Asiwaju will win 32 states,” Abejide said.…

Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, has called on political and traditional leaders in Southern Nigeria to unite in defending President Bola Tinubu against a small faction of elites from the North who are allegedly determined to sabotage his 2027 re-election bid. Speaking to journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, Oyintiloye praised Tinubu as a longstanding ally of the North, who has consistently supported the region’s political interests. He argued that the President therefore deserves robust backing from the North for a second term in office. However, Oyintiloye voiced concern over a splinter group…

The Osun State Government has once again urged the Federal Government to release local government allocations belonging to the state, a move seen as crucial to alleviating hardships in local communities. This renewed call was made in a statement issued on Sunday by Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment. The appeal aligns with a recent Court of Appeal judgement on Osun State’s local government leadership dispute, which affirmed the legitimacy of the elected chairmen and councillors from the February 22, 2025 local government elections. The state government emphasised that these elected officials are, by law, the rightful…

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…