Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The Rivers State Executive Council has cancelled a ₦134 billion contract awarded during the state’s period of emergency rule under former sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ikot Ete Ibas (retd), for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt. The contract, initially granted to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), was nullified during the Council’s meeting on Thursday. As part of the decision, the Council directed the construction firm to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee it had already received. The project had been a subject of scrutiny following concerns about transparency and procedural irregularities during the emergency administration.…

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to educational reform, describing the President’s policies as transformative and inclusive. Dogara made these remarks on Thursday while delivering a Special Public Lecture titled “Empowering the Future Generation: The Founders’ Vision and Legacy” at the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State. The lecture was part of the week-long activities marking the university’s 9th Convocation Ceremony. Highlighting the importance of education in national development, Dogara commended President Tinubu for the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that the initiative has given…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing attack on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying the ex-governor of Anambra State will “continue to contest as President on social media, but not as President of Nigeria.” Wike made the remarks on Thursday during the commissioning of newly constructed roads in the Mabushi District of Abuja. His comments came in response to Obi’s recent criticism of the state of public primary schools in the FCT. During a visit to LEA Primary School, Kapwa, on Wednesday, Obi described the school’s conditions as “a national…

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has firmly disassociated itself, South-East governors, and federal ministers from the region from the planned 20 October 2025 nationwide protest calling for the unconditional release of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. In a strongly worded statement released on Thursday, factional Deputy President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and Chief Thompson Chinyereze Ohia, National Spokesperson, expressed deep concern over the motives behind the planned demonstration. According to the statement, Ohanaeze condemned what it described as a “Sowore-Atiku-orchestrated protest”, alleging it was a covert attempt to incite unrest and destabilise the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.…

The National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Agbo Major, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s political future in the 2027 general elections will ultimately be decided by Nigerians, amid growing public concern over economic hardship. Speaking in an interview, Agbo acknowledged that the Tinubu administration had taken some bold and necessary decisions, but criticised the government’s failure to implement sufficient cushioning measures to ease the impact on ordinary citizens. “I don’t believe in judging any government too early. However, Nigerians know that this administration inherited a troubled nation,” Agbo stated. “Some of the policy decisions, particularly the…

A medical panel commissioned by the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has concluded that the health condition of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is not life-threatening and that he is fit to stand trial. The panel was appointed following an order by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who sought an independent medical assessment after conflicting health reports were presented by the prosecution and defence. According to the panel’s report, which was submitted to the court on 13 October by the prosecution team led by Senior Advocate…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reacted to recent defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying those who once accused him of destabilising the PDP have now joined the party they claimed he supported. Wike made the remarks on Wednesday at the flag-off ceremony for the construction of the main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from Ring Road I Junction to Ring Road II Junction along Wasa Road, near Shoprite Junction in the Apo area of Abuja. Speaking on the growing list of defectors from the…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised the recent defections of the Governors of Enugu and Bayelsa States to the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that the move confirms fears of a growing attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the defections validate longstanding concerns that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is intent on undermining democracy by systematically absorbing opposition figures into the ruling party. “The recent defections by the governors of Enugu and Bayelsa States to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) validates…

Federal workers under the aegis of the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) have issued a renewed appeal to the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the immediate payment of their outstanding three-month wage award. In a statement released to the press on Wednesday, the FWF’s National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze, criticised the government’s failure to fulfil its promise regarding the ₦35,000 monthly wage award – a temporary relief measure introduced following the removal of fuel subsidies. According to Emelieze, the non-payment of the outstanding balance, despite assurances from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, reflects…

The Federal Government has removed the mandatory requirement of a credit in Mathematics for students in the Arts and Humanities seeking admission into Nigerian universities and polytechnics. The Federal Ministry of Education announced the policy change on Tuesday as part of a comprehensive revision of the National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions. Under the previous policy, candidates across all fields of study — including the Arts and Humanities — were required to have five credit passes in core subjects including English Language and Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), organised by the West African Examinations…