Author: Gbenga Olaleye

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to embrace peace and reconciliation, warning that a prolonged rift between the two leaders could have negative consequences for Benue State, the North-Central zone and the country at large. Shettima made the appeal on Sunday in Makurdi while addressing guests at the wedding reception of Senator Akume’s son. He used the occasion to highlight Benue State’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s unity, stability and development. “Benue is not only the heartbeat of the nation;…

Gunmen on Monday launched a deadly attack on Gebbe community in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, leaving several residents feared killed and many others injured, as survivors fled in panic to neighbouring villages and nearby bushes. Local sources said the attackers stormed the community without warning, firing sporadically and causing widespread fear and confusion among residents. The sudden assault, described by locals as the worst the area has witnessed in many years, forced people to abandon their homes in search of safety. “The community is traumatised. We have not experienced this level of violence in a long time,”…

The Kano State chapter of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) has appealed to Governor Abba Yusuf and other prominent party members reportedly planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to reconsider their decision in the interest of the party and the people of the state. The call was made on Monday by the state chairman of the NNPP, Hashimu Dugurawa, while addressing journalists in Kano. Dugurawa said the party leadership at both state and national levels, including its national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, was fully aware of the political developments and internal tensions currently unfolding in…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned that sudden declarations of support for President Bola Tinubu will not automatically guarantee a governorship ticket in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections. Wike said aligning with the President’s mandate cannot invalidate existing political agreements, stressing that such agreements must be respected and upheld, regardless of shifting political loyalties. He cautioned that attempts to rewrite earlier understandings under the guise of supporting the President would be firmly resisted. The minister spoke on Sunday during a special Christmas visit to his supporters in Emohua Local Government Area, held…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied claims that he promised President Bola Tinubu that he would “hold down” the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing the allegation as false, unfair and politically motivated. Wike’s denial comes amid deepening tensions within the PDP, which escalated last week after Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, accused the former Rivers State governor of assuring President Tinubu that he would weaken the opposition party to aid the President’s re-election bid. Speaking during his end-of-the-year media chat on Monday, Wike dismissed Makinde’s claim as a…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may be unable to return to power in the 2027 general elections, citing what he described as poor and unfocused leadership within the opposition party. Wike made the remarks on Monday during his end-of-the-year media chat, where he openly criticised the PDP’s current leadership, accusing it of lacking commitment, direction and the capacity to take constructive advice. According to him, unless urgent steps are taken to reposition the party, the PDP risks further decline. The former Rivers State governor argued that the…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the cancellation of a significant portion of debts owed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to the Federation Account, wiping off about $1.42bn and N5.57tn following a reconciliation exercise between both parties. The approval is contained in a document prepared by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and presented at the November meeting of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). The report, titled “Report of October 2025 Revenue Collection Presented at the Federation Account Allocation Committee Meeting Held on 18th November 2025,” was obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday. According to…

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has challenged a former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, to provide evidence to support his claim that he received N50bn from President Bola Tinubu following the January 2024 Ibadan explosion. Makinde had visited President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in January 2024 to submit a report on the explosion, which claimed five lives, injured 77 people and destroyed about 55 houses in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. However, Fayose, during an interview on TVC on Friday, alleged that Makinde received N50bn from the Presidency to manage the aftermath of the incident, adding that the…

No fewer than 141 Nigerian nationals have been arrested in Ghana over their alleged involvement in cyber-enabled financial crimes, including mobile money fraud, business email compromise and other online scams. The arrests followed a coordinated early-morning operation carried out by the Cyber Security Authority of Ghana in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, National Security and the Ghana Immigration Service. The operation was conducted across key locations in Tabora and Lashibi, two suburbs in the Greater Accra Region. According to a statement issued on Saturday by Ghana’s Commissioner for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel George, the joint operation led…

The political landscape in Rivers State appears set for renewed intrigue in the coming year, following indications that the lingering crisis and the much-publicised peace deal between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara may be far from fully resolved. Fresh uncertainty emerged on Saturday when Wike announced that political activities in the state would formally resume from January 2026, a declaration widely interpreted as a signal that the fragile truce between rival political camps could face fresh tests. The FCT minister made the statement during a briefing with stakeholders from Ahoada East…