Author: Gbenga Olaleye

Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to remain committed to the party despite its current internal challenges, emphasising the importance of unity, ideological consistency, and collective responsibility in rebuilding Nigeria’s foremost opposition party. In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Wednesday, Saraki reflected on his participation in a PDP Consultative Conference convened by one of the party’s founding fathers, Professor Jerry Gana. “It was an honour to join the founding fathers and stakeholders of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, today at the Consultative Conference,” Saraki…

The Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Osun State Governor, Hezekiah Bamiji, has criticised the recent defection of Senators Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East) and Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a strategic misstep. Speaking on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme aired Thursday, Bamiji said the senators acted on unfounded rumours that Governor Ademola Adeleke intended to defect to the APC, and in doing so, fell into what he called “a trap” laid by the ruling party at the federal level. “Maybe what I…

The Federal Government of Nigeria has concluded its inaugural five-year implementation review of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), marking a pivotal moment in the country’s ongoing efforts to harness the full potential of intra-African trade and position itself as a leading regional economic force. The comprehensive review, in line with Article 28 of the AfCFTA Agreement, evaluated Nigeria’s performance in delivering on its obligations under the trade pact, particularly in relation to key protocols on trade in goods, trade in services, and dispute resolution. The assessment was spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, under…

Former presidential adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has delivered a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu and his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, claiming both men pursued the presidency for personal ambitions rather than national interest. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed alleged that Buhari had no genuine intention of governing Nigeria, stating: “He just wanted to become a president.” He drew parallels between Buhari and Tinubu, suggesting both men were motivated more by personal fulfilment than a desire to improve the country. “They have laboured in the political process for so long that it became about them. That is the…

Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has issued a stark warning to Nigerians, urging them not to re-elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. Speaking while addressing members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition in Rivers State, Amaechi claimed that a second term for President Tinubu would be catastrophic for Nigerians. “Currently, Nigerians are complaining in President Tinubu’s first tenure; imagine what the second tenure will be like. Then, you’ll be dead and buried,” he said. Amaechi, who recently joined the ADC-led coalition, also criticised the political environment in Rivers State,…

Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is systematically dismantling Nigeria’s democracy through what he described as “imperial acts” aimed at coercing the opposition into submission. Speaking to journalists in his Kano office on Tuesday, Lamido claimed that the Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are weaponising state institutions to intimidate political opponents, forcing them to join the ruling party under duress. “Today, Tinubu is using state institutions to crush the opposition through intimidation, blackmail, harassment, and government patronage,” Lamido stated. “A clear example is Okowa, who was the…

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected any attempt by Governor Ademola Adeleke to defect to the party, branding him a political liability whose presence would undermine the integrity of the party. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the state party’s Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, in reaction to a communiqué released by the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Leadership Caucus. The communiqué, signed by Governor Adeleke and 27 other PDP leaders, condemned internal and external opposition to his proposed defection. According to Lawal, the governor’s motive for seeking entry into the APC…

Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, has stated that he might consider running for president in 2027—but only under specific circumstances. Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Tuesday, Baba-Ahmed clarified that personal ambition was not his motivation, and that his potential candidacy would only emerge if two prominent figures, including Peter Obi, choose not to run. “Look at my trajectory,” he said. “In 2019, I aspired for the presidency and I lost, together with 11 others. I religiously supported Peter Obi and I would do so again in…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has stated categorically that ongoing coalition negotiations are not centred on any specific presidential aspirant, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi. Rather, the talks are focused on forming a robust and inclusive alliance aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s political future. Speaking in an exclusive interview on Tuesday, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, dismissed widespread speculation that the coalition was a strategic alignment with either Atiku or Obi ahead of the 2027 general elections. “The coalition has nothing to do with either Peter Obi or Atiku,” Abdullahi said.…

A heavy security presence was observed at the main gate of the National Assembly complex on Tuesday amid growing tension over the expected return of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to plenary. Reports indicate that security personnel, including armed guards, have been stationed around the entrance to maintain order and possibly prevent any disruption, as controversy swirls around the embattled senator’s insistence on resuming legislative duties. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, had on Saturday announced her intention to resume sitting on 22 July, citing a recent ruling from Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja. According to…