Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The Yoruba Leaders of Thought (Egbe Ilosiwaju Yoruba) have called for an immediate end to the ongoing rift between two of Yorubaland’s foremost traditional rulers — the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade. Tensions between the monarchs resurfaced last week after the Alaafin publicly criticised the Ooni over the chieftaincy title conferred on prominent businessman Dotun Sanusi, a move the Alaafin reportedly considered inappropriate. In a statement on Sunday titled “Time to Sheath the Sword”, the group’s National Leader, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, urged restraint and appealed for swift intervention from the South-West…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised serious concern over the alarming number of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Kano State, revealing that more than 360,000 cards remain abandoned in its custody. This was disclosed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kano, Ambassador Abdu Zango, on Saturday during a meeting with a newly inaugurated committee set up by the state government to drive voter education and awareness. The committee, chaired by the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, was established by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as part of efforts to address…

Former All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba, has sparked controversy by describing Nigeria’s local government councils as mere “ATMs” for state governors, and calling for their outright scrapping. In a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) page, Garba criticised the structure of local governments in the country, claiming they serve no real purpose other than functioning as “paper-only, money-sharing third-tier government institutions” under the influence of state governors. “One of the most inefficient, ineffective back pockets of some state governors is the local government councils,” Garba said. “Autonomy or not, the LGs are still ATMs of some…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pledged to fully support whoever emerges as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate in the 2026 primaries, regardless of whether he secures the ticket himself. Atiku made this declaration on Saturday during a welcome event in Lagos State for new defectors from the Labour Party (LP) and ADC, who have now joined the ADC-led coalition movement. He was represented at the event by Prof. Ola Olateju, who served as the guest speaker. “It is not a thing we can predetermine. Whoever emerges through free and fair contests, we are all going to support,”…

As preparations quietly begin for the 2027 general elections, several lawmakers in the House of Representatives have called for urgent electoral reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process and ensuring transparency, credibility, and inclusivity in future polls. This push is coming as the House Committee on Constitution Review considers multiple bills seeking to amend key provisions in the Electoral Act, 2022. Some of the prominent issues up for review include the electronic transmission of election results, diaspora voting, the conduct of all national elections on a single day, and the introduction of independent candidacy. Lawmakers say these reforms are essential…

Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has appealed to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to intervene on his behalf with President Bola Tinubu to have his name removed from the Federal Government’s wanted list. Igboho, who was declared wanted by the Department of State Services (DSS) in July 2021 over alleged possession of arms and ammunition, also pleaded for the unfreezing of his bank accounts. He made the appeal during a visit to the monarch at the Ile Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife on Saturday, accompanied by friends and associates. Speaking in Yoruba, Igboho…

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have expressed confidence that Nigerians will vote out the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections, citing worsening hardship and divisive governance under the current administration. The governors made this assertion in a joint statement issued on Saturday after their meeting in Gusau, Zamfara State. The gathering brought together PDP leaders to discuss pressing national issues and the party’s strategy ahead of its forthcoming national convention. According to the communiqué, the APC has “inflicted suffering on Nigerians” through what the governors described as poor governance, economic…

The Forum of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth Leaders has called on the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure that all zonal congresses are concluded ahead of the forthcoming national convention, stressing the need for unity and total reconciliation within the party. In a communique issued on Saturday and signed by the South West Zonal PDP Youth Leader, Seyi Bamidele, the group emphasised that a hitch-free convention would only be possible if all party organs across the zones are properly harmonised and inclusive. “We appeal that the NWC should ensure that all zones have conclusive congresses to enable us…

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed that star midfielder Cole Palmer was left out of the squad for their emphatic 5-1 victory over West Ham United on Friday night due to a groin issue. Palmer, who has been instrumental for the Blues, was notably absent from the matchday lineup at the London Stadium as Chelsea secured their first Premier League win of the season. Speaking after the match, Maresca explained that the 22-year-old had been struggling in the days leading up to the game. “Cole, in the last four or five days, he was not 100 per cent,” Maresca said.…

The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a scathing response to recent remarks made by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, regarding the ongoing zoning debate within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Governor Makinde, while addressing reporters after the Southwest PDP zoning consultative summit held in Lagos, dismissed the Minister’s position on the issue, stating: “Personally, when people go low, or they go into the gutters, I don’t go with them.” He was responding to Wike’s opposition to the potential removal of South-South Zonal Chairman,…