Human rights lawyer Ayodele Ademiluyi has filed a petition at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to compel Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to disclose how donations raised for the National Library project will be utilised. The suit names several respondents, including President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, the National Librarian and CEO of the National Library of Nigeria Chinwe Veronica, the National Library Board, the Nigerian Educational Research Development Council, Zenith Bank PLC, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). On 1 September, the First Lady announced plans to dedicate her 65th birthday—celebrated on 21…
Author: Gbenga Olaleye
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has dismissed concerns over rumours that Governor Siminalayi Fubara may be defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Robinson Ewor, the Rivers State PDP Chairman, stated that the party is not disturbed by the speculation, emphasising that any decision made by Governor Fubara is a personal matter. According to Ewor, the governor has the legitimate right to pursue any political interest he believes serves the overall welfare of the people of Rivers State, who elected him. Ewor added, “Whatever decision the governor takes is personal. As an individual, he has every right…
Nigeria has lost crude oil valued at an estimated N8.41 trillion to theft and metering deficiencies between 2021 and July 2025, according to data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). The regulator noted that daily crude losses have fallen to their lowest level in nearly 16 years, but experts warn that the cumulative economic impact remains severe and reflects systemic governance failures in the oil sector. NUPRC data showed losses of 37.6 million barrels in 2021, 20.9 million barrels in 2022, 4.3 million barrels in 2023, 4.1 million barrels in 2024, and 2.04 million barrels in the first…
The National Chairman of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Ajuji Ahmed, has dismissed rumours that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Ahmed made the remarks on Tuesday during an interview on ‘Prime Time’, a programme broadcast on Arise Television. He emphasised that the NNPP remains open to forming coalitions but that Kwankwaso’s statements do not signal a defection to the APC. “I don’t think so. I don’t think what he said indicated in any way that he is defecting or about to defect. NNPP has a long-standing position that…
ABUJA — The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has asserted that borrowing should not be viewed as a flaw in Nigeria’s financial system, but rather as a routine and necessary element of public finance. Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, Adedeji clarified that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has already taken decisive steps to end the controversial “Ways and Means” financing mechanism, under which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directly funded government expenditure. He confirmed that all outstanding balances from that arrangement have now been formalised as federal government debt and…
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday resumed her legislative duties at the National Assembly, following the unsealing of her office by the Sergeant-at-Arms. The senator, who represents Kogi Central, had been suspended from the Senate since March 6, 2025, after a protest over the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Her office, located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, was unsealed by Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms, who was seen in a video removing the red seal placed during the suspension. “In retrospect, it is amazing how much we have had to pay in the…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin Zonal Directorate, has arrested 28 suspected internet fraudsters in Kwara State. According to a statement released by the EFCC Media Office on Tuesday, the suspects were apprehended in a sting operation carried out in the early hours across several areas of Ilorin, including Tanke, University Road, Oshin, and Agbabiaka. The operation, the commission said, followed credible intelligence linking the individuals to cybercrime activities in the state capital. Among items recovered during the raid were seven exotic cars, including a latest model Toyota Corolla and a Lexus, two motorcycles, and expensive phones and…
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has launched a forceful legal challenge against the Federal Government, accusing it of political persecution and double standards over the criminal defamation charges filed against her by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). In a preliminary objection filed on Monday before both the Federal High Court and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Akpoti-Uduaghan asked the courts to dismiss the six-count charge, describing it as unconstitutional, malicious, and an abuse of prosecutorial power. Her legal team, led by four senior advocates of Nigeria, including Prof. Roland Otaru (SAN), Dr. E. West-Idahosa…
Dr Wale Ahmed, the lawmaker representing Agege Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has declared that President Bola Tinubu is guaranteed a second term, urging opposition figures to abandon plans of challenging him in the 2027 general elections. Speaking during a stakeholders’ briefing held at the Agege Local Government Secretariat, Ahmed said it was only fair for Tinubu—who hails from the South—to complete two terms, just as former President Muhammadu Buhari from the North did. “All his opponents should rest and allow him to have a second term. All opposition should simply rally round and support Tinubu,” Ahmed said.…
Elder statesman and founding member of Nigeria’s political establishment, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, has said that northern Nigeria cannot speak with one voice, citing the region’s vast population and diversity of views as natural reasons for differing opinions. Speaking to journalists on Monday, Yakasai addressed recent political rhetoric suggesting regional consensus against the current administration. He rejected such claims, stressing that the North—despite its size and influence—cannot be expected to act or think uniformly. “It is not possible,” he said. “We are more than half of the entire population of Nigeria. You can’t put this number of people together and think…