Author: Gbenga Olaleye

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…

As part of the coronation ceremonies for Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, theatre lovers, residents, and dignitaries gathered on Monday evening at the Apex Event Centre, Agodi, for the performance of Arusa, a play honouring the city’s rich royal heritage. The historical drama, written by Gbemi Faleti, produced by Biodun Latinwo Eleni, and directed by veteran theatre icon Yomi Duro-Ladipo, formed part of an eight-day series of events leading up to Oba Ladoja’s coronation. Latinwo, the producer, revealed that Arusa was originally conceived as a tribute for Ladoja’s 80th birthday. However, plans changed when the former…

The National Assembly has unsealed the office of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, following a protracted suspension that began in March 2025. Her office, located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, was officially reopened on Tuesday morning by the Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji, in the presence of security personnel. The red seal placed on the office door was removed, marking the formal end of the physical restrictions imposed during her suspension. “I, Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director, Sergeant-at-Arms, hereby unseal the office. The office is hereby unsealed. Thank you,” Adedeji stated in a video circulated…

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has affirmed the National Assembly’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s borrowing policy, clarifying that lawmakers see borrowing as a legitimate and necessary instrument for national development. Speaking on Monday in Abuja during the 8th Annual African Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices (AN-PBO) Conference, Abbas addressed recent media reports which suggested unease in the legislature over the country’s rising debt profile. He insisted that such reports misrepresented the House’s stance. “A speech delivered by the House Leader at the West Africa Parliamentary Conference was mischievously reported out of context, creating the wrong…

The leadership of Nigeria’s 10th Senate has once again revised its legislative calendar, postponing the resumption of plenary sittings from 23 September to 7 October 2025. The extension was communicated via an internal memo signed by Chinedu Akubueze, Chief of Staff to the Senate President, and made available to New Daily Prime on Monday. The decision, which effectively prolongs the National Assembly’s annual recess by an additional two weeks, has sparked concern among some lawmakers and political observers. No official reason was given for the delay, but sources within the Senate told New Daily Prime that the shift was intended to…

Prominent Nigerians, including the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade; the wife of Anambra State Governor, Nonye Soludo; and former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, have paid glowing tributes to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as she marked her 65th birthday. In his birthday message released on Monday through his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, Oba Owoade described the First Lady as “a role model” whose leadership reflects “uncommon wisdom, remarkable vision, and exemplary service to the nation.” He praised her integrity and sincerity, stating, “She makes decisions and accepts responsibility for her actions… She is…

Politician and lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo has called for an investigation into the tenure of Ibok Ekwe Ibas, the immediate past Sole Administrator of Rivers State, accusing him of mismanaging public funds during a politically turbulent period in the state. Okonkwo, a former Nollywood actor and spokesperson for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign, made the remarks on Monday while appearing on Sunrise Daily, a current affairs programme on Channels Television. Criticising the federal intervention in Rivers State during its internal political crisis, Okonkwo argued that external figures were imposed to take control of the state’s resources under the guise of resolving…

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has distanced itself from reports suggesting it plans to merge with the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that such moves are solely the actions of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiya Movement. Speaking in Lagos on Monday, the National Secretary of the NNPP, Dr Ogini Olaposi, clarified that the party itself has no agreement or ongoing negotiations with the APC. Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor and the NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate, had announced on Saturday that he and his supporters were ready to join the ruling party. However, he stressed that his…

The Nigerian Presidency has refuted allegations made by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu may attempt to remain in power beyond constitutional limits. El-Rufai, during a meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Kaduna on Saturday, likened Tinubu to Cameroon’s long-serving President, Paul Biya, who has ruled since 1982 and recently announced plans to contest again at the age of 92. According to El-Rufai, Nigeria faces an unprecedented political threat, warning that Tinubu could remain in power for life unless Nigerians unite to vote him out in the 2027 general elections. “We are facing…

The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has raised concerns over reports that major fuel consumers, including filling stations and telecom companies, are bypassing established transport contracts in favour of free delivery services reportedly offered by the Dangote Group. NARTO President, Yusuf Othman, voiced the association’s frustrations, saying the practice undermines legally binding agreements and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of fuel transport operators who rely on these contracts to repay bank loans and maintain operations. Speaking to reporters, Othman explained that many NARTO members had signed formal service agreements with large corporate clients to handle fuel distribution using…