Author: Olóyè Gbenga

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has requested the approval of a N9.09 trillion increase to Nigeria’s 2026 budget, citing the need for greater fiscal transparency and effective implementation of priority national programmes. The request was formally conveyed in a letter read on the Senate floor by Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary. Tinubu explained that the adjustment would allow the government to fully account for existing debt obligations while aligning fiscal planning with current economic realities. Despite the President’s proposal, the National Assembly approved a higher total budget of N68.32 trillion—an increase from the initial N58.18 trillion submitted in December 2025. The…

Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has warned that Iran’s war-damaged infrastructure is significantly hindering diplomatic progress, as Donald Trump extends a key deadline tied to escalating tensions. Speaking on Special Report on Monday, Sheikh described Iran as a “war-torn country” struggling with disrupted communication systems, making it difficult for negotiators to receive timely responses from Tehran. His remarks come amid intensified efforts to de-escalate hostilities between the United States and Iran. Pakistan has positioned itself as an active mediator, attempting to facilitate dialogue between the two adversaries. Sheikh stressed that diplomacy is inherently gradual but expressed…

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are unsettled by the growing momentum of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election. In a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the recent political developments have positioned him as “the centre of gravity in the unfolding 2027 political equation.” He argued that the increasing convergence of opposition figures within the ADC has triggered panic among what he described as “anti-democratic elements,” who are now resorting to disinformation to weaken the party’s…

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hassan Alwan, has alleged that several governors and ministers within the ruling party do not genuinely support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Alwan made the claim during an appearance on Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels Television, where he assessed the current political climate within the party. According to him, while many officials publicly declare loyalty to the President, their actions suggest otherwise. “Despite public declarations of support, the actions of some governors and cabinet members indicate a lack of true commitment to Tinubu’s administration and policies,” he said. He further argued that…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that he has not endorsed any candidate for the 2027 governorship election or any other political office in Rivers State. Wike emphasised that the responsibility for selecting candidates rests with the state’s Elders Council, led by Ferdinand Alabraba, adding that no individual has the authority to impose candidates on the people. “I have not endorsed anybody for any position. That responsibility belongs to the elders, and they will meet and decide,” he said. The minister, however, reaffirmed his political alignment with Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general…

Veteran journalist and former presidential aide, Reuben Abati, has said the defection of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could significantly alter Nigeria’s opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking on The Morning Show on Arise Television on Tuesday, Abati noted that Kwankwaso’s move—alongside supporters from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)—has strengthened the ADC and positioned it as a potential coalition platform for major opposition figures. He pointed out that the development brings together key political heavyweights within the party, including Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Atiku Abubakar, thereby increasing its relevance in national…

The lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State, Philip Agbese, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and defected to the Labour Party (LP). Agbese, who currently serves as the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, announced his defection on Tuesday through a statement shared on his official Facebook page. In the statement, the lawmaker said his decision was driven by what he described as a “higher call” to serve his constituents with sincerity, humility, and commitment under the platform of the Labour Party. “I am answering a higher call to serve my people with sincerity, humility,…

King Charles III is set to visit the United States in late April, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Tuesday, despite mounting calls for the trip to be postponed due to escalating tensions linked to the Iran war. According to an official statement, the visit is intended to “celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship” between the United Kingdom and the United States. The announcement comes at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, with ongoing conflict in the Middle East prompting concerns over the timing and optics of such a high-profile diplomatic engagement. Despite these concerns, Washington’s envoy to Britain…

The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of the bail application filed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, until Wednesday. The adjournment followed proceedings conducted under heavy security, reflecting heightened public interest in the high-profile corruption case. Counsel to the former governor, Ukpong Akpan, confirmed the development shortly after the session but declined to provide further details. “The hearing of the bail application has been adjourned till tomorrow,” he said, noting that he needed to file additional responses. Shortly after the court rose, El-Rufai was escorted out of the premises by operatives of the Independent…

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has withdrawn his fundamental rights enforcement suit against a magistrate in his ongoing ₦1 billion claim before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The development occurred on Tuesday following concerns raised by the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, over the plaintiff’s failure to properly identify the magistrate listed as the second defendant in the suit. At the resumed hearing, El-Rufai’s counsel, Ugochukwu Nnakwu, informed the court that a motion dated March 30 had been filed to discontinue the case against the magistrate. He subsequently urged the court to strike out the magistrate’s name, along…