Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that its C-130 transport aircraft, which was earlier detained by authorities in Burkina Faso, has resumed its ferry mission to Portugal after being released. The aircraft, which was conveying 11 Nigerian soldiers, departed safely from Burkina Faso and arrived in Accra, Ghana, on Friday, marking a key step towards its final destination in Portugal for scheduled depot maintenance. According to the NAF, the C-130 aircraft made a precautionary landing in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso on December 8 after experiencing technical issues mid-flight. Explaining the incident, the Director of Public Relations and Information of…

An All Progressives Congress (APC) pressure group in Kwara State, the Kwara Political Leaders of Thought (KPLOT), has strongly opposed calls for the zoning of the party’s governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that competence and capacity should take precedence over senatorial or sectional considerations. The group’s stance comes amid increasing agitation from political leaders and interest groups in Kwara North Senatorial District, who are demanding that the APC zone its 2027 governorship ticket to the area. Kwara North has never produced a governor since the creation of the state, a fact often cited by proponents of…

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has reiterated his long-held stance that he will retire from active politics after completing his tenure as governor, firmly dismissing speculation about any future presidential, vice-presidential or senatorial ambitions. Otti made the clarification on Friday at the Government House in Umuahia while responding to a viral video in which a commentator criticised his recent visit to Nnamdi Kanu at the Sokoto Correctional Centre. The critic alleged that the governor’s action was motivated by hidden ambitions for higher political office after his term ends. The governor said such views, while permissible in a democracy, were…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja, describing the budget as a key instrument for consolidating economic reforms and steering Nigeria toward stability and inclusive growth. Titled “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” the 2026 Budget was delivered in fulfilment of the President’s constitutional responsibility and marks a continuation of his administration’s policy priorities over the past two and a half years. Addressing lawmakers, Tinubu emphasised that the budget builds on extensive reforms aimed at stabilising the economy, restoring investor confidence and laying the…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has earmarked ₦5.41 trillion for defence and security in the proposed 2026 national budget, making it the single largest sectoral allocation in the spending plan presented to the National Assembly. The allocation marks the third consecutive year that security spending has taken precedence since the Tinubu administration began presenting national budgets in November 2023, underscoring the government’s focus on tackling Nigeria’s persistent security challenges. The President disclosed this on Friday while presenting the ₦58.18 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives. In his address, Tinubu emphasised that…

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the 2026 Appropriation Bill, paving the way for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally present the budget to a joint session of the National Assembly on Friday afternoon. The approval was disclosed by the President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Mr Dada Olusegun, in a statement posted on his official X handle on Friday. “The Federal Executive Council has approved the 2026 Budget, and it is now ready for presentation to a joint session of the National Assembly this afternoon by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic…

The Ogun State Government has officially concessioned the newly renovated Olumo Rock Tourist Centre to Whatadeal Africa as part of efforts to improve management efficiency, boost revenue generation and reposition the historic site as a globally recognised tourism destination. The concession was announced on Friday by the Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Sesan Fagbayi, during a press briefing at the Olumo Rock Tourist Site in Abeokuta, following the signing of a concession agreement with the Managing Director of Whatadeal Africa, Mr Fela Bank-Olemoh. Fagbayi said the decision was driven by the state government’s commitment to leveraging public-private…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially welcomed the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Ireti Kingibe, into its fold, describing her decision as courageous and principled amid Nigeria’s evolving political landscape. New Daily Prime had earlier reported that Senator Kingibe formally joined the ADC on Thursday after collecting her membership card in Abuja, marking a significant political realignment ahead of future electoral contests. Reacting to her defection, the ADC, in a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party was delighted to receive the FCT lawmaker and hinted that more high-profile…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained its decision to intervene in the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by inviting the party’s two rival factions for discussions at its national headquarters in Abuja. INEC’s intervention followed weeks of internal wrangling within the main opposition party, which has resulted in parallel leadership claims, conflicting decisions and uncertainty over the party’s official position ahead of forthcoming electoral activities. New Daily Prime had earlier reported that the electoral body convened a meeting on Friday, bringing together representatives of the feuding factions in an effort to address the growing confusion…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fully implementing the recent Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments across Nigeria. The President also warned state governors against interfering with funds meant for local councils, stressing that true autonomy cannot exist without direct access to funding. Tinubu made the remarks on Thursday while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus at a meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. His comments come amid heightened national debate over the enforcement of the Supreme Court’s ruling, which seeks to strengthen grassroots governance by ensuring that…