Author: Gbenga Olaleye

Former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, has stated that all lingering disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been amicably resolved, positioning the party to successfully conduct its forthcoming National Convention and prepare for the 2027 general elections. Ortom made the remarks on Thursday during a media briefing in Makurdi, emphasising that the PDP is not currently in any coalition with another political party. “To the best of my knowledge, there is nothing like a coalition and my party is not into any coalition with any political party,” he said firmly. The ex-governor reiterated his support for a Southern…

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Interim National Chairman Senator David Mark, has assured the party’s state chairmen of their full inclusion in the coalition aiming to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. The assurance came during a meeting on Thursday at Senator Mark’s Abuja residence, attended by the ADC NWC, state chairmen, and key stakeholders. This meeting followed earlier tensions when Dumebi Kachikwu, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, alongside some state chairmen, accused Mark and Interim National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola of being imposed on the party and plotting to…

The Nigerian Senate has expressed strong displeasure over the repeated failure of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts. The committee is probing massive financial discrepancies totalling ₦210 trillion discovered in the company’s audited accounts from 2017 to 2023. At the latest hearing held on Thursday, Ojulari failed to honour the Senate’s summons, sending company representatives instead. The committee, chaired by Senator Aliyu Wadada, declined to entertain the delegates, stating that only the GCEO himself could respond to the critical audit queries. Senator…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has opened up about the intense political pressure and personal attacks he faced during the final years of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, revealing that he was widely regarded as the most criticised and demonised public figure in that period. Speaking on Thursday at the public unveiling of the book OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3bn Nigeria Oil Block, authored by former Attorney General of the Federation Mohammed Adoke, Shettima recounted his experiences while serving as governor of Borno State under a challenging political climate. “In the last four years of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s…

The Federal Government has revealed that over one million Nigerians have benefited from various loan and grant schemes under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with funds from the removal of the petrol subsidy being reinvested into major infrastructure projects across the country. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Thursday while addressing State Commissioners of Information at the Progressive Governors’ Forum conference in Minna, Niger State. According to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, over 900,000 small businesses have accessed the Presidential Conditional Grant and Loan Scheme, while more than 350,000 students…

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday initiated a comprehensive investigation into the surge of Ponzi schemes across the country, sparked by the recent collapse of the Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX), a digital investment platform that reportedly defrauded Nigerians of over N1.3 trillion. Described as one of the largest financial scams in Nigeria’s history, the CBEX debacle has exposed glaring weaknesses in financial regulation and oversight. Senators expressed deep concern over the social and economic fallout, including rising suicide rates and diminishing public trust in financial institutions. The motion to investigate was jointly sponsored by Senators Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos East) and Osita…

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has firmly dismissed rumours suggesting he is seeking the position of National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling such reports false and distracting. A statement issued by Akume’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, on Thursday, responded to a publication by a national news outlet which named Akume among top politicians allegedly vying for the APC chairmanship. “The attention of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has been drawn to a publication indicating that he is one of the…

The Chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, has announced that funds lost in the now-defunct CBEX investment scheme have been successfully recovered, with the process for final forfeiture currently underway. The CBEX scheme, which collapsed in April 2025, left an estimated 600,000 Nigerians defrauded, with collective losses totalling N1.3 trillion. While Mr Olukoyede did not disclose the specific amount recovered so far, he assured the public that decisive legal and enforcement actions are already in motion. Speaking during an event in Abuja to mark Africa Anti-Corruption Day on Thursday, the EFCC Chairman confirmed that…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 217,980 voters in Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Oyo State, will cast their ballots to elect a new representative to the National Assembly. The commission revealed on Wednesday that 19 registered political parties in Oyo State are eligible to participate in the forthcoming by-election, scheduled for 16 August 2025. Campaigning by the political parties will run from 2 to 14 August. Speaking at a stakeholders meeting with political parties ahead of the by-election, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Dr Adeniran Tella, provided key details about the process and preparations.…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Osun State chapter has officially declared its unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu’s preferred candidate in the forthcoming Osun governorship election, quelling rumours that the President is backing the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Senator Ajibola Bashiru, the National Secretary of the APC, made the assertion on Wednesday during an interactive session with the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). He categorically stated that whatever directive comes from President Tinubu concerning the Osun governorship race is final and binding on the party members. “Whatever President Tinubu says…