Author: Gbenga Olaleye

A lawyer and biographer of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Dr Charles Omole, has said President Bola Tinubu’s administration is characterised by the presence of multiple cabals, a development he warned could slow decision-making at the highest levels of government. Omole made the assertion on Thursday while speaking on Politics Today, a political affairs programme aired on Channels Television. According to him, unlike previous administrations where influence was more centralised, the current government operates through several power blocs with overlapping interests. He claimed that some of these cabals are headed by key figures close to the President, including the First Lady,…

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dissolved the executives of 14 state chapters of the party and announced plans to conduct fresh congresses in January 2026. The decision was taken at a meeting of the faction’s Caretaker Committee held on Thursday evening in Abuja, according to a statement issued after the meeting. The faction reaffirmed that the leadership of Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Secretary remains, in its view, the only legitimate national structure of the party. The…

The Nigerian Senate has approved 64 nominees for both career and non-career ambassadorial positions, following a review of a report submitted by its Committee on Foreign Affairs. The committee’s findings were presented by its chairman, Senator Sani Bello, and subsequently adopted by lawmakers, clearing the nominees for confirmation. The approvals mark a significant step in filling key diplomatic postings and enhancing Nigeria’s representation abroad. During the proceedings, Senator Sahabi Yau raised concerns over the absence of any nominee from Zamfara State on the list. He urged the Senate to formally draw the President’s attention to what he described as a…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has described his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as an “easy choice”, saying he was only a nominal member of the PDP and merely observed party affairs from the “balcony”. Fubara made the remarks on Thursday while speaking with journalists at the national headquarters of the APC in Abuja, days after his formal defection to the ruling party. The governor’s decision followed a prolonged political crisis in Rivers State, marked by a fierce power struggle between him and his predecessor, former governor Nyesom Wike, over control of…

Kenny Okolugbo, Consultant on Communications and Strategy to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has dismissed reports circulating on social media suggesting that the Senate President is unwell, describing them as false and unfounded. Speaking during an interview on Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme aired on Thursday, Okolugbo said the claims had no basis in fact and urged the public to disregard them. He stressed that Senator Akpabio remains healthy and continues to discharge his official responsibilities without interruption. “The Senate President is very healthy. You saw him; he’s been attending sessions, and that answers the question,” Okolugbo said, pointing…

The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja has upheld the continued detention of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In a ruling delivered by Justice Babangida Hassan, the court dismissed an application filed by Malami seeking bail from the custody of the anti-graft agency, holding that his detention was lawful and in accordance with due process. The decision was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the EFCC’s spokesperson, Mr Dele Oyewale. According to the statement, Malami, through his legal team led…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed more than 618 tonnes of fake, counterfeit, substandard and expired regulated products valued at ₦10.19 billion in Kano State, in a major crackdown aimed at safeguarding public health. The large-scale destruction exercise, carried out at the North-West zonal level, took place at the Kalibawa Destruction Site along the Daura–Danbata Road in Kano. It covered a wide range of illicit items, including medicines, food products, cosmetics, agrochemicals and medical devices that had been adjudged unsafe for public consumption and use. Speaking at the event, the Director-General of…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has disclosed that his administration met more than ₦600 billion in the state’s coffers following the end of emergency rule, insisting that public funds under his watch are being managed prudently and transparently. The governor made the disclosure on Wednesday while commissioning the 14.2-kilometre Obodhi–Ozochi Road, a key infrastructure project linking Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of the state. His comments came against the backdrop of renewed criticisms from the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, regarding the state of public infrastructure and the utilisation of available funds.…

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has firmly dismissed speculation suggesting he may defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), amid recent political realignments involving some opposition governors. Makinde addressed the rumours on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking at the public launch of Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration, a book written by former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed. His comments came against the backdrop of heightened political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections. Declaring his position unequivocally, the governor said, “I am not APC, and I am not about to become APC,” drawing…

Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has firmly ruled out the possibility of serving as a vice-presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections, declaring that he is not suited to play second fiddle to any presidential aspirant. Amaechi made the statement while speaking at a public event in Abuja, amid growing political speculation that he could emerge as a running mate to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who is believed to be positioning himself as the presidential flagbearer of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Putting the rumours to rest, Amaechi stated unequivocally that he has no…