Author: Gbenga Olaleye

A Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yarima, who recently confronted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly escaped an assassination attempt in Abuja. Military sources confirmed to Vanguard that Yarima was pursued on Sunday evening by unidentified men dressed in black and travelling in two unmarked Hilux vans with no number plates. The vehicles allegedly trailed him from the NIPCO filling station off the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way at approximately 6:30 p.m. According to one senior military source, the officer detected the surveillance early and executed a “strategic manoeuvre,” enabling him to evade the…

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Akintunde Sawyerr, has clarified why the Fund cannot pay institutional fees for newly admitted students until they complete their registration and matriculation processes. Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, Sawyerr said that releasing funds before students are fully enrolled would expose the government to significant financial risks. “If we pay fees for students who have not entered, what if they change their minds and don’t go to the schools anymore? We cannot just say because somebody has been admitted to a school, we will…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dissolved its party structures in five states—Imo, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers—following a resolution adopted at its national convention on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State. The announcement, delivered during the plenary session, marked one of the most sweeping organisational shake-ups in recent years. The decision was introduced via a motion moved by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who played a central role in steering the convention’s proceedings. Daniel Okechukwu, the National Auditor and a member of the PDP National Working Committee, seconded the motion. Makinde stated that the dissolution affects party organs…

The contentious expulsion of Nyesom Wike and several other senior figures from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has triggered an open revolt among key governors, deepening the crisis that engulfed the party’s convention in Ibadan on Saturday. Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, distanced himself from the expulsion while delivering remarks at the convention ground, citing the absence of officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as one of the reasons he could not support the exercise. “With the absence of INEC and the various litigations for and against this convention, it is not within my prerogative to continue with…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Southwest Zone, has applauded Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for what it described as his decisive role in safeguarding the party from “aggressors” intent on destabilising Nigeria’s largest opposition platform. In a statement issued on Sunday in Ado Ekiti, the PDP Southwest Zonal Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, praised Makinde for displaying “exemplary leadership” during the turbulent build-up to the party’s 2025 National Convention in Ibadan. According to Atofarati, the successful conduct of the convention has restored public confidence in the PDP at a time when Nigerians “have long yearned for genuine democratic leadership”. He…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken sweeping disciplinary action at its ongoing 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, expelling several high-profile members, including former Rivers State Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; former PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kamaldeen Ajibade; former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose; and Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, among others. The decision, which was adopted by an overwhelming majority of accredited delegates, marks one of the most decisive internal sanctions in the party’s recent history. Party leaders described the move as necessary to “restore unity, discipline, and organisational focus” ahead…

At least two governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were noticeably absent on Saturday as the party’s national elective convention commenced in Ibadan, Oyo State, despite ongoing legal and internal disputes. The governors missing from the high-profile gathering are Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and Agbu Kefas of Taraba State. Their absence has reignited speculation, particularly as both men were previously accused of flirting with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), allegations they have repeatedly denied. Meanwhile, five governors were present at the convention grounds: Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State,…

The National Working Committee of the Accord Party has dismissed as “laughable” the purported suspension of its National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, describing the move as the handiwork of “political jobbers seeking relevance”. In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Omorogbe, the party condemned the claim made at a stakeholders’ meeting held in Keffi, Nasarawa State. According to the statement, the action was spearheaded by former presidential candidate Chris Imumolen, whom the party insists was expelled long ago. Omorogbe described the so-called vote of no confidence as “a joke taken too far”, alleging that Imumolen was merely…

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has pledged comprehensive support to a team of multi-sectoral Chinese investors seeking to establish operations within the state’s Free Trade Zone and other emerging industrial hubs. The commitment came during a courtesy visit by the investors to the Government House in Osogbo. In a statement issued on Friday by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke outlined the state’s expanding economic potential, emphasising Osun’s strong performance in Nigeria’s ease of doing business rankings. He reiterated his administration’s openness to credible investors and reaffirmed the government’s efforts to eliminate obstacles traditionally associated with business start-ups. Adeleke informed…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has celebrated former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, describing him as a consistent and courageous figure in Nigerian politics as he marks his 65th birthday. Wike conveyed his goodwill message in a congratulatory letter released on Friday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka. The minister praised Fayose for his unwavering loyalty, forthrightness, and clarity in public service, noting that such qualities have distinguished him over the decades. According to Wike, Fayose’s 65th birthday is not merely a personal milestone but a testament to divine…