Author: Gbenga Olaleye

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that he will not support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, openly distancing himself from the President despite their previous political alignment. The governor also called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to respect the rights of others within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to make independent political decisions. Makinde made the remarks on Tuesday during a media chat in Ibadan, where he addressed growing tensions within the PDP and commented on Wike’s reported pledge to support Tinubu’s re-election bid. According to Makinde, he was taken…

Six members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), dealing another significant blow to the opposition party in the state. The lawmakers who crossed over to the APC are Robinson Dekor, Solomon Bob, Cyril Hart, Victor Obuzor, Blessing Amadi and Felix Nwaeke. Their defection was announced on Tuesday during plenary at the House of Representatives in Abuja. Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, read the letters submitted by the lawmakers, in which they cited deepening internal divisions and an…

Afrobeats star Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake, on Monday made a memorable return to his alma mater, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, arriving on campus in a helicopter to the excitement of students, staff and fans. The award-winning singer’s arrival immediately drew attention across the campus, as crowds gathered to witness the dramatic entrance of one of Nigeria’s most successful contemporary music stars. Asake was formally received by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Simeon Bamire, alongside other senior university officials. Also present was Dr Oluwatoyin Ogundeji, a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts, where Asake began his…

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has declared that he remains the only traditional ruler with the legitimate authority to confer chieftaincy titles bearing the name “Yorubaland”, emphasising that such honours are collective in nature and rooted in long-established history, law and tradition. The monarch made the assertion on Sunday at the Aganju Forecourt of the Oyo Palace during the installation ceremony of former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul-Aziz Yari, as the Obaloyin of Yorubaland, and Seyi Tinubu as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland. The event drew dignitaries from across the country and reignited public discussion about traditional…

The Federal Government has officially designated kidnappers and violent armed groups as terrorists, marking a significant escalation in Nigeria’s response to widespread abductions, attacks on farmers and persistent community violence across the country. The announcement was made on Monday in Abuja by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, during an end-of-year press briefing, where he outlined a tougher national security posture aimed at ending what he described as years of ambiguity in dealing with violent criminal groups. According to the minister, the new classification represents a clear shift from treating mass kidnappings and rural attacks as ordinary criminal offences to…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for what he described as “responsible leadership”, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to restore lasting peace and development in Ogoniland. Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, conveyed the president’s message on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt. Ribadu led a high-powered presidential delegation aimed at advancing dialogue and confidence-building around peace initiatives and the possible resumption of oil exploration activities in Ogoni communities. Speaking during the visit, the NSA said President Tinubu was pleased with Governor Fubara’s approach…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has called on Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling station selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of ₦739 per litre, as it intensifies efforts to stabilise the country’s downstream oil sector. In a statement released on Sunday, the refinery announced the commencement of nationwide petrol sales at ₦739 per litre, a move it said is aimed at easing the financial burden on consumers and curbing persistent fuel price volatility. The product is being distributed exclusively through more than 2,000 MRS filling stations across Nigeria, backed by…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2026 budget proposal, describing it as a “debt trap disguised as reform” and warning that it relies heavily on excessive borrowing and unrealistic revenue projections that could further mortgage Nigeria’s future. In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said the ₦58.18 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill entrenches what it called a pattern of fiscal irresponsibility under the Tinubu administration. The ADC argued that rather than addressing Nigeria’s worsening economic challenges, the proposed budget deepens the country’s fiscal crisis. President…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has invited Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, to appear before its investigators or be represented by counsel to substantiate a petition alleging corruption against the immediate past Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed. Sources within the anti-graft agency confirmed that Dangote is expected to honour the invitation on Monday, December 22, or send his lawyer, Mr Ogwu Onoja (SAN), to formally adopt and defend the allegations contained in the petition. The ICPC has reportedly constituted a special panel of senior investigators to…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed banks and non-bank acquiring institutions to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for transactions carried out with foreign-issued cards exceeding $200 per day, as part of measures to strengthen payment security in the country. The directive was contained in a circular dated December 18 and signed by the Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department at the apex bank, Mrs Rita Sike. The circular was addressed to all deposit money banks, payment service banks and non-bank acquirers operating in Nigeria. According to the new guidelines, MFA will be mandatory for withdrawals and online…