Author: Gbenga Olaleye

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…

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…