Author: Gbenga Olaleye

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…

The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, has denied allegations of corruption and financial impropriety, describing them as misleading and driven by vested commercial interests threatened by ongoing reforms in the downstream petroleum sector. In a statement issued on Monday, Ahmed said he welcomed scrutiny of his finances and formally invited anti-graft agencies to investigate claims surrounding the funding of his children’s education abroad. The allegations, which have gained renewed public attention in recent days, accuse the NMDPRA boss of spending between $5 million and $7 million on his children’s…

Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has formally petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged corruption, financial impropriety and abuse of office by the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed. The petition, dated December 16, was submitted through Dangote’s legal counsel, Ogwu James Onoja (SAN), and received by the ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN). In the document, Dangote called for the immediate arrest, investigation and prosecution of the NMDPRA boss, accusing him of living far beyond his legitimate earnings as…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday night held a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the State House in Abuja, in an apparent move to address labour concerns ahead of the union’s planned nationwide protest over rising insecurity. The high-level engagement, which took place late in the evening, was attended by several senior government officials, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma; the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo; the Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris; and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Honourable Nkeiruka…

Petroleum importers and marketers in Nigeria are facing heavy financial losses following an aggressive price reduction by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which has triggered an intense price war in the downstream oil sector. Industry sources estimate that oil marketers are collectively losing as much as ₦102.48 billion monthly as they struggle to compete with Dangote Refinery’s sharply reduced petrol prices. The refinery recently slashed its gantry price from ₦828 per litre to ₦699 per litre, a move that has significantly disrupted the market and forced other players to cut prices to remain competitive. Based on Nigeria’s estimated daily petrol consumption…