Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has said that violence, intimidation, and voter suppression were the main reasons he lost to incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the last election. In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Rhodes-Vivour criticised what he described as a culture of violence that undermined the will of the electorate during the polls. “When you have normalised violence against a group of people, eventually that violence should meet you,” he wrote. “You look at what happened in the State Assembly where a majority, more than 90%…

The Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, has reaffirmed that the Federal Government’s ongoing road infrastructure projects are being implemented based on their economic importance rather than regional considerations. Speaking on The Morning Brief, a programme aired on Channels Television on Monday, Mr Abdulaziz responded to recent criticisms made by Rabiu Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general election. Kwankwaso had accused the Tinubu-led administration of diverting limited national resources towards the development of roads in southern Nigeria, to the detriment of the northern region. Dismissing the…

Former state governors who served between 1999 and 2007, under the banner of the Class of ’99 Governors Forum, have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to adopt a more sustainable economic strategy by establishing cottage industries across all local government areas in Nigeria. This, they argue, would be far more beneficial to the Nigerian people than the current policy of N5,000 cash palliatives. The governors, who were Tinubu’s contemporaries during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, made this recommendation after a closed-door meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday. Speaking on behalf of…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the full disbursement of match bonuses and allowances for the Super Falcons ahead of their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final clash with Morocco on 26 July. The announcement was made by Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday. He confirmed that all entitlements, covering players, coaching staff, and team officials—have been cleared for immediate payment. Describing the move as “policy in motion,” Dikko praised the Tinubu administration for its renewed commitment to Nigerian athletes. He noted that the timely payments represent a shift in…

Governor Lawal pays tribute to ‘dependable monarch and father figure’ Ibrahim Bello, the Emir of Gusau in Zamfara State, has passed away at the age of 71 following a prolonged illness. The respected traditional ruler died on Friday in Abuja, the nation’s capital. The news of his passing was officially confirmed by Sulaiman Idris, spokesperson to Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal. In a heartfelt statement released shortly after the announcement, Governor Lawal expressed his deep sorrow over the loss, describing the late Emir as a pillar of wisdom and stability within the state. “I received with deep sadness the news…

Former presidential candidate and leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has announced the defection of thousands of All Progressives Congress (APC) members into his party in Kano State. Kwankwaso, who made the disclosure via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, described the event as a “momentous occasion,” praising the growing appeal of the NNPP’s leadership in the state. “Yesterday was a momentous occasion, as I received thousands of defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) into the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP),” he wrote. The former governor of Kano State and national leader…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing them of interfering in the affairs of opposition parties while ignoring Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges. In a strongly worded statement released by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku lambasted the President for mocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during the recent 14th APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, claiming it reflects a broader strategy to undermine opposition parties. “President Tinubu should first resolve the visible rift between himself and Vice President Kashim Shettima and fix Nigeria’s broken economy before meddling…

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has commended the appointment of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as “putting a round peg in a round hole.” In a congratulatory statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, Governor Bago expressed confidence in Prof. Yilwatda’s capacity to lead the ruling party, citing his blend of academic brilliance, technocratic experience, and political acumen. “I have confidence that Prof. Yilwatda has the wherewithal to transform the APC, strengthen unity among party members, and consolidate its hold on power at the centre, as…

The Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has issued a dire warning regarding the state of the African continent, asserting that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) lack the capacity to resolve the growing crises facing the region. In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele lamented what he described as stagnation among African leadership, claiming it has led to worsening socio-political and economic conditions across the continent. “There is a problem everywhere in Africa, and these bodies, ECOWAS and AU, don’t have the solution…

The newly appointed National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has opened up about his emergence as the party’s leader and how he intends to steer the ruling party through consultation, teamwork, and decisive but measured leadership. Speaking on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television aired Thursday evening, Yilwatda addressed questions about his calm and reserved nature and how he intends to handle the responsibilities that come with leading the APC, which currently controls more than 20 states and holds a majority in the National Assembly. “Look at the body language of Mr President—soft, calm,…