Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN), Kaduna State Chapter, has strongly criticised the decision of the United States government under President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution and killings of Christians. The council described the move as unfair, biased, and based on a distorted understanding of Nigeria’s complex security situation. It also accused the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of spreading what it called false claims of Christian persecution, warning that such narratives could deepen division and fuel mistrust across the country. President Trump, in a post shared on his…

The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), has issued a stern warning against any form of protest or gathering within the university premises, particularly cautioning the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ekiti State chapter, to desist from any planned demonstration that could threaten peace and academic activities on campus. In a statement released on Sunday by the Students’ Union President, James Adio; General Secretary, Ayorinde Alao; and Public Relations Officer, David Abiola, the student leaders emphasised that the union “would not sit back and watch any unauthorised gathering on campus or disruption of peace and…

The Dangote Group has assured Nigerians that the recent approval of a 15 per cent import tariff on petrol and diesel by the Federal Government will not lead to higher pump prices. The Group’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, gave the assurance on Sunday during an interview with Arise News, amid growing public concerns that the tariff might trigger a price hike. Chiejina described such fears as “misplaced,” explaining that the policy was meant to discourage dumping and encourage local refining, not to inflate fuel prices. “Yeah, I’ve heard what people are saying, but I will tell you that…

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended the deadline for the completion of the 2025 admission processes into public universities from 31 October to 17 November 2025. In a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, the Board said the extension became necessary due to “emergent and compelling circumstances” affecting several universities. Dr Benjamin recalled that the 2025 Policy Meeting on Admissions, held on 18 July 2025 under the chairmanship of the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, had initially set 31 October as the cut-off date for all public universities to finalise their…

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has defended his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the move was made in the overall interest of the state. Speaking for the first time since his defection on October 15, Diri said on Sunday at the 14th Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day held at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene, Yenagoa, that “someone had to take the decision,” and he did so on behalf of Bayelsans. “Some of you might not understand now, but later it will be clear to all. I took the decision in the…

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in a “hopeless situation” and currently has no prospect of returning to power, following deepening internal crises within its leadership. Fayose, speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, backed the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Umar Damagum, by a faction of the PDP, while congratulating Mohammed Abdulrahman, the National Vice Chairman (North Central), on his emergence as Acting National Chairman. “The party needs a leader who can reunite everybody at this time. There is no hope of PDP coming back for now. Even the captains…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for allegedly offering financial inducements to supporters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) ahead of the November 8 governorship election. APC National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, made the call in an interview, describing Soludo’s recent cash reward pledge as a “blatant attempt to influence voters” and “a reflection of desperation.” The controversy stems from the governor’s remarks during an October 25 campaign rally in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area, where he promised…

United States President Donald Trump has threatened to deploy American military forces to Nigeria if the alleged persecution of Christians in the country does not stop — a move that has sparked strong reactions from Abuja. In a post shared on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Mr Trump ordered the U.S. Department of War to “prepare for possible action” should the killings continue. He also warned that Washington would immediately halt all aid and assistance to Nigeria if President Bola Tinubu’s government failed to end what he described as “the killing of Christians.” “If the Nigerian Government continues to…

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has criticised United States President Donald Trump for designating Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged persecution of Christians, describing the claim as false and divisive. In a statement shared on his X handle on Saturday, Sani accused Trump of relying on misinformation spread by “anarchists, lackeys, and apprentices of neocolonialism” seeking to exploit Nigeria’s challenges for personal or political gain. Trump had on Friday announced via his Truth Social platform that Christianity faced an “existential threat” in Nigeria, alleging that “radical Islamists” were responsible for the “mass slaughter” of Christians and…

Bode George, a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has criticised the Federal High Court’s recent ruling that halted the party’s national convention. Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Federal High Court on Friday barred the PDP from holding its convention, scheduled for 15–16 November in Ibadan, Oyo State, following a suit filed by three aggrieved party members. Reacting to the ruling, George described it as both “shocking and dangerous” for Nigeria’s democratic stability, warning that it could set a troubling precedent. “This judgment will consume this country. This is a threat to…