Author: Gbenga Olaleye

Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has sharply criticised former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other prominent government critics for what he described as “ignoble” attempts to undermine the administration’s efforts to combat terrorism. In a statement titled “Between Tinubu’s Capability and the Ignobility of Pseudo Statesmanship” and shared via his X account on Sunday, Dare condemned recent remarks by Obasanjo and “habitual presidential aspirants”, including Atiku Abubakar, suggesting that the current government has failed to protect its citizens amid rising insecurity. Obasanjo, speaking at an event in Jos, Plateau State on Friday, expressed…

President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that restoring peace, strengthening national security, and expanding economic opportunities remain the foremost priorities of his administration. His message was delivered in Lokoja on Sunday during a memorial event honouring the late former Kogi State Governor, Prince Abubakar Audu. The President was represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris. In a statement issued by the Minister’s media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, Idris told attendees that the Federal Government is unwavering in its determination to confront threats to the nation’s stability. He acknowledged recent security setbacks but emphasised that the administration is fully…

Two United States National Guard soldiers were shot on Wednesday, just a few blocks from the White House, triggering a primary security response and reigniting political tensions over President Donald Trump’s controversial anti-crime deployment of military personnel to American cities. The shooting, which unfolded near the busy Farragut West metro station, sent shockwaves through central Washington, D.C., as emergency services raced to the scene and heavily armed officers cordoned off surrounding streets. Initial reports suggested that the two soldiers — deployed from West Virginia as part of Trump’s expanded National Guard presence — had been critically wounded. West Virginia Governor…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised the Federal Government’s approach to recent kidnappings across the country, warning that negotiating with bandits poses a grave threat to national security and undermines the rule of law. In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said that although it rejoices with families whose loved ones have been freed—including worshippers abducted from Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun in Kwara State and students kidnapped in Kebbi—the government must answer tough questions. The party argued that these abductions would not have occurred if the…

The Benue State Government has dismissed reports claiming that Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia intends to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) following a purported “secret meeting” with Senator Iyorchia Ayu, describing the story as a baseless fabrication. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, labelled the circulating report as a “wicked, mischievous, and vicious smear campaign” aimed at diverting the governor’s attention from governance and misleading the presidency for political gain. Kula emphasised that Governor Alia routinely engages with elder statesmen and national figures without political or religious bias, noting that such…

The Senate on Wednesday commended President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for the swift rescue of dozens of kidnapping victims in Kwara and Niger states, while warning that attacks on schools and places of worship across Nigeria have reached alarming levels. The commendation followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Asiru Yisa (Kwara South) titled: “Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States – Call for Immediate and Comprehensive Federal Intervention.” Yisa expressed deep concern over the attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, where armed assailants killed two worshippers and abducted 38 people —…

Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, has declared the establishment of state police non-negotiable in efforts to tackle Nigeria’s escalating insecurity. Speaking on Wednesday while hosting his southern counterparts at his country home in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area, Abiodun said recent coordinated attacks targeting schoolchildren and worshippers had shown that no region in the country is insulated from banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism. Governors in attendance included Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Alex Otti (Abia), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo). Deputy governors…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a suspected drug baron, Onyekachi Nwanagu, alongside five members of his network during a major intelligence-led operation that uncovered a large opioid warehouse in Isolo, Lagos. The operation, conducted by the agency’s Special Operations Unit between 19 and 20 November, followed credible intelligence that the syndicate was preparing to distribute over 7.2 million tramadol pills and more than 526,000 bottles of codeine syrup ahead of the Christmas festive season. In a statement on Wednesday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi revealed that two suspects, Egbo Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel, were initially…

The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has insisted that the ruling government will be unable to manipulate the forthcoming elections, claiming he is fully aware of their tactics. Aregbesola made the declaration on Tuesday during the unveiling of the ADC in Osogbo, Osun State, a day he described as symbolic, marking exactly 15 years since his administration assumed office in the state. Speaking to a gathering of supporters, Aregbesola highlighted the ADC’s role as a credible alternative capable of tackling Nigeria’s persistent challenges, including insecurity, maladministration, poverty, hunger, and the absence of good governance. Today…

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as an “80-year-old political tourist” following his decision to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Mogaji Seye Oladejo, spokesman for the state arm of the party, said Atiku’s latest political move reflects desperation and what he called an “incurable addiction to party-hopping.” In a statement issued on Wednesday, Oladejo questioned what Atiku could still be seeking at his age. “Atiku’s decision to pick up an ADC membership card at 80 is the perfect climax to a political career defined by ceaseless desperation, chronic…