Author: Gbenga Olaleye

A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Sani, has shed light on why the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, was absent from the party’s national convention held over the weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State. Governor Fubara was among several PDP governors who failed to attend the convention, a gathering that has attracted significant attention amid ongoing intra-party tensions. Also missing were the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, and Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, who has already indicated plans to leave the party. In contrast, several key PDP leaders attended the event, including Governors Ahmadu Fintiri…

The newly elected National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Kabiru Turaki, has confirmed that his leadership will convene its inaugural National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Tuesday, 18 November, at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja. Dr Turaki revealed the development on Monday, shortly after submitting a petition to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Garki, during an address to journalists. The petition, according to him, was filed against the expelled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, alongside several other party figures he accused of attempting to destabilise the party’s leadership structure. Speaking with notable firmness, Turaki insisted…

Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has urged residents to remain united and steadfast in prayer after bandits launched another deadly assault in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, abducting scores of people and leaving multiple casualties in their wake. The latest incident, described by officials as a coordinated night-time operation, saw armed men storm Wasagu town, kidnapping an unspecified number of residents before advancing to Government Girls’ Secondary School, Maga. There, they seized 25 students in the early hours of Monday. One staff member was killed during the attack, while another sustained injuries. The Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has denounced what he described as a deliberate campaign of misinformation aimed at portraying the state as unsafe. He insisted that Rivers remains peaceful, stable, and fully open for business, tourism, and significant events. Fubara gave the assurance on Sunday night during the grand finale of the Python Golf Club’s 6th Edition Chief Ikenna Okafor 2025 Pro-Amateur Golf Championship in Port Harcourt. His remarks were contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi. The governor’s comments follow recent media reports highlighting insecurity and cult-related killings in the state. Last…

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish 500 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations across Nigeria, marking a significant step in the country’s transition to cleaner, more affordable energy sources. The initiative was disclosed through the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), which confirmed that the rollout will be executed in partnership with Chinese firm Endurance Group over three years. MDGIF Executive Director, Mr Oluwole Adama, revealed that the project will be implemented via a government-endorsed Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) comprising MDGIF, the Bank of Industry (BOI), Endurance Group, and Séquor Investment Partners. “This partnership reinforces our unified commitment…

The Federal Government has launched the application portal for the Student Venture Capital Grant, a new national programme designed to support student innovation in accredited tertiary institutions across Nigeria. The initiative offers equity-free grants of up to ₦50 million for promising, student-led ventures. The announcement was made on Monday in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations. Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as a cornerstone of the government’s broader vision to stimulate innovation and technological advancement across the…

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has firmly dismissed social media reports alleging that an assassination attempt was made on Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, describing the claims as entirely false and unfounded. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Command clarified that no such incident had been reported to any police formation within the FCT, nor has any record of an attempted attack on the military officer surfaced in their investigations. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the rumour appears to have originated from unverified online posts that quickly circulated across various platforms, sparking concern among…

A Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yarima, who recently confronted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly escaped an assassination attempt in Abuja. Military sources confirmed to Vanguard that Yarima was pursued on Sunday evening by unidentified men dressed in black and travelling in two unmarked Hilux vans with no number plates. The vehicles allegedly trailed him from the NIPCO filling station off the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way at approximately 6:30 p.m. According to one senior military source, the officer detected the surveillance early and executed a “strategic manoeuvre,” enabling him to evade the…

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Akintunde Sawyerr, has clarified why the Fund cannot pay institutional fees for newly admitted students until they complete their registration and matriculation processes. Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, Sawyerr said that releasing funds before students are fully enrolled would expose the government to significant financial risks. “If we pay fees for students who have not entered, what if they change their minds and don’t go to the schools anymore? We cannot just say because somebody has been admitted to a school, we will…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dissolved its party structures in five states—Imo, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers—following a resolution adopted at its national convention on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State. The announcement, delivered during the plenary session, marked one of the most sweeping organisational shake-ups in recent years. The decision was introduced via a motion moved by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who played a central role in steering the convention’s proceedings. Daniel Okechukwu, the National Auditor and a member of the PDP National Working Committee, seconded the motion. Makinde stated that the dissolution affects party organs…