Author: Gbenga Olaleye

Segun Showunmi, former spokesperson to Atiku Abubakar during the 2019 presidential election, has criticised the growing decline in professionalism within Nigeria’s broadcast media, calling for urgent intervention by regulatory bodies and the Ministry of Information. In a strongly worded post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday night, titled “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: WHEN BROADCASTERS BECOME THE STORY”, Showunmi condemned what he described as a disturbing trend among television anchors who, in his view, prioritise provocation over ethical journalism. “When television anchors abandon professionalism for provocation, it becomes the duty of the station’s management to call them to order,” he wrote.…

Former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore, has declared his intention to contest the party’s ticket for the 2026 Osun State governorship election, expressing strong confidence in his chances. Speaking in Osogbo on Tuesday, Omisore stated that he believes over 90 per cent of APC members in the state would support his bid during the party’s primaries scheduled for later this year. According to the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Osun State governorship election will be held on 8 August 2026, while party primaries are to take place between 24…

Embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, made a return to the Senate on Tuesday, marking her comeback after a six-month suspension. Her return coincided with the resumption of plenary by the red chamber following a 10-week annual recess, which began on 24 July 2025 and was originally scheduled to end on 23 September 2025. However, the Senate resumed slightly behind schedule, with plenary proceedings presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, as Senate President Godswill Akpabio was notably absent at the time of reconvening. Despite Akpabio’s absence, legislative business resumed in full swing, with a high turnout of…

The Omoluabi Progressives, a political group loyal to former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, has accused the Federal Government of illegally disbursing local government allocations in Osun State to individuals it described as “illegal” chairmen aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, the group warned against the spending of six months’ worth of local government funds recently released by the FG, claiming the allocations were unlawfully transferred into the accounts of persons not legally recognised. Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo, the chairman of the group, Mr Isha Adesiji, said the…

ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu will preside over a meeting of the Council of State on Thursday, where he is expected to present the names of potential candidates to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This development comes as part of a broader agenda to be discussed at the meeting, which includes pressing national issues, institutional appointments, and governance reforms. The President is also scheduled to chair a separate Police Council meeting on the same day. That session will focus on advancing discussions around the creation of state police forces and address key…

The Federal Government has announced the commencement of a comprehensive verification exercise for all civil servants across the country and in federal establishments abroad, starting from October 16 to November 14, 2025. The exercise, which will be conducted in partnership with Philips Consulting and other human resource firms, is aimed at updating personnel records, identifying skills gaps, and supporting strategic workforce reforms within the federal civil service. This was disclosed in an internal memo titled “Verification Exercise” and signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Dr Didi Walson-Jack. The memo, obtained by our correspondent on…

The management of the National Assembly has issued a stern warning to parliamentary staff against proceeding with a planned protest and picketing of the complex, as lawmakers resume plenary today (Tuesday). The warning follows threats by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) to embark on industrial action over unresolved welfare and constitutional concerns. In an internal circular signed by Essien Eyo Essien, Secretary of Human Resources and Staff Development, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, staff were cautioned that any attempt to disrupt legislative proceedings would attract severe disciplinary consequences. “Any staff member, whether…

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has pushed back against comments by Vice President Kashim Shettima criticising the union’s recent industrial action against the Dangote refinery, following the alleged dismissal of unionised workers. Speaking on Monday, PENGASSAN said it would not hesitate to take similar action in the future should its members be dismissed under similar circumstances. The union accused the Dangote refinery of sacking over 800 workers for joining the association — an allegation the company has denied, stating that only a small number were dismissed for sabotage as part of a broader reorganisation…

The Federal Government has announced a $538.05 million investment in Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) across Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen food security and transform the country’s agricultural sector. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this on Monday during the Community of Practice Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), held in Abuja. According to Kyari, the government has already launched SAPZ projects in Kaduna, Cross River, and Ogun States, with plans to expand to additional states. The initiative, which leverages private sector participation, is expected to attract a further $1 billion…

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has declared that the people of Kano, the North, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) will repay President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s gestures of goodwill and support come 2027. Senator Barau made this statement on Monday during the distribution of scholarships at his annual undergraduate scholarship scheme, held at the recently renamed Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano. Addressing a gathering that included key stakeholders from the political and academic communities, Barau praised President Tinubu for his decisive role in approving the institution’s upgrade to a federal university, a move that…