Author: Gbenga Olaleye

Human rights activist and public commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has cautioned that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) risks suffering the same political downfall that ended the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 16-year dominance in Nigeria. In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday morning, Shehu accused the APC of displaying arrogance and injustice, warning that “power built on oppression cannot endure.” “Whatever goes up must surely come down. Just as PDP rose and fell after its years of pride and betrayal, APC is now walking the same path,” he wrote. Shehu recalled a 2008 statement by…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced an extension of the ongoing collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Anambra State, following widespread appeals from citizens and stakeholders for additional time. In a statement issued on Monday night by the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, the commission confirmed that the exercise, initially set to conclude on Sunday, 26 October, will now continue from Wednesday, 29 October, to Sunday, 2 November 2025. “The Independent National Electoral Commission has approved the extension of the ongoing collection of Permanent Voter Cards in Anambra State,” Eta-Messi stated. “The decision was…

The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to focus on its internal challenges instead of dragging the PDP into its ongoing leadership disputes. In a statement issued on Monday in Osogbo, the PDP’s Director of Media, Hezekiah Oladele Bamiji, described the APC’s recent allegations as “a baseless rant from a disorganised opposition drowning in its own crisis.” He added that the ruling party in Osun remained committed to governance and service delivery, and would not be distracted by political noise. Bamiji accused the APC of attempting to cover up its…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released a total of $1.259 billion to oil sector players for the importation of petroleum products and related items in the first quarter of 2025, New Daily Prime reports. The disbursement comes amid ongoing insistence by petroleum marketers to continue importing fuel, despite the availability of locally refined petrol from the Dangote Refinery. Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shows that marketers imported 69 per cent of the 21 billion litres of petrol consumed in Nigeria between August 2024 and 10 October 2025. Between January and March 2025,…

Popular Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has announced Akwa Ibom State as the first location for his live music concert in Nigeria after 14 years on stage, citing the state’s outstanding infrastructure and facilities. Speaking at a pre-concert reception hosted by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, and Senate President Godwill Akpabio in Uyo on Sunday, Davido described Akwa Ibom as a model state for hosting major events. “Everything about Akwa Ibom State is beautiful,” he said, adding that if all Nigerian states possessed similar facilities, he would be comfortable touring the entire…

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has formally abandoned his plan to call witnesses in his ongoing trial for alleged terrorism-related charges, asserting that no legitimate case exists against him. Kanu had initially informed the court of his intention to summon witnesses in his defence by submitting a formal written request for witness summons. However, during proceedings on Monday, he stated that after reviewing the case file, he found no substantive charges and concluded that he had been subjected to an unfair trial. “I see no reason to present a defence as no valid charges have…

Paul Biya, 92, who has served as President of Cameroon since 1982, has been declared the winner of the country’s latest presidential election, securing an eighth consecutive term and extending his leadership until 2032. Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state, defied widespread calls to step down and faced criticism for appearing at only one campaign rally, where he told voters, “the best is still to come.” With this victory, Biya could reach 50 years in power, ruling Cameroon into his late 90s. The Constitutional Council announced that Biya won with 53.66% of the vote, defeating runner-up Issa Tchrioma…

Former Jigawa State Governor and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has threatened to take legal action against the party if he is denied access to purchase nomination forms for the position of National Chairman ahead of the forthcoming national convention scheduled for 15 and 16 November in Ibadan, Oyo State. Lamido issued the threat while addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday after his attempts to obtain the form at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, proved unsuccessful. The former governor said both the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature, had…

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has adjourned the hearing of a preliminary objection filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in her ongoing defamation trial until 1 December. Justice Chizoba Oji fixed the new date on Monday after the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, informed the court that although the matter was scheduled for a hearing, the prosecution had been unable to properly serve its response to the defence. He, however, noted that the response had already been filed with the court. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on 19 June before the FCT High Court on a three-count charge of…

Former National Officer of the Labour Party, Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deploying intimidation tactics to stifle opposition activities in the build-up to Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, Mr Okonkwo alleged that the African Democratic Congress (ADC), his current political platform, has been repeatedly targeted while holding meetings across various states. “ADC is on fire. The only thing is that we have an APC that is using every method to intimidate and scatter the plans of the opposition,” he stated. The actor-turned-politician cited incidents…