Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to harnessing ocean resources as a driver for Nigeria’s economic growth and sustainable development. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, made the statement on Tuesday during the 1st International Marine and Blue Economy Conference and Trade Exhibition held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Represented by the ministry’s Director of Conservation, Innovation and Technology, Alhaji Husaini Shettima, Oyetola emphasised the need to capitalise on Nigeria’s maritime potential amid growing global interest in sustainable ocean management. The conference, themed “Sustainable Blue Economy: Advancing Safety, Economic and Social Resilience in the Coastal Ecosystem,” was…

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has addressed his ongoing faceoff with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, suggesting that the former Rivers State governor’s approach threatens Nigeria’s multi-party democratic framework. Makinde, speaking on the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following Tuesday’s clashes at the party’s Abuja national secretariat, said the dispute goes beyond party politics, framing it as a fight for the future of Nigerian democracy. “This is not about PDP alone; it is about the future of democracy in Nigeria,” Makinde said. “We should know that it gets worse before it gets…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to bolstering Nigeria’s judicial system, describing a functional, independent, and well-equipped judiciary as central to the nation’s democratic stability. Speaking at the 2025 Conference of All Nigerian Judges of Superior Courts of Record in Abuja, Tinubu stressed that the judiciary must operate within a united democratic framework in which all arms of government collaborate in serving Nigerians. “Their faith in the judicial process is the foundation of our national stability. I wish to reaffirm, with clarity, my administration’s unwavering commitment to supporting the judiciary in fulfilling its constitutional mandate. The…

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has once again asserted that a “Christian genocide” is underway in the country, citing prolonged violence, persecution, and insecurity endured by Christian communities across the North and Middle Belt. CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the declaration on Tuesday during the association’s Fourth Quarterly National Executive Council Meeting, held in Jos, Plateau State. Okoh said the choice of Jos for the meeting was deliberate, describing the city as a symbol of both suffering and resilience for Christians who have faced years of attacks, displacement, and devastation. “Our presence in Jos today is not accidental.…

Supporters of the Nyesom Wike-aligned faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday flooded the streets surrounding Wadata Plaza, the party’s national headquarters in Wuse, Zone 5, Abuja, in the latest escalation of the party’s internal crisis. The demonstrators, primarily women and youth groups, arrived early in the morning carrying placards bearing messages aimed squarely at the newly elected PDP National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, SAN. Some of the inscriptions read “No to Turaki” and “Turaki must go”, reflecting their rejection of the outcome of Saturday’s convention, which Turaki won but which the Wike-led faction boycotted. Turaki, a former Minister…

The Publicity Secretary elected at the Ibadan convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ini Ememobong Essien, on Tuesday sharply criticised the police for dispersing party officials and journalists with tear gas at the PDP’s national secretariat in Abuja. Speaking to reporters after the chaotic incident, Essien issued a direct appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to rein in the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, whom he accused of fuelling internal tensions and destabilising the opposition party. According to Essien, the confrontation began when police officers fired tear gas at party members, journalists, and even…

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…