Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described as unacceptable the increasing number of underaged Nigerians attempting to register during the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. Dr Mutiu Agboke, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun State, made this known while speaking on The Dialogue, a radio programme aired on Dynasty 89.9 FM in Oyo. Agboke reaffirmed that only Nigerians who are 18 years and above are eligible to register, stating that any attempt to register underage individuals constitutes a criminal offence. “We have been seeing numbers of teeming underage Nigerians attempting to register in the ongoing registration…

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has openly criticised Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers and faulted captain William Troost-Ekong following Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier held in Bloemfontein. Needing a win to boost their fading hopes of qualifying for next year’s tournament in North America, Nigeria suffered an early blow when Ola Aina limped off just eight minutes into the game. Things worsened when Troost-Ekong scored an own goal in the 25th minute, handing South Africa the lead. Despite Calvin Bassey’s equaliser just before half-time, Nigeria failed to convert dominance into goals in…

A California woman, Laura Yourex, appeared in court on Tuesday over charges stemming from her decision to register her deceased dog, Maya Jean, to vote — an act that could land her in prison for up to six years. Yourex, 62, of Costa Mesa, south of Los Angeles, posted images on social media in 2021 showing Maya wearing an “I voted” sticker following California’s gubernatorial election. A later post in October 2024 featured Maya’s dog tag alongside a vote-by-mail ballot, with the caption: “maya is still getting her ballot” — despite the pet having already died. Yourex eventually reported herself…

Former Rivers State governorship candidate under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tonye Cole, has dismissed speculation that he may join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stating clearly that he will not follow former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, into the party. Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Tuesday, Cole reaffirmed his commitment to the APC and declared his intention to run again for the Rivers governorship in the 2027 elections. This would mark Cole’s third attempt at the state’s top seat, following previous unsuccessful bids in 2019 and 2023. Describing his next run as “third…

A meeting of royal family members in Ipetumodu, Osun State, ended in chaos on Tuesday after calls were made for the Apetumodu throne to be declared vacant, following the recent conviction of Oba Joseph Oloyede in the United States. Oba Oloyede, the 27th Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, was sentenced to over four years in prison on August 26, 2025, after being found guilty of COVID-19 loan fraud. He was also ordered by a U.S. court to forfeit assets and pay over $4.4 million in restitution. At the centre of the latest dispute is Prince Olaboye Ayoola of the Aribile Ruling House,…

Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has condemned the recent violent attack at Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State, which led to the death of several traders, including a pregnant woman. In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, Obi expressed deep concern over the incident, calling for a thorough investigation, a complete reorganisation of the security outfit involved, and strict accountability for those responsible. New Daily Prime had earlier reported that a security team allegedly opened fire on traders in the bustling commercial centre, resulting in multiple civilian casualties. “It is…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, for retracting his earlier comments on Nigeria’s escalating debt burden. In a statement issued on Tuesday by the party’s spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused the National Assembly of being complicit in what it described as a deepening fiscal crisis under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The Speaker had previously raised concerns that Nigeria’s debt profile had surpassed its legal threshold, warning that the situation now posed a serious threat to the country’s fiscal sustainability. According to reports, Abbas stated that the…

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has urged newly appointed magistrates and judges of the lower courts to uphold their integrity and resist corruption, emphasising that the judiciary’s credibility depends largely on their conduct. Speaking at the opening of the Induction Course for Newly Appointed Magistrates and Judges (Batch B) at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Abuja, Justice Kekere-Ekun, represented by NJI Administrator Justice Babatunde Adejumo, highlighted the heavy responsibility magistrates bear as the first point of contact between citizens and the justice system. “Guard your integrity jealously. Be vigilant against corruption in any guise and avoid…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has declared its support for one of its lawmakers, Ibraheem Shittu, who is challenging the approval of a ₦300 billion loan requested by Governor Seyi Makinde. Shittu, who represents Saki West constituency in the State House of Assembly, alleged that the approval was irregular and lacked the constitutionally required two-thirds majority. He further claimed he was deliberately excluded from the sitting where the loan was approved, describing the process as “secretive”. The state APC chairman, Olayide Abas, voiced the party’s support for Shittu during a peaceful protest held in Ibadan on Monday.…

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised the leadership of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the state and Arise Television anchor Dr Reuben Abati, accusing both of partisanship over the ongoing local government allocation dispute. In a statement on Monday signed by Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, the APC alleged that NULGE President Dr Nathaniel Ogungbangbe is collaborating with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration to block the release of federal allocations meant for local councils. The party condemned NULGE’s recent warning to federal authorities not to release the withheld funds, calling it “an unpatriotic…