Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, has concluded a two-day working visit to Anambra State, as part of the United Kingdom’s engagement with Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the state’s forthcoming gubernatorial election. The visit, which comes just weeks before the 8 November poll, included meetings with key political and security stakeholders to assess the state’s readiness for the election. According to a statement from the British High Commission in Abuja on Thursday, Montgomery met with Governor Charles Soludo, leading gubernatorial candidates, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the state Commissioner of…

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Dankwara Mohammed, as a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), representing Nigeria’s North-East geopolitical zone. Mohammed assumes the position following the recent retirement of DIG Sahabu Abubakar Yahaya. The announcement was made in a statement released on Friday by Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations. The Commission also confirmed a wide-ranging promotion exercise involving senior officers across various ranks of the Nigeria Police Force. According to the statement, Commissioner of Police (CP), Abibo Deinma Reuben, has been promoted to the…

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, has adjourned hearing in a ₦5.5 billion defamation lawsuit filed by two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to 12 November 2025. Justice Halilu Yusuf granted the adjournment on Thursday following the absence of SERAP’s lead counsel, Chief Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), who informed the court via a written letter of a scheduling conflict due to his appearance before the Court of Appeal in Lagos. The plaintiffs, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogunleye, allege that SERAP made false and damaging media claims accusing…

The Rivers State Executive Council has cancelled a ₦134 billion contract awarded during the state’s period of emergency rule under former sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ikot Ete Ibas (retd), for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt. The contract, initially granted to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), was nullified during the Council’s meeting on Thursday. As part of the decision, the Council directed the construction firm to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee it had already received. The project had been a subject of scrutiny following concerns about transparency and procedural irregularities during the emergency administration.…

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to educational reform, describing the President’s policies as transformative and inclusive. Dogara made these remarks on Thursday while delivering a Special Public Lecture titled “Empowering the Future Generation: The Founders’ Vision and Legacy” at the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State. The lecture was part of the week-long activities marking the university’s 9th Convocation Ceremony. Highlighting the importance of education in national development, Dogara commended President Tinubu for the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that the initiative has given…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing attack on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying the ex-governor of Anambra State will “continue to contest as President on social media, but not as President of Nigeria.” Wike made the remarks on Thursday during the commissioning of newly constructed roads in the Mabushi District of Abuja. His comments came in response to Obi’s recent criticism of the state of public primary schools in the FCT. During a visit to LEA Primary School, Kapwa, on Wednesday, Obi described the school’s conditions as “a national…

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has firmly disassociated itself, South-East governors, and federal ministers from the region from the planned 20 October 2025 nationwide protest calling for the unconditional release of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. In a strongly worded statement released on Thursday, factional Deputy President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and Chief Thompson Chinyereze Ohia, National Spokesperson, expressed deep concern over the motives behind the planned demonstration. According to the statement, Ohanaeze condemned what it described as a “Sowore-Atiku-orchestrated protest”, alleging it was a covert attempt to incite unrest and destabilise the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.…

The National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Agbo Major, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s political future in the 2027 general elections will ultimately be decided by Nigerians, amid growing public concern over economic hardship. Speaking in an interview, Agbo acknowledged that the Tinubu administration had taken some bold and necessary decisions, but criticised the government’s failure to implement sufficient cushioning measures to ease the impact on ordinary citizens. “I don’t believe in judging any government too early. However, Nigerians know that this administration inherited a troubled nation,” Agbo stated. “Some of the policy decisions, particularly the…

A medical panel commissioned by the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has concluded that the health condition of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is not life-threatening and that he is fit to stand trial. The panel was appointed following an order by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who sought an independent medical assessment after conflicting health reports were presented by the prosecution and defence. According to the panel’s report, which was submitted to the court on 13 October by the prosecution team led by Senior Advocate…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reacted to recent defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying those who once accused him of destabilising the PDP have now joined the party they claimed he supported. Wike made the remarks on Wednesday at the flag-off ceremony for the construction of the main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from Ring Road I Junction to Ring Road II Junction along Wasa Road, near Shoprite Junction in the Apo area of Abuja. Speaking on the growing list of defectors from the…