Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The leadership of Nigeria’s 10th Senate has once again revised its legislative calendar, postponing the resumption of plenary sittings from 23 September to 7 October 2025. The extension was communicated via an internal memo signed by Chinedu Akubueze, Chief of Staff to the Senate President, and made available to New Daily Prime on Monday. The decision, which effectively prolongs the National Assembly’s annual recess by an additional two weeks, has sparked concern among some lawmakers and political observers. No official reason was given for the delay, but sources within the Senate told New Daily Prime that the shift was intended to…

Prominent Nigerians, including the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade; the wife of Anambra State Governor, Nonye Soludo; and former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, have paid glowing tributes to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as she marked her 65th birthday. In his birthday message released on Monday through his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, Oba Owoade described the First Lady as “a role model” whose leadership reflects “uncommon wisdom, remarkable vision, and exemplary service to the nation.” He praised her integrity and sincerity, stating, “She makes decisions and accepts responsibility for her actions… She is…

Politician and lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo has called for an investigation into the tenure of Ibok Ekwe Ibas, the immediate past Sole Administrator of Rivers State, accusing him of mismanaging public funds during a politically turbulent period in the state. Okonkwo, a former Nollywood actor and spokesperson for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign, made the remarks on Monday while appearing on Sunrise Daily, a current affairs programme on Channels Television. Criticising the federal intervention in Rivers State during its internal political crisis, Okonkwo argued that external figures were imposed to take control of the state’s resources under the guise of resolving…

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has distanced itself from reports suggesting it plans to merge with the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that such moves are solely the actions of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiya Movement. Speaking in Lagos on Monday, the National Secretary of the NNPP, Dr Ogini Olaposi, clarified that the party itself has no agreement or ongoing negotiations with the APC. Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor and the NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate, had announced on Saturday that he and his supporters were ready to join the ruling party. However, he stressed that his…

The Nigerian Presidency has refuted allegations made by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu may attempt to remain in power beyond constitutional limits. El-Rufai, during a meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Kaduna on Saturday, likened Tinubu to Cameroon’s long-serving President, Paul Biya, who has ruled since 1982 and recently announced plans to contest again at the age of 92. According to El-Rufai, Nigeria faces an unprecedented political threat, warning that Tinubu could remain in power for life unless Nigerians unite to vote him out in the 2027 general elections. “We are facing…

The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has raised concerns over reports that major fuel consumers, including filling stations and telecom companies, are bypassing established transport contracts in favour of free delivery services reportedly offered by the Dangote Group. NARTO President, Yusuf Othman, voiced the association’s frustrations, saying the practice undermines legally binding agreements and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of fuel transport operators who rely on these contracts to repay bank loans and maintain operations. Speaking to reporters, Othman explained that many NARTO members had signed formal service agreements with large corporate clients to handle fuel distribution using…

A political confrontation may be brewing in Rivers State as the State House of Assembly has announced plans to investigate the expenditure of over ₦254 billion received during the six-month emergency rule under the leadership of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the immediate past sole administrator. Ibas, who vacated office on 17 September 2025 following the expiration of President Bola Tinubu’s emergency proclamation, had overseen the state without an elected executive or legislature for half a year. During this period, Rivers received over ₦254.37bn from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), according to data obtained by New Daily Prime from…

Abuja, Nigeria – Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised the state of Nigeria’s priorities, following an appeal by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for donations to complete the National Library. Obi, in a strongly worded public statement titled “We Are Finished!”, praised Mrs Tinubu for urging well-wishers to donate towards the long-abandoned National Library project in Abuja, rather than spend money on cakes or newspaper adverts for her birthday. However, he said the appeal — while noble on the surface — exposed the misplaced priorities of Nigeria’s leadership. “I join millions of Nigerians in…

Prominent human rights activist Annkio Briggs has called for the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, to be held accountable for the state’s finances during his tenure, alleging misuse of public funds. Briggs made the remarks during an interview on Sunday Politics, a current affairs programme broadcast on Channels Television. She insisted that Ibas, who oversaw the state for a six-month period under controversial circumstances, must provide a detailed account of how state funds were utilised during his administration. “He [Ibok-Ete Ibas] spent our money. He has to account to the people of Rivers State, even to…

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has extended warm birthday wishes to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on the occasion of her 65th birthday, praising her as a compassionate leader and a tireless advocate for women, children, and the underprivileged. Kalu’s congratulatory message was shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday and highlighted the First Lady’s long-standing record of public service, from her tenure as First Lady of Lagos State to her three terms as a senator of the Federal Republic. “I extend my warm felicitations to our amiable First…