Author: Olaoluwa Vincent Ajayi

Lere Olayinka, a media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said the former governor still controls the political structure of the state and that Governor Siminalayi Fubara lacks the political strength to challenge him. Olayinka made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, where he dismissed suggestions that Wike has lost his grip on Rivers politics since leaving office. According to him, real political power in the state lies not in Government House but in the political structures that determine loyalty and control. He argued that Wike maintains firm influence over the…

Senator Ali Ndume has issued a blunt warning to President Bola Tinubu, saying growing anger in northern Nigeria could carry serious electoral consequences if it is ignored. The Borno South lawmaker argues that the problem is not the president himself, but the people closest to him — advisers he says lack political depth, grassroots reach and a national outlook. Ndume spoke during an interview on ARISE Television’s Prime Time, where he described what he called widespread “grumbling” across the North. According to him, anyone who claims the region is calm is not being honest. He warned that public frustration may…

Honourable Joshua Audu Gan, a Member of the House of Representatives representing the Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency of Niger State, has won the nomination for the Distinguished Legislative Service Award as the Most Distinguished House of Representatives Member for 2025. He was nominated alongside the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas. The nomination was announced by New Daily Prime, a UK-based newspaper with growing influence across Europe and the United States. The recognition is rooted in his achievements and sustained, people-centred service, with particular emphasis on his intervention during the devastating floods that affected Mokwa in…

The United States secretly developed a detailed plan to invade Canada in the early 20th century, a long-buried episode in North American history that is now attracting renewed attention amid growing concerns over Washington’s increasingly assertive foreign policy under former president Donald Trump. The strategy, known as War Plan Red, was first drafted in 1927 and formally approved in 1930. It was designed for a hypothetical war between the United States and Great Britain, with Canada identified as a key battleground. American military planners believed that neutralising Canada quickly would prevent Britain from gaining any strategic foothold in North America.…

Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has returned to active politics after about 15 years, formally joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Her return was confirmed on Tuesday after she completed her APC membership registration in Ogun State, ahead of the 2027 general elections. The registration took place at Ibogun Ward 11 in Ifo Local Government Area. Confirming the development, Hon. Biodun Ajayi, a former chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government and a close political ally of the Obasanjo family, said Prof. Obasanjo successfully concluded both her physical and electronic registration during the party’s ongoing membership exercise.…

Nigeria and the Republic of Türkiye have set a new trade target of $5 billion as both countries move to strengthen economic, security and diplomatic cooperation. The commitment was announced on Tuesday in Ankara by Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a joint press briefing with Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is on a state visit to the country. President Erdogan said discussions to achieve the ambitious trade target had already begun, noting that current trade volume between both nations stands at about $2 billion. He explained that Türkiye exports aircraft, helicopters, machinery, iron and steel products, as well as chemicals to Nigeria,…

The British Transport Police secured a six-year prison sentence for Daniel Odubanjo, a 27-year-old Nigerian man living in the United Kingdom, after he sexually assaulted a woman on a train. According to a statement from the BTP website reported by PUNCH Metro, Chelmsford Crown Court handed down the sentence on Monday, January 12, 2026. Odubanjo was convicted of one count of false imprisonment and two counts of sexual assault following a trial. The offences stemmed from incidents on November 29, 2024, aboard a train travelling from Shenfield to Chelmsford in Essex. A 21-year-old woman was using the onboard toilet when…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has formally welcomed Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the defection as a significant boost to national unity, stability and development. Speaking at a grand reception in Jos organised to mark Mutfwang’s official entry into the party, the President praised the governor’s leadership style and commitment to peace, development and reconciliation in Plateau State. He described Mutfwang as a unifying leader whose decision to join the APC aligns with a shared national purpose and collective progress. Tinubu recalled Plateau State’s historical contributions…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu briefly stumbled during a ceremonial march-past in his honour at the Turkish presidential palace on Tuesday, an incident that drew attention but did not disrupt the day’s proceedings. The 73-year-old leader tripped while walking to his left after inspecting a guard of honour alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Video footage shared by Turkish digital news outlet Nefes Gazetesi and later circulated widely on social media showed the moment clearly: Tinubu lost his footing, fell briefly, and was quickly helped up by aides. Within 45 seconds, he was back on his feet and standing beside Erdoğan…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday briefly stumbled during a ceremonial march-past held in his honour at the parade ground in Türkiye, an incident that drew momentary attention before proceedings continued uninterrupted. The incident occurred as the President joined the guard of honour during an official reception alongside his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A video shared by Turkish digital news platform Nefes Gazetesi showed President Tinubu walking with President Erdogan moments before he stumbled. He quickly regained his footing, and the ceremony proceeded as planned. Tuesday’s reception began at about 5:00 pm local time with the playing of the…