Author: Olaoluwa Vincent Ajayi

The United States and Israel have launched a sweeping military assault on Iran, triggering retaliatory missile strikes across the Gulf and raising fears of a wider regional war. In a recorded address, Donald Trump confirmed that “major combat operations” were under way in what he described as a multi-day campaign named Epic Fury. He said the objective was to dismantle Iran’s missile capability and weaken its military infrastructure. “We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground,” Trump said, urging Iranians to “take over” their government. “It will be yours to take. This will…

 Vatican has announced that Pope Leo will visit four African countries from April 13 to 23, marking his first major overseas trip of 2026 and placing the world’s fastest-growing Catholic region at the centre of his early papacy. The pontiff will travel to Algeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. Vatican officials expect large crowds and say the pope will urge world leaders to back development efforts while promoting Catholic-Muslim dialogue. The announcement underscores what Church insiders describe as a clear priority for Africa, home to about 20% of the world’s Catholics. Leo, elected in May to succeed the late Pope…

President Bola Tinubu on Friday hosted Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, a meeting that stirred fresh speculation about shifting political alliances in northern Nigeria. Mohammed is now the only governor from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the North East region who has not joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). His visit came just hours after Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri formally defected from the PDP to the APC. Fintiri’s switch handed the APC control of five of the six North East states , Borno, Gombe, Yobe, Taraba and Adamawa — leaving…

IBADAN-  A state high court in southwestern Nigeria has upheld the validity of a major opposition party convention that had been clouded by conflicting court orders, clearing the way for a newly elected leadership to assume control. Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court ruled Friday that the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, was properly convened and legally binding. In a certified copy of the judgment reviewed by local media, the court found that the party met the necessary conditions to organize its convention “whether or not” Nigeria’s electoral…

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria has rejected calls from some United States lawmakers asking Nigeria to stop the practice of Sharia law. In a statement released on Wednesday, the council said such calls are based on wrong information and show a lack of respect for Nigeria’s independence. Sharia law operates in parts of northern Nigeria. It works alongside statutory law and customary law. Since 1999, 12 northern states have adopted Sharia as part of their legal system, mainly for civil and criminal matters involving Muslims. The council’s Secretary General, Nafiu Ahmad, said Sharia is not just a legal…

The Nigeria Police Force in Ondo State has urged churches, mosques and traditional worship centres to suspend night services following a recent abduction that has heightened security concerns across the state. The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, issued the advisory on Friday in Akure while briefing journalists on the kidnapping of six members of the Celestial Church in Uso. The victims were abducted on February 25 during a midnight service at a church located along the Uso/Owo Expressway in Owo Local Government Area. The attack has sparked anxiety among worshippers and residents in surrounding communities. According to police authorities, one…

Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending months of speculation and delivering a major political blow to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a statewide broadcast on Friday, the Adamawa State governor confirmed that he and members of his cabinet had moved to the ruling party. He said the decision was taken to accelerate development and act in the best interest of the people of Adamawa. The announcement followed days of visible political signals in Yola, the state capital. Major roads were lined with fresh APC billboards and flags, while PDP banners were quietly…

The ancient Warri Kingdom stood still in celebration as Oluremi Tinubu was honoured with one of the highest traditional titles in Itsekiri land. In a ceremony marked by colour, ritual and royal pageantry, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, conferred on the First Lady the revered chieftaincy title of Utukpa-Oritse of Warri Kingdom. The investiture was more than a formal decoration. It was a homecoming. Mrs Tinubu traces her maternal ancestry to the Itsekiri ethnic group. By tradition and bloodline, she is a daughter of the soil. Saturday’s ceremony formally reconnected her to her ancestral roots in a public affirmation…

Governor Biodun Oyebanji has stepped up consultations with traditional rulers across Ekiti State’s 140 towns as he prepares for the June 20, 2026 governorship election. The governor made his latest appeal in Ijero Ekiti on Monday during the commissioning of the new Owa Ajero Palace built for the Ajero of Ijero Kingdom, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole. Represented by his deputy, Monisade Afuye, Oyebanji told monarchs that his administration would not drag the traditional institution into partisan politics. He said the government remained committed to respecting royal authority and protecting the independence of kingmakers. With less than four months to the…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rejected claims that he is working to weaken opposition parties, declaring that he cannot be blamed for internal crises rocking rival political platforms. Speaking on Wednesday at an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu addressed growing accusations that his administration is steering Nigeria towards a one-party state. “What they call you, any name, any nickname, critics must talk,” the president said. “When they accused me of killing opposition, I didn’t have a gun. I could have given myself a licence seeing as I have the authority.” His remarks come amid…