Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has addressed allegations of land grabbing linked to the Circular Road project and other developmental initiatives across the state. Speaking to journalists in Ibadan on Sunday, Makinde dismissed the claims as baseless, attributing them to misinformation and misunderstanding of his administration’s intentions. Responding to growing public concern, the governor clarified the rationale behind the state’s ongoing infrastructural expansion, emphasizing his commitment to transparent governance and…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that 78 associations have submitted applications to the commission, seeking to be registered as political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to a senior management staff of the commission, who pleaded not to be named, relevant departments within the commission are already sieving the applications to determine those that meet up the commission’s requirements for eligibility for registration as political…

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has announced that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is being constructed with safety and economic benefits in mind, noting that the first 20 kilometers will be set for commissioning by President Bola Tinubu in May 2025. Confirming that the contractor is on course to complete the initial phase by the deadline, the minister told journalists on Saturday that the 10-lane road, comprising six major…

The Nigeria Police have confirmed that the death toll in the unfortunate stampede incident in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State has risen to 22. The tragedy occurred on Saturday at the scene of a palliative distribution organised by a philanthropist in Okija. Police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who gave an update on the development in a statement on Sunday in Onitsha, said that the Commissioner of Police,…

The Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) has raised the alarm over the intensified blackmail of huge international proportion against the Chairman of Tantita Security Services, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mr Mele Kyari, and the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro. The IYN, in a statement by its President, Frank Ebikabo, and the Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, on…

To check the growing cases of tragic stampedes in Abuja, Anambra and Oyo, the Ondo State Government has issued crowd control directives aimed at preventing similar incidents within its jurisdiction. These guidelines, announced by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, outline measures to ensure public safety during events and gatherings. Stampede during events such as funfairs and palliative distributions have recently claimed lives in Oyo, Anambra…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged National Assembly to slash the proposed N9.4 billion budget for travel, meals, and catering materials for the presidency. The organisation also called for the cut of N344.85 billion allocated to the National Assembly, and redirect the savings to address Nigeria’s growing budget deficit. In a letter dated December 21, 2024, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation also urged…

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has auctioned about 20,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, at N630 per litre in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The Service seized the product from smugglers, and sold them to the public at Afoo Filling Station, Masfala area of the ancient city on Saturday. Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, who flagged off the sale, revealed that…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives have busted drug smuggling operations and recovered over one million pills of opioids in various locations across the country. The anti-drug agency’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, stated that an attempt by an import and export businessman, Olisaka Chibuzo Calistus to smuggle 256 wraps of cocaine weighing 6 kilograms into the country through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA),…

The missing An-2 light aircraft, which disappeared in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula has been found with all three people aboard alive, local authorities said on Sunday. All three individuals on board, including two crew members and one passenger, have been evacuated by a Mi-8 helicopter from Kamchatka rescue teams and are being transported to Milkovskaya District Hospital, where their health conditions will be assessed, said the regional office of the Russian…

In a show of solidarity, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, yesterday called on Nigerians to support the President Bola Tinubu -led administration,echoing that he was a caring President Kalu, the former governor of Abia State who also represents Abia North in Senate, made the plea in a Facebook post yesterday after his visit to Tinubu’s residence in Lagos. Kalu wrote: “I had to pay my friend and brother of the class…

General Godwin Abbe, a former Minister of Defence and Interior during the administration of late President Umaru Yar’Adua, has died at the age of 74. The retired Major General passed away on Saturday in Abuja after a prolonged illness. Abbe, who was born on January 10, 1949, was set to celebrate his 75th birthday in 2025. A distinguished military officer and politician, he served as the military governor of Akwa…