The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has warned that the commission may struggle to carry out its constitutional duties in 2025 due to severe budgetary constraints.  He stated that the proposed N40 billion budget for the year is barely sufficient to cover staff salaries, leaving critical electoral activities unfunded. Yakubu made this disclosure during a session with the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committees…

The Federal Government (FG) has revealed plans to allocate $50 million of the $52.88 million recovered from the United States, linked to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to enhance rural electrification projects across Nigeria. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during the formal signing of the Asset Return Agreement between Nigeria and the United States. The New Daily…

Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno has disbanded his cabinet, citing the need for a fresh perspective and energy to drive his administration forward.  He made the announcement on Friday during a valedictory session held at the Executive Council chamber in Uyo, the state capital. The governor emphasised that the decision was not a result of underperformance, but rather a strategic move to bring in new professionals to support his governance.…

Donald Trump has been given an unconditional discharge following his conviction in the Stormy Daniels hush money case. The decision means the incoming US president will not face jail time, probation, or a fine. Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan, who had the authority to sentence Trump to up to four years in prison, announced the verdict. This sentencing occurs just days before the 78-year-old is set to be inaugurated for…

The Federal Government (FG) has revealed that the United States handed over $52.88 million in assets linked to former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke. Alison-Madueke fled to London shortly after leaving office in May 2015 and has remained abroad ever since, facing numerous allegations of embezzlement during her tenure. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, announced this during a formal asset recovery agreement signing held in…

In a major policy move aimed at fostering economic development and transparency in land administration, Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah has signed the Land Use Regulation 2025 and Executive Order No. 1, 2025.  The governor in a statement on his X page Friday, said the regulation designated several locations across the state as urban areas, marking a significant milestone in the state’s development agenda. Under the new Executive Order, the…

President Bola Tinubu is set to depart Abuja on Saturday, January 11, to attend the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2025).   Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced this today via a statement on his X account (formerly Twitter). He revealed that President Tinubu received an invitation from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, to participate…

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has summoned the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, to explain why the implementation of a proposed expatriates taxation policy should not be halted.   The order followed an ex-parte motion filed by the plaintiff’s counsel, Patrick Peter. Justice Ekwo directed that the motion be served on the minister and AGF within three days…

The United States Supreme Court on Thursday rejected an emergency request from President-elect Donald Trump to postpone sentencing in his hush-money case. The court, by a narrow 5-4 vote, dismissed the application to block Friday’s proceedings, even with three of the justices being Trump appointees. In its brief, unsigned order, the court stated that the burden of sentencing on the President-elect’s responsibilities was “relatively insubstantial.” It also noted that Trump…

Donald Trump will be sentenced on Friday in the high-profile New York “hush money” case, following a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 5-4 ruling, the justices rejected the president-elect’s last-minute request to delay the proceedings, ensuring sentencing will occur just over a week before his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. The narrow decision saw Amy Coney Barrett, who was appointed by Mr. Trump…

President Bola Tinubu has called on the Chinese government to increase its currency swap arrangement with Nigeria, emphasising the need for deeper economic collaboration to fast-track infrastructure development.  The president made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, at the State House in Abuja. Tinubu highlighted the inadequacy of the current $2 billion currency swap deal, urging China to consider a significant increase. …

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has reiterated the federal government’s (FG) commitment to completing critical infrastructure projects across Nigeria, setting strict expectations for contractors during his inspection of road projects in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones.   During the tour, which began on January 7, 2025, Umahi visited several major projects, including the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, the East-West Road, and the Bodo-Bonny Road. While expressing satisfaction with some of…