The Presidency has dismissed claims that democracy is under threat in Nigeria, describing recent concerns by opposition parties, figures and human rights advocates as baseless and alarmist. Presidency denied the claim in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy. The Presidency criticised what it called ‘disgruntled opposition figures’ and ‘partisan human rights crusaders’ for raising false alarms over recent defections of…

From academic excellence to political grace, how Dr. Oyebanji’s path led her to the heart of Ekiti’s leadership. Dr. Olayemi Jumoke Abiodun-Oyebanji, the First Lady of Ekiti State, was born in Ado-Ekiti into the distinguished family of High Chief Samuel Adedipe (Elerebi Omowa) of Irona Quarters, Ado-Ekiti. She began her education at Baptist Primary School, Irona, Ado-Ekiti, from 1976 to 1982, and continued at Baptist Secondary School, Ado-Ekiti, from 1982…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating it has no tangible achievements to showcase and no credible record to defend. Reacting to the wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku, in a statement posted on his X page yesterday, said the Tinubu administration’s only strategy is ‘chaos and division,’ which he described as ‘the last refuge of the incompetent.’ Atiku compared Tinubu’s…

A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, has criticised Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) over his recent comments on Nigeria’s economic situation during a lecture at Johns Hopkins University in the United States. Obi, speaking on ‘Politics and Change in Nigeria’ at the invitation of Professor Peter Lewis, drew comparisons between Nigeria and three other nations — China, Vietnam, and Indonesia…

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has identified poor political leadership as the primary factor behind Nigeria’s persistent underdevelopment The former Anambra State governor said this during his lecture delivered yesterday at Johns Hopkins University, USA. Speaking on the theme ‘Politics and Change in Nigeria’ at the invitation of Professor Peter Lewis—renowned author of ‘Growing Apart: Comparing Indonesia and Nigeria’—Obi drew sharp contrasts between Nigeria and three…

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has weighed in on the wave of defections currently affecting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Reacting to the recent defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, alongside the party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, and several other prominent PDP leaders to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Saraki described the situation as a phase of ‘rebirth’ rather than decline. In a statement posted on his Instagram…

While many Nigerians know the name Nasir El-Rufai—former governor, federal minister, policy reformer—few know the woman who raised him. Even fewer have ever seen her. Her name is Hajiya Fatima, and though she shuns the spotlight, her life tells a story of resilience, sacrifice, and quiet strength. Born into a Fulani family in northern Nigeria, Fatima’s upbringing reflected the cultural norms of her time—strong on tradition yet limited in educational…

The National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has approved a series of far-reaching economic initiatives. They includes the establishment of a Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board and the adoption of a national agribusiness and livestock transformation strategy expected to generate up to $90 billion by 2035. These resolutions were reached during the 149th NEC meeting held on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The Council,…

Party-hopping by governors isn’t new in Nigerian politics.

Nigerian journalist and publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of employing heavy-handed tactics to coerce opposition figures into joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, April 23, Momodu asserted that fear, rather than ideological alignment or genuine loyalty, was the primary driver behind the increasing wave of defections to the APC.…

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, Honourable Oluwole Oke, has formally resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Oke, who represents the Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in Osun State, made the announcement in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the PDP in Ward 7, Obokun Local Government Area.  The letter, dated Wednesday, signals the end of his long-standing affiliation with the party. “I…

Early Life and Education Nasir El-Rufai was born on 16 February 1960 in Daudawa, then part of the Northern Region of British Nigeria (now Katsina State). His early years were shaped by personal tragedy and resilience. At the age of eight, El-Rufai lost his father, a public servant in the defunct Northern Nigeria government. Following this loss, he was raised and supported by an uncle, who played a critical role…