The Lagos State Judiciary has appointed a coroner to conduct a formal inquest into the deaths of 10 persons who lost their lives in the recent fire outbreak at Afriland Tower, Broad Street, Lagos Island. The decision followed a petition by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), urging the Chief Coroner of Lagos State to initiate an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident. The inferno, which occurred on September 16, 2025, reportedly started in the building’s inverter room before spreading rapidly, producing thick smoke that trapped several occupants. Viral videos on social media showed some victims attempting to…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Lawmakers in the National Assembly, led by Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South), have dismissed claims by the United States alleging widespread persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The senators described the foreign reports as “dangerous and misleading,” insisting that insecurity in the country affects Nigerians of all faiths and is not driven by religion. Their position followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Ndume and co-sponsored by Senators Sani Musa (Niger East), Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North), and Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South), titled: “Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative in Nigeria and the International Communities.”…
Former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, has hinted that two more serving governors are set to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Ahmad, who served as Special Assistant on Digital Communications to former President Muhammadu Buhari, made the disclosure in a post on X late Tuesday night. According to him, Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, and another governor from the North-West region will officially join the APC “in a matter of days.” “In just a matter of days, the Governor of Taraba State and another Governor from the North West will officially join our great party, the All Progressives…
The controversy surrounding former President Goodluck Jonathan’s alleged plan to contest the 2027 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new turn on Monday after he was dragged before a Federal High Court in Abuja. According to Newsmen, a lawyer, Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, filed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, seeking to bar Jonathan from contesting the 2027 election. The suit also listed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation as second and third defendants, respectively. Jideobi is asking the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any…
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has berated President Bola Tinubu over what it described as his administration’s insensitivity to the worsening insecurity across the country. In a statement issued on Sunday via X by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party accused the President of neglecting his constitutional duty as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces while Nigerians continue to suffer escalating violence and attacks. The ADC condemned Tinubu’s frequent attendance at social and political events amid nationwide killings and kidnappings, describing such conduct as “unacceptable and irresponsible.” Abdullahi revealed that nine local government areas in Kwara State, once regarded…
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has dismissed the chances of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, winning the 2027 presidential election. His comment follows growing speculation that both opposition leaders may run on a joint ticket under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Speaking on Sunday Politics, a Channels Television programme, Oshiomhole said both Atiku and Obi have a consistent record of electoral defeat and would suffer the same fate again if they join forces against President Bola Tinubu. “Did Atiku and Obi not run together…
The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Debo Ologunagba, has confirmed that former President Goodluck Jonathan remains a bona fide member of the party. Ologunagba made this clarification on Thursday during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme. According to him, Jonathan has neither resigned from the PDP nor been expelled, hence he remains a full member. “Goodluck Jonathan is still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party. He has not resigned,” Ologunagba said. “There are two ways to leave a party — either you resign or you are removed. But till date, Jonathan has…
The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Debo Ologunagba, has dismissed speculations of internal conflict within the party, insisting that there is no war in the PDP. Ologunagba made the clarification on Thursday during an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television. According to him, the PDP remains strong, cohesive, and committed to democratic principles. “I am not fighting any war in PDP because there’s no war in the party. PDP is solid, PDP is together,” he said. He acknowledged that disagreements exist within the party but described them as normal in a democratic setting.…
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has debunked reports claiming that he intends to step aside for another presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 elections, describing the reports as false and misleading. Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, made the clarification in a statement on Thursday, October 2, 2025, following reactions to the BBC Hausa interview granted by the former Vice President. According to Ibe, both the video and transcripts of the interview in Hausa and English were reviewed, and “at no point did the former Vice President expressly state, suggest, or even imply that he intends to step down for anyone.”…
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of betraying public trust through its conduct of the 2023 general elections, describing the outcome as a major setback to Nigeria’s democratic aspirations. The party made the allegation during a high-level meeting with the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) in Abuja, where both parties called for urgent electoral reforms to restore public confidence ahead of the 2027 polls. This was contained in a statement shared via X on Saturday by the ADC’s National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. According to the statement, the EU delegation, led…
The lingering crisis within the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new twist on Sunday as the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike — known as the Legacy Group — elected a new state working committee led by Barrister Nosa Ogieva. Ogieva emerged alongside 13 other executive members during the party’s 2025 State Congress held in Benin City. The new leadership pledged to reunite aggrieved members and restore the PDP’s dominance in Edo politics. Out of the 14 positions filled, 11 candidates were returned unopposed, while Tony Aziegbemi,…
The Senior Political Assistant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Demola Olarewaju, has predicted that President Bola Tinubu will lose the 2027 presidential election if Atiku and former President Goodluck Jonathan contest on different party platforms. Olarewaju made the remark while featuring on the Mic On podcast on Saturday, where he analyzed potential political dynamics ahead of the 2027 polls. According to him, Jonathan stands a strong chance of winning public support if he emerges victorious in a competitive primary election. “If Goodluck Jonathan can come into the primaries and contest in a competitive primaries and he wins, we all…
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has issued a stern warning to local authorities and revenue agents against collecting taxes or levies from petty traders in the state. Soludo gave the warning while addressing supporters during a rally at Ekwulọbịa in Aguata Local Government Area. He urged all concerned to desist from extorting small-scale traders, stressing that his administration remains committed to protecting their livelihoods. The governor’s remarks followed his visit to Eke Market in Awgbu, where he observed that some agents were still collecting levies from petty traders with less than ₦100,000 capital — in violation of an existing…
The internal crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new turn on Sunday as the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike — known as the Legacy Group — elected a new state working committee headed by Barrister Nosa Ogieva. Ogieva emerged alongside 13 other executive members during the party’s 2025 State Congress held in Benin City. The new leadership pledged to reunite party members and restore the PDP’s electoral dominance in the state. Out of the 14 positions filled, 11 candidates were returned unopposed, while Tony…
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has declared that his victory in the 2027 governorship election would be a “walkover” if he secures the backing of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party. Jandor, who was the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before defecting to the APC, made the declaration on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He expressed confidence that with the support of the president and the APC structure in Lagos, his chances of emerging victorious would be unassailable. “You…
Renowned political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, has lamented the decline of opposition politics in Nigeria, saying that political parties have lost their voices and that only a few citizens on social media now provide meaningful dissent against the Federal Government. Utomi made the remarks at the David Oladipo Leadership Roundtable, themed “Nigeria and Opposition Politics,” held in Lagos. He expressed concern that most opposition parties have become weak and silent due to internal crises and fear of persecution. “The only strong opposition we have today is a few active citizens on social media. Outside that, no political party is challenging…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of lacking the spirit of democratic sportsmanship. National Chairman of the PDP, Amb. Umar Damagum, made the allegation on Thursday during a meeting with the European Union (EU) Election Observation Follow-up Mission in Abuja. Damagum cited the conduct of recent elections as evidence, saying they were marred by widespread irregularities. “Unfortunately, this spirit of democratic sportsmanship has not been matched by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said. “As you have observed, the conduct of recent elections continues to be marred by widespread irregularities, ranging from…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the National Assembly to expedite action on amendments to Nigeria’s electoral legal framework. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja when he received Barry Andrews, Head of the European Union (EU) Election Observation Follow-up Mission to Nigeria. Yakubu said an early passage of the amendments was vital to enable the commission adequately prepare for the next general election. “Uncertainty over the legal framework for the election can unsettle the work of the commission as elections draw nearer,” the INEC boss stated. He disclosed that the commission had…
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has criticised former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying he lacked the capacity to “rescue” Nigeria. Speaking to journalists on Friday in Abuja, Akume stated that Obi failed to transform Anambra State during his tenure as governor, questioning his ability to manage the affairs of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). “If Peter Obi could not rescue Anambra, he’s talking of rescuing the 36 states and Abuja,” Akume said. He described political rivalry as “differences without division,” noting that all Nigerians must work together to move…
A former Acting Governor of Ekiti State, Tunji Odeyemi, has emerged as chairman of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the state congress held in Ado-Ekiti. Over 1,000 delegates across the 16 local government areas participated in the exercise, which produced members of the State Working Committee. Odeyemi secured 936 votes to defeat his opponent, former state legal officer of the party, Sunday Olowolafe, who polled 290 votes. In his acceptance speech, Odeyemi expressed gratitude to party leaders and delegates for their support, assuring them that the confidence reposed in him would not be betrayed. He…