Former Vice President and ex-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has disclosed that his late political mentor, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, instructed him to step down for the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election, MKO Abiola. Atiku said Yar’Adua gave the directive during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries, emphasizing that he had no choice but to comply. Speaking in an interview with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie on Untold Stories, Atiku also revealed that SDP governors threatened to withdraw their support if Abiola chose him as running mate instead of Babagana Kingibe. “There have been some misinterpretations of what actually…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed a purported timetable for its nationwide congress, describing it as fake. In a statement on Tuesday, APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, clarified that the party has not issued any official timetable or schedule of activities for congresses. “The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to a purported timetable/schedule of activities in circulation for the party’s nationwide congresses,” Morka stated. He emphasized that the document did not originate from the party and urged members, officials, the media, and the public to disregard it. “The party has not issued any…
Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has refuted claims that he has endorsed a candidate for the 2027 governorship election. Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Mr. Peter Ahemba, at a media briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Lafia, the governor described the reports as false and baseless. He emphasized that the decision on who will succeed him lies with the people of Nasarawa and urged the public to disregard any speculation about a government-backed candidate. Governor Sule also warned that any political appointee fueling such rumors was engaging in insubordination, adding…
The United States announced on Tuesday that it has reached an agreement with Russia on a sea ceasefire to ensure safe navigation and prevent the militarization of commercial vessels in the Black Sea. The development followed separate meetings between U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian officials held on Monday and Tuesday. Following the talks with Ukrainian officials on Tuesday, the White House released two readouts from its discussions with both Russia and Ukraine, formally confirming the agreement. The statement outlined the objectives of the ceasefire, including eliminating the use of force and ensuring commercial shipping remains free from military conflict. However, a…
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has launched an investigation into a fatal train accident that claimed the life of an unidentified woman along the Gwagwa-Idu railway line. In a statement on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that the incident occurred on Monday, March 24, 2025. According to Adeh, the police responded to a distress call reporting an unconscious woman on the railway tracks behind Zeberced Company, Idu. Upon arrival, officers discovered a lifeless and disfigured female body, believed to have been struck by a train. The remains were immediately evacuated to Kubwa General Hospital, where…
The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has convicted and sentenced Oguzie Chima Joseph, also known as Sergeant Flores Nguyen, to two years imprisonment for internet fraud. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the spokesperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale, confirmed that Joseph was convicted by Justice Sergius Onah on two counts of cybercrime brought against him by the commission. According to Oyewale, the first count stated that Joseph, in 2024, fraudulently posed as a U.S. Army officer, Sergeant Flores Uguyeni, on Facebook to gain financial benefits, an offense contrary to Section…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified shortcomings in the petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District. In a statement issued on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, stated that the petition failed to meet certain requirements. The petition, submitted by constituents from Kogi Central, was accompanied by six bags of documents containing signatures from over half of the district’s 474,554 registered voters. However, INEC observed that the petitioners did not provide a clear contact address, phone numbers, or email addresses…
The Women Lawyers Congress has called on Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to publicly clarify or apologize for alleged derogatory remarks made by his Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam. The remarks, which were captured in a widely circulated video, contained harsh comments directed at ‘Gwaggo,’ a term used to address former First Lady Hafsat Abdullahi Ganduje. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Chairlady of the Congress, Barrister Nafisa Abba Ismail, condemned the Deputy Governor’s conduct, describing it as part of a pattern of insulting respected figures. She stated that such behavior was unbecoming of a leader and raised concerns…
United States President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on any country purchasing oil or gas from Venezuela, citing concerns over migration and criminal activities. Trump made the announcement on Monday via his Truth Social handle, accusing Venezuela of deliberately sending high-level criminals, including violent offenders, into the U.S. “President Donald J. Trump announced today that the United States of America will be putting what is known as a Secondary Tariff on the Country of Venezuela, for numerous reasons, including the fact that Venezuela has purposefully and deceitfully sent to the United States, undercover, tens of…
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to ensure that local government allocations are paid directly, in line with the Supreme Court judgment mandating local governments to open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, made the call on Sunday during the 8th National Administrative Council meeting of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Abuja. He urged both the government and state governors not to politicize the implementation of the court ruling. “We have got autonomy now. I want to plead with the federal government not to…
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for releasing Rivers State’s withheld allocation to the appointed Sole Administrator, despite a Supreme Court ruling barring such action. The Supreme Court, in a ruling on February 28, had prohibited the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), and other agencies from disbursing allocations to Rivers State until it complied with court orders. However, last Tuesday, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly for…
A prominent chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Asiwaju Moshood Shittu, has warned the party’s national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, against hastily entering into any political alliance or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking to journalists in Abuja over the weekend, Shittu, a former Director-General (North) of the Kwankwaso Presidential Campaign Council, cautioned that any rushed merger without a clear agenda or a credible presidential candidate could result in a “marriage of inconvenience.” He likened the situation to the 2014 merger that led to the removal of former President Goodluck Jonathan, arguing that it ultimately…
Former All Progressives Congress (APC) North-West Vice Chairman, Salihu Lukman, has disclosed that discussions on forming a unified opposition party to challenge the ruling APC in the 2027 general elections are at an advanced stage. Lukman made the revelation on Monday while reacting to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent statement that opposition leaders were working towards a coalition to take on the APC in the next election. He noted that Abubakar’s remarks had sparked intense national debate, adding that while no final decisions had been made, consultations were progressing steadily. According to him, the primary focus of the talks…
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as excessive. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Soyinka expressed concerns over the decision, which he believes was an overreach in handling the political crisis in the state. It could be recalled that Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers on Tuesday night, citing political instability and governance challenges. The declaration led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State Assembly for an initial period of six months.…
The Jigawa State Government has reiterated its commitment to enforcing the ban on night grazing by herders in a bid to reduce road accidents, which have been largely attributed to stray camels. Governor Umar Namadi made this known while receiving officials of the Camel Rearers Association of West Africa on a courtesy visit to the Government House in Dutse. Expressing concern over the rising number of fatalities and injuries caused by camels crossing major roads, the governor emphasized that the state government prioritizes the safety and well-being of its residents. He also acknowledged the illegal activities of some herders, particularly…
The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, has condemned the remarks made by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), regarding President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. Kwankwaso had described the declaration as unconstitutional, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for impunity. However, in a statement issued in Kano, Ata defended the president’s decision, insisting that it was made in the interest of national stability and security. He maintained that the move was necessary to restore law and order following…
The recent political maneuverings in Rivers State have exposed the deeper strategy behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s (PBAT) actions, revealing a calculated move that has left Nyesom Wike politically weakened. The Turning Point On the night PBAT declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, a delegation led by the Senate President visited Wike at his residence. While the purpose of the visit remains unclear, images from the meeting surfaced on social media. One particular picture stood out—while others appeared in high spirits, Wike looked dejected. This contrast was telling: despite the removal of his perceived enemy, Siminalayi Fubara, Wike…
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has weighed in on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, cautioning against the abuse of power and urging key players to act in the nation’s best interest. Addressing the issue of the governor’s suspension, Jonathan noted that as a former leader from the Niger Delta, many had called on him to intervene. However, he emphasized that former presidents rarely comment on the actions of sitting presidents due to the potential tension it could create. “The situation in Rivers State reminds me of an Indian proverb: If somebody is truly asleep, you can wake them up…
Suspected kidnappers have abducted a Nigerian Navy officer attached to the Defence Headquarters, Lt. Cynthia Akor, along with two others in Abuja. According to reports by Vanguard, the victims were kidnapped from their residence in the Mpape area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday night. Kidnappers Demand N100 Million Ransom Sources revealed that the kidnappers have contacted the families of the abducted individuals, demanding a ransom of N100 million for their release. “Among the three people kidnapped on Friday night in Mpape is a Defence Headquarters official, Akor. The kidnappers have already reached out to their families and…
Former federal lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has stated that recalling an incumbent senator is a costly and financially demanding process, often requiring significant state backing. Sani made this revelation in a Facebook post on Saturday amid speculation of an alleged plot to recall Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The development follows her recent allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio. Recall Process Requires Massive Funding According to Sani, initiating a recall against a senator is an expensive endeavor that can only succeed with substantial financial support, typically from the state. “Recalling a senator is a very expensive…