The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, and the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, have reaffirmed their commitment to working together to actualize the creation of the proposed Ijebu State. The paramount rulers made this declaration during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Awujale Palace in Ijebu Ode, aimed at advancing the campaign for carving a new state out of the old Ijebu Province in Ogun State. The meeting, attended by traditional rulers, industrialists, politicians, religious leaders, and other stakeholders from Ogun East Senatorial District, underscored the importance of unity between Ijebu and Remo people in pursuing their…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to implementing the controversial tax reform bills, despite growing opposition. Speaking during a presidential media chat in Lagos State on Monday, Tinubu maintained that the reforms are essential for Nigeria’s economic growth and will not be reversed. “The tax reform is here to stay. The reform is pro-poor, and it is meant to widen the tax net so we can have more people paying,” the president stated. “The hallmark of a good leader is the ability to do what you have to do at the time it ought to be done.”…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has defended the controversial tax reform bills, emphasizing that they are designed to remove the lingering impact of colonial rule on Nigeria’s economy. The president made this statement during a media chat held in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State on Monday, amid widespread debate and criticism surrounding the proposed reforms. “Tax reform is here to stay. We cannot continue doing what we were doing yesterday in today’s economy,” Tinubu stated. “The essence of the tax reform bills is to eliminate the influence of colonial rule on Nigeria’s economy.” The bills, which have sparked significant public…
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Edo State House of Assembly has lost one of its members, Ojiezele Osezua Sunday, who on Monday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ojiezele, representing the Esan South-East constituency, was previously elected on the APC platform between 2019 and 2023. He was among the 10 lawmakers inaugurated by the former Governor Godwin Obaseki. However, he defected to the PDP ahead of the 2023 general elections and was re-elected under the party’s banner. Reasons for Defection Describing his return to the APC as a “homecoming,” Ojiezele attributed his defection to the ongoing crises…
The Tony Okocha-led All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has issued a stern warning to members attempting to use the judiciary to undermine the party’s reputation. Okocha revealed during a media chat in Port Harcourt on Sunday that the party plans to appeal the recent ruling by Justice Godwin Ogbondah of the Rivers State High Court, which invalidated the state congresses held in November 2024. Justice Ogbondah had ruled on Friday that the congresses violated an existing court order. The case was brought forward by three aggrieved APC members—Okwu Joebrown-Ndike, Peace Oganu, and Samuel Uchegbule—who alleged they were unfairly…
Reno Omokri, former presidential aide and socio-political commentator, has countered claims that Nigeria’s economy is in shambles, offering ten fact-based reasons to support his stance. Omokri’s statement, released on Sunday, comes in response to recent remarks by a Nigerian entertainer describing the economy as dire. He cited Bloomberg’s report on the $2.5 billion investment by JBS SA, the world’s largest meat producer, as evidence of Nigeria’s economic viability. Below are the ten reasons Omokri provided: Highest ROI Worldwide Nigeria boasts the highest return on investment (ROI) globally at 35%, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, published by The Economist. Upgraded…
Elder statesman and leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, has condemned the opposition by the 19 northern governors to President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills, insisting that the reforms must proceed. Clark expressed his views on Sunday during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political program aired on Channels Television. “As far as I am concerned, that tax bill must go on,” he asserted. Background on the Controversy The tax reform bills introduced by the Tinubu administration have stirred controversy, drawing criticism and resistance from various groups, including the 36 state governors under the…
The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has expressed his condolences to the governments and people of Oyo State, Anambra State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following the tragic stampedes at food palliative distribution venues in these areas, which claimed approximately 65 lives and left many injured. In sympathy messages addressed to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Abiodun described the loss of lives as heartbreaking, particularly as the victims were seeking necessities for survival. He noted that President Bola…
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) to take over the investigation into the death of a suspect, Tunji Abdulquadri Jimoh, who died in a cell at the Kwara State Police Command headquarters in Ilorin on Friday. This directive was announced in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Sunday. IGP Visits Bereaved Family In a bid to demonstrate commitment to justice and accountability, the IGP visited the family of the deceased in Ilorin on Sunday, December 22, 2024. He was received by the Balogun Fulani…
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the 2025 budget proposal, describing it as lacking the structural and fiscal discipline needed to address Nigeria’s economic challenges. Atiku made this statement on Sunday while reacting to the N49.7 trillion budget presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the National Assembly last week. The budget is based on key economic assumptions, including a revenue target of N36.36 trillion, inflation reduction to 15.75%, an exchange rate of N1,500 per dollar, oil production at 2.06 million barrels per day, a crude oil price of…
Former presidential spokesman, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has denied ever criticising President Bola Tinubu at any point in his political career. Okupe made the clarification on Sunday in Lagos while reacting to a report listing him among politicians who previously criticised Tinubu but have now become his supporters. “There is no record anywhere in my political career where I criticised Bola Tinubu,” Okupe stated. “Go and check all through my time in the Labour Party and PDP. I have never spoken ill of him, even though we’ve never been under the same political umbrella.” He attributed their bond to shared struggles…
The Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining activities in Zamfara State, five years after imposing the restriction due to security concerns. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, announced the decision in a statement on Sunday, citing significant improvements in the state’s security situation. “The Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara State, citing significant improvements in the security situation across the state,” the statement read. Alake highlighted Zamfara’s vast potential, noting its wealth of gold, lithium, and copper reserves. He added that the previous ban, while intended to address insecurity, inadvertently…
The Taraba State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 1,600 personnel across the state to ensure peace and security during the Yuletide season. State Commandant Anthony Bala Bitrus disclosed this in a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Iliya Samaila, on Sunday. Bitrus announced that all tactical units of the Corps, including the Rapid Response Squad, Special Female Squad, Anti-Kidnapping Squad, and Operation Safe Jalingo, have been mobilized to address potential security threats before, during, and after Christmas celebrations. He emphasized professionalism among personnel and warned against acts of indiscipline. “The Corps…
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of using land revocations as a tool to intimidate opposition politicians and potential challengers to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. In a statement on Saturday, Frank alleged that Wike’s recent revocation of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) for plots reportedly linked to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, was part of a political strategy. Frank dismissed…
The Edwin Woko-led executives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State have commended the Court of Appeal in Enugu for its ruling on Friday, which removed Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary. The court upheld a High Court judgment that ousted Anyanwu and recognized Ude Okoye as the legitimate National Secretary. Justice Ridwan Abdullahi, delivering the judgment, declared that Anyanwu’s emergence as the PDP governorship candidate violated the party’s constitution, rendering his appeal baseless. In a statement on Saturday, Woko described the ruling as the conclusion of Anyanwu’s “political gambling in the PDP.” The Rivers PDP executives…
Rival factions of bandit kingpins and Lakurawa militants are locked in a violent battle for supremacy in Zamfara State, vying for control of key territories and strategic routes. Sources report that the escalating clashes have created widespread fear and insecurity, forcing residents to flee the affected areas. “This fight is about territorial dominance. There is an urgent need for intervention to prevent further loss of innocent lives,” a local security officer said. The ongoing conflict has heightened concerns among security analysts, who warn of severe implications for the state if the violence continues unchecked. Authorities are yet to announce measures…
The Biden administration is taking steps to extend protections for hundreds of thousands of immigrants under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, according to reports by The New York Times. The move is seen as a preemptive effort to counter former President Donald Trump’s plan for large-scale deportations if re-elected. Trump, who has vowed to execute the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, has appointed key officials, including Rodney S. Scott and Caleb Vitello, to spearhead his immigration overhaul. TPS currently provides temporary residency and work permits to over one million immigrants from 17 countries facing conflict or natural disasters.…
The Minister of State for Defense, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigerian military to end banditry by 2025. Matawalle disclosed this on Saturday while addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) members at his Gusau residence, assuring that the military is committed to meeting the President’s mandate. He announced that the Federal Government has finalized plans to deploy additional troops and military equipment to address insecurity in the North-West. “The Federal Government and military chiefs are deeply concerned about informants aiding bandits, which remains a major obstacle in the fight against banditry,” Matawalle said. He…
President Bola Tinubu on Saturday canceled all official events in Lagos State, where he is spending the Christmas holidays, following stampedes in Abuja and Anambra State that claimed multiple lives. Reports indicate that about 10 people died, and several others were injured during a stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja. In Anambra, at least 20 residents of Okija lost their lives during a rice distribution event. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and urged state authorities to enforce strict crowd control measures.…
The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has nullified the Local Government and State Congresses conducted by the Tony Okocha-led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. The court ruled that the congresses, which led to the inauguration of new executives on December 14 by APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, were held in violation of an existing court order. The suit challenging the congresses was filed by aggrieved party members who claimed they were unlawfully excluded from the process despite fulfilling financial requirements. The court’s decision invalidates the outcomes of the congresses and raises questions about…