By Deji Adesogan At a time when Nigeria is grappling with escalating security challenges and facing external pressures including the looming threat of sanctions and scrutiny from the United States over rising insurgency financing and related security concerns the appointment of General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.) as Minister of Defence could not have come at a more critical moment. Many Nigerians may not fully appreciate how different this role is from his previous position as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and why he is now empowered to deliver reforms that were impossible under the constraints of the military hierarchy. The…
Author: Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
The Nigerian Senate has officially approved the appointment of General Christopher Musa, former Chief of Defence Staff, as the country’s new Minister of Defence. The confirmation followed a comprehensive five-hour screening conducted by lawmakers on Wednesday. General Musa, who previously led the Nigerian Armed Forces, faced detailed questioning during the session before securing the approval. His appointment marks a continuation of his extensive military and defence service in a ministerial capacity. Further details on his confirmation and upcoming responsibilities will be released as they become available.
The ongoing crisis within the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Tuesday as the party said it has not received any formal communication from Governor Ademola Adeleke regarding his alleged resignation. A letter purportedly signed by Adeleke, announcing his resignation from the PDP, had circulated widely on social media earlier in the day, sparking speculation that the governor was leaving the party due to internal conflicts. Reports suggested that Adeleke cited long-standing disagreements within the party as his reason for stepping down. Despite the viral circulation of the resignation letter, Adeleke’s name remained on the…
Human rights advocate Deji Adeyanju has rejected claims by Ovation Magazine publisher Dele Momodu, who suggested that the removal of police escorts from some VIPs was politically driven. Adeyanju said it was wrong for politicians and wealthy individuals to feel entitled to police protection while many Nigerians live with daily security threats. He explained that the police should focus on keeping the country safe instead of being used as personal security staff by influential people. “Atiku and all other so-called VIPs should go and get civil defence to protect them,” Adeyanju said. “The police should be allowed to police the…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as the country’s next Minister of Defence following the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday. The nomination was formally transmitted to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in a letter where President Tinubu said General Musa is “eminently qualified to lead the Ministry of Defence” and would help “further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.” General Musa, who will turn 58 on December 25, is a highly decorated soldier who served as Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 to October 2025.…
A social media post by a prominent supporter of the Labour Party, Vivian Rora, has sparked wide controversy after online users accused her of sharing misleading photographs to praise the administration of Governor Alex Otti, the current governor of Abia State in South-East Nigeria. Vivian, posting via her verified handle @VivianRora, claimed that Governor Otti had upgraded the hostels at Abia State University (ABSU) to “international standards” as part of his efforts to improve student welfare. She also highlighted ambitious future plans for the state’s transport system. In her post, Vivian wrote: “Alex Otti has refurbished the Abia State University…
A statement attributed to Nigerian politician Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed has sparked widespread online reactions after he was quoted as describing terrorists and bandits operating in the country as “gentlemen in the forest.” The comment surfaced in a post published on X (formerly Twitter) by user @ChuksEricE, who shared a video clip and quoted Baba-Ahmed as saying: “B@nd!ts and terrørists are not j!h@d!st. The real meaning of jihådist is totally different from what they are doing. They’re gentlemen in the forest doing something else.” Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, a well-known Nigerian political figure and the 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party,…
The Department of State Services has invited Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, who was the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, after he made comments that officials consider inciting. According to sources in the agency, the invitation followed worries raised by some of his recent public statements. One of the officers said Baba-Ahmed went on national television a few days ago and blamed the judiciary and the military for allowing the swearing-in of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. The officer added that Baba-Ahmed also made remarks that were seen as provoking the military. The source said, “His…
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), months after his exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC). El-Rufai registered with the ADC and received his membership card at the party office in Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna State. He was accompanied by a large group of loyal supporters, including former appointees and local government chairmen. Addressing party officials and supporters, including ADC Vice Chairman (North West) Hon. Jafaru Sani and National Membership Secretary Senator Sadiq Yar’adua, El-Rufai said: “Mr. Peter Obi and I pleaded with the ADC coalition to allow us conclude the…
The United States government says it will review green cards that were issued to migrants from 19 countries as part of a new check on its immigration system. Nigeria is not on the list. The decision follows the recent incident involving Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national accused of shooting two members of the US National Guard. The case has led to stronger security measures ordered by President Donald Trump. Joe Edlow, who heads the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, said in a post on X that he ordered a full review of green cards belonging to people from nations seen…