Abuja, Nigeria — The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Chieftaincy Matters, Abbas Tijjani Hashim, has announced the launch of the National Traditional Leaders’ Summit on Mediation, Conflict Management and Peacebuilding, a landmark initiative aimed at empowering traditional rulers to play a more active role in sustaining peace and supporting democratic governance ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Hashim described the summit as a “historic milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards sustainable peace, social cohesion, and democratic excellence.” He said the initiative reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance and…
Author: Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
There are strong signs that the disagreement between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central and Senate President Godswill Akpabio has finally been resolved. This follows Natasha’s invitation to Akpabio and other Senators to attend a series of project commissioning events in Kogi State next week. The letter of invitation, signed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan herself, was addressed to all Senators and read out by the Senate President during Thursday’s plenary session. In the letter, Senator Natasha invited her colleagues to Ihima, Kogi State, on Sunday for the commissioning of constituency projects to mark her second anniversary in the National Assembly. Part…
President Bola Tinubu has approved the introduction of a 15 per cent ad-valorem import duty on petrol and diesel, a move aimed at protecting local refineries and stabilising Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market. The directive, contained in a letter dated October 21, 2025, and made public on Wednesday, was addressed to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). According to the letter signed by his Private Secretary, Damilotun Aderemi, the President’s approval followed a proposal from the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, recommending the new tariff framework as part of broader…
The Federal Government has dismissed as misleading and inaccurate, recent remarks by former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, concerning the ongoing $1 billion modernisation of the Apapa and TinCan Island Ports in Lagos. In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy on Media and Communications, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, the ministry expressed concern over what it described as a “wrong impression” created by Obi’s comments. Akinola clarified that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has consistently explained that the Federal Government’s efforts at modernising and upgrading the nation’s ports…
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a man in Oyigbo, Rivers State, over a series of posts on the social media platform X in which he urged the military to remove the government. The suspect, identified as Innocent Chukwuma and known on X as @TheAgroman, was taken into custody after posting messages calling for a coup. In one of the posts Chukwuma wrote: “A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian Government, and join the AES. That is all we need now.” He also posted, “It will happen eventually. Nigerians, the military needs your…
A storm of criticism has followed the actions of some supporters of the Obidient movement who made jokes about Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, after reports claimed he faced a brief visa issue in the United States. The 91-year-old literary legend, who remains Africa’s first and only Nobel Prize winner in Literature, was said to have been delayed at a U.S. airport due to what was described as a minor visa technicality. Instead of sympathy, the news sparked ridicule from a section of Labour Party loyalists online. Many Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, have expressed anger over the incident. They…
The Adamawa State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has descended into internal crisis, as two separate factions emerged following parallel congresses organized by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Aisha Dahiru Ahmed, popularly known as Binani. According to a post by Nigerian Affairs Journal on X (formerly Twitter), both Babachir Lawal and Aisha Binani convened different meetings to elect new state executive committees of the ADC, a move that has widened division within the party. At Babachir Lawal’s gathering, former Adamawa State Governor, Jibrilla…
Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has warned that he will take legal action against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if he is not allowed to buy the nomination form to contest for the position of National Chairman at the party’s upcoming national convention. The convention is scheduled to hold on November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. Lamido made the threat while speaking to reporters in Abuja on Monday after his effort to get the form failed. He alleged that both the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, were aware of the…
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has approved an application by Lotus Bank Limited to take over the assets and bank accounts of Unpacked Limited, a company owned by ENDSARS activist Oluwafeyikemi Abudu and her associate Oluwafemi Badewole, over an alleged ₦532.6 million debt. The order was issued by Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu after the court heard an ex parte motion filed by the bank’s lawyer, A. Adedoyin-Adetunji. The decision allows the bank to assume control of both movable and immovable properties belonging to the company and to recover funds held in several financial institutions. According to court filings…
Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, has urged Nigeria to guide internet fraudsters, popularly known as “Yahoo boys,” toward positive contributions instead of condemning them. Speaking at the “Golden Health” conference in Onitsha, Anambra State, Obi said, “Some Yahoo boys are geniuses who need redirection. Their creativity, if guided, can drive innovation and national development.” The event, held at All Saints’ Cathedral with the theme “Money Beyond Wealth,” aimed to promote ethical leadership and moral values among young people. Obi, who returned early from a UK trip to attend, stressed that Nigeria’s progress hinges on rejecting corruption and…