A video circulating on social media has sparked outrage after a group of supporters linked to Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, were seen expressing admiration for former United States President Donald Trump while allegedly celebrating Nigeria’s inclusion in a controversial global religious freedom watchlist. In the video, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a user identified as @citizenobs, one of the speakers praised Trump, calling him “the best president in the whole wide world,” and went on to say, “God bless you, thank you for placing Nigeria in the country of CPC.” Observers have interpreted…
Author: Podium Reporters
Public figures and advocacy groups across Nigeria and abroad are urging two prominent opposition leaders — former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party — to publicly declare their positions on the ongoing debate surrounding the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation being considered for Nigeria by the United States government. The U.S. State Department uses the CPC list to identify nations that allegedly permit or engage in severe violations of religious freedom. Discussions about whether Nigeria should be added to the list have sparked renewed…
The Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed a claim by United States President Donald Trump that Christians are being subjected to genocide in the country, calling the statement misleading and not based on facts. Trump, through his Truth Social account on Friday, alleged that Christianity is under serious threat in Nigeria and accused what he called “radical Islamists” of being responsible for the killing of Christians. In a response issued on Saturday, the spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the allegation does not represent the true situation in the country. “While Nigeria appreciates global concern for…
Retired General Christopher Musa, who recently completed his tenure as Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, has described the country as “a nation worth fighting for,” urging serving officers to remain committed to the unity and security of the nation. Gen. Musa gave this message on Friday in Abuja during an emotional Pulling-Out Parade organized in his honour to mark the end of his 39-year military career. Reflecting on his years of service, Musa said serving Nigeria was the greatest privilege of his life. “This parade today is not just a ceremony; it marks the end of a journey devoted to…
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…
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…