Former Adamawa North lawmaker, Senator Elisha Abbo, is in police custody after turning himself in to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja over allegations that he raped a 13-year-old student. The girl’s parents alleged that the incident happened on June 29, 2025, at Abbo’s residence in Katampe, Abuja. They also claimed that the former senator tried to cover up the case by offering money to the victim’s father. In another development, the family accused Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, also known as Binani, of visiting them to discourage them from pursuing the matter publicly. Police sources confirmed that Abbo…
Author: Podium Reporters
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has once again ignited controversy in the political space after backtracking on claims that he had promised to step down for another candidate in the build-up to the 2027 elections. Speaking on Thursday, Atiku declared: “I didn’t promise to step down for anybody — I said I’d support whoever gets ADC ticket.” The statement, however, has triggered a storm of criticism, with many Nigerians questioning whether Atiku is being entirely truthful or simply engaging in his usual political doublespeak. For months, speculations had swirled around the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, alleging he…
As Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 presidential elections, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent declaration that he would step aside for a younger aspirant in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) primaries has been met with skepticism, with many critics dismissing it as political rhetoric. Atiku, who led the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as its presidential flagbearer in 2023 but failed to secure victory, told BBC Hausa that he would accept defeat in the primaries and back a younger contender. He insisted that the African Democratic Congress is a party committed to youth and women’s empowerment. “If I run for…
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has returned to the country after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York and later holding vital diplomatic meetings in Germany. The Vice President’s jet landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja early Thursday morning, where senior government officials received him. Strong Push for Global Reforms At the UNGA, Shettima presented Nigeria’s national address, calling for a comprehensive reform of the international body to ensure Africa enjoys fairer representation in global decision-making processes. He stressed that African countries must retain sovereignty over their natural resources, estimated…
The Nigerian Army has confirmed that its troops under the 6 Brigade and Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke have intercepted and neutralized two terrorists during a counter-operation in Taraba State. Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, disclosed this in a press release on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. He explained that troops received credible intelligence indicating that armed groups were gathering at Tor-Ikyeghgba village. “On arrival at the general area, the troops made contact with the terrorists along the powerline axis and immediately engaged them with superior firepower, resulting in the neutralisation of two,” the statement…
After days of industrial unrest caused by a nationwide strike, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its strike action targeting the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. This development followed extensive government-led negotiations involving the Ministry of Labour and other federal agencies. PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo disclosed at a press briefing in Abuja that despite serious reservations about Dangote Group’s commitment to honoring the terms of the recent agreement, the union chose to suspend the strike in deference to government mediation efforts. Osifo warned, “If any part of this agreement is broken, we will not give…
In a heartfelt message delivered on Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, President Bola Tinubu pressed the need for a shift in national mindset—from consumption alone to active production. Emphasizing the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship, the President called on all tiers of government to work collaboratively for national growth. “Our economy must transform from a consumer nation to a producer nation,” Tinubu said, referencing reforms like accelerated passport processing by the Ministry of Interior as an example of improved efficiency. He championed agriculture and the expansion of factories as vital engines of growth and urged citizens to prioritize products made in…
President Bola Tinubu has categorically dismissed reports of religious persecution and genocide in Nigeria. At the launch event of a new book by Governor Hope Uzodimma in Owerri, Tinubu underscored the nation’s history of religious tolerance and coexistence between Muslims and Christians. The president labeled the claims of persecution as “a lie,” affirming that such narratives do not reflect the reality on the ground in Nigeria. According to Tinubu, the nation continues to uphold peace and mutual respect among its diverse religious groups.The denial comes amid controversial statements by American talk show host Bill Maher, who alleged that half a…
On Friday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu turned his gaze south-westward to the sprawling city of Ibadan. More than two years since his assumption of office, this was the President’s first visit to Ibadan, regarded as the political and spiritual capital of the Yoruba nation. Ibadan is not just any city; it is the heartbeat of Yoruba politics and identity, steeped in tradition, intellect, and culture. From Mapo Hall, where nationalist leaders once roused the masses, to Cocoa House, the towering emblem of the Western Region’s prosperity, Ibadan stands as a crucible of Yoruba history. Historically, Ibadan served as the capital…
Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has once again found himself entangled in controversy after a poorly worded congratulatory message to a Yoruba monarch went viral. In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi congratulated His Royal Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, but controversially referred to the highly revered monarch as “my dear brother.” The phrase, highlighted in the viral screenshot above, sparked outrage among Yoruba traditionalists and cultural stakeholders who considered the address highly disrespectful and a direct breach of royal protocols. Following the backlash, Obi attempted damage control by releasing…