Politics – Page 2 – National Infinity Magazine

…Only in Nigeria, by Lanre Ogundipe

Writing this piece reminds me of my time as a distinguished member of the 2014 National Conference as a representative of my constituency – Nigeria Union of Journalists. In one of my quiet moments, l was brooding over the state of the nation and the darkness that has enveloped her like a haze. A rushing brain-waves swirled up in the air and the flashing memory of the humourous session of the confab. I dashed for my handset to dial a call to my friend and colleague who served in the…

Onyema endorses President Tinubu’s reforms, says he is working to stabilise businesses with his policies

Jide Ige

The Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his efforts in implementing policies aimed at stabilising business operations across Nigeria. Onyema who met with President Tinubu at the state house in Abuja on Thursday December 12th, said that the president has made great strides with the ease of doing business in the aviation industry, and with the new reforms introduced by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, the Tinubu administration will stabilise the aviation industry. Onyema added that although…

INEC debunks chairman, Yakubu’s death rumour

Jide Ige

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked the public to disregard reports on the death of its Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi on Saturday said Yakubu is alive. The clarification was necessitated following reports that the INEC Chair had died in London. “Our attention has been drawn to a fake news narrative circulated by a section of the social media claiming the purported death of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu at a London hospital. The story first…

Confusion as NNPP, Gov Candidate disagree in court over suit challenging Ondo Gov., Aiyedatiwa’s victory

Jide Ige

The Ondo State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has disowned the suit instituted by its candidate, Olugbenga Edema, challenging the candidature of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) and his deputy, Olayide Adelami. At the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital on Wednesday, a letter written by the National Legal Adviser of NNPP, Robert Hon, stating that the party did not authorise any suit against the candidacy of Aiyedatiwa and Adelami Deputy was presented. Hence the party requested that its name…

Consumer Protection Probe: Travel agents back FCCPC against Air Peace probe

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents has thrown its weight behind the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s investigation into exploitation allegations against Air Peace. The agents also appealed to the FCCPC to expand the scope of its fact-finding to other airlines in the country. This was made known through a statement signed by the association’s President, Yinka Folami, and made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday. The association said it was committed to advocating fair practices within the downstream aviation sector, prioritising equitable market policies and the protection…

Sokoto Hisbah seizes over 200 cartons of alcoholic drinks

Yemi Thomas, Entertainment Editor

Officials of the Sokoto State Hisbah Board have intercepted and confiscated over 200 cartons of substances suspected to be alcoholic drinks at the Sokoto Central Motor Park. Addressing journalists at the Hisbah office in Sokoto on Wednesday, the state Hisbah Commander, Usman Jatau, paraded the seized items. Jatau stated that no one had come forward to claim the confiscated drinks and that the Hisbah Board would consult the State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General to determine the next course of action. Outlining the rules and regulations guiding residents’ conduct…

The Army is coming with full force, CoAS, Oluyede warns criminals

Jide Ige

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General, Olufemi Oluyede, has warned criminal elements to pack out of the country, emphasising that the Nigerian Army under his leadership is coming with full force. Oluyede said this while addressing the troops of the 1 Division Nigerian Army in Kaduna when he paid a maiden operational visit on Wednesday. He said the adversaries should be ready to face a more serious and formidable Nigerian Army. Oluyede disclosed that as of December 10, he signed his command philosophy, which was hinged on leadership, sound…

Defamation: Abuja, Oyo courts bar further sale of Farotimi’s book

Jide Ige

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, barred human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, from further publishing, selling, circulating, advertising, or distributing the hard or soft copies of his book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’. A similar order was issued by an Oyo State High Court, which also granted an interim order restraining Farotimi or any person acting through him from further printing the controversial book. The activist lawyer is currently embroiled in a legal battle over the controversial book. The police have arraigned Farotimi…

Drop Kemi from your name: I am not PR for Nigeria, Badenoch fires back at VeePee Shettima

Jide Ige

Kemi Badenoch, the Nigerian blood UK-born Conservative Party leader, has replied Vice President, Kashim Shettima over call to drop her Nigerian name. During a visit to the United States, Badenoch had described Nigeria as “a place where almost everything seemed broken.” She added that Nigeria has instability and corruption, prompting the vice president to describe her comment as disrespectful. Shettima had during a speech on migration in Abuja said that Badenoch might “remove the Kemi from her name if she did not feel pride in her “nation of origin.” Comparing…

More national blackout looms as gas suppliers suspend service to GenCos over N2.7tn debt

Jide Ige

Wholesale gas-producing companies have abruptly stopped the supply of natural gas to power generation companies for electricity production over the non-payment of debts accrued from previous supplies, fresh findings by The PUNCH have shown. The Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Dr Joy Ogaji, disclosed the latest development in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, stressing that the gas-producing companies have formally notified all GenCos of the suspension of natural gas supply. The gas supply was abruptly halted after the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream…

Tension rises as second Okuama leader dies in military custody

Wura Kelani, Crime Reporter

The Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, is gripped with fear and anger following the death of its 81-year-old treasurer, Dennis Okugbaye, in military detention. Okugbaye’s demise comes barely six days after the community’s President-General, Pa James Oghoroko, reportedly died in similar circumstances in military detention. Pastor Akpos Okugbaye, the son of the late community treasurer, tearfully announced his father’s passing on Tuesday, sending shockwaves through the already mourning community. Both leaders, alongside others including Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu, and…

N110bn Fraud: Court refuses to grant Yahaya Bello’s bail application

Jide Ige

The Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday refused to grant a bail application filed by the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, saying it was filed prematurely. Justice Maryann Anenih, while delivering the ruling. said, that having been filed when the 1st defendant was neither in custody nor before the court, this instant application was incompetent. “Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she said. The former governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an alleged N110bn money laundering charge brought against…

You can remove ‘Kemi’ from your name, Nigeria’s VeePee, Shettima attacks UK conservative leader

Jide Ige

Vice President Kashim Shettima has tackled Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the UK Conservative Party, for making disparaging remarks about Nigeria. Shettima spoke on Monday at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue held at the State House in Abuja. Conquering the clouds on a journey to Ta Xua with the team – Road Trip Vietnam Team – Nếm TV The Vice President expressed both pride in Badenoch’s achievements and disappointment in her comments about her country of origin. He stated, “Kemi Badenoch, leader of the British Conservative Party —…

We have expelled Kwankwaso’s group from NNPP -Nat. Chairman

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

The New Nigeria Peoples Party has insisted that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and his group remain expelled from the party. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the NNPP National Chairman, Agbo Major, warned Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiyya group against blackmail and illegal actions that could destabilise the party. Major claimed that the Kwankwasiyya group recently wrote to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, seeking to replace the Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Madaki, with someone not recognised by the party. “The action stems from…

South has ruled Nigeria more than North -Atiku

Jide Ige

Nigeria’s former vice-president, Atiku Abubarkar has insisted that the south has held on to power for more years in the present dispensation to the detriment of the north. The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party revealed that there is a six-year difference in the length of time the North and South have held the presidency. Atiku made this remark on Monday in response to the call by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, urging Northerners interested in the presidency to wait until 2031.…

‘Take affirmative steps to eradicate corruption’ Osigwe, NBA President urges Nigerians

Wura Kelani, Crime Reporter

Afam Osigwe, SAN, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association has called on Nigerians and members of the legal profession to take affirmative steps towards eradicating corruption. Osigwe made this appeal on Monday in Abuja while joining the global community to commemorate the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day, themed “Uniting with Youths Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.” The NBA President emphasised that Nigeria’s survival depends on its ability to eliminate corruption. Describing corruption as a complex phenomenon involving fraud, embezzlement, illicit financial flows, administrative malpractice, mismanagement of public resources, lack of…

Breaking: Farotimi gets N50m Bail

Jide Ige

The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has granted a lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi a N50 million bail. The court’s decision was disclosed by the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, via his X handle on Monday. “The first hurdle was crossed. #DeleFarotimi was granted bail of N50 million surety in the like sum with someone with landed property. The case was adjourned to January 29, 2025,” the tweet read. More to follow…

al-Assad’s granted asylum in Russia as rebels overthrow Syrian govt

Jide Ige

Syrian rebels have overthrown President Bashar al-Assad and also announced the capture of the country’s capital, Damascus. The former leader has since fled the war-torn country and is reportedly in Moscow, Russian state media said Sunday citing a source in the Kremlin. Assad fled Syria after opposition forces stormed the capital, Damascus, early Sunday. He had been in power for almost 25 years, presiding over a bloody civil war during the latter half of his reign. Russia’s TASS news service said Assad and members of his family, after arriving in…

Tinubu rejigs North-west Dev. Commission, appoints members for SEDC

Jide Ige

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded to the Senate for confirmation a modified list of members of the inaugural Governing Board of the North West Development Commission (NWDC). The President has also nominated Hon. Emeka Atuma as chairman of the South East Development Commission (SEDC). Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy disclosed this in a statement on Friday. Onanuga said President Tinubu had earlier nominated Ambassador Haruna Ginsau as chairman of the NWDC board and named Senator Tijani Yahaya Kaura and Hon. Abdulkadir S. Usman…

DHQ invites Amnesty Int’l to justify 10,000 death allegations

Wura Kelani, Crime Reporter

Nigeria’s military high command says it has invited the international human rights organization, Amnesty International, to defend its allegations against the armed forces that 10,000 civilians died in its custody. It described the claims by the international rights group as “malicious, shocking, lacking in merit as well as mischievous” adding that the armed forces of Nigeria as a professional organization could not have engaged in what it was accused of. Amnesty International at a press briefing n Maiduguri on Thursday accused the military of sending 10,000 civilians into early grave…

Blockade of Emir Sanusi’s Palace: Kano Govt fingers FG, vows to resist

Jide Ige

The Kano State Government has fingered the Federal Government in the blockade of Kano Emir’s palace on Friday. Armed police and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) had blocked the entrance to the palace, creating a tense atmosphere. Reports say Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II was billed to address some economists on the controversy generated by the tax reforms bills before the National Assembly. The emir was also scheduled to accompany his newly appointed district head Munir Sanusi to Bichi. The security operatives sealed the entrance to the palace…

Fake Certificates: FG sacks Benin, Togo varsity degree holders

Jide Ige

The Federal Government has fired some civil servants with degrees from private tertiary institutions in Benin Republic and Togo, The PUNCH reports. The directive affected federal workers who graduated from the institutions from 2017 to date. The Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, confirmed the development to one of our correspondents on Wednesday. In August, the Federal Government announced that only eight universities had been accredited to award degrees to Nigerians in Togo and Benin Republic.…

Max Air’s damaged engine forces emergency landing as Borno Dep. Gov., Kadafur escapes death

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

The Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, and over 100 passengers have escaped a tragic incident after a Max Air aircraft experienced an engine failure immediately after it took off from Maiduguri International Airport. According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when the deputy Governor and others boarded the plane to Abuja. While the authority has yet to comment on the actual cause of the engine failure, PUNCH Online learned that the pilot and crew managed to execute an emergency landing back at Maiduguri Airport.…

Soldiers neutralise 8,034 terrorists, arrest 11,623 in 2024 -DHQ

Jide Ige

No fewer than 8,034 terrorists were killed and 11,623 arrested during various operations across the country in 2024. Also, crude oil worth N57,052,218,551 was recovered and 6,376 kidnapped victims were rescued between January and December 2024. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba disclosed this at the biweekly update on military operations in Abuja on Thursday. He said, “Troops aggression across the various theatres of operation since the beginning of the year culminated in 8,034 neutralised terrorists; arrested 11,623 and rescued 6,376 hostages. “Additionally, troops recovered 53,101,430 litres of…

Defection: Labour Party fumes, vows to unseat defectors

Jide Ige

The Labour Party, on Thursday, expressed its anger over the defection by some of its elected officers in the house of Representatives and revealed that it would request the leadership of the House to declare vacant the seats of its former members who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress. The opposition party also vowed to take legal action against the defecting lawmakers and announced that it had opened a register for members of the House and other elected officials who disgrace the party by switching allegiance to other political…

My case against Dele Farotimi, by Aare Afe Babalola

Jide Ige

Foremost legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria and founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, has alleged that lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi defamed him in a book published recently. The accusation stems from a Supreme Court judgment involving a land dispute that spanned over two decades. In a petition dated November 19 and addressed to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, Babalola detailed how his law firm discovered Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System and the defamatory contents therein. “I write to report…

Details of Court papers that proved Emefiele owned 753 Abuja housing units

Jide Ige

Idi Musa, an investigating officer at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has described how Ifeanyi Okeke who was a deputy general manager at the Zenith Bank fronted for Godwin Emefiele to fraudulently acquire real estate investments across Nigeria. Musa spoke under oath before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, according to a court affidavit published by Empowered Newswire on Tuesday. The testimony formed part of the basis upon which the court granted a permanent forfeiture of 753 uncompleted residential estate duplexes on Monday, the EFCC’s single…

Lagos moves to reduce dependence on national grid as Sanwo-olu signs Lagos electricity bill into law

Jide Ige

The Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has signed the Lagos Electricity Bill 2024 into law. The law is a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing challenges in the energy sector and is expected to lay the foundation for economic and industrial growth in Lagos. The governor signed the bill on Tuesday at the Lagos House, Ikeja. “The bill is a major step by the state government to ensure a 24-hour electricity supply to every corner of the state, following the Federal Government’s approval for states to generate and distribute energy in…

Adeboye tips RCCG Pastor as next Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland

Yemi Thomas, Entertainment Editor

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has hinted that his in-law, Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, could succeed the late Oba Adekunle Aromolaran as the next Owa of Obokun of Ijeshaland, Osun State. Adeyokunnu, a Deputy Continental Overseer of RCCG in the United States, is reportedly being considered as a potential candidate to replace Oba Aromolaran, who passed away on September 12, 2024. The RCCG leader dropped the hint during Adeyokunnu’s 70th birthday celebration at the RCCG Victory Temple in Bowie, Maryland, on October 16,…

Reps panel kicks as Federal Poly with 142 students incurs N600m on personnel, overhead

Yemi Thomas, Entertainment Editor

The House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnics and other Higher Technical Education has expressed shock over the discovery that Federal Polytechnic Ugep, Cross Rivers State, spends over N600 million on personnel and overhead costs despite having only 142 students and 154 academic and non-academic staff. This was discovered after a submission on budget performance and other activities by the Rector of the Polytechnic, Professor Edward N.Okey, before the committee on Monday. The committee had, as part of its ongoing oversight function, invited Federal Polytechnics and some other technical institutions from…

EFCC recovers 753 houses from top govt official, hides identity

Wura Kelani, Crime Reporter

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission announced its largest asset recovery, a massive 753 housing units located in Lokogoma District, Abuja, since its establishment. The recovered asset, located in the Federal Capital Territory, is an estate spanning 150,500 square meters and comprising 753 units of duplexes and other apartments. The estate is situated on Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja. The recovery followed a ruling delivered on December 2, 2024 by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie. On November 1, 2024, the judge had given an order of interim forfeiture on…

National Assembly will pass tax reform bills, heavens won’t fall –Dickson

Jide Ige

The Chairman, of the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), has said the National Assembly will pass the tax reform bills despite opposition from different quarters. Dickson, in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Monday, said the bills would be passed like the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), stressing that the heavens would not fall when the tax bills are consequently passed. President Tinubu had on October 3, 2024, transmitted to the National Assembly, four tax reform bills, in a letter, read by the…

‘E lo f’okan bale: Ekiti Gov., Oyebanji says ‘I’m not losing sleep over re-election’

Jide Ige

Biodun Oyebanji, the Ekiti State Governor, has expressed concern over the messages politicians send to him expressing worries over his reelection in 2026. Oyebanji, who stressed that he would not lose sleep over the election said that he was not worried over agitations ahead of the 2026 governorship election in the state, and advised politicians to stop sending him such text messages as he was committed to good governance and fulfilling his electoral promises. Oyebanji spoke in Ado Ekiti on Friday night at the monthly Evening of Praise and Worship…

Okonjo-Iweala gets another term at WTO

Jide Ige

World Trade Organization chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was reappointed Friday for a second term, in the shadow of the coming return of Donald Trump and his disdain for international trade rules. Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and the first African to head the WTO, was the only candidate in the race, and had been all but assured a second term. The organisation’s 166 members “today agreed to give incumbent Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala a second term as director-general,” the WTO said in a statement. The 70-year-old Nigerian’s reappointment was approved by consensus during a…

Twist as Abuja driver makes u-turn, begs Abia lawmaker who slapped and threatened him

Jide Ige

An Abuja based e-hailing driver, Stephen Abuwatseya has apologised to the House of Representatives member representing ABA North/South of Abia State in the National Assembly, Alex Ikwechegh who assaulted him after an altercation occurred during a package delivery. In a video statement released to the press on Thursday, Abuwatseya expressed regret for provoking Ikwechegh and asked Nigerians for forgiveness. He also urged everyone to move on from the incident. He stated, “Good day, Nigerians. My name is Stephen Abuwatseya. I had a misunderstanding with Rt. Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh a…

Aiyedatiwa wins Ondo governorship election

Jide Ige

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress has won the 18 local government areas in the Ondo State governorship election, to open a landslide victory. He defeated the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Agboola Ajayi, securing a majority of the votes in all 18 local government areas. Sse all the results hereunder Akure North APC: 14,451 PDP: 5,787 Okitipupa APC 26,811 PDP: 10,233 Akoko North East APC: 25,657 PDP: 5,072 Akure South APC: 32,969 PDP: 17,926 Ose APC: 16,555 PDP: 4,472 Akoko North West APC: 25,010 PDP: 5,502 Akoko South…

“I will make you disappear: Police interrogates ‘powerdrunk Rep’ Ikwechegh over threat and disrespect to Police authority

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has said that a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alex Ikwechegh is being interrogated at its Maitama Divisional headquarters. Ikwechegh, who represents Aba North and South Federal Constituency, was alleged to have assaulted an e-hailing driver, Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya. According to a trending video, the lawmaker slapped the driver when he requested the delivery fee, querying if the driver knew who he was talking to. The lawmaker also threatened to make the driver “disappear” without facing any consequences. In a statement on…

Lagbaja: Tinubu reschedules FEC, orders flag at half mast, Egbetokun, Adeleke, Badaru, Ribadu mourn

Jide Ige

President Bola Tinubu has ordered rescheduling the Federal Executive Council meeting till another date to be announced. Initially scheduled for today, the council meeting was postponed in honour of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away on Tuesday night. General Lagbaja served as the Chief of Army Staff from 19 June 2023, till his death on Tuesday. President Tinubu also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide for seven days in honour of the departed general. Earlier today, President Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences…

Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Army Chief dies at 56

Jide Ige

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tahoreed Abiodun Lagbaja is dead. He is the second Army Chief to have died in office after Lt. General Ibrahimm Attahiru, who served as the Chief of Army Staff from 28 January 2021 to 21 May 2021 when he died in the 2021 NAF Beechcraft B300 King Air 350i crash near Kaduna International Airport. According to a statement on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,…

Ikwechegh, Reps member who slapped Abuja driver begs, says ‘my behaviour unacceptable’

Jide Ige

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alex Ikwechegh. who assaulted an e-hailing driver, Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya, who went to deliver a package to him on Sunday, has apologised for his widely condemned action. The apology titled, ‘A statement of Regret and Commitment to Justice’, which was written in Abuja on behalf of the embattled federal lawmaker, by one Cornell Osigwe, was dated 28 October 2024. Confirming the authenticity of the statement to TheNiche, a high ranking government official said: “This is the correct version. He didn’t write it…

We are investigating Abia Rep, who slapped Abuja driver -APGA

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has said the party has set up a disciplinary committee to investigate its controversial lawmaker and that, if found guilty, appropriate sanctions would be applied on Hon. Alex Ikwechegh who assaulted an e-hailing driver, Stephen Abuwatseya. who went to deliver a package to him. The Nigeria Police Force said it was already handling the case following the driver’s official report. It warned the public to stop using the name or the office of the Inspector-General of Police to intimidate others. In a statement on…

“I will make you disappear” Reps member slaps, threatens Abuja e-hailing driver

Jide Ige

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alex Ikwechegh, on Sunday, assaulted an e-hailing driver who went to deliver a package to him. But in a post on its X, the Nigeria Police Force said it was handling the case following the driver’s official report. It warned the public to stop using the name or the office of the Inspector-General of Police to intimidate others. The distressed driver, Stephen Abuwatseya filmed what transpired between them in the Maitama, Abuja’s residence of Ikwechegh, a member of the All Progressives Grand…

Lagbaja, COAS is alive -Nigerian Army

Jide Ige

The Nigerian Army high command on Sunday says its Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, is alive and on rest as part of his annual leave. The Army was reacting to several online reports originating from a social media post by a Nigerian journalist announcing the death of the Army chief which went viral on Sunday. The journalist claimed that Lagbaja had died of cancer 48 hours ago. The post read, “The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, has died. Lagbaja died in an undisclosed hospital overseas…

No acting COAS -DHQ dispels reports

Jide Ige

The Defence Headquarters has dispelled reports that it appointed a senior officer as the acting Chief of Army Staff. The COAS, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who has been on leave and out of the country since September, fueled speculations about his health. On Sunday, there were viral reports about his death, which were dismissed by the Army Headquarters. Amid the rumours of his death, another report emerged, claiming the DHQ had appointed an acting Chief of Army Staff. Refuting the report in a statement on Monday, the Director of Defence…

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

The President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, returned to Abuja from the United Kingdom after a two-week vacation. The President arrived at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja at about 7:20 pm on Saturday. He was received by his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and National Chairman of the All…

3rd Time in One Week: Again national grid collapses

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

Nigeria’s national grid has collapsed again. This is the third time this will happen in just one week. The latest collapse occurred early Saturday morning, with many states reporting total blackouts. Data obtained from the Nigerian System Operator’s portal (niggrid.org) and it revealed that the grid recorded zero megawatts (MW) as of 9.20am today. The cause of the collapse could not be ascertained at the moment as the Transmission Company of Nigeria could not be reached. Businesses and households continue to suffer over the nation’s unreliable electricity supply amid the…

Tanker Explosion: Jigawa holds mass burial for 140 victims

Jide Ige

A mass burial has been conducted for 140 victims of the petrol tanker explosion that took place at Majiya town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State on Wednesday. About 90 other victims of the ugly incident are currently in various hospitals in the state receiving treatment. The explosion occurred around midnight on Tuesday when the driver of the tanker, travelling from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, lost control near Khadija University, Majiya. The disaster, according to the police, was triggered by residents who had rushed to scoop spilt…

Its a function of capacity and affordability, says Gov. Sanwoolu as Lagos settles for N85k minimum wage

Jide Ige

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced that his government plans to pay workers a minimum wage of N85,000. Sanwo-Olu disclosed this on Wednesday evening during an interview on Channels TV themed “One-On-One with Babajide Sanwo-Olu.” “You mentioned minimum wage and what I need to throw in for my people. I’m glad to let you know that the minimum wage for Lagos, which we’ve discussed with our union, is N85,000 today. “It’s not a competition, so I’m not going to say that we’re paying more than some other people; it’s…

FG to transfer cash to 20 million poor Nigerians

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has said that the increase in Nigeria’s revenue recorded in the 2024 fiscal year is being strategically allocated to various social intervention programmes aimed at improving the living standards of citizens and addressing pressing societal needs. The minister said the social investment programme is targeted to impact 60 per cent of the poorest, reaching 20 million persons. He also revealed a comprehensive proposed agenda for economic reform, which aims to reduce inflation, create jobs, and stimulate growth in…

Akpabio dismisses impeachment story

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says reports suggesting that the Department of State Services (DSS) has taken over the national assembly premises to stop an alleged impeachment plot against him are false. The reports said the secret police had taken over all entrances to the assembly complex on Wednesday. Speaking on the floor of the senate, Akpabio dismissed the reports as “fake news”. The senate president jocularly said those behind the reports may be seeking revenue from the traffic they could get on their websites. “[They said DSS] has surrounded the…