Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The Presidency has vehemently denied allegations that Vice President Kashim Shettima was denied access to the Presidential Villa, dismissing the claims as “totally fabricated” and part of a “deliberate orchestration of falsehood” aimed at sowing discord in the administration. In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, the Presidency condemned reports circulating on “obscure blogs” that alleged military personnel blocked Shettima from entering the Villa. “For the record, nothing of the sort ever happened,” Nkwocha stated, describing the claims as a “feeble attempt to…

The New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State, has denied the rumour that Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was planning to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Chairman of the party in the state, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa, said this while briefing  newsmen on Friday in Kano. Dungurawa said that Kwankwaso did not need to consult anyone before making any political decision, but emphasised that there were no plans for defection. “We have no business with APC, and do not have any intention to defect,” Dungurawa said, dismissing the rumorus as mere mischief. He described the speculation as baseless and motivated…

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu says the Bola Tinubu administration is capable of generating and distributing 8,000 megawatts of electricity by end of his first term in 2027. He also said Nigeria’s power sector has achieved a significant financial turnaround in the first quarter of 2025, with tariff reforms leading to a dramatic reduction in subsidy shortfall and substantial revenue growth. Adelabu who  stated these during the ministerial press briefing in Abuja on Thursday of the ministry’s first 100 days performance review for Q1 2025, revealed that the government’s transformative tariff reforms have generated an additional N700 billion in…

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on Thursday ordered disciplinary measures against officers seen in viral video receiving cash handouts from a Chinese man, his wife and child. Egbetokun warned against the abuse of the services of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said: “The NPF has taken cognisance of a disturbing video making the rounds in the media space, showing police officers receiving money from a Chinese national. “The Force has strongly condemned the conduct exhibited by the police officers in the video, describing it as…

Almost ₦50 billion has been disbursed by the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to over 500,000 students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has disclosed. The disclosure was made by the Oyo State Director of NOA, Dr Olukemi Afolayan, when she featured on a live television programme – BOSENLO, on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) on Thursday. According to her, NOA is working to identify and report to appropriate agencies, institutions and individuals hindering access to the loan towards curbing corruption tendencies in the process. Afolayan assured Nigerian students that the Federal Government is…

The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, says the Tax Reform Bill will curb poverty and empower ordinary Nigerians. Oyedele made this known at the Spokespersons’ Summit, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Abuja. He expressed strong optimism about the sweeping changes the bill would bring, especially for the low-income earners and small businesses across the country. The chairman said that key highlights of the reform included the exemption of low-income earners from paying the Personal Income Tax (PAYE) and the removal of VAT from basic essentials such as food, education, and…

Former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over alleged defamatory statements made against him by the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. In the petition, written and signed by his solicitor, Mr. N.A. Abubakar Esq, to the IGP on Wednesday, former Governor Bello called on the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to invite Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to substantiate her allegation against him with credible evidence. “Where she fails to do so, cause her to be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the…

Kylian Mbappe is available for selection as Real Madrid aim to overturn a 3-0 first leg Champions League quarter-final deficit against Arsenal tonight. Mbappe was dismissed in the first half of Los Blancos’ hard-fought 1-0 win in LaLiga at the weekend, with his initial yellow card for a bad challenge on Alaves midfielder Antonio Blanco upgraded to red following a VAR review. Mbappe should once again start alongside Vinicius Jr in attack for Madrid, with the latter having played only half an hour off the bench against Alaves in preparation for Arsenal. It was a similar case for Jude Bellingham,…

Former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has condemned in strong terms the latest round of violent attacks in Plateau State, describing them as “cruel, unjustified, and intolerable.” In a statement posted via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives expressed deep concern over the killings and the destruction of communities in the North-Central state. “I strongly condemn the recent wave of horrific killings and destruction across communities in Plateau State. These senseless attacks are cruel, unjustified, and must never be tolerated”. The senator, who has consistently…

Fuji music veteran, Saheed Osupa, has withdrawn the defamation case against controversial hiphop singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable. The charges by the police, bordering on “criminal defamation”, were dropped following a private reconciliation effort led by mutual associates in the entertainment industry. Portable was arrested by the Kwara State Police Command following a petition by Osupa. He was consequently arraigned on Monday and granted bail. The rift between the two artistes began in March when Portable took to social media to make a series of disparaging remarks about Osupa, questioning his relevance and legacy in the music industry.…