Author: Festus Adeloye

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has said former presidential candidate, Peter Obi is equating constant criticism with effective opposition. Onanuga said this in an X post on Sunday after Obi faulted President Bola Tinubu’s recent trip to Saint Lucia. In a Saturday statement, Obi had said Tinubu should not be holidaying, noting that Nigeria under his watch has “lost more people to all sorts of criminality than a country that is officially at war”. In a counter-statement, Onanuga denied that the president was vacationing in Saint Lucia. Onanuga explained that the visit by the…

Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has resigned as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing health concerns. The former Kano State governor stated on Friday that he is stepping down to focus on his health. Following his resignation, the APC’s National Vice Chairman is anticipated to take interim leadership until the party’s national conference in December.

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared its opposition to the return of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary of the party. It also kicked against Acting National Chair Umar Damagum’s postponement of Monday’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. Anyanwu was reinstated after a parley between the party’s leadership and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The reinstatement sparked a row in the National Working Committee(NWC), with 11 of 19 members warning Damagum about the consequences of violating   NEC’s directive that the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, should act as secretary. Oyo State Governor Seyi…

The Osun State government has declared Friday, June 27, a public holiday to celebrate the Islamic New Year, Hijrah 1447AH. In a statement by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Aderibigbe Rasheed, on Thursday, the government urged residents to shun rancour and disharmony, praying that the occasion will bring peace, prosperity, and unity to the state. Governor Ademola Adeleke also congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Osun and beyond on the occasion of Hijrah 1447AH. In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke described the Hijrah as a moment of deep reflection, spiritual renewal, and a powerful symbol of sacrifice,…

The High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Wednesday sentenced gospel singer Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging by over the gruesome murder of 26-year-old Salome Adaidu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The presiding judge, Justice Simon Aboki found Timileyin guilty of culpable homicide after months of trial. Justice Aboki declared that the prosecution had established beyond reasonable doubt, that Timileyin willfully killed and dismembered Adaidu. Timileyin was convicted under Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, which prescribes the death penalty for culpable homicide. “The evidence before the court clearly shows that…

The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has become a direct victim of the lawlessness that is engulfing the Nigerian state. Obi has been at the forefront consistently decrying the recklessness and impunity that is apparent in the country in the last two years, but became a direct victim on Tuesday. A property in Lagos belonging to his younger brother was demolished, acting on a court order addressed to a squatter in the property. The demolition team could not say who sent them, nor did they have any authorising papers for their actions. Reacting to the…

President Bola Tinubu has extended warm birthday felicitations to Lagos Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, on his 60th birthday, commending his stewardship and visible contributions to the advancement of Lagos. In a congratulatory message on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu celebrated Governor Sanwo-Olu’s “steadfast commitment” to the state’s growth and development, describing him as a loyal mentee and effective implementer of Lagos’s long-term development blueprint. “Your execution of this vision is exemplified by landmark achievements, including completing the Blue and Red Rail lines and the ongoing preparations for the Purple Line, which will…

Violence broke out at the national headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja on Tuesday following the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, and other top officials over alleged financial misconduct. Videos circulating online show a group of armed thugs dressed in black attire storming the premises, attacking journalists and party staff members. Several media workers were physically assaulted during the chaos, with phones and cameras seized before security operatives arrived to restore order. The incident occurred shortly after the SDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) announced the suspension of Gabam, National Auditor Nnadi Clarkson, and…

Two members of the opposition parties in the House of Representatives on Tuesday joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). The two members are Peter Akpanke representing Obanliku/Obudu/ Beware federal constituency of Cross River State, who is leaving the PDP and Prof Paul Nnamchi representing Enugu East/Isi Uzo federal constituency of Enugu, who is leaving the Labour Party. While Akpanke said he was dumping the PDP because of protracted crisis, which has defied solution, Nnamchi also hinged his decision on the leadership crisis in the Labour Party. The letter of defection of the two lawmakers was read at plenary on Tuesday by Speaker…

Award-winning singer Davido has accused security personnel at Hi Ibiza nightclub of attempting to kill him and his team during an altercation on Saturday night. The singer, currently on vacation in Ibiza with his manager, Asa Asika and close associate Cubana Chiefpriest, shared on his social media images of the security staff involved, alleging a violent confrontation. He wrote: “@Hiibizaofficial security just tried to kill me and my team!!! All of yall goin down!!” and vowed that “justice must be served.”