Author: Opalim Lifted

Junta leader of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traore has declared that democracy is “slavery”, insisting that Burkina Faso must chart a radically different political path built on “total independence”. Speaking in an interview marking one year of his ideological programme, the Popular Progressive Revolution (RPP), Traore dismissed Western democratic models as violent and imposed systems. “Democracy is killing. Wherever they want to install it in the world, it’s in the blood,” he said. “Democracy is slavery. There is no democracy in this world.” The 38-year-old military leader, who seized power in a 2022 coup, argued that democracy is a tool of…

Flutterwave has secured a Nigerian banking licence, marking a major step in its evolution from a payments processor to a full-scale financial platform. Olugbenga Agboola, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Flutterwave, announced the development in a post on Thursday. According to the statement, the licence enables Flutterwave to hold funds and deposits directly, marking a significant milestone in its transition toward becoming a more comprehensive financial infrastructure platform. “By operating with direct infrastructure, we can streamline our operations and accelerate payment flows for everyone,” the statement reads. “Businesses will soon be able to hold balances within Flutterwave, access…

Nkeiruka Onyejeocha has resigned as Minister of State for Labour and Employment, signalling her return to frontline electoral politics ahead of the 2027 general elections. Announcing her decision on Friday via her official X account, Onyejeocha described the move as a transition rather than a departure from public service. “It is with a heart full of gratitude that I announce my resignation as Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Employment,” she said. She thanked Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve in his administration, adding that her exit marks “not an end but a new beginning”. Her resignation aligns…

Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Germany, Femi Fani-Kayode, has faulted criticism levelled against the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) by former presidential candidate Peter Obi. Obi had issued a statement on X praising the late military Head of State, Sani Abacha, while denigrating NADECO’s activism. He said, “Today, General Sani Abacha, once presumed the face of oppression, will be remembered as seemingly more democratic and more respectful of human rights than the so-called champions of activism from the NADECO days. Power indeed reveals character.” Reacting, Fani-Kayode described the statement as an attempt to denigrate the leaders and members of the movement, who, according…

Gunmen on Thursday evening ambushed the convoy of Mouktar Lugga, Chief of Staff to the Zamfara State governor, along the Funtua–Gusau highway. The attack occurred at about 6:16pm near Kucheri village as Lugga was returning to Gusau from an official engagement. According to a report by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the assailants launched a coordinated assault from both sides of the road. Sources said the attackers opened fire on the vehicle conveying Lugga, his driver, and two other occupants, in what appeared to be a targeted ambush. A bullet reportedly pierced the vehicle’s…

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the ongoing killings in Plateau State. In a strongly worded post on her official X account, Ezekwesili questioned the conduct of leaders who continue political activities amid widespread violence and loss of lives. She criticised what she described as indifference by those in power, asking what manner of leaders “feast while their people are being slaughtered” and fail to act decisively in the face of repeated attacks. The former minister accused the government of responding to mass…

Former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang, has alleged that persistent killings in the state are being orchestrated to sabotage future elections. Jang made the claim during an interactive session with President Bola Tinubu in Jos, amid renewed concerns over insecurity in the state. According to the former governor, the pattern of violence in Plateau is not new, noting that successive administrations have faced similar challenges. “These killings have been here for a long time. I went through it, Dariye went through it, Lalong went through it,” he said. Jang warned that certain actors are attempting to exploit the violence for…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to grant a final order forfeiting 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, to the Federal Government. The anti-graft agency argued that the assets spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. In a motion filed before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, EFCC’s legal team, led by Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) and Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), maintained that the respondents failed to provide sufficient evidence to overturn an earlier interim forfeiture order. The application, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, lists Malami…

On Good Friday, Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a moment that symbolises the execution of an innocent man by those in power. More than 2,000 years later, that story is being replayed in troubling ways across Nigeria and the wider world. The suffering and death of Jesus, rejected by his own people and handed over to an occupying authority, echoes modern realities. Today, the innocent still suffer at the hands of the guilty, while the powerless are crushed under systems meant to protect them. Across Nigeria, victims continue to endure violence and injustice while leaders, entrusted with responsibility,…

Italy’s role as co-host of Euro 2032 is under serious threat after UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin warned the tournament could be moved unless the country urgently upgrades its football infrastructure. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Ceferin made it clear that the tournament set to be jointly hosted with Turkey will go ahead, but not necessarily in Italy if stadium standards are not met. “Euro 2032 is scheduled and will take place. I hope the infrastructure will be ready. Otherwise, the tournament will not be played in Italy,” he said. Italy must submit a list of five stadiums to UEFA by…