Author: Opalim Lifted

Former Northern Elders Forum spokesperson Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has called on President Bola Tinubu to abandon his 2027 re-election bid and hand over the mantle to a younger, healthier and more focused candidate within the ruling party. Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, Baba-Ahmed, who resigned as Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Vice-President in April, said the president has failed to show the urgency needed to fix Nigeria’s deepening problems. He recalled telling close associates after leaving government that he hoped Tinubu would not seek a second term. According to him, the president has already fulfilled his long-held ambition…

Four people have been killed in a shooting during a child’s birthday party in California, US. The shooting occurred around 6pm on Saturday inside a banquet hall in Stockton, a city in California’s Central Valley. Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin county sheriff’s office, said another 10 people were injured in the incident. She said children are among the victims of the attack, which “may have been a targeted incident”. Jason Lee, vice mayor of Stockton, said it was disheartening that the shooting took place at a child’s birthday party. Kamala Harris rules out running for California gov…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a Lagos High Court that it has no evidence to back allegations that Jude and Paul Okoye of Psquare fraudulently withdrew $800,000, claims originally made by their brother, Peter Okoye. Peter had petitioned the EFCC in 2024, accusing Jude of diverting group funds, running 47 undisclosed bank accounts and manipulating the share structure of Northside Entertainment Ltd, the company jointly owned by the brothers. The commission later charged Jude with alleged financial misconduct in managing the Psquare brand. However, during cross-examination in Ikeja, EFCC counsel M. K. Bashir told Justice Rahman…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas over “the failure to account for the missing N18.6 billion meant for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) Office Complex.” Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas are sued for themselves and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly. Joined in the suit as respondent is the National Assembly Service Commission. SERAP’s lawsuit followed the grave allegations documented in the latest 2022 annual report published by the Auditor-General of the…

Lionel Messi has become the player with the most assists in football history. The Argentine recorded the 405th of his career in Inter Miami’s MLS Cup semifinal win over New York City on Sunday. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner set up Mateo Silvetti in the 67th minute as Inter Miami cruised to a 5–1 victory to clinch the Eastern Conference title. The result sets up a clash between Inter Miami and Western Conference champions Vancouver in the MLS Cup final on Saturday, December 6. Messi had earlier drawn level with Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás before surpassing him with his latest…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described President Bola Tinubu’s list of ambassadorial nominees as “reprehensible” and “scandalous.” Tinubu on Saturday forwarded 32 names to the senate, days after submitting a first batch of three nominees. The list includes Mahmood Yakubu, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Reno Omokri, former presidential aide; Femi Fani-Kayode, former minister of aviation; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former governor of Enugu, and several others. In a statement on Saturday, Ini Ememobong, PDP national publicity secretary, questioned the integrity of the nominees, saying some of them have records of “anti-democratic conduct”. Ememobong said the fact…

D’Tigers of Nigeria were deafeated 68-55 by Guinea in their second qualification game for the 2027 FIBA World Cup. The Guineans dominated the D’Tigers throughout the entire of the one-sided encounter at the Salle Multidisciplinaire de Radès, Tunisia, on Saturday. The defeat is Nigeria’s second of the qualification series. The team lost to Tunisia in their first game on Thursday. D’Tigers were already behind from the first quarter 22-16 and the performance failed to improve their allround play in the second quarter. The scoreline was 35-26 by halftime. The closest Nigeria got to nicking the game from the Guineans was…

Amid the growing grip of insecurity across the country, President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to addressing the root causes of insecurity and promoting social cohesion. Reiterating his commitment to flushing out criminals nationwide, Tinubu reminded police officers to be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation when necessary. Tinubu gave the charge on Saturday while reviewing the Passing-Out Parade of Regular Course 7 of the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, reminding the 1,187 newly commissioned Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) of the trust placed in them to serve the nation with dedication. The…

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced a temporary shutdown of its information technology (IT) systems. According to a notice issued on Thursday, the FIRS said all applications and IT infrastructure will be unavailable from November 28 to November 30, 2025. “The general public should note that there will be an FIRS IT services downtime,” the service said. “The shutdown of applications and IT infrastructure will commence on November 28 and end on November 30, 2025. “We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.” REVEALED: Four FIRS staff who died in Afriland Towers fire On November 18, the FIRS…

US authorities have revealed that Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the man accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House  previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan. Lakanwal allegedly opened fire on 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe on Wednesday, triggering a security lockdown just a mile from the White House. By Thursday evening, President Donald Trump announced that Beckstrom had died from her injuries, while Wolfe “is fighting for his life”. He branded the suspect an “animal” and vowed he would “pay a steep price”. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that Lakanwal had a “relationship… with partner forces”…