Author: Opalim Lifted

Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River, has recounted how Ibrahim Babangida, former military head of state, allegedly warned Olusegun Obasanjo against trusting Atiku Abubakar, his then vice-president. Duke’s account is contained in How to Win Elections in Nigeria, a new book by Seun Oloketuyi, which examines the political intrigues surrounding Nigeria’s early Fourth Republic. Duke, who governed Cross River from 1999 to 2007, recalled an informal meeting involving Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar, former military head of state, Obasanjo and Atiku at the presidential villa in Abuja. According to him, tensions between Obasanjo and Atiku had intensified as the president prepared…

A 60-year-old man, Tajudeen Yusuf, was shot dead in Osogbo, Osun State, after hoodlums allegedly clashed with members of Davido’s security team. The incident occurred on Wednesday shortly after David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, accompanied his uncle, Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun. Adeleke had visited the monarch to present his certificate of return after winning the August 15 governorship election. According to the Osun State Police Command, the governor arrived at the palace at about 3:15pm in a convoy of about 20 vehicles. The police said trouble started…

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to publish a detailed ledger of federation revenues, deductions, savings and transfers, saying about N30 trillion now requires transparent reconciliation. Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the latest July 2026 Federation Account figures had raised fresh questions about the management of public revenues, particularly funds generated after the removal of petroleum and energy subsidies. In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said his earlier reconciliation of published federation account figures identified about N28 trillion requiring explanation as…

Businesses and residents along Mississippi Street in Maitama, Abuja, are counting their losses after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) demolished structures built along waterways. The demolition began on Tuesday following an order by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to remove structures obstructing waterways across the capital. The directive came after flash floods affected parts of Wuse 2, Gudu and Lokogoma on Saturday. According to reports in the area, some affected business operators and residents said they received little or no notice before the exercise. At Xpresso Café and Resto-Bar, parts of the property were demolished,…

At least 24 bandits have reportedly been killed after security operatives foiled an attempted mass abduction in Gidan Bawa village, Kandarawa Ward, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State. According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, about 40 gunmen loyal to notorious bandit kingpin Isiya Kwashen Garwa invaded the community on Tuesday, targeting residents, particularly women and children. The publication said the attack was thwarted after intelligence uncovered the planned operation by the bandits. The operation involved the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Katsina Community Watch Corps and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members from Guga camp. Zagazola Makama…

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has warned broadcasters, online publishers, bloggers and other media practitioners against spreading misinformation, hate speech and inflammatory content as campaigns for Nigeria’s 2027 elections get underway. Presidential and National Assembly campaigns officially began on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. In a statement issued by Moses Jolayemi, Technical Adviser to NBC Director-General Charles Ebuebu, the Commission said the commencement of political campaigns places greater responsibility on information disseminators to uphold accuracy, fairness and professionalism. The NBC urged radio and television stations to ensure fair, balanced and equitable political coverage, warning them against using their platforms to promote…

The governments of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo have declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, a public holiday to celebrate the 2026 Isese Day. The announcements were conveyed in separate statements issued by officials of the Lagos, Ogun and Oyo governments. Idris Aregbe, the special adviser to the Lagos governor on tourism, arts and culture, announced the public holiday in a statement released on Wednesday. Aregbe said Isese Day is more than a public holiday but a “living expression” of Yoruba spirituality. The special adviser said the public holiday would allow residents to fully participate in the traditional celebration. “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not…

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved an amendment to the National Mental Health Act 2021 to remove attempted suicide as a criminal offence in Nigeria. Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting. Pate said the proposed amendment would be transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration and passage. Under Nigeria’s existing criminal laws, attempted suicide remains an offence under provisions inherited from the colonial-era Criminal Code and Penal Code. The minister said this conflicts with the National Mental Health Act, which provides protection, treatment…

President Bola Tinubu has joined the United States Department of Justice’s request for additional time to respond to a court order concerning the release of records linked to allegations of drug trafficking against him. Christopher Carmichael, one of Tinubu’s lawyers, filed a notice of joinder at the US District Court on behalf of the Nigerian president, supporting the government’s request for a 10-day extension. “Intervenor joins Defendants’ motion for a 10-day extension of time to file response to the motion for summary judgment (DE 92), in as much as Intervenor requests that the responses remain on the same schedule,” the…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate preparation of a National Threat Assessment and a five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan aimed at improving coordination among Nigeria’s defence, intelligence and security agencies. The President gave the directive on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja, stressing the need for a unified strategy to address Nigeria’s changing security challenges. Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said in a statement that Adeyinka Famadewa, special adviser on homeland security, would coordinate the nine-member committee constituted by Tinubu to prepare the strategic defence operations plan…