Author: Opalim Lifted

Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has vowed that the newly formed opposition coalition will resist any attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday during the unveiling of the ADC as the official platform for the coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections, Mark described the alliance as a broad-based movement of opposition parties, youth groups, civil society organisations, and concerned citizens united to defend and revive Nigeria’s democracy. “This coalition isn’t just about seizing political power,” Mark declared. “It is a determined effort to rebuild the crumbling pillars…

Rauf Aregbesola, former minister of interior, has been appointed interim national secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — the newly adopted platform of Nigeria’s opposition coalition — confirming what many had long speculated: his political split from President Bola Tinubu is now final. Joining him in the party’s interim leadership is ex-Senate President David Mark, named interim national chairman, as the opposition bloc looks to position the ADC as a strong third force ahead of the 2027 elections. The move marks Aregbesola’s formal departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC) — the very party he helped build under Tinubu’s…

Former US President Donald Trump has launched a new line of luxury perfumes, dubbed ‘Victory 45–47’, in a bold expansion of his branded merchandise empire. Announcing the release on his Truth Social platform, Trump who refers to himself as both the 45th and 47th President of the United States said the fragrance line represents “Winning, Strength, and Success”, and is available for both men and women. “Trump Fragrances are here,” he wrote. “They’re called ‘Victory 45–47’ because they’re all about Winning, Strength, and Success… Enjoy, have fun, and keep winning.” The perfumes are retailing at $249 (£196) per bottle and…

Millions of mobile users in Nigeria will face a temporary halt in Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)-related services as telecom operators switch to a new identity verification platform mandated by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) confirmed the disruption on Tuesday in a statement jointly signed by its chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, and publicity secretary, Damian Udeh. According to the statement, the migration to the NIMC’s upgraded system has led to technical hiccups affecting key services such as SIM registration, subscriber identity module swaps, mobile number portability (MNP), and new Subscriber Identity Module…

Jimmy Swaggart, the fiery American televangelist and gospel music icon whose career soared to global heights before collapsing under sex scandal, is dead. Swaggart died on Tuesday at a hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 90. He was one of the most well-known televangelists in the US. During the 1980s, Swaggart’s crusades were a major part of his ministry, drawing large crowds and receiving significant media attention. The late televangelist’s gospel album sold in the millions, and his sweat-soaked broadcasts generated significant revenue. Swaggart reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest on June 15 and survived after receiving medical care, but he…

In a scathing rebuke of Nigeria’s oil sector leadership, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and over 75 civil society organisations have demanded the arrest of former NNPCL Group CEO, Mele Kyari, calling for an open judicial probe into what they described as a “financial calamity” at the state oil firm. The coalition, under the banner of the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs), issued a 21-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu to act or face a wave of lawsuits, international petitions, and mass protests. Speaking in Abuja, CNCSOs spokesperson Dr Agaba Iduh accused Kyari and his management…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced its ex-depot price for premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N840 per litre. The reduction represents a N40 decrease from the previous rate of N880 per litre. Five days before the reduction, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited had increased the pump price of petrol to N925 per litre in Lagos. The decrease also came a week after Dangote refinery increased the ex-depot petrol price to N880 per litre. In an update on Monday by Anthony Chiejina, chief corporate communications officer of Dangote Group, refinery announced the price slash. Dangote refinery…

Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour kicked off with a heart-stopping moment in Houston on Saturday night when the superstar’s flying car malfunctioned mid-performance, nearly sending her tumbling before a crowd of thousands. The 32-time Grammy winner dazzled fans with hits from her chart-topping ‘Cowboy Carter’ album, joined onstage by her daughter Blue Ivy, who led a team of dancers in an electrifying routine. But the night’s most talked-about moment came during the closing act, when the futuristic red convertible Beyoncé rode, suspended by cables above the audience, abruptly tilted mid-flight. As the vehicle soared over screaming fans, one of its two…

Defending champions Manchester City were knocked out of the Club World Cup at the last 16 stage after being stunned in extra time by Saudi Arabia side Al-Hilal following an incredible seven-goal thriller. Pep Guardiola’s side had come through the group stages unscathed but failed to reach the quarter-finals after conceding four times in a haphazard defensive display. City have been fast starters in this competition and for the fourth game running, they opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes. Captain Bernardo Silva swept home from close range after the opposition defenders failed to clear, but the Al-Hilal players…

Brazilian club Fluminense shocked Inter Milan with a 2-0 win to reach the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup, where they could face Manchester City or Al-Hilal. Striker German Cano’s stooping header in the third minute put the Brazilian giants, Fluminense ahead early and substitute Hercules scored a curling edge-of-the-box shot against the run of play in a difficult last 25 minutes. Inter’s star forward Lautaro Martinez had a series of chances to equalise before the second goal, including one against the post late on, while Federico Dimarco also came close to scoring from two free-kicks and had a close-range…