Author: Opalim Lifted

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of Kabiru Turaki, has called on Joash Amupitan to address allegations that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) received land and cash gifts from Nyesom Wike. In a recent statement, Ini Ememobong described the reports as “disturbing and worrisome”, warning that they could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system. According to the PDP, Mohammed Haruna, supervising national commissioner for the FCT, allegedly admitted to receiving such gifts from the minister. The party said the claims appear to support growing concerns about a possible “land-for-favour” arrangement aimed at influencing key…

Peter Obi, African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain has called on Nigerians to resist what he described as a growing push towards a one-party system, urging citizens to defend democracy through peaceful action. The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party made the call ahead of a planned protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. Obi’s statement comes amid a deepening leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where multiple factions are battling for control of the party. ADC crisis deepens The dispute escalated on April 1 after INEC withdrew recognition of factions led…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced four men to prison for supplying goods to Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State. The convicts Shehu Bukar, Hamzat Yahuza, Hamatu Modu, and Isah Ali were found guilty of aiding terrorism through the supply of food, livestock, drugs, and information. Presiding judge, Binta Nyako, delivered the sentences in separate rulings on Tuesday. Bukar, a father of three, received a 20-year jail term after admitting to selling goats to insurgents. The court dismissed his plea for leniency after he changed his plea to guilty on one count. Yahuza, who has six…

The World Bank has said Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms are beginning to deliver results, with stronger growth and improving macroeconomic stability. In its latest Nigeria Development Update released Tuesday, the bank noted that the country’s economy remains on a steady growth path, largely driven by the services sector. Nigeria’s real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4.0 percent in 2025, following a 4.1 percent expansion in 2024. Growth was powered by sectors such as ICT, financial services, and real estate. Early indicators for 2026 suggest continued expansion across sectors, although global tensions have slightly slowed momentum. Inflation has also eased…

Since leaving office as Nigeria’s Vice President on May 29, 2023, Yemi Osinbajo has continued to command global attention, assuming nine high-profile roles. Barely days after leaving office, he was appointed to lead the Commonwealth Observer Group, a role reserved for leaders of exceptional credibility, judgement, and diplomacy. His analytical precision, deep understanding of governance, and adherence to constitutional principles enabled him to safeguard electoral integrity across member states, reinforcing his reputation as a leader who combines intellect with action. By July 2023, he became Global Advisor to the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), navigating the complex…

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has appointed former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as senior strategic adviser to Jean Kaseya, its director-general. In a recent statement, the agency said Osinbajo’s appointment comes at a pivotal time it is advancing the Africa health security and sovereignty (AHSS) agenda aimed at strengthening the continent’s voice in global health, expanding domestic financing, accelerating local manufacturing of health commodities, and building resilient health systems for pandemic preparedness and response. Kaseya said the former vice-president brings significant experience to the role. “Professor Osinbajo brings exceptional experience at the intersection of governance,…

Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold has announced that he will finally be releasing a song with his former record label boss Olamide, years after leaving YBNL Nation. The singer shared a post on his Instagram on Monday, revealing what appears to be their first official track together. The post announced the title of the project as ‘Formation’ and is scheduled to be released on April 9. “First time, me and @olamide… Formation. April 9,” Gold wrote. The music star first gained recognition with his hit track ‘Sade’, a highlife cover of One Direction’s ‘Story of My Life’ in 2015. He was…

A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has warned that Nigeria is “on the brink of collapse”, citing rising insecurity, deepening poverty and a widening governance crisis. In a joint statement signed by more than 50 groups, including ActionAid Nigeria, Amnesty International Nigeria, BudgIT Foundation, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Media Rights Agenda (MRA), the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), and Yiaga Africa — the coalition called for urgent reforms to address what it described as a worsening national emergency. The organisations said millions of Nigerians are facing severe hardship while political leaders remain focused on rhetoric…

Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, said his country has agreed to “suspend defensive operations” on the condition that attacks by the United States and Israel are halted. “For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible through coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations,” Araghchi said on Tuesday night. “If attacks against Iran are halted, our powerful armed forces will cease their defensive operations.” Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the end of the war depends on the US accepting the demands outlined in its 10-point plan. “It…

US President Donald Trump has announced a two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran, temporarily halting planned US military action amid rising tensions in the region. Trump said the truce is conditional on Tehran’s immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. In a post on Truth Social, Trump disclosed that the decision followed discussions with Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir, who urged restraint. He stated that the United States would suspend bombing operations for two weeks, describing the move as a “double-sided ceasefire” dependent on Iran’s compliance. Trump added that Washington had already achieved its key…