Author: Opalim Lifted

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has criticised Nigerians who attacked the World Bank on social media over its decision to lend money to Nigeria. Oyedele said the backlash reflected a lack of understanding of how the international lending system works. He spoke on Wednesday in Abuja during a media briefing on the Federal Government’s economic reform scorecard. According to the minister, some Nigerians visited the World Bank’s social media platforms to abuse the institution over loans granted to Nigeria, prompting the bank to disable comments. “People went to the social media account of…

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has rejected calls for the Federal Government to publish details of how it plans to spend funds drawn from its $5bn financing facility with First Abu Dhabi Bank. Oyedele said the transaction had faced unnecessary scrutiny, stressing that it was approved by the National Assembly and designed to help the government refinance more expensive debt. He spoke during a media briefing in Abuja. The Federal Government recently drew about $1.5bn, representing the first tranche of the $5bn Total Return Swap facility arranged with First Abu Dhabi Bank. The…

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has warned political leaders against arming, financing or inciting Nigerian youths to perpetrate violence ahead of the 2027 general elections. Disu issued the warning on Thursday in Abuja at the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue, organised to mark International Youth Day 2026. The three-day programme, themed “Different Contents, Common Aspiration,” is being held at the Police Resource Centre in Jabi. The IGP also urged young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be recruited for political thuggery, warning that they would bear the consequences of electoral violence long after politicians had resolved their…

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says he will restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027. Atiku made the pledge during an interview on Wednesday, accusing the federal government of failing to account for funds saved following the removal of the subsidy. “I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go? It was intended to reduce poverty and help children attend school. Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing it,” Atiku said in Hausa. “If elected, I will bring back…

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…