Author: Vincent Osuwo

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday broke his silence on his rift with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, disclosing that their fallout stemmed from Wike’s alleged declaration to “hold down” the Peoples Democratic Party for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. Wike and Makinde were notable G-5 governors who opposed the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, ahead of the 2023 general election, because both posts were held by Northern politicians. During a media briefing in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, Makinde stated that the connection ended after Wike…

In a significant financial overhaul designed to tackle revenue gaps, poor capital implementation, and coinciding budget periods, the National Assembly on Tuesday approved a revised N43.5tn 2024 Appropriation Act and a revamped N48.3tn 2025 budget plan, with the 2025 fiscal year prolonged to March 31, 2026. The approval came after extensive plenary sessions in both houses, leading to the passage of the Appropriation Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bills for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, sent to the legislature by President Bola Tinubu last Friday. In the Senate, the modified budgets received approval following the adoption of a consolidated report…

The Independent National Electoral Commission has dismissed the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), referencing ongoing legal proceedings and existing court rulings. In reaction to the ruling, the National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led NWC, Ini Ememobong, asserted that the party leadership was valid and stressed that the PDP had no factions. Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the Nyesom Wike-supported faction, praised the action as a genuine respect for court rulings. PDP governors approved the Ibadan convention, where Turaki and other NWC members were chosen on November 16 for four-year terms. Wike,…

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday, have raised concerns over alleged post-legislative alterations to the recently enacted Tax Reform Acts, calling for the immediate suspension of their implementation. In a statement on Tuesday, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) noted that the controversies surrounding the laws threaten the integrity, transparency, and credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process. He warned that the issues strike at the heart of constitutional governance and called for a comprehensive, open, and transparent investigation to restore public trust. “The Nigerian Bar Association considers it imperative that a comprehensive, open, and…

The Super Eagles earned a 2-1 victory over Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 Group C opener at the Complexe Sportif de Fes on Tuesday. The match started at a lively pace, with Nigeria taking early control, but Tanzania threatened on several occasions. The Super Eagles broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when defender Semi Ajayi rose highest to head Alex Iwobi’s lofted cross into the back of the net, giving the Super Eagles a 1-0 lead at halftime. Tanzania reacted quickly in the second half. Just two minutes after the restart, midfielder Charles…

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, on Tuesday completed a leadership transition as its outgoing Authority Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, formally handed over to the incoming chief executive, Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, in a ceremony, underscoring continuity and accountability. The Authority announced this in a post on its official X handle, stating that the ceremony demonstrated its dedication to institutional continuity, accountability, and effective leadership. According to the article, the ceremonial handover ceremony included the Authority’s Executive Directors, top management, and employees and culminated in the symbolic transfer of official documents and responsibilities from Ahmed to Mohammed. The…

Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, has directed the swift punishment of the leader of a police unit involved in the contentious arrest of Sodeeq Atanda, a senior journalist at the Foundation for Investigative Journalism. The directive comes after widespread outrage regarding the detention of the journalist’s spouse and their nine-month-old child, reportedly utilized as bait to attract him. On Monday, it was reported that officers from the IGP Monitoring Unit apprehended Adenike, Atanda’s wife, along with their baby at a site in Ikorodu, Lagos. FIJ reports that the police forced Adenike to contact her husband by pretending that…

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has explained his reasons for not backing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in 2027, pointing out an increasing political split in the Peoples Democratic Party. During a media discussion on Tuesday in Ibadan, the state capital, Makinde reminisced about his early career, noting that at 29, he obtained his first significant contract with Mobil, valued at $1 million. The governor remarked that it was a period when the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, may have recently graduated from law school. Makinde characterized the agreement as a crucial turning point that influenced…

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming that it has failed to meet the expectations of a government driven by national unity and competence. Makinde announced this on Tuesday during a media briefing with a limited group of journalists in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state. The governor stated on multiple occasions that he hoped the Tinubu administration would prioritize competence over political considerations as part of attempts to reset the country. “I’ve mentioned it more than maybe three or four times that our expectation would be a government of national unity, a government…

The United Nations (UN) has expressed concern over the spate of indiscriminate kidnapping of civilians by bandits in Nigeria. The Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Stéphane Dujarric, stated during a daily briefing on Monday that the continued attacks on civilians by bandits were unacceptable. “We are very much concerned at the fact that so many other students, young people, young men, and young women continue to be detained by armed groups,” Dujarric said. “And obviously, we’re continuing to see violence.” In November, armed men abducted at least 25 pupils and killed a teacher at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary…