Category: Politics

Atiku: I want opposition coalition, not leaving PDP

Editor

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reaffirmed his commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dismissing reports suggesting he plans to defect to another political platform. In a statement issued by his media office on Friday, Atiku clarified that his recent advocacy for a broad opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections is not a signal of his departure from the PDP but a strategic move to unite political forces against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “We wish to clarify that the so-called news of Atiku defecting to another…

Adeleke petitions EFCC, alleges ex-gov Oyetola stole $20m, N1.5bn

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The Osun State Government has formally petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the immediate past governor and current Minister of Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, over the alleged misappropriation of a $20m World Bank health grant. The government also accused Oyetola of money laundering, financial misconduct and violations of the Public Procurement Act in the disbursement of the grant meant for health sector improvements in the state. According to an acknowledged copy of the petition dated March 7, 2025, and obtained by our correspondent on Friday, Oyetola, during…

Gaza protesters vandalise Trump’s Scotland golf resort

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US President Donald Trump’s prized Turnberry golf resort in Scotland has been vandalised by protesters who sprayed “GAZA IS NOT 4 SALE” in huge white letters on the lawn. The activists also damaged greens and sprayed blood-red paint over the luxury resort’s clubhouse overnight on Saturday. The Palestine Action group said it was a “direct response to the US administration’s stated intent to ethnically cleanse Gaza”. Trump sparked outrage last month when he suggested the US “take over” Gaza and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”, while…

Lagos Assembly: Panel Intervention Ineffective, Obasa Returns

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Mudashiru Obasa’s unexpected return to the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday has plunged the legislative body into deeper turmoil. Obasa, who was removed as Speaker by 36 lawmakers on January 13, 2025, arrived with security personnel and entered the Speaker’s Office around 9 a.m., shocking political stakeholders and the public. This move casts doubt on the efficacy of interventions by prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) figures, including former governors Bisi Akande and Olusegun Osoba, who had attempted to resolve the leadership crisis following Obasa’s removal and Mojisola Meranda’s…

Atiku condemns Tinubu’s silence on Lagos assembly crisis

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticsed President Bola Tinubu for his silence over the crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly. He described it as a tacit endorsement of anti-democratic tactics aimed at subverting the will of lawmakers. Atiku, in a statement signed by his media aide, Paul Ibe, on Thursday, condemned what he called “backdoor tactics” and the use of state-backed security forces to reverse the removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, despite his ousting by an overwhelming majority of Assembly members. Obasa had stormed the Lagos…

Obasa awaiting ruling before returning to Assembly – Lawyer

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The legal team of ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has said there is no plan to withdraw the suit filed to challenge his removal as Speaker. Obasa’s lead counsel, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN),  said he was prepared for the court hearing fixed for February 28, notwithstanding the moves to resolve the Assembly crisis politically. Fashanu also explained that Obasa does not plan to return to the Assembly until after he has obtained a judgment from the court. According to Fashanu,  it could amount to…

Lagos Assembly speaker: Meranda’s Position Uncertain as Akande Panel Finalizes Shortlist

Editor

The speakership crisis within the Lagos State House of Assembly may soon find resolution, thanks to the intervention of key figures within the All Progressives Congress. Indications suggest that both the impeached Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and the current Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, might step aside, allowing another lawmaker to assume leadership of the House. This development follows the intervention of prominent APC members, including former governors Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba, and Akinwunmi Ambode, among others. President Bola Tinubu directed this high-powered APC delegation to address the escalating political tension within the…

APC, PDP clash as El-Rufai woos opposition parties

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The All Progressives Congress on Sunday attacked the immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, as indications emerged that the former Federal Capital Territory minister was rallying northern leaders and bigwigs against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ahead of the 2027 poll. The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, accused El-Rufai of stoking ethnic agenda over his failure to get a cabinet appointment. The once-cordial relationship between the President and El-Rufai soured after he failed to secure a ministerial appointment. Though Tinubu nominated him for a ministerial position, the ex-governor was rejected…

Babangida justifies $12.4bn Gulf oil windfall mismanagement despite Okigbo report

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Former military President, Gen Ibrahim Babangida, says Nigeria failed to maximise its oil boom years due to what he described as a nationwide “profligacy” and “conspicuous consumption” that undermined the economy’s long-term development. He also justified the spending of the $12.4bn oil windfall by his government. “What I have done is not unusual in this country. Somebody did it before me, but I won’t mention names. We did undertake the construction of various ports and other projects (including bridges). “That money could have gone into the Federation Account. Yes, but…

IBB : Obasanjo opted to leave Army when asked to succeed Murtala

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Former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has disclosed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo opted to leave the Army after he was asked to succeed former Head of State, Murtala Muhammed, following the failure of the 1976 coup that claimed Murtala’s life. IBB made this disclosure in his autobiography, A Journey in Service while giving accounts of the events that followed the attempt to forcefully take over the Murtala’s military administration by a group of mutineers led by Lieutenant-Colonel Bukar Dimka. Following Murtala’s death, IBB, in chapter 5 of his book…