NEWS

Violence rocked parts of Oyo State on Saturday amid local government congresses held by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, faction loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike. Our correspondent reports that there are two PDP factions in the state. One faction is loyal to the state governor, Seyi Makinde, while the other one is loyal to Wike. The Wike-led faction organised its local government congresses on Saturday. The congresses however turned violent, leading to attacks on several persons. About 25 people have been reported injured. Properties, including houses and vehicles, have been vandalised in some of the local government areas. Some of the local government areas where attacks have been reported are Ibadan North, Ido, Ibarapa Central, Akinyel...

Political economist and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Professor Pat Utomi, has stated that Nigeria is in a “complete mess as a result of failed leadership, deepening corruption and collapsing public confidence in government institutions.” In an interview with Vanguard, Utomi said ‘’Nigeria is in a complete mess. Maybe a simple way to showcase the failure of leadership or the lack of leadership in Nigeria is to tell a small story about Egypt. I was at a conference in Cairo, which took place in the new Cairo. Egypt is building a new Cairo, a new city, out there in the desert. 14, 16-lane highways, probably it will be competing with Dubai very soon. Outside the conference venue, a number of senior Nigerians were just standing, lamenting, as usual, the Nigerian story....

The administration also announced that the daily ticket for tricycle riders had been cut from ₦1,200 to ₦500. However, tricycle operations will now end at 6 p.m. daily, as night operations have been permanently banned. The government of Cross River State has banned roadside operations by Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), confining the officials to office-based duties following protests by commercial transport operators over alleged harassment and excessive penalties. Governor Bassey Otu announced the directive in Calabar on Saturday after a meeting with transport stakeholders, according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Linus Obogo. The decision came amid mounting complaints from commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators who accused enforcement teams of ...

An investigative panel established by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has praised the Vice-Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Simon Ortuanya, and the institution’s former Acting Vice-Chancellor, Oguejiofor Ujam, for their role in uncovering the alleged certificate forgery involving former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji. The seven-member panel was set up on November 23, 2025, after Nnaji petitioned the education minister following a two-year investigation by Premium Times which alleged that the former minister falsified his university degree and National Youth Service Corps certificates. The committee submitted its report to the minister in December 2025. In his petition dated October 14, 2025, Nnaji accused senior officials of the uni...

Turkey is considering the possibility of sending F-16 fighter jets to Northern Cyprus as a security measure, a Turkish defence ministry source said Saturday, days after the island was targeted by a drone attack. “In light of recent developments, phased planning is being carried out to ensure the security of the TRNC,” the source said, referring to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), a territory which is only recognised by Ankara. “The deployment of F-16 aircraft to the island is among the options being considered.” Cyprus, a European Union member that currently holds the bloc’s rotating presidency, has been directly affected by retaliatory attacks following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, with an Iranian-made drone hitting a British base on the island on Monday. ...

Hoodlums suspected to be political thugs have attacked the local government congresses of the faction of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike in Oyo State. Our correspondent learnt that there are two factions of the party in the state. While one is loyal to Wike, the other is loyal to the state governor, Seyi Makinde. The local government congresses of the Wike led faction was billed to take place on Saturday. It was, however, disrupted after some hoodlums suspected to be political thugs attacked members while the congresses were ongoing. About ten people were reportedly attacked and many vehicles vandalised. Chairman of the faction loyal to Wike, Professor Abdulrahman Akinoso has confirmed Akinoso in a telep...

At least four Ministers could quit President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet ahead of the 2027 elections. This is because they are reportedly weighing resignation to pursue their political ambitions in their home states. Punch reports that at least four cabinet members are already positioning themselves for state-level contests, particularly where incumbent governors will complete their constitutionally allowed two terms in 2027. Among those being mentioned are Adebayo Adelabu (Minister of Power), Muhammad Pate (Minister of Health and Social Welfare), Yusuf Tuggar (Minister of Foreign Affairs) and the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha. The Independent National Electoral Commission recently revised the electoral timetable, setting party primaries between April 22 and May 2...

Russia has warned that Finland’s plan to remove restrictions on hosting nuclear weapons could be seen as a direct threat to its security, signaling that Moscow would respond if the proposal is implemented. Speaking on Friday, March 6, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the deployment of nuclear weapons in Finland would change the security dynamics in the region and force Russia to take countermeasures. “By deploying nuclear weapons on its territory, Finland is beginning to threaten us,” Peskov said, adding that Russia would take “appropriate measures” if such a step is taken.  Finland, which became a member of NATO in 2023, announced plans to remove its long-standing ban on nuclear weapons in order to align with the alliance’s deterrence strategy. Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkan...

Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, has declared that the country has no intention of invading neighbouring nations. Pezeshkian made the statement on Saturday in a video message broadcast on Iranian state television. During the address, the Iranian leader apologised to neighbouring countries that were affected by retaliatory airstrikes amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. He assured that Iran would not launch attacks against neighbouring states unless it was first attacked. In recent days, Iran reportedly carried out missile and drone strikes targeting several U.S. military bases located in Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. The strikes were described as retaliation for what Tehran called “preempt...

Fresh corruption allegations have surfaced within the Nigerian Police Force after claims that several senior officers allegedly paid about ₦5 million each to secure promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police during the tenure of former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. According to a report by Sahara Reporters, the allegations are linked to documents reportedly obtained from the Force Headquarters in Abuja. An internal police wireless message dated February 23, 2026, allegedly confirmed the disputed promotions. The message, referenced SH.4700/FS/FHQ/ABJ/T.3/40, indicated that the promotions were approved following communication from the Police Service Commission. The document stated that several Chief Superintendents of Police were elevated to the ra...