Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Edo PDP Rejects Tribunal Verdict, Vows To Challenge Ruling. The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly rejected the ruling of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a statement issued on Thursday, the PDP insisted that its candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, was the rightful winner of the 21st September governorship election and vowed to pursue all legal avenues to challenge the tribunal’s decision. Edo State PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the democratic…

INEC Declares Petition To Recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Invalid. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled that the petition seeking to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, has failed to meet constitutional requirements. In a statement released on its official X handle on Thursday, INEC cited Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which stipulates the conditions necessary for recalling a lawmaker. The commission confirmed that the petition did not satisfy the required criteria, effectively halting the recall process. “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial…

NNPC Raises Petrol Price To N950 Per Litre Amid Leadership Changes. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has increased the price of premium motor spirit (petrol) to N925 per litre in Lagos and N950 per litre in Abuja, just hours after a major administrative shake-up within the organisation. The latest price hike sees an increase from the previous N880 per litre. In Lagos, petrol prices at NNPC retail stations in locations such as Fadeyi, Ago Palace Way, and Second Rainbow rose from N860 to N925 per litre on Wednesday. Similarly, NNPC outlets in Federal Housing, Kubwa, raised prices…

NLC Urges Workers To Resist Harsh Economic Policies. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on workers to stand against the government’s harsh economic policies, citing concerns over reneged agreements, rising tariffs, and a lack of meaningful social dialogue. Speaking at the sixth quadrennial delegates’ conference of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) in Lagos, NLC President Joe Ajaero criticised recent economic measures, including arbitrary increases in telecom and electricity tariffs. He described these policies as attacks on workers and the broader society. Ajaero also condemned inconsistencies in the implementation of the national minimum wage, alleging that…

Hungary Withdraws From ICC As Netanyahu Receives Warm Welcome In Budapest. In a bold and controversial move, Hungary announced on Thursday that it would withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), a decision revealed mere hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed in the country for an official visit. The announcement has sparked international debate, particularly as Netanyahu faces an ICC arrest warrant over alleged war crimes. Hungary’s government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, had already signalled its intent to disregard the ICC’s authority in this matter. Despite being a signatory to the 1998 Rome Statute, which…

Ancelotti Denies Tax Fraud Allegations As Trial Begins. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has denied any wrongdoing in his ongoing tax fraud trial in Spain, insisting he never intended to evade taxes. On Wednesday, the 65-year-old Italian appeared before the High Court of Justice in Madrid, where prosecutors accused him of failing to declare more than €1 million (£860,000) in earnings from image rights during his first spell at Real Madrid in 2014 and 2015. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months, arguing that Ancelotti used a complex network of shell companies to hide…

Trump Imposes 14% Tariff On Nigerian Exports As US Trade Policy Heats Up. In a dramatic escalation of his administration’s trade policy, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 14% tariff on all Nigerian exports to the United States, effective immediately. The decision, unveiled during a White House Rose Garden address dubbed “Liberation Day” on 2 April, forms part of a broader strategy to address what Trump calls “unfair trade practices” and to bolster American industry. The tariff targets Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest economies, which exported goods worth ₦931 billion (£1.7 billion) to the U.S. in 2024, with…

Benue Queens Celebrate Historic First Point As Edo, Bayelsa, And Rivers Remain Unbeaten In NWFL Premiership. In an exhilarating round of fixtures on Matchday 10 of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership, debutants Benue Queens marked a significant milestone by securing their first-ever point in the country’s top flight. Meanwhile, reigning champions Edo Queens, alongside Bayelsa Queens and Rivers Angels, continued their unbeaten streaks, solidifying their positions as title contenders in a fiercely competitive season. The matches, played on Wednesday, 2 April 2025, showcased the rising strength and excitement of women’s football in Nigeria. Benue Queens, newcomers to the…

Former NYSC Director-General Freed After 56 Days In Captivity. Former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), retired Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga has been released after enduring 56 days in the hands of kidnappers. The news, confirmed by a senior military official and family members, brings an end to a harrowing ordeal that began on 5 February 2025 in Katsina State, Nigeria. Tsiga was abducted from his hometown in the Bakori Local Government Area, alongside nine other residents, in a midnight raid that sent shockwaves through the community. The armed bandits stormed Tsiga village, targeting the respected retired general, who…

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Approves Recruitment Of 34 Resident Doctors To Boost Healthcare. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has approved the recruitment of 34 resident doctors for a seven-year residency training programme aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery in the FCT. Mr Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the minister on Public Communications and Social Media, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja. According to Olayinka, the 34 doctors represent the first batch of a total of 60 medical professionals approved for residency training across eight specialities in FCT Administration hospitals.…

Kogi Government Accuses Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Of Inciting Violence At Homecoming Rally. The Kogi State Government has accused Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of inciting violence during her homecoming rally in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area, despite existing security restrictions on political gatherings. The state’s Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, made the allegation following the senator’s remarks in a viral video where she claimed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, and former Governor Yahaya Bello were plotting to assassinate her. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who arrived at the rally by helicopter to a cheering crowd, alleged that she had received…

CBN Dismisses Report On N5,000 And N10,000 Banknotes As Fake. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has refuted claims that it has introduced N5,000 and N10,000 banknotes, labelling the report as false and urging Nigerians to disregard it. In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle yesterday, the apex bank dismissed the report, clarifying that no such denominations have been issued. “The content is not from CBN. Kindly note that the official website of the CBN is cbn.gov.ng,” the statement read. Further addressing the matter, the CBN’s Communications Department reaffirmed that the bank only…