Category: News

Samuel Apata, the lawmaker representing Somolu Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, has called on President Bola Tinubu to step into the controversy surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election. Apata claims he was unjustly denied the party’s return ticket despite securing a clear victory at the polls.

Speaking during an interview in Lagos on Wednesday, Apata stated that he won the primary decisively with 9,081 votes, yet the candidate declared was a distant third with only 677 votes. He expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s commitment to justice, noting his loyalty to the APC and belief that the party’s ideals will prevail.

Apata recounted his political journey, including two bids for the chairmanship of Bariga Local Council Development Area and two attempts at the House of Assembly before winning in 2023. He highlighted achievements such as rehabilitating Ariyo and Grace streets and constructing or renovating six schools in Bariga.

The lawmaker pledged continued support for the Tinubu administration while hoping for a fair resolution of the primary issues. He emphasized that his three years in the legislature have equipped him to deliver more effective representation if granted a second term.

Senator Orji Kalu, chairing the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC), has raised serious concerns over the commission’s financial management during a recent hearing. The committee interrogated the managing director, Mark Okoye, and his team regarding the expenditure of over N4 billion from the 2025 budget without proper accountability.

Okoye, accompanied by Sylvester Okonkwo, a former chief of staff to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, appeared before the committee to explain the commission’s financial activities. According to budget documents, the SEDC received N16.6 billion for its operations in 2025.

During the session, Kalu pressed Okoye on the remaining balance in the commission’s account. Okoye responded that approximately N11.5 billion to N12 billion was still available, implying that over N4 billion had been allocated to operational costs. However, Kalu dismissed this explanation, stating that the figures did not match records available to the committee or data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“We will not accept excuses, regardless of your background,” Kalu asserted. “My question is simple: you received N16.6 billion. How much is left?” The senator further revealed that the committee had tools to trace fund utilization and had already dispatched the Auditor General to review the commission’s activities.

Failing to provide a comprehensive breakdown, Okoye was ordered to return the following Tuesday with full documentation detailing how the funds were spent. Kalu expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s performance, emphasizing that the committee expected transparency and accountability.

In a startling revelation, Kalu claimed that the commission spends N153 million annually on a small office in Abuja, despite having its main headquarters in Enugu. “You maintain a tiny office here in Abuja and are paying N153 million for a single room. We know about it,” he said, warning against further discrepancies.

The SEDC, one of several regional development commissions established by the Bola Tinubu administration, aims to address infrastructure deficits and promote economic growth in the South-east. Signed into law in 2024 and inaugurated in February 2025, the commission is tasked with reconstructing post-war infrastructure, tackling ecological issues, fostering industrial growth, and creating jobs. However, the lack of clear expenditure records threatens to undermine public trust and parliamentary support.

The Lagos State Safety Commission has issued a fresh directive requiring hotels, nightclubs, event centers, lounges, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses to strengthen their health and safety protocols. This follows recent global alerts regarding Ebola outbreaks in Central and East Africa.

Although no confirmed case of Ebola has been reported in Lagos State or anywhere in Nigeria, the commission emphasized the need for proactive measures. The advisory comes as biosecurity screening intensifies at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, reflecting Lagos’s role as a major international gateway and commercial hub.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, explained that the precautionary directive is essential due to the city’s high volume of international travel and dense population. He stressed that facilities hosting large gatherings and close human contact must lead in implementing preventive actions to reduce potential public health risks.

Operators of hotels, lounges, event centers, restaurants, and nightclubs are now required to install hand hygiene stations at entrances and other key points. These stations must be equipped with running water, soap, or alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The commission also urged establishments to boost cleaning protocols, particularly on high-touch surfaces such as door handles, handrails, countertops, payment terminals, and menus, using approved hospital-grade disinfectants.

Additionally, management teams are advised to train staff to recognize early symptoms of illness, conduct daily health checks, and enforce a strict stay-at-home policy for any employee showing signs of fever or sickness. Venues are also instructed to set up temporary isolation areas for individuals displaying severe symptoms, pending medical assistance.

Furthermore, the commission called on venue operators to manage crowd density and ensure adequate ventilation in enclosed spaces to minimize health risks. Mojola urged all operators to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative, noting that safety officials will increase monitoring and compliance inspections across the state.

Any suspected medical emergency involving severe fever or illness should be immediately isolated and reported via designated Lagos State emergency health hotlines: 08023169485, 08033565529, or 07000SAFETY.

The Anglican women’s wing has called on the Federal Government to take decisive steps in safeguarding schools and neighborhoods against Boko Haram and other insurgent groups. This appeal was made during the 15th Biennial Mother’s Union Conference of the Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Umuahia, held in Ubakala.

In her keynote address, Gospel Ogechi Geo-Ibeabuchi, President of the Women Ministry of the Anglican Diocese of Umuahia, highlighted the rising tide of terrorism across several states. She noted that families are being uprooted, pupils face attacks, and entire communities live in fear due to the activities of bandits and insurgents.

She challenged the federal authorities to demonstrate the efficacy of their security strategies by preventing any further overrunning of schools or villages by criminals. Geo-Ibeabuchi pointed to recent security breaches in the North, South West, and parts of the South East as evidence that stronger intelligence gathering, better inter-agency cooperation, and preemptive measures are urgently needed.

She also called on the Abia State government and security forces to pay close attention to communities around Umuahia, such as Amakama, Ohiya, and Lodu. Early action and constant alertness are crucial to protecting residents and ensuring stability, she stressed.

Beyond security, Geo-Ibeabuchi acknowledged the broader challenges facing Nigerians, including economic hardship, hunger, and uncertainty. She urged all levels of government to remain responsive to the plight of ordinary citizens, emphasizing that listening to their concerns is essential for national progress.

In Plateau State, a heated war of words has erupted between two prominent groups: the Berom Youth-Moulders Association (BYM) and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN). The conflict stems from competing accusations regarding attacks and fatalities in the region.

MACBAN’s state chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, had previously alleged that a group of “Berom Militias” was responsible for a deadly incident in Jos South Local Government Area. According to Babayo, the attack occurred on Friday, June 5, 2026, when gunmen attacked herders tending their cattle in Sabon Gidan Kanar community. He claimed a 15-year-old herder named Sadi Aliyu was killed, along with 13 cows, while 11 more cattle remain missing. Babayo described the assault as unprovoked, stating that the herders were peacefully grazing when the attackers opened fire.

However, the BYM swiftly dismissed MACBAN’s narrative as baseless and misleading. In a statement issued by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, the BYM accused MACBAN of distorting facts and criminalizing the Berom community. Tengwong countered that the real perpetrators are Fulani bandits who have been terrorizing rural areas. He cited an incident where armed Fulani elements exploited early morning rainfall to ambush residents of Ful community. That attack, he said, resulted in the death of a local man named Jan and left another, Silvanus Toma, with severe head injuries. Toma is now in critical condition at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

The BYM expressed strong condemnation for all loss of life, regardless of ethnicity or religion. They emphasized the need for thorough and impartial investigations by security agencies to bring all perpetrators to justice. The group also called on authorities to acknowledge the suffering of indigenous communities who continue to endure violent attacks.

This exchange highlights the deep tensions and conflicting accounts that complicate efforts to establish peace and security in Plateau State, where clashes between herders and farmers have long been a source of instability.

Nigeria’s Senate has ramped up its scrutiny of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), demanding a comprehensive breakdown of billions of naira disbursed from funds allocated to the agency in the 2025 budget. The move follows an investigative session led by the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission, where lawmakers expressed serious concerns about specific line items in the commission’s financial statements.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who chairs the committee, revealed that data from the Central Bank of Nigeria shows the commission received N16.6 billion in budget releases. However, only N13 billion remains in its accounts, indicating that roughly N3.6 billion has been depleted. This discrepancy triggered intense questioning during the hearing.

Among the expenditures that raised eyebrows was an alleged N153 million payment for a single-room liaison office in Abuja, along with N2.5 billion categorized as implied spending. Senator Kalu described the financial report submitted by SEDC as inadequate and insisted that all expenses must be thoroughly justified.

Several committee members voiced dissatisfaction with the documentation provided, urging greater transparency in the handling of public funds. In response, SEDC Managing Director Mark Okoye defended the expenditures, stating they were all prudently incurred and based on actual cash releases to avoid accumulating unfunded liabilities.

Despite his explanation, lawmakers remained skeptical and directed the commission to furnish complete records of all contracts awarded, payments made, and supporting documents related to its spending. The committee has set a deadline of June 23 for the submission of these documents and indicated that the commission will be summoned again after a review.

This probe is part of the Senate’s broader oversight efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public funds by federal agencies.

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has sharply criticized the federal government’s inability to curb escalating violence across the country, calling for immediate and effective measures to safeguard citizens. In a statement delivered by its Secretary General, Nafi’u Baba-Ahmad, the council emphasized that Nigerians are growing weary of official pronouncements that yield no tangible results.

According to the council, the nation is grappling with a severe crisis marked by frequent kidnappings, terrorist assaults, banditry, and other violent crimes. Despite repeated government pledges to address these threats, the situation continues to deteriorate, leaving communities vulnerable. Recent attacks in states such as Borno, Oyo, Niger, and Zamfara, along with the abduction of a retired army general and his wife in Katsina, illustrate the depth of the problem.

The SCSN noted that many tragic incidents remain unreported, while data from security agencies and human rights groups indicate that thousands have been killed, kidnapped, or displaced in recent months. “Each figure represents a human tragedy—a life lost or shattered, a family in mourning, and a community trapped in fear and uncertainty,” the statement read.

The council voiced frustration over the lack of progress despite repeated appeals from citizens, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society. “Nigerians are exhausted by speeches, condolences, committees, and official rhetoric that lack substance. What is needed now is decisive action and measurable outcomes,” it stated.

The SCSN underscored that ensuring security is a constitutional duty of the government, not a favor to the people. It warned that leaders must either fulfill their responsibilities effectively or step aside for those who can. “The time has come for those in charge to either perform or relinquish their positions to capable hands,” the council asserted.

While harshly criticizing the government’s performance, the SCSN praised the armed forces and other security personnel for their dedication and sacrifices. It also demanded greater transparency in the utilization of security funds, noting that trillions of naira have been allocated to defense and intelligence with little improvement. The council argued that citizens deserve answers on how these resources have been spent as insecurity worsens.

The group called for enhanced intelligence gathering, adoption of advanced technology, stronger border controls, improved inter-agency cooperation, and increased community engagement to dismantle criminal networks. “The nation demands action. The era of excuses is over. Now is the moment for competent and decisive leadership,” the statement concluded.

Demola Olarenwaju, who serves as the Special Assistant on Digital Media Strategy for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has asserted that President Bola Tinubu’s most notable accomplishment in office has been the exacerbation of poverty across Nigeria. According to Olarenwaju, Tinubu’s economic policies have driven the nation deeper into hardship, making his predecessor, the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, appear saintly in comparison.

Speaking during an appearance on Vanguard’s Politics Hub, Olarenwaju characterized the Tinubu administration as a complete failure across every sector, a comprehensive 360-degree collapse. He argued that the economic instability fostered under Tinubu has left citizens worse off than ever before, with inflation and fuel prices skyrocketing to unprecedented levels.

Olarenwaju explained that he once encountered someone expressing nostalgia for Buhari’s tenure, a sentiment he initially found baffling. However, upon reflection, he realized that the cost of petroleum has increased nearly tenfold under Tinubu’s watch, making daily life unbearable for average Nigerians. He said, ‘The price I pay for a liter of petrol under Buhari is now almost ten times higher under Tinubu,’ emphasizing that such burdens are unsustainable for the populace.

He concluded by labeling Tinubu’s leadership as a disaster for the masses, one that has reversed any previous gains and deepened the economic crisis. The aide’s remarks underscore growing discontent with the current administration’s handling of the economy and its impact on living standards.

Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has raised serious concerns about the federal government’s financial management under President Bola Tinubu. In a statement released via his official platform, Obi reacted to President Tinubu’s recent assessment of his administration’s performance after three years, highlighting a significant increase in national revenue that has not improved the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

Obi pointed out that while President Tinubu boasted about revenue growth from N16.8 trillion in 2022 to N35 trillion in 2025, the country’s debt has ballooned to approximately N200 trillion. This represents a staggering increase of over N100 trillion in just three years. “Nigerians expected that with such a massive revenue boost, borrowing would decrease, but the opposite has happened,” Obi remarked.

According to Obi, the government collected more than initially budgeted due to favorable global and regional economic conditions that boosted commodity prices and overall earnings. Despite this financial windfall, key socio-economic indicators have deteriorated. Multidimensional poverty has surged from about 87 million people in 2023 to over 140 million in 2025, while unemployment and GDP per capita have also worsened.

Obi questioned the transparency and accountability of the administration, stating, “The question Nigerians and the international community are asking is, ‘Where did all the money go?'” He urged the government to provide a detailed breakdown of how both revenue and borrowed funds have been utilized since 2023, demanding answers for the worsening living conditions despite increased earnings.

The Taraba State Government has refuted reports that forest guards are not deployed in farming communities, asserting that all 750 personnel recruited under the initiative are fully operational. The clarification comes from Colonel Joshua Garbiya Kwelle (rtd), Special Adviser to Governor Agbu Kefas on Security and Intelligence, who spoke in Jalingo on Tuesday.

Kwelle stated that the forest guard program, initiated in 2025, aims to secure forest areas, gather intelligence, and prevent criminals from using forests as hideouts. The operatives have been deployed across all 16 local government councils, with offices established in strategic locations to facilitate their work.

Although their duties do not include conventional community policing, the guards play a vital role in enhancing security for rural and farming communities. On salary concerns, Kwelle noted that payment structures are being finalized as federal government processes are completed, and arrangements for salary disbursement are underway.

The adviser praised Governor Kefas for prioritizing security through consistent investment and support for security initiatives. He also advised journalists and bloggers to verify information from reliable sources before sharing, warning that misinformation could cause unnecessary panic.

Kwelle reassured residents that the forest guards remain active and dedicated to protecting communities across the state.