Category: News

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has unpacked the purpose behind his recent visit to Rotimi Amaechi, the ex-Minister of Transportation, at the latter’s home in Abuja. The conversation took place shortly after Atiku secured the ADC presidential nomination for the 2027 elections, triumphing over Amaechi and other contenders.

Atiku, who now flies the flag of the African Democratic Congress, shared on X that their talk revolved around Nigeria’s alarming challenges—soaring economic hardship, pervasive insecurity, and the collective duty of patriotic citizens to forge solutions. He emphasized the urgency of rescuing the country from its current state of drift and hopelessness.

During the warm and candid exchange, Atiku also extended birthday greetings to Amaechi, who had celebrated his birthday the previous day. Lightheartedly, he noted that Arsenal’s historic victory could not have been more timely, a jest that Amaechi, an avid Arsenal supporter, received with good humor.

In a touch of Rivers State hospitality, Amaechi apologized for not being able to prepare his signature Fisherman Soup, but promised to serve it when Atiku returns for another visit. The meeting underscores the ongoing political realignments as the 2027 general elections approach.

Ambassador Blessing Fubara, the younger sibling of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has officially declared his candidacy for the 2027 governorship election under the banner of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). In a statement released on Thursday in Abuja, the younger Fubara outlined his vision to revive the state’s economic strength and ensure political stability.

Positioning himself as a capable and energetic leader, he expressed his commitment to “restore the soul of Rivers.” According to him, the motivation behind his decision stems from the urgent need to reverse the trend of impoverishment, lost investments, diminished dignity, and reduced opportunities plaguing the state.

“Today, we see a Rivers that is distressed, shortchanged and almost seeming like a conquered state, but we are not a conquered people,” he declared, rallying supporters across all 23 local government areas to turn out en masse and “reclaim the soul of Rivers.”

A key element of his platform is a pledge to serve only a single four-year term, aligning with the state’s rotational governance agreement to complete the eight-year tenure of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District. He warned that deviating from this arrangement would establish a detrimental and dangerous precedent.

Timi Frank, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has criticized the bail conditions imposed on businessman Tunde Ayeni by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. In a statement released on Thursday, Frank argued that the terms were excessively harsh and could undermine public faith in the judiciary.

Frank alleged that the conditions, set by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, were politically motivated and hinted at the involvement of unseen forces from the presidency. He specifically pointed to a requirement that a surety provide a N15 billion bank guarantee, which matches the amount in question in the case, with an agreement to forfeit the sum if Ayeni fails to appear. This, according to Frank, is highly unusual for bailable offenses and contrasts sharply with bail terms given to other high-profile individuals accused of corruption.

“It is astonishing to learn about such a condition, which seems extremely odd and likely to discredit our judicial system,” Frank stated. He called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to look into the matter to safeguard public confidence in the legal process.

Frank emphasized that the justice system should not treat allegations as proof of guilt. “Courts are duty-bound to protect liberty, not to impose punishment before conviction,” he declared.

In a strongly worded response to recent military action by the United States, Iran has pledged to take every possible step to protect its national sovereignty. The declaration came from Esmaeil Baqaei, the spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, during a press briefing on Thursday.

Baqaei condemned the US attacks on the southern port city of Bandar Abbas as clear violations of international norms. He emphasized that Iran would not hesitate to use all necessary means to safeguard its territorial integrity, citing what he described as repeated breaches of the ceasefire by American forces.

The Iranian official also expressed solidarity with Oman, following aggressive statements made by US President Donald Trump threatening military action against the Gulf nation. Baqaei labeled such rhetoric as a dangerous trend that normalizes lawlessness and intimidation in global diplomacy.

According to reports, US forces carried out strikes that targeted a ground control station in the Bandar Abbas port area. In retaliation, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced that they had struck the US air base believed to be the origin of the attack, though specific details about the base’s location were not disclosed.

The escalation marks a significant uptick in tensions between the two nations, with Iran vowing to continue defending its rights under international law. The foreign ministry’s statement reiterated Iran’s commitment to taking all necessary defensive measures to protect its national interests.

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has expressed admiration for the exceptional behavior exhibited by the state’s pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj in Saudi Arabia. The commendation was delivered through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Ibraheem Musa, in Makkah on Thursday. During a briefing from a high-powered delegation, the governor highlighted that the pilgrims’ conduct has set a benchmark for others.

The governor noted that the officials managing the Hajj operations from Kaduna have become models of efficient service delivery. He emphasized that Hajj, being one of the pillars of Islam, demands patience, perseverance, and complete devotion to Allah. Uba Sani described the pilgrimage as a spiritually enriching yet physically demanding journey.

According to the governor, the updates provided by the delegation and management team aligned with reports he had been receiving prior to his arrival in Saudi Arabia. The delegation, led by Executive Chairman Malam Salihu S Abubakar, outlined the entire Hajj process, from initial sensitization during ‘Bita’ to medical screenings at the Hajj camp and airlifting to the Holy Land. Successes in Madina, Makkah, and the key rituals at Arafat, Muzdalifa, and Jamrat were also discussed.

Members of the delegation included Malam Salihu Abubakar, Professor Bello Ayuba, Hon Nazir Abubakar, Malam AbdulRaham Abuhunain, and Abubakar Usman Yusuf, among others.

The Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming it has exacerbated the nation’s challenges since taking office. In a statement titled ‘Tinubu’s Third Year Report: Summum Malum or Summum Bonum,’ signed by its leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, the group argued that the government is fostering poverty, unemployment, and insecurity.

Afenifere expressed deep concern over the trajectory of Nigeria’s democracy, offering condolences to citizens who have endured three years of what it termed a misgovernance that has amplified poverty, joblessness, mass killings, and abductions. The group also criticized the administration for undermining federalism and other branches of government.

Citing Chapter Two, Section 14 of the Nigerian Constitution, Afenifere noted that the primary duty of any government is to provide welfare and security. It lamented that the current administration relies on fear—the ultimate evil—rather than the promise of prosperity and safety. The group pointed to beheadings of teachers, kidnappings of children, and displacement of communities as evidence of this failure.

Afenifere further questioned an alleged pact between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and terrorists, referencing admissions by APC stalwarts that they imported terrorists to embarrass former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. The group observed that insecurity has since shifted from the Northwest to the Southwest under Tinubu’s watch.

The organization described the current situation as a nightmare, with the promise of ‘Renewed Hope’ turning into a reality of despair. It called for electoral reforms to ensure that the next election yields a government that truly serves the people.

The Kwara State Police Command has officially refuted claims circulating on social media that its operatives apprehended Boko Haram suspects within Ilorin. In a statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the command labeled the reports as completely false and urged the public to disregard them.

According to the statement, the incident that sparked the rumors involved a routine stop of a truck carrying Fulani travelers by the Violent Crime Response Unit during a security patrol on Tuesday night. The officers conducted a thorough search and screening of the passengers and the vehicle as part of standard operational procedure.

“After exhaustive checks, no incriminating items, weapons, or security threats were found on any of the occupants,” Ejire-Adeyemi said. The travelers informed the police that they were en route to Jigawa State. Following documentation, they were allowed to proceed on their journey.

The police command warned residents to avoid spreading unverified information that could incite panic and tension within the community. It reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order through intelligence-led operations.

In a separate development, the command announced the arrest of three individuals suspected of armed robbery and vandalism along the Asa Dam-Dangote Road area in Ilorin. The suspects are believed to be responsible for damaging government-installed solar lights and engaging in robbery activities in the vicinity.

Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo commended the officers for their swift action and assured the public that the command remains steadfast in its fight against crime across the state.

Brazilian football authorities have given Neymar Jr a strict ultimatum regarding his recovery ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Santos forward must prove his fitness by a set medical deadline or risk being left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s final squad for the tournament.

Neymar’s participation in the upcoming warm-up matches for the Selecao is now in serious doubt. The 34-year-old is currently nursing a grade two calf strain, which has caused mounting concern within the national team setup.

According to reports from Globo, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) went to extraordinary lengths to protect the player’s privacy during medical assessments. A local diagnostic center was temporarily closed to the public to allow Neymar to undergo an MRI scan without any distractions.

Although Santos had initially given Neymar clearance to play, the national team’s medical staff conducted further evaluations. Those tests confirmed the presence of a grade two muscle edema, ruling him out of action for the time being.

Dr Rodrigo Lasmar, the team physician, provided an update on Thursday. He stated: ‘Neymar arrived at Granja Comary yesterday and completed all medical exams, finishing with an MRI that revealed a grade 2 muscle injury. He is continuing treatment, and we anticipate he will be cleared to play within two to three weeks.’

The clock is now ticking for Neymar to regain full fitness if he hopes to represent Brazil at the 2026 World Cup. Ancelotti is expected to name his squad soon, and the superstar’s injury may force a difficult decision.

In a move that has brought widespread relief, Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has authorized the reissuance of appointment letters to more than 3,000 public servants who were previously branded as ghost workers and left unpaid for over a year. The decision was announced following a State Executive Council meeting chaired by the governor on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Addressing journalists in Jalingo on Wednesday, the Head of Service, Dr Hamidu Ahmed Kara, confirmed that the affected employees would be reintegrated into the state workforce after enduring months of uncertainty and financial strain. He noted that the step was taken to resolve the hardships caused by an earlier verification exercise that erroneously classified many as ghost workers.

During their time off the payroll, several of these workers reportedly struggled to support their families, pay school fees, and meet daily living expenses. The reinstatement has sparked jubilation across the state, especially among the affected staff and their households, who see it as a significant relief just ahead of the Sallah festivities.

Labor unions and local residents have praised the government, calling the intervention one of the most impactful actions in the state’s public service history in recent times. Beyond the reinstatement, Governor Kefas has also approved a fresh recruitment drive. According to Dr Kara, the governor directed the Office of the Head of Service to collaborate with the Taraba State Civil Service Commission to hire an additional 1,800 workers.

The new recruitment aims to correct federal character imbalances that were allegedly overlooked in prior hiring exercises. Analysts believe that both the reinstatement and the planned recruitment will have positive economic and social effects throughout the state.

In a coordinated operation in Yobe State, security forces have eliminated two suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The operation, which took place on May 27, involved troops from the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local hunters. The ambush was set near Kasaicia village, off the Damaturu–Buni Yadi road, following intelligence reports about insurgent movements in the area.

According to a statement from Headquarters Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI, the joint team engaged the terrorists around 4:00 p.m., resulting in the neutralization of two fighters. The forces also recovered two AK-47 rifles and several empty magazines from the scene. The report highlighted that the security situation in the region remains fluid, but troops maintained high morale and operational efficiency.

This success underscores the ongoing efforts of Nigerian forces and local allies to combat insurgency in the northeast. The operation was part of Operation Desert Sanity V, aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities in the area.