GOVERNORS BLOCK LG CHAIRMEN FROM OPENING CBN ACCOUNTS The challenges facing the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy have assumed a new dimension, with some state governors explicitly warning their council chairmen against opening an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the direct payment of their allocations from the Federation Account. The latest development …

GOVERNORS BLOCK LG CHAIRMEN FROM OPENING CBN ACCOUNTS The challenges facing the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy have assumed a new dimension, with some state governors explicitly warning their council chairmen against opening an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the direct payment of their allocations from the Federation Account. The latest development …

MINISTER ASKS NYSC TO STOP EARLY MORNING DRILLS FOR CORPS MEMBERS IN ORIENTATION CAMP Minister of Youth, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has requested that the management of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, change its programme to allow corps members to have enough rest during their 21-day orientation camp. The minister made the call during the 2025 annual management conference, themed …

NO COUNTRY HAS DEVELOPED UNDER DEMOYCRACY — BURKINA FASO PRESIDENT President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, said the country is undergoing a “popular, progressive revolution” and not operating under a democratic system. He added that it is difficult to pinpoint a country that has developed practising democratic rule. Traore made the disclosure during a flag-raising ceremony at the Koulouba …

ALLEGED DEFAMATION: NATASHA SLAMS ₦5B SUIT AGAINST SENATOR NWAEBONYI Lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial district in Kogi State, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has filed a lawsuit amounting to ₦5.1 billion against Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi for alleged defamation.In case No: CV/1359/25, submitted to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, through her legal representatives led by Michael Jonathan Numa, …

NIGERIA’S DATA USAGE SOARS 93% IN TWO YEARS Internet data consumption in Nigeria has nearly doubled in two years, rising by 93 per cent, according to an analysis of the figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission. Data usage hit 1,000,930.60 terabytes in January 2025, up from 517,670 terabytes in January 2023. The surge underscores the country’s increasing dependence on internet …

ONE DEAD, HOUSES RAZED AS WARRI BOILS FOLLOWING INEC’s DELINEATION OF CONSTITUENCY Following the recent delineation of Warri Constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, hoodlums have shot one person dead and razed several houses. The incident occurred on Sunday night on Odion Road, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, Our correspondent, who has been monitoring the …

INEC CHAIRMAN, MAHMOOD YAKUBU, NOT SACKED SPOKESMAN The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has disclaimed social media reports that its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has been sacked by President Bola Tinubu, Times of Nigeria reports. A viral WhatsApp message had indicated that Mahmood was sacked and replaced with one Prof. Olamilekan. “INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu has been replaced with …

FG REACTS TO TRUMP’S 14% TARIFF ON NIGERIAN EXPORTS The Federal Government of Nigeria has acknowledged the recent imposition of a 14% tariff on Nigerian exports by the United States, stating its commitment to mitigating the impact while accelerating economic diversification. In a statement signed by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, which was released …

PETER OBI, ALEX OTTI SUMMON LABOUR PARTY NEC MEETING Two leading figures of the Labour Party, the 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State governor, Alex Otti, have summoned a meeting of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the party. The NEC meeting is scheduled to hold in Abuja on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. A notice issued by Obi …

PROTESTERS DEFY POLICE, THRONG STREETS IN ABUJA, LAGOS, OTHERS Protesters are currently out on the streets of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital City and Lagos, commercial capital of the largest black nation on earth. The protests organised by the Take It Back Movement, are ongoing despite repeated warnings by the police. In Abuja, Omoyele Sowore, a leader of the movement, and Deji …

HOUSE OF REPS WARN RIVERS SOLE ADMINISTRATOR OVER PLAN TO MAKE LAW The leadership of the House of Representatives has cautioned the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retired) against any plan to make laws or take up the responsibility of the Assembly in the state. Philip Agbese, the deputy spokesperson for the House of Representatives …

NIGERIA AND THE FADING LIGHTS OF JUSTICE, BY CHIDI ANSELEM ODINKALU As he settled in to deliver the judgment of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on 2 April 2025, presiding judge, Wilfred Kpochi, felt obliged to get one ritual out of the way. Glancing left and right, he asked each of his two colleagues on the three-person tribunal …

SUSPENDED RIVERS ASSEMBLY SPEAKER, AMAEWHULE, BEGINS LEGISLATIVE TOUR OF US The suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, has officially commenced a five-day legislative tour in the United Kingdom alongside members of the 10th Assembly. According to Martins Wachukwu, Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, this is the third capacity-building initiative organized …

SUSPENDED RIVERS ASSEMBLY SPEAKER, AMAEWHULE, BEGINS LEGISLATIVE TOUR OF US The suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, has officially commenced a five-day legislative tour in the United Kingdom alongside members of the 10th Assembly. According to Martins Wachukwu, Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, this is the third capacity-building initiative organized …