Politics

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed concern over Nigeria’s economic direction following the announcement that India has become the world’s fourth-largest economy, surpassing Japan in nominal GDP. In a post shared on Monday via his X handle, Obi cited International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates projecting India’s 2025 nominal GDP at $4.187 trillion, slightly above Japan’s $4.186 trillion, and noted that India is now positioning itself to overtake Germany as t

FCT Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, with Rivers State APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha (left) and PDP State Chairman, Hon. Chukwuemeka Aaron on Monday morning in Port Harcourt The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has cautioned the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, to refrain from making comments about Rivers State, warning him to be mindful of his public statements. Wike issued the warning during a thank-you visit t

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has implemented a minor cabinet reshuffle, making key changes to his executive team as part of ongoing efforts to reposition governance and improve administrative performance. In a statement issued on Monday by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Professor Olanike Kudirat Adeyemo was relieved of her position as Secretary to the State Government with immediate effect. In her place, Makinde appointed Professor Musiba

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the deadly attacks on communities in Agwarra and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State, describing the incident as a disturbing assault on innocent and defenceless citizens. In a statement released on Sunday via his official X handle, Atiku said he was “deeply saddened by the heinous attacks on communities in Agwarra and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State,” noting that the violence resulted in the killing of sc

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an immediate security crackdown on the gunmen responsible for the deadly attack on Kasuwan Daji community in Niger State, directing the military, police and intelligence agencies to ensure the perpetrators are captured and prosecuted without delay. The directive was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, following reports of killings and abductions carried

Federal Capital Territory Minister and former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike has warned that his political future could be severely damaged if Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara secures a second term in office, a statement that underlines ongoing tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections. Addressing supporters and stakeholders in Okrika Local Government Area on Saturday, Wike said a clear political choice has already been made regarding support for President Bola T

The African Democratic Congress has raised strong objections to President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the cancellation of what it described as legacy debts owed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to the Federation Account, warning that the move undermines constitutional provisions on revenue sharing. In a statement issued on Saturday via X by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said it was “deeply alarmed” by the presid

The Rivers State Executive Council has approved a proposed N1.85 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year, describing it as a roadmap for recovery, stability and long-term development across the state. The approval was granted on Friday, January 2, 2026, during the first EXCO meeting of the year held at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt. The meeting was presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, with the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, in att

The Imo State Governor and Chairman of the South East Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, on Friday paid a New Year courtesy visit to Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, describing the engagement as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration for the development of the South East. Uzodimma, who spoke to journalists after the visit, said the meeting was not driven by politics but by the need to foster goodwill and regional cooperation at the start of the year. Accor

Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has faulted Nigeria’s new tax direction, warning that economic recovery cannot be achieved by placing heavier burdens on citizens already struggling to survive. In a statement shared on his official X handle on Friday, Obi argued that meaningful development is built on trust, transparency and national consensus, not policies that deepen hardship. Drawing from his engagements with global leaders, he said soci

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has administered the oath of office to five newly appointed Special Advisers in a bid to strengthen his executive team as his administration implements its policy agenda. The ceremony, held on Friday at the Government House in Port Harcourt, saw the appointees formally sworn in before beginning their official duties. At the event, Fubara said the appointments were intended to enhance governance and ensure efficient delivery of public se

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted N500 million bail to Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, who is facing trial over alleged money-laundering offences, but ordered that he remain in custody until he fulfils the conditions attached to his release. Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling delivered on Friday, January 2, 2026, admitted Adamu to bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties of equal value, each able to produce proof of ownership of lan

Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has fired back at Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo over claims that Peter Obi made a political mistake by defecting to the ADC, describing Keyamo’s argument as flawed and historically inconsistent. Keyamo had earlier argued via his X handle that Obi’s move to the ADC undermined zoning principles and questioned the party’s capacity to manage presidential ambitions. Reacting on Thursday,

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has directed his legal team to withdraw all pending defamation lawsuits against several individuals, including Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following reflections prompted by a sermon delivered by a priest at a New Year service. Akpabio announced the decision during the service at Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, saying he had initially instructed lawyers to file nearly nine separate suits over alleged defamation and slander. H

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has completed its statutory transition into the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), unveiling a new institutional logo to mark the formal establishment of the restructured national revenue authority. The change took effect following the enactment of the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act, 2025 , which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025 and officially took effect at the start of the new fiscal year. The unveili

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has welcomed Peter Obi into the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the move as a major boost to opposition coalition politics in Nigeria. Atiku, in a statement posted on his official X handle on Wednesday, reacted shortly after Obi’s formal defection to the ADC in Enugu, the Southeast capital, where the former Anambra State governor publicly announced his new political platform. Welcoming Obi, Atiku said the development marked “

The Rivers State Government has explained that its annual ₦100,000 Christmas bonus is disbursed to all civil and public servants on the state payroll, including pensioners and public office holders, as part of an established festive season payment practice. The clarification was issued by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, in a statement on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, responding to public interest in the recently pro

Nigeria’s Federal Government has reassured citizens that the new tax reforms scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026 will not give authorities licence to automatically withdraw funds from individuals’ bank accounts, addressing widespread public concern ahead of the implementation of the consolidated tax regime. Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, made the assurance during a televised end-of-year programme, 2025 In Retrospect:

Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a significant realignment in Nigeria’s opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections. Obi announced his decision on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, during an event held at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu State, where political allies and supporters gathered for the occasion. Addr

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have rejected and returned a N100,000 Christmas bonus that was credited to their personal bank accounts on the instructions of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, saying the payment lacked legislative backing and violated established financial procedures. In a statement on Tuesday signed by Hon. Enemi Alabo George, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, the lawmakers said they received alerts on December