Author: bibncollar

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has reacted to the release of Bashir Saidu, his longtime ally and former commissioner, after 50 days in custody. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), El-Rufai described Saidu’s detention as abduction and “unjustified incarceration,” alleging that it was politically motivated. “Bashir has been my friend for over 53 years, a Barewa College classmate, former Commissioner of Local Government, and of Finance, and former Chief of Staff,” he wrote. The former governor accused security operatives and elements within the judiciary of obstructing justice and delaying Saidu’s bail, claiming that the incident was an…

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), has expressed gratitude to ex-Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), for restoring his rank and honour after his removal from office. Speaking at the book presentation of Babangida’s autobiography on Thursday in Abuja, Gowon acknowledged that Babangida played a crucial role in clearing him of treason charges and reinstating his military status. “I had a very rough time in government; I was even charged with treason. Later, President Shagari rescinded that order, and you (IBB) eventually restored my rank and honour. You did quite a lot for the country,” Gowon said. Also…

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has declared that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji will soon be eliminated as the military escalates operations in Zamfara State. Speaking on Thursday at the Headquarters of Operation Hadarin Daji in Gusau, Oluyede assured that Turji is on the run and will soon be neutralized. “Bello Turji is on the run as we speak, and wherever he goes, we follow him. Let him keep running — it is just a matter of time before he is removed from the space,” Oluyede said. The Army Chief highlighted recent victories against bandit groups,…

Plenary at the Nigerian Senate was briefly disrupted on Thursday after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, protested the unauthorized change of her seat. The session, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was in progress when Senator Mohammed Ali Monguno, the Chief Whip, raised a point of order, drawing attention to what he called Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s improper seating position. Before Monguno could finish his statement, Akpoti-Uduaghan reacted angrily, engaging in a heated exchange on the floor. As tensions escalated, Sergeant-at-Arms officers moved in, attempting to escort her out of the chamber. Despite attempts by the Senate President to restore…

The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has been shut down indefinitely following ongoing student protests over the tragic deaths of their colleagues in a road accident. Since Monday, February 17, 2025, students have been barricading the university gates, demanding justice after a trailer crashed into a school shuttle bus, killing at least five students on the spot. In response to the unrest, the university’s management announced the indefinite closure of the institution. The decision was conveyed in a circular issued on Thursday, February 20, 2025, by Dr. Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie, Registrar and Secretary to Council. The circular, which was also sent…

The Imo State House of Assembly has lifted the suspension of four lawmakers following the adoption of a report presented by the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, chaired by Majority Leader Kanayo Onyemaechi. While presenting the report, Onyemaechi, who represents Owerri West, stated that the suspended lawmakers had appeared before the committee, expressed remorse, and pledged to uphold parliamentary ethics if reinstated. The lawmakers – Dominic Ezerioha (Oru West), Samuel Otuibe (Ahiazu), Henry Agbasonu (Ezinihitte), and Samuel Ogbunikpa (Okigwe) were suspended on July 2, 2024, over what the House described as “unparliamentary conduct.” After reviewing the report, the House…

A member of the House of Representatives representing Gwaram Federal Constituency in Jigawa State, Yusuf Shittu Galambi, has defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Galambi, who first won a by-election under the APC in 2021, later switched to the NNPP ahead of the 2023 general election. Reading his defection letter during plenary, Speaker of the House, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, announced Galambi’s decision to leave the NNPP, citing division within the party. According to Galambi, his defection aligns with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). He further stated that he joined…

Former military head of state, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has officially confirmed that the late Chief Moshood Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election. This revelation is documented in Babangida’s newly launched autobiography, A Journey in Service, unveiled on Thursday in Abuja. Speaking through the book’s reviewer, former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Babangida stated that Abiola, who contested under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), secured both the majority votes and the required geographical spread to be declared president. “There was no doubt in my mind; MKO Abiola won the election. He satisfied all the requirements,” Babangida admitted.…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has officially withdrawn from the local government election scheduled for Saturday, February 22. This decision was communicated in a letter dated February 17, signed by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Alao Kamorudeen, and addressed to the Secretary of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC). A copy of the letter, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Osogbo, cited the February 10 Court of Appeal judgment as the reason for the party’s withdrawal. The ruling had reinstated APC’s previously sacked chairmen and councillors, making the election unnecessary. The…

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has raised concerns over the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), calling its operations in Nigeria suspicious and in need of thorough scrutiny. His remarks follow allegations by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry, who recently claimed that USAID funds were being used to support Boko Haram and other terrorist groups. In response, the Nigerian Senate has summoned key security officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the heads of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the State Security Services (SSS), to investigate the claim. Speaking on Arise TV on Thursday,…