Author: bibncollar

Nigeria once again demonstrated its growing influence in West Africa after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu responded swiftly to an urgent distress call from President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin, helping to halt a dawn coup attempt that threatened to topple the neighbouring country’s democratic government. According to official reports, the early-morning attack was launched by a faction of Beninese soldiers who stormed President Talon’s residence in Porto-Novo before appearing on national television to announce that they had seized power and dissolved all state institutions. The group, allegedly led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, claimed they were ushering in…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron held a high-level conversation on Sunday, focusing on Nigeria’s escalating security challenges and areas of deeper bilateral cooperation. Their discussion came at a time when a United States delegation was in Abuja holding separate talks with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, over rising concerns about attacks and reported religious persecution in the country. Macron, in a post shared on his X handle, said he reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in addressing its mounting security threats, especially the persistent terrorist activities in the northern region. He noted that Paris…

In recent years, an interesting, perhaps troubling trend has taken root in Nigeria’s political culture: It is the growing practice of addressing the spouse of a deputy governor as “His Excellency” or “Her Excellency.” Across public events, government ceremonies, and even social media pages maintained by political aides, this title is now routinely conferred on individuals who hold no constitutional, political, or administrative office. While Nigeria is no stranger to the inflation of titles, this particular development demands deeper reflection. 1. The Constitutional Position: Who Is Entitled to “Excellency”? The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)…

The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has summoned Professor Bashir Garba, Vice-Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), over allegations of poor implementation of the university’s 2023 budget. According to the committee, the university management not only performed poorly in executing the approved budget but also failed to submit critical financial documents required for legislative oversight. The summons, issued on Friday by the committee chairman, Hon. Abubakar Fulata (APC–Jigawa), mandates Garba and his top management team to appear before lawmakers on December 8. Fulata warned that failure to comply could lead to more drastic action, including the issuance…

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has instituted a ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment leveled against him. The suit was filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, marking a major escalation in the long-running dispute between both lawmakers. Confirming the development in a Facebook post on Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she welcomed the legal process, noting that it would finally give her an opportunity to substantiate her claims of sexual harassment. She accused the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges of previously denying her a fair hearing, stating that the panel…

An Abuja High Court has summoned Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to formally enter appearance in a ₦40 billion defamation lawsuit filed against him by Tonye Cole. The case also includes Channels Incorporated Limited, owners of Channels Television, as a co-defendant. According to a court notice issued on Friday, the matter, registered as CV/4502/25 has been scheduled for mention on December 9, 2025, before Justice M. A. Hassan of Court 33. The notice states that the suit, Tonye Patrick Cole vs. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike & Anor, will come up for its first hearing on the…

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has called for stronger legislative oversight of financial technology companies operating outside Nigeria’s traditional banking framework, citing his own experience with cybercriminals who allegedly exploited alternative payment platforms to siphon funds from his account. Oshiomhole made the remarks on Thursday during plenary while contributing to debate on a bill seeking to amend the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA). The proposed amendment aims to introduce a formal process for designating, registering and supervising systemically important financial institutions, many of which now include major fintech operators. The former Edo State governor stressed that the…

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has raised concerns about growing internal tensions within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, attributing the strain to unresolved issues surrounding zoning and the rotation of major political offices ahead of the 2027 general elections. Obi, speaking on Wednesday during an interview on the YouTube programme Advocacy for Good Governance, said the coalition is operating on unstable political understandings that have not been formally documented, an oversight he warned could pose serious risks as the coalition moves closer to the next electoral cycle. The LP presidential flagbearer in the 2023…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled December 8 for the hearing of an ex parte motion filed by the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial centre closer to Abuja. Kanu, who was convicted on November 20, 2025, on all seven charges of terrorism brought against him by the Federal Government, is currently serving a life sentence. Following his conviction, the court directed that he be kept in any correctional centre except Kuje, citing security concerns after previous jailbreaks at the facility.…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday December 4, 2025 officially swore in retired General Christopher Musa, former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence. The ceremony took place at the State House, according to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. Musa’s appointment follows the resignation of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down from the position due to health reasons. President Tinubu subsequently nominated Musa and transmitted his name to the Senate, where he was screened and approved as Abubakar’s replacement. During his Senate screening on Wednesday, General Musa addressed pressing national…