Former Vice President and serial presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, has unequivocally confirmed his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, dismissing recent claims suggesting he may no longer be interested in the nation’s highest office. Speculation arose over the weekend after Prof. Ola Olateju of Achievers University, who represented Atiku at a political event in Lagos, appeared to imply that Atiku’s focus was on national development rather than personal political ambition. The event coincided with the defection of several high-profile figures to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Olateju was quoted saying: “Atiku Abubakar’s plan is to build a better Nigeria;…
Author: National Update
Allegations about discrepancies in the academic records of Honourable Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, representing Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency in Katsina State, have stirred public debate over accountability and integrity in Nigeria’s democracy. Civil society groups, through petitions and public notices, are calling on the lawmaker to address the concerns or step aside, warning that unresolved issues could weaken confidence in democratic institutions. The issue first gained attention after a Daily Trust report on June 23, 2025, highlighted differences between records submitted by Ahmed and those obtained from educational authorities. Critics argue that ignoring such discrepancies could undermine public trust in elected officials…
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has celebrated the extraordinary talent of 15-year-old Guinness World Record holder, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo Okeke, with a cash award of N25 million in recognition of his artistic genius. Kanyeyachukwu, an autistic teenager, etched his name in the Guinness World Records in November 2024 when he created the world’s largest art canvas — a 12,304-square-meter masterpiece featuring a multi-coloured ribbon symbolising autism, surrounded by vibrant emojis. Receiving him at the State House on Monday, the First Lady praised his resilience and creativity, describing his achievement as proof that Nigeria’s youths can thrive against all odds. “I…
Nigeria’s reform drive has received a major boost, as the World Bank reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the country’s development agenda. At the weekend, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, hosted the World Bank’s Executive Director for Angola, Nigeria and South Africa (ANSA) Constituency, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, in Abuja for a strategic briefing on Nigeria’s economic priorities. Mrs. Ahmed praised Nigeria’s leadership role in continental forums, including the recent Africa Caucus, and assured that the Bank will continue to align its support with the country’s reform momentum. Edun, speaking after the meeting,…
Nigeria’s democracy is teetering on the brink, not because of ballot box stuffing or electoral malpractice, but because the judiciary once revered as the last hope of the common man has, in the words of High Chief Peter Ameh, become “the real enemy within.” The former National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) delivered a blistering critique of Nigeria’s courts, warning that corruption on the bench has eroded public trust and endangered the very foundation of constitutional rule. “The judiciary is the problem,” Ameh declared. “When INEC undermines elections, the courts are supposed to be the last hope of…
The Benue State House of Assembly on Sunday witnessed a major shake-up as Rt. Hon. Alfred Berger was unanimously elected Speaker in an emergency sitting of lawmakers. Berger’s election came just hours after the unexpected resignation of his predecessor, Rt. Hon. Aondona, who stepped down amid mounting tensions with Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia. Moments after the Assembly endorsed him, Berger was swiftly administered the oath of office, officially taking charge of the legislative arm at a time when Benue’s political atmosphere is deeply unsettled. In his resignation letter read before colleagues, Aondona said he was leaving “in the overall…
The Igala nation is set for a landmark moment as the UKOMU Igala Organisation, one of its foremost socio-cultural bodies, prepares to inaugurate a new National Executive Council (NEC) on Saturday, September 6, 2025. The high-profile ceremony, billed for the NBA House in Abuja’s Central Business District, will kick off at 10 a.m. and is expected to draw an impressive array of dignitaries — from traditional rulers and political heavyweights to professionals, community leaders and members of the Igala diaspora. UKOMU described the event as more than just a change of leadership, but a defining step towards strengthening purposeful leadership…
In a move that has shocked many within the Southeast, the apex Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has openly declared that no candidate of Igbo extraction will challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. Instead of pushing forward with the long-held dream of an Igbo presidency, the group announced its total support for Tinubu’s re-election bid — effectively shelving the Southeast’s ambition until 2035. The declaration, signed by Ohanaeze factional leaders Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Chief Thompson Ohia, followed a meeting with Southeast political stakeholders, Imeobi and Nzukoumunna. According to the statement, Ohanaeze is prepared to deliver…
The Benue State House of Assembly has been plunged into fresh uncertainty as Speaker Hon. Aondona Dajoh abruptly resigned on Sunday, ending a week marked by high-stakes political drama, suspensions, and bitter controversies. Dajoh’s resignation, formally communicated in a letter dated August 24, 2025, came just four days after he wielded the gavel to suspend four of his colleagues accused of plotting his removal. “I write to resign my position as the Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, effective today,” Dajoh’s letter read. “This is done in good faith and in the best interest of the state. I remain committed…
Drama unfolded in Lagos when NDLEA operatives arrested a 50-year-old widow, Ifeoma Henrietta Ezewuike, who faked a pregnancy belly to traffic cocaine. Ezewuike, a fashion designer and mother of one, was nabbed at the Jibowu bus terminal, Yaba, on Friday, August 22, 2025, while attempting to ferry 1.3kg of cocaine to Abuja. A raid on her Okota home later uncovered chemicals used for processing the drug. The suspect confessed that she “inherited” the criminal trade from her late husband, despite running her fashion business for two decades. NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrest, describing it as part of a…