***Says Obi Was Glad He Left A fierce war of words has erupted within Nigeria’s opposition camp after veteran journalist and politician, Dele Momodu, launched a blistering attack on former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo, describing him as a political burden whose exit from Peter Obi’s circle was a welcome development. Momodu’s explosive remarks have added a fresh layer of intrigue to the ongoing realignments and power struggles ahead of the 2027 general election. The Ovation Magazine publisher accused Okonkwo of overestimating his political relevance, insisting that his celebrity status as a Nollywood actor created an exaggerated impression…
Author: National Update
Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been acquitted of all bribery charges brought against her in the United Kingdom, ending a high-profile criminal trial that had lasted for more than a decade and attracted global attention. A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday returned not-guilty verdicts on six counts against the former minister, including five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. The charges related to allegations that she received luxury benefits from oil and gas industry figures in exchange for influence over the award of petroleum contracts while…
The Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association Nigeria (COSFAN) has unveiled plans to establish endowment funds in universities across the country as part of efforts to strengthen research, scholarship, and knowledge development in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. The initiative commenced with the inauguration of a ₦10 million endowment fund at the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, in honour of renowned diplomat and statesman, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, in recognition of his contributions to peacebuilding, governance, and national development. Speaking at the event, COSFAN said the endowment programme is designed to support research activities in Nigerian universities and promote…
The trial of former National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, suffered a setback on Wednesday after a Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse, Abuja, adjourned proceedings to July 28 due to the absence of critical banking records expected to be tendered as evidence. The court granted the adjournment after the prosecution informed it that a key bank statement central to the case had yet to be produced by the financial institution involved. Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, SDP National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Abubakar Gombe, said efforts to obtain the document directly from the bank were unsuccessful,…
By Abubakar G. Danmalam In politics, structure beats slogans and in Jigawa ADC, one name consistently comes up whenever structure is mentioned: Hon. Bashir Adamu (Matawallen Kazaure). Political insiders call him “Jumbo” not only because of his stature, but because of the political antecedents and weight he carries. While ADC was still an unfamiliar acronym across most of Jigawa’s 27 local government areas, Bashir was already on the ground, building ward structures, funding party Secretariat, and recruiting members door-to-door as far back as 2025. The petition he filed against the party’s primary process reflects his frustration, he did not merely…
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has hailed the intervention of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal in the political party deregistration dispute, describing the ruling as a critical judicial safeguard that prevented a potentially dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democratic foundations. In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA said the appellate court’s decision to suspend the execution of the Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has restored confidence in…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally recognised Prof. Sadid Umar Abubakar Gombe as National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), effectively reversing its earlier position and bringing an end to a prolonged leadership dispute within the party. The electoral commission on Wednesday updated its records, removing the name of former chairman Shehu Musa Gabam and other officials previously listed by the commission, in what party leaders described as full compliance with a Supreme Court judgment affirming the party’s authority over its internal affairs. The development marks a significant victory for the SDP leadership led by Prof. Gombe…
Nigeria has the capacity to become a continental leader in Africa’s fast-growing digital and creative economy, according to the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot. Speaking at the third Omniverse Africa Summit in Lagos, Mignot said Nigeria’s large youth population, expanding tech ecosystem, and strong entrepreneurial culture place it in a strategic position to shape the continent’s future digital transformation. He said the emerging “new economy”—powered by digital technology, innovation, and creative industries—presents a major opportunity for growth, particularly for young Africans who are increasingly digital-native. Mignot noted that young Nigerians are already part of a generation…
Nigerian youths have issued one of their most far-reaching political and economic reform blueprints in recent years, demanding sweeping changes to governance, economic structure, and civic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections. The demands were made at the maiden National Youth Conference organised by the National Youth Stakeholders’ Forum (NYSF) in Abuja, where youth leaders from across the country joined policymakers, traditional rulers, business executives, and civil society actors in what is emerging as a coordinated push for generational inclusion in national decision-making. Held under the theme “The Future of Nigerian Youths and Expectations from Political Leaders: Demanding Accountability,…
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of ICT and the Southwest, DIG Adegoke Fayoade, has begun a regional operational and stakeholder engagement tour with a series of strategic visits in Ibadan, Oyo State, aimed at strengthening security coordination and enhancing policing effectiveness across the Southwest. Fayoade met separately with Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, where he discussed expanded collaboration between security agencies, government structures, and traditional institutions in addressing security challenges in the region. He commended the state government’s continued support for security agencies and stressed the need for stronger…