Benue State has been thrown into fresh political turmoil after the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Media Mobilization, Atu Terver Joseph, abruptly dismissed his Chief of Staff, Mr. John Ukeyima, and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Lubem Terkula, for participating in a protest against the ongoing massacre of residents in the state. The protest, which drew large crowds to Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi, was organized in response to yet another deadly attack—this time in the Yelewata community of Guma Local Government Area—where over 200 people were reportedly killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen. The demonstrators demanded urgent government…
Author: National Update
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares to screen chairmanship aspirants for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), concerns have emerged over the eligibility of the incumbent Chairman, Hon. Christopher Zaka Maikalangu. A group within the party, under the banner of Concerned FCT APC Stalwarts, held a press conference urging the party leadership to disqualify Maikalangu from the screening process. The group cited allegations of incompetence, certificate forgery, and anti-party activities as grounds for their call. According to the group’s coordinator, Mallam Haruna Musa, allowing the incumbent to contest would undermine the credibility and electoral strength of the APC in…
By Ehichioya Ezomon This is certainly not a good political season for Nigeria’s opposition parties, as they face an existential threat from continuing depletion of their major and minor platforms due to massive defections of members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Coming at a time they’ve vowed to “capture power” from the APC, and throw President Bola Tinubu out of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa seat of government in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city; the same politicians blame their dwindling fortunes on the President for stifling the opposition in order to create a one-party State in the country. But…
By AFP | June 15, 2025 Iran has informed mediators from Qatar and Oman that it will not engage in negotiations while under attack from Israel. A senior official familiar with the talks said Tehran made it clear it would only consider serious negotiations after completing its response to Israeli preemptive strikes. This follows three days of intense Israeli bombardments across Iran, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to make Iran “pay a heavy price” for strikes that killed civilians. The situation has sparked fears of a wider Middle East war. Despite reports suggesting Iran had asked Qatar and Oman…
President Bola Tinubu has directed Nigeria’s security chiefs to act swiftly in ending the renewed wave of violence in Benue State, following a brutal attack in Yelwata that claimed at least 45 lives. The early morning assault, which occurred on Saturday, was reportedly carried out by armed bandits. While official figures confirmed 45 deaths, local residents suggest the death toll may be closer to 100, with scores of homes reduced to rubble. In a statement issued Sunday by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu condemned the killings as “very depressing,” “inhuman,” and “anti-progress.” He said decisive action must be taken to…
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has challenged the long-held narrative that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was a prominent pro-democracy activist during Nigeria’s military era. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds on Sunday, Sowore argued that Tinubu’s political involvement and exile do not equate to genuine activism, which he described as visible, high-risk resistance to authoritarian rule. “Your president was never an activist,” Sowore declared. “Participating in partisan politics and being left out of military arrangements is not activism.” Sowore contrasted Tinubu’s record with his own early involvement in student-led protests, emphasizing that true…
Pope Leo has condemned the brutal killing of over 200 people in the Yelewata community of Guma Local Government Area in Benue State, describing the incident as a “terrible massacre.” Speaking during his Sunday Angelus prayer from St. Peter’s Square, the Pope expressed deep sorrow over the attack, which reportedly targeted internally displaced persons (IDPs) seeking refuge at a local Catholic mission. “I am praying for security, justice, and peace in Nigeria,” the pontiff said. “In a special way, I am thinking of the rural Christian communities of Benue State, who have been relentless victims of violence.” The massacre is…
The Dangote Refinery has unveiled a bold new fuel distribution strategy that bypasses traditional marketers, opting instead to supply petrol and diesel directly to major consumers across Nigeria. Effective August 15, 2025, the 650,000 barrels-per-day facility will begin supplying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) directly to manufacturers, telecom companies, aviation operators, and large-scale users—eliminating the need for middlemen. “This is a transformative national initiative,” the company announced on X. “It marks a new era in Nigeria’s energy sector with direct supply, free logistics, and a wide-reaching distribution network.” To power the rollout, Dangote Refinery has acquired…
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing mounting internal unrest after a controversial move by its top leaders to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027—without naming Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate. Tensions reached a boiling point on Sunday during the party’s North-East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe, where Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum led a protest against what he called a “deliberate slight” against the region’s most senior figure in government. The endorsement, spearheaded by APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and North-East Vice Chairman Mustapha Salihu, failed to mention Shettima, a former Borno State…
The Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Neda Imasuen, has explained the reasons behind his recent defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing uncertainty within his former party and a desire to deliver more benefits to his constituents. Speaking during an interview shortly after his defection, Senator Imasuen noted that while he still holds the ideals of the Labour Party in high regard, the instability surrounding the party made it difficult to serve his people effectively. “It’s my desire to remain in the Labour Party — if there’s still a Labour Party today,” he…