The Presidency has provided a detailed account of how one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly operated a fictitious government agency, insisting that claims linking the Office of the Chief of Staff to his appointment are false and contradicted by ongoing criminal investigations. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Adeyemi had been falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of a non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, also referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council. According to the Presidency, concerns about the activities of the purported agency first emerged…
Author: National Update
Professor Festus Uwakhemen Asikhia, the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) candidate for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senate seat, has unveiled an ambitious legislative blueprint aimed at ending governance ambiguities in the nation’s capital, tackling multiple taxation and strengthening democratic institutions, while cautioning against what he described as growing judicial encroachment into Nigeria’s political space. Speaking in Abuja, the academic and politician argued that despite hosting the seat of federal power, FCT residents remain among the most politically disadvantaged citizens in the country because of structural gaps in governance and accountability. According to him, the absence of a state governor and…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has triggered fresh political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election after removing six senatorial aspirants and 19 House of Representatives candidates from its final nomination list submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The sweeping changes, approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), followed the review of petitions and recommendations made by the APC Primary Election Appeal Committee, signaling the party’s determination to resolve disputes arising from its recently concluded primaries before the close of nominations. A letter transmitting the revised list to INEC, jointly signed by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has intensified preparations for the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, with 3,763 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices set for deployment across all polling units in the state. Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Wednesday, the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, disclosed that the commission has also received 80 per cent of the non-sensitive materials required for the election. According to her, a total of 3,763 BVAS machines will be deployed to the state’s 3,763 polling units for voter accreditation, while an additional 664 devices have been earmarked as…
In a move that signals a broader approach to tackling Nigeria’s security and social challenges, the Federal Government is seeking deeper collaboration with religious institutions, describing faith-based organisations as indispensable partners in building a safer and more united nation. The new direction emerged during a high-level meeting between Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and a delegation of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria led by Matthew Hassan Kukah in Abuja. Rather than relying solely on conventional security measures, the government said it intends to leverage the influence, reach and credibility of religious institutions to promote peace, strengthen community resilience and improve…
Independent petroleum marketers have issued a stark warning to the Federal Government, threatening to shut down filling stations across the country if authorities attempt to compel them to reduce petrol prices despite the deregulated nature of Nigeria’s downstream oil sector. The threat emerged amid growing pressure on fuel marketers to pass on the benefits of declining global crude oil prices to consumers, following recent remarks by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri. Speaking on the controversy, the National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, said marketers would resist any move…
President Bola Tinubu has approved 27 road projects worth over N3.9 trillion across 15 states as part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to improve road infrastructure and enhance economic connectivity nationwide. The approvals were announced by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, following a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). According to Umahi, the projects span Adamawa, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba and Yobe states. The largest approval is the N1.8 trillion re-award of the 409-kilometre dual carriageway project in Niger State under the tax credit scheme to businessman…
A delegation of the Okun Development Association (ODA) on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Audu-Rafiu Olusola Enikanolaiye. The visit provided an opportunity for discussions on issues of mutual interest concerning the development of Okunland and the role of its sons and daughters in national development. The ODA delegation commended the minister for his service to the nation and expressed pride in his contributions to Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements. In his remarks, Enikanolaiye appreciated the association for the visit and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote development, unity and progress within Okun…
Two major highways linking Kogi State with neighbouring Kwara and Ekiti states are set for extensive rehabilitation following the Federal Executive Council’s approval of N128.7 billion for the projects, ending years of neglect that have left commuters grappling with poor road conditions, prolonged travel times and security concerns. The approval, granted during Monday’s meeting of the Federal Executive Council chaired by President Bola Tinubu, forms part of a nationwide N3.9 trillion road infrastructure programme aimed at improving connectivity and boosting economic activities across the country. Under the approval, N104 billion was allocated for the rehabilitation of Sections One and Two…
The battle over the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to enter a decisive phase on July 7, following a Federal High Court’s decision to hear a suit seeking official recognition of the party’s interim leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The case, filed by the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), centres on a request for the court to compel INEC to recognise the Kabir Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee (NWC) as the legitimate leadership of the party and update its records accordingly. Justice Salim Ibrahim fixed July 7 for the hearing of all pending…