By Ipole Amajama The African continent is once again at the centre of a geopolitical storm. From the Sahel to Nigeria, insecurity is spreading at an alarming speed, threatening fragile states and destabilising entire regions. While local dynamics and systemic weaknesses play a role, Russia’s involvement raises troubling questions about its motives and the consequences for Africa and beyond. Nigeria faces a growing terrorist threat that is no longer confined to its borders. The collapse of governance in several states of the Alliance of Sahelian Juntas (AES) has created fertile ground for extremist groups. These failed states have become incubators…
Author: National Update
Fresh cracks have emerged within the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the resignation of several prominent loyalists of former National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, raising concerns about the party’s unity ahead of the governorship election. The development has triggered anxiety among party stakeholders, with insiders pointing to growing dissatisfaction within the Omisore camp over what members describe as marginalisation and exclusion from key political arrangements in the state. Sources within the party disclosed that tensions escalated after Omisore’s unsuccessful bid for the APC governorship ticket. Although he was among seven aspirants disqualified from the race,…
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has waded into Nigeria’s heated conversation on insecurity and identity, warning against the growing tendency to link criminality to entire ethnic groups. In a message that appeared aimed at easing rising ethnic tensions across the country, Obi argued that criminal acts should be attributed to individuals and not used to stigmatize millions of innocent citizens who share the same ethnic background. The former Anambra State governor said the practice of profiling communities based on the actions of a few bad actors is unjust, divisive and dangerous to national cohesion. Drawing from his personal experience, Obi…
Former Ogun State governorship aspirant, Professor Iyabo Obasanjo, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging persistent disrespect, exclusion from key decisions, and a lack of recognition for her contributions to the party. In a resignation letter addressed to the Ogun State chairman of the APC and dated May 31, 2026, the former senator said her decision followed months of what she described as poor treatment by party leaders despite her efforts to strengthen the party’s grassroots support across the state. The development adds a fresh twist to the political landscape in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 governorship…
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Gregory Obi, has paid glowing tribute to renowned cleric, William Folorunso Kumuyi, on the occasion of his 85th birthday, describing him as a spiritual father whose life exemplifies faith, integrity and selfless service. In a message marking the milestone, Obi praised Kumuyi’s decades-long commitment to the Christian faith, noting that his consistency of character and devotion to the Gospel have inspired millions across generations and national boundaries. The former Anambra State governor said the respected preacher has remained a moral beacon to countless believers, impacting lives through his teachings, humility and…
Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Sunday Steve Karimi, has expressed optimism that Nigeria’s current security challenges will not derail the country, insisting that insurgency, banditry and kidnapping will ultimately be defeated. Karimi spoke in Abuja when he received constituents from the seven local government areas of Kogi West who visited to mark his third year in the Senate. He described the recent wave of violent attacks across parts of the country as a coordinated attempt by criminal elements to destabilise national cohesion, spread fear, and distract the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from its governance agenda. Despite the…
***Calls for Governance Overhaul A disability advocate and policy strategist, Chike Okogwu, has cautioned that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity cannot be defeated through military operations alone, insisting that the crisis is fundamentally driven by governance failures, weak institutions, and declining public trust in the state. Okogwu made the remarks in a policy essay titled “The Man, The Rottweilers and The Marauders: Nigeria Cannot Afford to Keep Holding the Leash,” where he examined the structure of Nigeria’s security system and the limitations of force-based responses to violence. He argued that although security agencies continue to record operational gains against insurgents, bandits, kidnappers…
***Rights Breach Denied by Agency A fresh controversy has erupted between the camp of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), following explosive allegations that the anti-graft agency has denied him access to medical care while in custody. The claims, made by El-Rufai’s media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, have triggered a heated exchange with the ICPC, which has dismissed the allegations as “misleading,” deepening public concern over the treatment of high-profile detainees. Adekeye alleged that the former governor has been suffering from a worsening eye condition, describing symptoms of swollen, reddish…
***Orders Full Compliance With Procurement Law A Federal High Court in Lagos has delivered a scathing judgment against the National Assembly’s controversial N110 billion vehicle and allowance packages, describing the arrangement as a breach of public trust, procurement laws, and constitutional safeguards on public spending. In a ruling that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political and accountability circles, Justice Yellim Bogoro declared the luxury procurement of 465 bulletproof SUVs—alongside multi-billion-naira “support allowances” for lawmakers—illegal, excessive, and inconsistent with due process. The court held that the spending pattern, estimated at N40 billion for vehicles and N70 billion in allowances, amounted to…
A major counter-insurgency breakthrough has emerged in Borno State after troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued about 360 women and children from a remote insurgent hideout in the Mandara Mountains, underscoring a growing reliance on intelligence-driven operations in the North-East conflict. The raid, which targeted a concealed enclave used by armed groups in southern Borno, followed weeks of coordinated surveillance, human intelligence inputs, and signal tracking. Military officials say the success reflects a deeper shift in strategy—moving from reactive engagements to precision-based disruption of terrorist strongholds. According to security sources, Special Forces units executed a multi-pronged night assault designed to…