The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) is calling for immediate accountability from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after controversial remarks by Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister. Wike claimed he will deliver Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, referring to himself as the “general commander” of the political arena. In a media briefing, Wike stated, “You don’t need a governor to be in charge. In Rivers, I’m in charge. So also the FCT.” These statements raise serious concerns about possible electoral manipulation and the…
Author: National Update
By Ekundayo Olumodeji KABBA, Kogi State — Nigerian politicians have long practised what is popularly called “rice and beans” politics: quietly supporting different candidates for different offices. But what is unfolding within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, particularly in Kogi West, appears to be moving beyond ordinary political manoeuvring. The emerging contradiction is striking. APC members are reportedly being suspended for attending meetings organised by an APC senator, while government officials and party figures have been seen engaging opposition candidates. With the January 16, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections approaching, the question for the APC’s national…
By Douglas Baye-Osagie dbayeosagie@yahoo.com The 66th Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, will be remembered for many things. Not just the swearing in of the first elected female President of the Bar, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, but also the quality of some invited guests. The outgoing exco did not serve the reputation of the NBA well with the choice of invitees. One scene will linger longer than the communiqués and cocktail conversations: the invitation of a popular and controversial social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly called “VeryDarkMan” or VDM, to a panel session titled…
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress(NDC} Peter Obi honored his 65th birthday by transforming the lives of 65 children at Mother Mary Hospital in Isolo, Lagos, through free surgeries. The initiative culminated in an emotional follow-up clinic and appreciation program, where grateful parents celebrated their children’s newfound health and vitality. Obi took to his X account to share the inspiring news, expressing profound gratitude to God for the successful completion of the medical intervention and the safe recovery of all involved. Spearheaded by the dedicated Dr. Folaseye Adebayo, the surgeries included critical procedures such as adenotonsillectomy, which addresses severe…
Written by MARCEL MBAMALU Kaduna politics has a way of turning yesterday’s allies into today’s accusers. Last week, Femi Fani-Kayode went viral again. In a trending video, the former minister called Governor Uba Sani “fair-minded” and said he does not discriminate against Christians. Then he turned the knife on Nasir El-Rufai, alleging persecution of Christians and marginalization of Southern Kaduna during his eight years in office. The words landed hard because these are not strangers. Sani served under El-Rufai. Fani-Kayode defended El-Rufai in 2022 and 2023, calling him “not a religious bigot, not a terrorist, not a jihadist.” Now both…
The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned that the growing use of artificial intelligence could pose a serious threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, raised the concern during the 13th Annual International Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria in Abuja. Amupitan, who was represented at the event by National Commissioner Sani Adam, said advances in generative AI had made it easier to create and circulate manipulated audio, videos, images and other content capable of misleading voters. He warned that such content could spread rapidly across social media…
Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, says his political survival may be at stake in the 2027 presidential election, warning that opposition victory could expose him to reprisals. Wike said he believes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi would target him if either of them defeats President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. The minister made the remarks while speaking about his continued support for Tinubu, stressing that the outcome of the election has become a major concern for him. According to Wike, his decision to remain firmly behind Tinubu is influenced…
The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike has claimed that two APC governors are plotting against him. He singled out Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq during a media chat in Port Harcourt. Wike’s accusations come as political tensions rise ahead of the 2027 elections. He is still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but openly supports President Bola Tinubu’s re-election. Wike criticized AbdulRazaq for allegedly leading a smear campaign against him. “He has been the one championing this campaign against me everywhere,” Wike stated, referring to AbdulRazaq’s claims that Wike is backing…
Uber has announced its withdrawal from Nigeria after 12 years of operations, bringing its ride-hailing services in the country to an end effective September 2, 2026. The company said the decision followed a thorough review of its business, marking the end of its operations in Nigeria since it launched in Lagos in 2014. Uber apologised to customers for any disruption caused by the decision, acknowledging the inconvenience the exit may create for riders who have relied on its platform. The ride-hailing company faced several challenges during its 12-year presence in Nigeria, including protests by drivers over fares, working conditions and…
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee probing the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) has uncovered 12 alleged fake government agencies linked to the council. The committee also traced 58 bank accounts and 39 workers to Adeyemi Adeniyi, who allegedly operated as the PFIPC Director-General. Lawmakers found that Adeniyi’s purported appointment was fraudulent, raising questions about the legitimacy of the PFIPC and the organisations linked to it. Investigators also uncovered financial links among several organisations associated with Adeniyi, prompting concerns about possible fraud, unauthorised operations and misrepresentation. The committee is examining how the entities were established and operated, as well…