Author

Folarin Kehinde

Akpabio and Natasha
Headlines

“My passport has been withheld again” Senator Natasha cries out

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP/Kogi Central) has cried out that Nigerian immigration officers seized her passport at an airport, preventing her from travelling abroad.

Over the weekend, Akpoti-Uduaghan celebrated her second anniversary in the Senate by commissioning projects in Kogi Central.

The lawmaker went live on Instagram at the airport as she questioned immigration officials over the alleged confiscation of her passport.

In the video obtained on Tuesday, she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of giving the order for her passport to be seized.

She described the action as an unlawful restriction of her movement and a gross violation of her fundamental rights.

“Hello, fellow Nigerians. I’m Senator Natasha. Having completed my second year in office, I decided to take a week off. I’m at the airport here, and my passport has been withheld again,” she said in the video.

“This same thing happened before when I was stopped from travelling even though I had committed no offence, and there was no court order restricting me. The officer in charge told me that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, instructed them to withhold my passport and prevent me from travelling because he claimed that each time I go abroad, I ‘spoil the image of the country’ by granting interviews to international media.”

 

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Africa & World

Pro-Biafra: Austrian Economist Fehlinger Urges EU, US to Recognise Biafra Republic

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

An Austrian economist and NATO enlargement advocate, Gunther Fehlinger-Jahn, has called on the European Union and the United States to recognise a “Biafra Republic,” describing Nigeria as a “failed state” and urging Western powers to apologise for their role in the 1967–1970 civil war.

Fehlinger, who describes himself as Chairman of the Austrian Committee for NATO Enlargement for Austria, Ukraine, Kosovo, Bosnia and the European Union, made the appeal in a social media post that has since generated reactions across diplomatic and political circles.

“I call the EU to recognise the Biafra Republic emerging out of failed Ex-Nigeria. We failed Biafra in 1967 to 1970 during their liberation war to our eternal shame,” he wrote, adding that the international community should “apologise by recognising Biafra’s independence.”

The activist accused what he called “Nigerian oligarchs backed by British and French oil interests” of perpetuating the suffering of people in the South-East region, saying Western powers must take responsibility for their inaction during the Biafra conflict more than five decades ago.

While his comments have sparked online debate, fact-checking outlets have clarified that Fehlinger’s committee is not an official body of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and that he does not hold any formal diplomatic post. NATO has not issued any statement in connection with his remarks.

Fehlinger, who has previously campaigned for Kosovo’s admission into the European Union and NATO, is known for making strong political statements on global issues, including secessionist and self-determination movements in Europe and Africa.

The Nigerian government has not officially responded to his comments as of the time of filing this report.

However, analysts say the statement could reignite discussions on separatist agitations in the South-East, where groups have continued to demand a referendum on Biafra’s self-determination.

Political observers caution that while Fehlinger’s appeal may not carry diplomatic weight, it could influence international perceptions of Nigeria’s unity and governance challenges.

The Republic of Biafra, led by late Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, existed between May 1967 and January 1970 before being reintegrated into Nigeria following a civil war that claimed millions of lives, mostly civilians.

Successive Nigerian governments have maintained that the country’s unity is non-negotiable, insisting that issues of marginalisation should be addressed through dialogue and constitutional reform, not secession.

As at press time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had yet to respond to inquiries on whether it intends to engage the Austrian Embassy over Fehlinger’s remarks.

 

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Headlines

Catholic Priest Cries Out: ‘We’re Being Slaughtered Like Cows, Tinubu Turns Deaf Ear, Trump Please Intervene

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A Catholic Priest, Fada Angelo Chidi Unegbu, has backed President Donald Trump’s decision to tackle the alleged massacre of Christians in Nigeria.

Trump had after designating Nigeria as Country of Particular Concern, vowed military intervention to end what he called the persecution of Christians in the country.

The US decision had triggered mixed reactions across the country.

While some citizens, particularly Christians, are celebrating the move, others believe the security crisis in Nigeria has nothing to do with religion.

However, Fada Angelo in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Sunday claimed that himself and others “have been appealing to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu all this while to stop the killings”.

The Catholic priest said they have been reminding Tinubu that he has “all it takes to stop insecurity and injustice in Nigeria, but he paid deaf ears to our pleas”, stressing that “humans are slaughtered daily like cows”.

He argued that terrorists in Nigeria are “walking freely”, while “harmless agitators and protesters have either been killed by the same government or are in jail”.

In another post, the clergy said “if the US comes to our aid, the chances are 50/50, but if not, our doom is sealed”.

“And if the US doesn’t come, who will help us? What are the plans to stop the killings? Donald J. Trump, please come quickly”, he added.

 

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Opinion

Trump’s Threat on Nigeria is opportunity for President Tinubu to act…

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The designation of Nigeria as *a country of special interest* is definitely an embarrassment to the giant of Africa. It also serves as an opportunity for the Tinubu administration to wipe the religious terrorists out of Nigeria so as to save the lives of Nigerians.

Nigeria has had a history of religious violence dating back to the days when people of Igbo extraction were prosecuted and killed in thousands in Northern Nigeria. It is not untrue to say that Christians have suffered genocidal killing in Nigeria, and continues to suffer such killings till date.

The people of the north central Nigeria particularly the people of Benue and Plateau State including the people southern Kaduna have suffered the latest brunt of religious killings by religious terrorists.

It has been a sad and embarrassing ordeal that remains an abatross exacerbated by the inability of the Federal Government of Nigeria to checkmate the killings over the years.

It is on this note that the President of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is called to step up to the plate and grab the opportunity to eradicate the menace.

President Tinubu should ask the American President, Donald Trump for help towards eradicating the menace.

Too many innocent lives have been lost to marauding bandits and religious terrorists.

Nigeria can be made great again.

Engr Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe

President General

Igbo Community Association FCT

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HeadlinesPolitics

PDP NWC suspends Wike’s ally Sam Anyanwu over ‘anti-party activities’

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The national working committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended Samuel Anyanwu, the national secretary; and Kamaldeen Ajibade; the national legal adviser.

The party also suspended Okechukwu Osuoha, deputy legal adviser; and Umaru Bature, national organising secretary.

Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, announced the suspension during a press conference on Saturday, adding that the decision followed an emergency meeting of the NWC in Abuja.

He said the suspension will last for an initial period of one month, and that the officials have been referred to a disciplinary committee.

“During this period of the suspension, they cease to function in their respective capacities,” Ologunagba said.

He said Setonji Koshoedo, the deputy national secretary, would serve as acting national secretary, while the deputy legal adviser would act in Ajibade’s stead.

As the PDP prepares for its national convention slated for November 15 and 16, its internal wrangling has taken a new turn.

On Friday, a federal high court in Abuja stopped the opposition party’s planned national convention.

James Omotosho, the presiding judge, said evidence before the court showed that the party failed to hold valid state congresses before the planned national convention as stipulated in the 1999 constitution, the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and its own constitution.

The judge declared that the PDP’s non-compliance with the legal provisions had jeopardised its planned convention, advising the party to rectify the infractions before proceeding with the event.

Consequently, the court barred INEC from receiving, publishing, or recognising any outcome from the proposed convention until the PDP meets all statutory requirements.

During the court case on October 14, Ajibade clashed with Umar Damagum, PDP national chairman, over who holds the authority to appoint lawyers for the party.

The drama unfolded when Chris Uche, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), announced his appearance for the PDP, citing a letter signed by Damagum authorising him to represent the party.

However, moments later, Ajibade also announced his appearance for the PDP, arguing that only his office has the constitutional power to engage legal representation on behalf of the party.

The conflicting claims created confusion in the courtroom, with both senior lawyers standing their ground before James.

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Business

BREAKING: President Tinubu Approves 15% Import Duty on Diesel and Petrol

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has approved a 15 percent ad-valorem import duty on diesel and premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.

In a letter dated October 21, 2025, Damilotun Aderemi, the president’s private secretary, conveyed Tinubu’s approval to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The approval followed a request from FIRS to apply the 15 percent duty on the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value of imports, aimed at aligning import costs with domestic market realities.

According to the letter, the implementation of the import duty is expected to raise the price of a litre of petrol by approximately N99.72.

 

 

 

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Headlines

Presidency Finally Breaks Silence on Alleged Coup Plot – Full Details Emerge

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Presidency has dismissed reports of an alleged coup attempt in Nigeria, reaffirming its confidence in the military’s loyalty to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Speaking on air on TVC News on Tuesday, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to the President, Sunday Dare, said there was “no coup attempt” anywhere in the country.

He maintained that the government fully aligns with the position of the Nigerian Armed Forces, which had earlier denied any such plot.

Dare stressed that the military remains the constitutionally recognized institution responsible for safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and unity. He added that President Tinubu has full trust in their professionalism and allegiance.

He said, “We are going to stick to the narrative of the military because they are the ones constitutionally empowered to secure this country. They are given the power, arms and ammunition as the intelligence power.

“So when the military says these are the reasons why we have this development, we are going to stay with that narrative because that is the brief that is out there. Until the military comes with a different narrative, we are going to stay with that narrative. On some military being retained, there is a need to have institutional memory and maintain a balance and this decision was not taken on a flip for the person that was retained.”

However, the Presidency’s response comes amid public anxiety over claims of a coup plot and the ongoing detention of several military officers by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

In recent days, reports surfaced alleging that operatives of the Nigerian Army raided the Abuja home of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, in connection with the alleged plot.

Security sources said a “special military team” conducted the raid after intelligence linked a “former South-South governor” to secret meetings with some of the detained officers.

Sources revealed that Sylva’s brother, identified as Paga, was arrested during the operation, while the former minister was said to have fled the country days earlier. The search reportedly extended to his residence in Bayelsa State.

Although there has been no official statement from the military regarding the raid, insiders described the operation as a “targeted response” to intelligence pointing to possible political involvement in the alleged coup discussions.

The Defence Intelligence Agency has reportedly detained at least 16 senior officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force over the matter. Family members of the officers claim they have been held for weeks without communication or formal charges.

Security experts have raised concerns over the DIA’s direct handling of the case instead of allowing the respective military services to manage their personnel internally; a move some analysts describe as “politically motivated.”

 

 

 

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Akpabio
Headlines

BREAKING: “I will expose your Rape Case in France” – Akpabio’s In-law opens up, backs Natasha

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A heavy crisis is brewing in the Family of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio following heavy accusations levelled on him by an in-law, Patiences ‘Pat’ Akpabio.

For some weeks now, Mrs. Patience Akpabio has released several videos accusing the Former Governor of Murder, Fraud and most recently, Rape.

In the video seen by LEADING REPORTERS, Mrs. Pat disclosed that there was a time Senator Akpabio was almost arrested in France for ‘Rape’. She added that everything Senator Natasha Akpoti accused the Senate President of doing was true.

In her words; “You have not finished dealing Senator Natasha’s issue, from Sexual Harrassment, and this is the first time you’ll hear this from me. Whatever Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan about the Senate President of Nigeria is 100% True.”

“France Government almost arrested you. You see Akpabio we go reopen your file, you see that Rape matter for France, the Rape Case in France, now we go open your Paper.”

 

 

 

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Headlines

BREAKING: Soldiers Raid Ex-Governor, Timipre Sylva’s Abuja Home Over Alleged Coup Plot

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Armed personnel of the Nigerian Army have reportedly stormed the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, over an alleged link to a coup plot currently under investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

According to multiple security sources, the operation was carried out by a special military team in the early hours of Tuesday at Sylva’s residence in Maitama, Abuja.

 

It was gathered that the raid followed intelligence reports linking the former governor to a series of secret meetings allegedly held with some of the detained military officers accused of plotting to overthrow the government.

A top security source familiar with the development disclosed that the operation also extended to Sylva’s Bayelsa home, where his brother, identified as Paga, was arrested.

“The Nigerian Army special team ransacked the home of Timipre Sylva, who is believed to have fled Nigeria. He is the South-South former governor frequently mentioned in the case. His brother, Paga, was picked up during the raid,” the source revealed.

According to Sahara Reporters, Another security insider confirmed that while no official statement had been issued by the military, the raid was not random but followed what was described as “credible intelligence linking certain political figures to the alleged plotters.”

This latest development comes amid heightening tension within the Armed Forces following revelations that at least 16 senior military officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force had been detained by the DIA in connection with the same plot.

The officers have reportedly been held incommunicado for over three weeks in an undisclosed facility in Abuja. Families of the detained officers initially feared their relatives had been kidnapped due to the absence of official communication from the military.

“It’s been 18 days since those 16 officers were detained in an undisclosed location. At first, we thought our brother was kidnapped before finding out what transpired from his friend who works in the NSA office,” a family member said.

Security analysts have expressed concern over the DIA’s central role in the probe, noting that such investigations are usually handled internally by the respective military services. Some have described the situation as politically motivated.

“If the military were truly conducting a disciplinary operation, over 10,000 cases could emerge. Why only 16 officers, and why hand them to the DIA?” a retired senior officer questioned. “This smells of politics. There’s clearly more going on behind the scenes.”

Speculation is rife that the alleged plot and arrests may have deeper political undertones involving individuals linked to former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Timipre Sylva, a close ally of the late ex-President, served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources between 2019 and 2023. He was also the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 2023 Bayelsa State election, which he lost to Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

As of press time, neither the Nigerian Army nor the Defence Headquarters had issued an official statement on the raid or the former minister’s whereabouts.

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Africa & World

BREAKING: 92-Year Old Paul Biya Declared Winner of Cameroon Presidential Election

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Cameroon’s long-serving president, Paul Biya, has been declared winner of the country’s presidential election, extending his rule for another seven years.

The 92-year-old leader secured 53.7 percent of the total votes, according to results announced by the Constitutional Council on Monday.

This marks Biya’s eighth consecutive term in office, making him one of the world’s oldest and longest-serving leaders.

His main challenger, former minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary, came second with 35.2 percent of the votes.

Tchiroma, however, had earlier declared himself the winner just days after the October 12 election, claiming he secured 54.8 percent of the votes.

His supporters have since taken to the streets, demanding that the government respect what they describe as the “real” results of the polls.

Tensions escalated on Sunday in the port city of Douala when protesters clashed with security forces. At least four people were reported dead in the violence. Witnesses said security agents initially fired tear gas before using live rounds to disperse demonstrators.

The election, which many analysts had predicted would favour Biya, has been described by critics as another example of Cameroon’s tightly controlled political system.

Opposition parties have long accused the ruling government of manipulating electoral processes to retain power.

Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982, making him the only second president in the country’s history since its independence from France in 1960.

His government has faced years of criticism over alleged corruption, economic inequality, and a separatist conflict in the English-speaking regions.

As of the time of this report, Biya’s camp has yet to make a detailed statement about the unrest following the declaration of results, while opposition leaders continue to call for calm and transparency.

 

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