Category:

Headlines

Finance minister not affected by stroke, as presidency speaks on replacement

by Folarin Kehinde October 13, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Presidency has dismissed claims that plans are underway to replace the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Presidency explained that Edun is currently recuperating at his Abuja residence after falling ill, debunking rumours that he suffered a stroke or was flown abroad for treatment.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that the minister is receiving medical care in Nigeria.

“Yes, he’s indisposed. Wale Edun is about 69 years old. He suddenly fell ill. As we speak, he’s in Nigeria, recuperating,” Onanuga said.

The clarification followed reports suggesting that President Tinubu was considering replacing the minister amid concerns about his health.

Earlier, the Presidency had announced that Edun would not attend this year’s World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., with the Central Bank Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, leading Nigeria’s delegation instead.

The meetings, which bring together global finance ministers, central bankers, and economic experts, are scheduled to begin on Monday, October 14.

Appointed on August 28, 2023, Edun has been a key figure in President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, driving efforts to stabilise the naira, curb inflation, and attract foreign investment.

October 13, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING: New INEC Chairman Emerges, Professor Joash Amupitan

by Folarin Kehinde October 9, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The National Council of State has approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan’s nomination to the Council during its meeting on Thursday, following the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 until October 2025.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Council unanimously endorsed Amupitan’s nomination, describing him as a man of integrity and impeccable character.

President Tinubu noted that Amupitan, who hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, is the first person from the North-Central region to be nominated for the position. He also stressed that the nominee is apolitical and possesses vast experience in law and governance.

In line with constitutional requirements, the President will forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

Amupitan is also a prolific author, with publications such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013), and Principles of Company Law (2013).

He is married and blessed with four children

October 9, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

Council of State Meets as Tinubu Presents Nominees For INEC Chairman

by Nelson Ugwuagbo October 9, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

President Bola Tinubu is currently presiding over a meeting of the Council of State at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he is expected to present nominees for consideration as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The hybrid session, which commenced at 1:29 p.m. on Thursday, comes 48 hours after Prof. Mahmood Yakubu concluded his 10-year tenure as INEC Chairman, a period that spanned two administrations and three general elections.

According to a draft agenda sighted by reporters before the meeting went into a closed-door session, President Tinubu is expected to present three nominees for the Council’s consideration — Prof. Joash Amupitan, Justice Abdullahi Mohammed Liman, and Prof. Lai Olurede.

The three nominees, all distinguished legal and academic professionals, are being screened as possible successors to Prof. Yakubu.

October 9, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

Police arrest 12 suspected robbers linked to Arise TV anchor’s death

by Folarin Kehinde October 9, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

‎The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested 12 suspected armed robbers linked to the killing of an Arise News staff member, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, during a robbery attack in Abuja.

‎Arise TV, in a post on its website on Thursday, said the arrests followed an operation led by the Scorpion Squad under the FCT Command, based on intelligence provided by a forensics firm, Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC.

‎According to Arise, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, ordered a manhunt for the suspects after the September 29, 2025, attack at Unique Apartment in Gishiri Village, Katampe District, which occurred around 3:30 a.m.

‎The statement said operatives of the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, arrested the suspects following actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC.

The suspects are:

‎Shamsudeen Hassan ‘m’ from Malumfashi LGA Katsina state

Hassan Isah ‘m’, 22 years from Zaria kaduna State

Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. abba ‘m’, 27 years from Musawa LGA katsina state

Sani Sirajo a.k.a. dan borume ‘m’ 20 years from Malumfashi LGA katsina state

Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. abba ‘m’ 28 years from Igabi LGA kaduna state

Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. dan-sule ‘m’ 21 years from Malumfashi LGA katsina state

Abdul Salam saleh a.k.a. na-durudu ‘m’ from katsina lga katsina State

Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. gwaska ‘m’ 23 years from chikun lga kaduna state

Musa adamu a.k.a. musa hassan ‘m’ 30 years from malumfashi lga katsina state

Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. baby ‘m’ 27 years from Sammaka LGA, Kaduna state

Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. abbati ‘m’, 25 years from Zaria LGA, Kaduna state

Musa Umar a.k.a. small ‘m’ 31 years from Maiduguri LGA Borno state.

More details later….

October 9, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

“God be with you till we meet Again” INEC staff bids Yakubu farewell after exit from office (VIDEO)

by Folarin Kehinde October 9, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

Following the resignation of the former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chairman, Mamood Yakubu, staff of the commission in a viral video sang ‘burial’ hymnal recession to bid him farewell.

Recall that Yakubu, handed over the leadership of the commission to May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will now serve as acting national chairman.

Yakubu made the announcement on Tuesday during a meeting with resident electoral commissioners (RECs) at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Meanwhile, in a video shared by saharareporters on X, staff of the commission were seen accompanying the chairman to his vehicle and singing the recession hymn to his “honor”.

President Tinubu is however expected to name the next INEC Chairman on Thursday.

Watch video below

https://x.com/SaharaReporters/status/1975953134309847342?t=7BxaXgQCKE-k0ggaHYeZVQ&s=08

October 9, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

INEC Extends Voter Registration Deadline in FCT to October 12

by Nelson Ugwuagbo October 8, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, the commission announced that the exercise, earlier scheduled to end on Wednesday, will now continue until Sunday, October 12, 2025.

According to Eta-Messi, as of October 7, 2025, a total of 55,346 new voter registrations had been recorded in the FCT. The figure includes 38,528 online pre-registrations and 16,818 completed physical registrations.

The extension, INEC said, is aimed at allowing more eligible residents of the FCT to participate in the registration process ahead of the next electoral cycle.

October 8, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

Zulum Gifts Anambra Health Worker Gets House, Son Employment for 24 Years of Service

by Nelson Ugwuagbo October 8, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has rewarded Mrs. Marbel Ijeoma Duaka, a health worker from Anambra State, with a fully furnished two-bedroom house in recognition of her dedication and service to the state.

Governor Zulum also announced an automatic employment offer for her son, Anthony, a graduate of Banking and Finance, at the state-owned Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri.

Presenting the house key to Mrs. Duaka, the governor commended her for over two decades of selfless service at the Primary Healthcare Centre in Mafa Local Government Area, where she continued to work throughout the height of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“She has been working here for over 24 years and has never left Mafa for a single month. During the Boko Haram crisis, most people fled the town, but she stayed throughout the conflict despite being a non-indigene,” Zulum said.

The governor further revealed that Mrs. Duaka had treated many members of his family, including his late mother.

“The allocation letter should be issued in your name. Do not leave Mafa, even after you retire,” he directed.

Zulum added, “Your son, Anthony, will be given automatic employment at the Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri. His employment takes effect immediately.”

October 8, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

Police Suspend Tinted Glass Permit Enforcement Following Court Order

by Nelson Ugwuagbo October 8, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Police Force has suspended the enforcement of the vehicle tinted glass permit following a court order halting the exercise.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the development on Wednesday during an interview on AIT.

According to Adeh, the decision came after the police officially received the court order.

“Information reaching me from the office of the PRO is that the order has been received, and the enforcement of the tinted permit is now on hold pending the court’s verdict,” she stated.

She explained that the suspension would remain in effect until the legal process is concluded.

“We are waiting for the verdict. We are not against the courts, and we will continue to wait until we get a verdict,” Adeh added.

The police spokesperson further clarified that the tinted glass permit policy was introduced for security reasons, noting that some criminal activities had been perpetrated using vehicles with darkened windows.

“The law was not made by us. We are enforcers. The policy was purely security-driven. Some criminals were using tinted vehicles to commit offences, making it difficult for law enforcement to identify suspects,” she said.

October 8, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING: Tinubu’s minister resigns after certificate forgery allegation

by Folarin Kehinde October 7, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has resigned from office following allegations of certificate forgery leveled against him.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the minister’s resignation, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Onanuga said, “President Tinubu accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him.”

He explained that Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, tendered his resignation in a letter to the President, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the country.

The former minister reportedly attributed his decision to sustained political attacks and blackmail by his opponents.

“President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours,” Onanuga added.

October 7, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING: Yakubu step aside after 10 years INEC Chairman

by Folarin Kehinde October 7, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

After a decade of steering Nigeria’s elections through sweeping reforms and digital innovations, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, on Tuesday announced his resignation.

Yakubu, who has been at the helm since 2015, formally stepped down during the Commission’s quarterly meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners RECs in Abuja, describing the session as his “last as chairman.”

Citing Section 306 of the 1999 Constitution, Yakubu said the move would allow a smooth transition as INEC braces for a busy electoral calendar.

By consensus of the National Commissioners, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior commissioner, takes over in acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.

In his farewell remarks, Yakubu reflected on his 10-year stewardship, pointing to INEC’s digital transformation — from biometric voter registration and electronic result transmission to online nomination and monitoring systems.

“Together, we built a foundation for credible elections in Africa’s largest democracy,” he declared.

He acknowledged support from political parties, the National Peace Committee, civil society, security agencies, the media, and especially corps members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), whom he described as “the most patriotic election officials.”

The outgoing chairman also unveiled two publications capturing his tenure: “Election Management in Nigeria 2015–2025” and “Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015–2025,” now available on INEC’s website.

Yakubu leaves with major elections looming — including next month’s Anambra governorship poll, the FCT Area Council vote in February 2026, and the Ekiti and Osun governorship contests later that year. Preparations for the 2027 general elections, he revealed, have already begun.

October 7, 2025 0 comments

Newer Posts

Older Posts