Arthur Iyamore

The struggle for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket is tearing supporters of major aspirants apart ahead of the primary.This is notwithstanding the multiple leadership challenges facing the opposition party. At the moment, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not recognise any of the three camps laying claim to the party’s leadership.This followed a Court of Appeal order in a suit challenging the recognition of David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and others as officials of the National Working Committee (NWC).Many state chapters remain polarised and unable to hold congresses. Yet, the party on Tuesday held its convention in Abuja without INEC monitoring, a move widely considered risky. Our correspondent understands that there is a widening gulf among the camps of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and Kwankwasiyya Movement leader, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, all […]

At least nine people lost their lives and several others sustained injuries following an attack by armed bandits on Sunday in Edikwu-Ankpali, Apa Local Government Area of Benue State. The Chairman of Apa Local Government Area, Adams Ogwola, confirmed the incident to our correspondent yesterday.According to Ogwola, one person was killed at Ikobi, while another died at Adija.However, a source added that the attacks occurred on Friday and Sunday, resulting in 13 fatalities. The source further indicated that three people were killed on Friday, and 10 more on Sunday. It was gathered that youths were in the bush retrieving more bodies, and that a police officer was among those killed in Upu Otukpo Local Government Area on Saturday. Meanwhile, Pastor Ojotu Ojema, the member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has condemned the attack, of the describing […]

The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) has come down hard on former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose over his recent comments alleging a plot to remove the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.Fayose had in a post on his X handle claimed that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde was planning to depose the Olubadan, a statement that has triggered reactions from stakeholders in Oyo State.Reacting to the allegation, the CCII described the former governor’s remarks as unfounded, provocative and capable of inciting unrest in Ibadanland. In a statement issued yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Kola Olomide, the council said Fayose’s comments were not only misleading, but also a dangerous attempt to politicise traditional institutions.The statement quoted the CCII President-General, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, as expressing concern about what he termed reckless interference in Ibadan affairs.Ajewole warned that Fayose’s remarks could […]

Nigeria got a pat on the back yesterday from the United States for accelerating the prosecution of terrorism-related cases. The commendation followed the conviction of 386 suspects in recent mass trials.In a statement published via X on Sunday, Massad Boulos, the US senior advisor for Arab and African Affairs, said Washington welcomed the development, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening accountability and justice. The post reads: “The United States commends the Nigerian government for its strong commitment to expediting trials addressing terrorism and related crimes. We welcome the convictions of 386 Islamist militants in cases that had previously faced significant delays in the courts,” the statement reads.“We believe that timely and transparent legal processes are critical in confronting extremism and reinforcing public trust in judicial institutions. Upholding the rule of law remains essential to ensuring the safety, stability, […]

The man who sparked a diplomatic storm over an alleged coronation as Igbo king in the Eastern Cape, South Africa has publicly apologised, insisting he was never crowned. Solomon Ogbonna Eziko, who sparked outrage after the March 14 event in KuGompo, said the entire situation was misunderstood.“I was never coronated as a king. I am not a king and would not purport to be one,” Eziko said in an official statement released yesterday. His apology comes after a violent protest erupted in kuGompo last Monday, with angry traditional leaders and residents accusing foreign nationals of undermining South Africa’s sovereignty and traditional systems.The protest came after videos and images shared online, in which members of the Nigerian community said they had crowned Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko as the Igwe Ndigbo in East Cape. Demonstrations over the alleged coronation turned violent, with […]

In the dusty compounds of Mashegu Local Government Area, where extended families live under one roof and children are often left in the care of grandparents, 14-year-old Hadiza’s childhood ended long before she understood what it meant to be a child.She has lived in her maternal grandfather’s household since she was two. The man she calls “grandpa”, 75-year-old Malam Musa Gado, is not just the patriarch of a sprawling family of four wives and roughly 40 grandchildren, he is also the man who arranged the marriage of her mother. For more than a decade, Hadiza’s world was bounded by his compound walls. But that world collapsed during the holy month of Ramadan last year. In a low, trembling voice captured in an interview that has now circulated on Crusaders Radio in Minna, Hadiza recalled how Malam Musa began to isolate […]

The President mourned soldiers of the 29 Task Force Brigade, Operation HADIN KAI, killed during a terrorist attack on their base in Benisheikh, Borno State. He described them as “unforgettable heroes” whose sacrifices will not be in vain.A statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, which was available to Ayemafuge said the President urged Nigerians and the media to support the Armed Forces in ongoing operations against insurgency and banditry. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed that the terrorists launched a coordinated attack on the brigade headquarters around 12:30am yesterday but were repelled by troops after a fierce exchange.President Tinubu commiserated with the military leadership, families of the fallen troops, as well as the government and people of Borno State, praising the soldiers for their courage in preventing the attackers from overrunning nearby communities.He said sustained land […]

A Boko Haram fighter involved in killing of many people in the Northeast was sentenced to death in Abuja yesterday, 09/4/26 as part of the ongoing trial of 500 suspected terrorists.Our correspondent reports that Auwalu Samaila, who was unrepentant got the death sentence after prosecutor established his involvement in many Boko Haram operation across towns in Abamawa and Borno States.Samaila, one of the 500 terrorism suspects being prosecuted by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), was arraigned on a six-count charge.In the charge marked: FHC/KNJ//CR/122/2026, Samaila, a native of Gulak Village, Madagali Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa, was listed as the sole defendant.The death sentence was in relation to counts four, five and six, while he got 25 years on counts one and two. Samaila was also sentenced to 30 years imprisonment on count three. […]

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has cautioned broadcast media organisations against the spread of misinformation, warning that the integrity of the 2027 General Elections will depend significantly on how responsibly Nigeria’s airwaves are managed.Speaking on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, the INEC Chairman stressed that the information space has become a critical battleground in modern elections. He noted that the greatest threat to credible polls may no longer be physical disruptions, but the rapid spread of false information amplified through unverified broadcasts.Prof. Amupitan emphasised the need for strict compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, particularly provisions guiding political broadcasting. He drew attention to statutory obligations requiring equal access to media platforms for all political parties, noting that with 22 registered parties, fairness in […]

It was supposed to be a grand ceremony at the historic Mapo Hall, Ibadan, Oyo State. But it was devoid of grandeur, marred by the absence of the three Ibadan high chiefs who were to receive beaded crowns: Mobolaji Adewoyin as Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland, Oyekola Babalola (SAN) as Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, and Sarafadeen Alli as Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde was expected to perform the coronation. However, he too was absent, delegating the ceremony to his deputy, Bayo Lawal. The April 3 event was attended by a cross-section of the state’s political and traditional elite, ranging from members of the State Executive Council to traditional rulers and local government chairmen. The state government said “this ceremony is being duly conducted,” citing the Ibadan chieftaincy declaration and Section 20 (1 and 4) of the Chiefs […]