Author: Press Room

Former Governor of Jigawa State and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has criticised his erstwhile Kaduna colleague, Nasir el-Rufai, for reportedly urging opposition politicians to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).  el-Rufai, recently announced his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP, imploring opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, to join him in his new political party. But Lamido in an interview with the BBC, faulted el-Rufai’s invitation, questioning his political ideology and commitment to national development. He said: “With all due respect, how does he expect…

As the international break approaches, several Nigerian players delivered standout performances for their clubs across Europe and beyond, Soccernet.ng reports. While some made crucial contributions, others endured frustrating outings. Here’s a roundup of how they fared before heading off for Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. England: Iwobi & Bassey shine as Fulham stun Spurs In the Premier League, Alex Iwobi played a key role in Fulham’s attack, while Calvin Bassey was rock-solid in defence as the Cottagers secured a brilliant 2-0 victory over Tottenham at Craven Cottage. Both players are now en route to Kigali, where Nigeria’s…

Before his unannounced visit to the Presidential Villa recently, there were tell-tale signs that the 2023 Lagos State governorship candidate, Adediran Olajide, popularly known as Jandor, was on his way back to the arms of his first love, the All Progressives Congress (APC). KEHINDE OLATUNJI reports that the days ahead will affirm this suspicion and its implications for the PDP in the state. The fact that there was no collective post-mortem on the party’s performance in the 2023 governorship election, which he came a distant third, must have compelled Mr Olajide to blame the Obidient wave caused by the…

  Tosin Oyediran The Lagos State Government has issued an early warning that the state will experience above-normal rainfall amounts in the first peak of the 2025 rainy season, with a delayed cessation extending into December. Speaking at the Seasonal Climate Prediction press briefing in Alausa, the state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that the forecast indicates a “longer-than-usual rainy season, beginning in late March and ending in early December.” This, he revealed in a post on X on Sunday. “The rainy season is expected to start as early as the last week of March,…

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has reiterated his commitment to governance, emphasising that his focus is on serving the people who elected him rather than engaging in unnecessary discussions. The governor made this statement during an Iftar dinner with Kaduna Social Media Influencers at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Saturday. While he did not directly explain the context of his remarks, they come just days after his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, accused him of using the police to harass his loyalists. El-Rufai had made the allegation last week following the arrest of his supporter, Jafaru Sani, who had served as…

•Governor’s supporters urge Wike, lawmakers to embrace peaceRivers State House of Assembly has accused the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of frustrating the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment, especially the aspect requiring him to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the lawmakers. The Assembly called on members of the public to compel the governor to sincerely follow the established due process in presenting the appropriation bill instead of playing to the gallery; whipping up public sentiment with a motive to demonise the lawmakers. The Chairman, House Committee on Information and the spokesperson of the House, Dr Enemi Alabo George,…

The Fulani community in Plateau State has dismissed a viral allegation that it was planning to attack certain communities in Barikin Ladi, Mangu, Bokkos, and Bassa council areas of the state. The claim had it that meetings had reportedly held at various locations, including a mosque in Mahanga, to coordinate the said attacks during Ramadan. In a statement yesterday, Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Yusuf Ibrahim Babayo, said: “We condemn these spurious and unsubstantiated allegations in the strongest terms. These baseless accusations undermine our integrity, perpetuate harmful stereotypes, and stigmatise our community. “We believe…

• Tinubu’ll face opposition from Southeast, South-South, says ex-IPAC chief• Okonkwo: I’ll support fresh Southerner, Northerner willing to use four years• No amount of gang up can stop Tinubu’s re-election, says Oyintiloye• Yakasai rallies Northern support for Tinubu’s administration Despite the presidency’s disclaimer at the weekend that President Bola Tinubu is focused on governance and not interested in 2027 talks, the country appears divided into two halves – those for the president’s re-election and those opposed to his second term in office. The rumblings within the polity gained some traction last week when former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai…

•Fuel marketers decry closure of stations at border towns, citizens demand more Nigerian goods Less than two years after President Bola Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy in Nigeria, the effect of the decision is now being felt deeply by neighbouring Niger Republic. Also, findings by THE PUNCH on Sunday from fresh data sourced from the National Bureau of Statistics indicated that trade between Nigeria and Niger Republic surged by 82 per cent in 2024 despite ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries. This came as oil dealers raised concern about the closure of filling stations at border towns, stressing that…

Chairman of Epe Local Council in Lagos State, Surah Olayemi Animashahun, has denied allegations against her administration by a group, Epe Young Professionals. The group had accused Animashahun of multiple cases of misconduct, including financial mismanagement, plagiarism and unauthorised sale of government property. Animashahun, while refuting the claims in a statement, yesterday, insisted that the allegations were baseless, politically motivated and orchestrated to distract governance in Epe. Also, the council chairman, denying the plagiarism claims, said that a quotation she used in a report, and being attributed to former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, is a widely recognised…