Author: Press Room

Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, has convicted two social media influencers, Bukola Arike Rufai and Abdulateef Ayinde Jimoh, for abusing naira notes. The duo were prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a joint one-count charge bordering on currency mutilation. According to the charge, “That you Bukola Arike Rufai and Abdulateef Ayinde Jimoh on or about the 25th day of September, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did mishandle Naira Notes, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence,…

A coalition of two pressure groups under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Kadangaren Bakin Tulu and Yan Takwas, have demanded the immediate dissolution of the party leadership in Kano. The groups accused the Prince Abdullahi Abbas-led state executive of dictatorship whose utterances led to APC’s failure in the 2023 general election in the state. A petition submitted to the Acting National Chairman of the party, Alh. Ali Bukar Dalori, in Abuja yesterday, sought the immediate dissolution of Kano executives under Abbas. Abbas, a strong ally of former National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, had overwhelmed several threats…

The founding National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, has revealed that party leaders voluntarily stepped down to allow former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola to assume leadership and steer the party and Nigeria towards a new political direction. Nwosu made the announcement on Wednesday at the unveiling of the ADC as the official platform for the newly formed opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections. The event took place at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. Mark and Aregbesola have been named the interim National Chairman and National Secretary…

Sodiq Ojuroungbe The Nigerian Medical Association has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to withdraw a recent circular on allowance reviews and address a long list of unmet demands or face a potential nationwide strike. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu described the circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission as “grossly inadequate, misleading and in violation of past agreements”. In a copy of the speech obtained by PUNCH Healthwise, the NMA president demanded the immediate withdrawal of the circular and the correction of salary adjustments in…

• I’m stuck with PDP, Lamido vows, declares war on ingrates• Slams Tinubu’s tour to St Lucia As some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members seem to be playing card games with the party, the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, yesterday, pulled the big stick, warning those engaged in activities that de-market the party to retrace their steps or face sanctions. However, like Peter promised Jesus Christ in the Bible, a founding member of the party, Dr Sule Lamido, declared that he would not abandon the party he helped build, no matter the situation. Lamido slammed a blistering critique on President…

Two aides to President Bola Tinubu have ridiculed the newly unveiled opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing its members as “politically displaced individuals” and likening the alliance to a “structure of criminality.” Segun Dada, the President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, wrote on his official X handle shortly after the coalition was presented at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Tuesday. “Politically displaced individuals,” Dada posted, in a veiled dig at the coalition’s composition and political intent Also, Bwala Daniel, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, deepened the criticism in a separate post, calling…

Staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the umbrella of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), have ended their three-day protest over unresolved grievances, including unpaid salaries and prolonged industrial disputes. The workers have now issued a fresh 21-day ultimatum to the FCT administration to address their demands. The protest, which began on Monday, June 30, was in response to what the union described as the FCT Minister’s refusal to engage with key issues affecting staff welfare. Among the demands are the immediate payment of salaries, resolution of the FCT primary school teachers’ strike, and payment of wage…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Bauchi State during the 2023 election, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (rtd.), might have resigned his membership from the party, just as he was seen at the inaugural meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja on Wednesday. A source close to Sadique told our correspondent that he is yet to make a public announcement but, “Certainly, he was at the ADC meeting today in Abuja. He would not have been at the gathering if he was not joining the coalition.” Also, in a video clip obtained by our correspondent, the retired…

Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing deep dissatisfaction with the state of the nation and accusing the ruling party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of attempting to manipulate future elections. Amaechi made the announcement on Wednesday in Abuja during the unveiling of the interim executive of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He stated that his decision to leave the APC was finalised on Tuesday night, following what he described as irreconcilable differences with the party’s direction. “Nigeria is completely destroyed. People can’t…

Dirisu Yakubu The Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, on Wednesday, said over 20 million Nigerians are now enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme. Speaking during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Health Services at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, Ohiri said the new figure, up from 16.8 million in 2023, puts Nigeria on track to surpass the 2027 presidential target for universal health coverage. He outlined the agency’s recent efforts to expand coverage, improve service delivery, and address persistent sector challenges. The NHIA boss said the agency had taken several…