The internal rift within the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has intensified following a recent visit by its former presidential candidate, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.
The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) convened an emergency meeting in Lagos to address what it termed a controversial move amid ongoing legal and leadership battles.
Kwankwaso’s November 9 visit coincided with a ruling by an Abia State High Court, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transfer NNPP’s administration to its Board of Trustees, chaired by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam.
The NWC viewed this meeting as an attempt to exploit the legal development for personal advantage.
The party’s leadership has been embroiled in a crisis, resulting in the expulsion of Kwankwaso, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, and other members of the Kwankwasiya group.
The NWC dismissed their claims to any leadership roles within the NNPP, labeling such assertions as baseless and aimed at disrupting the party’s unity.
Governor Otti was advised to distance himself from NNPP’s internal disputes to avoid potential political fallout ahead of the 2027 elections.
The NWC also alleged that Kwankwaso had been a destabilizing force since joining the party, accusing him of trying to take control of its structures for personal benefit.
Fred Itua has been appointed Chief Press Secretary by Edo State Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
This marks Okpebholo’s first key appointment as he prepares to assume office from Governor Godwin Obaseki on Tuesday.
The announcement, made in Abuja, highlights Itua’s extensive media background.
He previously held roles at Leadership and The Sun newspapers and has covered a wide range of topics, including the National Assembly, health, and environmental issues.
Itua’s academic journey spans a Bachelor’s degree in English from Ambrose Alli University, a Master’s in Media Arts from the University of Abuja, and ongoing PhD research in Development Communication at Veritas University.
As head of the Governor-elect’s media team, Itua is expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear in shaping the administration’s public communications strategy.
The Office of the First Lady of Nigeria has dismissed circulating reports suggesting that Senator Oluremi Tinubu is organizing a national prayer event.
Speculations had emerged, alleging that the First Lady, alongside National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, planned to lead the prayer session.
This purported event sparked widespread debate, with some Nigerians questioning its necessity amid ongoing economic challenges.
In response, the First Lady’s media team clarified that no such event is being planned.
They described the reports as baseless and urged the public to disregard them.
Citizens were advised to rely on official channels for accurate information about activities involving the First Lady.
This clarification serves to address public concerns and prevent the spread of misinformation.
Fatima Buhari has been appointed as the first ambassador for the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN).
Miss Buhari is the daughter of Nigeria’s immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari,
Fatima’s appointment comes shortly after she was inaugurated as the Coordinator for the Katsina State chapter of the Professional Women Accountants in Nigeria (PROWAN).
The announcement was made during a dinner organized to honour the new leaders of the organisation, where its National President, James Neminebor, officially confirmed Fatima Buhari’s ambassadorial role.
Neminebor urged the new executives to dedicate themselves to serving ANAN and encouraged them to uphold high standards of professionalism and commitment within their states.
He emphasized that their leadership would strengthen the influence of ANAN across the country.
Speaking, Neminebor acknowledged the Katsina State Government for its ongoing support of ANAN’s mission.
He noted that adopting professional accounting services is essential for good financial management and transparency in both the public and private sectors.
He called on other state governments to support ANAN’s efforts to improve financial accountability throughout Nigeria.
Commenting on the appointment, Fatima Buhari expressed pride in her role as the first ANAN ambassador, describing it as a groundbreaking achievement for women accountants in Northern Nigeria.
“This milestone is not just a celebration of achievements, but a testament to the resilience, dedication, and professionalism of women accountants across this region and the nation at large,” she said.
The Malaysian government has announced its decision to phase out compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles by July 1, 2025, marking the end of CNG vehicle registrations.
The move also includes halting the sale of natural gas vehicles (NGV), which include both CNG and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-powered vehicles.
Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook shared concerns over the safety risks posed by LPG cylinders, particularly in modified vehicles, which have been involved in explosions during accidents.
These concerns have led the government to prioritize public safety, especially regarding older CNG cylinders, some of which are over 15 years old.
In response to the announcement, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, clarified that Malaysia’s focus is more on the safety issues surrounding LPG rather than CNG itself.
He pointed out that while Malaysia has struggled to transition successfully away from petrol and diesel, Nigeria’s move toward CNG remains distinct due to its focus on safety and cost-effectiveness.
Onanuga also noted that Nigeria is already developing the necessary infrastructure, including tank manufacturing, to ensure a safer and more sustainable CNG transition.
The statement released by Onanuga on x (formerly known as Twitter) reads, “Some clarification on the plan by Malaysia to phase out CNG powered vehicles:
“1. The Malaysian issue speaks more to the safety of LPG NOT safety of CNG. In the original report, government transport minister Anthony Loke said:
“There are also some car owners who have modified their vehicles using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, which are very dangerous.
“The report also spoke about the safety of 15 year-old CNG cylinders.
“2. NGV covers both CNG and LPG. Nigeria in its transition has adopted CNG ONLY not both because of LPG valid safety and cost concerns
“3.Malaysia basically had an unsuccessful transition away from costly and dirtier petrol and diesel.
“Conversion of 45,000 vehicles in 15 years (less than 0.2%) is not enviable unlike India, China, Iran and Egypt.
“The end of 15 year CNG tank cycle means they need to replace tanks and it was easier/cheaper to scrap their program and continue with their petrol than to do so if they had not built tank manufacturing capacity which Nigeria is already developing in year one.”
Nigeria faces yet another nationwide power outage following the collapse of its national grid, marking the twelfth disruption in less than a year.
This incident, occurring at 11:29 a.m. on November 7, is the second within a week, raising fresh concerns about the reliability of the country’s power infrastructure.
The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) acknowledged the system failure, informing customers that supply disruptions are widespread.
Efforts to restore electricity are reportedly underway, though no specific timeline has been provided.
So far, the Transmission Company of Nigeria has not disclosed the cause of the latest grid failure.
The recurring outages continue to impact households and businesses, with stakeholders scrambling to resolve the persistent challenges.
Embarking on the same hollow ritual, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified preparations for the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State by conducting a mock accreditation exercise.
The exercise, held on Wednesday, aimed to test the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, alongside the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, led the monitoring team across several local government areas, including Akure South, Akure North, and Idanre.
During the exercise, BVAS machines were deployed to polling units where eligible voters underwent facial recognition and other verification processes.
The test was conducted to ensure that the machines would function efficiently on election day.
With sensitive materials expected to arrive on November 14, INEC reassured the public of its readiness to conduct a smooth and transparent election.
The commission urged stakeholders, including political parties and candidates, to maintain peace and cooperate fully.
The mock accreditation exercise has been widely regarded as a critical step toward ensuring a seamless voting experience in Ondo State.
President Bola Tinubu extends his heartfelt congratulations to President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.
President Tinubu looks forward to strengthening the ties between Nigeria and the United States amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.
President Tinubu says, “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”
According to President Tinubu, Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership. He congratulates them on their commitment to democracy.
President Tinubu believes that, given President Trump’s experience as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, his return to the White House as the 47th president will usher in an era of earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.
Acknowledging the United States’ influence, power, and position in determining the trend and course of global events, the Nigerian leader trusts that President Trump will bring the world closer to peace and prosperity.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56.
This was made known in a statement on Wednesday morning by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Onanuga stated that Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.
His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987.
On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.
Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.
He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.
An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.
Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children.
President Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time.
He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation
Experts at the 6th Annual Lecture of the social club, Just Friends held today at Bolingo Hotels in Abuja asserts that the escalating cost of governance is a major obstacle to Nigeria’s development.
The event convened professionals and stakeholders across various sectors to discuss the implications of the high cost of governance on economic growth and social welfare.
The guest speaker, Dr. Sam Amadi, a notable advocate for ethical leadership, emphasized that the financial burden of governance detracts from the effective allocation of the country’s resources.
Referencing Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perception Index, which ranked Nigeria 14th out of 180 countries, the speaker pointed out that despite Nigeria’s wealth in natural resources, it continues to grapple with poverty and underdevelopment.
“The inefficiencies and corruption in our governance systems result in significant resource wastage, hindering economic progress and diminishing the quality of public services,” the speaker stated. “What we require is transformative leadership that prioritizes accountability and professionalism over personal interests.”
The discussion also highlighted the urgent need for systemic reforms to improve public sector efficiency. Participants agreed that strengthening institutions is vital for creating a favorable environment for sustainable growth.
The speaker drew comparisons between Nigeria and countries like Norway and Finland, where effective governance has led to significant advancements in development and quality of life for citizens.
(From left): Chairman of the Occasion, Olorogun Peter Igho; President of Just Friends Club of Nigeria(JFCN), Mr Fred Ohwahwa; Guest Lecturer, Dr Sam Amadi; Mrs. Eugenia Abu; Mr.Abdulhakeem Mustapha SAN and Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mallam Ali M Ali, during the 6th Annual JFCN Lecture in Abuja on Tuesday (5/11/24).
Earlier, the President of the club, Mr. Fred Ohwahwa told the gathering that the choice of the keynote topic was informed by the Club’s concern for the deplorable condition of the Nigerian state.
“From whatever angle you look at it, Nigeria is an apology to its vibrant citizens, the African continent, and the Black race. We are far behind in virtually all metrics of development. And this is in spite of abundant human and material resources the country is blessed with,” he lamented.
Mr. Owahwa, a veteran journalist who was the Editor of the Guardian Newspaper, said apart from the public lectures, the club also indulges in charity works.
“For us in Just Friends Club in Nigeria, apart from the Public Lecture Series, we place a lot of emphasis on reaching out to the needy in the society. We have made it a duty that every year, sometimes multiple times in a year, to reach out to them.
We have visited Old Peoples Home in Kado, Orphanages in Gwarinpa, Karu, Kuje; children with disabilities in Kubwa and Anawim Home in Gwagwalada run by Catholic nuns.”
A panel discussion featuring notable professionals and moderated by legendary broadcaster, Mrs. Eugenia Abu exhaustively deliberated on the subject of cost as well as governance models suitable for Nigeria and concluded that the greatest challenge to development of the Nigerian state was the failure of leadership.
As the event concluded, attendees were called to action, urging them to advocate for a governance framework that emphasizes ethics and accountability, aligning with the aspirations of the Nigerian populace.
The Just Friends Club’s initiative to foster such critical discussions reflects an increasing recognition of the essential role of governance in driving national development.
