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 Fresh political movements ahead of the 2027 general elections have taken a notable turn, as Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State and the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, concludes plans to leave his party for the African Democratic Congress. The development, which follows days of quiet but intense consultations, reflects the growing pressure among opposition figures to find common ground in a rapidly evolving political landscape. While discussions around a possible alliance — including a potential joint ticket involving Peter Obi — have surfaced, the full shape of these arrangements remains uncertain. Kwankwaso’s departure from the NN PP, formally tendered in a resignation letter, appears to have been a deeply considered decision rather than a sudden move. In his message, he acknowledged the weight of leaving a platform where he once served as national leader, describing it as a painful but necessary step in light of current political...

  Israeli authorities on Sunday enforced strict security measures in Church of the Holy Sepulchre, preventing the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the historic site to preside over Palm Sunday Mass. According to a statement from the Latin Patriarchate, the Cardinal, alongside Fr. Francesco Ielpo, was stopped by Israeli police while on their way to the church. While church officials described the move as unprecedented, the incident comes against the backdrop of heightened security concerns following the ongoing conflict in the region. Israeli authorities have, since the outbreak of hostilities on February 28, imposed sweeping restrictions on public gatherings across the country, including in sensitive and religiously significant areas like Jerusalem. These measures limit assemblies to small numbers and apply equally to synagogues, mosques, and churches, reflecting a broader effort to prevent potential flashpoints for unrest or attacks. Securit...

  In what appears to be yet another politically convenient move dressed up as strategy, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has revealed plans to adopt a so-called “consensus” method in picking its presidential flag bearer for the 2027 general elections an approach many observers see as a subtle way of avoiding internal democratic scrutiny. Speaking on One-on-One on Arise TV, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, tried to justify the move by claiming it is the most “cost-effective” option available. But critics argue that hiding behind cost concerns raises serious questions about the party’s commitment to transparency and grassroots participation. According to Abdullahi, the ADC has narrowed its options to either direct primaries or consensus, following changes to the Electoral Act. However, his strong preference for consensus suggests a leadership more interested in backroom agreements than allowing party members to have a real say in choosing their cand...

When Iran’s secret nuclear programme first became global news over 20 years ago, the government in Tehran kept insisting say dem no get any plan to build nuclear weapons. According to dem, everything na for peaceful purposes like electricity and development. At that time, the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even backed this claim with a religious ruling (fatwa) wey banned the production of nuclear weapons completely. But things don change sharply. Following his reported killing in a joint operation linked to the United States and Israel last month, many hardline figures for Iran now dey see opportunity to abandon that old stance. For Nigerian terms, na like when leadership change suddenly and new people wan run things their own way without minding previous agreements. According to analyst Trita Parsi, the old belief don practically collapse. He said both the elites and ordinary citizens in Iran now dey think differently, especially after their country don face rep...

  Golf superstar Tiger Woods has been arrested following a car crash in Florida, United States, in an incident that has once again brought attention to the dangers of driving under the influence (DUI). The accident occurred on Friday, March 27, 2026 , in the early hours of the morning (local U.S. time), near Jupiter Island, Florida. Reports indicate that Woods was driving when his vehicle collided with a truck carrying a trailer, causing his car to overturn. Fortunately, no lives were lost, and he was the only person in the vehicle. Law enforcement officers who arrived at the scene suspected impairment. Although a breathalyzer test reportedly showed no alcohol in his system, authorities believe that drugs or prescription medication may have influenced his driving. Woods was subsequently arrested and later released on bail after a few hours in custody. Nigerian Perspective: A Familiar Problem From a Nigerian point of view, this incident is not far from what we see on our roads ...

Iran’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has vowed that his country will make sure Israel pays a serious price after accusing them of breaking an agreement backed by the administration of Donald Trump to pause attacks on Iran’s energy facilities. According to him, Israel recently bombed two of Iran’s biggest steel factories, a power plant, and even some civilian nuclear sites. He said this move clearly goes against the understanding that both sides should hold back, especially when diplomatic talks are still ongoing. Israel, however, insists it carried out the strikes with the knowledge and cooperation of the United States. Araghchi didn’t hide his frustration, saying the attack directly contradicts the deadline given by Trump to allow peaceful negotiations. Just a day earlier, Trump had announced an extension of the pause on attacks against Iran’s energy infrastructure, shifting it by 10 more days to April 6, 2026. He even claimed that discussions between the U.S. and Iran...

Getty Images Poland announces military training plan for all men  Work is under way to make all men in Poland undergo military training, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.   In a speech to the Polish parliament, Tusk said the government aimed to give full details in the coming months. Efforts are being made to "prepare large-scale military training for every adult male in Poland," he told the Sejm. "We will try to have a model ready by the end of this year so that every adult male in Poland is trained in the event of war, so that this reserve is comparable and adequate to the potential threats." Tusk said the Ukrainian army has 800,000 soldiers, whilst Russia has around 1.3 million and he wants to increase the size of the Polish army, including reservists, to 500,000 from around 200,000 now. "We're talking about the need to have an army of half a million in Poland, including the reservists," he said. "It seems if we organise things wisely, and I...

Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, got emotional while discussing his government's policies amid his tariff war with the US. Recall that the U.S. imposed 25 percent tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada rocketing the country into a trade war on Tuesday.  However, just days later, Trump reversed his economic slap down saying that goods that are compliant with the North American free trade agreement will not be tariffed until April 2 and are apparently considering a similar carve-out for Canada.' During a press conference on Thursday, March 6, Trudeau got emotional while discussing his government's $10-a-day childcare policy. 'On a personal level, I made sure that every single day in this office, I put Canadians first and I have peoples' backs and that's why I'm here to tell you all that we got you, even in the last days of this government, we will not let Canadians down today and well into the future,' he said as he'd cle...

The State Department has revoked the visa of a student who participated in protesting in favor of Hamas, a move in line with President  Donald Trump 's call for canceling visas of students involved in the anti-Israel demonstrations on college campuses. The State Department confirmed the matter with Fox News, without identifying the student or what university they attended due to "legal constraints." "Yesterday evening, we revoked the first visa of an alien who was previously cited for criminal behavior in connection with Hamas-supporting disruptions," the State Department said. "This individual was a university student. ICE will proceed with removing this person from the country." The State Department reviewed over 100,000 student visas and none were revoked during the Biden administration, despite all the anti-Israel protests and disruptions on college campuses.  Trump has repeatedly called for foreign students attending American universities to have ...

  A Florida man allegedly threatened to assassinate President  Donald Trump  and launch missiles to destroy New York in a series of 911 calls. Justin Blaxton, 34, of Loxahatchee, made multiple 911 calls to the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 26,  WPEC-TV reported , citing an arrest report from the sheriff’s office. "I need a ride to the airport to be taken to the White House to assassinate the President," Blaxton allegedly said in one of the calls. "I'm about to launch the missiles to destroy New York," he allegedly said in another call. "I'm a Confederate soldier and I'm looking to get revenge. My missiles are attracted to Donald Trump's tower." In other calls, Blaxton allegedly told dispatchers to "tell  the FBI  that I'm a mass murderer" and that he wanted Trump to go over to his house because "tomorrow's his last day on planet Earth." Deputies who responded to Blaxton’s home said he was nowhere to be foun...

Palestinian children carry food past destroyed buildings at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, Palestine, March 3, 2025. (AFP Photo) Donald Trump on Wednesday warned of intensified attacks on Gaza if all remaining hostages were not freed, while issuing an ultimatum for Hamas leaders to flee. The United States, meanwhile, confirmed unprecedented indirect talks with Hamas, which it proscribes as a "terrorist" group, focused on American hostages in Gaza. Strongly backing Israel as the cease-fire teeters, Trump said he was "sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job" as his administration expedites billions of dollars in weapons. "Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you," he wrote on his Truth Social platform after meeting freed hostages

> Dangote Refinery To Buy 24m Barrels Of Crude From US The call for US oil reflects Nigeria’s struggle to lift its own crude production. The Dangote Refinery was commissioned last month. Dangote Refinery has revealed plans to buy at least 24 million barrels of US crude over the next year as it ramps up its processing capabilities. A report by Bloomberg revealed that the $20bn refinery has issued a term tender for the purchase of 2 million barrels a month of West Texas Intermediate Midland (WTI) crude for 12 months starting in July, which amounts to 24 million barrels of crude in one year. The call for US oil reflects Nigeria’s struggle to lift its own crude production, which remains well below theoretical capacity, as well as Dangote’s willingness to tap cheaper supplies than it can find at home. It also highlights how influential the refinery will be in global crude and fuel trading. Elitsa Georgieva, Executive Director at Citac, an energy consultancy specializing in the African d...

 Student Loan Application Portal Goes Live May 24 . This announcement was put in the public domain after  the appropriate arrangement was made by The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) which is a body set up by the Presidency to over see the effectiveness of this program  "We encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity to invest in their future and contribute to the growth and development of our nation."  The student loan application portal will open on May 24, 2024, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) said on Thursday.  “The management of Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) led by its Managing Director, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr are thrilled to announce the 24th of May, 2024 as the official date for the opening of the portal for student loan applications,” NELFUND spokesman Nasir Ayitogo said. NELFUND said “through the portal, students can now access loans to pursue their academic aspirations without financial constraints. “Th...

 Germany Urges Greater Protection Of Civilians In Rafah Israeli forces earlier in May took control of the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Displaced Palestinians pack their belongings before leaving an unsafe area in Rafah on May 15, 2024. (Photo by AFP)  German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Thursday urged greater protection of civilians in Rafah, as the Israeli army intensified its operations around the southern city in Gaza. Baerbock said in a statement she was “deeply concerned about the Israeli army’s current actions in Rafah”, and that hundreds of thousands of refugees in the city “no longer have any safe places to flee”.“ The protection of the civilian population must have the highest priority,” Baerbock insisted. “This is not visible at the moment.” Israeli forces earlier in May took control of the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. The move into Rafah came despite US warnings that around 1.4 million civilians sheltering there c...

 Evans Re-Arraignment For Murder Stalled, Defendants Opts For Plea Bargain Evans and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka are facing an amended 5-count charge of murder, attempt to kidnap and conspiracy. The scheduled arraignment of convicted kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans, failed to go on Thursday at the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, owing to the absence of his counsel. Trial judge, Justice Adenike Coker subsequently adjourned till June 13 for the planned arraignment. Evans and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka are facing an amended 5-count charge of murder, attempt to kidnap and conspiracy. They allegedly killed one Peter Nweke on Aug 27, 2013, along Third Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos State. The duo were also alleged to have killed one Chijioke Ngozi, and attempted to murder and eventually killed the Chairman of the Young Shall Grow Motors, Obianado Vincent. ADVERTISEMENT When the matter came up before Justice Coker on Thursday, the defendants were ca...

The Israeli military said Thursday that friendly fire had killed five soldiers the previous day in the northern Gaza Strip, where intense fighting in the Israel-Hamas war has resumed in recent days. Asked to confirm media reports that the five fatalities announced earlier in an official statement were caused by Israeli fire, a military spokesperson told AFP: “Yes.” Five soldiers had been killed in the northern Gaza Strip, where intense fighting has resumed more than seven months into its war against Hamas militants. The soldiers were killed “in battle” on Wednesday, the army said in a statement, without elaborating on the cause of their deaths. The latest fatalities take the number of Israeli troops killed in the Gaza military campaign since the start of the ground offensive on October 27 to 278. Fighting has raged in recent days in northern Gaza, with an Israeli army spokesman saying there were “attempts by Hamas to rebuild its military capabilities” months after Israel had declared t...

 APOSTLE JOHNSON SULEIMAN'S ATTACKERS CONFESSES OF THE INTENSION TO KILL HIM DURING THE ATTACK Police authorities, on Thursday, in Abuja paraded no fewer than 20 suspects arrested for offences including conspiracy, attempted murder, murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and possession of illicit drugs among others. One of the suspects is 32-year-old Yusuf Isah who was arrested in connection with the October 2022 attack on the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman. The suspect, in an interview with journalists, admitted that the attack on the cleric was meant to assassinate him . Gunmen attacked the convoy of the cleric along the Benin-Auchi Road in Edo State and killed six persons, including three policemen. Addressing journalists while parading the suspect and others in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said operatives of the Intelligence Rapid Team arrested Isah following an intensive investigation. Isah told journalists...