PDP Rules Out Northern Presidential Candidate in 2027
ABUJA — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Bode George, has emphatically stated that the party will not present a presidential candidate from the Northern region in the 2027 general elections.
“There is no chance that our party will have somebody from the North in 2027. That would be insulting to the founding fathers of the party,” George asserted, implying adherence to a rotational presidency principle within the party. His statement signals the party’s potential strategy as the next election cycle approaches.
Nigeria Rejects US Pressure to Accept Venezuelan Deportees – Minister
ABUJA — Nigeria has firmly rejected pressure from the United States to accept Venezuelan deportees, including those released from prison. Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar stated on Thursday that Nigeria cannot accommodate such a request, citing existing internal challenges.
“It would be difficult for countries like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners into Nigeria. We have enough problems of our own,” Tuggar said, underscoring the nation’s stance on the matter amid ongoing international discussions about migration and deportation.
Dangote Doubts Nigeria’s State Refineries Will Ever Work Again
LAGOS — Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, has expressed profound skepticism about the operational future of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries. Speaking during a recent tour of his own refinery in Lagos, Dangote highlighted the significant financial outlay with no tangible results.
“As of today, they have spent about $18 billion on those refineries, and they are still not working. And I don’t think, and I doubt very much if they will work,” Dangote stated, questioning the viability of further investments in the facilities which include those in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna.
Canadian Judge Calls Nigerian Police ‘Evil Force,’ Denies Ex-SARS Officer Residency
OTTAWA, CANADA — A Canadian judge has vehemently criticized the Nigerian Police Force, labeling it an “evil force,” while denying a former Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) officer permanent residency. The judge ruled that the ex-officer, Mr. Eriator, was complicit in the police force’s widespread human rights abuses.
“Mr. Eriator, as a member of the police force, was complicit in those crimes because he could not have been unaware,” the Canadian judge stated, highlighting the systemic nature of the issues within the Nigerian police and its implications for international asylum and residency claims.
Senate Panel Clarifies: N210tn Unaccounted, Not Stolen by NNPCL
ABUJA — The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has clarified that its ongoing investigation into the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) concerns N210 trillion that is unaccounted for in its financial statements, rather than stolen. Senator Aliyu Wadada, the committee chairman, reiterated this distinction during a recent session.
“This committee never said NNPCL stole the money but is requesting it to account for it,” Senator Wadada affirmed, emphasizing the committee’s oversight role in ensuring transparency and proper financial record-keeping within the national oil company. Sources
Tinubu Says Nigeria Never Stopped Issuing 5-Year Visas for US Citizens
ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday refuted claims that Nigeria had ceased issuing five-year multiple-entry visas to U.S. citizens. In a statement released by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, the President clarified that the policy remains active, aligning with existing bilateral agreements and principles of reciprocity.
The presidency’s statement came after reports suggested a link between recent U.S. visa restrictions on Nigerians and an alleged halt of five-year visas for Americans. Onanuga dismissed such reports as misinformation, emphasizing that President Tinubu had instructed all government agencies to uphold international agreements and maintain reciprocal visa arrangements.
Nigerian Air Force Strikes Kill Dozens of Terrorists in Zamfara
ABUJA — The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) confirmed it neutralized several terrorists following an airstrike on their convoy near Yarbuga in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF spokesperson, stated on Thursday that the strikes were conducted on July 9, based on real-time intelligence.
Surveillance identified approximately 150 motorcycles, each transporting two armed terrorists, moving through the area. The precision airstrike was part of ongoing military operations aimed at combating banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North West region. Following the airstrikes, ground troops conducted an exploitation mission to Yarbuga village, discovering the remains of dozens of terrorists, their weapons, and several burnt motorcycles.
Supreme Court Upholds Okpebholo’s Victory in Edo Governorship Election
ABUJA — The Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed Senator Monday Okpebholo’s election as the governor of Edo State. A five-member panel of the apex court, in a unanimous judgment, dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
The court ruled that the appellants failed to provide sufficient and credible evidence to overturn the election results. This judgment upheld the decisions of both the election tribunal and the Court of Appeal, bringing finality to the dispute over the 2024 Edo governorship race.
Aregbesola Vows ADC Will Defeat Tinubu’s APC in 2027
ABUJA — Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Interim Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Minister of Interior, on Wednesday declared that the ADC is poised to unseat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Addressing party members, Aregbesola urged them to prioritize collective success over personal interests and internal divisions. He emphasized that unity and commitment would establish the ADC as a credible alternative to the APC in the upcoming election cycle.
Presidency: Buhari Owed APC Ticket to Tinubu’s Support
ABUJA — Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Bola Tinubu, has asserted that former President Muhammadu Buhari would not have secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket without the crucial backing of Bola Tinubu.
Responding to comments made by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Ajayi accused Mustapha of misrepresenting recent political history. He maintained that Tinubu’s support was instrumental to Buhari’s emergence as the APC candidate and his eventual election as president in 2015.
Customs Intercepts Container With Over 10,000 Donkey Genitals
ABUJA — The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the seizure of a container carrying 10,603 male donkey genitals. Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
The illicit consignment was intercepted along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway. This seizure highlights the ongoing efforts by Customs to combat illegal wildlife trade and enforce Nigerian export regulations.
NiMet Predicts Thunderstorms, Sunshine Across Nigeria Through Weekend
ABUJA — The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast a combination of thunderstorms and sunshine across the country from Friday to Sunday. In its weather outlook released Thursday in Abuja, NiMet predicted thunderstorms over the northern region on Friday.
Light to moderate morning rains are anticipated over parts of Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, and Bauchi States, while other areas will experience sunny conditions with scattered clouds. The agency advised the public to remain updated with its daily weather alerts.
EFCC Chair Says Politicians Hiding Stolen Funds in Cryptocurrency
IBADAN — Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has alleged that corrupt Nigerian politicians are increasingly resorting to stashing stolen public funds in cryptocurrencies to evade detection. He made this assertion on Thursday during an event in Ibadan commemorating the African Union’s Anti-Corruption Day.
Olukoyede warned that virtual assets are rapidly becoming a preferred method for laundering illicit wealth, advocating for enhanced regulatory and investigative capabilities to counter this growing trend.
Dangote Questions Viability of Nigeria’s State-Owned Refineries
LAGOS — Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, has expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of reviving Nigeria’s state-owned refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. Speaking at a recent forum, Dangote highlighted that these facilities have reportedly consumed an estimated $18 billion yet remain non-functional.
He suggested that without substantial reforms, efforts to restart the plants under the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) may continue to fail.
Senate Urges Federal Government to Halt Subsidising Power DisCos
ABUJA — The Senate has called on the Federal Government to reconsider its policy of subsidizing private electricity distribution companies (DisCos) with public funds. Senator Yunus Abiodun Akintunde, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Environment, made the appeal during plenary on Thursday.
He argued that the current approach indirectly enriches private firms at taxpayers’ expense and advocated for a more sustainable and transparent funding model for the power sector.
Tinubu Denies Link to US Visa Restrictions on Nigerians
ABUJA — The Nigerian presidency has refuted claims that the United States imposed visa restrictions on Nigerians as retaliation for an alleged decision by President Bola Tinubu to halt five-year multiple-entry visas for U.S. citizens. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga clarified on Thursday that President Tinubu never ceased the visa policy and, upon assuming office, instructed all agencies to honor existing bilateral agreements.
The rebuttal follows reports suggesting the U.S. government’s new single-entry, three-month visa limit for most Nigerians was a retaliatory measure. The U.S. Department of State indicated its policy adjustment was a direct response to align with Nigeria’s existing visa terms for U.S. citizens.
Supreme Court Confirms Okpebholo as Edo Governor
ABUJA — The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Monday Okpebholo as the governor of Edo State, dismissing the appeal filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo. The five-member panel, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, ruled on Thursday that the appeal lacked merit, affirming earlier decisions by both the election tribunal and the Court of Appeal.
The court determined that the PDP failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that Okpebholo did not win lawfully, thereby concluding the legal challenge to the 2024 governorship election result.
Senate Clash Over Police Service Commission Training Institute Bill
ABUJA — Tensions arose in the Senate on Thursday as Senator Adams Oshiomhole cautioned against transforming the chamber into a “rubber stamp” by approving redundant institutions. He voiced opposition to the Police Service Commission Training Institute (Establishment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Senator Yunus Akintunde on behalf of the Police Affairs Committee.
Oshiomhole contended that the Police Service Commission employs a limited number of personnel and does not necessitate its own training school, suggesting that resources should instead be allocated to training police officers.
Shettima Recalls Jonathan’s Failed Bid to Remove Him as Borno Governor
ABUJA — Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday recounted how former President Goodluck Jonathan attempted, but failed, to remove him as the Governor of Borno State. Speaking at the launch of a book by former Justice Minister Mohammed Adoke, Shettima described himself as the “most demonized” official during Jonathan’s presidency.
He credited then-Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and others for advising Jonathan on the futility of the plan, adding that he and Jonathan have since reconciled.
El-Rufai Says He Refused to Stay Silent After Leaving Office
ABUJA — Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has stated that he chose not to remain silent after leaving office because he had nothing to conceal. Speaking at the launch of former Attorney-General Mohammed Adoke’s memoir in Abuja, El-Rufai rejected suggestions that he should have maintained silence, remarking that in Nigeria, officials are often expected to “eat while in office” and then keep quiet afterward.
He announced that he is currently working on a second memoir that will detail his time in public service.
Senate President Akpabio Removes Senator Natasha as Committee Chair
ABUJA — Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been relieved of her position as Chair of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the removal during Thursday’s plenary, days after a Federal High Court ordered Natasha’s reinstatement following an earlier suspension.
Senator Aniekan Bassey has been named as her replacement. Akpabio also indicated a broader review of committee vice-chairmanships to ensure a more equitable distribution of roles.
Actress Iyabo Ojo Alleges Threats Over Political Views
LAGOS — Nollywood star Iyabo Ojo has stated that she and her family have received threats due to her political stance during Nigeria’s last presidential election. In a social media post, Ojo connected the threats—and a recent fire at her Lagos shop—to her outspoken advocacy for justice in the case of the late singer Mohbad.
She clarified that she never accused anyone of killing Mohbad, stating that her reaction was based on disturbing videos, and insisted that she only sought a thorough investigation.
Bobrisky Says God Blesses Him Despite Not Attending Church
LAGOS — Controversial crossdresser Idris “Bobrisky” Okuneye has asserted that he continues to receive blessings from God despite not regularly attending church. In a post on Instagram, Bobrisky stated that while people might judge him, he believes God hears his prayers and blesses him so he can help others.
He described his consistent blessings as evidence of divine favor, irrespective of public criticism concerning his lifestyle.
Super Eagles Drop in FIFA Rankings Despite Unbeaten Friendlies
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND — Nigeria’s Super Eagles have dropped to 44th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, despite an unbeaten run in their recent friendly matches. The team secured a victory against Ghana (2-1), advanced past Jamaica on penalties after a 2-2 draw, and drew 1-1 with Russia.
Analysts suggest that their inability to secure convincing wins in regular time contributed to their decline in ranking. Nigeria now trails Morocco (12th globally), Senegal (18th), Egypt (34th), and Algeria (36th) among African teams, with Morocco remaining the continent’s highest-ranked side.
Oliseh Urges Osimhen to Move to Premier League or Risk Regret
ABUJA — Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has advised striker Victor Osimhen to join the English Premier League promptly to avoid potential regret. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Oliseh cautioned the Napoli forward that time is running out to secure a top-tier move, suggesting that clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal would benefit from signing him.
Despite previously being valued over €100 million, Napoli has reportedly lowered their asking price to €75 million to attract bids in a relatively slow transfer market. Sources