Author: Aminu Imam

2027: Allies abandon Atiku, as ex-VP eyes presidency on ADC ticket

Aminu Imam
Allies abandon Atiku

Nigeria’s former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, is preparing for his seventh attempt at the presidency, this time on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, (ADC). Abubakar, 78, has been in the race for Nigeria’s top seat since 1993, contesting under different parties without success. His most recent bid was in 2023 when, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, he lost to President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, (APC). His defection to the ADC earlier this year has reignited debates about his political relevance, but the move…

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Fury over politicians’ pay rise plan as Nigerians battle hunger, inflation

Aminu Imam
Fury over politicians’ pay

Public anger has erupted over moves to raise salaries of President Bola Tinubu, governors, lawmakers, and ministers, with critics blasting the proposal as shamelessly insensitive at a time of worsening poverty and economic hardship. Recall that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, (RMAFC), confirmed that it was reviewing pay packages for top office holders, describing current salaries as “outdated”.  Speaking during a 3-day capacity-building training in Abuja, the Clerk to the 10th National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, explained that the reform seeks to improve service delivery and enhance lawmakers’ performance.…

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President Tinubu scraps 5% telecoms levy

Aminu Imam
Tinubu scraps levy

President Bola Tinubu has scrapped the controversial 5% excise duty on telecommunications services, a policy reversal aimed at reducing the financial burden on Nigerians and boosting growth in the country’s digital economy. Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, announced the decision during a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday. Maida said, “The 5% excise duty is no longer in effect. Initially, it was only suspended, but the President has now completely removed it. I was present when the issue was raised, and he firmly said: ‘No,…

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US contradicts Okonjo-Iweala, says Nigerian economy in shambles

Aminu Imam
US contradicts Iweala

The United States of America has contradicted Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, over the state of Nigerian economy, saying that the new minimum wage of N70,000 had been undermined by the continued depreciation of the Naira. Recall that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had on August 14 commended President Tinubu’s administration’s reforms by restoring stability to Nigeria’s economy. “You cannot really improve an economy unless it’s stable. The President and his team have worked hard to stabilise the economy. The reforms have been in the right direction. The…

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Zamfara: Panic, as bandits launch back-to-back coordinated attacks on communities 

Aminu Imam
Zamfara banditry2

..Abduct residents, force villagers to flee Bandits  have launched fresh coordinated attacks on multiple communities in Zamfara State within the last 48 hours, abducting residents, looting properties, and forcing terrified villagers to abandon their homes in droves. According to reports, the latest incidents occurred in Ƴan-Uku community, under Garbadu Ward, Talatan-Mafara LGA, and spread to neighbouring villages, including Farin-Dutse. A resident, who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, said his elder brother, identified as Muhammadu Lakada, was abducted at about 8 p.m. on Tuesday after returning from the market.…

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APC alleges plot to rig Zamfara re-run election

Aminu Imam
APC alleges plot

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara has alleged a plot by the state government, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) to manipulate the results of the Kauran-Namoda South bye-election. The APC is now insisting on the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machine for the upcoming Zamfara supplementary election, declaring: “no BVN, no supplementary elections”. The supplementary election is scheduled to be held today, Thursday, August 21, 2025. In a statement issued in Gusau by the Zamfara State APC publicity secretary, Malam…

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‘Illegal mining funds banditry, costs Nigeria $9bn annually’ – FCT Police Commissioner

Aminu Imam
FCT Police on Illegal mining

The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ajao Adewale, has revealed that illegal mining has become a powerful cartel-driven enterprise bankrolled by influential Nigerians, fueling banditry and costing the country an estimated $9 billion (₦13.7 trillion) annually. Speaking at a media parley organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council on: “The Fight Against Illegal Mining: Role of the Media” in Abuja, Adewale described illegal mining as one of Nigeria’s most dangerous national security threats. “The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) cited that Nigeria loses up…

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2027: NENF urges Tinubu, APC to drop Muslim-Muslim ticket 

Aminu Imam
NENF urges Tinubu

The Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum, (NENF), has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to shelve any plans of fielding another Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in the 2027 general election. In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, the group, led by Dr. Dominic Alancha, said its position was informed by the need for national unity, electoral competitiveness, and justice for Nigeria’s religious and ethnic diversity. NENF warned that a repeat of the 2023 presidential ticket, which saw President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, both Muslims, on the ballot, could rekindle religious…

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Wike allegedly purchases $2m Florida mansion under wife, children’s names

Aminu Imam
Wike allegedly purchases

Fresh disclosures from U.S. public records have revealed that Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, acquired a $2 million mansion in Florida through his wife and children. The property, according to a report by West Africa Weekly published yesterday, is located on Spring Creek Lane in Winter Springs, Florida, and was purchased in March 2025 and registered under the names of Wike’s wife, Justice Eberechi Wike, and their children, Joaquin, Jazmyne, and Jordan. The records further indicate that Justice Eberechi Wike, currently serving as a judge in Nigeria,…

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Katsina: Bandits kill 13 worshippers in mosque attack

Aminu Imam
created by photogrid

…‘Violence pushing toward a humanitarian crisis’ – Local leaders, security experts Thirteen worshippers were killed yesterday when bandits attacked a mosque during dawn (Fajr) prayers, in Unguwan Mantau, Malumfashi local government area of Katsina State. Witnesses said the attackers, who rode in on motorcycles, surrounded the mosque, blocked the doors and opened fire on worshippers in cold blood. The State’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, confirmed the incident, describing it as a reprisal assault following an earlier clash in which villagers ambushed and killed several…

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