Featured Archives - Page 2 of 249

A/Court overturns decision on deregistration of ADC, 4 others

July 29, 2026July 29, 2026 Aminu Imam

The Abuja division of the Court of Appeal yesterday overturned a decision made by the Federal High Court that had ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, and three other political parties. The appellate court specifically ruled that the judgment requiring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister these parties was null and void. Reports indicate that Justice Peter Lifu from the Federal High Court in Abuja had directed INEC to deregister these parties based on their performance in the 2023 general elections. In response,…

‘FG budgets nearly ₦1tr for empowerment, SUVs amid rising borrowing pressure’ – Report

July 28, 2026July 28, 2026 Aminu Imam

The Federal Government has earmarked ₦962.83bn for the procurement of Sport Utility Vehicles and empowerment projects in the 2026 Appropriation Act, an amount that exceeds the combined allocations to seven key federal ministries, according to a review of the Budget by civic technology organisation, Tracka. In its analysis of the 2026 Federal Government budget, Tracka said the allocation comprised ₦15.13bn for the procurement of 39 SUVs and ₦947.70bn for 2,579 empowerment projects, bringing the total to ₦962.83bn. The civic organisation noted that the amount surpassed the combined N960.27bn appropriated to…

‘FG spent ₦500m, $9m on image campaign, U.S lobbying to counter Christian persecution allegations’ – Report

July 24, 2026July 24, 2026 Aminu Imam

…Nigeria chose PR over tackling insecurity” – U.S Senator The Federal Government spent ₦500 million in 2025 on an emergency strategic communications campaign to counter international allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria, even as it separately secured a $9 million contract with a United States lobbying firm to influence U.S. policymakers on the country’s security and religious freedom record. Records on the Federal Government’s expenditure tracking platform, GovSpend, show that ₦500 million was released on December 19, 2025 to the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media…

Trump commends Tinubu over fight against terrorism, protection of Christians

July 23, 2026July 23, 2026 Aminu Imam

United States (U.S) President, Donald Trump has commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his decisive leadership in tackling terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly attacks on Christian communities. Trump conveyed the commendation in a letter dated July 6, 2026, to Tinubu, the details of which were made public yesterday, in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. In the letter, titled: ‘President Trump lauds President Tinubu’s decisive leadership against terrorists’, Trump praised Tinubu’s efforts to address security challenges and reaffirmed…

“Truth surpass trends” – IBAN Chairman, urges broadcasters to restore professionalism in digital age

July 22, 2026July 22, 2026 Aminu Imam

Aminu Imam Chairman of the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN), Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, has called on broadcasters, journalists and media owners to uphold professionalism, warning that the pursuit of virality and instant fame must never come at the expense of truth and public trust. Speaking at the ‘Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards’, hosted by the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Lagos, Ramalan delivered a keynote address titled: ‘Restoring Professionalism in an Era of Virality and Instant Fame’, where he stressed that credibility remains the media…

Defence Ministry dismisses rumours of Minister Musa’s resignation as ‘fake news’

July 21, 2026July 21, 2026 Aminu Imam

The Federal Ministry of Defence has dismissed as false and malicious reports claiming that the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), intends to resign from office. In a public disclaimer issued by the Office of the Minister of Defence, the ministry described the reports circulating on various online and social media platforms as “entirely fabricated” and aimed at misleading the public. The statement was signed by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde. According to the statement, the ministry’s attention had been drawn…

2027: “Democracy under threat, Opposition being ‘systematically shut out” – Prof. Bugaje warns

July 19, 2026July 19, 2026 Aminu Imam

Prominent political scholar and former presidential adviser, Prof. Usman Bugaje, has raised concerns over the state of Nigeria’s democracy, warning that the country’s political climate could jeopardise the conduct of the 2027 general elections. Speaking in a video interview excerpt that has gone viral on social media, Prof. Bugaje alleged that the ruling party and the Federal Government were using state institutions to weaken opposition parties, creating an uneven political environment. According to him, the level of interference in opposition activities has fuelled fears that the next general election “may…

NBMOA seeks Tinubu’s intervention over alleged Northern Media exclusion from NRS tax campaign

July 17, 2026July 17, 2026 Aminu Imam

…Cites marginalisation by MDAs Aminu Imam Chairman of Liberty TV/Radio and Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association (NBMOA), Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene over what he described as the deliberate marginalisation of northern privately-owned radio and television stations in the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) ongoing nationwide tax awareness campaign. Ramalan accused the NRS of failing to patronise private radio stations and television channels under the association’s umbrella despite repeated proposals for their inclusion despite a…

DSO Reforms: NBC launches free digital TV access

July 16, 2026July 16, 2026 Aminu Imam

…To establish 6 regional studios to boost local content The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) says it will establish six production studios across Nigeria’s geo-political zones to promote indigenous content and expand opportunities for content creators. The Director-General of the NBC, Charles Ebuebu, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Abuja, described the initiative as a key component of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) project. Ebuebu said the studios would be located across the six geo-political zones, while discussions were ongoing with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) on…

H’Reps withdraws own State Police Bill, adopts Tinubu’s proposal

July 15, 2026July 15, 2026 Aminu Imam

The 10th House of Representatives yesterday withdrew its proposed constitutional amendment Bill seeking to establish state police, opting instead to proceed with an Executive-sponsored version transmitted by President Bola Tinubu. The decision marks a significant shift in the National Assembly’s approach to the long-debated issue of state policing, with lawmakers prioritising the Presidency’s proposal as the principal legislative framework for establishing state police across the country. During plenary, the Executive-sponsored Bill successfully passed its first and second readings before being referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for detailed…