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Senator Ali Ndume, former Senate Chief Whip, has apologised to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for failing to consult the party before publicly criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. 

Ndume, representing Borno South in the National Assembly’s upper chamber, reaffirmed his statements, saying, “Whatever I said or whatever I did was out of patriotism.” 

He explained that he was invited by the party to discuss his actions and accepted the mistake of not consulting the party first.

“I promised the party that all my observations as a senior member of the family should have terminated or ended with the party,” Ndume said. However, he maintained that his criticisms were truthful, even if strong.

“Those issues may be said strong, but they are true… I should have talked to the party as the last bus stop.” 

Ndume’s apology comes after he was invited by the party to discuss his public statements, which were seen as critical of the APC leadership.

Despite apologising for not consulting the party, Ndume remains firm in his convictions and commitments to speaking out for the good of the country.

By Anas Abbas

In a bid to restore normalcy, the Kano State government has ordered all the state’s civil servants to resume work immediately, following a relaxation of curfew hours by 12 hours.

According to a press release by Bintu Nuhu Yakasai, Director of Public Enlightenment in the Office of the Head of Service of the Kano State, the directive follows the state government’s decision to relax curfew hours from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Musa appealed to civil servants to report to their offices at the usual hour of 8:00 a.m. each day.

The Head of Service reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to enhancing the civil service and improving workers’ lives. He urged civil servants to redouble efforts to boost service delivery, striving for excellence in their roles.

He also stressed the need for civil servants to comply with the directive, returning to work immediately to ensure uninterrupted public services.

By Uzair Adam

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced that the police have apprehended individuals responsible for sponsoring rioters who displayed foreign flags and called for a change in government.

The Daily Reality learned that an investigation is underway to determine their motivations.

The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, revealed that some sponsors are based in the diaspora and have been identified and watchlisted.

He said that any attempts by them to enter the country will be met with arrest.

IGP Egbetokun also stated that funders of violence and subversion, both within and outside Nigeria, have been tracked, and their accounts have been blocked.

The security agencies assured that they have been managing the crisis carefully, using only tear gas and not live ammunition or rubber bullets.

He added that the reported shooting of a protester in Abuja is being investigated and may have been the work of armed robbers or hoodlums.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, emphasized the commitment of security agencies to their task and the respect they have for the country.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, assured that the Nigerian Army will protect Nigeria’s democracy, peace, and harmony.

The DSS spokesman, Dr. Peter Afunanya, confirmed that some sponsors of the foreign flags have been arrested and urged patience as their identities will soon be disclosed.

By Anwar Usman 

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has placed sponsors of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest on its watchlist. 

The Comptroller-General of NIS, Kemi Nandap, who disclosed this at Defence Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday, said these persons abroad would be arrested immediately they step their legs in Nigeria. 

She spoke after a strategic meeting organised by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa. 

The Defence Chief and other heads of intelligence agencies as well as heads of paramilitary agencies were in a closed-door with a view to implementing the crackdown order given by the President, Bola Tinubu. 

While speaking to journalists, a Nandap said, “We have diaspora sponsors, they are on our watchlist.

Any attempt they make to come into the country, we’ll be notified and they will be apprehend and handed to appropriate authority.” 

The immigration boss said the service has, in response to the protest, deployed more officers to borders, both land and airports, to ensure effective manning of those entry and exit points. 

She added that the service has also stepped up surveillance to prevent foreign intervention in the country. 

On the other hand, the Director-General Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, said the agency had uncovered some sponsors but declined to give further information. 

The secret police boss, represented at the meeting by the DSS’ spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, said some bank accounts have already been blocked. 

Afunanya said some of the persons operating such accounts are staying abroad, adding that they are being monitored.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) as her running mate for the upcoming November election, according to sources close to the matter. 

Walz, 60, emerged as a surprising choice for the vice-presidential spot, gaining traction following a recent cable news interview where he described some Republicans as “weird.” 

This characterization was subsequently adopted by national Democrats, The Hill reports. 

Walz’s selection comes after speculation initially centered on other high-profile Democrats, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly (D). 

His appointment is seen as a strategic move to appeal to the left, given his strong liberal credentials. 

Other potential candidates, such as Shapiro and Kelly, had faced criticism from progressive groups—Shapiro for his management of pro-Palestinian protests during the Israel-Hamas conflict, and both for their positions on union issues.  

Walz’s Midwestern background is also considered a key factor, particularly as Trump has been intensifying his campaign efforts in Minnesota, a state Biden won by 7 points in 2020. 

With Trump and JD Vance increasing their efforts to flip the state, Walz’s presence on the ticket could strengthen support in this crucial region. 

Harris is expected to make the formal announcement about her vice-presidential running mate today (Tuesday), ahead of a week of joint campaigning in key battleground states.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Government has announced a relaxation of the curfew, which will now be in effect from 6 AM to 6 PM.

This decision was revealed by Kano Police Commissioner Dogo Salman following a joint security meeting with Governor Abba Yusuf at the Government House.

Commissioner Salman highlighted the government’s ongoing commitment to maintaining peace and order while gradually lifting restrictions to allow residents to resume normal activities.

The adjustment in curfew hours reflects the improved security situation and the efforts of security agencies in restoring normalcy to the state.

Governor Yusuf urged citizens to cooperate with law enforcement and adhere to the revised curfew regulations to ensure continued safety and stability in Kano.

By Uzair Adam

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized the manner in which President Bola Tinubu’s administration removed the fuel subsidy in 2023.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Obasanjo argued that the government should have implemented certain measures before taking such a drastic step.

Obasanjo emphasized that the sudden removal of the subsidy led to a significant rise in petrol prices, from about N200 to over N600 per litre.

He noted that the subsidy, which was declared “gone” by Tinubu during his inaugural address on May 29, 2023, has now effectively been reintroduced due to inflation.

“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done. Not just wake up one morning and say you removed the subsidy. Because of inflation, the subsidy that we have removed is not gone. It has come back,” Obasanjo stated.

He further highlighted the need for investor confidence in Nigeria, stating, “You have to go from a transactional economy to a transformational economy.”

The Daily Reality reports that among the demands of the ongoing nationwide protest is the reinstatement of the fuel subsidy.

However, in a recent broadcast, President Tinubu dismissed the possibility of bringing back the subsidy.

He described the decision to remove it as painful but essential, stating that it had been a “noose around the economic jugular of our nation” and had stifled economic growth and progress.

By Uzair Adam

As the national protests stretch into their fifth day, Global Rights, Nigeria, has strongly criticized the arrest of peaceful demonstrators, labeling it a violation of fundamental human rights.

Abiodun Baiyewu, Executive Director of Global Rights, Nigeria, in an interview with journalists, emphasized that the government’s actions in arresting peaceful protesters are unjust.

“These arrests violate their rights to freedom of assembly and expression,” Baiyewu said.

“The government speaks of wanting dialogue, yet its actions contradict this claim. Detaining protesters at this critical juncture is fundamentally wrong.”

Baiyewu called for the immediate release of those detained, clarifying, “While we understand the arrest of rioters in Kano State amidst chaos, detaining peaceful protesters infringes on basic human rights. The government must stop this behavior.”

She further cautioned that these arrests could exacerbate the situation, urging the government to reconsider its approach carefully.

By Uzair Adam

A Kano State Mobile Court ordered the remand of 632 protesters for alleged vandalism of public and government properties during the “Endbadgovernance” nationwide protest.

The charges against the defendants include criminal conspiracy, theft, unlawful assembly, inciting disturbance, trespass, and mischief by fire.

The court session was overseen by Senior Magistrate Ibrahim Mansur-Yola, Senior Magistrate Hadiza Rabiu-Bello, and Chief Magistrate Abba Muttaka-Dandago.

The court adjourned the hearing to August 19.

State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Salisu Tahir stated that the defendants committed the alleged offenses on August 1.

He claimed that during the protest, the defendants trespassed, vandalized government and public properties, broke into shops, and looted goods.

The prosecutor noted that the charges violate sections 97, 287, 229, 336, 349, and 247 of the Penal Code.

While some defendants pleaded guilty, others maintained their innocence.

State Attorney General Haruna Isa-Dederi told reporters that three mobile courts were set up to handle the large number of defendants.

He emphasized that the Ministry of Justice would review the case diary and provide appropriate advice before the next court session.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

In a swift reversal, tech giant Meta has apologised and restored social media posts by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim about the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

The move comes after Anwar’s office condemned Meta’s initial removal of the posts as “a blatant suppression of free expression”.

 Meta attributed the removal to “an operational error” and claimed the posts were taken down due to association with “dangerous individuals and organisations”.

However, the company has since reapplied a “newsworthy” label to the content, allowing it to be reinstated on Facebook and Instagram. 

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between social media platforms and political leaders over censorship and free speech.

Anwar had previously accused Meta of “cowardice” for removing his posts, which included a video offering condolences to a Hamas official. 

Malaysia’s ties with Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by several countries, have been a point of contention. Anwar has defended his country’s links with the group’s political win.