News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has alleged that the opposition of some All Progressives Congress governors to the proposed Rainbow Coalition is linked to their political calculations over the leadership of the National Assembly after the 2027 elections.

Wike made the allegation on Monday during an appearance on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout, where he defended the coalition and rejected concerns that it could weaken the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The FCT minister said the coalition was primarily intended to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election. He argued that politicians could support Tinubu for president while backing candidates of their preferred parties in governorship and legislative elections.

He cited the 2023 elections as an example, recalling that members of the G5 group supported Tinubu’s presidential bid while their parties contested other positions.

“In 2023, core leadership G5, we said we are going to support Mr President. But we never said that all our candidates in other elections will fail. We never said so,” Wike said.

He added, “Particularly in Rivers State, we supported Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; he won the presidential election. But in National Assembly election and the state election, PDP won.”

Wike dismissed the argument that such a voting pattern would confuse Nigerians. He said voters had already demonstrated that they could support different parties in different elections.

“Who will be more confused? Is it not my own candidates that will even be more confused when I’ve told them to support Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and then again, they now go back to support other candidates?”

According to Wike, some APC governors are concerned that politicians who fail to secure tickets under the ruling party could contest on other platforms and win their elections. He alleged that such lawmakers might then refuse to support candidates favoured by the governors for leadership positions in the National Assembly.

“APC in their ongoing party primaries, the governors, in their own wisdom, believe that they should be able now to put senators or House of Reps members who they will dictate to who will become the next Senate President or the Speaker,” he alleged.

He continued, “The fear now is that, if they run and they win, it means that they’re not going to support him to be the Senate President,” he said.

Wike specifically linked the issue to Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma. He alleged that Uzodimma was interested in becoming Senate President after leaving office.

“Mr. President will be inaugurated by May 29. This man’s office will expire by January, February 2028.

“Now, he wants to leave his office to run for Senate. Now, what does that mean? He wants to run for Senate President. Now, what he does is to say to his colleagues, ‘Look, let us, the governors, be the ones that will produce the senators that will produce members of the House of Representatives.

“And of course, some of the governors are not experienced. They buy in, thinking it’s going to make them powerful, not knowing that he has his own interests, his own agenda, to become Senate President,” Wike said.

The FCT minister also made his position on Uzodimma’s alleged ambition clear.

“Life or death, I will never support a character of Hope Uzodimma to be the Senate President of Nigeria. Everybody knows that,” the minister stated.

Wike said his position should not be interpreted as a personal dispute. He maintained that the political interests behind the disagreement should be considered within the wider contest ahead of 2027.

The disagreement comes after the APC Governors Forum declared that it would not support any alliance or political arrangement capable of undermining Tinubu’s re-election, weakening the APC or affecting the party’s candidates. Uzodimma announced the position after a meeting of the governors in Abuja.

Wike also rejected reports that President Tinubu had agreed to concede nine states to the PDP or the Rainbow Coalition as part of a political arrangement.

“The nine states, did they tell you the nine states?”

He added, “Let us help Nigerians. Let’s get the facts. Who are… which are those states? Tell us. That they said the President agreed with me that he has conceded nine states.”

The minister said his political focus remained on supporting Tinubu’s re-election and promoting what he described as the achievements of the administration.

“Mr. President is showing his postcard. We are selling Mr. President what he’s been doing, why he should be re-elected,” he said.

Wike also said Tinubu was aware of the Rainbow Coalition and his activities around the proposed arrangement.

“As I speak to you here, Mr. President knows about my concept, of the rainbow coalition…. Mr. President understands me very well,” Wike said.

He maintained that the coalition was not intended to take over the APC or prevent other parties from presenting candidates for governorship and legislative contests.

The FCT minister has previously said the coalition has no formal connection with the APC and that his stated objective is to support Tinubu’s second-term bid.

The disagreement has continued to generate reactions within the APC. The party’s South-East caucus previously called on Wike to apologise to APC governors over his comments about their opposition to the coalition.

Wike, however, has maintained his position that support for Tinubu in the presidential election can coexist with support for candidates from other parties in governorship and legislative elections.

The minister’s latest comments further highlight the growing disagreement between his Rainbow Coalition initiative and APC governors over how political support should be organised ahead of the 2027 elections.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has explained President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s absence from the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, saying Nigeria remains fully represented at the high-level gathering.

The clarification followed public comments about the President’s decision not to attend the annual gathering of world leaders in person.

In a statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Federal Government said President Tinubu had directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA.

It said, “The Vice President will deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations and development partners.

“Nigeria will therefore be fully and effectively represented throughout the high-level session.

“Vice President Shettima carries the full mandate of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. His engagements in New York will advance Nigeria’s priorities on peace and security, economic development, climate action, reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development and international cooperation.”

Idris also noted that Tinubu is currently on annual leave. He said the President’s decision to delegate the responsibility to his deputy does not represent a reduction in Nigeria’s diplomatic presence or standing.

The minister also addressed recent comments from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying organisation retained by him over Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA.

According to the Federal Government, the comments sought to attach motives to the President’s decision that were not supported by facts.

It said, “Political opposition and robust public debate are legitimate features of democracy. However, speculation should not be presented to Nigerians or the international community as established facts. The government urges political actors to exercise responsibility when discussing matters affecting Nigeria’s international relationships and national reputation.

“Nigeria values its longstanding relationship with the United States, encompassing trade and investment, security cooperation, energy, democratic institutions, regional stability and extensive people-to-people ties.

“That relationship is conducted through established diplomatic and governmental channels and should not be confused with partisan commentary or the activities of private lobbying organisations acting on behalf of political clients.”

The Federal Government urged Nigerians and the media to separate confirmed information from political opinions and claims that lack supporting evidence.

It reaffirmed that Nigeria’s interests would remain a priority throughout the UNGA and that diplomatic engagements with international partners would continue.

“Nigeria will be fully represented in New York. Nigeria’s interests will be vigorously advanced. And the work of strengthening the country’s relationships with its international partners will continue.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Abia State Police Command has arrested four suspects over the alleged theft and sale of a four-day-old baby whose mother is mentally challenged.

The suspects were taken into custody on September 16, 2026, after operatives of the Violent Crimes Response Unit and Rapid Response Unit, Obehie, received what the police described as “credible and actionable intelligence.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Chinaka named the suspects as Gladys Nathaniel, 48; Victor Udochukwu, 47; Chijioke Obunwa, 59; and Onyeonoro Chinwe, 43.

She said police investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly conspired to take the newborn from its mother and later sold the child to another person.

“The suspects allegedly conspired to steal a four-day-old baby from her mentally unstable mother and subsequently sold the infant to another person,” the statement read.

According to the PPRO, the police rescued both the baby and its mother after the suspects were apprehended.

She said the mother was released into the care of her family, while the baby was placed under the protection of the Ministry of Women Affairs.

“The baby and mother were rescued. The mother has been released to her family for proper care and medical attention, while the infant has been handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs for protective custody,” she stated.

The four suspects remain in police custody as the investigation continues at the State Criminal Investigation Department.

Chinaka said the suspects would be charged before a court after investigators conclude their inquiry.

The Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, said the command would continue to protect vulnerable persons and ensure that suspects responsible for such offences are brought to justice.

The development comes against the backdrop of other recent cases involving alleged child trafficking and illegal maternity facilities.

In August, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons sealed a residential apartment in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, after it was suspected to have been converted into an illegal maternity facility by a suspected child-trafficking syndicate.

NAPTIP also arrested the facility’s owner, whom it identified as a facilitator in the alleged sale of babies, alongside another staff member.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Five major United States television networks have suspended their pooled coverage of President Donald Trump after the White House barred CNN from carrying out its scheduled role as the television pool provider.

ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, Fox News and CNN jointly announced the decision on Monday, September 21, 2026, following the Trump administration’s move to prevent CNN from participating in the rotating pool system.

The decision means that the major networks will not provide the usual shared television footage of Trump’s presidential events for the time being, including his engagements at the White House and his trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

The five networks defended the importance of independent media coverage in a joint statement.

“The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government,” they said.

“No administration should restrict a news organisation because it objects to its reporting.”

The action came after the White House removed CNN from its scheduled pool assignment for Monday. CNN had been due to provide the rotating television coverage, under an arrangement through which the five networks take turns recording presidential events and distributing the footage to other broadcasters.

Bryan Boughton, Fox News’ Washington bureau chief and chair of the television pool, notified other members of the arrangement that no replacement would be provided for CNN.

“This is to advise that, effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the President. This follows the White House’s position preventing CNN from fulfilling its duties,” Boughton wrote in an email.

The television pool is designed to allow one designated network to cover presidential events with cameras and share the resulting footage with other news organisations. The arrangement is particularly important for events where physical space limits the number of journalists and camera crews that can participate.

The dispute follows the Trump administration’s decision to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.

The three media organisations subsequently filed a lawsuit against Trump and senior White House officials in a federal court in Washington, alleging that their exclusion violated constitutional protections for freedom of speech and the press.

The outlets are seeking a temporary restraining order that would restore their access to the White House while the legal challenge proceeds.

Trump has defended his administration’s action, accusing the affected organisations of publishing what he described as “fake news” and arguing that the White House has the right to restrict access.

Vice President JD Vance also defended the administration’s position, saying the White House was not banning media organisations but was declining to provide special access to outlets it believed were engaging in propaganda.

However, the networks’ decision to suspend the television pool has created an unusual situation in which the five broadcasters that normally share responsibility for filming Trump’s presidential engagements have declined to provide a replacement crew.

The suspension could limit the availability of pooled television footage of Trump’s public engagements, including his activities surrounding the UN General Assembly in New York. Other journalists may still cover the events, but the normal shared television feed will not be available through the five-network pool.

The latest confrontation is part of a wider dispute between the Trump administration and several US media organisations over press access to the White House.

The legal challenge by CNN, MS NOW and Politico now places the dispute before the courts, while the decision by the five major television networks has intensified the standoff over media access and presidential coverage.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice President and presidential candidate under the platform of the ADC in 2027, Atiku Abubakar has questioned who is constitutionally exercising the powers of the Nigerian presidency following the expiration of the 21-day period since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu left the country on an official three-week vacation.

Atiku raised the issue in a statement posted on Facebook on Monday, September 21, 2026, citing Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which sets out the procedure for the transfer of presidential functions during the President’s temporary absence.

The Presidency announced on August 30 that Tinubu had departed Nigeria for Europe to begin a three-week vacation as part of his annual leave. According to the announcement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President was expected to return after the working vacation.

Section 145(1) of the Constitution states that whenever the President proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he shall transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The provision further states that the Vice President shall perform the functions of the President as Acting President under the prescribed arrangement.

The same section provides that where the President is unable or fails to transmit the declaration within 21 days, the National Assembly shall, through a resolution supported by a simple majority in each chamber, mandate the Vice President to perform the functions of President as Acting President.

Atiku said Nigerians had not been shown any such constitutional communication transferring presidential authority to Vice President Kashim Shettima.

“President Tinubu left Nigeria on 30 August. The Presidency publicly announced a three-week vacation. Yet, to date, Nigerians have not been shown any constitutional letter transmitting presidential authority to Vice President Kashim Shettima,” he wrote.

He called on the Presidency to publish the letter if it exists and argued that, in the absence of such a declaration after 21 days, the National Assembly should explain why the constitutional procedure had not been activated.

“This is not a matter of political convenience. It is a matter of constitutional order,” Atiku said.

His comments come as Shettima is in New York representing Tinubu at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The Presidency said Tinubu mandated his deputy to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA, which begins its general debate on September 22.

Atiku also questioned the situation against the backdrop of recent domestic challenges, including the deaths of 37 Nigerians in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna and rising petrol prices in parts of the country.

He argued that the circumstances required Nigerians to know clearly who was exercising presidential authority and under what constitutional provision.

“Nigeria cannot be governed by assumptions. It cannot be governed by presidential social-media posts from Europe,” Atiku wrote.

“It cannot be governed by photographs from private dinners at the Élysée Palace.

“It cannot be governed on autopilot.”

The former Vice President further urged the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to clarify whether they had received any communication from Tinubu under Section 145(1).

He also called on the National Assembly to explain its position if no declaration had been transmitted within the constitutionally stipulated period.

“The Presidency should therefore tell Nigerians immediately whether President Tinubu transmitted the declaration contemplated by Section 145(1) before leaving the country,” Atiku said.

“The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House should equally tell Nigerians whether such a communication was received.

“And if no declaration was transmitted within the constitutionally stipulated period, the National Assembly must explain why the procedure provided by Section 145(2) has not been activated.”

Atiku concluded by asking: “Who, constitutionally, is in charge of Nigeria?”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

More than 8,000 communities and 4,500 schools across 15 states have been identified as being at risk of flooding between September 19 and 25.

The warning was issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) in its latest National Flood Advisory released on Saturday.

According to the advisory, rising river levels could cause flooding in vulnerable areas and threaten schools, healthcare centres, markets, religious buildings and farmlands.

The agency’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed, urged state governments to take immediate steps to move residents in high-risk communities to safer locations.

“High riverine flood risk is forecast for the next seven days across Imo, Cross River and 13 other states.

Rising river stages are expected to cause flooding.

“Communities on the floodplain should prepare to move to higher ground. Stations include Obubra, Itigidi and Epento on the Cross River.”

The 15 states listed in the advisory are Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos.

In Imo State, NiHSA identified Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/Uboma and Ikeduru Local Government Areas as vulnerable.

The agency said 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings were exposed to the risk.

Cross River State was also listed among the areas facing significant flood threats, with Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra LGAs identified.

NiHSA said 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland were at risk in the state.

In Ebonyi, the affected areas include Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South LGAs.

The agency listed 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland as exposed.

For Benue State, Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum LGAs were identified as vulnerable. The advisory put the number of exposed communities at 303, with 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland also at risk.

In Anambra State, Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum were listed among the affected LGAs.

NiHSA said 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland could be affected.

Akwa Ibom was also included in the warning, with Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono LGAs identified.

The agency reported that 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings were exposed to possible flooding in the state.

NiHSA advised residents in flood-prone areas, particularly those living on floodplains, to take precautionary measures and relocate to higher ground where necessary.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Gunmen have killed and beheaded the village head of Lafagu community in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed the incident, which occurred on Sunday.

Usman said the identity of the traditional ruler had not been disclosed, adding that some suspects had been arrested in connection with the killing.

“Yes, it is true the village head was killed in Lafagu under Bagudo Local Government. We have made some arrests in respect of the incident and will provide details later,” the PPRO said.

However, preliminary findings cited by PUNCH suggested that the attack may have been carried out by an armed ethnic militia rather than bandits or Lakurawa insurgents.

A source, Tukur Kaoje, said Fulani, Kambarawa and Bargawa communities had lived together in the area for decades before the recent escalation of insecurity linked to allegations of cattle rustling and kidnapping.

Kaoje alleged that the reported infiltration of some communities by Lakurawa fighters led some residents of Bargawa and Kambarawa communities to accuse Fulani residents of involvement in the attacks.

He said armed groups were subsequently formed to confront the alleged threats.

Kaoje further alleged that the militia recently attacked Boya village, where he claimed scores of Fulani residents were killed.

“Yes, the village head was beheaded in Lafagu, but we are not sure whether the killers were bandits or Lakurawa. There are allegations that it was carried out by an armed ethnic militia.”

He described the situation in Lafagu and neighbouring communities as tense and called for urgent government intervention to prevent further deterioration.

He also warned that failure to address the situation could trigger a wider cycle of communal violence that may become increasingly difficult to contain.

The police have yet to establish publicly who was responsible for the killing, while investigations into the incident continue.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has died at the age of 77.

Idris died in the United Kingdom on Sunday, September 20, 2026, according to reports confirmed by his family and multiple Nigerian media outlets.

Following his death, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, former Governor Yahaya Bello, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Abdullahi Bello and other government officials visited the late former governor’s residence in Abuja to condole with his family.

Onogwu Muhammed, Special Adviser to the Kogi State Governor on Public Relations and former Chief Press Secretary to Yahaya Bello, announced the visit in a Facebook post.

He wrote, “Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Ahmed Usman Ododo; former Governor Yahaya Bello, CON; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Abdullahi Bello; and other top government officials have arrived at the Abuja residence of the late former Governor Ibrahim Idris, who passed away this afternoon.”

Idris governed Kogi State from 2003 to 2012 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He first assumed office in 2003 and returned for another term after winning a 2008 rerun following a legal challenge to the 2007 governorship election.

Governor Ododo has declared a three-day mourning period in honour of the former governor and ordered that the national and Kogi State flags be flown at half-mast across government offices and designated public institutions.

The Kogi State Government has also announced that Idris will receive a state burial, with the government taking responsibility for the burial expenses.

In a condolence message, Ododo described Idris’ death as a profound loss to Kogi State and Nigeria.

“His years in public office formed an important chapter in the political and developmental journey of Kogi State,” Governor Ododo said.

The circumstances surrounding Idris’ death were initially not disclosed. However, a subsequent report quoting a family statement said he died after a brief illness in London.

Idris, popularly known as “Ibro”, was also a businessman before entering politics. He founded Ibro Trading Company, with interests in construction, furniture manufacturing and hospitality.

He was succeeded as Kogi governor by Captain Idris Wada in January 2012.

Tributes have continued to pour in from political leaders and associates following his death, including Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who described him as a significant figure in the political history of Kogi State and the PDP.

By Anwar Usman

Former Vice President of Nigeria and the Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Atiku Abubakar has promised to support the education of Yusuf Aliyu, a teenage artisanal miner in Niger State whose video went viral following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the state.

Atiku made the promise in a statement on X on Sunday after watching the teenager speak at a mining site, saying Aliyu’s intelligence and confidence should be nurtured in a classroom rather than at a mining site.

“I have watched Yusuf Aliyu’s video repeatedly, and each time, my heart breaks. A child with such intelligence, clarity and confidence should be in a classroom building his future—not struggling for survival in a community surrounded by gold but buried in poverty.

“I cannot look at him and see an ‘illegal miner.’ I see a Nigerian child failed by the country that should have protected him. I see brilliance trapped by poverty and enormous promise abandoned by leadership,” the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate said.

Aliyu, interviewed by News Central Television in a video that has circulated online, alleged that personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had been shooting at miners at a gold mining site in Niger State.

Atiku said the teenager’s experience highlighted serious concerns about poverty in communities with mineral resources, as well as the management of Nigeria’s mining sector.

“But this video raises a question that should trouble the conscience of every Nigerian: how can a community sitting upon gold remain so poor that it cannot educate its children? How can its wealth leave the soil while hunger and deprivation remain in its homes?”

“This is an indictment of the Tinubu administration. The Federal Government controls Nigeria’s mineral resources, yet the communities producing that wealth remain without schools, opportunities or protection.”

The former vice president also called for Aliyu’s protection, warning that his public comments should not expose him or his family to intimidation or retaliation.

Atiku further revealed that, Aliyu’s circumstance is as a result of what he described as failures by the government to provide opportunities for children living in mineral-producing communities.

“This boy is evidence against the Tinubu government. His intelligence exposes the opportunities it has failed to provide. His poverty exposes the injustice of Nigeria’s mining economy. His presence at that site exposes an administration that has left brilliant children without a ladder out of deprivation.”

He also demanded explanations from the Federal Government over the status of PAGMI in Niger State and the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody.

“The government must explain what became of PAGMI in Niger State and how 37 Nigerians died in the custody of a federal agency. Calling them ‘illegal miners’ cannot erase their humanity or excuse their deaths.”

Atiku said he would continue to advocate for children such as Aliyu, stressing the need to protect their lives, education and future.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Italy is set to introduce measures that would prohibit the wearing of burqas and niqabs in schools and place a limit on the number of foreign students allowed in individual classes, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced.

Meloni disclosed the planned measures on Sunday at a national gathering of the youth wing of her Brothers of Italy party in Rome, as immigration and integration remain major issues ahead of Italy’s next general election.

She also said parents of foreign students facing serious difficulties integrating into the Italian school system would be required to learn the Italian language.

“For us, anyone who comes to Italy and wants to build their future here must learn our language, understand our culture, and respect our rules,” she said to a standing ovation at the Gioventu Nazionale national festival in Rome. “It is the only serious way to welcome them.”

The proposals will first have to be approved by the government before being sent to parliament. Once approved by the government, the changes would require parliamentary approval within 60 days to become law.

Italy already has regulations concerning face coverings. A 1975 law prohibits the use of helmets or clothing that makes identification difficult without a justified reason, while a 2008 ruling allowed full-face coverings for religious or cultural reasons, provided the face can be uncovered when identity verification is required.

Meloni’s announcement specifically concerns burqas and niqabs, which cover the face, rather than ordinary headscarves. However, ANSA reported that Meloni also referred to a proposed ban on hijabs in schools in her remarks.

On foreign students, Meloni said the government would introduce a legal maximum for the number of foreign pupils in each class. Italy already has a 30 per cent guideline concerning foreign students in classrooms, although the head of the National Association of School Principals said on Sunday that the existing rule has been difficult to apply in practice.

The announcement comes as Meloni’s government faces political pressure from parties further to the right, while migration and cultural integration remain prominent issues in Italian politics.

The proposed measures have yet to become law and will require parliamentary consideration before they can take effect.