Bola Tinubu

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will represent Nigeria at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he is expected to deliver a national address on September 23, 2026, in New York City.

According to a report from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Tinubu will be the 10th speaker on the roster during the morning session of the second day of the high-level debate. His speech is scheduled for approximately 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM New York time, which corresponds to 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM Nigerian time.

The theme for this year’s General Assembly is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

Beyond his main address, the Nigerian leader is expected to participate in several side meetings and summits focusing on climate change, pandemic preparedness frameworks, and West African border security.

Diplomatic sources indicate that Tinubu may also hold a bilateral meeting with United States President Donald Trump on the margins of the assembly, although this meeting has yet to be officially confirmed.

The annual UN General Assembly brings together world leaders to address pressing global challenges and chart a course for international cooperation.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who represents Abia North, has said he will leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ever shows disrespect to opposition parties or the Catholic Church.

The former governor of Abia State made the remark during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he also defended the President’s approach to political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kalu argued that no politician would be expected to make the political environment easier for opponents, although he maintained that President Tinubu has treated members of the opposition fairly.

He said: “Will you just lay red carpet for the opposition to come and be dancing around if you are a politician?

“Tinubu is fair to them, he has not touched any of them unknowingly.

“The law of the land is very straightforward and if you respect the law of the land you will be well in the country.

“What he said is that he can’t give the opposition red carpet. If I’m your enemy will you give me a red carpet? If I’m fighting with you, will you give me red carpet?

“I’m a very fair minded man who speaks the truth, if I heard what he said that we are going to have a fair contest and he won’t touch anybody.

“Any day Tinubu disrespect the opposition or Catholic church I will resign from the APC.”

Kalu also advised Nigerians not to expect President Tinubu to offer political advantages to opposition parties as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum. He insisted that electoral competition should take place within the provisions of the law and expressed confidence that the President would ensure a level playing field.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to allow what he described as an “unfettered” investigation into corruption allegations against the presidential aide.

In a statement released on Tuesday through his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku said the allegations against Gbajabiamila should not be ignored, adding that “silence and indifference” would not erase the “unfolding” claims.

The former vice-president said the situation should be handled in the same manner as the case of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, who was suspended by former President Muhammadu Buhari while investigations were ongoing.

Atiku said he was disturbed by allegations that Gbajabiamila “illegally corner[ed] tens of billions of naira in oil and gas royalties from petroleum regulatory commission, citing a fake law for presidential approval.”

He also accused the Tinubu administration of applying different standards in its anti-corruption campaign.

“Tinubu’s administration can’t pretend to be prosecuting opposition figures for corruption, while corruption is growing like weed under its own nose,” Atiku said.

“You can’t preach the rule of law when your own officials are awarded with the trophy of untouchability.

“Gbajabiamila must be held accountable like every other public official and independently investigated to give him full opportunity to defend himself against the brazen act of corruption as detailed in the Gazette report.

“Former President Buhari suspended his SGF Babachir Lawal from office in order to allow for unfettered investigation against him and Gbajabiamila shouldn’t be treated differently.”

Gbajabiamila has recently faced allegations from Adeniyi Adeyemi, Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), who accused him of collecting a N400 million bribe in exchange for an appointment letter.

The PFIPC has also attracted scrutiny after operating like a government agency despite the absence of any legal framework or presidential approval establishing it. The body reportedly received funding in the 2026 budget, occupied office space at the Federal Secretariat, and recruited staff.

Babachir Lawal was suspended in April 2017 over allegations of breaches of due process and violations of the law in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North-East (PINE). Buhari later removed him from office after the investigation, and Boss Mustapha was appointed as his replacement.

Lawal and Atiku also disagreed publicly in June after the former SGF resigned from the ADC. Lawal alleged that the party’s primary election was manipulated in favour of Atiku and his allies.

By Uzair Adam

A civil society organisation, the Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy (CFRPA), has approached the Federal High Court in Kano, seeking an order disqualifying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from contesting the 2027 presidential election over allegations of certificate forgery.

The suit, filed under case number FHC/K/CS/312/2026, names President Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Chicago State University (CSU) as defendants.

According to court documents, the plaintiff alleged that Tinubu submitted forged academic credentials from Chicago State University as well as a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to INEC during the 2023 general elections.

The group further claimed that Tinubu did not attend Government College Lagos as stated in his records, arguing that the institution was established in 1974, several years after he reportedly completed his secondary education.

CFRPA contended that the president lacks a valid secondary school certificate, which it described as the minimum constitutional requirement for contesting the office of president.

The organisation also accused INEC of failing to respond to a petition it submitted on June 19, 2026, requesting clarification on Tinubu’s eligibility for future elections.

In its statement before the court, the plaintiff referenced the 2023 United States court ruling in In Re: Application of Atiku Abubakar (No. 23 CV 05099), which directed Chicago State University to release Tinubu’s academic records.

According to the group, the documents released by the university contained inconsistencies and false entries, including what it described as a forged University of Cambridge General Certificate of Education.

Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiff is asking the court to declare Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate forged, direct INEC to disqualify him from participating in the 2027 presidential election, and order Chicago State University to remove his name from its records.

The organisation is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining INEC from accepting or publishing Tinubu’s name as a candidate in the 2027 election.

Supporting documents filed before the court include affidavits, witness statements, and correspondence addressed to the NYSC and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, requesting official clarification on the alleged NYSC certificate.

By Uzair Adam

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly rejected a Federal High Court judgment ordering its deregistration, describing the ruling as a dangerous development capable of undermining Nigeria’s democracy and political stability.

In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC alleged that the judgment reflects what it called the growing desperation of the ruling party to retain power at all costs, even if it means compromising democratic principles.

The party maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the only constitutional body empowered to register or deregister political parties and vowed to challenge the judgment through all available legal channels.

“The African Democratic Congress wishes to warn, in the strongest terms, against any attempt to use the judiciary as a tool to weaken democracy and drag the country into a political crisis,” the statement said.

The party expressed concern over the judgment reportedly delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja in a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators seeking the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties.

According to the ADC, the plaintiffs argued that the affected parties had failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.

However, the party noted that INEC, in a counter-affidavit filed in May, clearly stated that the ADC had not violated any registration conditions and that no constitutional basis existed for its deregistration.

The statement further noted that INEC reaffirmed that political parties can only be deregistered on constitutionally recognised grounds and not based on political pressure or the interests of certain individuals.

The ADC also faulted the trial judge for proceeding with the matter despite a Court of Appeal order issued on May 22, 2026, directing a stay of proceedings.

“Apart from INEC’s clear position in support of the party, the ADC finds it troubling that the trial judge disregarded a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal. Such action raises serious questions about adherence to established judicial procedures and traditions,” the party stated.

The opposition party described the development as more than a legal disagreement, insisting that it represents a dangerous escalation that could affect Nigeria’s democratic process.

The ADC further alleged that individuals linked to the ruling party played key roles in advancing the case. It also questioned the involvement of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who reportedly joined the matter as a plaintiff in April.

According to the party, the timing of the judgment is particularly suspicious, coming after it had completed its primaries and prepared candidates for all elective positions ahead of the next general election, including the presidential contest.

Despite the ruling, the ADC called on its members to remain calm and law-abiding while awaiting further directives from the party leadership. It reiterated its commitment to pursuing all lawful options to overturn the judgment.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Presidency has dismissed a viral social media report claiming that President Bola Tinubu is planning to push through constitutional amendments to rename Nigeria as the “United States of Nigeria” and abolish Sharia law in the northern region.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the story as entirely false and part of a “dubious plot” by desperate politicians to create disaffection and stir political tension ahead of the general elections scheduled for January 2026.

The fake story, which cited anonymous sources, alleged that President Tinubu intended to send a bill code-named “Project True Federation” to the National Assembly by December 15, just weeks before the elections. It also claimed the bill would include other far-reaching constitutional changes.

Onanuga urged Nigerians to completely ignore the report, calling its purveyors “agents of destabilisation and merchants of disorder.”

“President Tinubu has no plan whatsoever to send any bill code-named Project True Federation to the National Assembly by December 15,” the statement read in part.

The presidential aide explained that constitutional amendments under Nigerian law are a serious legislative process requiring scrutiny, oversight, and robust debate. Any change to the constitution is not at the whim of the President or the National Assembly but requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and the concurrence of at least 24 state Houses of Assembly.

Onanuga stressed that President Tinubu remains focused on entrenching and deepening the economic reforms his administration has embarked upon, as well as delivering tangible dividends to Nigerians.

He warned citizens to be wary of fake and divisive reports, especially as political campaigns gather momentum ahead of the January 2026 general elections.

By Anwar Usman

President Bola Tinubu has approved the allocation of plots of land to Nigerian ambassadors and high commissioners-designate in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory minister, Nyesom Wike, disclosed on Wednesday.

The minister made the announcement while receiving the envoys on a courtesy visit at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja.

The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, as part of an induction programme for the newly appointed ambassadors.

According to the minister, the president’s decision was driven by the need to give Nigeria’s overseas representatives a permanent foothold in the capital for when they return for periodic briefings.

“The President believes that most of you do not have a place in Abuja… he will encourage you to see how you will put up where you can stay. Before you leave this morning, each and every one of you should have your form to apply for a land allocation in Abuja,” Wike said.

The minister further used the occasion to charge the envoys with the responsibility and urged them to defend and project Nigeria’s international standing. “You are, in essence, the mirror of this country. The way the world sees you is the way it will see Nigeria,” he said.

He tasked them with reinforcing the economic diplomacy work that President Tinubu had been conducting through extensive foreign engagements.

Mr President has travelled extensively to attract investment and partnerships. It is now your role to reinforce that effort by building confidence in Nigeria as a viable destination for investment,” the minister stated.

Wike also drew attention to development opportunities in the FCT, pointing to infrastructure expansion across the six area councils — Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali — as evidence of Abuja’s growing stature as a global capital.

Wike also announced ongoing partnership talks with Saudi Arabia and Egypt to develop key sectors, as well as plans to engage the European Commission on development cooperation.

He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s near-term prospects, saying: “I remain confident that by 2027, Nigeria will be more peaceful, more united, and stronger as a nation.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Government has announced that approximately 10 million Nigerians are set to benefit from its newly unveiled Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, a poverty-reduction initiative targeting all 8,809 wards across the country.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, disclosed this while accepting his appointment as the Grand Patron of the National Councillors’ Forum of Nigeria.

Speaking after the honour, Bagudu said the recognition would inspire him to intensify efforts aimed at revitalising grassroots economies for the benefit of the majority. He reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving living standards through extensive local governance reforms embedded in the programme.

The initiative, he explained, will map dominant commercial activities in each ward to identify beneficiaries eligible for government support. This strategy, according to the minister, is expected to give a significant boost to the Tinubu administration’s poverty-reduction objectives.

Bagudu thanked the Forum for their continued support, noting that the councillors’ endorsement of the President’s second term reflects a broad appreciation of ongoing reforms that are steadily improving the nation’s economy.

The Forum, which comprises all 8,809 serving councillors, stated that the appointment recognises Bagudu’s remarkable contributions to national development. “Your dedication to public service and to the development of our country makes you a perfect fit for this prestigious position,” the appointment letter dated April 23, 2026 read.

During a weekend visit, Forum President Hon. AbdulRazak Sama’ila presented the letter to Bagudu, expressing hope that the minister would play a crucial role in promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability at the grassroots level. “We hope to work with him and benefit from his insights and expertise,” Sama’ila added.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new Nigeria Police Academy campus in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area, Ogun State, with a N15 billion special take-off grant.

The approval fulfils the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, which provides for the expansion of the academy’s main campus in Wudil, Kano State, into multiple campuses across the country.

The intervention fund will be drawn from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) 2026 allocation. It will finance priority infrastructure, academic facilities, student accommodation, and core training assets.

A high-level consultative meeting involving the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) recommended the Erinja location.

The meeting considered student intake capacity, funding realities, academic quality assurance, and the long-term needs of the Nigeria Police Force, which is currently recruiting more personnel.

President Tinubu said the expansion would strengthen institutional governance, modern policing education, and national security.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Less than a day after President Bola Tinubu met with families of victims in Plateau State, fresh violence has been reported in the area.

The president had visited Jos, where he held a brief meeting with grieving families at Yakubu Gowon Airport following earlier attacks in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area. During the visit, he reassured residents of improved security.

“To the victims, there is nothing I can give you, whether in billions of naira, but I can console you and promise that this experience will not repeat itself,” Tinubu had said.

Despite the assurance, gunmen struck again on Friday night. The attack occurred in Nyango Gyel community, located in Jos South Local Government Area. Reports indicate that at least three people lost their lives.

Sources said the assailants stormed the community at about 10:40 pm. They fired shots indiscriminately before escaping from the scene.

The Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the incident. He condemned the attack and described it as another act of violence against residents.

“This cycle of attacks on our rural communities must stop. We call on security agencies to act swiftly and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

“We urge heightened vigilance among residents of rural communities in Jos South, Riyom, and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas,” he said.

Police authorities have yet to provide full details on the incident. The Police Public Relations Officer in Plateau State, Alfred Alabo, said he was in a meeting when contacted and promised to respond later. He had not issued further comments as of the time of filing this report.

The latest attack has raised fresh concerns about security in Plateau State, especially in rural communities that have faced repeated violence in recent times.