Author: Citynews

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday drew attention during an event at the State House in Abuja after referring to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as “Iya Alakara,” a Yoruba expression that translates to “mama akara seller.” The remark was made during the inaugural Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House Banquet Hall. While addressing journalists, government officials, and invited guests at the dinner, Tinubu acknowledged his wife in a light-hearted manner that immediately caught public attention. “Gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, my dear wife, the First Lady, the Iya Alakara.” The President delivered the remark…

A counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Fidelis Adedipe, has faulted human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, over his alleged defamatory statement against President Bola Tinubu. Adedipe, who spoke on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Thursday, said there was a thin line between freedom of expression and committing an offence. He said Sowore crossed the line by allegedly describing the President as “a criminal” in posts on his and Facebook accounts. Adedipe said, “Mr Sowore actually crossed the line. He tweeted, calling the president a criminal, and that is a joke taken a bit too far. “You may not like the occupant…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s media aide, Paul Ibe, has taken a swipe at former senator Shehu Sani over his reaction to a Federal High Court ruling that affirmed the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Ibe maintained that certain members of the judiciary had been instrumental in sustaining President Bola Tinubu’s mandate. He made the remarks on Thursday in a post on X while responding to Sani’s comments after the court upheld the leadership of the ADC led by former Senate President David Mark. Following the judgment, Sani wrote: “Now that the High Court has ruled in favour…

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo, says the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, saw value in him. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Okonkwo said former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi betrayed him. The Nollywood veteran-turned politician said this barely 24 hours after Atiku appointed him as his spokesman. He said he had publicly ended his relationship with Obi in 2024 after concluding that the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate lacked the decisiveness required to lead Nigeria. “As a public affairs analyst that I have been from 2009 before I ever met Peter Obi, I proceeded with…

The United States has confirmed the withdrawal of its military troops deployed for a joint counterterrorism operation in Nigeria. However, they will continue intelligence sharing and other forms of security cooperation with Nigeria. The Commander of US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson made this disclosure on Thursday at a press briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026. Anderson highlighted the role of US-Nigeria intelligence cooperation in counterterrorism operations against the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh), noting that while the specific military operation had ended and most US personnel involved had left, America…

A Kaduna State High Court has dismissed a fresh bail application filed by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, after the National Hospital Abuja disowned a medical report submitted in support of his request. Justice Darius Khobo rejected the application, which was based on claims that El-Rufai was suffering from advanced metastatic prostate cancer requiring specialised treatment allegedly unavailable in Nigeria. During the proceedings, counsel for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) presented documentary evidence from the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Muhammad Raji Mahmud, challenging the authenticity of the medical report relied upon by the defence. According to the…

Security agencies on Thursday (today) explained the heavy deployment of personnel and barricades across parts of Abuja’s city centre, saying the measures were routine and aimed at maintaining law and order. The agencies assured residents and visitors that there was no security threat warranting panic. CityNews understands that the barricades, mounted at strategic locations in recent days, have caused gridlock and delays for motorists, civil servants and other workers moving to and from offices in the Federal Capital Territory. ‘No Cause For Alarm’ Speaking during a joint media briefing by security and intelligence agencies, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, said…

An Abuja High Court on Thursday granted the first defendant, Mike Ozekhome, permission to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment for six weeks. Ozekhome and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, were arraigned on February 27 by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on a 12-count charge bordering on forgery and impersonation arising from a disputed property ownership case in the United Kingdom. Ruling on Ozekhome’s application for the temporary release of his international passport, Justice Chizoba Oji ordered him to return the passport to the court on or before August 26. The judge had earlier been…

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), is set to defend Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is facing criminal charges filed by the Federal Government over allegations of conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and the use of forged presidential documents. Adeyemi recently made headlines after accusing the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of demanding bribes running into hundreds of millions of naira in connection with his alleged appointment to head a government agency. However, the Presidency has dismissed the allegations, insisting that Adeyemi was never appointed by President Bola Tinubu and that the agency he claimed to head does not exist. Sources familiar…

The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos have announced a temporary shutdown in observance of the country’s Independence Day celebration. CityNigeria reports that the diplomatic offices will remain closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, according to an official notice released by the US Mission in Nigeria on Thursday. This announcement was made through the mission’s official social media platforms, informing the public about the temporary closure of services at both locations. The statement read, “The US Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of US…