Author: Citynews

UEFA will boycott FIFA tournaments if Gianni Infantino goes ahead with his proposal to sell off a stake in the World Cup/ This decision was taken at an emergency meeting of all UEFA’s 55 member associations this afternoon. Infantino has given football associations until September 19, to back his plan to sell off part of FIFA to private investors with a £30.1m ($40m) incentive to accept. It is a move that UEFA has kicked against and threatened not to be part of the next tournament. A statement read: “UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions “UEFA and…

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and other contestants have committed themselves to a peaceful electoral process by signing a peace accord ahead of August 15 governorship election. The peace pact was signed less than three weeks before voters head to the polls to elect the next governor of the state. The event brought together candidates and representatives of political parties participating in the election, as well as key stakeholders from the electoral, security and traditional institutions. A total of 14 political parties taking part in the election were…

The Nigeria Police Force, Zone 11 Headquarters, Osogbo, has declared that the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), vigilante groups, neighbourhood watch outfits and other quasi-security organisations will not participate in security operations during the August 15 Osun State governorship election. In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ojedele Tunji, the police said only the Nigeria Police Force and other constitutionally recognised security agencies would provide security before, during and after the governorship election. The command ordered that all personnel deployed for election duties must be properly identified and wear their approved official uniforms, warning…

Zenith Bank Plc has spent 2026 collecting the kind of hardware that separates a good regional lender from a genuine African champion. Fresh off a sweep of Euromoney’s most coveted awards, a completed acquisition in Kenya, a newly opened subsidiary in Francophone West Africa, and plans for a London Stock Exchange listing in 2027, Nigeria’s most profitable bank is now making the case that it is also the best-run one. A close read of its unaudited first-quarter 2026 financial statements — its net interest income, fee income, capital buffers and loan book all expanding faster than the industry average —…

Senior military officers accused of plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu allegedly considered recruiting repentant Boko Haram fighters and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to support the operation, documents obtained by Premium Times have indicated. The documents, said to contain more than 7,400 pages, reportedly include statements attributed to serving and retired military officers, civilians linked to the alleged plot, bank records, encrypted chat exchanges, purchase receipts and details of hotels allegedly used for secret meetings. The alleged plan was uncovered in September 2025 following the arrest of 16 serving military officers. About 40 people, including a police…

President Bola Tinubu has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a clean bill of health, accusing the opposition parties of crying wolf. Key opposition figures have expressed doubts in the ability of the electoral umpire to conduct transparent elections. But speaking while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, Tinubu said, “The opportunities are equal. INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone. If political opponents are crying wolf, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows and uncertainty in…

With Nigeria getting close to the 2027 presidential election, President Bola Tinubu has vowed to wrestle the opposition to the finish point. Tinubu spoke during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House on Tuesday. The President also declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is neutral. He said, “I asked for this job. I’m in it. Those who will take it from me will try. They will try. All is fair in politics, and it’s equal opportunity. “INEC, you mentioned, is neutral. They’ve never,…

KEY TAKEAWAYS The Presidency criticised NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for saying he would serve only one four-year term if elected president in 2027. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said a single-term deal would shortchange the South-East’s long quest for the presidency. Nkwocha urged wider consultations and long-term planning, asking if Obi consulted South-East political, traditional, business and intellectual leaders before making the pledge. The Presidency has criticized the decision by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, to serve only one…

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, has raised concerns regarding the political situation in Osun State ahead of the gubernatorial election in August. CityNews reports that the Ooni made this known during a courtesy visit by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),  Joash Amupitan, to the Palace on Tuesday. According to the Ooni, the political climate in Osun State has become increasingly troubling and overwhelming for its residents. The monarch further urged INEC to assist the citizens of the state by acting as a fair arbiter, allowing the populace to determine their own choices without external…

KEY TAKEAWAYS Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, confirmed the delivery of two DA42MN-G aircraft bought for security surveillance and reconnaissance missions in the state. Makinde announced the confirmation in a Facebook post on Tuesday, thanking Nigerian Air Force officers for support and guidance throughout the procurement process. The two Diamond DA42 MNG aircraft arrived at the newly upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, about one year after plans were announced, costing about ₦7.76 billion. The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday, confirmed the delivery of the two DA42MN-G aircraft purchased by the government for security surveillance and reconnaissance missions.…