Author: Citynews

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.…

OSOGBO — The Social Democratic Party, SDP, Osun State Chapter, has formally adopted the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate for the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election. In a letter dated July 27, 2026, addressed to the APC State Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal, the SDP said the decision was reached at its Southwest Zonal Meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State, and later endorsed by the party’s National Leadership. Signed by the State Chairman, Hon. Apostle G. Remi Omidire, the SDP said the resolution was taken “after extensive consultations and careful consideration of the political realities and the overriding…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended Rivers State  Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s decision to return to his political camp, insisting that the governor committed no offence by reconciling with the political family that brought him to power. Wike, who spoke on Tuesday while addressing journalists after inspecting ongoing road projects in the Federal Capital Territory, dismissed suggestions that Fubara had been “forgiven” after their prolonged political crisis. According to him, politics is about making decisions in the interest of the people and correcting mistakes when necessary. His reaction comes about six days after Governor Fubara publicly declared his support for…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to disqualify former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kebbi State. According to the ruling, the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to challenge the party’s primary election. Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice M. G. Umar held that the plaintiff, Abdulrazak Isa Iko, failed to establish that he participated in the ADC governorship primary, making him ineligible under the law to question the outcome of the exercise. The judge ruled that the suit lacked merit and substance after resolving…