Author: Citynews

The Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Muhammad Usman Ankwai, is dead. He reportedly died in Egypt on Monday after a brief illness. Ankwai, who represented the Zuru constituency, was elected Speaker of the 10th Assembly on 8th of June, 2023. He was a prominent figure in Kebbi State politics, serving as the Speaker of the State Assembly. Prior to his death, he was in Egypt seeking medical attention for an undisclosed illness. The news of his passing has sent shockwaves across the state, with many mourning the loss of a dedicated leader.

The Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN) has asked Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to retract a remark he made about Seun Okinbaloye, a journalist with Channels Television. IBAN is the umbrella body for all independent broadcast stations in Nigeria. The group also threatened to boycott all media engagements organised by the minister if he does not publicly apologise to the journalist In a statement signed by Ahmed Ramalan, IBAN chairman; and Fidelis Duker, acting general secretary; the association expressed concern over the implications of the comment aired during a live television interview. On Friday, during…

Billionaire businessmen Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote paid a courtesy visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Ikoyi residence on Easter Sunday, where they reportedly discussed the economy and ongoing government reforms. Otedola confirmed the meeting in a post on his X handle on Monday, saying the discussion centred on how Nigerians could benefit from the administration’s economic policies. “Yesterday (Sunday), I spent Easter Sunday with our dear President, Bola Tinubu, and my bestie Aliko Dangote. We discussed the economy and how Nigerians can benefit from the reforms,” Otedola wrote. He also praised the President’s work ethic, describing it as a source of hope for…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed all resident electoral commissioners (RECs) to suspend publicity and arrangements for the planned voter revalidation exercise. On Wednesday, INEC said it would commence a nationwide voter revalidation drive on April 13, 2026, as part of efforts to update the voter register ahead of the 2027 general election. In a letter signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, its secretary, the commission asked all RECs to commence necessary preparations for the exercise, including sourcing of personnel and preparation of INEC voter enrolment devices (IVED). The letter also listed the timeline for the exercise. The timeline shows…

Channels Television anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, has said he is “not afraid” of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. Wike had said he would have “broken his TV screen and shot” Okinbaloye, over his comments that a one-party system would destroy democracy in Nigeria. The minister’s remarks has attracted widespread condemnation, with Amnesty International accusing him of using “reckless and violent language”. But Okinbaloye on Sunday doubled down on his views and said violent rhetorics have no place in a democracy. He said: “The fact remains that our democracy is in danger if we allow one-way traffic…

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has again demanded the sack of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan.‎ ‎MURIC’s grouse with INEC chairman is the 80-page legal brief authored by the professor which was one of the major documents used by the United States of America to indict Nigeria on the highly controversial and volatile issue of Christian genocide. In a statement on Sunday, ‎MURIC said: ‎”We are highly disappointed with both the Federal Government (FG) and Professor Joash Amupitan for their graveyard silence over the demand of the Nigerian Muslim Community that the INEC…

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has entered into a $1.2 million agreement with a United States-based lobbying firm as part of efforts to strengthen his image abroad and respond to narratives linked to the Nigerian government. Documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice show that Atiku engaged Washington-based firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., under a formal agreement signed in early March 2026. The contract was executed by the firm’s managing partner, Karl Von Batten, alongside Nigerian politician Fabiyi Oladimeji, who acted on behalf of the former vice-president. The filings indicate that the engagement is designed to improve Atiku’s standing within U.S.…

The President of the Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman has said that a nation cannot progress with bad leadership. Speaking during the Easter Sunday service in his church on April 5, the cleric said Nigerian leaders have become insensitive to the plight and challenges faced by the people. Citing the killings in various communities in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Suleman expressed concern over the priority placed on photo-ops with victims of bandits and terorists attacks by the government and its officials. “When people are grieving, tell your media to keep quiet. Because if it doesn’t…

A former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has condemned the incessant strike actions by doctors under the Nigerian Resident Doctors Association (NARD). In a statement issued on Sunday, Atiku expressed concerns that doctors in Nigeria have to beg the Federal Government to fulfil its own side of the bargain with NARD. According to Atiku, it would be a betrayal for the Federal Government to sign a deal on the Professional Allowance Table with the association and abandon it. “The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors should not have to beg for what has already been agreed upon. The Federal Government…

Barring last-minute changes, key opposition figures in Nigeria are weighing the possibility of abandoning the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for alternative platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections. Top politicians, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, are said to be involved in high-level consultations following a leadership crisis that has engulfed the ADC. The development comes after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) suspended recognition of all factions of the party’s leadership. The decision followed a ruling by the Court of Appeal and ongoing litigation over the party’s internal structure. Political insiders warn that the crisis could cripple the…