Author: Lawan

…Says motive is to clear his name, not political The lawmaker representing Yakurr I State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Cyril Omini, has confirmed that the recent arrest of former presidential aide, Okoi Obono-Obla, followed a petition he submitted to the Nigeria Police over alleged defamation and malicious accusations. The Cross River State Police Command had earlier confirmed the arrest of Obono-Obla. In a press statement made available to journalists in Calabar, Omini said his petition was based on alleged defamation of character and the fabrication of criminal allegations against him, including claims linking him to…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the outcome of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, congratulating its successful candidates while announcing the inauguration of a legal team to challenge the conduct of the polls. In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP described the elections as being marred by intimidation, vote suppression and what it called executive interference. “The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has congratulated successful candidates of the PDP in the Area Council Elections which were held in Abuja on February…

Atlético Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has praised Ademola Lookman for his strong start at the club but stressed that the Nigerian winger still has room to improve. Lookman scored his first La Liga goal during Atlético Madrid’s 4-2 victory over RCD Espanyol on Saturday, continuing an impressive run of form since his January move from Atalanta BC. The Super Eagles forward has now recorded four goals and two assists in six appearances for the Spanish giants, quickly establishing himself as a key attacking option. Speaking after the match, Simeone acknowledged Lookman’s goal-scoring contribution but emphasised the need for the…

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated winners of Saturday’s elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano and Rivers states, urging them to treat their mandates as a “sacred trust” and serve with humility and patriotism. In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President commended the conduct of the polls by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The elections covered chairmanship and councillorship positions across the FCT’s six area councils — Abuja Municipal (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji — as well as by-elections in Ahoada East II and Khana…

President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the family, friends and associates of the late Chief Israel Ogbue, former Chairman of United Bank for Africa, who passed away at the age of 99.Chief Ogbue had a distinguished career spanning the Federal Civil Service, the National Insurance Corporation (NICON) and NAL Merchant Bank. He served as a non-executive director of UBA from 2005 until 2011 when he was appointed Chairman, remaining on the board until 2013. During his tenure, he was noted for dignity, strategic foresight and steady leadership at a critical period in the bank’s transformation. He was the father of…

There was a low turnout of voters in Orozo, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the ongoing Federal Capital Territory (FCT ) area council elections on Saturday. Although voting commenced on schedule at the Orozo Primary School polling centre, but the turnout remained low as of 9:20 a.m., with most units recording scanty voter presence. The school, which hosts 10 polling units directly opposite the Federal Technical College, Orozo, had opened for accreditation and voting with electoral officials and security personnel in place as of 8:00 am. However, the premises were largely occupied by party agents, security operatives and officials…

Voting has commenced at Kubwa Polling Unit 16 for the FCT Area Council elections, with INEC officials and party agents present on the ground…. credit: punch

ABUJA — Nigeria’s political heavyweights are locked in a high-stakes contest today as voters troop out for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Area Council elections and simultaneous bye-elections in Kano and Rivers states. In Abuja, the influence of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, is on the line as he moves to deliver the nation’s capital for the All Progressives Congress, APC. Wike is also angling to deliver in Rivers where voters in Ahoada East II and Khana II constituencies also head to the polls in crucial bye-elections. In Kano, the battle pits New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, leader…

Taraweeh is one of the greatest spiritual gifts of Ramadan. It is not an optional cultural practice but a revived Sunnah that connects the believer to the Qur’an and night worship. Sadly, many treat Taraweeh lightly—missing it without reason or rushing through it without reflection.The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said: “Whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari and Muslim)This Hadith shows that Taraweeh is an opportunity for forgiveness, not a burden. Through it, the heart is softened, sins are erased, and closeness to Allah is strengthened.Allah praises those who…

2027: Utomi lists ‘groups’ that will form mega party Last Thursday in Aso B, Mararaba, the sprawling border settlement between Abuja and Nasarawa State, 32-year-old Joshua Okoh sat on a plastic chair outside his one-room apartment, his phone glowing faintly in the dusk. He had queued for hours during the last general election, determined to play his part. He remembered the dust, the arguments, the hopeful chatter in the line. For him, voting was never just civic duty, it was belief. Now, reading that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had signed the Electoral Act 2026 into law, he slowly shook his…