Political tension is rising in Abia State ahead of the 2027 general election, as opposition leaders signal a coordinated move to stop Governor Alex Otti from securing a second term. Several opposition figures, many of whom previously held power in the state, have openly declared that Otti will not be re-elected. In recent weeks, they have stepped up political meetings and public criticism of the governor’s administration. Last week, two former governors of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Chief Theodore Orji, announced the formation of an alliance aimed at unseating Otti in 2027. The group said it intends…
Author: Justina Peters
States across Nigeria set aside a combined ₦525.23bn for security votes and related operations between 2023 and 2025, according to an analysis of approved budget documents. The figures, drawn from Open States, a BudgIT-backed budget data platform, cover disclosures from 32 states. Gombe, Kebbi, Niger and Yobe did not clearly state their security vote allocations, meaning the true total is likely higher. Ekiti also did not fully disclose its 2025 figure. State spending rose each year, with instances of the budgets showing ₦150.47bn in 2023, ₦164.07bn in 2024 and ₦210.68bn in 2025. This represents a 40 per cent rise over…
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has urged Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to seek peace with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, as political tensions deepen in the state. Speaking on ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Fayose said confrontation would weaken Fubara’s position and warned against challenging Wike’s influence. He said many political leaders rose through the support of others and should not forget those ties. “My position is clear,” Fayose said. “People draw strength from those who gave them the platform.” The former governor said humility and reconciliation were vital for stable governance. He pointed to Kogi State, where he said…
The Akran of Badagry Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Akran Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, has died at the age of 89. The revered monarch passed away on Monday after a brief illness, bringing to an end a reign that spanned nearly five decades. He ascended the throne on April 23, 1977 and served as the Permanent Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs until his death. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the monarch’s passing as a major loss to Badagry, Lagos and Nigeria. In a condolence message, the governor said Oba Akran was a stabilising force, known…
Blocs loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, have stepped up talks on possible exit routes from the Peoples Democratic Party as uncertainty grows over nominations ahead of the 2027 general elections. Party sources say the groups are weighing the All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress as alternative platforms for their aspirants, amid fears that the PDP may be unable to field candidates if its leadership crisis drags on. Those concerns intensified after the Independent National Electoral Commission rejected the PDP’s Ekiti governorship candidate, Wole Oluyede, for the…
Nigeria’s telecoms and banking regulators are preparing to introduce a joint refund framework that will require near-instant refunds for failed airtime and data purchases. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said the new system is designed to address complaints where subscribers are debited but do not receive airtime or data due to network faults, system failures or human error. In a statement signed by NCC spokesperson Nnenna Ukoha, the regulators said affected customers will be entitled to a refund within 30 seconds if a transaction fails, whether the fault occurs at the bank or…
The Rivers State House of Assembly has explained why it began impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, citing repeated breaches of a peace agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu. The Assembly’s Majority Leader, Major Jack, said the action followed what lawmakers described as persistent violations of resolutions reached during reconciliation efforts to restore political stability in the state. Jack made the claim on Thursday during plenary while presenting a report that outlined alleged acts of misconduct by the governor and his deputy. According to him, the peace process, led by President Tinubu, aimed to end months of…
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has described the recent terrorist attack in Niger State that killed scores of people and led to several abductions as a national shame. In a statement shared on his verified X account on Sunday, Obi said Nigeria must end what he called the growing cycle of violence and insecurity across the country. He stressed that the continued loss of lives showed a failure of leadership and urgent need for decisive action. Obi was reacting to the attack on Kasuwan Daji Market in the Domo community of Borgu Local Government Area, where residents and…
The Nigerian military has identified Shariff Umar as the suspected coordinator of a suicide bombing network linked to recent deadly attacks in the North-East, including the Christmas Eve bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri. The identification followed intelligence-led operations by troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), which led to the arrest of 14 suspects in Maiduguri. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt Col Sani Uba, said the breakthrough came after cordon-and-search operations carried out in the Kalmari area of Maiduguri on 31 December 2025. According…
Chelsea have parted company with head coach Enzo Maresca following rising tensions between the Italian and senior club officials. Maresca leaves Stamford Bridge less than a year into the role, with sources indicating that internal disagreements over sporting direction and control of key decisions strained the relationship. The club has not yet issued a detailed statement on his departure. Chelsea are now moving quickly to appoint a replacement, with Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior emerging as a leading contender. Rosenior has impressed club executives with his work in Ligue 1, where he guided Strasbourg through a strong and disciplined campaign. Football…
A consultant cardiologist, Professor Chizindu Alikor, has warned that hypertension is rising fast among young Nigerians, saying cases now include people as young as 18. He issued the warning during the 123rd Inaugural Lecture of Rivers State University on Wednesday, where he stressed that high blood pressure is no longer an illness limited to older adults. Professor Alikor, who is the Chief Medical Director of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, described the heart as a “silent active engine” that carries the weight of human stress. He said lifestyle habits are now the strongest threats to heart health, pointing to…
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, says armed groups have infiltrated several communities in the South-West and are preparing coordinated attacks across the region. Adams issued the warning in an interview with Central TV at his Lagos residence, where he said recent security events show a growing threat. Adams noted that intelligence reports available to his office point to an “immediate and troubling danger.” He linked the warning to recent incidents in different parts of the country, which he said reflect a national security crisis. “Credible information available to us indicates that terrorists have already infiltrated many communities…
The world of investing is fast changing and knowing the latest trends, news, and analysis in the market is paramount. As technology keeps progressing, several applications have cropped up to serve the interests of investors by offering them real-time information, professional insights, and customized intelligence. This article explores the best stock market news apps in 2025 that can help you make informed investment choices and maximize the effectiveness of your investment strategies. 1. Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha has become a top provider of in-depth analyses and more variety of opinions, provided to its investors. The application has abundant articles by…
States in northern Nigeria are ramping up flood preparedness measures after weeks of heavy rainfall displaced thousands of residents. In Kaduna, more than 970 people lost their homes after torrential downpours in Zaria and Kaduna metropolis destroyed 270 houses. The state government has since closed its Bashama flood camp in Tudun Wada, saying conditions have improved, though assessments continue. Nasarawa officials said they have intensified awareness campaigns across 13 local governments, urging residents in high-risk areas to move to safer ground. Temporary shelters have been identified to host displaced families if flooding worsens. Jigawa, which invested ₦4.2bn in embankments and…
With the modern job market having grown even more dynamic, side hustles are no longer thought of as a mere source to earn a little extra income, but rather as a steady way to accrue wealth. Increased by the popularity of online platforms, creative services, and the gig economy, millions of Americans are discovering new methods to make more than $5,000 a month on top of an existing full-time job. No matter what you want to achieve with your side hustle, whether it be the addition of additional income or an entirely new form of revenue, these best side hustles…
By 2025, the banking industry has changed further with online banks being ahead of others in terms of providing fee-free services to customers. These new banks offer a variety of advantages, such as fantastic savings rates, convenient phone applications, and excellent customer service — all without common bank charges. This piece discusses the top free banks in America, to guide you on which banks to open an account once you have decided to manage your money. 1. Ally Bank Ally Bank has been identified as the best online bank of 2025 because of the eagerness to satisfy the customers and…
Introduction Establishing credit within the United States can be a daunting process, particularly to a new comer, or a young adult just starting life with no prior credit history. It is imperative to build credit so that an individual is able to obtain financial freedom. Excellent rating credit opens gates to lower rates on loan, credit card, employment opportunities, and cheaper insurance rates. Owning your first car, renting an apartment, or to purchase a mortgage, your credit history will play an important role in the level of success you receive. In this article, we shall explore in details on how…
Introduction With the future of federal loan repayment programs growing uncertain in 2025, with the end of the SAVE plan and the shifting nature of legislative proposals, refinancing student loans has become an important financial tactic in the eyes of many borrowers. Refinancing can provide the chance to get lower monthly payments, consolidate many loans into one manageable payment or both, but it brings trade-offs you must consider. 1. The Insight into Mortgage of Refinancing Refinancing involves taking out a new loan to replace one or more current student loans—typically issued by a private company—with potentially more advantageous terms. The…
It is not just the investment gurus and folks with loads of savings that can invest. Thanks to technology, investing has gotten easier and anyone with as little as 10 dollars can invest. By 2025, easy-to-use investing apps and discounted brokerages allow ordinary citizens the opportunity to become wealthy slowly, with no major up-front investment required. No matter whether you are a student or a young professional, or you are just curious about investing in the markets, there are safe, entry-level applications that allow you to start small and build on this. This article will show you the most effective…
Do you hate your nine to five job and envision early retirement? The FIRE (Financial independence, retire early) is one way of living life by your own terms. Whether you are just starting your career to prepare to retire early in the US or you simply want to learn more about the world of FIRE, you are in the right place. What Does FIRE Stand For? Fire is an acronym of Financial Independence, Retire Early. It is more of a way of life that sermonizes on high levels of saving and investment of finance such that one can be in…