Minority caucus tells Tinubu: Refocus on governance or step aside
The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to either refocus governance on tackling national security challenges and economic hardship or step aside.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Assembly on Wednesday, caucus leader Fred Agbedi accused the administration of overseeing a dangerous combination of deepening insecurity, economic hardship, and attempts to weaken democratic opposition through the judiciary.
Agbedi also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Presidency of prioritising political calculations for 2027 over pressing national issues. The caucus called for an immediate six-month National Security and Economic Recovery Plan, an overhaul of the nation’s security architecture, and a transparent investigation into the abduction and murder of former military spokesperson General Rabe Abubakar (rtd).
The caucus also urged urgent intervention by the Chief Justice of Nigeria to address conflicting judicial decisions on party registration, and vowed to continue holding the government accountable through legislative means ahead of the 2027 elections.
Kwankwaso backs NDC indemnity form, says it aligns with constitution
Vice presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has described the party’s newly introduced indemnity form against defection as a welcome development consistent with constitutional provisions on party supremacy.
Speaking through Kwankwasiyya spokesperson Habibu Saleh Mohammed on Wednesday, Kwankwaso said the initiative was in line with the Nigerian Constitution and reinforced the principle of party discipline.
Gunmen kill Plateau district head in ambush attack
Gunmen on Tuesday killed the District Head of Gwande in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Saf Samuel Alaket, in an ambush along the Sha District axis bordering the Daffo community.
Sources said the attack occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. while the traditional ruler was returning home after attending a traditional council meeting in Bokkos.
IGP orders schools security boost in Katsina
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has directed the Katsina State Police Command to intensify security around schools across the state to protect students, teachers, and educational facilities from security threats.
The directive was delivered by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Sulaiman Abdul during a two-day operational visit to Katsina State.
Naira weakens against dollar in parallel, official markets
The naira depreciated to N1,405 per dollar in the parallel market on Wednesday, down from N1,389 per dollar the previous day. The currency also weakened in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market, falling to N1,361.5 per dollar.
Diezani acquitted of all bribery charges in UK court
Former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke has been acquitted of all six bribery charges brought against her in the United Kingdom.
A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London returned a unanimous not-guilty verdict on Wednesday following a 12-week trial. The charges included five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, relating to her tenure as Nigeria’s petroleum minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan between 2010 and 2015.
Alison-Madueke had consistently denied all allegations. Prosecutors had accused her of accepting benefits from oil and gas industry figures seeking favourable treatment on contracts, alleging she enjoyed a life of luxury in London funded through illicit means. The jury reached its verdict after 46 hours of deliberations.
FIDA rescues abandoned infant found at Rivers State shrine
The International Federation of Women Lawyers, Rivers State branch, has rescued an infant abandoned at a shrine in Abua, Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
FIDA Rivers State chairperson Tamunoibuemi Life-George disclosed details of the rescue operation on Tuesday.
Navy foils crude oil theft site in Niger Delta creeks
Officers of the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta have uncovered and dismantled a camouflaged crude oil storage site used for theft activities in the Niger Delta.
The operation, codenamed “Delta Sentinel,” was carried out following intelligence on suspected crude oil theft around the Ugbokodo Creek axis of Delta State.
Iyabo Obasanjo returns to PDP, named Ogun Central senatorial candidate
Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was on Wednesday officially received back into the Peoples Democratic Party, a week after resigning her membership of the All Progressives Congress.
At a ceremony at the party secretariat in Abeokuta, Ogun State PDP chairman Dr Abayomi Tella presented Obasanjo with the party flag and announced her as the party’s senatorial candidate for Ogun Central ahead of the 2027 elections.
FAAC distributes N2.3trn to federal, state, local governments for May
The Federation Account Allocation Committee has shared a total of N2.3 trillion among the federal, state, and local government councils for the month of May 2026.
The figure was disclosed on Wednesday in Abuja by Bawa Mokwa, director of press and public relations in the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
PRP chair calls on Appeal Court judges to reject Tinubu’s house gifts
National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has described houses built by President Bola Tinubu for Appeal Court judges as a bribe, urging the judges to reject them.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed said the gesture was inappropriate and questioned why similar provisions were not being extended to other public servants such as permanent secretaries or doctors. He said the government should instead improve judicial salaries and allowances to enable judges to build their own homes.
FG denies plans to impose new telecom, fuel taxes
The federal government has dismissed reports that it is planning to impose new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products, describing the claims as factually incorrect.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the Ministry of Finance’s head of information and public relations Efe Ovuakporie said the reports appeared to misrepresent recommendations contained in the International Monetary Fund’s Article IV Consultation Report on Nigeria, clarifying that such IMF recommendations are not binding and do not reflect the government’s policy direction.
INEC recognises Gombe as authentic SDP national chairman
The Independent National Electoral Commission has recognised Professor Sadiq Abubakar Gombe as the national chairman of the Social Democratic Party, following a Supreme Court judgment affirming the party’s authority over its internal affairs.
INEC’s website on Wednesday listed Gombe alongside other newly recognised party officials, noting the recognition was based on a court order. The development ends a leadership dispute that had seen former chairman Shehu Musa Gabam’s name previously restored by INEC on the basis of a Court of Appeal ruling. SDP national publicity secretary Araba Rufus Aiyenigba said the party could now focus on preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Nine killed, 11 injured in southern Kaduna attack
At least nine people have been killed and 11 others injured following an attack by suspected terrorists on Unguwar Magaji community in Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack occurred on Tuesday, June 16. Irigwe Youth Movement spokesperson Joseph Yonkpa confirmed that seven additional bodies were recovered during search and rescue operations, raising the death toll to nine. Community sources said the attackers stormed the area armed with firearms.
Davido fires back at Rarara over World Cup insecurity protest
Afrobeats star Davido has responded to criticism from Hausa singer Dauda Kahutu Rarara after drawing attention to Nigeria’s insecurity crisis during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert in Los Angeles.
Davido appeared at the June 10 event wearing a customised jacket bearing the message “Bring Them Home” alongside the names of more than 40 pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15. Rarara subsequently argued that raising such matters on a global stage could damage Nigeria’s image and complicate ongoing rescue efforts.
Davido rejected the criticism, insisting that no Nigerian should stay silent on the country’s security crisis.
Brymo calls for Igbo president, raises concern over South-East insecurity
Nigerian singer Brymo has called on Nigeria to consider an Igbo president, urging national unity and a fresh political direction ahead of future elections.
Speaking during an interview on Yanga FM in Lagos, Brymo said it was time for the country to move past historical divisions and give fair consideration to leadership from the South-East. He added that national healing should be part of the political process, while also raising concern that ongoing insecurity in the region could hinder political progress.
DR Congo hold Portugal to 1-1 draw in World Cup opener
Democratic Republic of Congo marked their return to the FIFA World Cup after a 52-year absence with a 1-1 draw against Portugal in their Group K opener.
Portugal took the lead inside six minutes through João Neves, who headed home from Pedro Neto’s cross. DR Congo equalised and held firm for the remainder of the match, frustrating the UEFA Nations League holders. The result extended Portugal’s poor run in World Cup opening games, with just one win from their last five tournament openers.
Messi lucky to avoid red card against Algeria, says Moreno
Former Venezuelan footballer Alejandro Moreno has argued that Lionel Messi should have been sent off during Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria at the FIFA World Cup, after the forward’s first-half challenge on defender Aissa Mandi went unpunished.
Messi caught Mandi on the calf with his studs raised during the half-hour mark of the match, drawing protests from Algerian players, but Polish referee Szymon Marciniak took no action. Messi went on to complete a hat-trick. Moreno, 46, said the incident reflected a broader tendency for football’s biggest stars to receive preferential treatment from officials.
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