Author: Tribune Online

The 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, is set to conduct the traditional Sallah Durbar horse-riding activities…

The post Emir Bayero to lead Sallah Durbar processions in Kano appeared first on Tribune Online.

Former Aviation Minister, Sen. Stella Oduah, Chief Dozie Nwankwo, Chief Chinedu Obidigwe, and others have emerged as candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the party’s primary elections held in Anambra State. Odua beat her opponents to emerge tops in the keenly contested race for Anambra North Senatorial District; Dozie Nwankwo won for […]

The post Stella Oduah, Nwankwo, others emerge APGA NASS candidates in Anambra appeared first on Tribune Online.

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to engage in politics without bitterness, saying it is essential for the emergence of credible leaders and national development.

Abubakar made the appeal on Wednesday in Minna after observing the two-raka’at Eid-el-Kabir prayer at the Minna Eid praying ground, where he joined other Muslim faithful to mark the celebration.

He stressed that peace remains a fundamental requirement for meaningful progress, urging Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic or religious differences, to continue to pray and work for unity, stability and development in the country.

The former Head of State also prayed for Allah’s intervention in bringing lasting peace, stability and prosperity to Nigeria, noting that the nation could only overcome its challenges through collective effort and mutual understanding.

In his remarks, the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, urged Muslims to use the Eid period to seek forgiveness and pray for a better Nigeria marked by peace and economic prosperity.

Bago expressed optimism about the country’s future, insisting that Nigeria would overcome its challenges through love, mutual respect and collective commitment, while urging citizens to remain hopeful.

Among the dignitaries present at the prayer ground were former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu; the Emir of Minna, Umar Faruk Bahago; and Mohammed Ibrahim Babangida, son of former Military President Ibrahim Babangida.

Also in attendance were the Commissioner of Police in charge of Niger State, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, members of the State Executive Council and other top government officials.

The Eid prayer was led by Malam Habibu Mai Basira.

Eid el-Kabir: Abdulsalami urges politicians to embrace issue-based politics

Two candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ondo State, former Senator Ayo Akinyelure and Gbenga Edema, have explained why they dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the ruling party of poor leadership, lack of recognition and monetisation of political appointments. Akinyelure, who represented Ondo Central Senatorial District in the Seventh and […]

The post APC has become money-driven — Akinyelure, Edema declare after defection appeared first on Tribune Online.

Uganda has announced the temporary closure of its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the Ebola outbreak affecting its neighbouring country.

The decision was announced on Wednesday by Uganda’s Ministry of Health following the confirmation of seven cases of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola since the outbreak was detected in the DRC on May 15.

Speaking to reporters, the Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Health Ministry, Diana Atwine, said the border closure takes immediate effect.

“Uganda is temporarily closing the border with the DRC with immediate effect,” Atwine stated.

She explained that only authorised Ebola response personnel, humanitarian workers, food and cargo transporters, as well as security operations, would be allowed access under strict health screening and monitoring measures.

“The only exceptions are for authorised Ebola response teams, humanitarian operations, food and cargo transportation, and security under strict health screening and monitoring protocols,” she added.

Atwine also announced that all individuals arriving from the DRC would be subjected to a 21-day quarantine under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and district surveillance teams.

Health authorities will also conduct routine monitoring of pupils in schools located near the border areas as part of efforts to strengthen disease surveillance.

According to official figures, the Ebola outbreak in the DRC has resulted in more than 220 suspected deaths and over 900 suspected cases.

The World Health Organization, WHO, has since classified the outbreak as an international public health emergency.

Ebola scare: Uganda shuts border with DR Congo

Nigerian entrepreneur and socialite, Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, has opened up on his fallout with singer Burna Boy, alleging that the music star publicly attacked him because of his close relationship with Davido.

Speaking during an interview on The Beat 99.9 FM on Wednesday, Cubana Chief Priest said his journey to success began from apprenticeship and years of hard work, adding that fame and financial growth often attract envy and criticism.

“Success comes with a lot of hate. I started my journey from apprenticeship and service and I learnt so much about growth and perseverance. When you start becoming successful, you understand how people treat you.

“I was on my own and Burna Boy came for me, went on his big platform and started tweeting things that are not genuine, things that are not possible, things that have not existed and the attack was straight to my wealth.

“So he wanted to make people look at my wealth, disrespect my wealth, I felt bad and that happened because of my relationship with Davido,” he said.

He further stated that Davido has consistently supported his businesses and personal projects.

“David is always there for me. He opened all my nightclubs, restaurants, everything. He always shows up to support me.

“He’s investing in clubs in Lagos, and I’m making music to prove a point that I can,” he added. 

Cubana Chief Priest opens up on feud with Burna Boy 

Nigerian televangelist and founder of Eternity Network International also known as KOINONIA , Apostle Joshua Selman, has stirred massive reactions on social media after drawing thousands of worshippers to the 21,000-capacity AO Arena in the United Kingdom for a revival conference.

The two-day apostolic gathering, themed “Sound of Revival,” held on Wednesday and Thursday, witnessed an overwhelming turnout as worshippers from different parts of the world filled the arena beyond its seating capacity in an atmosphere marked by intense worship, prayers and teachings.

The conference, organised by Eternity Network International, attracted several prominent Nigerians and Christian leaders, including Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi, cleric Sam Oye, renowned gospel ministers Nathaniel Bassey,

and Chee, among many others from different nations.

Widely known for his revival meetings and deep biblical teachings, Joshua Selman delivered messages centred on spiritual awakening, personal transformation and the need for believers to return to a life of intimacy with God. 

Participants described the atmosphere inside the arena as electrifying as worship songs, prayers and prophetic declarations echoed across the venue.

The programme also featured powerful worship sessions led by Nathaniel Bassey, whose ministrations drew emotional reactions from attendees. 

Many participants testified to experiencing healing, restoration and renewed spiritual encounters during the conference.

The “Sound of Revival” conference has further strengthened Apostle Selman’s growing international influence, especially in the United Kingdom, where his meetings have continued to attract massive crowds over the years. 

The cleric had previously held a similar gathering at the AO Arena in Manchester in May 2023, drawing thousands of believers from across Europe and beyond.

Beyond the physical attendance, the revival meeting also reached a global audience through live streaming platforms, allowing many viewers across continents to participate virtually in the sessions.

As the conference ended, many attendees took to social media to share videos and testimonies from the event, describing it as a major spiritual awakening and another landmark moment for Nigerian gospel ministers taking the message of Christianity to the global stage.

From Nigeria to all nations: Apostle Joshua Selman shuts down UK again

Former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, has dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress and is set to announce his membership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), THE WHISTLER has learnt.

A source close to the former Delta Central senator confirmed the development on Wednesday, saying Omo-Agege had resigned from the APC days ago but made his exit public on Wednesday.

“He has left APC. He will announce NDC soon,” the source told THE WHISTLER.

“He submitted his resignation on 22nd May and announced his exit from the APC today.”

“You can call it an earthquake because Omo-Agege was one of APC’s biggest political figures in Delta,” the source added.

According to the source, supporters and loyalists of the former senator will move to the NDC with him.

In his resignation letter addressed to the APC chairman in Orogun Ward 2, Orogun, Ughelli North LGA, Omo-Agege said that after reviewing recent developments in the party in the state and consulting with his supporters, “it is clear my political objectives and those of my constituents are better served outside the APC.”

He added, “I will not remain a sitting duck in a party where I cannot advance the interests of Delta Central, Delta State and Nigeria.”

This comes 10 days after Omo-Agege lost the APC Delta Central senatorial primary to Senator Ede Dafinone.

Omo-Agege polled 3,643 votes in the primary held on May 17, while Dafinone scored 116,252 votes to secure the APC ticket for a second term.

His move to the NDC follows the high-profile defections of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress earlier this month.

Obi and Kwankwaso had announced their move to the NDC on May 3, citing the need to “rescue Nigeria” from worsening insecurity and economic hardship.

Since then, the party has attracted a wave of political interest, including defections by federal lawmakers and opposition figures across several states.

The source told THE WHISTLER that pressure had already mounted on Omo-Agege in Delta State to abandon the APC after his primary defeat.

Days ago, an NDC chieftain in the state, Chief James Onosakponome, urged him to defect to the party and contest the 2027 governorship election instead of returning to the Senate.

Onosakponome argued that going back to the Senate would amount to a “political demotion” for a former deputy senate president and insisted Omo-Agege still controls a strong support base across Delta State.

Meanwhile, THE WHISTLER had earlier reported that a Federal High Court in Abuja nullified key aspects of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s 2027 election timetable.

The ruling opened a window for aggrieved aspirants who lost their primary elections to switch parties.

The judgment affected timelines for party primaries, candidate substitution and nomination processes.

INEC has since appealed the ruling.

‘Earthquake’ In Delta As Omo-Agege Joins NDC is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

 

PRESS STATEMENT

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege Announces Resignation from the All Progressives Congress

22nd May, 2026

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR, KSJI, Deputy President of the 9th Senate and Obarisi of Urhoboland, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), effective immediately.

In a letter to the Chairman of Orogun Ward 2, Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, Senator Omo-Agege stated that after reviewing recent developments within the APC in Delta State and consulting with his associates and supporters, it is clear that his political objectives and those of his constituents are better served outside the party.

“I will not remain a sitting duck in a party where I cannot advance the interests of Delta Central, Delta State and Nigeria, he said.

“I thank the APC for the opportunity to serve as Deputy President of the 9th Senate. I wish the party well and have requested that my name be removed from all membership records, registers, and communication lists,” he said.

Senator Omo-Agege affirmed that his focus remains on delivering development and effective representation for Delta Central, Delta State, and Nigeria. He added that he will seek to pursue these goals outside the APC.

Signed:

Sunday Areh 

Media Adviser to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR, KSJI

Real Madrid winger, Vinicius Junior, has hailed his teammate Kylian Mbappe ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.

The Brazilian said Mbappe is a legend in football, adding that he has left his mark on the history of the game.

In a recent interview with Cazé TV, Vinicius said of Mbappe, “He’s really a very good person. 

“Brazilian fans have that impression of him, but actually, whenever we have the chance, we hang out off the field like friends.

“He is a great player. He has already won the World Cup final and scored three goals in the final. 

“He is a legendary player who will leave his mark on Real Madrid and in the entire history of football. He is already doing so now.”

World Cup: He left his mark in football history – Vinicius hails Mbappe