Blog

  • Obi Urges Tinubu To Resign Over Governance Failures

    Obi Urges Tinubu To Resign Over Governance Failures

    Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to resign over what he described as failures in governance, citing the resignation announcement of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as an example of political accountability.

    In a statement posted on his official X account on Monday, Obi said he had listened to Starmer’s speech announcing his planned resignation and reflected on the importance of leadership responsibility in democratic societies.

    “As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development,” Obi said.

    According to him, Starmer’s decision followed growing public dissatisfaction over economic challenges, rising living costs and unmet campaign promises.

    Drawing parallels with Nigeria, Obi recalled that before the 2015 general election, Tinubu had repeatedly called on then-President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over insecurity and economic hardship.

    “During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan, arguing that the government had failed in its most fundamental duty of protecting lives,” Obi stated.

    The former Anambra State governor also referenced promises Tinubu made during the 2023 election campaign, including commitments to improve electricity supply, tackle corruption and enhance the welfare of Nigerians.

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply. He also challenged the electorate not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those commitments,” Obi said.

    He argued that conditions had deteriorated since then, citing persistent power shortages, worsening insecurity and economic hardship.

    “At present, however, these conditions have worsened. Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased,” he said.

    Obi further claimed that other sectors, including infrastructure, transportation and anti-corruption efforts, had also witnessed setbacks.

    “We are in the worst possible condition,” he said.

    The opposition figure subsequently called on the president to step down, saying such a move would promote accountability in public office.

    “I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance,” Obi said.

    According to him, resignation would help foster “a political culture rooted in accountability and responsibility” and send a message that “public office is a sacred trust, not an entitlement.”

    Obi Urges Tinubu To Resign Over Governance Failures is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

  • Gov Kefas slashes street sweepers’ salaries from N15,000 to N10,000

    Gov Kefas slashes street sweepers’ salaries from N15,000 to N10,000

    Taraba State Government has slashed the salaries of members of the Operation Keep Taraba Clean programme, popularly known as

    The post Gov Kefas slashes street sweepers’ salaries from N15,000 to N10,000 appeared first on Tribune Online.

  • DSS witness, Deji Adeyanju, admits El-Rufai’s confession of wiretapping NSA phone

    DSS witness, Deji Adeyanju, admits El-Rufai’s confession of wiretapping NSA phone

    A witness of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, over the alleged wiretapping of the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has admitted that El-Rufai confirmed the wiretapping remarks during a television interview. The witness, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, told […]

    The post DSS witness, Deji Adeyanju, admits El-Rufai’s confession of wiretapping NSA phone appeared first on Tribune Online.

  • Court Screens El-Rufai’s Interview Over NSA Call Interception Claim

    Court Screens El-Rufai’s Interview Over NSA Call Interception Claim

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday replayed an interview granted by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the ongoing trial over allegations that he claimed to have intercepted a telephone conversation involving National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

    Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, who testified as the second prosecution witness before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, told the court that the video accurately captured events during the February 13 edition of an Arise Television programme where El-Rufai made the remarks.

    Adeyanju said reports had surfaced on February 12 suggesting that El-Rufai could be arrested or invited by security agencies after returning from Cairo, Egypt. He said he had publicly advised the former governor to honour any invitation from security agencies, maintaining at the time that the matter was not politically motivated.

    “I went to Arise, and El-Rufai was also on the programme. My segment came after his. During his interview, I listened to him speak on several issues and I countered many of his claims because they were either untrue or half-truths,” Adeyanju told the court.

    He further testified that he was later invited by the State Security Service (SSS), where he made a statement concerning the interview.

    “I confirmed that El-Rufai said someone tapped and gave him the information. I put all that into writing,” he said.

    At the prosecution’s request, the court replayed the interview, which had earlier been tendered during the testimony of the first prosecution witness. After viewing the recording, Adeyanju affirmed that it accurately reflected what transpired during the programme.

    Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), Adeyanju also tendered the subpoena summoning him to testify. The document was admitted and marked as Exhibit G after defence counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), raised no objection.

    The prosecution subsequently tendered a recording of Adeyanju’s own interview on the programme alongside a certificate of compliance. Both were admitted as Exhibits H and H1.

    In the recorded interview, Adeyanju stated that if the government had intended to arrest El-Rufai, the SSS would have apprehended him at the airport upon his arrival in Nigeria.

    He also referenced reports that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) was investigating the former governor, insisting that El-Rufai should be investigated for alleged corruption and prosecuted if sufficient evidence emerged.

    Adeyanju further described El-Rufai as an “ardent violator of human rights” and said the former governor’s current predicament amounted to “karma.”

    During cross-examination, Erokoro asked whether he heard El-Rufai expressly state that he personally tapped a telephone conversation.

    In response, Adeyanju said El-Rufai had stated: “We listened to their calls.”

    He added that if anyone claimed to have hacked a phone call, he would report the matter because he did not know how such an act could be carried out.

    The witness, however, said he had no knowledge of whether the NSA conducted telephone conversations in a manner that could allow others to listen in and stressed that he appeared in court solely because he was summoned.

    Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until June 23 for continuation of the trial.

    The SSS filed a five-count charge against El-Rufai in February after he claimed during the Arise Television interview that he had intercepted a telephone conversation involving Ribadu, which allegedly revealed plans by security operatives to arrest him.

    El-Rufai was arraigned on April 23, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of N100 million.

    Court Screens El-Rufai’s Interview Over NSA Call Interception Claim is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

  • Twin brothers marry twin sisters in Ibadan

    Twin brothers marry twin sisters in Ibadan

    A pair of twin brothers exchanged marital vows with a pair of twin sisters in a rare double wedding ceremony held in Ibadan, Oyo State on Saturday. In a remarkable coincidence, one of the brothers, Taiwo, married a female twin who also bears the name Taiwo, while his twin brother, Kehinde, tied the knot with […]

    The post Twin brothers marry twin sisters in Ibadan appeared first on Tribune Online.

  • Gov Adeleke condemns teenager’s death, accuses police of bias

    Gov Adeleke condemns teenager’s death, accuses police of bias

    Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has condemned the killing of a 14-year-old boy in Ilobu, Osun State.

    Governor Adeleke also alleged that the incident occurred in the presence of police officers, describing it as evidence of growing police complicity in political violence across parts of the state.

    In a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor also criticised the police for allegedly providing protection to sacked local government chairmen of the All Progressives Congress, APC, insisting that the rule of law and constitutional provisions must prevail in the state.

    Adeleke expressed sympathy to the family of the deceased teenager and called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of individuals allegedly involved in the attack.

    Describing the incident as disturbing, the governor questioned why police officers at the scene allegedly failed to prevent the killing and urged the Osun State Police Command to apprehend a suspect he identified as Saheed Tanfeani.

    “This killing is the worst example of police complicity. This re-confirms a pattern of police indulgence of Osun APC political thugs who move around towns with guns and regular gunshots in the air,” Adeleke said.

    He alleged that the police had failed to curb attacks and harassment allegedly carried out by political thugs against residents and supporters of the Accord party in some communities.

    “The State Police Command is daily demonstrating reprehensible open bias and unacceptable partisan support for the Osun APC. There are even reports that some police officials accompany AMBO thugs in their daily operations,” the governor stated.

    He said his administration had lodged several petitions with the Inspector-General of Police and the Presidency over rising insecurity and political violence in the state.

    Adeleke alleged that the police command was currently providing protection for APC local government chairmen who had been removed from office by the courts, claiming that security personnel had been stationed at council secretariats to prevent elected Peoples Democratic Party officials from assuming office.

    “Mobile policemen are deployed to council secretariats to protect court-sacked, tenureless APC operatives, preventing duly elected PDP council chairmen and councillors from accessing the secretariats,” he said.

    The governor described the deployment as an abuse of police powers and warned that continued disregard for judicial pronouncements could threaten democratic governance and public order in the state.

    “We alert Mr President that our people have been pushed to the wall. Failure of the police to enforce the law can force citizens to resort to self-help. We must respect the rule of law, the Electoral Act and the Constitution,” Adeleke added.

    Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command has launched a manhunt for suspected hoodlums following the killing of a 14-year-old boy identified as Ezekiel Olapade and the injury of another person during a shooting incident near the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat, Ilobu.

    The police also revealed that the deceased Olapade, was reportedly struck by a stray bullet when armed men opened fire close to the council secretariat on Sunday afternoon.

    The Command’s spokesperson, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, said officers had commenced investigations and were intensifying efforts to apprehend the prime suspect, identified as Saheed, popularly known as “Tanfeani”, alongside others believed to have participated in the attack.

    Gov Adeleke condemns teenager’s death, accuses police of bias

  • High-Yield agri-investing: How to source, manage commercial snail farm 

    High-Yield agri-investing: How to source, manage commercial snail farm 

    With Nigeria’s economic landscape demanding smarter, more resilient investment choices, savvy agri-investors are looking beyond traditional livestock.

    The post High-Yield agri-investing: How to source, manage commercial snail farm  appeared first on Tribune Online.

  • 400-Level Kogi Varsity Student Arrested Over Alleged Cult Initiation

    400-Level Kogi Varsity Student Arrested Over Alleged Cult Initiation

    Security operatives at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, have arrested a 400-level Economics student over allegations of forced cult initiation, physical assault, and threats to life.

    The university’s Public Relations Officer, Uredo Omale, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

    Omale identified the suspect as Adejo Ojonimi, 25, of the Department of Economics, with matriculation number 23EC1103.

    Ojonimi was arrested on Friday, June 19, 2026, by the University Vigilante Service following a complaint by a spillover student from the Department of Food Science and Technology.

    The complainant alleged that Ojonimi approached him and demanded that he join the Black Axe Confraternity.

    He said he refused the request, after which he was allegedly assaulted, injured, and threatened with severe consequences if he rejected the initiation.

    “Out of fear for my safety, I abandoned my residence and remained in hiding for several days before reporting the matter,” the complainant was quoted as saying.

    The university’s Security Unit said its investigation found visible injuries on the complainant when he reported the incident.

    According to the statement, the suspect was interrogated and allegedly admitted to assaulting and threatening the victim.

    The security unit also said a search of the suspect’s mobile phone uncovered conversations with other suspected cult members using the slogan “Egede”, which it linked to the Black Axe Confraternity.

    It added that information connecting other individuals to the group had been extracted and documented for further security and administrative action.

    The suspect has been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Salisu Usman, commended the security operatives for their actions and warned that the institution would not tolerate cultism, violence, or criminal activities on campus.

    “Let this serve as a strong warning to students and anyone involved in cult-related activities: steer clear of Prince Abubakar Audu University. We remain committed to providing a safe, peaceful, and conducive environment for teaching, learning, research, and community service,” he said.

    Ahead of second-semester examinations beginning Monday, the Vice-Chancellor urged students to report suspicious activities and movements, assuring them that such reports would be treated confidentially.

    400-Level Kogi Varsity Student Arrested Over Alleged Cult Initiation is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

  • Royal Exchange Seeks Fresh N2.7bn Equity To Meet Recapitalization

    Royal Exchange Seeks Fresh N2.7bn Equity To Meet Recapitalization

    Royal Exchange Plc is seeking shareholder approval to raise up to N2.7bn in fresh equity capital through a public offer of 2.08 billion ordinary shares as part of recapitalisation programme aimed at strengthening its financial position and supporting strategic expansion plans.

    The proposed capital raise will be considered at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) where shareholders will vote on a series of resolutions, including an increase in the company’s share capital and the allotment of new shares to investors.

    According to the notice of meeting issued by the company, Royal Exchange plans to raise the funds through the issuance of 2,076,923,077 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N1.30 per share, generating proceeds of up to N2.7bn, subject to regulatory approvals and market conditions.

    The insurer said the additional capital would support its ongoing recapitalisation efforts and provide greater financial flexibility as it pursues growth opportunities within Nigeria’s insurance industry.

    As part of the exercise, shareholders will also consider a proposal to increase the company’s issued share capital from N4.63bn to N5.17bn through the creation of 1.08 billion additional ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

    The new shares will rank pari passu with the company’s existing ordinary shares.

    The board is seeking authority to undertake all actions required to execute the fundraising programme, including appointing professional advisers, securing regulatory approvals and executing transaction-related agreements.

    It is also requesting approval to allot the newly created shares under the public offer at N1.30 per share or at such price as may be determined by the board.

    The proposed increase in share capital is expected to provide sufficient headroom for the public offer and any additional equity transactions that may be undertaken under the company’s broader capital-raising programme.

    In addition, shareholders will be asked to approve amendments to the company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association to reflect any changes in issued share capital resulting from the fundraising exercise.

    The company secretary will be authorised to complete all necessary filings with the Corporate Affairs Commission and other regulatory authorities.

    Beyond the capital raise, the meeting will also take note of the directors’ intention to acquire and recapitalise Royal Exchange Prudential Limited, a move that could strengthen the group’s position within the insurance and financial services sector.

    The planned fundraising comes amid heightened capital strengthening efforts across Nigeria’s financial services industry, as companies seek to enhance solvency levels, improve competitiveness and position themselves for long-term growth.

    If approved, the N2.7bn equity raise would represent one of the most significant capital market transactions undertaken by Royal Exchange in recent years and could provide the company with additional resources to support business expansion, operational efficiency and strategic investments.

    The outcome of the meeting is expected to determine the next phase of Royal Exchange’s recapitalisation strategy as it seeks to reinforce its balance sheet and unlock new growth opportunities.

    Royal Exchange Seeks Fresh N2.7bn Equity To Meet Recapitalization is first published on The Whistler Newspaper