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US President Donald Trump told reporters Sunday that he is “not a big fan” of Pope Leo XIV, after the global leader of Catholics made a plea for peace amid the war in the Middle East.

The 70-year-old American pope publicly implored leaders on Saturday to end the violence, telling worshippers at St Peter’s Basilica: “Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!”

“I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo. He’s a very liberal person, and he’s a man that doesn’t believe in stopping crime,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

He accused the pontiff of “toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon.”

Trump later doubled down on his comments to reporters with a post on Truth Social, saying: “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.”

“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” he said.

The president added that Leo had only been elected “because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.”

“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.”

Trump later posted an AI-generated image seemingly depicting himself as Jesus Christ.

In the image, the president appears dressed in red and white robes as he cures a man with his healing hand. The American flag is shown over his shoulder.

Trump and the White House have previously shared AI-generated images, including one that showed the president dressed as the pope.

– Rejecting a rift –

Washington and the Vatican have rejected reports of a rift.

On Friday, a Vatican official denied reports that a top Pentagon official gave the church’s envoy to the United States a “bitter lecture” over Pope Leo’s criticisms of the Trump administration.

The story in the Free Press — which the Pentagon had already dismissed as “distorted” — reported that Cardinal Christophe Pierre was summoned in January to the Pentagon, where he was given a dressing-down by US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby.

The military official reportedly told the cardinal that the United States “has the military power to do whatever it wants — and that the Church had better take its side.”

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement “the account presented by certain media outlets regarding this meeting does not correspond to the truth in any way.”

While both parties insist the meeting was cordial, the Holy See and the White House have openly been at odds over the Trump administration’s hardline mass deportation campaign — which the pope called “inhuman” — and the use of military force in the Middle East and Venezuela.

When Trump made genocidal threats against Iran Tuesday — saying “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again” — the pontiff slammed the “truly unacceptable” statement and urged parties to “come back to the table” for negotiations.

Earlier this month, Pope Leo hailed the news of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran as a “sign of real hope.”

But peace talks between the United States and Iran, held in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, ended abruptly and without a resolution on Saturday, with US Vice President JD Vance telling reporters after a marathon-session of talks that Washington has delivered its “final and best offer.”

The post Trump says ‘not a big fan’ of Pope Leo after his anti-war message appeared first on Vanguard News.

Three persons sustained injuries while several shops were burnt after a gas-laden truck caught fire in Kwangila area of Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The incident was confirmed in a statement by the Kaduna State command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

The FRSC said the truck, carrying gas, burst into flames while it was stationed along the Funtua–Zaria road.

According to the statement, the fire quickly spread to nearby shops, causing significant damage and leaving three people injured.

The agency added that emergency response teams promptly arrived at the scene and were able to contain the fire, preventing it from extending to other buildings in the area.

The injured victims were subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment.

The FRSC stressed the importance of adhering to safety guidelines when transporting inflammable materials to prevent similar incidents.

Fire guts gas truck, injures three, destroys shops in Kaduna

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s recent remark suggesting that Nigerians should take solace in being “better off than Kenya and other African countries,” saying such comparisons do not address the country’s worsening economic realities.

Speaking in response to the President’s comment made in Yenagoa, Obi said resorting to comparisons with other African nations risks downplaying the severity of hardship faced by Nigerians, especially amid rising inflation, fuel prices, and declining living standards.

“Comparing Nigeria to Kenya or any other country will not fix our problems,” Obi said. “What Nigerians need are concrete solutions driven by measurable data, not statements that attempt to console rather than confront reality.”

Tinubu had, in his remarks, suggested that despite ongoing economic challenges, Nigeria remained relatively better positioned than some African peers. However, Obi argued that such assertions must be backed by verifiable data and honest assessment.

Drawing from religious teachings, Obi likened the President’s remarks to the biblical parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9–14, warning against self-righteous comparisons. He also referenced Qur’an 53:32, which cautions against self-exaltation.

“Like the Pharisee who boasted of his superiority, such downward comparisons serve more as a refuge than a remedy,” Obi stated. “They may offer temporary comfort, but they do not solve the underlying issues.”

The former Anambra State governor further recalled an earlier campaign remark by Tinubu — “Na statistics we go shop?” — describing it as dismissive of the critical role data plays in governance.

“Statistics are not optional; they are the language of development,” Obi said. “No nation can plan effectively or measure progress without relying on credible data and comparing itself with peers in a meaningful way.”

Obi maintained that when properly applied, comparisons can serve as tools for accountability and policy direction, but warned against what he described as “selective or unfounded comparisons.”

Citing several development indicators, Obi argued that Kenya outperforms Nigeria in key areas, including human development, life expectancy, literacy, and macroeconomic stability.

“On the Human Development Index, Kenya ranks 143 with a score of about 0.630, while Nigeria is ranked 164 with about 0.530,” he said. “Kenya’s GDP per capita is between $2,200 and $2,300, compared to Nigeria’s which is below $900.”

He added that poverty levels also paint a stark contrast. “About 43 per cent of Kenyans live below the poverty line, roughly 23 million people, while in Nigeria, it is about 63 per cent, translating to nearly 150 million people,” Obi noted.

On social indicators, Obi said Kenya’s life expectancy stands at about 67 years, compared to Nigeria’s 54 years, while literacy rates are estimated at 81–85 per cent in Kenya against Nigeria’s 62–65 per cent.

He also pointed to disparities in education and infrastructure, noting that Nigeria has approximately 20 million out-of-school children, compared to Kenya’s 3.5 million, and significantly lower access to electricity.

“Even in terms of inflation and currency stability, Kenya has maintained a relatively stable environment compared to Nigeria, where inflation has remained above 15 per cent and the naira has depreciated sharply,” he said.

Obi further argued that rising global oil prices have not translated into the same level of domestic fuel price shocks in Kenya as seen in Nigeria, underscoring structural challenges in the country’s economy.

While acknowledging that Kenya faces its own challenges, Obi insisted that the data shows a consistently higher performance across multiple indices when compared to Nigeria.

“If the President believes Kenyans are suffering despite these stronger indicators, then Nigerians are clearly in a far more difficult situation,” he said.

Obi urged the Federal Government to move away from what he described as “self-consolation” and instead embrace accountability and evidence-based policymaking.

“We must confront our realities with humility and take responsibility,” he said. “Only then can we begin to implement the reforms necessary to move the country forward.”

Nigeria-Kenya Comparisons Won’t Fix Crisis, Obi Tells Tinubu is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Nigeria’s banking sector has entered a new phase of strength following the just-concluded recapitalisation drive, led by the Central Bank of Nigeria under Governor Olayemi Cardoso. CHIMA NWOKOJI examines how over N4.61 trillion raised has positioned banks to expand lending, support businesses, and drive the Federal Government’s $1 trillion economy target. Nigeria’s banking sector has […]

A faith-based organisation, the Academic of Islamic Propagation, ACADIP, has raised concerns over the possible misuse of religion by political actors as preparations gradually begin for the 2027 general elections.

The group’s position was made known by its founder, Mallam Yusuf Adepoju, during an event held in Ede on Sunday.

Speaking at the gathering, Adepoju warned that introducing religious sentiments into political campaigns could heighten divisions among citizens and undermine national unity.

He said, “Politicians must avoid dragging religion into their ambitions, as doing so can create unnecessary tension and weaken the bonds that hold our society together.”

Adepoju stressed that political leaders should instead concentrate on delivering on their promises to the electorate, describing such pledges as binding responsibilities.

According to him, “Campaign promises should not be treated lightly; they are obligations that leaders owe the people and must be fulfilled with sincerity.”

He further urged Nigerians to make informed choices during elections by supporting candidates with proven integrity and a commitment to public service.

“The electorate must look beyond sentiments and choose individuals who demonstrate honesty, accountability and a genuine desire to serve,” he added.

Adepoju also reaffirmed his commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence, noting that his newly conferred traditional title would be used to advance unity and Islamic teachings across communities.

In a related development, the Chairman of the Ede Muslim Council, Dr Musibaudeen Idris, called on Adepoju to remain consistent in his values and leadership approach.

Idris said, “You must continue to uphold the principles of Islam and serve as a guiding example to younger generations, while encouraging harmony within the community.”

2027: Islamic group cautions politicians against exploiting religion

President Donald Trump launched a public attack on Pope Leo XIV on Sunday night, calling the first American-born pontiff “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy” in a lengthy Truth Social post and follow-up remarks to reporters, marking an unprecedented moment in which a sitting U.S. president has entered open conflict with an American pope.

Trump’s comments escalated already high tensions between the president and Pope Leo, who has increasingly spoken out on Trump administration immigration policies and the ongoing U.S.-Israel war with Iran.

The post came moments after a CBS News “60 Minutes” segment aired featuring top American Cardinals Robert McElroy, Jeffrey Tobin, and Blase Cupich echoing the pope’s criticisms of several Trump administration policies.

Pope Leo had become increasingly vocal about the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran, condemning Trump’s rhetoric and threats against the people of Iran as “truly unacceptable.”

That comment was prompted by Trump’s threat that “a whole civilization will die tonight” in the hours before a two-week ceasefire with Iran was struck.

Speaking to some 10,000 worshippers in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, Leo called on world leaders to “sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned, and deadly actions are decided.”

Trump responded with a 334-word post on Truth Social. In it, he took direct aim at the pope on multiple fronts including Iran, Venezuela, immigration, and COVID-era church closures.

Trump claimed that Leo “wasn’t on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump,” adding, “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.”

Trump also said he likes Leo’s elder brother Louis Prevost “much better” than the pope himself, claiming Louis is “all MAGA.”

Trump concluded his post with a direct rebuke: “Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church.”

When pressed by reporters upon landing at Joint Base Andrews, Trump showed no signs of softening his position. “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime, I guess,” Trump said. “We don’t like a pope that’s going to say that it’s OK to have a nuclear weapon. I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo.”

The dispute marks an unprecedented moment in American history as never before has a sitting U.S. president been in open conflict with an American pope.

Experts say it represents a broader inflection point for American Christianity, pitting Trump’s nationalist politics against the Catholic Church’s centuries-old tradition of international humanitarian norms.

The feud carries significant implications for the roughly 70 million Catholics in the United States.

Both Trump and his Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have invoked God in public messaging during the Iran conflict, with Hegseth framing the war effort as divinely supported and even using scriptural justification.

The pope’s calls for peace have put him on a direct collision course with that narrative.

Pope Leo is scheduled to depart Monday for an 11-day trip to Africa.

The Vatican has not issued an official response to Trump’s remarks as of early Monday morning.

Trump Blasts Pope Leo As “Weak, Terrible” On Foreign Policy is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A presidential aide, Daniel Bwala, has defended ongoing economic reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the current hardship reflects necessary changes rather than policy failure.

In a post on X on Monday, Bwala argued that while reforms may be difficult, the challenges Nigerians previously endured were worse but had become normalised over time.

“Yes, reform is loud. But, as Nigerians, we need to be honest with ourselves. The problems we lived with for years were even louder. We just got used to them. The waste, the inefficiency, and the struggle to make simple things work; it became our normal,” he wrote.

He maintained that the disruptions currently being experienced are part of a broader effort to fix long-standing structural issues in the country.

“Now that things are being fixed under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it won’t be quiet or easy. Real change never is. The noise you hear today is the sound of difficult but necessary change,” Bwala added.

The presidential aide emphasised that nation-building requires sacrifice and resilience, noting that reform processes are rarely smooth.

“Nation-building is not a quiet process. It demands courage, sacrifice, and honesty. And while reform may be uncomfortable for Nigerians, it is the only path to lasting stability and shared prosperity for all Nigerians,” he said.

Bwala also criticised opposition parties for failing to provide alternative policy proposals, particularly on key economic decisions taken by the current administration.

“As of now, the opposition has not told us the alternatives to fuel subsidy removal. They are yet to tell the available option to FX rates reconciliation. They are yet to present a counter offer to young Nigerians on Nelfund’s student loan, amongst many others,” he stated.

He further took a swipe at past administrations, suggesting their policies had negative consequences for the country.

“They took us to Egypt during their days. Imagine where a congregation of them all in one place would further take us,” Bwala said.

The post ‘Reform is loud, but necessary’ — Bwala defends Tinubu’s policies appeared first on Vanguard News.

At least, 45 kidnapped victims have been rescued during an ongoing security operations in forests around Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

Governor Bala Mohammed made this known when he visited the victims after their release. He described the rescue as a big relief for families and communities affected by bandit attacks.

He said the victims were freed during joint operations by security agencies, and praised the officers for their courage and efforts.

According to the governor, the operation also led to the killing of some bandits and the arrest of others, weakening criminal groups in the area.

He added that security forces are still searching for more victims who may still be in captivity.

Governor Mohammed assured that the rescued victims would receive medical care, counselling, and support to help them return to normal life.

He also said the government would properly document the victims, especially because of concerns that illegal mining activities may be linked to insecurity in the area.

While welcoming the progress made, the governor urged residents to stay alert and report suspicious activities, warning that some people within communities still help criminal groups.

Security operatives rescue 45 kidnapped victims from Bauchi forest

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is gaining significant political ground across the country despite ongoing controversy surrounding the stance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on party affairs, with a fresh wave of defections boosting its ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This development was evident at the party’s State Congress in Sokoto, where party leaders and supporters turned out in large numbers, projecting confidence in the ADC’s growing relevance as a formidable opposition platform.

Speaking at the event, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal representing Sokoto South alleged that the current political climate is being shaped to weaken opposition parties, claiming that recent developments point to a deliberate attempt to limit their survival.

“It is becoming increasingly obvious that the agenda is to ensure that no opposition party thrives without internal crisis, leaving only the ruling party dominant”

He further linked the situation to past political experiences in Nigeria, warning against a drift toward a system where multiple parties are weakened to favour a single political force.

The ADC chieftain also criticised INEC’s interpretation of recent court rulings on party leadership issues, describing it as questionable and capable of undermining the autonomy of political parties.

According to him, the controversy has not deterred Nigerians from embracing the ADC.

“In spite of what we see as orchestrated moves, people are still trooping into the ADC. Within a short period, hundreds of thousands have registered. That shows growing public confidence,” he stated.

Tambuwal described the 2027 elections as a defining moment for the country, framing it as a contest between the ruling establishment and ordinary Nigerians.

“The next election is clearly between those in power and the Nigerian people. Citizens are paying attention and will ultimately decide”

He also questioned the increasing movement of politicians into the ruling party, arguing that such defections do not align with prevailing governance realities.

“If things are improving, that would be understandable. But when key indicators such as security and the economy are under pressure, it raises questions about the real motivations behind these moves”

On fears that internal contest for the party’s presidential ticket could destabilise the ADC, the party assured that it remains committed to democratic processes.

“We will adopt consensus where possible, and where that is not feasible, we will go for primaries. That is the essence of democracy, and we are prepared for it,” he noted.

Outlining the party’s vision, the ADC leadership promised to prioritise security, economic recovery, job creation, agriculture, education, and power if given the mandate in 2027.

“We are focused on addressing insecurity decisively and reducing the hardship faced by Nigerians. These are fundamental priorities for us”

The State Congress itself was described by party officials as peaceful and well-attended, with participants expressing enthusiasm and commitment to the party’s growth.

Meanwhile, legal experts have continued to emphasise that internal party matters should be handled within party structures, in line with existing judicial precedents, a position that has further fueled debate over INEC’s role.

Abdullahi Sa’idu a political observers say the surge in ADC membership reflects wider dissatisfaction with the current administration, as economic hardship, insecurity, and unemployment continue to dominate national discourse

He opined that as political realignments intensify ahead of 2027, the ADC’s rising profile, coupled with ongoing disputes over electoral oversight, could reshape the dynamics of opposition politics in Nigeria.

ADC Still Rising Despite INEC Actions, Says Tambuwal is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The United Kingdom has stated that it will not take part in a proposed maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz led by the United States, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate.

The position follows a directive by US President, Donald Trump ordering the US Navy to block vessels entering or exiting the critical waterway.

The move came after the collapse of prolonged nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran, which reportedly lasted 21 hours without reaching a breakthrough.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically significant shipping routes, facilitating nearly 20 per cent of global oil supply.

According to a report by Sky News, a spokesperson for the UK government emphasised the country’s commitment to maintaining open and secure maritime routes rather than participating in enforcement actions.

“We continue to support freedom of navigation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for the global economy and the cost of living domestically.

“The strait should not be subject to tolling. We are actively engaging with France and other partners to form a broad coalition to safeguard maritime movement,” the spokesperson said.

Earlier indications suggested that Washington had sought British support, including the deployment of minesweepers to help secure the area.

However, UK officials clarified that while British naval assets with mine-hunting capabilities are present in the region, they will not be used to support the US blockade initiative.

President Trump announced the blockade plan via his Truth Social platform, describing it as a necessary step following the breakdown of diplomatic efforts with Iran.

While he acknowledged that some progress had been made during the talks, he maintained that key issues, particularly Iran’s nuclear programme, remained unresolved.

UK declines role in Trump’s Hormuz blockade plan