Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has lashed out at opposition figures challenging the outcome of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) elections, describing their allegations of widespread irregularities as baseless and misleading. In a statement posted on his X handle @fkeyamo, Keyamo accused opposition leaders of making “futile excuses” to justify their electoral defeat, insisting that Nigerians had clearly expressed their will at the polls. He argued that claims of systemic irregularities were exaggerated and driven by disappointment rather than evidence. Citing official figures, the minister noted that out of a total of 2,822 polling units in…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) have raised fresh concerns over voter apathy, logistical lapses and alleged political interference in elections conducted in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rivers and Kano states. In a statement signed by Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC and Chairman of TMG, the groups described the polls as largely peaceful across most units but marred by significant operational and credibility challenges. They warned that declining voter turnout signals a growing erosion of public trust in the electoral process, stressing that when citizens disengage, “it is no longer…
The Senate of the University of Abuja has expelled 28 students and revoked the academic certificates of 15 former students following findings of serious misconduct. The disciplinary actions were approved at the institution’s 191st Regular Senate Meeting, according to a statement signed by the Acting Director of Information and University Relations, Dr. Habib Yakoob. The offences cited include cult-related activities, examination malpractice, possession of and involvement with hard drugs, assault, burglary, theft, and falsification of ‘O’ Level results used for university admission. These breaches were detailed in a report submitted by the Student Disciplinary Committee for consideration by the Senate.…
The Media Office of the De Renaissance Patriots Foundation has called for inclusive urban planning in Lagos State, cautioning that ongoing market redevelopment projects could displace traditional traders and erode the city’s historic mercantile identity. In a press statement titled “Lagos Markets: Between Heritage and Modernity,” issued on Sunday, February 22, 2026, the group traced Lagos’ commercial evolution to its early barter system, long before the introduction of structured currency. It noted that commerce in the city grew organically from open squares where fishermen, farmers and merchants exchanged goods, laying the groundwork for what later became a vibrant trading hub.“Lagos…
President Donald Trump has increased the United States’ global import tariff to 15 percent, escalating his trade offensive just a day after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down a major pillar of his tariff regime. The move follows Friday’s court ruling, which invalidated Trump’s use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping country-specific duties. In immediate response to the 6–3 decision, Trump had announced a new 10 percent global levy under a different legal pathway. On Saturday, he went further — raising the rate to what he described on Truth Social as…
A group, Concerned Indigenous Yoruba Muslims, has dismissed a viral report claiming that the Chief Imam of Ibadanland and the League of Imams in Yorubaland rejected the authority of the Sultan of Sokoto in determining the commencement of Ramadan fast in the South-West. The report, which circulated on social media ahead of Ramadan 1447AH, alleged that the Chief Imam of Ibadan declared that Yoruba Muslims were not bound by the authority of the Sultan of Sokoto regarding the announcement of the fasting period. It further claimed that religious leaders in the region had aligned with indigenous structures, distancing themselves from…
Lakurawa terrorists killed 30 people and abducted several others following a midnight attack on Dutsin Dan Ajiya village in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State. According to a report by Channels Television, the gunmen stormed the community around midnight on Thursday and operated until the early hours of Friday. Residents said the attackers, who arrived on motorcycles, blocked major entry and exit routes into the village before opening fire indiscriminately and carrying out abductions. “After blocking all the roads, the bandits started shooting on sight, and villagers ran in different directions. After the attack, we realised that 30 people were…
Terrorists have escalated fear in the Utono community in Ngaski Local Government Area (LGA) of Kebbi State, Nigeria, by sending a threatening letter demanding ₦100 million before they would be permitted to enter the town, according to local reports. The letter, allegedly delivered to community leaders in the early hours of Thursday, February 19 or 20, 2026, warned residents not to dismiss the message as a joke. It stated that the group intended to come to “preach,” but attached the steep financial demand as a condition for their entry. “This is not a joke. We are coming to preach. You…
Rwanda has raised its benchmark interest rate to a near three-year high, defying a broader wave of monetary easing across the continent as policymakers move to contain rising inflationary pressures. The National Bank of Rwanda’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) increased the key policy rate to 7.25 percent from 6.75 percent at its first meeting of 2026. The 50-basis-point hike marks the largest rate increase in almost three years and pushes borrowing costs to their highest level since August 2023. With the latest move, cumulative tightening now stands at 75 basis points since the central bank resumed rate hikes last year.…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has cautioned that the rapid expansion of private digital payment platforms and stablecoins could undermine foreign exchange stability and intensify capital flow pressures in emerging markets. CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, raised the concern during a plenary session at the G-24 Technical Group Meetings held on Thursday in Abuja. Cardoso acknowledged that digital payment systems offer significant gains in financial inclusion and operational efficiency. However, he warned that they also introduce structural vulnerabilities requiring proactive and coordinated regulatory oversight. According to him, the growth of digital platforms and stablecoins presents both opportunities and systemic risks…