Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo Abuja — The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Tuesday as a faction of the party loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announced the expulsion of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed; and Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal. The faction also expelled former Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; former Minister Kabiru Tanimu Turaki; and the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, among several others, accusing them of anti-party activities. The development followed violent clashes earlier in the day between…

By Peter Omopo Ado-Ekiti — Renowned legal scholar and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, has expressed deep concern over the increasing number of illegal and substandard private universities operating across Nigeria. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti while receiving the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) accreditation team on a visit to the institution, Babalola urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to urgently revisit its accreditation processes and clamp down on institutions operating without approval. He warned that Nigeria’s education system faces serious danger if poor-quality institutions continue to multiply unchecked. “Nigeria deserves the best and should…

By Peter Omopo A former Special Adviser to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Alwan Hassan, on Tuesday publicly apologised to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin after accusing them of receiving a $10 million bribe to halt the confirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Abdullahi Ramat. Hassan’s apology comes days after the Senate threatened legal action over the allegation, which had ignited controversy amid ongoing public distrust surrounding federal appointments in the power sector. Addressing journalists during a press briefing in Abuja, Hassan traced the episode to his…

By Peter Omopo A coalition of 44 members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday called on President Bola Tinubu to adopt a political solution to the prolonged detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. The lawmakers, operating under the banner of the Concerned Federal Lawmakers for National Unity, transmitted a two-page letter and formal resolution to the President, urging him to invoke his constitutional authority to end Kanu’s prosecution and initiate a broader national dialogue to restore peace in the South-East. They argued that political engagement — rather than continued litigation — offered…

By Peter Omopo A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has condemned the abduction of schoolgirls from Government Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, describing the attack as “horrific” and calling for prayers for the victims. Moore, in a post on X on Tuesday, wrote, “Please join me in praying for the 25 girls who have been kidnapped and for the repose of the soul of their vice principal, who was killed.” He further claimed that the incident occurred in “a Christian enclave in Northern Nigeria,” adding that “the Nigerian government must do more to…

By Peter Omopo Transfer analyst Fabrizio Romano has dismissed reports suggesting that Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has reached an agreement to join Turkish giants Galatasaray in the January transfer window. Speculation from Turkey over the weekend claimed a deal had been concluded involving Lookman, his agents, and his club Atalanta. However, speaking on his Italian YouTube channel, Romano clarified that no such agreement currently exists. “Reports from Turkey over the past two days have suggested that an agreement has already been reached to bring Lookman to Galatasaray in January. However, this is not the case,” Romano said. “As of now,…

By Peter Omopo The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has ordered troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA to step up efforts to rescue the students abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS), Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The directive was issued on Monday during the COAS’s operational visit to Kebbi State, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YANMA, Captain David Adewusi. Lt. Gen. Shaibu, who met with frontline commanders and personnel deployed in the ongoing rescue mission, urged the troops to adopt…

By Peter Omopo Abia State’s push to position itself as a leading investment destination has received a major boost, as Zenith Bank Plc pledged firm support for the state’s economic transformation agenda under Governor Alex Otti. Speaking at a pre-event luncheon in Abuja ahead of the Abia/Turkiye Investment Summit and Product Exhibition, the General Manager and Zonal Head of Zenith Bank, Carl Akwarandu, described the bank’s commitment as both strategic and enthusiastic. He said Zenith Bank—widely regarded as Nigeria’s biggest and most profitable financial institution—is ready to provide substantial funding and advisory services to investors looking toward Abia. Akwarandu noted…

By Peter Omopo Former Kogi State governor, Idris Wada, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress, joining several other political figures who dumped their parties for the ruling APC. The defectors were received on Monday by Vice President Kashim Shettima in Lokoja. Others who crossed over include the 2023 deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi, Sam Abenemi, alongside prominent politicians drawn from various local government areas across the state. Speaking at the reception, Vice President Shettima described the development as a significant boost for the APC, both in Kogi and at the national level.…

By Peter Omopo Former Minister of Defence and ex-Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Haliru Mohammed, has announced his retirement from active politics and resignation from the party after more than 40 years in public service. Mohammed disclosed his decision in a letter dated November 14, 2025, addressed to the PDP Chairman of Nassarawa Ward 1 in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State. Copies of the letter were also forwarded to the PDP state chairman, the national chairman, and the chairman of the Board of Trustees. He said the move followed “deep reflection” and…