Reality Blogs

 The 2023 vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has said that former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, is free to seek the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 elections, whether or not he returns as his running mate. Baba-Ahmed stated this on Wednesday while speaking as a guest on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme. “They are two key individuals that I have tremendous respect for; one is Peter Obi. I welcome him openly. “The Labour Party welcomes him to still come and retain the Labour Party ticket and contest in 2027 with or without me. And the ADC is welcome to adopt a southern candidate,” Baba-Ahmed said. The former senator said Nigeria needs leaders with the capacity to govern effectively and not deliver failure. “We want capacity. We want compassion. We want people who will develop Nigeria, leaders that matter, leaders that deliver promises, not those who will promise governance and deliver disaster,” he stated. Responding to ...

 The report was first introduced on May 27, 2025, but its consideration was stalled by a combination of legislative recesses and bureaucratic delays, especially in obtaining documents from the Debt Management Office (DMO). On Tuesday, the Nigerian Senate approved President Bola Tinubu’s sweeping request for external borrowing totalling more than $21 billion to fund key development initiatives over the 2025–2026 fiscal period.  The Senate said the massive borrowing plan is aimed at supporting national projects across sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, security, and human capital development. The approval came after a long-delayed report by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt, chaired by Senator Aliyu Wamako, was finally presented during plenary in Abuja.  The report was first introduced on May 27, 2025, but its consideration was stalled by a combination of legislative recesses and bureaucratic delays, especially in obtaining documents from the Debt Man...

 By Luminous Jannamike ABUJA – Dr Emmanuel Ezeh, a key figure in the Obidient Movement in the South East, has declared Mr Peter Obi as the most qualified leader to unite and lead Nigeria in the 2027 general elections. In a statement on Tuesday, Ezeh, who contested for a National Assembly seat under the Labour Party in 2023, described Obi as a unifying force with organic grassroots support, especially among women and young people. He also pointed to the growing influence of the movement, highlighted by the July 19 Obidient Day of Service, which coincided with Obi’s 64th birthday. “Mr Peter Obi has always emphasised the need for patriotism driven by service above self. We’ve seen him give away his personal wealth to support the poor and fund social interventions, rather than using those resources for political advantage,” Ezeh said. He praised Obi’s leadership values, adding that his selfless approach to politics has won him wide admiration. Ezeh compared Obi’s chances in 2027 to tho...

 The Delta government on Tuesday approved N230 billion for the execution of projects in roads, health, education, electricity, and other areas, spread across the three senatorial districts. The state government, in its bid to ensure equity and even development, also approved the award of the N59 billion Uromi Junction Flyover in Ika North-East LGA to Construction Giants, Julius Berger Construction Company. The commissioner for works (rural roads) and public information, Charles Aniagwu, while briefing journalists in Asaba, said it was part of the State Executive Council decision at the meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in Government House. He also stated that the council approved the construction of another flyover at the Otouwodo end along the Asaba-Ughelli route at a cost of N39.3 billion. Mr. Aniagwu was flanked by commissioners for Economic Planning, Sonny Ekedayen; Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Ruben Izeze; Health, Joseph Onojame; Riverine Infrastructur...

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has stuck to his statement that a former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party chieftain, Peter Obi, must notify him before visiting Edo State. He stated that his job was not only to work for Edo people but to also ensure their safety, clarifying that his statement to Mr Obi was a piece of advice as the chief security officer of the state. Mr Okphebolo spoke while speaking to his supporters on Tuesday. Referring to his statement that Mr Obi’s safety was not guaranteed if he visited Edo State without his permission, Mr Okpebholo said, “I simply said, it is advice, don’t come to Edo without telling me. Was I chewing hot yam? Do I need one plus three to make my sentence? Do I need to read an encyclopaedia for people to understand what I’m saying? “My job is not only to work for Edo people. My job is to save the life of every Edo citizen and visitors coming into the state. If telling him to notify me as the chief security officer of this state is ...

The Senate on Tuesday approved President Bola Tinubu’s external borrowing plan of over $21 billion for the 2025–2026 fiscal cycle, paving the way for the full implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act. The comprehensive borrowing package includes $21.19bn in direct foreign loans, €4bn, ¥15bn, a $65m grant and domestic borrowing through government bonds totalling approximately ₦757bn. Also included was a provision to raise up to $2bn through a foreign-currency-denominated instrument in the domestic market. The approval followed the presentation of a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt, Senator Aliyu Wamako, who noted that the plan was first submitted to the National Assembly on May 27 but was delayed due to legislative recess and documentation issues from the Debt Management Office. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, said most of the loan requests had already been factored into the Medium-Term Expend...

 According to documents, cited by Peoples Gazette, Wike signed 33 approvals for land allocations to his family and friends, including his 90-year-old father, Joshua Nlemanya Wike, who received a plot of land in Guzape II worth N400 million. In a shocking revelation, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has been accused of allocating prime Abuja lands to his family members and friends. According to documents, cited by Peoples Gazette, Wike signed 33 approvals for land allocations to his family and friends, including his 90-year-old father, Joshua Nlemanya Wike, who received a plot of land in Guzape II worth N400 million. The allocations, which were made on July 16, 2025, also included lands for Wike's paternal cousin, Believe Wike; nephew, Victor Wike; nephew, Henry Wike; and cousin, Enwusonye Promise Wike. Other beneficiaries included eight family members of James Hunwo, who received individual allocations on the same day. This is not the first tim...

 Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday vowed to meet with her legal team to initiate steps at the appellate court following her denial of access to the National Assembly on Tuesday, despite a valid court order directing her reinstatement. The senator, who was suspended for six months by the Senate earlier this year, had vowed to resume legislative duties after a ruling by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court quashed her suspension. But upon arrival at the National Assembly complex, she was barred by security personnel. Speaking to journalists after the incident, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed outrage at what she described as contempt of court by the Senate under President Godswill Akpabio. Akpabio cannot be greater than the Nigerian Constitution. I want Nigerians to know that the Office of the Senate President doesn’t give me legitimacy as a senator. The fact that he has done an appeal does not invalidate the decision of Justice Binta Nyako, and that does not stop me from ...

 Suspended lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday, cautioned Senate President Godswill Akpabio against placing himself above the Nigerian Constitution. The senator also accused the Senate leadership of violating a valid court order by preventing her from resuming duties at the National Assembly. She disclosed this in an interview with journalists at the assembly complex. The senator representing Kogi Central arrived at the National Assembly complex to reclaim her seat following a ruling by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, which nullified her suspension. However, she was denied entry by security personnel at the gate. Fuming after the incident, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the development as a deliberate act of contempt by the Senate, particularly targeting Senate President Godswill Akpabio. “Akpabio cannot be greater than the Nigerian Constitution. I want Nigerians to know that the Office of the Senate President doesn’t give me legitimacy as a senator. The...

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday rejected the application of former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello seeking the release of his international passport to enable him to travel abroad and receive medical treatment. Justice Emeka Nwite, in ruling at the resumed hearing of the alleged money laundering case filed against Bello by the EFCC, held that the medical report attached to the application was not signed by the author. However, Justice Nwite held that, contrary to the argument put forward by the anti-graft agency, the application did not constitute an abuse of judicial process. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the former governor had requested the release of his travel document so that he could travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment. Bello's counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, argued that the applicant was a known hypertensive patient for approximately 15 years. Daudu argued that two exhibits, Exhibits A and B, constituting an expert report on former Governor ...

 The governor had threatened that Obi "must not come to Edo without security clearance," warning that his safety would not be guaranteed if he failed to heed the warning. Alegal firm, Festus Ogun Legal (FOLEGAL), has given the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, a seven-day ultimatum to retract unconstitutional threats and tender a public apology to Mr. Peter Obi and the good people of Nigeria. The governor had threatened that Obi "must not come to Edo without security clearance," warning that his safety would not be guaranteed if he failed to heed the warning.   In a public statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on July 21, 2025, Governor Okpebholo reiterated that there is a need for Obi "to notify and seek security clearance from the Governor before embarking on any public engagement within the state."  However, the law firm, in a letter to the governor dated July 21, titled "Threat to Mr. Peter Obi is Illegal and U...

  Nollywood actor and constitutional lawyer, Mr. Kenneth Okonkwo, has criticized Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State over his recent threat to the life of the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.Okonkwo expressed total disappointment over the governor’s unprovoked threat to Obi, which he described as an insult on the entire Igbo race. Okonkwo maintained that the governor had no constitutional rights to demand Obi’s request for clearance before visiting Edo State. He said the governor should be held liable if anything untoward were to happen to Obi. “When you finish beating a madman, that’s when you know he has people. If a strand of hair falls from Peter Obi, then you will know he has kinsmen. This is a direct attack and threat to his life. “Remember, the governor made it clear. He said his (Obi’s) security can no longer be guaranteed. He used the word “never” if he does not get permission from him. Let me ask Monday Okpebholo: Does it mean that whe...

 Peter Obi can’t come to Edo without permission from Gov Okpebholo because of the kind of h@tred that people have for him in Edo state, including me. Many of us have h@tred for him.- Jarret Tenebe, APC Chairman in Edo state says. This is coming after the APC Edo State Governor threatened Peter OBI not to come to Edo State 

 Leader of UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, on Sunday lamented influx of Nigerians to the country to obtain citizenship. She said such endeavour must be stopped. Responding during an interview on Cable News Network (CNN) if she would support a Nigerian immigrant creating a “mini-Nigeria” in the UK, Mrs Badenoch said “no.” Mrs Badenoch said, “That is not right. Nigerians would not tolerate that. That’s not something that many countries would accept. There are many people who come to our country, to the UK, who do things that would not be acceptable in their countries,” The Tory leader further defended her position against Nigerian immigrants creating a “mini-Nigeria’’ in the UK, saying “It’s virtually impossible, for example, to get Nigerian citizenship. I have that citizenship by virtue of my parents, I can’t give it to my children because I’m a woman. “Yet loads of Nigerians come to the UK and stay for a relatively free period of time, acquiring British citizenship. We need t...

 By John Alechenu, Abuja The Senate has asked suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) to respect due process and refrain from attempting to return to the National Assembly before the expiration of her suspension. In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, clarified that no court order currently compels the Senate to reinstate the embattled lawmaker. The Senate wishes to reaffirm, for the third time, that there is no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension,” Adaramodu stated. The clarification follows reports that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan intends to resume plenary duties next Tuesday, citing a Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako. Adaramodu explained that contrary to her claims, the judgment only issued a non-binding advisory opinion suggesting the Senate consider amending it...

 Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, on Sunday clarified his comments barring Peter Obi from coming into the state without clearance, saying it was not a threat but a directive on issues of protocol. He, however, said there are moral and spiritual issues to giving, which are not supposed to be issues for publicity. Recall that Okpebholo, during a defection rally in Uromi on Friday, said Obi should not come into the state without clearance from the government. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, said there was a need for high-profile individuals, particularly politically exposed persons, to notify and seek security clearance from the governor before embarking on any public engagements within the State. He said, “As the Chief Security Officer of Edo State, it is the Governor’s constitutional responsibility to safeguard the lives and property of all residents and visitors alike. This duty includes ensuring that adequate security measures are put in place during h...

 …Gabam denies crisis, says party united and focused By Henry Umoru ABUJA — The Social Democratic Party (SDP) is embroiled in a leadership crisis following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) rejection of a letter introducing an Acting National Chairman for the party. The electoral body has also queried the legality of the move and demanded clarification from the substantive chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam. In a memo dated July 5, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the Commission stated that the letter dated June 25, 2025, allegedly signed by the party’s National Secretary, was not compliant with Part 2(12)3 of INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022. INEC also noted that the signature on the letter did not match the specimen in its records. The letter in question introduced Dr. Sadiq Abubakar as Acting National Chairman, following the suspension of Gabam by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). INEC has now forma...

 In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Sowore described Buhari’s time in office as a “betrayal of the trust of a nation,” asserting that the former president “used Nigeria to prolong his own life while shortening the lives of millions.” Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has delivered a scathing assessment of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari’s legacy, accusing him of presiding over a regime defined by failure, corruption, and human suffering. In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Sowore described Buhari’s time in office as a “betrayal of the trust of a nation,” asserting that the former president “used Nigeria to prolong his own life while shortening the lives of millions.” According to him, “no amount of funeral diplomacy can change that’. Sowore pushed back against claims that Buhari’s legacy was marked by integrity and patriotism. “Buhari came to power on the wings of hope and left on the wings of despair. His tenure was not marked by tran...

 By Innocent Anaba A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Kunle Edun, has condemned the alleged threat by Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State against Mr. Peter Obi, describing it as a violation of his oath of office. In a statement on Saturday, Edun reacted to a viral video circulating on social media showing Governor Okpebholo allegedly addressing a crowd in Benin City. In the video, the governor was reportedly heard threatening the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, warning him not to enter Edo State without his permission, as he could not guarantee Obi’s safety. Reacting, Edun said: “All governors are, by virtue of their constitutional powers, the Chief Security Officers of their respective states and are enjoined to ensure the protection of lives and property. This is the primary responsibility of government. “Mr. Obi is a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and has the constit...

  Menu JUST IN: PDP governorship candidate Jude Ezenwafor shot in Abuja Jude Ezenwafor, PDP governorship candidate has been shot. ADEFEMOLA AKINTADE • July 19, 2025 Jude Ezenwafor Jude Ezenwafor Jude Ezenwafor, the Peoples Democratic Party, has been shot three months before the Anambra governorship election slated for November. PDP spokesperson confirmed the shooting to Peoples Gazette on Saturday, saying he could not provide more details on Mr Ezenwafor’s state of health. The FCT police said no one had contacted them yet to report any shooting but that they would open investigation to get details. The PDP in May submitted the names of Mr Ezenwafor as its governorship flagbearer and Okeke Chukwudi as his running mate for the gubernatorial poll.

 After their disappearance for three weeks, their colleagues raised the alarm and reported the matter to the police. The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the death of a murder suspect, Femi Oladele, also known as Tallex, in its custody during a brief illness. Oladele had been arrested for his alleged role in the abduction and death of two students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko – Andrel Okah and John Abba. The two students, who were friends – Andrel Okah of the Department of History and International Studies, and John Abba of the Department of Economics – were said to be in 200-level in their departments before their disappearance on campus. After their disappearance for three weeks, their colleagues raised the alarm and reported the matter to the police. Thereafter, the command swung into action and began an investigation which led to the arrest of Oladele and two other accomplices. Oladele was said to be a landlord of one of the victims. During interrogat...

 The rally was billed to be held reportedly in honour of Obi’s birthday celebration.  The Kaduna State Police Command has stopped a planned rally by supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the state.   The rally was billed to be held reportedly in honour of Obi’s birthday celebration.    In a release banning the rally, the Command said that intelligence information at its disposal revealed that certain criminal elements are planning to infiltrate and hijack the proposed rally, using it as a platform to cause disruption, incite violence, and disturb the prevailing public peace in the state.   In the statement by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, the command said that all forms of political rallies and public gatherings of a political nature remain suspended across the state until the official commencement date of political activities as stipulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).  ...

 The naira closed the trading week bullish on Friday, trading at N1,532.34 to the U.S. dollar at the official market According to data released on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official website, naira gained 77 kobo against the dollar. This represents a 0.05 per cent gain compared to the trading figure of N1,533.11 per dollar recorded at the close of trading on Thursday. The local currency which recorded steady appreciation the previous week, also opened the new trading week on Monday, July 14, 2025, with an N11.37 gain against the dollar. However, Nigeria went into national mourning following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at a hospital in London at the age of 82. President Bola Tinubu declared seven days of national mourning and a public holiday on Tuesday in honour of the late former President. Mr Buhari was laid to rest on Tuesday in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State. After resumption from the public holiday on Wednesday, the naira slu...

 To avoid the use of public funds for re-election campaigns, disruption of governance, and other distractions By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South; Dayo Johnson, Regional Editor, South West; Sam Oyadongha; Egufe Yafugborhi; Rotimi Ojomoyela; Peter Duru; Marie-Therese Nanlong; Ozioruva Aliu; James Ogunnaike; Chimaobi Nwaiwu; Dan Abia; Ochuko Akuopha; Deola Badru & Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo Lawyers, activists, and other stakeholders are advocating a single term of six years for The president and governors in Nigeria, rather than two tenures of four years each, to help restrain the huge public funds they spend on re-election campaigns after completing their first tenure. Some, however, argued that the country’s problem is not the tenure of the president and governors, but a lack of strong democratic institutions and proper legal frameworks with unbending measures to control excessive spending during electioneering. A single six-year term is ideal — Eromosele, attorney According ...