LIST OF REASONS

As Nigeria looks forward to the 2027 presidential elections, the political landscape is becoming increasingly dynamic. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has been a formidable force in Nigerian politics, is asserting its position as the strongest opposition party. Recently, the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, made a compelling case that no merger without the PDP can unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027 because the party remains the only opposition party still winning governorship elections across the country.   The PDP has a rich history in Nigerian politics, having been the ruling party for 16 years from 1999 to 2015. During this period, the party established a robust political network and infrastructure across the country. Despite losing the presidency in 2015, the PDP has maintained its relevance and continues to be a significant player in the political arena.   In a recent interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Umar Damagum responded to comments ma...

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) states that the enforcement of local government autonomy is not just a legal mandate but a critical step towards sustainable development in Nigeria. It promises to address issues such as rural-urban migration, infrastructural deficits, security challenges, and economic empowerment. The struggle for local government autonomy in Nigeria has been a long and arduous journey, lasting over two decades. Recently, the Federal Government secured a landmark Supreme Court judgment that advocates for the autonomy of local governments. This decision has been met with various reactions, particularly from the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), who have been at the forefront of this agitation.  Fiscal autonomy is one of the key pillars NULGE has been advocating for. This concept entails that local government allocations, as appropriated, should be deposited directly into their coffers without intermediaries. Currently, state...

A Swiss International Air Lines flight was compelled to make an emergency landing on Monday due to the presence of smoke in the cabin and cockpit, the airline reported. Flight LX1885, traveling from Bucharest, Romania to Zurich, was forced to abort its journey when the crew detected engine issues accompanied by smoke on the Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The aircraft safely landed in Graz, Austria, and all 74 passengers and five crew members were promptly evacuated. Among those on board, twelve passengers and four crew members required medical attention. Notably, one crew member was transported to a hospital by helicopter, and their condition remains uncertain. The airline stated that the aircraft has been removed from the runway, although the exact cause of the smoke is still unknown. In a statement, Swiss International Air Lines extended a sincere apology to the passengers for the inconvenience and thanked them for their patience during this difficult situation. "SWISS sincerely apol...

The Minnesota Department of Transportation stated that the the Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport would be closed down because it has low usage and high maintenance cost. The airport, renowned for its unique runway that straddles the border between the United States and Canada, is set to close permanently on Friday after more than seventy years of operation. Located near Roseau, Minnesota, and Piney, Manitoba, this small but distinctive airport has served the region since its opening in 1953. The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced earlier this month that the closure is due to the airport's very low usage and significant maintenance costs. These expenses included the need for extensive reconstruction of the runway, apron, and terminal. Additionally, the international agreement essential for the airport's operation is set to expire on December 26 and will not be renewed by either owner. Initially featuring a grass runway, the airport upgraded to a paved runway in 1978, ...

A Federal High Court in Abuja stated that it granted EFCC powers to freeze 24 bank accounts because the bank accounts were subject to EFCC’s investigations on money laundering an terrorism financing. The ruling was made by Justice Emeka Nwite after EFCC’s lawyer, Martha Babatunde, presented an ex-parte motion seeking this action. The accounts, belonging to Lawrence Lucky Eromosele, are under investigation for connections to money laundering and terrorism financing, with the freeze set to last 90 days pending further investigation. The motion, marked as FHC/ABJ/CS/1897/V/2024, was filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ekele Iheanacho. Iheanacho emphasized the need to freeze these accounts to preserve funds that are potentially linked to unlawful activities. According to preliminary investigations, the accounts are associated with individuals exploiting virtual cryptocurrency exchange platforms to manipulate the value of the naira and launder proceeds from criminal activities. Mohammed Kh...

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) stated that they castigated the Defence Headquarters of the Nigerian Army for denying responsibility of the Christmas day strikes in Sokoto which killed 10 persons because the denial is insensitive especially as such incidents have been recurrent. In the available reports, ACF has expressed deep dismay and condemnation over the military’s airstrike on the Silame community in Sokoto State, which tragically claimed ten lives and left several others injured. Describing the Christmas Day incident as “one mistake too many,” the ACF criticized the military’s explanation and called for accountability and justice. In a statement released on Monday in Kaduna, the ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, conveyed the forum’s profound sorrow and frustration over the incident. He highlighted that this was not an isolated event, referencing previous similar attacks on the Tudun Biri community in Kaduna State about a year ago, as well as earli...

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) states that price of fuel in Nigeria will decrease soon because of price competition. According to reports, the resumption of operations at the Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited (WRPC) has generated optimism among oil marketers and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) about a potential decrease in the prices of refined petroleum products. This development, they believe, will intensify competition within the downstream oil sector, compelling domestic refiners to reduce prices to attract buyers. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announced that the Warri refinery, with a capacity of 125,000 barrels per day, has commenced operations. This follows closely on the heels of the Port Harcourt Refinery's restart, which began producing 60,000 barrels per day just a month prior. The NNPCL also revealed plans to export refined products to i...

BBC report has it that Magnus Carlsen decided to rejoin the chess championship he  quitted because the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has shifted grounds on its dress code. The world’s top-ranked chess player, Magnus Carlse had previously withdrawn from the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York due to a dress code conflict. The resolution of this issue paves the way for Carlsen to continue defending his title in the prestigious event.  The controversy erupted on Friday when Carlsen, dressed in jeans, was informed that he could not continue participating in the tournament. The existing FIDE dress code mandates "dark colored trousers" for men, explicitly excluding jeans if a business casual dress code is in effect. Carlsen, who had been wearing a shirt, blazer, and jeans, was fined $200 (£159) for the dress code violation. Carlsen explained that he had worn the jeans to a lunch meeting and had not considered changing them before heading to the tournament....

Financial experts warn that the free fall of Naira decked with inflation threaten the 2025 fiscal year because Federal Government might not be able to fund the 2025 budget. In their beliefs, the 2025 fiscal year is shaping up to be a challenging one for Nigeria. They insist that with the significant devaluation of the Naira, the Federal Government's capacity to fund the new budget is under severe threat. Despite a nominal increase of 74% in the budget, its real value has shrunk by 23% due to the Naira's depreciation. This financial strain is exacerbated by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) struggling forex policy, which has failed to stabilize the currency over the past year. The 2025 budget, proposed by President Bola Tinubu, amounts to N49.7 trillion. However, financial experts warn that this amount, under current economic conditions, will not achieve what the N28.777 trillion budget accomplished in 2024. The significant drop in the Naira's value has eroded the purchasi...

Early reports by the National Fire Agency of South Korea said that the Jeju Air plane crashed because of the plane's contact with birds. It is in the news that in a tragic aviation disaster, a Jeju Air passenger plane crash-landed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, leading to the deaths of 179 people. This incident, one of the most devastating in the country's aviation history, has resulted in a national outpouring of grief and a declaration of seven days of national mourning. The accident occurred on Sunday at 9:03 am local time (00:03 GMT) when the Jeju Air flight from Bangkok, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, attempted to land at Muan International Airport. The airport is located about 290 kilometers southwest of the South Korean capital, Seoul. The plane, a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet, skidded off the runway and crashed, resulting in a catastrophic fire. The National Fire Agency confirmed that 179 people, comprising 85 women, 84 men, and 10 others...

The Power Minister, Adebayo Adelabu explains that his ministry could not generate the 6000 MW they promised Nigerians because of vandalism and debt. The ambitious goal to generate 6,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity by December 2024 has been hindered by a series of vandalism incidents targeting critical power transmission equipment. The Minister of Power, highlighted these challenges, emphasizing the significant impact of these disruptions on Nigeria's power generation targets. In an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, Bolaji Tunji, the Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, provided insights into the reasons behind the failed projections. He explained that the government had implemented various measures and was on track to meet the 6,000 MW target. However, the repeated incidents of vandalism to electricity towers severely disrupted these plans, preventing the achievement of the desired milestone. As of now, Nigeria's power generation capacity fluct...

Security experts and diplomats stated that Nigeria should tighten up its northern borders because of potential security threats arising from the Nigeria and Niger face-off. The report says that in the light of the escalating tensions between Nigeria and Niger, retired army generals, former diplomats, and security experts have urged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the fortification of Nigeria's northern borders. This call to action comes as the crisis between Nigeria and Niger deepens, with concerns about potential security threats to Nigeria, particularly in its northern regions. The current crisis was exacerbated by accusations from Niger's military regime, led by Brigadier General Abdourahmane Tchiani. In a recent interview, Tchiani alleged that France was negotiating with terrorists in Nigeria to destabilize Niger. He claimed that France had made a substantial payment to President Bola Tinubu to establish a military base in Nigeria and accused Nigeria of sponsor...

Vanguard explains that Enyimba FC sacked their head coach because of the Club's poor performances in the recent times. According to the report, Enyimba FC, one of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) powerhouses, has officially terminated the contract of its head coach, Yemi Olanrewaju. This decision was publicly announced on Saturday through the club’s social media platforms. The club expressed gratitude to the 32-year-old coach for his contributions and wished him success in his future career endeavors. In a brief statement, the club said, "Enyimba FC can confirm that it has parted ways with head coach Yemi Olanrewaju. The club thanks Coach Olanrewaju for his services and wishes him the best in his future endeavors." Coach Olanrewaju, who took over the reins seven months ago after the departure of Finidi George, leaves the club during a turbulent period. Enyimba FC has been struggling to find form, currently enduring a nine-match winless streak across all com...

Kashim Shettima stated that he visited Sokoto State to tender profound apologies to the government and people of the State for the deaths of ten Sokoto villagers during a military operation in the State; and also to condole with the former Vice President for the deaths of his mother and son. It should be recalled that on December 25, 2024, tragedy struck the Silame area of Sokoto State when a military operation targeting a logistics base of the Lakurawa insurgent group inadvertently resulted in the deaths of several villagers. The Nigerian Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has publicly apologized to the families and residents affected by this incident, expressing deep regret and sympathy for their loss. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, on Saturday, Vice President Shettima conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He acknowledged the sorrowful reality that, despite best efforts, innocent civilians sometimes become casualties in the crossfire du...

CNN reported that President Putin apologized for the crash because it happened when the plane entered Russia's airspace, and not for responsibility. It should be recalled that on a fateful Wednesday, an Azerbaijan Airlines flight tragically crashed after entering Russian airspace in Grozny, Chechnya. Russian President Vladimir Putin extended an apology for the incident but refrained from acknowledging Russian responsibility. The crash resulted in the loss of 38 lives, while two children miraculously survived the ordeal. According to the Kremlin, Russia's air defense systems were active during the plane's attempted landing in Grozny. The aircraft, unable to reach the airport, diverted eastward, eventually crashing near Aktau, Kazakhstan. This incident has drawn attention and speculation, as the flight carried passengers from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Despite the tragic outcome, the specifics of the incident remain shrouded in uncertainty. A US official,...

The prelate of the newly created Catholic Diocese of Aguleri, Most Rev. Denis Chidi Isizoh, has called on the people of Aguleri to prioritize the industrialization of their community instead of building mansions with little or no utility. Bishop Isizoh stated that he advised building of industries because it would engage the youth meaningfully and deter them from various social vices. He made this statement in an interview with our correspondents who sought to ascertain the state of the Diocese one year after its establishment by Pope Francis on February 12, 2023. The Bishop's call aligns with his mission and vision for the Diocese. He emphasized that the primary duty of the Diocese, which is preaching the gospel of salvation, is complemented by conscious programs and plans for development at both individual and social levels. In this regard, the Bishop, drawing on his extensive experience in Aguleri and its environs as a native of the region and former Auxiliary Bishop of the Onit...

In a recent press briefing, White House spokesman John Kirby revealed that the United States believes Russia might have shot down the Azeri plane on December 25, which resulted in the tragic loss of 38 lives. According to John Kirby, the US belief was because of the preliminary indications they obtained. While Mr. Kirby refrained from providing detailed specifics, he mentioned that the US had extended its support to aid the ongoing investigation into the incident. The ill-fated aircraft reportedly encountered hostile fire from Russian air defense systems while attempting to land in Chechnya. This forced a diversion across the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan, where the plane ultimately crashed. The Kremlin has yet to issue an official comment, but Alexander Neradko, head of Russia's civil aviation agency, described the situation in Chechnya as "very complicated," attributing this complexity to recent Ukrainian drone strikes in the region. According to Mr. Kirby, the US assessmen...

President Bola Tinubu's unwavering stance on the controversial tax reform bills has sparked significant backlash from Northern leaders. The Northern Elders’ Forum, the League of Northern Democrats, and various members of the National Assembly have voiced their displeasure. According to the Northern Oligarchy, they disagree with the President because he bypasses democratic processes and ignores the need for inclusive consultations. During his inaugural media chat in Lagos, President Tinubu acknowledged the contentious nature of the bills but remained firm, stating that there would be no reversal. He emphasized that the reforms were crucial to eliminating outdated colonial assumptions in Nigeria’s tax system. Senator Mohammed Onawo of Nasarawa South criticized Tinubu for interfering with the legislative process. He stressed that the President, as a former legislator, should respect the established procedures and allow the National Assembly to scrutinize the bills thoroughly. Onawo ...

Following the Christmas day strikes on terrorist dens at Gidan Bisa and Gidan Runtuwa in Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) clarified that the explosion which resulted in the death of ten villagers was a secondary explosion from the destruction of the terrorists' base, not by direct airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force. Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, addressed newsmen, explaining that the airstrike was a precision-guided operation targeting the terrorist hideout in the area. He emphasized that there were fatalities because of a secondary explosion when the terrorists' logistics base, housing dangerous materials, including hand cartridges and explosives, was hit by airstrikes. “The Armed Forces of Nigeria has a duty to defend citizens from terrorists either through peaceful means, or the force of arms. It is in discharge of this responsibility that on 25 Dec 2024, a coordinated joint operation was conducted b...

The partial privatization of Nigeria’s power sector in 2013 was meant to attract new investments, improve service delivery, and resolve chronic electricity shortages. However, eleven years later, the sector struggles with similar issues, including low power generation and extensive electricity access gaps. Despite these intentions, data from the World Bank indicates that over 80 million Nigerians, primarily in rural areas, still lack access to electricity. In 2024, Nigeria's power generation remained just above 4,000 megawatts (MW) on average, despite having an installed capacity of 13,000 MW. The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, set a target of achieving 6,000 MW by the end of the year, but this goal was unmet due to several factors. These included frequent grid collapses, financial instability within the sector, and an unclear path for growth from sector administrators. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) reported that out of 28 power plants on the gr...