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...