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  The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for alleging that both the PDP and APC are responsible for the insecurity and economic hardship in the country. In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday by its spokesman, Hon. Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC dismissed Atiku’s remarks as a delusional outburst, accusing the former vice president of contributing significantly to the challenges Nigeria faces. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar  The party alleged that Atiku played a central role in the economic difficulties associated with the privatisation exercise carried out during the Obasanjo administration, which it described as a scandalous auction of national assets.  It further blamed him, along with the PDP, for policy failures which it said created the foundation for present-day insecurity and economic strain. The statement also criticised Atiku’s long political career, describing him as a serial...

  President Bola Tinubu has strengthened his push for a more inclusive diplomatic corps with the submission of 32 additional ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, featuring increased female representation and broad regional balance. The new list comprises 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career nominees, with 10 women included across both categories, four among career nominees and six among non-career nominees.  This marks one of the administration’s most gender-diverse batches of diplomatic nominations so far. Notable female nominees include former Oyo First Lady, Florence Ajimobi; former Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo; former Lagos Commissioner, Lola Akande; former Senator Grace Bent; Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa); Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia); and Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo). The list also reflects broad geographic inclusion, with nominees drawn from all six geopolitical zones, covering states such as Abia, Taraba, Adamawa, Kebbi, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Lagos, Ondo,...

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday received former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, following Jonathan’s return from Guinea-Bissau. Jonathan had travelled to the West African country on an election monitoring mission. His visit had raised concerns after a military takeover occurred during his stay in the country. The former president was received by Tinubu upon his arrival, after which both men held a brief meeting behind closed doors.

  The Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof Ali Pate, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other stakeholders working in public health have rallied the Senate for an upward review and restructuring of the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) Tax.  They also called for a shift from the current specific excise of N10 imposed on each litre of sugary drink to a stronger ad valorem, percentage-based system that raises the overall rate and secures dedicated revenue for strengthening Nigeria’s health sector. Speaking during a public hearing in Abuja on Thursday, organised by the Senate Joint Committee on Finance, Customs and Excise, they said Nigeria was experiencing a surge in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) linked to excessive consumption of sugary drinks and unhealthy diets, and that formerly rare diseases such as diabetes, stroke, obesity and heart diseases are now some of the leading causes of premature death. The public hearing was on a bill, sponsored by Senator Ipalibo Harry...

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency and the approval of an additional 20,000 new police recruits to reinforce security operations across the country. The party described the move as a “bold and historic step” toward strengthening national security, noting that the new approval brings the total number of police personnel cleared for recruitment under the Tinubu administration to 50,000, following an earlier approval for 30,000 officers. In a statement on Thursday, the Lagos APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, said the President’s directive demonstrated “decisive and courageous leadership” aimed at restoring peace and stability nationwide. Oladejo also welcomed the President’s call on the National Assembly to review existing laws to enable states that require it to establish state police.  He said the proposal represented a major shift in Nigeria’s policing structure and co...

President Bola Tinubu President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency and authorised an immediate expansion of personnel across the Armed Forces, as part of new measures to tackle rising insecurity in several parts of the country. In a statement issued from the State House, the President directed the Nigeria Police Force to recruit an additional 20,000 personnel, raising the total number of new police intakes earlier approved to 50,000.  The Nigerian Army was also authorised to embark on further recruitment to boost manpower in conflict-prone areas. The President said the new directive was necessitated by the evolving security situation across the country and the need to deploy more personnel to “security-challenged areas.” He also ordered the police to convert National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps into temporary training depots, complementing the ongoing upgrade of police training facilities nationwide. Additionally, police officers being withdra...

  The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s decision to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is further proof that he lacks the ideological discipline, emotional stability, and political consistency required to lead a complex nation like Nigeria. In a statement issued by its spokesman, Hon. Seye Oladejo, the party said Atiku’s political record, spanning over two decades of crisscrossing five major political parties,shows a pattern of personal ambition overriding national interest. “Atiku’s latest move is not about governance, service, or reform,” Oladejo said. “It is an unending search for a political platform that can accommodate his desperate ambition. Unfortunately, Nigerians have moved past that era.” The APC noted that while other leaders are consolidating democratic institutions and contributing to national development, Atiku’s political trajectory remains marked by instability. “He has built no p...