French giants, Paris Saint Germain have edged Arsenal in a penalty shootout to win the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League final at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday. The match finished 1-1 after 120 minutes before the holders held their nerve from the spot to clinch the title. More details later…
The National Executive Committee of the African Democratic Congress has demanded the immediate release of Nasir El-Rufai, describing the former Kaduna State governor as a “prisoner of conscience.” The demand formed part of the resolutions reached at the party’s 101st National Executive Committee meeting held in Abuja on Saturday, where party leaders also ratified the outcome of its recent primary elections and approved major organisational changes ahead of the 2027 general elections. In the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the NEC unanimously recognised El-Rufai as a victim of political persecution and called for his freedom. “The NEC recognises Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai as prisoner of conscience and calls for his immediate release,” the communiqué stated. The resolution is likely to heighten political debate over El-Rufai’s situation, particularly given his prominence in national politics and his recent association with opposition political forces seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections. A prisoner of conscience is someone detained or punished for their beliefs, identity, or peaceful expression, without having used or promoted violence. Beyond the demand for El-Rufai’s release, the party’s highest decision-making organ outside its national convention also moved to strengthen its internal structures as preparations for the next electoral cycle gather momentum. According to the communiqué, the NEC approved the results of the party’s recently conducted primaries for State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, governorship and presidential elections across the country. However, the approval excluded contests where appeals were still pending as of May 29, 2026, as well as primaries yet to be concluded. “NEC approved the results of all recently conducted primaries for State Houses of Assembly, the National Assembly, State Governors, and the Presidential elections; except those with pending appeals as at May 29, 2026, and those yet to be concluded,” the party said. The decision comes amid complaints and petitions from some aspirants over the conduct of primaries in parts of the country. During the NEC meeting, party leaders stressed the need to preserve internal democracy while ensuring that disputes arising from the nomination process are resolved through established party mechanisms. The committee also approved a one-year extension of the tenure of the National Working Committee, effectively retaining the current leadership to oversee the party’s affairs through a critical period leading up to the 2027 polls. “NEC approved the extension of the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) for a period of 12 months from the expiry of their current tenure,” the communiqué stated. The extension is expected to provide continuity in the party’s leadership as it seeks to consolidate its structures, expand its membership base and position itself as a major opposition platform. In a related decision, the NEC approved the constitution of caretaker committees at the zonal, state, local government and ward levels for a period of 12 months. “NEC approved the constitution of the Caretaker Committees at the Zonal, State, Local Government and Wards for a period of 12 months,” the communiqué added. The move is seen as part of efforts by the party leadership to reorganise and strengthen grassroots structures across the federation ahead of future electoral contests. The NEC meeting came barely hours after the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, urged members to remain united and focused on presenting the ADC as a credible alternative for Nigerians dissatisfied with the current state of affairs in the country. Mark had told party leaders that Nigerians were increasingly searching for a political platform capable of addressing the nation’s security and economic challenges, stressing that the ADC must not fail to meet those expectations. With the ratification of most of its primary election results and the extension of its leadership structures, the ADC appears to be consolidating its internal organisation as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum. However, the party’s demand for the release of El-Rufai is likely to attract significant attention, potentially adding another dimension to the evolving political landscape as opposition parties seek to build alliances and expand their influence ahead of the next general election.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has been announced as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement for the 2027 general election. Makinde emerged at the party’s presidential primary held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Saturday. In his acceptance speech, the governor said his ambition was driven by the need to restore hope and rebuild confidence in the country. He said, “I stand before you today (Saturday) with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility as I accept the nomination to serve as the Presidential Candidate of the Allied People’s Movement for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “I believe that we possess the capacity to rebuild our economy through honesty, discipline and practical reforms. When I speak of practical reforms, I mean reforms that directly improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.” The governor promised reforms in the oil and gas sector, saying Nigerians should benefit more from the country’s natural resources. “Nigerians must benefit from the fact that we are an oil-producing nation, just as citizens of other resource-producing countries benefit from their natural wealth. “The NNPC must be reformed into a lean, efficient and commercially driven institution through proper corporate restructuring, stronger partnerships and institutional reforms,” he stated. Makinde also identified agriculture as a key area for economic growth, stressing the need to improve production, processing, storage and agricultural logistics. Makinde explained that his campaign would focus on competence and solutions rather than empty promises. Speaking at the event, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by his deputy, Mohammed Jatau, endorsed Makinde’s candidacy and described him as a leader capable of moving Nigeria forward. “We are here on behalf of the government and people of Bauchi State to support, endorse and celebrate the emergence of our dear distinguished brother, Oluwaseyi Makinde, as the Presidential Candidate of the Allied People’s Movement,” he said. Also speaking, APM National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle described the primary as peaceful and transparent.
The Oyo State Fire Service has recovered the bodies of two passengers following an accident in which a vehicle plunged into the Ariyo River at Amuloko in Ona Ara Local Government Area on Friday night. The incident involved a Toyota Avensis with an unknown registration number, which reportedly lost control and veered off the road into the river. In a statement on Saturday, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, confirmed that the victims had been recovered and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force. “A distress call was received at exactly 21:40hrs on Friday, May 29, 2026,regarding a road traffic accident involving a Toyota Avensis with an unknown registration number that lost control while in motion and plunged into a nearby river,” the statement said. He added that fire officers were immediately deployed to the scene after receiving the alert through a phone call. “Immediately the information was received, fire officers led by ACFS Amoo promptly mobilized to the scene. On arrival, it was confirmed that the vehicle had swerved off the road and submerged in the river,” Akinwande said. He said the rescue team carried out recovery operations and successfully retrieved two casualties from the submerged vehicle. “The rescue team immediately commenced the operations by applying all necessary rescue operational procedures and successfully recovered two casualties from the vehicle,” he said. The victims were later handed over to police officers led by ASP Adesuwa Sesan of the Ogbere Target Police Station in Ibadan for further investigation. Akinwande said the fire service had responded promptly to the emergency and completed the recovery operation in line with standard procedures.
The decision was taken at a special national convention held at the faction’s national secretariat in Area 10, Garki, Abuja. Jonathan was not present at the event where his nomination was formally ratified, but his Certificate of Return was received on his behalf by Bayelsa lawmaker, Fred Agbedi. The development was announced during the gathering attended by delegates and party stakeholders aligned with the Turaki-led group. More details later…
President Bola Tinubu on Friday stated that his administration’s decision to remove fuel subsidy at the outset of his tenure rescued Nigeria from the brink of bankruptcy, adding that the challenging reform measures are beginning to produce tangible benefits for both state governments and citizens. “It was challenging at the time, but we survived. We faced litigation and accusations. We survived them. Instead of bankruptcy, Nigeria has survived. The economy has recovered. It is growing. Agriculture is booming,” the President said when he received state governors who gathered at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos to celebrate both the Sallah festival and the third anniversary of his administration. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed details of the meeting in a statement he signed on Friday titled, ‘Fuel Subsidy Removal Saved Nigeria From Bankruptcy, Says President Tinubu.’ In attendance were the governors of Lagos, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Taraba, Niger, Ekiti, Delta, Ondo, Edo, Adamawa, Benue, Enugu, Ogun and Kogi states, as well as the deputy governors of Borno and Kano states. Tinubu argued that the subsidy regime had for years consumed enormous resources that benefited only a small fraction of Nigerians while depriving critical sectors of needed investments. He said ongoing reforms in infrastructure, agriculture, social investment, foreign exchange management and fiscal discipline were beginning to restore investor confidence and improve economic prospects. The President acknowledged the role state governors played in managing public expectations through the most turbulent phase of the reforms, saying, “I’m glad governors are no longer borrowing from the federal government and asking for interventions and not knowing how to survive, how to pay salaries, no more. You kept the spirit, you kept the hope. You persuaded our people to be patient and endure these three years of painful reform, during which we put the economy on a reset. Today, the benefits are showing.” He added, “The economy has recovered. Macroeconomic indices are doing very well. Construction is ongoing on roads and infrastructure; the ones abandoned have been rehabilitated. “The housing industry is coming on very well. Agriculture will prosper again. We will achieve food sovereignty if we utilise the land that is in your possession and in your various states effectively,” he said. The Nigerian leader also referenced the Sokoto-Badagry highway corridor, describing its potential for irrigation infrastructure. According to him, “Today, I was watching some clips of the Sokoto-Badagry axis. Imagine how many dams on that corridor for irrigation, for farmland, for electricity. Many of you have survived and promoted the perseverance of many of our people, asking them to trust this government, and you have built that trust around one person: my leadership. I thank you very much.” In his address, Vice President Kashim Shettima described Tinubu’s economic decisions as acts of historic courage that ended five decades of policy evasion. The Vice President said, “Your Excellency, Mr President, this is the essence of your leadership. You did not come to power in the season of ease. You came at a time when the house required more than a painter. “It required a builder with the courage to examine the foundation you inherited. In that defining hour, you chose not to postpone the surgery. You chose not to massage the wound. You chose to confront the contradictions that have held this country hostage for 50 years. That is the miracle of your courage.” “What you have done is not simply to administer a government. You have begun the difficult work of re-engineering a nation. You have reminded us that reform is not a banquet; it is a battlefield. It is not a picnic for the chicken-hearted. It is a covenant with the future,” Shettima added. Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who spoke on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, said the subsidy removal and fiscal reforms had delivered a tangible transformation in states’ capacity to meet their obligations. He said states that had previously been forced to issue bonds and borrow money to pay salaries were now reducing their debt profiles. “I think the nation was shocked by the audacity of Mr President to implement that serious policy, but today, it has benefited immensely from that policy. “Many states were subject to issuing bonds and borrowing money. Today, states are not going to borrow money; they’re not going to issue bonds. In fact, we’re reducing our debt,” he said. AbdulRazaq also used the occasion to advocate an upward review of the national minimum wage, urging the President to consider raising it to at least N100,000. Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, said the governors had conducted their own assessment of the President’s performance and arrived at a unanimous verdict. “We are the frontline beneficiaries of the innovative approach you brought to bear in governance. “We came to join you in thanking Almighty God who made this thing possible. You have virtually recovered Nigeria from the brink of collapse to a state of stability and survival. “We have assessed your performance, Mr President, and I’m happy to announce that we have scored it 100 per cent,” Uzodinma said. For his part, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, welcomed his colleagues and thanked them for their continued support for the President, urging them to sustain the political and governance momentum into the 2027 election season.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that Russia was preparing a “massive new strike” on the country and called on the population to take action to “protect your lives”. Kyiv was hit particularly hard last weekend by a huge Russian bombardment attack — one of the largest since the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Moscow has warned foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv, threatening to escalate attacks as it seeks revenge for a Ukrainian strike on a dormitory and a vocational high school in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, which Moscow says left 21 people dead. “We have intelligence information about Russia preparing a new massive strike,” Zelensky said in a social media message. “Please pay attention to air alerts, protect your lives. Our services are working efficiently and are prepared; the Air Force and other defenders of our skies will be on duty 24/7, as always.” The Ukrainian president has reiterated his call to allies to allow and finance the supply of Patriot missiles, which can intercept Russian ballistic missiles. He wrote to US President Donald Trump and the US Congress earlier this week asking for Patriot systems to respond to the intensifying Russian air attacks. Ukraine has also stepped up its strikes on occupied territories and on Russia in retaliation for the daily Russian bombardments. US-mediated efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict have stalled since the outbreak of war in the Middle East, which is absorbing Washington’s attention and resources. AFP
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the worsening challenges of hunger, poverty, and insecurity across the country. Atiku slams Tinubu over poverty, insecurity The former Vice President stated that Nigerians are facing worsening economic hardship as the Tinubu administration celebrates its third year in office. In a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the country is grappling with soaring food prices, unemployment and declining purchasing power. The statement read, “Three years ago, President Tinubu promised renewed hope. What Nigerians have received instead is renewed hardship, renewed insecurity, renewed poverty, and renewed hopelessness.” He said millions of Nigerians could no longer afford basic necessities, noting that inflation had continued to put pressure on ordinary citizens and businesses. “Today, millions of Nigerians can no longer afford the basic necessities of life. Food prices have skyrocketed beyond the reach of ordinary families. Inflation has become a cruel tax on the poor. Small and medium-scale businesses are shutting their doors. “Never in recent history have so many Nigerians worked so hard only to become poorer,” the statement read. The former Vice President also expressed concern over the country’s economic situation, saying many Nigerians were working harder but becoming poorer. On insecurity, Atiku said recent incidents of kidnappings and attacks in parts of the country had heightened fears among citizens. “The recent abduction of schoolchildren in Borno State and the mass kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are not isolated incidents,” the statement read. He added that Nigerians were increasingly demanding accountability from leaders and urged citizens to use democratic processes to shape the country’s future. “The ballot box remains the most powerful weapon in the hands of the people. It is stronger than propaganda. It is stronger than intimidation. It is stronger than incumbency,” it added. He also said that the ADC would soon unveil a policy blueprint aimed at addressing economic, security and governance challenges facing the country. According to him, the proposed plan would focus on economic recovery, job creation, education, healthcare and reforms in public institutions. “At the end of the day, Nigerians seek leadership that is competent, compassionate, accountable, and genuinely committed to the public good,” the statement added. Recall that the President assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to improving security across the country, saying efforts by the Armed Forces and security agencies are yielding positive results in many communities. In a Friday statement to mark the end of his third year as president, Tinubu said that security remains central to the nation’s development and prosperity. “Security remains central to our national mission and to the creation of a virile and prosperous society. Our Armed Forces and security agencies have intensified operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves, and criminal networks,” he said. The President acknowledged that security challenges still persist in parts of the country but noted that several communities and highways were becoming safer and more economically active due to sustained operations by security agencies. According to him, the Federal Government is investing heavily in intelligence gathering, surveillance, logistics, technology, and inter-agency coordination to strengthen the country’s security architecture. “We are improving the capabilities of our armed forces and security agencies, and reclaiming the authority of the Nigerian state wherever criminality threatens peace and order,” Tinubu stated. He assured Nigerians that the government would continue confronting insecurity until citizens can live and work without fear. “While we continue to confront the challenges head-on, progress is being made. I want to assure you that this government will not relent until every Nigerian can live, work, travel, and dream in safety,” the President added.
The Karim Adeyemi Foundation has inaugurated a newly constructed Emergency Children’s Ward at Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, as stakeholders called for stronger collaboration between government and private organisations in improving healthcare delivery. Speaking during the inauguration ceremony held at Yemetu, Ibadan, on Tuesday, President of the foundation, Mogaji Abiodun Adeyemi, described the project as a major milestone in the foundation’s humanitarian interventions in Oyo State. He said the ward project was inspired by the need to provide life-saving healthcare support for children and vulnerable families. According to him, the initiative was first proposed by Ibrahim Lawal, who drew the attention of the foundation to the urgent need for an emergency children’s ward at the hospital. “Once the idea was conceived, we engaged in months of consultations with the hospital management to ensure we were building exactly what the doctors and nurses needed and not just another structure,” he said. He added that the project remained personal to him because “charity must always begin at home,” noting that although the foundation had carried out several interventions in Ibadan since 2023, the emergency ward represented its first major investment in healthcare infrastructure. Adeyemi also appreciated his son, Karim Adeyemi, for supporting the vision of the foundation, while commending his wife, Alexandra Adunni Adeyemi, for her unwavering support towards the organisation’s interventions in Ibadan. He equally praised the project manager, Bunmi Lawal, alongside builders and members of the foundation for ensuring the successful completion of the facility. In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Dr. Olanrewaju Adeniji, described the building as “a game changer” capable of saving the lives of many children. “This is an investment in humanity. There are children whose lives will be saved because of this structure. We will ensure proper maintenance so that the facility continues to serve as a centre of clinical excellence,” Adeniji stated. He also appealed to other non-governmental organisations, philanthropists and corporate bodies to support public health institutions across the state. Also speaking, Chairman of the Oyo State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Akin Fagbemi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mrs. Anifat Ibrahim, said the intervention would significantly improve child healthcare services at the hospital. She noted that hundreds of children are admitted monthly at Adeoyo Hospital for illnesses such as malaria, pneumonia and severe malnutrition, stressing that a clean and child-friendly environment would help reduce infections and speed up recovery. “This ward is more than just beds and equipment. It is a bold statement that our children deserve quality healthcare and hope,” she said. She further stated that government alone could not address all healthcare challenges, calling on well-meaning Nigerians and private organisations to partner with the state government in transforming the health sector. “The Karim Adeyemi Foundation has demonstrated purposeful giving. This collaboration shows that when government and private individuals work together, we can achieve more for our people,” she added. Ibrahim assured that the Hospital Management Board would ensure adequate staffing, supervision and maintenance of the facility to sustain its impact. Representing the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, at the event, Chief Dr. Obitade Obimakinde commended the foundation for investing in the health and future of children in Ibadanland. He described the intervention as a noble contribution to humanity and urged other wealthy individuals and organisations to emulate the gesture by supporting projects that positively impact society.
Suspected gunmen behind the abduction of 39 students and seven teachers in Ahoro Esinele community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, have reportedly opened communication with the state government and are demanding an undisclosed ransom. The incident has left teacher Michael Oyedokun reportedly beheaded. The continued delay in the release of the victims, has led their families to mount pressure on the federal and state governments, just as the Seyi Makinde administration has vowed to deploy resources to get the victims returned alive. This came as the Board of Trustees, BoT, of the factional Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara and members of the party’s interim National Working Committee, NWC, led by Kabiru Turaki, yesterday, called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture following recent bandit attacks in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Similarly, Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, yesterday disclosed that he is still awaiting approval from the Federal Government to formally commence operations of his security outfit, Iru Ekun Security Network, as part of efforts to flush out criminal elements from forests across the South-West. Kidnappers demand ransom Multiple sources told Vanguard that the kidnappers have demanded ransom for the release of their victims. The sources disclosed that indirect negotiations are ongoing, adding that the amount demanded by the abductors was being kept as a top secret. It was further gathered that security agencies have deployed a police helicopter to be on standby in what a source described as “an area of interest”, just as Military jets are said to be making daily sorties over the forests. Efforts to secure the release of kidnap victims are being coordinated by the Oyo State Government, Police, Military and Department of State Service, DSS. Asked whether the kidnappers have mentioned a specific figure, the source said: “The latest on kidnappers is that they have made a demand, but the amount is still being kept under wraps. Indirect negotiations are ongoing.” Another source disclosed that “families of victims are continuing to mount pressure on the Oyo State Government to meet the kidnappers’ demand.” Giving details on efforts by the state government and security agencies, the source said: “Police helicopter is on standby; military jets fly sorties over the forests daily. “Oyo State government, Police, Military, DSS are coordinating efforts to secure the release of the kidnap victims.” Another source, however, assured that the “state government will not spare resources just to get the victims back. “Human lives are more important than money and ego.” Family of beheaded teacher demands body for burial Also, the family of the beheaded school teacher, late Mr Oyedokun Olugbade, yesterday, demanded the recovery of their son’s remains for proper burial. The family, in a letter to President Bola Tinubu through their lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, said: “We write to formally bring to the attention of President Bola Tinubu the tragic kidnapping, brutal murder and beheading of the late Mr Oyedokun Olugbade, one of the abducted teachers of Community High School, Ohoro-Esinle in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State by suspected terrorists on May 15, 2026. “Despite widespread national outrage regarding the death of the late Mr Olugbade, his remains are yet to be seen or recovered. In this circumstance, we respectfully appeal for your urgent intervention to direct the relevant security and intelligence agencies towards locating and recovering his body, so that his family may be afforded the solemn opportunity to conduct a dignified burial and rescue other victims still in captivity.” PDP BoT, interim NWC call for security overhaul Following recent bandit attacks in the Oriire council area, Senator Wabara and members of the PDP interim NWC, led by Mr Turaki, yesterday, called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture. The delegation met behind-closed doors with Governor Makinde at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, where they discussed the security situation in the state and expressed concern over the incidents. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Turaki said the visit was to commiserate with the state government and people of Oyo State over the recent attacks. He said: “The leadership of the PDP, including members of the NWC, the Interim National Working Committee, and the Board of Trustees (BoT), came to commiserate with the government and people of Oyo State over the unfortunate incidents that recently occurred in Oriire Local Government and some parts of Ibadan. “We believe the issue of security is fundamental and must be taken very seriously. We are aware of the efforts the governor has consistently made to ensure the safety of the people of Oyo State and to protect lives and property across the state. “Seeing incidents like these happen despite the enormous resources the governor has committed to security is deeply concerning, especially as the election period approaches.” He also urged the Federal Government to urgently reform the country’s security structure, describing the current arrangement as ineffective. “Our message to the Federal Government is that Nigeria’s security architecture urgently needs to be overhauled. This has become long overdue. “It is contradictory for a governor to be referred to as the Chief Security Officer of a state while having no direct control over the security agencies operating within that state. “You cannot imagine a situation where a governor convenes a Security Council meeting, decisions are taken, and yet the Commissioner of Police or military commanders must still seek clearance from Abuja before acting. By the time approvals are obtained, significant damage may already have been done.” We’re ready to dislodge criminals from S-West forests— Igboho On his part, Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Igboho, promised to comply with the Executive Order recently issued by Governor Makinde, which regulates the activities of private security organisations operating within the state. Igboho, in a statement, said: “We have submitted all the required documents for our registered security firm, Iru Ekun Security Network and are only waiting for the Federal Government approval, which will be granted soon. “We are absolutely ready … Read more
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