Party conventions, democracy and rule of law, By TUNDE RAHMAN
By TUNDE RAHMAN The dust may not have fully settled on the conventions of what is gradually emerging as the three main political parties in the country, the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), gearing up for the fast-approaching 2027 elections. Yet, somehow, the unfolding fallouts of those conventions remind me of that famous...
The great Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline revival, By Crispin Oduobuk
Forget the sanitised press releases. Here is what is unfolding around the Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline (AEP). There are disputes, and then there are situations that test the credibility of the process. What is unfolding around the Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline is not a routine commercial disagreement. It is a case study in how terminated transactions can resurface, how valuations can lag behind reality,...
Why I chose WWE over Olympic dreams – Oba Femi
Nigerian professional wrestler Isaac Odugbesan, popularly known as Oba Femi, has explained why he switched from athletics to professional wrestling. The 28-year-old, who was once a promising shot putter with Olympic ambitions, said his transition began after he was discovered by WWE through social media. Oba Femi recently gained global attention after defeating WWE veteran Brock Lesnar in under five minutes...
Why OAU declined venue for Peter Obi lecture
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has explained its decision to deny approval for a lecture featuring Peter Obi, citing late notification by the organisers. In a statement issued by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the university said it was not given sufficient details about the event and its guest until just a day before the...
Global military spending hits record $2.9trn amid rising insecurity
Global military spending reached nearly $2.9 trillion in 2025, marking an 11th consecutive year of growth, as insecurity and rearmament fuelled defence budget. The three top spenders – the United States, China, and Russia – spent a combined total of $1.48 trillion, just over half of global expenditure. Spending rose by 2.9 per cent compared with 2024, despite a reduction by the US, the...
Airlines threaten shutdown over soaring jet fuel prices
Domestic airlines in Nigeria are considering suspending operations from Thursday, April 30, 2026, over soaring aviation fuel costs, raising concerns about major travel disruptions nationwide. Operators say the price of Jet A1 has surged by more than 300 per cent since February, pushing operating costs to unsustainable levels. Despite engagements with the Federal Government and fuel marketers, no agreement has...
Oil prices rise as US-Iran peace talks stall
Oil prices extended gains on Monday, April 27, 2026, rising nearly 2% peace talks between the United States and Iran stalled. Shipments through the Strait of Hormuz also remained limited, keeping global oil supplies tight. Brent crude futures rose $2.16, or 2.05%, to $107.49 a barrel by 2346 GMT, the highest since April 7, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate was at...
Ibadan meeting: PDP, ADC blocs reject joint presidential ticket plan
Fresh cracks have emerged within Nigeria’s opposition after factions of major parties distanced themselves from the Ibadan summit that proposed a single presidential candidate for 2027. Blocs within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party, and Accord Party said the meeting did not reflect their official positions, insisting they would field separate candidates against President Bola...
FCT teachers suspend strike after Wike’s intervention
The State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has suspended the ongoing strike by primary and secondary school teachers with immediate effect. The SWEC Chairman, Abdullahi Shafa, announced this at a news conference in Gwagwalada on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Shafa said the decision followed an emergency meeting convened to review the...
NNPC refineries may never work again — Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reiterated his long-held position that Nigeria’s state-owned refineries are unlikely to function effectively again, despite ongoing efforts by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to secure technical partners. Speaking in a televised interview on Sony Irabor Live aired Saturday, Obasanjo stressed that public-private partnerships remain the most viable model for managing major national assets. He...
