Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that it is unconstitutional for Nigeria to continue to recognise political parties that have failed to win any elective positions, insisting that such parties should be deregistered in line with constitutional provisions. Fagbemi made the submission in an affidavit filed in response to a suit instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which is seeking the court’s interpretation of the law and the deregistration of several political parties, including the Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC),…

The international human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has called for an urgent, independent investigation into the alleged deaths of at least 150 Fulani detainees, mostly children, said to have occurred at a military-supervised facility in Kwara State. The group raised the alarm in a statement on Thursday, alleging that about 1,500 Fulani pastoralists displaced by violent attacks were held for months at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, under what it described as “deplorable and life-threatening conditions.” Amnesty International said its findings showed that detainees were subjected to severe…

Former Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday declared support for the state Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 election. Ambode, in a personally signed statement, said Hamzat’s emergence as the party’s consensus candidate reflected his loyalty, consistency, and long-standing commitment to the APC. He described Hamzat as a “true party man” whose consultations across party structures demonstrated his dedication to unity and progress. “I join my fellow APC members in congratulating my brother and friend, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, on his emergence as the consensus governorship candidate of…

Local government areas in Lagos received a total of ₦165.75bn as net statutory allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee in the first quarter of 2026, with Alimosho Local Government emerging as the highest beneficiary. Data sourced from Statisense, citing figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, showed that Alimosho LGA received ₦10.7bn within the three-month period, maintaining its position as the largest recipient among the 20 councils in the state. Ajeromi/Ifelodun and Kosofe LGAs followed with ₦9.0bn and ₦8.9bn respectively, while Mushin, Oshodi/Isolo, and Ojo LGAs each recorded allocations of ₦8.8bn. Further breakdown indicated that Ikorodu received ₦8.6bn, while…

The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Thursday nullified the national convention held by the Peoples Democratic Party in Ibadan, Ibadan, effectively sacking the factional national executives that emerged from the exercise. The convention, conducted between November 15 and 16, 2025, had produced a leadership bloc led by former minister, Tanimu Turaki (SAN). In a decisive ruling delivered in Abuja, the apex court held that the convention was invalid, thereby voiding all decisions and outcomes arising from it. Although details of the judgment were still sketchy as of the time of filing this report, the verdict is expected to have far-reaching…

The senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has been tipped to consolidate on the achievements of Governor Dapo Abiodun and unlock the economic potential of Ogun State if elected governor in 2027. Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, recently emerged as the consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state, putting to rest weeks of speculation over who would clinch the party’s ticket among several aspirants. Speaking with journalists in Abeokuta on Wednesday, a chieftain of the APC and Convener of the Ogun West Initiative, Olootu Bolaji Adeniji, described Adeola’s emergence as a “historic opportunity”…

The Gender Development Initiative has partnered with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development to intensify awareness against human trafficking in secondary schools and markets across Abeokuta, Ogun State. The initiative, under the Strengthening Trafficking Education and Awareness Programme, reached five secondary schools and two major markets, targeting students, parents, traders and other community stakeholders. The schools visited include Lafenwa High School, Salau Abiola Comprehensive High School, Ansar-U-Deen High School, Premier Grammar School and Muslim High School, while sensitisation campaigns were also held at Osiele and Lafenwa markets. According to the organisers, the intervention was designed to educate participants on…

The United Nations Children’s Fund has called on state governments in the South-West to increase domestic investment in nutrition programmes to tackle rising cases of child stunting and poor development outcomes. The appeal was made during a one-day regional workshop on the operationalisation of the Integrated Multisectoral Nutrition Intervention and the N-774 Initiative, held in Ibadan. The workshop, organised by the Oyo State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with UNICEF, brought together key government officials and stakeholders from Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun  and Oyo  to strengthen regional collaboration on nutrition financing and implementation. Speaking at the…

By Muyi Lamidi In the early hours of a typical market day in Owo or the quiet evenings in Akoko communities, political conversations are already shifting—long before campaign posters appear or party primaries begin. Across Ondo North, people are asking familiar but urgent questions: Who truly understands our struggles? Who will speak for us where it matters? In these conversations, one name is beginning to surface more frequently—Michael Abayomi Adeyanju a.k.a. Imole. While the 2027 elections are still some distance away, his growing visibility is not accidental. It reflects a combination of factors that are slowly shaping public perception across…

Lafarge Africa Plc has reported a Profit After Tax (PAT) of ₦97.95 billion for the first quarter of the 2026 financial year, representing a sharp 101 per cent increase from ₦48.64 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, driven by robust sales growth, improved operational efficiency and sustained cost discipline. The cement manufacturer also posted net sales of ₦334.88 billion for the period under review, marking a 35 per cent rise compared to ₦248.35 billion achieved in Q1 2025, as demand strengthened across key markets on the back of improved distribution and plant stability. Operating profit rose significantly by…