Author: Platform Times Newspaper

As President Bola Tinubu’s 2025 “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity” unfolds, a new analysis by BudgIT, a civic-tech organisation tracking government spending, has raised deeper concerns about Nigeria’s worsening insecurity despite record-level allocations to the security sector. BudgIT revealed that the federal government earmarked N6.57 trillion—representing 12.54 per cent of total 2025 expenditure—for defence, policing, and national security operations. Its review further showed that state and local governments collectively received N5.9 trillion and N3.8 trillion, respectively, in FAAC disbursements between January and September 2025. Despite these unprecedented cash injections, BudgIT’s analysis shows that the security situation has deteriorated…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday cautioned that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat from reckless political behaviour, stressing that politics should never be a playground for unruly conduct. Speaking at the 10th anniversary dinner of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, which also marked his 68th birthday, Jonathan called on leaders to anchor their actions on responsibility, nation-building, and restraint. “Politics is not for rascals. It is for people who want to build, not destroy,” he said, lamenting the rising tide of aggressive rhetoric and hostile political conduct that he warned could weaken democratic resilience across Africa. Jonathan highlighted his foundation’s decade-long…

Authorities in Gombe State have dismissed claims that prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were involved in a fatal road accident, describing the reports as false and misleading. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Gombe State Police Command said the viral social media posts alleging that 16 corps members died, with two others critically injured, were untrue. FRSC Public Relations Officer, Janet Kassa, told newsmen  that thorough checks across units and commands revealed no record of such an incident in Gombe. “I have confirmed with colleagues, and there is no indication that this happened. This appears to…

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the implementation and oversight of the Naira-for-Crude Oil Policy has given Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and other stakeholders a seven-day ultimatum to submit requested documents or face “parliamentary consequences.” The deadline, which expires on Thursday, November 27, 2025, follows the failure of several agencies to appear at the investigative hearing scheduled on Thursday, November 20, and their refusal to provide critical documents. Chairman of the committee, Hon. Boniface Emerengwa, described the absence of stakeholders as “gross negligence” and a “blatant disregard for the legislative process.” “Despite ample notice, the majority of stakeholders failed…

Pope Leo XIV has dismissed claims that Christians in Nigeria are being singled out for genocide, stressing that the ongoing violence affects people of all faiths, including Muslims. Speaking to journalists at his Castel Gandolfo residence in The Vatican on Thursday, the Pope said the crisis in Nigeria stems from a mix of terrorism, economic pressures, and disputes over land. “I think in Nigeria, in certain areas, there is certainly a danger for Christians, but for all people. Christians and Muslims have been slaughtered,” he said in response to questions from EWTN News. “It’s important for the government, with all…

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in the South-West has called on the region’s governors to set a minimum pension of N60,000 per month, starting from 2026. Dr. Olusegun Abatan, the union’s Public Relations Officer, disclosed this on Thursday during a briefing in Ibadan on the outcome of a zonal meeting of NUP chairmen and secretaries. Abatan said pensioners in the region continue to face harsh living conditions, urging state governments to review pensions in line with the forthcoming new minimum wage. “It is unfortunate that pensioners’ welfare has remained stagnant. Some states, including Ogun, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti, are…

A member of the United States House of Representatives, Sara Jacobs, has criticised former President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy American troops to Nigeria, describing it as reckless and potentially unlawful. Jacobs spoke on Thursday during a congressional hearing addressing allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria, a narrative that reportedly influenced Trump’s decision to redesignate the country as a “country of particular concern.” Following the redesignation, Trump threatened that US forces would intervene “guns-a-blazing” to eliminate Islamic extremists allegedly behind attacks on Christians. Acknowledging Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, Jacobs cautioned against framing the violence solely in religious terms. “Distorting what’s…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed terrorism charges against seven top commanders of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), allegedly linked to the Finland-based separatist leader, Simon Ekpa. According to a statement on Thursday by Favour Dozie, DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, the suspects received funds and other support from Ekpa and foreign-based members of his faction. The cases, numbered FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025, and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025, were filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 19. One of the accused, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, described as an “illegal migrant” from Niger Republic, allegedly ran…

Otunba Segun Showunmi, a prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Ogun State and convener of The Alternative, has described Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed as “incompetent,” following a statement by the PDP Governors’ Forum. In a strongly worded reaction, Showunmi accused the Governors’ Forum of attempting to intimidate critics of the Bauchi governor, arguing that Bala Mohammed relies on press releases and committees instead of tangible results to defend his leadership. “Imagine a man so insecure in his own leadership that he needs an entire Governors’ Forum to bark on his behalf. Real leaders use results to answer critics.…

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday, warned that massive global cuts in child-focused funding are threatening the lives and future of millions of children, urging Lagos lawmakers to take concrete steps to protect vulnerable children in the state. Speaking at the World Children’s Day Policy Dialogue and Children’s Arts Exhibition held at the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, Alausa, the Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, said the world is currently witnessing a disturbing rollback in the protection of child rights. Lafoucriere noted that while November 20 marks the day the world agreed children have…