Author: Platform Times Newspaper

2027: Ogun West must unite to clinch governorship — Senate Leader Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, on Sunday charged political leaders, professionals and stakeholders in Ogun West Senatorial District to close ranks and forge a united front if the zone is to realise its long-standing ambition of producing the next governor of Ogun State in 2027. Bamidele gave the charge in Ilaro while delivering the keynote address at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by Ogun West Professionals (for Yayi), themed, “The Power of Internal Coherence in Securing External Support: A Roadmap to Achieving Ogun West Governorship Ambition in 2027.” He described…

The Anambra State Government has ordered the immediate reopening of the Onitsha Main Market, directing traders to resume full commercial activities from Monday, February 2, 2026, as Governor Chukwuma Soludo declared an end to all forms of sit-at-home in the state. The market, one of West Africa’s largest commercial hubs, was shut last week after traders defied government directives to open for business on Mondays despite threats linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Soludo had ordered the temporary closure during an unscheduled inspection of the market, accompanied by senior government officials and security operatives, warning that persistent…

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the economic reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu saved no fewer than 27 states from financial collapse, restoring their capacity to pay salaries, execute infrastructure projects and meet basic governance obligations. Idris spoke on Saturday while delivering a lecture titled ‘Youth and nation building: navigating opportunities in an era of national reforms’ at the 34th convocation and 43rd founders’ day ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Minna. According to the minister, as of May 29, 2023, about 27 states were struggling to pay workers’ salaries, with many on…

No fewer than 80 worshippers abducted during a Sunday church service in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have escaped from their captors and reunited with their families, PLATFORM TIMES reports. The victims were among over 160 worshippers seized about two weeks ago when armed bandits stormed the church during worship, triggering widespread outrage and renewed calls for improved security in the area. Confirming the development on Sunday, the Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, said initial reports had put the number of abducted worshippers at about 177, but verification later showed that 80…

The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, has dismissed claims circulating on social media that anti-snake venom was unavailable during the treatment of late fast-rising musician, Ms Ifunanya Lucy Nwagene, who died after a snake bite. In a statement issued on Sunday, the hospital’s Head of Clinical Services, Dr Bioku Muftau, said the medical team acted promptly and professionally on the patient’s arrival, administering emergency care, including resuscitation, intravenous fluids, oxygen therapy and polyvalent anti-snake venom. Muftau explained that Nwagene, who sustained the snake bite on January 31, 2026, died from severe neurotoxic complications associated with the venom, despite aggressive medical…

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has disclosed that he may soon formally join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing himself as being “in transition” politically. Musa, a former Chief of Defence Staff, made the disclosure during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme on Sunday. When asked if he had embraced partisan politics, the minister said, “I’ve not transited yet. I’m in transition.” Pressed further on whether he would join the APC, he added, “Not yet, but I think I will. Definitely. The APC has given me the platform to present myself right from when…

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for what it described as significant progress toward establishing a regulatory framework for Community Networks aimed at expanding connectivity in underserved areas. In a statement issued on Sunday in Kano, CITAD’s Executive Director, Y.Z. Ya’u, said the development marked a major milestone in efforts to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities where commercial operators have limited presence. Ya’u noted that Community Networks offer a practical, people-driven solution to delivering affordable and inclusive communication services, adding that a clear and enabling regulatory…

The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) has faulted the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliate, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), over what it described as “unlawful and misleading” claims to organise senior officers of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). In a statement on Sunday, SSASCGOC said recent demands by AUPCTRE for the remittance of check-off dues from ITF officers on Grade Level 07 and above were contrary to existing court judgments and the provisions of the Trade Union Act. The union noted that the Court…

Daud Olatunji The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State on Sunday recorded a major political boost with the formal registration of Prince Kazeem Adeyanju Olanrewaju Bakinson, the Aare Mayegun of Owu Kingdom and convener of the Ajiboshin Platform. Bakinson, who serves in the Lagos State Government, registered at Oke-Ago Owu Ward in Abeokuta North Local Government Area, a development party stakeholders described as a strategic gain ahead of fresh political realignments in the state. Speaking shortly after collecting his membership slip, Bakinson said his decision to join the APC was anchored on the party’s commitment to good governance, grassroots…

…Four Killed, Homes Razed In Amasiri-Okporojo Conflict … Security Agencies Vow Swift Arrest Of Perpetrators Daud Olatunji Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has sacked political appointees and revoked the recognition of traditional rulers in the Amasiri community following a violent land dispute that left four people dead and several properties destroyed. The crisis erupted between Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area and neighbouring Okporojo village in Oso community of Edda Local Government Area. Eyewitnesses said the clash was brutal, with homes razed and lives lost in gruesome circumstances. Speaking during a visit to Okporojo on Saturday, Governor Nwifuru…