Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Osun Assembly Speaker, 24 PDP Lawmakers Dump Party for AccordThe Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alongside 24 lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has officially defected to the Accord Party. The announcement was made on Friday in Osogbo by the Speaker’s spokesperson, Olamide Tiamiyu, following a parliamentary meeting where the decision was finalised. The Osun Assembly has 26 members in total, 25 from the PDP and one from the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to Mr. Tiamiyu, the defecting lawmakers resigned from the PDP weeks ago after extensive consultations with supporters, political allies, and…

The Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget has dismissed claims that N4.2 billion was set aside in the 2026 budget solely for the purchase of office furniture and microphones for the Office of the Deputy Governor. In a statement released on Friday, the ministry explained that the N4,247,816,006 earmarked for the office represents the total capital allocation for the 2026 fiscal year, not expenditure on office fittings as widely reported. “The total capital allocation for the Office of the Deputy Governor for 2026 is N4,247,816,006. This figure has been incorrectly portrayed as being meant only for office furniture…

At least 10 health workers, including five doctors, have died amid a recent surge of Lassa fever cases in Benue State, raising fresh alarm over the safety of frontline medical personnel. The state epidemiologist, Asema Msuega, disclosed that 250 suspected cases of Lassa fever have been reported in the state, with 45 confirmed infections. The fatalities were confirmed in a report aired on African Independent Television (AIT) on Friday. Msuega expressed concern over the high infection rate among health workers, suggesting possible human-to-human transmission. He attributed the trend to lapses in infection prevention and control protocols within healthcare facilities. In…

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused governors defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) of prioritising “personal survival” over ideology, describing the wave of cross-carpeting as a product of intimidation rather than genuine support for the ruling party. Reacting to the defection of Ahmadu Fintiri from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, Atiku, who is now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said politicians have the right to choose their political platform, but warned Nigerians against equating defections with popularity. In a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku described recent political…

Yoruba self-determination agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has publicly declared that he combines traditional spiritual practices with his Christian faith, insisting that the use of charms does not contradict his religious beliefs. Igboho made the disclosure while addressing a council of traditional rulers, where he spoke candidly about his religious background, upbringing and spiritual convictions. “I am a Christian, but I use charms. I do all religions. Even Islamic father, Muideen Ajayi Bello is a Muslim, I am a Christian. I was born in church, but I do charms. I was trained in the act,” he…

The Oyo State High Court has affirmed the legality of the 2025 elective National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party held in Ibadan, which produced Dr Kabiru Turaki as the party’s substantive National Chairman. In a judgment delivered on Friday, Justice Ladiran Akintola upheld the convention in its entirety, ruling that it was conducted in substantial compliance with constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act and the party’s guidelines. The decision followed an amended originating summons filed in Suit No. I/1336/2025 by Misibau Adetunmbi (SAN), counsel to the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi. The court granted all 13 reliefs sought, effectively validating the…

The Defence Headquarters has assured Nigerians that the ongoing military assistance from the United States Government comes at no financial cost and does not in any way undermine the nation’s sovereignty. The clarification followed public concerns over the recent arrival of about 100 United States military personnel and equipment into the country. Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday during a briefing on ongoing military operations, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, said the collaboration is strictly focused on training and capacity-building for Nigerian troops engaged in counter-terrorism operations. According to him, the partnership should not be misconstrued…

The Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, on Friday disclosed that no fewer than 48 children, aged between two and five years, have been abducted from different parts of the state and allegedly taken to unknown destinations. Yahaya raised the alarm during the inauguration of the state’s Ramadan palliative distribution exercise in Gombe, describing the development as disturbing and a grave threat to public safety. According to him, official records indicate that the affected children were stolen and transported outside the state, while their parents remain in Gombe. “From the available records, 48 Gombe State children between the ages of…

Staff members of the News Agency of Nigeria have petitioned the Oyo State Real Property Protection Agency over the alleged invasion of their 35-acre housing estate in Ibadan by suspected land grabbers. In a petition dated December 11, 2025, and signed by their solicitor, Ademola Sodamade, the workers accused some individuals of breach of peace, threat to life and malicious damage to property at Butubutu Village in Ona-Ara Local Government Area. The petition, made available to journalists on Friday, listed Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Mrs Oluwamayowa Ayinde and Mr Adewale Owoade among the recognised owners of the property. The workers alleged…

Dangote Cement Plc has signed a strategic agreement valued at over $1bn with Chinese engineering giant, Sinoma International Engineering, for the construction of new cement plants and expansion of existing facilities across Africa. The agreement, signed in Lagos at the weekend, forms part of Dangote Cement’s long-term growth plan aimed at raising its production capacity to 80 million tonnes per annum by 2030. Dangote Cement Plc, a subsidiary of Dangote Industries Limited, said the projects would cover 12 new developments, including greenfield plants, brownfield expansions and plant modernisation initiatives in key African markets. Speaking at the ceremony, the President of…