Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Muheeb Akindoyin Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has delivered a scathing assessment of Nigeria’s political leadership since the return to democratic rule in 1999, saying most elected leaders have lacked the character, values and attributes required to move the country forward. Obasanjo made the submission on Tuesday at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, where he spoke on the state of democracy and governance in Nigeria and Africa. The former President expressed concern over the quality of leadership emerging from Nigeria’s democratic system, arguing that the problem was deeper than the shortcomings of political parties or the judiciary.…

Daud Olatunji Tension has escalated ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State after the senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi, allegedly threatened members of the Accord Party with death. Fadahunsi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the state, allegedly made the threat while addressing APC supporters in Ilesa in a video circulating on Tuesday. In the video, the senator, speaking in Yoruba, was heard warning his supporters to attack Accord Party members if they were sighted in the area before the election. He reportedly said, “If we see any Accord Party members, we’ll kill them,”…

Daud Olatunji The Labour Party South-West Zonal Vice Chairman, Abayomi Arabambi, has urged the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, to withdraw from the 2027 governorship race and support fellow Egba politician, Segun Sowunmi. Arabambi said the move would preserve the political interests of the Egba people and strengthen their bargaining position ahead of the 2027 election. He made the call on Monday during a radio programme in Abeokuta while speaking on the emerging political alignments ahead of the governorship election. According to him, if the Egba Agenda fails to produce the next governor, the Egba…

Today on Platform Times Newspaper, 11th August, 2026. Visit www.platformtimes.com.ng for many more stories.

Daud Olatunji Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division, operating under the Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA, have arrested a suspected commander of a kidnapping syndicate in Enugu State and recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition from a forest hideout. The suspect was arrested during an intelligence-led operation conducted in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services in the Gariki General Area of Enugu State. The Army also recovered $1,000, N785,900 and other items allegedly linked to the activities of the criminal network. The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division,…

…Coalition Of 100 Groups Demands Immediate Withdrawal Of 2025 Amendment ….Warns Online Sales, Advertising, Sponsorship Of Vaping Products Could Weaken Safeguards Daud Olatunji A coalition of more than 100 civil society organisations and public health advocates has urged the National Assembly to withdraw the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, warning that some provisions could weaken existing safeguards and increase children’s exposure to tobacco and nicotine products. The coalition, known as the Nigeria Tobacco Control Community, raised the alarm in Abuja on Monday, saying the proposed amendment could create regulatory loopholes for emerging products, including electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco…

The Nigerian Bar Association and the United Nations Children’s Fund have launched a N140 million partnership to expand free legal representation for vulnerable children and children in conflict with the law across Nigeria. The initiative, unveiled in Abuja on Monday, seeks to mobilise lawyers nationwide to provide pro bono services to children who are victims of abuse, exploitation, trafficking, neglect and child marriage, as well as those caught up in criminal proceedings. The partnership comes against the backdrop of concerns over children being detained without legal representation, delays in justice delivery, weak referral mechanisms and limited use of diversion and…

Daud Olatunji The Academic Staff Union of Universities has issued a 14-day ultimatum to authorities of 21 universities over alleged failure to implement provisions of the 2025 agreement reached with the Federal Government. The union warned that the affected institutions could be plunged into industrial action if the outstanding issues are not resolved before the expiration of the ultimatum. The decision was reached at ASUU’s National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9, 2026. In a communiqué signed by the union’s President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, ASUU expressed concern over what…

Fawaz Adebisi The founder of the Bakinson Movement for Yayi, Aare Olarenwaju Kazem Bakinson, has declared support for Senator Olamilekan Adeola’s 2027 Ogun State governorship ambition, citing the lawmaker’s alleged generosity and development interventions as major reasons for his backing. Bakinson, who is also the Aare Mayegun of Owu Kingdom and Aare Adeen of Owu Muslims, spoke on Monday at a prayer and thanksgiving programme organised to mark Adeola’s 57th birthday at the Owu Club. The event attracted Muslim clerics, political supporters and members of groups affiliated with the Bakinson Movement for Yayi. Bakinson said he organised the prayer because…

Former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola, has dismissed reports that the party is negotiating an alliance with other political parties ahead of Saturday’s governorship election. Aregbesola, who spoke at an ADC solidarity rally in Ejigbo, Osun State, also rejected speculation that the party’s governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam, would step down for another candidate. The former governor’s declaration came amid growing political realignments in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with major political figures openly taking positions on the contest. There had been reports on social media that the ADC…