Author: Platform Times Newspaper

As Nigeria gradually moves toward the 2027 general election, political discussions are increasingly shifting from governance to electoral calculations, potential alliances, and emerging presidential contenders. Among the names generating considerable public interest is former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ), whose possible return to the presidential race continues to spark debate across political circles. Although his candidacy remains speculative, the prospect of Jonathan joining an already crowded opposition field presents an interesting political question: Would his participation strengthen the opposition’s chances against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT), or would it further complicate the opposition’s path to victory? In my opinion, the…

…. Majority from ICT, Business Schools as probe uncovers fake ND results … Rector warns applicants against certificate fraud, vows sustained crackdown Authorities of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic have expelled no fewer than 365 students for securing admission with falsified academic credentials, in a sweeping disciplinary action aimed at restoring integrity to the institution’s admission process. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the affected students, all enrolled in various Higher National Diploma programmes, were found to have presented forged National Diploma results and fake academic transcripts purportedly obtained from different tertiary institutions. The mass expulsion followed a rigorous verification exercise conducted by…

An arbitration tribunal has directed the nominating shareholders and board of Premium Pension Limited to secure the resignation or removal of four directors found to be Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), in a ruling that could reshape governance oversight within one of Nigeria’s leading pension fund administrators. The tribunal, which delivered its award on May 25, 2026, gave the company 30 days to comply with the order. It held that the continued service of the affected directors contravenes Clause 5.1 of the company’s Shareholders’ Agreement. The panel was chaired by Olusola Adegbonmire, FCIArb, with Bayo Ojo, SAN, CON, FCIArb, and Chikwendu…

The United Nations has warned that about 35 million Nigerians could face acute food insecurity between June and August 2026, as the country enters its annual lean season amid worsening inflation, insecurity and climate-related shocks. The projection, contained in a recent food security assessment, indicates a deepening humanitarian crisis driven by rising food prices, disrupted agricultural activities and declining household purchasing power across the country. The lean season, typically marked by depleted household food stocks before the next harvest, is expected to hit hardest in rural communities, conflict-affected areas in the North-East and North-West, internally displaced persons’ camps, and low-income…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five suspects, including two foreign nationals from Niger Republic, over their alleged roles as arms couriers in the November 2025 mass abduction at St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State, where nearly 300 students and staff were kidnapped. Security sources said the operation also led to the recovery of a substantial arms cache comprising 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines, and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, concealed in a blue vehicle used by the suspects. Those arrested include Yusuf Mohammed, also known as Bature, a suspected member of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati…

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday renewed calls for Nigerians to embrace regular medical screening, stressing that early detection remains critical in the fight against cancer, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases. Obasanjo made the appeal in Abeokuta during the flag-off of the “Lagos to the World Expedition”, a health-awareness initiative focused on prostate cancer, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library. The expedition, driven by Nigerian entrepreneur and BMW enthusiast, Erik Nwagwu, is dedicated to the memory of his late mother and sister, both of whom died from cancer. It also seeks to promote awareness, testing and early diagnosis, particularly…

…Gov Says Protests Will “Fuel Terrorists’ Ego” …NUT Mobilises Nationwide Solidarity Rallies …Fear Spreads Across Education Sector Over Insecurity By Daud Olatunji Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Sunday cautioned residents against staging protests over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, warning that such actions could embolden terrorists. Makinde, who spoke during a church service at Christ Apostolic Church, Ibadan, urged families of the victims to embrace prayers and remain calm, insisting that security agencies were making efforts to secure their release. “Terrorists are within our doorstep. This is not the time for protest.…

Concerns have intensified over the growing use of targeted marketing by tobacco companies to recruit women and girls in Nigeria, with new findings indicating a surge in the promotion of flavoured nicotine products and digital advertising framed around lifestyle appeal and “safer use” narratives. A new study by an Abuja-based public policy organisation, Gatefield, has warned that tobacco and nicotine firms are increasingly deploying sophisticated marketing strategies across social media, television and streaming platforms to normalise usage among young women. The report was unveiled during a virtual event held ahead of the 2026 edition of World No Tobacco Day, where…

Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has disclosed that more than 200 operatives of the South-West security outfit, Amotekun Corps, have been killed in Oyo State while combating insecurity. Makinde made the revelation to during a visit to families of victims abducted from three schools in the Oriire area of Ogbomoso on May 15, describing the situation as tragic and calling for collective action to secure the release of the victims. The governor stressed that the current security challenges required unity among all levels of government rather than blame-shifting. He said, “This is not the time to trade blame, whether…

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, on Sunday unveiled former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as his running mate for the 2027 general elections, declaring that the vice-presidential office would no longer be treated as a subordinate position. Obi, who made the announcement at the party’s national convention in Abuja, said both leaders would operate as “equal partners” if elected, vowing to end what he described as the long-standing tradition of reducing vice presidents to “spare tyres.” “The government we intend to form will no longer be one where the vice president is seen as…