Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu withdrew his ministerial nomination, contrary to speculations that the National Assembly rejected him. El-Rufai made this known on Monday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time. The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory explained that Tinubu had initially encouraged him to stay close after leaving office but later decided against his ministerial appointment. “The President changed his mind on my nomination after publicly asking me not to be far from him after I left office,” he stated. El-Rufai’s nomination was among those sent to the Senate…

Morenikeji Adebayo  The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State has taken decisive action by suspending four of its prominent members in the National Assembly over allegations of engaging in anti-party activities. PLATFORM TIMES reports that, the NNPP Chairperson in Kano, Hashimu Dungurawa, on Momday, cited recent actions by the lawmakers that were deemed contrary to the party’s core principles and objectives. The affected lawmakers include Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South in the Senate; Abdullahi Sani Rogo, representing Rogo Federal Constituency; Abdullahi Rurum, representing Rano/Kibiya; and Ali Maadakin Gini, representing Dala Federal Constituency. According to Dungurawa, these legislators,…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the federal government to direct federal funds exclusively to “democratically elected” and “judicially certified” local government officials in Osun State. This statement follows the contentious local government elections held recently, which saw the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinch victory across all 30 LGAs and 332 wards amidst a backdrop of legal disputes and security concerns. The buildup to the election was marked by a series of legal battles and controversies, with the APC challenging the reinstatement of previously sacked local government chairpersons based on a February 10th court ruling from the Court…

In a bold assertion, Justice Abdurraheem Sayi, the Qadi of the Shari’ah Court of Appeal, Kwara State, has declared that Southwest state governments lack the authority to obstruct the establishment of Shari’ah arbitration panels by Muslims in the region. Addressing concerns during a lecture at the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni’s 30th Pre-Ramadan Lecture, themed “The Transformative Power of Ramadan,” Justice Sayi labeled objections to Shari’ah panels in the Southwest as “legally baseless” and reflective of “Islamophobia syndrome.” Asserting that Shari’ah arbitration operates on a contractual basis, Justice Sayi clarified, “Arbitration is a matter of contract and does not require…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the Federal High Court in Lagos over what it describes as an unjustifiable increase in Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transaction fees. In suit number FHC/L/CS/344/2025 filed over the weekend, SERAP challenges the recent CBN directive imposing additional charges on ATM withdrawals. The policy stipulates that withdrawals made at non-branch machines will incur a N100 fee per N20,000 withdrawn, while transactions at certain locations like shopping centers and airports could attract up to N600 in fees for the same amount. SERAP argues…

Daud Olatunji In a proactive move aimed at curbing the ongoing brain drain plaguing Nigeria’s health sector, exacerbated by the ‘japa syndrome’, the Federal Government has announced plans to harness the expertise of Nigerian doctors abroad. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the initiative seeks to bolster the country’s healthcare system by tapping into the contributions of Nigerian medical professionals currently practicing in countries like the UK, US, and Ireland. The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq ‘Kule Salako, revealed this strategic approach during a recent town hall meeting held at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro Abeokuta, Ogun State. Dr. Salako emphasized…

Former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd.), has claimed that his administration played a pivotal role in advancing freedom of expression and liberalizing media ownership in Nigeria. Babangida, who ruled Nigeria from 1985 to 1993, made the assertion in his newly released autobiography, A Journey in Service. According to him, the policies enacted during his regime laid the foundation for the country’s vibrant media landscape and strengthened Nigeria’s democratic credentials. “Our media remains a source of strength and pride to all of us. We may have had differences in information management practices, but no one can deny that Nigeria’s…

In response to escalating attacks on farming communities across Kaduna, Niger, Kogi, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Gbagyi Elders Forum (GEF) has revealed employing spiritual methods to combat bandits and insurgents, citing some successes with the approach. Speaking at the conclusion of their event themed ‘Uniting for a Greater Future’ in Minna, Niger State, Elder Peterson Kaura, Chairman of the Gbagyi Elders Forum’s Board of Trustees, emphasized the need for government support. He called upon both the Federal Government and state administrations of Niger, Kaduna, Kogi, and the FCT to enhance partnerships aimed at halting assaults on farming…

In a grim update, Nigeria has recorded 80 deaths from Lassa fever within a single week, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The agency reported that these fatalities occurred alongside 413 confirmed cases across 11 states during Epidemiological Week 6 (Feb. 3–9, 2025). The NCDC disclosed this alarming statistic via its official website, highlighting a notable rise in the case fatality rate (CFR) to 19.4%, up from 17.5% in the corresponding period of 2024. The report emphasized that the majority of cases, totaling 73%, were concentrated in Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states, with Ondo alone…

Daud Olatunji The President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery currently has over N600 billion worth of petroleum products in storage, including more than half a billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. Speaking at the weekend during a visit by a Zambian government delegation, Dangote assured that the refinery is well-positioned to meet Nigeria’s fuel demands and contribute significantly to Africa’s energy market. He emphasized that the refinery produces sufficient refined products such as petrol, diesel, and kerosene to satisfy 100 per cent of Nigeria’s requirements, with surplus…