Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has issued a sweeping mobilisation directive to its Southwest branches and affiliate structures, calling for full participation in a planned mass protest over the continued captivity of school children, pupils, and teachers abducted in Oyo State. The human rights group condemned what it described as the “prolonged and unacceptable” detention of victims abducted during the 15 May 2026 attack on schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where armed assailants stormed educational facilities and whisked away students and staff. In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, the CDHR…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has pledged to investigate complaints raised by former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, following the party’s presidential primary won by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The assurance came on Thursday from a member of the ADC Presidential Primary Committee, Lawal Batagarawa, who said the party would activate its internal dispute resolution mechanisms to address the concerns trailing the exercise. Atiku secured a landslide victory at the primary with about 1.8 million votes, while Amaechi polled 540,117 votes and Hayatu-Deen garnered 177,120 votes. Both defeated aspirants have since rejected the outcome, alleging…

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has moved to formally ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, setting the stage for a potentially dramatic realignment ahead of the next electoral cycle. The ratification is expected to take place at a Special National Convention scheduled for Saturday at the A-Class Event Centre, Wuse 2, Abuja. In an invitation jointly signed by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Dakas Shan, the gathering was described as a “Special National Convention for the Ratification of the Nomination of President…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has placed Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano, Rivers and seven other states on high alert over the risk of Ebola Virus Disease importation, following a worsening outbreak of the deadly virus in parts of Central Africa. The agency, in a national public health advisory issued on Thursday, classified Nigeria’s overall risk of importing the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola as “HIGH”, warning that urgent preparedness measures were required across all levels of government to prevent entry and possible community transmission. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already declared the outbreak…

…Says Recruits Lured With Fake Job Offers Online …Alleges Victims Forced Into Military Contracts In Moscow Daud Olatunji Ukrainian authorities have alleged that at least 215 Nigerians are currently fighting alongside Russian forces as mercenaries in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, with no fewer than 25 reportedly killed or missing in action. The allegation was made on Thursday by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), which claimed that foreign recruits, including Nigerians, were drawn into the conflict through deceptive online job offers targeted at vulnerable job seekers across Africa. According to the DIU, many of the affected individuals allegedly signed contracts…

The Nigerian community in South Africa has raised alarm over the killing of no fewer than 105 Nigerians in various violent incidents across the country within the last seven years, alleging that many of the deaths were linked to xenophobic attacks, mob violence and suspected extrajudicial actions. The claim was made in a joint statement by the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) and the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA), signed by their leaders, Smart Nwobi and Frank Onyekwelu. The groups urged the South African authorities to urgently intensify protection for migrants and ensure accountability in cases involving deaths and…

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has tightened oversight of welfare services for Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, rejecting substandard meals and launching investigations into tour operators accused of exploiting intending pilgrims. The commission said the measures form part of efforts to enforce strict compliance with health and safety regulations during the ongoing Hajj, particularly amid extreme weather conditions in the Kingdom. In a statement issued on Thursday, NAHCON disclosed that several dinner meals supplied to pilgrims on Wednesday were rejected after failing to meet approved handling and packaging standards. The exercise, according to the commission, was carried out in…

The Ogun State Government has intensified efforts to attract diaspora investments, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sector, with the inauguration of Treal Hotel and Suites in Abeokuta. Speaking at the unveiling of the facility located in Ibara Housing Estate, the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, who represented Governor Dapo Abiodun, said the state remained a prime destination for investors due to its strategic location and growing economic potential. Talabi noted that Ogun’s proximity to Lagos, coupled with its expanding tourism assets and rich cultural heritage, positioned it as a natural hub for hospitality and leisure investments. He…

Former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, has defected from the All Progressives Congress to the National Democratic Congress, intensifying political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. Omo-Agege announced his defection in a statement on Thursday, days after losing the Delta Central senatorial primary of the APC. The former lawmaker said his decision followed “weeks of reflection and wide consultations” with political associates and stakeholders across the country. He added that he would contest the Delta Central senatorial seat on the platform of the NDC in the 2027 elections. “I am convinced that the NDC offers the clearest…

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday held a closed-door meeting with former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, in Abuja, where both leaders discussed Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges. Atiku, who recently emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 general election, disclosed details of the visit in a post on his verified X handle. The meeting came days after a keenly contested primary election in which Atiku defeated Amaechi and another aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, by a wide margin. Atiku polled 1,846,370 votes to beat Amaechi, who secured 504,117 votes, while Hayatu-Deen garnered 177,120…