Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has disclosed that some leaders of the pro-democracy movement, including members of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), privately urged him to extend military rule after becoming convinced that he was genuinely committed to handing over power in 1999. Abubakar said the request came only months into his administration when key figures in the pro-democracy struggle realised that his transition timetable was not a political bluff but a firm commitment to return Nigeria to civilian rule. He made the revelation in his autobiography unveiled on Saturday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as part of activities…

A former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has warned that the proposed creation of state police will not, on its own, resolve Nigeria’s deepening insecurity, insisting that comprehensive constitutional restructuring remains the only sustainable solution. Ezekwesili, in a public memorandum addressed to President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly and other key stakeholders, said the country’s worsening security crisis is rooted in structural and governance deficiencies rather than the absence of decentralised policing. Her position comes amid renewed moves by the Federal Government and lawmakers to establish state police as part of efforts to curb rising cases of kidnapping, banditry and…

The Nigerian military on Sunday said no fewer than 27 suspected terrorists were killed in a series of coordinated airstrikes targeting insurgent enclaves in Borno State. According to a statement by the Nigerian Army, the operations were carried out by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, which struck terrorist hideouts in the Tumbuns axis of the state. The military disclosed that 12 insurgents were neutralised during an air raid on Dawoshe in Kukawa Local Government Area, while another 15 were killed in a separate precision strike at Metele in Guzamala LGA. It noted that the strikes formed part of…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected a Federal High Court judgment ordering its deregistration, describing the ruling as a grave abuse of judicial process and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy. The party said it would petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) over what it termed “judicial rascality” by the presiding judge. Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister ADC and four other political parties over their alleged failure to meet electoral performance thresholds in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections. The affected parties include…

Troops of the Nigerian military have rescued Amina Rabe, wife of the late Major General Abubakar Rabe, from captivity following sustained offensives against bandits in Katsina State. The rescue, which took place on Monday, followed coordinated assaults on criminal enclaves in the Matazu forest and adjoining communities, where the victim was believed to have been held since her abduction. Security sources familiar with the operation told newsmen  that the troops launched a series of joint attacks on the bandits’ hideouts from Sunday night into the early hours of Monday, leading to the destruction of several camps. The operation involved a…

Daud Olatunji The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday unveiled Dr Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo as its deputy governorship candidate, as the opposition party intensifies preparations for the forthcoming election. The unveiling, held in Abeokuta, drew party leaders, stakeholders, youth groups and women organisations from across the state, underscoring growing momentum within the party ahead of the polls. Speaking at the event, Sowunmi-Kolapo described her emergence as a call to service, pledging to deploy her experience and expertise toward delivering inclusive governance and grassroots-driven development. She said, “Our mission is to restore hope to the people of Ogun…

The Federal Government has unveiled a new investment-driven strategy aimed at resolving the persistent electricity crisis in Nigeria’s health sector, with a shift towards private sector participation in powering hospitals nationwide. Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziak Adekunle Salako, disclosed this on Monday at the National Healthcare Electrification Investors Matchmaking Forum held in Lagos under the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative. Salako said the initiative represents a transition from policy discussions to investment mobilisation, as government seeks to build a sustainable market for healthcare electrification across the country. He noted that unreliable electricity supply, frequent grid collapses,…

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total sum of N2.257 trillion among the three tiers of government for April 2026, amid a significant rise in gross federation revenue driven largely by improvements in statutory and Value Added Tax (VAT) collections. According to a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, the allocation was approved at the May 2026 FAAC meeting held in Abuja. The revenue, drawn from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, was shared between the Federal Government of Nigeria, the 36…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a Maiduguri-based Point of Sale operator, Umar Bashir, to 20 years’ imprisonment without the option of fine for financing terrorism linked to the Boko Haram insurgency. The trial judge, Binta Nyako, handed down the verdict on Monday after the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against him by the Federal Government. Bashir, who described himself as a perfume dealer and POS operator, admitted to facilitating a N5m transaction for a suspected member of the террорист group, identified as Ibrahim Modu, in 2025. According to court proceedings, the convict received the funds…

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister several political parties, including the African Democratic Congress and the Accord Party, over alleged violations of constitutional provisions. The presiding judge, Justice Peter Odo Lifu, gave the directive while delivering judgment in a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators. The court held that the affected parties, which also include the Action Alliance, Allied Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party, breached constitutional requirements necessary for their continued existence as political platforms. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, listed Independent…