Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The All Progressives Congress has dismissed claims by opposition figures who predicted famine, anarchy and state collapse in 2025, insisting that none of the grim forecasts materialised despite economic and security pressures faced by the country. The ruling party, in a Christmas message issued on Thursday by its Lagos State spokesman, Seye Oladejo, described Nigeria as “tested and pressured, yet unbroken,” saying the nation successfully navigated a year of difficult but necessary transitions. According to the APC, 2025 was marked by economic recalibration, security challenges, global headwinds and long-standing structural distortions inherited from previous administrations, all of which demanded sacrifice,…

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has said endemic corruption is stifling Nigeria’s growth and concealing the immense blessings God has bestowed on the country. Olukoyede stated this in Abuja on Wednesday while delivering his Christmas message to Nigerians, urging citizens to unite against corruption in order to unlock the nation’s true potential and prosperity. According to him, corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s development, undermining economic progress, eroding public trust and preventing the country from attaining the abundant life ordained for it. He said, “Corruption is a major drawback. It has…

The Presidency has firmly dismissed reports claiming that President Bola Tinubu has replaced the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, with the Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, describing the reports as false and misleading. The rebuttal followed the circulation of social media posts alleging that the President had effected a change in the leadership of his inner circle, with the claims attributed to unnamed “insider sources.” In a statement issued on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, categorically denied the reports, insisting that no such reshuffle had taken place. Onanuga stated that Gbajabiamila remains…

… Judicial Challenges Loom As Disqualified Groups Protest Decision … African Alliance Party, Democratic Leadership Alliance Move To Final Registration Daud Olatunji The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sparked fresh controversy in Nigeria’s political landscape by approving only two associations ; the African Alliance Party (AAP) and the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), for the final stage of political party registration, PLATFORM TIMES can report. The decision, which effectively excludes six other associations that had cleared earlier screening phases, has raised concerns over transparency and due process in the electoral umpire’s handling of party registrations. The party registration exercise, which…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government (FG) have concluded renegotiations of the 2009 agreement, paving the way for a historic new deal set to take effect from January 1, 2026. The agreement, announced on December 23, 2025, addresses critical issues including the welfare of university lecturers, funding for public universities, and academic freedom. It marks the culmination of years of negotiations, delays, and industrial actions by university staff across the country. Confirming the development, the Chairman of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) branch of ASUU, Prof. Idou Keinde, told PLATFORM TIMES: “Yes, an agreement has…

Oba Kamilu Salami, the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, has regained his freedom after being held captive by armed men for 25 days. The traditional ruler was reportedly released on Tuesday around 7:00 pm, following the payment of a ransom by his family and members of his community, who mobilized resources both locally and from the diaspora. Alhaji Rafiu Ayinla Lawal, a senior member of the royal family, told PLATFORM TIMES that the first ransom payment, made after 15 days in captivity, failed to secure Oba Kamilu’s release. “We had to raise funds a…

An Enugu State High Court has sentenced two former bank officials, Sani Endurance Aferokhe and Hillary Odo, to various jail terms for diverting over ₦10.3 million belonging to bank customers, most of whom were pensioners. The conviction was handed down by Justice A.O. Onovo of the Enugu State High Court sitting at Independence Layout, following their prosecution by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC had arraigned the duo on January 18, 2016, on a 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and stealing, relating to the unlawful diversion of funds from customers’ accounts…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that no Nigerian should be made to suffer, face violence or discrimination for practising their religion, insisting that religious freedom remains non-negotiable under his administration. In his 2025 Christmas goodwill message released on Tuesday, the President called for renewed commitment to religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and national unity, stressing that faith must never become a source of division or conflict in the country. Tinubu urged Nigerians to draw lessons from the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly the values of love, peace and compassion, which he said are essential for harmonious living in…

Renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has dragged two individuals before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kaduna, seeking their prosecution over an alleged Facebook publication he described as defamatory and capable of triggering public unrest. The cleric, in a criminal direct complaint filed at the Chief Magistrate Court sitting on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna, accused the defendants, George Udom and Bello Isiaka, of conspiracy, attempted public disturbance and criminal defamation. According to court documents, Gumi alleged that the defendants, on Tuesday between 7am and 10am, published a post tagged “Breaking News” on their respective Facebook pages, claiming that the family…

Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has revealed that ex-President Muhammadu Buhari asked him only one critical question before approving the 2021 suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria: whether he had the capacity to enforce the decision. Mohammed disclosed this on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television, where he defended the controversial move that sparked nationwide and international criticism. According to him, the decision to suspend Twitter, now known as X, was not taken because the platform offended politicians or the political class, but due to what he described as persistent regulatory breaches and “reckless” conduct by…