Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Sahara Energy has had a good chance of being accepted as an operator for the Ogoni oil fields. In 2019, when the news first broke out about Sahara’s interest and maneuvers to assume the operatorship of the oilfields, IMOSOP made frantic efforts to contact Sahara for a dialogue and was turned down. The mindset suggested that the government had backed the deal between Sahara and the NNPC and any opposition against the deal would likely be crushed with the force of state. MOSOP’s eventual rejection of Sahara and their backdoor moves to usurp the benefits of the collective struggles of…

Femi Oluwasanmi The essence of history is to understand the past, evaluate and analyse the present in order to predict the future. This suggests that the celebration of independence is not only for merriment but a time of reflection on the labours of the heroes past and the current state of the nation especially, putting into consideration the increasing hardship, hunger, anger, and others that seem to portray that Nigeria’s resilience has been exhausted to its rubicon. In 1960, Nigeria gained independence from the colonial masters with a chorus that resonate a vision to build a peaceful, prosperous and progressive…

In a significant political development ahead of the forthcoming local government elections in Osun State, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, has received over five hundred defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area. This mass defection, which occurred on Nigeria’s Independence Day, marks a pivotal moment for the APC as it gears up for electoral battles in the state. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the defectors, predominantly from Ward 8 of the local government area, were received during an event organized by Engr.…

The National Bureau of Statistics says 20.30 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, was imported in 2023. The NBS stated this in its Petroleum Products Distribution Statistics for 2023 released in Abuja on Tuesday. The report said the figure of 20.30 billion litres of PMS reported in 2023 amounted to a decrease of 13.77 per cent compared to the 23.54 billion litres recorded in 2022. For Automotive Gas Oil also known as diesel, the report said that 4.94bn litres were imported in 2023. “This indicated a 23. 66 per cent increase compared to the 4.00 billion…

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has predicted thunderstorms from Thursday to Saturday across the country. NiMet’s weather outlook released on Tuesday in Abuja envisaged thunderstorms over parts of Adamawa,Taraba, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Kaduna States during Wednesday’s morning hours. According to NiMet, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Bauchi, Adamawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, Borno and Kebbi states later in the day. “In the North central region, thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa and Benue States during the morning hours. ”Later in the day, thunderstorms are anticipated over the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kogi,…

The immediate past governor of Benue, Samuel Ortom, says he lost his 2023 senatorial bid because he failed to consult God, who has told him not to contest any election in 2027. Mr Ortom disclosed on Tuesday in Makurdi when the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) G-14 members paid him a courtesy visit. G-14 members are elders of the PDP in the 14 Tiv-speaking local government areas in Benue. The former governor said he had no option but to respect God’s wish and admitted that he failed to consult God before joining the 2023 election, hence his defeat. “I’m not contesting…

Experts at the Peace and Social Advancement Centre (PESAC) colloquium have called for urgent constitutional reforms and a shift in leadership attitudes to address Nigeria’s democratic and federalism challenges. The event, which took place in Abeokuta, brought together stakeholders to analyze the nation’s governance system and proffer solutions for its advancement. Themed around Nigeria’s democratic structure and federalism, the colloquium urged a revisitation of the 1999 Constitution, with a particular focus on addressing the enduring tension between federal and unitary elements within the nation’s governance framework. Speaking through his Senior Legislative Aide, Adeola Sanni, the Federal House of Representatives member,…

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has vehemently denied allegations of financial misappropriation during his tenure, declaring his readiness to swear on the Quran to prove his innocence. Speaking during a Hausa programme on Freedom Radio in Kaduna, El-Rufai asserted that his entry into politics was driven by a sincere commitment to public service rather than personal gain. “I did not join politics to steal money or enrich myself. I was satisfied with what I had before becoming governor,” El-Rufai stated emphatically, addressing accusations of embezzling public funds. “I have always prayed for guidance in all I do, and I…

Emmanuel Oludare The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt ECO has pledged to collaborate with the Rivers State Government to address the recurring issue of flooding in the state. The newly installed President, Rtn Dr. Bieye Renner Briggs, made this commitment during his installation ceremony as the club’s 4th president in Port Harcourt. Speaking at the event, Dr. Briggs, a public health physician and environmental advocate, stressed the importance of proactive measures to combat the devastating effects of flooding, particularly in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region. He outlined the club’s primary focus for the 2024/2025 Rotary year, which…

Tensions escalated in Abuja today as Nigerian police officers deployed teargas to disperse demonstrators gathered at Utako, Abuja’s Federal Capital Territory. The protesters, assembled under the banner of the “Fearless In October” movement, were advocating against perceived governance failures and recent economic policies. The “Fearless In October” protest, organized via social media channels, echoed previous demonstrations, including the August #EndBadGovernance protests. Protesters expressed grievances over policies implemented under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, particularly the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates. These measures, critics argue, have contributed to significant inflation and increased energy costs across Nigeria.…