Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Fresh concerns have emerged within Nigeria’s legal community over what stakeholders describe as growing judicial interference in the internal affairs of political parties, despite clear statutory restrictions. The alarm follows a series of recent court rulings linked to leadership disputes within political parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress, which critics say contradict provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. At the centre of the controversy is Section 83 of the Act, which expressly bars courts from entertaining cases relating strictly to intra-party matters. The Nigerian Bar Association had, on Friday, warned that continued judicial involvement in such disputes could undermine democratic…

The Federal Government has directed the immediate withdrawal and deactivation of Nigerian passports held by citizens who have formally renounced their nationality. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, issued the directive on Saturday, mandating the Nigeria Immigration Service to enforce the measure without delay. According to a statement by his media aide, Alao Babatunde, the order applies strictly to individuals whose renunciation of Nigerian citizenship has been duly approved by the President in line with constitutional provisions. Tunji-Ojo said the move was aimed at preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s citizenship system and preventing the misuse of official travel documents. He…

The Federal Government has named negotiator Tukur Mamu and separatist figure Simon Ekpa among 48 individuals and entities placed on its terrorism financing sanctions list. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the designation, published by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee, links the affected persons and groups to alleged funding of terrorist activities across the country. Among those listed is Abdulsamat Ohida, identified as a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province, reportedly operating in Okene. Authorities linked him to the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, as well as the July 2022 assault on…

The Department of State Services has interrogated several officials of the Kano State Government over allegations of cyberbullying and defamation targeting a former governor of the state, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The officials were reportedly invited and detained on Saturday for about four hours before being released on self-recognition, amid an ongoing investigation prompted by a petition filed by the Kwankwasiyya Movement. Those quizzed include the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Kano Government House, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa; Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, Ibrahim Adam; APC Youth Leader in Kano, Salisu Yahaya Hotoro; and Senior Special Reporter at the Government…

One of the leading  governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, has said her ambition to lead the state is driven by public goodwill rather than financial strength. Obasanjo stated this on Saturday in Abeokuta while featuring on Media Parliament, an interactive programme organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State Council. The former senator said she lacked the financial war chest often associated with governorship contests, stressing that her campaign was instead powered by voluntary support from the people. “I haven’t spent billions, and I don’t have billions to spend. What I…

Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Thursday alleged that his former deputy, Aminu Abdussalam, plotted to remove him from office and take over power. Yusuf made the allegation while hosting a group of praise singers, known as Mawallafan Abba Gida Gida, at the Government House in Kano. The governor said the circumstances surrounding Abdussalam’s exit from office raised concerns, noting that he had yet to receive any formal resignation letter from his former deputy. “Today, the deputy governor who came with us on the same ticket is no longer with us. Nobody offended him. In fact, I have…

…Brigade Commander, Soldiers Killed in Surprise Assault …Gov Demands Urgent Review of Military Strategy Daud Olatunji Governor Babagana Zulum has raised serious concerns over an apparent intelligence failure following the deadly attack on a military formation in Benisheikh, Borno State, revealing that troops had prior warning of the assault three days before it occurred. Zulum disclosed this on Saturday during a sympathy visit to the town, where he condemned the attack on the 15 Task Force Brigade, which resulted in the death of the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General OO Braimoh, and several soldiers. The governor described the incident as shocking…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted no fewer than 386 terrorism suspects following a mass trial conducted over four days, in what the Federal Government described as a decisive move against insurgency and related crimes. The convictions, secured between Tuesday and Friday, saw the defendants handed varying jail terms ranging from five years to life imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offences. The Federal Government of Nigeria said the large-scale prosecution underscores its resolve to clamp down on terrorism and send a clear message that criminality will not be tolerated. Confirming the development, the Attorney-General of the…

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, has ordered the immediate suspension of commanding officers along the Lagos–Seme border corridor following allegations of extortion levelled against personnel of the Service. The decision follows viral online reports and video footage alleging corrupt practices and illegal financial demands by immigration operatives stationed along the busy international route. A statement issued on Friday by the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, said the affected officers have been temporarily relieved of their duties to allow for a thorough investigation into the allegations. According to the statement, the Comptroller-General “unequivocally condemns” the…

Barely a week after a Muslim group, the Muslim Advocacy Group, called for a Muslim governor to address what it described as religious imbalance in Ogun State politics, the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN) has renewed similar demands, insisting that the 2027 governorship election must reflect equity and fair representation across religious lines. The Council, at a press conference held in Ijebu-Ode on Friday, urged what it termed a political reset in Ogun State, warning that continued perceived exclusion in the sharing of political power could deepen mistrust and undermine social cohesion. Addressing journalists, the Ogun State Chairman…