Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has affirmed the legality of the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s ongoing crackdown on scavengers, beggars and street traders, dismissing a N500 million human rights suit that challenged the clampdown. Justice James Omotosho, who delivered the judgement on Thursday, ruled that the enforcement measures ordered by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, are lawful and aligned with the Abuja Environmental Protection Act. The court held that granting the suit—filed on behalf of vulnerable residents by a lawyer, Abba Hikima—could turn the Federal Capital Territory into “a safe haven for the destitute, vagabonds and criminal elements.”…

As speculations intensify over a possible defection by Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the state has declared unwavering loyalty to the governor, stating that it will follow him wherever he goes. The governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, following a high-level caucus meeting held on Thursday in Osogbo, the state capital. Rasheed said the PDP leaders passed a vote of confidence in Governor Adeleke, praising his leadership style and track record since assuming office. The caucus, according to him,…

No fewer than 6,800 Nigerians lost their lives to violent incidents in the first half of 2025, representing a disturbing 19 per cent spike in fatalities compared to the same period in 2024, a new report by Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited (BSIL) has revealed. The report, which offers a sweeping analysis of Nigeria’s security situation from January to June 2025, documented 4,672 incidents nationwide within the period. It warned that despite a marginal improvement in June, the overall outlook remains grim, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions. According to the findings, June witnessed a significant 48 per cent…

The Federal Government has approved the promotion of 95 top management officers across four key paramilitary agencies, including the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Fire Service (FFS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The decision was part of major resolutions reached during a recent board meeting of the Ministry of Interior, chaired by the Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. According to a statement from the ministry, the board also approved disciplinary action against 224 officers from the four agencies who were found guilty of various offences. As part of the reforms, a committee will be constituted…

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has questioned the involvement of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the newly formed political coalition anchored by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing his presence as puzzling and calling on him to return to the PDP. George made his remarks during an interview on Arise News, where he addressed the recent moves by prominent political figures—including Obi, Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Chibuike Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai—to form a new alliance with the goal of unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. The…

Despite the Lagos State Government’s preparations for Saturday’s local government elections, residents across the state largely stayed away from polling units, citing a deep loss of confidence in the electoral system. PLATFORM TIMES observed that several neighbourhoods in the state were unusually quiet throughout the morning and afternoon, with many residents choosing to stay indoors or loiter near their homes rather than participate in the vote. The widespread voter apathy, according to residents, was driven by longstanding disillusionment with the credibility of elections, particularly at the grassroots level. Mr. Godfrey Johnson, a 54-year-old resident of Alimosho, captured the public mood:…

The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, has formally announced her defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing the deepening internal crisis within her former party as justification for the switch. Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Kingibe explained that her decision to leave the Labour Party was based on legal and strategic grounds, especially as the party is currently embroiled in a factional crisis. “There are two clear and distinct factions of the Labour Party. Even INEC received two sets of results and candidates. That situation is clearly defined in…

Former President Muhammadu Buhari rejected a proposed N10 million monthly food budget and turned down the procurement of N400 million worth of luxury vehicles upon assuming office in 2015, a former presidential aide has revealed. The disclosure was made by Garba Shehu, Buhari’s former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in his newly released memoir titled “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience,” launched on Wednesday in Abuja. Shehu, who served throughout Buhari’s eight-year tenure, described the former president as a leader who maintained a frugal and modest lifestyle even while occupying Nigeria’s highest political office.…

In a religious landscape crowded with charismatic personalities and doctrinal noise, Rev. Dr. Sam Oye stands out—not by volume, but by clarity. As the founder of The Transforming Church International and host of the globally followed Prophetic Prayer Hour (PPH), he doesn’t just preach change—he builds it. From a life-altering encounter in Lagos to leading a spiritual movement across continents, Dr. Oye offers more than inspiration; he offers instruction. In this revealing conversation, he confronts a critical challenge facing Nigerian Christianity: the dangerous misinterpretation of scripture born out of personal wounds and weak theological grounding. What inspired you to…

Yusrah Lawal  The Labour Party is set to expel its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and prominent party figures including Senator Victor Umeh and Senator Ireti Kingibe over their alleged alliance with the newly formed coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This was disclosed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, during a press briefing held on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Arabambi said the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) will convene next Tuesday, with the expulsion of the trio forming part of the agenda. He described their actions as “blatant anti-party conduct” and a betrayal…