Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church and former presidential aspirant, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has denied speculations that his recent visit to President Bola Tinubu was motivated by personal interests. Bakare, who contested in the 2023 presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), met with President Tinubu at his Lagos residence on June 4. His visit stirred public reactions, with critics suggesting the meeting was aimed at securing personal benefits from the administration. Reacting during a sermon at his church, Bakare dismissed the insinuations, insisting he had never compromised his principles for political or material gain. “Some people…

Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his political setback is only temporary, affirming that “no king lasts forever” and expressing confidence that his “victory will return.” Fubara made the declaration during a public address in Bonny, Rivers State, where he reassured his supporters of eventual triumph, despite the political turbulence that has rocked the state since his fallout with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. In a speech laced with defiance and philosophical reflection, the embattled governor said his conscience is clear and that his actions are guided by integrity. “Everybody will…

The Federal Government has suspended its earlier plan to hold a three-day national prayer and fasting session aimed at seeking divine intervention for Nigeria’s worsening food crisis. The controversial initiative, proposed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, was abruptly shelved following widespread backlash from the public, who accused the ministry of trivialising a serious national emergency. In an internal circular dated June 11, the ministry had invited senior officials—including directors, deputy directors, assistant directors, and value chain officers—to participate in spiritual gatherings scheduled for June 16, 23, and 30 at its Abuja headquarters. The memo, signed by…

Morenikeji Adebayo & Balqees Adeniji A total of ₦80,950,555,128.17 was disbursed to local government areas (LGAs) across six South-West states in Nigeria in April 2025, according to an investigation by PLATFORM TIMES. The allocations, sourced from verified BudgIT data, cover LGAs in Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti States, highlighting disparities in federal resource sharing across the region. Lagos Tops with ₦34.1bn; Ekiti Gets Least with ₦6.4bn Leading the chart, Lagos State’s 20 LGAs received a whopping ₦34,129,019,340.83, making it the highest recipient among the six states. At the opposite end, Ekiti’s 16 LGAs got the lowest combined allocation…

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the arrest of a Chinese national during a recent counter-terrorism operation in Borno State, raising fresh questions about foreign involvement in Nigeria’s prolonged insurgency. Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed the arrest at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday. He said the foreigner, who claimed to be a miner, was picked up by troops of Operation Hadin Kai during a targeted sweep of terror hotspots in Kukawa and Ngala Local Government Areas. “The Chinese national has been detained and is currently undergoing intense interrogation,” Kangye stated, adding that investigations are…

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, has declared that sporting dreadlocks, tinted hair or having tattoos does not make an individual a criminal, stating emphatically that no section of the Nigerian constitution criminalises such appearances. Ogunlowo made this known during a special interactive session tagged ‘Time Out With Broadcasters’, organised by the Ogun State chapter of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters’ Association of Nigeria (FIBAN), held in Abeokuta, the state capital. While fielding questions from media professionals and stakeholders, the CP cautioned against profiling individuals based on appearance, saying it is against professional policing ethics and the…

In a bid to appreciate its loyal customers for their continued patronage, Oni Electronics, a leading home appliances retailer in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has rewarded 60 customers with an array of valuable household items during a grand appreciation event held at the company’s Sapon office. The well-attended event drew dignitaries from various sectors, including traditional rulers, business leaders, and market associations. Among the notable guests was the Olu of Itori, Oba Fatai Akorede Akamo, who commended the gesture and described it as a commendable act of corporate responsibility. While officially declaring the event open, Oba Akamo extolled the virtues of…

An Australia-based Nigerian woman, Binta Abubakar, has been arrested by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for allegedly trafficking 15 students from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and subjecting them to forced labour on Queensland farms under false pretences of educational scholarships. Abubakar, 56, was apprehended on Wednesday at Brisbane International Airport following her arrival from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Her arrest culminates a two-year investigation by the AFP’s Northern Command Human Trafficking Team, which began probing her activities in July 2022 after receiving intelligence from Queensland Police. According to the AFP, Abubakar used her company, BIN Educational Services and Consulting,…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mocked the deepening crises within opposition parties, describing their internal disunity as a welcome development that strengthens the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking during a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, as part of activities marking the 2025 Democracy Day, Tinubu said he derived satisfaction from watching the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) descend into internal turmoil. The president, who addressed lawmakers at the House of Representatives chambers, stated that opposition parties should look inward for the causes of their instability instead of looking…

As Nigeria marked this year’s Democracy Day on June 12, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and 1999 presidential candidate, Chief Olu Falae, dropped a political bombshell, claiming he was the rightful winner of the 1999 presidential election but was denied victory by the military elite who installed Olusegun Obasanjo as president. Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, the elder statesman said late billionaire diplomat, Ambassador Deinde Fernandez, confirmed to him that foreign observers had results showing he won the election with a 1.5 million-vote margin. He alleged that those figures were reportedly seen by American…