Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Nigerians in the diaspora and Canadians on Sunday thronged Ontario, Canada, for the grand opening of the 2025 Solteque Canada Trade Mission, a five-day cultural and business showcase designed to deepen ties between Nigeria and international markets. The trade mission, which runs until Friday, August 22, is holding at the Emerald Banquet Hall, Etobicoke, Ontario, and features exhibitions in cultural fabrics, real estate, African cuisine, financial services, and business networking. Convener of the programme, Chief Olawale Olaleye, the Bobawoga of Orílé-Ìtẹsi, said the annual gathering had become a unifying platform for Nigerians abroad to engage global partners while celebrating their…

Daud Olatunji  A special investigation by PLATFORM TIMES has revealed that about 80 per cent of eligible voters in Remo Federal Constituency stayed away from the last by-election in Ogun State, leaving only one-fifth of the electorate to cast their ballots. The by-election, held on Saturday across Sagamu, Ikenne, and Remo North Local Government Areas, followed the death of the late Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Adewunmi Onanuga, who passed away in a London hospital in January 2025. Despite being one of 12 states where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted by-elections, the Ogun exercise…

A decorated Nigerian war veteran, Air Commodore Abayomi Balogun (retd.), has cried out after officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) demolished his Abuja lounge and restaurant without prior notice, an action he described as devastating. Balogun, once celebrated as one of the Nigerian Air Force’s finest fighter pilots, said the demolition, which took place in Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, left him in shock as properties worth millions of naira were destroyed while scavengers looted what was left. Speaking to journalists after the incident, the retired officer said officials of the FCDA Development Control stormed the premises, marked the…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned that Nigeria’s 2027 general elections may be thrown into jeopardy if the country fails to curb electoral fraud, violence, and widespread irregularities allegedly orchestrated under the current administration. The party, in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, attributed its poor performance in Saturday’s by-elections across parts of the country to what it described as “violence, vote buying and collusion of state actors” during the polls. Abdullahi said reports from several states painted a disturbing picture of ballot box snatching, voter intimidation, and large-scale disruptions that led to…

Yusroh Lawal The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Ogun State chapter, has raised concerns over the mounting infrastructure deficit in parts of the state, warning that rapid industrialisation is fuelling population growth beyond available social amenities. The chapter chairman, TPL Adefela Sogbesan, issued the warning on Thursday during the institute’s August monthly general meeting held at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro. Sogbesan, who specifically mentioned Ilaro and Ibese communities in Yewa South Local Government Area, said the influx of people into the axis was largely driven by the presence of heavy industries such as Dangote Cement, which has turned the…

A former governorship candidate in Zamfara State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, on Friday narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Abuja. Shinkafi, who confirmed the incident, said he was attacked shortly after observing Juma’at prayers while returning home. According to him, a group of heavily armed, masked men dressed in black intercepted his vehicle and opened fire before fleeing in a black, unmarked Prado Jeep. The politician, who once contested for the Zamfara governorship seat, described the attack as a clear attempt on his life, linking it to his strong position on insecurity…

Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger recently in the news over an altercation with a flight attendant, has dismissed reports that she filed a N500 billion lawsuit against the Federal Government and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Emmanson, who was arraigned earlier this year for allegedly attacking a purser on an Ibom Air flight, described the viral reports of a lawsuit as “false and misleading.” Taking to her Instagram story on Saturday, she clarified that while she has not yet instituted any legal action, she would personally inform the public whenever she decides to do so. “I have not…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Princess Adesola Ayoola Elegbeji, has been declared  winner of the Remo Federal Constituency by-election held on Saturday in Ogun State. PLATFORM TIMES reports that Elegbeji, secured  a  victory across the three local government areas of Sagamu, Ikenne and Remo North. The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Kazeem Olajide Bello, announced the results in the early hours of Sunday, declaring the APC candidate winner after polling 41,237 votes against closest rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which recorded 14,324 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) managed only 289 votes. Breakdown of Results Ikenne LGA…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has recovered over N5bn and $10m from contractors and former officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited indicted in the multi-billion naira fraud that trailed the turnaround maintenance of the nation’s refineries. Investigations by The Punch  revealed that the anti-graft agency is also closing in on another N10bn and $13m allegedly siphoned by contractors and government officials involved in the controversial rehabilitation projects. Top EFCC sources disclosed that the Commission’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, personally took charge of the probe following widespread concerns that the refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Warri have remained…

Daud Olatunji Widespread violence, alleged vote-buying, and voter apathy on Saturday marred the by-elections conducted across several states to fill vacant senatorial and House of Representatives seats. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the seats vacant following the resignation or death of their former occupants. According to the commission, 3.5 million registered voters across 12 states were expected to participate in the exercise. Ogun State: PDP Chairman, INEC Staff Arrested In Ogun State, the polls in the Remo Federal Constituency turned chaotic as security operatives arrested the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abayomi Tella, alongside…