Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has offered a robust defense following the President’s unexpected fall during the Democracy Day event held at Eagle Square. On June 12, 2024, President Tinubu arrived at the venue to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebrations. As he approached his vehicle, the President momentarily lost his footing and stumbled, an incident that quickly sparked varied reactions across the nation.  Despite the slip, President Tinubu swiftly regained his composure and continued with the day’s proceedings without further incident. The incident has elicited a spectrum of reactions from Nigerians, especially…

Febe Falodun &  Ayomide Awe Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has taken a significant step towards criminal justice reform by commuting the death sentences of 45 inmates and granting pardons to 41 others. This announcement was made during the 2024 Democracy Day celebrations held at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta. In his address, Governor Abiodun emphasised the importance of mercy and justice in upholding democratic values. He stated, “Government has a duty to uphold democratic values by consistently applying principles of mercy, justice, and the rule of law. “ In this vein, the Nigerian Constitution…

By Deborah Hundenu A dramatic clash erupted between a Police officer and operatives of  Department of State Services (DSS)  at the June 12 Cultural  Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta causing a brief commotion among attendees.  The incident occurred as guests were struggling to enter the hall for the Democracy Day celebration held in the state. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the altercation began when a DSS officer refused entry to a police officer who was escorting a guest into the event hall.  The refusal led to a heated exchange, escalating into a physical confrontation. Eyewitnesses described the scene as tense, with the loud…

In a renewed call for historical justice,a socio-cultural organization based in MKO Abiola’s hometown of Abeokuta, Ogun State, the Tobádé Progressive Club of Gbagura has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to officially recognise late Chief Abiola as the democratically-elected President of Nigeria.  This plea comes as Nigeria reflects on its complex political history on Democracy Day, a commemoration marked by both celebration and sorrow due to the events surrounding the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election. The  club recalled that the 1993 election, widely regarded as the fairest and most credible in Nigeria’s history, was annulled by then-Military President Ibrahim…

By Biyi Oduyale  We thank God for the relative peace in the country in spite of the hues and cries. Nigeria as a nation has seen it all and weathered through a lot of storm in it’s almost 64years of sovereignty. Is it the post independence political crisis in the Western Region which surreptitiously prepared the fertile ground for the first military coup that also gradually snowballed into the Nigerian civil war? The pogrom in the North which was a direct precursor of the civil war? The civil war itself and the June 12 1993 ill fated election and…

President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged the unstable nature of Nigeria’s economy, highlighting the urgent need for long-overdue reforms.  In a live broadcast on Wednesday, commemorating the nation’s 25th anniversary of uninterrupted democracy, President Tinubu addressed the economic challenges and his administration’s efforts to stabilize the economy. “Our economy has been in desperate need of reform for decades,” Tinubu stated.  “It has been unbalanced because it was built on the flawed foundation of over-reliance on revenues from the exploitation of oil.” Tinubu emphasized that the reforms initiated by his administration aim to lay a stronger foundation for future economic growth.  He…

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday addressed Nigerians on Democracy Day for the second time since he assumed office on May 29, 2024. In his speech, the President honoured heroes of democracy, rallied Nigerians to support his administration’s efforts to strengthen the economy and informed citizens that a bill for a new minimum wage will be sent to the National Assembly soon, among other things. Read his full speech below: TEXT OF PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU’S NATIONAL BROADCAST ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNBROKEN DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA,DEMOCRACY DAY, 12TH JUNE, 2024 ABUJA My fellow Nigerians, let me begin…

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has issued a stern warning to traditional rulers in the state, urging them to refrain from allocating land for illegal mining activities and unauthorized selling of government land.  This admonition was delivered during the inauguration of the Olu of Ilaro and head of traditional rulers in Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, as Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers in the state on Tuesday. Speaking at the ceremony held in Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun emphasized the critical role traditional rulers play in promoting peace and unity within their domains.  He particularly stressed the importance of safeguarding…

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has facilitated the release of 110 inmates from the Kaduna Correctional Centre to  mark  June 12 Democracy Day. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  move aims to decongest the prisons and offer a second chance to deserving inmates. Governor Sani, accompanied by renowned human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, emphasized that the release of inmates is part of broader efforts to address prison overcrowding. He stated that of the 110 released inmates, 22 were pardoned under the prerogative of mercy powers granted by Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the…

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has addressed and refuted allegations made by a whistleblowing group regarding the detention of a high-ranking Army general, emphasizing the legality of his incarceration. The controversy stems from claims by the George Uboh Whistleblowers Network, a civil society organisation, which wrote to the Controller-General of the NCoS, Haliru Nababa, on June 10, 2024.  The group demanded the release of Maj. Gen. Umaru Mohammed, a former Group Managing Director and Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited, from Kuje Prison, alleging that he was detained without a valid warrant. In response, the NCoS clarified…