Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Toyyibat Qasim  A Magistrate Court sitting in Kabala, Kaduna State, has ordered the remand of 12 opposition party leaders arrested in connection with the political violence that erupted during campaign activities in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area. The development has heightened concerns over the safety of opposition campaigners ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly following allegations that an All Progressives Congress chieftain accused of inciting violence was released after his arrest while the opposition leaders remained in custody. The 12 detained politicians comprise eight members of the African Democratic Congress and four members of the Peoples Democratic Party. A…

Ayomide Awe The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday foreclosed the evidence of the second defence witness, Insp. John Nwonke, in the ongoing trial of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and four other former Intelligence Response Team officers over an alleged cocaine deal. Justice Emeka Nwite ordered that Nwonke’s evidence be foreclosed and struck out from the court record after the witness again failed to appear in court to continue his testimony. The ruling followed an oral application by counsel for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Joseph Sunday, who reminded the court of its earlier warning…

…Commission Sets October 9 for Voter Register Display, PVC Collection The Independent National Electoral Commission has assured voters and other stakeholders in Ondo State that their valid votes will count in the 2027 general election, declaring that the outcome of the poll will be determined by ballots lawfully cast by Nigerians. The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Mutiu Olaleke Agboke, gave the assurance on Wednesday in Owo, during a stakeholders’ meeting organised for the Ondo North Senatorial District as part of the commission’s preparations for the 2027 elections. Agboke, who presided over the meeting, said INEC was…

…Victims rescued after six days in captivity as security agencies intensify operation along Owerri-Onitsha Road Daud Olatunji Twenty prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps abducted by gunmen in Imo State have regained their freedom, six days after they were kidnapped along the Owerri-Onitsha Road. The victims, who were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their various NYSC orientation camps in the South-East and South-South, were abducted on October 1 when gunmen attacked two buses around Umunoha in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the 20 prospective corps members and another victim rescued…

Daud Olatunji KolaDaisi University, Ibadan, Oyo State, has unveiled its 10th anniversary logo as the institution begins activities to commemorate a decade of academic development, innovation and service. PLATFORM TIMES  reports that the anniversary celebration will be held alongside the university’s 6th Convocation Ceremony, with former President Olusegun Obasanjo expected to deliver the convocation lecture. The unveiling ceremony, which formally set the tone for the anniversary programme, was led by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olajumoke Morenikeji, alongside the Registrar, Mr Haruna Olawale Adetu, and the Bursar, Dr Michael Alatise. The institution, established in 2016, said the anniversary…

Toyyibat Qasim The Federal Government-appointed panel investigating the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has sought and secured a two-week extension to complete its investigation. The 10-member independent committee, which was originally expected to submit its report on Wednesday, October 7, said it needed additional time to scrutinise a large volume of evidence and obtain outstanding forensic and pathology reports crucial to determining the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Chairman of the committee and retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, disclosed this on Tuesday while…

Zainab Abioye The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has issued the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to pay outstanding salary arrears owed its members or face an indefinite strike. The union said it would have no option but to commence industrial action without further notice if the government failed to address its demands within the stipulated period. SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed this in a communique issued in Abuja on Monday at the end of the association’s 56th National Executive Council meeting. The meeting, held at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, between September 30 and…

Ayomide Awe Fresh revelations have raised serious questions over the circumstances surrounding Nigeria’s controversial failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with reports indicating that FIFA officials knew that Democratic Republic of Congo goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi, had not completed the required process to change his international allegiance from France. The development has reignited concerns over FIFA’s handling of Nigeria’s complaint against DR Congo following the African World Cup play-off final in Rabat, Morocco, where the Super Eagles were eliminated on penalties. Nigeria drew 1-1 with DR Congo after 120 minutes on November 16, 2025, before losing 4-3 in…

…42.5m Voters In 10 States As Ogun Makes Top 10 …INEC Deploys AI To Verify Results, Detect Cyberattacks Daud Olatunji Lagos, Kano and Kaduna have emerged as the three states with the highest number of registered voters ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the Independent National Electoral Commission puts Nigeria’s national voter register at more than 103 million. The development comes as INEC moves to strengthen the technological security of the 2027 elections, announcing plans to deploy artificial intelligence to verify election results, detect anomalies and protect its electoral databases against cyberattacks and unauthorised alterations. The latest voter figures,…

Amidat AbdulFatai The United Traders Forum, Ogun State, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term and declared its support for Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, in the 2027 Ogun State governorship election. The traders made their position known at a gathering attended by members of the forum and other political stakeholders in the state. The development comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with various interest groups beginning to align with candidates and political parties across the country. Speaking at the event, President of the United Traders Forum, Ogun State,…