Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu controls the Social Democratic Party (SDP), following the defection of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, from the ruling party. El-Rufai’s move to the SDP has intensified political debates ahead of the 2027 general election, with speculations about his presidential ambition. His defection reportedly stems from internal disputes and alleged unhealthy control within the APC. Reacting to the development, Igbokwe, in a series of posts on his official Facebook page, warned politicians eyeing the SDP platform for the next election to recognize Tinubu’s…

Daud Olatunji Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis has forced the closure of approximately 7.2 million businesses between 2023 and 2024, raising concerns over the country’s financial stability, a new report has revealed. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the report was released by the Nigerian Economic Research Group (NESG) during the launch of the 2025 Private Sector Outlook. The report highlighted that the country suffered an estimated N94 trillion economic loss due to multinational divestments and business shutdowns within the period. Speaking at the event, NESG’s Chief Economist and Director of Research, Dr. Segun Omisakin, attributed the mass closures to unfavourable economic conditions.…

The Nigerian Army has rescued 75 civilians from Boko Haram and ISWAP enclaves in Sambisa Forest, Borno State, dealing a significant blow to the terrorist groups’ operations. The hostages, including seven adult males, 34 women, and 34 children, were handed over to the Borno State government on Monday at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, following a successful military offensive under Operation Desert Sanity IV. Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Waidi Shuaibu, represented by his deputy, Brigadier General Anthony Okpodu, told journalists that the troops had overrun key terrorist hideouts in Ukuba, Njimia, Sabil Huda, Garin Falluja, and Gobara.…

In a major crackdown on human trafficking, operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have rescued 27 foreigners who were deceived into entering Nigeria under the pretense of job opportunities, only to be confined in a hidden apartment for onward trafficking. The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the command, acting on intelligence, stormed a residential building in the Isheri Oshun area and freed the victims, consisting of 18 males and 9 females from Ghana and Benin Republic. Confirming the development at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, police spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, who represented the Commissioner of Police, CP Jimoh Moshood,…

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed confidence that the state’s governorship election petition tribunal will restore what it described as its “stolen mandate.” Speaking in Benin City on Monday, the acting chairman of the party, Tony Azeigbemi, stated that the PDP had presented watertight evidence before the tribunal to prove that the September 21, 2024, election was manipulated in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC). “For the past three months that Governor Monday Okpebholo and the APC have held sway, Edo people have experienced hardship, sufferings, and insecurity,” Azeigbemi told journalists. He maintained…

Suspected bandits have launched a deadly assault on four communities in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State,leaving 14 farmers reportedly dead . The affected villages – Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Ademekun – predominantly home to local farmers, fell victim to the ruthless attackers. According to local sources and police reports, the assailants struck under the cover of darkness, descending on the unsuspecting communities in the dead of night. By the time security forces were alerted and mobilized, the aftermath was grim: at least fourteen lives lost, with many more feared missing or injured. Sunday, a…

The Ikeja High Court on Monday extended the hearing of the suit filed by the reinstated speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, until March 17. Mr Obasa is challenging the allegations that led to his initial removal as speaker, which include fraud, high-handedness, abuse of office, and gross misconduct. The respondents in the suit are members of the state assembly and former speaker Mojisola Meranda. At the resumed hearing on Monday, lead counsel for the House of Assembly, Femi Falana (SAN), informed the court that Mr Obasa’s lead counsel, Afolabi Fasanu (SAN), had earlier in…

Azeezat Abdul-Raufu Tragedy struck in Bogije Village, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, as a 40-year-old farmer, Abdullahi Rasaki, lost his life when a palm tree fell on him during a farming activity. The incident, which occurred around 3:30 pm last Sunday, was reported to the police by Gbamila Sunday later that evening, according to sources. Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirmed that Rasaki had accompanied Waheed Abass to Egbe Semi Jeje, Oke Sopen, to cut palm trees when the unfortunate incident happened. The palm tree accidentally fell on Rasaki, prompting him to scream for help. “On hearing his cries,…

Balqees Adeniji The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory following the unfortunate demise of a 31-year-old physician in Ondo State, who recently returned from the United Kingdom. The physician, who traveled to the UK on February 19 and returned on February 27, was admitted to a private health facility after exhibiting symptoms and tragically passed away on March 1. PLATFORM TIMES reports that subsequent tests conducted on February 28 confirmed the presence of Lassa fever in the deceased, marking an alarming development amidst Nigeria’s battle against the disease. As of March 2, 2025, the…

The De-Renaissance Patriots Foundation has strongly countered the recent remarks made by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Muiz Banire, regarding the ongoing political crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly. The foundation accused Banire of misrepresenting key facts and downplaying the marginalization of indigenous Lagosians in the state’s power structure. In a press statement released on Monday, the group refuted Banire’s claims that former governors of Osun and Ogun States, Chief Bisi Akande and Aremo Olusegun Osoba were merely mediators invited by Lagos political stakeholders to resolve the Assembly’s leadership tussle. According to the foundation, the intervention of the…