Author: Platform Times Newspaper

…Says Unjust Taxes Will Worsen Hardship … Insists Rich, Corporations Must Pay More Daud Olatunji The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on Nigerians to resist and reject any tax law tainted by distortion, forgery or political manipulation, warning that such legislation would further erode public trust and deepen the country’s economic hardship. NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the call in his 2025 Christmas message, insisting that only a transparent and people-oriented tax regime can command legitimacy and public confidence. Ajaero said alleged discrepancies and falsifications surrounding some tax policies were unacceptable, stressing that Nigerians must insist on tax justice…

The Igbo community in Sokoto State on Wednesday marked Christmas Day with detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and other inmates at the Sokoto Correctional Centre, in what it described as a humanitarian outreach driven by compassion and communal responsibility. Members of the community visited the correctional facility, where they shared meals and fellowship with inmates, extending the Christmas celebration beyond the walls of their homes to those in custody. In a statement signed by the community’s leaders, Nze A. C. Madu and made available to journalists, the group said the gesture was inspired by…

The United States has carried out a targeted airstrike against fighters of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Sokoto State, North-West Nigeria, marking a rare but significant foreign military action on Nigerian soil in the ongoing war against terrorism. US President Donald Trump confirmed the operation in a post on Truth Social in the early hours of Friday, describing the strike as “powerful and deadly” and warning that the United States would continue to confront terrorist groups wherever they pose a threat. The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) later clarified that the strike was executed at the request of Nigerian authorities, underscoring…

The All Progressives Congress has dismissed claims by opposition figures who predicted famine, anarchy and state collapse in 2025, insisting that none of the grim forecasts materialised despite economic and security pressures faced by the country. The ruling party, in a Christmas message issued on Thursday by its Lagos State spokesman, Seye Oladejo, described Nigeria as “tested and pressured, yet unbroken,” saying the nation successfully navigated a year of difficult but necessary transitions. According to the APC, 2025 was marked by economic recalibration, security challenges, global headwinds and long-standing structural distortions inherited from previous administrations, all of which demanded sacrifice,…

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has said endemic corruption is stifling Nigeria’s growth and concealing the immense blessings God has bestowed on the country. Olukoyede stated this in Abuja on Wednesday while delivering his Christmas message to Nigerians, urging citizens to unite against corruption in order to unlock the nation’s true potential and prosperity. According to him, corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s development, undermining economic progress, eroding public trust and preventing the country from attaining the abundant life ordained for it. He said, “Corruption is a major drawback. It has…

The Presidency has firmly dismissed reports claiming that President Bola Tinubu has replaced the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, with the Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, describing the reports as false and misleading. The rebuttal followed the circulation of social media posts alleging that the President had effected a change in the leadership of his inner circle, with the claims attributed to unnamed “insider sources.” In a statement issued on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, categorically denied the reports, insisting that no such reshuffle had taken place. Onanuga stated that Gbajabiamila remains…

… Judicial Challenges Loom As Disqualified Groups Protest Decision … African Alliance Party, Democratic Leadership Alliance Move To Final Registration Daud Olatunji The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sparked fresh controversy in Nigeria’s political landscape by approving only two associations ; the African Alliance Party (AAP) and the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), for the final stage of political party registration, PLATFORM TIMES can report. The decision, which effectively excludes six other associations that had cleared earlier screening phases, has raised concerns over transparency and due process in the electoral umpire’s handling of party registrations. The party registration exercise, which…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government (FG) have concluded renegotiations of the 2009 agreement, paving the way for a historic new deal set to take effect from January 1, 2026. The agreement, announced on December 23, 2025, addresses critical issues including the welfare of university lecturers, funding for public universities, and academic freedom. It marks the culmination of years of negotiations, delays, and industrial actions by university staff across the country. Confirming the development, the Chairman of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) branch of ASUU, Prof. Idou Keinde, told PLATFORM TIMES: “Yes, an agreement has…

Oba Kamilu Salami, the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, has regained his freedom after being held captive by armed men for 25 days. The traditional ruler was reportedly released on Tuesday around 7:00 pm, following the payment of a ransom by his family and members of his community, who mobilized resources both locally and from the diaspora. Alhaji Rafiu Ayinla Lawal, a senior member of the royal family, told PLATFORM TIMES that the first ransom payment, made after 15 days in captivity, failed to secure Oba Kamilu’s release. “We had to raise funds a…

An Enugu State High Court has sentenced two former bank officials, Sani Endurance Aferokhe and Hillary Odo, to various jail terms for diverting over ₦10.3 million belonging to bank customers, most of whom were pensioners. The conviction was handed down by Justice A.O. Onovo of the Enugu State High Court sitting at Independence Layout, following their prosecution by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC had arraigned the duo on January 18, 2016, on a 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and stealing, relating to the unlawful diversion of funds from customers’ accounts…