Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Controversial Nigerian cleric, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has stirred public outrage after boasting that his followers, including cultists he has helped in the past, would kill or severely beat anyone who speaks against him. Suleman, the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries, made the claim during a sermon, a video of which was published on Friday. In the video, the fiery preacher suggested that mere criticism of him at his church premises in Auchi, Edo State, could result in deadly consequences, not through prayers or miracles, but through the loyalty he commands via acts of kindness. “If you want to die,…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has expressed unwavering confidence in his electoral victory despite plans by Asue Ighodalo and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to challenge the tribunal’s ruling at the Court of Appeal. Earlier this week, the Edo State governorship election petition tribunal upheld Okpebholo’s mandate, dismissing Ighodalo’s petition. In response, the governor, speaking at a celebration with supporters on Friday, affirmed his belief in a successful outcome at the higher courts. “The opposition party is wasting money on court cases,” Okpebholo remarked, underscoring his conviction that the judiciary will uphold the will of the Edo electorate. He further…

The Kebbi State Government has suspended a Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office, Nasiru Abubakar Kigo, over his controversial claim that Kebbi and Sokoto states have the highest number of registered gays and lesbians in the country. Governor Nasir Idris approved Kigo’s indefinite suspension following public outrage over the remark, which the state government described as “fictitious and baseless.” Kigo, who is also an Islamic cleric, made the statement during a Ramadan seminar held at the Adamu Aliero Housing Estate in Birnin Kebbi. Confirming the development on Friday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, said the suspension…

The Governing Council of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, has lauded the Federal Government’s recent takeover of the institution, describing it as a landmark development for Nigeria’s education sector. Speaking on behalf of the Council, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Prof. Rahamon Bello, expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for formalising the transition of the Ogun State-owned university to federal ownership. “We sincerely appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this historic decision. By taking over this institution—a great university named after an iconic educationist—the Federal Government has affirmed its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s educational excellence,” Prof. Bello said. Founded…

A dramatic controversy has erupted in Ogun State after the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), was accused of undermining the authority of the judiciary by allegedly overruling decisions of the state’s Customary Court of Appeal and proceeding to intervene in a contentious land dispute still pending before the Court of Appeal in Ibadan. The case involves the family of the late Oba Alli Ogunnaike Fibiwoga in Odogbolu Local Government Area and a group of alleged land grabbers led by one Sir Kay Oluwo, from Ikorodu. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the dispute centres around over 60…

Owerri, the Imo State capital, came alive on Saturday as it played host to dignitaries and well-wishers who gathered to witness the Igbankwu (traditional marriage) ceremony between David Achudume, son of the Founder of Victory Life Bible Church, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, and his bride, Precious Chukwu. The colourful event, which took place at the upscale Mayfair Hotel in the heart of Owerri, was marked by pomp and pageantry as guests from across the country graced the occasion, dressed in shimmering traditional attires. The couple, donning coordinated wine-coloured outfits, stole the spotlight with their radiant smiles and regal appearance. The atmosphere…

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has raised concerns over a bill seeking to confer indigene status on individuals who have resided in a particular location for at least ten years, warning that it could exacerbate ethnic tensions and violence. The House of Representatives recently passed for second reading a series of bills aimed at amending sections of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. Among them is the Indigene Status Bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu and six other lawmakers, which underwent a second reading on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The proposed legislation seeks to grant indigenous rights to individuals who have…

Scores of protesters on Thursday stormed the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja, demanding the immediate suspension of the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Abayomi Fasina, over allegations of sexual harassment. The demonstrators, under the banner of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against Corruption, wielded placards with inscriptions such as “Ekiti Deserves Better” and “Protect Our Women,” insisting that Fasina step aside to allow for an independent investigation. The embattled VC has been under intense scrutiny following the emergence of a leaked voice note in which he allegedly admitted making romantic advances towards…

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has uncovered a massive case of certificate fraud, revealing that 142 out of 148 A-level results submitted for Direct Entry admission at Bayero University, Kano, were fake. In its latest weekly bulletin, JAMB disclosed that only six of the results presented to BUK were found to be genuine. The board reaffirmed that one of its primary mandates is to ensure that only valid academic documents are used for university admissions in Nigeria. To curb such fraudulent activities, JAMB established the Nigeria Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System (NIPEDS) two years ago, following concerns raised by…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed as false reports circulating on social media that he collapsed at an event in Abuja last week. Speaking on Thursday after inspecting four ongoing projects in the FCT, including the International Conference Centre (ICC), Wike described the reports as the handiwork of “baseless” individuals attempting to score cheap political points. The minister’s response comes amid viral posts on X (formerly Twitter) alleging that he collapsed last Friday during an engagement in the FCT and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment. However, Wike categorically debunked the claims, stating that…