Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, Dr. Taiwo Oyedele, has announced that low-income Nigerians and small businesses will benefit from 50 tax exemptions when the new tax laws come into effect on January 1, 2026. Oyedele disclosed this in a series of posts on his verified X handle, saying the reforms were designed to reduce the tax burden on the masses and boost economic participation for small-scale earners. According to him, individuals earning the national minimum wage and those with annual gross income of up to ₦1.2 million will be exempted from Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax…

An undergraduate of the Bola Ajibola College of Law (BACOLAW), Crescent University, Abeokuta, Mujeebat Moyosore Idris, has emerged winner of the 7th Alao Adavise National Essay Competition on privacy and data protection. Idris beat over 300 contestants across Nigeria to clinch the top prize in the essay contest organised by Lawyard in partnership with Tech Hive Advisory Africa. Her entry, titled “The Invisible Audience: Can Online Platforms Safeguard Youth Privacy?”, was selected through a blind review process, ahead of first runner-up, Chiamaka Patrick. The award presentation ceremony held at the New Moot and Mock Court, Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo…

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, on Monday declared human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, wanted for allegedly inciting public disturbance during protests against building demolitions in Oworonshoki. Jimoh, who addressed journalists at the community, accused the Sahara Reporters founder of coming to Lagos to “instigate unrest” following the demolition exercise carried out by the state government. Trouble began earlier in the day when police fired teargas canisters to disperse residents protesting the demolition of their houses, leaving several people injured. Some demonstrators were also arrested as security operatives attempted to restore order. According to the police…

…Déby Orders Troops, Armoured Vehicles To Border …Move Follows Trump’s ‘Religious Persecution’ Remark On Nigeria Daud Olatunji Chad has shut its land border with Nigeria and deployed heavy military presence along key entry points amid rising diplomatic tension and speculation over possible international military intervention in Nigeria. PLATFORM TIMES gathered on Monday that the Chadian government took the decision after intelligence reports suggested that armed groups in northern Nigeria were planning to cross into Chadian territory to escape potential conflict. The development comes barely days after  United States President, Donald Trump, classified Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Interest” over…

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has opened up about his religious journey, revealing that he converted from Christianity to Islam in his pursuit of truth and spiritual clarity. Speaking during an interview with digital personality, Playboymax, the Afrobeats star explained that his continued study of religious texts has left him more confused than enlightened about spirituality. “Growing up, I was a Christian and then I converted to Islam. It’s like I’ve studied it all, but I’m still out here trying to find out what is really going on, you know? The more I research, the…

A fresh wave of crisis has rocked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday forcefully took control of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, installing Mohammed Abdulrahman as acting National Chairman amid a deepening leadership tussle. The Wadata Plaza headquarters witnessed heavy police presence as rival factions battled for control following the suspension of key party officials on both sides. Umar Damagum, the party’s National Chairman recognised by the National Working Committee (NWC), had earlier suspended National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and other Wike-aligned officials. In a swift counter-move,…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to release full details of beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer programme in Ondo State within seven days. Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Binta Nyako held that the ministry failed in its obligation under the Freedom of Information Act by withholding the records requested by a legal practitioner and former governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ondo State, Myson Nejo. Nejo had approached the court after the ministry refused to furnish him with the names of beneficiaries and amounts disbursed…

There was heightened tension in Abuja on Monday as the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, held an emergency security meeting with service chiefs following a threat by United States President Donald Trump to launch military action in Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians. Top security sources told PLATFORM TIMES that the closed-door session, held at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), was convened to assess the diplomatic and security fallout of Trump’s remarks and to coordinate a unified national response. The meeting, which brought together heads of the Armed Forces and intelligence agencies, focused on “impact assessment, contingency planning, and reinforcing…

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, on Monday formally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), ending weeks of speculation and triggering a major political shake-up in the South-South ahead of the 2027 general elections. The defection, described as one of the most consequential political shifts in Bayelsa since 2019, drew thousands of jubilant supporters who flooded Yenagoa in a carnival-like rally despite an early morning downpour. At the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, where an overflowing crowd forced security operatives to restrict entry to avoid a stampede, party loyalists in white T-shirts and colourful regalia…

An Enugu State High Court on Monday struck out a suit filed by a former Sterling Bank manager, Oliver Anidiobi, who sought to recover properties confiscated after he was convicted for stealing N219 million belonging to Ohha Microfinance Bank. Anidiobi, who was sentenced to eight years imprisonment in 2021 and later granted state pardon by Governor Peter Mbah in December 2024, had approached the court asking for the return of assets acquired with the proceeds of the crime. The properties had been ordered forfeited and sold to compensate Ohha Microfinance Bank after his conviction. Despite serving three years in prison…