Author: Hamza Rufai

FORMER Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has criticised both the Federal Government and the National Assembly for failing to take early diplomatic action to avert Nigeria’s reclassification by the United States as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged persecution of Christians. The U.S. designation followed a declaration by former U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday via his Truth Social platform, where he alleged that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” ordering that the country be placed on the watchlist for what he termed “particularly severe violations of religious freedom.” Under U.S. law, any nation designated a CPC…

THE leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated dramatically, with factional suspensions tearing further into the opposition party’s already fragile structure. News Point Nigeria reports that On Saturday in Abuja, a faction of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, announced the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and five other top officials, a move that signals deepening internal hostilities ahead of the party’s November elective convention. Anyanwu, who appeared before journalists flanked by loyal NWC members, declared that Damagum had been suspended for “incompetence, financial misconduct, and…

Applauds Umahi’s Hands-On Approach To Project Delivery THE Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has acknowledged what it described as impressive road infrastructure projects by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Coalition, which rated the current administration “very good” in the area of road infrastructure, said it came to the conclusion after a painstaking assessment of work done in various sectors of the Nigerian economy in the last two years. The foremost opposition voice disclosed this in a press release, signed by the Coalition’s National Spokesperson, Mark Adebayo, on Saturday in Abuja, after an inspection of the Abuja-Lokoja-Benin…

SENATOR representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, Barr. Sunday Katung has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). A statement signed by the Senator sent to News Point Nigeria on Saturday attributed his decision to a genuine desire to serve his constituency better. The development comes barely 24 hours after the Federal High Court, Abuja, stopped the PDP from holding its 2025 national convention. See full statement below: A New Chapter: A Message of Unity and Purpose Dear Friends and Political Associates, The past few weeks have been incredibly demanding yet profoundly reflective moments of…

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to proceed with preparations for its much-anticipated National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, despite a recent court order restraining it from holding the exercise. News Point Nigeria reports that the decision, which underscores growing tension within Nigeria’s main opposition party, came barely 24 hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja barred the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting or recognising any outcomes from the planned convention. Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, ruled that the PDP had allegedly…

THE Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the posting and appointment of senior officers to key command, staff, and instructional positions across formations, units, and training institutions of the Nigerian Army. This was confirmed in a statement released by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele sent to News Point Nigeria, shortly after President Bola Tinubu decorated the COAS and other service chiefs with their new ranks on Thursday. Lieutenant Colonel Anele stated that the appointments are a decisive move aimed at reinvigorating leadership, strengthening command structures, and repositioning the Nigerian Army…

SIGNS of reconciliation are emerging in the Senate as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has formally invited Senate President Godswill Akpabio to a major constituency project commissioning event scheduled for Sunday in Ihima, Kogi State. The invitation, personally signed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and made available to News Point Nigeria, was read out during plenary on Wednesday by the Senate President. The event forms part of activities to mark the lawmaker’s second anniversary in the Senate and will include the unveiling of multiple completed constituency projects across Kogi Central. In the letter, Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote: “In marking my second-year anniversary as…

THE Senate has confirmed Bernard Doro as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria following a brief screening session that lasted less than 30 minutes. News Point Nigeria reports that Doro, who becomes the third ministerial nominee from Plateau State, used the opportunity to outline his vision for fostering an inclusive humanitarian ecosystem in the country. He promised to create a humanitarian ecosystem that is inclusive, guided by impartiality and independence. Doro told lawmakers during his appearance that he will create synergy between security agencies to better target the individuals affected by crises, which he notes is always a…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has approved the introduction of a 15 per cent ad-valorem import duty on petrol and diesel imports into Nigeria. The initiative is aimed at protecting local refineries and stabilising the downstream market, but it is likely to raise pump prices. In a letter dated October 21, 2025, reported publicly on October 30, 2025 sighted by News Point Nigeria, and addressed to the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Tinubu directed immediate implementation of the tariff as part of what the government described as a “market-responsive import tariff framework.” The letter,…

THE Senate on Wednesday confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for the positions of service chiefs. News Point Nigeria reports that those confirmed are Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army staff, Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval staff, and Kelvin Aneke as Chief of Air Staff. The confirmation followed a two-hour closed-door session where senators questioned the nominees on their plans to strengthen national security and reform the armed forces. Earlier, President Tinubu has urged the upper chamber to screen and confirm the nominees. In line with the President’s request, the Senate chamber dedicated…

NEWLY appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has cautioned that Nigeria’s security challenges will continue unless the country greatly improves the way information is handled across all sectors. News Point Nigeria reports that Gen. Oluyede stated this on Wednesday during his screening session before the Senate at the National Assembly, where he reflected on his earlier tenure as Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), describing the role as one of the most demanding responsibilities in national security management. He acknowledged progress made in the fight against terrorism, banditry, oil theft and other threats, but insisted that the…

THE House of Representatives has raised serious security concerns following threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly complex in Abuja. News Point Nigeria reports that the Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Muhammad, disclosed this on Tuesday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish a Legislative Security Directorate to bolster protection for lawmakers, workers, and visitors within the nation’s apex legislative institution. Muhammad warned that the National Assembly regarded as the symbol of Nigeria’s democracy has come under increasing security threats, including infiltration by criminal elements posing as visitors. “We have received…

THE Senate will today (Wednesday) subject the newly appointed service chiefs to screening and possible confirmation as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intensifies efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s security structure and restore public confidence in the Armed Forces. News Point Nigeria reports that the request for the screening was contained in a letter transmitted to the Senate and read during Tuesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. In the letter, the President appealed for “expeditious consideration,” citing the urgency of strengthening security coordination nationwide. The nominees up for legislative approval include: General Olufemi Oluyede – Chief of Defence Staff Major General Waidi…

THE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has debunked reports alleging irregularities and favouritism in recent promotion exercises within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), insisting that every elevation carried out under his leadership has strictly followed laid-down procedures and merit-based criteria. News Point Nigeria reports that Egbetokun stated this on Monday in Abuja during the decoration ceremony of 19 newly promoted senior officers, including Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Mohammed Dan-Kwara, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Nkechi Eze, Force Medical Director, and Commissioner of Police Nandel Gonwalk. Reacting to claims circulating in certain quarters alleging a promotion…

FORMER Jigawa State Governor and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has threatened to take legal action against the party if he is not granted access to purchase the nomination form to contest for the position of National Chairman ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. News Point Nigeria reports that Lamido, who spoke with journalists at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Monday, said his attempt to obtain the form was frustrated despite arriving at the secretariat with supporters to make the purchase. According to…

TENSIONS have emerged within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the endorsement of former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as consensus candidate for the position of National Chairman ahead of the party’s National Convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. The selection, which was announced after a meeting of northern stakeholders chaired by governors and prominent party leaders, has been rejected by political camps loyal to former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and former Rivers State Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. The development has reopened old factional fault lines…

NASARAWA State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has said that former President Muhammadu Buhari was surrounded by politicians who praised him excessively while he was in power but turned against him immediately after he left office. The governor said he personally witnessed how such individuals shifted their loyalty and public commentary depending on what political climate suited them at the time. News Point Nigeria reports that Governor Sule made the remarks in Abuja on Saturday while speaking at the 2nd Raymond Dokpesi Diamond Lecture, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). According to him, serving in public office has exposed…

THE quest to address long-standing complaints of political imbalance in Nigeria’s federal structure gained momentum on Saturday, as the Joint Constitution Review Committee of the National Assembly approved the creation of an additional state in the South-East geopolitical zone. News Point Nigeria reports that the decision, reached unanimously during the committee’s two-day retreat in Lagos, is aimed at ensuring fairness and parity among the country’s six geopolitical zones. Currently, the South-East is the only region with **five states; Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo—**while other regions have six, except the North-West which has seven. The review session, chaired by the…

THE Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, has dismissed as false a social media video alleging that the institution was involved in developing a Nuclear Weapon for Nigeria. Auwalu Umar, Director Public Affairs Directorate of the university disclosed this in a statement issued to News Point Nigeria on Saturday in Zaria. The director described the viral AI-generated video as misleading, aimed at misinforming the public about Nigeria’s peaceful nuclear energy programme. He said the video falsely claimed that Nigerian scientists in the 1980s secretly enriched weapons-grade uranium in Kaduna and that ABU researchers obtained centrifugal equipment from the AQ Khan network…

THE National Assembly has commenced deliberations on far-reaching constitutional amendments that could see the creation of 55 new states and 278 additional local government areas across the country. News Point Nigeria reports that Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North) stated this on Friday at the two-day joint retreat of the Senate and House of Representatives’ Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution in Lagos. Jibrin, reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to delivering “people-centred and timely” amendments to the constitution, according to a statement by his spokesman, Ismail Mudashir. The Deputy Senate President, who also chairs the Senate…