FORMER Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has described former President Goodluck Jonathan as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) strongest option for the 2027 presidential election, urging the party to make concerted efforts to bring him back. “I think for PDP now they should try to woo him [Jonathan]; he is their best bet. To me, he is their best bet. Anybody put forth by the PDP, Nigerians will support him,” the ex-governor said on Friday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today monitored by News Point Nigeria. Lamido described Jonathan as one who has led the country before, understands governance, and…
Author: Sadiq Abdullateef
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THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has signaled readiness to implement voting rights for eligible inmates in Nigeria’s correctional centres, following sustained advocacy, legal backing, and collaboration with the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS). The development came as the Comptroller General of the NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, visited the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Friday, calling on the electoral body to extend voting rights to prison inmates, especially those yet to be convicted. According to Nwakuche, there are over 81,000 inmates across Nigeria’s correctional facilities, out of which 53,460, representing about 66% are awaiting trial and technically still presumed innocent under the…
BARELY a week after a News Point Nigeria’s exclusive report spotlighted the prolonged suspension of the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), the Federal Government has resumed its social welfare interventions, with the school feeding scheme set for resumption and a disbursement of ₦493 billion to over five million households. News Point Nigeria gathered that this progress follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive lifting the freeze on accounts belonging to the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), which had been under suspension since January 2024 over an alleged corruption probe. This development was further confirmed on Thursday by the Minister…
A COALITION of prominent Rivers State stakeholders has raised the alarm over the planned conduct of local government elections in the state, describing the process as unconstitutional, illegal, and a direct threat to Nigeria’s democratic framework. In a strongly worded open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made available to News Point Nigeria, the group under the banner of Major Stakeholders called for urgent intervention to halt the election, which is slated for August 30, 2025. The letter, titled “Rivers LG Election: A Serious Threat To Democracy And Repeated Violations Of The Constitution – Urgent Warning From Major Stakeholders,”…
THE National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a tentative fare of ₦8.5 million for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, subject to final negotiations on service contracts with relevant stakeholders in Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. News Point Nigeria reports that the announcement was made during a post-Hajj meeting between the Commission and Chairmen and Secretaries of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, aimed at reviewing the just-concluded 2025 Hajj operations and preparing for next year’s pilgrimage. In a statement issued by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, the Commission disclosed that the fare was proposed to guide early…
THE Presidency has issued a strongly worded rebuttal to a recent editorial by Daily Trust newspaper, accusing the publication of peddling exaggerations and misleading narratives that undermine the federal government’s efforts to address Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. In a statement released on Thursday and signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare made available to News Point Nigeria, the Tinubu administration said the newspaper painted a “distorted picture” of a nation “overwhelmed by hunger, hardship, and helplessness,” while ignoring verifiable facts and ongoing interventions. “We were not surprised by the newspaper’s opinion, as the…
IN a major disciplinary sweep, the Federal Government has dismissed 15 personnel and demoted 59 others in the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) over various acts of misconduct, violation of service rules, and unprofessional conduct. This was revealed by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), which reviewed 224 disciplinary cases involving officers across the country, under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior. According to a statement released by the Public Relations Officer of the NCoS, Umar Abubakar made available to News Point Nigeria on Thursday, the actions followed comprehensive investigations and recommendations by the Board’s Disciplinary…
THE West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is under intense scrutiny once again following the unexpected shutdown of its online result-checking portal, compounding public anger already inflamed by the historically poor performance recorded in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). News Point Nigeria reports that the portal, hosted at www.waecdirect.org, went offline on Wednesday evening, just days after the release of the WASSCE results, which revealed that only 38.32% of the over 1.9 million candidates obtained credits in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, the worst national result in over a decade. In a brief…
A SIGNIFICANT number of convicts on death row in Niger and Kogi States remain alive due to ongoing appeals, fear of judicial errors, and ethical considerations, according to top government officials and legal experts. This was revealed during a special survey conducted on Wednesday, which examined the growing backlog of death row cases in the two North-Central states. Speaking on the matter, Malam Nasiru Mua’zu, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State, disclosed that over 85 percent of inmates sentenced to death in the state are currently pursuing appeals at higher courts. “In Niger, 85 per cent…
IN a move that has reignited political speculation, former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Wednesday, attended the public presentation of two political books in Abuja, one of which focused extensively on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its internal workings. News Point Nigeria reports that Obi’s appearance at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, where PDP stalwarts gathered for the literary unveiling, comes on the heels of confirmed efforts by the PDP to woo the former Vice-Presidential candidate back into the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. The event showcased the launch of…
JUST less than 48 hours after News Point Nigeria exclusively reported that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was wooing former President Goodluck Jonathan for a potential return to Aso Rock in 2027, the opposition party has officially confirmed the development. In a BBC Hausa interview monitored by this newspaper on Tuesday, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, validated News Point Nigeria’s earlier story, affirming that discussions were underway to persuade Jonathan to fly the party’s flag in the 2027 presidential election. “We are indeed reaching out to him, just as many Nigerians are calling for his return,”…
KANO State Commissioner for Transportation, Alhaji Ibrahim Ali Namadi, has resigned from office following the submission of an investigative report on his role in the controversial bail of a suspected drug trafficker, Sulaiman Aminu Danwawu. His resignation came just hours after Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf received the findings of the high-level panel that examined the circumstances surrounding the commissioner’s decision to act as surety for the accused. In a statement issued on Wednesday night by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Namadi said his decision was made in the overriding public interest, acknowledging the sensitivity of the matter and…
FORMER Governor of Jigawa State and elder statesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Sule Lamido, has issued a strong advisory to presidential aspirants in the newly launched African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning them against what he described as a “sprinter’s approach” to the 2027 presidential race. Speaking Tuesday night during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time monitored by News Point Nigeria, Lamido expressed concern over the flurry of declarations and political manoeuvres within the ADC, less than a month after its coalition-backed launch. While reaffirming his commitment to the PDP, Lamido said he attended the ADC unveiling…
NIGERIAN billionaire and philanthropist, Femi Otedola has revealed stunning details of how banks that once lavished him with attention turned against him when his business empire crumbled in 2009, sending intimidating men to his doorstep. In excerpts from his forthcoming memoir, “Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business,” due for release on August 18, 2025, seen by News Point Nigeria, Otedola narrates the rise and fall of his empire and the brutal shift in relationships once the money stopped flowing. “One moment, I was the darling of the banks… they would send bewitching ladies to make their offers more…
IN a moment of national pride and global recognition, 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullah Aminu from Yobe State has emerged as the World Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom. News Point Nigeria reports that representing Nigeria through the Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC), Nafisa triumphed over more than 20,000 participants from 69 countries, including native English-speaking nations, a historic achievement that has captivated Nigerians at home and abroad. The TeenEagle competition is a prestigious international contest designed to test English proficiency, critical thinking, and communication skills. It attracts secondary school students from…
THE Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has directed the recovery and redistribution of ₦101.17 billion from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), following an audit report that uncovered severe revenue misclassification and delayed remittances. News Point Nigeria reports that the discovery was made by OOM Professional Services, a Lagos-based audit firm contracted by the Forum of Commissioners of Finance to conduct a forensic review of NCS remittances into the Federation Account for the 2022–2023 fiscal year. The findings, presented during FAAC’s plenary on May 16, 2025, and reinforced at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on July 10, revealed two major irregularities:…
IN a stern warning aimed at reinforcing compliance with student visa regulations, the United States Mission in Nigeria has cautioned Nigerian students against violating the terms of their F-1 and M-1 visas, warning that such breaches could lead to visa revocation and future ineligibility for entry into the U.S. News Point Nigeria reports that the advisory, issued via the Mission’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, is the latest in a series of statements reflecting Washington’s tougher immigration stance toward international students, particularly from high-volume nations like Nigeria. “If you drop out, skip classes, or leave your program of…
DESPITE swirling rumours about his possible exit, Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), reaffirmed his leadership and vision during a major appearance at an event hosted by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in Lagos. Ojulari’s participation, notably his delivery of a high-level virtual presentation came just days after a report by News Point Nigeria suggested that his position at the helm of NNPC was under review following alleged concerns at the Presidency. The controversy reportedly revolves around past business ties with Gbolahan Obanikoro, son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku…
THE Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, has extended warm birthday wishes to the Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and Amirah General of Ogun State, Dr. Lateefat ’Yemi Kolapo, in a heartfelt tribute celebrating her life, professionalism, and leadership. In a personally signed message titled “A Bouquet of Special Felicitations to a Most Special Sister”, Senator Salisu, who represents Ogun Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, praised Dr. Kolapo’s character, strength, and accomplishments, describing her as “a thoroughbred professional and a symbol of proud heritage.” “You are an admirable combination of calm mien,…
THERE are strong indications that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is making a determined push to bring back former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, amid growing uncertainty about Peter Obi’s political trajectory and loyalty to the opposition party. Multiple party sources confirmed to this newspaper that high-level consultations are ongoing within the PDP to offer Jonathan an automatic presidential ticket, citing his constitutional eligibility to serve only one term, a factor party insiders believe could be a unifying compromise among various regional power blocs. “Serious efforts are being made to pull Jonathan into…