Author: Sadiq Abdullateef

THE absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the commissioning of key projects in Lagos on Wednesday has further fuelled speculation of a rift between him and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, despite firm denials by the state government. News Point Nigeria reports that although the President has been in Lagos since the weekend and the events were widely publicised ahead of his visit, he was conspicuously absent at the ceremonies, leaving Senate President Godswill Akpabio to perform the commissioning on his behalf. Akpabio inaugurated the Opebi-Mende-Ojota Link Bridge and the Multi-Agency Complex in Alausa, which has now been renamed the Bola…

LEADERS of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki are currently engaged in a closed-door meeting in Abuja, in what appears to be a significant political consultation following recent tensions involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). News Point Nigeria reports that the high-level meeting has drawn some of Nigeria’s most prominent political figures, underscoring its importance amid ongoing realignments within the opposition ahead of future elections. Among those present are Senator David Mark, who serves as National Chairman of the ADC; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former…

GLOBAL oil markets and maritime activity showed early signs of recovery on Wednesday as the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran triggered a sharp drop in crude prices and allowed limited movement through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. News Point Nigeria reports that within hours of the truce announcement, at least two vessels successfully navigated the critical waterway, signalling what analysts describe as a cautious but significant step toward restoring normal shipping operations. According to maritime tracking platform MarineTraffic, the Greek-owned bulk carrier NJ Earth crossed the Strait of Hormuz at 08:44 UTC, while the Liberia-flagged Daytona Beach…

UNITED States President Donald Trump has agreed to suspend his planned bombing of Iran for two weeks, following his threat that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Tehran did not comply with his demands. On Tuesday night, within hours of the planned attack, Trump took to his platform Truth Social to announce he had reversed course. He credited Pakistan for mediating the settlement, but warned it came with conditions, namely that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz. “Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold…

NIGERIA’s fuel market is bracing for another round of price shocks following a fresh increase in the gantry prices of petrol and diesel by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. News Point Nigeria reports that the refinery has again adjusted its pricing template, a move that is expected to tighten pressure on consumers and businesses already grappling with high energy costs. A top official at the facility, who confirmed the development to our News Point Nigeria on Tuesday night, said the decision was driven by prevailing international crude oil benchmarks and broader market realities. Under the new pricing structure, petrol has risen…

A FRESH layer of crisis has engulfed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the emergence of a new faction that has rejected the authority of the coalition led by David Mark and distanced itself from the camp of Nafiu Bala Gombe. News Point Nigeria reports that the faction, led by Don Norman Obinna, claims to represent the legitimate National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party and says it is stepping in to manage the ADC’s affairs ahead of its next national convention. At a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Obinna stated that the tenure of former National Chairman Ralph…

TROOPS reportedly killed several bandits during a clash involving the convoy of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division and Commander, Sector 2 of Operation Fansan Yamma, in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. According to a military source who spoke to News Point Nigeria on condition of anonymity, as well as a counter-insurgency publication covering the Lake Chad region, one soldier was also killed during the ambush. The source said the incident occurred around 4:30pm on Monday as the GOC was returning from an operational visit to troops stationed at Kulchin Kalgo and the Forward Operating Base in…

GOVERNOR of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has intensified political consultations with former governor Ibrahim Shekarau, in what appears to be a strategic move to consolidate his position ahead of the 2027 elections. News Point Nigeria reports that the development comes amid a wave of political realignments that have significantly altered the power dynamics in Kano, one of Nigeria’s most politically influential states. The political equation in Kano shifted dramatically after Governor Yusuf dumped his mentor, the national leader of the NNPP, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC),…

AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD, abducted as a toddler by Boko Haram, has recounted years of hardship, fear, and longing for his family after escaping captivity in the Lake Chad region. News Point Nigeria reports that his story offers a rare and heartbreaking glimpse into the largely overlooked reality of thousands of boys abducted and forced into survival under the insurgent group’s control often far from global attention that has largely focused on kidnapped women and girls. The child, who spoke in a fragile but determined voice, said he was taken at the age of four when Boko Haram fighters attacked his village,…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping ₦3.3 trillion payment plan aimed at clearing longstanding debts in Nigeria’s power sector, a move expected to significantly improve electricity generation and supply across the country. The approval, announced in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Sunday, marks a major milestone under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme, designed to resolve legacy financial obligations that have weighed down the industry for over a decade. According to the statement, the debts accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025 have now undergone a comprehensive verification process, with ₦3.3 trillion agreed upon…

FRESH political undercurrents in Bauchi State point to a dramatic reversal of fortunes for former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, highlighting the intricate mix of federal influence, party power plays, and personal ambition shaping the road to 2027. In this Sunday political analysis, News Point Nigeria, examines how Tuggar’s journey has shifted from being a trusted ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to an increasingly isolated figure within Bauchi’s evolving political landscape. At the heart of the unfolding situation is a mix of timing, internal party disputes, and what sources describe as an apparent lack of backing from…

FRESH indications have emerged that key political figures, including Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, are reconsidering their planned defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) amid the party’s deepening leadership crisis. Multiple credible sources within political circles and the ADC News Point Nigeria that both governors have slowed down consultations regarding their possible move, following the recent action of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which de-recognised the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). The development has also cast a cloud of uncertainty over several lawmakers in the National Assembly who had earlier indicated interest in defecting to the ADC, with…

MINISTER of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is facing mounting backlash after a controversial statement in which he said he would have “shot” a television presenter during a live broadcast sparked outrage across the country. News Point Nigeria reports that the remark, directed at Seun Okinbaloye, anchor of Politics Today on Channels Television, has drawn condemnation from media organisations, civil society groups, and international human rights bodies, including Amnesty International. The controversy traces back to a recent edition of Politics Today, where Okinbaloye raised concerns about Nigeria’s evolving political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections. During the programme,…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Plateau State has quickly become a flashpoint of national discourse, igniting strong reactions and drawing a clear line between supporters and critics across the country. While some defend the President’s cautious handling of the trip, others argue it fell short of the empathy expected in the wake of tragedy. In this weekend feature, News Point Nigeria explores how what began as a condolence visit after the Jos killings has transformed into a defining conversation about leadership, security, and public trust in moments of national grief. The Presidency had on Wednesday announced that President…

THE Presidency has explained why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained at the airport during his visit to Jos, Plateau State, citing a mix of scheduling constraints and logistical challenges. This newspaper had reported how the President met with families of those who were killed when gunmen struck in Angwa Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Sunday. Addressing the victims, who were conveyed to meet him at the airport, the President had said, “You have no light at the airport, and I have to fly back within the next 10 minutes. To the victims, there’s nothing I…

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has been thrown into mourning following the tragic and mysterious death of its newly elected deputy organising secretary, Abdulsalam Ginsau, whose lifeless body was discovered inside an elevator at a hotel in Abuja. News Point Nigeria gathered that Ginsau, a prominent lawyer and rising political figure, was found dead at Chida Hotels, where he had lodged ahead of the party’s national convention in the Federal Capital Territory. According to party officials, Ginsau arrived in Abuja on Thursday evening as part of the Kano APC delegation and was responsible for coordinating accommodation for…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Tuesday met with top security officials to review the recent killings in Plateau State and invited Governor Caleb Mutfwang to Abuja for discussions on the matter. News Point Nigeria reports that the attack, which occurred on Sunday in Angwan Rukuba community, Jos North Local Government Area, left at least 28 people dead and many others injured. Briefing journalists in Abuja, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the incident as regrettable but emphasised that it does not indicate a breakdown of security. He added that security agencies have launched clearance operations to prevent reprisal…

THE Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has not resigned from his position, contrary to widespread reports circulating on social media. The Minister’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media, Bolaji Tunji, dismissed the reports as false and misleading, describing the purported resignation letter as “fake.” Speaking in a telephone interview with News Point Nigeria, Tunji emphasized that the minister remains fully committed to his responsibilities and is focused on delivering on the mandate of the power sector. “The Honourable Minister of Power has not resigned. He is fully focused on his duties and continues to work towards improving Nigeria’s power…

THE political landscape of Kano State witnessed a major shift on Tuesday as former Deputy Governor and 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasiru Gawuna, formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a significant realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections. News Point Nigeria reports that Gawuna completed his registration and received his membership card at his Gawuna Ward in Nasarawa Local Government Area, in an event that drew thousands of enthusiastic supporters and key political stakeholders. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna served as the Deputy Governor of Kano State under Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for approximately 4…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the approval of the Senate to secure external loans totaling $6 billion, aimed at addressing Nigeria’s fiscal needs and upgrading critical infrastructure, particularly in the maritime sector. News Point Nigeria reports that the request was conveyed in two separate letters addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and read during plenary on Tuesday. In the first letter, the President sought legislative approval to obtain a $5 billion loan facility from Abu Dhabi Bank. The funds, according to the request, are intended to support government financing needs, particularly in bridging the country’s…