A FRESH wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa has ignited outrage among Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora, with many criticising the Federal Government’s response as weak and ineffective, especially when compared with Ghana’s swift diplomatic intervention to protect its citizens. News Point Nigeria reports that the backlash followed an advisory issued on Friday by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), urging Nigerians residing in South Africa to remain indoors, avoid protests, and temporarily shut down businesses in anticipation of further violence. The warning stemmed from an official circular issued by the Consulate General of Nigeria in…
Author: Sadiq Abdullateef
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NIGERIA’s political landscape has entered a defining moment as the far-reaching implications of the “Ibadan Declaration” continue to reverberate across the country, following a bold resolution by opposition leaders to unite behind a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections, an unprecedented move that has triggered both optimism and scepticism nationwide. In this Sunday Political Feature, News Point Nigeria online newspaper takes a deep dive into the significance of the development, its political undercurrents, and what it could mean for Nigeria’s democratic future as the race toward 2027 gradually gathers momentum. Leaders of opposition parties converged on Ibadan,…
A FRESH wave of misinformation has once again cast a spotlight on Kano’s increasingly toxic political landscape, after a doctored video and manipulated images were used to falsely malign the Kano State Government, prompting a strong warning from an expert, Dr Ibrahim Yunusa Sani, against what he described as dangerous and irresponsible politicking. News Point Nigeria reports that the controversy erupted after a viral post on social media claimed that the Kano State Government distributed pants to women as part of an empowerment programme or campaign gesture. The claim was accompanied by images showing women holding red underwear, with captions…
NIGERIA’s delicate balance between democracy and national security has come under renewed and intense scrutiny following unfolding legal and military proceedings linked to an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In this weekend feature, News Point Nigeria takes a deeper look at how the developments spanning courtrooms, military facilities, and intelligence circles have exposed a complex web of allegations, secrecy, and legal contention that continues to grip the nation. The unfolding drama began on Wednesday when a High Court in Abuja ordered the remand of six defendants in the custody of the Department of State…
THE Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has asked Nigerians in South Africa to shut their businesses and avoid confrontations as xenophobic attacks escalate in parts of the country. News Point Nigeria reports that the advisory comes amid growing anti-foreigner protests across South Africa, where demonstrators have targeted foreign-owned shops and called for the expulsion of non-nationals. In one of the videos circulating online, a Nigerian trader who sells clothes was being confronted by some South African men, who ordered him to pack up his goods and leave the country. The incident has heightened fears among Nigerians and other foreign nationals…
THE 16th Fulani Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II has raised concerns over the Federal Government’s continued reliance on borrowing despite the removal of the petrol subsidy, questioning the country’s fiscal direction and sustainability. News Point Nigeria reports that Sanusi, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, made the remarks at the annual lecture of The Niche online newspaper on Thursday, where he offered a critical assessment of Nigeria’s current fiscal trajectory. While acknowledging that the removal of fuel subsidy and the liberalisation of the exchange rate were necessary reforms, he warned that poor timing and a lack…
THE Nigerian military has inaugurated a general court-martial to try 36 personnel accused of involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. News Point Nigeria reports that the court-martial, constituted by the Defence Headquarters, was inaugurated on Friday at the Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja, under tight security, with proceedings conducted behind closed doors despite the high-profile nature of the case. Journalists, including accredited defence correspondents who had earlier received invitations, were denied access to the venue. Security personnel also prohibited the use of mobile phones to document proceedings, including the arrival of the…
FOR 23-year-old Rasheed Wasiu, a decision made in defiance of his mother’s warning has cost him nearly six years of his life, years spent in prison for an offence he insists he did not commit. Now finally released after enduring prolonged detention while awaiting trial, Rasheed faces a new and painful reality: his mother, the same woman who warned him to stay indoors, has gone missing. His ordeal dates back to October 2020, when widespread anti-police brutality protests, known as the #EndSARS demonstrations, swept across Lagos and other parts of Nigeria. The protests were driven by public outrage against the…
PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a 30 percent discount on debts owed by domestic airlines to aviation agencies, in a move aimed at easing financial pressure on operators grappling with soaring aviation fuel costs. News Point Nigeria reports that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed the development on Thursday night after receiving communication from the President through the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. “This evening, Mr. President has definitely approved a 30 percent discount,” Keyamo told a select journalists. The approval means that domestic airline operators will now pay 30 percent less of the total…
THE 19th Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Almustapha Haruna Jokolo, has commended Nigerian troops for their gallantry in repelling a fierce terrorist attack in Kukareta, describing their sacrifices as deserving of greater national appreciation and support. Reacting to the successful operation, Jokolo said Nigerians must recognise the harsh realities faced by soldiers on the frontlines, noting that many operate under extremely difficult conditions, far away from their families, often without adequate rest or recreation. He lamented that despite their sacrifices, troops are sometimes treated with “disrespect and contempt,” stressing that those who have had the privilege of serving alongside them understand…
THE Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of unlawfully intercepting communications. News Point Nigeria reports that El-Rufai was brought before the court over his alleged involvement in the wiretapping of the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. The charges stem from a suit earlier filed in February by the secret police, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, accusing the former governor of violating provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition) Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act,…
THE Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved judgement in appeals arising from the prolonged leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), raising fresh concerns over the participation of both parties in the 2027 general elections. News Point Nigeria reports that a five-member panel of justices, led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, announced that the date for the judgements would be communicated to all parties after counsel adopted their respective briefs of argument. In the ADC matter, the appeal marked SC/CV/180/2026 was filed by the party’s National Chairman, David Mark, challenging the March 12 judgement…
MINISTER of Power Adebayo Adelabu submitting his resignation letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has resigned as the Minister of Power to focus on his ambition to contest the governorship of Oyo State. His resignation, contained in a letter dated April 22, 2026 obtained by News Point Nigeria and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, takes effect from April 30, 2026. The letter was submitted through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and framed as a formal exit to allow for a smooth transition…
THE Presidency has clarified that the former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the erstwhile Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, were not dismissed from office but voluntarily resigned their positions. According to a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Edun formally tendered his resignation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing health concerns, shortly before the announcement of his replacement on Tuesday. Dangiwa also stepped down from his role, expressing gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve as a member of the Federal…
THE Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of six defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services following their arraignment on a 13-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism. News Point Nigeria reports that at the court session, which commenced at about 1:46 pm, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), informed the court that the charge was ready and sought permission for it to be read to the defendants. Notably, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, was absent during the arraignment. Proceedings were briefly stalled when…
THE Central Bank of Nigeria has raised fresh concerns over cyber security threats, warning Nigerians of ongoing hacking attempts aimed at gaining access to personal accounts. News Point Nigeria reports that the apex bank disclosed that cybercriminals are circulating fraudulent messages and emails falsely claiming to originate from the institution, in a bid to deceive unsuspecting members of the public. This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi Ali, who cautioned Nigerians to remain vigilant. According to the bank, misleading messages are currently in circulation, carefully designed to trick individuals…
THE Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, is set to resign from his position in the coming days following a high-level meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The development was confirmed in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Tunji Bolaji, after the closed-door meeting held on Tuesday. According to the statement, President Tinubu commended the minister for his dedication and the progress recorded during his tenure, particularly in laying a strong policy foundation for the transformation of Nigeria’s power sector. “President Tinubu commended…
GOVERNOR Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has named Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo as the new Deputy Governor, following the resignation of Comrade Abdulsalam Gwarzo. News Point Nigeria reports that Gwarzo’s exit came after a prolonged political rift with the governor, which began when he defected from the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The fallout strained their working relationship, with mounting pressure on the former deputy governor to align with Yusuf pressure he ultimately resisted. Amid the deepening crisis, the Kano State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Gwarzo. However, before the process…
FORMER President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has pushed back against claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that inexperience shaped his decisions while in office. News Point Nigeria reports that Jonathan maintained that his time in leadership was defined by sincere effort and responsible governance, despite the inevitability of human shortcomings. Jonathan’s reaction comes days after Atiku, during a televised interview, described him as “inexperienced” and suggested that such limitations affected his handling of national challenges while he was in power. However, speaking to diplomats in Abuja, the former president dismissed the criticism, arguing that no leader governs without making difficult…
FRESH concerns over Nigeria’s deepening security crisis have emerged following coordinated ransom demands totalling N6 billion by terrorists holding hundreds of abducted victims in Borno and Kaduna states. News Point Nigeria reports that in Borno State, Boko Haram insurgents are demanding N5 billion for the release of 416 women and children abducted from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area, issuing a 72-hour ultimatum through mediators. In a separate development in Kaduna State, suspected terrorists who attacked Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area on Easter Sunday have demanded N1 billion for the release of several kidnapped residents, including vulnerable…