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APC Members Protest House Of Reps Candidate Imposition

By
Enyosa Favour
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Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State have staged a peaceful protest at the party’s state secretariat in Jos over the alleged imposition of a candidate in the House of Representatives primary election for the Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam (PKK) Federal Constituency.

The protesters, mostly youths from the constituency, marched to the secretariat carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Protect Internal Democracy,” “Our Votes Must Count,” “Respect Party Structures,” “Justice for PKK Constituency,” and “APC Must Uphold Fairness.”

During the protest, they submitted a petition challenging the outcome of the primary election that produced the incumbent lawmaker, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, as the APC candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election.

The petition, signed by one of the aspirants, Hon. John Tongshinen Gozhak, on behalf of concerned party members and stakeholders, alleged irregularities in the collation and declaration of the primary election results.

Addressing party officials, the protesters said their action was aimed at seeking justice, transparency and fairness in the party’s internal democratic process, insisting that the APC’s credibility must be protected.

According to the petition, the Plateau APC leadership had officially communicated the names of designated collation officers to all aspirants before the primary election, and those officers successfully collated results from the various voting centres.

However, the petition alleged that officials from the party’s national secretariat later ignored the designated officers and introduced other individuals into the collation process.

“It came as a profound surprise to party members and stakeholders when reports emerged that certain officials or agents deployed from the National Secretariat rejected, displaced or otherwise disregarded the authority of the very officers whose names had earlier been officially communicated by the Plateau State Secretariat,” the petition read.

The aggrieved members argued that the alleged action had raised serious concerns about the credibility of the primary election and the authenticity of the results that declared Gagdi as the party’s candidate.

“If officers duly appointed and communicated by the Plateau State Secretariat can successfully conduct their assignment, collate results and submit same, only for their work to be subsequently disregarded or displaced, then the confidence of party members in the integrity of our internal democratic processes is inevitably undermined,” the petition added.

The protesters called on the APC leadership to immediately review the primary election, investigate the alleged replacement of collation officers, and ensure that the genuine votes cast by party members are accurately reflected in the final outcome.

“We have therefore chosen the path of peace, dialogue, and lawful engagement. Our peaceful protest and presentation of this petition should be understood as an appeal for justice within the party and not as an act of hostility against the APC,” Gozhak said.

They also urged the Plateau APC leadership to uphold the authority of established party structures and restore members’ confidence in the party’s internal democratic process.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Yusuf Adamu Gagdi nor the Plateau State chapter of the APC had officially responded to the allegations contained in the petition.

Tinubu Orders ICPC Probe Into Alleged Fake PFIPC Agency

By
Enyosa Favour
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President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and every issue connected to it.

The President instructed the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation and submit a detailed report within 30 days.

The directive was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to Onanuga, the decision followed the discovery of the “fictitious” PFIPC, which, according to the Presidency, was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal backing through any law, presidential directive, executive approval or official government instrument.

“One Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew presented himself as the Director-General of the so-called PFIPC and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.

“Among the issues to be investigated by the ICPC are the forged appointment letters and other official government documents; the use of a false claim of presidential appointment to seek or obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation; and the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents,” the statement said.

The Presidency further stated that the President directed the ICPC to investigate not only the alleged activities of the principal suspect and any collaborators but also the circumstances that may have enabled a non-existent organisation and an alleged false presidential appointment to gain the appearance of official legitimacy.

According to Onanuga, investigators are expected to examine the origin and use of the alleged forged government documents, determine how official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, scrutinise the opening and operation of related bank accounts, trace the source and movement of funds, and identify any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries that may have facilitated or participated in the alleged scheme.

President Tinubu also instructed the commission to identify weaknesses within government systems that may have been exploited and recommend immediate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

All federal ministries, departments and agencies have been directed to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant records, information and assistance required for the investigation.

The President, according to the statement, stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and federal institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and exploitation of weaknesses within the public service.

He also directed that anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law.

Controversy Surrounding Adeyemi

The controversy centres on Adeniyi Adeyemi, who insists he was legally appointed as Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), despite the Presidency maintaining that no such agency exists.

Adeyemi had accused the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of receiving ₦400 million through a proxy and later demanding an additional ₦200 million to facilitate his appointment. He also disputed the Presidency’s denial of the PFIPC’s existence, arguing that the council was referenced in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

The embattled claimant has called on President Tinubu to establish an independent investigative panel, insisting he is prepared to defend his allegations in court.

However, the Presidency, through Onanuga, dismissed Adeyemi’s claims and described him as an impostor.

According to the Presidency, Adeyemi allegedly forged appointment documents, impersonated a government official, fraudulently opened an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and operated under the name of a non-existent government agency.

The Presidency added that police investigations resulted in an eight-count criminal charge being filed against Adeyemi and two other defendants, with the matter scheduled for hearing on July 27.

Gbajabiamila Threatens ₦10bn Defamation Suit

Meanwhile, Gbajabiamila has threatened a ₦10 billion defamation lawsuit against Adeyemi over allegations of murder and bribery.

In a letter signed by his lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, the Chief of Staff gave Adeyemi 72 hours to remove all videos and comments containing allegations against him.

The legal team also demanded that Adeyemi publish an apology and full retraction in at least five national newspapers and across his social media platforms, where his June 26 press conference was circulated.

Pinheiro described the allegations as “malicious, reckless and entirely without factual foundation,” arguing that they were intended to portray Gbajabiamila as “corrupt, morally bankrupt, and a murderer.”

The letter further directed Adeyemi to “cease and desist from making, repeating, publishing or causing to be published any further defamatory statements concerning our client” and to “provide our law firm with a written undertaking that you shall refrain from making any further defamatory statements concerning our client.”

The lawyer warned that “unless the foregoing demands are fully complied with within 72 hours of your receipt of this letter, our Client shall, without further reference to you, commence appropriate legal proceedings against you”, including filing a criminal defamation complaint under the applicable laws of the Federal Capital Territory.

Oil Prices Surge 5% After Trump Declares Iran Ceasefire Over

By
Enyosa Favour
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Global oil prices climbed by more than five percent on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump declared that the ceasefire with Iran had ended, fueling renewed concerns over escalating tensions in the Middle East.

International benchmark Brent North Sea crude rose 5.3 percent to $78.09 per barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 5.4 percent to trade at $74.23 per barrel.

The sharp increase followed fresh US military strikes on Iran after attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting retaliatory strikes by Iran against American military installations across the Gulf.

The renewed conflict has heightened fears over the future of diplomatic efforts aimed at ending hostilities and restoring unrestricted access to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.

The latest escalation also weighed on Asian financial markets, where investor sentiment remained cautious. South Korea’s stock market experienced another technology-led sell-off as concerns persisted over high valuations in the artificial intelligence sector and uncertainty about when companies would begin generating significant returns.

US and Iranian forces reported carrying out multiple strikes on each other’s positions, further straining an interim agreement designed to reduce hostilities. Washington also revoked a temporary sanctions waiver that had allowed limited Iranian oil activities.

According to the US military, the latest strikes targeted Iranian military sites in retaliation for Tehran’s alleged attacks on three commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian state media reported multiple explosions near the strategic waterway, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for attacks on several US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.

The three commercial vessels were reportedly struck near Oman, which had proposed a temporary shipping corridor along its coastline. Tehran opposed the proposal, insisting on imposing fees for vessels using the strait.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused the United States of repeatedly violating a memorandum of understanding previously agreed upon by both countries.

Both major crude oil benchmarks extended their gains after rising more than two percent on Tuesday, pushing prices to their highest levels in two weeks.

Andreas Krieg, a security expert at King’s College London, said Iran remains committed to its demand that ships pay fees to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a position the United States has rejected.

“We are now in a sensitive period where potential alternatives to an Iranian toll or fee system are being explored,” he told AFP.

“Iran is sending a clear signal that no alternative will be accepted.”

Trump Declares Iran Ceasefire ‘Over’ Following Renewed Military Escalation

By
Enyosa Favour
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Iran’s ceasefire with the United States has effectively come to an end, according to US President Donald Trump, following a fresh exchange of military strikes between American forces and the Islamic Republic.

Speaking on Wednesday at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump made the remarks after the United States launched overnight strikes on Iran, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for attacks on US military bases in the Gulf.

The renewed hostilities also rattled global markets, with oil prices climbing by five percent after Trump’s comments.

Asked whether the ceasefire had collapsed, Trump gave a blunt response.

“I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them any more, they’re scum,” Trump said.

He continued:

“They’re scum, they’re sick people, they’re led by sick people, and they’re vicious, violent people. And if they had a nuclear weapon, they’d use it.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s over.”

Despite his remarks, Trump said he would still consult businessman-turned-negotiator Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, both of whom have been involved in diplomatic engagements with Iranian officials. However, he stressed that the next move rests with Tehran.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s just a waste of time dealing with them. They’re liars.”

The US president also accused Iran of repeatedly misrepresenting the terms of the ceasefire agreement signed between Washington and Tehran on June 17.

“Everyone’s agreed, no nuclear weapon. We make a deal. They go outside, joke to the press, they say we never even talked about it. There’s something wrong with them, they’re cuckoo,” Trump added.

Egypt Cry Foul After Messi-Inspired Argentina Comeback Ends World Cup Dream

By
Ayomitunde Adeyemi
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Egypt were left furious after their historic World Cup run ended in a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Argentina, with head coach Hossam Hassan accusing officials of favoring the reigning champions.

With just 12 minutes of normal time left, Egypt held a 2-0 lead in Atlanta and looked set to reach their first ever World Cup quarter-final. But Argentina staged a remarkable turnaround: Cristian Romero pulled a goal back in the 79th minute, Lionel Messi equalized four minutes later, and Enzo Fernandez struck a stoppage-time header to complete the comeback and send Argentine fans into raptures.

Egypt’s anger centered on two key decisions. The video assistant referee ruled out what would have been a second Egypt goal from Mostafa Zico, after midfielder Marwan Attia was penalized for a minor foul on Lisandro Martinez earlier in the move. Egypt also felt Mohamed Salah was fouled in Argentina’s box moments before Fernandez’s winner, though no penalty was given.

In a heated post-match interview, Hassan said his team had been treated unfairly and suggested there was pressure to keep Messi and the champions in the tournament. He pointed to a lack of consistency in decisions both on and off the pitch, questioning why sport couldn’t offer the same fairness that’s often missing from life in general. Zico echoed his coach’s frustration, saying the officiating had been unjust from the start of the match. Hassan was also booked during the game for making a gesture that FIFA uses to signal a racist incident, though he did not address it afterward.

BBC football analyst Dale Johnson examined the contentious calls, noting that this World Cup has featured fewer fouls per game than the previous two tournaments after referees were told to let more physical contact go. He argued the disallowed Zico goal was inconsistent with how the rest of the tournament had been officiated, pointing to a similar uncalled incident involving Germany’s Aleksandar Pavlovic earlier in the competition. On the Salah incident, Johnson explained that the higher threshold for awarding a penalty, rather than a standard foul, meant the non-call was defensible even if a foul outside the box might have been given.

Beyond the controversy, the match marked a bittersweet end for a team that arrived in North America looking to shed its reputation as a World Cup underachiever, having failed to win any of seven previous matches across three tournaments. Salah, who managed just one goal in the tournament and will be 38 by the 2030 World Cup, embraced former Liverpool team-mate Alexis Mac Allister after the final whistle. Egypt’s exit leaves Morocco as Africa’s last remaining team, with the Atlas Lions set to face France in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

For many Egyptians watching at home and abroad, the result brought a mix of grief and pride. Despite the heartbreaking finish, supporters said the team’s run — built around the rallying cry “Mekameleen,” meaning “we’ll keep going” — had shown Egypt could compete with football’s elite nations and had lifted spirits across the country and the wider region.

Messi In tears As Argentina Complete Stunning Comeback To Knock Out Egypt

By
Ayomitunde Adeyemi
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Lionel Messi broke down in tears at Atlanta Stadium after inspiring one of the most dramatic comebacks in World Cup history, dragging Argentina back from the brink of elimination against Egypt.

With less than 20 minutes remaining and Argentina trailing 2-0, the defending champions looked destined for an early exit that would have mirrored Cristiano Ronaldo’s tearful farewell to the tournament following Portugal’s injury-time defeat to Spain. Instead, Argentina produced three goals in just 14 minutes to complete a stunning turnaround.

Egypt had built their lead through Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico, with goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir putting in a standout performance that included saving a first-half penalty from Messi — the fourth spot-kick he has missed at a World Cup, and only the second tournament in which he’s failed to convert two penalties outside of a shootout.

But Argentina refused to fold. Cristiano Romero headed home from a Messi cross with 11 minutes left, and less than five minutes later Messi himself curled a left-footed effort past Shobeir and in off the crossbar to level the score. Enzo Fernandez then completed the comeback with a stoppage-time header, sending Argentina through to the quarter-finals and sparking wild celebrations among the team and their fans.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, commentating for BBC Radio 5 Live, described the turnaround as spectacular, noting that Argentina had looked out of the tournament before Messi took over and turned the game around.

The result carries significant weight for England too. Had Egypt held on, England’s route to a first men’s World Cup final since 1966 would have opened up considerably. Instead, Argentina and Messi remain a looming threat in the draw.

Messi, now 39, became the first player in World Cup history to score in six straight knockout-phase matches, taking his tally for the tournament to eight goals — the most through five games by any player since Gerd Muller’s ten for West Germany in 1970. Over his last nine World Cup appearances, he has now been directly involved in 16 goals, scoring 13 and assisting three.

Opta’s data had given Argentina just a 0.6% chance of winning at the moment Romero scored his equalizer, underlining the scale of the comeback — the latest a team has ever recovered from two goals down to win a World Cup match without extra time. In a tournament already filled with drama, including England’s own thrilling 3-2 win over Mexico, this may go down as the best match of the World Cup so far.

Explosions Injure 18 In Damascus During Macron’s Visit To Syria

By
Ayomitunde Adeyemi
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Eighteen people were injured after explosive devices detonated in central Damascus, according to Syrian state media, reportedly close to the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron had been staying during his visit to the country.

Syrian state news agency Sana said security forces had detected two devices, which exploded as specialized units attempted to defuse them. One device had been hidden inside a parked vehicle, while the other was concealed in a bin. Four police officers were among those injured, and Syria’s interior ministry has opened an investigation into those responsible.

Macron was meeting Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace when the blasts occurred. His officials confirmed he was safe and did not hear the explosions. He is set to travel on to Turkey for the NATO summit following his time in Syria.

Footage shared on social media Tuesday morning showed smoke and flames rising from a vehicle near a hotel in the capital. One eyewitness told BBC Arabic they had been standing near the tourism ministry headquarters when the first blast occurred, causing damage but no injuries. As security forces searched the area for further explosives, a second blast went off roughly 20 meters away, this time injuring several members of the public security and traffic police. BBC Verify placed the explosions approximately 125 meters from the Four Seasons hotel, along one of Damascus’s major roads.

Syrian state television reported that al-Sharaa had welcomed Macron to the presidential palace around the same time news of the explosions emerged. Writing on social media afterward, Macron said nothing could extinguish Syrians’ hopes for a sovereign, safe, pluralistic, and united country, adding that his visit would continue.

Macron arrived in Syria on Monday evening, becoming the first EU leader to visit since al-Sharaa took power following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024 — a visit seen as symbolic of Syria’s reemergence onto the world stage after years of isolation. Al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander from Syria’s Sunni Muslim majority, has pledged to unite the country following decades of Assad family rule and a brutal 13-year civil war.

The Damascus blasts highlight the serious security challenges still facing Syria’s new leadership, including a wave of attacks on government targets claimed by the Islamic State group in recent months. Pro-government forces have also been implicated in deadly violence against religious and ethnic minority communities last year. Just days earlier, a bombing at a busy Damascus café killed at least nine people and injured 22 others.

Beyond security, Macron’s visit is also centered on Syria’s fragile economic situation, with reconstruction expected to be a key focus of talks.

Senegal’s President Faye Set To Launch His Own Political Party

By
Ayomitunde Adeyemi
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Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is preparing to establish a new political party, according to a coalition backing him, in a move that confirms a lasting rift with his recently removed prime minister.

A statement from the pro-Faye coalition, released late Friday, said Faye has tasked senior adviser Aminata Toure with setting up a task force to build the new party. Until now, Faye has remained a member of the ruling Pastef party, led by Ousmane Sonko, who served as prime minister until Faye removed him from the role in May, following months of mounting tension between the two leaders.

Since his ouster, Sonko has taken on the role of speaker of the National Assembly, where he’s been pushing constitutional reforms that would, among other measures, prevent a sitting president from also leading a political party. Lawmakers approved these changes last week, but Faye has opted to send the matter to a public referendum instead, though a date has not yet been set.

The political tension comes as Senegal simultaneously deals with a debt crisis triggered by revelations that the previous government had misreported the country’s debt figures.

Both Faye and Sonko are now looking ahead to local elections in 2027, which will serve as an early test of each leader’s real level of public support.

ADC Leadership Crisis Deepens As Kano Chairman Rejects Caretaker Committee

By
Enyosa Favour
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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing a fresh leadership crisis in Kano State after the party’s State Chairman, Musa Ungogo, rejected the reported dissolution of the state executive committee and the appointment of a caretaker committee.

Ungogo described the claim as false, unconstitutional and lacking any official approval from the party’s national leadership.

He made the remarks on Monday while responding to a press conference held in Kano by the ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-West), Hajiya Najaatu Mohammed.

During the briefing, Najaatu announced that the Kano State executive committee had been dissolved and that a caretaker committee led by Alhaji Umar Bala had been inaugurated to oversee the affairs of the party in the state.

However, Ungogo insisted that no formal communication regarding the dissolution had been received from the party’s national leadership.

“There is no truth in the claim that the Kano State executive has been dissolved. No such decision has been communicated to us by the party’s national leadership,” he said.

The Kano chairman also questioned why the alleged action was limited to Kano, arguing that if the national leadership intended to dissolve state executives, it would have affected other states as well.

“There is no similar action taken in any other state. So why Kano? The claim is unfounded and does not follow the party’s constitutional procedures,” Ungogo added.

He maintained that the current Kano State executive remains the legitimate leadership of the party and will continue to carry out its responsibilities until any lawful directive is issued through the appropriate constitutional organs of the ADC.

Najaatu Defends Caretaker Committee

Earlier, Najaatu Mohammed defended the decision, stating that the dissolution was carried out in accordance with the ADC constitution, the Electoral Act and the need to safeguard unity, continuity and constitutional order within the Kano chapter.

She announced that Alhaji Umar Bala had been appointed chairman of the caretaker committee, while Isma’il Musa would serve as its secretary.

Najaatu also appealed to party members in Kano to support the transitional arrangement, stressing that the move should not be interpreted as a criticism of the commitment or contributions of party members who had served the ADC in the state.

The conflicting positions have now plunged the Kano chapter of the ADC into uncertainty, with both the existing state executive and the newly constituted caretaker committee laying claim to the party’s leadership in the state.

FG Extends Final Evacuation For Nigerians In South Africa As NANS Issues Four-Day Ultimatum

By
Enyosa Favour
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The Federal Government has announced the final phase of its evacuation exercise for Nigerians willing to return from South Africa, warning that the security situation remains unstable as xenophobic attacks continue.

Authorities urged Nigerians who believe their lives are at risk to take advantage of the remaining evacuation flights, stressing that it can no longer guarantee the safety of those who choose to remain in the country amid the ongoing violence.

The advisory was contained in a statement shared on the official X account of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

The latest appeal comes just days after the Federal Government condemned the killing of two Nigerians in South Africa. The victims were identified as Emeka Charles Iroegbu, who was allegedly killed by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police in Pretoria, and Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe, who was reportedly shot dead in front of his shop in Witbank, Mpumalanga.

Following the incidents, the Nigerian government demanded a thorough investigation into the killings and the prosecution of those responsible.

In the statement, the minister said the Federal Government remains deeply concerned about the welfare of Nigerians living in South Africa as attacks targeting foreign nationals persist.

She also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu approved an extension of the evacuation exercise beyond the initial June 30 deadline due to the continued security concerns.

NANS Gives South African Businesses Four-Day Ultimatum

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a four-day ultimatum to South African businesses operating in Nigeria, demanding that they leave the country.

The directive was announced in a statement issued in Enugu by the National Executive Director of Corporate and Private Sectors Engagement, Bestman Okereafor.

According to Okereafor, South African business interests would face the reaction of Nigeria’s more than 43.1 million students if they failed to comply after the expiration of the ultimatum.

NANS also stated that it would begin picketing South African businesses immediately after the deadline, while considering additional actions.

The student body called on the Federal Government and the African Union to adopt stronger measures against South Africa over what it described as repeated hostile actions against fellow Africans.

“It is on record that Nigeria played a major role in support of South Africa during the apartheid struggle and should never be repaid with disloyalty, disrespect and global embarrassment,” he added.

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