Ridoola's blog

Abdullahi Ganduje, the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been rumoured to be considering switching allegiance to the opposition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC). There have been speculations in the last few weeks suggesting that the former Kano State Governor was perfecting plans to lead his followers out of the ruling APC following his abrupt resignation on June 27, 2025. The Kano politician became the six APC chairman in just over a decade after assuming the national chairmanship role on August 3, 2023, at an emergency meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). However, Ganduje threw in the towel after nearly two years, citing the need to attend to undisclosed health challenges, even though those familiar with the matter said his resignation followed a disagreement with President Bola Tinubu over his stewardship of the party . ALSO READ: Ganduje’s fall a warning to Akpabio – Momodu labels ex-APC chair a ‘tragi...

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has announced plans to suspend the lifting and dispensing of petroleum products nationwide for three days, beginning Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The move comes just two days after the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) threatened to quit the industry entirely from September 9, 2025, citing disruptions caused by the Dangote Refinery’s fuel distribution system. In a statement signed by Joseph Obele , PETROAN’s national public officer, the association described the planned action as a “three-day forewarning” intended to resist monopolistic practices and push for “healthy competition” in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector. PETROAN’s national president, Billy Gillis-Harry , explained that the decision was “l awful and peaceful ”, adding: ALSO READ: Dangote to begin free distribution of petrol, diesel nationwide in August He urged President Bola Tinubu , the Minister of State for Petr...

The Department of State Services (DSS) has requested that X (formerly Twitter) urgently deactivate the verified account of activist and Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore over a post the agency claims threatens national security. In a letter dated September 6, 2025, and signed by B. Bamigboye on behalf of the DSS Director-General, the service described Sowore’s post as “inflammatory, misleading and capable of inciting violence.” The post in question was made on August 25, when Sowore referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” while reacting to the president’s anti-corruption remarks during his recent trip to Brazil. According to the DSS, the tweet “ridiculed the president before the international community” and had already triggered protests from Tinubu’s supporters. “The said tweet is still in circulation and has attracted widespread condemnation by majority of Nigerians… thereby creating political tension and threatening the country’s national security,” the lett...

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has killed more than 30 terrorists in a joint operation with ground troops in the Bama Local Government Area of Borno State. In a statement on Friday, NAF Spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the strikes took place on September 5, 2025, at Dar-El-Jamal village after reports of heavy clashes between terrorists and Nigerian troops. According to Ejodame, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai deployed Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance platforms alongside an air interdiction mission. Aircrews later identified fleeing terrorists and executed three precise strikes that killed the insurgents, while reinforcement troops secured the area. “The operation highlights the seamless synergy between air and ground forces, demonstrating our commitment to dismantling terrorist networks, protecting vulnerable communities, and restoring stability in the North East,” Ejodame said. ALSO READ: Troops kill over 35 ISWAP terrorists in Borno b...

Former Governor of Sokoto State and serving lawmaker Aminu Tambuwal has declared his commitment to working with opposition leaders to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections. Speaking on Channels Television ’s Politics Today on Friday, Tambuwal described the opposition’s plan to defeat Tinubu as a “national consensus,” not a sectional agenda. “I am fully involved in a process — democratically and lawfully — that will end, by the grace of God, in sending this government out of office,” he said. “ With the help of God and Nigeria, we will send these people out of office.” The former speaker of the House of Representatives dismissed claims that the coalition, led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is a northern agenda. According to him, the coalition includes leaders from across the country. ALSO READ: I warned you about Bola’s Garbage - Tambuwal speaks upon return from EFCC custody “Is Peter Obi from Northern Nigeria? Is Aregbesola not from Osun State? Wh...

The Enugu State Government has accused Olasijibomi Ogundele, CEO of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, of defrauding the state of nearly ₦6 billion earmarked for its flagship Smart Green Schools project. In a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, the government alleged that Ogundele “resorted to shoddy jobs and the use of inexperienced workers and quack engineers” after receiving ₦5.76bn, half of the ₦11.4bn contract sum awarded on July 2, 2024. “For the avoidance of doubt, on July 2, 2024, the Enugu State Government awarded a contract in the sum of ₦11,457,930,950.52. The Enugu State Government paid the sum of ₦5,762,565,475.25, representing 50 per cent of the contract sum, in order to fast-track the projects at all the sites,” the statement read. The government further alleged that “none of his sites met the structural integrity of the projects as specified in the structural drawing. Worse still, he vanished into thi...

Tragedy struck in Lagos on Wednesday night when 24-year-old Deborah Moses, a fresh graduate and budding interior decorator, was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend, identified as Lintex Ogale from Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) in Benue State. Deborah, who hailed from Ohuhu Owo Oju LGA, Benue State, reportedly ended the relationship last year. However, Ogale allegedly refused to accept her decision, vowing that if he could not have her, no one else would. On the night of the incident, he disguised himself as a dispatch rider in an attempt to gain access to Deborah’s residential estate. Security, however, denied him entry after Deborah confirmed by phone that she was not expecting a delivery. Determined, Ogale scaled the estate fence, located Deborah’s home, and allegedly attempted to cause an explosion by tampering with her gas supply. When that failed, he broke into her apartment, allegedly stabbed her multiple times, and even feigned death after neighbours rushed to interve...

A coalition of civil society organisations has called on the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, to honour their commitments to indigenous contractors by immediately releasing funds under the 2025 capital budget. The Coalition for Equity in Public Contracts (CEPC), in a statement issued Friday in Abuja by its Convener, Dr. Salisu Garba , said Nigerians will hold both the executive and the legislature accountable if assurances recently given collapse into “mere rhetoric.” The group welcomed the intervention of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu , who brokered a resolution between the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General over delayed contractor payments. But it warned that “words must now translate into action,” stressing that contractors and their employees can no longer endure endless waiting while officials “ trade blam...

It's that time of the year again when millions of Muslims around the world put all activities on hold to commemorate the birthday of the most influential person in history, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), with a festival famously known as Mawlid Nabiyy. Usually observed on the 12th day of Rabi’ al-Awwal, Mawlid Nabiyy holds a significant spot on the Hijri calendar, and its observance is recognised in the Islamic community with an annual public holiday in most Muslim-majority countries of the world. This year, Nigeria joined other nations with significant Muslim populations to mark the celebration with a public holiday on Friday, September 5, 2025. Though intended to serve as a day of reflection on the birth, teachings, and lifetime of the prophet of Islam, the festival is a polarising culture in the Muslim world, with some adherents opposed to the idea. ALSO MORE: 5 interesting things you may not know about Prophet Muhammad What is the Mawlid Nabiyy celebration? For c...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Olasijibomi Ogundele, the chief executive officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, wanted over alleged diversion of funds and money laundering. In a public notice issued on Friday, September 5, and signed by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency called on the public to assist in tracking the Lagos-based businessman. “Ogundele is a 44-year-old indigene of Ori-Ade Local Government of Osun State, and his last known address is: G 29, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos State. Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its offices,” the statement read. The development marks another controversy surrounding the luxury real estate mogul. In October 2024, Ogundele was detained at the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja over an alleged case of fraud. That detention followed a petition filed by Pelumi Olajengbesi, a human rights lawyer, who accus...

Civil society groups in Kano have staged a peaceful protest, demanding a full investigation into alleged multi-billion-naira scandals involving officials of the Kano State Government. The demonstration, organised by the Forum of Kano Civil Society Organisations Against Corruption, followed revelations that the state’s Director General of Protocol, Abdullahi Rogo, allegedly diverted ₦6.5 billion in public funds. Speaking during the protest on Thursday, the group’s chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Muhammed, declared their solidarity with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). He urged the agencies to “resist political interference and pursue the ongoing cases to their logical conclusion.” “We stand united because corruption is killing Kano. Public trust has been betrayed, billions have been siphoned, and the people continue to suffer while a few individuals enrich themselves,” Muhammed stat...

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has introduced comprehensive regulations to curb harassment, data breaches, and unethical practices by digital lenders across Nigeria. The new framework, known as the Digital, Electronic, Online, or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulation (DEON Consumer Lending Regulation) 2025, took effect on 21 July. It seeks to safeguard consumers in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital credit sector. FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, who unveiled the rules in Abuja on Wednesday, described the initiative as a decisive step to protect citizens from predatory lenders. “For too long, Nigerians have endured harassment, data breaches, and unethical practices by unregulated digital lenders. “These regulations draw a clear line that innovation is welcome, but not at the expense of the rights and dignity of consumers or the rule of law,” Bello said. He stressed that the rules provide “the legal t...

President Bola Tinubu said Nigeria has regained its respectable status among the global community, all thanks to his administration’s bold economic reforms. The President made this known when he received His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Oladunni Olaoye , Orumogege III , the Soun of Ogbomosoland, in audience with some other royal fathers at the State House. This is contained in a statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga , on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Upon assuming office in 2023, Tinubu introduced radical reforms , including the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange market, triggering a negative economic shock. ALSO READ: Has Tinubu been fair to all sections of Nigerians? Fresh statistics emerge Meanwhile, the President stated that these reforms, which aim to restore Nigeria to its enviable position, have begun yielding favorable results, earning the country its rightful place across the globe. He reiterated that the country’...

The nation's fiscal management under the President Bola Tinubu administration has come under intense scrutiny following the federal government's failure to pay contractors for projects executed in 2024. The Coalition for Equity and Accountability in Public Finance (CEAPF) raised the alarm on the matter while demanding the immediate resignation of the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun , and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi . CEAPF accused both Edun and Ogunjimi of failing to pay contractors for projects duly captured in the 2024 budget and fully executed by local firms, describing the development as a calculated dereliction of duty. In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Segun Daramola , and Secretary-General, Comrade Isaac Idachaba , on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the coalition vowed to formally approach the National Assembly and lobby lawmakers across party lines to pass a vote of no confidence on the two officials i...

The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Nigeria to tackle rising cyber threats, pledging technical support, intelligence sharing, and joint initiatives to build resilience in the face of growing digital insecurity. Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, September 2, at the inaugural seminar on Anticipatory, Cyber, and Digital Diplomacy for Strengthening Nigeria’s Foreign Policy, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, said the UK was “ very pleased” to be a sponsor of the event and highlighted shared achievements in combating cybercrime. Montgomery noted that the partnership, formalised last year under a cybersecurity Memorandum of Understanding, spans five critical areas: threat hunting, cyber threat intelligence capability, protection of critical national infrastructure, digital forensics, and national incident response planning. “These are fundamental to building government cyber capabilities and effective international cyber dipl...

The Federal Government’s push for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an affordable alternative to petrol and diesel is under renewed scrutiny, following a sharp increase in prices and persistent shortages at refuelling stations. The cost of one standard cubic metre of CNG has nearly doubled, rising from ₦230 to ₦450, after the government quietly reduced its subsidy support. Retailers confirmed that while trucks now pay ₦450/SCM, car drivers and commercial transporters are charged a slightly lower rate of ₦380/SCM. A senior official of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), who requested anonymity, confirmed the development. “The refuelling stations now sell at different prices for cars and trucks. So, the price depends on the type of vehicle, whether it is a commercial bus, a truck, or a private car, ” he explained. He added that commercial transport operators continue to benefit from subsidies, which help keep public transportation costs within reach. “The pric...

When the Federal Government released a glossy report in August titled “Infrastructure Equity for Every Region. Progress for Every Nigerian,” the intention was clear: to showcase President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a fair leader who is spreading development evenly across the country. But for many Nigerians, the reality feels different. The figures in the report revealed striking disparities. The North-West was allocated ₦5.97 trillion and the South-South ₦2.41 trillion, while the South-East and North-East received just ₦407 billion and ₦400 billion respectively Civil society leader Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, interviewed by Pulse Nigeria , captured the growing frustration. “It’s normal for government appointees to promote their principals, but many times what they say is entirely different from what Nigerians are experiencing. “Yes, every state got a minister as the constitution requires, but how do you explain a situation where one state has about four ministers while others stru...

Less than a month after the dramatic incident involving Comfort Emmanson on an Ibom Air flight, Nigerian social media is once again abuzz, this time over a passenger misconduct case aboard the Enugu State–owned carrier, Enugu Air. Enugu Air, which is currently operated by XeJet due to its lack of an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), became the subject of viral debate after a video emerged online showing an unidentified man being dragged off the tarmac by airport personnel following his deplaning. The three men, who were seen struggling with him, eventually released him for dialogue. The incident has sparked heated discussions among netizens, with many calling for stricter regulations against disruptive passengers. Netizens React An X user with the handle @j_butney wrote: “Every airline is sure to encounter irate passengers. It's how you treat them that matters. Of course you can forcefully remove a passenger that’s causing nuisance.” “Ibom Air should be charged to court, anywa...

Nigeria has reacted strongly to the conviction of controversial pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, after a Finnish court sentenced him to six years in prison for terrorism-related offences and aggravated tax fraud. The Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland ruled on Monday, September 1, that Ekpa had been an active member of a separatist movement that orchestrated violence in Nigeria’s South-east and South-south. The court found that between August 2021 and November 2024, the 40-year-old used his large social media following to incite violence and supply separatist militias with weapons, ammunition, and explosives. Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen residing in Lahti, was arrested with four others in November 2024 but stood trial alone after the release of his co-suspects. His offences, Finnish prosecutors said, included publicly inciting terrorist crimes and illegally fundraising in violation of Finland’s Money Collection Act. Although the judgment is subject to appeal, Finnish polic...

In a move that could reshape Nigeria’s civic landscape, Connected Development (CODE) has appointed its first female Chief Executive Officer as founder Hamzat Lawal temporarily steps aside after 13 years of leading the continent’s foremost citizen-led accountability movement. The announcement, made at a press briefing in Abuja, saw Ms . Hyeladzira James Mshelia unveiled as Acting CEO of CODE, marking a historic milestone for the organisation. Alongside her, Mukhtar Halilu Modibbo was named Secretary General of Follow The Money International, CODE’s flagship initiative. For many observers, Mshelia’s appointment represents more than a leadership shuffle; it is a powerful statement on the role of women in governance and civic activism in Nigeria. A Founder Steps Aside, a Woman Steps In Lawal, who began his activism with the Save Bagega campaign in Zamfara in 2012, which exposed a deadly lead poisoning crisis, is temporarily leaving to pursue a Master’s degree in Governance, Develop...

When floodwaters engulfed large parts of Bayelsa, Kogi, and Jigawa in 2022, families carried their children to higher ground while watching their farms, shops, and homes disappear beneath the brown water. More than four million Nigerians were affected across 34 states, according to UN agencies, with women and children bearing the brunt. However, while villagers counted their losses, international lenders and donors counted their disbursements. Billions of naira had already been pledged to prevent such disasters, yet only a small portion of it reached the communities most at risk. Now, as Nigeria faces another cycle of climate shocks, from devastating floods in the South to prolonged droughts in the North, experts are sounding the alarm: the country is receiving more climate finance than ever before, but without public tracking, those funds may not protect Nigerians from the next catastrophe. A River of Money, but Where Does It Flow? According to the State of Climate Financing in Ni...