Category: Politics

Shettima And Indian Counterpart Push For Amnesty On Overstayed Visas, Faster Justice For Detained Nigerians

CSNewsLeave a Comment on Shettima And Indian Counterpart Push For Amnesty On Overstayed Visas, Faster Justice For Detained Nigerians

By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed. Vice President Kashim Shettima held a constructive bilateral session with his Indian counterpart, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Leaders Summit currently underway in New Delhi. Among the issues discussed was greater collaboration between the two nations in technology transfer, renewable energy and investment partnerships, as both sides look to deepen bilateral ties beyond the summit itself. Most significantly, in line with the Citizen Diplomacy imperatives of the Renewed Hope Agenda, the two leaders discussed extending amnesty to allow more Nigerians who have overstayed their visas in India to return home without penalty, a move that could be facilitated by a possible bilateral agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons between the two countries. Shettima also raised the issue of accelerating judicial processes for Nigerian nationals currently detained under immigration offences in India, pressing for swifter resolution of such cases. The two sides further explored economic opportunities available to both nations, alongside the need for expanded education and cultural exchanges between Nigeria and India. The engagement adds to a series of bilateral discussions Nigeria has held on the sidelines of the summit, as the country continues to position itself for deeper cooperation with key BRICS partners.

Continue Reading

Shettima Lands In New Delhi As Nigeria Chases Bigger Wins At BRICS Summit

CSNewsLeave a Comment on Shettima Lands In New Delhi As Nigeria Chases Bigger Wins At BRICS Summit

By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in New Delhi, India, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, part of Nigeria’s efforts to deepen bilateral relations and expand trade and investment opportunities with member and partner countries of the bloc. The summit, held under the theme Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation And Sustainability, will see Shettima lead a high level Nigerian delegation comprising the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Industry Trade and Investment, Communications and Environment, among others. Speaking ahead of the summit, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, said Nigeria will explore new partnerships in agriculture, technology, artificial intelligence and the digital economy, drawing lessons from India’s experience in deploying technology to create opportunities for its youth population. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said the Tinubu administration is working to deepen Nigeria’s trade relationship with India, previously valued at about $14 billion, disclosing that major investors of Indian origin have expressed interest in meeting the Nigerian delegation. Oduwole noted that India used to buy Nigerian oil extensively, and officials are now looking at ways to expand that trade relationship amid shifting global market dynamics. At the summit, Shettima will join leaders of BRICS member and partner countries for high level discussions on inclusive global growth, resilience and sustainable development, alongside bilateral engagements aimed at advancing Nigeria’s economic interests. Nigeria became a BRICS partner country in January 2025 and has since used the platform to strengthen South South cooperation and broaden its relations with major emerging economies. The Nigerian delegation is also expected to participate in the BRICS open session and other activities scheduled on the sidelines of the summit in the coming days.

Continue Reading

INEC Turns To Nigeria’s Monarchs To Drive Voter Turnout And Cool Political Tempers

CSNewsLeave a Comment on INEC Turns To Nigeria’s Monarchs To Drive Voter Turnout And Cool Political Tempers

By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed The Independent National Electoral Commission has called on traditional rulers across the country to deploy their moral authority to mobilise eligible voters for the 2027 General Election and promote peaceful, issue based political campaigns. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made the appeal in Lagos when he led the Commission’s leadership on a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, at the Iga Idunganran Palace, as part of the Commission’s South West Zonal Readiness Assessment ahead of the 2027 polls. Amupitan formally informed the Oba of the election dates, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections holding on Saturday, February 6, 2027. He said INEC is working toward an election that is technologically driven, transparent and inclusive, but stressed that technology alone could not guarantee a successful election, insisting that people, not systems, ultimately build a democracy. The Chairman appealed to traditional rulers to use their influence to encourage residents to complete voter registration processes and collect their Permanent Voter Cards as statutory deadlines approach. He further sought the intervention of the Oba of Lagos and the Lagos Traditional Council in promoting issue based political campaigns and discouraging hate speech, character assassination and inflammatory rhetoric as political activities intensify ahead of the elections. The Oba of Lagos welcomed the Commission’s decision to begin its zonal readiness assessment in Lagos, expressing optimism about the success of the exercise under Amupitan’s leadership.

Continue Reading

Ernest Bai Koroma Returns Home To Sierra Leone After Two Years In Nigeria

CSNewsLeave a Comment on Ernest Bai Koroma Returns Home To Sierra Leone After Two Years In Nigeria

By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has returned to his country after more than two years of temporary stay in Nigeria, marking the conclusion of a lengthy diplomatic process. Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, accompanied Koroma to Freetown on the instruction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to an official statement on the development. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also joined the delegation accompanying Koroma back to Freetown, lending additional weight to the diplomatic gesture surrounding his return. The statement, signed by Dr Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media in the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, described the return as marking the successful conclusion of a regional diplomatic and confidence building process. Koroma had relocated to Nigeria in January 2024 following engagements by the Economic Community of West African States aimed at promoting peace, stability and political understanding in Sierra Leone. His return closes a significant chapter in the regional effort to manage political tensions in Sierra Leone, with Nigeria’s role in the process being held up as an example of ECOWAS diplomacy at work.

Continue Reading

Wike Mocks Amaechi’s 2027 Chances As Abuja Politics Take A Sharper Turn

CSNewsLeave a Comment on Wike Mocks Amaechi’s 2027 Chances As Abuja Politics Take A Sharper Turn

By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed Former Rivers governor Nyesom Wike has reignited his long running rivalry with Rotimi Amaechi, mocking his political chances ahead of the 2027 elections and insisting that even Amaechi’s home village would not back him at the polls. Wike’s remarks, delivered pointedly, have sparked fresh debate about the future direction of Rivers State politics, with observers noting that the feud between the two men has shaped the state’s political landscape for years. In Abuja, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas dissolved all ad hoc committees of the 10th House of Representatives, a move that effectively ends a number of ongoing investigations and reshapes how parliamentary oversight will function going forward. Analysts say the dissolution consolidates power within the House’s standing committees, potentially altering the pace and direction of legislative inquiries that had been running under the dissolved panels. Meanwhile, opposition parties, including the NDC and ADC, continue strategising ahead of 2027, with growing calls for a united front capable of mounting a serious challenge to the ruling APC’s dominance. Taken together, the developments in Rivers State and the National Assembly point to a political season that is only just beginning to heat up, with more than a year still to go before Nigerians return to the polls.

Continue Reading

Army Chief In Ogun Draws A Firm Line Ahead Of 2027, No Politics, No Excuses

CSNewsLeave a Comment on Army Chief In Ogun Draws A Firm Line Ahead Of 2027, No Politics, No Excuses

By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed The General Officer Commanding 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, has reaffirmed that the Nigerian Army will remain apolitical, neutral and professional before, during and after the 2027 General Elections. Major General Babalola spoke on Thursday, September 3, 2026, during a sensitisation lecture titled The Conduct of Personnel in Preparation for the 2027 General Elections in Nigeria, held at the Vulcan Officers’ Mess, Headquarters 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala Barracks, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He stressed that there would be no room for partisanship, intimidation or misconduct by personnel under his command, charging officers and soldiers of 81 Division to be guided at all times by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 and the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for the Armed Forces during elections. The GOC outlined four key directives for personnel, to remain neutral at all times, conduct themselves professionally with the highest standards of discipline, be accountable for their actions and uphold the integrity of the Nigerian Army, warning that any personnel found wanting would face the full weight of military and civil law. Special Guest of Honour, His Royal Majesty Oba Dr Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, described the coming elections as another milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey, noting that beyond the contest for political power, elections test the resilience of national institutions and the maturity of political actors. The monarch said the period would demand sound judgement, professional discipline, inter agency coordination and unwavering fidelity to the Constitution from the Armed Forces and other security agencies, describing the seminar as timely and aligned with the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy of building a professional, adaptable and combat ready force. Commander 35 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Friday Oguche Onu, said the lecture demonstrated the Army’s commitment to professionalism and constitutional responsibility, reminding personnel of their role under Section 217(2)(c) of the Constitution to support civil authority and other security agencies in ensuring a peaceful, free and credible electoral process.

Continue Reading

Oyo APC Hands Out 50 Tickets For 2027, And A Message About Unity Comes With Them

CSNewsLeave a Comment on Oyo APC Hands Out 50 Tickets For 2027, And A Message About Unity Comes With Them

By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State presented Certificates of Nomination to 50 candidates who will represent the party across the 2027 general elections, in a ceremony that party leaders described as far more than a formality. Addressing the candidates, a party leader said the moment served as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with the opportunity to serve, congratulating all 50 nominees while urging them to remain focused on the people of Oyo State and the collective desire to build a better future for them. Leadership, the party stressed, is not about occupying a position but about having the capacity, character and courage to serve, solve problems and deliver meaningful progress for residents. Party leaders called for unity going forward, insisting that those who contested against one another during the primaries are not enemies but brothers, colleagues and stakeholders in one shared project, and urged all sides to close ranks and place Oyo State’s interest above personal considerations. The party’s vision, tagged Oyo Ahead, was described as a commitment to an Oyo where young people can access opportunities to learn, work and build meaningful lives, and where education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure and enterprise receive the attention they deserve. Leaders said achieving that vision would require capacity, unity, discipline and, above all, genuine service to the people, expressing confidence that with these values the party can build a stronger, more prosperous and more inclusive Oyo State. The ceremony was seen as a formal opening of the party’s campaign season ahead of the 2027 polls, with the 50 candidates now expected to carry the party’s message across their respective constituencies.

Continue Reading

From Ballots to Blueprint: BRC Chieftain Charges New Oredo Boss to Deliver for the People

CSNewsLeave a Comment on From Ballots to Blueprint: BRC Chieftain Charges New Oredo Boss to Deliver for the People

Chairman of the Benin Recreation Club Inter-Club Relations and Affiliation Committee, Olorogun Peters Jaboro, has congratulated Hon Engr Gabriel Iduseri, popularly known as Gabros, on his official swearing in as Executive Chairman of Oredo Local Government Area by Governor Monday Okpebholo. Jaboro described the inauguration as the beginning of a new chapter in Oredo’s administration and development, expressing confidence in Iduseri’s ability to justify the trust placed in him by the electorate. He said the swearing in places significant responsibility on the new administration to deliver effective, transparent and people oriented governance at the grassroots, with residents expecting a swift shift from campaign promises to tangible development that touches their daily lives. He urged the new chairman to prioritise infrastructure and road maintenance, environmental sanitation, primary healthcare, education, youth empowerment, market development, community engagement, security and sustainable economic growth, describing Oredo as the heart of Benin City with enormous potential under visionary and inclusive leadership. Jaboro called on Iduseri to remain accessible to residents and build an administration anchored on transparency, accountability and service, expressing confidence that his leadership experience and commitment to excellence would help him leave a lasting legacy in Oredo. He further called for strong collaboration between the local government, traditional institutions, community leaders, civil society and private sector stakeholders to accelerate development across the area, wishing Iduseri a successful tenure on behalf of the BRC Inter-Club Relations and Affiliation Committee. Congratulating the new chairman once again, Jaboro urged him to seize the opportunity to build an Oredo that works for everyone. By Edoko Wilson Edoko

Continue Reading

Reps Panel Clears Gbajabiamila, Names Adeniyi as Face of Fake Federal Agency Scheme

CSNewsLeave a Comment on Reps Panel Clears Gbajabiamila, Names Adeniyi as Face of Fake Federal Agency Scheme

A House of Representatives committee investigating a fake federal agency has cleared Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila of wrongdoing, while identifying Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi as the principal figure behind the alleged scheme. The panel’s preliminary findings uncovered an elaborate operation involving a purported federal agency, fabricated presidential correspondence, a fake Executive Order and an altered document presented as an Act of the National Assembly, with the committee confirming the organisation, referred to as PFIPC, was never lawfully established. Investigators are examining about 58 linked bank accounts and an alleged N400 million transaction tied to the scheme, with Adeniyi Adeyemi identified as the principal person associated with the purported agency. The committee stressed that evidence before it does not establish that Gbajabiamila authorised or participated in the organisation, cautioning that no criminal guilt has yet been established against anyone named in the ongoing probe. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

Continue Reading

Twelve Years and Out: Uber Exits Nigerian Market, Cites Business Review

CSNewsLeave a Comment on Twelve Years and Out: Uber Exits Nigerian Market, Cites Business Review

Global ride hailing service Uber has announced its exit from the Nigerian market effective September 2, 2026, ending a 12 year run that began when the platform first launched in Lagos in 2014. In a statement sent to customers, Uber said the decision followed a thorough review of its business, describing the wind down of Nigerian operations as a difficult but necessary choice, while apologising for the disruption to customers’ daily routines and confirming its help centre would remain available until September 23, 2026 for final account queries. The exit coincides with a broader restructuring at Uber, with CEO Dara Khosrowshahi announcing a roughly 10 per cent reduction in the company’s global workforce of about 34,000 employees as part of efforts to build a leaner, faster organisation with clearer ownership and fewer coordination delays. Founded in 2009, Uber transformed urban transportation by disrupting markets long dominated by taxis and private car companies, and currently operates in over 70 countries, more than 15,000 cities and over 700 airports worldwide. The company’s departure from Nigeria marks one of the biggest shifts in the country’s ride hailing industry in recent years, a development expected to reshape competition in the sector. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

Continue Reading