Flamboyant media personality and actor, Denrele Edun, has turned heads once again by announcing his symbolic "self-marriage" to mark his 45th birthday. The unconventional celebration, which took place on June 13, quickly sparked intense conversation across social media platforms. Addressing the public via his Instagram story, the entertainer explained that the union represents a profound celebration of self-acceptance, survival, and personal growth after decades in the spotlight. "After 45 years of chaos, glitter, survival, reinvention, controversy, resilience, heartbreak, and triumph, I remain the greatest love story I’ve ever known," Denrele shared. Known throughout the Nigerian entertainment industry for his eccentric fashion and norm-defying personality, the TV star stated that the wedding was his way of honoring the one person who never abandoned him: himself. He described the symbolic act as an embrace of every past version of his identity that fought through life`s highs and lows. "I am the bride and the groom," Denrele declared. "Today, I marry the only person who never left my side: ME!" The announcement has drawn a wave of mixed but largely supportive reactions from fans and followers, many of whom praised the entertainer for championing a powerful message of resilience as he hits his mid-forties milestone.

ABUJA — The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has issued a stern warning to perpetrators of insecurity across the nation, declaring that his administration will offer dialogue to peaceful groups but will ruthlessly crush unyielding criminal elements. Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on the Nevon HQ podcast hosted by media personality Rufai Oseni, Obi outlined a dual-track strategy to restore law and order if elected president. Carrot and Stick Approach Obi emphasized his readiness to engage in dialogue to unite the country, but drew a firm line against unrepentant insurgents and bandits. "I’m going to talk with everybody," Obi stated. "In uniting the country, anybody who wants peace, I will talk and negotiate with them. But anybody who wants war, we will go to war." No Room for Lawlessness The NDC candidate made it clear that while his vision for a `New Nigeria` centers on inclusivity and national cohesion, there will be swift consequences for those who reject peace. "If you want to be part of this New Nigeria we are trying to build, that is possible, we can be together," Obi explained. "But if not, you will face the consequence of your action." A Call for Inclusivity Despite the tough stance on national security, Obi reiterated his commitment to equitable governance, promising that no region or group would be marginalized under his watch. "We have got to a point where we have to tell ourselves the truth. Nobody will be left behind. There will be inclusiveness. We will show love and care for everybody," he concluded.

ABUJA — The Court of Appeal in Abuja has halted the execution of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties. The decision saves the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) from immediate dissolution. They will remain legally registered pending the final outcome of their appeals. Judicial Misconduct Alleged A three-member appellate panel, led by Justice A. B. Mohammed, issued a scathing rebuke of Justice Peter Lifu. The panel condemned the high court judge for delivering the judgment despite a May 22 order directing him to suspend all proceedings. The appellate court described the trial judge`s actions as the "gravest form of judicial misconduct," a "brazen violation" of the constitutional hierarchy, and "judicial impertinence". Citing Supreme Court precedent, the panel noted that judges who ignore superior court orders act in a manner that "amounts to judicial rascality" and renders them "unfit for the bench". INEC and Parties React During the hearing, INEC’s lead counsel, Mr. Haliru Mohammed, revealed that the commission was "stunned" by the lower court`s ruling. He stated that INEC was never officially notified and only learned of the judgment through media breaking news. Consequently, INEC did not oppose the stay of execution. Counsel for the ADC, Mr. Shuaibu Aruwa (SAN), further surprised the bench by revealing that Justice Lifu communicated the judgment via WhatsApp. Aruwa labeled the conduct an "invitation to anarchy" and urged the court to press the "reset button" on judicial discipline. Electoral Crisis Averted Lawyers representing the affected parties warned that enforcing the deregistration would trigger nationwide constitutional chaos, particularly with crucial by-elections scheduled across six states. The Federal High Court had originally ordered the deregistration on the grounds that the five parties failed to meet the constitutional requirements needed to maintain their registration and participate in future elections. With the appellate court`s intervention, the enforcement of that judgment is officially frozen.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has promised that a specialized tactical operation is underway to safely rescue the dozens of pupils and teachers recently abducted by terrorists in the state. Governor Makinde made the declaration on Tuesday while addressing a crowd of demonstrators at the Government House. The mass protest, aimed at demanding urgent government intervention, was led by popular social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan. The demonstration follows a tragic incident last month in the Oriire Local Government Area, where heavily armed terrorists invaded schools in Yawota and Esiele. More than 40 students and educators were seized during the targeted raids and remain in captivity. While addressing the crowd, Makinde acknowledged the community`s outrage and sought to reassure the public that state security forces are actively working on a solution. "The operation to rescue them is a special type of operation," Makinde told the protesters. "As the Governor of Oyo State, I give you assurance that we will bring back those children."

ABUJA — The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has condemned the recent Federal High Court ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the civic organization warned that the court`s decision, which was based on a narrow interpretation of constitutional performance requirements, could significantly shrink Nigeria`s civic space and undermine democratic pluralism. According to CHRICED, democracy is not merely the periodic administration of elections, but the continuous protection of citizens` rights to organize, associate, and choose from a broad spectrum of political alternatives. By reducing the number of available political platforms, the group argued that limiting participation weakens public trust and narrows the diversity of ideas required to keep the democratic system healthy. CHRICED questioned whether electoral rules are being applied consistently and fairly, noting that selective enforcement could severely damage confidence in democratic institutions. The organization is calling for caution in executing the judgment, urging that all affected parties be guaranteed full access to legal remedies and due process. Furthermore, CHRICED appealed to INEC, the judiciary, and key stakeholders to act in ways that inspire public trust ahead of the approaching electoral cycle.

LAGOS — Controversial Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has announced the birth of his newborn son, King Kagar Omiyinka. The actor disclosed the news on Monday via a joint Instagram post featuring a formal maternity photoshoot with his wife, fashion entrepreneur Olakunbi Omiyinka (CEO Luminee). Expressing deep gratitude, Omiyinka described the birth as an answer to his prayers. "In quiet ways, in unseen ways, God has been writing a story only He could tell," Omiyinka wrote online. "We thank the Almighty for blessing us with a healthy baby boy. God gave me more than I prayed for." The announcement quickly generated a wave of mixed reactions and congratulatory messages from industry colleagues, close associates, and fans across social media platforms. This development marks the actor`s first major public milestone since regaining his freedom. Omiyinka was released from prison in November 2025 after serving a high-profile jail sentence following his conviction in a child sexual assault case.

LAGOS — Nollywood actress Miriam Ogbonna has sparked widespread debate online following her recent assertions regarding the intersection of romance and financial commitment. The film star publicly stated that she measures the authenticity of a partner`s affection solely by their willingness to provide financial gifts. Writing on her official X (formerly Twitter) account, Ogbonna maintained that verbal expressions of love hold no value for her unless they are accompanied by monetary backing. "If you don`t give me money, I will never ever ever agree that you like or love me," the actress posted. "You have to give me money. Money is hard to come by. So, if you give me the money you suffered for, ehen, I will know that you like/love me." Ogbonna defended her stance by arguing that because earning a living requires significant effort, parting with hard-earned income for a romantic interest serves as the ultimate proof of devotion. The actress`s comments have generated mixed reactions across social media platforms, with many commentators criticizing her viewpoint as overly transactional.

ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a stern warning to the Nigerian judiciary, stating that a compromised legal system poses an immediate threat to the nation’s democratic stability. The President demanded that judicial officers eliminate prolonged court delays and dispense justice without bias toward ethnic background, social status, or financial power. President Tinubu gave the charge on Monday in Abuja during the official commissioning of the ultra-modern Court of Appeal Abuja Division building complex located in Dakibiyu. The President, whose speech was delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima, expressed deep concern over growing public frustration regarding mounting case backlogs and delayed trials across the country. "To my Lords Justices, as you move into this complex, Nigeria asks one thing of you: let justice be swift. Let it be fair. Let it be blind to status, tribe, or purse," the President stated. "Let the common man feel that this Court is truly his last hope." He emphasized that an accessible, fair, and efficient justice system remains non-negotiable for sustaining public confidence in governance and upholding the rule of law. According to THENEWSCREDIT, the President, the completion of the state-of-the-art judicial complex underscores his administration`s commitment to reforming the justice sector under the "Renewed Hope" agenda. He assured that the federal government will continue to provide a conducive and well-equipped working environment for judicial officers to enhance productivity and clear the backlog of pending cases.

ABUJA — The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately deregister five political parties for failing to meet the minimum constitutional requirements to remain on the national ballot. The affected political platforms are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party (AP), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The landmark judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, effectively bars the five political parties from participating in future elections or engaging in any recognized political activities across the country. The Constitutional Breach The judicial directive followed a lawsuit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators. The plaintiffs approached the court to determine if INEC is under a constitutional obligation to prune the nation`s political space by removing inactive parties. Under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022, a political party must achieve at least one of the following to retain its registration:Secure at least 25 per cent of the total votes cast in at least one state during a presidential election.Win at least one elective seat at the local government, state assembly, or national assembly level. The former lawmakers successfully argued that the five defendants persistently failed to hit these benchmarks during the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, making their continued operation unlawful. Sweeping Restraining Orders Granting the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, Justice Lifu ordered strict restrictions against the political groups to preserve the integrity of the electoral ecosystem. The court granted an injunction restraining the five parties from organizing campaigns, rallies, or conducting primary elections. Furthermore, the court restrained INEC from recognizing, corresponding with, or accommodating the affected parties in any official capacity moving forward. The plaintiffs had urged the court to compel INEC to act swiftly before preparations for the upcoming 2027 general elections advance any further. High-Stakes Political Fallout The court`s decision has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, as it directly threatens the immediate future of several top-tier politicians. The judgment heavily impacts the 2027 political calculations, particularly affecting prominent candidates associated with the platforms. Notably, the ruling throws a wrench into the political machinery of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his political allies, whose 2027 ambitions are closely tied to alliances involving the affected parties. Legal experts predict the affected parties will file an immediate appeal to stay the execution of the judgment. As of press time, INEC has not issued an official statement regarding the timeline for enforcing the court`s deregistration order.

Justice Binta Fatimah Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a father of 11 children and husband of two wives, Isa Isiaka, to 20 years imprisonment for deliberate refusal to lodge information on the activities of Boko Haram to the Federal Government. Isiaka was jailed on Monday following his admission of guilt to terrorism charges instituted against him by the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice. Immediately after the charge was read, the accused person, without wasting the time of the court, admitted that he was guilty as charged. AGF and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who stood for the Federal Government, accused the convict of concealing information that would have led to immediate arrest of members of the proscribed Boko Haram sect. The convict however urged the judge to be lenient with him on grounds of being a first offender and also for being a father to 11 children and husband to two wives. In his judgment, Justice Binta Nyako rejected his plea as untenable and sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment without option of fine.