A prominent Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has strongly advocated for an age restriction on Nigeria’s political leadership, asserting that individuals above the age of 70 should not be allowed to run for any public office. He emphasized that establishing a strict age cap is now vital to saving the nation from recurring governance crises and institutional manipulation. Utomi made this declaration on Sunday through a statement published on his verified X handle, catching widespread public attention as he revealed that he has also just hit the 70-year milestone. By including himself in the restriction, the political economist sought to demonstrate that his proposal is born out of a genuine desire for national progress rather than personal ambition or political bias. The professor sharply criticized the deep-seated culture of impunity and disregard for decent democratic order, which he claims has heavily crippled Nigeria’s growth. He argued that the advanced age of several past leaders has consistently been weaponized by political elites to undermine the country’s constitution and hold the nation hostage. To back his claims, Utomi cited specific historical precedents where unelected cabals allegedly took control of the country due to the terminal illness of elderly presidents. He recalled the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, during which officials allegedly lied about his failing health to continuously sign documents and govern the state in his name. The public commentator further stated that a identical pattern was repeated during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who spent extended periods abroad for medical care. Utomi warned that this dangerous trend of hiding the true medical conditions of elderly leaders to run a proxy government has resurfaced in the current political landscape. Labeling these recurring incidents as acts of high treason, Utomi stressed that Nigeria cannot afford to continuously allow unelected proxies to run national affairs behind closed doors. He maintained that capping the eligibility age at 70 would drastically reduce the vulnerabilities often associated with advanced age in high-pressure leadership positions. This latest demand aligns with Utomi`s ongoing campaigns focused on grooming the next generation of Nigerian leaders to rescue the country`s fragile democracy. He concluded by reiterating that intensive civic education and active youth participation are the ultimate tools needed to dismantle bad governance and drive sustainable national development.

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has declared that providing cash transfers and social protection to vulnerable citizens is a mandatory legal obligation for the Federal Government, not an act of charity. Falana warned that the government risks a major lawsuit if it fails to adequately fund poverty reduction initiatives in the 2026 fiscal year. In a statement issued on Sunday, Falana clarified that the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) Establishment Act of 2023 legally binds the state to combat poverty. "Giving grants to poor and vulnerable people in society is no longer borne out of political interests," Falana stated. "It has become the government’s legal obligation to citizens, not acts of charity or generosity." The senior lawyer noted that public discourse should move away from individual survival strategies and focus on institutional accountability. His comments follow recent remarks by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who suggested small-scale trades like selling bean cakes (akara) or roasting corn as viable paths to livelihood. While acknowledging grassroot efforts, Falana insisted that petty trading alone cannot fix systemic economic hardship without robust state-backed welfare. The NSIPA Act establishes a four-pillar framework designed to alleviate poverty and boost human capital, featuring N-Power, Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), GEEP, and the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP). These initiatives focus on youth skill acquisition, direct financial aid, micro-credits, and school feeding programs, respectively. Falana recalled that widespread fraud allegations under the previous administration prompted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to seek an amendment transferring NSIPA management from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs directly to the Presidency. The bill aims to institutionalise clean data sharing via the National Social Register but is still pending passage at the National Assembly. With National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) figures putting 133 million Nigerians in multidimensional poverty—and PwC Nigeria projecting an escalation to 141 million—Falana stressed that systemic funding is critical. As Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), Falana vowed to drag the administration to court if welfare allocations are neglected. "The refusal of the Federal Government to fund poverty reduction programmes in 2026 in line with the provisions of the Act will be challenged by ASCAB at the Federal High Court," he warned.

The ancient city of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, was thrown into a festive mood today, July 4, 2026, as community leaders, politicians, royal fathers, and media personalities gathered to celebrate the fourth anniversary of Brave 91.1 FM. The premier radio station, founded by three-time federal lawmaker Otunba Segun Dokun Odebunmi (Bunvic), was lauded for transforming the media landscape in Oyo State since its inception. Odebunmi, who previously facilitated the establishment of Radio Nigeria`s Ogo Ilu 89.3 FM in Oko, established Brave FM to educate, inform, and empower his constituency and surrounding regions. In her welcome address, the Chairperson of Brave 91.1 FM, Yeyelua Oluwatoyin Abimbola Odebunmi, expressed profound gratitude to the public and local business owners for adopting the station as their preferred platform. "This station belongs to the people," she said, urging the community to sustain their patronage and support. Reflecting on the station`s rapid growth, General Manager Ambassador Sanjo Saka `Felefele` noted that Brave FM’s professional impact makes it seem much older than four years. "We have consistently risen above mediocrity, establishing ourselves as the leading voice in this community," Saka stated, while praising the dedication of the station`s staff, loyal listeners, and corporate sponsors. As part of the anniversary events, the station hosted its popular "Italawa" outside broadcast today at Owonikoko Plastic store, Oremerin Area, drawing massive crowds of traders, commercial motorcyclists, and residents who participated in live interactive programs and won various prizes. The four-year anniversary celebrations will culminate on Monday, July 6, 2026, with a grand motivational and entertainment event scheduled at the Tundex Mega, Orita Naira, Ogbomoso.

Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have arrested 11 students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, for alleged involvement in cultism and conspiracy to launch violent attacks. The suspects, identified as members of the Eiye Confraternity, were apprehended at their hideouts in the Under-G, Yuako, and Adenike areas of Ogbomoso following credible intelligence. State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the arrests on Friday. He stated that the suspects were perfecting plans to launch coordinated attacks within the student community before the command`s Violent Crime Response Unit intervened. "On arrival at the identified locations, the operatives swiftly intervened and successfully foiled the planned attacks before they could be executed," Ayanlade said. The police named the suspects as Adedapo Victor, 24 (alleged leader); Taiwo Rasheed, 22 (alleged second-in-command); Emeka Issac, 20; Akande Segundo, 26; Akande Julius, 26; Stephen Opeyemi, 24; Fortune Abel, 22; Oluwatunmise Ayodeji, 22; Adigun Oladimeji, 32; Akande Moses, 28; and Karim Kalid, 20. A search of the hideout yielded an array of weapons and incriminating items. Police recovered four locally fabricated cut-to-size pistols, 11 live cartridges, one expended cartridge, two cult axes, a cutlass, a dagger knife, and a red cult hooded cap. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects voluntarily confessed to their membership in the Eiye Confraternity. The police also linked the group to previous cult-related criminal activities, including murder. Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, commended the operatives for their prompt action. He assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend fleeing members of the syndicate, adding that all suspects will face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly opposed mounting pressure on President Bola Tinubu to dismiss his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over unverified corruption allegations linked to the ongoing Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) controversy. In a press statement issued on Friday by NANS President Akinteye Babatunde, the apex student body urged the presidency to uphold the rule of law and resist "trial by media." THENEWSCREDIT reports that the controversy stems from claims made by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly posed as the Director-General of the PFIPC. Despite a lack of judicial proof, several civil society groups have intensified campaigns demanding Gbajabiamila’s removal. NANS, however, warned that yielding to such public pressure undermines constitutional justice. "The fight against corruption must always be pursued within the bounds of justice, fairness, equity, and due process," Babatunde stated. "We respectfully urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to allow a loyal and dedicated public servant to be sacrificed on the altar of unsubstantiated accusations." The student body pointed to recent clarifications from the Federal Government, which confirmed that the PFIPC is not a recognized agency under the current administration. Furthermore, THENEWSCREDIT claims the Presidency has already initiated criminal proceedings against Adeyemi for alleged impersonation and related offences. NANS argued that these legal steps underscore the need for public restraint while security agencies conclude their investigations. Defending Gbajabiamila’s track record, NANS highlighted his historic interventions in national development. The association recalled his critical role as Speaker of the House of Representatives in resolving the grueling 8-month Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike in 2022. While reaffirming its support for anti-corruption campaigns, NANS rejected what it termed politically motivated witch-hunts. The body called on Nigerians to allow law enforcement and the courts to establish the facts objectively before drawing conclusions.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has revealed how internet fraudsters, commonly known as `Yahoo Boys`, wiped out N7.2 million from a serving judge`s bank account overnight. The stolen funds represented six years of accumulated savings meant for her child`s school fees. Speaking at a book launch in honour of retired High Court judge, Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, Olukoyede recounted receiving a distress call from the judge at 1:00 AM. EFCC Chairman Ola Olukayode reported that a sitting judge lost N7.2 million in minutes due to rapid, unauthorized debit alerts. The incident ironically occurred in a state where an active court injunction restricts EFCC financial investigations. When Olukoyede reminded the victimized judge of her state`s legal restrictions against the EFCC, she urgently replied, "No, no, no! This is an exception. You must do something immediately!" The anti-graft agency deployed its tracking tools immediately, intercepting the transaction and recovering the entire N7.2 million before 6:00 PM the same day. Olukoyede noted that the experience highlights why the judiciary must cooperate with law enforcement rather than shielding suspects. "I am very sure that if an application comes before her to stop the EFCC from carrying out its mandate, she will dismiss it because she has become a victim. It is important for us to understand the depth of this problem," Olukoyede stated. The EFCC boss emphasized that the commission has already started deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to investigate modern crimes. However, he raised concerns over Nigeria`s outdated legal frameworks regarding digital evidence. Presenting AI-generated evidence and robot analytics in Nigerian courts presents a significant challenge, as current laws lack specific criteria to validate such evidence. National legislators and law professors must collaborate to draft new legislation for the regulation and validation of AI evidence in the judicial system. Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), also spoke at the event, urging the EFCC to maintain this aggressive momentum to recover public funds hidden abroad.

Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has mockingly urged the Federal Government to bestow a national honor on Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the man at the center of a N400 million appointment-for-cash scandal rocking the Presidency. Speaking Friday during a live interview on Trust TV, Dalung reacted sharply to the ongoing legal and political battle between Adeyemi and Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu. He noted that if the government’s narrative is true, Adeyemi`s ability to seamlessly infiltrate state structures borders on pure genius. Dalung, who served under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, stated that the Presidency`s defense exposes massive institutional failures. He argued that if an individual could single-handedly run a fictional council undetected, it signals a systemic collapse. Dalung questioned how an alleged fraudster could access the highly secure Presidential Villa without high-level clearance. The agency reportedly operated from the Federal Secretariat and interacted with diplomats. Critics are questioning how a "fake" council secured Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) accounts and N1.3 billion in budgetary appropriations. The controversy erupted after Adeyemi, claiming to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), alleged he paid N400 million through a proxy to Gbajabiamila. He further claimed the relationship soured after he rejected demands to surrender 48 percent of the agency’s N27.4 billion take-off grant. The Presidency has forcefully debunked these allegations. It countered that the PFIPC is non-existent, Gbajabiamila lacks appointment powers, and Adeyemi is an impostor currently facing an eight-count criminal charge at the Federal High Court. "If this scammer has succeeded in all these layers," Dalung remarked sarcastically, "I will recommend the President to award this Nigerian... the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON." He concluded that the country should harvest and deploy such high-level intelligence for productive national development.

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian journalists to uphold strict professionalism, warning that press freedom must not be weaponised to spread falsehoods or undermine national security. Speaking on Thursday at the maiden State House Media Corps Presidential Dinner in Abuja, the President described the media as an indispensable partner in sustaining democracy, but cautioned that rights must balance with deep responsibility. Tinubu declared himself a lifelong defender of free speech but stressed that the rise of artificial intelligence and digital platforms has worsened the spread of fake news. "I am an apostle of a free press," Tinubu said. "However, freedom of the press is not freedom to deliberately mislead. Rights come with responsibilities." He urged media practitioners to reject sensationalism, clickbait, and the race for social media validation, choosing instead substance over sensation. The President characterised the relationship between the state and the press as a vital partnership driven by constitutional duties. He noted that Section 39 of the constitution guarantees free expression, while Section 22 mandates the media to hold power accountable. "Government must act. The media must watch," Tinubu stated, adding that this dynamic naturally creates a healthy, democratic tension. He urged public officials and journalists to replace needless hostility with constructive engagement. Addressing concerns over media censorship, the President defended the Cybercrimes Act. He insisted the law protects citizens and guards the nation’s information space rather than stifling legitimate journalism. Tinubu concluded by noting that his administration`s economic reforms are beginning to stabilise the nation, while intensified military operations continue to reclaim communities from security threats.

Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man at the center of an alleged massive government impersonation syndicate, broke his silence on Thursday, vigorously denying that he is a criminal and insisting his presidential appointment is completely authentic. Speaking during a telephone interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, a defiant Adeyemi challenged the Presidency’s narrative. He declared his absolute readiness to face trial, stating that a court of competent jurisdiction will vindicate him. The Defense: "Nigeria is Not a Banana Republic" THENEWSCREDIT reports that Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi has dismissed allegations of forging his appointment to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), defending his three-year tenure amidst a police investigation. He claims to hold a signed appointment letter and states that his operations, including meetings with federal ministries, were conducted with government awareness. Furthermore, Adeyemi cites the inclusion of a ₦1.3 billion allocation for the council in the 2026 national budget as evidence of its legitimacy. While currently under investigation for an appointment-for-cash scandal, he maintains his innocence, citing health issues, and expresses willingness to cooperate with authorities. The Presidency’s Counter-Attack: Forgery and 34 Bank Accounts The Presidency strongly defended Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, stating that the suspect, Adeniyi Adeyemi, forged an appointment letter. State House spokesman Bayo Onanuga outlined the scale of the fraud: Adeyemi operated 34 bank accounts, nine of which used fake government names. Following a petition by Gbajabiamila, police arrested Adeyemi in Abuja on October 27, 2025, after the NIPC raised alarms about his fake agency,THENEWSCREDIT reports. War of Words: Multi-Billion Naira Bribery Allegations The legal showdown has turned highly political, following explosive counter-accusations by Adeyemi against the Chief of Staff. Adeyemi alleged that the Chief of Staff demanded a staggering ₦27.4 billion—representing 48 percent of the agency’s proposed take-off grant. He further claimed that Gbajabiamila received ₦400 million through a proxy to facilitate his appointment, with an outstanding balance of ₦200 million. Adeyemi has formally urged President Bola Tinubu to constitute an independent investigative panel to review all official documents and has called on the Chief of Staff to step aside pending the outcome. The Presidency has since dismissed these bribery claims, alerting the DSS and Police. Trial Set for July 27 The Nigeria Police have filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two alleged accomplices before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges include conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation. The high-stakes trial is officially scheduled to commence on July 27, 2026.

President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration will maintain its aggressive infrastructure drive across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the nation, declaring that no part of the country will be left behind. The President spoke through Senate President Godswill Akpabio during the official commissioning of the newly rehabilitated Old Keffi Road, stretching from Kado Fish Market to Deidei. The project marks a key milestone in the activities celebrating his third year in office. Addressing residents and traditional rulers, Tinubu urged all citizens to actively partner with the government in its nation-building efforts. “We are not slowing down across the FCT,” the President stated. “From the centre to the area councils, we are building inclusion, safety, and growth. Every district deserves access, and every citizen deserves to feel the impact of my administration wherever they live. Let us join hands for development, and together we can build the Nigeria of our dreams.” The President described the rehabilitated road as a critical economic artery rather than a mere driveway. By directly linking Kado, Saburi, Gwagwa, Idu, Karmo, and Deidei to the Outer Northern Expressway, the infrastructure is expected to immediately stimulate commercial activities. Highlighting the project`s immediate benefits, Tinubu noted that the route cuts down both travel time and transportation costs for local residents. "Goods will now move faster, markets will breathe, and workers will reach their destinations with less stress. Prosperity will increase for the people of this environment," he affirmed. The President highly commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, specifically pointing out the success of the `Light Up Abuja` initiative. He noted that integrating streetlights into the newly commissioned road ensures safer nighttime movement and allows local commerce to thrive long after sunset. "That is what the dividends of democracy look like," Tinubu said. "Government shows love where the citizens live, and citizens show love to applaud government and expect more." While handing over the infrastructure, the President issued a stern warning to the host communities and traditional authorities regarding the maintenance of public utilities. He explicitly warned against the vandalism of streetlights and the dumping of refuse in drainage systems. "The road maintained by its community lasts for a generation; the road abused by its community dies early, and the choice is ours," Tinubu warned, urging residents to report any early signs of damage to ensure prompt rehabilitation. The event concluded with the formal unveiling of the road, dedicated to expanding commerce, boosting security, and enhancing mobility across the FCT.