Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigerian troops should not have fought Biafran soldiers during the Nigerian Civil War, describing civil conflicts as painful because citizens are forced to fight one another. Obasanjo made the statement in Abeokuta on Monday, May 11, 2026, while reflecting on his experience during the 1967 to 1970 civil war and speaking on national unity and reconciliation. The former president, who served as a commander during the war, said civil wars differ from external battles because the objective should be peace and unity rather than destruction. According to him, Nigerian soldiers and Biafran troops were all citizens of the same country, making the conflict emotionally difficult for many involved. He said, “We shouldn’t have fought ourselves. Civil war is different from fighting external enemies because at the end of the day, you are fighting your brothers”. He added that the lessons from the war should encourage Nigerians to promote peace, dialogue and unity in order to prevent another national conflict.

The National Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has appealed that all must be done to ensure that the group remains indivisible. Fasoranti, who stated this on Monday during the celebration of his centenary birthday, urged members to put aside their differences for the unity of the group. According to the elder statesman, Afenifere must endeavour to speak with one voice, stressing that the house built together for the Yoruba people remains one. While stating that a centenary is a long journey, Fasoranti disclosed that he has witnessed colonial rule, independence, war, and peace. “Life has not been without pain. I have buried my beloved wife, Oladiwura, and I have lost two of my daughters. The weight of those losses is heavy, and there are days the sorrow feels fresh. But in all of it, I have held on to God. He has been my strength, my comfort, and my anchor. ‘The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ That has been my song, and it still is. “In politics, I chose to serve, not to take. Afenifere taught me that leadership is sacrifice. A politician with a large heart bears no grudge. I held office without bitterness, and I leave office with clean hands. That is the example I want the younger generation to follow.”

Charles Omole, the author of From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed that there are no fewer than five cabals allegedly influencing the administration of President Bola Tinubu. In an interview on State Affairs, a podcast hosted by Edmund Obilo, the author listed the cabals as including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila’s group. Omole said the second cabal is that of the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu, while the third cabal is headed by the First Lady, Remi Tinubu. The author described the fourth cabal as the young associates around the president, while the last cabal is the one headed by Tinubu himself. “There are five cabals controlling President Tinubu’s administration. The first cabal is the one headed by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. “The second cabal is that of the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu. I can name the Minister of Youth and a few others that were singlehandedly chosen by Seyi Tinubu. That’s why you see the Youth Minister always following Seyi. “And then another cabal is the First Lady. She has her own sphere of influence in terms of access to the president. Then the fourth cabal are the thugs and young guys around Tinubu,” he said.

Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has cautioned former President Goodluck Jonathan against proceeding with a presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 election. This is coming after a group approached the former president on Thursday, pleading with him to contest in the elections. Primate Ayodele, in a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, told the former president that his ambition may stain his image. The prophet, who had earlier mentioned that Jonathan’s coming on board will shake APC, maintained that his candidacy will shift the political setting in the country, but asked him to exercise caution. “Former President Goodluck Jonathan will be good on the ballot, but his prestigious image may be stained. “If truly he wants to contest, it will be tough for every candidate, including President Tinubu, but he must be very careful,” he stated. The prophet noted that the former president is afraid and indecisive. However, he urged him to be courageous in anything he wants to do and prepare for what is coming ahead because it won’t be an easy journey for him. “Jonathan’s candidacy will shock a lot of people, but he is scared. He must be courageous because the journey isn’t for the faint-hearted. If that is what he wants to do, he must be brave; it will not be an easy thing for him,” he added. Also, he stated that “Jonathan will get international backing and sponsors if he decides to contest. Regardless, it won’t be easy for him.”

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has said there are no plans by Muslims to drive out Christians in Nigeria. Speaking at the first triannual meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, in Abuja, Abubakar said Muslims would not remove Christians from Nigeria. The Sultan said, “Today, as I stand here, I want to affirm that Muslims are not in a hurry and have no plans for anything, including the decimation of the Christian population in Nigeria. These are the only points, nothing else. “We are in no position at all to take Christians out of Nigeria. The topic of health remains highly relevant, as shown by the connection to terms like health, physical activity, mental health, depression, and rehabilitation.” The monarch harped on the need for christians and muslims to coexist in the country. “Let us get the narrative right; it is not about religion. Let us stop bringing religion into it. Let’s refer to them by their true identity: criminals, not specifically Muslim criminals, not Muslim terrorists, not Muslim bandits. “Let’s refer to them by their true identity: criminals, not Muslim criminals, not Muslim terrorists, not Muslim bandits. Even if a person says they are Muslim, their actions are not in line with Islam.”

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, on Wednesday warned that the scale of insecurity across different parts of Nigeria poses a major threat to the conduct of free and fair elections. Amupitan made the remark during a visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, in Abuja, as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections. He said the prevailing security challenges, including violence and threats to electoral processes, could undermine credible polls if not properly addressed. Amupitan said, “In Nigeria, our electoral system has placed numerous challenges over the years, ranging from malpractices to threats of violence, vote trading that undermine the confidence of the electorates. “These challenges not only affect the outcome of our elections, but also pose significant risks to our national security. Thus, it is imperative that we address these concerns with utmost seriousness and resolve. In this regard, I would like to emphasise the importance of the proactive security measures. “The scale of insecurity across the various parts of Nigeria presents a threat to the conduct of the fair election. It is essential that we carry out total security risk analysis ahead of the election and this will enable us to identify potential flashpoints and deploy appropriate strategies to mitigate risks, thereby safeguarding voters, electoral officials and the integrity of the electoral process.” According to him, such measures would help identify flashpoints and enable the deployment of strategies to safeguard voters, electoral officials and the integrity of the process. Amupitan noted that elections scheduled for January 16, 2027 (presidential) and February 6, 2027 (governorship and state assemblies) require strong collaboration between INEC and security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police, which leads electoral security operations. He added that ongoing electoral activities, including party congresses and forthcoming primaries under the Electoral Act 2026, further heighten the need for proactive security planning. The INEC chairman also highlighted upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as several by-elections across the country, describing them as critical tests for Nigeria’s democracy. On humanitarian concerns, Amupitan drew attention to Internally Displaced Persons camps across the country, insisting that displaced citizens must not be disenfranchised. “I also want to draw attention to several IDP camps that are scattered all over Nigeria. Let me say that it is their right to also vote, and they must not be disenfranchised. “As the electoral body, we are doing everything to ensure that all those in IDP camps are given the conducive environment to exercise their franchise, and also the people with disabilities. So therefore, we commend all these people, categories of persons, persons in IDP camps, as well as persons with disabilities to the IG for special attention and care,” he said. Responding, the Inspector-General of Police assured that the Force would adopt intelligence-led deployment and preventive policing strategies to address emerging threats such as political violence, arms proliferation, cyber manipulation, and attacks on electoral infrastructure. Disu said the police had commenced nationwide threat assessments and intelligence mapping, and would work closely with other security agencies to ensure adequate protection of electoral personnel, materials and facilities. He also pledged strict enforcement of electoral laws, warning that offenders involved in vote-buying, ballot snatching, voter intimidation and destruction of electoral materials would be arrested and prosecuted. The police chief further emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration, real-time intelligence sharing, and training of personnel to ensure professionalism and public confidence in the electoral process. He said, “I assure you that the police will enforce electoral laws firmly and professionally. I want to repeat that again. We will ensure that we enforce electoral laws firmly and we do it professionally. “I want to emphasise that individuals involved in ballot matching, vote buying, voter intimidation, destruction of electoral materials, violent destruction of polls or attack on electoral officials will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws.” On the IDP, the IG said, “You mentioned the issue of people in the IDP camp. We have noted that they are in our plans. People with disability have been taken into cognisance and special plans have been put in place for them.”

Petroleum product marketers and retailers have hinted at a possible fresh petrol price drop as Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, partners with Chinese firms to restart Port Harcourt and Warri refineries. THENEWSCREDIT reports that after a long wait, NNPCL on April 30, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sanjiang Chemical Company and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co., Limited, to support the completion of Port Harcourt and Warri refineries. Recall that in May last year, the Port Harcourt refinery was shut down for scheduled maintenance. Since then, the state-owned refinery, together with Warri and Kaduna, has remained closed despite gulping around $18 billion and $25 billion on rehabilitation for the last two decades. Dangote Refinery, a private-owned plant in Lagos, became the lifeline. While debate on the sustainability of the Nigerian refineries has remained critical, the Bayo Ojulari-led NNPCL’s recent move with Chinese firms leaves more expectations in the minds of stakeholders and Nigerians. This becomes more important as the over two months old Middle East crisis leaves Nigeria and global economies in a precarious state. The ripple effect of the Iran-United States-Israel war has made crude oil and domestic petrol prices double. Checks by THENEWSCREDIT showed that Brent AND West Texas Intermediate stood at $112 and $104 per barrel, respectively, as domestic fuel rose to between N1,364 and N1,380 per liter from around N800 per liter in Abuja. Increased petrol prices have pushed transportation costs up in Nigeria in the last two months, further worsening the economic hardship for many Nigerians. Speaking on the development, the national president of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, said the restart of Nigerian refineries with NNPCL and Chinese firms’ MoU implementation would boost in-country refined product refining, adding that higher competition of local refined petroleum products will shoot down the prices. “What we know is that the more refined products we get from any country, the higher the competition, driving down the price of any refined product, whether it’s PMS, AGO, aviation petrol, or any other. So it’s a good project. “It’s been a long time coming, but now it’s there, so we are happy that this has happened,” he told THENEWSCREDIT. Give incentive to Nigerians, marketers — IPMAN tells FG On his part, spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, while noting that the restart of Nigerian refineries is most important at this time, urged the Nigerian government to roll out incentives for Nigerians and marketers to cushion the impact of petrol price volatility. “Provide incentives for motorists and also marketers in terms of funding. At that level marketers will reduce their prices at the pumps. “Again, the Nigerian government refineries should be restarted to be able to boost in-country refining,” he told THENEWSCREDIT.

The Federal Government has urged closer cooperation between the media, public institutions and other stakeholders to confront the rising spread of disinformation and misinformation. It described the challenge as a growing threat to public trust and national cohesion. The call was made on Monday in Abuja by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during the 2026 World Press Freedom Day event held at Radio House. This was disclosed in a statement by Idris’s media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, on Monday. The minister said, “This administration has prioritised collaboration with media stakeholders and international partners to promote responsible journalism, counter disinformation and misinformation.” Idris reaffirmed the government’s support for press freedom, stressing that it remains a constitutionally guaranteed right that must be protected while being exercised responsibly. “The Federal Government fully recognises press freedom as a fundamental right and remains committed to fostering an environment where the media can operate freely, safely, and responsibly, in accordance with democratic principles and the rule of law,” he stated. He explained that under President Bola Tinubu, the government has taken steps aimed at improving openness in governance and expanding public access to information. According to him, these efforts include greater engagement with the media, enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act, and the strengthening of public communication channels. The minister also referenced Nigeria’s collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in setting up the International Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja, which he described as an important initiative for strengthening critical thinking and responsible information use. “This pioneering initiative reflects our commitment to strengthening media and information literacy, empowering citizens to engage with information critically, and promoting responsible communication in the digital age,” the minister added. He further called on journalists to remain committed to ethical reporting, professionalism and fairness, noting that press freedom must be balanced with accountability. “The true test of press freedom lies not in our declarations, but in our actions, how safely journalists can do their work, how truthfully information is shared, and how responsibly it is consumed,” he said. In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Binyerem Ukaire, said the occasion provided an opportunity to deepen cooperation among stakeholders in the media and information space. “This gathering reflects our shared commitment to strengthening press freedom and fostering a more informed and inclusive society. “It provides an opportunity for constructive engagement on how best to advance a media environment that is both free and responsible,” she said. She noted that the rapid growth of digital platforms has intensified the spread of false information, making coordinated institutional responses more urgent. “The expansion of digital platforms has introduced new complexities that require coordinated institutional responses, especially in addressing misinformation and strengthening public trust,” she noted. Ukaire added that the ministry would continue to support dialogue, partnerships and professional standards within the media sector. The Federal Government restated its commitment to working with local and international partners, the media and civil society to strengthen an information ecosystem that supports democracy, unity and sustainable development. The event was attended by the Inspector General of Police, represented by FPRO, DCP Anthony Placid; the Director-General of the Department of State Services, represented by Director of Protocol M. O. Chukwuka; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council, Dilli Ezughah; Head of UNESCO Abuja Office, represented by the Head of Communication and Information Sector, Yachat Nuhu.

A man once shared a personal experience with me. He said he met a wealthy woman through a mutual friend shortly after returning from abroad, at a time when he was struggling to find his footing financially. The lady wasted no time inviting him to her base in Abuja, offered him accommodation in her house, and promised to “fix” him job-wise. He said that before he knew what was happening, he had spent about two years in her house with no source of livelihood. He also said that the worst part of his ordeal was getting to the gate (when she had left for work) only to find out that it was locked from the outside. One day, he called someone to help him break the lock from outside. Immediately, he received a call from the lady, asking what he was trying to do and threatening to send soldiers if he tried any “further nonsense.” He said two things became very clear to him that day: There were cameras in the house, which he didn’t know about. He had become a prisoner of love. So, he began to devise means of escape. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), his mother died around that period, and he told her he would be attending the burial and even asked her to come along. He said it was the invitation he extended to her and the assurance that they would return together that made her relaxed enough to let him go. She explained that work wouldn’t permit her, and he travelled alone. He said that immediately after his mother’s burial, he left the country again and changed his phone number. He swore that his life (even if he was flipping burgers) was far happier abroad. He does not believe that he walked into that situation with his eyes wide open. Any man who has not conditioned himself to rather become a wood picker (not demeaning, please) than place his economic hope in a woman will have unpleasant surprises waiting for him down the line. The man who has the capacity to pull his economic weight in marriage but is not doing so will have himself to blame. Don’t become that man whose wife always calls one ex or another for favours, because most of those favours will be repaid in kind. The easiest man for a woman to yield to is the one who always has her back economically. Many married women are now involved in sugar daddy affairs. Some of them say it is the feeling of being catered for that makes it enjoyable. I don’t know how capable any man expects the woman who puts food on his table to see him! How does a man reduce himself to the point that if a woman doesn’t bring food home, he is unable to feed himself, and without her pay cheque, his bills cannot be paid? Even if she earns more, your economic efforts should still be felt in that home. The calibre of men I find most pathetic are those with no source of income who, rather than roll up their sleeves to change their economic narrative, are busy searching for a comfortable woman to marry. Men should beware of women who are willing to marry them at all costs. Experience has shown that woe may follow if it turns out that you are not even worth all that trouble. A real man should reject (with all his being) the reality of any woman carrying him economically; whatever is left of the man in you may never recover from that ordeal. It is simply pathetic for any man to be busy looking for a rich woman to marry instead of developing himself and building his own economic strength. Do you really need to be told that you can never be a man in the eyes of a woman who knows you cannot provide for yourself unless she gives you? The most important natural assignment that qualifies you as a real man is your ability to put food on your own table, not the activities of your third leg. It is okay to blame the economy, but is the woman putting food in your mouth operating in a different economy? When some men complain about the unbelievable excesses of their women, I bluntly tell them to go and reclaim the self-dignity that laziness has cost them. Do you know that what sustains some men is the food that other men (sleeping with their wives) put on their table? The worth of a real man is hard to miss, and women think twice before crossing certain lines with a man who is worth his weight in gold.

Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has revealed that she no longer attends physical church services on Sundays, citing discomfort over constant media attention. In a video shared on her snapchat handle on Sunday, the actress was seen preparing breakfast for her children and getting them ready for church when she addressed her absence from in-person services. “Do not ask if I am going to church. I am not going to church. Anytime I go to church, it is me that they take picture of. I will join online,” she said. Akindele, who is known to attend the Celestial Church of Christ, suggested that frequent attention from media teams and congregants has made it difficult for her to worship without distraction. Her comments have since generated mixed reactions on social media, with users debating whether the attention she receives in church settings justifies her decision. A user, ‘deola. (#deyola_a), questioned the practice, writing, “Funke Akindele said she’s stopped going to church because the camera is always on her whenever she’s in church. But why do the media team do this? They do this a lot in Harvesters too. Why?” Another user, Jura (#pikaj007), suggested she consider other churches with less focus on celebrities, noting that some congregations are more accustomed to high-profile worshippers. However, Promise Ben (#promise_ben10) disagreed with her stance, arguing that public attention is not limited to church settings and questioning her reasoning. Other users backed the actress, including LARRIEISGOOD (#larrieisgood), who said distractions from people taking photos of celebrities during services can affect genuine worship. Similarly, HANDAYA (@HANDINO_) criticised media teams for excessive coverage of individuals during services, urging them to allow people focus during worship. Another user, BLAZE (@dontplaywblaze), said they could relate to her experience, noting that they had also stepped back from physical attendance due to similar distractions. Despite stepping back from physical attendance, Akindele maintained that she would continue to participate in church services online.