The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to reduce the minimum age requirement for governorship and Senate elections from 35 to 30 years. The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Reduce the Age for Qualification for Membership of the Senate and Office of the Governor and for Related Matters (HB. 2235),” is sponsored by Hon. Esin Etim and 24 other lawmakers. Currently, candidates for the Senate and governorship positions must be at least 35 years old, while those seeking House of Representatives seats may contest from age 25. Leading the debate, Etim, representing Offong/Oruko/Udung Uko Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, argued that the existing age limits impede the political progression of young Nigerians and create unnecessary barriers in leadership development.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, revealed the insulting and abusive “Thank You” text message he received from former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose following his attendance at Fayose’s 65th birthday in Lagos last week. The SMS, described as a “Thank You” note, was made available to journalists in Abeokuta by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi. In the message, Fayose expressed appreciation for Obasanjo’s attendance but criticised what he called the 89-year-old former president’s “irresponsible comments” during the birthday celebration. The former governor said he chose not to respond at the event to show “the whole world the difference between a sane man and a mad man.” Fayose also requested that Obasanjo promptly return the money he had sent to facilitate his attendance at the birthday ceremony. The “Thank You” note read in part, “Dear Baba Obasanjo, I trust this meets you well. Your coming to my birthday party, I appreciate it, except for your very irresponsible comments at your age. You went so low, but I am not surprised because someone once said you are supposed to be kept away in the zoo. Sincerely, that’s where you belong. “I kept quiet or did not reply to you at the function so that the world would know the difference between a sane and a mad man. It is also obvious that you have lost your sanity—or should I say, this is the heightened stage of dementia. “Not to worry, Baba. I shall set the records straight in due course. Lastly, I shall appreciate it if you return my money since you publicly admitted you received it, but Dangote brought it back. Your leopard will never change its skin.” Replying to Fayose, Obasanjo was quoted as saying, “Ayo, thanks for your ‘Thank You’ message, which undisguisedly revealed who and what you are, unchanged and unchangeable. Your money has been sent back through Foluso Adeagbo, who brought it, in the same bag as he delivered it, unopened by me.” While speaking as the special guest of honour at the birthday, Obasanjo recounted how Fayose had repeatedly abused him in the past without showing remorse.

A renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Gumi, has slammed those calling for his arrest over his continued commentary on banditry and national security. The cleric, in a statement shared via Facebook on Sunday, defended his dealings with the gunmen, describing his opponents as “spineless, irresponsible and unpatriotic imbecilic people” who prefer outrage to truth. He insisted that he had committed no crime by engaging with bandits in an attempt to secure peace. According to him, the loudest voices demanding that he be picked up by security agencies are driven by bigotry, ignorance and intolerance for differing viewpoints. He argued that his critics have chosen to politicise his peace efforts rather than reflect on Nigeria’s worsening insecurity. “ARREST HIM!!! These are the only words some spineless, irresponsible and unpatriotic imbecilic people can utter,” he wrote. The cleric also recalled a major intervention he led in January 2021 in Sabon Garin Yadi forest, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, has debunked reports claiming that Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was freed after being cleared by the Court of Appeal. He described the claims as “false, misleading and irresponsible.” Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Sunday, Pedro said his office was alarmed by a social media post by actor Yomi Fabiyi, which alleged that Baba Ijesha had been exonerated of all charges, including sexual offences involving a minor. As reported by Vanguard, Pedro warned that such claims were a “complete distortion of the judicial record and capable of misleading the public.” He explained that clarification became necessary after Fabiyi claimed the Court of Appeal had “cleared” the convict of ever defiling a minor and labelled the case a “charade.” The Attorney-General outlined the legal history, noting that the High Court of Lagos State, on July 14, 2022, convicted Baba Ijesha for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child over incidents in 2021, sentencing him to five years and three years respectively, to run concurrently. He added, ”On June 28, 2024, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, delivered judgment on his appeal. “While the court set aside convictions relating to alleged offences from 2013–2014, it upheld the conviction and sentence for the 2021 sexual assault charges.” Pedro said Baba Ijesha pursued a Supreme Court appeal, which was struck out on May 29, 2025, for incompetence. He said a subsequent motion for leave to file a fresh appeal was dismissed on October 9, 2025, leaving the Court of Appeal judgment fully intact.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says he has forgiven former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose for his ‘sins,’ putting an end to the long political rift between the two Nigerian politicians. Obasanjo made this known when he spoke on Saturday at the well-attended 65th birthday celebration of Fayose held in Lagos. In a viral video, the former president said the occasion called for celebration, reflection, and correction. “You are not the best of my political children, but you have made achievements that must not be ignored. Even to get me to come here, you could not approach me directly. You sent Osita (Chidoka) to come and sound me out. When Osita, who also is a political child, came, I said, ‘Well, if he (Fayose) has sent you and you have delivered the message, then tell him that you have delivered the message.’ “So, you have asked for forgiveness, and as far as I’m concerned, you are forgiven. But the right lessons must be learnt,” Obasanjo said. Recall that the duo have not been on good terms since 2006, which had resulted in public insults.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Neysom Wike, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Vice President, Kashim Shettima met at the birthday party of governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose in Lagos on Saturday. Fayose marked his 65th birthday with family and friends in Lagos.with several dignitaries gracing the event. In a post on his Facebook page, Saraki said it was a “pleasure to join His Excellency, Ayo Fayose, along with his family, friends, political associates, and other dignitaries in Lagos today to celebrate his 65th birthday”.

Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has congratulated Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State, on his 65th birthday. ‎ ‎Wike praised Fayose as a valuable friend and brother who is straightforward about his positions on issues. ‎ ‎In his congratulatory letter, Wike highlighted Fayose’s significance in Nigerian politics and governance. ‎ ‎In a statement signed by his spokesman, Lere Olayinka, Wike expressed that Fayose’s age is a testament to God’s grace and a call for continued service to Nigeria. ‎ ‎Wike wished Fayose good health and fruitful days, acknowledging him as a dependable ally. ‎ ‎

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, has said that Nigeria’s dwindling revenue requires reforms. Adedeji made the remarks in Ilesa, Osun State, on Friday while delivering the University of Ilesa 2025 Distinguished Lecture Series titled “Economic Resilience in an Era of Dwindling Revenue,” the first in the series. He said the country must embrace reforms anchored on four key pillars to weather the storm of unstable revenue. Using Nigeria’s economic indicators—including GDP growth, tax-to-GDP ratio, oil revenue share, and debt service-to-revenue ratio—Adedeji acknowledged that while progress has been made, the country’s fiscal condition remains fragile.

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to halt the plan by the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, to implement Computer-Based Testing, CBT, for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, warning that the initiative could trigger widespread academic failure, psychological distress, and even fatalities among students. The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance presented by Hon. Kelechi Nworgu on Thursday, who called for immediate intervention to prevent what he described as an impending crisis in education. Speaking on the motion, Nworgu acknowledged that while CBT has been successfully utilised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, the current state of most secondary schools in Nigeria renders such a shift premature for WAEC exams in 2026. He stressed that the Federal Ministry of Education’s plan to conduct the 2026 WASSCE via CBT, despite objections from the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, and school principals, would place millions of students at a significant disadvantage, particularly those in rural communities who lack computers, stable electricity, and internet connectivity. “Most of the over 25,500 schools across the country, especially in rural areas, do not have functional computers or qualified computer teachers. “Many students have never used a computer before, yet they are being compelled to take up to nine subjects, including theory and practical exams, through CBT,” he said. Nworgu warned that the initiative is being rushed without sufficient groundwork and cautioned that its fallout could be severe, potentially resulting in mass failure, frustration, drug abuse, and other social ills among young people. He recommended that WAEC and the Ministry of Education postpone the CBT rollout for at least three years, suggesting a more feasible implementation period around the 2029–2030 academic session, after necessary infrastructure and training have been established. In response, the House directed WAEC and the Ministry of Education to immediately suspend the planned CBT initiative. It urged the government to allocate funds from the 2026 budget for hiring computer teachers, constructing computer labs with internet access, and installing standby generators in schools nationwide. The House also tasked its Committees on Basic Examination Bodies, Digital and Information Technology, Basic Education and Services, and Labour, Employment and Productivity to engage stakeholders in the education and technology sectors and submit a report within four weeks to guide further legislative measures.

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to halt the plan by the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, to implement Computer-Based Testing, CBT, for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, warning that the initiative could trigger widespread academic failure, psychological distress, and even fatalities among students. The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance presented by Hon. Kelechi Nworgu on Thursday, who called for immediate intervention to prevent what he described as an impending crisis in education. Speaking on the motion, Nworgu acknowledged that while CBT has been successfully utilised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, the current state of most secondary schools in Nigeria renders such a shift premature for WAEC exams in 2026.