Author: Vardiafrica

The Senate on Tuesday declared the seat of Ondo South Senatorial District vacant following the appointment of its occupant, Jimoh Ibrahim, as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision during plenary, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a by-election to fill the vacancy in line with the Electoral Act. Akpabio also mandated the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamorudeen Ogunlana, to formally notify INEC of the development, noting that the law requires the electoral body to fill the vacant seat. Ibrahim, who was known as one of the more outspoken…

Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has launched a strong legal pushback against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the interim forfeiture of multiple properties, rejecting claims that the assets are proceeds of crime. In an affidavit before the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja and sighted by our correspondent on Monday, Malami maintained that all properties listed in the January 2026 forfeiture order were legitimately acquired through years of legal practice, business ventures, and declared income. The EFCC had secured the interim forfeiture order on suspicion that the assets were linked to illicit funds.…

The United Arab Emirates has announced its decision to withdraw from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and the broader OPEC+ alliance, with the move scheduled to take effect on May 1, 2026. The United Arab Emirates will leave OPEC next month, the government said on Tuesday. Emirati officials had long considered the possibility of exiting the cartel, citing concerns that production quotas had limited the country’s oil export capacity. According to a statement published by the Emirati state news agency, the decision was taken in line with the government’s “long-term strategic and economic vision” and its plans to accelerate…

The House of Representatives has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to borrow ($516,333,007) five hundred and sixteen million, three hundred and thirty-three thousand, seven US dollars in syndicated financing from Deutsche Bank AG. They approved it during the plenary on Tuesday in Abuja after the presentation of a report by the deputy chairman of the House Committee on Aids, Loans, and Debts Management, Abdullahi Rasheed. The money is expected to fund the construction of sections of the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway. President Tinubu wrote to the lawmakers, seeking a $516.3 million loan from Deutsche Bank to support the construction of the road.…

Britain’s King Charles III met Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, kicking off a high-stakes state visit shadowed by transatlantic tensions and a fresh alleged attempt to assassinate the US president. Behind the warm welcome for Charles and Queen Camilla in front of the cameras lay a deepening rift in the “special relationship” between Washington and London over Trump’s war in Iran. In warm Washington sunshine, Charles and Trump exchanged handshakes and apparently friendly remarks outside the White House South Portico, which reporters were unable to hear. First Lady Melania Trump, wearing a primrose yellow suit, gave Charles…

THE ALL Progressives Congress (APC) has released its timetable and schedule of activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, alongside the fees required for aspirants seeking to contest on its platform. The document, signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, and announced in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, was issued in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026, and the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Under the arrangement, presidential aspirants are to pay ₦100 million for both forms. This includes ₦30 million for the expression of interest and…

A presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, on Monday consulted former President Goodluck Jonathan on the state of the nation and the 2027 general elections. Obi disclosed this after a closed-door meeting with the former president in Abuja. He led a delegation of South-East political leaders to the meeting, including serving and former lawmakers, as well as former Governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa. Briefing journalists after the meeting, the former Anambra State governor said the visit was part of ongoing consultations ahead of the 2027 elections. “Notable South-East leaders have come in consultation with our…

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted an accelerated hearing in the trial of six suspects accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The court fixed April 29, April 30, May 4, and May 5 for the commencement of trial proceedings and the hearing of bail applications filed by the defendants During proceedings, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, informed the court that the prosecution had witnesses available, subject to the convenience of the court. Counsel for the first defendant, Mohammed Ilayepo, indicated that his client’s bail application was due for…

Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will make his ring return following a fatal car crash against unheralded Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia in July. Two of Joshua’s close friends were killed in the crash in Nigeria in December, just over a week after his last fight, a fifth round knock-out of YouTube star Jake Paul. The 36-year-old Briton has been in talks to face his great domestic rival, Tyson Fury later this year in a bout that many observers feel is at least five years overdue. “It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready…

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has endorsed his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred successor in the 2027 governorship election, signalling an early political alignment within the All Progressives Congress (APC). The endorsement took place on Monday during a closed-door meeting at Lagos House, Marina, where Hamzat officially declared his intention to contest for the governorship position. The meeting was attended by members of the State Executive Council, party leaders, and the Governor’s Advisory Council, including former Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro and former Senator Ganiyu Solomon. Speaking after the meeting, Sanwo-Olu said the decision was reached unanimously…