Author: Vardiafrica

French President Emmanuel Macron warned the United States was “gradually turning away” from some of its allies and “breaking free from international rules”, offering some of his strongest criticism yet of Washington’s policies under Donald Trump. Mr Macron delivered his annual speech to French ambassadors as European powers were scrambling to come up with a coordinated response to Washington’s capture of Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro and the US president’s designs on Greenland. “The United States is an established power, but one that is gradually turning away from some of its allies and breaking free from international rules that it was…

The Rivers house of assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state. The legislature kicked off the process at plenary on Thursday. The lawmakers are accusing Fubara and his deputy of gross misconduct. Martins Amaewhule, speaker of the house, is presiding over the session. Major Jack, leader of the assembly, read the gross misconduct charges, signed by 26 members. Thereafter, Amaewhule said the notice of gross misconduct will be served on the governor in the next seven days. The day’s proceedings bear the imprimatur of renewed hostilities between Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike, minister of the…

The Trump administration will withdraw the United States from dozens of international organizations, including the U.N.’s population agency and the U.N., as the U.S. further retreats from global cooperation. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order suspending U.S. support for 66 organizations, agencies, and commissions, following his administration’s review of participation in and funding for all international organizations, including those affiliated with the United Nations, according to a White House release. Many of the targets are U.N.-related agencies, commissions and advisory panels that focus on climate, labor, migration and other issues the Trump administration has categorized as catering to diversity and “woke”…

Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says all political parties in Rivers have collapsed into a coalition backing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. Wike spoke on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ event in Asari-Toru LGA of Rivers state. According to the minister, all the political parties in the state are now part of the rainbow coalition, an initiative under the renewed hope family to support Tinubu. The former Rivers state governor said the arrangement marks a shift from party politics to a collective political movement focused on advancing the state’s interests. “In Rivers, we don’t have any party now.…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it will continue the probe of a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Ahmed Farouk, despite the withdrawal of the petition by Aliko Dangote. It said it had received a “notice of withdrawal” of the petition against Ahmed, submitted by a legal counsel to Dangote. It, however, said that in line with the provisions of sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling law, it would continue to investigate the matter in line with its statutory mandate and in the interest of…

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and two of his sons, Abdulaziz and Abiru—Rahman. The multi-billion naira landed properties, which are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and valued at ₦213,234,120,000, are located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States. They are all to be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government. Justice Emeka Nwite granted the forfeiture order following an ex parte motion moved by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ekele…

The NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye made this known in the community during the inspection of the Borikiri alignment of the road and bridge project. He noted: “As a delegation from the NDDC, we have come to properly inspect the ongoing Borikiri-Okrika Road and bridges. This project has suffered delays because of frequent changes in administration and funding challenges. Iyaye said: “Although this project was awarded in 2012, it has faced delays for various reasons. Upon the inauguration of the current NDDC Board, we prioritised completing this significant project, viewing it as a legacy project. “By…

Labour Party’s Vice Presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, on Wednesday formally declared his interest in contesting the presidency in 2027, amid ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s opposition space. Baba-Ahmed, who was the running mate to former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, made the declaration at a rally held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. His announcement comes barely one week after Obi announced his departure from the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress. This move has triggered intense debate over the party’s future and the direction of the wider opposition ahead of the next…

Burkina Faso’s military government has announced that it has thwarted an alleged plot to assassinate the country’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, accusing his predecessor, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Damiba, of masterminding the plan. In a late-night national broadcast, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana said intelligence services uncovered the operation in its final stages, claiming the plot involved plans to kill the head of state and subsequently attack key institutions and prominent civilian figures. “Our intelligence services intercepted this operation in the final hours. They had planned to assassinate the head of state and then strike other key institutions, including civilian personalities,”…

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have raked in $80,000 for their efficiency in front of goal at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, had promised the team $5,000 per goal during the group stage, with the Super Eagles having scored the most goals in the tournament so far, with 12 goals. The team earned $40,000 for the eight goals they scored in their three group games against Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. For the Round of 16 encounter against the Mambas of Mozambique, they got $40,000 for the four goals scored. Nigeria will…