Author: Vardiafrica

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence. His nomination was contained in a letter President Tinubu conveyed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed Musa’s nomination in a statement he issued on Tuesday afternoon. In the letter, President Tinubu expressed confidence in General Musa’s ability to lead the Ministry of Defence and further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture. His nomination came days after Mohammed Badaru Abubakar resigned as Nigeria’s defence minister. Musa, who will turn 58 on December 25, served as Chief of…

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday granted bail to Omoyele Sowore on self-recognition, warning him against making statements capable of inciting the public against President Bola Tinubu. Sowore was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on a five-count charge related to alleged cybercrime, including accusations that he made derogatory posts about President Tinubu on his social media platforms. The #RevolutionNow convener pleaded not guilty to all charges after they were read to him. Before the plea was taken, Sowore’s counsel, Marshall Abubakar, challenged the competence of the suit, arguing that the court…

 Amid renewed national security challenges, the Senate has announced a major shake-up of several standing committees, fulfilling its earlier pledge to reconstitute the committee on National Security and Intelligence. The announcement was made during plenary on Tuesday by the Senate Selection Committee chaired by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. Under the new arrangement, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi of Kebbi State is now named Chairman of the Senate committee on National Security and Intelligence. He previously headed the committee on National Planning. The Senate also restructured the committee on Livestock and animal husbandry, appointing Senator Shehu Buba of Bauchi…

Abia State Government has confirmed that its officials were attacked Tuesday by gunmen in Imo State, but no lives were lost. “The Governor’s convoy was not involved”, the media side to the governor of Abia State, Governor Alex Otti confirmed. In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, explained that an advance team from Governor Otti’s Office came under attack from unidentified gunmen in the early hours of Tuesday. The security incident occurred along the Umuowa–Ihite axis, a few kilometres before the Sam Mbakwe Airport junction in Imo State, where the team was heading for…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar met with state chairmen of the African Democratic Congress on Monday in Abuja and urged immediate collective action to address what he described as a national rescue mission. Atiku disclosed the meeting in a post on his official X handle on Tuesday, saying the delegation, which included chairmen from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, was led by the Kogi State ADC Chairman, Ogga Kingsley. According to the former vice president, the visit was intended to formally welcome him after his recent registration as a member of the party. He quoted Kingsley as…

There will be a joint congressional briefing of the United States House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday. The committee officials will discuss the spate of violence and alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria. This was revealed in a notice shared on X by US Congressman Riley Moore . The session will be convened by the House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and National Security Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart, alongside fellow Appropriators as well as members of the Foreign Affairs and Financial Services Committees. According to the notice, the purpose of the briefing is “to spotlight the escalating violence and targeted persecution of…

Governor of Osun state, Ademola Adeleke, has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over persistent leadership crisis at the party’s national level. In a statement shared on his Instagram page on Monday night, December 1, Adeleke confirmed that he submitted his resignation to party officials in Sagba Abogunde, ward 2, Ede north local government, on November 4. “Due to the ongoing crisis within the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (#OfficialPDPNig) at the national level, I officially conveyed my resignation letter as a member to the party leadership in Sagba Abogunde, ward 2, Ede north local government on November 4,”…

The Federal Government has assured parents and authorities of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in the Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State that the abducted children “are doing fine and will be back soon.” National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, gave the assurance during a visit to the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and proprietor of the school, Most Rev Bulus Yohanna, as well as the parents of the victims at St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora. Ribadu said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed him to visit the community and deliver…

Northern governors on Monday approved the creation of a regional security trust fund that will draw a combined N1 billion each month from the 19 northern states and their local governments as the region battles worsening violence. The Northern States Governors’ Forum announced the decision in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting with the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council. The fund, to be deducted at source, is intended to bolster efforts against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping that have plagued the region for years. “The forum resolved to set up a regional security trust fund to be funded with monthly contributions…

President Bola Tinubu has met with the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retired), behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa Abuja. The former CDS arrived at the Villa on Monday evening, wearing a traditional northern attire, and immediately proceeded to meet with the President in his office. The reason for his visit was not ascertained as of the time of the report. However, it was his first visit to the State State since he was relieved of the responsibility of the Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in October this year Although reasons were not…