Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised concerns over the recent claim that the website of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) was hacked, calling the incident “suspicious” and suggesting it could be an attempt to undermine the credibility of the agency’s data. The NBS reported on Wednesday that its website, www.nigerianstat.gov.ng, had been compromised, advising the public to disregard any information posted there until further notice. The agency’s website displayed a “Page hacked” message, with the site still unavailable as of Wednesday evening. The alleged hack comes just a day after the NBS published its Crime Experience and Security…

Afenifere, a prominent Yoruba socio-political organization, held a world press conference yesterday to raise alarm over the abduction, detention, and violations of the constitutional rights of Dele Farotimi, a respected human rights lawyer and member of the group. The organization decried what it called an unjust and unlawful treatment of Farotimi by the Nigerian Police and legal authorities, which it described as a significant blow to Nigeria’s democracy, free speech, and personal liberty. Farotimi, a vocal advocate for civil rights, was arrested under contentious circumstances on December 3, 2024, when plainclothes officers reportedly stormed his office in Lagos. Eyewitnesses recounted…

Fidelis Chukwu, a former National Vice-Chairperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-East, has been appointed the new president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. He succeeds Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who passed away on July 25, 2024. Chukwu’s appointment was confirmed during an Imeobi Ohanaeze meeting on Saturday in Enugu, as announced by the group’s spokesperson, Chiedozie Ogbonnia. Chukwu will serve for 27 days, completing the remaining tenure of Imo State, which ends on January 10, 2024. His appointment follows the deaths of two previous Ohanaeze presidents-general—George Obiozor in 2022 and Iwuanyanwu in 2024—events which Ogbonnia described as a “chain of catastrophe.”…

In every thriving democracy, the opposition plays a vital role in ensuring accountability, transparency, and good governance. One of the most effective mechanisms through which an opposition party fulfills this responsibility is the formation of a shadow cabinet. A shadow cabinet is not a parallel government, nor does it usurp the constitutional powers of the ruling administration. Rather, it is a legitimate and strategic structure that enables an opposition party to scrutinize, checkmate, and criticize the actions, policies, and programs of the government in power. The aim is to protect the public interest and prevent abuse of power or erosion…