During the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Freetown, President Bola Tinubu—represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima—called for a collective African condemnation of the recent attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa. Tinubu argued that silence would only foster further intolerance across the continent, urging ECOWAS to unite and bring the issue before the African Union. The President highlighted that Nigeria has already evacuated over 1,490 citizens in seven separate missions and emphasized that while the government continues to engage South African authorities diplomatically, it remains prepared to take further protective action. Additionally, President Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s commitment to the new ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration, noting its potential to rebuild institutional trust and strengthen regional cooperation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

President Bola Tinubu has urged his fellow African leaders to take a unified stand against xenophobic violence in South Africa, warning that failing to speak out will embolden future acts of intolerance. Speaking via Vice President Kashim Shettima at the ECOWAS summit in Sierra Leone, Tinubu stated that Nigeria has already safely evacuated 1,490 citizens from the region and will continue to prioritize the protection of its people through diplomatic engagement. He further called for the matter to be formally addressed at the next African Union session. Beyond this, the President voiced his support for the ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration, which aims to boost member-state cooperation and restore public faith in regional institutions.

Option 3: Direct and Impactful “Xenophobia has no place in Africa.” This was the core message from President Bola Tinubu at the 69th ECOWAS summit, where he called on regional leaders to jointly denounce the ongoing attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. Represented by Vice President Shettima, the President revealed that Nigeria has already successfully evacuated 1,490 of its nationals from the volatile situation and will not hesitate to take further protective measures. Tinubu advocated for a united front to be presented at the upcoming African Union meeting. The President also emphasized his administration’s backing of the new ECOWAS Compact, framing it as a vital tool for strengthening regional integration and rebuilding trust across West Africa.

Musiliu Obanikoro, a former Minister of State for Defence, recently clarified the context behind his past assertion that Lagos State did not require a “toy governor” like Babatunde Fashola. During the 2007 gubernatorial race, Obanikoro utilized this phrase while running against Fashola as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a move driven by his perception that Fashola was a “puppet” of Bola Tinubu at the time.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a recent interview on the Mic On Podcast, Obanikoro provided a different perspective on his former political rival:

• He emphasized that their relationship is grounded in their shared roots in Isale Eko, noting that he never viewed Fashola as a politician.

• Obanikoro explained that his previous remarks were based on his belief that he possessed greater political maturity, exposure, and experience, having served as a local government chairman, commissioner, and senator.

• He also pointed out that prior to that election, Fashola had not run for any government office, having previously served as Chief of Staff to Tinubu.

Social media commentator Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has publicly demanded the arrest of the Director-General of the Budget Office and a comprehensive investigation into the nation’s budgeting processes. VDM’s call follows the arrest of Prince Adeniyi Matthew, the Director-General of the Project Financial Implementation and Public-Private Partnership Commission (PFIPC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Allegations of Conspiracy: VDM stated that Prince Adeniyi Matthew disclosed to him in confidence that the PFIPC was integrated into the national budget with the assistance of powerful individuals.

• Defense of Adeniyi: VDM characterized Adeniyi as a victim of a corrupt, long-standing system and argued that he should not be left to “take the fall” alone for actions involving others.

• Calls for Resignation and Prosecution: VDM demanded the immediate resignation and prosecution of the Budget Office DG and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, as well as the prosecution of staff within those offices.

• Comments on Legal Actions: Addressing the 15 billion naira lawsuit filed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, against Adeniyi, VDM contended that Adeniyi was utilized by others within the current government and that the DG of the Budget Office was also implicated.

• Demand for Systemic Reform: Asserting that the system is deeply corrupt, VDM insisted that true national growth requires genuine accountability rather than outcomes driven by political influence.