President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja after completing his visit to Saudi Arabia, where he performed the Umrah pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The President’s aircraft touched down in Abuja at approximately 8:53 p.m. local time on Wednesday.

He was received at the airport by the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of Education; the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu; and other government officials.

Tinubu had travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah, also known as the Lesser Hajj.

Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, has dismissed claims that Tinubu’s pilgrimage was aimed at attracting support from northern voters ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Oshodi said the trip should be viewed from both religious and national perspectives rather than through a political lens.

The presidential aide argued that the President’s access to the Holy Kaaba held significance for Muslims across Nigeria and should not be viewed as an issue concerning only one region.

He said: “You know public opinion is far from being monolithic. One section of the population cannot come and say, ‘This is for votes from the North’.

“I believe we should look at it from a different aspect. This is a huge significance for Nigeria. This is the first South-West leader to have been given that honour. How do the South-West Nigerians see that?

“So, it is not just a Northern or Southern thing. It is a Muslim thing. And the Muslims have cherished this opportunity,” he said.

Oshodi also noted that Tinubu had performed both Umrah and Hajj several times in his lifetime, insisting that his latest trip was not politically motivated.

The Deputy Director-General of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Dino Melaye, has pledged that an administration led by the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would not interfere in the selection of the Senate President or Speaker of the House of Representatives if elected.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Melaye made the declaration during an appearance on Arise Television, where he said the ADC would allow lawmakers to elect their leaders independently.

He maintained that the party was committed to democratic principles and an independent National Assembly.

“To start with, an Atiku presidency will not determine who is going to be the Senate president, the president of the Senate, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“Atiku is a Democrat. ADC is a very democratic political party. So we are going to allow the people to elect their leaders,” he said.

Melaye argued that allowing lawmakers to choose their leaders would promote legislative independence and strengthen the National Assembly’s oversight of the executive arm of government.

He said an independent legislature would be better positioned to scrutinise government activities and hold the executive accountable.

“And I told you that wherever you have the members electing their leaders, there is some modicum of independence.

“So to start with, the ADC will make sure that the National Assembly is truly independent, and if the National Assembly is truly independent, that will drive their oversight functions over the Executive,” he said.

Speaking on how government spending would be monitored, the ADC campaign official said relevant National Assembly committees would be empowered to question government officials and examine public expenditure.

He specifically mentioned the Committees on Establishment, Finance, and Budget and Planning as possible channels for investigating government spending and ensuring accountability.

“The Committee on Establishment is responsible for questioning this type of spenders because they have direct oversight function over the State House. The committee on finance is there. The committee on budget and planning is there,” Melaye said.

Nigerian socialite and nightlife promoter Paschal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has expressed gratitude to God after surviving a frightening experience during a recent flight.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The businessman disclosed that he encountered the worst air turbulence he had ever experienced while travelling by plane.

In a post shared on his Instagram Story, Cubana Chief Priest revealed that the aircraft shook violently, leaving him terrified and fearing that he might not survive the journey.

He explained that the experience was so disturbing that he thought his life was about to end.

The socialite also admitted that the incident left him shaken, as he struggled to overcome the fear he experienced while the aircraft battled the turbulence.

He said: “Experienced the craziest turbulence ever in my life, I still can’t feel my heart I thought it was over, Thank God for journey mercies.”

In another development, Cubana Chief Priest has called on President Bola Tinubu to sack the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

The socialite described Umahi as one of the worst ministers the South-East had produced, arguing that the region had little to show for having one of its own in charge of the Ministry of Works.

He also criticised another minister from Imo State, whom he described as the worst minister the region had ever had.

According to Chief Priest, the ministers have failed to create visible opportunities for the Igbo people despite occupying important positions in the Federal Government.