Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has assured Nigerians that the National Assembly will carefully scrutinise President Bola Tinubu’s fresh loan request before deciding whether to approve it.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The request has sparked reactions from Nigerians and opposition parties, with some questioning the need for additional borrowing, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Oshiomhole maintained that the Senate would not approve the loan without thoroughly examining its details.

The former Edo State governor said lawmakers had a responsibility to demand explanations about how previous loans were utilised and the specific projects the new borrowings were intended to finance.

He also expressed confidence that the Senate, under the leadership of Godswill Akpabio, would not merely endorse the President’s request without proper scrutiny.

Oshiomhole said, “The Senate will scrutinise Tinubu’s fresh loan request. We won’t just approve it like that. We must look at it properly and ensure it is in the interest of Nigerians.”

Meanwhile, Oshiomhole has defended President Tinubu against criticism over his decision not to attend every campaign rally organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The senator argued that the President did not have to be physically present at every campaign event to effectively discharge his responsibilities.

During a television interview on Friday, Oshiomhole also maintained that there was nothing wrong with Tinubu participating in religious activities while continuing to attend to the affairs of the country.

Barely 48 hours after leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Vatsa, has received two major appointments in the party’s 2027 governorship campaign council.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Vatsa has been named Spokesperson and Director of Contacts and Mobilisation for the SDP governorship campaign council.

The party’s governorship candidate, Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed, SAN, announced the appointments in a letter personally signed by him and made available to journalists in Minna on Friday.

The announcement followed Vatsa’s defection to the SDP alongside more than 200 supporters.

Before leaving the APC, the former commissioner served as the party’s pioneer Publicity Secretary in Niger State.

Explaining the decision, Ndarani described Vatsa as a vocal politician with extensive grassroots connections, media experience and strong mobilisation skills.

He said Vatsa’s political background and communication abilities would be valuable to the party as it prepares to challenge the ruling APC in the 2027 governorship election.

In the appointment letter, Ndarani praised Vatsa’s political influence, public speaking ability and experience in media management.

“Your appointment is a testament to your towering political profile, fearless advocacy, exceptional oratory, media management skills, profound grassroots penetration and unmatched mobilisation prowess,” the letter stated.

The SDP candidate explained that assigning Vatsa the two responsibilities was a deliberate decision informed by his experience in public communication and grassroots politics.

He further described him as one of the most fearless, outspoken and respected political voices in Niger State.

“You speak powerfully and you mobilise massively. We need your voice to shape public opinion and your network to deliver the votes,” Ndarani added.

As campaign spokesperson, Vatsa will serve as the official voice of the campaign council and oversee communication of the party’s five-point agenda to voters.

In his role as Director of Contacts and Mobilisation, he will coordinate grassroots activities across the state’s 25 local government areas, 247 political wards and 4,950 polling units.

He is also expected to engage community leaders, traditional rulers and religious organisations to strengthen the party’s support base.

Other responsibilities include coordinating house-to-house, door-to-door, market-to-market and farm-to-farm campaign activities across Niger State.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed why he decided against contesting for a Senate seat after completing two terms as governor of Rivers State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Wike explained that he was not interested in joining the National Assembly because he believed becoming a senator would limit his ability to speak freely on national issues.

The minister made this known on Friday during the commissioning of a pedestrian bridge at the Dunamis International Gospel Centre in Abuja.

He noted that several former governors pursue National Assembly seats after leaving office but said he chose a different path to preserve his freedom of expression.

“Many governors today, when they are done, they want to go to the National Assembly, but I said that I won’t go. They asked me why, and I said I would be prevented from speaking my mind.

“Since I won’t be able to speak my mind, there is no need for me to go there. That is true. Everybody has forgotten what this country was before now,” he said.

The former Rivers State governor maintained that he would continue to speak openly about issues affecting Nigeria, irrespective of the political office he occupies.

Wike also urged political and religious leaders to prioritise effective leadership and policies that would improve the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.

He emphasised that those entrusted with positions of authority must place the welfare and interests of the people above other considerations.