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Presidency Zoning: South West Monarchs Make Position Known Ahead Of 2027.
Traditional rulers from the six states in Nigeria’s Southwest have rejected any move to return the presidency to the North in 2027, declaring their support for the continuation of the rotational presidency arrangement.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The monarchs also endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They maintained that rotational presidency was necessary to ensure fairness, equity, political stability and national cohesion between the Northern and Southern regions of the country.
News reports that the traditional rulers made their position known in a communiqué issued on Thursday after a meeting of the Council of Obas and Traditional Rulers of the Southwest.
The meeting was held at the Oke-Aremo Palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The monarchs deliberated on governance, security, economic development and other issues affecting Nigeria and the Southwest region.
A 10-paragraph communiqué issued at the end of the meeting was read by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Aremu Gbadebo, alongside the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, and the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Aladesanmi.
The council also expressed support for the policies, economic reforms and infrastructure development initiatives of the Tinubu administration.
It described continuity in leadership as important to sustaining the Federal Government’s development agenda, adding that the administration’s efforts to address the country’s challenges deserved support.
The monarchs urged traditional rulers across the Southwest to mobilise residents in their communities to support government policies and programmes aimed at promoting economic growth, stability and social development.
On security, the council endorsed the proposed establishment of state police, describing the initiative as a strategic step towards strengthening internal security.
It also called on traditional rulers to sensitise young people across the region to take advantage of employment and service opportunities that could arise from the initiative.
Regarding the economy, the monarchs backed the Federal Government’s decision to remove fuel subsidies, arguing that their reintroduction could undermine long-term economic growth and fiscal sustainability.
The council further called for stronger cooperation between the Southwest and other regions, particularly Northern Nigeria, to promote national unity and peaceful coexistence.
According to the monarchs, the rotational presidency arrangement has played a significant role in sustaining political stability, inclusiveness and national cohesion over the years.
The communiqué stated, “The rotational arrangement should be sustained and the presidency should remain in Southern Nigeria in the next electoral cycle, in line with the spirit of power rotation that has helped preserve peace and stability in the country.”
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the traditional rulers called for peaceful, free and credible polls, while condemning electoral violence, intimidation, vote-buying and other forms of malpractice.
They urged politicians and citizens to uphold democratic principles before, during and after the elections.
The monarchs also commended Tinubu for approving the establishment of new military brigades in Oyo and Ekiti states, noting that the development would strengthen the region’s security structure and improve the protection of lives and property.
They further praised the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects and development initiatives across the Southwest and other parts of the country, saying the projects could improve economic activities, connectivity and national development.
The council resolved to continue holding regular consultations on matters concerning the welfare, security and development of the Southwest and Nigeria at large.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace, good governance and national unity, while urging Nigerians to remain law-abiding and work together towards a prosperous and secure country.
No fewer than 22 monarchs from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states attended the meeting.
Among those present were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; and Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladewusi.
Others included the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adesuyi Hastrup; Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin; Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdulrasq Adenugba; Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye; Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Aladesanmi; and Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi.
The United States government has called on Nigerian authorities to release Sufi Muslim singer Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who has been detained in Kano State since 2020 over blasphemy allegations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The United States government has called on Nigerian authorities to release Sufi Muslim singer Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who has been detained in Kano State since 2020 over blasphemy allegations.
The US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Riley M. Barnes, made the appeal in written testimony presented on Thursday before the Africa Subcommittee of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee.
In his testimony, titled “One Year Later: Assessing Nigeria’s Efforts to Protect Christians and Secure the Middle Belt,” Barnes disclosed that Washington was mounting pressure on the Nigerian government to free the singer and stop enforcing blasphemy laws.
He said, “We are actively pressing the Government of Nigeria and calling for the release of Sufi singer, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who sits on death row over blasphemy charges. We continue to urge the government to cease enforcement of blasphemy laws.”
Barnes described the continued prosecution of individuals over alleged blasphemy as another troubling issue in Nigeria, noting that people face legal action over perceived insults to Islam, including peaceful expressions.
He also pointed out that Sharia penal codes operate in 12 Nigerian states, urging the Nigerian government to repeal blasphemy laws or, at the very least, discontinue their enforcement.
The US official further stated that Washington would continue to pressure Nigeria to address attacks and violence. He added that the US would assess progress based on reductions in violence and efforts to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Sharif-Aminu, who was 22 at the time, was sentenced to death in August 2020 by a Sharia Court in Hausawa Filin Hockey, Kano State, over a song he released that was deemed insulting to Prophet Muhammad.
The presiding judge, Khadi Aliyu Muhammad, handed down the sentence after concluding that the evidence presented established the offence against the singer.
Before his arrest, some Kano youths had, in March 2020, stormed the Kano Hisbah office, demanding action against Sharif-Aminu over the song, which allegedly contained derogatory remarks about the Prophet.
The singer was arrested that same month after sharing the composition in a WhatsApp group. Some members of the Muslim community considered its lyrics blasphemous, while his family home was subsequently set ablaze by a mob.
However, in January 2021, the Kano State High Court overturned the death sentence, citing procedural irregularities, including the failure to provide the singer with legal representation during his trial. The court consequently ordered a retrial.
The Court of Appeal upheld the retrial order in August 2022. Sharif-Aminu later approached the Supreme Court, which allowed his appeal to proceed in September 2025.
His case remains unresolved.
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‘My Mother Wanted Me Married, Not Playing Football’ – Flamingos Captain Reveals Untold Story.
Flamingos captain, Harmony Chidi, has disclosed that her mother wanted her to get married rather than pursue a career in football after the early death of her father.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The 17-year-old revealed that her grandmother, however, supported her ambition and encouraged her to continue playing football despite her mother’s opposition.
Chidi, who recently captained Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team to a historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup victory in Morocco, shared her experience during an interview with BBC Pidgin.
According to the young footballer, her grandmother played a significant role in keeping her football dream alive, although she has since passed away.
She said, “When I started football, my mother didn’t want me to play. My father died early, so my mother wanted me to get married. It was my grandmother who stood by me and pushed me to play football. Unfortunately, my grandmother is late.”
The Bayelsa Queens striker also acknowledged the contribution of her foster father, Prince Chidi, whom she credited with helping her overcome challenges and providing the support she needed to pursue her ambition.
Prince Chidi, who owns her grassroots club, Imo Strikers, reportedly encouraged her to remain focused on achieving her football dreams.
Chidi said, “It wasn’t easy until I met my foster father, Prince Chidi. He is the owner of my grassroots team, Imo Strikers, and he encourages me, making sure that I achieve my dream.”
The teenager also recounted how a serious injury nearly brought her football career to an end and prevented her from representing Nigeria at the previous edition of the U-17 Women’s World Cup.
She described the injury as the toughest period of her career, revealing that some of her friends abandoned her while she struggled to recover.
“There is nothing that has been more difficult than my injury. It is an injury that has killed the dream of many players in Nigeria. All my friends deserted me and it was tough. I even thought of an alternative plan,” she said.
However, Chidi eventually recovered and returned to the pitch, leading Nigeria to its first-ever title in the competition.
The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final in Morocco to become the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Despite the historic achievement, the young captain said she remains determined to reach greater heights in her football career.
She listed Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Raphinha and Nigerian women’s football star Asisat Oshoala among the players she admires and hopes to surpass.
“I have like five players that I want to be like: Victor Osimhen, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Raphinha and Asisat Oshoala. I want to be greater than them,” she said.
The Media Aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over what he described as disrespect for Nigeria’s National Anthem.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Media Aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over what he described as disrespect for Nigeria’s National Anthem.
reports that Obi and supporters of the NDC recited the country’s former national anthem, Arise, O Compatriots, on Thursday during a town hall meeting in Lagos State.
Obi attended the gathering alongside the party’s Lagos State governorship candidate, Funsho Doherty, and other NDC members. Their decision to sing the old anthem was seen as a rejection of the current national anthem.
Reacting in a post on X, Olayinka accused Obi of failing to understand the implications of disregarding the National Anthem, referring to provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
He insisted that all citizens, regardless of their social or political status, are bound to obey the law.
Olayinka wrote:
“I am sure this Peter Obi does not know the implications of disrespecting the National Anthem of a country he is seeking to govern.
“Law is law and it must be obeyed by all citizens. But this supporter of IPOB Terrorists was there and he participated in disrespecting Nigeria.
“Section 24 (a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) makes it mandatory for Nigerians to ‘abide by the Constitution, …respect its ideals and its institutions, the National Flag, the National Anthem, the National Pledge, and legitimate authorities.’
“But to Peter Obi and his rebellious gang, the laws of Nigeria must not be obeyed. Nigeria must operates like a jungle just because one PACKAGED FRAUD wants to be President. And Peter Obi claimed to be educated? Sad!”
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