The New Diplomat

Concerns as Police Confirm Boko Haram Attack on Borno APC Gov Candidate’s Convoy

Abiola Olawale — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 19:43:56 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday The Borno State Police Command has officially confirmed a coordinated attack by Boko Haram terrorists on the convoy of Mustapha Gubio, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Borno State. The incident, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, highlights the persistent security vulnerabilities facing political figures along major routes in Nigeria’s northeast. […]

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(FULL LIST) 2027: ADC Releases Governorship Candidates in 28 States

Abiola Olawale — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 19:36:10 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday As political maneuvering intensifies ahead of the 2027 general elections, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially released its full roster of governorship and deputy governorship candidates across 28 states. The announcement was made public through an official statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi. The lineup […]

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Nigeria’s Foreign Reserves Soar to $54bn, Highest Since 2008

Abiola Olawale — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 19:31:35 +0000

By Abiola Olawale Nigeria’s financial landscape has reached a significant milestone as the country’s external reserves officially crossed the $54 billion threshold for the first time since December 2008. According to the latest data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), gross external reserves climbed to $54.08 billion. This performance underscores a sustained period […]

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(VIDEO) Drama as Wike’s Aide, Clash With Rufai Oseni on TV

Diplomatic — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 14:45:39 +0000

By Abiola Olawale A tense live exchange erupted on Arise TV’s Morning Show when Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, clashed with co-host Rufai Oseni Olayinka appeared on The Morning Show on Friday for a right-of-reply segment tied to ongoing debates involving […]

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FG Fires Back as Viral Rumors Link Nigeria to Failed Niger Republic Coup

Diplomatic — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 14:34:25 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a categorical denial of explosive social media allegations claiming that Abuja and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) secretly orchestrated or backed the recent failed military takeover in the Niger Republic. Branding the online narratives as malicious propaganda, authorities have urged citizens and […]

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Details as ICC Kicks Out Petition Seeking Probe Into ‘Systemic Kidnappings’ in Nigeria

Hamilton Nwosa — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 14:30:45 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday The International Criminal Court (ICC) has officially dismissed an anonymous petition that sought a formal investigation into alleged “systemic kidnappings in Nigeria as crimes against humanity.” Pre-Trial Chamber II of the ICC threw out the filing, titled Formal Communication Requesting Investigation into Systemic Kidnappings in Nigeria as Crimes Against Humanity (Document No. […]

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VDM Walks Back on Comments About Security Agencies During NBA Speech

Diplomatic — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 14:26:28 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday Popular social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has issued a public apology to the Nigerian military, police, customs, and immigration services following backlash over his remarks at the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) 66th Annual General Conference. During a video address released on Friday, VDM admitted that his […]

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Citizens Are Now Selling Kidneys for Survival Under Tinubu’s Govt, Atiku Laments

Diplomatic — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 14:24:03 +0000

By Abiola Olawale Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised an alarm over reports that soaring economic hardship is driving vulnerable young Nigerians to sell their body organs, particularly kidneys, to survive. Describing the trend as “desperation at its most frightening,” Atiku criticized the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that the harsh […]

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When the Creator of Powerful AI Says No One Fully Understands the Consequences

Diplomatic — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 14:21:49 +0000

By Sonny Iroche When Sam Altman, Chief Executive Officer of OpenAI, warns that artificial intelligence is becoming so powerful that even those developing it do not fully understand its consequences, governments, businesses and society should pay attention. Altman recently wrote that “AI is getting extremely capable; no one fully understands the consequences of this.” More […]

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Presidency Breaks Silence, Reveals Details on Tinubu’s Case in US

Diplomatic — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 19:27:06 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Nigerian Presidency has declared that the ongoing legal battle in a United States federal court regarding President Bola Tinubu’s historical records is strictly a civil transparency dispute and not a criminal trial. In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the government drew […]

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DSS Boss Ajayi Bars Operatives from Civil Arrests

Diplomatic — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 18:42:42 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, has issued a strict directive prohibiting security operatives from arresting or detaining individuals over civil matters. Speaking during a media briefing, the DSS boss emphasized that the sweeping policy change is part of ongoing institutional reforms designed to institutionalize the rule […]

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“Nigeria Turning into a Graveyard for Businesses,” ADC Slams APC’s Govt over Uber Exit

Diplomatic — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 18:16:54 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic strategies, declaring that Nigeria has been transformed into a “graveyard of businesses” following the exit of global ride-hailing giant Uber. In a hard-hitting statement released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party argued that […]

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Cutting the Cost of Governance in Nigeria

Diplomatic — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 18:12:26 +0000

By Sonny Iroche Nigeria’s challenge is not necessarily that democracy itself has failed. The deeper question is whether the particular structure of government we have chosen is sustainable, efficient and appropriate for our circumstances. I agree with those who argue that Nigeria should not simply imitate Western models of democracy without considering our own history, […]

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(VIDEO) Drama as Abati, Rufai Clash on live TV over Comments Against PDP Presidential Candidate

Diplomatic — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 18:09:46 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday Tempers flared on Thursday during the live broadcast of Arise Television’s The Morning Show as co-anchors Dr. Reuben Abati and Rufai Oseni engaged in a heated on-air exchange. The confrontation erupted over remarks made concerning the 2027 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Sandy Onor. The morning broadcast took […]

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Fubara Finally Signs 2026 Budget After Months of Crisis

Diplomatic — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:53:46 +0000

By Abiola Olawale Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially signed the state’s ₦1.8 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law. Following its passage by the Rivers State House of Assembly, the governor labeled the fiscal milestone as a critical turning point for the region. The governor performed the exercise on Thursday at the State Executive […]

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(VIDEO) Oyo APC Guber Candidate Breaks Silence After Backlash on Stroking Male Student’s Lap

Diplomatic — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:49:08 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The campaign organization of Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, has officially responded to intense social media backlash following a viral video that captured him interacting with a male student. The controversial footage, which circulated widely across multiple digital platforms, shows a student from The […]

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Alleged Fake Agency Saga: Court Orders IGP, AGF to Grant Adeyemi Access to Lawyers

Diplomatic — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:29:33 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to grant Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), immediate and unimpeded access to his legal counsel. Justice Obiora Egwatu issued the ruling on Thursday […]

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Fuel Prices Will Drop Across Filling Stations– IPMAN Assures

Diplomatic — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:26:25 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday Motorists and consumers can expect relief at the pumps as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has announced that filling stations will soon begin adjusting petrol pump prices downward. The price adjustment, expected to roll out across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other regions in the coming days, is […]

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Drama as Trump Suggests Renaming Strait Of Hormuz to ‘Trump Strait’

Diplomatic — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:23:04 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday United States (US) President Donald Trump has sparked fresh international controversy by suggesting that the globally vital Strait of Hormuz be renamed the “Trump Strait”. The proposal arrived via social media amidst an escalating military conflict between the US and Iran. Taking to his Truth Social network, Trump argued that because the […]

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Alleged Drug Case: How Tinubu Offered Us $3m to Drop Probe – US firm

Abiola Olawale — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 19:31:39 +0000

By Abiola Olawale A United States-based policy advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has made an explosive claim alleging that an individual linked to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu offered a $3 million bribe to halt its ongoing advocacy and investigation into drug trafficking records. The Washington, D.C.-based firm, which was retained by former vice president […]

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Uber Announces Shutdown of Operations in Nigeria

Diplomatic — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:35:48 +0000

By Abiola Olawale Global ride-hailing pioneer Uber has announced it is officially shutting down its operations in Nigeria after 12 years. The company confirmed the decision in an official statement released on Wednesday, citing a comprehensive internal review of its global business strategy. The sudden exit takes effect immediately. In an email sent to […]

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Fake Agency Scandal: Reps Release Report, Clear Gbajabiamila of Any Wrongdoing

Diplomatic — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:28:28 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the sprawling “fake agency” scandal has officially exonerated former Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, clearing him of any wrongdoing or involvement in the controversy. The legislative panel released its preliminary report amid public speculation and allegations surrounding the phantom Presidential Foreign […]

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2027: “Why I’ll be Atiku, Obi’s First Casualty if Tinubu Loses Re-election Bid”, Wike

Diplomatic — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:23:42 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has made a striking political declaration, stating that he will be the primary target of political retribution if President Bola Tinubu fails to secure victory in the 2027 general elections. Speaking during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Wike emphasized […]

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Fresh Worry for Kwankwaso as Kano NDC Moves to Join APC After Visit to Gov Yusuf

Diplomatic — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 11:23:49 +0000

By Abiola Olawale Political realignments in Kano State intensified on Tuesday as prominent members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) loyal to the party’s Kano Central senatorial candidate, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, signaled plans to rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC) following a solidarity visit to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. The development has raised fresh […]

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How CSOs Now Serve as a Conduit for Human Trafficking in Nigeria, NAPTIP Reveals

Diplomatic — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 11:08:41 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has issued a grave warning that criminal syndicates are increasingly masquerading as Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to facilitate human trafficking across Nigeria. Speaking during a joint security briefing in Abuja, NAPTIP’s Head of Press and Public Relations, […]

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Borno Commissioner Walks Back on Threats to Opposition, Issues Public Apology

Diplomatic — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 11:05:14 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday The Borno State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Youth Empowerment and Sports, Comrade Saina Buba, has officially retracted his controversial “finger-breaking” comment that went viral on social media and offered an unconditional apology to residents of the state. The initial remark, made during a political gathering, sparked widespread public outcry and heavy criticism […]

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Tinubu Hails Shettima as He Clocks 60 Years

Diplomatic — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 11:02:01 +0000

• Says He is a Trusted Partner By Afolayan Sunday President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded Vice President Kashim Shettima as a quintessential patriot and an invaluable pillar of his administration, as the nation’s number two citizen marked his milestone 60th birthday. In a warm birthday tribute, Tinubu praised his deputy’s dedication, describing him not […]

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Details as Court Adjourns Atiku’s Suit Challenging Tinubu’s Eligibility to Sept 28

Hamilton Nwosa — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:25:33 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings to September 28 in the pre-election lawsuit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which seeks to disqualify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from contesting the 2027 presidential election. The postponement allows all parties, including President Tinubu, the […]

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Tears as PDP Chieftain Dan Orbih Passes Away

Diplomatic — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:43:30 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday Tributes and grief have flooded the Nigerian political space following the death of Chief Daniel Osi Orbih, a high-ranking chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and veteran political strategist. Orbih passed away on Monday, August 31, 2026, at the age of 64. His passing was officially confirmed in a statement released […]

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Ranked: The Countries With the Highest Household Net Worth

Diplomatic — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:36:15 +0000

Key Takeaways The United States had the world’s largest total household net worth in 2025, at $175 trillion. China ranked second at $75 trillion, less than half the U.S. total. The U.S. has more wealth than China, Germany, Japan, France, and the United Kingdom combined. Global household wealth reached a record $570 trillion in 2025, […]

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