The New Diplomat

[Video] Nigeria Demands AU Action Over Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa

Hamilton Nwosa — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 17:49:07 +0000

By Nwosa Hamilton Nigeria has urged the African Union to take immediate and collective action against recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa. Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, made the call during the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in […]

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Nigeria Raises Concern Over Political Crisis in Niger

Hamilton Nwosa — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 17:20:08 +0000

By Nwosa Hamilton The Federal Government has expressed concern over the prevailing political and security situation in the Republic of Niger following an attempted coup in Niamey. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, said Nigeria remained committed to peace, security, democracy and sustainable development in Niger. Adeniyi […]

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Fernandes treble inspires Man Utd rout, Chelsea beat Brighton in thriller football

Diplomatic — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 16:56:06 +0000

Bruno Fernandes starred with a hat-trick in Manchester United’s 5-2 rout of Ipswich, while Chelsea extended Xabi Alonso’s perfect start with a thrilling 4-3 win against Brighton on Sunday. Fernandes’s dynamic display ensured United bounced back from their humiliating 2-0 defeat at Hull on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. Michael Carrick’s side […]

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[VIDE] Osun Political Scene Buzzes as Adeleke, Ex-Gov Aregbesola Share the Dance Floor

Diplomatic — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 16:39:48 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The political atmosphere in Osun State has been stirred following a public appearance by Governor Ademola Adeleke and a two-term governor of the state, Rauf Aregbesola, at an event held in Ilesa over the weekend. The two political figures captured public attention when they were spotted sharing lighthearted moments and dancing together […]

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Details as APGA Sweeps All 21 Chairmanship Seats in Anambra LG Polls

Diplomatic — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 16:27:07 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday The ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has recorded a landslide victory in the Anambra State local government elections held on August 29, 2026, sweeping all 21 chairmanship positions and councillorship seats across the state. The official results were declared on Sunday by the Chairman of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission […]

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APC Nat’l Sec Visits Adeleke After Party’s Loss in Osun

Diplomatic — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 16:22:44 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, has met with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke. The high-profile visit comes on the heels of the fiercely contested August 15 governorship election, which saw the ruling party suffer a major defeat in the state. The New Diplomat reports that discussions […]

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DSS Moves to Pause Cybercrime Trial Against Sowore Until After 2027 Elections

Hamilton Nwosa — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 12:05:00 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly instructed its lead counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), to seek an adjournment in the ongoing cybercrime trial involving African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore. The DSS reportedly opted to step back from the proceedings, effectively pushing any further court actions to a date […]

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Tinubu Begins Three-Week Annual Leave, Departs for London

Diplomatic — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 12:02:35 +0000

By Abiola Olawale President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to officially commence a three-week working vacation as part of his annual leave, departing Abuja for Europe. According to the Presidency, his initial stop is London, United Kingdom. The leave was confirmed in an official statement released by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President […]

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Osun Violence: Adeleke Orders Coroner Inquest, Sets Up Probe Panel Into Killings

Diplomatic — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 19:15:25 +0000

By Abiola Olawale Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has issued an Executive Order establishing a Coroner Inquest and Panel of Inquiry to thoroughly investigate the recent killings, shootings, and widespread violence in Ikire. The unrest, which broke out on August 24, 2026, at the Naira and Kobo Junction motor park in the Irewole Local Government […]

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Niger Junta Restores Order After Insurgents Attempt to Storm Presidential Palace

Diplomatic — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 16:31:03 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday Niger’s ruling military administration announced it has “gradually taken back control” of the capital following a tense night of heavy gunfire and coordinated attacks targeting key state infrastructure, including the presidential palace. The unrest erupted late Friday and extended into Saturday morning, sending shockwaves through Niamey. According to security sources, the chaos […]

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Shettima Jets Out of Abuja to Attend AU Summit in Angola

Diplomatic — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:45:11 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Luanda, the capital of Angola, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU). The high-level continental meeting is centered on tackling persistent security challenges across Africa, prioritizing coordinated approaches to conflict prevention, dispute […]

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Nigeria’s Land Borders Are Open, Tunji-Ojo Fires Back at Atiku

Diplomatic — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 12:16:55 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has firmly refuted claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar suggesting that Nigeria’s land borders remain closed. This is as Tunji-Ojo clarified that current security checkpoints are strategic measures rather than total trade blockades. The friction arose following comments from the former Vice President criticizing […]

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Chinese Suspects Flee as Police Rescue 2 Colombians

Hamilton Nwosa — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 12:13:58 +0000

By Nwosa Hamilton The Nigeria Police Force has rescued two Colombian women allegedly trafficked into Nigeria and held captive by a suspected international criminal syndicate in Lagos. The victims, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, were reportedly lured to Nigeria before being detained against their will and deprived of their […]

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Details as Shettima Opts for Low-Key 60th Birthday Celebration

Diplomatic — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 12:04:24 +0000

By Abiola Olawale Vice President Kashim Shettima has officially announced that he will forgo elaborate events, public gatherings, and media advertorials as he prepares to mark his 60th milestone birthday on September 2, 2026. In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President emphasized […]

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[PHOTOS] Tinubu Approaches US Court, Seeks Order to Block Release of Alleged Drug Trafficking File Case

Diplomatic — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 11:58:43 +0000

By Abiola Olawale President Bola Tinubu has moved to block the public release of historical investigative records held by United States law enforcement agencies, citing personal privacy rights. According to court filings submitted by his legal team, the Nigerian leader is pushing back against efforts to disclose documents tied to decades-old investigations. The legal filings […]

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Drama Erupts in El-Rufai’s Family as Sons Fight over Loyalty Issues

Diplomatic — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 11:54:54 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The high-profile political family of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has once again been thrust into the center of a public social media storm. In a barrage of expletive-laden posts on the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter), Bashir El-Rufai launched a scathing verbal assault on his elder brother, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, […]

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Now That Tinubu and Atiku Agree on Cheap Petrol

Diplomatic — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 04:44:41 +0000

By Farooq A. Kperogi Last week, I argued that Atiku Abubakar’s promise to restore petrol subsidy had rattled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because it finally opened a policy flank on which the president is acutely vulnerable. Events since then have strengthened my conviction. Tinubu has gone from deriding Atiku’s proposal as evidence of “serious ignorance” […]

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How Much Gas Prices Have Risen Since the Iran War

Diplomatic — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 19:31:46 +0000

Key Takeaways U.S. gas prices have risen about 44% from their pre-war baseline, adding an average of $1.25 per gallon. The largest percentage increases are concentrated across the Midwest and Mountain West, with several states up more than 60%. States that were already among the most expensive for gas have generally seen smaller percentage increases. […]

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Tinubu Orders Forensic Audit of IPPIS, Federal Agencies Over Payroll Fraud

Hamilton Nwosa — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 19:12:58 +0000

By Nwosa Hamilton President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed a comprehensive forensic audit of the Federal Government’s payroll and administrative systems amid concerns over ghost workers, payroll manipulation and the continued funding of questionable government agencies. The exercise will cover the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), as well as federal ministries, departments, agencies, […]

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“I’ve Evidence Tinubu is 90 Years Old, And I’ll Present in Court,” Atiku Claims

Diplomatic — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 16:41:43 +0000

By Abiola Olawale Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has stirred massive political controversy by claiming that President Bola Tinubu is 90 years old. Atiku made this explosive assertion during a media interview, maintaining that he is fully prepared to present his documentation and […]

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(VIDEO) Outrage as Nwebonyi Campaigns for Votes Across a River with No Bridge in Ebonyi

Diplomatic — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 15:07:03 +0000

By Abiola Olawale A recent campaign outing by Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, the lawmaker representing the Ebonyi North Senatorial District of Ebonyi State in the Nigerian National Assembly, has drawn sharp criticism and sparked intense debate across social media. This comes after footage emerged showing the lawmaker addressing constituents from the opposite bank of a […]

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Oil Prices Head for a Weekly Loss Despite Escalating Iran Tensions

Diplomatic — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:49:07 +0000

Crude oil prices were on course to book another weekly loss despite no sign of any progress being made towards peace between Iran and the United States. At the time of writing, Brent crude was trading at $89.17 per barrel, with West Texas Intermediate at $83.19 per barrel. Brent was down by 5.3% over the […]

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VeryDarkMan Kicks Against Falana’s Criticism, Says His NBA Invitation Based on Experience, Not Books

Diplomatic — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:35:00 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday Following intense backlash from legal heavyweights over his appearance at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference—most notably Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana—Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has fired back, insisting that his invitation was merited by practical field experience rather than academic textbooks. VDM featured […]

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“I Don’t Look 80,” Atiku Slams Age Criticisms

Diplomatic — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:16:29 +0000

By Afolayan Sunday Former Vice President and the 2027 African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has firmly pushed back against persistent criticisms regarding his age as he gears up for the 2027 general elections. Addressing public discourse surrounding his age, the veteran politician famously challenged critics: “Do I look 80?” With the political […]

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2027: “I’ll Reopen All Borders If Elected President,” Atiku Declares

Diplomatic — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 08:25:42 +0000

By Abiola Olawale Ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has shifted focus back to Nigeria’s trade and economic landscape. Following his recent policy declarations regarding the fuel subsidy, Atiku has made a fresh vow to reopen all land borders across the country, arguing […]

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Details as US Announces Move to Pull Out 200 Troops From Nigeria

Diplomatic — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 08:10:09 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The United States military has begun withdrawing the majority of the approximately 200 service members deployed to Nigeria earlier this year. US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and defense officials confirmed that the drawdown marks the wrap-up of a specialized deployment focused on intelligence sharing, reconnaissance, and specialized training to combat the Islamic State […]

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EXCLUISVE! Woes for Aisha Achimugu as Oceangate faces Potential loss of Oil Block

Hamilton Nwosa — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 19:41:51 +0000

By Nwosa Hamilton Controversial businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu, who threw a lavish party to mark her 50th birthday in Grenada in 2024 may be in for a rough patch following indications that her firm, Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Limited, is facing a potential loss of Petroleum prospecting license (PPL 235), should it fail to meet […]

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Tinubu Orders Major Overhaul of Nigerian Football

Diplomatic — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 19:04:45 +0000

By Nwosa Hamilton President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football following the country’s repeated struggles to qualify for major regional, continental and global competitions. In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said the proposed overhaul would tackle longstanding problems in […]

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Tinubu Swears In Abel Enitan as New Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

Diplomatic — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 17:12:37 +0000

By Abiola Olawale President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally sworn in Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF). The brief inauguration ceremony took place at the State House in Abuja, following the statutory retirement of his predecessor, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who stepped down after reaching the […]

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Borgu Bloodbath: Peter Obi Demands Urgent Action as Attacks Persist

Hamilton Nwosa — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:00:08 +0000

By Nwosa Hamilton Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action following reports of deadly attacks and mass abductions in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. Obi, reacting to reports of attacks on communities […]

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