Category: Governance

BREAKING: Democracy Day: Anti-Tinubu protest breaks out in Lagos.

June 12, 2025 (updated June 12, 2025) Published by

As part of the 2025 Democracy Day celebration, Nigerians irked by the economic hardship imposed by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration have stormed Lagos streets.

The protesters, who converged at the Ikeja Underbridge, are demanding the reversal of some policies of the present administration

Despite the presence of security operatives, the protesters were seen displaying placards with various inscriptions such as “Reverse Electricity Tariff Hike”, “No one deserves a death sentence for protesting against hunger”, among others.

The Police Public Relations Officer of Lagos State, Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the ongoing protest, said there was no cause for alarm.

He said, “Adequate security on ground for celebrants and protesters alike. No cause for alarm. Your safety and security remain our priority.”

Elon Musk expresses regret over Trump posts after online feud

June 11, 2025 (updated June 11, 2025) Published by

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has admitted that some of his recent social media posts about U.S. President Donald Trump “went too far”, following a highly publicized online feud between the two former allies

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO made the remark on Wednesday morning in a post on X, the platform he owns, after days of heated exchanges with Trump.

I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far,” Musk tweeted.

The feud erupted shortly after Musk resigned from his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a position he had controversially held under the Trump administration.

Musk criticized Trump’s proposed “Big Beautiful Bill,” claiming it would reverse much of DOGE’s streamlining efforts.

As tensions escalated, Musk posted a series of inflammatory comments on X, supporting impeachment calls and accusing the president of ingratitude.

He also referenced unverified allegations linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, and warned that Trump’s tariff policies could lead the U.S. into recession.

Most of the contentious posts have since been deleted.

President Trump dismissed the idea of reconciling with Musk, telling reporters, “He was disrespectful to the office of the president.

I haven’t really thought about it actually. I would imagine he wants to speak to me. I would think so, if I were him, I’d want to speak to me.”

And maybe he already called… ask him whether or not he’s already called,” Trump added, noting that he would not oppose taking a call from the billionaire.

Musk’s shift in tone comes in the wake of violent protests in Los Angeles sparked by a federal immigration raid. The events appear to have influenced Musk’s stance, aligning him once again with the Trump administration.

Earlier this week, Musk reposted a statement from Vice President JD Vance praising the president’s hardline response to the riots, adding American flag emojis to show support.

He also shared a Truth Social screenshot of Trump demanding an apology from California officials for the unrest.

Vice President Vance offered a diplomatic take on the Musk-Trump spat in a recent interview:

The President is a little frustrated but he’s actually been restrained because he doesn’t want to be in some blood feud with Elon Musk.

“I think if Elon chills out a little bit everything will be fine,” Vance said.

Musk responded to the comment with a brief “cool”.

As of now, no direct conversation between Trump and Musk has been confirmed. Whether the two will reconcile publicly remains to be seen, but insiders suggest the door remains open on Trump’s terms.

Appeal Court Strikes Out Akpabio’s Motions Against Senator Natasha, Orders N100,000 Costs

June 11, 2025 (updated June 11, 2025) Published by

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents the Kogi Central Senatorial District, had been summoned by the Senate Committee following an altercation with Akpabio on February 20, 2025.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has struck out two motions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio against a Federal High Court judgment that barred the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from conducting disciplinary proceedings against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The motions, dated March 20 and March 25, 2025, respectively, sought permission to appeal the March 10, 2025, decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.

Justice Egwuatu’s ruling, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Clerk of the National Assembly & 3 Others, granted an injunction restraining the Senate Committee from proceeding with the disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan. The decision followed an ex parte application by her counsel.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents the Kogi Central Senatorial District, had been summoned by the Senate Committee following an altercation with Akpabio on February 20, 2025.

The two motions were subsequently struck out after Akpabio’s legal team filed applications to withdraw them.

According to the document, the Kogi senator prayed that the court grant an order restraining the Senate and its ethics committee from “proceeding with the purported investigation” against her.

Akpoti-Uduaghan asked the court to grant an order “declaring that any action taken during the pendency of this suit is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever”.

The presiding judge ruled that the defendants should come and show cause within 72 hours, upon the service of the order, why an interlocutory injunction should not be issued against them.

Not satisfied with the decisions of the court, Senator Akpabio appealed against the order through his Counsel, Deborah D. Anyanwu.

The Appellant sought among others, “AN ORDER of this Honourable Court enlarging the time within which the Appellant/Applicant may seek leave to appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria & 3 Ors. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu) delivered on 10th March 2025 on grounds of mixed law and fact as contained in the proposed Notice of Appeal attached as Exhibit B.

“AN ORDER of this Honourable Court granting leave to the Appellant/Applicant to appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria & 3 Ors. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu) delivered on 10th March 2025 on grounds of mixed law and fact as contained in the proposed Notice of Appeal attached as Exhibit B.

“AN ORDER of this Honourable Court granting leave to the Appellant/Applicant to appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria & 3 Ors. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu) delivered on 10th March 2025 on grounds of mixed law and fact as contained in the proposed Notice of Appeal attached as Exhibit B.

“AN ORDER of this Honourable Court enlarging the time within which the Appellant/Applicant may file their Notice of appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria & 3 Ors. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu) delivered on 10th March 2025.

AN ORDER of this Honourable Court staying further proceeding in Suit No: FCH/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria & 3 Ors. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu), pending the hearing and determination of the Appellant/Applicant’s appeal before this Honourable Court.”

Ruling on the motions, which were identical in content but filed on different dates, the Court of Appeal struck them out following an application by Akpabio’s legal team to withdraw them.

In the decision delivered on May 21, 2025, the three-member panel of Justices, led by Justice Hamma A. Barka, also ordered Senate President Akpabio to pay ₦100,000 in costs to the 1st Respondent, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The court’s enrolled order, signed by Deputy Chief Registrar Josephine J. Ekperobe, confirmed that the application to withdraw the motions was granted, and the motions were accordingly struck out.

Justice Barka delivered the lead judgment, with Justices Adebukunola A. Banjoko and Okon E. Abang concurring.

The court decisions partly read: “This Court, Wednesday the 21st day of May, 2025, upon reading the Motion on Notice filed on the 20/3/2025 and 25/3/2025 together with the Affidavit in support deposed to by Toyo Jimmy.

“And after hearing, Deborah D. Anyanwu for the Appellant. Peter Erviwode with Daniel Akpoviroro, A. Ε. Imadegbelo and Y. M. Zakari for the 1st Respondent. Arnold Ubua for the 3rd Respondent.

“It is hereby ordered that: “Application seeking to withdraw the two Motions dated and filed on the 20/3/2025 and 25/3/2025 is granted and same struck out.

Cost of N100,000 awarded to the 1st Respondent. Appeal No: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 to be deleted.”

Boko Haram Attacked ex-Army Chief Buratai’s Convoy In Borno-Ndume

June 9, 2025 (updated June 9, 2025) Published by

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd), narrowly escaped death on Friday after his convoy came under a heavy gunfire attack in Borno State.

The assault, believed to be orchestrated by suspected Boko Haram insurgents, has further raised concerns about the escalating insecurity in the region.

The revelation was made by the lawmaker representing Borno, Senator Ali Ndume, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday evening.

According to Ndume, the retired army general and his accompanying soldiers were ambushed near a frontline military base.

While details on casualties remain unclear, the lawmaker disclosed that a fierce exchange of gunfire ensued between the attackers and the troops escorting Buratai.

We are in a dire security situation. Just two days ago, Buratai was attacked at the front operations base in Borno.

His team responded gallantly, but the insurgents managed to destroy several military assets,” he said.

In some cases, Ndume added, the insurgents not only destroy these assets but also cart away weaponry and equipment.

The attackers reportedly targeted high-value equipment including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPVs), tanks, and machine guns.

The situation in Borno is deteriorating rapidly.

Insurgents now move freely, torching and stealing military equipment. It is becoming a full-blown crisis,” he added

Ndume also used the opportunity to paint a bleak picture of Nigeria’s broader security landscape, noting that violent conflict, banditry, and sabotage have extended across the nation.

All six geopolitical zones are experiencing security challenges to varying degrees.

Even in the South-South, we are grappling with economic sabotage like oil theft. At this point, the South-West appears to be the only relatively safe region,” he said.

The attack on Buratai comes amid renewed calls for a more aggressive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, particularly in the troubled North-East where Boko Haram and ISWAP factions continue to operate with deadly impunity.

Buratai served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021 and was a central figure in the country’s counterinsurgency campaign.

Since his retirement, he has remained an influential figure in security circles.

Steve Bannon Urges Trump To Size SpaceX And Deport Elon Musk Immediately

June 6, 2025 (updated June 6, 2025) Published by

Former White House adviser Steve Bannon called on President Donald Trump to investigate Elon Musk’s immigration status and deport the South African tech billionaire after a bitter fight between Trump and Musk played out on Thursday, June 5.

They should initiate a formal investigation of his immigration status because I am of the strong belief that he is an illegal alien, and he should be deported from the country immediately,” Bannon, a MAGA insider, told The New York Times on Thursday.

Musk and Trump spent much of Thursday afternoon trading words after their dispute over Trump’s agenda-setting One Big Beautiful Bill Act escalated.

During an appearance on his “Bannon’s War Room” live webcast, Bannon attacked Musk, who until recently was the head of the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE

Elon Musk is illegal, and he’s got to go,” Bannon said. “He’s illegal? Deport immediately.”

You’re going to ship these other people home. Let’s start with the South Africans, OK?” he added, alluding to the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown.

Musk, one of the largest donors to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign at roughly $250 million, was born and grew up in South Africa before he emigrated to Canada and later moved to the U.S., where he became a citizen while growing his tech empire, which includes SpaceX, the social platform X, Tesla and other endeavors.

The Washington Post reported last year that Musk worked in the country illegally before gaining citizenship, prompting questions from Bannon and others about whether Musk’s citizenship is legal.

Bannon also noted Musk’s reported drug usage as potential ammo for prompting his deportation. The New York Times reported last week that Musk’s alleged use of ketamine and other substances on the campaign trail sparked concerns in Trump circles, but Musk denied the claims.

The drug thing is going to be investigated,” Bannon said.

Trump and Musk’s relationship began to sour in recent days as Musk lashed out over the Trump-backed megabill currently under review in Congress. Musk called it a “disgusting abomination,” while Trump pushed back and defended the bill.

Bannon said he supports Trump’s latest suggestion that Musk’s massive government contracts should be pulled

It needs dramatic action. I would pull all the contracts immediately,” Bannon said.

He also blasted Musk’s attacks against Trump, which escalated Thursday to a series of accusatory posts on his X platform that attempted to link Trump to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and claim credit for Trump’s election win.

President Trump empowered him more than anyone has ever been empowered in this government, had his back, promoted this guy, even when people like me said, ‘You’re making a mistake. This is a bad guy. He’s going to turn on you. He’s not with us. He’s also totally incompetent,’” Bannon said on War Room.

Then as soon as President Trump comes out today, and President Trump saying it in the nicest way possible about the bill … the guy gets up and starts tweeting the most vicious stuff you can tweet.”

Putin To Rival Eurovision with Russia’s Own song Contest After Ukraine War ban.

May 31, 2025 (updated May 31, 2025) Published by

Russia was banned from entering the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022 after its invasion of Ukraine, but it seems Vladimir Putin doesn’t want the country to miss out on the fun

Russia might not be a part of the Eurovision Song Contest at the moment – but that doesn’t mean Vladimir Putin doesn’t want to be part of the fun.

While Russia has competed and even won Eurovision in the past, they were kicked out in 2022 after invading Ukraine. The same year, Ukraine won with Kalush Orchestra’s Stefania, however second-place UK hosted the 2023 contest due to the ongoing war.

It was announced earlier this year that Russia will hold its Intervision competition in September. It was originally launched in 1965, and was the Eastern Bloc equivalent to the Eurovision Song Contest.

Organisers have said the 2025 contest will be held in Moscow at the LIVE Arena.

Putin shared his plans for the contest to return in February.

It originally included countries from the Eastern Bloc, including Hungary, Poland, East Germany and the Soviet Union. Over the years, other countries, such as Portugal, Switzerland, Spain and Azerbaijan, joined.

It aired from 1965 to 1968, then again between 1977 and 1980, and for a final time in 2008.

Russia was banned from entering the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022 after it launched an attack on Ukraine. Fans and other participating countries put pressure on organisers the European Broadcasting Union to ban Russia.

Russian singer Alla Pugacheva, who is considered the country’s queen of pop, was one of the joint winners in 1978.

And after having said Russia could compete just a day earlier, the country was blacklisted after a quick change of mind from the EBU.

Organisers have always said the contest is not political, and entrants with political messaging are often asked to change their performance or leave the competition.

However the decision to remove Russia was praised by many in politics.

UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said on Twitter at the time: “Eurovision stands for freedom, unity and respect between countries – watched and enjoyed by tens of millions around the world.

Glad to see Eurovision taking action and kicking Russia out.”

NewsBREAKING: Appeal Court overturns High Court judgment, reaffirms validity of Kano LG elections

May 30, 2025 (updated May 30, 2025) Published by

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has overturned the ruling of the Federal High Court in Kano regarding the local government elections conducted in October, 2024.

ObasEmpire recalls that the APC had filed a suit with the Federal High Court, seeking to stop the elections based on allegations that the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Sani Malumfashi alongside some commissioners were card-carrying members of the ruling NNPP.

Justice Amobeda ruled in their favor and ordered a halt to the polls but the elections were conducted regardless.

While delivering the judgment on Friday, Justice Oyewumi of the appeal court stated that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case, let alone deliver a ruling on it.

Consequently, the Court of Appeal upheld the appeal filed by the Kano State Government and affirmed the validity of the October polls.

As at the time of filing this report, the APC has yet to respond to the judgment and calls placed to the spokesperson of the party, Ahmad Aruwa by this reporter went unanswered.

Tension mounts over Epe/Ijebu-Ode toll as May 31 protest looms

May 30, 2025 (updated May 30, 2025) Published by

Frustration is growing across border communities in Lagos and Ogun States following the sudden introduction of toll charges on the Ijebu-Ode–Mojoda–Epe Road by the Ogun State Government.

Stakeholders from Lagos Epe Division have expressed strong opposition to the policy, citing economic hardship, lack of transparency, and continued silence from Ogun authorities despite earlier consultations.

The discontent reached a boiling point on April 30, 2025, when a stakeholders’ meeting held at Rolak Hotel in Ijebu-Ode brought together civil society groups under the Coalition of Epe Division Groups and other concerned delegations.

While the Lagos portion of the road, from Epe to Mojoda, was rehabilitated during the administration of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the Ogun section, stretching 14.7 kilometers from Mojoda to Ijebu-Ode, was completed under Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Without prior notice or public engagement, the Ogun State Government began tolling its section of the road, triggering widespread criticism.

The rates: N1,000 for cars and standard buses, N1,500 for mini buses, and N2,500 for trucks and trailers, have been described by commuters and residents as excessive and burdensome.

The discontent reached a boiling point on April 30, 2025, when a stakeholders’ meeting held at Rolak Hotel in Ijebu-Ode brought together civil society groups under the Coalition of Epe Division Groups and other concerned delegations.

A formal communique was submitted to Ogun officials at the meeting, articulating strong opposition to the toll charges and calling for reconsideration.

Representatives of the Ogun State Government requested one week to deliberate and issue a response.

Nearly a month later, no feedback has been provided.

The Ogun State Government pleaded for time, but several weeks have passed and nothing has been heard. The continued silence is both disappointing and disrespectful,” a spokesperson for the coalition said, expressing growing frustration over the lack of engagement from state authorities.

In response to the deadlock, civil society organisations and community leaders have announced plans for a peaceful protest scheduled for Saturday, May 31, 2025

Protesters are expected to gather at Mojoda Garage, a symbolic location at the boundary between Ogun and Lagos, to demand fairness, transparency, and community inclusion in infrastructure-related decisions.

Multiple efforts to obtain a response from the Ogun State Government have so far yielded no results, with officials remaining unreachable at the time of reporting.

Panicking Putin Begs Europe’s Closet ally for Potatoes as Food Crisis Unravels

May 29, 2025 (updated May 29, 2025) Published by

Vladimir Putin is demanding urgent potato imports from Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, while he delays supplying the ally with promised notorious Oreshnik horror missiles. Putin has made the shameful admission that he has run out of spuds – one of his country’s leading food staples – amid economic meltdown during his war with Ukraine.

It now appears Belarus will not get the lethal missiles until after Lukashenko supplies Putin with new exports of potatoes which have spiralled in prices in Russia. The Minsk tyrant has even cancelled sanctions against imports from the EU to stock up to supply Russia

It was in January that Lukashenko, 70, boasted to journalists that he would have the lethal Oreshnik missiles from “my elder brother” Putin, 72, “any day now”. Oreshnik is nuclear-capable, but Putin insists it is almost as destructive with a non-nuclear warhead and “unstoppable” by the West.

Targets would be incinerated, he said, by missiles unleashing a temperature of 4,000C, almost as hot as the surface of the sun.

Putin is believed to have only used the “game-changing weapon” once – last year against Ukraine in Dnipro city, without a live warhead.

Lukashenko’s security chief Lt-Gen Alexander Volfovich revealed this week that the Oreshnik deployment has not happened and is only now expected to “by the year’s end”. This contrasts with Lukashenko insisting in January: “Any day now, we’ll have the Oreshnik systems.”

Volfovich denied speculation that the chronic delay indicates a problem with a missile that has not undergone usual tests by its makers.

“Preparations are proceeding as planned,” he claimed. “Let others think – perhaps abroad – that [Oreshnik] won’t be in Belarus. But we know exactly where it is, and how it functions.”

A deployment means the Oreshnik could hit Britain in less than nine minutes, Russia has boasted.

Having failed to meet the missile deliveries, Putin insisted he needed Lukashenko to send him potatoes.

The Belarus ruler – a Soviet-era potato farmer – told his officials: “There has been a lot of talk, especially after a meeting chaired by the Russian president [Vladimir Putin], who joked about potatoes. The issue is very serious to us. How?

We know how to grow potatoes above all things. We should grow enough for ourselves and for Russia…. We need to help our brothers, the Russians. Besides, this is not charity. This is good money, good prices.”

This came as Putin previously told a Kremlin audience: “Speaking of potatoes, my father got me into this. It’s not easy work, planting these potatoes, then weeding them. Robotics, at first glance, is more interesting….

“Yesterday, I repeat, I also met with representatives of…the agricultural sector. As it turns out we don’t have enough potatoes. I talked to Alexander Lukashenko and he said: ‘We have already sold everything to Russia.’”

Lukashenko removed his own ban on importing potatoes from the EU to boost supplies amid the new order from Putin.

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