Obasanjo Says U.S. Never Acted in Africa Without Informing Nigeria During His Presidency

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has claimed that during his time in office, the United States never took any major action in Africa without first informing Nigeria. Speaking at a youth mentorship retreat in Abeokuta, Obasanjo recalled how former U.S. President Jimmy Carter held Nigeria in high regard and always shared America’s intentions on African affairs. His remarks come amid rising tensions over President Donald Trump’s warnings to Nigeria, though Obasanjo avoided commenting directly on the controversy. The ex-president emphasized Nigeria’s past leadership role in Africa and urged renewed national strength.

Nigeria Withdraws Fighter Jets as order is restored in Benin Republic After Failed Coup

Nigeria has recalled the fighter aircraft deployed to Benin Republic after authorities confirmed that Sunday’s abrupt coup attempt had been contained and the situation stabilised. The jets, sent from Lagos for aerial surveillance, were ordered back after intelligence showed that loyalist forces had regained control of Cotonou and that Nigeria faced no immediate security risk.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama reported on X that the attempted takeover of President Patrice Talon’s government was swiftly foiled. The crisis began when mutineers attacked the president’s residence in the early hours. Their assault was repelled, prompting them to storm the national broadcaster, ORTB, where they attempted to seize the state signal. Benin’s security forces responded rapidly.

National Guard units surrounded the ORTB headquarters and cut off escape routes as they moved to isolate the rebels. “The situation is under control. The National Guard has everything surrounded,” a senior security official said. Local media, including 24 Hours in Benin, reported that some mutineers were still barricaded inside the TV station on Sunday evening, with negotiations underway for a peaceful surrender.

Interior Minister Alassane Seidou confirmed that the coup attempt had been thwarted after soldiers briefly appeared on state TV claiming to remove President Talon, close borders, and suspend political parties. The presidency also reassured the public that Talon was safe, saying the regular army was steadily restoring order.

The coup plotters, identifying as the Military Committee for Refoundation and reportedly led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, had declared him “chairman of the military re-establishment committee” during their brief broadcast. West Africa continues to see a troubling rise in coups, raising fresh concerns about the region’s democratic stability.

Benin Republic Confirms Failed Coup as Army Restores Order, President Talon Safe

Benin’s Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou, has announced that an attempted coup has been foiled after a small group of soldiers briefly seized the national television station and declared President Patrice Talon removed from office. The coup plotters, led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri under the name “Military Committee for Refoundation,” also attacked the president’s residence in Le Guézo before loyalist forces regained control.
The presidency confirmed that President Talon is unharmed and that the military has secured the capital. The incident adds to West Africa's growing wave of coups, coming less than a year after two of Talon’s close associates were jailed for a separate coup plot involving bribery of the presidential guard commander.

BREAKING: President Talon Safe as Benin Army Recaptures Key Sites After Attempted Coup

Benin Republic has confirmed that President Patrice Talon is safe after an attempted coup led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri and officers calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation.” The coup plotters briefly seized the national television station and attacked Talon’s residence in Le Guézo, where Tigri declared himself leader.
According to the presidency, loyalist forces are now restoring control, dismissing the coup attempt as the action of a small faction with limited influence. The incident comes amid a surge of military takeovers across West Africa, including recent coups or attempts in Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, highlighting deepening regional instability and democratic fragility.

Nigerian Muslim Coalition Urges Tinubu to Restore NAHCON Supervision to SGF Office, Citing Risks of Politicisation

A coalition of Nigerian Muslim stakeholders has written to President Bola Tinubu demanding the reversal of the current supervisory arrangement placing the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) under the Office of the Vice President. The group insists that the NAHCON Act of 2006 assigns coordination to the Presidency through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), warning that the 2023 restructuring exposes Hajj operations to political influence and administrative instability. They urged Tinubu to order a formal review, restore SGF oversight, and prevent future politically-driven restructuring, stressing that consistent and professional management is vital for the safety and welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.

16 Rivers Lawmakers, Speaker Defect from PDP to APC, Confirming SaharaReporters’ Exclusive

Sixteen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The move, announced during Friday’s plenary, confirms SaharaReporters’ earlier exclusive report that the lawmakers loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike would dump the PDP. Amaewhule said the defection was triggered by a “clear division” within the PDP. The development marks a major escalation in the political crisis in Rivers State and further highlights the strained relationship between Wike and President Bola Tinubu, despite Wike’s attempts to regain favour with the presidency.

South Africa Responds With Humor After U.S. Excludes It From 2025 G20 Activities

South Africa has reacted with dry humor after the U.S. confirmed that Pretoria will not be invited to participate in any G20 activities during Washington’s 2025 presidency. The decision, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, solidifies South Africa’s full exclusion despite being a founding G20 member. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya jokingly said the country would “take a commercial break” until the U.K. assumes the presidency next year. The move comes amid worsening U.S.–South Africa relations under President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized the country’s policies and boycotted the 2024 G20 summit in Johannesburg.

Tinubu Nominates Ex-CDS General Christopher Musa as New Defence Minister After Badaru’s Resignation




President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence following the resignation of Mohammed Badaru due to health reasons. The President communicated the nomination to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, expressing confidence in Musa’s ability to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
General Musa, 58, previously served as CDS from 2023 to October 2025 and has held several notable military positions, including Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai and Commander of the Infantry Corps. His distinguished career earned him the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
Badaru’s exit comes amid heightened security concerns and President Tinubu’s recent declaration of a national security emergency. The Presidency thanked Badaru for his service and confirmed that Tinubu will officially present Musa’s nomination to the Senate this week.

Presidency urges Nigerians to report violations of President Tinubu’s VIP police withdrawal order after citizens raised concerns over police escorts seen with billionaire Cubana Chiefpriest.

The Presidency has called on Nigerians to help ensure full compliance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police escorts from Very Important Persons (VIPs).

President Tinubu had instructed that police personnel attached to VIPs across the country be reassigned to core policing duties. Following the directive, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on Thursday confirmed that 11,566 officers previously assigned as escorts had been withdrawn nationwide.

Speaking during a TVC interview on Sunday, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to the President, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing the order and urged citizens to document any violations.

“If you identify a celebrity, a private sector person, or any individual who has police against the executive order of the president, as much as you can, capture evidence, whether a photograph or video,” Bwala said.

He stressed that the directive does not affect all government officials, noting that some key figures will continue to receive necessary security protection.

“The order of the president to withdraw police from VIPs is not all-encompassing. There are critical people in government who will still have one form of security or another.” Bwala added that other security agencies, including the State Security Service (SSS) and the Civil Defence Corps, would provide protection where required.

“It could be SSS, Civil Defence, and not the police who will be there to help you. But police have no business being with you,” he said.

Local Contractors Protest Non-Payment of ₦4 Trillion — Accuse Tinubu Govt of Ignoring 2024 Project Debts

Local contractors under the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) are protesting again over the Federal Government’s failure to pay ₦4 trillion owed for completed 2024 capital projects.

Despite multiple meetings with the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, the contractors say no payment has been made.

Many say they are now out of business:

“We’ve run out of cash. We can’t pay school fees. We can’t continue like this,” a contractor told SaharaReporters.

In September, the contractors stormed the Ministry of Finance in Abuja demanding payment. Only 5 out of 5,000 contractors have reportedly received anything.

The protests forced the House of Representatives to suspend plenary earlier this month, after lawmakers acknowledged the “dire hardship” contractors are facing.

Meanwhile, data from GovSpend shows the Presidency spent billions on vehicles and foreign exchange in 2024 — raising more questions about government priorities.

The contractors vow to remain on the streets until every member is paid.
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#NigeriaEconomy #TinubuAdministration #ContractorsProtest

Nigeria Secures IMO Council Seat After 14 Years, Tinubu Hails Major Maritime Victory

Nigeria has been re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) after 14 years of absence, marking a significant milestone for the nation’s maritime sector.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrated the development, describing Nigeria’s return to the IMO Council as a strong affirmation of the country’s expanding maritime influence and its constructive contribution to global shipping governance.

According to the Presidency, Nigeria’s re-election reflects renewed international confidence in the nation’s maritime reforms, security improvements, and strategic role in global maritime affairs.
#Nigeria #IMOCouncil #Tinubu #MaritimeNews #ShippingIndustry

Trump announced that he is canceling all of Biden’s autopen-signed executive orders

According to the current U.S. president, these make up 92% of his predecessor’s directives.

“Any document signed by Sleepy Joe Biden using an autopen — and that’s about 92% of all documents — is nullified and has no legal force.”

Bloomberg notes that Trump believes Biden’s team unlawfully relied on the autopen and that Biden did not control the process of his own presidency.

An autopen is a device that mechanically reproduces a person’s signature, allowing documents to be signed without their physical presence.
#trump #usa

NDPHC Boss Jennifer Adighije Accused of Corruption, Reckless Spending as Staff Petition EFCC, Presidency

Staff of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company have accused Managing Director Jennifer Adighije of massive corruption, reckless spending, and poor leadership, claiming the company has added “zero megawatts” under her watch. In an open letter to the EFCC and the Presidency, workers cited a proposed ₦900 million “25-Year Celebration,” alleged private jet trips, media consultancy excesses, and manipulated promotion exams. They also raised concerns over a viral video showing Adighije giving Nollywood actress Sarah Martins ₦20 million in foreign currency — a donation Seyi Tinubu denied authorizing. The petition urges authorities to investigate spending, audit projects, and stop what they call worsening mismanagement at NDPHC.
#NDPHC #CorruptionAllegations #EFCC

The United States did not attend the G20 in South Africa, because the South African Government refuses to acknowledge or address the horrific Human Right Abuses endured by Afrikaners, and other descendants of Dutch, French, and German settlers. To put it more bluntly, they are killing white people, and randomly allowing their farms to be taken from them. Perhaps, worst of all, the soon to be out of business New York Times and the Fake News Media won’t issue a word against this genocide. That’s why all the Liars and Pretenders of the Radical Left Media are going out of business! At the conclusion of the G20, South Africa refused to hand off the G20 Presidency to a Senior Representative from our U.S. Embassy, who attended the Closing Ceremony. Therefore, at my direction, South Africa will NOT be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20, which will be hosted in the Great City of Miami, Florida next year. South Africa has demonstrated to the World they are not a country worthy of Membership anywhere, and we are going to stop all payments and subsidies to them, effective immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

“I am afraid I have to disagree with the idea of withdrawing police from VIPs. That is another danger, because the VIPs are going to be the next targets” — Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

Coup Tension in Guinea-Bissau as President Embaló Says He Has Been Arrested

Guinea-Bissau descended into chaos on Wednesday as outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló claimed he was arrested at the presidential palace around 1 p.m., describing the development as a “coup d’état” led by the army chief of staff.

He said no force was used during his detention. Gunfire was reported near the National Electoral Commission (CNE) in Bissau, with journalists covering the presidential election forced to hide inside offices as security rapidly deteriorated around them.

The arrests extended beyond the president. Those detained include the armed forces’ chief of staff, General Biaguê Na Ntan; his deputy, General Mamadou Touré; and the interior minister, Botché Candé. Embaló insisted he had legitimately won last Sunday’s presidential election with “65% of the vote,” according to his own tally, even though official provisional results are not expected until Thursday.

Both Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias de Costa had already declared first-round victory, reflecting the deep political fractures that have long troubled Guinea-Bissau. The exclusion of the major opposition party PAIGC and its leader Domingos Simões Pereira from the race had initially positioned Embaló as the favourite, but Dias de Costa’s strong performance unsettled expectations.

Analysts say the current rupture stems from years of mistrust between the presidency and the military, historically the most powerful institution in the country. Embaló’s push to centralise authority, restructure security agencies and sideline rivals reportedly intensified tensions.

His early self-proclaimed victory and alleged pressure on institutions appear to have triggered a backlash within the armed forces. The situation remains fluid, with the capital on edge and the country facing yet another political crisis that underscores its long-standing institutional fragility.

The Presidency says the United States Government has affirmed its readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria, including the provision of enhanced intelligence support, defence equipment, and articles to reinforce ongoing operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups in the country.

Navy Officer Who had heated exchange with Wike ‘Escapes Assassination Attempt’ — Investigation Underway

A young Nigerian Navy officer, Lt. A.M. Yarima the same officer who recently clashed with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has reportedly survived an assassination attempt on Sunday evening.

Military sources told Vanguard that unidentified men dressed in black, driving two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates, trailed the officer from the NIPCO Filling Station along the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way. Their coordinated movement reportedly raised immediate suspicion.

Upon sensing the threat, Yarima executed a “strategic maneuver,” successfully shaking off the suspected assailants around 6:30 p.m. The matter is currently under investigation, with officials describing it as “sensitive” and insisting that certain details are being withheld to avoid compromising ongoing findings.

This incident comes barely days after Yarima’s viral confrontation with Wike at a disputed land site in Gaduwa an exchange that sparked public outrage and forced the Presidency to halt the demolition exercise.

Following the clash, military veterans nationwide condemned Wike’s conduct, labelling his verbal attack on the officer as disrespectful and unacceptable. Coalition spokesman, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, warned that ex-service members were prepared to “occupy” the minister’s office and residence if any disciplinary action was taken against Yarima, stressing that military personnel owe allegiance to the nation, not to individual officials.

Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, later reassured the public that no officer acting lawfully would be punished, emphasising that the government remains committed to protecting personnel performing their duties professionally.

Veterans had earlier vowed to mobilise across the country should Lt. Yarima face any form of penalty a threat many say reflects the depth of support the young officer currently enjoys.

Tinubu Set to Appoint New Ambassadors Amid Rising Diplomatic Tension with the U.S.

President Bola Tinubu is putting finishing touches to the appointment of new ambassadors to Nigeria’s foreign missions after months of vacancies and growing diplomatic concerns, especially following recent tensions with the United States.

Presidency sources confirmed that the President has ordered a “final cleanup” of the ambassadorial list to replace nominees who have died, retired, or withdrawn from consideration. The updated list is expected to be released soon after final verification.

This comes two years after Tinubu recalled all ambassadors from Nigeria’s 109 foreign missions in what was described as a comprehensive diplomatic review. Since then, most embassies have been headed by chargés d’affaires or senior consular officers with limited powers to represent Nigeria in high-level engagements.

Officials believe the new appointments will help restore Nigeria’s diplomatic visibility and strengthen communication with international partners, particularly amid the recent friction with the U.S. triggered by former President Donald Trump’s remarks. Trump had threatened possible U.S. military action in Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians, comments that stirred widespread concern in Abuja.

According to sources, the absence of ambassadors has slowed Nigeria’s ability to respond promptly to sensitive international matters. “Having ambassadors in place will help Nigeria engage more effectively, especially in times of tension,” one official said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar is expected to meet President Tinubu at the State House to finalise the list. An official announcement of the new ambassadorial appointments is anticipated in the coming days.

Tinubu jets to the U.S. on Tuesday to meet Trump’s Vice President, JD Vance.

President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to visit the United States on Tuesday for high-level diplomatic talks amid growing tension following President Donald Trump’s warning about alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria.

According to presidency sources quoted by SaharaReporters, Tinubu’s visit will focus on strengthening security and diplomatic cooperation between both nations. Trump has reportedly delegated his Vice President, James David Vance, to meet with Tinubu during the trip, barring any last-minute changes.

Daniel Bwala, Media Aide to President Tinubu, confirmed that both leaders share a strong commitment to combating terrorism and promoting global peace. He noted that the Trump administration had previously supported Nigeria through arms sales, which Tinubu’s government continues to utilize in the fight against insurgency.

He added that any differences between both governments regarding the religious nature of terrorism in Nigeria would be addressed during the meeting.

The visit comes after Trump’s recent threat to cut U.S. aid to Nigeria or deploy American troops if the Nigerian government fails to stop what he described as the “killing of Christians.” The Nigerian presidency has since dismissed the claims, insisting there is no state-sponsored persecution of Christians.

Tinubu maintained that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and equal rights for all citizens, describing Trump’s remarks as a “mischaracterization” of the nation’s religious landscape. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting unity, tolerance, and continued cooperation with the U.S. and other international partners.

[10/31, 8:07 PM] null: Presidency Defends 15% Fuel Import Tariff.

The Presidency has confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a 15% import duty on petrol and diesel, saying the move is intended to boost local refining and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel.

The announcement was made by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, in a statement posted on X on Friday. He described the policy as “a bridge, not a burden,” aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s energy sector for long-term stability.

Dare said the tariff is meant to discourage fuel importation, encourage investment in domestic refining, and help Nigeria take control of its energy supply after years of depending on foreign refineries.

He noted that despite being a major crude oil producer, Nigeria has spent years importing refined products, which drained foreign exchange and cost the nation jobs.

According to him, the new policy gives a competitive edge to local refineries such as Dangote Refinery, the Port Harcourt Refinery, and modular refineries currently being developed.

“By making imported fuel less competitive, the government is tilting the market in favour of local refineries, laying the groundwork for a self-sustaining and resilient energy sector,” he stated.

Dare added that as local refining output increases, fuel availability will improve and pump prices are expected to stabilize, while job creation and industrial activity expand.

However, petroleum marketers have warned that the policy could push petrol prices above ₦1,000 per litre in the short term. Government officials argue that temporary price pressure is necessary to secure long-term gains.

The 15% tariff will take effect after a 30-day transition period, ending November 21, 2025.