Wale busari

LAMATA Deploys More BRT Buses To Elepe As Diaspora Group Funds Ella’s Transport For Safety

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) increased the number of BRT buses operating at Elepe on Thursday morning, deploying between 15 and 25 vehicles to ease movement for commuters after the recent incident at the terminal. The woman accused of confronting Ella at the station has also been removed. By about 7:30 a.m., the usual long lines were absent, although reports indicated that seven additional buses were positioned nearby. The area had a noticeable presence of a few area boys, officers of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), members of the LAMATA monitoring team, and other concerned residents. It remains unclear whether Ella returned to the BRT station to commute on Thursday. Meanwhile, a group of Nigerians in the diaspora led by DJ Obi and Keniye Koroye raised an undisclosed sum to support her transportation to work using Bolt rides for the time being, citing concerns about her safety at the terminal. Their fears appeared to reflect sentiments expressed on the ground, where some discussions among individuals present suggested a belief that Ella had been planted to mobilise people to burn BRT buses. Ella is said to be safe and is expected to release a final update soon.

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Five Rescued, Three Dead As Passenger Bus Plunges Into River In Ibadan

Five passengers were pulled out alive while three others died after a commercial bus veered off the road and plunged into the Ariyo River along Amuloko Road in Ibadan, Oyo State. The Oyo State Fire Services Agency confirmed the incident on Thursday. Its Chairman, Maroof Akinwande, said the agency received an emergency alert on Wednesday from a caller identified as Mrs. Fadeke Yusuf, prompting an immediate rescue response. According to him, firefighters arrived at the scene and discovered a Suzuki bus with registration number LEW 484 XA from Osun State carrying eight passengers that had lost control and ended up inside the river. Rescue workers were able to save five occupants, who were rushed to Ona-Ara Private Hospital in the Jegede area for treatment. Meanwhile, three bodies were recovered from the water. Akinwande added that the deceased were handed over to police officers from the Ogbere Divisional Headquarters, led by ASP Aishat Ibrahim. He attributed the accident to reckless driving and urged motorists to be more cautious and obey traffic rules to avoid preventable tragedies on the road. The fire service chief also acknowledged the support provided by the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency, Ona Ara Division, as well as the Chairman of Ona Ara Local Government, Glorious Temitope, during the rescue operation.

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Wike’s PDP Sets May 25 For 2027 Presidential Primary, Releases Full Election Timetable

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, has unveiled its timetable for the 2027 General Elections, setting May 25 for the Presidential primary. The announcement came in a communique at the close of the party’s 106th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, read by National Publicity Secretary Jungudo Mohammed in Abuja on Wednesday. According to the schedule, the submission of the party’s membership register is set for April 10, State Assembly primaries on May 2, National Assembly primaries on May 9, and gubernatorial primaries on May 16. The PDP said the timetable aligns with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) revised schedule for the 2027 elections, in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2022. It also covers the submission of the membership register and the conduct of primaries for all elective offices, including timelines for resolving disputes arising from the primaries. Party organs and stakeholders were urged to begin preparations immediately and strictly follow the approved timetable and statutory requirements. The NEC praised the National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC), led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, for stabilising the party during the transitional period. It also welcomed the successful conclusion of the Ward and Local Government Congresses, noting that State Congresses are scheduled for this weekend nationwide, and expressed confidence they would be conducted peacefully, transparently, and in line with party guidelines.

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Asake Arrives In Saudi Arabia For Umrah Amid Middle East Tensions

Afrobeats star Ahmed Ololade, aka Asake, has arrived in Saudi Arabia amid ongoing Middle East tensions. In the early hours of Thursday, March 11, the “Lonely At The Top” singer shared videos of his departure from Nigeria and journey to the kingdom. His visit coincides with the last ten days of Ramadan, a period when many observe Umrah and seek the blessings of Laylat al-Qadr. In one clip, Asake appears at the airport dressed in ihram, indicating he is performing the spiritual pilgrimage. Umrah is a revered, voluntary journey to Makkah that can be undertaken year-round. The rites include entering a state of purity (ihram), circling the Kaaba seven times (Tawaf), walking between Safa and Marwa (Sa’i), and concluding with men shaving or trimming their hair, while women trim a small portion.   View this post on Instagram  

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Lagos Residents Protest Unstable Power Supply Amid Nationwide Outcry Over Blackouts

Frustration over Nigeria’s erratic power supply boiled over in Lagos on Thursday as residents took to the streets to protest persistent electricity outages. A video shared widely on social media showed mostly young Nigerians marching through the Fadeyi area, carrying placards and chanting slogans against what they described as an “epileptic” power sector that is crippling local businesses. Some of the placards read: “No more estimated billing,” “No more epileptic power supply,” “No light, no life, no nation,” and “You’re destroying, killing so many businesses; give us regular light.” “We are not asking for too much,” one protester shouted in the footage. “Make them give us light!” The Lagos demonstration is part of a series of protests across the country. In Osun State, the Nigerian Youth Congress (Boripe Local Government Chapter) staged a protest on Sunday, decrying the persistent lack of stable electricity and describing it as economically damaging and unacceptable. Earlier this week, business owners in Effurun and Uvwie, Delta State, reportedly held a peaceful demonstration over high electricity bills and the unreliable supply. Industry leaders have warned that, without urgent intervention, the power situation may worsen, fueling further public discontent nationwide. Youths took to the streets of Lagos state to protest over the lack of electricity supply. pic.twitter.com/5KuNYv1xC1 — CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) March 12, 2026

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UNILAG ASUU Suspends Strike After Administration Pledges To Resolve Allowance Issues

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its strike, just hours after it began on Wednesday. The decision followed meetings between lecturers and the university administration, led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services) Prof. Foluso Lesi, and a subsequent resolution reached at the union’s congress later in the day. The strike had been declared on Tuesday, with the UNILAG ASUU branch directing lecturers to withdraw their services from Wednesday over unpaid allowances for January and February 2026. The union cited non-payment of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) and Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) for Research in January, as well as unpaid CATA and professorial allowances in February. Speaking to journalists, ASUU UNILAG chairman Prof. Idou Keinde said the union decided to suspend the industrial action in response to the administration’s commitment to address the lecturers’ grievances within 48 hours. Keinde explained that discussions focused on aligning positions regarding Earned Academic Allowances and professorial allowances for excess workload. He also noted that the administration requested a formal paper detailing the union’s stance based on the Federal Government/ASUU 2025 agreement—a request he described as unusual—but confirmed that the union provided the document. “We met with the administration, they made some promises and said they would act in the next 48 hours. ASUU is a union of intellectuals and principles. We are always procedural in whatever we do. We cannot ignore their submissions,” he said. He added, “As far as they have invited us, we have to listen. We took what they offered in good faith. The issue is our allowances. They only addressed one aspect out of three and overlooked the rest. Even the one they considered, the Earned Allowance, was incomplete, and we drew their attention to it. “They asked us to provide a paper on a signed agreement, which they already have. We submitted a paper showing that the correct Earned Allowance for excess workload was not paid each month. That issue has been resolved, and the administration promised to act within 48 hours.” The suspension of the strike offers temporary relief to students and staff, with the union and university administration expected to continue working on resolving the allowance disputes promptly.

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Senator Aminu Tambuwal Defects From PDP To ADC Over Internal Party Crises

Senator Aminu Tambuwal, representing Sokoto South, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing ongoing internal disputes and leadership crises within the opposition party. Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State and ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, made the announcement in a resignation letter dated March 11, 2026, addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Tambuwal/Shinfiri Ward of Tambuwal Local Government Area. The letter, shared with journalists on Thursday, revealed that the decision followed consultations with his political associates and supporters. “After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my political associates and supporters, I have decided to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect,” Tambuwal stated. He explained that persistent internal crises, leadership disagreements, and growing divisions within the PDP made it increasingly difficult for him to remain in the party. “The persistent internal crises, leadership disagreements and growing divisions within the party have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue my membership,” he said. Despite leaving, Tambuwal expressed gratitude to the PDP for providing him with a platform to serve Nigeria in various capacities, including as Speaker of the House of Representatives and later as governor of Sokoto State. He confirmed that he and his political associates had joined the ADC, framing the move as a step toward strengthening democratic values and offering a credible political alternative. “My decision is guided by the conviction that Nigeria requires a stronger political platform built on integrity, accountability, inclusiveness and a clear commitment to national development,” Tambuwal added. Tambuwal served as Speaker of the House from 2011 to 2015 before becoming governor of Sokoto State under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He defected to the PDP later in 2015 and was re-elected governor in 2019. After completing his second term in 2023, he was elected to the Senate to represent Sokoto South. His defection to the ADC is expected to significantly reshape the political landscape in Sokoto State, where he remains one of the most influential political figures.

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Zamfara PDP Chairman Dr. Jamil Jibo Magayaki Defects To APC

The former Zamfara State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Jamil Jibo Magayaki, has formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), aligning himself with the state’s ruling party. Dr. Jamil’s move comes shortly after Governor Dauda Lawal also defected to the APC, signaling a major political shift in Zamfara State. Announcing his decision on social media, Dr. Jamil explained that the defection was influenced by the current political realities in the state. “I, Dr. Jamil Jibo Magayaki, the Zamfara State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), hereby announce my formal defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said. He added, “My decision to join the APC is based on the current political reality in Zamfara State, which demands alignment with a platform better positioned to address the challenges of security, development and governance for the benefit of our people.” Dr. Jamil’s defection marks another significant realignment ahead of upcoming political contests in the state, consolidating the APC’s influence at the state level.

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