Author: Ogochukwu Ndubuisi

2027: Wike-backed PDP Fixes May 25 for Presidential Primaries The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has released its timetable for 2027 General Elections, fixing May 25 for the Presidential primary election. The party announced the development in a communique issued at the end of the 106th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, read by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr Jungudo Mohammed, in Abuja on Wednesday. The NEC fixed the submission of the membership register for April 10, State Assembly primaries for May 2, National Assembly primaries for May 9, and gubernatorial primaries…

Iranian President Demands Guarantees, Reparations to End War Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday set out conditions for a possible end to the war, saying the only way to halt the fighting would be international guarantees ensuring a permanent end to all attacks. Writing on X, Pezeshkian also called for reparations and said Iran’s “legitimate rights” must be recognized. He did not specify which rights he meant but observers of Iranian domestic politics say he may have been referring to the appointment of a new supreme leader and the need for international recognition. Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump…

Mystery Surrounds Whereabouts of Iran’s New Supreme Leader There has still been no word from the new supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei three days after his appointment. Government supporters and observers are eagerly awaiting the first speech by Khamenei amid the ongoing war, and are keen to see which political course he will take after his father was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran on February 28. There is tense anticipation in the various power centres in Tehran. Sources within parliament said that no plans are known as to when or if the 56-year-old Khamenei will make…

Israel Cuts 2026 Growth Forecast Amid Military Operations Against Iran Israel’s Finance Ministry said late Tuesday that it has lowered the country’s economic growth forecast for 2026, citing the impact of ongoing military operations against Iran. The ministry revised its projection for economic growth to 4.7 per cent, down from a previous estimate of 5.2 per cent, saying the change reflects disruptions to economic activity caused by the current security situation. According to the ministry, the revised outlook takes into account the large-scale mobilisation of reserve forces, which has affected business operations across several sectors. Temporary shutdowns in parts of…

Iran War Costs Europeans Billions of Euros in Energy Bills European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has highlighted the economic consequences of the conflict in the Middle East for Europeans due to the EU’s high dependencies on fossil fuel imports. “Since the beginning of the conflict, gas prices have risen by 50% and oil prices by 27%,” von der Leyen said on Wednesday in a speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. “If you translate this into euros: 10 days of war have already cost European taxpayers an additional €3 billion ($3.5 billion) in fossil fuels imports,” she…

Keyamo Directs Introduction of Hybrid Payment System at Airport Gates ‎ The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has directed the introduction of a hybrid payment system at airport access gates nationwide. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the ministe. Keyamo gave the directive when he met with officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and senior officials of the Ministry. ‎‎According to him, the directive follows the earlier suspension of the full cashless “Access Gate Payment System” as directed by the President Bola…

Oil prices continued to retreat on Wednesday, even as the Middle East conflict has persisted, with U.S President Donald Trump continuing military operations against Iran. 

Fidelity Bank, Partners Sign MoU, Launch Women Empowerment Initiative Fidelity Bank Plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with partner organisations at the launch of the bank’s “Give Her Power” initiative to advance women’s economic empowerment opportunities. The programme is designed to equip Nigerian women with practical skills, tools, mentorship, and financial knowledge. The partnerships, formalised as part of activities commemorating the 2026 International Women’s Day, brought together a diverse network of stakeholders. The collaboration was anchored in the Bank’s HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme, a structured platform that provides vocational training, business support, and sustainable enterprise opportunities for women across…

Atletico Madrid defeated Tottenham Hotspur 5–2 on Tuesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 clash.

Iraq Closes Airspace for Additional 3 Days Amid Regional Tensions The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority on Tuesday announced a new 72-hour extension of the country’s airspace closure amid ongoing regional tensions. In a statement, the authority said that the extension, effective from 12:00 p.m. local time (0900 GMT) Tuesday until 12 p.m. on Friday, applies to all arriving, departing and transiting aircraft. It said the suspension is a “temporary precautionary measure” based on a continuous security assessment, adding the situation would be reviewed in light of any updates. The move followed heightened tensions after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran starting…