Orion Reports

Today was a day of distinguished women paying their respects, as Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman and Hajiya Habiba Tijjani Onumoko, FCNA, separately paid condolence visits to Dr. Mahmoud Bala Alfa and his family following the passing of his father, Alhaji Mohammed Alfa. Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman is the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Coordination and Head of the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU). She plays an important role in coordinating and tracking the implementation of the Federal Government’s key policies and programmes across its ministries and agencies. Hajiya Habiba Tijjani Onumoko, Accountant General of Kogi State, is also an important part of the state government’s financial management and administration. She is sometimes regarded to as the engine room of the incumbent Ododo-led administration. Beyond their official positions, their visits were acts of friendship, kindness and support for Dr. M...

By Orion Reports | Abuja BD Lawal has likened former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to Adolf Hitler, saying that was how he was perceived by Southern Kaduna communities during his tenure. Lawal made the explosive comparison while defending Defence Minister Christopher Gwabin Musa against criticism over his recent comments concerning El-Rufai. He said El-Rufai’s defenders had the right to support him, but argued that their defence could not erase the experiences of Southern Kaduna people. “To them, and by extension us, all Northern ethnic nationalities and Christians, Nasiru El-Rufai was what Adolf Hitler was to the Jews; no more, no less,” Lawal said. He described General Musa as “a brilliant patriot and a highly regarded military officer” and warned El-Rufai’s supporters against attempting to “lynch” him over his comments. Lawal also urged El-Rufai’s defenders to turn their attention to insecurity, out-of-school children and allegations involving some politi...

The Senior Special Assistant to the Kogi State Governor on Grassroots Mobilisation, Hon. Victor Eidah , has held a strategic meeting with ward executives and stakeholders of Ugwoda Ward , urging them to strengthen unity and take greater responsibility at their respective polling units. During the meeting, Hon. Eidah emphasised the importance of cooperation among party stakeholders, stressing that a united and well-coordinated grassroots structure is essential to achieving success for the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the various polling units. He also encouraged the ward executives to remain committed to their responsibilities and ensure effective mobilisation and coordination within their respective areas. In a gesture of support, Hon. Victor Eidah donated ₦50,000 to the party executives to assist with the transportation expenses of members returning to their various destinations after the meeting.

By Orion Reports | Abuja Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to restore Nigeria’s fuel subsidy if elected president in the 2027 general election. Atiku made the declaration during a social media interview while discussing the impact of the subsidy removal by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May 2023. He said he did not initially oppose the removal but questioned what had happened to the money expected to be saved from the policy. Atiku asked whether the savings had been used to improve healthcare, education, security and other areas of national development. “If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money,” he said. The ADC candidate has also challenged the Federal Government to account for revenues and savings generated since the removal of the subsidy, arguing that Nigerians should be able to see how the funds...

Dr. Mahmoud Bala Alfa has called on the Igala people to unite and deliberately support one another, saying their strength as a people can only matter when it is properly organised and used. Speaking on Saturday at Merit House, Abuja, o9o9n event honouring veteran Igala musician, Alhaji TJ Bala, Mahmoud said it was important for Igo9989o9oo support those who have contributed to the community. He described TJ Bala as an Igala legend who has spent about 40 years impacting generations through music, expressing concern that an artist of his stature could still struggle with basic needs such as transportation. Mahmoud, who said TJ Bala personally impacted his life with knowledge and discipline while he was growing up, supported him with ₦2 million. He urged Igalas to replicate such support in their businesses, professions, creative pursuits and politics, noting that the Igala people constitute more than 60 percent of Kogi State's population. "We cannot play the game from...

By Orion Reports | Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party winner of the 2026 Osun State governorship election , securing a second term in office. Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 444,815 votes . The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam , finished third with 17,180 votes . Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 Local Government Areas, while Oyebamiji secured 11. His winning margin was 66,252 votes . Following the victory, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly called Adeleke to congratulate him on his re election. Adeleke confirmed the congratulatory call, while Accord Party chieftain Pelumi Olajengbesi said the President made the call before the formal declaration of the result. Tinubu had earlier directed security agencies and INEC to ensure a peaceful and credible election in Os...

By Orion Reports | Abuja President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the country’s refineries will be revived and repositioned to operate efficiently and profitably. Tinubu gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja while receiving the national executive of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), led by its National President, Salimon Akanni Oladiti, at the State House. The President said the government would conduct detailed technical and financial assessments to identify the structural, operational and managerial challenges affecting the refineries before implementing lasting solutions. “The refineries that you mentioned are going to come back to work,” Tinubu said, stressing that simply producing smoke or flame does not mean a refinery is functioning effectively unless it generates value and operates profitably. He also said constitutional issues surrounding local government autonomy were being reviewed, while promising greater inclusion...

Dr. Mahmoud Bala Alfa has joined the people of Gegu Beki in Kogi State for the opening of the community's new Central Mosque, where he donated ₦5 million towards the project. The event brought together community leaders, religious leaders, political stakeholders and residents for prayers, thanksgiving and fundraising. Speaking at the occasion, Mahmoud commended Hon. Mohammed Bashiru Gegu, who facilitated the mosque project, for his commitment to providing the community with a central place of worship. He described the mosque as the spiritual home of a community, saying it provides a place for people to worship, seek guidance and strengthen their relationship with Allah. Mahmoud expressed hope that the new mosque would serve beyond worship, becoming a centre for peace, unity and positive community life in Gegu Beki. He congratulated the community and commended everyone who contributed to the completion of the project. The occasion also provided an opportunity for Governo...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to immediately vacate a court order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government, citing concerns over the timing of the action ahead of the state's governorship election. In a statement issued on Thursday, the President said he was embarrassed by the timing of the EFCC's move, stressing that although he supports the agency's independence, actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to him. Tinubu reiterated his commitment to allowing anti corruption and law enforcement agencies to operate independently without political interference, but noted that the freezing of the state's accounts just days before the election could create the impression that the Federal Government was attempting to influence the electoral process. He said he had not been fully briefed on the circumstances that led the EFCC to obtain the court order but ...

By Mahmoud Bala Alfa, Ph.D  Governments make decisions every day. Some dominate newspaper headlines and political conversations, while many others receive little public attention. But every important policy decision carries economic consequences. It affects the price of food, the confidence of investors, the cost of doing business, the ability of farmers to reach markets and the opportunities available to young people seeking meaningful employment. This is one of the central lessons of political economy that public policy is never just about government, why political economists ask different questions from politicians.   Political debates often focus on whether a policy is popular, whether it wins public approval or whether it gives one political party an advantage over another. A political economist asks what incentives does this policy create, and what economic outcomes is it likely to produce over time?  That question shifts our attention from today's ...

Lokoja, Kogi State | August 3, 2026 Political economist and former APC Kogi East senatorial aspirant, Dr. Mahmoud Alfa, PhD, on Monday held a series of strategic engagements with key government officials and political stakeholders in Lokoja, reaffirming his commitment to the unity of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the re election of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the continued development of Kogi State. Dr. Alfa first paid a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, Dr. (Mrs.) Folashade Arike Ayoade, where they discussed issues bordering on the progress and development of the state. The SSG commended Dr. Alfa for the visit, described him as "her own son" and wished him well in his future engagements. He later visited the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Elder Joel Salifu, where both leaders stressed the need for greater unity within the APC and collaboration towards the continued success of the Odo...

South african music sensation, Tyla South African Grammy winner Tyla has removed her December 22 Lagos concert from her official A*POP World Tour schedule following days of backlash from Nigerians over xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The Lagos date no longer appears on the tour itinerary, although neither Tyla nor her management has explained the move. The planned concert had sparked widespread criticism, with activist VeryDarkMan declaring there would be no Tyla concert in Nigeria. Author Solomon Buchi and other prominent voices also called for a boycott in solidarity with Nigerians affected by xenophobic violence. Despite removing the Lagos show, Tyla is still expected to conclude her tour with performances in Cape Town and Johannesburg in January. Credits: African Folder | Additional reporting by Orion Reports.

I don't agree with everything he does, but I have always believed his activism has its place. There are times when his voice is necessary to hold those in power accountable. On this issue, however, I believe he made a serious error in judgment. I have no issue with Tyler as an individual. In fact, she is a great artist. My concern is about empathy and context. The xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa left real scars. Nigerians were killed, businesses were destroyed, and many lost everything they had worked for. I still remember the heartbreaking scenes of Nigerians returning home on Air Peace evacuation flights with little or nothing to come back to. Some had nowhere to stay until Apostle Chibuzor of OPM opened the church's guest quarters to accommodate and support them. We also cannot forget the disturbing videos showing Nigerians being attacked. One man was even murdered inside a South African police station. Incidents like these deepened the anger...

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Esther Didi Walson Jack, has admitted that her office failed to carry out adequate due diligence before approving an establishment and recruitment waiver for a purported Presidential agency now at the centre of a forgery investigation. Mrs Walson Jack made the admission while appearing before the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee probing the alleged creation of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), also referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), without any legal backing. She told lawmakers that officials of the organisation presented what appeared to be an Establishment Act and a letter appointing a Director General during the 2025 Annual Manpower Budget Defence. Based on the documents submitted, her office granted an authorised establishment and recruitment waiver. However, fresh findings before the committee revealed that the documents were forged. "We now, h...

The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the detention of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye , and five others following a raid on his residence in Osogbo. The operation, carried out on Wednesday, was based on what police described as credible intelligence targeting a suspected gang leader, Abiodun Arowomole , popularly known as Ashipa , who is wanted in connection with alleged murder and other criminal offences. According to the police, Arowomole was found at the residence located in the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo, prompting the arrest of everyone present. During the operation, officers recovered ₦4,810,500 in cash , two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer. Police said the recovered items have been taken into custody for forensic examination as investigations continue into possible electoral offences, criminal conspiracy and the alleged harbouring of a wanted suspect. ...

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, President of the Borno State Youths Association, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of financing Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Kaigama was brought before Justice Salim Ibrahim on a four count charge accusing him of concealing information on terrorist activities and allegedly raising and receiving funds from members of the public under the guise of negotiating the release of kidnapped victims. Prosecutors alleged that the funds were knowingly channelled to the terrorist groups, an offence that falls under Nigeria's terrorism laws. The youth leader pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The court ordered that he be remanded in DSS custody pending trial but directed that he be granted access to his lawyer, wife and uncle, while also receiving adequate medical care. The case was adjourned until September for the commencement of trial. Kaigama...

The House of Representatives has uncovered what lawmakers describe as a sophisticated forgery network allegedly used to create and operate a non existent federal agency, with investigators revealing that no fewer than 29 official government documents were allegedly forged in an attempt to legitimise the scheme. At the centre of the unfolding scandal is Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly paraded himself as the Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an agency the Presidency has repeatedly insisted does not exist. During proceedings before the House Ad Hoc Committee investigating the matter, Chairman of the panel, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, disclosed that the committee had established that Adeyemi's appointment letter was forged, alongside several other documents purportedly issued by key government institutions. Among the documents said to have been falsified were an appointment letter allegedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the P...

Former Chairman of Kumbotso Local Government Area in Kano State, Abdullahi Ghali Basaf, has returned to his tailoring business months after a court nullified his election and removed him from office. Basaf, whose Certificate of Return was voided by a Kano State High Court, said he has no regrets about returning to the profession that sustained him long before he ventured into politics. The former council chairman was removed from office after the court ruled that his emergence violated an earlier court order and declared Ali Musa Hardworker the duly elected chairman, ordering that he be sworn in. Speaking on his new chapter, Basaf described tailoring as a more dependable and fulfilling career than politics, stressing that public office should be viewed as an opportunity to serve rather than a means of livelihood. According to him, his tailoring business had always been his primary source of income and even helped finance his political career. He revealed that he currently t...

Governor Uba Sani and Jerry Adams Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has named Jerry Adams , the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election, bringing an end to the Muslim Muslim ticket that has defined the state's leadership since 2019. The announcement, made on Tuesday through a statement personally signed by the governor and shared on his official social media platforms, confirmed weeks of speculation that Sani would select a Christian from Southern Kaduna to restore the state's tradition of religious balance. Jerry Adams, a respected tax administrator and public sector reform advocate, currently serves as Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of KADIRS. Governor Sani credited him with transforming the state's revenue agency into one of the most efficient in Nigeria through reforms anchored on transparency, innovation and professionalism. According to the governor, ...

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, is facing mounting criticism after appearing at the inauguration of the Lagos chapter of the City Boy Movement, a political support group openly campaigning for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's reelection in 2027. The event, held in Ikeja on Tuesday, attracted APC leaders, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, youth groups and supporters, with participants pledging to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in support of Tinubu's second term bid. Videos from the gathering, which have since gone viral, showed the police commissioner arriving at the venue with his security detail and receiving a warm welcome from organisers before exchanging pleasantries with guests. His presence at the event immediately triggered controversy, with critics questioning whether a serving Commissioner of Police should attend a gathering organised by a group publicly campaigning for a political candidate ahead of a gene...