US, Iran Warn they are Ready for War
The United States and Iran have both signalled readiness for renewed conflict as a fragile ceasefire nears expiration, with uncertainty surrounding planned peace talks in Pakistan. President Donald Trump said Iran was expected at negotiations, but Tehran has not confirmed participation and accused Washington of breaching the truce through a blockade and vessel seizures. Iranian officials warned against negotiating under pressure and indicated preparations for further confrontation, while tensions escalated around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil passage.
The standoff has continued to impact global markets, with oil trade and regional stability at risk if diplomacy collapses. Disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme remain a key obstacle, as the U.S. pushes for concessions while Tehran insists its uranium stockpile will not be surrendered. Parallel tensions persist in the region, including a separate ceasefire involving Israel and Lebanon, raising concerns that broader conflict could intensify if ongoing negotiations fail.
Lagos Community Protests 18-Month Blackout
Residents of Maya Olorijo Estate in Ikorodu, Lagos, staged a peaceful protest over an 18-month power outage that has severely affected livelihoods and economic activities in the community. The blackout began after a faulty transformer was removed by Ikeja Electric in January 2025 for repairs but has yet to be returned, forcing residents and business owners to rely on costly generators while also facing rising insecurity.
Community leaders said the prolonged darkness has increased operational costs and exposed residents to safety risks, urging authorities to either repair or replace the transformer. In response, officials of Ikeja Electric apologised for the delay, attributing it to administrative bottlenecks, and assured residents that the issue would be escalated, with a commitment that installation would be carried out at no cost once approval is secured.
I did my best as President, Jonathan counters Atiku
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has defended his time in office, stating that he did his best despite acknowledging that mistakes are inevitable in leadership. His response followed criticism from Atiku Abubakar, who described him as inexperienced. Jonathan argued that no leader is perfect and pointed to achievements during his tenure, including Nigeria’s election to the United Nations Security Council, as evidence of his capability.
He also emphasised the importance of political stability for economic growth in West Africa, warning that instability continues to hinder progress in the region. Jonathan urged leaders within Economic Community of West African States to work together to strengthen democracy and governance, noting that regional integration and development cannot succeed without stable political systems.
APC imposes two-week deadline for presidential, gov, NASS forms
The All Progressives Congress has fixed May 16 and May 23, 2026 for its presidential and governorship primaries ahead of the 2027 elections, with a tight schedule for the sale and submission of nomination forms. The party set high fees for aspirants, including N100 million for presidential forms and N50 million for governorship, while screenings and legislative primaries are slated across mid-May. The Independent National Electoral Commission also confirmed that party primaries nationwide will run between April 23 and May 30, 2026, with general elections scheduled for January 16 and February 6, 2027, and campaigns beginning from August and September 2026.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party adopted its own timetable for the 2027 polls, declaring an end to its internal crisis despite ongoing factional disputes involving figures such as Nyesom Wike. The party emphasised reconciliation and strict adherence to electoral guidelines, while the African Democratic Congress signalled a preference for consensus in selecting its presidential candidate to reduce costs. Across parties, preparations for the 2027 elections are intensifying amid efforts to ensure credible primaries and rebuild internal cohesion.
