PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Usman Emerges Labour Party National Chairman, Makes History as First Woman to Lead Party The Labour Party on Tuesday elected Nenadi Usman as its National Chairman at the party’s national convention held in Umuahia, Abia State. With her emergence, Usman becomes the first woman to be elected National Chairman of a political party in Nigeria. Usman had previously been appointed to head the party’s National Caretaker Committee on September 4, 2024, during a National Executive Committee meeting in Umuahia, following a leadership vacuum created by the expiration of the tenure of the former National Working Committee. She led the party through a period of internal disputes, with her leadership later affirmed by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in rulings delivered in January and April 2026 respectively. Prior to the convention, the Independent National Electoral Commission had recognised her as Chairman of the party’s caretaker committee in line with the court judgemen...

 Petition seeking withdrawal of Deputy Speaker’s law school certificate dead on arrival – Legal Team Solicitors to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR have asked the Council of Legal Education to dismiss a petition seeking the withdrawal of his qualifying certificate as a lawyer, describing it as “fundamentally deficient in law.” In a letter dated April 28, 2026 and signed by Chukwuebuka S. Okeke of Olaniwun Ajayi LP Chambers, Kalu’s legal team responded to a petition filed on March 16, 2026, by John Aikpokpo Martins, Esq. The petitioner had requested the cancellation of Kalu’s certificate on the grounds that his law school attendance and the participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) ran concurrently. However in the response, the solicitors argued that the Council, as a statutory body created under the Legal Education (Consolidation, etc.) Act, can only exercise powers expressly conferred on it. They stated that...

 Akon Says Life Was Easier in Relationships With Multiple Women, Sparks Debate Superstar singer and entrepreneur, Akon, has said that life felt easier for him when he was involved in relationships with multiple women, a remark that has generated fresh debate around polygamy and relationship dynamics. Akon made the statement during an interview on The Shade Room, where he reflected on his past romantic experiences and his current personal life. He explained that being involved with more than one partner at a time previously came with less pressure compared to monogamy, adding that he found that phase of his life more comfortable. “My life was very much easier when I had multiple women surrounding me, but me being with just one woman is a lot harder,” he said. When asked about his current relationship status and how many women he is presently dating, Akon declined to give a direct answer. “I plead the fifth; it will be incriminating to answer,” he said, avoiding further comment.

 A S/Offender with a long history was arrested after he broke into a home and was found completely unclothed in a sleeping child's bed.  This disturbing incident unfolded in Omaha, Nebraska, on Friday, April 24th, when the Omaha Police Department was called to a local apartment building. Once on the scene, they were met by a family member of the young victim who recounted the startling encounter the family had just endured. According to the family member, a man later identified as 65-year-old Lavern Scott had entered their apartment through the unlocked front door at around 1 a.m.  Once inside of the home, Scott had stripped off his clothes and crawled into bed with a child who resided in the residence.   The child had woke up as the intruder crawled into bed with him and began screaming. When the child began to scream, Scott had pinned the child down. A family member who heard the child's screams burst into the room and intervened. The family member was able to...

 A happy accident. Two siblings who had not seen each other in a decade are reunited by chance, after fate placed them in the same nursing home. 75-year-old Ralph Slawter had left his home state of Ohio years ago. Like many of us, as Ralph built a life of his own, he slowly drifted away from his big sister Becky. Occasional contact eventually led to almost a decade of absence from each others lives. Ralph was aware that 82-year-old Becky had been placed in a nursing home, but he wasn't sure where.  Then, in January of 2026, Ralph's daughter moved him from his home in Florida back to his home state of Ohio. Ralph's daughter found him a spot in Rose Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation in Massillion, Ohio.  Little did either of them know at the time, but she had just set a reunion almost 10 years in the making, in motion. After making the move, Ralph's daughter called up her cousin for a chat. It was during this conversation that the family realized they had just reunited Ralp...

 Alleged N1.63b Money Laundering:  EFCC Re-arraigns Bauchi Accountant-General, One other The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, re-arraigned Bauchi State Accountant General, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja and an unlicensed Bureau de Change operator, Aliyu Abubakar of Jasfad Resources Enterprises, before Justice O. A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The duo were re-arraigned on amended five-count charge, bordering on conversion of public funds belonging to Bauchi State Government, and money laundering to the tune of N1, 635, 270, 350.9k (One billion, Six Hundred and Thirty-five million, Two hundred and seventy thousand, Three hundred and fifty Naira, Nine kobo). They were earlier arraigned on April 7, 2025, with Jaja as the first defendant, while Abubakar was the second, however, in the amended charge, marked FHC/ABJCR/101/2025, dated, January 5, 2026, and filed on the same date, Abubakar, trading under the name of Jasfad Resources Enter...

 EFFURUN SHOOTING: POLICE ASSURE JUSTICE AS OFFICER FACES DISCIPLINARY ACTION The Nigeria Police Force condemns the fatal shooting of a suspect, Mene Ogidi, which occurred on 26th April 2026 in Effurun, Delta State. Preliminary reports indicate that operatives attached to the Effurun Area Command responded to credible information from Benin Motor Park along the Warri–Sapele Expressway regarding a suspect apprehended by members of a transport union while attempting to waybill a parcel containing a Beretta pistol with four rounds of ammunition.  While efforts were being made to take the suspect into lawful custody, the team leader, ASP Nuhu Usman, discharged his firearm in clear violation of extant regulations, resulting in the death of the suspect. The leadership of the Nigeria Police Force has directed the immediate transfer of the officer and his team to Force Headquarters, Abuja, where they would face the Force Disciplinary Committee for summary disciplinary measures and pro...

 Tunisia energy minister sacked amid renewable energy debate Tunisia’s President Kais Saied dismissed Energy Minister Fatma Thabet on Tuesday, amid growing controversy over renewable energy projects set to be voted on in parliament. Saied said he had appointed Housing and Infrastructure Minister Salah Eddine Zouari to temporarily oversee the ministry. No detailed explanation was provided for the decision. The move comes as Saied's government seeks to pass draft laws on renewable energy, which will be put to a vote in parliament later on Tuesday, TRT Afrika reported. The projects have a planned capacity of 600 megawatts, with 500 million euros  ($585 million) as total investment. Quest for clean energy The projects are part of Tunisia’s efforts to expand clean energy production. Some lawmakers and political parties oppose the projects, describing them as a form of "energy colonisation." They have criticised the exclusion of the state electricity company (STEG) from the con...

 Zimbabwe ships Africa's first locally processed lithium sulphate in shift from raw exports Zimbabwe has shipped the continent's inaugural consignment of locally processed lithium sulphate, a milestone that comes just two months after the government suspended exports of raw forms of the mineral. The shipment was produced at Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, run by the Chinese firm Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, and has been hailed as a significant development for Africa's lithium industry. "This inaugural shipment represents the first lithium salt ever produced in Zimbabwe and across Africa, marking a major step forward in regional mineral beneficiation and industrialisation," stated Huayou's Zimbabwe unit in a recent announcement on social media platform X, TRT Afrika reported. The company did not disclose the specific size of the shipment. Zimbabwe, Africa's top lithium producer, has been pressing miners operating in the country to process more of the battery metal lo...

 Madagascar expels French diplomat over alleged interference Madagascar said on Tuesday it had expelled a French diplomat after summoning the country's ambassador, citing alleged involvement in destabilisation activities, AFP reported. Ambassador Arnaud Guillois was informed of the government's decision "to declare a member of the French embassy accredited in Antananarivo persona non grata, on account of conduct deemed incompatible with his status," the foreign ministry said in a statement, without naming the staff member. It did not specify the nature of the alleged destabilisation activities, but said the decision followed ongoing investigations involving both Malagasy and foreign nationals. Alleged plot against transitional president Tuesday's expulsion follows social media accusations against France, including claims that "French mercenaries" had arrived in the country. The French foreign ministry denied the allegations. Transitional President Michae...

 Russia claims it prevented coup in Mali The Russian Defence Ministry claimed on Tuesday that units of its African Corps prevented an attempted coup on April 25, 2026 in Mali. The ministry said in a statement that "illegal armed formations attempted an armed coup" last week, and that African Corps units "inflicted irreparable losses" on superior enemy forces, preventing a change of power. "During fierce battles against enemy forces, units of the African Corps inflicted irreparable losses on them in personnel and equipment, forcing them to abandon their plans and preventing the coup, thereby preserving the authority of the legitimate government and preventing mass civilian casualties," it said, Anadolu Agency reported. The statement comes amid a series of coordinated attacks by armed groups, including An Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group, on Saturday across multiple cities, including the capital Bamako. Defence minister's death In an official statemen...

 Mali leader Assimi Goita meets Russian ambassador after terrorist attacks The leader of Mali's government, Assimi Goita, met on Tuesday with the Russian ambassador, according to a social media post from his office, his first public appearance since terrorists carried out simultaneous attacks on Saturday, Reuters reported. West Africa's Al Qaeda affiliate and Tuareg-led separatists hit Mali's main army base and the area near Bamako's airport, while driving Russian soldiers, who were deployed in support of government forces, out of Kidal in the north. Mali's defence minister, Sadio Camara, died in the assault. President Goita had not been seen until the social media post published on Tuesday afternoon. The scale and the scope of the offensive on multiple sites across the vast West African country was widely condemned, including by the United Nations and the African Union. The Malian government has said that the situation is under control.

 ANALYSIS: HOW TINUBU’S REFORMS TRIGGER HIGH REVENUE EARNINGS IN NIGERIA’S REAL SECTOR Introduction We have followed with concern the bewildering polemics with which Nigeria’s political opposition is deliberately scandalising the public space to demean the economic reforms being implemented by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal administration as ill-considered and inconsequential. From our standpoint, we surmise that the opposition’s propagation of bellicose intent against the federal government's reforms lacks empirical validation and is generally pivoted on abysmal, commonplace, and sentimental generalisations. Contrary to the frequent public espousal of reform failure by the opposition, our reading of the national economic trajectory since 2023 strongly indicates otherwise. While we acknowledge the inevitability of some challenges inherent in the implementation of any body of reform policies, we assert that the Tinubu policies have, in significant ways, accomplished the...

 Lisa Kudrow Opens Up, Says ‘Friends’ Writers Crossed the Line Behind the Scenes Lisa Kudrow is revisiting her time on Friends, and her reflections go beyond the laughter viewers saw on screen. In a recent interview, the actress, best known for playing Phoebe Buffay, spoke about moments behind the scenes that felt far from the show’s easygoing vibe.  She described an environment where the pressure to deliver lines perfectly in front of a live audience could quickly turn tense. According to her, filming each episode could stretch for hours, with writers closely watching audience reactions.  When jokes did not land as expected, she said the response from some on the writing team could be harsh, including comments that felt personal and cutting. Kudrow also shared that conversations among the largely male writing staff sometimes made her uncomfortable. She claimed that discussions about her co-stars, including Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox, could become inappropriate, d...

 He Was Protecting Me - Katie Miller Defends Husband After Dinner Evacuation Claims Katie Miller is pushing back against claims about her husband, Stephen Miller, following a tense evacuation at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The incident unfolded on April 25, when security moved quickly to clear the venue after reports of shots fired, prompting officials and guests, including Donald Trump and JD Vance, to be escorted out of the building. Images from the moment circulated online soon after, with some social media users suggesting Stephen Miller had positioned his pregnant wife in front of him during the exit.  The claims quickly gained attention, drawing criticism and speculation. Speaking on The Ingraham Angle, Katie addressed the situation directly. She dismissed the accusations and said the reality of what happened was very different from how it appeared in photos. According to her, security personnel instructed that she move first as they exited, since the perceiv...

 NFL Legend Lawrence Taylor Hospitalized, Family Shares Update Lawrence Taylor is currently in the hospital receiving treatment for a stomach-related condition. The 67-year-old NFL icon has been under medical care for about a week, according to a statement shared on April 27 by his attorney, Mark Eiglarsh.  While there is no confirmed discharge date yet, he is said to be responding to treatment and remains under close observation. The update also made it clear that the situation is not considered life-threatening, offering some reassurance to fans who have been following the news. Through his representative, Taylor expressed appreciation for the support he has received, thanking those who have kept him in their thoughts during this period. For many, Taylor’s name carries weight far beyond the current health update.  He built a remarkable career with the New York Giants, where he spent all 13 seasons in the league after being selected in the 1981 NFL Draft. His impact on t...

 Group Defends Zonkwa Lawmaker, Hon. Emmanuel Kantiok, Dismisses Criticism Over Alleged Automatic Ticket Speculation, Says His Legislative And Constituency Performance Remains Unmatched Supporters of Hon. Barr. Emmanuel Bako Kantiok, the lawmaker representing Zonkwa Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, have dismissed recent criticism surrounding speculation of an alleged automatic ticket for the 2027 elections, describing the claims as misleading and lacking substance. Reacting to a publication by a group identified as “Concerned Citizens” of Zonkwa Constituency, which described the possibility of Kantiok securing an automatic APC ticket as a “looming political disaster,” the supporters said the report failed to reflect the verifiable realities on ground. In a statement signed by Comrade Clement Bamai Solomon, the group insisted that Hon. Kantiok’s performance in both legislative duties and constituency development remains evident and unmatched. According to the stat...

 Images from Day One of The King and Queen's four-day State Visit to the US. Their Majesties were welcomed by President Trump and the First Lady before seeing the White House beehives, and taking tea with their hosts. The king and Queen will undertake engagements in Washington DC, New York and Virginia, where they will join celebraations for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. More photos below. 

PRESS RELEASE NAF SUSTAINS COUNTER-TERRORISM MOMENTUM, DESTROYS TERRORIST STRUCTURES IN MANDARA MOUNTAINS The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) through the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI has sustained its counter-terrorism momentum with a decisive Air Interdiction (AI) strike conducted on 27 April 2026 at Guduf in the Mandara Mountains, a known terrorist enclave. Acting on credible intelligence and prior confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), NAF air assets executed a coordinated operation that identified multiple terrorist structures and logistics hubs actively supporting insurgent activities within the area. Employing precision targeting and strict adherence to rules of engagement, NAF platforms engaged and neutralised hostile elements and their infrastructure with lethal accuracy, while maintaining due regard for the protection of civilians and the surrounding environment. The strike resulted in the destruction of key terrorist structures and logistics hubs,...

 CAS COMMENDS NAF QUEENS FC FOR IMPRESSIVE RUNNER-UP FINISH AT 2026 FEDERATION CUP The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has commended the Nigerian Air Force Queens Football Club for their outstanding performance at the 2026 Federation Cup, where they emerged runners-up after a keenly contested final against Niger Rattle FC. Receiving the team at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, the CAS praised their resilience, discipline, and professionalism, noting that their journey to the final underscores the growing strength of women’s football within the Service. “You have demonstrated courage, teamwork, and determination, values that define the Nigerian Air Force,” he stated. “Reaching the final of such a prestigious competition reflects the effectiveness of our investment in sports development and personnel welfare.” He assured the team of continued support, emphasizing the NAF’s commitment to nurturing talent and providing the resources required for at...

 PRESS RELEASE   INTER-AGENCY COLLABORATION: DELTA STATE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE LEADS MANAGEMENT TEAM ON STRATEGIC COURTESY VISITS TO 63 BRIGADE NIGERIAN ARMY AND NDLEA; REAFFIRMS INTER-AGENCY SYNERGY   The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, psc, acipm, mnips, on Monday, 27 April 2026, undertook separate courtesy visits to the 63 Brigade Nigerian Army and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Delta State Command, accompanied by members of the Command Management Team, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen inter-agency collaboration in the fight against crime.   Across both engagements, the CP emphasised that crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, child trafficking, and drug-related offences are interconnected and require a unified, intelligence-led response. He appreciated the sustained support of both agencies and called for deeper collaboration, noting that no single agency can effectively address security challenges alone. At NDL...

 28/4/2026 FIRST QUARTER PRESS BRIEFING BY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE DELTA STATE COMMAND, CP YEMI OYENIYI psc, acipm, mnips ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF DELTA STATE POLICE COMMAND FROM FEBRUARY TO DATE   Ladies and gentlemen of the press, I welcome you to this briefing, where I will be briefing you on the command scorecard so far. The command under my leadership has continued to make Delta State hot for criminals through continuous proactive and intelligence-driven Policing. The command recorded immense success in the fight against violent crime and criminality, which has given rise to the massive recovery of sophisticated firearms, large quantities of hard drugs and illicit substances, arrest of kidnappers, armed robbers, and drug peddlers.  Some of our achievements include: A. KIDNAPPING/ARREST OF KIDNAPPERS: 1. THE ARREST OF FIVE SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS/ RECOVERY OF ONE AK-47 RIFLE AND THIRTY-SIX (36) ROUNDS OF 7.62MM LIVE AMMUNITION: On 24 April 2026 at about 1830hrs, operatives ...

 GOVERNOR YUSUF DIRECTS KASITDA TO INTRODUCE DIGITAL APPLICATION FOR URBAN PLANNING  Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has directed the State Information and Communication Development Agency (KASITDA) to introduce a newly developed digital application for the Urban Planning Office in line with the State’s Digital Transformation Agenda (DTA). Dr. Bashir Abdu Muzakkari Director General Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority, KNUPDA, stated this during a strategic working visit to the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA). He said the initiative is designed to drive a seamless transition to electronic governance (e-Governance). The DG explained that the project targets key sectors, including Health, Justice, and Lands Administration, enabling them to digitize operations and significantly improve the speed, quality, and accessibility of services delivered to the people of Kano State. Describing the initiative as a transformative, cross-cutt...

 PRESIDENT TINUBU PICKS APC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION  FORMS AHEAD OF 2027 RACE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms conceding to calls by various political bodies to run for a second and final term in office come 2027 James Faleke who picked the forms on behalf of hundreds of support groups on the APC platform said the intention was to pool resources and mobilize massive support for President Tinubu to further consolidate on his measurable achievements across critical sectors. More photos below.