Breaking News: Key Developments from Major Nigerian Newspapers on Saturday, 31st May, 2025
The Nigerian government has countered a recent report by Amnesty International regarding the spate of violence in the country over the past two years. The Defense Headquarters (DHQ) criticized the report as exaggerated and lacking depth.
In a statement issued on Friday by Major General Markus Kangye, the Director of Defense Media Operations, the DHQ accused Amnesty International of making sweeping generalizations without acknowledging the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces in combating crime and terrorism.
As previously reported by our website, Amnesty International stated that at least 10,217 individuals have been killed and 672 villages have been sacked during the last two years, with Benue State recording the highest number of fatalities, followed by Plateau State. The human rights organization also accused the Nigerian government of inadequately protecting citizens from relentless attacks by armed groups and bandits.
However, in response, Kangye disagreed with Amnesty International's findings. He noted that while the role of civil society organizations in promoting accountability is recognized, the report failed to account for the asymmetrical threats facing Nigeria and the complex context within which the Nigerian military operates.
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has offered an unconditional political amnesty to Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party's candidate in the 2024 governorship election in Edo State. Ighodalo, who has allegedly been sidelined by his political benefactors, is being encouraged by Okpebholo to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) and contribute to ongoing development efforts in the state.
The Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) factional crisis is not seen as an indication that the party cannot capture power in 2027, according to a former PDP chairman in Oyo State, Kunmi Mustapha. Mustapha, who is also the Special Adviser to the governor on Political Affairs, urged Nigerians to support honest politicians rather than those who create suffering for them and expressed appreciation for the efforts of the acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, deputy national chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, BoT member, Bode George, and other national leaders in uniting the party.
Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has called on Nigerians to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu to succeed, praising both President Tinubu and Minister Nyesom Wike, who was appointed as a Minister by Tinubu. Wike has been commended for his transformational projects in Abuja since his appointment.
In other news, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has hinted at leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joining the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking during a state banquet, Eno expressed a desire to move on politically, suggesting a potential defection to the APC without explicitly mentioning the new party of destination.
The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has summoned the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to address concerns about delayed papers and irregularities in the ongoing 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The committee has given WAEC a 24-hour ultimatum to appear before it on Friday, May 30, 2025, following its failure to appear before the committee as scheduled earlier.
Lastly, the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has celebrated the continuous success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, citing recent legal victories against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as reasons for celebration. The governor's celebratory motorcade in Benin City was attended by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, party leaders, youths, market women, and other party supporters.
- The Nigerian government has refuted Amnesty International's report on the violence in the country, with the Defense Headquarters (DHQ) accusing the organization of exaggeration and lack of depth.
- Major General Markus Kangye, the Director of Defense Media Operations, spoke out against Amnesty International's report, questioning their lack of recognition for the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces in combating crime and terrorism.
- Amnesty International's report attributed 10,217 deaths and 672 village sackings to crime and terrorism over the past two years, with Benue State recording the highest number of fatalities.
- However, Kangye disagreed with these findings, stating that the report failed to account for the complex context within which the Nigerian military operates.
- In a separate development, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, offered an unconditional political amnesty to Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) candidate for the 2024 governorship election.
- The PDP's factional crisis is not deemed a barrier to the party capturing power in 2027, according to a former PDP chairman in Oyo State, Kunmi Mustapha.
- Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has called on Nigerians to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu, praising both Tinubu and Minister Nyesom Wike for their transformational projects.
- Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has hinted at leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), suggesting a potential defection without explicitly mentioning the new party.
- The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has summoned the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to address concerns about delayed papers and irregularities in the ongoing 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), giving WAEC a 24-hour ultimatum to appear before the committee.
