LIBERATION

United States President, Donald Trump, has ruled out the possibility of a ceasefire agreement with Iran, declaring that he no longer wishes to engage with the country as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate following a series of military strikes across the Middle East. Speaking on the prospect of a ceasefire, Trump launched a scathing attack on Iran's leadership, dismissing any further diplomatic engagement. "To me, I think it is over, I don't want to deal with them any longer, they are scum, you know what scum means, they are sick, led by sick people." He further accused Iran of posing a grave global security threat, saying, "They are vicious violent people, if they had a nuclear weapon, they would use it." Questioning the value of negotiations with Tehran, Trump added, "It's a waste of time dealing with them, they are liars, we make a deal, we say no nuclear weapons and they go out to the press to say we never ev...

The embattled Director General of the “fake” Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, has explained the reasons he established the now-defunct agency. Matthew, while speaking with social media critic, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, in a video call on Wednesday, revealed that it was not unconnected to his passion for Nigeria’s outlook in the world, attracting foreign investors and promoting President Bola Tinubu’s administration, rather than for personal interest. He also claimed that he was not aware of his agency’s budget insertion and defence in the national budget approved by the National Assembly and assented to by the President. The embattled DG said, “I established that amount (rumoured N400 million) for the agency’s office out of passion for the country. I wanted to bring in foreign investors to Nigeria so that I can write my name in gold. I am just desperate to serve. “That’s the reason I paid the money. I just wan...

A Kaduna-based businessman, Nasir Musa Idris (Albani Agege) has filed a series of criminal complaints before courts in Kaduna State against Islamic cleric Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, members of his family, and two associates, alleging offences arising from a prolonged matrimonial dispute involving his Moroccan wife, Khadijah Diab.   According to the court documents, the complaints have been lodged before the Sharia Court, Malali, the Chief Magistrate Court, Kabala Doki, and the Chief Magistrate Court, Barnawa, each alleging different criminal offences under the applicable Kaduna State laws.   The complainant alleges that he lawfully married Moroccan national Khadijah Diab in October 2024 and that they lived together peacefully until September 2025, when events leading to the dispute allegedly began. According to the filings, he claims he was contacted and requested to bring his wife to Dr. Gumi’s residence for counselling after allegations that she had raise...

By Hon Sabo Sani Labaran  The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State has taken another dramatic and confusing dimension, further exposing the deep divisions within the party ahead of the 2027 governorship election. In a development that has left many political observers stunned, Professor Isa Ali Pantami was officially issued a Certificate of Return as the PDP Governorship Candidate by the faction of the party aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike and his supporters. However, before the dust could settle, another faction of the PDP, reportedly backed by influential party leaders including Turaki and former President Goodluck Jonathan's camp, moved swiftly to issue a separate Certificate of Return to Hon. Ahmed Yayari, equally recognizing him as the party's Governorship Candidate in Gombe State. This unprecedented situation has now thrown the opposition party into deeper confusion, with two different candidates holding certificat...

  Contractors under the UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects in Taraba State have decried delays in the issuance of award letters and site mobilization, nearly two months after bidding was concluded. In the recent time, journalists  has sought clarification on the delay in issuing award letters to successful bidders. However, efforts to reach Mrs. Christiana Taninga Binga, the Executive Chairperson Taraba State Universal Basic Education Board (TSUBEB) Taraba State, for comment were unsuccessful as of press time. The bidding process for the projects was concluded over a month ago, close to two months now. Several contractors who spoke with journalists, expressed concern that award letters had not been issued and mobilization to project sites had not commenced. They noted that the delay appears contrary to UBEC procurement timelines and guidelines, which stipulate specific periods for contract award and commencement. The contractors said they do not know the reason for t...

Some staff of Ardo-Kola Local Government Area have cried out over alleged non-payment of salaries for about four months, saying the situation has caused “serious hardship” for their families. The workers, who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, alleged that salaries due to them for the past four months had been diverted. They also accused the Local Government Treasurer of “conniving with some banks” in the alleged diversion. Another allegation raised by the staff is that the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is “employing/selling appointments without the consent of LGA chairmen.” These claims have not been independently verified. Due to the development, some affected staff said they are preparing a petition to an anti-graft agency to investigate how and why their salaries have not been paid for the four-month period. When contacted, the Chairman of Ardo-Kola Local Government Council, Hon. Umar Bello Badawaire, said journalists should direct inquiri...