Protesters gather in Lagos, Abuja, and Ondo state for June 12 demonstration (photos)

Nigerians have taken to the streets to demand better governance and an end to economic hardship in the country. 

The demonstration took place today, June 12, being Democracy Day in Nigeria. 

The demonstrators, made up of civil society organisations and pro-democracy activists, assembled at the Ikeja Under Bridge in Lagos. 

In Akure, Ondo State, protesters also gathered to make similar demands. 

Videos from the protest grounds were shared by Take It Back Movement, one of the groups organising the demonstration. 

The protesters carried banners and placards with their demands printed on them. 

In Lagos, a large number of police officers, including personnel from the Nigeria Police Force’s Area F Division, were deployed on Thursday morning as protesters began to gather at the Ikeja Underbridge in Lagos to commemorate June 12 Democracy Day. 

Your good work has killed coalition - Wike tells Tinubu

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s developmental efforts, particularly in the FCT, have effectively dismantled any opposition coalition aiming to unseat the current administration in 2027.

Wike made the remarks on Wednesday during the commissioning of major infrastructure projects in Abuja, including the Maitama-Gishiri Bridge and the Katampe, Jahi, and Mabushi link roads.

In recent months, opposition leaders, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, have been exploring the formation of a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, internal divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and challenges in building consensus across party lines have stalled efforts to create a viable coalition.

Addressing the crowd at the event, Wike said the president’s performance, especially in delivering capital projects, has undermined the opposition’s agenda.

“The coalition is bound to fail and it has failed. Your good works have killed coalition,” Wike said, directing his comments at President Tinubu.

Reaffirming his support for the administration, the minister added, “Some people will not be happy; many of them were born not to be happy. Under Tinubu, contractors now have confidence in the government. Your good works have killed the coalition in Nigeria.

NAFDAC alerts Nigerians on circulation of unregistered skin lightening soap for children

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has raised alarm on the presence of unregistered ‘Fair Child Soap’ in Nigeria. 

In a statement released, the agency said a complaint was received regarding the unethical marketing and use of skin-lightening products among minors.

NAFDAC said that during a routine post-market surveillance, it discovered that an unregistered imported cosmetic product, “Fair Child Soap’’ is being sold in multiple retail outlets across Lagos. The soap is targeted at children and marketed with deceptive and misleading labelling.

‘’At a consultative meeting with the marketer (Lexmart Cosmetics Ltd), it was confirmed that the product was imported, with plans for local manufacturing. Due to this discovery, the company has been sanctioned and instructed to stop further distribution as the product is not authorised for distribution in Nigeria and does not fall under the scope of a validly registered product with NAFDAC.''the statement read

The agency says given the skin-lightening claims and the target demographic of children, there is a significant potential for serious health hazards, including skin damage or sensitivity, exposure to harmful or banned substances, and long-term dermatological effects.

‘’Fair Child soap is a skin-lightening product particularly for children.

Product Details:

Product Name: Fair Child Soap

Produced for & marketed by: Lexmart Cosmetics Ltd.''the statement added

The agency advised healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion or sale of unregistered, substandard, and falsified products (medicines or medical devices) to the nearest NAFDAC office, call 0800-162-3322 or send an email to sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

 

President Tinubu’s senior aide resigns

The Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Bola Tinubu, Aliyu Audu, has resigned from his position. Audu’s resignation is contained in a letter dated June 8, 2025, and submitted through the office of the president’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The Sun reports that in the letter, Audu said he refuses to be a tool for turning Nigeria into a one-party state, while adding that the present administration still has his support.

“I write to formally tender my resignation as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, effective immediately.

Though I do not align with the PDP, I refuse to be used directly or indirectly as an instrument to reduce Nigeria to a one-party state. That would be a betrayal of both divine favour and democratic principle.

After all that God has done for us as a nation, especially in these times, we owe it to Him and to posterity to uphold values that reflect justice, balance, and liberty. True democracy thrives on healthy competition, not political domination.

If we now begin to silence or crush opposition simply because we have the upper hand, then we are no different from the very system we once criticised under Obasanjo in 2003. Such a path is not only politically reckless; it is spiritually dangerous.

And it runs contrary to the divine order, which upholds freedom of choice and diversity of thought. God, in His wisdom, allows even belief and disbelief to coexist. Why then should we, mere mortals, fear ideological pluralism?

Let us build a Nigeria where our strength lies not in uniformity, but in the maturity to compete with ideas, vision, and integrity. Only then can we truly say we are progressing. May Allah SWT forgive us our shortcomings and direct us on the path of righteousness.

I will continue to support our government in power, not just because I helped in bringing it but also because I believe in the success recorded in the area of economic reforms.

We just differ on political views as I pride myself with being a progressive and a promoter of democratic values, which seems to be lost in the unholy alliance of PBAT with Wike.

That does not mean our gbas gbos will seize o. We still here for the attacks and counterattacks. Oya Agbadorians over to you,” he said

Human skull and ritual items discovered by police during raid in Enugu ‘church'

A team of security operatives, led by the Divisional Police Officer of Igbo-Eze South local government area in Enugu State, raided an ongoing church building and recovered a human skull in the process.

The structure, named Synagogue, is to be owned by one Prophet Chinedu Solomon Ezedike who is allegedly linked to the heartbreaking m#rder of four little siblings.

Four children were weeks back gruesomely m#rdered in the council area, attracting outrage from Enugu people and beyond. Following the incident, the structure where the incident occurred was immediately demolished by the government.

But to further probe the pastor’s activities, the government widened its scope to his other properties, leading to the latest discovery.

Chairman of Igbo-Eze South Local government area, Barr Ferdinand Ukwueze, confirmed the latest discovery in a post shared on his Facebook page oday June 9.

He wrote

“Two days ago, yet in the course of combing locations reasonably suspected to be solitary sites and camps of divers shades of criminal activities, acting on intelligence, I visited a site at Abile Hill, Isi-Agu, Ibagwa-Aka, in the company of the Divisional Police Officer of Igbo-Eze South, and other security operatives.

The location, currently being used for the construction of Prophet Chinedu Ezedike’s so-called Synagogue, was discovered to be a suspected site for ritual activities.

To our greatest dismay, a human skull and a ritual staff were discovered from the site, lending further credence to the disturbing and tragic circumstances surrounding the claims and allegations against Ezedike. The recovered items were duly handed over to the Police for further examination as investigations continue.

More of these hidden locations will be discovered and visited, as we remain relentless in our pursuit against all forms of criminality in our Local Government Area.

I reassure you; under the administration of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, there will be no hiding place for crimes of any form. We are pursuing an egalitarian society where sons and daughters of Enugu State can aspire and become anything of their choices legitimately without any fear of criminal molestation.

I deeply appreciate the coordinated support of the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), the Military, the gallant men of Igbo-Eze South Neighbourhood Watch, the Forest Guards, and all well-meaning individuals who have provided intelligence and cooperation over the past weeks.

Society will keep deteriorating when good people keep mute in the face of crime. Together, we must protect our land.”

Victor Osimhen rejects €75m (N135b) move to Al Hilal

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has rejected a massive €75 million (N135b) offer to join Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.

According to a post by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on his X account, “Despite agreement between club to club with Napoli for €75m fee, Osimhen says no to the Saudi Pro League club. Galatasaray will insist on signing him with the race now open again.”

Osimhen has been a key figure during his loan spell at Galatasaray, scoring 37 goals in 41 appearances. His impressive performances have made him a fan favorite, and the Turkish club remains hopeful of retaining him permanently.

Reports indicated that Al Hilal had scheduled a medical for the Nigerian forward after meeting Napoli’s demands. However, with Osimhen rejecting the move, his future remains undecided and the race for his signature is now wide open.

Al-Hilal had been pushing to bring Osimhen to the club in time for the start of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 14.

The Saudi giants, now coached by former Inter tactician Simone Inzaghi, had also offered an enormous €30m-per-season contract offer to the 26-year-old, who has since decided to reject the offer.