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Category: Politics

  • Middle East War: Trump Directs DFC to Provide Risk Insurance for Gulf Maritime Trade

    Middle East War: Trump Directs DFC to Provide Risk Insurance for Gulf Maritime Trade

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPA), March 3, 2026 — U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to offer political risk insurance and financial guarantees to safeguard maritime trade, particularly energy shipments, transiting the Gulf region.

    The directive comes amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, now in its fourth day, involving U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran and retaliatory attacks across the Gulf. Iran has threatened to target cargo vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies.

    In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump announced:

    “Effective immediately, I have ordered the United States Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide, at a very reasonable price, political risk insurance and guarantees for the financial security of all maritime trade, especially energy, travelling through the Gulf. This will be available to all shipping lines. If necessary, the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible. No matter what, the United States will ensure the free flow of energy to the world.”

    Global energy markets have reacted sharply to the escalating tensions. Analysts warn that disruptions to production facilities and refineries following Iranian strikes could drive volatility in international energy prices. However, Trump’s move is viewed by some experts as a stabilising measure that may help contain price fluctuations during the ongoing military campaign, which U.S. officials anticipate could last up to four weeks.

  • US Sanctions Rwandan Defence Force and Senior Officials

    US Sanctions Rwandan Defence Force and Senior Officials

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA), March 3, 2026 — The United States has imposed sanctions on the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) and four senior military officers for providing direct operational support to the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The sanctions, announced on March 2, 2026, by the U.S. Department of State and signed by Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas “Tommy” Pigott, accuse Rwanda of violating commitments under the Washington Accords, an agreement reached between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The statement noted that RDF-backed M23 forces recently captured the Congolese city of Uvira, in breach of the accord.

    The U.S. condemned M23 for committing grave human rights abuses, including summary executions and violence against civilians, particularly women and children. It stressed that RDF support has enabled the rebels to seize sovereign Congolese territory and continue these atrocities. “The United States stands firm in its support for peace and stability in eastern DRC and the wider region,” the statement read. “The Washington Accords mark a decisive turning point for the Great Lakes region, setting a new course for peace, cooperation, and prosperity among neighbours. Today’s action demonstrates the U.S. resolve to uphold the Washington Accords. As President Trump has made clear, the United States is prepared to use all available tools to ensure the DRC and Rwanda deliver on the promises of this historic agreement.”

    Formed in 2012 by former members of the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), M23 rebels accuse the Congolese government of failing to honour a 2009 peace deal. Predominantly composed of Tutsi fighters, the group has long been suspected of receiving support from Rwanda, though Kigali denies this. Since its resurgence in 2021, M23 has captured significant territory in North Kivu, destabilising the region. While the rebels claim to be defending the rights of Congolese Tutsis and demanding political representation, critics argue their campaign is driven by territorial ambitions and political leverage, worsening humanitarian crises and regional tensions.

  • Tinubu Nominates Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance

    Tinubu Nominates Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA), March 3, 2026 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Mr. Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance, replacing Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been reassigned to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as Minister of State. This marks her third portfolio in the current administration.

    The nomination was conveyed to the Senate in a letter from the President, according to a statement issued Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. Oyedele, 50, is an economist, accountant, and public policy expert from Ikaram, Akoko, in Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria.

    Before his nomination, he served as Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms. A former PwC executive, Oyedele holds academic credentials from Yaba College of Technology, Oxford Brookes University, the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and Harvard Kennedy School. He is currently a professor at Babcock University and a visiting scholar at Lagos Business School.

  • U.S. Forces Destroy Iran’s Command Facilities, Air Defences, and Launch Sites

    U.S. Forces Destroy Iran’s Command Facilities, Air Defences, and Launch Sites

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA), March 3, 2026 — The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Tuesday that American forces, operating under Operation Epic Fury, have significantly degraded Iran’s military capabilities.

    In a statement, CENTCOM said: “U.S. forces have destroyed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command-and-control facilities, Iranian air defence systems, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields during sustained operations. We will continue to take decisive action against imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime.”

    The campaign, launched jointly by the United States and Israel on February 28, 2026, has included targeted strikes against senior Iranian officials, among them Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Employing a “Shock and Awe” strategy, the coalition has focused on precision bombing designed to cripple Iran’s military infrastructure while minimising civilian casualties.

    According to military analysts, the strikes have weakened Iran’s command networks and disrupted its coordination with proxy groups such as Hezbollah and the Popular Mobilisation Forces. The offensive has also destabilised Iran’s leadership, creating uncertainty and diminishing its regional influence.

    Despite these gains, Washington faces the daunting challenge of preventing a wider escalation across the Middle East. Experts warn that the conflict could have severe repercussions for regional stability and global security.

  • Dave Umahi Accuser Deletes Allegation Posts from Social Media

    Dave Umahi Accuser Deletes Allegation Posts from Social Media

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA), March 3, 2026 — Mrs. Tracynither Ohiri, who previously accused Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, of indebtedness and sexual harassment, has deleted the posts she made on social media platforms.

    The development was disclosed in a statement issued on March 2 by Francis Nwaze, Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Works. According to the statement, “Within the last 24 hours, Mrs. Ohiri has quietly removed all videos and posts she made against the Honourable Minister of Works from her social media accounts, including TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. A routine review of these platforms clearly shows that the same materials previously used to accuse, ridicule, and defame the Honourable Minister have now been deleted.”

    Nwaze noted that the sudden deletion followed public exposure of inconsistencies in her claims, including ambiguities in timelines and discrepancies in the amounts alleged. “Faced with contradictions in her own narratives, she appears to have chosen deletion over explanation. These actions raise serious questions about the intent behind the allegations she promoted for years,” the statement added.

    The minister’s office reiterated that all allegations remain unproven until substantiated, stressing that the burden of proof rests with the accuser. It emphasized that Senator Umahi remains focused on his mandate to deliver critical infrastructure under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Meanwhile, Newpost Africa reported that over the weekend, Senator Umahi received the Silverbird Extraordinary Personality of the Year Award at a ceremony held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

  • Nigeria Government, AFC seal $1.3bn Alumina Refinery investment pact

    Nigeria Government, AFC seal $1.3bn Alumina Refinery investment pact

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (Agency Report), March 3, 2026 — The Federal Government and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) have signed an investment partnership to jointly fund three projects, including a 1.3 billion dollar Alumina Refinery.

    The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, described the agreement as a landmark deal to transform mining and boost its GDP contribution.

    A statement by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, said the pact was signed on Sunday in Abuja.

    Executive Secretary, Solid Minerals Development Fund, Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, signed for the government, while Franklin Edochie, AFC Deputy Director and Head of Metals and Mining, signed for the corporation.

    Other projects include a comprehensive geoscience mapping exercise and the creation of an investment vehicle to advance the initiatives.

    The alumina refinery, valued at 1.3 billion dollars, will process one million tonnes of bauxite annually.

    “The facility is designed for about 20 years at 95 per cent utilisation, with total alumina output projected at 19 million tonnes,” Alake said.

    He said the project would be Nigeria’s largest private mining investment and a landmark foreign direct investment, contributing 1.2 billion dollars to GDP yearly.

    Alake added that it would generate over 25 billion dollars for the economy across its lifecycle and eight billion dollars in foreign exchange earnings.

    He commended AFC and SMDF for aligning with the ministry’s seven-point agenda through the partnership.

    Alake said reforms had secured the investment climate, modernised regulations and established a world-class mineral licensing regime attracting serious private capital. “I have granted all necessary approvals to fast-track the AFC–SMDF investments.

    “I have directed relevant agencies to ensure seamless processing and grant of all permits, titles and regulatory clearances for timely execution,” he said.

    Initial feasibility studies by AFC and SMDF confirmed the project’s commercial viability and competitiveness.

    The initiative supports the ministry’s goal of generating reliable mineral data, de-risking exploration and unlocking Nigeria’s mineral potential. 

    AFC and SMDF also agreed to establish a joint strategic investment vehicle to accelerate development of identified exploration assets nationwide.

    The vehicle will drive rapid exploration, development and production on selected leases following a successful exploration campaign. 

  • Netanyahu accuses Iran of missile strikes on civilians amid escalating conflict

    Netanyahu accuses Iran of missile strikes on civilians amid escalating conflict

    JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (NPA), March 3, 2026 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Iran of launching missile attacks on civilian areas in response to ongoing joint military operations by Israel and the United States. Netanyahu said Israel’s strikes are aimed at protecting civilians and neutralizing what he described as “existential threats.”

    In a statement on Tuesday, Netanyahu explained that Israel’s military campaign against Iran was designed to “remove existential threats and to create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to cast off the yoke of tyranny. That day is near—and when it arrives, Israel and the United States will be there.”

    The conflict has intensified, with Israeli and U.S. forces carrying out repeated strikes on Iranian military targets, while Iran has retaliated with missile barrages targeting Israel and several Gulf states. Netanyahu urged Israeli citizens to strictly follow Home Front Command instructions, noting that compliance has saved lives, though some casualties have occurred among those outside protected areas.

    Addressing the Iranian people directly, Netanyahu called on them to prepare for change, saying: “The day to cast off the yoke of tyranny is near as the ‘Lion’s Roar’ military campaign continues. Israel and the United States will stand with the Iranian people—but it depends on them. We will be there.”

    Netanyahu also warned that Iran’s missile strikes have extended beyond the Middle East. “They fired yesterday on a large part of the countries in the region, and indeed, they have fired on Europe too,” he said. He cautioned that if Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, “they will threaten all of humanity.”

    He also stressed that Israel’s actions, in coordination with the United States, are not only for national defense but also for global security: “We embarked to remove this danger first and foremost from ourselves, but we are acting together with the United States on behalf of and for all of humanity.”

  • Iran rules out negotiations with United States

    Iran rules out negotiations with United States

    TEHRAN, IRAN (NPA): Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has declared that Iran will not engage in negotiations with the United States.

    Larijani made the statement in a post on X on March 2, 2026, contradicting a report by The Wall Street Journal that suggested he had initiated new efforts to resume talks with Washington.

    The announcement also came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had reached out for negotiations.

    Meanwhile, Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Al-Busaidi, expressed optimism about diplomatic progress. In a social media post on Sunday evening, he wrote: “The Geneva talks made real progress toward an unprecedented agreement between Iran and the United States. Although there was hope to prevent war, war should not mean the loss of hope for peace. I still believe in the power of diplomacy to resolve this conflict. The sooner negotiations resume, the better it will be for everyone.”

    In a separate post, Larijani criticized President Trump’s regional policies, accusing him of destabilizing the Middle East and prioritizing Israel’s interests over those of the United States. He asserted that Iran’s armed forces were acting defensively and had not initiated aggression.

  • APGA launches nationwide membership registration and revalidation

    APGA launches nationwide membership registration and revalidation

    AWKA, NIGERIA (NPA): The Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, has announced the commencement of a nationwide membership registration and revalidation exercise for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in line with Nigeria’s updated electoral laws.

    In a statement issued on March 2, 2026, Governor Soludo said: “I am proud to announce that APGA has officially recommenced its membership registration and revalidation exercise, in line with the Electoral Act. My wife, Dr. Nonye, and I led by example as the first to undergo the process, revalidating our membership of Nigeria’s foremost progressive party. This digital transformation is a game-changer, setting APGA apart as a pioneer in Nigerian politics. We are not just updating our records; we are building a robust, credible party structure.”

    The governor urged party members to take advantage of the ongoing exercise, emphasizing that the process is seamless and accessible.

    Highlighting the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) into the registration system, Soludo noted: “With NIN integration, as stipulated by the new Electoral Act, we are ensuring the integrity of our membership database. I encourage all APGA members to revalidate their membership and invite new members to join the movement. The registration process has been simplified to ensure no one is left behind.”

    Political parties across Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy, are intensifying preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections. The move follows the release of an adjusted timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), covering party primaries and elections for governors, legislators, and the presidency.

  • Nwifuru condemns abduction of Royal Father, orders security agencies to Act

    Nwifuru condemns abduction of Royal Father, orders security agencies to Act

    ABAKALIKI, NIGERIA (NPA): Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has condemned the abduction of His Royal Highness, Ezeogo Francis Igwe, the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike in Ikwo Local Government Area and father of former Deputy Governor Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe. The monarch was reportedly kidnapped by suspected hoodlums on Sunday morning while on his way to church.

    Governor Nwifuru described the incident as “deeply troubling and totally unacceptable,” stressing that criminal acts against innocent citizens, particularly respected community leaders, will not be tolerated in Ebonyi State. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, on March 1, 2026, the governor announced that the state government has activated all security and intelligence mechanisms to ensure the monarch’s safe rescue. 

    He further directed security agencies to work in synergy to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice, pledging that the government will deploy all available resources to unmask those behind the crime and prevent future occurrences.

    Kidnapping remains a widespread challenge in Nigeria, driven by poverty, unemployment, and weak law enforcement. While ransom payments are the primary motive, political grievances, ethnic tensions, and insurgency also contribute to the menace. The consequences are far-reaching, eroding public trust, discouraging investment, and instilling fear in communities. Experts emphasize that solutions must combine stronger security operations with socio-economic reforms. The Nigerian government has introduced tougher anti-kidnapping laws, launched military campaigns against bandits, and invested in community policing.