Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who served as the Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima, has resigned from his position. Sources within the presidency confirmed that he tendered his resignation approximately two weeks ago, citing personal reasons. It remains unclear whether the presidency has officially accepted his resignation.   

Appointed in September 2023, Dr. Baba-Ahmed represented the presidency at various public engagements during his 17-month tenure. Notably, he participated in the national conference titled “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity” in Abuja from January 28 to 29, 2025. 

His tenure was marked by some controversies, including a public exchange with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, in April 2024. The disagreement arose after Dr. Baba-Ahmed defended the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) against Matawalle’s criticism, leading to a debate about the roles of northern appointees in promoting the administration’s achievements. 

Dr. Baba-Ahmed, a former spokesperson for the NEF, has had a distinguished career in public service, including roles as Secretary to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Chief of Staff to former Senate President Bukola Saraki. 

📺: @leadership_newspaper

Roughly two dozen states filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Trump administration over sweeping cuts to AmeriCorps, the federal volunteer service program established in 1993. ⁠
⁠
The suit accuses the Department of Government Efficiency of unlawfully gutting the agency and terminating hundreds of millions in congressionally approved grants. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said the administration made “abrupt and drastic cuts to staff and volunteers and terminated grants.”⁠
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AmeriCorps programs support more than 200,000 members annually, many of whom receive stipends and education benefits while working in community organizations, disaster relief, and public service projects.⁠
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According to the complaint, at least 85% of staff were placed on administrative leave this month, and some 2,000 members of the National Civilian Community Corps were informed they would be dismissed early. Notices sent to grantees cited a shift in agency priorities.⁠
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The White House defended the move by citing $40 million in improper payments attributed to documentation and coding errors. “President Trump has the legal right to restore accountability to the entire Executive Branch,” said Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly. ⁠
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Breaking News: “Nigeria under Tinubu has highest number of “extremely poor people globally” - World Bank reveals !!! 🚴🏿‍♀️🚴🏿‍♀️🚴🏿‍♀️💨

Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu has the highest number of extremely poor people globally, says the World Bank’s Africa’s Pulse report of April 2025.

“Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest extreme poverty rate globally, and a large share of the poor is concentrated in a few countries,” the report stated.

According to a chart in the report, Nigeria accounts for 19 per cent of extremely poor people in Sub-Saharan Africa, while the Democratic Republic of Congo has 14 per cent, Ethiopia 9 per cent, and Sudan 6 per cent.

It added, “About 80 per cent of the world’s estimated 695 million extreme poor resided in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024, compared to 8 per cent in South Asia, 2 per cent in East Asia and the Pacific, 5 per cent in the Middle East and North Africa, and 3 per cent in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

A further breakdown by Peoples Gazette shows that Nigeria’s 19 per cent of the 560 million extremely poor in Sub-Saharan Africa represents 106 million people. This also amounts to 15.25 per cent of the world’s estimated 695 million extremely poor.

The report lists Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and war-torn Sudan as the four countries “within Sub-Saharan Africa, with half of the 560 million extreme poor in 2024.”

The World Bank also predicted a grim future for Nigeria, stating that more Nigerians will be plunged into poverty under Mr Tinubu’s watch by 2027.

This comes a month before Mr Tinubu’s second year in office. He assumed office on May 29, 2023, announcing fuel subsidy removal and later, exchange rate unification.

Barely a week ago, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that Mr Tinubu’s economic policies are yet to yield tangible benefits for Nigerians, as poverty and food insecurity remain widespread.

The IMF said though reforms introduced by the Tinubu-led government “have put the Nigerian economy in a better position to navigate this external environment,” the country still faces economic uncertainty.

Atiku, El-Rufai coalition picks new platform, approaches INEC registration for new par

Opposition leaders under the banner of the Nigeria National Coalition Group (NNCG) have adopted the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) as the platform to use in tackling the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

NNCG has also formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register as a party ahead of the next general elections.

The coalition’s application letter addressed to INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and dated June 19, was co-signed by the National Chairman of ADA, Chief Akin Ricketts and Protem National Secretary, Abdullahi Musa Elayo.

The letter which was stamped received by the office of the INEC chairman on June 20, 2025, was titled: “Application for registration as a political party” with ADA name and flag.

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