Pocket News Nigeria

By our Reporters  Following the recent directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for political appointees under his administration intending to contest elective offices in 2027, to resign their appointments on or before March 31, 2026, there are indications that at least seven ministers may be on their way out. The party primaries for elective positions are expected to be held between 23rd April and May 30th, 2026, while names of candidates are expected to be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by 11th July for presidential and National Assembly and August 8th for governorship and House of Assembly elections. Our correspondents report that ahead of the 2027 general elections, there are other appointees of the president apart from ministers who are eyeing various elective positions and are expected to resign. They include ministers of state, special advisers to the president, senior special assistants, special assistants, personal assistants,...

Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph has been thrown into fresh controversy following reports that head coach Pape Thiaw moved the trophy to a military base amid an ongoing dispute with Morocco over the title. According to multiple reports, the trophy was taken to a secure military facility where it is now under armed guard. Soldiers were reportedly allowed to take photographs with the silverware, in what observers see as a symbolic move to assert Senegal’s claim to the title. The development comes after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded Morocco a technical victory in the final, overturning Senegal’s on-field success and naming the North African side champions a decision that has sparked outrage in Dakar. “Senegal Coach took the AFCON to their military base today..It’s now positioned in the centre of their military camp. Protecting what rightfully belongs to them” Topskills sports UK wrote on their X page Senegalese football authorities have rej...

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that FIFA has rejected its petition against Democratic Republic of the Congo. This was disclosed on Tuesday by the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi. Despite the decision, Sanusi said the federation is not satisfied with the outcome and will begin the process of filing an appeal. He said: “We have received the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on our petition, but we are not satisfied with the decision, which rejected our petition. “I want to assure Nigerians that the NFF has immediately commenced the process of appealing the decision.

AFCON Drama: Senegal Rejects CAF Verdict, Moves To Appeal Agency Reports The Senegalese Football Federation has rejected the decision of the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board awarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco and confirmed it will challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Morocco were on Tuesday crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board overturned the result of the final against Senegal, ruling that the West African side forfeited the match following a walk-off during the game in Rabat on January 19. CAF stated that “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football.” The decision followed a protest by Morocco after chaotic scenes late in the final, when Senegal players briefly left the...

_By Ayozie Uchechukwu Ronald_ As I write this, the soil of Maiduguri is once again soaked in the blood of innocent Nigerians. Yesterday, March 16, 2026, the silence of the night was shattered by three near-simultaneous suicide bombings. At the gates of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital—a place of healing—and in the bustling heart of Monday Market, at least 23 citizens were blown to pieces. Over 100 others are currently lying in hospital beds, their bodies riddled with shrapnel, their lives forever altered by a terror that this administration promised to "renew hope" against. *But where is our President? Where is the "Commander-in-Chief"* when his people are being slaughtered in war-like numbers? _The Tale of Two Worlds: London Luxury vs. Borno Bloodshed_ While Borno mourns, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has jetted off to London. On the very morning the news of the carnage broke, the President departed for a "historic" state visit to t...

After US and Israeli strikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war, the Islamic regime was still very much alive due to one formidable politician. That man was Ali Larijani, Iran’s feared national security chief, thought by many to have been the de facto leader of the country and the architect of its terror. Hours after the ayatollah was declared dead, he posted a chilling message on social media, swearing revenge. 'Today we will hit them with a force that they have never experienced before,' the top official said. On Tuesday, Israel claimed its military assassinated Larijani in a secretive operation, effectively eliminating a pivotal figure at the heart of the dictatorship who insiders claim was preparing to consolidate power amid the Middle East crisis. According to Israeli media, the killing of Larijani was initially scheduled for Sunday night, but was postponed at the last minute. It wasn't until Monday afternoon that auth...