The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has announced that fasting may continue on Sunday, as the moon signaling the end of Ramadan has not yet been sighted in Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Secretary-General of NSCIA, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede.

He urged Muslims to search for the crescent of Shawwal on the 29th day of Ramadan.

“If Muslims sight the crescent in accordance with the moon sighting and verification standards, then His Eminence would declare Sunday, March 30, 2025, as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of Idul Fitr,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia confirmed earlier on Saturday that the crescent of Shawwal had been sighted, declaring that Eid al-Fitr would be observed on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

This announcement was made on Haramain’s official Facebook page, an authoritative platform for the global Muslim community.

“The crescent moon for the month of Shawwal 1446 was sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Sunday, March 30, 2025.”

Ahead of the announcement, the Federal Government had declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, as public holidays for the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, conveyed this in a statement released on Wednesday by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Magdalene Ajani.

The minister congratulated Muslims on successfully completing the Ramadan fast and urged them to “embrace the virtues of self-discipline, compassion, generosity, and peace, emphasizing the importance of love, forgiveness, and solidarity in building a harmonious society.”

Tunji-Ojo also called on Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the country’s peace, stability, and prosperity.

He expressed hope that the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr would foster unity and cooperation across religious and ethnic lines, urging citizens to celebrate safely and responsibly while extending kindness and charity to the less privileged in the true spirit of Ramadan and Eid.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the revocation of its land title was politically motivated to suppress opposition.

Speaking in Abuja on Friday during a visit by officials of the Body of Benchers, led by Chairman Adegboyega Awomolo, Wike expressed disappointment over the PDP’s claims.

He clarified that the decision was based solely on the non-payment of mandatory ground rent and had no political undertones.

“Political, religious, and ethnic sentiments are often attached to executive decisions, leading to misinterpretations,” Wike stated.

He explained that land titles of allottees who had failed to pay rent for over 10 years were revoked, including that of the PDP.

Despite being in power for years and generating between N13 billion and N20 billion from the sale of party forms, Wike said the PDP had not paid the N7.6 million ground rent for its land in the Central Area of Abuja.

He further revealed that Wadata Plaza, the PDP’s National Secretariat, was not even registered in the party’s name but under a senator residing in Abuja, who had also failed to pay ground rent for 28 years.

“Maybe they had a deal with the man and did not complete the deed of assignment, and now they are shouting that Wike was sent to revoke the land as a ploy to kill the opposition. What kind of mentality is that?” Wike asked.

The minister emphasized that the PDP was not singled out, as institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also lost land titles for the same reason.

He disclosed that while the CBN had pleaded for a reversal, he insisted the bank must first settle its outstanding ground rent.

Wike also urged the Body of Benchers to ensure compliance with financial obligations, warning that no defaulting allottee would be spared.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Wike approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles on March 17, 2025, affecting individuals, corporate organizations, and government institutions due to non-payment of ground rent for over a decade.

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has strongly condemned attempts by some party members to create parallel structures, warning that such actions would have serious consequences.

Speaking at a town hall meeting organized by the Lagos State chapter of the party, Abure emphasized that the Labour Party has only one legitimate structure, and any attempt to establish a rival faction would ultimately fail.

“A party cannot have two conflicting structures, it can only have one. I advise those who want to be part of the system to align with the main structure. Those who are creating parallel structures and candidate-driven factions will lose out in the end,” Abure stated.

He also addressed concerns about financial contributions from elected Labour Party members, noting that since their assumption of office nearly two years ago, they had failed to fulfill their financial obligations to the party.

“It is a fact that they don’t respect the party and don’t make contributions. As I speak, we have not received a single kobo at the national level from those we elected to the National Assembly,” he lamented.

Abure highlighted that despite having six Senators, about 30 House of Representatives members, and several state legislators, none of them had financially supported the party.

“In other parties, elected officials fund the party. Today, many of them want control over their local government areas and constituencies, yet they are not ready to work with the party. Is this fair?” he questioned.

In a bid to strengthen the party, Abure urged members of the Obidient movement to register with the Labour Party ahead of the upcoming congresses in June and July 2025.

“We are willing and ready to welcome all Obidients into the Labour Party. Just go to your ward and register,” he advised.

He also addressed internal grievances within the Lagos State chapter, calling for unity and a focus on the future rather than past disputes.

“I appeal to our members in Lagos who have grievances from the 2023 general elections to move forward. Those who missed out on party tickets in 2023 may have an opportunity in 2027. If you have a special case, bring it to the party leadership instead of fighting on social media. As long as I remain National Chairman, those with genuine cases will be considered in 2027,” he assured.

The town hall meeting also saw the defection of prominent political figures to the Labour Party, party stakeholders, including national and state lawmakers, executives at various levels, and members of the National Working Committee, were present.

The Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, also attended.

The Labour Party (LP) leadership, under National Chairman Julius Abure, has outlined conditions for recognizing supporters of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, popularly known as ‘Obidients.’

According to Abure, Obidients must register at their respective wards to become official party members, which would enable them to participate in party activities leading up to the 2027 elections.

“We are willing and ready to absorb all the Obidients into the Labour Party. All you need to do is to go to your ward as Obidient and register,” Abure stated during a town hall meeting organized by the Lagos State chapter of the party.

He emphasized that the Labour Party operates under a single structure and warned against attempts to establish rival factions.

“The party has only one structure, all other ones are counterfeit. A party cannot have two conflicting structures, a party can only have one structure and I advise, if you do not want to be left out of the scheme of things, find your way into the main structure.

“Those who are doing parallel structure, candidate structure will lose out at the end of the day,” he added.

In a statement released in Abuja on Friday night by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, Abure also urged elected Labour Party members to contribute financially to the party.

He lamented that lawmakers at various levels had failed to fulfill their financial obligations since assuming office nearly two years ago.

“It is a fact that they don’t respect the party, it is a fact that they don’t make contributions to the party.

“As I speak with you today, we have not received one kobo at the national, from those we elected to the National Assembly.

“The responsibility of running this party is still with the leadership of the party. As at today, we have six senators, about 30 Reps members and numerous House of Assembly members, but it will shock you to know that none of these lawmakers have contributed a dime to the party since their election in 2023.”

“Let them go and ask other parties, it is those elected under their platform that fund the party. Today, most of them want to have control over their local government and for us to hand over their constituencies to them, yet they are not ready to work or partner with the party. Is it fair?” Abure queried.

The LP chairman also addressed internal disputes within the Lagos State chapter, appealing to aggrieved members to move forward.

“I want to appeal to our members in Lagos State who may have one grievance or the other arising from the imperfection witnessed in the 2023 general election to keep their grievances aside.

“We cannot continue to dwell in the past. Those who did not get the party ticket in the 2023 election may have the opportunity to do so in 2027. And for some of you who have special cases, I plead with you to come and present the matter to the leadership of the party, instead of fighting ourselves in the social media.

“As long as I am the National Chairman, those with genuine cases will be given special attention in the 2027 general election,” Abure assured.

The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has distanced himself from an alleged meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) members, stressing that he does not engage in toxic politics or political blackmail.

In a statement shared on his X handle, Obi cautioned against linking his name to political narratives that contradict his values.

“I have come across a report circulating on social media regarding an APC gathering where my name was mentioned. Let me make it unequivocally clear: I do not engage in toxic politics, blackmail, or any form of political manipulation. My name should not be associated with such narratives,” he stated.

Obi reaffirmed his political stance, emphasizing that he has no affiliation with the APC and has no intention of joining the party.

He reiterated his dedication to integrity, fairness, and issue-based politics, urging that political aspirants should be assessed based on their competence, capacity, and compassion rather than partisan interests.

Speaking on speculations regarding Valentine Ozigbo, he insisted that every candidate should be judged on merit, free from blackmail and undue controversy.

“Elections and primaries should not be reduced to toxic narratives or personal attacks. Political choices should be guided by credibility, vision, and the ability to deliver real change—not by dragging individuals into needless controversy,” Obi asserted.

With the Anambra governorship election set for November, Obi called on all political parties, including the Labour Party, to conduct fair, transparent, and democratic primaries.

He stressed the importance of giving aspirants an equal and unbiased platform to contest within their parties.

“This election presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria to embrace true democracy, something that remains elusive in our nation today,” he stated.

Obi concluded by urging all stakeholders to uphold justice and reject divisive politics, emphasizing that only by doing so can the country achieve the “New Nigeria” that citizens desire.

The immediate past Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, has refuted claims by his wife, Florence, that he was kidnapped and being forced to act against his will.

Nwaeke, who recently made serious allegations against the suspended Governor Siminalayi, clarified that he is safe in Abuja, contrary to his wife’s emotional appeal.

He stated that he traveled voluntarily to the Federal Capital Territory to report himself to security agencies regarding the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.

In a video that surfaced early Saturday, Nwaeke dismissed his wife’s claims as misleading, suggesting she had been misinformed and given a script to read.

“I am in Transcorp Abuja. I arrived this morning from Port Harcourt to meet security agencies and report myself, as well as the troubling events happening in Rivers State. I resigned as Head of Service on Monday because of these developments,” he stated.

Addressing his wife directly, he said: “I just saw a video of my wife trending. She was told I had been kidnapped and given a script to read. I want to make it clear—I am not kidnapped. I am in Abuja, working.

“When I was Head of Service, my wife was not involved in my official duties. That script she read is null and void. I am safe and sound. I will report myself to the appropriate security agencies because Abuja houses their headquarters, and I feel safer making my report here.”

A former Majority Leader in the House of Representatives and leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the South-West, Mulikat Akande-Adeola, has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to fielding only tested and trusted candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at an Iftar organized by the SDP Oyo State Chapter for stakeholders across Ibadanland’s 11 local governments, Akande-Adeola emphasized the need for leadership that genuinely understands and addresses the plight of Nigerians.

The event took place on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Teachers premises in Samonda, Ibadan.

Expressing concern over the level of hardship in the country, the former lawmaker urged party members to ensure they are properly registered at the ward, local government, and state levels to strengthen the party’s structure ahead of the elections.

“SDP would ensure that only tested, trusted, and credible candidates are allowed to fly the party’s flag. This suffering is too much. People are suffering, and we must all work together to present people with impeccable characters. People who know where the shoes are pitching their constituents,” she stated.

She further outlined the party’s vision for the presidency, stressing that the SDP would only support a candidate who prioritizes the people’s interests.

“Our plan, the SDP plan, is to support a Presidential candidate who will listen to the cry of the people. Those who are coming to SDP with ulterior motives will not succeed.

“You don’t just sit down and say you want to win an election and then go and bring out anybody. We must have the right candidates. Somebody tested and trusted, who has integrity that when people hear his or her name, they can rely on him or her. Someone who is dependable and reliable who will work for the people and not for himself or herself. Those are the qualities we are looking for,” she insisted.

Akande-Adeola urged party members to remain steadfast in their loyalty, stressing that her involvement in politics is no longer for personal ambition but for the greater good.

“It’s not about me. I have said several times that I am not contesting for any office anymore; it’s about the common good of the people of this state.

“I ran for Senate, and we worked for the present Governor of the State, Seyi Makinde. While we were working for him, he was working against me, it was something I have never seen before, it was a total betrayal,” she lamented.

On the defection of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to the SDP, Akande-Adeola maintained that the party remains open to new members as long as they adhere to its principles.

“Politics is a game of numbers, and anybody who wants to come into the SDP is welcomed as long as they are ready to play by the rules of the party and not with the mind of taking the party from those who were there before,” she stated.

Earlier, SDP Oyo State Chairman Michael Okunlade called on members to regularize their membership at all levels.

He explained that the iftar gathering was meant to foster unity among members in the spirit of Ramadan and discuss strategies for strengthening the party.

Similar events, he noted, had been held in other zones within the state.

The event was attended by key political figures, including representatives of the “Major is Coming 2027” group led by its Director of National Mobilisation and Strategy, Ezekiel Akintola.

The group is aligned with the aspirations of former Action Alliance presidential candidate, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (retd).

Also present were the Chairman of SDP Lagos State, Femi Ferrari, and the leadership of the National Liberation Movement led by Suleiman Oyediran.