Two commercial vessels successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, marking the first passages through the critical waterway since Iran agreed to reopen it under a fresh ceasefire deal with the United States.

According to maritime tracking service MarineTraffic, the Greek-owned bulk carrier NJ Earth crossed the strait at 08:44 UTC, while the Liberia-flagged Daytona Beach transited earlier at 06:59 UTC after departing from Iran’s Bandar Abbas port at 05:28 UTC.

The movements come after the US and Iran reached a two-week ceasefire agreement overnight Tuesday to Wednesday.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that passage through the strait would be permitted during this period “via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces.”

The NJ Earth followed an Iranian-approved route near Larak Island, keeping its transponder signal active, a path commonly used by vessels in recent weeks.

Analysts noted it remains unclear whether these transits signal a full reopening or are limited exceptions.

“While we expect more crossings in the coming days, from a risk and compliance perspective this first transit should be read cautiously,” said Ana Subasic, an analyst at MarineTraffic owner Kpler.

Shipping sources indicate that hundreds of vessels, including around 800 stuck in the Gulf, are preparing to move as conditions improve. In peacetime, the Strait of Hormuz carries about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas.

Iran had severely restricted access to the strait since late February in response to US and Israeli military actions, causing a 95% drop in commercial crossings from March 1 to April 7 compared to normal levels.

This initial resumption offers a tentative sign of de-escalation in a conflict that has disrupted global energy markets for weeks. Further developments are expected in the coming days as talks between the parties continue.

Aprokorepublic

A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by
David Mark is meeting with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru
Turaki in Abuja.

The meeting comes amid the leadership crises rocking both opposition parties.

Those attending the sit-down on Mark’s side include former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano; Aminu Tambuwal, senator representing Sokoto south; Abubakar Malami, ex-minister of
justice; Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation; and Peter Obi,
Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023.

On Turaki’s side are Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo; Babangida Aliyu, former governor of Niger state; Jerry Gana, former minister of iinformation; and Adolphus Wabara, former senate president.

TheCable understands that the meeting is aimed at exploring possible alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.

Since July 2025, when an opposition coalition took over the ADC’s leadership, the party has been embroiled in internal disputes, with Nafiu Bala, a former deputy national chairman, alleging that Mark was illegally appointed as the national chairman.

The crisis escalated last week when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) derecognised the Mark-led leadership.

The electoral body said it would refrain from engaging with Mark’s leadership and Bala faction, citing the March 12 judgement of the court of appeal.

The commission said it would not attend meetings, congresses, or conventions of the groups pending the determination of a case before the federal high court.

On Tuesday, the ADC State Chairmen Forum rejected the party’s factions led by David and Bala.

The forum announced an interim committee to oversee the party’s activities pending a national convention.

Meanwhile, the PDP is polarised into two factions.

In March, the faction backed by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), elected Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu as the national chairman and secretary, respectively.

The Turaki-led PDP had asked the supreme court to restrain the Wike camp from holding the elective national convention.

Aprokorepublic

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has inaugurated the new Open-Mende-Ojota Link Bridge Project and the Multi-agency complex, Alausa, now known as Bola Ahmed Administrative Complex in Lagos State.

Akbabio represented President Bola Tinubu, who has been in Lagos for the past few days and is scheduled to embark on a two-day working visit to inaugurate about six key projects executed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

In a video shared on X by Sanwo-Olu’s aide, Jubril Gawat, on Wednesday, the Senate President unveiled the project alongside Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; the senator representing Lagos East District, Tokunbo Abiru; Sanwo-Olu, and some other dignitaries.

While cutting the ribbon, he said, “On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I commission these projects.”

Recall that the Special Adviser to Sanwo-Olu on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, in a post on X recently had said that the President would commission “iconic, transformative and legacy projects” delivered by his principal.

According to him, the projects include the Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge, the Lagos State Geographic Information Service building in Alausa, the Lagos State Multi-Agency Complex, the Tolu Schools Complex in Ajegunle, the Maracana Stadium, and the Lagos Food Logistics Hub in Abijo.

“Please join the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to a two-day working visit to our dear State. While here, the President will commission some of our iconic, transformative, and legacy projects,” Akosile stated.

This development led the state government to announce partial road closures across key parts of the state for the commissioning of critical infrastructure projects scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the temporary closures were necessary to ensure safety and the smooth conduct of the events.

The government advised motorists to plan their movements and avoid affected corridors during the specified periods to minimise traffic disruptions and delays.

According to the statement, the Opebi-Mende Link Bridge will be commissioned on Wednesday, April 8, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., affecting traffic in the Opebi-Allen, Ikeja, and Ojota areas.

“All motorists transiting this corridor during the specified hours should seek alternative routes to avoid congestion and ensure timely arrival at their destinations,” the statement said.

On Thursday, April 9, two commissioning events are scheduled between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The first is the commissioning of the Tolu Schools Complex, which will affect traffic in the Olodi Apapa and Ajegunle areas.

Aprokorepublic

The Federal Government on Wednesday rejected claims that Nigeria is on the brink of collapse, insisting that the country is making steady progress in tackling its security and economic challenges

The position comes in response to recent warnings by a coalition of civil society organisations, which described the nation as facing worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and governance concerns.

Speaking in Abuja at the 81st General Assembly and 23rd Annual General Meeting of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed what he described as pessimistic narratives about the nation’s future.

“I want to unequivocally refute the insinuation that Nigeria is on the brink,” Idris said in a statement signed by his media aide Rabiu Ibrahim.

He maintained that the country is demonstrating resilience in the face of its difficulties.

“On the contrary, we are daily exhibiting resilience and tackling our security and economic challenges more decisively,” he added.

The minister cited ongoing security operations as evidence of progress, noting that coordinated military offensives and improved intelligence-sharing have led to the neutralisation of bandits and disruption of attacks, particularly in parts of northern Nigeria.

According to him, these efforts are gradually weakening criminal networks and restoring stability in affected areas.

“Incidents of large-scale insurgent control have significantly decreased,” he said, adding that enhanced rapid-response mechanisms are being deployed nationwide to safeguard lives and property.

On the economy, Idris pointed to signs of recovery, including improvements in foreign reserves and expanding revenue sources across oil and non-oil sectors. He attributed these gains to reforms aimed at strengthening transparency and fiscal discipline.

“These decisions, though difficult, are stabilising public finances and creating a more transparent economic environment,” the minister stated.

He also referenced Nigeria’s recent reclassification as a Frontier Market by FTSE Russell, describing it as a positive signal to global investors. The development, he said, reflects improvements in foreign exchange liquidity, market transparency, and ease of capital repatriation.

“This development confirms that Nigeria is once again a viable destination for global investment,” he said.

Addressing the media, Idris urged broadcasters to uphold professionalism and avoid promoting narratives that could deepen divisions, particularly as the country approaches another election cycle.

“The airwaves are a public trust. Broadcasting must inform, educate, and unite our people while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, fairness, and accuracy,” he said.

While reaffirming the government’s commitment to press freedom, the minister called for stronger collaboration between the media and public institutions to combat misinformation and promote unity.

“Difficult moments like this require stronger faith in our country and a deep sense of patriotism,” he added.

Idris commended BON for its role in promoting ethical standards in broadcasting and expressed confidence that the gathering would produce practical ideas to advance the sector. He also assured Nigerians of continued transparency as the government pursues reforms aimed at improving security and economic growth.

Aprokorepublic

Israel carried out fresh strikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, even as a fragile two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States took hold in the broader Middle East conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that the truce does not extend to Lebanon, stating that “the battle in Lebanon is ongoing.” This came despite claims by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a mediator in the conflict, that the ceasefire applied “everywhere, including Lebanon.”

The strikes followed an Israeli evacuation order for areas more than 40 kilometres inside Lebanon. Israel also issued a warning for residents to evacuate a building in the southern Tyre region before striking it, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA). Several other strikes were reported across southern Lebanon.

Lebanese authorities said they had not been informed of any inclusion of Lebanon in the ceasefire agreement. French President Emmanuel Macron, while welcoming the Iran-US truce, expressed hope that it would fully encompass Lebanon.

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group that entered the wider conflict by attacking Israel, has not claimed any operations since 1:00 a.m. Tuesday’s

Lebanon’s military has warned displaced citizens against returning to the south, citing the risk of ongoing Israeli attacks. An AFP correspondent observed only small numbers of people heading south, some on motorcycles with children. Meanwhile, Beirut’s southern suburbs heavily hit in recent weeks remained largely deserted.

“We are waiting for Hezbollah to issue an official statement before returning home,” said Ali Youssef, a 50-year-old delivery worker sheltering in a tent. He expressed confidence that Iran would continue to support Lebanon if attacks persisted.

Israeli operations in recent weeks have killed more than 1,500 people and displaced over one million in Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities, with the heaviest impact in Hezbollah strongholds in the south, east, and southern Beirut suburbs.

Just before the ceasefire announcement, an Israeli strike on the southern city of Sidon killed eight people.

The situation highlights the fragility of the regional truce and raises concerns about continued escalation along the Lebanon-Israel border.

Aprokorepublic

The former governor of Kano State, Kabiru Gaya, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Gaya, who also served as a former Senator representing Kano South, dumped the party in a letter addressed to the ward chairman, Gaya Arewa, in Gaya Local Government Area, Kano State.

The former governor said the decision was taken in the best interests of his constituents and in line with his personal convictions to step aside from the party.

According to him, “I hereby formally tender my resignation from the All Progressive Congress (APC) effective today, 5th April 2026.

“It has been an honour to serve under the platform of the party, particularly during my tenure as a Senator (2015–2023). I remain grateful for the support, trust, and opportunities given to me during this period.

“However, after careful reflection and wide consultation, I have come to the considered conclusion that it is in the best interest of my constituents and my personal convictions to step aside from the party at this time. I extend my sincere gratitude to the party for the platform it provided me and for the cooperation and camaraderie extended over the years,” Gaya however, stated.

Aprokorepublic

Iran has agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for safe passage for a period of two weeks, conditional on the halting of attacks by the United States and Israel.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the move on Tuesday night, stating that Tehran would also suspend its defensive operations if attacks against the country cease.

“If attacks against Iran are halted, our powerful armed forces will cease their defensive operations,” Araghchi said.

He added: “For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations.”

The agreement comes amid heightened tensions in the region and follows diplomatic efforts, including appeals from Pakistan, to de-escalate the conflict.

The two-week window is seen as a temporary ceasefire to allow for further negotiations.

Aprokorepublic

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has appealed to citizens not to disclose information about the movement of troops, describing such acts as sabotage that aids bandits.

The governor made the appeal during a visit to three soldiers receiving treatment at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital after they were injured in a recent bandit ambush that claimed the lives of three of their colleagues.

Governor AbdulRazaq, who was received by the Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Nigerian Army, Sobi, Brigadier General Nicholas Nemetne Rume, and the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Abdullah Dasilva Yussuf, sympathised with the families of the fallen soldiers.

He announced a donation of N20 million to each of the families of the three deceased soldiers and N5 million to each of the three injured soldiers.

“We are here to visit the soldiers who were ambushed by bandits. Unfortunately, we lost three of them and we have three of them receiving treatment in the hospital here,” the governor said.

“What we can do is to pray for them and support the families of those who died. May their souls rest in peace.

“We appreciate their selfless service to the state, to the federation, and to the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. For those who died, we would give their families N60 million, just as a stop-gap support until the Ministry of Defence takes care of them appropriately.

“Those in the hospital, we will give them N5 million each so that their families can take care of them.”

Governor AbdulRazaq commended the security agencies for their sacrifices and urged all Nigerians to support them in the fight against banditry and terrorism.

He warned that militants often mount ambushes on troops based on intelligence provided by some members of the public acting as informants.

Aprokorepublic