Author: Gabby

A governorship hopeful from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State, Ishaya Durkwa, has initiated legal proceedings against his party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The suit seeks to nullify the governorship primary he allegedly lost. Durkwa has approached the Federal High Court in Yola, requesting an order to prevent the declared winner, Omar Suleiman, from presenting himself as the ADC’s gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 elections.

Omar was announced as the winner of the primary election conducted on May 23, 2026, and has since been acknowledged as the ADC’s candidate for the governorship race. In his lawsuit, Durkwa names the ADC, INEC, and Omar Suleiman as defendants, accusing them of violating provisions of the Electoral Act. He argues that the primary was neither free nor fair.

The aspirant is pleading with the court to cancel both the primary election and the subsequent declaration of Omar as the winner. Additionally, he seeks a directive compelling the ADC to organize a fresh governorship primary for Adamawa State, in compliance with Sections 84 and 86 of the Electoral Act. The case underscores ongoing internal disputes within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Taminu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed its approval of the appointment of Bayelsa lawmaker Frederick Agbedi as the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives. In a statement issued by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, Agbedi was described as a politician of unwavering integrity and steadfastness. The faction noted that his emergence as minority leader signifies a well-earned trust and strong faith in his capacity to lead.

The statement read in part: “We welcome the announcement made earlier today by Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas during plenary. Agbedi is a trustworthy, resolute, and principled politician who is guided by conviction rather than convenience.”

DAILY POST notes that Agbedi previously served as the state chairman of the PDP in Bayelsa. His new role is expected to bring stability and effective opposition in the House.

The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has declared that every financial contribution to the party must be deposited into its official bank account. He made this announcement during a stakeholders’ meeting, emphasizing that no party official, including himself, is permitted to spend party funds without proper oversight.

Dickson stressed the importance of compliance with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) auditing processes, as stipulated by law. He asserted that this measure will prevent individuals from misusing party resources for personal gains, such as purchasing private residences or luxury vehicles. He stated, “We have directed that all donations be routed through the party’s designated account to ensure they are auditable by INEC when required.” He further explained that this transparency will reassure donors that their contributions are not being misappropriated by party leaders or executives.

Drawing from past experiences with other political parties, Dickson noted that funds often vanish without explanation. He argued, “In other parties, we raised money, but before you knew it, the funds were gone. We do not want the NDC to follow that path. Therefore, we urge everyone to bear with us as we establish these systems.”

This directive aims to foster accountability and trust within the party, ensuring that all financial transactions are transparent and subject to regulatory oversight.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Forum in Adamawa Central senatorial zone has raised alarms that President Bola Tinubu might struggle to secure victory in Adamawa State during the 2027 elections if disputes over alleged candidate imposition are not resolved. The group highlighted that the party risks repeating errors that led to the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) downfall in 2015.

Speaking at a news conference in Yola, forum spokesperson Mohammed Jimeta drew parallels with the 2015 governorship race, noting that then-President Goodluck Jonathan and other PDP leaders unilaterally selected Malam Nuhu Ribadu as the governorship candidate from Abuja. However, voters in Adamawa rejected that choice and elected their preferred candidate. Jimeta emphasized that similar top-down decisions could backfire for the APC.

Jimeta questioned the emergence of Mustapha Salihu as the party’s senatorial candidate, arguing that Salihu contested the governorship primary, not the senatorial race. He stated, “The president is aware that Mustapha Salihu ran for governor, not the Senate. Abdulraheem Abbati was the one who contested the Senate primary in the central zone. So how did Salihu become the senatorial candidate?”

The elders demanded that the ticket be awarded to Abbati, who they claimed legitimately won the primary for the Senate seat. They also pointed out that several local government areas in the zone have produced senators, but Yola North has never been given the opportunity. “Salihu and Senator Abbas hail from the same local government area. Why is the APC sidelining the people of Yola North? A few individuals are trying to deny Abbati his rightful ticket,” Jimeta added.

The forum called on National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to intervene and prevent what they described as an injustice. They warned that ignoring the issue could harm both the APC governorship candidate and President Tinubu. “Two people will lose: the APC governorship candidate in Adamawa and the president. To avoid this political setback, the matter must be resolved now,” Jimeta stated.

Jimeta also reminded that Abbati worked tirelessly for Tinubu’s victory in the state during the last election, serving as the returning officer for the president in Shelleng Local Government Area even as some APC members worked against him. The elders urged the party leadership to correct the alleged imposition to safeguard future electoral prospects.

A prominent figure within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Dr. Jelili Akinola, has identified corruption as the primary impediment to Nigeria’s advancement. Speaking during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Thursday, Akinola offered his reflections on 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule in the country.

He noted that Nigeria’s experience with democratic governance over the past decades has been characterized by both achievements and lost opportunities, largely due to pervasive corruption. According to Akinola, the persistent misappropriation and mismanagement of public funds have stunted progress in critical areas such as road construction, healthcare, education, and other vital sectors across the nation.

While acknowledging that the country has made notable strides compared to the pre-1999 era, Akinola stressed that the continued siphoning of public resources into private coffers is obstructing national development. He called on the federal government to bolster anti-corruption agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Code of Conduct Bureau. He also advocated for impartial prosecution of corrupt individuals, emphasizing that political resolve and transparent governance are essential for Nigeria to achieve its development objectives.

The PDP stalwart further urged citizens to hold elected officials accountable, warning that voter apathy during elections paves the way for poor governance. He stated that genuine progress begins with honest leadership and a populace that refuses to condone the theft of public funds.

Akinola remarked that while democratic consolidation since 1999 has been inconsistent, it has achieved irreversible advancements relative to the era of military rule. He highlighted the establishment of regular elections and peaceful transfers of power as the most significant gains of civilian governance. “Since 1999, we have transitioned from one civilian administration to another without military interference. That alone represents consolidation,” he said. “Nigerians now anticipate elections every four years, a mindset that was absent before.”

Nevertheless, Akinola observed that the quality of democracy remains fragile. He recommended that the National Orientation Agency launch nationwide campaigns to promote patriotism and discourage corruption. He also advised Nigerian leaders to set a positive example and govern with integrity and reverence for God. Additionally, the PDP chieftain called for collaborative efforts to tackle the nation’s security challenges, asserting that meaningful development cannot occur amid instability.

The Labour Party in Osun State has issued an urgent plea for calm following a spike in politically charged violence, including gunfire and fatalities, across several communities.

Mustapha Adebayo Muhydeen, the party’s state chairman, released a statement on Thursday voicing deep concern over what he termed a troubling escalation of confrontation among political rivals.

Muhydeen underscored that the situation poses a serious threat to the state’s stability and democratic health, and he called on all political players and their followers to refrain from further aggression.

He recalled that during his swearing-in as chairman on April 25, 2026, he emphasized the critical need for peaceful coexistence leading up to the August 15 gubernatorial election.

The Labour Party chairman explicitly stated that no political aspiration justifies the shedding of a single citizen’s blood, urging stakeholders to prioritize Osun’s well-being over party loyalties.

He appealed to security agencies to ramp up efforts to enforce law and order, and to ensure that perpetrators of violence are brought to justice.

Muhydeen maintained that democracy can only thrive in an environment of peace, tolerance, and mutual respect, and that political competition must never devolve into bloodshed.

He also expressed sympathy for families affected by the recent unrest, calling for justice and support for victims.

The chairman warned youths not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of violence by politicians, cautioning that such actions could have lasting negative consequences.

He reiterated the Labour Party’s dedication to peaceful political engagement and urged residents to remain calm while authorities address the matter. He stressed that dialogue and lawful means remain the proper channels for resolving political differences.

Senator Seriake Dickson, the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has disclosed that the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was in attendance when a motion affirming party supremacy was moved and approved.

During a stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday, Dickson emphasized that all appointments and nominations within the party would require consensus from both the party leadership and stakeholders. He was responding to the party’s recent directive that affiliated groups, including the Obidient Movement, must operate under the supervision of the NDC.

According to Dickson, the party wants to avoid a situation where an individual wins an election and then runs a one-man show. He stated, “His Excellency, Peter Obi was there when this motion on party supremacy was moved by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and seconded by Senator Victor Umeh, and it was put to vote and passed.”

He further explained, “Every elected officer of this party must implement the programmes and policies not according to his or her whims and caprices, but programmes and policies of this party that will be analyzed, discussed, debated, and agreed.” Dickson also noted that the party aims to build strong institutions, acknowledging that this may take time but remains their vision.

On the issue of appointments, he reiterated, “Appointments and nominations will be done with consensus of the party and stakeholders at all levels.” This statement underscores the NDC’s commitment to collective decision-making and party discipline.

Dennis Amachree, a former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), has provided new insights into the death of Nigeria’s former military ruler, General Sani Abacha. According to Amachree, Abacha passed away due to a heart attack, contradicting the popular theory that he was poisoned.

Abacha, who ruled Nigeria from 1993 until his death on June 8, 1998, has long been the subject of speculation regarding the circumstances of his demise. Various narratives have circulated over the years, but Amachree’s account offers a different perspective based on firsthand investigation.

In an interview with TVC News, Amachree disclosed that investigators interviewed a woman who was present with Abacha shortly before his death. He described her testimony as the only direct eyewitness account of the events in the room. According to Amachree, the woman arrived at the residence accompanied by her sister, who reportedly had a prior acquaintance with the former leader.

“When she came to my office for questioning, her first words were, ‘I did not kill him.’ She was very straightforward. I found her credible because she had no motive to deceive me, and I ensured the questioning environment was non-threatening. Her report is the sole authentic eyewitness version of what transpired, as no one else was in that room with them,” Amachree explained.

Based on her statements and the evidence gathered during the investigation, Amachree concluded that Abacha likely suffered a fatal heart attack. The woman did not initially realize he had died while she was with him but later became aware that something was amiss. “In my assessment, his death was the result of a heart attack,” he affirmed.

In a daring operation, the youths of Umuawa Alaocha in Abia State successfully freed two residents who had been taken captive by suspected herdsmen. The victims, identified as Mrs. Onyinyechi Ekechukwu, a farmer, and Mr. Dennis Izuchukwu, a tricycle operator, were abducted on Wednesday around 5:00 p.m. while returning from her farm. The abduction prompted an immediate search by local youths and vigilante members, who combed the forest until midnight when they located and rescued the pair. Both victims sustained injuries during the ordeal.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Izuchukwu recounted that around six armed men ambushed them as they were transporting harvested cassava. He initially thought it was a joke, but the armed men emerged from the bush and surrounded them. The kidnappers, claiming to be bandits, dragged them through a narrow forest path and demanded a ransom of N10 million each. Upon hearing Ekechukwu’s plea that she could only raise N50,000, the kidnappers became enraged and began beating her. One of the abductors suggested killing them, but another intervened, advising restraint.

State lawmaker Anderson Akaliro, representing Umuahia North Constituency, strongly condemned the invasion of his constituency by bandits. He expressed regret over the severe machete wounds inflicted on Izuchukwu and commended the bravery and patriotism of the vigilante group and community youths who spearheaded the rescue operation. The incident highlights the growing security challenges in the region and the proactive role of local residents in combating criminal activities.

In a Democracy Day address, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called on Nigerians to avoid associating criminal acts with any faith or ethnic group. The council warns that such connections could worsen societal divisions and hamper the fight against insecurity.

The statement, delivered by Abbas Jimoh on behalf of the Sultan of Sokoto and NSCIA President-General Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, emphasized that criminality should not be painted with religious or ethnic brushes. It expressed deep concern over ongoing threats such as banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism, which continue to cause loss of life and disrupt national progress.

“Criminality must never be given ethnic or religious labels. Such stories only deepen our divides and weaken joint efforts to tackle insecurity and build lasting peace,” the statement read.

The council also voiced worry over attempts to unfairly link Nigerian Muslims to violent crimes, calling such profiling false and unjust to the majority of peace-loving Muslims who contribute positively to society. It cited the case of student kidnappings in Oyo State, where initial efforts to blame Muslims and Sharia law have been disproven by recent developments.

Furthermore, the NSCIA noted that ethnic profiling is equally misleading, pointing out that suspects in the Oyo incident were not identified as Fulani, contrary to earlier claims. The council urged media houses, opinion leaders, and all stakeholders to maintain professionalism, accuracy, and fairness in reporting and public discourse. It also cautioned against statements that could stoke tensions among Nigeria’s varied communities and called for enhanced cooperation among government, security agencies, and citizens to address insecurity.