Author: Gabby

The All Progressives Congress in Gombe State has selected Dr. Jamilu Shaiyaku Gwamna as its consensus candidate for the governorship race in 2027, effectively sidelining former Communications Minister Isa Pantami.

This decision emerged from a high-level stakeholders’ meeting chaired by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who serves as the state’s party leader. The gathering included aspirants for various offices, party officials, elders, and other key figures.

According to a statement from the governor’s spokesperson, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the consensus approach was driven by extensive consultations aimed at fostering unity and reducing internal conflicts. The party also adopted candidates for all legislative positions across the state.

For the Senate, the APC chose Mohammed Ahmadu Deba for Gombe Central, Jerry Damara for Gombe South, and Governor Inuwa Yahaya for Gombe North. In the House of Representatives, candidates include Usman Bello Kumo, Inuwa Garba, Ali Isa JC, Fatima Binta Bello, Saddam Bello, and Jamilu Shabewa for their respective constituencies.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benue South has formally presented its candidates for the upcoming elections, signaling a united front as the party prepares for the 2027 polls. This development emerged from a strategic assembly held at the party’s zonal office in Otukpo.

During the high-level meeting, aspirants vying for positions such as State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and governorship—representing all nine local government areas in the zone—were introduced. The gathering served to enhance coordination and publicly showcase the party’s lineup.

National Chairman David Mark addressed attendees, reaffirming the party’s resilience despite recent legal setbacks. He assured members that the ADC would surmount its challenges and appear on ballots across all elections. Sir John Ngbede, a party leader, characterized the meeting as timely, emphasizing the party’s dedication to unity, grassroots mobilization, and strategic planning.

Key stakeholders present included State Party Chairman Rt. Hon. Samson Okwu, Prof. David Salifu (Secretary of the State Leadership Team), senatorial aspirant Dr. David Olofu, Chris Adaba Abah, and Mrs. Abeje Egwa, among others. Productive discussions centered on party cohesion, voter outreach, and strategic alignment, culminating in a resolution to bolster the ADC’s regional influence. The aspirant unveiling marked a highlight, symbolizing the party’s cohesion and optimism as it intensifies its electoral campaign.

Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has showered praise on former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, calling them the most significant political brands in Nigeria today. The lawmaker made this remark during a ceremony on Sunday where the two politicians officially joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking at the event, Dickson, who once served as the governor of Bayelsa State, noted that the presence of the political heavyweights marked a pivotal moment for the rapidly growing NDC. He emphasized that their immense popularity was evident by the spontaneous enthusiasm they generated, even without any prior mobilization.

“Your Excellencies and your teams, I extend a warm welcome—though you arrived without a large entourage. Yet, you both embody a crowd, and the masses have followed you here,” Dickson stated.

The senator also used the opportunity to highlight the NDC as a viable alternative in Nigeria’s political arena, underscoring its swift expansion and unity within the party.

Former presidential hopeful Peter Obi has issued a stern warning to the administration of President Bola Tinubu, urging them to refrain from meddling in the affairs of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). Speaking in Abuja shortly after formally joining the party, Obi called on the government to allow him and his fellow party members to focus on building the NDC without external interference.

Obi emphasized that the NDC’s primary goal is to rescue Nigerians from poverty and create a nation where any child, regardless of background, can achieve success without connections. He referenced his previous electoral runs under the Labour Party and the distinct campaign of Rabiu Kwankwaso under a different platform, stressing that the NDC’s direction is clear and they intend to pursue it peacefully.

The politician pleaded with the current government to respect democratic processes and stay away from the NDC. “We are begging you, don’t come here, we are asking for peace, we want to build our party,” Obi stated. He also appealed to the judiciary to avoid unnecessary litigation that could derail party development, and urged party members to refrain from taking their grievances to court. “We are not lawyers; we are here to build a party,” he added.

Obi’s remarks come amid heightened political realignments as the 2027 elections approach. His move to the NDC is seen as a strategic consolidation of opposition forces, but he insists that the focus should remain on grassroots development and national transformation, not on power struggles or legal battles.

The National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) has expressed strong admiration for Governor Uba Sani’s achievements under the coordinated framework known as the Kaduna Peace Model. During a study tour aimed at connecting academic concepts with real-world applications, the institute’s delegation highlighted the governor’s success in fostering stability.

Uduak Uduak Ituen, leading Syndicate 4 of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 19, delivered this commendation during a courtesy visit at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Saturday. She emphasized that the tour would strengthen their syndicate reports and produce practical recommendations for bolstering Nigeria’s security apparatus.

Ituen noted that the governor’s progress in implementing the Kaduna Peace Model led to his receiving the prestigious 2026 Governor of the Year award in March from the National Leadership Summit Group. She stated that this award mirrors the governor’s dedication to security, inclusive governance, and people-focused development throughout the state.

In his response, Governor Uba Sani underscored a crucial lesson from Kaduna’s experience: sustainable security relies not just on enforcement but on intelligence, trust, and inclusion. He explained that by deliberately combining intelligence-led operations, enhanced inter-agency cooperation, and continuous community involvement, his administration has achieved measurable gains in restoring peace and public trust.

The governor further asserted that security is tightly linked to development; where opportunities are scarce, instability often emerges. He described his holistic strategy that ties security efforts to investments in infrastructure, education, and social welfare, addressing both the symptoms and root causes of insecurity.

Governor Sani described the EIMC’s visit as both timely and invaluable, offering a platform for meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange. He argued that such interactions are vital for evolving a responsive and resilient security framework. He encouraged the team to approach the tour with openness and intellectual curiosity, to engage deeply, ask probing questions, and explore collaborative avenues that strengthen national capacity to protect the country.

The Nigeria Police Force has taken a significant step in the investigation of the fatal shooting of a suspect in Effurun, Delta State, by parading the officers allegedly involved. The force has also assured the public that justice will be served in the case.

According to reports, the incident occurred on April 26, 2026, when 28-year-old Mene Ogidi received a parcel from a friend in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. After taking delivery, he went to a motor park to dispatch the package to Sapele, labeling it with the recipient’s details. During a search, the parcel was found to contain a fabricated Beretta pistol and four rounds of 9mm live ammunition. Witnesses made a citizens’ arrest and alerted the police.

ASP Nuhu Usman and his team arrived at the scene, and the suspect was formally handed over to them. However, instead of following standard procedures, ASP Usman shot and killed the unarmed and already apprehended suspect. The body of Mene Ogidi has been deposited in a mortuary pending a formal autopsy.

Speaking to the press on Sunday, Force Public Relations Officer DCP Anthony Okon Placid stated that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, had ordered a thorough investigation by the Police Monitoring Unit. The probe revealed that ASP Usman and his team engaged in professional misconduct, abuse of office, and actions likely to cause a breach of public peace, leading to the unlawful death of Mene Ogidi.

Placid emphasized that no criminal suspicion justifies extra-judicial action. The case file has been forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation for prosecution. The police have pledged full cooperation to ensure the matter is concluded in court. He also noted that the driver who delivered the parcel and two vigilante members are still at large, but tactical teams have been deployed to apprehend them.

The police reassured Nigerians and the victim’s family that justice will prevail and that no officer is above the law. The force is committed to transparency and accountability, and they extended condolences to the family of the deceased.

The Rebuild Imo Movement (RIM) has categorically denied rumors that former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha has left the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a statement issued on Sunday, the group labeled the reports as baseless and intended to cause confusion.

According to Dr. Vin Udokwu, Director General of RIM, the alleged resignation did not originate from Ihedioha or any official channel. He emphasized that neither the Rebuild Imo Movement leadership nor the ADC has made any announcement regarding a party switch.

Dr. Udokwu stressed that decisions of this nature are never made in secrecy or communicated through informal means. Instead, they are always conveyed through verified and transparent platforms.

The statement, made available to journalists in Owerri, urged the public and party supporters to disregard the misinformation. It warned that such false reports are deliberately designed to mislead and create discord among members.

In a significant political development, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, alongside ex-Kano State governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso and Senator Victor Umeh representing Anambra Central, have arrived at the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) office in Abuja. Their presence at the party’s headquarters has fueled speculation about their next political move.

According to information gathered by our correspondent, the trio is anticipated to make a formal announcement regarding their decision to join the NDC. This event marks a crucial step in the ongoing realignment of political forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The visit comes just hours after Obi formally resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing persistent internal conflicts within that party. While Kwankwaso has not yet made a public declaration of his resignation from the ADC, sources indicate that he is moving in tandem with Obi, as both politicians appear to be edging closer to securing what is being called the Obi-Kwankwaso ‘OK’ ticket for the upcoming presidential race.

The protracted internal discord within the All Progressives Congress in Benue State has finally been laid to rest as Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, have mended fences. A peace parley convened on the directive of President Bola Tinubu was held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Makurdi, attracting prominent party figures, traditional monarchs, and religious leaders from across the state.

During the meeting, which was initiated by Governor Alia through an invitation to Akume, both parties reached several consensus points. Speaking to journalists after the closed-door session, Alia disclosed that a key resolution was to unite the party machinery in support of his reelection bid in 2027. He also revealed that all APC federal lawmakers from Benue State are expected to retain their seats in the forthcoming general elections.

The reconciliation marks a significant step toward ending the rift that has threatened the party’s cohesion in the state. Further details are expected to emerge as the implementation of the agreements unfolds.

The Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, has mandated the detention of a merchant caught selling government-funded nutritional items intended for no-cost distribution to at-risk families.

This action came after the commissioner and his delegation carried out a surprise check at various health supply locations in Kano on Sunday.

The detained individual, Surajo Ibrahim, a dried food vendor in the Kofar Dawanau district along Northwest Road, was discovered with several cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a product used to treat children with severe acute malnutrition.

Commissioner Yusuf expressed outrage, calling the behavior unacceptable and detrimental to the state’s public health initiatives.

“These items are provided by the government at no charge. Purchasing or selling them is illegal,” he stated.

He underscored that the supplies are financed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration to support underprivileged children.

He promptly instructed that the suspect be transferred to the Dala Police Division for inquiry and likely prosecution, while urging a comprehensive investigation into how the goods were redirected.

“We will not permit any effort to undermine programs designed to save lives, especially those focusing on at-risk children,” the commissioner added.