Author: Gabby

A prominent Plateau State cleric, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has sounded a fresh alarm over what he describes as renewed death threats and a bounty placed on his head by Islamist extremists. Dachomo, who leads the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, made the disclosure on his X handle on Monday, stating that he and two other pastors are now marked targets for speaking out against the government.

Returning to Nigeria after a medical trip to India, the clergyman expressed shock that threats against him have escalated, with extremists increasing a previously announced bounty and urging Muslims to hunt him down. “They have marked me for death because I speak the truth,” he wrote, acknowledging that while he fears death as a human, his resolve remains unshaken.

He lamented that his sole offense is advocating for the voiceless, which has made him a prime target for terrorists. Yet, Dachomo insists he cannot abandon his congregation. “My name has become a target, my life has been priced by men who hate the truth. But even with the threats and fear, I cannot abandon my people,” he stated.

In an emotional appeal, Dachomo described the daily terror he faces: waking up unsure if he will see another sunset, sleeping without certainty about tomorrow. He questioned how he could remain silent while innocent people suffer, widows mourn, children become orphans, and families are buried in grief. “I have seen mothers weep over lifeless children; I have heard little boys and girls ask heartbreaking questions—where is my father, why did they kill my mother, when is she coming back? Their tears have become mine, their pain is my burden,” he said.

Admitting fear, Dachomo referenced scripture, saying God has not given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). He drew strength from Matthew 5:10, which pronounces blessings on those persecuted for righteousness’ sake. “The path of truth has never been easy. Prophets, apostles, and even our Savior suffered, yet they stood firm, knowing darkness cannot overcome light,” he added.

The clergyman noted that while some days the burden feels heavy, he finds solace in Isaiah 41:10, which promises divine strength and help. “If speaking for the voiceless makes me a target, I will continue to speak. If standing with the oppressed puts my life at risk, I will continue to stand. If defending my people means carrying a cross of persecution, by God’s grace I will carry it,” he concluded.

Dachomo reaffirmed his commitment to every child who has lost a parent, every mother who cries alone, every father taken from his family, and every believer suffering for their faith. “They may threaten us, try to silence us, put a reward on our heads, but our hope is in God. As long as He gives us breath, we will stand with our people, speak truth, comfort the brokenhearted, and shine His light in the darkness,” he said.

In a world where conflict robs children of their innocence, the media emerges as a powerful guardian. The Canadian High Commission recently underscored the urgent need for a united front—governments, communities, civil society, security forces, and journalists—to shield minors from the horrors of armed groups. Omar Alihashi, a political counsellor at the Commission in Nigeria, highlighted that the perils go beyond immediate violence, reaching into the realms of education, mental health, and future prospects. He stressed that journalists, through ethical and sensitive reporting, can illuminate the struggles of these young victims while protecting their rights.

Offiong Nsa, the Dallaire Institute’s country representative in Nigeria, framed child recruitment as a grave human rights abuse. She argued that public perception must evolve, viewing these children not as wrongdoers but as future peacemakers. Ethical reporting, she noted, can dismantle hidden recruitment networks and foster policy change. By prioritizing accuracy and compassion, the media can transform stories into catalysts for protection and peace.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Professor Tukur Mohammed-Baba, has expressed strong doubts that Peter Obi, the presidential flagbearer of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), will match his 2023 election showing in the 2027 polls.

In an interview on Arise News, Mohammed-Baba noted that the political landscape has shifted dramatically since the last election, with Obi switching parties multiple times—a factor that undermines his credibility. He argued that while Obi performed impressively in 2023, subsequent events have eroded his support base.

The Arewa Forum official also questioned the viability of Obi’s running mate, Engr Rabiu Kwankwaso, who delivered Kano State in 2023 under the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP). Mohammed-Baba expressed scepticism about Kwankwaso’s ability to replicate that feat in 2027, pointing to some of his recent controversial statements.

Mohammed-Baba criticised the prevailing trend of personality-driven politics, saying that personal ambition often overshadows service to the electorate. He stressed that in a nation of over 220 million people, individual desires for power must translate into tangible benefits for citizens. He recounted conversations with ordinary Nigerians who feel abandoned and rely solely on divine intervention, noting that prayer must be complemented by concrete action.

He remarked, “Peter Obi made significant inroads in 2023, but I think his support has been weakened by his actions since then. Given his party hopping—at least two or three times—voters are left wondering about his true intentions. I will be very surprised if he achieves the same level of performance in 2027.”

Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has reaffirmed his stance that despite the challenges under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, it remains a superior alternative to what an Atiku Abubakar-led government would entail. Speaking on Monday during Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ program, Lawal argued that Tinubu’s performance, while imperfect, is preferable to the potential consequences of an Atiku presidency.

Drawing a sharp analogy, Lawal stated, “When you are between the devil and the devil and you must go somewhere, what you do is look for a lesser devil, because even in the satanic world, devils have categories.” This remark underscores his belief that both options are flawed, but Tinubu’s leadership is the comparatively better choice.

Lawal’s criticism of Atiku is not new. He recently exited the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleging that the party’s primary that produced Atiku was massively rigged. This move signals his deepening rift with the former vice president and his preference for Tinubu’s leadership despite current hardships.

According to reports, Babachir Lawal has previously claimed he can directly solicit funds from Tinubu when needed, further highlighting his alignment with the president. His latest comments add to the ongoing political discourse ahead of the 2027 elections, where Tinubu and Atiku are expected to be key contenders.

Bashir Ahmad, who previously served as a media assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari, has expressed that Rabi’u Kwankwaso, the Vice-Presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), cannot remain in any political party where he lacks full authority, especially over the Kano State chapter.

In a statement shared on his verified X account on Monday, Ahmad commented on the recent turmoil within the NDC in the North West region, particularly in Kano State, where some candidates were substituted. The changes were reportedly intended to enforce a power-sharing arrangement among factions of the Kwankwasiyya Movement ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ahmad noted that he has often stated that Kwankwaso finds it difficult to stay in a party where he does not have absolute control. He pointed out that this was a key reason why Kwankwaso left the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2018, even though the APC offered a strong platform for his political ambitions. According to Ahmad, Kwankwaso has always prioritized maintaining unchallenged dominance over the party machinery in Kano, considering it a non-negotiable requirement.

The Kwankwasiyya movement has firmly denied widespread online speculation that its leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is preparing to leave the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). In an exclusive interview with our correspondent, the movement’s spokesperson, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, categorically labeled the rumors as baseless and misleading.

Mohammed emphasized that the group adhered strictly to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines during its recent primaries. “We conducted our primaries on the 29th of last month nationwide, following all legal requirements. Before that, we held consensus-building processes, and candidates were chosen for every position without any grievances from any party members or contestants,” he explained.

He confirmed that the exercise was completed successfully and the results have already been submitted to the party hierarchy for ratification. According to Mohammed, the party will now proceed with the next steps as per protocol.

The spokesperson further stressed that the notion of Kwankwaso abandoning the party was never discussed within the movement. “At no point did we talk about our leader leaving the NDC. That is our firm position,” Mohammed stated.

He urged the public to ignore the unfounded reports, insisting that the movement remains cohesive and dedicated to its objectives. The denial comes amid social media chatter that Kwankwaso was threatening to withdraw his support base from the NDC over an alleged breach of a power-sharing agreement.

Reports had claimed that the party’s national leadership replaced several candidates nominated by the Kwankwasiyya faction in Kano State, violating a 60/40 power-sharing deal that was supposed to benefit Kwankwaso’s bloc. Earlier, a viral story suggested that the NDC vice-presidential candidate was on the verge of quitting the party in protest against the rejection of his consensus list from Kano.

The Labour Party’s factional National Chairman, Julius Abure, has issued a warning to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding the level of influence granted to former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and his supporters within the party. In a statement released on June 8, 2026, Abure responded to reports of internal disagreements over the distribution of elective positions in the NDC.

Abure praised the NDC leadership under Senator Seriake Dickson for not yielding to all demands made by Obi’s supporters for political slots. He argued that this decision was informed by the Labour Party’s unfortunate experience during and after the 2023 general elections. According to Abure, many candidates who won elections on the Labour Party’s platform later turned against the party’s leadership instead of working to strengthen it.

Reflecting on the past, Abure noted that history has a way of repeating itself, and he commended Dickson for learning from the Labour Party’s mistakes. He alleged that numerous politicians who obtained tickets from the Labour Party eventually aligned with Obi and engaged in disputes over the party’s governance structure.

Abure recounted that the Labour Party made significant sacrifices ahead of the 2023 elections, including accommodating Obi and his supporters. He claimed that most tickets were issued free of charge because the party believed it was investing in those individuals. However, after winning elections, many of these individuals supported efforts to challenge the party’s leadership. Abure stated, “All those elected under the party, Obi took them to fight the leadership.”

The Labour Party chairman emphasized that political parties must maintain a balance in distributing positions and influence to ensure internal stability. He asserted that Dickson’s refusal to grant all of Obi’s demands was prudent, as it allows Dickson to retain loyalists who will defend him when necessary.

Abure also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of exacerbating the Labour Party’s leadership crisis by acknowledging claims about the expiration of the party executives’ tenure. He further alleged that Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti attempted to take over the party’s leadership.

Abure clarified that his remarks were prompted by public inquiries about how the Labour Party managed its relationship with Obi and his supporters during the 2022/2023 election cycle.

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has warned that escalating insecurity and economic difficulties may obstruct President Bola Tinubu’s path to reelection unless these issues are promptly tackled. In a recent interview with Seun Okibaloye, Dalung highlighted the growing frustration among Nigerians due to rising crime, joblessness, and financial struggles.

He identified these problems as the primary concerns for voters in upcoming elections. According to Dalung, the biggest political misstep by Tinubu’s administration has been its failure to curb insecurity. He also pointed to economic mismanagement, corruption, and unemployment as critical factors fueling public discontent.

“The only people who have prospered since 2023 are Tinubu and his inner circle,” Dalung asserted, claiming that ordinary citizens have not felt the benefits of government reforms. He further noted that the situation mirrors a broader sense of hopelessness among the populace.

Dalung expressed alarm over civil unrest in parts of the Southwest, particularly in Ibadan, where women have taken to the streets shouting “ole, ole” (thief). He urged the government to take these incidents seriously, warning that they could lead to predictable political turmoil if ignored.

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has officially debunked claims that its leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is contemplating leaving the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). In a press release issued by its spokesperson, Habibu Mohammed, the group dismissed the rumors as baseless and unfounded.

According to Mohammed, Senator Kwankwaso has never expressed any intention to quit the party over the replacement of candidates. The movement described the reports as mere speculation that lacks any factual backing.

“Senator Kwankwaso has not threatened to exit the NDC, and neither the Kwankwasiyya Movement nor its leader has any grievances about the party’s candidate selection process,” the statement clarified.

The rumors had suggested that the movement might withdraw from the NDC if candidates earlier nominated by the group were substituted. However, Mohammed stressed that such claims are entirely false.

He further explained that the party primaries, held on May 29, followed the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, with winners confirmed on the same day. Stakeholders and members had earlier agreed on a consensus where necessary, and the candidate list was submitted without any internal disputes.

“Kwankwaso has not communicated any dissatisfaction to the movement. The entire narrative is a product of misinformation,” Mohammed added.

The clarification comes amid heightened political tension ahead of the upcoming elections, with various parties working to solidify their internal structures.