Author: Gabby

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.

The Ogun State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has firmly refuted claims circulating about a planned protest in the state. During a Senate meeting on Wednesday, the association’s chairman, Comrade Olabode Faruq, also known as Success, labeled the rumors as baseless and emphasized that they did not originate from the student body.

Comrade Faruq highlighted the significant strides made by Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration in ensuring security across Ogun State. He noted that while other states in the South-West grapple with rising insecurity, Ogun has emerged as a beacon of safety due to deliberate and proactive measures. These include the establishment of the Ogun State Security Network Agency (Amotekun), sustained support for conventional security forces, deployment of surveillance technology, and collaboration with traditional rulers, community leaders, and youth organizations.

“Governor Abiodun’s approach to security is not just reactive but anticipatory. His administration has built a robust security framework that prioritizes the safety of all residents, including students. The quick response to emergencies, enhanced border security given Ogun’s strategic location, and visible security presence in areas with high student populations are clear indicators of a government that understands the link between safety and development,” Faruq stated.

Beyond security, the NANS chairman also acknowledged other initiatives by the state government, such as the Student Cash Support program, infrastructural improvements in tertiary institutions, and regular engagement with student leaders. These actions, he said, demonstrate that the governor views students not only as future stakeholders but as current partners in governance.

“These gestures go beyond politics. They reflect a leader who knows that the stability of any state depends on the welfare and security of its students,” Faruq added.

Reaffirming the loyalty of the student community to the Abiodun-led administration, Faruq declared that NANS Ogun JCC stands firmly with the government. “We are not just supporters in words; we are ambassadors of peace, vanguards against cultism and criminality on campuses, and partners in nation-building. We distance ourselves from any rumor of protest and remain committed to collaborating with the government and security agencies to maintain the peace we enjoy,” he concluded.

The Nigerian naira continued its downward trend against the US dollar in the official foreign exchange market on Thursday, just before the Democracy Day public holiday. Data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria indicated that the local currency depreciated further to N1,363.83 per dollar, a decline from the previous day’s rate of N1,362.05 per dollar.

On a day-to-day basis, the naira lost N1.79 in value against the greenback. In contrast, the parallel market saw the naira hold steady at N1,395 per dollar for the fourth consecutive day, matching the rates observed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week.

This depreciation comes despite a continued increase in Nigeria’s foreign reserves, which climbed to $50.43 billion as of June 10, 2026, up from $50.35 billion recorded the day before, according to central bank figures. Reports from Daily Post indicate that the naira has experienced a mix of gains and losses throughout the week under review.

It is worth noting that the Nigerian government declared Friday a public holiday to commemorate Democracy Day, effectively concluding local currency trading for the week.

The Nigerian government, through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has strongly condemned the ongoing hostility directed at its citizens residing in South Africa. Speaking on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today,’ the Chairperson and CEO of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed the government’s frustration with the repeated attacks.

Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that the federal government is at a breaking point, declaring that ‘enough is enough.’ She stressed that while the commission has been actively engaging in people-to-people diplomacy and has frequently visited South Africa to address the issue, the attacks have persisted. She clarified that none of the Nigerians who have been evacuated had committed any crimes in South Africa, underscoring that the violence is unwarranted and indiscriminate.

According to Dabiri-Erewa, if an individual commits an offense, that person should be held accountable individually, not the entire Nigerian community. She pointed out that while other nationalities also face similar challenges, the high number of Nigerians affected indicates a deeper problem. She accused the South African government of turning a blind eye to these incidents. Dabiri-Erewa concluded by stating that any decisions regarding bilateral relations will be communicated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the presidency.