Category: News

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is poised to reclaim Oyo State in the 2027 gubernatorial election, according to former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu. He made this assertion in a statement released on Saturday, vowing that the APC would oust the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through unity and widespread support.

Adelabu, a gubernatorial aspirant under the APC banner, emphasized that his decision to contest again stems from a commitment to transformative governance. He noted that his formal declaration, slated for Tuesday in Ibadan, will herald a fresh political chapter aimed at restoring progressive leadership to the state.

Drawing on his experience as the APC candidate in the 2019 election—where he lost to incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde—Adelabu expressed confidence that the 2027 contest would yield a different outcome. He urged party faithful and residents to rally behind the APC to end PDP’s tenure.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan hosted Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a presidential aspirant for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), at his Abuja residence on Friday. The meeting provided an opportunity for the two statesmen to exchange views on the current national challenges and the prospects for the 2027 general elections.

Hayatu-Deen, who recently obtained his nomination form from the ADC headquarters, used the visit to formally notify Jonathan of his ambition to contest the presidency. A statement from the aspirant’s media office on Saturday highlighted the long-standing professional relationship between both men, noting that Hayatu-Deen served under Jonathan in various capacities during the former president’s administration.

Specifically, Hayatu-Deen was a member of the National Council on Privatization and chaired the Bureau of Public Enterprises when Jonathan held the position of Vice President. He later served on the Presidential Advisory Committee during Jonathan’s tenure as Acting President and subsequently as President. The statement further revealed that Hayatu-Deen lauded Jonathan’s contributions to democratic governance and electoral integrity across Africa, describing him as a respected continental statesman.

In response, Jonathan greeted the ADC aspirant warmly and expressed his best wishes for Hayatu-Deen’s political journey. The media office also described Hayatu-Deen as a seasoned economist and banker with a four-decade career spanning both public and private sectors, which has contributed to job creation and institutional reforms in Nigeria. If elected, Hayatu-Deen plans to tackle insecurity, reduce the rising cost of living, and create employment opportunities for Nigerians.

Jonathan’s engagement with Hayatu-Deen comes amid heightened political activities as the 2027 elections draw closer, with the former president himself facing speculation about a potential return to the ballot.

Ambassador-designates to South Africa and Mexico, Femi Fani-Kayode and Reno Omokri, have firmly stated that the presidency should not shift to the North in 2027. In a joint declaration issued on Saturday, the two appointees argued that Northern Nigeria already enjoyed two complete terms under former President Muhammadu Buhari, which was supported by the South. Therefore, they believe the South should retain power until 2031 to maintain balance and honor the informal pact that has guided Nigeria’s Fourth Republic since 1999.

The statement emphasized that the South’s current hold on power is not random but a deliberate outcome of the power rotation arrangement. They described any suggestion of returning power to the North after just one term from the South as unpatriotic and harmful to national unity and stability. The duo specifically backed President Bola Tinubu’s second term, noting that Tinubu was instrumental in returning power to the North in 2015.

According to the ambassadors-designate, the gentleman’s agreement that ushered in the Fourth Republic after 16 years of political turbulence requires a balanced rotation between North and South. They warned that disrupting this arrangement could undermine the country’s progress and cohesion. Their comments come amid growing political discussions ahead of the 2027 elections, with some northern leaders reportedly eyeing a return to power.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Imo State have jointly rejected reports claiming that pensioners are required to turn in their personal documents to the Secretary to the State Government’s office to receive gratuities.

In a combined press statement, NLC State Chairperson Uche Chigemezu Nwigwe and NUP State Chairman JB Ugochukwu labeled the news as fraudulent and deceptive, designed to trick unsuspecting members of the public.

Both labor organizations stressed that the report is unauthorized and did not come from either union.

“Discussions with the state government regarding the next round of gratuity payments are ongoing, and Governor Hope Uzodinma remains committed to fulfilling his promise,” the statement read.

“We urge all pensioners to ignore this fake news and not fall prey to scammers or unauthorized individuals demanding money or personal information related to gratuity payments.”

Pensioners seeking reliable information and official updates about gratuity are advised to contact or visit the NUP office or the NLC secretariat.

The organized labor leadership reiterated its dedication to safeguarding the interests and welfare of workers and pensioners at all times.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a strong appeal to the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), urging them to spearhead a widespread campaign to safeguard migrant workers from escalating xenophobic violence in South Africa. In a letter dated May 7, 2026, NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed deep concern over recent attacks that have resulted in deaths and the destruction of businesses owned by African migrants.

Ajaero attributed the violence to deteriorating economic conditions and misguided government policies, emphasizing that workers across the continent should not be pitted against each other. He stated unequivocally that fighting for workers’ rights cannot coexist with allowing any segment of the working class to be targeted as prey.

The labour leader called on COSATU to undertake extensive educational initiatives within communities, unions, and workplaces to dispel the false narrative that migrants are responsible for job losses and poverty. He urged a definitive end to the racist belief that a fellow Black African from a neighboring country is an enemy.

The NLC also criticized South African security forces for their inadequate response, alleging that authorities have failed to provide necessary protection for migrants and their enterprises. Ajaero demanded full security mobilization to prevent further bloodshed, along with the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators. He further called on the South African government to ensure compensation for victims and their families.

Warning that xenophobia undermines labor solidarity across Africa, Ajaero noted that such divisions weaken collective bargaining power against employers. He proposed an emergency meeting of African labor organizations under the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation and the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity to develop coordinated strategies for migrant worker protection.

Concluding his remarks, Ajaero cautioned that unchecked xenophobic violence in South Africa could spread like a cancer across the continent, urging decisive and immediate action to halt its progression.

The Abia State Ministry of Environment has issued a directive for an immediate halt to all sand dredging operations at the Umuadele River, located in the Okpulo Umuobo area of Osisioma Local Government Area. The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, during an unannounced inspection of the site.

This decision comes as a response to mounting concerns over environmental damage and reports of unauthorized activities along the river. During his visit, the Commissioner instructed all individuals involved in sand dredging, including operators of tippers and loaders, to report to the Ministry for a thorough verification of their licenses and documentation.

Mr. Ogbonna expressed strong disapproval of the rising trend of illegal dredging in the region, noting that over a decade of unchecked soil mining and sand extraction has led to severe degradation of the area. He emphasized that continued unregulated dredging would only worsen the already critical situation.

The Commissioner underscored the need for sand dredgers to align their operations with state regulations. He described the visit as both an enforcement action and a call for voluntary compliance, reaffirming the government’s commitment to restoring environmental order and enforcing ecological laws across Abia State.

Amnesty International has strongly denounced a midnight assault on Ngbra-Zongo village in Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, which left 12 people dead. The victims included pregnant women and young children, with at least 10 others hospitalized for gunshot injuries.

The organization labeled the attack as “horrific,” stating that attackers allegedly trapped families inside their homes before methodically murdering them. This incident underscores the escalating insecurity in the region.

Amnesty International called on the Nigerian government to take immediate action to protect citizens and prevent further bloodshed. The group emphasized that such violence must not go unpunished and urged authorities to hold perpetrators accountable.

In a recent television interview, public policy analyst and development expert Abba Kakah expressed deep concern over what he perceives as the judicialization of Nigerian democracy. Speaking on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ program, Kakah argued that the country’s political system is no longer driven by the electorate but by court rulings.

According to Kakah, the current generation of politicians lacks the sincerity and patriotism exhibited by their counterparts during the Second Republic. He criticized modern political actors for being driven by greed and selfishness, often displaying criminal tendencies.

“Nigeria’s democracy today is being played by the various courts across the land,” Kakah stated. He lamented the rise of a politicized judiciary, noting that in a healthy democracy, the judicial role should be minimal. However, in Nigeria, the courts have become the ultimate decision-makers, sidelining the voters.

Kakah attributed this trend to the dishonesty of politicians who fail to adhere to established rules. “The politicians themselves are not sincere. They are not honest. They don’t play by the rules. That’s the reason it’s happening,” he explained.

The analyst’s remarks highlight growing concerns about the erosion of democratic processes in Nigeria, where legal battles increasingly determine electoral outcomes rather than the will of the people.

Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has publicly criticized Femi Fani-Kayode, labeling him a liar in response to recent claims about a diplomatic posting. The controversy erupted after President Bola Tinubu appointed Ita Solomon Enang as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany, while Fani-Kayode, originally designated for Germany, was reassigned to South Africa.

Fani-Kayode took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce his redeployment, stating that he personally requested the change. He cited personal discomfort with Germany and expressed a preference for South Africa, a country he claims to have never visited but holds a strong interest in. In his post, he thanked President Tinubu and the then Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, for approving his request.

Sowore, however, dismissed these assertions, tweeting that anyone who believes Fani-Kayode’s statements would believe anything. “He is lying,” Sowore wrote, adding that “no sane country would accept an unstable character like Femi Fani-Kayode as a diplomat.” The activist’s sharp rebuke has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many weighing in on the credibility of Fani-Kayode’s version of events.

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the two public figures, with Sowore consistently questioning Fani-Kayode’s integrity. As the story develops, the diplomatic appointments continue to generate debate about Nigeria’s foreign policy and the suitability of certain individuals for key international posts.

For months now, residents across various communities in Kebbi State have been grappling with an extended and worsening power failure, a development that has severely crippled commercial activities and worsened the quality of life for many. The electricity outage, which has lasted for weeks in some areas, has left shops, homes, and small-scale enterprises in total darkness, forcing many to depend on expensive and unsustainable alternatives.

Small business owners, particularly those dealing in perishable goods, have been the hardest hit. For instance, Musa Abdullahi, a trader in Badariya who sells frozen food and drinks, revealed that the blackout has caused him significant financial losses. He stated, “Without power, I cannot keep my products cold. I am losing customers daily because I lack a solar system strong enough to run my refrigerator. The situation is unbearable.” Similarly, a female entrepreneur in the Kara area of Birnin Kebbi lamented that her sales have plummeted as customers are scarce, and the cost of running a generator has become prohibitive for small traders.

The main electricity distributor for the region, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO), which also covers Kaduna, Sokoto, and Zamfara, has faced mounting criticism for its failure to ensure stable power supply. The company attributes the persistent outages to low power allocation from the national grid, transmission bottlenecks, and revenue deficits. However, residents argue that these excuses are no longer acceptable, as the situation has deteriorated beyond what can be attributed to routine load shedding.

In response to the crisis, the Kebbi State Governor, in early April 2026, established a Multi-Stakeholders Committee to engage KAEDCO on the electricity challenges. The committee was formed after a town hall meeting that brought together stakeholders and KAEDCO representatives to discuss the erratic power supply. Its mandate includes assessing the actual power supplied to the state relative to payments made, reviewing billing practices, and identifying operational hurdles. Despite being given a two-week deadline starting April 16 to submit its report, the committee has yet to make its findings public, leaving residents anxious and without any concrete solution.

The state government has taken further punitive measures, suspending its monthly N150 million subsidy to KAEDCO due to poor performance. This decision came after relentless complaints from the public regarding unreliable electricity. Meanwhile, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Yahaya Sarki, issued a stern statement urging KAEDCO to act swiftly, describing the prolonged darkness as “unacceptable” and criticizing the company’s “culture of silence.”

Communities like Kawara have been without power for months because of a damaged transformer that has not been repaired. Many residents find solar power systems too costly, and the general neglect of infrastructure is blamed for the crisis. Areas such as GRA and Kara feeders in Birnin Kebbi, as well as the Gesse to Rugga axis, have experienced either unstable supply or total blackout for over a month. The situation continues to deteriorate, threatening the economic survival of many families and businesses in the state.