Category: News

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has announced that a combined operation by Nigerian and United States forces resulted in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a high-ranking leader within the Islamic State (ISIS). This precision strike, which was the culmination of enhanced intelligence-sharing between the two nations, dealt a significant blow to global terrorist activities.

U.S. President Donald Trump was the first to confirm the successful mission, followed by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who issued a statement endorsing the operation. The Defence Headquarters, through Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, detailed that the collaboration has effectively dismantled a dangerous network threatening both Nigeria and the broader West African region.

Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was not only a key operational commander but also a strategic thinker within ISIS, guiding affiliates in media tactics, economic warfare, and the manufacture of weapons, explosives, and drones. His removal eliminates a central figure who coordinated and directed attacks across multiple continents. Intelligence suggests that as early as February 2026, Minuki had been elevated to the Head of the General Directorate of States, making him the second most powerful person in the ISIS global structure.

Prior to this, in 2023, he served as the Emir of the al-Furqan GDP Office based in Nigeria, orchestrating operations in the Sahel and West Africa, including brutal assaults on civilians, particularly ethnic and religious minorities. Minuki maintained long-standing ties with ISIS-West Africa and was linked to the 2018 abduction of over 100 schoolgirls from Dapchi. Additionally, from 2015 to early 2016, he facilitated the movement of fighters to Libya to bolster ISIS in North Africa. Before pledging allegiance to ISIS in 2015, he was a prominent figure in Boko Haram.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria have emphasized that this successful mission underscores the nation’s unwavering commitment to counter-terrorism and the protection of national, regional, and international security. They also highlighted the vital role of the partnership with the United States, which involves intelligence sharing and coordinated military actions against transnational terrorism.

The Defence Headquarters praised the valor and professionalism of all troops involved and expressed gratitude for the continued support from U.S. forces. They reaffirmed their dedication to dismantling terrorist infrastructure, safeguarding civilians, and ensuring lasting peace and stability in Nigeria and beyond.

Presidential aspirant Peter Obi has voiced strong criticism against the manner in which Nigerian leaders conduct international trips, insisting that such excursions should yield concrete economic advantages instead of mere ceremonial spectacles.

In a statement posted on his X account on Saturday, Obi emphasized that diplomacy must be anchored on tangible outcomes like investments, industrial progress, technology transfer, factory expansion, trade pacts, and employment generation—not superficial tourism or fashion shows.

He argued that state visits are not opportunities for sightseeing, nor should diplomacy be reduced to a parade of attire. Every overseas journey by a government must bring measurable benefits to citizens, including capital inflow, technological know-how, commercial agreements, industrial growth, and job opportunities.

Citing an example, Obi noted that when President Trump visited China, the American contingent comprised only a handful of key officials alongside prominent business and tech leaders. This strategy resulted in billion-dollar trade deals, including orders for roughly 200 Boeing aircraft.

That, according to Obi, is how serious countries approach foreign relations—by merging diplomacy with economic expansion, manufacturing growth, innovation, and national productivity.

He expressed hope that Nigerian authorities would draw lessons from such visits and contrast them with the President’s recent trip to the United Kingdom. A large delegation of politicians, aides, and government officials accompanied the President, yet Nigerians are left wondering what was actually achieved.

Obi posed several pointed questions: What factories are coming to Nigeria? Which agreements in power, technology, manufacturing, agriculture, or industry were secured? How many direct jobs will the visit create for Nigerian youths? What investments were attracted? What measurable economic outcomes can ordinary citizens identify?

He argued that riding horses, wearing coordinated outfits, attending royal dinners, and sharing polished photographs are insufficient. Symbolism devoid of substance cannot feed a hungry population.

Obi highlighted Nigeria’s current struggles: severe insecurity, food shortages, high unemployment, a weakened naira, declining industrial output, and deepening poverty. At a time when millions battle daily to afford meals and survive economic hardship, every kobo spent on foreign trips must yield tangible national value—investments, factories, jobs, exports, infrastructure, and economic prospects.

Nigeria, he concluded, needs leadership that prioritizes productivity over optics, and measurable economic results over ceremony.

Kwara United technical adviser, Ashifat Suleiman, has voiced strong confidence that his squad is fully prepared for the upcoming President Federation Cup challenge. The Harmony Boys are set to launch their title defense against Sporting Supreme U19 in Kogi state.

Suleiman emphasized that his team will treat every opponent with respect, refusing to underestimate any side in the competition. ‘We are ready for the championship,’ Suleiman told the club’s media channel following the round of 64 draw ceremony. ‘No team will be taken lightly, and we will step onto the pitch with a winning mindset.’

DAILY POST recalls that Kwara United claimed the trophy in last year’s edition, making them the defending champions heading into the 2026 tournament.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has announced the list of aspirants who successfully passed its screening process for the upcoming primary elections in Anambra State. The disclosure was made in a statement released on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ejimofor Opara.

According to the party, the cleared candidates include eight individuals vying for Senate seats, 40 for the House of Representatives, and 107 for the Anambra State House of Assembly. In total, 155 aspirants have been given the green light to contest.

The statement further noted that all successful aspirants whose names appear on the list are required to visit the party’s regional office in Awka on May 18 to collect their nomination forms. The sale of these forms will close on May 20, and the party urged all aspirants to complete the process within the given timeframe.

APGA’s National Working Committee extended its congratulations to the cleared aspirants and wished them success as they prepare for the primaries.

In a significant development for Rivers State politics, the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives screening committee has disqualified three incumbent federal lawmakers aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The affected lawmakers are now barred from contesting the party’s primaries scheduled for Saturday, May 15. Meanwhile, all allies of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, have received clearance to participate.

The decision, detailed in an official list released by the APC, represents a major setback for Governor Fubara. Those disqualified include Hon. Anderson Allison, representing Okrika/Ogu/Bolo; Hon. Abiante Awaji Imombek, representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro; and Hon. Boma Goodhead, representing Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru. All three are known supporters of the governor.

In contrast, the screening committee approved several key Wike allies for the primaries. Among those cleared are Hon. Hart Cyril Godwin (Bonny/Degema), Hon. Blessing Chisery Amadi (Port Harcourt), Hon. Dumnamene R. Detor (Gokana/Khana), and Hon. Martin Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Amaewhule is stepping in to replace O.K. Chinda, who purchased APC governorship nomination forms. Other cleared individuals include Hon. Solomon Bob, Hon. Uche Felix Nwaeke, and Hon. Victor Chukwuemele Obuzor. Additional allies of the minister have also been approved to replace the three disqualified lawmakers.

The All Progressives Congress has finally come forward to explain why its primary elections for House of Representatives aspirants were delayed. Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, addressed the issue during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today program.

Morka clarified that the postponement was driven entirely by operational needs. He noted that the screening process for candidates had only recently concluded, and some of the committees responsible for the screenings faced delays in submitting their reports. This backlog, he explained, meant the party needed extra time to compile accurate lists of successful and unsuccessful aspirants.

According to Morka, “The change was purely for logistical reasons. We needed to ensure that every chapter where these primaries were scheduled had complete information before we dispatched the committees to conduct the elections.”

The party had initially planned to hold the primaries on Thursday but pushed them back to Saturday, May 16, 2026, as previously reported by Daily Post. The decision was met with curiosity, but Morka’s explanation underscores the party’s commitment to an orderly and well-prepared electoral process.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, has officially recognized Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara as the party’s political leader in the state. However, Morka emphasized that the authority to oversee elections rests solely with the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Friday, Morka addressed the current political climate, describing it as a season filled with speculation and unfounded claims. He urged stakeholders to exercise patience and allow the democratic process to unfold naturally, ensuring a credible outcome acceptable to all parties involved.

“The governor of Rivers State is our party leader in the state, just as governors lead our party across all states,” Morka stated. “But when it comes to conducting elections, the NWC holds the exclusive mandate. Governors have never managed our party’s electoral processes.”

Morka clarified that no governor has control over the party’s primary elections. Instead, all primary committees, including those established in Rivers State and other regions, operate under the direction of the national headquarters. “The party controls its own processes. Committees are diligently carrying out their assignments and reporting back to the national body,” he added.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially established the Primary Election Committees and Primary Election Appeal Committees for the forthcoming National Assembly primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, disclosed this development through a statement released on Friday. He urged all members and stakeholders to ensure the process is conducted with transparency, fairness, and peace.

Earlier reports indicated that the APC had postponed its House of Representatives primary election by one day, while the timeline for other primaries—including Senate, State Houses of Assembly, governorship, and presidential races—remained unchanged.

The newly formed committees are expected to oversee the conduct of the primaries and handle any appeals that may arise, reinforcing the party’s commitment to an orderly electoral process.

Mathias Byuan, a former governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, has taken a significant political step by purchasing the expression of interest and nomination forms from the Labour Party to contest the 2027 governorship election. The move signals a strategic shift in his political journey, as he aims to lead Benue State under a different party banner.

In a surprising twist, Byuan has publicly declared his continued support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, despite joining the Labour Party. He made this known during an event at the Labour Party’s national headquarters in Abuja, where he and other aspirants from Benue State collected their nomination papers for various positions, including Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly seats.

Speaking to journalists, Byuan emphasized his belief in Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, praising the president’s developmental projects across Nigeria, particularly those in Benue. He argued that Tinubu deserves a second term to complete the initiatives he has started, and he urged his supporters to vote for the president while backing Labour Party candidates in the state.

Byuan’s decision to run on the Labour Party platform stems from his frustration with the current state of governance in Benue, which he described as plagued by insecurity and poor leadership. He criticized the state government for failing to pay workers’ salaries, leading to strikes by health and local government employees. He vowed that if elected governor, his administration would prioritize security, workers’ welfare, healthcare, education, housing, roads, and rural development.

The former Executive Director of Housing, Finance, and Accounts at the Federal Housing Authority, Abuja, had initially sought the APC ticket for governor before defecting to the Labour Party. A statement from his Special Adviser, Akange Nyagba, noted that party stakeholders at the Labour Party secretariat expressed confidence in Byuan’s ambition and assured him of their support.

Aminu Tambuwal, the senator representing Sokoto South, has clarified his decision to withdraw from the 2027 senatorial contest, stating it was not prompted by internal discord within the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Friday, Tambuwal emphasized that his move was intended to pave the way for younger leaders, not to address any party divisions.

Tambuwal had earlier stepped aside from the race, leading to the emergence of former House of Representatives Speaker Faruk Yabo as the ADC’s consensus candidate. He dismissed speculation about cracks within the ADC, asserting that the party remains unified. ‘There are no cracks in the ADC,’ Tambuwal said. He further explained that he would actively participate in the party’s campaigns in Sokoto State and work to ensure a robust election process, adding that his goal is to promote younger individuals and improve leadership recruitment.

The lawmaker’s withdrawal comes after his earlier bid for the presidency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, which he abandoned in favor of Atiku Abubakar. Now, as a key figure in the ADC, Tambuwal reaffirmed his commitment to the party’s success and his role as a leader in Sokoto, planning rigorous campaigns to convince voters to support the ADC.