Category: News

The continuing detention of Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, a prominent aspirant for the Taraba Central Senatorial seat, has stirred a new wave of dispute in Taraba State. Bodejo, who also heads the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Socio-Cultural Association, was taken into custody by DSS operatives in Jalingo on May 7, 2026, and subsequently moved to Abuja. Reports indicate that he is now being held by the EFCC.

Allegations have emerged that within two days of his arrest, authorities pressured him to drop his 2027 senatorial ambitions as a condition for release. Sources claim he was advised to wait until 2031 to contest. Bodejo’s campaign director, Adamu Isa, strongly condemned the arrest, calling it degrading and noting that the aspirant was paraded like a common criminal before his followers.

Isa emphasized that Bodejo, a member of the All Progressives Congress, has been a loyal party man who used personal funds and networks to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 elections. He argued that those opposing Bodejo’s candidacy should resort to dialogue rather than using security agencies for intimidation. Isa called on APC national leaders and stakeholders to ensure justice and secure Bodejo’s release. He also disclosed that a purported APC consensus committee in Taraba had never engaged Bodejo before his arrest.

In a landmark ruling, an Owerri High Court in Imo State has condemned a 34-year-old man, Johnbosco Chidera Ashiegbu, to death by hanging for his involvement in multiple armed robbery and kidnapping incidents. The court found him guilty on all eight counts brought against him.

Ashiegbu, who hails from Amaiyi Akabo in Ikeduru Local Government Area, was apprehended in 2024 along Okigwe Road, Owerri, while driving a stolen vehicle. During interrogation, he admitted to being a serial offender, leading a gang that operated across Imo and Abia States, engaging in armed robbery and hostage-taking.

Presiding Judge C.N. Akowundu declared that the prosecution had established guilt beyond reasonable doubt on all charges. The court recounted how in 2024, Ashiegbu and his accomplices, who remain at large, followed Mr. Rex Edwin Achiefula to his residence in Aba. They ambushed him and his wife, stealing their car and US$2,800. While the wife was released on the roadside, the husband was taken hostage and held for nearly six days at an undisclosed location.

On the same day, before the couple’s abduction, the gang had already seized Emmanuel Okezie, who was also driving on the same route. Both victims were freed only after ransoms of ₦3.7 million and ₦15 million were paid, respectively.

Justice Akobundu noted that Ashiegbu owned a fleet of cars and routinely transferred stolen vehicles to his name, even gifting some to his elder brother and sister on her birthday. The defense counsel pleaded for leniency, arguing that the convict had no prior record and was the sole breadwinner for his family. However, the judge dismissed this plea, stating that Ashiegbu displayed no remorse throughout the trial.

The prosecution, led by Senior State Counsel Ikenna Obi from the Ministry of Justice, urged the court to deliver a verdict in line with the law, emphasizing the convict’s lack of repentance. Ultimately, the judge sentenced Ashiegbu to death by hanging for his crimes.

In a recent reflection on Nigeria’s civil war, former President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed regret that Nigerian troops ever had to engage Biafran forces. Speaking in Abeokuta on May 11, 2026, he recalled his time as a commander during the 1967–1970 conflict and stressed that civil wars are fundamentally different from external wars because the aim must be peace, not destruction.

Obasanjo noted that both Nigerian and Biafran soldiers were citizens of the same nation, which made the fighting emotionally wrenching for everyone involved. “We shouldn’t have fought ourselves,” he stated. “Civil war is unlike battling an external enemy because you end up fighting your own brothers.”

The former leader emphasized that the hard lessons from the war should inspire Nigerians to champion peace, dialogue, and unity to avert any future national conflict. He urged the country to prioritize reconciliation over division.

Eight aspirants contesting the Kano Central Senatorial seat have made a significant political move by stepping aside from the race. Their decision, which paves the way for former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau to become the consensus candidate, is largely credited to the intervention of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. According to Usman Bala, who speaks for the group, the aspirants hold deep respect for Governor Yusuf, which is why they readily accepted his peace initiative.

In a recent development, the governor successfully mediated a long-standing dispute surrounding the ticket for Kano Central, widely acknowledged as Nigeria’s largest senatorial district. This area includes 15 local government areas and a population exceeding 10 million. The resolution came after a key reconciliation meeting in Abuja, where all parties agreed to prioritize unity over individual ambitions.

Usman Bala emphasized that every one of the eight aspirants supported the governor’s proposal wholeheartedly, viewing it as a wise and timely move that brought together competing interests. Their withdrawal was voluntary, aimed at strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 elections. Governor Yusuf praised the aspirants for their selflessness, calling their actions a model of maturity and sacrifice.

Shekarau, in his response, expressed gratitude to the governor for fostering peace and to the other contenders for their support. He reaffirmed his commitment to the APC’s success in the upcoming polls. The governor also reiterated his dedication to dialogue and consensus-building as essential tools for political stability and development, expressing confidence that the new understanding will enhance Kano’s national political influence.

Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, representing the Joint Security Watch of Kwara South, has vehemently denied that banditry and kidnapping have made large parts of the region uninhabitable or reduced its voter base. In a statement on Sunday, Oyin-Zubair argued that such narratives are false and are being used for political manipulation ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries.

He clarified that insecurity in Kwara is largely due to ungoverned forests and porous borders, and that perpetrators are not from Kwara South. The group stressed that these criminals do not reflect the community’s values. They noted that violence has mainly affected remote routes and poorly policed settlements, and that proactive security measures have successfully prevented attacks and allowed displaced families to return to farming.

Citing election data, Oyin-Zubair highlighted Kwara South’s political importance: the APC achieved a 68% success rate there in 2019 and 2023, compared to just 35% in Kwara Central, which is promoting the exclusion narrative. The group detailed ongoing security efforts, including community patrols, ward-level early warning systems, aerial surveillance, and joint operations with police, NSCDC, and local vigilantes across Irepodun, Ekiti, Oke-Ero, Isin, and Offa.

“Kwara South is protecting its territory, its people, and is restoring normalcy and economic life. We will not allow insecurity to be used as a tool for political marginalization,” Oyin-Zubair declared. He urged the public to rely on verified information and affirmed that Kwara South remains safe for living, farming, business, and voting.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Cross River State has announced that it is fully geared up to conduct its primaries for the 2027 general elections. This declaration comes from Dr. John Ogar, the newly elected chairman of the party in the state, who emphasized that the party is on schedule to sell nomination forms and urged interested aspirants to promptly visit the party secretariat.

Speaking in Calabar after the state congress, where a 37-member executive committee was unanimously elected through consensus, Ogar downplayed recent defections, noting that only one executive member has left. He criticized politicians who advocate for opposition and unity but later abandon coalitions, asserting that the sincere and committed members remain within the party.

Ogar vowed to elevate the party to greater achievements and dismissed reports of factionalization, insisting that the party is united. He further stressed that the congress adhered to the party’s constitution and was upheld by a court ruling affirming the state executive’s authority to organize such congresses.

A prominent figure within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ladan Salihu, has expressed that the withdrawal of former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso from the party significantly undermined aspirations for democratic rejuvenation in Nigeria.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Sunday, Salihu, who previously served as Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), noted that the alliance between Obi and Kwankwaso within the ADC could have forged a viable alternative for governance in the 2027 elections.

He lamented that the opposition landscape is now splintered due to conflicting political interests and personal ambitions. According to Salihu, the departure of these two leaders from the ADC dealt a severe blow to the faith Nigerians had in the party as a vehicle for political change.

“I remain a steadfast and irrevocable member of the ADC,” Salihu stated. “Nigerians placed great hope in the unity of opposition parties and movements. The Obidient movement and the Kwankwasiyya movement, along with millions of citizens, believed that our democracy would flourish only with a strong and vibrant opposition.”

He added, “When Obi and Kwankwaso were part of the ADC, the opposition was widely perceived as the platform that could restore confidence in democracy and offer a different path for the country in 2027. Unfortunately, that vision has been fractured by competing political forces and individual ambitions.”

Salihu further criticized the trend of shifting loyalties and political maneuvering, suggesting that some key players treat opposition parties as mere vehicles for personal advancement rather than instruments for collective good.

Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, a former presidential contender, has strongly condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recently published schedule for the 2027 general elections. He argues that the timeline fails to reflect Nigeria’s actual political landscape and is frankly unworkable.

Speaking over the weekend, Olawepo-Hashim emphasized that the electoral calendar leaves political parties insufficient room to organize transparent primaries and internal democratic procedures. He warned that if left unchanged, the tight schedule could escalate political tensions and destabilize parties as the elections draw closer.

The Kwara-born politician also took aim at INEC for scheduling critical political events, such as party primaries, to coincide with major religious observances like the Muslim Hajj pilgrimage and the Ileya festival. “Aligning election primaries with Hajj and Ileya, which inherently come with security and mobility challenges, is completely unreasonable,” he stated.

According to Olawepo-Hashim, these periods already pose significant security and logistical hurdles. Combining them with political activities risks amplifying unrest and triggering avoidable disruptions, he cautioned. He urged INEC to reconsider the timetable to better accommodate Nigeria’s diverse realities.

Rauf Aregbesola, the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has firmly rejected any notion of returning to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking to party supporters during a stakeholder gathering in Ilesa on Sunday, he clarified that such claims are baseless. The former governor of Osun State emphasized that his current party remains his political home.

Aregbesola criticized the APC-led federal government for worsening living conditions across Nigeria, citing severe hardship and economic challenges. He urged citizens to rally behind the ADC, describing it as the only viable alternative for credible governance. He stated, ‘I have no reason to rejoin the APC. The rumors are fabrications. The party’s leaders have abandoned its original vision and mission, focusing instead on failures in welfare and security.’

The ADC secretary further expressed gratitude to party members for their resilience amid attacks and intimidation. He highlighted the party’s growth and encouraged supporters to remain steadfast, promising victory through divine grace. Aregbesola also endorsed Dr. Najeem Folasayo Salaam Iwaloye as the ADC’s governorship candidate for the upcoming election, describing him as a loyal and committed leader who can restore the state’s development trajectory.

In his address, ADC governorship candidate Dr. Najeem Salaam called for unity among members. He pledged that his administration, if elected, would focus on job creation, poverty reduction, affordable housing, and addressing governance lapses experienced over the past seven and a half years. Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, the Osun ADC chairman-elect, assured that the party remains united and well-structured despite challenges. He expressed confidence in Salaam’s victory through hard work, unity, and divine support.

Adesiji announced plans for a statewide campaign covering all local government areas, nine federal constituency rallies, and two mega events in Ile-Ife and Osogbo. He thanked party leaders and members for their patience and cooperation. Stakeholders reaffirmed their dedication to ensuring the ADC’s success in the forthcoming governorship election.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has not yet released an official report regarding the screening of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, according to the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru. Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Bashiru clarified that appearing before the screening committee is a standard procedural step, and the committee will only publish its findings after meeting with all required individuals.

Bashiru emphasized that no definitive conclusions should be drawn at this stage, as the screening process is still ongoing. He stated, “I don’t know what you mean by screening. It appears that anybody that appears before the APC screening committee, of course, it is necessary as part of the process.”

He further explained that once the committee has completed its interactions with all expected participants, a comprehensive report will be compiled and released. “After appearing before the screening committee, the screening committee will issue its report. As at now, when it has seen everyone it is supposed to see, we will now sit down and come up with the report of the screening committee,” Bashiru said.

Bashiru’s remarks come amid growing speculation about Fubara’s political alignment ahead of the 2027 elections. The APC National Secretary urged the public to wait for the official report before making any judgments. “As at now, there is no report of screening,” he reiterated.