Category: News

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, held a high-level meeting with US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his visit to Washington. The talks took place at the vice president’s residence, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation against terrorism in West Africa.

According to a statement from the security-focused platform Secure Nigeria, the discussions addressed threats from Boko Haram and ISIS, amid ongoing attacks in the region. The platform expressed gratitude for the Trump administration’s continued support, including training and intelligence sharing, as Nigerian forces intensify efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and protect vulnerable communities.

The statement emphasized that Africa’s largest democracy remains a steadfast US partner in combating terrorism across the Sahel. It concluded with a strong message that the fight is winnable and that both nations are committed to finishing it together.

A Federal High Court in Sokoto has scheduled May 19, 2026, for the hearing of a case challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state. Justice Ahmad Gama Mahmud set the date on Friday after considering a motion for accelerated hearing, citing the urgency tied to the party’s internal election timetable.

The lawsuit, initiated by Umar Faruk and three others, questions the current leadership structure of the ADC in Sokoto and aims to establish the legitimate party executives. Mathew Burkaa, SAN, the lead counsel for the plaintiffs, explained that the dispute revolves around control of the party’s state chapter, particularly the chairman and secretary positions.

Burkaa stated that his clients are challenging the claims of the defendants who now hold those posts, maintaining that they themselves are the rightful leaders. He emphasized the need for a speedy resolution because the party’s primaries are scheduled for May 21, 2026, just two days after the hearing date.

Justice Mahmud granted the motions for abridgement of time and accelerated hearing, recognizing the urgency of the case. He also directed the defendants to submit their responses within a shortened timeframe before the next hearing. After the proceedings, Fidelis Mnyim, another counsel for the plaintiffs, confirmed that the court had set clear deadlines for all filings to ensure an expeditious hearing. He added that all necessary responses are expected to be submitted ahead of May 19.

House of Representatives candidates under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have declared that Nigerians will not hesitate to vote out Peter Obi if he secures the presidency in 2027 and fails to fulfill his campaign pledges. Speaking at a joint press conference in Abuja on Friday, organized with the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM), the aspirants emphasized that no leader is immune to public scrutiny and accountability.

The press conference came shortly after Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso defected to the NDC, marking a major political shift ahead of the next general elections. Nnamdi Iroegbu, vying for the Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency in Imo State, stressed that every government must answer to the people. “If Obi becomes president and underperforms, he will be shown the exit at the polls,” Iroegbu asserted.

Kingsley Ndube, another aspirant for the Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal Constituency, echoed similar sentiments, stating that lawmakers on the NDC platform are committed to prioritizing the welfare of citizens over personal ambitions. “We will continue to ask tough questions and hold the executive accountable,” Ndube remarked, underscoring the party’s people-centric approach to legislative duties.

In the Federal Capital Territory, Gambari Ismaila, an NDC aspirant for Bwari Constituency, explained that the party was founded on the urgent need for political transformation and national restructuring. He noted that the coalition behind the NDC seeks to foster accountability, fairness, and superior governance. Ismaila added that the party’s goal is to ensure that elected officials remain answerable to the electorate at all times.

The Labour Party in Lagos State has announced its preparedness for the 2027 elections, with a commitment to field candidates for every elective office available. During a press conference held on Friday in Lagos, party leaders urged citizens to reject vote-buying and instead back aspirants capable of delivering effective governance.

State Secretary Sam Okpala revealed that the party aims to compete for all 40 seats in the Lagos State House of Assembly, the 24 House of Representatives slots, the three senatorial positions, and the governorship. According to Okpala, preparations for primaries are already in motion to ensure credible candidates emerge.

“We call on Lagosians to step forward and elect representatives who will truly serve their interests,” Okpala stated. He expressed confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing its willingness to conduct free and fair polls.

The party also cautioned against what it termed “stomach infrastructure politics,” warning residents not to exchange their votes for temporary gains like money or food. “No amount of inducement can sustain the people for four years. Nigerians must support leaders who deliver real democratic dividends,” Okpala added.

Criticizing the long reign of a single party in Lagos, he pointed out that persistent issues like traffic congestion and environmental problems remain unresolved despite decades of one-party rule. “Good governance isn’t complicated; leaders just need to listen to the people,” he said.

Oswald Olatunbosun, another party chieftain, highlighted unity among various factions within the Lagos LP. Despite national-level disputes, he stressed that the state chapter remains cohesive and focused on fielding candidates who genuinely represent the masses. “The Labour Party belongs to workers, students, and market women—not to any individual,” Olatunbosun asserted.

In a communiqué issued after the event, the party affirmed its strong structure across all 20 local government areas of Lagos. It expressed optimism about repeating its previous electoral performance and urged voters to strengthen democracy by choosing competent, accountable leaders in 2027.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has officially selected the North Senatorial District as the zone from which its governorship candidate for the 2027 elections will emerge. This decision was communicated through a statement signed by the State Chairman, Onyemaechi Nwele, and the State Secretary, Zaccheaus Ogbuefi, after a meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC) in Abakaliki.

The party emphasized that the zoning arrangement is rooted in principles of equity, justice, and fairness. The SEC further directed zonal leaders to ensure that seats for the State Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate are also equitably distributed within their zones, aligning with the aspirations of the people and preventing any potential conflicts.

According to the communiqué, the SEC formally approved the zoning of the governorship ticket to the Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone. It assured all party members of transparency and fairness during the upcoming primaries. The committee also stressed that zonal leaders must ensure inclusive participation in all activities leading to the 2027 general election to guarantee the party’s success at the polls.

All aspirants were warned to strictly follow the zoning guidelines and avoid any statements or actions that could disrupt peace and unity at the local level. The SEC also gave the green light for the sale of interest and nomination forms, promising a smooth process in line with the timetable provided by the Interim National Working Committee.

The committee reiterated its commitment to providing a level playing field for all contenders, ensuring adherence to the zoning formula, the party’s constitution, and the Electoral Act of 2026. It expressed confidence that these measures would lead the PDP to victory in the 2027 elections in Ebonyi State.

Additionally, the Ebonyi PDP passed a vote of confidence in the party’s Interim National Working Committee under Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, the Board of Trustees led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, and the PDP Governors’ Forum chaired by Oyo State Governor, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde.

On Friday, the National Working Committee of the Labour Party presented Abia State Governor Alex Chioma Otti with complimentary gubernatorial nomination forms. The ceremony took place at the Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, where party officials led by National Chairman Senator Nenadi Usman handed over the forms.

Senator Usman praised Governor Otti for exemplifying the party’s core values of equal opportunity and social justice through his administration in Abia. She emphasized that the free forms were a recognition of his exceptional governance and an incentive to maintain high standards.

The party’s National Secretary, Hon. Obioma Iheanacho, expressed gratitude for Otti’s unwavering loyalty to the Labour Party, especially during turbulent times when many members defected to other political groups. He lauded the governor’s consistency in both politics and administration.

In his response, Governor Otti expressed appreciation for the honor, promising to continue supporting the party and to uphold its ideals. He also commended Senator Usman for her leadership in resolving internal conflicts and steering the party toward stability. Otti highlighted that all legal challenges facing the party have been resolved, paving the way for a smooth electoral campaign.

Apart from Senator Usman and Hon. Iheanacho, other NWC members present included National Organizing Secretary Mrs. Oluchi Oparah, National Woman Leader Hilda Dokubo, and National Publicity Secretary Ken Asogwa. Also in attendance were former National Secretary Senator Darlington Nwokocha, who similarly received free forms, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, leader of Abia’s House of Representatives caucus, and members of the Abia State Executive Council.

The presidency has taken a swipe at the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing the party of failing to outline a coherent strategy for the country as the 2027 elections approach. In a scathing post on X, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga asserted that the NDC, much like the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has not provided Nigerians with a detailed policy blueprint.

Onanuga revealed that he had visited the NDC’s website multiple times to examine its manifesto, hoping to compare their vision with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. However, each attempt to download the document resulted in an error message: “No document found.”

According to Onanuga, this lack of a manifesto suggests that the party, which he described as a political refuge for Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, has no real plan for Nigeria. He noted that despite inviting visitors to read their manifesto, the website fails to deliver any substantive content.

“I was curious about the NDC’s manifesto, especially after Obi and Kwankwaso abandoned the ADC midstream,” Onanuga stated. “But I was disappointed. The site claims to have a manifesto, but when I tried to download it, I got nothing. This shows they have no plan for Nigeria yet.”

The presidency’s criticism comes amid ongoing political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Obi and Kwankwaso reportedly forming alliances to challenge the ruling party.

The Osun State chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party are locked in a war of words following the destruction of campaign billboards across the state. Each political group has pointed fingers at the other, denying any involvement and blaming their rival for the damage.

The Accord Party, through its state chairman Pastor Victor Akande, issued a statement on Friday in Osogbo accusing the APC of orchestrating the widespread defacement of its candidate’s billboards. Akande labeled the acts as premeditated sabotage and claimed they were executed by individuals with ties to the APC. “The Osun APC cannot escape responsibility for its actions. Denial is an afterthought. This blatant misconduct is impossible to overlook,” he asserted.

According to Akande, the vandalism occurred in multiple towns, including Osogbo, Ede, Ila, Ilesa, and Ile-Ife, leading to substantial financial setbacks. He noted that the destruction was systematic and caused losses running into millions of naira. “The billboard destruction was not random; it was a planned evil that cost us dearly in materials,” he said, adding that the party has already initiated legal proceedings and called on law enforcement to take decisive action. “We take this violation seriously and have commenced legal steps to address it. Such illegality will not go unpunished,” Akande warned, while urging party supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.

In a swift rebuttal, the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. In a statement from its Head of Media and Publicity, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, the APC accused the state government and its Accord Party allies of engaging in self-vandalism to tarnish the opposition’s image. “We categorically state that this accusation is false, unfounded, and a desperate attempt to falsely accuse the innocent,” the statement read.

The APC further alleged that its own campaign materials, particularly those of its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, have been repeatedly targeted by political thugs. “If anything, our candidate’s billboards and promotional items are the ones that have suffered relentless destruction at the hands of thugs visibly connected to the Osun State Government and the Accord Party,” the party claimed.

In addition, the APC suggested that the allegations are a diversionary tactic aimed at deflecting attention from ongoing scrutiny of state officials. The party confirmed that it has reported the matter to security agencies and expressed confidence that the authorities will address the competing claims appropriately.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has given the green light to Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to participate in the party’s 2027 governorship primaries following a successful screening exercise.

Held on Friday at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge, the screening was conducted by a committee headed by APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe, with a focus on incumbent governors seeking re-election.

Governor Alia’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms were sponsored by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Benue Chapter, and the Benue State Motorcycle Association (BEMOA). Leaders of these groups cited the governor’s people-centered governance and the significant progress witnessed in Benue under his leadership as reasons for their support.

Political analysts and APC insiders view this clearance as a major boost for Alia’s political momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections. Since taking office in 2023, the governor has prioritized infrastructure, security, civil service reforms, and social welfare programs.

This development marks an uptick in political activities within the APC as the party gears up for the next electoral cycle, with Governor Alia now positioned as a key contender for the party’s ticket.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has successfully screened a total of 11 state governors who are seeking re-election in 2027. This development precedes the party’s primary elections, which are set to take place on May 21.

The screening committee, chaired by the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, with National Secretary Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, conducted the exercise. The committee is expected to continue its work on Saturday.

The cleared governors include: Abba Yusuf of Kano State, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Umar Bago of Niger State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Sen. Bassey Otu of Cross River State, and Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State.