Category: News

Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has refuted claims that he received financial support from Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a presidential aspirant for the African Democratic Congress (ADC). During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Lawal stated that if he ever needed money, he would simply reach out to President Bola Tinubu to obtain it.

He was responding to accusations from supporters of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that he had taken money from Hayatu-Deen. Lawal challenged those making the allegations, saying, “Tell me who was there when he gave me the money. Maybe he’s yet to deliver it. I will go and collect it.”

Lawal emphasized that the issue was not about money, noting that Hayatu-Deen was offering his service and competence. He went further to assert that Hayatu-Deen is more competent than Atiku and that they cannot be compared. “Hayatu-Deen is more competent than Atiku. They can’t even be in the same boat,” Lawal stated.

The United Nations Human Rights Office has voiced deep concern over escalating violence targeting Christians and other religious minorities in northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt. In a statement released Monday, the OHCHR detailed reports of killings, abductions, sexual violence, and forced religious conversions.

The deteriorating security situation, the office said, has allowed extremist groups and armed actors to operate with near impunity, leaving civilians unprotected. Victims and survivors, the statement emphasized, deserve justice, reparations, and effective safeguards.

According to the UN body, religious minorities face sustained attacks, including assaults on places of worship, mass displacement, and mob violence often linked to blasphemy accusations. Women and girls are especially vulnerable, facing abduction, sexual exploitation, forced marriages, and coerced conversions. The OHCHR noted that those who resist these abuses are frequently threatened, punished, or killed.

The statement referenced specific cases submitted to Nigerian authorities, including the abduction and sexual assault of girls from a church in Borno State, forced conversions and child marriages in Bauchi State, and an attack on a 16-year-old girl whose hand was reportedly severed after her family rejected a forced marriage proposal. These incidents, the UN said, reflect a broader pattern of violence affecting communities across northern Nigeria, including village attacks, insecurity in displacement camps, and ongoing communal clashes.

Displaced women and girls remain at heightened risk of exploitation, with some allegedly forced into sexual acts in exchange for food or basic necessities. Others reportedly hide their religious identity to avoid attacks. The UN warned that if these allegations are confirmed, they could constitute serious violations of international human rights law.

The OHCHR urged Nigerian authorities to protect vulnerable communities, secure the release of abducted victims, conduct independent investigations, and prosecute perpetrators. The statement stressed that impunity for these crimes only exacerbates violence and called for urgent measures to prevent further abuses and ensure accountability.

In a coordinated effort to enhance border security, soldiers from the Nigerian Army and the Benin National Guard recently conducted a joint nighttime patrol through Cotonou, Benin Republic. The operation aimed to reduce criminal activities near the shared border.

Counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama shared details on X, confirming that the patrol occurred under the banners of Operation AWATSE and Operation A II, alongside the Benin National Guard. The patrol took place from 12:05 a.m. to 2:12 a.m. on June 8.

According to Makama, the joint mission focused on specific routes and key points in Cotonou to boost security, discourage illegal acts, and strengthen collaboration between the two nations’ security forces. No incidents were reported, and the patrol was deemed successful.

Makama emphasized the value of such operations: “The patrol ensured a strong security presence across the city while improving coordination, intelligence exchange, and interoperability among the units.” He added that these joint efforts are part of wider bilateral initiatives to tackle cross-border crime, improve border governance, and foster stability in West Africa.

“Regular joint patrols and collaborative operations are essential for addressing new security challenges and protecting communities along shared borders,” Makama concluded.

In a significant political development, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi recently called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at his Abuja residence. The meeting, which took place on Monday, signals a potential thaw in relations following the contentious African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary.

Present during the visit was Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent Nollywood actor and ADC chieftain, along with other notable party figures. Although the specifics of their discussion remain undisclosed, the gathering underscores ongoing efforts to unify the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Amaechi, a former Rivers State governor, was a key contender in the ADC presidential primary, where Atiku emerged victorious. The other aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, finished third. Both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen had previously criticized the conduct of the primary, alleging irregularities.

Following his win, Atiku had reached out to his rivals, urging them to collaborate in the mission to rescue Nigeria. This latest visit by Amaechi is seen as a positive step toward mending fences and building a cohesive opposition front. Observers are keenly watching for any formal announcement regarding a possible alliance or unity pact.

According to Bashir Ahmad, a former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Peter Obi’s primary political objective is merely to see his name appear on the presidential ballot paper. Speaking on Monday, Ahmad claimed the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate is not focused on winning but on personal branding.

In a post on X, Ahmad stated that Obi’s real ambition is to have his face on the ballot, regardless of the party’s strength. He added that Obi achieved this in 2023 and will do so again in 2027, and possibly even in 2031 if circumstances allow.

Obi, the former Anambra State governor, ran under the Labour Party banner in 2023, finishing third behind Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and the eventual winner, President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.

The Labour Party has initiated legal proceedings against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Federal High Court in Abuja, contesting what it perceives as the unjust omission of its candidate from the forthcoming senatorial by-election in Enugu North. The poll is slated for June 20, 2026.

Recall that the seat became available after the death of Senator Okey Ezea, who represented the Labour Party and passed away on November 18, 2025. Following the release of INEC’s schedule for by-elections, the LP formally informed the commission on May 11, 2026, about its plan to hold a primary on May 25, 2026.

During the primary, Ambassador Simon Ejike Eze emerged as the party’s unanimous candidate. However, the party claims that despite satisfying all legal and procedural requirements, it was barred from uploading the candidate’s details onto INEC’s nomination portal.

The party stated, “Despite multiple attempts, including formal complaints and letters to the commission before the submission deadline on June 2, 2026, we could not get the issue resolved.”

According to Ken Eluma Asogwa, the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, the party fulfilled every statutory and administrative duty mandated by the Electoral Act and INEC’s regulations concerning candidate nomination.

He added, “It is alarming that the head of Elections and Party Monitoring in Enugu State reportedly refused to forward the party’s primary election report because he was out of town on the day of the exercise and could not monitor it. This justification is unacceptable and raises concerns about the performance of official duties. The Labour Party should not be penalized for an official’s absence, negligence, or incompetence.”

The Labour Party argues that the validity of its primary is not contingent on INEC’s physical presence, as neither the Electoral Act nor INEC’s rules make such presence mandatory. The party insists that it fully complied with the requirement to notify the commission of its primary.

While expressing confidence in INEC’s leadership under Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, the LP calls for an immediate investigation into the actions of INEC staff in Enugu and appropriate disciplinary measures against any erring official.

The party warned, “Depriving the Labour Party of a candidate in an election to fill a seat left vacant by the death of one of its senators would be a grave injustice, undermining the rights of the party and its supporters, and limiting the democratic choices for voters in Enugu North.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially announced the date for the inauguration of its National Campaign Council dedicated to the upcoming governorship election in Ekiti State. The announcement was made on Monday through a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.

According to the statement, the inauguration ceremony is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre located in Abuja. This event marks a significant step in the party’s preparation for the electoral contest in Ekiti.

The newly formed campaign council will be led by Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State as Chairman, with Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio serving as Co-Chairman. Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele has been appointed to the role of Secretary. The council comprises a mix of current and former governors, principal officers from the National Assembly, and other prominent party figures.

In addition to the main council, several subcommittees have been established to oversee critical areas of the campaign. These include Election Planning and Management, Finance and Resource Mobilisation, Grassroots Engagement and Mobilisation, Logistics and Campaign Management, Protocol, Media and Publicity, Security, Women’s Mobilisation, Youth Mobilisation, and Secretariat Functions. The statement emphasized that the inauguration will trigger widespread mobilization efforts across Ekiti State, aiming for a successful outcome in the forthcoming governorship election.

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has asserted that his party stands alone in conducting primary elections that fully comply with the Electoral Act. He made this statement while addressing a delegation of House of Representatives members led by Abdulsammad Dasuki at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

Mark urged all nominated candidates to return to their constituencies and work tirelessly to secure victory in the upcoming elections. He emphasized that the ADC is committed to fielding only candidates who have the capacity to win.

“ADC is the only party that conducted primary elections and produced candidates in line with the provisions of the electoral act. We must go forth and win our elections,” Mark declared.

The chairman called on party members to remain focused and adequately prepare for the polls, stressing that the ADC will only present electable candidates. He expressed confidence that with hard work and adherence to legal processes, the party would achieve success at the ballot box.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has officially announced Princess Damilola Sonayon-James as the running mate to Dr. Obafemi Hamzat for the 2027 gubernatorial race. The party’s chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, made the declaration on Monday, following extensive party consultations.

Sonayon-James, who serves as the APC Deputy Woman Leader in Lagos, received the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu and the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the party’s top decision-making body. Her selection was based on her competence, leadership qualities, grassroots appeal, loyalty, and ability to contribute to Lagos’ continuous development.

According to Ojelabi, Sonayon-James’ dedication to public service and her experience across public, private, and political sectors made her stand out. Her nomination has garnered support from various groups, including labor unions, transport associations, religious bodies, and other stakeholders across the state.

The Hamzat-Sonayon-James ticket is expected to combine experience, innovation, and grassroots engagement to advance Lagos’ development agenda. The chairman described the partnership as capable of sustaining progress and addressing the aspirations of Lagos residents.

Ojelabi also highlighted Sonayon-James’ popularity among women and youths, attributing this to her long-standing community engagement and service. He emphasized that her selection reflects the party’s commitment to inclusivity, women and youth participation in governance, and positioning Lagos as a hub for innovation, investment, and sustainable development in Africa.

There are unconfirmed reports that former Adamawa State Governor Bindow Jibrilla is poised to exit the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming days. Political commentator Imran Wakili shared this speculation on his X account on Monday, citing whispers from political circles in Adamawa.

Wakili alleged that Bindow feels his unwavering allegiance to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been undervalued and taken for granted. The perceived lack of appreciation, combined with recent disenchantment within the state’s ADC, is driving the former governor toward a party switch.

As of now, neither Bindow nor the ADC has issued an official response to these claims. Bindow, who previously governed Adamawa under the APC banner, remains a pivotal figure in the state’s politics, and any move ahead of the 2027 general elections is expected to send ripples through the political landscape.