Category: News

In a bold move signaling his political ambitions, media mogul Dele Momodu has unveiled a campaign-style image on social media that positions him as the prospective running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 presidential race. The Ovation magazine publisher took to his Facebook page on Monday to share the poster, which he accompanied with a call for national healing and renewal.

Momodu characterized the upcoming election as a showdown between two political heavyweights: President Bola Tinubu and Atiku, whom he described as the primary contenders. He argued that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) must reinvent itself by fostering collaboration between seasoned politicians and emerging technocrats, as well as bridging generational divides.

Reflecting on the current landscape, Momodu stated, “It promises to be the battle of the Tians. A third force, hopefully, may show up, like it did in 2023, but not with enough fire power and tenacity to upstage, and obliterate, the two elder statesmen.” He emphasized that such a strategy would be crucial for strengthening national unity and alleviating the country’s political and social tensions.

The publisher also highlighted the importance of enhanced cooperation between Northern and Southern Nigeria, cautioning that if political leaders fail to act, the nation’s challenges could worsen. He advocated for a return to issue-based politics and leadership inspired by the ideals of Nigeria’s founding fathers, including Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The move has sparked discussions about potential alliances and the evolving dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections.

Dr. Yusuf Bello Danbatta, who was the deputy governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, has officially switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a statement he personally signed and released to the press, Danbatta explained that his decision came after thorough deliberations and extensive discussions with political figures, allies, backers, and other key players.

He believes the APC provides a more effective avenue to champion the interests of the populace and back programs aimed at enhancing governance and progress. The former PDP candidate pointed to the leadership approach and development initiatives of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration as a major factor in his move. He praised the Kano First Agenda as a visionary plan that shows a strong dedication to sound governance, human capital growth, infrastructure renewal, and the state’s overall advancement.

Reaffirming his steadfast commitment to public service, Danbatta vowed to keep working for the unity and advancement of the people, irrespective of party lines. He urged his followers and colleagues to back efforts focused on the continued growth, stability, and development of Kano State.

According to Arise News Director of Politics, Sumner Sambo, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has declined the opportunity to serve as running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Speaking on The Morning Show, Sambo explained that Okonjo-Iweala is unwilling to abandon her lucrative position at the World Trade Organisation, where she is serving a second term ending in 2029.

He noted that while speculations about her potential candidacy have circulated, she has made it clear she intends to stay in her current role. Sambo argued that it would be illogical for her to leave a secure international appointment for a political contest in Nigeria, particularly one involving a party still entangled in legal disputes.

Emphasizing her recent resumption in September and extended tenure, Sambo stated that Okonjo-Iweala would not consider the vice-presidential offer. He described the WTO role as both lucrative and stable, contrasting it with what he called the uncertainties of Nigerian politics.

Retired Police Commissioner Ikechukwu Ayo Aduba has publicly taken issue with Chief Philip Asiodu, accusing him of misrepresenting historical facts. Asiodu recently released a statement denying that Asaba has Igbo roots and dismissing the ethnic nature of the 1967 Asaba Massacre, asserting that ‘Asaba is not Igbo.’

In a pointed rebuttal titled ‘Building On Truth: Asaba, Igbo Identity And The 1967 Massacre,’ Aduba argued that Asaba is unequivocally an Igbo community based on its language, culture, and ancestry. He emphasized that Asiodu’s claims ignore robust linguistic, cultural, and scholarly evidence, including documentation from Asaba’s own traditional institutions.

‘Chief Philip Asiodu is entitled to his political opinions, but history is not a matter of personal belief,’ Aduba stated. ‘It is preserved in language, artifacts, and lineage.’

To substantiate his position, Aduba pointed out that Asaba, though located in Delta State, is part of the Anioma/Igboid cluster. He noted that the Igbo language is officially recognized as Asaba’s national language, and linguists classify Anioma communities, including Asaba, as native speakers of Igboid languages within the Niger-Congo family. Specifically, the Enuani dialect, spoken in Asaba and surrounding towns, is listed as an Igbo dialect.

Aduba further highlighted cultural continuity, noting that Asaba’s traditions align with core Igbo customs, or Omenala. ‘The Asagba of Asaba himself commits to preserving Asaba’s heritage, including Igba Mkpisi, an Igbo initiation rite tied to titles and ancestry. The traditional greeting to the Asagba is “Nna Agu! Asagba Ahaba Agu,” which uses Igbo titles and cosmology. Masquerade traditions such as Agaba and Mgbedike originate from Igbo-speaking communities,’ he explained.

He also pointed out that the five quarters of Asaba—Ezenei, Ugbomanta, Umuagu, Umuaji, and Umuonaje—all carry the Igbo prefix ‘Umu,’ meaning ‘children.’ The town’s original name, Ani Ahaba, translates to ‘We have settled in this land,’ an Igbo phrase.

Regarding the Asaba Massacre of October 5-7, 1967, Aduba insisted that the killings were ethnically motivated, contradicting Asiodu’s claim that ethnicity was not a factor. He cited federal records, survivor testimonies, and academic research to support his view. Additionally, he reminded that former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon publicly apologized to the people of Asaba in 2001 for the high death toll, which estimates place between 373 and 800, with survivors and recent memorials citing over 1,000 fatalities.

‘The sons and daughters of Asaba who perished in October 1967 deserve the truth, as do future generations. A accurate history is the bedrock of a great society. Let us build on truth,’ Aduba concluded.

The Kano State Hisbah Board has announced that prospective couples from 24 local government areas are required to report to their respective Hisbah offices on Monday, June 8, 2026, for medical screenings as part of the state-sponsored mass wedding program for 3,000 couples.

Deputy Commander-General of the board, Mujahideen Aminudddeen, stated on Sunday that the affected councils include Rogo, Wudil, Tudun Wada, Warawa, Kibiya, Dawakin Tofa, Garun Malam, Kura, Dambatta, Karaye, Tsanyawa, Minjibir, Rimin Gado, Shanono, Kabo, Tofa, Rano, Bebeji, Ajingi, Gwarzo, Sumaila, Kiru, Takai, and Madobi.

He further explained that the screening will cover tests for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, genotype compatibility, drug use, and pregnancy checks for female applicants. Successful couples will then be cleared to participate in the mass wedding.

Recall that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had earlier unveiled plans to sponsor the marriage of 1,500 men and 1,500 women, primarily widows, divorcees, orphans, and low-income residents. Each groom will receive N100,000 as dowry support, while couples will be provided with household items such as beds, mattresses, wardrobes, and food supplies, along with an additional N100,000 grant to start small businesses.

The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has officially announced that the process of returning pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria will kick off on June 15, 2026. This revelation was made by the agency’s Chairman, Malam Salihu S. Abubakar, during a statement released on Tuesday. He emphasized that the repatriation will follow the exact order in which pilgrims originally traveled to the Kingdom for the 2026 Hajj.

According to the agency’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Datti, who signed the statement on Sunday, pilgrims who departed Nigeria on the first flight will be among the first to return on the initial inbound flight. Subsequent groups will be transported back according to their respective travel schedules, ensuring a systematic and orderly process.

Abubakar stressed that no pilgrim will be allowed to change or choose an alternative return flight outside the agency’s arrangements. He urged all Kaduna pilgrims to cooperate fully with officials and strictly adhere to the approved timetable to facilitate a seamless and successful airlift operation.

Authorities in Ibadan have uncovered a stash of everyday household goods, including a solar panel, plastic chairs, and mattresses, at a property used by kidnappers to detain their victims. The discovery came after the rescue of the sister of former Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu and her twin children, who were abducted earlier in the week.

The victims were taken on Wednesday and freed by police forces on Saturday. During a follow-up inspection led by Police Commissioner Olugbenga Abimbola, journalists were taken to the scene, where various items were catalogued.

Located in the Lakoun Estate area on Ayegun Olojuoro Road, within Ward 1 of Oluyole Local Government Area in Oyo State, the single-story building sits among other residences. It features a fence, a well, and two toilets. The kidnappers had stocked the hideout with bread and other provisions, indicating a planned extended stay.

Our reporter on the ground noted that the neighborhood is only partially developed, offering some seclusion for criminal activity. The police continue to investigate the incident, and further arrests are anticipated.

President Bola Tinubu has firmly declared that his administration will never capitulate to terrorists, bandits, or any type of criminal coercion, while also pledging to ramp up efforts to alleviate the economic difficulties facing Nigerians.

The President, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, delivered this message on Sunday at the National Inter-Denominational Church Service held at the National Christian Centre in Abuja. The event was part of the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations, under the theme “God of Hope, Actualise Our Dreams.” Senior government officials in attendance included Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Head of the Civil Service Didi Walson-Jack.

Akume, conveying Tinubu’s remarks, congratulated Nigerians on 27 consecutive years of democracy since 1999, calling this achievement a proof of the resilience and sacrifices made by those who fought for democratic restoration. He honored the pro-democracy activists of the June 12 struggle, many of whom suffered persecution, injuries, and death.

The President acknowledged that the government fully comprehends the economic strain, insecurity, kidnappings, and displacement affecting communities across the nation. “The government is sensitive to all these pains, shares in these pains and has heard your cries,” Akume stated, adding that Tinubu is confronting these challenges with compassion and a strong sense of duty.

On security, Tinubu described recent attacks and abductions as painful indicators that more work remains, but assured citizens that the safe return of all captives is a top national priority. He confirmed that security agencies are being provided with the necessary resources to protect lives, secure communities, and uphold Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

“The government of Nigeria shall never succumb to terror, banditry or any form of criminal intimidation,” he declared emphatically.

During a Sunday event in Kaduna, Nigeria’s Defence Minister, retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa, declared that education stands as the nation’s most powerful defense against extremist ideologies. Speaking at the inauguration of the Kaduna Christian Academy, a facility constructed by the Department of State Services (DSS), he emphasized that the country faces an asymmetric conflict where adversaries rely on radicalization and distorted narratives.

Musa stated, “Our struggle is not conventional; our foes exploit misinformation and indoctrination. The most effective response is the dissemination of truth within secure educational environments. This academy, while named for the Christian community, embodies interfaith unity.”

The minister argued that a well-educated and alert populace is the foremost deterrent against those who spread disorder. He noted that numerous communities suffer from banditry and extremism, often rooted in limited prospects. “From my perspective as Defence Minister, this school is a strategic asset without a single firearm. An educated population is less vulnerable to the lies of terrorists and separatists,” he added.

Musa further explained that literacy enhances local intelligence gathering for security agencies. “A child in a classroom today is the adult who will reject a kidnapper’s ransom note tomorrow,” he said. He praised the DSS for constructing the academy for a specific faith group without bias, asserting that “security is impartial to religion, and development does not favor any ethnicity.”

The minister highlighted that the DSS should be recognized as a builder of the future. By creating the academy for the Ungwan Bulus community, the agency demonstrates that internal security involves more than surveillance and arrests—it also requires earning public trust.

Earlier, Reverend Joseph John Hayab, chairman of the Northern Christian Association (NCA), described the academy as a foundation for learning and character development. “This institution fosters not only intellectual growth but also discipline, responsible citizenship, and moral integrity. When education is properly grounded, society is shaped correctly,” he said.

Reverend Hayab emphasized that the school serves as a reminder that education bridges divides and that children’s futures transcend religion, ethnicity, and background. He called for collective investment in education as a path to peace and national progress, urging individuals to contribute resources, partnerships, or encouragement to expand such initiatives.

Atiku Abubakar, the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the 2027 presidency, has strongly refuted allegations made by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal. Lawal had accused Atiku of neglecting victims of violence across Nigeria.

In a detailed response, Atiku’s camp emphasized that the former Vice President has consistently demonstrated solidarity with affected communities. Notably, he attended a church thanksgiving service in Kagoro, Southern Kaduna, to express support for families grieving from recent attacks. This act, according to his spokesperson Phrank Shaibu, underscores Atiku’s commitment to all Nigerians regardless of ethnicity or religion.

The statement, titled ‘From Kagoro to Chibok: The Atiku Babachir Lawal Refuses to See,’ highlighted Atiku’s long-standing condemnation of terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and communal violence. Shaibu argued that Lawal’s portrayal of Atiku as indifferent is contradicted by his public record of uniting people across divides during crises.

Atiku’s team also pointed out the irony in Lawal’s criticism, noting that Lawal himself benefited from the support of the Fulani community when he was appointed SGF under President Muhammadu Buhari. They questioned why Lawal now vilifies the same ethnic group when Atiku, a Fulani, seeks the presidency through democratic means.

The response further asserted that Atiku has spoken out against violence in numerous regions, including Plateau, Benue, Southern Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Borno, Niger, and Owo. While acknowledging that statements alone may not suffice, the camp insisted that claims of Atiku’s silence are false.