Category: News

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on Nigerians to remain optimistic, asserting that the nation will triumph over ongoing insurgencies just as it has previously navigated political turmoil, economic challenges, and health emergencies like Ebola and COVID-19. Speaking during a Democracy Day interdenominational service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja, Akpabio emphasized that the country’s 27-year democratic journey is a testament to its resilience.

Acknowledging the current hardships, including insecurity and economic strain, Akpabio urged citizens to reflect on their blessings rather than despair. He noted that President Bola Tinubu had chosen a low-key observance for Democracy Day this year, recognizing the nation’s struggles. The Senate President expressed deep empathy for victims of violence, particularly abducted children, drawing from his own painful memories of the Nigerian Civil War. He stressed the importance of prayer and unity, calling for the exposure of those behind terrorist activities, whether in government or outside it.

He assured that the Tinubu administration remains committed to freeing captives, combating terror, and restoring peace. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, echoed these sentiments, promising intensified efforts to alleviate economic burdens and secure the release of all hostages. The service, themed ‘God of Hope, Actualise Our Dreams,’ served as a platform for these messages of resilience and collective action.

Osubi Airstrip in Delta State’s Okpe Local Government Area has firmly denied allegations that a bird strike incident involving an Air Peace jet occurred within its perimeter. The airport management believes the bird was likely hit before the aircraft reached its airspace.

The controversy erupted after Air Peace took to Instagram on June 5, stating that its Lagos–Osubi route experienced a bird strike upon landing. The airline reported that the Embraer E-195 jet underwent safety evaluations post-landing, and preliminary checks revealed the landing gear required further inspection. Consequently, the return flight to Lagos was canceled, with passengers offered accommodation and assistance.

Winston Egwuatu, manager of Osubi Airstrip, strongly countered the airline’s version. He highlighted the airport’s recent achievement of nearly two consecutive years without any bird strikes—a notable safety record in the Nigerian aviation industry. According to Egwuatu, investigations suggest the bird was not struck at Osubi. He noted that flight 5N-CEF, an Embraer E-195, showed signs of a bird strike during the pilot’s post-landing inspection, with bird remains found on the landing gear. However, during conversations with airport officials, the pilot mentioned hearing a sound roughly 200 meters from the airstrip while on approach, though the official report indicated the incident occurred at about 50 feet above the runway. Surprisingly, the pilot never communicated any bird strike to Air Traffic Control earlier.

Wildlife hazard control officers conducted thorough runway inspections both before and after the aircraft’s arrival, finding no bird carcasses, feathers, or any evidence of bird activity. Deterrent measures like propane cannons and chemical agents were in place and effective. Egwuatu emphasized that it is plausible the bird strike happened 200 meters outside the aerodrome, as the pilot indicated, but definitely not within Osubi Airstrip. He also refuted speculation that Air Peace had suspended operations to the airport, stating that no such notification has been received.

On Saturday, the manager confirmed that the aircraft departed safely at approximately 2:50 PM.

Nigeria’s Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa, and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, have thrown their weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s educational reforms, insisting that quality learning is a powerful weapon against insecurity.

Speaking at the unveiling of Kaduna Christian Academy—a school built by associates of DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi for the Christian community—both leaders stressed that an informed citizenry is vital for national security.

General Musa argued that true national defence goes beyond troop deployments and air strikes. He emphasised that lasting peace requires defeating ignorance and hopelessness. “This school is a weapon of mass instruction in the right hands,” he said.

The minister praised the DSS for complementing its security duties with community development projects, proving that internal security involves winning hearts and building a better future. An educated population, he said, provides a stronger defence against extremism than force alone.

Musa urged parents to prioritise education, recalling his own humble beginnings. He noted that Kaduna has witnessed improved security and governance through collaborative efforts across all levels of government. He commended Governor Sani for fostering inclusion and peaceful coexistence.

He also warned that security agencies cannot defeat bandits and terrorists without public support. Criminal elements often rely on local informants for logistics. “If we keep quiet, they will destroy us; if we speak out, they lose ground,” he stated, calling for timely intelligence sharing.

The minister described the academy as a symbol of interfaith harmony and urged the community to maintain high standards and encourage civic participation, including voter registration.

Governor Sani, represented by Attorney General James Kanyip, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to quality education. He said every classroom built creates opportunities and strengthens communities. The commissioning, he added, represents hope and transformation, not just a new building.

CAN Northern Chairman Rev. John Joseph Hayab noted that the DSS boss facilitated the project recognising education’s role in tackling insecurity and poverty. Chief Imam Prof. Suleiman Adam appreciated the gesture as a boost to interfaith harmony. Malam Musa Suleiman, speaking for the DG’s friends, reiterated that education addresses root causes of insecurity.

Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to reconsider its choice of Atiku Abubakar as the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election. Lawal aired his views in a social media post on Facebook, where he alleged that the ADC primary election that produced Atiku was heavily manipulated in his favor.

According to Lawal, Atiku lacks the necessary strength to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming general election. He lamented that instead of engaging with the issues he raised, many of his detractors have chosen to attack him personally. He further expressed disappointment that his earlier remarks, which he called “Kachalla 1,” had drawn sharp reactions from across the Fulani community, leading to insults and threats.

Lawal firmly advised the ADC to select a more capable candidate if they hope to make any impact in the presidential race before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timeline expires. He reiterated that the party must act swiftly to avoid failure at the polls.

Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, has expressed dissatisfaction with the presidential primary election of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that resulted in Atiku Abubakar becoming the party’s candidate. Speaking on a podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, Dalung, who previously served under President Muhammadu Buhari, stated that he is not proud of the primary process.

Dalung noted that the coalition formed for the 2027 general elections is not as strong as it was initially. He lamented that the primary fell short of his expectations, describing the conduct of the election as disappointing. Dalung, who served as an electoral officer, claimed to have witnessed irregularities during the process, including rigging and falsification of results.

He criticized the state of democracy in Nigeria, arguing that after 26 to 27 years of democratic rule, such malpractices should be a thing of the past. Dalung’s comments come in the wake of the ADC’s primary election, which officially nominated Atiku as its flag bearer for the upcoming presidential race.

A prominent figure within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano, Musa Ibrahim Nabanki, has urged Nigerians to reject the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2027 general elections. He asserted that citizens have already seen through the shortcomings of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and are ready for change.

Nabanki made these remarks during an ADC stakeholders’ assembly held in Kano on Saturday. He expressed confidence that the event demonstrated widespread support for both the ADC and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

“The gathering we had today in Kano clearly shows that the people embrace the ADC and have faith in Atiku Abubakar,” Nabanki said.

He emphasized that the party has been working tirelessly to awaken Nigerians to the severe insecurity plaguing the country and to take immediate action. Nabanki stated, “We are convinced that Atiku will transform the situation if he assumes the presidency. In Nigeria, there are only two major political players: the ADC and the APC.”

Nabanki accused other political parties of secretly collaborating with the APC and President Tinubu ahead of the elections. He urged citizens to channel their anger at the ballot box by voting out the APC-led government, pointing to the alarming rates of kidnappings and killings as compelling reasons for change.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has secured another electoral victory as its candidate, Monsuru Osho, clinched the councillorship seat in Iperu III Ward 5, located in the Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State. The bye-election was held across 18 polling units to fill the vacancy created by the demise of the former councillor, Nurudeen Bakare.

Olusogo Otelaja, the Returning Officer for the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), announced the results, revealing that Osho garnered 1,730 votes out of a total of 1,741 votes cast. In comparison, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) managed only five votes, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured four votes. The voting process commenced at 8:00 am and was marked by the deployment of security personnel across the ward to ensure a smooth and incident-free exercise. Otelaja confirmed that the election proceeded in an orderly manner with no major disruptions.

Babatunde Osibodu, Chairman of OGSIEC, represented by Commissioner Gbemi Onasanya, commended the peaceful, free, and credible nature of the poll. He expressed gratitude to residents for their calm participation and lauded electoral officials and security agencies for their professionalism during the voting and collation phases. Jamiu Asimi, Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, also praised OGSIEC for what he described as a seamless and transparent electoral process.

In his victory speech, Osho expressed profound gratitude to the electorate for their overwhelming support and trust in his candidacy. He extended his appreciation to Governor Dapo Abiodun for granting him the opportunity to serve, pledging to collaborate with the local government administration to foster development and enhance the welfare of residents in the ward. Voters, including Kehinde Fasola and Moses Adewuyi, characterized the election as peaceful, transparent, and well-organized, reflecting a positive democratic experience.

The Accord Party’s Lagos chapter officially introduced its slate of candidates for the 2027 general elections during a ceremony held in Lagos. The event saw 27 aspirants receive Certificates of Return, marking them as the party’s official contenders for various positions including governor, senator, House of Representatives member, and state legislator.

Party Chairman Dele Oladeji, who is also vying for the Lagos West Senate seat, described the occasion as a critical step in the party’s electoral preparations and the launch of its campaign efforts. He emphasized that the Accord Party is offering Lagos residents a viable alternative to the dominant political groups, focusing on social justice, public welfare, security, and inclusive governance.

Solomon Oladimeji Wahab, the senatorial candidate for Lagos Central, called on citizens to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate actively in the electoral process, underscoring the need for transparent elections. Joseph Taiwo Jehoshaphat, contesting for Badagry Federal Constituency, pledged to prioritize youth initiatives and bring development projects to the area. Blessing Maduka-Sunday, the Lagos East senatorial candidate, advocated for greater female representation and stronger policies to support women’s economic empowerment.

The party also reaffirmed its endorsement of Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its presidential candidate for 2027. Supporters praised him as a unifying figure capable of driving national growth and implementing reforms. Party leaders expressed confidence in their ability to make a strong showing across Lagos State as they intensify their mobilization drive.

A member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, representing Oyi Constituency under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has taken legal action to contest the outcome of the party’s primary election. Hon. Innocent Ojike, the aspirant, alleges irregularities in the process that produced Kosisochukwu Ibemesi as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election.

The lawsuit, designated as FHC/AWK/CS/173/2026, was submitted at the Federal High Court in Awka. Ojike’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Reuben Atabo, named APGA, Ibemesi, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as respondents.

Court documents dated June 4 reveal that Ojike claims to have garnered 3,524 lawful votes, the highest count during the primary held on May 23, 2026. He asserts that the returning officer, Dr. Nnewaluem James, officially declared him the winner. Citing Section 84(1) of the Electoral Act of 2026, he argues that he remains the legitimate APGA candidate for Oyi Constituency.

Among the twelve reliefs sought, Ojike requests the court to nullify APGA’s announcement of Ibemesi as the winner, made on May 25, 2026. He also seeks an order compelling APGA to forward his name to INEC as the party’s candidate. Additionally, he demands that INEC accept, publish, and recognize his candidacy. The suit further requests exemplary damages of N100 million against APGA and Ibemesi.

Hearing dates for the matter have yet to be set by the court.

Sam Amadi, a prominent member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and former chairman of the Nigerian Electric Regulatory Commission, has raised serious concerns over the conduct of the party’s primaries in Imo State. He claims the process was tainted by ticket racketeering and deceptive practices against aspirants.

According to Amadi, several party officials engaged in collecting money from candidates under the pretense of securing tickets, but failed to deliver on their promises. He made these allegations while discussing the primary outcomes, noting that multiple aspirants have come forward with complaints.

In his statement, Amadi revealed that aggrieved aspirants have been approaching him, sharing their experiences of how they paid sums to officials but did not receive the anticipated tickets. He urged those who made payments beyond the official party fees to contact him, promising to help recover their funds.

Amadi emphasized the need for accountability, describing the alleged actions as fraudulent. He warned that such behavior undermines the credibility of the political process and insisted that internal party mechanisms must ensure transparency. He added, “There must be accountability for fraud. This is beyond politics. If you collected money for a transaction, then perform or refund. Political processes must not be commercialized.”

He reiterated his call for responsibility and transparency within the NDC’s nomination procedures, stressing that accountability is non-negotiable.