Category: News

Sam Amadi, the former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has weighed in on the 2027 presidential election, making a bold prediction that only two political parties stand a chance of winning. According to Amadi, the only viable contenders are the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). He explicitly ruled out the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing potential legal hurdles that could prevent the party from appearing on the ballot in 2027.

Amadi characterized the ADC as a “mini-APC,” urging its leaders to be concerned about their party’s status. He took to his X handle to share his thoughts, stating that two parties—the ruling party and an alternative led by Peter Obi—are the only ones capable of winning. He stressed that the ADC’s viability is questionable, especially given the possibility of a frivolous lawsuit that could derail its ballot access in the next election cycle.

His comments come amid recent party primaries, where the APC reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu as its candidate, while the NDC selected Peter Obi as its flagbearer. This development reinforces Amadi’s view that the 2027 presidential race is a two-horse contest between the APC and NDC, leaving little room for other parties like the ADC.

In a recent interview on Symfoni TV, Datti Baba-Ahmed, the former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, revealed that he personally recommended that Peter Obi should collaborate with Rabiu Kwankwaso, the ex-governor of Kano State. This suggestion, he stated, came well before any public discussions about a potential political alliance between the two politicians.

According to Baba-Ahmed, the conversation took place in January 2024, shortly after the 2023 presidential election. He disclosed that he approached Obi and asked about his plans moving forward. When Obi did not articulate a clear strategy, Baba-Ahmed advised him to work with Kwankwaso. He emphasized that his advice was rooted in the conviction that defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would require long-term organization, coalition-building, and careful planning.

Baba-Ahmed noted that President Bola Tinubu’s ascent to power was not accidental but the result of 16 years of meticulous political organization. He stressed that opposition figures cannot afford to plan on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis. Despite internal disagreements within the Labour Party, Baba-Ahmed remained supportive of Obi and committed to helping him navigate Nigeria’s complex political landscape.

The Federal High Court in Sokoto has postponed proceedings in a leadership tussle rocking the Sokoto State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to June 19, 2026. The delay was triggered by a technical flaw in the court documents served on the defendants.

Sulaiman Usman, counsel for the first defendant, brought the issue to the court’s attention stating that the documents lacked proper signatures from the court registry. He emphasized the need for the correction, describing the situation as a clear procedural oversight.

All legal representatives involved acknowledged the error and consented to its rectification. Justice Ahmad Gama Mahmud expressed surprise at the mishap and directed that properly endorsed documents be re-served on all parties.

Following the issuance of the corrected papers, the judge cautioned registry staff against future lapses and scheduled the next hearing for June 19. The lawsuit itself challenges the legitimacy of individuals currently claiming to be the ADC state chairman and secretary in Sokoto.

The United Kingdom has reiterated its commitment to Nigeria’s democratic journey by planning to dispatch observer teams for the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states. British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, made this known during a meeting with the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, held in Abuja.

Montgomery emphasized that the UK continues to observe Nigeria’s political developments closely, especially as the country gears up for the 2027 general elections. He noted that Britain’s interest stems from significant economic, financial, and security ties with Nigeria, making its stability and democratic success crucial.

The high commissioner confirmed that the observer delegations would be sent to the Ekiti and Osun elections, describing them as the last off-cycle governorship contests before the main polls. He expressed hope that the elections would be peaceful, credible, and successful.

In response, APC National Chairman Yilwatda assured that the ruling party would promote issue-based campaigns and avoid inflammatory rhetoric that could heighten political tension. He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to peaceful and responsible political engagement.

The UK’s support underscores its confidence in Nigeria’s electoral future and democratic institutions.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called for calm following the court ruling that invalidated the candidacy of his preferred aspirant for the Rivers State governorship race. Speaking on the matter, Wike emphasized that the final determination of candidates rests with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is scheduled to release the official list in July.

Wike’s comments came after a Rivers State court nullified the party primaries that produced Kingsley Chinda as the governorship candidate, alongside other candidates vying for National Assembly and State Assembly seats under the All Progressives Congress (APC). The court reinstated Emeke Beke as the party chairman and declared the primaries invalid.

Justice Elfreida Oluwayemisi Williams-Dawodu of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal upheld the earlier High Court decision that voided the congresses leading to Tony Okocha’s emergence as chairman. This development effectively sacked Chinda and other Wike allies from the ballot.

During a discussion on state politics, Wike dismissed the speculation surrounding the court’s decision, urging observers to wait for INEC’s official candidate publication before drawing conclusions. He notably criticized Mr. Emeke Bekee for lacking accurate comprehension of the situation and advised him against premature assumptions.

“INEC will publish the list of all party candidates in July. Let’s hold our horses until then. We are weary of hearing from those who have already lost relevance,” Wike asserted.

Addressing the abduction of teachers in Oyo State, the Minister expressed sympathy for the victims, regardless of profession or location, and cautioned against politicizing the incident. He reiterated that such tragedies should not be used for partisan gains.

Datti Baba-Ahmed, a prominent figure in the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has made a bold prediction regarding the 2027 presidential election. He asserted that Donald Duke, the former governor of Cross River State, would emerge victorious over President Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi, provided the election is conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner.

Speaking during an interview on Symfoni TV, Baba-Ahmed extolled Duke as one of Nigeria’s most qualified political figures. He lamented that the nation has yet to fully grasp the extent of Duke’s national appeal and leadership abilities.

DAILY POST recalls that Duke recently secured the presidential ticket of the PRP. Baba-Ahmed confidently stated, “In a free and fair election in Nigeria, Donald Duke is the winner.”

He further drew a parallel with the 2023 election, noting that many Nigerians underestimated Peter Obi before the polls. He cautioned against making a similar error by overlooking Duke’s potential this time around.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally announced the revised campaign committees for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Ekiti State. This development was made public through a statement shared on the party’s official X account.

The unveiling of the committees is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at the APC National Secretariat located in Abuja. The event marks a key milestone in the party’s preparations for the electoral contest.

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has been appointed to serve as the Chairman of the committee, while the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, will act as Co-Chairman. These appointments underscore the party’s strategic alignment ahead of the polls.

The Ekiti State governorship election is set to hold on Saturday, June 20, 2026, and the APC is leaving no stone unturned in its bid to secure victory. The updated committees are expected to coordinate campaign activities across the state effectively.

The administration of Ogun State has refuted widespread claims circulating online that suggest the region is under imminent threat from herdsmen, Boko Haram militants, and other terror groups. In a formal statement, the government labeled these reports as baseless and pure misinformation.

Speaking through Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the authorities confirmed that intelligence gathered from security agencies shows no credible danger. They emphasized that the state remains calm and secure, urging residents to ignore unfounded rumors intended to cause alarm.

According to Akinmade, security forces are fully alert and have implemented robust measures to thwart any attempts by criminals to disturb the peace. He revealed that some individuals spreading the false alerts have been arrested and are being prosecuted. This action, he noted, should deter others from disseminating fake news that could incite panic.

The government highlighted that Ogun enjoys strong collaboration among law enforcement, local leaders, traditional institutions, and community members. This synergy enhances intelligence sharing and rapid response to any potential threats. The administration is also refining state-specific security strategies that integrate conventional policing with traditional security structures to ensure long-term stability.

Governor Dapo Abiodun remains committed to protecting lives and property through investments in security infrastructure and technology. Residents are encouraged to rely only on official government communications and verified security sources. They can report concerns via the Gateway Shield toll-free line at 0800 000 9111 or emergency numbers 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, and 0708 497 2994.

The government reiterated that there is no cause for alarm, as security agencies are working tirelessly to keep Ogun safe. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities by providing timely information, as security is a collective responsibility.

Growing unease surrounds the federal government’s approach to recent school kidnappings. This unease stems from the contrasting reactions to attacks in Oyo and Borno states, which have sparked accusations of unequal treatment.

On May 16, armed groups struck schools in Esiele and Yawota communities in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area, taking roughly 46 pupils and teachers. Simultaneously, suspected Boko Haram militants abducted 42 students from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Borno State’s Askira/Uba Local Government Area. These twin incidents, occurring within hours, represent some of the year’s most notable school abductions.

However, the government’s response has drawn sharp criticism. In Oyo, President Bola Tinubu swiftly ordered coordinated rescue missions and dispatched a high-powered federal delegation led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and other top officials. The delegation visited Ogbomoso and the affected communities on May 31, conveying presidential concern and promising swift action. As an immediate measure, Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo and deployed a specialized security rescue unit.

In contrast, the Borno abduction has received comparatively muted national attention. Weeks after the attack, 42 students remain in captivity, and residents of Askira/Uba and Southern Borno express deep frustration over what they perceive as neglect. Civil society organizations, including the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Borno State, have publicly decried the disparity. Chairman Abubakar Suleiman noted that no similar high-level delegation has visited Borno, despite its chronic insecurity. Political analyst Abubakar Kareto echoed this, observing that the Oyo incident prompted immediate high-level action, while Borno’s tragedy elicited only routine condemnations. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana urged President Tinubu to extend the same security measures—including forest guard recruitment and a federal delegation—to Borno, emphasizing that all regions deserve equal protection.

Meanwhile, the Borno State Government has visited affected communities and assured residents of ongoing rescue efforts, but fear persists. Security experts argue that while rescues are critical, prevention through intelligence, surveillance, and community-based security must be uniformly implemented across regions facing similar threats.

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has formally complained to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, accusing officers from the Enugu State Police Command of misconduct and abuse of authority.

According to DAILY POST, the group claims that law enforcement agents are persecuting local leaders in connection with a land dispute between Ostara Farms Limited and the Okpogho community in Ezeagu Local Government Area, Enugu State.

RULAAC alleges that police personnel, allegedly acting at the behest of the private firm, are using intimidation tactics against residents over a dispute that is essentially civil in nature.

In a petition dated May 29, 2026, signed by Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma, the organization stated that officers have meddled in an ongoing land litigation, terrorized community members, and leveraged criminal charges to sway a disagreement that is already before multiple courts.

The group explained that the conflict stems from a deal where Ostara Farms Limited purportedly bought roughly 2,000 hectares of communal land from individuals who claimed to represent the community for N50 million.

A large portion of the community has contested the sale, arguing that the agreement was reached under dubious conditions and includes provisions that disproportionately benefit the company.

Several lawsuits regarding ownership and control of the disputed land are currently being heard in Enugu State courts, including case numbers A/24/2025, AWH/41/2022, E/299M/2025, A/58/2025, A/59/2025, A/60/2025, and A/61/2025.

RULAAC expressed concern that police authorities have intensified their involvement in the matter through criminal investigations and prosecutions, despite the pending civil cases.

The organization alleged that criminal accusations stemming from the burning of a company-owned bulldozer by unknown individuals have been used to target vocal critics of the land transaction.

Instead of identifying the actual culprits, the company reportedly provided names of community leaders and opponents of the deal, who were then treated as suspects, the petition stated.

“If these allegations are true, they amount to an abuse of police procedures and a dangerous weaponization of criminal justice to silence dissent, intimidate citizens, and gain an upper hand in a civil matter,” the organization said.

RULAAC also connected the issue to a previous land conflict involving Obeagu Awkunanaw and Amechi Uwani communities and Private Estates International West Africa Limited (PEIWA).

The group recalled that concerns regarding police involvement in the PEIWA case had earlier been flagged to the IGP and referred to the Police Monitoring Unit at Force Headquarters.

Additionally, RULAAC referenced findings from the Enugu State House of Assembly’s Special Committee Report on Land Matters and Disputes, which was adopted in December 2024.

The organization urged the IGP to instruct the Police Monitoring Unit to immediately take over all investigations and prosecutions related to the Ostara Farms dispute, probe accusations against certain officers, and review any criminal proceedings that may have been initiated solely for harassment or intimidation.

In a separate petition dated May 28, 2026, RULAAC also called on the IGP to step in regarding two criminal cases before the Federal High Court in Enugu, where police authorities have repeatedly failed to produce defendants for arraignment.

The cases are Charge No. FHC/EN/CR/84/2025, IGP v. Kingsley Eze & 2 Others, and Charge No. FHC/EN/CR/222/2024, IGP v. Alex Ifeadi & 2 Others.

According to RULAAC, charges were filed after investigations by the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja, and the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Enugu, indicating that probes were complete and prosecution was ready.

However, the organization lamented that despite the charges being filed, the defendants have consistently not been brought to court for plea-taking, causing significant delays.

The cases were before the Federal High Court on May 20, 2026, where the court reportedly expressed frustration over the prosecution’s inability to present the defendants for plea.

RULAAC warned that continued delays could result in the cases being dismissed for lack of diligent prosecution, eroding public trust in the justice system.

The group urged the IGP to direct the FCID Annex, Enugu, and the FID, Abuja, through the Directorate of Legal Services, to ensure defendants are produced on the next adjourned date of June 18, 2026, and to facilitate diligent prosecution.

RULAAC maintained that its actions are aimed at preserving the integrity of the justice system and ensuring that police powers are used fairly and in line with the rule of law.

As of the time of this report, the police have not issued any public response to the petition.