Category: News

The All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State has formally lodged a complaint with President Bola Tinubu, the party’s National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The grievance stems from claims that the outcome of the party’s primary election for Agege Constituency I was tampered with after its conclusion.

The petition, signed on June 1, 2026, by the APC chairman and secretary of Agege LGA, along with executives from all five wards in the constituency, asserts that Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi was the authentic winner of the May 20, 2026 primary. They argue that he has been unjustly denied recognition as the party’s candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat.

According to the petitioners, Egunjobi garnered 9,132 votes out of the 10,126 total ballots cast across the five wards. In contrast, Tunde Shola Oladipo received 560 votes, while Micheal Abiola Oluwagbenga obtained 434 votes. They insist that Egunjobi was properly screened, cleared to participate, and officially announced as the winner by the designated returning officer, Kayode Kassim Eleshin, at the end of the exercise.

The party leaders highlighted that the election was observed by APC officials, INEC representatives, security personnel, journalists, and other stakeholders, describing the process as peaceful, transparent, and credible. However, they expressed dismay over a newspaper report published on May 25, 2026, which named Micheal Abiola Oluwagbenga as the APC candidate for Agege Constituency I.

The petitioners claim that this published result contradicts the outcome declared at the primary and fails to reflect the will of party members who took part in the election. They call on the APC national leadership to review all records from the primary and uphold the result announced by the returning officer.

“We respectfully urge the National Working Committee and all relevant organs and committees of our great party to uphold the authentic result as declared by the Returning Officer and formally recognise Egunjobi Ganiyu Kola as the duly elected APC candidate for Lagos State House of Assembly, Agege Constituency I,” the petition read. The group also stated its readiness to provide documentary evidence, video recordings from all five wards, and reports from observers and security agencies to back its claims.

The petitioners appealed to President Tinubu and the APC leadership to intervene and ensure that the mandate freely given by party members in the constituency is respected and protected.

In a surprising political realignment, Prophet Isa El-Buba, a prominent Nigerian cleric, has disclosed the rationale behind his decision to withdraw support from Peter Obi, the presidential flagbearer of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and instead back Prince Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking in a statement released on Wednesday, the cleric emphasized that Adebayo possesses a more compelling blueprint for the nation’s future, particularly for its youth. He argued that Nigeria urgently needs leaders who can transform its vast potential into tangible progress, noting that the country is rich in both natural and human capital yet remains plagued by widespread insecurity, joblessness, poverty, and social inequity.

El-Buba warned against the emergence of a one-party system, stating that every society thrives on fairness and justice. He declared that oppression cannot lead to stability and that genuine peace cannot coexist with injustice. The prophet lamented that successive administrations have failed to create opportunities for young people, depriving them of quality education and economic advancement.

He called on Nigerians to unite and rewrite the nation’s history, stressing that the current path of pain and clueless leadership must end. According to him, the time is now for collective action to salvage the country from its entrenched challenges.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that only four political parties are cleared to participate in the Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026. These parties include the All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Boot Party.

According to INEC, approximately 673,446 registered voters will be eligible to cast their ballots across 1,354 polling units and 66 registration areas (wards) within the district. The information was shared by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Okitipupa on Tuesday.

The bye-election was triggered by the appointment of former Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations by President Bola Tinubu. The Senate officially declared the seat vacant on April 28, 2026, and directed INEC to organize a bye-election in line with constitutional provisions.

Dr. Agboke explained that the election will occur concurrently with other bye-elections in Enugu, Nasarawa, Rivers, and Kano states, as well as the Ekiti State governorship election. He provided details on voter distribution, noting that Odigbo Local Government Area has the highest number of registered voters (154,382), followed by Ilaje (147,209), and Ese-Odo (84,888).

A total of 5,416 poll officials will be deployed for the exercise. Only voters who registered before the current Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and possess valid Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will be allowed to vote. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be used for voter accreditation at all polling units to ensure integrity.

INEC has prepared 1,359 BVAS machines, all tested and certified for deployment, with an additional 264 backup devices to address potential technical issues. Sensitive materials are already secured in INEC’s vault in Akure. The commission has also activated the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security and is collaborating with security agencies to guarantee a peaceful process.

The participating candidates are: Prof. Dayo Faduyilemi (APC), Adeolu Akinwumi (APM), Adesanya Olaoluwa (APP), and Nejo Funso Clement (Boot Party). Campaign activities are scheduled from June 10 to June 18, as stipulated by the Electoral Act 2026. Dr. Agboke urged all parties, supporters, and stakeholders to maintain peace before, during, and after the election.

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a strong appeal to authorities across federal, state, and local government levels to urgently address the escalating insecurity crisis in the region.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Sadare, emphasized the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the security framework. He specifically called on Governor Seyi Makinde to step down from his high pedestal and collaborate with security agencies and stakeholders to curb the menace.

The APC warned that residents are living in constant fear and anxiety, a situation that has never been this dire. The party stressed that no citizen should be subjected to such perpetual dread, urging immediate action to prevent further deterioration.

In a related development, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the APC gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 elections, strongly condemned the abduction of school children and teachers in Oyo State. He described the incident as a stark reminder of the urgent need for a more robust security apparatus.

Alli called on residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to law enforcement agencies to aid ongoing rescue operations. He reiterated that the safety of lives and property must be paramount, regardless of an individual’s background or status.

The APC’s plea comes amid a surge in criminal activities, including kidnappings and attacks on public institutions, which have heightened tensions across the state.

The Chairman of the African Democratic Congress Adamawa State Primary Electoral Committee, Nicholas Msheliza, has leveled serious accusations against the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal. According to Msheliza, Lawal was the mastermind behind an attempt to manipulate the outcome of the party’s presidential primary in the state.

This counterclaim comes in response to Lawal’s earlier statement that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar rigged his way to victory in the said primary last month. Msheliza, in a statement released on Wednesday, expressed dismay at Lawal’s efforts to justify his actions with what he termed as fabricated excuses of unfair primaries.

Msheliza stated, “I have watched with amusement how hard he tries to defend his actions with phantom excuses of unfair presidential primaries and rigging in favor of Atiku Abubakar.” He further noted that Lawal is distorting facts to cover up his failure and lack of capacity to deliver on what he had promised to his principal.

Addressing the specifics, Msheliza revealed that the local government in question is Hong Local Government Area, Lawal’s own birthplace. He provided vote counts showing Atiku Abubakar secured 11,991 votes, while Hayatu-Deen and Rotimi Amaechi got 2,493 and 377 votes respectively.

According to Msheliza, when Lawal learned of these results, he called and demanded that they be reversed to favor his candidate. Msheliza refused this criminal directive. Shortly after, Lawal dissolved the existing electoral committee in Hong and formed a new one from his office in Abuja, bypassing the state committee. This new team allegedly conducted illegal rigging in Hong, Madagali, Michika, and Mubi North Local Government Areas without proper ward electoral materials.

Msheliza challenged Lawal to present his supposed evidence of rigging for public scrutiny, promising to provide a wealth of evidence in his next statement, including unethical interference and the scam scheme Lawal orchestrated during the primary. He advised Lawal to find other means to settle personal scores with Atiku rather than discrediting a process where Lawal was a chief planner but failed when his rigging attempts were thwarted.

Msheliza concluded, “Instead of hiding his face in shame, Babachir Lawal is now ranting like a rabid dog, unable to justify the enormous resources entrusted to him with the results of the primaries.”

A House of Representatives aspirant for Isiala Mbano/Onuimo/Okigwe Federal Constituency in Imo State, Chidi Mike Anyanwu, has appealed to the leadership of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) to make public the results of the recently concluded primary elections.

The party had previously announced that the official results from the primaries, held on May 28 and 29, remain unannounced. The NDC also cautioned the public to dismiss any results circulating online, stating that the National Executive Council holds the only authentic outcomes.

In a Facebook video posted on Wednesday, Chidi expressed frustration over the delay, highlighting the financial strain of waiting in the capital. He revealed that he spends over one million naira daily in Abuja while awaiting the results. Additionally, he emphasized the emotional toll, citing the anxiety and high blood pressure caused by uncertainty over the election outcome.

In a strategic move ahead of the 2027 elections, renowned activist and political figure Aisha Yesufu has urged her followers to rally behind the presidential candidates of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (ADC). During a gathering in Abuja, Yesufu called on members of her support base, the Supporters of Aisha Yesufu Nation, to back Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Yesufu made the appeal at the close of a series of engagements across six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory. These included Bwari, AMAC, Kuje, Kwali, Abaji, and Gwagwalada. The outreach aimed to thank party members and supporters for their dedication amid her bid for the ADC FCT senatorial ticket.

The activist acknowledged the recent internal party developments that prevented her from contesting the senatorial seat. Despite this setback, she encouraged her supporters to remain steadfast in their pursuit of a better Nigeria. She emphasized that the struggle for good governance should not be overshadowed by individual political ambitions.

Yesufu urged the SAY Nation to stay united and focused on the broader goal of electing transformative leaders. She specifically named Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as the candidates who represent the change Nigerians desire. She expressed optimism about the country’s future, assuring followers that perseverance and collective action would yield positive results.

During the outreach, supporters voiced their continued solidarity with Yesufu. They reaffirmed their commitment to the movement’s ideals, noting that the engagement restored their hope despite recent disappointments.

Yesufu concluded by calling for intensified grassroots mobilization to sustain momentum for political reform. She declared, “The quest for good governance transcends individual political ambitions,” and assured her audience that Nigeria’s future is bright.

Special adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has explained that the persistent economic difficulties faced by Nigerians are largely due to the nation’s huge population and the gradual pace of growth. In an interview on Arise TV, Bwala noted that while reforms are underway, their full benefits will not be felt immediately.

According to Bwala, the country’s population of over 230 million outstrips available resources, meaning that even with increased revenue, the impact on citizens is diluted. He described the reform process as slow but steady, emphasizing that the government takes pride in consistent progress rather than rapid change.

Bwala pointed to increased allocations to state governments as evidence of policy effectiveness, arguing that these funds are being used to implement initiatives that address hunger and improve livelihoods. He cited examples such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has benefited over one million students, the compressed natural gas transport scheme, and healthcare subsidies for procedures like cesarean sections and dialysis.

When pressed about corruption, Bwala maintained that several states are already showing tangible results, particularly in agriculture and food security. He acknowledged that concerns about the slow pace of change are valid but insisted that reforms require time to translate into visible improvements in daily life.

The criminal gang that kidnapped retired Major General Rabe Abubakar Batsari and his wife in Katsina State has turned down a monetary ransom, instead insisting on a prisoner exchange for their release.

On Monday, the gang’s leader, known as Kachallah Muhammad, contacted the family for the first time since the abduction, which occurred along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area. A source close to the negotiations revealed that the bandits are demanding the release of their detained accomplices currently held by security forces, rather than any cash payment.

The retired general and his wife were seized when armed gunmen ambushed their vehicle, opening fire before dragging them into a nearby forest. During the brief call, the abductors allowed the former Director of Defence Information to speak, reassuring his family that both he and his wife are in good health.

A local government official in Batsari confirmed that negotiations are ongoing, though security agencies have not yet released an official statement. Family member Mariya Ibrahim pleaded for swift action, noting that the retired officer was traveling to a wedding in Katsina when he was captured. “He dedicated his life to serving this nation and deserves protection even after retirement. We urge authorities to secure their safe release without harm,” she said.

Residents of the area expressed growing alarm over the deteriorating security situation in northwestern Nigeria, emphasizing that the kidnapping of a high-ranking former military officer underscores the severity of the crisis. As of publication time, neither the Katsina State Police Command nor the military has commented on the abduction or the rescue operation.

Prominent lawyer and political activist Dele Farotimi has asserted that Nigeria has never truly experienced democracy. In a recent interview on News Central Television, Farotimi argued that what the nation has witnessed over the years is merely a superficial imitation—a performative shadow—of genuine democratic governance.

Farotimi criticized the country’s electoral processes, describing them as empty rituals that lack substance. He expressed concern over the fact that individuals who have been formally indicted for criminal offenses continue to occupy public offices, undermining the principles of justice and accountability.

Citing specific examples, Farotimi pointed to the emergence of figures like Godswill Akpabio and Ahmed Lawal in the Senate, despite their clear disqualification under the Electoral Act. He noted that the courts later endorsed these appointments, which he described as a systemic failure where the judiciary has become an instrument to rationalize predetermined outcomes rather than adjudicate based on law and equity.

According to Farotimi, the judicial system now operates by working backward from a desired conclusion, finding ways to ratify actions that should never have occurred. He lamented that the courts no longer serve as impartial arbiters of justice but instead legitimize what has already been done.