Category: News

Former Edo State Governor, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government of systematically working to weaken opposition political parties in Nigeria. He made these remarks during an appearance on the Channels Television program ‘Politics Today’ on Friday.

Osunbor, a Professor of Law, specifically criticized Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, over a recent statement. Gbajabiamila was alleged to have advised House of Representatives member Leke Ajebade to remain in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and work to dismantle it from within.

Expressing his views, Osunbor stated, “This administration is doing everything within its power, and even exceeding its authority, to destroy opposition political parties.” He further claimed that the independence of the legislature and the judiciary no longer exists in Nigeria. He cited a viral video in which the Chief of Staff was heard telling a Reps member to stay in the ADC and disrupt the party.

In a decisive move to strengthen party unity, the All Progressives Congress in Ebonyi State has settled on a consensus model for all elective offices ahead of the 2027 elections. Governor Francis Nwifuru made the announcement after a high-level stakeholders’ gathering in Abakaliki, emphasizing that the approach emerged from extensive discussions.

Speaking to reporters at the Government House, the governor noted that the meeting was called to tackle pressing party matters and forge a unified strategy for the upcoming polls. He described the outcome as a reflection of collective will, with all members agreeing to sidestep internal contests.

Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, who addressed the media after the session, revealed that the consensus arrangement stemmed from consultations initiated by Governor Nwifuru roughly a week prior. The process, he explained, involved joint meetings across the state, ultimately leading to agreement on candidates for every position.

Anyim highlighted that this marks the first time in Ebonyi’s political history that stakeholders, voters, and party faithful have been so deeply involved in selecting flag bearers. He described the meeting as highly productive, with unanimous endorsement of the consensus route as the optimal path for party cohesion and effective governance.

The implication, Anyim stressed, is that no constituency will witness a competitive primary for APC tickets. All contests have been eliminated, as stakeholders achieved harmony on every elective office. He praised the governor’s leadership, attributing the success to his consultative style and ability to unite diverse interests.

Expressing optimism, Anyim predicted that the inclusivity of the process would boost the party’s performance in the 2027 general elections. Because people feel part of the selection, mobilizing support for APC candidates across the state will be more straightforward, he assured. He added that the names of consensus candidates would be officially released in a formal statement.

The stakeholders’ meeting, which commenced around 4 p.m., concluded late in the evening after extensive deliberations on electoral strategy and candidate choice.

The Kwankwasiyya movement has announced that former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso will defect from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) next week. A spokesperson for the movement, Habibu Mohammed, revealed on Friday night that the decision follows a unanimous endorsement by key stakeholders.

Mohammed stated that negotiations with the NDC are nearly complete, with only minor details remaining. He added that both Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, are expected to join the NDC on Monday or Tuesday.

“I believe him, Peter Obi, and some others will be joining the NDC,” Mohammed said. He noted that representatives from all 44 local government areas of Kano State convened at Kwankwaso’s residence on Friday around 3:30 p.m. to review the options. The meeting concluded with a unanimous decision supporting the move.

According to Mohammed, the stakeholders have fully authorized Kwankwaso to proceed with the defection. Kwankwaso is currently in Kano and is expected to return to Abuja by Sunday ahead of the planned event.

DAILY POST learned that Kwankwaso held a strategic meeting with the Kwankwasiyya structure at his home on Miller Road in Kano State earlier.

Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, has publicly challenged Peter Obi’s capacity to unite and lead Nigeria, following unverified reports that Obi may leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the National Democratic Coalition (NDC).

Speaking via his X account, Ahmad suggested that Obi’s alleged party switch is a calculated move to dodge internal competition within the ADC. He noted that Obi’s pattern mirrors his 2022 exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after losing the primary.

“Party primaries are the bedrock of democracy,” Ahmad wrote. “If a politician fears contesting within his own party, how can he convince Nigerians he can handle the complex dynamics of national leadership?”

The speculation gained traction after the Supreme Court resolved the ADC’s leadership crisis, leaving room for possible realignments. However, Obi has not yet commented on the matter.

Ahmad argued that evading party contests raises doubts about Obi’s ability to build the broad consensus needed for Nigeria’s diverse polity. He insisted that successful national leaders first prove themselves in internal party battles.

The Delta State chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have sharply criticized Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for failing to appoint substantive permanent secretaries in the state civil service.

Speaking jointly at the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration in Asaba, NLC chairman Goodluck Ofobruku and TUC chairman Wilson Asekutu described the continued reliance on officers acting in those roles as a violation of established civil service norms.

They argued that appointing individuals merely to function as permanent secretaries is alien to the traditions of the service, creating uncertainty and eroding institutional memory. This practice, they said, undermines the merit-based progression that sustains a robust civil service.

The union leaders also expressed alarm over the plight of retirees under the contributory pension scheme, noting that many are struggling to meet basic needs due to meager monthly pensions. They urged the state government to take compassionate steps to alleviate their suffering, asserting that a society that honors its retirees boosts the morale of its active workforce.

On the theme of the celebration, “Insecurity and poverty are the bane of decent work,” the leaders stressed that no economy can thrive where insecurity persists. They pointed out that insecurity has disrupted farming, trade, education, and business, and placed workers in harm’s way. They called for intelligence-driven security strategies and community collaboration.

Poverty, they added, is a barrier to opportunity that weakens the workforce and fuels social tension. They demanded fair wages, safe working conditions, social protection, and sustainable jobs, especially for young people. Supporting small and medium enterprises and expanding social protection systems were among their other recommendations.

Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, who represented the governor at the event, reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the civil service and improving workers’ welfare.

The Taraba State Government has refuted claims that it terminated the employment of civil servants following a recent staff verification exercise. Addressing the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration in Jalingo, the Head of Civil Service, Hamidu Ahmed Kara, stated emphatically that no employees have been dismissed under the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas.

Kara explained that the verification exercise conducted in 2025 aimed to confirm the identities of workers, revealing that over 3,100 employees had discrepancies in their documentation. He emphasized that this led to a suspension of salaries for those affected, not termination, pending the resolution of their cases.

The Head of Service assured workers that the government is actively working to address the issues, and once cleared, these employees will have their salaries reinstated. Representing Governor Kefas, Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Kizito Bonzena, reiterated the administration’s dedication to worker welfare, stressing that no civil servant would face unjust victimization.

However, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress in Taraba have called on the government to swiftly resolve the verification outcomes and restore the affected workers to the payroll. In a joint statement, labor leaders demanded improved welfare packages to alleviate economic hardships and expressed concern over delays, which they said have caused significant difficulties for the employees.

The unions also pressed for the implementation of long-overdue promotions for civil servants, especially local government workers and primary school teachers, with some promotions pending since 2012 and 2006 respectively.

In 2025, Lagos State Health District V reported that over 978,000 cases of malaria were managed across both public and private medical centers, highlighting the persistent challenge of this illness in the region.

During the 2026 World Malaria Day event on April 29, 2026, at the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Secretariat, Dr. Oladapo Asiyanbi, the District’s Permanent Secretary, urged residents to embrace appropriate health-seeking behaviors. He cautioned against self-medicating and emphasized following prescribed malaria treatments to help eradicate the disease.

Asiyanbi broke down crucial malaria control strategies for stakeholders, focusing on the state’s main intervention areas: Prevention, Testing, Treatment, and Tracking. He reiterated the government’s pledge to offer free malaria diagnosis and treatment at public health facilities and to supply insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), rapid diagnostic test kits (mRDTs), and Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs).

The event, aligned with the global theme “Malaria is Preventable and Treatable: Together, We Can Eliminate It,” included advocacy and community engagement efforts to boost malaria elimination in Lagos. Representatives from the private health sector also participated.

A key moment was a technical talk by Dr. Abimbola Oshinowo, the State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager. She outlined major policies, achievements, and strategies guiding malaria control in the state. She noted that malaria continues to be a significant public health issue, especially for children under five, causing considerable illness and death. She stated, “More than 978,000 malaria cases were handled in both public and private health facilities across Lagos State in 2025, showing the urgent need for sustained action and greater community involvement.”

The program also featured a panel discussion titled “Barriers to Test and Treat Adherence,” where experts explored challenges to effective malaria management. Panelists, including Dr. Abiodun Oshunsanya from Harvey Medical Centre, Dr. Shosanya Abidemi, Medical Officer of Health for Ojo Local Government, Dr. Oshinowo, and community leader Hon. Bashiru Ajayi, pointed to poor adherence to test results, excessive reliance on clinical diagnosis, self-medication, and low community awareness as major obstacles. They called for enhanced health education, stronger community participation, and greater trust in diagnostic tools to improve treatment results.

The event also underscored the importance of environmental cleanliness, proper waste management, and removing mosquito breeding sites as key preventive actions.

In a bid to maintain peace and stability, traditional leaders from the Ohuhu clan in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State have called on politicians within the Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South LGAs to honor the existing power rotation arrangement in the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal constituency. They warned that disregarding this agreement could lead to tension and violent confrontations in their communities.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers on Friday, Eze Iheanyichukwu Nwokenna of Ekeoba Kingdom urged politicians from Ibeku, Ikwuano, and Umuahia South to allow the Ohuhu clan to complete their second term in the House of Representatives, emphasizing that peace should be prioritized over political ambitions.

Delivering the message at the residence of Eze Iheanyichukwu Abel Ezeigbo in Uhabiri, Umuchime na Amanso autonomous community, Ossah Ibeku, Eze Nwokenna noted that disrupting the power-sharing pact established during the tenure of former Governor Theodore Orji could have severe consequences.

Another traditional ruler from Ohuhu, Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu, stressed the importance of adhering to agreements to prevent violence. “Let the world hear our voice. We don’t want killings, we don’t want political problems,” he warned.

Receiving his counterparts from Ohuhu and other clans, Eze Iheanyichukwu Abel Ezeigbo declared that monarchs would not allow their communities to become battlegrounds for political ambitions. “Instead of allowing our people to kill themselves, the Ohuhu traditional rulers have chosen to approach us. Ibeku and Ohuhu are one. None of us should die in the course of politics. We want peace to reign,” he appealed.

In a successful operation, troops from Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have freed six women and children who were kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP militants. The rescue took place in Ngoshe village, located within the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

A statement released on Friday by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force North-East, confirmed the operation. According to the statement, the victims were saved during a carefully planned mission that followed intense military actions, including aerial strikes aimed at dismantling terrorist camps in the Mandara Mountains.

Acting on reliable intelligence, troops managed to locate and retrieve the captives in the early hours of May 1, 2026, near Amuda—a deserted stretch between Ngoshe and Gava that is notorious for insurgent activity. The rescued individuals include Zainab Idris (18), Fatima Abubakar (17), Maimuna Abdulrashid (24), Muhammad Idris (1), Sadiq Abdullahi (7), and Fatima Abdulrashid (5).

Investigations reveal that the group was abducted during an assault on the Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026. They had been held in a militant hideout before managing to escape. The statement noted that fleeing terrorists opened fire on the troops as they tried to recapture the escapees, but the military personnel quickly returned fire and forced them to retreat.

The Armed Forces have emphasized that increased pressure on terrorist networks has weakened their capabilities, leading to disorganization and more frequent escape attempts by hostages. After the rescue, the victims received medical care and were subsequently handed over to local community leaders, who helped reunite them with their families.

The Nigerian military has reaffirmed its dedication to ongoing operations aimed at freeing abducted individuals and eradicating terrorist threats in the North-East region.

The Kebbi State Government has terminated the appointment of Prof. Danshehu Bagudu Gwadangaji as Vice Chancellor of Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero (AFUSTA), along with five other senior officials. This action follows an investigation into the institution’s management.

According to a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Yakubu Bala Tafida, the decision was reached during a State Executive Council meeting after reviewing recommendations from a visitation panel that examined the university’s operations. The affected officials include two Deputy Vice Chancellors (Academic and Administration), the Registrar, and the Bursar.

In a related move, the government also dissolved the university’s Governing Council, acting on the same panel’s advice. To ensure smooth operations, Prof. Sama’ila Arzika Mungadi has been appointed as Sole Administrator with effect from April 30, 2026.

While the government did not disclose specific findings from the panel, it reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the university’s efficiency and academic standards.