Category: News

In a significant political realignment, three members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives have officially left their former parties to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The defections were announced during a plenary session overseen by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Representing the Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa Federal Constituency of Katsina State, Shehu Dalhatu departed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opted for the PDP. In his formal letter, Dalhatu explained that his decision followed thorough deliberation on the APC’s internal dynamics and consultations with his constituents.

From Delta State, Etanabene Benedict, who previously held his seat under the Labour Party (LP), also made the move to the PDP. He cited ongoing internal strife within the Labour Party in his state as the primary motivation for his switch.

Additionally, Alex Egbona, the lawmaker representing the Yakurr/Abi constituency in Cross River State, left the APC for the PDP. Despite the party change, Egbona emphasized that his dedication to the House and his constituency remains steadfast.

These transitions come on the heels of a previous report by DAILY POST detailing the departure of six PDP lawmakers from Oyo State to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), signaling a period of intense political maneuvering as the 2027 elections draw closer.

The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council for the upcoming Osun State governorship election, Oluwole Oke, has made a bold prediction regarding the Accord Party’s performance. According to Oke, the Accord Party will not secure a single ward victory in the Ijesa North federal constituency, which encompasses the Obokun and Oriade local government areas, during the election scheduled for August 15, 2026.

Speaking during an interactive session with the Osun Online Publishers Association (OOPA) on Tuesday, Oke emphasized the strength of the APC in the region. He stated unequivocally that the Accord Party would not win any ward in Obokun or Oriade. He urged voters to take this prediction to the bank, asserting that the APC is focused on long-term goals rather than short-term gains.

Oke highlighted the APC’s track record in unseating incumbent governments, expressing confidence that the same would happen on August 15. He attributed the party’s anticipated success to strategic planning and deep-rooted support in the two local government areas. The campaign chief insisted that the APC is well-positioned to achieve a decisive victory at the polls.

He further claimed that the Accord Party lacks any realistic chance of winning in the mentioned areas, as voters there overwhelmingly favor the APC. Oke also noted that the Osun APC has been conducting issue-based campaigns. He argued that the current state government under Governor Ademola Adeleke has failed to deliver meaningful benefits to citizens.

Referring to the youth of Osun, Oke described them as wise, educated, and rational individuals who would vote to remove Governor Adeleke from office. He accused the Adeleke administration of creating chaos in the health and education sectors due to what he termed a limited understanding of policy. According to Oke, the governor has tried his best but is constrained by a lack of capacity in policy comprehension, financial management, and governance.

He alleged that the current administration has caused widespread panic across Osun State, breached extant laws, and neglected the education sector, misusing funds allocated for it. Oke concluded that the state government has abandoned its responsibilities, leaving citizens in distress.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a statement regarding the unauthorized access and subsequent disclosure of voter registration data belonging to Nollywood actor Emeka Ike. The controversy erupted after Lere Olayinka, an aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, posted screenshots from the INEC portal showing Ike’s personal voter details on social media.

During an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Emeka Ike expressed outrage and vowed to pursue legal action against Olayinka. The actor had recently contested the House of Representatives primaries for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency under the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) but lost.

Olayinka had shared images on his X account claiming that Ike was previously registered in Imo State and transferred his voter registration to the FCT on May 15. The screenshots reportedly included Ike’s application number, registration center, Voter Identification Number (VIN), profile picture, name, and application date. Ike described this as a grave invasion of privacy and a new low in political behavior.

In its official response, INEC affirmed that it is treating the matter with the highest priority and has launched a comprehensive investigation. The commission disclosed that its audit trail has identified the user account through which the information was accessed, and relevant personnel have been interrogated. Preliminary findings indicate no external breach or hacking; rather, authorized user credentials were improperly disclosed.

INEC clarified that during the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, Registration Officers were given limited access to the system for official purposes only, with access revoked after the exercise. The commission emphasized that the incident involves a single voter record and does not compromise the entire database of over 90 million registered voters.

Additionally, the Department of State Services (DSS) has launched an independent investigation into the matter, underscoring the seriousness of the breach. INEC reiterated its commitment to safeguarding voter data and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has lodged a formal complaint with the National Judicial Council (NJC), calling for an inquiry into the actions of two senior judges—Justice John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and Justice Peter Lifu—concerning a case involving the party and its former National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe.

According to a petition dated June 1, 2026, submitted by the party’s representative, Nkemakolam Ukandu, the judges are accused of judicial misconduct, including abuse of power, defiance of court orders, and demonstration of apparent bias in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025.

Ukandu contended that the Supreme Court, in Appeal No. SC/CV/180/2026 involving Senator David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe, had instructed that the case be returned to Justice Emeka Nwite, who originally presided over it. However, Justice Tsoho allegedly reassigned the matter to Justice Peter Lifu, disregarding the apex court’s directive.

The petitioner also noted that during a hearing on May 8, 2026, Justice Nwite ordered the plaintiff to submit a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court’s judgment and postponed the case indefinitely until that requirement was met. The reassignment of the case and its scheduling for hearing before Justice Lifu on June 3, according to Ukandu, constituted a violation of both the Supreme Court’s ruling and Justice Nwite’s earlier order.

Ukandu further charged that Justice Tsoho misused his administrative authority by reassigning the case despite the Supreme Court’s decision, which he emphasized is binding on all courts under Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution. This reassignment, he argued, raised concerns about bias and enabled forum shopping.

The petition highlighted that the party’s legal counsel had previously raised objections regarding the reassignment, specifically opposing the transfer of the case to Justice Lifu or Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. Additionally, the complaint accuses both judges of violating their judicial oaths and the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.

Ukandu urged the NJC to thoroughly examine the conduct of Justices Tsoho and Lifu, ascertain whether they misused judicial authority or disobeyed court orders, and take appropriate disciplinary action if they are found guilty. He also requested that the council compel immediate adherence to what he described as the Supreme Court’s remittance directive and Justice Nwite’s earlier order.

Several aspirants from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano State have publicly denounced the outcome of the party’s recent state and legislative primaries. They cited irregularities and are calling for a thorough investigation into the electoral process.

Speaking at a press conference in Kano, Hon. Wada Masu, the group’s spokesperson, expressed deep disappointment over how the primaries were allegedly conducted on May 21, 2026. He argued that the process lacked both credibility and transparency, raising serious concerns about its adherence to party rules.

Masu questioned the validity of holding primaries while aspirants were still undergoing mandatory screening. He pointed out that the election committee had invited them to a consensus meeting scheduled for May 22—one day after the claimed primaries—suggesting that elections would only happen if consensus failed. This contradiction, he said, undermines confidence in the party’s internal democracy.

The aspirants emphasized that every candidate deserves a fair chance and a level playing field, in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines. They urged the national leadership to investigate these developments promptly to safeguard the party’s integrity.

Warning that ignoring their grievances could lead to deeper conflicts ahead of future elections, the group stressed that their actions are not aimed at any individual. They pledged to pursue legal and lawful channels while awaiting a response from the party’s top leadership.

A heated dispute erupted in an Abuja courtroom on Tuesday between former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding a witness brought in to testify in the ongoing N1.35 billion money laundering trial. The confrontation unfolded before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court.

Lamido is standing trial alongside his sons, Aminu and Mustapha, as well as Aminu Wada Abubakar and two companies, on allegations of financial impropriety. When proceedings resumed, the defense team requested additional time to confer with an EFCC investigator who had been summoned via subpoena.

EFCC lawyer Chile Okoroma objected, asserting that all documents the defense sought had already been provided to the court. Instead of adjourning the case, Justice Ojukwu paused the hearing for an hour to allow the defense to meet with the witness.

Upon resumption, the witness informed the court that he was not involved in the original investigation and had only been tasked with locating documents listed in the subpoena. Defense counsel Joe Agi then argued that the witness lacked direct knowledge of the case and could not offer relevant evidence, urging the EFCC to present a more appropriate witness.

The prosecution countered, stating that the EFCC functions as a corporate entity and any qualified staff member can represent it. Okoroma reiterated that the defense had already received all requested documents. Justice Ojukwu suggested that if the defense wanted testimony from a specific witness who had previously appeared, they should formally apply for that witness to be recalled. She noted that subpoenas are typically used when a witness refuses to come voluntarily.

The court admitted the subpoenaed documents into evidence and adjourned the case until June 4 for further proceedings.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God’s General Overseer, Enoch Adeboye, has called on the Nigerian government to set a 90-day deadline for security heads to eliminate terrorism or step down. In a video shared on his X account Tuesday, the cleric voiced his worries about the nation’s ongoing security crises and the persistent danger from militant groups.

Adeboye emphasized that those responsible for national security must deliver clear outcomes in combating terrorism. He proposed that the government should quietly instruct security chiefs to eradicate terrorists within three months or face resignation. The pastor also urged authorities to target individuals and networks funding and aiding terrorist operations.

According to him, security efforts should go beyond fighting armed militants to include prosecuting sponsors and facilitators, irrespective of their power or connections. He stated that service chiefs must be directed to eliminate both terrorists and their backers, no matter how influential. This call comes as public anxiety grows over insecurity, including recent abductions of students and teachers in Oyo.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has raised an alarm over potential flooding in 178 communities spread across 28 local government areas in Kano State during the upcoming rainy season in 2026. The warning came during a stakeholders’ meeting and the launch of the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign held in Kano on Tuesday.

The campaign, with the theme ‘Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria,’ underscores the need for proactive measures to mitigate climate-related disasters. Speaking on behalf of NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar, Aliyu Shehu-Kafindangi, who serves as the North-West Zonal Director, explained that the alert is based on forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

Shehu-Kafindangi emphasized that these communities urgently require enhanced emergency preparedness to minimize the impact of anticipated flooding. The affected local government areas include Ajingi, Bagwai, Bebeji, Bichi, Bunkure, Dala, Dawakin Kudu, Dawakin Tofa, Fagge, Gabasawa, Garun Malam, Gaya, Gwale, Kabo, Karaye, Kiru, Kunchi, Ghari, Kura, Madobi, Rano, Rimin Gado, Sumaila, Takai, Tofa, Tudun Wada, Ungogo, and Warawa.

He also announced the introduction of NEMA’s 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework. This framework focuses on strengthening local emergency response, conducting simulation exercises, sharing early warnings, pre-positioning relief materials, and assessing vulnerable infrastructure to ensure a coordinated response to potential disasters.

During the event, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahiru Muhammad-Hashim, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to enhancing resilience against climate-related hazards. Governor Yusuf highlighted several flood-control initiatives already underway, including the clearing of drainage channels, provision of maintenance tools to community volunteer groups, removal of illegal structures obstructing waterways, and a campaign to plant 10 million trees across the state.

He stressed the importance of ensuring that early warning messages reach grassroots communities effectively. To achieve this, he urged stakeholders to translate flood and climate information into local languages so that vulnerable populations can understand and act upon them. ‘Reducing disaster risks requires collective effort and coordination,’ Yusuf added, calling for collaboration among all stakeholders to build a safer and more resilient Kano.

The Imo State Police Command has categorically denied viral social media reports alleging that students from Government Girls Secondary School, Owerri, were abducted by suspected Fulani herdsmen. In a statement, Police Public Relations Officer Henry Okoye described the rumors as baseless and urged the public to ignore them completely.

Upon receiving the information, Commissioner of Police Audu Garba Bosso swiftly tasked the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of operations and coordinator of the Safe School Initiative, ACP Abdullahi Wase, to investigate the matter at the school. During his visit, ACP Wase met with the principal, Mrs. Amadi Apolonia, along with staff and students, all of whom confirmed that no abduction had taken place and that the report was entirely fabricated.

The command confirmed that all students and staff are safe and accounted for, and academic activities continue normally. Okoye emphasized that there is no abduction incident involving any school in Owerri metropolis or anywhere in Imo State. He explained that the early dismissal of students from government secondary schools was purely an administrative decision due to a meeting at the NUT Secretariat involving teachers and school staff, not a security issue.

The Commissioner of Police appealed to the public to remain calm and vigilant and to refrain from sharing unverified information that could cause panic. He warned that spreading fake news is a criminal offense, and offenders will be identified, investigated, and prosecuted. The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, especially students and educational institutions, and will continue to strengthen the Safe School Initiative to ensure a secure learning environment.

Senator Shehu Sani, a former federal lawmaker, has strongly criticized Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), for his recent remarks against Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Recall that Babachir Lawal had accused Atiku of rigging the ADC primary election and went further to compare him to a notorious bandit leader known as “Kachalla.” This comparison sparked outrage, with Atiku’s camp denying any manipulation of the primary results.

In response, Shehu Sani took to his X handle on Tuesday to express his disapproval. He described the rift between Atiku and his former Adamawa political ally as a sign of the opposition’s fragility. However, he emphasized that calling Atiku “Kachalla” and tying him to banditry is deeply disrespectful and unacceptable.

Sani stated, “The parting of ways between HE the Waziri and his Adamawa political associate reflects the shaky state of the opposition. Yet, referring to the Waziri as ‘Kachalla’ and linking him to banditry is utterly disrespectful and cannot be condoned.”