Category: News

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Dr. Najeem Folasayo Salaam, has formally presented his policy blueprint for the 2026 elections, pledging to overhaul the state’s governance structure and drive economic revival.

Speaking at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Osogbo on Monday, Salaam outlined a vision centered on worker welfare, agricultural revolution, youth employment, improved healthcare, and quality education. He emphasized that his administration would restore public trust through transparent and inclusive leadership.

Describing the state as being at a pivotal moment, Salaam urged residents to join him in what he called a journey of transformation. “We are here not just to launch a document, but to mark the beginning of a new era for Osun,” he stated. “This is a call to rise together and create a future of opportunity and prosperity.”

The former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly acknowledged the state’s abundant agricultural resources and cultural heritage but lamented that many citizens still grapple with unemployment, poor infrastructure, insecurity, and limited economic prospects. He argued that the core issue is not a lack of potential but the absence of purposeful leadership and strategic planning.

Salaam stressed that workers and pensioners would be treated with dignity, farmers empowered to make agriculture a key economic driver, and youths equipped with skills and job opportunities. He also highlighted electricity as a critical enabler of growth, promising to pursue alternative energy solutions and public-private partnerships to ensure reliable power supply. “No economy can thrive without power. We will invest strategically to stimulate industries, attract investors, and create jobs,” he said.

The manifesto, according to Salaam, is the result of extensive consultations with citizens across the state. He described it as a binding contract with the people, grounded in integrity and compassion. “This is more than promises; it is a covenant founded on a clear vision of shared prosperity,” he concluded.

Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has voiced a strong preference for President Bola Tinubu over Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress. Lawal believes that Tinubu has the potential to be a superior leader for Nigeria compared to Atiku.

In a statement released to the press, Lawal cautioned against the dangers of an Atiku presidency, emphasizing that Tinubu would prove more effective if given another term in 2023. He described his refusal to back Atiku as a matter of personal conviction, asserting that he cannot support what he perceives as the harmful influence represented by the ADC candidate and his camp.

“It is my firm belief that Tinubu will, relatively speaking, end up being a better president for Nigeria than Atiku could ever aspire to be,” Lawal declared.

The former SGF took aim at northern political leaders who, despite widespread poverty and insecurity in the region, continue to rally behind Atiku. He questioned the logic of backing a northern aspirant when the objective should be to find a leader capable of reversing the region’s economic decline and security crises.

“I would have assumed that when northerners insist on a northern president, they would be looking for someone who can halt the downward spiral into poverty and insecurity, not an ineptocrat like Atiku,” Lawal remarked.

Lawal revealed plans to hold consultations with political allies in the coming weeks to devise strategies that would prevent Atiku from clinching the presidency in 2027. “I intend to adjust my future plans and engage with like-minded colleagues to stop this incompetent octogenarian from even getting close to the presidential office,” he concluded.

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has described former Governor Chibuike Amaechi as his brother, but revealed that Amaechi did not seek his counsel before defecting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Wike, who previously served as Chief of Staff under Amaechi during his tenure as Rivers State governor, expressed that he would have advised Amaechi against joining the ADC.

Amaechi, a former Minister of Transport, was among prominent Nigerians who joined the ADC and vied for the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 elections. However, he lost the primary to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who emerged as the ADC flagbearer. Amaechi initially rejected the primary results, citing widespread irregularities and malpractice, but has remained silent after Atiku visited him at his Abuja residence.

Speaking during a media chat on Monday, Wike said, “Amaechi is my brother. I served under his administration. If he had called me before joining the ADC, I would have told him, ‘don’t go there.’ The party was Atiku’s setup, one hundred percent. When I saw David Mark as the national chairman, I laughed. You can’t set a trap for me. My brother made a mistake; he was in too much of a hurry, carried away by people praising the government.”

Wike, who is often seen as a political adversary of Amaechi, insisted that Amaechi could have avoided the embarrassment of contesting against Atiku if he had consulted him. He claimed that the ADC primaries were biased and lacked transparency, with David Mark ensuring Atiku’s victory. “It was very clear. No transparency or due process. When you’ve worked with people, you know who’s who and who would do what,” Wike added.

Despite their political differences, Wike asserted that he holds no ill will toward Amaechi and would have helped him navigate the political landscape. The FCT Minister’s remarks highlight the deep rift between the two former allies, who are considered one of the most bitter political rivalries in the current dispensation.

The campaign team of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has mounted a strong rebuttal against Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, demanding concrete evidence to back his claims of rigging during the party’s primaries.

In a fiery response, Atiku’s camp dismissed Lawal’s accusations as baseless and malicious, accusing him of trying to tarnish the party’s image after failing to influence the primary process. Phrank Shaibu, Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, issued a statement on Tuesday calling Lawal’s allegations unfounded.

Lawal had earlier announced his resignation from the ADC on Monday, alleging that Atiku masterminded manipulations in the party’s ward-level primaries across the country. However, Shaibu countered that Lawal has not provided any documentation, witnesses, or verifiable evidence to substantiate his sensational claims.

“The ADC presidential primaries were conducted transparently across thousands of wards, and the outcome was clear and decisive,” Shaibu asserted. “Lawal has offered Nigerians no documents, no facts, no witnesses—nothing but empty rhetoric. We challenge him to produce any shred of proof.”

The statement further criticized Lawal for insulting the integrity of ADC members nationwide and attempting to discredit a democratic process he could not control. Atiku’s camp reaffirmed that the primary reflected the will of party faithful and rejected any suggestion of irregularity.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State has publicly declared its backing for former President Goodluck Jonathan’s bid for the presidency. The state chapter emphasized its acceptance of the decisions made by the party’s national leadership regarding the candidacy.

Chairman Hon. Yusuf Ado Kibiya delivered this stance during a press conference at the party’s secretariat in Kano on Monday, where he also discussed internal party affairs and recent political shifts.

Kibiya stated that the state chapter had thoroughly reviewed the National Executive Committee’s resolution endorsing Jonathan and will continue to operate in accordance with the party’s constitution and regulations.

“We have considered the national executive’s position on the presidential candidacy of former President Goodluck Jonathan,” Kibiya remarked. He further noted that the party acknowledges and respects the procedural integrity that led to that decision, affirming full support for the national leadership’s authority to guide the party’s future direction.

The chairman reiterated that the Kano PDP remains committed to collaborating with other stakeholders to fortify the party ahead of upcoming elections. “Our regional chapter is steadfast in aligning with the party’s overarching goals and will participate in constructive discussions to further the PDP’s mission across Kano and Nigeria,” he added.

Kibiya urged all members to maintain unity, discipline, and focus on the party’s objectives. He assured supporters that despite recent defections and political realignments, the PDP in Kano remains cohesive and dedicated to providing robust democratic leadership.

He emphasized that the party continues to uphold democratic principles, accountability, and public service, and will remain a key player in Nigeria’s political landscape.

During his monthly media briefing on Monday, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, asserted that every resident of Abuja must acknowledge the transformative effects of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He challenged critics to set aside political biases and honestly assess the infrastructural developments visible across the city.

Wike emphasized that while the government has not achieved perfection, the tangible improvements in Abuja are undeniable. He urged Nigerians to focus on facts rather than sentiments, asking whether anyone living in the capital could truthfully claim that the current administration has made no difference in terms of infrastructure.

The minister’s remarks come amid ongoing debates about the performance of Tinubu’s government. Wike stressed that acknowledging progress does not mean ignoring remaining challenges, but he insisted that the positive changes in Abuja are evident to all who reside there.

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has publicly refuted allegations made by activist Omoyele Sowore regarding property ownership in the United States. During his monthly media briefing in Abuja, Wike asserted that there is no legal barrier preventing him from acquiring real estate abroad. He accused Sowore of spreading unsubstantiated rumors about government officials and challenged him to provide evidence of the claimed Florida properties. Wike emphasized that while he has the right to own a house anywhere, he does not currently own one in the US, labeling Sowore’s statements as baseless and unethical for a self-proclaimed human rights advocate.

On Monday, residents of Ogun State took to the streets to voice their anger over the worsening security situation in Nigeria, particularly the recent abduction of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

The demonstrators, a mix of young people and nursing mothers, brandished placards with messages like “Their only crime was going to school—release our children and teachers,” “Stop brutality, kidnapping, and banditry,” “End insecurity: Nigeria is crumbling,” “Our future cries for help,” “Restore faith in our nation,” “Bring back our students,” and “Stop terrorism in Nigeria.”

As reported by DAILY POST, on May 16, 2026, gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area near Ogbomoso: Community Grammar School, L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esinele, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota. One of the abducted teachers, mathematics instructor Mr. Micheal Oyedokun, was beheaded by the terrorists.

Speaking at the Panseke skating ground in Abeokuta, Pastor Juwon Owolabi, representing the protesters, expressed that residents can no longer sleep peacefully, unsure who might be the next target. He stressed that the nation has reached a critical point where no one—rich or poor—is safe, and even business activities have stalled.

“This is a time of mourning for parents and all of us. We cannot continue this way; we sleep in fear and panic. We trust the government has the ability and resources to end this insecurity now,” Owolabi said. “If it doesn’t stop, eventually no one will be safe. We stand with the parents and families of those held captive by terrorists. We are at a tipping point. If we fail to act, we will all become victims. It doesn’t matter if you are a civil servant, wealthy, or poor—you are not safe. Now is the time to unite; our numbers give us strength. The government must know we are united. Don’t wait until the 2027 election; you don’t even have a choice—the choices have already been made for you. This is the moment for us to speak out peacefully.”

He urged the Nigerian government to use every available resource to secure the release of the abducted children and ensure community safety.

Entrepreneur Ada Comfort, though her children were not taken, admitted she has been having nightmares about the kidnapped kids. She noted that insecurity has hurt her business, preventing her from traveling to Iseyin and Ilorin for her Asoke trade. “For the past week, I can’t travel or work, even though I have orders. Every mother whose child is in the hands of bandits is suffering. My children are safe, but I can’t sleep—I daydream about those kids and can’t imagine how their mothers feel. The least the government can do is provide security. We beg them,” she said.

Nursing mother Precious Jonathan, who brought her one-year-old baby to the protest, explained that she joined for the sake of her child and future children. “I want a better Nigeria for all of us. The government should remember us and give us a better nation. The other day, as I closed windows and wrapped my baby during heavy rain, I instantly thought of the children out in the bush,” she said tearfully.

Businessman Ayodeji Ojo called for immediate action, not just negotiations. “We need action, not talks. If we keep negotiating slowly, they will keep coming back for us, and we don’t know who’s next. If we remain passive, your family or mine could be next,” he warned.

The protesters demanded the closure of all schools until security challenges are resolved and the kidnapped children are freed. They argued that terrorists and kidnappers will never change, urging the government to take firm action to save the children.

A strong police presence was observed at the protest site. One officer said they were there to ensure the demonstration remained peaceful and was not exploited by criminals.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the vice presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has refuted online reports claiming he intends to organize a protest regarding the country’s deteriorating security situation.

In a statement released on his official page, Kwankwaso clarified that the viral message is entirely false and does not represent his views or those of the NDC. He emphasized that he does not endorse any activity that might disrupt public order or result in harm to individuals or property.

“We oppose any measures that could cause a collapse of public peace or damage to lives and assets. As responsible leaders, we are dedicated to peaceful and constructive methods for tackling national problems,” the statement read.

The former governor also reiterated his faith in democratic processes, stressing that elections are the appropriate channel for expressing discontent and pursuing political transformation. “We firmly hold that the ballot box is the most credible and effective mechanism for airing grievances and achieving change. Our party, the NDC, is assured of a decisive win in the forthcoming elections through peaceful democratic means,” he added.

Kwankwaso urged the public to ignore the misleading message and to distance themselves from those spreading falsehoods. He called on citizens to remain calm and focused on lawful avenues for resolving national issues.

Residents of Commissioners’ Quarters in Damaturu, Yobe State, are expressing outrage over a severe water shortage affecting one of the capital’s key neighborhoods. The crisis emerged after a generator powering the primary public borehole for the area broke down, leaving many homes without running water.

Malam Abdul, a community elder, reported that tensions ran high among locals, with some wanting to stage a protest. However, he and other leaders managed to calm the situation by promising to bring their grievances to the appropriate authorities.

In the meantime, affluent residents have opened their private boreholes to neighbors, providing some relief. Malam Baba Karami, another local, noted that the water board had been previously alerted about the need to extend operational hours due to population growth. He added that the aging generator had been plagued by oil shortages and mechanical issues for years, with residents sometimes buying oil themselves to keep it running.

Reacting to the development, Hussaini Adamu, Director of Technical Services at the Yobe State Water Board Corporation, admitted that the agency faces numerous challenges, including limited resources. The corporation manages over 100 boreholes across Damaturu and nearby communities, making maintenance difficult. For the DA 48 borehole serving the affected area, a block engine and crankshaft have been procured for an overhaul, and other parts like bearings and pistons are available locally and will be installed soon.