Category: News

Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, has issued a stark warning regarding the decreasing number of Nigerians participating in elections. Speaking on Thursday in Umuahia during a lecture commemorating the third anniversary of his administration, Otti expressed concern that only 27% of registered voters actually cast ballots in the 2023 general elections.

He cautioned that voter apathy in Abia and across Nigeria could pave the way for incompetent or dishonest individuals to ascend to power. Otti emphasized that when citizens register but fail to vote, they inadvertently create an opening for corrupt or unprepared candidates to take control.

The governor acknowledged widespread disillusionment with the electoral process due to irregularities, but he argued that this should not be a reason to abandon the nation’s political future to unscrupulous elements. “You can say sometimes that when you come and exercise your will, it does not count,” he stated. “If votes do not count, why do politicians campaign? They could just sit down and write the results.”

In a related development, Otti announced the inclusion of commissioners for tertiary education, health, and basic and secondary education in the Abia State Security Council. This move aims to bolster security within the educational sector. He noted that while his administration has significantly reduced kidnapping, banditry, and armed robbery, cultism remains a persistent challenge that must be tackled, starting from schools. “The other day, cultists went on a rampage and killed some people in Aba, and then we traced them back to the schools,” Otti revealed.

The Nigerian government has firmly refuted rumors of suspending the Student Upkeep Allowance under its education loan program. In an official statement released on Thursday, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) spokesperson, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, categorically denied any such directive.

Recent reports had suggested that the government decided to halt the disbursement of upkeep allowances to students. However, NELFUND has labeled these reports as entirely false and misleading, emphasizing that no such suspension has been ordered.

The organization urged the public to avoid sharing unverified information that could spread misinformation and create unnecessary panic among students and their families across the country. “The Fund remains steadfast in its commitment to expanding access to higher education and supporting Nigerian students through sustainable financing initiatives,” the statement read.

The Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH) has called off a planned excursion for its students to New Bussa, Niger State, due to safety worries expressed by parents and other stakeholders.

According to a statement from the university’s Deputy Registrar for Information and Public Affairs, Abdullahi Datti Abdullahi, Vice-Chancellor Musa Tukur Yakasai made the decision after evaluating intelligence reports on the security conditions in the area. The field exercise was originally intended for Level 400 Fisheries students as part of their mandatory curriculum.

Abdullahi clarified that the Vice-Chancellor had already rejected the proposal to visit New Bussa when it was first suggested, citing his prior knowledge of the security challenges there. The Department of Fisheries has since been directed to identify a safer location for the exercise.

As a result, the students will now complete their field work at Tiga Dam in Kano State, which is considered secure. The university emphasized that student safety is its highest priority, both on and off campus. Abdullahi stated, “The institution never compromises on the well-being and security of its students.” He added that there was never any intention to send students to an unsafe area like New Bussa.

The clarification comes after parents raised alarms about the proposed trip to Niger State, prompting the university to address the concerns publicly.

The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement for the North Central has called on residents and religious groups in Kwara and Kogi states to cease organizing “Ori Oke” prayer meetings in forests and on mountains, citing heightened security threats.

According to a statement from Abiodun Essiet, the SSA on Community Engagement for the North Central, these remote locations have increasingly become hideouts for bandits and other criminal elements. The statement emphasized that such gatherings could place worshippers in danger, urging them to refrain until the security situation improves.

“We appeal to the public and faith-based organizations to temporarily halt Ori Oke prayer sessions in forests and mountainous areas until peace is fully restored,” the statement read. It further noted that worship can be conducted anywhere, and forests are no longer safe due to criminal activity.

The office also called for cooperation with security agencies, which are making significant strides to maintain order and protect lives across the North Central region. Worshippers are encouraged to support these efforts by avoiding unnecessary risks.

The governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has emphasized that the time has come for Nigeria to establish state police forces. He believes this move is critical to addressing the nation’s persistent security challenges.

Speaking at the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) state primary elections held in Ibadan on Thursday, Makinde called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to prioritize the creation of state police without further delay. He argued that this would significantly enhance the country’s security framework.

According to Makinde, state police would empower local authorities to gather intelligence more effectively. This, in turn, would enable states to respond promptly and appropriately to security threats within their jurisdictions.

The governor stressed that the current security architecture is insufficient to curb criminal activities. He noted that decentralizing the police force would bring security closer to the people and improve overall safety.

Makinde’s remarks come amid growing concerns over insecurity across Nigeria. His call for state police aligns with similar demands from other stakeholders who argue that the federal police force alone cannot handle the country’s diverse security needs.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, now the presidential flagbearer of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 elections, paid a visit to his primary opponent, Rotimi Amaechi, on Thursday. The meeting comes shortly after Atiku emerged victorious in the ADC primaries, where Amaechi was his main challenger.

According to reports, Amaechi had earlier contested the outcome of the primary, alleging that the process was fraught with irregularities. However, during his acceptance speech, Atiku extended an olive branch to Amaechi and other aggrieved party members, calling for unity and collaboration.

The details of Thursday’s meeting remain undisclosed as neither politician has addressed the press. Nonetheless, political analysts believe the visit is a strategic move by Atiku to secure Amaechi’s backing for the upcoming general election. Observers note that reconciling with internal opponents is crucial for Atiku to consolidate support within the ADC and present a united front against other parties.

Victor Ochei, who once served as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, has officially stepped down from the All Progressives Congress (APC). His resignation was communicated through a formal letter directed at the party’s leadership.

In his correspondence, Ochei highlighted his extensive dedication to the APC, noting that he had been actively involved in strengthening the party long before many of its current leaders joined. He emphasized his contributions to expanding the party’s influence and mobilizing grassroots support across Delta State.

Ochei clarified that his decision to leave was not driven by animosity or resentment towards any individual. Instead, he described it as a strategic move to pursue a political path that aligns more closely with his vision for the future. He expressed gratitude to his supporters and urged them to remain committed to democratic values.

The former speaker did not specify his next political destination, leaving room for speculation as the 2027 general elections approach. His departure adds to a series of recent exits from the APC in Delta State, signaling potential shifts in the political landscape.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has issued a stern warning to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against engaging in anti-party activities, amid growing discontent over the conduct of the party’s primary elections.

Speaking during a Sallah homage reception with APC executives at the Government House in Yola on Thursday, Fintiri urged party members to prioritize unity and avoid actions that could undermine the party’s prospects in the 2027 general elections.

The governor’s admonition comes just one week after the primaries for governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and state assembly positions, which many party members alleged were marred by imposition of candidates. This perception has fueled resentment among those who felt sidelined, echoing the disunity that contributed to the APC’s losses in the 2019 and 2023 governorship elections in the state.

Fintiri emphasized that the candidates who emerged from the primaries were divinely chosen and expressed confidence in their ability to defeat opponents from other parties. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fostering political stability and ensuring that all APC candidates secure victory in the upcoming polls.

The state APC chairman, Alhaji Hamza Madagali, who led the executive team on the Eid al-Kabir visit, thanked Governor Fintiri for his role in overseeing the primaries and reaffirmed the party’s support for the governor’s leadership.

Fintiri called on all party members to work collectively for the party’s success and avoid any form of disloyalty that could jeopardize their chances in 2027.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is strategically positioning itself to capitalize on the internal turmoil gripping the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the latter’s primaries, with a particular focus on Bayelsa State, which is the home base of NDC leader Senator Seriake Dickson. This was revealed in a statement issued on Thursday by Comrade Felix Osuobene, National Coordinator of the Sagbama/Ekeremor Grassroots Agenda.

According to Osuobene, Dickson was observed celebrating the outcome of the APC primaries in the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, where Bernard Kenibai emerged as the party’s candidate. The disputes within the APC, including controversies over screening processes, disqualification of aspirants, and internal discord, have captured national attention. Opposition strategists believe these issues provide a significant political opportunity as the 2027 general elections approach.

Osuobene highlighted that opposition elements in the Sagbama/Ekeremor constituency of Bayelsa calculate that the APC has weakened itself in an area it cannot afford to lose. He noted that Dickson’s celebration of Kenibai’s emergence reflects a view that Kenibai will be an easier opponent to defeat. The controversy centers on the exclusion of Prof. Princewill Woyinbrakemi Igbagara, an academic and technocrat with considerable grassroots and elite support, who was seen as the frontrunner.

Osuobene described this exclusion as a critical error by the APC, especially given President Bola Tinubu’s directive that the party field its strongest candidates in the 2027 elections. He outlined three pathways the NDC intends to exploit: voter apathy, silent defection, and propaganda. Voter apathy could arise if aggrieved APC stakeholders feel marginalized and refuse to mobilize for the party. Silent defection involves party loyalists who publicly stay with the APC but quietly deliver votes to the opposition. Propaganda benefits the NDC as it portrays itself as a cleaner alternative while the APC appears divided.

The statement emphasized that the stakes are high in the South-South region, where the APC has historically struggled to build unity. In Bayelsa, excluding a well-regarded local figure from the primary race reinforces perceptions of the APC as non-inclusive and undemocratic—perceptions the NDC is keen to amplify. Even if the APC leadership claims it acted within guidelines, the emotional reactions of supporters could lead to unintended political consequences. Osuobene concluded that the NDC is determined to turn every crack in the APC’s armor into a national conversation about the ruling party’s governance ahead of the elections.

Atiku Abubakar, the newly chosen presidential flagbearer for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the upcoming 2027 elections, has urged restraint among supporters, emphasizing that the victory is not yet complete. In a statement shared on his social media platform, the former Vice President called for unity and collective effort to challenge the current administration.

Addressing the party’s internal contests, Atiku stressed that no one lost because the ADC remains a unified front. He highlighted the critical need to recognize the serious challenges facing the nation. “This is not a moment for celebration; we must join forces to rescue our country from the damaging effects of corruption, incompetence, and division caused by the APC government,” he posted on X.

Atiku commended the ADC’s primary election committee for conducting peaceful, transparent, and fair primaries across the country. He thanked party leadership, stakeholders, volunteers, and members for their dedication and patience throughout the process. “With the primaries behind us, the real work begins now. We need to campaign vigorously to win the general election and start the difficult task of rescuing Nigeria and its suffering citizens from this government,” he added.