Category: News

The Chief Imam of Benin, Sheikh AbdulFatai Enabulele, has declared that the current economic difficulties, widespread insecurity, and political turmoil facing Nigeria represent a clear vote of no confidence in the country’s political leadership. He made this observation during an interview following the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the Ikpoba Slope Eid Ground in Benin City.

He called on authorities at every tier to implement policies and initiatives that would enhance the standard of living for ordinary citizens, emphasizing that many Nigerians are enduring severe hardship. The cleric also connected the rise in cybercrime and other societal ills among the youth to poverty, joblessness, and a lack of effective governance.

According to Enabulele, the abduction of children, who are the future leaders, is a direct consequence of governance failures. He argued that when citizens see their leaders engaging in lawlessness, they are likely to follow suit. He stressed the importance of leaders conducting themselves responsibly and avoiding actions that might mislead the public.

The Imam criticized the ongoing primary elections across political parties, lamenting that after more than two decades of democracy, politicians still struggle to conduct free and fair elections without conflict. He urged political leaders to emulate the sacrifice and dedication of Prophet Ibrahim for the nation’s improvement.

Enabulele pointed out that since 1999, Nigerians have not experienced the true benefits of democracy, with widespread lamentation and economic hardship preventing parents from properly caring for and feeding their children. He noted that pragmatic and progressive policies would encourage citizens to be law-abiding, but lawless leadership breeds lawlessness among the people.

He concluded by praying for divine guidance for both leaders and followers, urging that the universal message of Prophet Ibrahim be embraced by all for a better life. He warned that the current desperate situation suggests that God may have forsaken the nation.

On Wednesday, schools throughout Benue State took part in the nationwide Children’s Day 2026 festivities, organizing a variety of events aimed at highlighting child welfare, inclusivity, and development. At the JS Tarka Stadium in Gboko, students and teachers came together for march-past parades, cultural performances, and other engaging activities designed to foster social bonds among learners.

Similar celebrations were observed in several other locations across the state. In Jato-Aka, children from nursery, primary, and secondary schools gathered at the NKST Pilot Primary School playground. The day’s program included colorful processions, traditional dances, relay races, football matches, and handball contests.

The Vandeikya Township Stadium and the Chief Emmanuel Akume Atongo Township Stadium in Katsina-Ala also hosted vibrant events, with local schools and communities turning out in large numbers for the annual observance.

Governor Hyacinth Alia, in a message delivered by Tersoo Kula, reiterated his administration’s dedication to creating a secure, supportive, and inclusive environment for every child in the state. He emphasized that the government remains committed to advancing education, child welfare, and developmental opportunities for all young residents.

Nigeria observes Children’s Day every year on May 27 to recognize the importance of children and to promote their well-being, education, and growth.

Social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has fired back at threats from the Presidency following allegations that he shared a manipulated audio clip of President Bola Tinubu.

The controversy began when a doctored video surfaced online, purportedly showing VDM using fake audio of the President. In response, Bayo Onanuga, a media aide to President Tinubu, vowed that VDM would be prosecuted for his actions.

Unfazed, VDM declared that he would not attempt to justify his actions regarding the video. He boldly stated that he is fully prepared for any legal consequences that may follow. ‘I am not going to defend these allegations. If I do, let God punish me. I want to encounter that law. I will even book an earlier flight to come back. I want to see what you all can do,’ he asserted.

He further emphasized his right to criticize the government, saying, ‘If you are upset that I am speaking, what else can I do but speak? It is my democratic right to call out the government when it errs. We live in a democracy.’

A video of his response has been circulating on social media platforms.

The administration of Sokoto State is set to introduce a new legislative measure targeting individuals who provide support to bandits and other criminal groups. Governor Ahmed Aliyu announced this initiative during a visit to the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Aliyu stated that the draft law will be submitted to the state assembly to bolster ongoing security operations. He emphasized that informants have been a persistent obstacle to peace, often assisting criminal elements with intelligence and logistics.

“To overcome the menace of banditry, we must collectively address the informant problem,” the governor declared. He warned that his administration would not tolerate any actions that jeopardize security efforts.

In addition, Aliyu urged politicians to avoid using political discourse to incite unrest as the 2027 general elections approach. He reiterated his commitment to providing security agencies with the necessary resources to combat crime.

The governor also appealed to residents to protect public infrastructure, noting that vandalism of government projects funded by taxpayers would not be condoned.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has selected former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the upcoming election. The announcement was made late Wednesday at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton in Abuja by Tunde Ogbeha, the returning officer for the party’s primary.

Abubakar secured a decisive victory, garnering 1,846,370 votes. His closest competitor, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, received 504,117 votes, while Mohammed Hayatudeen, a former managing director of the defunct FSB International Bank, trailed with 177,120 votes. The outcome marks a significant milestone for Abubakar as he seeks to return to the presidency.

In a compelling address following the Eid Kabir prayers, Professor Ibrahim Uthman, a distinguished scholar of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Ibadan, has issued a strong warning to Nigerian politicians. He urged them not to prioritize their personal political aspirations over the safety and well-being of the Nigerian people, particularly as the 2027 elections approach.

Uthman, who also serves as the Chief Imam of the university, expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity across the nation, including rampant kidnapping and other social ills. He called on all public officeholders and aspiring candidates to take immediate and decisive action to address these crises.

The professor made these remarks shortly after leading the Muslim congregation in the two obligatory Rakat for the Eid Kabir celebration. DAILY POST notes that the festival is being observed globally under the 1447 Hijrah calendar.

Speaking to journalists after the prayer, Uthman emphasized the urgency of tackling Nigeria’s current challenges. He described the level of insecurity as alarming and deeply troubling. The academic appealed to all political leaders and aspirants to refrain from sacrificing the lives of citizens for electoral gains.

“I am calling on all governors, the President, senators, and every political officeholder, as well as those seeking office, to do everything in your power to curb insecurity,” Uthman stated. “I appeal to you not to trade the lives of Nigerians for political positions. Remember that it is Allah who grants authority. Do not seek revenge.”

He further advised Nigerians to exercise patience and continue contributing positively to national development. “We must endure. Hardship does not justify criminality. Allah commands us to be patient. He has said He will test us,” he added.

A prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ibrahim Wala, has accused the party’s presidential primary election of being marred by widespread intimidation, vote buying, and other serious irregularities. Wala, who is a staunch ally of former presidential aspirant Rotimi Amaechi, monitored the exercise in Gombe State and has come forward with what he describes as undisputed evidence of voter disenfranchisement and manipulation.

According to Wala, the entire process was a “brazen, shameless auction” that trampled on every principle the ADC had vowed to uphold. He claimed that the primary results were not decided at the polling stations but rather behind closed doors in a hotel room. “I was personally approached by an agent who offered to take me to the committee leadership’s hotel room to secure whatever I needed,” Wala alleged in a Facebook post. He described the hotel room as a “clandestine situation room” where party leaders retreated to finalize their manipulative work.

This allegation comes just a day after Amaechi himself rejected the primary results, citing a lack of transparency and fairness. Wala has now echoed that sentiment, calling on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is currently leading the race, to immediately disassociate himself from what he termed “dirty, concocted primary election results.” He urged Atiku to reject the outcome and align with the principles of internal democracy.

Wala further claimed to have gathered concrete proof of irregularities and widespread voter disenfranchisement that occurred under his watch in Gombe. He emphasized that the evidence would be made public in due course, promising to expose the extent to which the primary was rigged. “This was not a primary election; it was a pre-arranged outcome dictated in a hotel room,” he concluded.

A civil society organization focused on electoral integrity has questioned the basis of a legal challenge against the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda. The group insists that those behind the suit must provide verifiable evidence to support claims that Chinda remained active in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after leaving his post as Minority Leader.

According to the Centre for Constitutional Governance and Electoral Integrity (CCGEI), Chinda had already resigned his leadership position before joining the APC primaries and has not participated in any PDP-related activities since early April 2026. The organization described the lawsuit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja as baseless and driven by political motives.

“The APC primary process has been concluded, and Hon. Kingsley Chinda emerged as the party’s governorship candidate,” said Ibrahim Danjuma, Executive Director of CCGEI, in an official statement. “Those making allegations of defection irregularities should produce a single piece of evidence showing that Chinda attended any PDP meeting, acted on behalf of the PDP, or served as Minority Leader after April 2, 2026.”

The CCGEI dismissed the court action as an attempt to undermine a legitimate political process and urged the judiciary to dismiss the suit for lack of merit. Danjuma maintained that no proof has been presented to suggest Chinda violated any defection rules.

Socio-political activist Aisha Yesufu has emphasized that electoral victories are not secured through online hype or malicious gossip. Instead, she champions genuine interaction with voters, rooted in understanding, kindness, and reverence.

In a Wednesday post on X, she addressed members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and her backers as the party gears up for its Senate primaries in the Federal Capital Territory. Yesufu stressed that success in politics demands door-to-door engagement, not virtual shouting matches.

She wrote, “An election isn’t won by social media noise or a dirty campaign. It is won by connecting with the people you aim to serve, treating them with dignity and genuine care.”

The activist called on registered NDC members in the FCT to stay focused on party building and selecting candidates who truly represent their goals. She declared that the days of voting out of intimidation are over; now, choices must spring from bravery and the conviction that authority resides with the populace.

Yesufu further urged her backers to intensify mobilization across all 62 wards in the territory, asserting that her team is primed for the primary contests. “To my supporters spread across the FCT, don’t lose heart—keep up your groundwork in every ward. We are set to face them on the primary battlefield,” she added. She concluded with a rhetorical question: “Who is afraid of primaries?”

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has indefinitely paused the collation of results from its primaries for various positions in Jigawa State, citing widespread violence and irregularities. The decision affects the results for State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidential tickets.

Chief Returning Officer Zaki Ahmed made the announcement at the Tashir Guests Palace in Dutse, where the collation was taking place. He stated that unresolved complaints and numerous irregularities made it impossible to continue the process.

According to Ahmed, results had been gathered from 19 out of 27 local government areas, while officials were still expecting submissions from Auyo, Roni, and Kazaure councils. The exercise was plagued by serious infractions in several regions, with Gwaram area particularly affected by threats of violence that could have completely derailed the process.