Unidentified gunmen have reportedly kidnapped at least 14 candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Benue State. The victims were said to have been abducted during an attack on a commercial bus travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo. Sources indicated that the candidates, mostly young adults, were en route to Otukpo to sit for their examinations scheduled for Thursday when the incident occurred. The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the development to journalists in Makurdi. “The victims are young people coming to Otukpo to write JAMB. Security agents have been deployed and efforts are…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
A faction of the Labour Party led by Nenadi Usman has announced the suspension of 26 members believed to be loyal to the camp of former national chairman, Julius Abure. The Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee, which it said is recognised by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, disclosed this in a post on its official X handle. According to the statement, the suspensions were approved by the National Executive Council of the faction. The development follows the April 4, 2025 judgment of the Supreme Court, which removed Abure as the party’s national chairman. The affected members include Eneyi G. Zidougha, Hilda…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday criticised former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, describing him as a “serial contestant and loser.” Wike made the remarks while inspecting ongoing road projects in Abuja, in response to Atiku’s recent criticism of the current administration. “Atiku is a serial failure. He is a serial contestant and loser, and I am sure that in 2031, he will still contest. Nigerians would be laughing at such a person making that kind of statement that nothing positive has been done,” Wike said. He challenged the former vice-president to compare the state of…
A public affairs analyst, Jabir Madaki, has cautioned Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, against making what he described as a wrong choice in appointing a substantive deputy governor. Madaki gave the warning in a report titled “Government Integrity and Public Interest” released on Wednesday, describing the decision as a defining moment for the administration. “Your deputy appointment will either define this administration with honour or lead to consequences that may be difficult to reverse,” he stated. The analyst also expressed concern over reports that a candidate with pending legal issues may be under consideration, warning that such a move…
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed willingness to step aside for Peter Obi if he emerges as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. Atiku made the declaration during an interview on Arise News on Wednesday evening, where he was asked whether he would support Obi if the former Anambra State governor secures the party’s ticket. Responding, Atiku said, “Yes, I will step aside for any winner.” When pressed further on whether that included Obi, he replied, “Of course, if he is a contender, why not?” Atiku and Obi are widely…
A 47-year-old man, Temitope Elegbede, was on Wednesday arraigned before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Badagry, Lagos State, over alleged assault and breach of peace. The defendant, whose residential address was not disclosed, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecutor, Edet Ekpo, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 7 at about 9:20 a.m. at Panusa Ajobuwe Street in Ilogbo, Badagry. He alleged that Elegbede assaulted his landlady, Oluwabunmi Otokiti, by grabbing her neck inside her residence. Ekpo further stated that the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to breach public peace. “The defendant…
The Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Hope Urunwa Okafor, has cautioned officers of the Command against detaining suspects beyond the legally stipulated period, stressing the need to uphold fundamental human rights. Okafor issued the warning during a strategic briefing with Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Heads of Departments, and other senior officers in Abakaliki. In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, the commissioner also warned officers against interfering in civil matters, particularly land disputes. She conveyed concerns from the Inspector-General of Police regarding the image of the Force, emphasising the need for professionalism to rebuild…
Prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State have declared that they will resist any external influence aimed at destabilising the state. The party leaders also pledged to maintain unity between Governor Seyi Makinde and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adebowale Ogundoyin. The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting held on Wednesday. The development follows rumours that surfaced on Tuesday alleging a plot by the State House of Assembly, led by Ogundoyin, to impeach the governor. Reacting, the PDP chieftains described…
The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has dismissed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a platform of “desperate politicians” lacking a clear national agenda. Onanuga made the remarks while reacting to criticisms of the Tinubu administration by ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, during the party’s National Convention in Abuja. Aregbesola had described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda as a “classic scam.” Responding via a post on his X handle, Onanuga wrote, “No, Rauf. The real scammers are the politicians inside the SPV called ADC.” He accused Aregbesola…
A close ally of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hayatudeen Lawal Makarfi, has disclosed that the ex-governor is preparing to contest the presidency in the 2027 general elections. Makarfi made the claim on Tuesday while addressing journalists after court proceedings involving El-Rufai. According to him, “His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will hand over to His Excellency Mallam Nasir El-Rufai in May 2027, and the journey has started.” El-Rufai is currently facing trial by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of corruption during his tenure…
Governor Agbu Kefas has approved over N1 billion for the payment of Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) fees for students across Taraba State. The initiative, announced on Tuesday in Jalingo, covers examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), according to government sources. The intervention is aimed at removing financial barriers that have prevented many eligible students from sitting for the examinations. Officials said the policy is designed to ease the burden on parents and guardians while expanding access to education for thousands of students in the state. The state government noted that…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has expressed dissatisfaction with the option of fines for drug traffickers, calling instead for strict imprisonment to deter illicit drug activities in the country. Chairman of the agency, Buba Marwa, made the position known on Tuesday in Abuja, urging judges of the Federal High Court to impose custodial sentences on offenders who do not deserve leniency. Speaking at the unveiling of the National Minimum Standards on the Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and related laws across the 36 states, Marwa said the option of fines has failed to…
A 64-year-old man, Musa Gado, has been taken into police custody in Niger State over allegations of sexually abusing and impregnating his 16-year-old granddaughter. The minor, who hails from Lufari village in Mariga Local Government Area, has since delivered a baby boy, now four months old. The Director-General of the Niger State Child Rights Agency, Umulkhatum Mohammed, confirmed the development during an interview with journalists in Minna. According to her, the case was reported to the agency on October 5, 2025, by the girl’s father, Lawali Na’ababa, alongside the village head, when the victim was already about six months pregnant.…
Stakeholders in Okpoga have formally demanded the opportunity to produce the next member of the House of Representatives for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, also known as Enone, in the 2027 general elections, citing decades of political exclusion. The demand was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a Town Hall Meeting convened by the Okpoga Now Movement at Ugwu Okpoga. In the communiqué, participants unanimously resolved that it is the turn of Okpoga to occupy the federal legislative seat, stressing that the demand is anchored on equity, fairness, and justice. They noted that since the return to democratic governance…
The caucus of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the House of Representatives has called for the prosecution and removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, over allegations of partisanship. The lawmakers made the demand following their inaugural meeting held on Sunday, April 12, 2026, where they reviewed recent political developments and expressed concerns about the credibility of the electoral body ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to the caucus, the INEC chairman has exhibited actions and made statements considered inconsistent with the expectations of neutrality required of his office. They cited allegations…
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed an amended nine-count charge against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, bordering on alleged fraud, abuse of office, and corruption. Counsel to the former governor, Ukpong Abang, disclosed to journalists after proceedings at the Kaduna State High Court on Monday that the prosecution had dropped one of the earlier defendants, leaving El-Rufai as the sole accused. The court took the defendant’s plea and heard his bail application, but the matter could not proceed further as the defence said it had just been served with the amended charges. “The…
Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has declared his intention to contest for a senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections. Okowa made the declaration on Monday as political activities begin to gather momentum across the country. The former governor, who was the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, said he would contest under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The senatorial seat is currently occupied by businessman and lawmaker, Ned Nwoko. Okowa served as governor of Delta State from 2015 to 2023.
The Edo State Police Command has arrested an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Bonny Paul Onajite, and four other officers over alleged harassment, abduction, and extortion of residents in the state. Other officers arrested include Inspectors Ehubarieme Wisdom and Arebame God’s Power, as well as Corporals Mordi Philip and Okon Elvis. Additional suspects apprehended in connection with the alleged crimes are Destiny Emmanuel, a dismissed police corporal, Goodluck Jaja, a Point of Sale (POS) operator, Samuel Nicholas, and Etim Bright, both minibus drivers. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Benin City.…
Concerns are mounting over the preparedness for the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State amid reports of resignations and defections within political circles. Attention has increasingly shifted to Governor Ademola Adeleke, with observers citing what they describe as slow campaign coordination and limited visible political activity ahead of the polls. Despite signals from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) indicating the commencement of campaigns, the governor is yet to appoint a Director General for his re-election bid, raising concerns among stakeholders. Reacting to the development, the Convener of the Osun Accord Liberation Movement, Yusuf Adegboye, said the situation…
The Nigeria Police have unsealed the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wadata Plaza in Abuja, granting access to a faction of the party aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The development was confirmed by the factional National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, in a statement issued on Saturday through the National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed. According to the statement, the unsealing of both the party’s national secretariat and its presidential campaign office, Legacy House in Maitama, followed duly issued court orders. Mohammed said the properties have now been handed over to the faction’s National…