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Buhari considered it distasteful for Osinbajo to contest against Tinubu - Babachir Lawal

2026-10-16T21:38:52.476+01:00

Babachir Lawal, former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), says the late former President Muhammadu Buhari considered it “highly immoral and distasteful” for Yemi Osinbajo, his former vice-president, to contest against Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking in an interview with Symfoni TV published on YouTube on Thursday, Lawal said Buhari would have found it difficult to support Osinbajo against Tinubu because of his longstanding relationship with the former governor of Lagos.

Lawal said Buhari’s position was influenced by his loyalty to Tinubu, whom he described as the person who recommended Buhari for the presidency and later sought to succeed him.

“I’m very close to Buhari; I know him very well. He’s somebody that believes in royalty. He’s somebody that does issues from the point of view of high morality,” the former SGF said of the late former president.

According to Lawal, Buhari would have considered it inappropriate for Osinbajo to challenge Tinubu for the presidency, regardless of his assessment of the former vice-president’s potential as a president.

“Buhari would find it highly immoral for Osinbajo to contest the same position with Bola Tinubu,” he said.

“In his type of character, he will find it distasteful because he knew the relationship before; he is the man who recommended him for president, and Bola wants it.”

Lawal added that Buhari would have found Osinbajo’s decision distasteful “even if he believes that Osinbajo will be a better president or whatever”.

Osinbajo, who served as acting president during Buhari’s medical trips abroad, took some decisions while in charge of the presidency, including the dismissal of Lawal Daura, then director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), in August 2018.

The dismissal came after DSS operatives laid siege to the national assembly complex in Abuja, preventing lawmakers and other persons from accessing the legislative chambers.

Daura hails from Daura in Katsina state, Buhari’s hometown.

‘BUHARI WAS UNHAPPY WITH OSINBAJO’S APPOINTMENTS’

Lawal’s account of Buhari’s reservations about Osinbajo also centred on what he described as the former vice-president’s preference for appointing members of his church.

The former SGF said Buhari was aware that many of the people Osinbajo sought to appoint to his office were members of his church.

Osinbajo, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is also a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Lawal recalled an incident in which a memo seeking approval for Osinbajo’s take-off staff allegedly remained unapproved for about three months because it had not been forwarded to Buhari.

According to Lawal, the memo contained about 28 names, most of whom Buhari believed were Yoruba and members of Osinbajo’s church.

He said the memo was being discussed within the presidential villa, while the late Abba Kyari, then chief of staff to the president, had allegedly refused to forward it to Buhari.

Lawal said he eventually obtained a photocopy of the memo and took it directly to the president himself.

“I said, ‘Oga, see the date my Oga sent a memo. You have not approved. What is the problem?’” Lawal recalled.

He said Buhari read the document and used a green biro to tick almost all the names in the list.

“Out of 28, I think he ticked 26 with the green biro,” Lawal said, adding that Buhari stated: ‘BD, these are all Yorubas.’”

Lawal said he explained to Buhari that Osinbajo was new to the position and asked the former president to approve the appointments, promising to speak with the vice-president about the concerns.

“I said, ‘Oga, this is his first memo. I will talk to him. You know, he’s just from Lagos,’” Lawal said.

The former SGF said Buhari approved the memo, after which he took it to the chief of staff and informed him that the president had authorised the appointments.

Lawal said the episode was one of several instances in which Buhari took note of Osinbajo’s appointments.

‘OSINBAJO’S CHURCH APPOINTMENTS RAISED CONCERNS’

The former SGF alleged that Buhari was particularly concerned about appointments involving people associated with Osinbajo’s church.

He recalled that the head of the church where Osinbajo had served as pastor received an appointment after Osinbajo became vice-president.

According to him, the person’s successor and the individual who subsequently took over the position also received appointments.

Lawal alleged that some appointees had limited experience for the positions they received.

He cited a person appointed to a position at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) who, he said, had previously been a level 12 officer at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) before receiving an appointment.

He said Buhari was aware of such appointments and that some traditional Christian leaders in northern Nigeria had complained to the former president that they were also Christians who had voted for him but were not being considered for appointments.

“At one time, some of the traditional church leaders in the north actually went to Buhari and complained about the appointments. That they too, they are Christians, they too, they voted for him, and so on and so forth,” he said.

Lawal said Buhari did not explicitly tell him that the appointments would affect his support for Osinbajo, but he believed the former president’s reactions indicated his concerns.

“So, I suspect that this excessive preference for his church members would affect Buhari,” he said.

“From his actions and body language, I could see that he was scared that if Osinbajo became president, what Bola is doing, Osinbajo will do. But again, he didn’t think it was decent for Osinbajo to contest with Bola Tinubu,” Lawal added.

NSIB begins probe as private jet makes emergency landing in Abuja after losing door mid-air

2026-10-16T21:36:00.000+01:00

A private aircraft operated by Triton Aviation made an emergency landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja shortly after losing its door mid-air on Thursday.

Sources at the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the incident to TheCable on Friday.

“The incident happened yesterday and investigations are ongoing,” a source said.

According to a Punch report on Friday, the aircraft lost its door mid-air before returning to the airport.

Citing an incident report, the publication said the aircraft, with registration number T7-SEI and flight identification DWC052, was en route to the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, when the incident occurred at about 4:20 pm.

According to the report, the aircraft was “about three nautical miles from the airport, climbing through 3,000 feet, when the crew transmitted a distress call: ‘Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.”

Following the distress call, the report said airport fire and emergency personnel, as well as the medical team, were immediately alerted and placed on standby.

It added that fire and rescue teams were also directed to designated positions in preparation for the aircraft’s return.

The incident report further noted that at about 4:29 pm UTC, while in contact with the Abuja control tower, the crew asked whether the controllers could confirm if the door was open.

“The duty air traffic controller attempted to observe the aircraft using binoculars, but could not establish the door’s condition because of the aircraft’s position. The crew was subsequently informed that the controller could not confirm the situation visually,” the report said.

According to the report, the aircraft landed safely on runway 22 at approximately 4:34 pm UTC, about 14 minutes after the Mayday call.

Following the landing, the duty controller was said to observe that the aircraft’s door was missing from the fuselage.

The jet was subsequently taxied to the international apron extension and parked with the assistance of a marshaller.

Furthermore, a video trending on social media platforms showed an aircraft door on a farmland.

According to a report by Billionaires.Africa, NSIB said the door, which came down on a farmland near Abuja, has been retrieved.

“The door has been recovered and secured at the NSIB wreckage hangar,” the agency said.

NSIB said it “has commenced its investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the occurrence” and will provide updates as the work progresses.

Tinubu has united politicians who never agreed to work together – Kwankwaso

2026-10-16T21:35:04.475+01:00

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, said on Thursday that President Bola Tinubu had gained the support of former political rivals ahead of the 2027 general election.

He said the participation of politicians from different parties in Tinubu’s re-election campaign showed that the President was attracting support beyond the APC.

Speaking on the development, Kwankwaso said the coming together of politicians who had previously disagreed politically was a sign of the support Tinubu had gained.

“To me, the inauguration of the Campaign Council is like a congregation celebrating the re-election of President Tinubu back to office,” he said.

He added that the presence of politicians from parties such as the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party showed that the President’s political support base was expanding.

Kwankwaso argued that it was unusual for politicians from different political backgrounds, including those who had never agreed to work together, to unite behind one candidate.

“It has never happened in Nigeria’s political history that one man could attract nearly all opposition parties, not only opposition politicians, but people who have never agreed to sit together yet, because of Tinubu, they have accepted to come on board and pursue a common goal,” he said.

The APC chieftain also defended Tinubu’s economic policies.

According to him, the views expressed by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, and other political leaders showed an understanding of the challenges facing Nigeria and the global economy.

He maintained that the 2027 election was about more than Tinubu’s political future.

He argued that the President should be given another term to consolidate his economic reforms, despite the difficulties Nigerians have faced.

‘Votes don’t count in Nigeria’ — Dele Farotimi reveals only way out

2026-10-16T21:34:33.618+01:00

Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, has stated that the votes of Nigerians during any election period do not count.

Speaking in a video shared on X, Farotimi said revolution is the only means to save the country from what he described as dictatorship.

According to him, Nigeria is facing the democratic installation of a dictatorship, rendering current voting system ineffective without systemic change.

To save the country, the activist proposed fundamental restructuring and reimagining of Nigeria and charged the citizens to do what is necessary to change the narrative.

“Your vote does not count, and the judiciary will endorse it unless you and I decide to do something about it.

“The one thing I have never been shy about is to tell you what it will take to save Nigeria, and this is my own belief.

“The only way forward for Nigeria is restructuring. It will take a revolution to save Nigeria. It might come through the ballot, but I’m not convinced it will.

“But if sufficient numbers are persuaded to believe in the vision, not the person’ vision for a new Nigeria placed on the ballot, if you don’t place vision for a new Nigeria on the ballot, you cannot mobilize the people to stand behind their votes, and that is why the distraction has been completely about politics,” he said.

Northwest’ll determine outcome of next presidential election – Buhari’s ex-aide

2026-10-16T21:34:17.441+01:00

Former media aide to the late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad on Wednesday stated that the Northwest will determine the outcome of the 2027 presidential election in Nigeria.

He made the remark in reaction to an X user @Minikothe3rd who insisted that Nigeria’s next President should come from the Northwest.

The user posted: “Late President Musa Yar’adua was a Northwesterner.

“Late President Muhammadu Buhari was a Northwesterner.

“After President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, like my Brother Waspee said, we should rally behind the North East. 2031 should be for the North East.”

Reacting, Ahmad urged candidates aspiring to contest for the presidency in 2031 to start building meaning relationship with the Northwest.

Posting on X, the former presidential aide insisted that the region will remain a major force in deciding the electoral outcome in Nigeria for years to come.

He wrote: “The North-West is a major political force, with a substantial voting population and a long history of influencing national electoral outcomes.

“For anyone nursing a presidential ambition for 2031, whether from the North-East or North-Central, the time to begin building meaningful relationships with the North-West is now.”

FRC operating without a board for 13 years, Tinubu’s nominee tells senators

2026-10-16T21:34:13.353+01:00

Abdullahi Saidu, President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for chairman of the board of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), says the organisation has been without a board for more than 13 years, hindering its ability to carry out its mandate effectively.

Saidu spoke on Thursday during the screening of nominees for the commission’s board by the senate committee on finance.

In July, Tinubu nominated Saidu as chairman of FRC, while Muhammad Asma’u, Muhammad Makama, Suleiman Gidado, Louis Ndukwe, Amechi Ugwele and Olaniyi Onikola were nominated as members.

Saidu previously served as a board member of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), having been appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari on February 4, 2019, and reappointed on March 15, 2023.

SAIDU SEEKS MORE POWERS FOR COMMISSION

Speaking during the screening, Saidu said the commission lacks the necessary institutional structure and powers to perform its functions effectively, adding that the proposed board would work with the national assembly and other stakeholders to strengthen the agency.

“The commission has been without a board for more than 13 years now. So now this board, it’s like we are virtually going to start all over because there was nothing in place,” he said.

Saidu said the commission was supposed to have offices in at least one location in each geopolitical zone but currently operates only from Abuja.

He pledged that, if confirmed, the board would work with the national assembly to review the law establishing the commission and strengthen its independence and operational capacity.

“I am assuring that, if we go in, we will work hard to liaise with the national assembly to see how we are going to strengthen the Act, which will empower us to do our work independently and effectively,” he said.

The nominee said the commission lacks prosecutorial powers and can only investigate matters before forwarding findings to the attorney-general of the federation for prosecution.

“Because right now, we cannot do anything. We don’t have prosecution power; we don’t have any power,” he said.

“We were told we can only investigate and send our report to the honourable attorney general and minister of justice for prosecution.”

He also pledged to improve government revenue by monitoring operating surpluses generated by government-owned and scheduled organisations.

According to him, some revenue-generating organisations fail to remit the appropriate portion of their operating surpluses to the federal government.

He explained that such organisations were expected to remit 80 percent of their operating surpluses to the Consolidated Revenue Fund while retaining 20 percent for their operations.

“Because the commission is not informed, so they just declare whatever they feel they want to declare,” he said.

Saidu said the commission would strengthen its monitoring of operating revenue if the nominees were confirmed.

He also pledged to examine the revenue practices of agencies fully funded through the national budget.

“If we are given an opportunity and we are confirmed, we will monitor that operating revenue properly,” he stated.

Saidu expressed confidence that the proposed board would improve the commission’s performance within a year, provided it receives the necessary support from the national assembly and other stakeholders.

OYEWUNMI URGES NOMINEES TO PREPARE FOR TECHNICAL ASSIGNMENT

Lere Oyewumi, deputy minority leader of the senate and vice-chairman of the senate committee on finance, who presided over the screening, cautioned the nominees that managing the commission requires specialised knowledge.

Oyewumi, who represented Sani Musa, chairman of the committee, said the nominees would need to familiarise themselves with the commission’s mandate before assuming office.

“This commission you are going to head, it is a very technical commission, quite different from the ICPC you are coming from. And you need a lot of knowledge that we don’t believe you have now, because you are just coming in from various backgrounds,” he said.

He urged the nominees to undertake retreats with experts and engage in extensive reading to prepare for the responsibilities ahead.

At the end of the screening, Osita Ngwu, senator representing Enugu west, moved a motion for Saidu and the other nominees to take a bow and leave the screening session.

Ngwu said Saidu’s responses showed that he has taken responsibility for addressing the committee’s questions on behalf of the nominees.

“What I observed from his responses so far is that he used ‘we’ instead of ‘I’, which means he took responsibility as leader to respond on behalf of the other nominees, and the CVs of the other nominees are with us,” he said.

Sadiq Umar, senator representing Kwara north, seconded the motion.

The committee is expected to submit its report to the senate for further legislative action.

2027: Tinubu won’t agree if he loses, but we’ll chase him out – Dele Momodu

2026-10-16T21:33:59.192+01:00

Stalwart of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, has said that nobody trusts President Bola Tinubu to conduct a free and fair election, including the President’s own supporters.

Momodu further stated that there is a belief that if the President does not win in 2027, he will not want to relinquish power.

He added that if Tinubu refused to step down, he would be chased out of the Presidential Villa.

Speaking on Arise News, Momodu said, “If you ask an average Nigerian today about Tinubu, ‘Do you trust Tinubu to conduct a free and fair election?’ I can tell you, 90 per cent of them will say no.

“Look, nobody trusts Tinubu to run a free and fair election, including his own supporters. They will tell you, ‘Oh, we are going to win. There is no way we won’t win.’ Ask them why, and they will say, ‘Oh, you know our oga now.’

“In fact, some people are even suggesting that if Tinubu loses the election, he will not agree to step down. I say, why won’t he agree? We will chase him away.

“Look, you do not know the determination of Nigerians. And now, I’m not resting my confidence on just my party. I’m talking about the ordinary man on the street who cannot imagine Tinubu coming back again. They just can’t.

“I can’t tell you our strategy in public. What we know is that, once upon a time, Tinubu fought for himself to secure a second term as governor of Lagos State.

“So, others are also working very hard behind the scenes. We are not going to come out in public and say this, but we know what to do to make sure that he does not get that second term. We also know that some of the people pretending to support him today—and I’m not trying to trivialise this thing—

“I know some of them. They are praying fervently that they will not have to go through this situation where governors become like houseboys. Governors are scared. Judges are scared. Legislators are scared.

“So, Tinubu has become a god whom nobody is ready to confront and say, ‘Oga, you’ve done your best. Please, go home.’”

Kwankwasiyya Accuses INEC Staff of Colluding to Substitute Kano Candidates

2026-10-16T17:46:24.882+01:00

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has accused a staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of colluding with unauthorised individuals to substitute some of its candidates in Kano State.

Hundreds of supporters staged a protest at INEC’s Kano office on Friday, submitting a petition demanding an investigation into alleged irregularities and the omission of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo from the commission’s list.

Movement spokesperson, Dr. Habib Mohammed, alleged that forged letters with suspicious signatures were submitted to INEC headquarters, leading to the substitution of candidates.

He insisted that only duly authorised party officials should communicate with INEC on nominations.

“We believe an INEC staff member colluded with unauthorised people to conceal a decision that led to the substitution of some of our candidates,” Mohammed said, adding that the group had formally petitioned the commission.

Deputy governorship candidate Mustapha Kwankwaso, who led the protest, described the omission of Gwarzo’s name as unjust and urged INEC to rectify the matter.

Responding, Kano Resident Electoral Commissioner Abdu Zango assured protesters that their petition would be forwarded to INEC’s national headquarters.

He explained that the commission had already provided reasons for the omission and opened a window for appeal until October 24.

Zango commended the protesters for conducting themselves peacefully, stressing that the Kano office remained neutral and would give the petition due attention.

Protest Rocks Kano INEC Office Over Omission of NDC Candidate

2026-10-16T17:39:51.303+01:00

Supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) staged a peaceful protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Kano on Friday, demanding the inclusion of their governorship candidate, Aminu Gwarzo, and his running mate, Mustapha Rabiu, in the final list for the 2027 election.

The protesters accused INEC of omitting the names despite the party fulfilling all nomination requirements.

NDC leaders insisted the omission was due to a technical error on INEC’s part and urged the commission to urgently correct the anomaly.

Party officials reassured members that consultations with INEC were ongoing. “The problem is not from us.

INEC told us it was a computer glitch and promised to rectify it,” said Yusif Fasaha, the party’s Public Relations Officer in Kano.

The protest highlights growing tension ahead of the polls, with NDC supporters calling on authorities to ensure fairness and transparency in the electoral process.

Oyebanji Sworn In for Second Term as Ekiti Governor

2026-10-16T17:35:36.915+01:00

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has officially begun his second term in office after being sworn in on Friday at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti.

Oyebanji and his deputy, Monisade Afuye, took the oath of allegiance and office administered by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye.

Their inauguration follows their victory in the June 20, 2026 governorship election.In his address, Oyebanji pledged to consolidate the gains of his first term and deliver more dividends of democracy to residents through people-focused policies.

The ceremony drew prominent political figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu.

Shettima was received at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Governor Oyebanji, and other dignitaries.

Also in attendance were governors of Kwara, Imo, Sokoto, Kebbi, Ondo, and Jigawa states, alongside the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda.

The event marked the start of another four-year term for Oyebanji, who promised to deepen development initiatives across the state.

Tinubu Shakes up INEC With Fresh Appointments

2026-10-16T17:29:48.084+01:00

President Bola Tinubu has nominated four national commissioners and two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to fill vacancies at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The appointments are as follows:

National Commissioners Professor Mustapha Aliu (North-West; replaces Professor Abdullahi Zuru)

Bashir Muhammed Umar (North-Central; replaces Professor Muhammad Adamu)

Oluwatoyin Babalola (South-West; currently REC in Osun; replaces Professor Cornelius Ajayi)

Bala Bila (North-East; reappointed)

Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) Samuel Akinjide Akinleye (Ekiti State)

Zahradden Basiru Sanusi (Jigawa; replaces Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura)

The Senate will screen the nominees. Tinubu has called for expedited confirmation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dino Melaye gives n’assembly 14 days to check Tinubu’s powers or face mass protest

2026-10-16T16:52:14.920+01:00

Dino Melaye, former senator, has accused the 10th national assembly of failing to check President Bola Tinubu’s powers, alleging that the legislature has become subservient to the executive.

Melaye, who is the deputy director-general for contact and mobilisation of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign, threatened to organise an “Occupy National Assembly” protest if lawmakers fail to take steps to check Tinubu’s powers within 14 days.

Melaye issued the ultimatum at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, titled ‘The 10th Assembly: The Pathway to Tinubu’s Lifetime Presidency’.

“We are giving the national assembly 14 days to respond in corrective lines to all our demands and all grey areas where they have disappointed Nigeria and Nigerians; failure to do so, we will march on the national assembly, and it will be very loud,” Melaye said.

The former lawmaker claimed that the legislature’s handling of several controversies involving executive power, electoral reform, budget implementation and constitutional procedures raised questions about its independence.

He warned that a presidency could become increasingly entrenched when institutions designed to restrain presidential power fail to perform that responsibility.

“A lifetime presidency does not begin with the abolition of term limits. It begins when the institutions created to restrain a President stop restraining him,” Melaye said.

The ADC chieftain said Nigeria’s constitution established separate arms of government to prevent the concentration of state power in one individual.

“The president possesses enormous executive power. Parliament controls legislation, appropriation and oversight. The courts interpret the law. Each arm must respect the others, but none was created merely to validate the wishes of another,” he said.

Melaye clarified that his criticism was not an argument against cooperation between the executive and legislature, but against what he described as the failure to maintain institutional independence.

“This is not an argument that parliament must oppose everything the president proposes. Cooperation between the executive and legislature is constitutional and necessary. But cooperation is different from submission,” he said.

MELAYE QUESTIONS POLICE ACT AMENDMENT

The former senator cited the amendment to the Nigeria Police Act in July 2024 as one of the episodes that, in his view, raised concerns about the legislature’s scrutiny of executive proposals.

He said the amendment, initiated by Tinubu, allowed an inspector-general of police to remain in office until the expiration of the tenure specified in his appointment letter, notwithstanding the ordinary retirement provisions.

Melaye questioned why the bill passed through three readings in both chambers on the same day.

“One day. Three readings. Two chambers. What urgency required an Executive Bill governing the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police to travel from introduction to final passage through both chambers in a single day?” he queried.

Melaye also faulted the national assembly’s handling of the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state in March 2025.

He questioned the use of voice votes by both chambers to approve the proclamation, arguing that the process did not establish whether the constitutionally required two-thirds majority of all members had been secured.

“When the Constitution requires two-thirds of all members, should Nigerians not be entitled to know precisely who constituted that two-thirds?” he asked.

The ADC chieftain also raised concerns over a proposal announced by Opeyemi Bamidele, senate leader, in June 2026, to introduce a single six-year tenure for presidents and governors.

He said the timing and transitional provisions of any constitutional amendment would be crucial, particularly if the proposal were considered after the 2027 general election.

“Would the single six-year term apply prospectively only to Presidents elected after the amendment?” Melaye asked.

“Would a president elected in 2027 under a four-year constitutional mandate remain bound to that four-year mandate?”

He said Nigerians should scrutinise any proposed alteration of presidential tenure before it was enacted.

“Nigeria must never reach the stage where the tenure of an incumbent president is altered first and explained afterwards,” Melaye added.

National policing bill to reach n’assembly within two weeks - Gbajabiamila

2026-10-16T16:52:11.963+01:00

Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, says the presidential working group on police reform will transmit the national policing bill to the National Assembly within two weeks.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said in a statement that Gbajabiamila, who chairs the working group, spoke on Thursday after a steering committee meeting at the State House in Abuja.

“The National Policing Bill is more or less ready for transmission to the National Assembly,” the statement quoted Gbajabiamila as saying.

“We will probably have one more meeting after this to cross the t’s and dot the i’s and make sure every area is covered. So, we are 90 percent ready.

“The governors have one or two observations, and we should be ready in about a week or so.”

According to Onanuga, Gbajabiamila described the bill as “the most consequential bill of the administration so far”.

He said the bill had undergone “strenuous exercises” in recent weeks, following the commencement of deliberations by the working group’s steering committee on August 3.

On the possibility of states delaying the passage of the sixth constitution alteration bill on state police, Gbajabiamila said there was a “national consensus” among Nigerians on the need for the constitutional amendments.

“I see no reason why anyone will want to have a rethink on it,” he said.

According to the statement, only about six states had passed the amendment out of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Those at the meeting included AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and governor of Kwara state; Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun state; Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna state; and Tunji Disu, inspector-general of police (IGP)

‘Prosperity is around the corner’ — Segun Showunmi asks Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election

2026-10-16T16:51:56.350+01:00

Segun Showunmi, deputy spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council, has urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Speaking at a session with media executives in Abuja on Thursday, Showunmi said continuity in government would help consolidate economic reforms and advance national development.

He described Nigeria as being at a defining moment, adding that the country should sustain the policies and initiatives of the Tinubu administration.

Showunmi said the 2027 presidential election would offer an opportunity to continue the government’s economic reform programme, strengthen national stability and expand opportunities for Nigerians.

“My position is clear: I support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term because I believe Nigeria must keep moving forward,” he said.

Showunmi said Nigeria’s economic potential remained constrained by structural challenges, inadequate infrastructure and limited productivity, adding that sustained reforms were needed to translate the country’s human and natural resources into shared prosperity.

He described Tinubu’s economic policies as an attempt to correct longstanding distortions, strengthen public finances and create a foundation for sustainable growth.

“We are not simply trying to manage an economy. We are building the foundations of a nation that can compete, produce, innovate and prosper,” he said.

He added that a second Tinubu administration should prioritise faster implementation of reforms, increased investment, industrial expansion and improved living standards.

SHOWUNMI SEEKS SHIFT FROM REFORMS TO PROSPERITY

Showunmi, a former spokesperson of the Atiku Abubakar campaign organisation, said Nigeria needed to diversify its economy beyond crude oil by expanding manufacturing, agriculture, agro-processing, technology, solid minerals, gas, tourism, logistics and modern services.

He called for an economic environment that would enable local entrepreneurs to expand, attract international investors and help small businesses grow into larger enterprises.

“Our ambition must be to transform Nigeria into a major manufacturing, agricultural-processing and logistics hub for West and Central Africa,” he said.

Showunmi said improved electricity supply, transportation and access to finance would help businesses operate more efficiently, reduce production costs and create jobs.

He also called for stronger support for local production and exports, saying Nigeria should build the capacity to manufacture goods for domestic consumption and international markets.

“The ultimate purpose of this national transformation is to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

He added that economic progress should translate into better access to education, healthcare, housing, jobs and business opportunities.

“When I say prosperity is around the corner, I am expressing my confidence in the possibilities before Nigeria and in what sustained reforms, investment and productive enterprise can unlock,” he said.

“The task is to turn that potential into measurable improvements in incomes, jobs, services and living standards.”

2027 ELECTION AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CONTINUITY, SAYS SHOWUNMI

Showunmi said the 2027 election would allow Nigerians to decide the direction of the country’s development agenda.

He argued that Tinubu’s re-election would help to consolidate economic reforms and accelerate their implementation.

“For me, the case for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a case for continuity of purpose, accelerated implementation and the consolidation of economic reforms in the service of national prosperity,” he said.

Showunmi said the next phase of the administration should prioritise investment, production, industrial capacity, infrastructure and job creation, while ensuring that economic growth translates into improved living standards and wider opportunities.

He called for national unity and sustained commitment to economic development.

“Let us stand together for a Nigeria where prosperity reaches every table and no one is left behind,” he said.

FG Approves N40.76bn Health Fund Allocation, Extends Insurance to Inmates

2026-10-16T16:42:34.994+01:00

The Federal Government has approved N40.76 billion for the third-quarter 2026 disbursement under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), an increase of about N7.88 billion from the previous quarter’s allocation of N32.88 billion.

The government also announced the extension of health insurance coverage to inmates in correctional facilities.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the decisions reinforce the Federal Government’s commitment to improving access to quality, affordable and accessible healthcare, particularly for poor, vulnerable and underserved populations.

He linked the moves to the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).

In a statement dated October 16, 2026, the minister noted that the latest allocation marks a rise of approximately N7.88 billion over the second-quarter figure.

The Basic Health Care Provision Fund supports the delivery of basic healthcare services across Nigeria.

Further details on the implementation of the third-quarter allocation and the specific arrangements for extending health insurance to inmates were not provided in the available information.

VeryDarkMan Blames Nigerian Govt After Gospel Artiste, Toluwanisings’ Death

2026-10-16T15:39:11.563+01:00

Social media activist VeryDarkMan has criticised the Nigerian government following the reported death of gospel artiste Toluwanisings, alleging that the singer lost his life after being unable to receive medical attention at several hospitals.

In a statement circulating online, VeryDarkMan claimed that Toluwanisings was rushed to about seven different hospitals but none could attend to him because the facilities were reportedly on strike.

According to the activist, the situation could have been different if the hospitals had been operational and able to provide the necessary medical care.

He blamed the government for what he described as failures in the country’s healthcare system, arguing that Nigerians continue to suffer the consequences of inadequate access to essential medical services.

“Gospel artiste Toluwanisings was rushed to about 7 different hospitals, but they were all said to be on strike, and he lost his life. If the hospitals were not on strike, Toluwanisings would be alive.

“This is to show you how wicked the Nigerian government is. If we don’t save ourselves from this evil government, no one will,” VeryDarkMan said.

His comments have reignited concerns about the state of healthcare delivery in Nigeria, particularly the impact of industrial actions by health workers on patients who require urgent medical attention.

2027: Tinubu Afraid to Face Nigerians, has no Business Seeking Re-Election — ADC

2026-10-16T15:26:25.170+01:00

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has accused President Bola Tinubu of being afraid to face Nigerians, insisting that his reported decision not to campaign across all 36 states ahead of the 2027 election shows contempt for the electorate and that he has no business seeking re-election.

The council argued that the move could give its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, an advantage, stressing that Nigerians deserve a leader willing to defend his record, answer questions and explain his plans for the country.

ADC-PCC Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, made the remarks while receiving a delegation of youths under the aegis of Young Voters for Atiku (YVA).

He said a president seeking re-election should be prepared to meet voters and account for his performance, rather than rely on official engagements as a reason to avoid nationwide campaigning.

“What President Tinubu has done is a clear act of contempt against the Nigerian people. The APC is known for its contempt for Nigerians. How can a man who wants to be re-elected as president, after failing woefully, say he does not want to visit the people he seeks to govern? It is an aberration of norm,” Ologbondiyan said.

He rejected the argument that official duties could prevent Tinubu from campaigning nationwide, citing former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as American presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

“Saying that he (Tinubu) will be attending to official assignments is untrue, fake, deceitful and insincere. Didn’t former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari attend to official duties while campaigning for their return tickets? Didn’t Donald Trump campaign? Didn’t Kamala Harris campaign? Why is Tinubu’s case different?” he queried.

Ologbondiyan further alleged that public anger over hunger, poverty, insecurity and economic hardship explained the president’s reported reluctance to engage voters across the country.“

He knows Nigerians are hungry and angry. He knows that the average Nigerian finds it difficult to eat and to be secure. He has failed on all fronts, so he is afraid to face Nigerians. He is running away from the reality he created,” he said.

He urged young Nigerians to reject the APC in 2027, warning that another term for the ruling party would prolong the hardship citizens were experiencing.

“I appeal to every young Nigerian to reject them. Let us collectively reject hunger, reject poverty, reject hardship and reject insecurity. The APC has brought only pain to Nigerians. It is time to say enough is enough,” he said.

Ologbondiyan described Atiku as physically fit and mentally alert, saying the former vice-president was prepared to campaign across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

He pledged that an ADC government would pursue economic recovery, wealth creation, improved security and better living standards.

Onanuga Hails Tinubu’s Economic Gains, Says 33 Govs’ Support Proves Progress

2026-10-16T15:21:27.078+01:00

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has strongly defended the administration’s economic performance, pointing to the backing of 33 state governors and asserting that food prices have fallen while foreign investors return to Nigeria.

In a post on Friday, Onanuga responded to a clip shared by Arise TV on X that featured Obafemi George, a member of the Media and Strategic Communications Committee of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council.

He accused television anchors of repeatedly promoting the opposition’s claim that nothing positive had changed since Tinubu took office in 2023.

“TV anchors keep pushing the opposition’s narrative that nothing has changed, positively, indeed, massively, since 2023. Their position has become so ridiculous that they keep parroting the old narrative, and now they question the NBS data on receding inflation. I will advise them to revisit the markets,” Onanuga wrote.

He claimed a bag of rice that once sold for about ₦120,000 had dropped below ₦50,000, and was available for ₦45,000 in his hometown.

Onanuga also highlighted Nigeria’s foreign reserves nearing $60 billion, improved access to foreign exchange for businesses to import raw materials and equipment, and the ability of Nigerians to use naira cards abroad as evidence of progress.

Rejecting suggestions that returning investors were mainly portfolio players, he insisted foreign direct investment was bringing capital into the economy and creating jobs.“

These facts are clear to anyone not blinded by partisanship and hatred for the leader who has laid a solid foundation for the economy and is poised to take the nation to a higher level of shared prosperity,” he added.

2027: Peter Obi nowhere to be found – Rufai Oseni

2026-10-16T14:58:20.638+01:00

Arise Television’s Morning Show anchor, Rufai Oseni, has criticised presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi, over his alleged lack of visibility and policy inconsistencies ahead of the 2027 general election.

Oseni also raised concerns over reported disagreements between Obi’s political movement, the Obidient Movement, and the NDC, questioning whether the party was adequately addressing the expectations of its supporters.

He made the remarks on Friday while reacting to comments by a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain, Chief Don Ulasi, on the opposition’s preparedness for the 2027 presidential election.

Ulasi had described Obi as the only serious opposition figure capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu, citing the government’s shortcomings in areas such as inflation and rising food prices.

However, the PDP chieftain expressed doubts about the opposition’s ability to capitalise on public dissatisfaction, saying he had not seen sufficient grassroots mobilisation or town hall meetings by the NDC leadership.

Responding, Oseni questioned Obi’s political organisation and the reported disagreements between his camp and the NDC.

He said, “And that goes back to the problem that even this Peter Obi you are talking about. Are you really sure because he’s also having infighting with his NDC political party.

“As we speak today, there are loggerheads between OK movement and NDC, which there’s a lot of disagreement, which a lot of people even say they don’t even trust the high ups there in the NDC as regards if they are even truly after their hopes and aspiration.”

The broadcaster also faulted Obi over his position on petrol subsidy, arguing that the former Anambra State governor had failed to maintain a consistent stance on the policy.

“today, where is his manifesto? He was nowhere, he was found nowhere in the subsidy debate. He said something, then he flip flop on the subsidy.

“At first, he said, ‘Oh, I will keep subsidy. Now he’s saying he will remove subsidy again. But he said he will correct the corruption in there,” Oseni said.

He further argued that Obi had lost some of the supporters who backed him during the 2023 presidential election, attributing the development partly to what he described as inconsistency in his positions.

“So a lot of people have found him flip-flopping, and he has also lost a lot of people from the last election cycle that supported him,” he added.

DAILY POST reports that Obi’s political platform and the cohesion of opposition parties are likely to remain key issues as political actors position themselves ahead of the 2027 general election.

Major victory for UBA as court upholds appointment of receiver in N156bn Stallion Group debt dispute

2026-10-16T14:56:05.500+01:00

The federal high court in Lagos has upheld the appointment of a receiver/manager by United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc to recover debts owed by Stallion Group, affirming the bank’s right to take possession of properties pledged as security for the loans.

In a judgment delivered on Friday, Daniel Osiagor, the presiding judge, ruled that the defendants did not dispute their indebtedness to UBA but merely challenged the amount claimed by the bank.

The court consequently upheld the validity of the mortgage arrangements, affirmed the liability of the guarantors and restrained the defendants from diverting payments due to them from government agencies.

The judgment represents a major development in the long-running debt recovery dispute, which began in 2023 when UBA instituted proceedings against Stallion Nigeria Limited and several associated companies over an alleged indebtedness of N156 billion.

In resolving the issues raised by the parties, Osiagor held that the reconciliation of accounts between UBA and the defendants did not extinguish the underlying debt or invalidate the bank’s right to enforce its security.

The court also upheld the appointment of Romeo Ese as receiver/manager, affirming his authority to take possession of the mortgaged properties and seek protective orders to safeguard the assets.

It further dismissed an objection by Barbedos, the 12th defendant, which had challenged the mortgage arrangements on the grounds that its consent was required.

The judge held that the defendant had failed to establish any proprietary interest in the mortgaged property and, therefore, had no legal basis to insist that its consent should have been obtained before the mortgage was created.

The court also resolved the issue of jurisdiction in favour of UBA, affirming its competence to entertain the bank’s claims.

In another significant decision, Osiagor restrained the defendants from diverting receivables accruing to them from government agencies, effectively preventing them from frustrating the bank’s efforts to recover the outstanding obligations through those payments.

All the issues submitted for determination were resolved in UBA’s favour, with the court granting the reliefs sought by the bank.

The dispute dates back to October 2023, when UBA obtained interim orders from the federal high court to enforce its security over assets belonging to Stallion Nigeria Limited and its subsidiaries.

The properties affected by the earlier orders included industrial and commercial assets in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.

The bank had alleged that Stallion Group owed approximately N156.03 billion, a claim that became the subject of litigation involving several companies within the conglomerate and their guarantors.

In November 2023, Stallion Group disputed the bank’s account of the debt controversy, maintaining that it had made substantial repayments and was engaged in discussions over account reconciliation and restructuring.

The proceedings subsequently encountered procedural disputes, including a request by counsel representing some of the defendants for the case to be transferred from the court of Akintayo Aluko, who had handled earlier applications.

The latest judgment strengthens UBA’s position in enforcing the mortgage securities and pursuing recovery against the principal debtors and guarantors.

Self confessed Boko Haram terrorist, Abubakar Goni jailed for 30 years

2026-10-16T14:56:02.164+01:00

A self-confessed Boko Haram member, Abubakar Goni, has been sentenced to 30 years imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Goni of Daira village in Gubi Local Government Area of Yobe State, was jailed by Justice Binta Nyako on Friday following his admission that he knowingly joined the proscribed terrorist group more than 15 years ago.

He was put on trial by the Federal Government on a 5- count charge bordering on membership of Boko Haram group, receiving training on handling of AK-47 assault rifle, launching terror attacks against civilians and looting of other people’s food to feed Boko Haram members.

He was also accused of launching attacks against some communities in Niger Republic before the Department of State Services, DSS, caught up with him in 2016.

When the charges were read to him on Friday, the convict admitted being a member of the Boko Haram but denied other allegations.

Following the confession, Justice Nyako invoked Section 16(1) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2013, to impose the 30 years jail term on him.

Earlier, his lawyer, Dauda Hassan, had pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy by imposing the minimum sentence on his client for admitting the offence on his own volition and without wasting the time of the court.

Based on the plea, and on account of him being a first time offender, Justice Nyako ordered that the 30 year jail term should commence from 2016, when he was apprehended by the DSS and clamped into detention.

The hudge also ordered that the Federal Ministry of Interior should determine the prison where the convict is to serve the jail term.

‘The More they Bully us, More Dedicated we are to Loving Tinubu’ — Cubana Chief Priest

2026-10-16T14:14:23.758+01:00

Popular Nigerian socialite and businessman Cubana Chief Priest has insisted that criticism and bullying over his support for President Bola Tinubu will only strengthen his loyalty to the president.

In a statement on Friday, the nightlife entrepreneur declared that attempts to intimidate Tinubu’s supporters would deepen their commitment rather than weaken it.

“The more they bully us for supporting President Tinubu, the more dedicated we are to loving him,” he said.

“Nobody badder than Tinubu.”Cubana Chief Priest compared his political choice to supporting a top football club, saying he saw no reason to back an alternative.

“You don’t expect me to see Real Madrid and go follow Charlton FC,” he added.

He also credited Tinubu with transforming Lagos State, describing the city as “the most working active city in Africa” whose development had positively impacted many lives.

His remarks come amid ongoing public debates and differing opinions about the Tinubu administration.

Private Jet Loses Door at 3,000 Feet in Abuja

2026-10-16T14:08:19.132+01:00

A private jet operated by Triton Aviation narrowly avoided disaster on Thursday after one of its doors detached mid-air shortly after takeoff from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The CL60 aircraft, registered T7-SEI and flying as DWC052, was bound for Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. It lifted off from Runway 22 at 4:17 p.m. UTC.

About three nautical miles from the airport, while climbing through 3,000 feet, the crew declared a Mayday emergency at approximately 4:20 p.m. UTC, reporting that a door had opened in flight.

Air traffic controllers immediately directed the jet back to Abuja. Airport fire and medical teams were placed on standby, with emergency personnel positioned at access points A4 and A5.

At about 4:29 p.m. UTC, the crew asked the control tower whether controllers could confirm the door’s status.

The duty controller tried to check with binoculars but could not get a clear view due to the aircraft’s position.

The plane landed safely on Runway 22 at 4:34 p.m. UTC—just 14 minutes after the distress call. Only then did controllers see that the door was completely missing from the fuselage.

The aircraft taxied to the international apron extension and was parked with the help of a marshaller.

A video circulating online shows what appears to be the missing door, recovered by farmers from farmland in the Abuja area.

In the footage, a man says the object was found as they returned from their farm and that it had fallen from a plane.

The number of passengers on board has not been confirmed. Triton Aviation could not be reached for comment.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the incident but referred inquiries to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, which has deployed investigators and is expected to issue a statement.

Sen. Bruce Defends Coastal Highway, Faults Donald Duke’s Comments

2026-10-16T13:41:57.943+01:00

Senator Ben Bruce has responded to comments by Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate Donald Duke on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, expressing surprise at his stance and defending the project as a necessary national investment.

In a public post addressed to Duke, Bruce recalled that the two had previously travelled along the stretch of coastline where the road now runs, during which Duke had praised the vision behind the project.“Some years ago, you and I travelled along the stretch of the coastline where this road now runs, and I clearly remember your praise for the vision behind it. That is why your recent comments surprised me,” Bruce wrote.

He acknowledged that the Coastal Highway is expensive but insisted that projects of lasting value are never cheap or free. Bruce argued that great nations are built by leaders willing to make bold, costly investments that will benefit generations yet unborn.

Bruce stated that President Bola Tinubu committed to funding the project and is keeping that promise, adding that there is no funding shortfall. He said construction is progressing steadily and that the quality of work is of the highest standard.

The senator also backed Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri’s recent commendation of the road. He said Diri was not speaking merely as a local champion but as a statesman recognising infrastructure of international standard.

Bruce noted that he understands Duke is running for president and that his comments form part of the political season. While respecting Duke’s right to present his case to Nigerians, he cautioned against undermining a project of national importance or the President delivering it simply for political advantage.

“When mankind went to the moon, it was neither cheap nor free. But it was necessary. So is this road,” Bruce concluded.

Nigeria Spends More on Oil Security than Production — Donald Duke

2026-10-16T13:36:40.741+01:00

The presidential candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has said Nigeria spends more on securing its crude oil than on extracting it.

Duke argued that high security costs and deteriorating infrastructure have driven up production expenses and contributed to the high cost of petrol in the country.

He made the remarks during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, stressing that lowering the cost of producing and refining crude oil could help reduce petrol prices and ease the cost of living for Nigerians.

“The actual production cost of a crude in Nigeria is anywhere between $12 and $15. What takes it up to $25 or $45 is security costs and dilapidated infrastructure. So you’re paying more for security than producing the oil and even the NNPC says that they’re trying to bring it down to $20 a barrel. So in other words, the oil producing companies have added the security. You can’t tell me that you pay about $10 or $15 to secure one barrel that is produced actually between $12 and $15,” he said.

The former Cross River State governor maintained that the fundamental objective of government should be the productivity of its citizens. He said authorities must tackle all factors that hinder productivity.“I think the fundamental objective of government is the productivity of its citizens.

So you’ve got to tackle all the things that are inimical to the productivity of your citizens,” Duke stated.

He identified energy as a critical component of economic productivity and questioned why Nigerians continue to pay high prices for petrol despite the country’s status as an oil producer.“Now, energy is a kernel of it. Energy, capital, those things are very important. You’re an oil producing country. Supposedly you produce 1.7, 1.8 million barrels a day,” he added.

Duke also clarified that his proposal was to reduce the price of petrol to ₦300 per litre, not ₦200. He argued that revenue from other petroleum products could be used to further lower the price.“The point is, the margins that you make from other products, you can even use it and further dampen the price,” he said.

2027: It’ll Take Some Magic to Stop Tinubu – PDP Chieftain Ulasi

2026-10-16T13:29:36.961+01:00

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Ulasi, has said it will take extraordinary efforts to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

Ulasi described Tinubu as one of Nigeria’s most strategic politicians and warned opposition parties against underestimating his political strength ahead of the next presidential poll.He made the remarks on Friday while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show.

The PDP chieftain recalled that he had cautioned in 2023 that any politician who took Tinubu for granted would do so at their own peril.

Ulasi also recounted an emergency meeting involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, governors and other political figures ahead of the 2023 presidential election. He said that while some participants expressed confidence that Atiku had already secured victory, he challenged their optimism, insisting that insufficient political groundwork had been done to guarantee success.

“You know, in 2023, I said on this platform that if anybody takes President Tinubu for granted, you are doing it at your own peril. He’s one of the most strategic politicians in this country,” Ulasi said.“When he (Tinubu) was coming up, we had an emergency meeting somewhere. You know, Atiku, everybody was there, and people, governors and they were saying ‘you (Atiku), have won, you have won. You have won already’.

“I said you must be jokers. And they said I must leave the meeting. I said if I leave this meeting, everybody will walk out here, and I got up. A lot of people followed me, but Atiku called me. I came back. I said, ‘Like who has won?“That Atiku sitting down here has..which election has they won against Tinubu? What have we done on the ground to show that Atiku will win? And we went to that election. What happened? Tinubu won.

“We are again in another circle of election. Like you read, they said the opposition is so fragmented now, worse than it was in 2023. So only God will answer that question. Is there some divine process going on?“But as things are on the ground, it will take some magic for anybody to stop Tinubu. I can tell you that.”

Stop Deceiving Yourselves, Tinubu Can’t Campaign – Rufai Oseni to APC

2026-10-16T13:24:39.694+01:00

Arise TV Morning Show anchor Rufai Oseni has declared that President Bola Tinubu does not have the capacity to campaign widely across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Friday while analysing political developments, Oseni rejected claims that Tinubu’s reported plan to campaign in only 12 states was a deliberate strategy. He insisted the limited schedule simply reflects the president’s inability to undertake a more extensive nationwide tour.

Oseni recalled that Tinubu campaigned vigorously across many states during the 2023 election cycle — even in contests where he was not the presidential candidate. He contrasted this with former President Muhammadu Buhari’s approach, noting that Buhari sometimes visited two states in a single day and completed his campaign in just 18 days.

“The argument now that they are making, that a lot of them are saying President Tinubu now campaigning in those 12 states are strategic. It’s not strategy. He doesn’t have the capacity to campaign. Let’s stop deceiving ourselves,” Oseni said.

He continued: “In the last election, he campaigned in most of the states. In the election that was not even his, he went round and campaigned. Even Buhari that a lot of people cast aspersions at, what Buhari just did was that in some instances he covered two states in a day, so that he was able to condense everything into 18 days.

“He doesn’t just have the capacity to campaign. So let’s continue to deceive ourselves. You see, when I talk about Nigeria, I’m at sea as regards the level of deceit and personal deceit we have for ourselves, and that’s why this country doesn’t move forward, and that’s why the things we talked about in 2015, we’ll keep talking about them today again.”

Nigeria’s FX reserves drops to $55.09bn, first decline in three months

2026-10-16T13:21:56.204+01:00

Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves dropped to $55.09 billion on October 14, marking the first decline in three months.

The reserves fell from $55.1 billion recorded on October 13, representing a decrease of 0.01 percent.

The last time the country’s FX reserves recorded a decline was on July 28, when it stood at $51.94 billion.

A review of the CBN data shows that the country’s FX reserves fluctuated between July and early August, recording both gains and declines.

As at July 21, the reserves stood at $52.03 billion before rising slightly to $52.04 billion on July 22.

The figure declined to $52.03 billion on July 23 and fell further to $52.02 billion on July 24.

The reserves dropped to $51.96 billion on July 27 and $51.94 billion on July 28, before falling further to $51.92 billion on July 30, and remained stable until the end of the month.

However, the reserves began to recover in August, rising to $51.94 billion on August 3, $51.95 billion on August 4 and $52 billion on August 5. The figure reached $52.03 billion on August 6.

The upward trend continued in the subsequent months, with reserves rising to $52.14 billion on August 10 before climbing further to $55.1 billion on October 13.

The marginal decline recorded on October 14 ended the reserve’s nearly three-month surge streak.

Fitch Ratings had projected that Nigeria’s external reserves would decline to $47 billion by the end of 2026, despite ongoing FX reforms and recent improvements in macroeconomic policy.

‘What humility is that?’ — Wike takes aim at Obi over visits to IDP camps

2026-10-16T13:21:50.206+01:00

Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has questioned Peter Obi’s perceived humility over his repeated visits to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across the country.

Wike spoke on Thursday at the first Idoma Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held in collaboration with Ochetoha K’Idoma, as part of the Idoma Centenary Plus celebration in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme, ‘People, Politics and Power in Nigeria: The Agitation for Equity, Fairness and Justice,’ the minister urged Nigerians to be wary of politicians he described as “gamblers” ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a post on X on July 19, 2023, Obi said he marked his 62nd birthday with a visit to Bungha Pilot School in Mangu LGA, Plateau state, which he described as the state’s biggest IDP camp at the time.

In another post on September 30, 2026, Obi, who is now the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, said he had visited 12 IDP camps across Nigeria in recent weeks.

The former Anambra governor also shared pictures of himself interacting and playing with children during a visit to the Ramin Kura IDP camp in Sokoto, which he described as his 12th IDP camp visit.

While calling on the government to improve conditions in the camps, Obi urged the president and other political office holders to spend their holidays in Nigeria in order to see firsthand the difficulties vulnerable citizens grapple with daily.

‘POLITICIANS CAN TELL LIES’

In an apparent reference to Obi, Wike questioned why a politician who did not celebrate his birthday in an IDP camp while serving as governor would want to do so while seeking the presidency.

“Politicians can tell lies. Yes. A man who did not celebrate his birthday when he was a governor now wants to be president and wants to celebrate his birthday in IDP camps? And you say, ‘Oh, he is very humble’. Which humility is that?” he asked.

Wike also criticised politicians who, according to him, suddenly start buying corn and groundnuts in public and visiting filling stations to comment on fuel prices as they seek political office.

In a video that circulated on February 15, Rotimi Amaechi, a former minister of transportation and vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was seen eating corn and interacting with supporters during the party’s campaign ahead of the last FCT council election.

In an apparent dig at Amaechi, Wike said such actions amount to playing to the gallery, adding that Nigerians should not be swayed by politicians’ public displays of humility.

“You see a man who has never bought corn on the road suddenly buying corn and groundnuts in public. Who are you deceiving?” he asked.

The FCT minister defended the current administration’s efforts to address the country’s economic and security challenges, urging Nigerians to compare the current situation with what obtained previously.

“Nobody is happy that we are where we are. But if we are to trace our steps back to where we are coming from, are there attempts to improve the situation? So, I will take this opportunity to let you know: don’t listen to gamblers,” he said.

Saudi Arabia executes two Bangladeshis for ‘s*xual act’ inside Mecca mosque

2026-10-16T13:21:48.641+01:00

Saudi Arabia says it has executed two Bangladeshi nationals for committing a s*xual act inside a mosque in the holy city of Mecca.

Announcing the executions in a statement on Wednesday, the Saudi ministry of interior identified the offenders as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, a woman.

The ministry said security authorities arrested the duo following the incident and charged them after an investigation.

According to the statement, a competent court found both individuals guilty and sentenced them to death as a discretionary punishment known as “Ta’zir”, citing the gravity of their actions and the violation of the mosque’s sanctity.

The ministry said the judgment was upheld by the relevant judicial authority before a royal order was issued for the sentences to be carried out in accordance with Islamic law.

It added that the executions took place in the Makkah region on Wednesday.

The ministry said the executions emphasised the Saudi government’s commitment to maintaining security, upholding justice and enforcing Islamic law against those who violate the sanctity of mosques and the dignity of others.

It also warned that anyone who commits similar acts would face punishments prescribed by Islamic law.