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APC National Chairman, Yilwatda, Donates N100m To University

February 27, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

The Akwa Ibom State University has been gifted with the sum of N100 million by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Prof Nentawe Yilwatda.

The money is specifically to support cutting-edge research with direct societal and economic impact.

In addition to the financial donation, Prof Yilwatda proposed to increase the research grant if the initial ₦100 million is transparently and effectively utilised, while pledging to personally supervise and monitor the implementation of the research projects, ensuring accountability, excellence, and measurable outcomes.

The Special Adviser to the National Chairman, (Media and Communications Strategy), Abimbola Tooki, stated that Yilwatda made the donation in line with his strong advocacy for repositioning Nigerian universities as engines of innovation, national development, and global competitiveness.

He revealed that the grant is dedicated to strengthening research output that addresses pressing national challenges and translates knowledge into practical solutions.

According to him, research is the soul of a world-class university, but research without impact remains ineffective unless it illuminates society, informs policy, and fuels innovation.

He noted that Nigeria’s investment in research remains below 0.5 per cent of GDP far beneath the OECD benchmark of 2 per cent describing this gap not as a limitation, but as a clear opportunity for visionary intervention.

Yilwatda explained that the research fund is expected to prioritise high-impact areas critical to Nigeria’s present and future, including flood modelling in coastal regions, climate adaptation strategies in the Niger Delta, optimisation of offshore oil production, sustainable fisheries management, and renewable energy integration.

He emphasised that emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence-driven modelling, big data analytics, and global digital research platforms, must be deployed to move research from abstract theory to tangible societal impact, particularly in resource-rich and environmentally sensitive regions like Akwa Ibom State.

Drawing lessons from global best practices, the APC Chairman referenced leading institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University, where interdisciplinary research and strong industry linkages have driven regional development and global innovation ecosystems.

He stressed that Akwa Ibom State University has the potential to replicate such success by aligning research with local strengths while maintaining a global outlook.

He also highlighted the importance of international collaboration and digital connectivity, noting that modern universities must operate locally while competing globally.

Through virtual research clusters, co-supervised doctoral programmes, and online visiting scholars, Akwa Ibom State University, he said, can position Uyo as a visible node in the global knowledge network.

Yilwatda reaffirmed that strengthening research must go hand in hand with improving the quality of teaching and learning.

He advocated the adoption of blended learning models, AI-driven adaptive systems, virtual laboratories, and immersive simulations, particularly in marine biology, offshore engineering, and energy analytics, to prepare students for a technology-driven global economy.

Describing the donation as both a commitment and a challenge, he urged the university community to see research funding not as an entitlement, but as a responsibility to deliver solutions that uplift society, strengthen industry, and advance national development.

“This intervention is about building capacity, credibility, and confidence in Nigerian research. When research is impactful, universities become catalysts of development, and nations become globally competitive,” he said.

Urgent Call To Save Nigeria’s Democracy

The Source

February 27, 2026

Joint Press Conference of opposition parties

■BEING THE FULL TEXT OF A WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE BY LEADERS OF THE MAIN OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA IN RESPONSE TO THE AMENDED ELECTORAL ACT AND RELATED MATTERS; HELD AT THE TRANSCORP HOTEL, ABUJA ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2027■

We gather here as leaders of Nigeria’s major opposition political parties with a shared aspiration to save our democracy and indeed our nation from impending failure and collapse.

We have met and decided to collectively articulate our position against the offensive and anti-democratic Electoral Act, 2026 recently passed by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led National Assembly and hurriedly assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as other related matters that equally portends danger to our democracy.

We all saw as Nigerians across various divides expressed their discontent with the anti-democratic provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026 at the various public hearings and protests at the National Assembly grounds. But we also saw how the peaceful citizens were met with violent repression and disdain by a government that has effectively become deaf, desperate and dictatorial.

We consider several provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 signed into law with such contemptuous haste by President Tinubu as a major offensive by the APC administration to subvert the will of the people in the 2027 general elections. This joint briefing and other collaborative efforts that would follow are therefore designed by the opposition parties to save our democracy, and more importantly, to save our country from political crisis that may follow if the will of the people are subverted yet again.

We therefore state unequivocally that the new Electoral Act is anti-democratic, and its implementation will undermine electoral transparency and sanctity of the ballot which are fundamental to free, fair and credible elections and the bedrock of participatory democracy.

This obnoxious Electoral Act, 2026 is without doubt enacted to undermine democracy in Nigeria and it is part of the on-going design by the Tinubu-led APC to disorganize and weaken opposition, corrupt the electoral system, compromise democratic institutions and foist a totalitarian one-party rule on Nigeria. Therefore, we, as patriotic leaders, standing shoulder to shoulder with Nigerians, reject the new Electoral Act for the following reasons.

THE NEW ACT: DISCRETION WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY IS CORRUPTION

The introduction of the proviso in Section 60(3), which allows wide and undefined discretionary powers to the presiding officer, overrides and negates the purpose of introducing electronic transmission of election results from polling units. This negation is unambiguously intended to provide a blank check to those who seek to manipulate election results by delaying the electronic transmission of results from the polling units to the IREV on the pretext of network failure.

The premise of the proviso in Section 60(3) is the unavailability or possibility of network failure. We find this premise dubious and inconsistent with reality. The immediate past INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, stated on record that the BVAS equipment, which operates offline, had worked with over 90% success rate across the nation, and in the event of network failure at the point of transmission, the transmitted results would be delivered successfully whenever network is available. This position has been further confirmed most recently by the former INEC Commissioner, Festus Okoye, as widely reported, that every polling unit in Nigeria has internet access. Indeed, these statements by those who have been in a position to know provide counterfactual to the lies that are being fed to the Nigerian people by a government that has lost respect for reason and reality.

The testimonies of these two principal officers of INEC have also been strongly supported by publicly available data. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission, as at 2023 Nigeria had achieved more than 95% 2G coverage, which is more than sufficient for transmission of election results from polling units. And by that same period, Nigeria already had more than 159 million internet subscribers, and more than 220 million telephone subscribers using 2G network. It is also noteworthy that Thise capacity for 24 hour coverage of the entire country. goes to show that denying mandatory real-time transmission of election results from the polling units on the basis of lack of communication network is not supported by evidence. Fortunately, millions of our people who transact business daily with various financial platforms even from the remotest parts of the country know that the no-network argument is fraudulent and is merely part of the APC game-plan to rig the election in 2027.

Indeed, we find it quite ironic, that the same APC that strongly agitated for electronic voting only a few years ago is now opposed to the use of technology for mere transmission of results. The game at hand is very clear.

PRIMARIES: HIJACKING THE INDEPENDENCE OF POLITICAL PARTIES

Furthermore, the amendment to Section 84 of the Act, limiting political parties to direct primaries and consensus for the purpose of selection of candidates is clearly an overreach on the constitutionally guaranteed autonomy of political parties in the exercise of their internal affairs. The National Assembly cannot hide under the provision of Section 228(b) of the Constitution to restrict political parties to only two methods of nomination. There is nothing undemocratic about indirect primaries, which create an electoral college for the selection of candidates in an objective, transparent and orderly manner.

As a matter of fact, recent experience has shown that indirect primaries have been the most democratic of the trio provided in all the past Electoral Acts. We recall many situations where during direct primaries, the winning candidates were allocated votes that eventually exceeded the total number of votes cast in the subsequent general elections, clearly showing the unreliability of direct primaries. We have also witnessed situations of forced consensus, like the recent case of Osun APC Governorship primaries.

Our position therefore is that as political parties we do not need legislation that prescribes what mode of party primaries political parties must adopt. In other words, the mode of nominating candidates should be strictly the internal affairs of political parties. There can only be one reason for this particular amendment: to create chaos and disorder in the ranks of opposition political parties in the hope that they would not be able to present a candidate and President Tinubu would be the only serious candidate in the 2027 Presidential election. What they are working towards is the coronation of Tinubu in 2027. Therefore, we find this amendment in bad faith and we reject it outrightly. In the coming days, we shall explore every constitutional means to cure this indirect hijack of the independence of political parties.

ANTI-PEOPLE AND ANTI-DEMOCRATIC

Since the commencement of the process of Electoral Act Amendment more than two years ago, Nigerians made their desires abundantly clear during the public hearings and stakeholder sessions held to obtain and onboard the peoples’ desires and perspectives. The reports submitted to both chambers of the National Assembly therefore carried well-thought-out and well-considered clause-by-clause recommendations from stakeholders and citizens across the country. But the will of the people were eventually subverted and their views rubbished.

We commend the opposition lawmakers, who despite intimidation and harassment stood firmly against anti-democratic forces in both chambers and in defence of democracy. In the same token, we condemn the transactional conduct of those lawmakers who initially supported the progressive provisions of the legislation only to capitulate when it matters most.

Let us sound this note of warning: the people are watching and taking note. At the appropriate time, the people would remember those who stood in defence of their democratic aspirations and those who sold the will of the people for a mess of pottage.

FCT ELECTION AS TEST-RUN OF 2027 APC RIGGING PLAN

Many had been surprised by the desperate haste with which President Tinubu signed this anti-democratic law without even bothering to study it. Nigerians have also wondered at this uncharacteristic speed from the President on this electoral law, while he continues to prevaricate, waiver and dawdle over other serious legislations, policies and actions that could actually improve the lives of citizens. But then, the FCT Local Government elections came and it all became clear.

Perhaps, the most important lesson that the opposition learnt from the FCT election is that President Tinubu and his APC do not care about free and fair election. In fact, it is quite clear that the very fear of free and fair election is what had led them to mutilate the electoral law and insert loopholes that they could exploit for rigging and manipulation, especially at the collation stage. We saw it clearly in the FCT election where votes claimed by the APC outstrips the total number of accredited voters by several folds. We in the opposition therefore condemn that election as disgustingly fraudulent. But more importantly, it provides practical evidence of what the APC intend to achieve with Section (60) 3 of the new Act.

The opposition therefore considers the blatant rigging of the FCT election as a wake-up call. We have learnt important lessons from this experience. We have given the new INEC Chairman the benefits of the doubts. The FCT election was his litmus test and from what we have seen, he has failed to convince us that anything would change under his watch, therefore telling us that we can only trust in our capacity and determination to protect our votes.

VOTER APATHY AS VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE

Perhaps, the most important highlight of the FCT election is the historic low voter turnout, ranging from 15% in the Area Councils and 7.2% in the AMAC. This is consistent with recent turnout figures in recent off-cycle elections. As political parties and members of the political class, this disturbing trend signifies gradual erosion of the people’s confidence in the integrity of the electoral system. Nigerians are telling themselves that their votes no longer count. The issue of voter apathy speaks directly to the question of legitimacy and credibility. While our elections are determined by simple majority, to what extent can a government whose mandate derives from a tiny fraction of the electorates, claim to truly reflect the choice of the people? We believe that the only solution to voter apathy is to convince the people once again that their votes will not be stolen and elections would not be manipulated. But more importantly, for the government to truly commit to improving the lives of citizens so people can believe that democracy comes with real benefits.

EDO ATTACK AND GROWING VIOLENCE AGAINT OPPOSITION

The recent assault on leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State highlights the growing acts of political violence and intolerance in our country in recent times. We condemn in the most unequivocal and strongest terms the incidence in Edo on Wednesday February 24, as well as other similar attacks in other parts of the country.

Democracy thrives on healthy competition of ideas, not on thuggery, and unprovoked criminal unleashing of raw violence on the opposition. We have seen this in Lagos State. Only last Saturday, one of the ADC party agents was brutally killed during the FCT Election. This culture of intolerance, thuggery, and violence against opposition party leaders therefore poses a potent danger to democracy and national stability. This is dangerous and completely unacceptable.

It is quite ironic indeed that the APC, a political party that rode to power under an atmosphere of political liberty and tolerance has now committed itself to re-establishing the dangerous culture of violence and thuggery that we thought our politics have outgrown as a democracy. We reiterate that no political grievance can justify the use of violence, the shedding of blood and the killing of citizens. We, and all compatriots, as well as those who cherish the institutionalization of democracy in Nigeria will therefore never accept a return to the days of politics based on violence. We will not be cowed. We will not be intimidated.

THE CREEPING WEAPONISATION OF JUDICIARY

The final arbiter in any democracy is the judiciary. It is therefore impossible to have real democracy without an independent and impartial judiciary. Unfortunately, we have witnessed in recent years how the very institution that is meant to protect democracy has been weaponized against democracy itself. We therefore wish to remind the judiciary that partisan politics is for the executive and the legislature, not the judiciary. The judiciary must stop being complicit in undermining our democracy. What we have witnessed in recent times represent strong evidence that our judiciary is in dire need of reform and the temple of justice is in need of deep cleansing. A situation where elections are blatantly rigged and those who participated such criminality are quick to say “if you are not happy, go to court” has done immeasurable damage to our democratic progress and it must be stopped. Electoral outcomes must be decided by the people, and not the courts. The judiciary must therefore re-discover its capacity for impartiality and neutrality and regain the intrinsic trust of citizens in its judgments.

CONCLUSION

As true believers in the tenets of electoral democracy and leaders of the main opposition parties in Nigeria, we alert that our country is being pushed to the precipice by the very institutions that are vested with the constitutional powers to uphold and defend our democracy. Already we are confronted with a citizenry that is increasingly cynical of our democracy and what it promises. The trust deficit widens exponentially on a daily basis. Citizen disengagement, voter apathy, the erosion of rule of law, and the desecration of our institutions have become emblematic of our democracy. Majority of our people are losing faith in democracy. This is a very dangerous trend that we can only arrest by truly handing power back to the people.

The National Assembly failed in its duty to act in the interest of the country and citizens. This 10th assembly acted solely in their narrow and selfish interests. The National Assembly rejected the opportunity to deepen and strengthen our democratic process when it was presented to them by the people. They rejected the chance to act as true patriots when history beckoned; they chose to tear down rather than build a truly democratic society. History will remember them for this.

It is obvious that the objective of the APC government and their accomplices in the legislature is to provide the legal pretext for the corruption of the electoral system. They harbour neither plans nor intentions to conduct free and fair elections in 2027, because even in their arrogance and self-delusion, they are acutely aware of their growing unpopularity across the length and breadth of Nigeria even with the recent gale of coerced and procured defections to their party.

We demand that the National Assembly immediately commence a fresh amendment to the Electoral Act 2026, to remove all obnoxious provisions and ensure that the Act reflects only the will and aspiration of Nigerians for free, fair, transparent and credible electoral process in our country. Nothing short of this will be acceptable to Nigerians.

We hereby wish to assure Nigerians that the opposition stand in unity and shall meet the ongoing shenanigans with equal resolve. We urge the people not to be deterred or be discouraged. We are committed to defending our democracy and we are prepared to defend your votes and ensure that every vote counts. We hear you loud and clear. We know your desire for a government that cares for you, a government that listens to you, and a government that protects you. We will not let you down.

We call on all lovers of democracy to join us in this journey to save the world’s largest black democracy from this growing civilian dictatorship of President Bola Tinubu. We call on the civil society groups to join us in the task of saving our democracy and our beloved nation. This is the time to stand up and be counted.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

SIGNATORIES:
Names and signatures of the National Chairmen of the parties involved:

Terrorism: Court Admits Malami, Son To N200 Million Bail Each

Suleiman Anyalewechi

February 27, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Friday February 27, 2026 granted immediate past Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz bail to the tune of N200 million, each, in the case of alleged terrorism financing ,and related Offences filed against them by the Department of State Service, DSS.

The defendants are to deposit their international passports , and other vital travel documents before the Registrar of the court.

Presiding Judge Honourable Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik ordered the defendants to equally present two sureties in like sum, with one of them, tendering before the court evidence of title deeds of an already developed property within the jurisdiction of either Asokoro or Maitama Districts of the Federal Capital Territory FCT Abuja.

They are to remain in prison custody until the terms of their bail are perfected.

The Source reports that the DSS had, on February 3, 2026, arraigned Malami and his son on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing, and unlawful possession of firearms.

The DSS in their motion on notice, also, accused Malami of deliberately refusing ,and/or neglecting to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

The DSS similarly accused the defendants of stockpiling a large cache of arms and ammunition at their Birni-Kebbi residence.

The defendants, however, had an earlier hearing of their bail application stalled on Friday February 20, 2026, owing to the controversial work-free day declared the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT Nyesom Wike during the just concluded FCT council polls.

Why Saudi Arabia Banned Table Eggs From Nigeria

James Orji

February 27, 2026

The government of Saudi Arabia has has banned the import of poultry and table eggs from Nigeria and 39 other countries,

The country’s Food and Drug Authority said it has also imposed partial restrictions on certain regions in 16 other nations to safeguard public health and ensure food safety in the domestic market.

“The list of affected countries is subject to regular review in line with global health developments and epidemiological updates,” the authority said, as quoted by Gulf News on Tuesday.

According to the latest revision, some bans have been in place since 2004, while others were introduced gradually based on risk assessments and international reports of animal diseases, particularly outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Countries affected by the full ban include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Djibouti, South Africa, China, Iraq, Ghana, Palestine, Vietnam, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, South Korea, North Korea, Laos, Libya, Myanmar, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Serbia, Slovenia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Montenegro.

Partial restrictions are in place for specific states or cities in Australia, the United States, Italy, Belgium, Bhutan, Poland, Togo, Denmark, Romania, Zimbabwe, France, the Philippines, Canada, Malaysia, Austria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Saudi government stated that “the temporary ban does not apply to heat-treated poultry meat and related products, provided they comply with approved health and safety standards.”

Fintiri’s Defection Makes APC Governors 31

James Orji

February 27, 2026

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State — Governor Ahmadu Fintiri

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa state has finally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. His defection from his former party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, marked the end of months-long speculations that he was planning to join the APC.

The governor announced his defection from the PDP during a state-wide broadcast on Friday, in Yola, the state’s capital, saying he took the decision to join the ruling party in the interest of his people.

According to him, he took the decision after “wide ‘consultation” with many stakeholders in the state, saying the decision also aligned with the need to join the APC which is the ruling party at the federal level, adding that his action is not based on personal interest

Governor Fintiri stressed that the entire political structure of the state is moving into the APC with him, including political appointees, party executives across the state’s 226 wards and 21 local government areas, promising that his defection will not affect government performance. .

“We are moving as a collective, with the required political strength and the numbers that confer value,” Fintiri said.

Meanwhile, the magazine reports that Fintiri’s defection has effectively brought the number of APC state governors to 31, from the 24 governors after the 2023 elections.

Decarbonisation: NIMASA Rallies Stakeholders On National Action Plan

James Orji

February 27, 2026

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA has pledged its commitment to provide the regulatory leadership, technical coordination, and stakeholder engagement required to successfully develop and implement a robust National Action Plan on maritime decarbonization in Nigeria.

The Director General of the agency Dr. Dayo Mobereola who made this known during the National Stakeholders’ workshop on the development of a National Maritime Decarbonization Action Plan further described the workshop as a critical step in actualizing the Federal Government’s blue economy and climate objectives.

Represented by the Executive Director, Operations, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, the NIMASA DG underscored the significance of the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project, a technical cooperation initiative /designed to support developing countries in implementing the IMO GHG Strategy.

According to him, the National Action Plan being developed will reflect national realities, leverage existing capacities, address identified gaps, and align with broader economic and environmental priorities of the Federal Government.

Dr. Mobereola stressed that “this transition is not merely about compliance with international obligations, it is about safeguarding our marine environment, protecting public health, strengthening the blue economy, and ensuring that our maritime industry remains competitive and future-ready”, the DG said.

Also speaking at the event, was the Technical Manager of the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project, Astrid Dispert, who highlighted that the overarching objective of the initiative is to advance a coherent and globally aligned regulatory framework to accelerate maritime decarbonization. She also emphasised that NIMASA plays a pivotal role in driving the project at the national level.

The IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project provides technical expertise and institutional support to assist countries in developing and implementing National Action Plans that promote sustainable shipping practices, encourage investment in clean technologies, and strengthen capacity for long-term emissions reduction.

Through this collaboration, the Federal Government is advancing deliberate steps towards maritime decarbonization, reinforcing its commitment to global climate goals and ensuring a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for the sector.

Ondo Banditry: ADC Asks Aiyedatiwa To Declare State Of Emergency On Insecurity

Ayodele Oni

February 27, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

As banditry attack and kidnappings continue in Ondo state, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has advised the state government to cease treating symptoms and instead attack the root causes with decisive, proactive force.

The party condemned the escalating wave of kidnappings, killings, and maiming that has gripped Ondo State in recent times.

A statement on Friday by Kunle Adeloye, State Publicity Secretary, ADC, noted that

“The gruesome murder of Oba Kehinde Falodun, the Alagamo of Agamo in Akure North Local Government right within his palace is most shameful and totally unspeakable.

“While the tension created arising from such dastard act is yet unsettled, the barbaric abduction of innocent worshippers including no fewer than six members of the Celestial Church of Christ during a midnight vigil in Uso, Owo Local Government Area represents yet another horrifying chapter in this unrelenting nightmare.

“Gunmen storming places of worship, highways, farms, and homes have turned our state into a theatre of terror, where no one feels safe.

“We do not know who will be the next victim, and this pervasive fear has paralyzed daily life across communities.

“We are appalled that under the watch of His Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, these atrocities continue unabated.

“The recent incidents, including repeated kidnappings along the Akure-Owo Expressway, abductions in agrarian communities like Ilu-Abo, and the brazen attacks that have forced residents to block major highways in desperate protests, expose a glaring failure of leadership and security architecture.

“While we acknowledge recent efforts such as the induction of new Amotekun operatives and arrests of some suspects, these measures remain largely reactive, piecemeal, and insufficient in the face of a sophisticated criminal network operating with impunity.

“The government must cease treating symptoms and instead attack the root causes with decisive, proactive force.

“The economic devastation wrought by this insecurity cannot be overstated. Our farmers, the backbone of Ondo State’s agrarian economy are fleeing their farmlands in droves, abandoning cocoa, cassava, yam, and other crops out of mortal fear of being kidnapped or killed.

“Our highways once bustling with commerce now carry tales of horror, deterring investors, crippling trade, and threatening imminent food shortages that will hit the most vulnerable hardest.

“If this trend continues unchecked, Ondo State risks descending into a humanitarian and economic crisis that no amount of rhetoric can reverse.”

The party advised Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to declare a state of emergency on insecurity and unveil a comprehensive, time-bound security strategy.

According to it, this should include enhanced intelligence gathering, rapid-response teams deployable within minutes to hotspots, permanent surveillance in forests and rural areas, and strengthened collaboration between Amotekun, the Police, Army, and community vigilantes.

“Security operations can be decentralized to empower local communities and traditional institutions in intelligence and response efforts.

“Your Excellency can as well invest massively in equipping and training security forces to dismantle criminal hideouts, prosecute offenders swiftly through special fast-track courts, and end the era of ransom payments that only embolden kidnappers.

“It is important to address the underlying socio-economic drivers of crime, including youth unemployment and poverty, to prevent recruitment into these syndicates.

“The people of Ondo State elected Your Excellency to protect our lives and property, not to issue condolences after every tragedy. Enough is enough!

“We are using this medium to call on the government to wake up from your complacency, rise to the occasion, and restore peace, security, and dignity to our state before more innocent blood is shed.”

“You Are Working Under Me As Personal Aides, Not To Be Holding Nocturnal Political Meetings”, Fubara Warns New SSG, CoS

Suleiman Anyalewechi

February 26, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The embattled Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara on Thursday February 26, 2026, sounded unusually tough as he read the riot act to his newly appointed Chief of Staff, CoS, and Secretary to the State Government SSG.

At the official swearing-in of Dr Dagogo Wokoma ,and Barr.Sunny Ewule, as SSG and CoS respectively, Governor Fubara warned them against any involvement in political and nocturnal meetings with a firm threat to dispense with the services of any of his appointee who goes contrary to his directive.

The Source reports that the two appointments, announced early Thursday morning, signaled the beginning of the re-building process post-settlement of the long drawn crisis of confidence between Governor Fubara and the camp of his political godfather, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister Nyesom Wike.

Governor Fubara insisted that the essence of having the two technocrats on board is to assist him in the re-building process and not to further create problems by way of unnecessary involvement in political activities and other unwholesome practices.

“This appointment is not for any political empowerment that you are appointed to start raising, or believing that you have a platform to abuse, insult, or create problems. It is an appointment to help this administration succeed.

“The most important thing to this administration now is to see that the good works that we started, and the ones we met on ground are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our State.

“You are working under me. You are my personal aides. It is not a position that as you are leaving here now, you start holding political meetings, and calling.people without my permission.

” Let me sound a warning here clearly. Your job is to make sure that administrative activities, image making are well coordinated by way of liaising with everyone on official engagement here is handled satisfactorily.

“However, if you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings, and political gatherings, I will not hesitate to sack you.

“What is more important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of Rivers state. It is important, and I am not going to compromise it for anything.

“I believe that those that have worked closely with me are very much aware that I don’t say what I won’t do. May be before now, a few things had gone wrong because of my not being observant, and I let anything to go.

“But this time, I am not going to let things to go just like that. I am watching everyone, and any step that will bring any form of embarrassment to this Government or to my person, I assure you will be met with commensurate sanctions”, Fubara stated.

He also sounded a note of warning to some retired Permanent Secretaries who have refused to vacate their seats months after being duly retired from service.

The Governor assured that he will dispatch a team to decisively handle the situation by next week.

Terrorism Financing: EFCC Petitions Against Judge In The Trial Of Bauchi Finance Commissioner

Suleiman Anyalewechi

February 26, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, February 26, forced a Federal High Court Abuja Division, presided over by Honourable Justice Mohammed Umar, to hands-off a case and adjourn it indefinitely.

Justice Umar was handling the case on the alleged terrorism financing to the tune of $9.7 million. preferred against the Bauchi State Finance Commissioner Yakubu Adamu , Miyetti Allah Leader Bello Bodejo,and two others ,by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.

This development followed a petition by the EFCC lodged with the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Honourable Justice John Tsoho, against Justice Umar by the anti-graft Commission.

The EFCC in the petition sought the disqualification of Justice Umar from further handling the alleged terrorism financing case involving the Bauchi State officials on the grounds that it longer reposed confidence in his ability to guarantee fairness and justice the handling of the matter.

The Source reports that Justice Umar had, on January 21, 2026, granted bail to the Bauchi Finance Commissioner and three of his co-defendants including Badejo to the tune of N100 million each after they were initially denied bail on January 5,2026 by vacation Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite.

The granting of bail to the defendants, however, came amidst strident opposition from the EFCC which had contended that the defendants posed a great risk to public safety and national interest.

The EFCC, in its petition to the Chief Judge noted that its trust and confidence in Justice Uma became shaky immediately after he granted bail to the defendants despite the weight and gravity of the allegations against them, as well as the strength of the counter-affidavit against their bail application.

The anti-graft Commission expressed serious regret that Justice Umar’s action came after a previous Judge (Justice Emeka Nwite) had denied the accused bail.

The EFCC in the petition asked the Chief Judge to either reassign the matter to another Judge or in the alternative, have Justice Umar recuse himself.

During the resumed hearing on the case on Thursday, Justice Umar announced his decision to temporarily step down pending the final decision of the Chief Judge on the EFCC’s petition.

His decision to also adjourn proceedings sine die was amidst spirited efforts by the defence counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, to persuade him to go ahead with the business of the day.

Justice Umar, however, maintained that it will be in the best interest of justice for him to step aside temporarily.

The Source further reports that the EFCC had, on December 31, 2025, arraigned the defendants on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, unlawful conversation of public funds, and terrorism financing involving over $9.7 million.

Attack On Obi, Oyegun Others: You Are Your Own Nemesis, APC Replies ADC

Suleiman Anyalewechi

February 26, 2026

Peter Obi escaped assasination — Peter Obi, attacked in Edo State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The All Progressive Congress, APC, on Thursday, February 26, 2026, distanced itself from the attack on the Edo State, Headquarters of the opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC, and some of its chieftains including Peter Obi.

This is as the Party called for an unfettered investigation to unravel the actual circumstances surrounding the said attack.

The Source reports that the emerging opposition Coalition platform, ADC, had in a statement from its spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, domiciled the blame for the attack on Obi, and others by some armed hoodlums at the Benin residence of former Governor of Edo state Chief John Oyegun on Tuesday ,at the door steps of both the APC and Edo state Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo.

According to the ADC, the attack mirrored a troubling pattern of opposition harassment by the ruling APC across the country .

The ADC alleged that Governor Okpebholo’s series of incendiary and inflammatory rhetorics and threats preceded the attack on its Edo state Secretariat and Oyegun’s residence.

According to the ADC, the APC and the Federal Government have increasingly become terrorists organizations , with the opposition party it’s primary target.

“This was (attack on Obi and others) not an isolated incident. It bears the unmistakable marks of a dangerous and escalating pattern of political intimidation ,and terror against our party across the country”, ADC alleged .

But reacting, the APC in a statement on Thursday from its National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka , while denying any involvement,blamed the unfortunate incident on internal contradictions and crises within the ADC itself.

“The African Democratic Congress, ADC, is undoubtedly its own nemesis. It needs no external help to achieve its political demise .The party is doing a good job crippling itself even before it has come to stand on its feet.

“The ADC and its leaders are insufferable jesters. They weaponized dark humour as a strategy to deceive ,distract and disrupt in desperation for public sympathy”, Morka stated.

The APC, according to the national spokesperson, is too busy celebrating its sweet victory in the recently conducted FCT Council polls and by-elections in Kano and Rivers states to get involved in the unfortunate attack on the ADC and its leaders.

This is as Morka described as “senseless and unfounded” ADC’s resort to blame game without any verifiable evidence and or investigation being carried out.

According to the APC, the tendency for the opposition party to shift blame from what appears to be a result of its internal challenges, smacks of complete lack of focus and total disregard for the rule of law.

Morka further described as reckless and unjustifiable ADC’s characterization of APC as a “terrorist organization”.

” By its baseless conclusion ,the party ( ADC) has declared itself to be the accuser , investigator , prosecutor and judge in its own case ..

” This characterization only reveals the ADC ,and its leaders as a confused bunch , desperate to whip up sentiments ,and curry public sympathy at all cost.

” Its flippant accusation clearly shows that the ADC is out of touch with prevailing realities of the country’s war on terror ,and insensitive to patriotic sacri.of our troops in the frontlines in defence of our lives and liberty” Morka added.

While condemning the Edo state attack ,the APC however called on security agencies and all other relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident , beginning with a scrutiny of the ADC itself.

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