Jailed former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman has been arrested by the Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The former minister has been a fugitive of the law following his conviction to 75 years imprisonment by a court in Abuja two weeks ago.
The Chairman of the commission, Ola Olukoyede announced his arrest today during a press briefing, saying the disgraced former minister was apprehended in Kanuda where he has been hiding before he was nabbed by EFCC operatives.
The magazine had earlier reported that a Federal High Court presided over by Jsutice Omotosho had sentenced the former to 75 years imprisonment over the diversion of N33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
According to the EFCC who prosecuted him, he diverted the funds using some ministry officials, private companies, and Bureau de Change operators.
Mamman, who recently bought the Taraba State APC governorship forms, also faces a separate case at the FCT High Court in Maitama, where he is accused of diverting N31 billion meant for the Mambilla Power Project.
Fugitive Ex-Power Minister, Saleh Mamman Arrested By EFCC
Kwara Gov Anoints Successor, Seriki
Amid the political wrangling in Kwara state over who succeeds Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, the state helmsman has endorsed one Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki as his preferred successor and candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. In spite of the governor’s endorsement, Seriki will still have to slug it out with other candidates in the 2027 governorship election to become the occupier of Ilorin Government House.
While endorsing the aspirant, Governor Abdulrasaq said his action has not shut the door on other contestants who are aspiring to fly the APC flag in next year’s election, saying he only preferred Seriki because of his popularity which cut across the party and state generally.
Governor Abdulrasaq stressed that he decided to throw his weight behind the aspirant wide consultation among APC and other political leaders the state, describing Seriki as a “young and broadminded person.”
He said the aspirants has a “profound investment” among the people of the state, that he will perfrom well when he gets to office.
“ I am pleased to endorse Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki (MFR) as my preferred successor under the platform of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC),” the governor said in a statement on Tuesday.
He explained that Seriki is the candidate needed to transform the state at this time, calling on his party members to support him to win.
“Young, pro-people, astute, and broad-minded, Amb. Yahaya Seriki has been a great political mobiliser with profound investments in and extensive goodwill among the people of Kwara State. I have no doubt about his capacity and that his choice is appropriate for the people of our state at this time.
“While this does not in any way preclude all other aspirants from contesting in the primaries, I urge members and leaders to affirm the choice of Seriki as our candidate for cohesion, unity, and continuous success of the party as we hold our gubernatorial primaries on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
“The choice of Amb. Yahaya Seriki is neither a disapproval of any of our eminently qualified aspirants nor a whimsical attempt to delegitimise the noble aspirations of our people. But in a race involving some 16 great minds for one office, only one person can take the shot at a time.
“Finally, I acknowledge and commend the statesmanship of our aspirants, all of whom have shown discipline and impressive capacity to build on the undeniable achievements of our administration over the last seven years for the good of the people of Kwara State.”
APC Senatorial Pry Election: Fmr Gov Goje Loses Bid To Return To Senate For Fifth Time
By Ayodele Oni
A retired police officer has emerged as the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Gombe state after defeating a former Governor and incumbent Senator, Danjuma
Goje lost his bid to secure the All Progressives Congress senatorial ticket for Gombe Central ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former governor was defeated in Monday’s direct primary election by retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Mohammed Ahmed. DCP Ahmed enjoyed the backing of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
Results announced by the returning officer, Dr. Habu Dahiru, showed that Ahmed polled 42,785 votes, while Goje secured 10,425 votes across Akko and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas, the two councils that make up the senatorial district.
Ahmed had earlier emerged as the consensus candidate of the APC for the seat before the primary election.
Goje has represented Gombe Central in the Senate since 2011 after completing two terms as Governor of the State.
Speaking after the exercise, Ahmed described the primary as peaceful and orderly, adding that residents of the district were eager for a fresh direction in representation at the National Assembly.
“You can see the excitement among the people. Many believe the time has come for Yamaltu-Deba to have a stronger voice at the national level,” he stated.
The APC candidate added that his ambition was driven by public demand for change rather than personal rivalry.
An aide to Goje declined to comment on the outcome, saying he needed approval from the former governor before speaking with journalists.
Meanwhile, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, emerged unopposed during the party’s primary election held at Methodist School Ukana, Ukana West II Ward, in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
A statement issued Monday by Akpabio’s media office said party supporters and residents turned out in large numbers to witness the affirmation of the former governor as the APC candidate for the district.
“Although he was the only aspirant, his kinsmen trooped out to the Ward Centre to support their son whom they said had given them effective representation in all the previous offices he had held having served as Commissioner, Governor, Minority Leader of the Senate, Minister and presently the President of the 10th Senate,” the Statement read.
Osun Govt. Alleges Plot By Killer Squad To Go After Accord Party Leaders
By Ayodele Oni
The Osun State Government has alleged that a killer squad is in the State and specifically constituted to go after leaders of Accord Party.
The State Government also claimed that the Police authorities are aware of the squad under CSP Moses Lahor for a decapitation operation against Accord leaders and top government officials ahead of the August 15 governorship elections.
Governor Ademola Adeleke had decamped to Accord Party ahead of the Governorship election coming up in the state in August.
A statement signed by the State Commissioner for information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, stated that “We have an authentic report about the plot for the squad to land in Osun any moment from now and commence selective commando-like arrest of Accord officials, not for investigation and prosecution but likely summary execution.
“The government and the party leadership also learnt reliably that the alleged killer squad have had series of special meetings with the APC gubernatorial candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, during which he has given them all necessary logistics to carry out the planned gruesome agenda of liquidating all known Accord stalwarts in different parts of the State.
“What is worrisome is that the planned undercover operation is a secret scheme without the knowledge of the Osun State Commissioner of Police.
“The head of the killer squad who is also a serving police officer is a former officer in charge of Anti Kidnapping in Osun State Command of Nigeria Police who was involved in the attempted murder of a chieftain of NURTW, Comrade Nurudeen Alowonle whom he shot in the abdomen.
“He was then transferred out of Osun to Borno State as an operational punishment for the dastardly act of shooting a suspect in custody.
“The report indicated that top APC leaders from Osun state influenced his eventual transfer to another police unit, the IRTsquad of Nigeria Police.
“We hereby place an urgent appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the International Community to take note of the looming planned mass arrest and killings of key figures of Accord Party in Osun state.
“We need to equally let the IGP know that the peace loving people of Osun State will resist, through lawful means, the planned mayhem being orchestrated by the opposition APC and their candidate, AMBO, who on a daily basis is desperately planning all acts of mischief and malfeasance after glaringly being rejected by the people of Osun state even before the coming election.
“We charge the IGP to toe the path of peace and harmony, so as not to allow his men (police) to be used to carry out the already known illegality in the interest of already sinking APC and its candidate, Mr Bola Oyebamiji in Osun state.”
Kebbi Sharia Police Nab Man Hidden Inside “Ghana Must Go” Bag By Married Lover
By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The authorities of the Kebbi State Shariah Police Hisbah Board, on Tuesday May 19, 2026, vowed to diligently prosecute two suspects apprehended over illegal and immoral romantic affairs.
A statement from Sirajo Kamba, the Director of the Sharia Board informed that a man was in the wee hours of Monday arrested while being concealed inside a “Ghana Must Go bag” at the residence of his lover, a married woman.
The Hisbah Director narrated that concerned residents and neighbours had alerted operatives of the Board on the presence of the man at the woman’s residence in the Badariya area of Birni-Kebbi, the State Capital at about 12:15 am on Monday May 18, 2026
“The residents suspected an illicit affair contrary to Islamic teachings, hence their decision to formally notify the authorities.
“Upon receiving the report, the Kebbi Hisbah Board swiftly deployed officers to investigate.
“When officers arrived, they requested to search the house, but the woman initially denied that someone was inside”, Kamba said.
However, upon a diligent search of the house after the woman had reluctantly given permission, operatives were able to discover the male lover hidden inside a bag.
According to the Hisbah Director, further findings indicated that the duo have been engaged in an illicit romantic relationship.
Kamba assured the suspects will be prosecuted under the provisions of the Islamic law as soon as investigations are concluded.
Fmr. Gov Egwu Heads NDC’s Screening Committee for Presidential Governorship and National Assembly Aspirants
The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has announced a 17-member committee Screening Committee for its Presidential, Governorship, Senatorial and House of Representatives aspirants.
The Committee which is to be inaugurated by 4:00pm, Tuesday, May 19, 2024 is headed by former two-term Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Sen. Sam Egwu.
A statement signed by the NDC National Secretary, Barr. Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, said Egwu, a former Senator of the Federal Republic, is to serve as Chairman, while Barr. Reuben Egwuaba, the NDC National Legal Adviser, will serve as Secretary of the committee.
Other members of the committee, which is a mix of both party leaders, tested professionals and some members of the NDC National Working Committee include:
- Comrade Babatunde Ali – Deputy Chairman
- . Alhaji Buba Galadima – Member
- Hon. Mohammed Sani Takori – Member
- Mr. Daniel Onifade – Member
- Mr. Ikeddy Isiguzo – Member
- Mr. Wole Adedayo – Member
- Dr. Osusu Osusu – Member
- Chief Asukewe Ikoawaji – Member
- Prof. Udenta Udenta – Member
- Barr. Frederick E. Owotorufa – Member
- 13. Hannatu Tanko – member
- Mr. Dogo Shammar – Member
- Sir Henry Obaze – Member
- Mr. Clement Agiagie – Member
- Barr. Fatima Musa Abba – Member
– The full list is as follows
– NIGERIA DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC) SCREENING COMMITTEE FOR PRESIDENTIAL, GOVERNORSHIP, SENATORIAL AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ASPIRANTS.
–
1. His Excellency, Sen. Sam Egwu – Chairman
2. Comrade Babatunde Ali – Deputy Chairman
3. Barr. Reuben Egwuaba – Secretary
4. AlhajiBuba Galadima – Member
5. Hon. Mohammed Sani Takori – Member
6. Mr. Daniel Onifade – Member
7. Mr. Ikeddy Isiguzo – Member
8. Mr. Wole Adedayo – Member
9. Dr. Osusu Osusu – Member
10. Chief AsukeweIkoawaji – Member
11. Prof. Udenta Udenta – Member
12. Barr. Frederick E. Owotorufa – Member.
13. Hannatu Tanko – Member
14. Mr. Dogo Shammar – Member
15. Sir Henry Obaze – Member
16. Mr. Clement Agiagie – Member
17. Barr. Fatima Musa Abba – Member
Peter Obi Says Beheading Of Teacher, Ra*ing To Death Of Elderly Woman: “Horrific, Shows Nation Losing Its HUMANITY”
The leading presidential candidate and former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi has described the brutal killing of a teacher and the horrific rape and murder of an elderly woman as shattering.
Writing on his X platform Obi said
“Some events shatter a society so deeply that words are no longer enough to express the shock; the brutal killing of a teacher and the horrific rape and murder of an elderly woman are among such tragedies. These are not isolated incidents but signs of deeper moral and social decay.
“How did we get here? How did we reach a point where teachers are hunted and killed, and the elderly—custodians of memory and wisdom—suffer such dehumanising violence?
” This is more than a security crisis; it is a failure of collective humanity. We have become desensitised, consuming tragedy briefly and moving on, allowing indifference to normalise the unacceptable.
” To the families affected, I share in your grief. But grief alone is not enough.
” We must demand accountability and urgent systemic change. If such atrocities no longer move us to action, then we risk losing our shared humanity.
Ahead ADC Presidential Primaries, Amaechi Questions Atiku’s Electability
By Suleiman Anyalewechi
“Atiku has an uncanny way of muscling himself through every Primary but has always performed abysmally at the main poll”
Immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has cast strong doubts over the electability of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the country’s topmost job.
This is as he reiterated his resolve not to play the second fiddle to anybody in the countdown to the 2027 presidential contest.
Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State and Atiku are among the presidential aspirants on the platform of the African Democratic Congress.
Speaking in an interview with the Trust TV Monday night, Amaechi questioned the chances of Atiku winning the Presidency.
According to him, time and facts on the ground have proven beyond doubt that Atiku does not possess the requisite national appeal and electoral strength to transform consistent primaries victories into successes in general elections.
X-raying the former Vice President’s chequered and long foray into the presidential race, the former Rivers State Governor emphasized that victories in indirect primaries do no guarantee success at the main polls.
According to him, Atiku, over the years has demonstrated the uncanny ability to muscle his way out of every primaries, but has also consistently performed abysmally in general elections proper.
Ahead of the ADC primaries that pitch both political actors, Amaechi asserted that it is completely meaningless to secure the primaries and lose the general elections.
He noted that there is a whole world of difference between winning a party’s ticket and attracting nationwide support capable of securing electoral victory for the party.
“He ( Atiku) has been contesting for the presidency since 1992. And everytime he wins the primaries, he also loses the general elections.
“This is not just about winning party primaries. It is about electability and Atiku has been proven severally he is not electable”, Amaechi stated.
He emphasized that the party should look beyond the issue of just securing victory at the primaries and think about how to win the people’s confidence at the polls proper.
“I listen when some people say former Vice President Atiku has never failed at the level of primaries before.
“I hope this will be the first time he fails at the primaries. That is not the issue, any way. The issue is that everytime he has passed the primaries, he has not won the election” he noted.
Amaechi further stated that globally, political parties tend to field candidates with national appeal and ability to win the trust and support of people across all lines, not just those who can win party primaries.
Full List(Names & Ages) Of Those Abducted On Friday, May 15 From Schools In Oyo State
●A total of seven teachers and 39 students/pupils were kidnapped.
●The affected schools are: *Community High School Ahoro-Esinele *Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.
The following teachers were reportedly abducted:
●Mrs Alamu FOLAWE – Principal, Community High School
●Mr Ojo JONATHAN – Vice Principal
●Mr Olatunde Zacchaeus – Teacher
●Mr John OLALEYE – Teacher
●Mr Michael OYEDOKUN – Teacher (sadly beheaded by their abductors)
●Mrs OLADEJI – Teacher
●Mary AKANBI – Teacher, Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School
*The underlisted students/pupils were also abducted from different communities within Oriire Local Government*
*Ahoro-Esinele Community:
●Rashida TAJUDEEN – 11 years
●Ahmed RAMONI – 8 years
●Abdulsalam TOYIB – 4 years
●Baraka ABIOYE – 16 years
●Fatimo JIMOH – 15 years
Hassan AZEEZ – ●14 years
Joshua ADELEKE – 13 years
*Yawota Community:
●Samuel OYEDELE – 7 years
●Emmanuel OYEDELE – 4 years
●Idowu TAIWO – 4 years
●Christianah AKANBI – 2 years
●Juwon SUNDAY – 7 years
●Sikiru SALAMI – 3 years
●Soliu SALAMI – 4 years
●Ojo JOSEPH – 8 years
●Lydia ADEWOLE – 8 years
Testimony ●JACOB – 5 years
●Kehinde KAOSARA – 7 years
●Sewa SEYI – 7 years
●Waliya BELLO – 4 years
●Lydia OLOHUNLOLUWA – 7 years
●Damilare ODERINDE – 8 years
●Deborah ADEBOWALE – 5 years
●Aisha OGUNTOWO – 10 years
●Lege TAIWO – 12 years
●Balkis AYANWALE – 8 years
●Asa David – 10 years
*Oniya Community*
●Shuaibu ALIYU – 10 years
●Ahmed ALIYU – 7 years
●Muiz ALIYU – 5 years
●Jomiloju OGUNLOLA – 6 years.
*Alawusa Community*
●Agune NOAH – 8 years
●Elizabeth ABADI – 5 years
●Tosin ABADI – 9 years
●Pius STEPHEN – 5 years
●Hannah OJO – 14 years
●Habidat AYANWALE – 7 years
●Mary GABRIEL – 6 years
Jacob GABRIEL
●Teachers -7
●Students -39
●Total – 46
LP Leadership Tussle: Abure Approaches Supreme Court
By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Factional National Chairman of the Labour Party, LP, Julius Abure, has finally appealed the Court of Appeal judgment on the protracted leadership crises bedeviling the party.
The embattled Abure on Monday announced that he has formally approached the Supreme Court for a reversal of the Appellate Court’s verdict.
The Source reports that the Court of Appeal in its judgment of April 21, 2026, had affirmed the trial court’s earlier ruling recognizing the Senator Esther Nenadi Usman-led National Working Committee NWC of the LP.
The three-member panel of Justices of the Court of Appeal had, in a unanimous decision, agreed with a Federal High Court Abuja ruling dismissing Abure’s suit challenging the Nenadi Usman-led leadership.
The trial Judge, Honourable Justice Peter Lifu had in his ruling on January 21, 2026, held that the Supreme Court in its ruling of April 4, 2025, conclusively settled all issues relating to the leadership of the LP when it unequivocally nullified the Nnewi National Convention from which Abure derived his claim to the party’s leadership
The trial Court also recognized the Nenadi Usman-led NWC as the only authentic leadership of the LP.
In their judgment, the Appallate Court’s Justices, apart from affirming the trial Court’s ruling, also held that the trial Court going by Section 251 of the Constitution has the inherent powers to compel statutory Federal Government agencies to perform their duties when it ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to recognize Senator Usman as the National Chairman of the party.
The Court of Appeal consequently ordered Abure to pay the sum of N10 million for abuse of court of processes ,as well as embarking on forum shopping at a Nasarawa State High Court over a matter that have been conclusively settled by the highest court in the land.
But at a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, Abure informed that his faction has filed formal a notice of appeal against the Court of verdict.
“Nigerians will recall that when the Court of Appeal delivered judgment on April 21, 2026 on the Labour Party crisis , our leadership stated clearly that the party will head for the Supreme Court.
” I am happy to announce that we have filed our notice of appeal ,and that we are waiting for the complication.of our records so that we can properly file our brief at the Supreme Court”, Abure stated.
The Source further reports that Abure’s Supreme Court’s appeal is coming barely 24 hours after the Nenadi Usman-led NWC reprimanded him over his alleged sales of nomination forms to unsuspecting aspirants for the 2027 polls.
In a statement on Sunday, May 17, 2026 from Ken Asogwa, its National Publicity Secretary, the LP warned that buying nomination forms from Abure-led NEC is akin to purchasing “a worthless paper.”
“Let it be stated clearly and unequivocally that Nenadi Usman is the National Chairman of the Labour Party,and all legitimate nomination forms for every elective position ahead of the 2027 general elections can only be obtained through the official National Secretariat of the party located in Utako Abuja.
“Consequently, any so-called Labour Party nomination form obtained from Julius Abure or any other unauthorized source is nothing but a worthless paper being peddled by political fraudsters seeking to deceive unsuspecting persons”, the Nenadi Usman-led leadership warned.