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Lagos 2027: Ajose, Jandor Pick Lagos Guber Form, Snub Endorsement Of Hamzat By Sanwo-Olu, GAC, APC

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Samuel Ajose
Samuel Ajose

By Akinwale Kasali 

 

Samuel Ajose, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos and former Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the 2023 Governorship Election in Lagos State, Abdulazeez Adediran, popular as Jandor, who cross carpeted to the APC have both picked the APC Governorship Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.

 

They have both snubbed Monday’s endorsement of Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the Party’s Consensus Candidate, alongside members of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, the highest advisory body of APC, in the State; Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, APC State Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, alongside other Party Stakeholders.

 

Ajose had posted on his official X handle on Wednesday that 

the move signals a definitive step forward in his aspiration to “serve as Governor of Lagos State on the platform of our great party, the APC.

 

“This moment is bigger than a political process, It is a personal commitment to purposeful leadership, inclusive governance, and the kind of progress that every Lagosian can feel and point to.

 

“My resolve is rooted in service, anchored in a clear vision, and driven by one conviction; that Lagos deserves development which reaches every community, creates real opportunities for its people, and leaves no one behind.

 

“I begin this journey with humility, courage, and complete faith in God and in the good people of Lagos. Together, we are building something this state will be proud of”.

 

Ajose had stated in an interview on Channels Television that he is surprised that Hamzat is running helter skelter to be endorsed, challenging him to an Open APC Governorship Primaries.

 

In same manner, Jandor stated that insinuations that President Bola Tinubu has endorsed a Candidate is false and misinformation from some people who are bent on disrupting electoral process.

 

Speaking on Channels  Television’s Politics Today, Monday, Jandor pushed back against the growing narrative that the race has already been settled in Hamzat’s favour, saying that, “No, the President hasn’t endorsed anyone. I am an aspirant, and we are a few people also gunning for this. We will be the first set of people to know if there is anything like that because communication will come,” he said.

 

He further stated that the endorsement of Hamzat by Governor Sanwo-Olu does not hold water, stating that anybody can endorse a Candidate; stressing that all Aspirants will go for Open Primaries, with the choice of the people hoisting the Party flag.

 

Just like Ajose, Jandor remains unperturbed by the power play and endorsement of Hamzat as they are fully prepared for Primaries.

 

On Tuesday, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, House of Representatives Member, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency had purchased his Expression of Interest and Nomination Form to return to the National Assembly, and also bought the Governorship Expression of Interest and Nomination Form for Hamzat.

 

It would be recalled that it was Faleke that first endorsed Hamzat for Governor, generating controversies among the the Lagos APC before the Justice Forum and the Mandate Group, bodies under the APC aligned with him, and went on to endorse him as a Consensus Candidate of the APC.

 

With the decision of Ajose and Jandor to water down the influence of the GAC, Governor Sanwo-Olu, the Justice Forum and Mandate Group, political observers say that the battle for who clinches the APC Governorship ticket will be tough.

Court Bars INEC From Congresses Organised By David Mark Led ADC Exco

By
Ayodele Oni
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David Mark - ADC Chairman
David Mark

By Ayodele Oni

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) from recognising or participating in any congress organised by a disputed caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik also barred former Senate President, David Mark, and other party figures from interfering with the functions and tenure of duly elected state executives.

In suit FHC/ABJ/CS/581/2026, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that only existing state executive committees of the ADC are constitutionally empowered to conduct state congresses, describing the caretaker arrangement as lacking legal authority to impose parallel structures.

Justice Abdulmalik further affirmed that the tenure of current State Working and Executive Committees remains valid and subsisting until properly conducted congresses and a national convention are held in line with the party’s constitution.

The ruling also involved key figures in the caretaker coalition, including former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who have been central to efforts to restructure the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision effectively halts all ongoing or planned state congresses under the caretaker leadership and directs all parties to maintain the status quo, pending further proceedings.

The ADC has remained embroiled in internal divisions over control of its structure since emerging as a coalition platform for opposition realignment ahead of the next general election cycle.

Osimhen In Trouble Over Alleged N143bn Car Debt

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen

By Akinwale Kasali

Victor Osimhen, Super Eagles and International mercurial striker is in trouble. He is currently enmeshed in a legal tussle over an alleged unpaid car debt.

The Galatasaray Football Club of Turkey forward  is facing a formal Police investigation for alleged embezzlement after the legal representatives of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services in Italy filed a criminal complaint against him regarding an accumulated debt of approximately €90,000.

It was gathered that the formal denunciation lodged at the Crescenzago Carabinieri station in Milan, stems from a leasing agreement that the 27-year-old Nigerian signed in 2023 for a hybrid-fuel Mercedes GLE.

The former Napoli Football Club of Italy Striker is alleged by the German automaker to have failed to make the agreed-upon monthly instalments for the luxury SUV during his tenure at Napoli.

The FIFA Under-17 World Cup Winner and highest goal scorer had famously secured the 2022/2023 Serie A title, and has compounded the issue by refusing to return the vehicle now that the contract period has expired.

Osimhen’s failure to surrender the SUV has escalated the civil dispute into a potential criminal matter, with authorities, reportedly, launching preliminary investigations into the charge of embezzlement.

The former Lille Football Club of France and Wolfsburg Football Club of Germany Striker’s alleged failure to clear the €90,000 debt stands in glaring contrast to his heavily publicised passion for ultra-expensive automobiles.

Osimhen’s love and passion for luxurious Cars saw him acquire a Lamborghini Revuelto valued at over €500,000, that he cruises around Turkey following his acrimonious exit from the Naples based Club.

He also owns a green Lamborghini Urus in his extravagant garage.

It would be recalled that he purchased a Rolls-Royce Cullinan to celebrate his 26th birthday.

As the legal recourse progresses, Mercedes-Benz’s legal team is expected to formally contact the player’s representatives to ascertain his version of events before pursuing further judicial action in Italian courts.

Why Ekiti Has Not Sought For Loan To Fund Infrastructure

By
Ayodele Oni
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Biodun Oyebanji - Ekiti State Governor

By Ayodele Oni 

 

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has revealed that due to improved revenue from the Federation Accounts to States, his administration has not borrowed to fund any project.

 

The Governor, who spoke when he received the APC Zonal executives led by the Zonal Chairman/National Vice Chairman, Southwest, Dr Isaac Kekemeke in his office, said it is apparent Nigerians attach more seriousness to whatever they hear from their leaders than from other sources

 

The Governor, described the six months he spent in office before the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu in 2023 as “very tough period”

 

He added that President Tinubu’s decision to immediately free resources to the sub-national as a way of improving and rescuing the economy from collapse, turned the situation around, making him to achieve more for the state I terms of infrastructure development.

 

“The story is the same across the states. President Tinubu’s programmes and policies have impacted positively on the people and while the opposition element would do everything to rubbish the gains of the reforms, leaders should counter them with verifiable facts”.

 

Citing Ekiti State as an example, the Governor said out of the six federal roads in Ekiti State, two have been fixed, work had commenced on one and two have been been awarded. 

 

He also revealed that the state has been linked to the new rail line project of the federal government.

 

The governor stated that his administration had not collected any loan to finance infrastructure projects in the last three and a half years.

 

According to him, he has been able to properly utilize receipts from the federal allocation and state’s IGR to finance all projects. 

 

This, be noted, was made possible by President Tinubu, hence the need to support him for a second term in office.

 

 “So, if a state as small as Ekiti has this kind of federal government presence, then you can imagine what will happen to other big states in the country. 

 

“Please, we have every cause to be proud of the achievements of our party and the only way we can get this done is through you, because you are the closest to the people at the grassroots level. 

 

“What are we talking about is that at every ward meeting, two or three minutes should be devoted to explaining to party members what the government has done.

 

Oyebanji called on the leadership of the APC to provide necessary publicity for all the programmes and policies of President Tinubu that have improved the living conditions of the people, especially his economic reforms, infrastructure development and efforts being made to stabilize the country.

 

Governor Oyebanji said hyping the achievements of the President at every opportunity by leaders of the party will provide the needed enlightenment for the people, especially at the grassroots.

 

 This, he said, will make the people value the government’s programmes and policies and further endear the President to Nigerians.

Police Service Commission Laments Killing Of Ogidi By ASP Nuhu And Team, Says It Violates Nigerian Laws

By
The Source
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DIG Hashimu Argungu - PSC Chairman

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has condemned, in its entirety, the extrajudicial killing of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi by police officers attached to the Effurun Area Command, Delta State, on April 26, 2026. The act violates Nigerian laws and international humanitarian standards, including the International Humanitarian Law; the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended); the Anti-Torture Act 2017; the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015; the Nigeria Police Act 2020; and the Nigeria Police Force Regulations 2025.

 

A statement issued on Wednesday, April 29, on Protocol and Public Affairs,  behalf of the PSC by Torty Njoku Torty, its Head of Public Affairs, on behalf of the Chairman, said “The Commission commends the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, for commencing disciplinary action against the officers involved, including their suspension and interdiction pending a thorough investigation.

 

The Commission extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family and enjoins members of the public to remain calm as justice takes its course.

Datti Baba-Ahmed Dumps Labour Party, Joins PRP, Insists Obi Won 2023 Presidential Election

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed
Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed

By Adesina Soyooye

Vice Presidential Candidate  of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential Election, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, on Tuesday, April 28, insisted that the Labour Party, which fielded Peter Obi and himself won that election contrary to the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission that it was won by the All Progressives Congress’ Bola Tinubu/Kashim Shettima.

Baba-Ahmed, who spoke in an interview with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television’s Politics Today, emphasised that he said so in 2023, and still stands, today, on what he said then.

Baba-Ahmed, Proprietor of Baze University and a couple of other tertiary institutions also told Channels Television that he was, finally, on his way out of the Labour Party.

Since the exit of Obi from the LP, Baba-Ahmed had stood with the Party like the Rock of Gibraltar. It was even strongly speculated that he was going to run for the Presidential seat in 2027 under the LP. However, all that came to nought on Tuesday when he revealed he was joining the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP.

For the records, his elder brother, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former Presidential Adviser in the office of Vice President Kashim Shettima, is the National Chairman of the PRP.

Datti Baba-Ahmed said his decision to dump LP stems from what he described as internal disagreements  which have forced the Party to drift from its original ideals.

He said: “I am leaving the Labour Party tomorrow (Wednesday) There is more to it. When there was real peace in the Labour Party was when they posted back. They redeployed someone with a specific purpose and because of the antecedent of the individual to make life difficult, particularly for me. What the Labour Party stood for then is no longer what it is today.

“I am leaving the Labour Party midnight and I am joining PRP. PRP is the new destination. PRP is the one with a history. It’s about 75 years old,” he stated.

Recall that the PRP was founded in 1978 by the late Aminu Kano, and,  is one of Nigeria’s oldest political movements. It is known for its progressive ideals.

It is being strongly speculated that most members of the David Mark-led African Democratic Congress, ADC, are considering the PRP for their Plan B in case their faction is knocked out by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in a case that is before the Apex Court.

Gunmen Storm Church In  Ekiti Community, Kill Pastor, Abduct Unspecified Number Of Worshippers

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Gunmen - Kidnappers

By Ayodele Oni 

 

Gunmen suspected to be bandits invaded a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government, on Tuesday evening, opened fire on worshippers gathered for a special revival programme.

 

A visiting Pastor from Osun State, identified simply as Aregbe was killed on the spot. He was shot in the chest. Several others were injured.

 

An unconfirmed number of congregants are still missing.

 

Witnesses said the attackers stormed the Church around 6:45 p.m., shooting into the congregation.Worshippers scattered into the surrounding bush. Some made it out. Others were hit.

 

It was gathered that up till Wednesday morning, families are still searching for their relatives, dom of whom took refuge in nearby bush when the shootings were ongoing.

 

The pastor in charge reported that several worshippers remain unaccounted for, and the exact number of those abducted is still unknown.

 

Many worshippers are still being declared missing, raising fears they were taken by the gunmen. Others are nursing gunshot wounds.

 

A community member said residents are living in fear and appealed to government to urgently deploy security personnel to the area

 

The community remains the only local government in Nigeria without ordinary police post not to talk if full fledge station.

 

Personnel of the state government owned Amotekun Corps, which maintains presence in the community as at the time of the incident complained of no ammunition and fuel in their vehicle.

 

Attempt by leaders for assistance has been turned down despite that Eda Oniyo is a boundary community between Ekiti and Kwara state, which has been experiencing security breaches for sometime.

 

Reacting to the incident, “The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Falade  Michael in a statement, stated that he has ordered a thorough investigation and a serious manhunt on the suspected hoodlums who fatally attacked a Christ Apostolic Church at Eda Oniyo-Ekiti.

 

“A preliminary investigation revealed that, on 28th April, 2026 at about 22:30hrs, while the church members were holding their All Night Prayers somewhere around the outskirt of the town, a group of yet to be identified gunmen numbering about five attacked the worshippers, fatally shot the pastor and abducted some of the church members.

 

“The Police in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, the Agro Marshal, the Vigilantes and the local hunters have commenced an aggressive bush combing operations and a serious manhunt on the perpetrators in order to ensure the rescue of the victims and the arrest and prosecution of the culprits.

 

“The Command CP calls for calm as necessary steps are currently being taken to salvage the situation and forestall reoccurrence, while imploring members of the public especially religious leaders to strictly adhere to the State Government’s earlier directive that all gatherings especially late night gatherings should not be held without the knowledge of the Police for the purpose of providing adequate security before, during and after the events.”

UBA MD Speaks On Dividend To Shareholders

By
James Orji
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0

United Bank for Africa, UBA Plc, has explained why the commercial bank did not declare dividends for its shareholders in its 2025 financial year, saying the bank faced some headwinds during the last financial year.
The bank also blamed the development on the directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to banks in the country to exit the “forbearance regime” which “necessitated the reclassification of certain credit exposures.”
The bank’s Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba made the revelations while speaking in a television interview, saying the lender has a strong record of paying dividends to its shareholders, having recorded double digit profits in the past years.
According to Alawuba, the bank showed its commitmet to shareholders by paying a total dividend of N2.80 per share in 2023 and N3.25 per share in 2024, adding however that the past 2025 financial year presented a unique challenge in the sector.
Alawuba: “A directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria required banks to exit the regulatory forbearance loan window and fully align with prudential loan classification standards. Exiting the forbearance regime necessitated the reclassification of certain credit exposures and the recognition of significant provisions. In 2025, UBA prudently provided approximately N1.021 trillion, which temporarily elevated our non-performing loan ratio beyond the threshold required for dividend distribution.
The bank’s chief executive noted that the decision not to declare a final dividend for the last financial year has nothing with the commercial bank’s strength, rather, was done in adherence to regulatory standards, stressing that the lender remains strong with solid financial metrics to show.
“UBA recorded approximately 2 per cent loan growth in the first quarter of 2026, marking a recovery from the flat growth seen in 2025. The bank also continues to benefit from a strong funding base, with customer deposits of N27.2 trillion compared to a loan book of approximately N7 trillion, creating significant headroom for risk-calibrated lending expansion.
“With improving macroeconomic conditions and expectations of moderating interest rates, we see a supportive environment for credit growth. Our conservative balance sheet positioning ensures that we can scale lending responsibly while enhancing profitability,” he stated.

NPF Arraingns ASP Over Horrific Killing Of Suspect In Delta

By
Ayodele Oni
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ASP Nuhu Usman

By Ayodele Oni 

 

In a move to curb extra Judicial killings and misuse of firearms, by its personnel, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has taken into custody ASP Nuhu Usman over the fatal shooting and killing of a suspect, Mene Ogidi, during what it described as an accidental firearm discharge in Effurun, Delta State.

 

Usman is expected to face disciplinary and legal action over the incident before

 the Force Disciplinary Committee, currently in session, for immediate disciplinary sanction and prosecution.

 

In a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Anthony Okon Placid, on Tuesday in Abuja, the police said the incident occurred on April 26, 2026, and that disciplinary and legal actions had already been initiated against the officer involved.

 

According to the statement, “The Nigeria Police Force condemns the fatal shooting of a suspect, Mene Ogidi, which occurred on 26th April 2026 in Effurun, Delta State.”

 

The police explained that preliminary reports showed that operatives attached to the Effurun Area Command acted on “credible information from Benin Motor Park along the Warri–Sapele Expressway” concerning a suspect allegedly apprehended by members of a transport union.

 

The statement noted that the suspect was allegedly intercepted “while attempting to waybill a parcel containing a Beretta pistol with four rounds of ammunition.”

 

The Force, however, disclosed that while officers were trying to take the suspect into lawful custody, the team leader, identified as ASP Nuhu Usman, allegedly acted contrary to police regulations.

 

“While efforts were being made to take the suspect into lawful custody, the team leader, ASP Nuhu Usman, discharged his firearm in clear violation of extant regulations, resulting in the death of the suspect,” the statement said.

 

The police further announced that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) had ordered immediate disciplinary measures against the officer and his team.

 

“The leadership of the Nigeria Police Force has directed the immediate transfer of the officer and his team to Force Headquarters, Abuja, where they would face the Force Disciplinary Committee for summary disciplinary measures and prosecution,” the statement added.

 

The Force also conveyed condolences to the family of the deceased and assured them that justice would take its course.

 

“The Inspector-General of Police extends his condolences to the family of the deceased and assures them that justice will be served in accordance with the law,” the statement read.

 

The police urged residents and members of the public to remain calm as the disciplinary and legal procedures continued.

 

Reaffirming its position against misconduct, the Nigeria Police Force stressed that it maintained “a zero-tolerance stance on extra-judicial actions, abuse of authority, and any conduct that undermines public trust.”

 

However, while the swift action taken by the FHQ has been commended by members of the public, a viral video of the moment Ogidi was shot to death by ASP Usman contradicts the claim of accidentally discharge.

 

The video showed Ogidi who had been tied, hands behind, and restrained, kneeling down, and pleading with the Police personnel not to kill him. He told them the gun and bullets were given to him by somebody, and promised to take them to the person. While he was pleading for his life, ASP Nuhu shot him, first on the leg, and then second, at a very close range, and he died on the spot. “It was a case of deliberate judicial murder”, an eyewitness offered.

Senator Usman Elected, LP National Chairman

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Nenadi Esther Usman - Labour Party Chairman

 

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

 

Senator Esther Nenadi Usman has been elected  as the substantive Chairman of the Labour Party LP.

 

Usman, who was the head of the party’s National Caretaker Committee, emerged through a consensus arrangement just like all other members of the new National Executive Committee, NEC, at the party’s National Convention held at the International Conference Centre Umuahia, the Abia state capital on Tuesday April 27, 2026.

 

A former member of the  the National Assembly who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South between 1999 and 2003, Hon Acho Obioma, emerged as the new National Secretary of the party.

 

Hon Obioma who, until his election was the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Political Affairs, replaces Senator Darlington Nwokocha who acted in the same capacity in the interim arrangement.

 

The members of the new NEC who equally emerged through a consensus are expected to steer the affairs of LP for the next four years.

 

The Umuahia National Convention which drew participants from across the 36 States of the country and Abuja the Federal Capital Territory was the climax of a week long process that began with ward , local council and state congresses across the country.

 

In her acceptance speech, Senator Usman promised to justify the confidence and trust reposed in her by party members with an assurance to work towards strengthening and repositioning the party .

 

Specificall, the newly elected National Chairman expressed her unflinching commitment towards ensuring inclusiveness, organizational discipline and grassroots mobilisation.

 

This was as he described the task ahead as one that demand unity of purpose and unwavering dedication by party members.

 

She called on party leaders, members and supporters alike to prioritize unity ,and and cohesion as necessary conditions for the rebuilding process.

 

In his remarks, the national leader of LP, and the only Governor elected on its platform, Dr Alex Otti urged the new NEC members to work towards reconciliation of aggrieved persons with a view to expanding the frontiers of the party..

 

He stressed the importance of unity and trust among members to the electoral fortunes of the party.

 

“Politics is ultimately about numbers. Labour Party must broaden its appeal, and avoid alienating key stakeholders if it hopes to remain competitive on the national stage”, Otti stated.

 

The Source reports that the party had, on September 4 2025, at an expanded National Executive Council meeting which featured many prominent LP leaders including the 2023 Presidential candidate Peter Obi, his running mate Yusuf Datti-Ahmed , National Assembly members, etc, appointed a national caretaker committee with Senator Usman as National Chairman.

 

The Umuahia expanded NEC, was a direct response to the controversial Nnewi Convention organized by eirstwhile National Chairman Barr. Julius Abure.

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