Igbo Man, Zaccheus Okoro, Defeats Serving APC House of Reps Member, For Ise/Ikere-Ekiti South-West Federal Constituency 1 Ticket

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May 26, 2026

By Akinwale Kasali

In a laudable feat, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ekiti State Chapter, has announced an Igbo man, Zaccheus Okoro, as its Candidate for one of the Federal Constituencies in the State.

Okoro won the House of Representative ticket in Ekiti State during the APC Primary in Ekiti State. If he wins at the polls, he will represent Ise/Ikere-Ekiti South-West Federal Constituency 1 at the Green Chamber.

This however looked strange to several people, who are to come to the reality of an Igbo man winning the APC ticket in a State like Ekiti.

Ironically, he defeated the incumbent Representative Member who is a full son of Ekiti State, and a Military Officer, Vice Marshall Rufus Adeniyi Ojuawo, Rtd.

Locals said Okoro defeated Ojuawo because the incumbent member of the House of Representatives failed to meet the aspirations of his Constituents.

According to them, “Okoro is more accessible. He is one of us. In Yorubaland, once you have been tested and confirmed to possess the omoluabi trait, you can get to the apex of your career. Okoro is found to be reliable, honest and loyal to the values and heritage of Yoruba people.

“The support for him during the primary was overwhelming,” Musa Adekunle an indigene of the town told stated.

Okoro polled 9,978 votes to defeat Ojuawo who scored 1,842 votes during the APC primary.

Another local said, “I can assure you that Okoro will win. He has the support of the entire people of not just his constituency, but the whole of Ekiti State”.

It was gathered that the Traditional Rulers and the State Governor are with Okoro.

According to him, ”Nigeria may be divided along bitter ethnic lines, but the Yoruba should continue to defend its tradition of merit and fairness in political and economic relations.”

Okoro’s mother is said to be from one of the South West States.

Court Clears Fmr. President Jonathan To Contest In 2027 …If He So Desires

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Akinwale Kasali

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May 26, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni & Akinwale Kasali

The coast is now clear for former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest for the Presidential seat in 2027 if he so desires.

This follows the ruling by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja which cleared the former President to participate in the 2027 presidential race.

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, last week, offered a waiver to Jonathan and declared him the only presidential candidate of the party.

But a Johnmary Jideobi instituted a suit seeking an order restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The plaintiff had earlier asked the court to stop INEC from accepting, processing or publishing Jonathan’s name as a Presidential candidate.

He asked the Court to determine whether, having regard to Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan remains eligible to seek the office of president again.

But in his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that Jonathan could participate in the election as a contestant

The Honourable Justice Lifu held that there is no constitutional barrier preventing Jonathan from seeking another term in office.

The Judge stated that the issue of the former President’s eligibility had already been settled by the Court of Appeal.

The Court also dismissed the suit filed by the Abuja-based lawyer, Johnmary as frivolous and an abuse of clCourt process.

The Judge further ruled that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the case.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, the plaintiff argued that Jonathan was ineligible to contest because he had previously taken the presidential oath twice — first after the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and later following his election in 2011.

The plaintiff asked the Court to determine whether, based on Sections 1 and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan could still contest for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In an affidavit supporting the suit, the plaintiff maintained that if Jonathan contested and won in 2027, he would exceed the constitutional maximum of eight years in office.

However, the Court rejected the argument and affirmed Jonathan’s constitutional eligibility to participate in the 2027 Presidential Race.

Yoruba Activist, Igboho, Seeks FG Nod For New Security Outfit

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Ayodele Oni

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May 26, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

Yoruba Nation Activist, Sunday Igboho has sought for the Federal Government approval for his new security outfit, code named Iru Ekun Security Network.

Igboho explained that he was inspired to float the new security outfit in view of the rising case of kidnapping and other social vices in the South-West.

“The outfit was created to strengthen local security operations and protect forests across the South Western region of Nigeria amid rising security concerns.”

Igboho also pledged to comply with the recent Executive Order introduced by the Oyo State Government regulating the operations of private security organisations within the state.

In a statement, the activist revealed that all necessary documents and operational procedures required for the registration of the security outfit had already been submitted to the Federal Government.

According to him, the security network is designed to complement conventional security agencies in addressing the growing insecurity, particularly in rural communities frequently targeted by kidnappers and armed gangs.

“We have submitted all the required documents for our registered security firm, Iru Ekun Security Network, and are only awaiting Federal Government approval, which we believe will be granted soon,” he said.

Igboho expressed readiness to collaborate with security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to strengthen efforts against insecurity in the South-West.

“We are fully prepared to work with the police, DSS, Nigerian Army, NSCDC and other relevant stakeholders in the security sector to flush out terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other hoodlums threatening the peace and safety of our people, especially those in rural communities.

“It is evident that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is determined to confront criminality, not only in the South-West, but also in other parts of the country facing security challenges.

“We are also ready to comply with the executive order issued by Governor Seyi Makinde to regulate the activities of private security organisations.

“Without peace and security, socio-economic development cannot thrive, particularly in rural communities that serve as the hub of agricultural production and food security,” the statement added.

The development comes amid growing concerns over persistent cases of kidnapping, banditry and violent attacks in parts of the South-West and other regions of the country, with increasing calls for stronger community-based security initiatives to complement conventional security operations.

Churches and schools are being attacked in Ekiti, Kwara and Oyo with several worshippers and pupils abducted, with government doing little to secure release of the victims.

Wike’s Camp Produces Rivers State PDP Governorship Candidate

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Adesina Soyooye

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May 26, 2026

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By Adesina Soyooye

The political space in Rivers State is, everyday, getting more confusing, if not interesting, especially, with the nomination of Sam Ejekwu as the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the 2027 General Elections.

What makes it interesting is that Ejekwu, a former Commissioner for Transportation in the State is a core loyalist of Nyesom Wike, Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

The confusion stems from the fact that another core Wike loyalist and confidante, Kingsley Chinda, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, and until recently, the Minority Leader of the PDP, has been picked and endorsed by Wike as a fit and proper successor of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in 2027.

Fubara was ditched as a Candidate and was not given the first choice of refusal by the APC, a courtesy extended to his other first-term-in-office colleagues.

During an inspection of road projects in Abuja on Monday, May 25, Wike endorsed Chinda as the anointed next Governor of the State. But Ejekwu was, on Monday, announced by an Electoral Committee headed by Tajudeen Yusuf, as the PDP consensus Candidate.

Dr. Kenneth Yowika, PDP Rivers State Spokesperson, has confirmed that Ejekwu contested unopposed to pick the ticket in a smooth and transparent process.

Speaking, the candidate expressed confidence in the capacity of the PDP to win the election.

Recall, however that Wike who calls the shots in his faction of the PDP at the National level, had let it be known that he us the leader of both the PDP and APC in Rivers State. He had, also, let it be known that in the State, both parties are working together; that there is no PDP or APC. What exists in Rivers State, he said, is a Rainbow Coalition, which he swore would produce all the candidates for the 2027 General elections and, would vote for President Bola Tinubu. So far, the Rainbow Coalition has succeeded in producing all the Candidates from State to National Assemblies, and now Governorship candidates.

With Chinda as the candidate of the APC, and Ejekwu as that of the PDP, it means that Wike’s Rainbow Coalition has produced the Governorship candidates for the two main parties in the State. Said one commentator: “Either way, Wike wins except there is a strong competition from the African Democratic Congress or Nigeria Democratic Congress, but I don’t see that happening. He wins.”

Stella Oduah, Former Aviation Minister Picks APGA’s Ticket For Senate

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Adesina Soyooye

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May 26, 2026

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By Adesina Soyooye

A former Minister for Aviation during the President Goodluck Jonathan Government, Stella Oduah, has won the Senatorial Ticket for Anambra North under the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

To pick the ticket, Oduah, a former Senator who rejoined APGA for e second time in her political journey, polled a total of

22, 076 votes to abort the ambition of Primus Odili, his closest rival. The Primary was held on May 23 and has become a subject of controversy due to a contrary result “flying around.”

But Ejimofor Opara, APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, while affirming Oduah’s Victor in a statement on Monday, May 25, said that the election was conducted peacefully in all the 99 Wards in the Senatorial Zone. He added that the results were announced at every Ward level.

The statement noted that any other result feigning to be from the Primary is fake and should be discountenanced.

The statement in part: “The All Progressives Grand Alliance has noted computations circulating by some aspirants regarding the collation of results for the Anambra North Senatorial District Primary Election.

“We state categorically that the basis for these computations is incorrect, and no credible result can be derived from such faulty calculations.

“The election was conducted peacefully across all 99 Wards in Anambra North Senatorial District, and results were announced at the Ward level.

“While concerns have been raised about some Ward outcomes, no results were changed, altered or swapped at the stage. All results remain as submitted and collated by the duly appointed collation officers for the seven LGA’s.

“The scanned copy of the accurate tabulation and photographs of the seven LGA collated result sheets are attached for verification.

“APGA maintains that only results authenticated through the Party’s collation and verification process are valid.”

Oduah led comfortably in most of the Wards, and won decisively after the computations.

Fmr. IGP Adamu Dumps APC

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Adesina Soyooye

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May 26, 2026

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By Adesina Soyooye

Citing inconsistency, non transparent and undemocratic actions, a former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Adamu who was appointed the IGP by then President Goodluck Jonathan but later removed from office in 2015 before the end of his tenure by same over some actions which did not sit well with the administration, handed in his resignation letter to the Executives of his Makama Ward, Lafia, Nasarawa State.

He had sought to be the Governor of the State by purchasing both the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, but his ambition was cut short by the Governor of the State, Abdullahi Sule, who had a preferred Candidate, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada.

Earlier, Adamu had turned down the idea of a consensus candidate, unlike a couple of other contenders, and insisted on a free and fair primary election. At the Primary, he was, expectedly, defeated as the Governor’s Candidate carried the day. All his protestations were ignored and, obviously, ended with his resignation on Monday, May 25, 2026.

In his letter of resignation he wrote: Today, I address my letter to you the Ward Executives, especially, the Ward Chairman, of my decision to resign from the All Progressives Congress with immediate effect.

“This decision was not taken lightly. However, recent developments within the Party, especially, the conduct of the governorship primary election processes in Nasarawa State, have made it difficult for me to continue with my political activities under the platform of the party.

“I strongly believe that internal democracy, fairness, transparency and equal opportunity for aspirants and members guide the affairs of any democratic political party.

“Unfortunately, the event surrounding the Primary Election did not reflect this principle and have led to loss of confidence in the party’s leadership and the processes in the State.

“After wide consultations with supporters, political associates and family members, I have decided to withdraw my membership to pursue my political aspirations through another platform.”

It was not known, at the time of filing this report, to which political he will be headed to and, if the controversial new laws will allow him to pursue his governorship ambition elsewhere.

During his time as a young Police Officer, Adamu was the Aide De Camp to former First Lady, Maryam Abacha.

Kano: Dawaki, Fmr Top Aide Of APC Nat. Chairman, Dumps Party For NDC

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Ayodele Oni

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May 25, 2026

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For Chief ot Staff to APC Chairman - Mustapha Dawaki

By Ayodele Oni

After a futile attempt to clinch the ticket for the House of Representatives, former Chief of Staff, (CoS) to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mustapha Dawaki has defected to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Dawaki lost the ticket to contest

Dawaki Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency of Kano state on the platform of APC.

He had once represented the Constituency in the green chamber.

He moved to the opposition party barely a week after losing his return ticket to the consensus within the APC.

The defection was confirmed on Monday by Saifullahi Hassan, media aide to one of the NDC leaders and Kwankwasiyya figure, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

According to him, the defection took place at the Miller Rose residence of Kwankwaso in Kano.

In a post shared on his verified Facebook page, Kwankwaso’s aide wrote: “Leader [Kwankwaso] has today accepted the former Chief of Staff to the APC national Chairman, Mustapha Bala Dawaki (Mai Gidan Ruwa) to the NDC Kwankwasiyya.”

The development comes at a time when the NDC is in the process of selecting candidates to receive party tickets across the state through consensus arrangements.

However, it remains unclear whether Dawaki will be granted an automatic ticket to contest under the party in the forthcoming elections.

Lifeless Body Of Female Kogi State University Graduate Found In Abuja Canal

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Akinwale Kasali

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May 25, 2026

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By Akinwale Kasali

The body of Blessing Moshood, a 29-Year Old Sociology Graduate of the Kogi State University has been found in a canal in Abuja, the nation’s Capital.

The Late Blessing was allegedly murdered in cold blood last Thursday night, and her body dumped in a canal in Jikwoyi, Abuja, the family had stated.

According to Blessing’s sister, Abigail Moshood, Blessing had left their home around 8.00pm after speaking with someone on the phone.

“About an hour later, she called again to say she would return briefly to pick up a phone charger she had forgotten. The family said they did not hear from her again and she did not return home the following day”.

Weeping profusely as she narrated how her sister left home and never returned back,

Abigail said the family became alarmed after hearing residents discuss the discovery of a woman’s body in a canal.

She said the description of the hairstyle matched Blessing’s, prompting them to run to the scene.

“My mother started crying, and we also learnt that policemen from the Jikwoyi Police Station had evacuated the corpse which was found half-naked with only a top on, to a mortuary in Mararaba, Nasarawa State,” she said.

Abigail stated that she visited the Jikwoyi Police Station and was shown photographs that confirmed the deceased was her sister.

What led to her demise remain unknown, as

neighbours described Blessing as intelligent and friendly.

It was gathered from Margaret, one of the deceased neighbours, that Blessing graduated with a Second Class Upper in Sociology.

INEC Appeals Judgment Nullifying Its Election Timetable

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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May 25, 2026

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Professor Josiah Amupitan INEC Chairman — Prof Joash Amupitan, INEC Chairman.

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Expectedly, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has formally appealed the nullification of some parts of its election timetable for the 2027 polls.

An Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Honourable Justice Mohammed Umar had, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, declared null and void, INEC’s timeframe within which political parties are expected to submit their digital membership registers, conduct primaries, submit or withdraw names of their candidates for the purpose of the 2027.

The Electoral umpire in its election timetable, had fixed May 10, and May 30, 2026, as the dateline for political parties to submit their full and digital membership registers, conduct primaries, as well as submit names of their candidates.

But delivering judgment on a motion on notice filed by the Youth Party of Nigeria challenging the INEC’s timetable, Justice Umar held that the timetable imposed by the Electoral Commission is in gross violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

The trial Judge particularly held that by the provisions of Section 29, 31, and 32 of the Electoral Act, political parties are expected to submit the particulars of their candidates not later than 120.days to the election proper: that INEC does not have the statutory power to publish the final lists of candidates for the 2027 general elections before the 60 days minimum period prescribed by the law: that INEC cannot lawfully abridge or limit that statutory period by prescribing a shorter timeframe in it’s 2027 timetable.

Similarly, Justice Umar held that INEC lacks the power to abridge the statutory 90 days provided by the Electoral Act for political parties to withdraw ,and replace their candidates for the 2027 elections.

“A declaration is made that upon the proper construction of Section 98 of the Electoral Act, 2026, the defendant ( INEC) does not possess the statutory authority to fix its timetable for the 2027 general elections for campaign to end 2 days before the election” the court also ruled.

But in its notice of appeal dated May 25, 2026 and filed at the Abuja Division on the Court of Appeal, the INEC prayed the Court to set aside the earlier verdict of the trial court.

The Electoral umpire, also, in the appeal filed by its counsel Alex Izinyon, asked the Appallate Court for a stay of execution of the trial court’s ruling, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal proper.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the appeal.

Ondo Police Deploys Personnel As Cleric Warns Over Possible Terror Attack

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Ayodele Oni

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May 25, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Police Command has put on alert its personnel following a viral video by a cleric warning about an imminent terrorists attack.

The command explained that though the content of the viral video remains unverified, and lacks intelligence backing.

The command in a statement, signed by its spokesman, Abayomi Jimoh stated that “Following the emergence of the video, the Ondo State Police Command immediately activated its intelligence and operational assets to critically assess the credibility of the claims and determine whether there exists any actual threat to public safety.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, has directed a discreet and thorough investigation into the source and content of the video.

“In furtherance of this directive, surveillance operations, intelligence gathering, strategic monitoring and security deployments have been intensified across board especially vulnerable points within the State to prevent any form of security breach.

“The Command wishes to reassure residents that, as of this moment, there is no confirmed intelligence indicating any imminent terrorist attack in Ondo State.

“Nevertheless, the Police, in collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders, remain on high alert and fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents.

“Citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant and security conscious at all times while promptly reporting any suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest Police Station or appropriate security agency.

“The public is also urged to rely solely on verified and official sources for security-related information.”

Meanwhile, the command, has intensified security operations and emplaced robust security measures aimed at ensuring a peaceful, hitch-free, and crime-free Eid-El-Kabir and Children’s Day celebration across the State.

The Command has deployed personnel and operational assets to critical locations across the State before, during, and after the festive period.

“The deployment includes operatives from the Tactical Units, Police Mobile Force, Intelligence Department, Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Command Surveillance Squad, Traffic Units and other operational teams to guarantee adequate security coverage and swift response to emergencies.

“Security personnel have also been stationed at Eid prayer grounds, recreational centres, markets, motor parks, major highways, public facilities and other locations expected to witness increased human and vehicular activities during the celebrations.”