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EU Reaffirms Continued Funded Support To Democratic Governance In Nigeria, Denies Boycotting Election Monitoring

By
Ayodele Oni
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European Union- EU

By Ayodele Oni

 

The European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has confirmed that it has received formal invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission , (INEC) to cover nexts year’s general election in Nigeria.

 

It dismissed reports of rejection of an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to observe Nigeria’s 2027 general election, describing the reports as inaccurate and speculative.

 

The EU, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, said it had received a formal invitation from INEC dated April 17, 2026, to deploy observers for the 2027 elections.

 

Contrary to reports that the EU had declined the invitation citing worsening insecurity and alleged hostile treatment of its observers and officials, following the publication of its final report on the 2023 general election, the delegation said it had accepted the invitation and would deploy an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM).

 

It clarified that the response to INEC, dated July 28, 2026, thanked the electoral commission for the invitation and informed it that the EU would field an EEM comprising between two and four independent experts, who would be formally accredited as observers by INEC.

 

The delegation stressed that the two reasons attributed to the EU in the reports did not appear in its letter to INEC.

 

“The two alleged reasons mentioned in the press reports do not appear in the letter: these are pure speculations,” the EU said.

 

According to the delegation, an Electoral Expert Mission, like an Electoral Observation Mission, assesses whether an electoral process is conducted in line with international, regional and national obligations and commitments on democratic elections to which the country has subscribed.

 

The mission will also submit a final report containing recommendations on improving Nigeria’s electoral framework and future electoral processes.

 

The EU added that the report would be shared with the Nigerian government and could subsequently be made available to the wider public if the government agreed.

 

Explaining its decision to deploy an expert mission rather than a larger electoral observation mission, the delegation said the European Union makes decisions annually on electoral missions to partner countries that invite it, with the type of mission determined by the circumstances of each country and the resources available.

 

“It is on this basis that the decision to conduct an EEM in Nigeria has been taken and will be further consulted with the relevant Nigerian authorities for its implementation,” it stated.

 

The clarification comes amid growing preparations for the 2027 general elections and heightened public interest in the role international partners will play in monitoring Nigeria’s electoral process.

 

The EU also rejected any suggestion that its decision to deploy an Electoral Expert Mission represented a withdrawal of support for democratic governance or Nigeria’s electoral process.

 

It said the decision “does not affect in any way” the continued implementation of its EU-funded Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria project, including its support for the electoral process.

 

The delegation further urged members of the media to verify reports concerning the EU’s positions and statements directly with its press and communication office before publication.

 

“The EU Delegation respectfully reminds members of the esteemed media community that, to avoid issuing such misleading information about positions or statements of the EU, they can simply check their accuracy with the press and communication office of the EU Delegation,” it said.

 

The statement, which was signed by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, effectively puts to rest reports that the EU had turned down INEC’s invitation to participate in the 2027 electoral process, while confirming that the bloc intends to maintain an independent expert presence during the elections.

“Tell Electorate What You Can Do Differently, Stop Attacking Me,”  Makinde To 2027 Candidates

By
Ayodele Oni
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Seyi Makinde

By Ayodele Oni

 

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has challenged politicians eyeing the 2027 Governorship seat to tell voters their developmental plans, rather than attacking him.

 

Makinde, who spoke in Ibadan on Monday, appeared to take a swipe at Accord Party governorship candidate, Oriyomi Hamzat, and others who have been claiming credit for his rise in politics.

 

“I have seen people going around saying they want to be governor. I even saw one yesterday claiming he brought me into politics. Some are also saying I didn’t do certain things. I’m not the one contesting for governor again.

 

“The people of Oyo have given me the opportunity to serve. Go and tell them what you intend to do differently. Stop abusing Seyi Makinde. Abuse yourselves if you like.

 

“I’m out of the race. Is ‘why didn’t Seyi Makinde do this’ now your campaign message? I have done my bit,” he added.

 

With his second term ending in 2027, Makinde asked electorate to hold all aspirants accountable and demand clear plans on how they will build on his achievements and correct areas where his administration fell short.

 

“When people come to you, tell them they want to continue from where we stopped and fix those things. That way, whatever mistakes we made will be corrected in the best interest of Oyo people,” he said.

 

The governor’s comments come as political activities heat up ahead of 2027. Hamzat, founder of Agidigbo 88.7 FM, declared his governorship ambition under the Accord Party in January 2026.

 

The broadcaster, known for his “Kokoro Alate” programme, had earlier said he was one of those who brought Makinde into politics and deserved credit for his eight years in office.

 

Makinde and Hamzat were once close allies. In 2022, the governor praised Hamzat’s commitment to the masses and said they had known each other before he became governor, though they sometimes disagreed on government issues.

 

Makinde also urged his supporters not to be distracted by campaign rhetoric, but to scrutinize the records and plans of those seeking for their votes.

Questions Trail  Army’s Demotion  Of Anighoro For Alleging Se*ual Harassment By Brig-Gen.Okoigi

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Matilda Anighoro

By Akinwale Kasali

 

The demotion of Matilda Anighoro, a retired Army Nurse over allegations of se*ual harassment she made against Brigadier General Samson Okoigi was authorized  Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, COAS.

 

Anighoro was according to the Army, found guilty of “disobedience to standing orders”,as there was no proof to her allegation.

 

FIJ, an investigative News Platform, had, earlier, reported how Anighoro voluntarily exited military service.

 

She had told FIJ that her decision followed persistent se*ual harassment by Okoigi, then Acting Corps Commander of the Nigerian Army Medical Corps, and the Military’s failure to protect her.

 

Recall that FIJ had petitioned against the Army’s High Command in February to the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC,

highlighting that Anighoro had been unable to access her retirement benefits despite exiting service.

 

Following the FIJ publication on the issue, the COAS responded to the allegation four months after in a letter with reference number HQ DLS/A/G1/300/56 and signed by Lieutenant VL Williams, and disclosed that Anighoro was charged on five counts “bordering on Disobedience to Standing Orders, Offences in relation to Sentry Duties, Insubordinate Behaviour and Conduct to Prejudice of Service Discipline, among other offences, all punishable under the Armed Forces Act”.

 

The statement reads;

“She was subsequently summarily tried and awarded punishment of Reduction in rank from Corporal to Lance Corporal on Count One and from Lance Corporal to Private in respect of Count 2, with effect from 29 February 2024.

 

“Consequently, all required documents reflecting her revised rank were forwarded by Army Headquarters Department of Personnel Management (AHQ DPM) to Defence Headquarters and the Military Pension Board (MPB) for the processing and payment of her benefits.

 

“Surprisingly, the Complainant failed to collect her discharge certificate and record of service from AHQ DPM as required. Instead, she resorted to social media to express grievances and malign the NA. Findings further revealed that she subsequently reported to AHQ DPM on 29 April 2026 but declined to collect the discharge certificate due to the change in rank and thereafter proceeded outside the complex to record a video clip apparently aimed at further disparaging the image of the NA.

 

“It is important to state that the Complainant’s allegation that her discharge certificate and service records have not been released to her is false, misconceived, and made in bad faith as investigation revealed that all her documents were ready for collection since 2024.”

 

The statement concluded by saying that Anighoro’s discharge certificate and service records, reflecting her demotion, were ready for collection.

 

“Furthermore, the trial of the Complainant, which resulted in her reduction in rank was properly conducted and in accordance with extant military law and established practice.

 

“Hence the Complainant’s substantive rank on retirement was a Private and not Corporal,” Williams added.

 

But contrary to the army’s official position, Anighoro’s discharge approval carried her Corporal rank and she received her last salary in January 2025 based on this rank.

 

It was, however, gathered from sources in the NHRC that the Army’s claims and assertions appeared inconsistent with the official records and subsequent administrative actions of the Nigerian Army.

 

The Commission had said that Anighoro has the constitutional rights to fair hearing, and that the Army’s purported punishment of Anighoro was not consistently reflected in all official military records and administrative actions.

 

Rather, the official records available presented material contradictions to the Army Headquarters’ position.

 

The NHRC further added that approximately seven months after the purported reduction in rank, the COAS approved Anighoro’s Voluntary Discharge (Batch B 2024) in the rank of Corporal.

 

She continued to receive the salary and allowances of a Corporal until January 2025.

 

Her Security Disbandment (SD) entitlement was computed and paid based on the rank of Corporal, and her official Military Identity Card continues to bear the rank of Corporal.

 

However, in the army’s June response, a copy of Part II Orders was attached, in which the Commission said after reviewe, it found that the document recorded no conviction, reduction in rank, or punishment corresponding with the Army’s response.

 

The NHRC further probed why no corresponding entry in the Part II Orders or other official military records documented the punishment.

And if the reduction took effect on February 29, 2024, why then did the Army Chief subsequently approve her voluntary discharge in the rank of corporal?

 

Another poser raised by the Commission was why the Army paid her in the rank of Corporal until her exit and also paid part of her entitlements in that rank.

 

Furthermore, the Commission asked the army to produce the complete documentary record of the alleged disciplinary proceedings, including the charge sheet, the record of proceedings; the findings of the trial; the award of punishment; the confirming or reviewing authority’s approval; the relevant Part II Orders reflecting the reduction in rank; and any other official documents relied upon in asserting that Anighoro was lawfully demoted.

EU Boycotts Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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0
European Union- EU

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

 

The European Union has said it will not be deploying a full compliment of its observer team when Nigerians go to the polls as from January 2027.

 

The EU and several other International bodies, including civil society groups, have always played a leading role in monitoring the conduct of elections in Nigeria since the return of democracy in 1999.

 

But citing twin problems relating to the worsening security challenges in parts of the country, and alleged hostile treatment meted out to its 2023 election monitors and officials in the wake of its honest assessment of the exercise, the umbrella body of European countries said it will not be fully part of the 2027 polls.

 

The EU’s position is coming in response to official invitations extended to EU and other International development partners by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to formally observe the 2027 general elections.

 

But the EU informed the electoral umpire that rather than sending full observers as before to monitor the exercise across the country, it will only be sending a few officials who will be observing and reporting from Abuja, the country’s capital.

 

The body said there will be no observers in States, no short-term observers on election day, and no Chief observer of the type that it used to send.

 

It will be recalled that the EU had  deployed  approximately 110 observers drawn from 25 members states in the 2023 ,in addition to a delegation of the EU parliament who later joined in monitoring the conduct of the Presidential and Governorship elections of February 25 and March 18 ,2023 .

 

However, the Union’s reports, presented in June 2023, provoked unusual controversies as the Government hotly disputed most of its damning verdict on the conduct of the polls

 

Particularly, the EU mission identified several cases of what it described as “systemic weaknesses and shortcomings in the electoral law and administration”,which it noted significantly prevented the conduct of free ,fair and inclusive elections, thereby negatively impacting public trust in INEC.

 

The EU, however, did not find funny the alleged sponsorship of pro-Government protesters who, for hours, besieged the Mission’s Abuja office , accusing it of bias.

 

The decision of the EU in substantially scaling down its observer mission is most likely to negatively impact it’s usual financial assistance to the electoral body.

Group Accuses Tompolo, Tantita Security, Of Torture, Operating Illegal Detention Facilities In Niger Delta

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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0
Government Ekpemupolo

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

 

Human Rights and  Niger Delta Advocacy group, Warri Reclamation Trust, WRT, has petitioned the Federal Government , and all relevant authorities to urgently institute an independent, impartial , transparent and unfettered investigation into alleged operation of illegal private detention facilities , illegal possession and stockpiling of firearms , kidnapping, intimidation of civilians and occupation and displacement of indigenous communities of Warri by Government Ekpemupolo , popular as Tompolo.

 

In a petition signed by its  Convener, MrsTsaye Mene, addressed to President Bola Tinubu, and dated August 5,2026, the WRT  accused Tompolo and his pipeline surveillance company, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd, as well as several others, of subjecting many Itsekiri communities and citizens to gross acts of  intimidation, harassment , illegal detention ,and torture.

 

She alleged that several Itsekiri communities in Warri Kingdom have been  forced to vacate their ancestral homes and land, and visited with violent destruction and displacement from their settlements by Tompolo and his agents.

 

The activist also decried the persistent interference of the Tantita Security Services owner in the traditional institutions of the Itsekiri communities, and the alleged renaming of indigenous communities leveraging the multi-billion Naira pipeline surveillance contract from the Federal Government.

 

While raising concern about the intimidating presence of operatives of the Tantita Security Services, Mene alleged that many innocent residents have, in recent times, been subjected to disturbing acts of dehumanization and unlawful detention by operatives of Tantita Security Services.

 

The latest petition is coming on the heels of an earlier alarm raised by the WRT over a dispute relating to pipeline surveillance, community rights, land ownership, political representation and the presence of competent security contractors in Itsekiri territory.

 

The WRT had, among other things, called for a greater participation of Itsekiri communities and citizens in matters relating to pipeline surveillance in their territory, the withdrawal of Tantita from pipeline surveillance operations in Itsekiri homelands owing to a litany of oppressive actions of Tantita against the people, especially the operation of illegal private detention facilities ,where citizens are tortured, and their land forcefully taken.

 

The WRT in its recent petition identified several victims of the Tantita’s oppressive actions against Itsekiri citizens to include Moses Obukokwo, Sampson Edema ,Afejuku Jolomi,and Omamuminogho Molagbemi.

 

The victims, according to the WRT, were arrested ,from their Tisun and Usor communities in Warri North, and whisked away to Oporoza, where they were allegedly subjected to severe acts of torture and hard labour before being set free.

 

The activist further alleged that the most recent incidents of intimidation and harassment involved three youth leaders from the Ijaghala community in Ugborodo namely Mayomi Ololo Abeson , Adeyemi Laju Tobi and Glory Oritsegbubemi who were on July 25 ,2026 , abducted and detained in one of the several illegal facilities set by Tompolo .

 

According to the Niger Delta activist, the leadership of the affected communities had petitioned the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Olatunji Disu, and other relevant authorities, demanding for an independent and transparent investigation into the allegations raised.

 

The WRT emphasized that an urgent inquest into the issues raised by the appropriate authorities will prevent the temptation of residents resorting to self help, a development she fears may degenerate into a full blown crisis.

 

According to the group, the alleged oppressive activities of Tompolo and his Tantita Security outfit are not only limited to Warri Kingdom ,but stretch to other Niger Delta communities.

 

The WRT also raised the cases of Balamene Karowei and  Charles Korubo who were in July 2024 abducted from their homes in Yenagoa ,the Bayelsa state capital and held for several months in an Oporoza illegal detention camp.

 

The group, therefore, appealed to President Tinubu to direct all relevant authorities to immediately put in place machineries towards adequately investigating the allegations  with a view to identifying culprits ,as well as serving justice.

 

Particularly, the WRT wants all the relevant authorities to beam their searchlight on the several alleged cases of enforced disappearance, kidnappings, unlawful detention of citizens, torture and acts of dehumanization, as well as alleged illegal detention facilities.

 

Similarly, the group urged the Government, and security agencies to provide adequate security and protection for victims, witnesses, whistleblowers and community leaders who may wish to cooperate with investigators.

 

The WRT further emphasized that the present petition is intended to provide the authorities with the facts on the ground, urging them to undertake an independent verification and investigation of the issues raised, pledging to make available victims, witnesses and documentary evidence to substantiate its allegations.

Leadership Or Membership Of Presidential Campaign Council Not Priority To Work For Tinubu’s Victory – Wike

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister
Nyesom Wike.

By Ayodele Oni 

 

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has stated that he does not need to lobby to be made Director-General (DG) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

 

The Minister who was reacting to remarks on social media, reiterated his unflinching support for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu, adding that he does not need to be the DG or even member of the President’s Campaign Council to deliver and ensure that the President wins massively in Rivers State and the  FCT.

 

A report in some sections of the media had listed the FCT minister among top party chieftains and government officials lobbying or being mentioned for the position of the APC Presidential Campaign Council DG.

 

However, reacting through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT described the report as false, saying he did not at any time discuss leadership or even membership of the Presidential Campaign Council with anyone. 

 

“I am outside Nigeria, resting and relaxing after spending over 30 days, commissioning projects, flagging off new ones and inspecting ongoing ones, especially those scheduled for commissioning in December and January, next year. 

 

“When I return, our focus will be the continuous delivery of our mandate in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and to further enhance his electoral fortune in Rivers State and the FCT.

 

“Therefore, I do not need to be the DG or even member of the Presidential Campaign Council of Mr President’s political party to contribute my quota by ensuring that he wins handsomely in Rivers State and the FCT.”

“Atiku Will Cost ADC Victory In The 2027 Adamawa Governorship Election” – Fmr. SGF, Babachir Lawal

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Babachir Lawal and Atiku Abubakar

By Ayodele Oni

 

At the Presidential Election, Adamawa people have a choice  between APC and NDC, but certainly not ADC

 

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal, has threatened a legal battle with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), over the substitution of the party’s gubernatorial candidate in Adamawa State, Engr Umar Suleiman.

 

He stated that contempt for the rule of law and due process by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will cost the ADC the 2027 governorship election in Adamawa State.

 

The former SGF spoke on Monday following the confirmation of  replacement of the Adamawa ADC gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 election.

 

In a statement he made available to journalists, he revealed that Atiku and the leadership of the ADC unlawfully removed Suleiman as gubernatorial candidate after his nomination in the party’s primary election, replacing him with Tukur Moddibo.

 

Lawal said, “Clearly, this unlawful substitution which violates the Electoral Act 2026, the ADC Constitution, and the ADC Primary Elections Guidelines will be tested in the Courts.

 

“And certainly, the unlawful act will fail woefully.  Atiku’s contempt for rule of law will cost ADC victory in the Adamawa Governorship Election in 2027”.

 

“Engr Umar Suleiman, a Kilba Muslim from Hong Local Government Area had won the ADC party primaries in a landslide and the expectation was that the National Headquarters of the party will submit his name as the party’s candidate in the general elections.

 

“But what started as a rumor that Atiku preferred one of his kinsmen, Tukur Moddibo, a Fulani Muslim from Fufore Local Government as his preferred ADC gubernatorial candidate simply on account of his being of the Fulani ethnic stock has become a reality

 

“The rumour has now transmitted in to reality; it is Tukur Moddibo’s name that was uploaded.

 

“Contrary to common sense, equity, and justice, the ADC’s National leadership has succumbed to uncommon pressure from Atiku and some of his likes and replaced Engr Umar Suleiman with Tukur Moddibo in a move that is devoid of  logic and  justice.

 

“For those who were initially skeptical of my earlier characterization of the danger that a  possible Atiku presidency would pose to us non-Fulani, non-moslems especially those from Northern Nigeria, the validation is now out in the open.

 

“But shocked as we all are by this brazen exhibition of injustice targeted largely at the aboriginal ethnic nationalities of Adamawa State, we are not without equally good options.

 

“We have suspected all along that this game plan is to open a pathway to victory for the APC candidate Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani Galadima, a prince of the Adamawa Emirate who will be a more pliable governor in the hands of Atiku and the Emirate Council that we know is embittered by the restoration of the Chiefdoms and Emirates of the aboriginal tribes and ethnic nationalities of the state by the government of Alhaji Umar Fintiri.

 

“We know fully well that  some leading Fulani elites and title holders of the Emirate have sworn to frustrate or at worse, totally abrogate the new Emirates and Chiefdoms because to them, their existence diminish the hitherto vast, oppressive Adamawa Emirate Council of Atiku and one of his sons are senior title holders.

 

“The plan is to consolidate the powers of the state government and the Adamawa Emirate Council into a single oppressive power centre that excludes the aboriginal peoples of the state.

 

“It is still a wonder to me how this perennial loser presidential candidate of the ADC was able to arm-twist the National Leadership of ADC into being willing tools in a plan that will make  the party to loss a governorship election that it was set to win in Adamawa State just to satisfy the hegemonic, tribal, and religious ego of just one person.

 

“The Adamawa masses trust God that both the ADC and APC will lose the gubernatorial elections in the State. This is so because the  aboriginal ethnic nationalities of the State have several other options to choose from and this they will.

 

“At the State level, there are viable  options in the other political parties who are fielding some serious and competent candidates in the gubernatorial election.

 

“At the presidential level, options include candidates from either  the  APC or  NDC but certainly not from the ADC.

 

“Because the ADC in the State has decided to go hang itself in choosing to please this religious and tribal hegemonist, the 2027 general elections in the state will be ‘to your house o Israel’ in which every voter will have to answer his father’s ancestral name.

 

“Therefore, in Adamawa State, in the 2027 elections, the ADC and APC gubernatorial candidates might as well not be on the ballot.”

 

Lawal predicted that the ADC would face serious consequences for the decision if the substitution was not reversed.

 

He declared that the people of Adamawa would not be restricted to choosing between the ADC and APC, noting that other political parties would provide alternative candidates.

Gov Adeleke Alleges Plans For INEC  To End Voting As Early As  12 Noon

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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0
Gov Adeleke Flags off Campaign

 

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

 

The Campaign Organization of Governor Ademola Adeleke ,in the August 15, 2026 gubernatorial polls in Osun state, “the Imole Campaign Council” has alleged  orchestrated plot towards pressuring the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC into ending voting by 12 noon.

 

In a statement on Monday August 10, 2026, its spokesperson Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that the plan is targeted mainly at  local councils considered to be the stronghold of Accord Party, the Governor’s political platform.

 

The Council emphasized that the alleged move is primarily aimed at suppressing votes, and reducing the chances of Governor Adeleke’s victory.

 

The Council urged restraints on the part of political actors, and insisted that Osun voters should be allowed to freely choose who will preside over the affairs of their state.

 

“The people of Osun state must be allowed to exercise their constitutional right to vote freely and peacefully without obstruction, intimidation or deliberate disenfranchisement.

 

“The people of Osun State are ready to vote . They must be allowed to vote, and every lawful vote must count”, the Council stated.

 

The Council called on the INEC ,and all other authorities saddled with the responsibilities of conducting the polls to resist any political pressure and adhere strictly to the extant rules and regulations governing the exercise.

 

The Council warned that no polling units should be arbitrarily closed while eligible voters who presented themselves within the stipulated voting period are waiting to exercise their constitutional responsibilities.

 

The Council expressed serious concern and disappointment that the All Progressive Congress APC which had earlier sought to exclude the Governor from the polls through unfounded legal challenges is still bent on cutting corners to secure victory.

 

The campaign Organization further regretted that this latest antics is coming even as the APC has continued to instigate the intimidation, harassment and unjust detention of Osun State Government officials ,and Accord Party members and supporters.

 

It described the alleged attempt at influencing early closure of ballot as yet another orchestrated effort by the APC to undermine the electoral process after failing to weaken the Governor’s support base.

 

The Council also called on Nigerians, especially the civil society groups, election observers, International bodies, and the media to monitor closely activities before, during and after the polls.

 

The Council noted that the Osun state gubernatorial polls will be a precursor to what will happen during the 2027 general elections, warning that it must be protected to be free, fair, transparent, and devoid of any forms of manipulations.

Plateau Police Probes Alleged Plot By Military Personnel, Religious Leader To Kidnap Wives Of Bishops

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Sergeant Ezra Sunday

By Ayodele Oni

 

Plateau State Police Command has began investigation of two military personnel and a clergyman over their alleged involvement in the attempted kidnap of wives of two Clerics.

 

Already the suspects have been arrested and detained by the police.

 

The suspects were taken into custody following intelligence received by the police concerning an alleged plot to  kidnap the wives of Bishop Ephraim Gongden and retired Bishop Benjamin Kwashi.

 

According to the Command, the incident was recorded at about 2:10 p.m. on 7 August 2026.

 

One of the suspects was identified as 42-year-old Reverend Hassan Yunisim Mijah of Tudun Wada, Jos North.

 

Police stated that he was allegedly working with Sergeant Ezra Sunday of the Nigerian Air Force and OS Usman Khalid of the Nigerian Navy, both attached to Sector 1 of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) in Jos.

 

The Police alleged that the trio had planned to target the wives of the two Bishops, who are residents of the Rantya area of Jos South Local Government Area.

 

The Command said the suspects were interrogated following their arrest and allegedly provided information linking them to the suspected plot.

 

The Police also disclosed that the leadership of Operation Enduring Peace had been formally notified of the arrest of the two personnel serving under the operation.

 

It added that investigations are ongoing as the Command works to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged conspiracy and determine whether other individuals were involved.

Anambra State Billionaire Oil Magnet, Sir Ezeokafor, Abducted While Praying

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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0
Sir Joseph Ezeokafor

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

 

Community cancels New Yam Festival

 

Celebrated Anambra state-born billionaire, Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, has been abducted  by yet-to-be identified hoodlums.

 

Sir Ezeokafor, the founder and Chief Executive Officer CEO of Jezco Oil ,and Jezco Group of Companies was said to be seized last week while observing his usual secluded and special prayer session at an Awka “mountain.”

 

In a statement shared on his  Facebook page on Sunday, his counsel Chukwudi Iwuchukwu, said the oil magnet who is also the father of Nigeria’s Instagram celebrity, Jowizaza, had gone into the mountain prayer session without his usual security details, thereby becoming an easy prey to his abductors.

 

“Sir Joseph Ezeokafor ,a Nigerian billionaire- businessman, the founder of Jezco Oil and the Jezco Group, who is also the father of Nigerian Instagram celebrity Jowizaza, was reportedly kidnapped last week from a bush in Awka, in Anambra State”, the lawyer wrote.

 

According to Iwuchukwu, the unfortunate development has so unsettled his Ekwulobia community that they have put on hold their annual new yam festival.

 

He emphasized that the abducted businessman is among the prominent sons of the community,, and noted that the incident has thrown residents into confusion and mourning.

 

Iwuchukwu disclosed that as a mark of solidarity, the community which has never, in its history, postponed the celebration of its new yam festival, has decided to put o  hold, the ceremony.

 

“The community where he comes from, Ekwulobia, has been thrown into confusion ,and mourning ever since the news of the abduction broke out”, he added.

 

Neither the Anambra State Government, nor the State Police Command, so far, reacted to the sad incident.

 

As at the time of reporting, no contact has been established with the abductors.

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