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Ahead 2027, APC Says No Automatic Ticket For Tinubu, Throws Open Primary Contest

August 27, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Despite the gale of endorsements in support of the second term bid of President Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that there will be no automatic ticket for him.

The Party clarified that it will not issue an automatic Presidential ticket for President Tinubu for the 2027 elections, even though he remains the party’s endorsed candidate.

National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu, revealed this while speaking at the party’s national secretariat.

According to him, other members are free to purchase the nomination form and contest in the party’s primaries.

He added that while the National Working Committee, (NWC), State Governors, and all six geopolitical zones have expressed support for Tinubu, the door remains open for anyone wishing to vie for the Presidency on the APC platform.

Argungu said the party will release its timetable in due course, allowing aspirants to formally submit their forms.

“It will be the wish of the party, and we, the NWC of the party, have already endorsed President Tinubu as the next presidential candidate of the party. And by extension, other organs have equally done the same thing.

“Governors in the States have done the same too. It has also been replicated in all six geographical zones of the country. But it does not mean that the door is closed.

“It also means that when the time comes, we will make our timetable known so that for anybody who wants to aspire for the president of this country, either on the platform of the APC, will not be denied the opportunity to purchase the nomination forms.”

Ondo Bans Annual Introduction Of Textbooks, Unregistered Schools

Ayodele Oni

August 27, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government has initiated some moves to regulate operations of Private Schools as part of efforts to reposition education sector.

Part of the measures include prohibition of illegal and unregistered schools, the banning of graduation ceremonies for nursery schools and JSS 3 classes, and the re-accreditation of all private schools for quality assurance.

Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, conveyed Government decisions to private school owners in the state during a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, with proprietors in the 18 Local Government Areas.

Ajibefun, noted that the State Government is poised to reposition the education sector and is taking deliberate steps to encourage and support private school owners through different policies.

Ajibefun said, “My interactions start with private school owners because the private sector plays a critical role as you are major stakeholders in education business. It is more serious than any other business.

“It is obvious that things have gone bad in the education sector; there are urgent issues we need to address so that we can bring back the lost glory.”

The Commissioner pointed out that the state must build on its gains and that stakeholders must work together to address some areas of concern.

He highlighted the need for strict compliance with Ministry directives, especially regarding the use of recommended textbooks, faithful adherence to the approved curriculum, and observance of the official school calendar and public holidays released by the Ministry.

The Commissioner promised that government would involve private schools in reviewing the curriculum for the state, collaborate on examination supervision, and streamline the approval and registration process for private schools to make the process less cumbersome.

He also pledged support of the Ministry during difficult times.

Ajibefun noted that schools operating illegally in the state would be given a six-month grace period to get approval, adding that the state would review the conditions for school approval to make it easier.

“When you run an unapproved school, you are running an illegal business. This administration will not allow illegalities, and that is the reason we are reviewing it.

“In the next couple of weeks, the new conditions will be rolled out. All private schools operating in the state must meet minimum standards.”

The Commissioner also stated that Ondo State has banned unapproved and foreign curricula without clearance, as well as the use of advanced learning resources that do not match learners’ ages.

He frowned at underage admissions without clearance, transfer certificates, records, or transcripts.

Speaking on graduation ceremonies for non-exit students, Ajibefun said Ondo State has to step in to also ban elaborate graduation ceremonies, especially for nursery and JSS classes.

Ajibefun stressed that the state would no longer tolerate schools organizing excursions without approval or clearance from the Ministry due to the state of security in the nation.

The Commissioner advised private school owners to be circumspect on the issue of making extra lessons compulsory after normal classes.

He also revealed that government has banned the exploitation of parents through purchase of new textbooks every year, stating that siblings of a particular pupil can continue to use the same textbook for a period of time.

Ajibefun also mentioned that the process of digitalizing all schools in the state is in progress, noting that all students in the state primary and secondary schools would soon be migrated to digital platform of the Ministry of Education.

He warned that the State would not go below the minimum standard, saying that any school that cannot meet the “irreducible minimum” should find another business.

The proprietors appreciated the Commissioner while also commending the Governor for appointing a professor as the commissioner for education.

They sought for more time for the accreditation of schools and also advised the government to reduce bureaucracy in dealing with private schools in the State.

NAFDAC Warns, Says Fake Postinor-2 In Market

Akinwale Kasali

August 27, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has warned Nigerians to be wary and also be at alert as Fake Postinor-2 emergency contraceptive pills circulates the market.

A statement signed by NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed that the counterfeit pills were reported by the Society for Family Health, SFH.

SFH is the official distributor of Postinor-2 in Nigeria, confirmed that the suspicious batches were not imported by the company.

According to NAFDAC, fake Postinor-2 can be identified through the following packaging errors:

Smaller font size on the PIN verification sticker,

wrong spelling of the word “verify.”

There is also wrong spelling of “distributed” at the back of the pack.

The agency listed two falsified batches currently in circulation;

Type 1: Batch number T36184B; MFG date: 08/2024; EXP date: 08/2028; NRN: 04-698.

Type 2: Batch number 332; MFG date: 03/2023; EXP date: 02/2027; NRN: 04-698.

NAFDAC further warned that taking counterfeit Postinor-2 may cause the following;

Failure of contraceptive effect, Exposure to toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception and Long-term reproductive health issues.

The agency cautioned that extreme reactions could include allergic responses, organ damage, or even death.

To stay safe, Nigerians are urged to buy Postinor-2 only from verified pharmacies and licensed healthcare providers.

It also advised that the packaging should be checked carefully before use.

It stated that suspicious products should be Reported to NAFDAC immediately.

The agency confirmed ongoing investigations to trace the source of the counterfeit drugs and has directed State Coordinators to remove fake Postinor-2 from circulation.

Distributors, pharmacists, and healthcare workers are also urged to maintain vigilance and ensure that all medical products come from authorised suppliers.

IGP Egbetokun Joins Other Security Chiefs In South Africa To Fight Transnational Crime

Ayodele Oni

August 27, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Not less than 200 Police Chiefs across the continent and outside, among whom is Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, and security leaders gather in South Africa for the 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference.

The conference is a high-level forum aimed at bolstering international cooperation against transnational crime.

The three-day conference brings together senior law enforcement officials from 56 countries to discuss pressing security concerns, enhance intelligence-sharing, and develop practical strategies for cross-border policing.

IGP Egbetokun is expected to deliver a paper on “Cattle Theft in West Africa: A Conduit for Terrorism and CBRNE Threats,” highlighting the links between organised crime, terrorism financing, and emerging chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) risks in the sub-region.

On the sidelines, he will hold strategic bilateral talks with INTERPOL President, Major General Naser Alraisi, and Secretary General, Mr Valdecy Urquiza, focusing on strengthening operational partnerships, deepening intelligence exchange, and reinforcing Nigeria’s role in regional and global security cooperation.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s stance, the Police Force stressed its commitment to being a reliable international partner while continuing to safeguard lives and property at home and abroad.

To Avert Incessant Marriage Divorce, Shariah Police Clampdown On Lavish Wedding Ceremonies

Suleiman Anyalewechi

August 27, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Bauchi State Hisbah-Shariah Police – has singled out lavish wedding ceremonies as a major cause of incessant crashes of marriages among young couples in recent times.

To stem the tide of unbridled early marriage breakups and other unwholesome domestic practices, the Shariah police on Wednesday August 27, 2025, announced a blanket ban on the use of Disco Jockeys DJs ,and the holding of extravagant pre-marital ceremonies including Gala nights, certain cultural festivities at wedding fatias and other social gatherings in the State.

At the occasion of the formal unveiling of a 16-point policy guideline on weddings and other social events, the Hisbah Commission, insisted that extravagant and inordinate celebrations during weddings, particularly, encourage immorality, put couples under financial pressure ,as well as weakens and in most cases erode cherished family and sociatal values.

According to the Shariah Board, such anti-social and extravagant ceremonies are at the root of the increasing rate of marriage failures and divorce in the state .

The Commission, therefore, warned that it will not hesitate to clampdown on violators of the new guidelines no matter how highly placed.

“Our intention is to safeguard marriages from collapse. These guidelines will help young couples start their homes on a sound moral foundation”, the Board stated.

The Shariah police noted that religious and community leaders have been engaged to sensitize worshipers and their subjects on the new social and wedding ceremony guidelines.

The Commission also stated that Hisbah operatives have been empowered to monitor and enforce the guidelines.

This is as the Hisbah Commission informed that as part of the State Government’s efforts to restore sanity in the system over 500 women, mostly divorcees, and commercial sex workers, have been availed vocal training in different areas ,as a way of reintegrating them into the society .

2027: Group Says Only Jonathan Can Defeat Tinubu Plead With Him To Run For President

Akinwale Kasali

August 27, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

“Nigerians were misled into voting out Jonathan in 2015. Now we know, and want him back”

As the 2027 Presidential Election gathers momentum, a pro-Jonathan pressure group, Bring Back Our Goodluck, BBOG, has called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 election.

The group said Nigerians were “misled in 2015” into voting out Jonathan’s administration.

At a Press Conference in Kano, Grema Kyari, National Coordinator of the group said Jonathan remained the “surest path to rescue Nigeria” from hardship and insecurity under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led All Progressives Congress, APC, Government.

He further argued that Jonathan’s return was not only desirable but necessary.

Kyari cited the political comebacks of Donald Trump in the United States and John Mahama in Ghana as global examples.

His words: “We were misled in 2015 by the APC under the late Muhammadu Buhari, Bola Tinubu, Yemi Osinbajo, and Bisi Akande.

“They sold Nigerians deceitful promises which they never fulfilled.

“Instead of progress, the country has been plunged into hunger, poverty, and frustration.”

The group said Jonathan Presided over Nigeria’s “last era of economic stability” and pointed to food prices, agricultural reforms, and youth empowerment programmes such as YouWin! and SURE-P.

Kyari contrasted Jonathan’s era with today’s “biting hardship”, noting that a bag of rice, which sold for N7,800 then, now costs up to N100,000.

He added that Jonathan’s record as a unifying leader who appointed officials across ethnic and religious lines made him the right Candidate to heal Nigeria’s divisions.

Kyari also appealed to other opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai, to shelve personal ambition and rally behind Jonathan to comeback to power in 2027 and stabilize the nation’s economy.

“2027 will not be just another election year but a rescue mission to stop the APC’s erosion of democracy,” he said.

The campaign, which began in the north-east, has now moved to the north-west, described by Kyari as the heartbeat of commerce and political influence in northern Nigeria.

He appealed to Jonathan to throw his hat into the ring for the 2027 Election.

“In 2015, you chose peace over power. In 2027, Nigeria needs you to choose the people again.

“Let us chase out bad luck, poverty, and hunger. Let us bring back our Goodluck”, Kyari stated.

2027: PDP Chieftain Says Makinde Is Party’s Best Presidential Candidate

James Orji

August 27, 2025

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state is the ideal presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in the upcoming 2027 election, a chieftain of the party, Femi Babalola has said.

According to the PDP chieftain, Makinde has the capacity to clean up all the mess created by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, considering his achievements as the chief executive of the Pacesetters state.

Babalola spoke on the heels of the PDP recent decision to zone the 2027 presidency to the southern part of the country, the Nigerian Tribune reports. .

The magazine had earlier reported that the party at its 102 National Executive Council, NEC meeting in Abuja, the nation’s capital decided that a southerner flies its presidential ticket in line with its plan to ensure that the country’s next president comes from the region.

The PDP chieftain stressed that the Oyo state helmsman can stand head to head with other presidential aspirants, considering the vast experience he has acquired as two-time governor of the state.

He said what the country needs at this time is a presidential candidates with a fresh breath of ideas, after the ruling APC has mismanage the country, as a result of “failed and empty promises”

“If the party felt that the game was to present a southern candidate, it’s good for us, I’m in full support of it, let it be south versus south, we have the strength in the North,” Babalola said.

In a communique he read after the party’s NEC meeting, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, disclosed that the 2027 presidential ticket has been zoned to the south, while the North has retained the position of the National Chairman.

Uzodimma Raises Workers Pay Across Unions

The Source

August 27, 2025

Hope Uzodimma - Imo State Governor — Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.:

A significant development took place in Imo State Tuesday, August 26, 2025 when Governor Hope Uzodimma approved new increased salary adjustment affecting all categories of workers in the State.

He did during a parley with the organised labour at the Government House Owerri, thereby being the first Governor to set a new salary benchmark in line with improved revenue allocation to States recently by the Federal Government.

In the new salary arrangement, the minimum wage for any government worker in Imo State now stands at N104,000.

The entry point for medical doctors now is N508,000 and the ending point N1.2 million. Other health workers entry point pay is now N108,000 while the ending point will be N803,000 as against N77, 600 and ending point of N502,000 previously.

The new salary scale in the tertiary institution has changed from the previous entry point of N119,000 that terminates at N436,000 to now N222,000 and terminates at N812,000.

The same raise also applies to teachers whose previous pay at entry point was N76,000 and terminates at N275,000, but now stands at N104,000 entry point and N441,000 as end point.

All categories of workers, by the new arrangement, have something to smile about. In other words, all other positions in the civil service got significant increase as it applies to their respective salary structures.

Governor Uzodimma was also happy to announce that N16 billion had been earmarked for the continuation of payment of gratuity to retirees, spanning 20 years back, which was left unpaid by previous administrations.

He said the payment of the second tranche of gratuity to all verified pensioners should take effect today (Wednesday), and with it, the issue of unpaid gratuity in Imo State would have been brought to an end.

At the meeting, the Governor highlighted the government’s commitment to building a friendly and cordial relationship with the workforce of Imo State, pensioners, and the generality of Imo people.

“We tried as a government to always put it at the back of our mind that there is no how any government will do well if it doesn’t have a friendly and cordial relationship with the organised labour; knowing that we have always addressed the labour force as the engine room of government,” he said.

He maintained that his administration believes in carrying the bureaucrats along, ensuring that dignity and welfare of workers are restored and promoted.

While acknowledging the economic hardships faced by Nigerians, including increased cost of living following the removal of fuel subsidy, Governor Uzodimma noted that the State had made significant progress in economic development arising from increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from less than N400million in 2020 to over N3 billion currently, and substantial rise in the Federal Allocation, from N5 billion – N7.5 billion from 2020 to over N13 billion currently.

Other achievements of his administration, he said, include significant reduction in the State’s debt profile, from N280 billion to less than N100 billion currently, demonstrating effective debt management, as well as heavy investment in critical infrastructure, health care delivery system and youth empowerment.

He said through frugal management of the resources of the State, the government has not borrowed any money to finance any project in Imo.

The Governor therefore challenged Imo workers to uphold the dignity of labour, warning that government will not condone indolence and unethical practice.

“If government is paying you, you must work for government. So, we expect the service to come with dignity that is not common. So, we that are making the sacrifice will also have reason to beat our chest to say that at least we did the will of God,” Governor Uzodimma stressed.

To sustain the tempo of cordiality between government and labour and encourage the government to live up to her expectations, the Governor said that going forward, workers in Imo State will be required to “clock-in and clock-out” on a daily basis and that the era of short changing government has finally come to an end.

He warned: “Don’t think after making the sacrifices to pay you well government will allow workers to come to office in the name of resumption only to sign their signature and disappear to Eke Onunwa. We are introducing the clock-in and clock-out card and the time you resume and close will be determined by the process and if at the end of the month the record shows you worked for three hours, that is what you will be paid for. Therefore, I urge the workers to take their responsibility to government seriously.”

Also, the Governor urged the workers to take advantage of the new salary structure to correct issues arising from their next of kin in their data with the government so as to avoid controversy in the event of the inevitable called death.

Arising from that, he also said that the government has introduced a new process of identifying pensioners in Imo State called “I am Alive” and urged all retirees to pass through audit process in their interest.

In their remarks, the Commissioner for Labour, employment and productivity, Prof Boniface Nworgu and the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu pointed out that the Governor’s gesture has made the workers jobs much easier hence it should and put an end to struggle and agitations by the organised labour.

The labour leaders who could not hold their excitement busted into chanting their solidarity songs to express their overwhelming joy over the new development.

Responding, the Chairman Imo State Chapter of NLC, Comrade Uchechigaemezu Nwigwe could not hide his excitement and happiness and thanked the Governor for always being a friend of the workers.

Nwigwe who assured the Governor that Labour will personally be involved in monitoring the attitude of workers to work, pledged the readiness of the labour leadership always to partner with the government in the interest of a better Imo State.

His colleagues from the Trade Union Congress ( TUC), Comrade Uchenna Ibe, the Nigeria Medical Association ( NMA), Dr. B.U. Echeta also lauded the Governor for the timely intervention in the welfare of their workers and sought for more collaboration.

“You have disarmed us,” the NMA President who hinted they were planning an industrial action before the Governor’s announcement said.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Nigerian Union of Pensioners ( NUP), Imo State Chapter, Comrade JB. Ugochukwu said that Governor Uzodimma has proved beyond doubt that he is the best friendly governor for pensioners in Nigeria.

He said that the Governor has, through the payment of gratuity, sustained lives and made millionaires out of the retirees, and prayed Go to grant him long live.

They all thanked the Governor for his magnanimity and pledged the loyalty and support of workers and pensioners.

Present at the meeting were, the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, his Deputy, Rt. Hon Amara Iwuanyanwu and some of their other members, Commissioners and members of Expanded Executive Council as well as Local Government Areas leadership.

PSC Migrates To Performance Management System (PMS) As Argungu Says, APER Obsolete, Defective

The Source

August 27, 2025

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, on Wednesday, 27th August 2025, declared open a two-day training programme for staff of the Commission on the newly introduced public service performance appraisal system.

This is on the heels of the Commission’s migration from the old system -Annual Performance Evaluation Reports, APER, to a more practical and efficient system -Performance Management System, PMC.

DIG Argungu said the previous evaluation system was obsolete and and grossly defective in the assessment of public servants. He noted that the new system will obviously eliminate these deficiencies which he said include deception in the assessment.

The PSC Chairman explained that the APER system of assessment in the Public Service is riddled with loopholes for manipulation which encourages favouritism and which he said had undermined competence and exelcellence in the Public Service.

He called on the PSC Staff attending the training programme to pay attention to details and ask questions where they need clarification adding that the Commission takes the training very serious and will not condone any report of laxity. He extended the Commission’s thanks to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for sending her staff to conduct the training programme.

DIG Argungu said the Commission will continue to strive to improve its work force and push for excellence in the day to day operations of its staff.

The Director, Human Resource Management of the Commission, Aminu Malumfashi in his welcome message said the old APER system of staff evaluation was limited in scope as it was majorly “focused on end of year reporting, paper based and had failed to capture the continuous contributions, challenges and Developmental needs of staff throughout the year.”

According to him, ” the Performance Management System (PMS) on the other hand represents a transformational shift as it is not only an annual exercise but a continuous interactive process that engages supervisors and subordinates throughout the year.

Mr. Malumfashi said it emphasises a clear goal-setting, regular feedback, Performance tracking and documentation, capacity building and merit-based recognition and accountability”.

He said the purpose of the training is to equip the staff with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to understand and implement the Performance Management System in their daily work.

“PMS is not just a technical framework -it is a culture shift, it is about aligning individual Performance with organizational goals, ensuring fairness and transparency in evaluations and ultimately improving service delivery to the Nigerian people whom we serve” he explained.

Some of the topics for the programme are; Understanding MDAs Performance Management System (MPMS), Job Objectives Setting, Key Result Areas.(KRAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs) and Dynamics of Cascading MDAs Deliverables to All levels of Accountability (Hands On).

PDP Says Zoning Presidency To South Not Glorifying Wike

Akinwale Kasali

August 27, 2025

Debo Ologunagba - PDP Publicity Secretary

By Akinwale Kasali

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has debunked the the claims that it zoned its 2027 Presidential Ticket to the South with the intention to glorify the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

The Party, in dismissing the claim, stressed that the move was taken to strengthen the party and ensure stability.

Hon. Debo Ologunagba, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, stated this during an appearance on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Wednesday, where he addressed questions on the state of the PDP, the forthcoming national convention, and dissenting views within the party.

Ologunagba insisted that the PDP was never in an ‘intensive care unit,’ contrary to comments made by Senator Gabriel Suswan, a former Governor of Benue State.

The PDP’s image maker stated that the Party has only gone through challenges similar to those faced by any organisation but has since ‘recalibrated’ to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 polls.

“The party was never in the ICU. Do we have challenges? Yes, we do, just like every human organisation. But what has emerged is the fact that the PDP has the capacity, in challenging periods, to step back, reorganise itself and take charge of its internal affairs,” Ologunagba said.

On claims that the zoning decision was a vindication of Wike, he maintained that no individual was bigger than the PDP.

“No one individual is vindicated. If anything, it is the party that has been vindicated. After the 2023 elections, we reviewed our processes, identified the gaps, and made the necessary adjustments. That is why Nigerians are now seeing renewed unity and excitement within the PDP,” he said.

He further stressed that the party’s decision was in line with the founding principle that the presidential candidate should rotate between the North and South, adding that all stakeholders, including the PDP Governors’ Forum, National Executive Committee (NEC), Board of Trustees (BoT), and state chapters, were united behind the resolution.

“The NEC, after all consultations, decided to maintain stability by keeping positions in the North where they are, retaining positions in the South where they are, and zoning the presidency to the South. This was about fairness and unity, not glorifying an individual,” he added.

As regards the dissenting voices within the party, including the North Central Renaissance Movement, NCRM, which opposed the zoning arrangement, and Senator Abba Moro, the Senate Minority Leader, who had admitted that it was a mistake for the PDP to have fielded former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 elections, he said:

“The beauty of democracy is that people can disagree, but what matters is the capacity of the party to bring everyone back to the table. Where we were six months ago is not where we are today. We continue to engage, consult and reconcile because we want democracy to succeed,” Ologunagba explained.

Speaking on discipline within the Party, which many had said the Party lacks, especially on those who worked against the Party in 2023, Ologunagba said the PDP initially prioritised reconciliation but has now reached the stage of enforcing consequences.

“Membership of the PDP is voluntary but comes with obligations under the constitution. We have reached the point where every member must roll up their sleeves and work for the party. Reprimands have been issued, and we expect members to comply. We want to look forward, not backward,” he said.

He dismissed Wike’s claims that he was not invited to NEC meetings, insisting that notices were sent and duly acknowledged, while additional publications were made in national dailies.

“Every stakeholder was duly informed. Specifically, Wike was invited as a NEC member, and the letter was received and acknowledged in his office. Notices were also published in several newspapers. So, to say he was not invited is simply not true,” he clarified.

As regards the party’s forthcoming national convention scheduled for 15th and 16th November 2025 in Ibadan, Ologunagba said preparations were in full swing.

“All arrangements for the convention; venue, logistics, and security are in place. Every organ of the party is united and ready. Nigerians are excited because they know the PDP has the capacity to deliver, just as it did during its 16 years in power,” he said.

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