Rivers: Surprise As APC Screening Panel Stops Wike’s Former Deputy From Senatorial Primaries

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May 18, 2026

By Adesina Soyooye

Shock has greeted the disqualification of Senator Ipalibo Banigo by the All Progressive Congress Senatorial Screening Committee from participating in the Senatorial Primaries.

Senator Banigo, a Medical Doctor-turned politician was for two-terms, Rivers State Deputy Governor under then Governor Nyesom Wike. The two were thought to have had a very tidy relationship while at the Government House, Rivers, which explains why she was sponsored by Wike to go to the Senate.

Both are still thought to have a good relationship for which a number of people say explain her decamping to the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

But not a few people think that his defection to the APC may have cost him the ticket. The speculation is that Wike, who is the leader of a faction of the PDP, aside from the Presidency and the Governorship, would want the PDP to occupy all the other elective offices in the State.

Since 2023, Wike had made it clear that his support and loyalty lie with President Bola Tinubu.

In the upcoming Governorship election, one of his most loyal political allies and confidante, Honourable Kingsley Chinda, has been cleared to take part in the APC Governorship Primaries after he quietly defected from the PDP. With Wike’s support, it will be difficult to defeat Chinda either in the Party Primaries, or the General Elections in January.

Senator Banigo was elected to the Senate in 2023 immediately after serving as Wike’s Deputy Governor from 2015 to 2023.

Presently, he is representing Rivers West Senatorial District. With her disqualification, she is billed to be a one-term Senator. No reason has been given for her disqualification.

2027: Labour Party Warn Aspirants Against Buying Nomination Forms From Abure Faction

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Akinwale Kasali

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May 17, 2026

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By Akinwale Kasali

As the Labour Party, LP, Primaries draw closer, the leadership of the Party has warned prospective aspirants and party members against obtaining nomination forms from the embattled former National Chairman of the Party, Julius Abure.

The LP leadership describe purchasing such forms as “worthless paper.”

Ken Asogwa, the Party’s National Publicity Secretary in a statement issued on Sunday accused Abure of impersonation and attempting to deceive unsuspecting aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Asogwa stated that the party was compelled to respond following the circulation of pictures on social media showing Abure presenting what he described as nomination forms to some individuals in Abia State.

The statement partly read:

“Let it be stated clearly and unequivocally that Nenadi Usman is the National Chairman of the Labour Party and all legitimate nomination forms for every elective position ahead of the 2027 general elections can only be obtained through the official National Secretariat of the party located in Utako, Abuja.

“Consequently, any so-called Labour Party nomination form obtained from Julius Abure or any other unauthorised source is nothing but worthless paper being peddled by political fraudsters seeking to deceive unsuspecting persons.”

The party also questioned why Abure’s alleged “sales activities” were concentrated in Abia State, warning that Governor Alex Otti would not succumb to “blackmail, intimidation or street-corner political theatrics.”

It further alleged that Abure’s continued claim to the office of the party’s national chairman amounted to criminal impersonation.

“Julius Abure’s continued impersonation of the office of the National Chairman of the Labour Party remains a criminal offence of serious legal consequence that has reached an intolerable height,” the statement added.

Recall that the Party has been in crisis following a leadership tussle between Abure and the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee.

The crisis deepened after the Court of Appeal affirmed Usman’s leadership, a decision Abure rejected, insisting it was unacceptable and vowing to challenge it at the Supreme Court.

APC Primaries: One Shot Dead As Security Operatives Disperse Protesting Youths

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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May 17, 2026

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

One person was shot dead and others injured on Saturday, following an outbreak of violence at an All Progressive Congress APC primaries’ venue in Kasuwan Ali Community, Mangu Local Council of Plateau state.

The victim, one Sani Abdullahi, was allegedly shot and killed by military personnel who were part of the security arrangement during the House of Representatives primaries .

He was shot dead following a disagreement, and later a protest that resulted from the delayed arrival of electoral officials for the primaries.

According to eyewitness accounts, trouble began when electoral officials billed to conduct the primaries were nowhere to be found, a development that led to the non-commencement of the exercise on schedule.

The non-arrival of the officials led to the departure of party and Government officials from the venue.

However, the youths were uncomfortable with the situation, especially the departure of party and Government officials which they perceived to signpost a hidden agenda to manipulate the exercise.

Consequently, they protested and blocked the party and Government officials from leaving the venue, a development which forced military officers on duty into attempting to break the protest.

“The exercise was supposed to hold on Saturday morning, but it didn’t take place because of the absence of returning officers.

“So, the youths started protesting, alleging that the delay was deliberate.

“As this was going on, Government officials who came to witness the exercise decided to leave because of the absence of the electoral officials.

“But some youths blocked the road to prevent them from leaving the venue. The youth insisted that the Government officials will not leave until the arrival of the electoral officials.

“This drew the attention of security personnel who moved in to disperse the youths. In the process, bullets hit the victim”, a local volunteered.

The unfortunate incident expectedly has raised the political temperature of the already restive and terrorists-infested Plateau State.

As at the time of reporting, neither the APC nor the Plateau State Government has reacted to the development.

Bauchi Permanent Secretary Dies In The Holy Land – Gov Mohammad Mourns

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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May 17, 2026

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has described the death of Shehu Yahaya Jalam ,the Permanent Secretary, Special Services ,in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, in Saudi Arabia as a painful and irreparable loss.

Jalam, the Turakin Dawakin Misau Emirate Council of Bauchi, died on Saturday after a brief illness in Makkah , Saudi Arabia , while performing the Muslim pilgrimage.

In a statement, Mukhtar Gidado, his spokesperson, Governor Muhammad described the late Jalam as a loyal dedicated and hardworking public servant ,who gave his all for the development of Bauchi State.

The Governor emphasized the critical roles the late Permanent Secretary had played over the years in the successful coordination of Hajj operations as well as other important Government assignments given to him.

According to Governor Mohammed,the demise of Jalam remains a huge loss to the family, relations, friends, associates, as well as the Government of Bauchi State.

The Governor extended his heartfelt condolences to the family, relations, friends ,the office of the SSG ,the office of Head of Service ,and the Misau and Dambam Emirate Councils .

The funeral ceremony for the deceased will be conducted at the Holy Mosque of Ka’aba , Makkah Saudi Arabia.

Senator Ndume Says Bandits Abducted 42 Students In Borno School Invasion

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Ayodele Oni

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May 17, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

The number of students abducted when suspected bandits invaded a public school in Borno state has been revealed.

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, confirmed that no fewer than 42 students, including children, were abducted when armed members of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists invaded Primary and Junior Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Mussa, in Askira -Uba Local Government Area of the state last Friday.

This is as he appealed to the security agencies, especially the troops of the Joint Task Force North East ‘Operation HADIN KAI’, to intensify efforts in rescuing the victims.

The senator stated this in a press statement he personally signed and issued to journalists in Maiduguri.

He said the traumatising incident, which have forced many parents and guardians into hopelessness, is barbaric and disheartening.

Ndume, whose constituency has remained under constant attacks and destruction in recent times, especially with Thursday’s attacks on some Chibok communities of Bambatsu and Ngadarma, where several people, including the elderly, were killed, explained that the Mussa Schools abduction is more terrifying because the incident happened at a time when poor and resilient students were engaged in their early morning class lessons.

He stated that the information at his disposal, which he got from the schools’ authorities, indicated that “four students were abducted from the GDSS (two male and two female), 28 pupils were abducted from the primary section, while 10 children were abducted from their various residential houses, making total of 42 persons”.

Ndume, former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, reiterated his appeal to the security agencies, especially the Nigerian Army, to intensify efforts in rescuing the innocent victims.

He also condoled with the families of those who lost their lives in Chibok communities and other attacks in the Southern Borno Senatorial District.

Serving APC Senator Dumps Party

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Adesina Soyooye

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May 17, 2026

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By Adesina Soyooye

A serving Senator of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has dumped the Party.

Senator Garba Musa Maidoki, Kebbi South Senatorial District, dumped the Party on May 14 through a letter which he sent to the Chairman of his Rafin Zuru Ward in the Zuru Local Government Area, Kebbi State.

This comes ahead of the Monday APC Senatorial primary.

A number of Senators who lost the confidence of their Party, and, especially, their Governors, and are no longer sure of a return ticket, have been decamping to other parties.

Nigerian Senator Gives Over N135m In Cash To His Constituency’s Party Executives

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Adesina Soyooye

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May 17, 2026

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By Adesina Soyooye

Shock greeted the sum, especially, to the uninitiated. Placed on the table before Party Executive Members of Borno Central Senatorial District, was a whopping sum of N135.65 million. In Nigerian politics, where billions and trillions of Naira are the order of the day, it is not that the sum pops up the eyes. What shocked, however, is that it was brought in cash and displayed publicly. It was brought as a gift by a serving Senator.

To those asking where the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, are, the Senator’s Aide, in a post reminds them that this is the third time the serving Senator was donating such a huge sum to the party executives in his District.

The Senator, Kaka Shehu Lawan, represents Borno Central Senatorial District, and made the donation as an Eid-el-Kabir gift to the executives.

The Senator’s Legislative Aide, Usman Alkali, who disclosed the donation on Friday, complete with a photograph of the Naira heap which he posted on Facebook said the gift was the third by the Senator since he went to the National Assembly.

The statement, written in Hausa, translated into English, was titled:

Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan shares N135, 650,000, to APC, executives in Borno Central for Eid-el-Kabir celebration

He said the funds were shared on Thursday to the Executive members to help them prepare for Sallah. It reads:

“Senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan (SAN), on Thursday distributed cash to APC Executives in his Borno Central Constituency totalling N135, 650,000 to help them celebrate in preparing the upcoming Eid-Kabir festival.

“This is the third time the Senator has given such a donation since becoming a member of the National Assembly.

Senator Lawan this order day stepped down from his aspiration to the Governorship seat of Borno State in support of Mustapha Gubio, Governor Babagana Zulum’s choice of successor.

Fmr. Chief Of The Air Staff, Saddique Abubakar, Abandons Gov’s Race, Quits Politics

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Adesina Soyooye

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May 17, 2026

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By Adesina Soyooye

A former Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshall Saddique Abubakar, has literally seen in politics that “khaki no be leather.”

Abubakar, one of the longest Service Chiefs in Nigeria, served under late President Mohammadu Buhari, and like a number of his colleagues, jumped into partisan politics.

Guilty most are a number of retired Inspectors General of Police raising questions on the role they played during elections when they were in office.

In Air Marshall Abubakar’s case, he was, like his colleagues in the Army and Navy, on retirement by Buhari, who were appointed Ambassadors, immediately appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to Chad. And on recall by the President Bola Tinubu Government, jumped into full politics.

In 2023, he decided that he would be the Governor of Bauchi State. So, under the All Progressives Congress, APC, he challenged the sitting Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bala Mohammed, to the Governorship seat.

He was, however, defeated by Bala, who has now, about a year to the end of his two-term tenure, dumbed the comatose PDP for the AMP.

Air Marshall Abubakar, since his failure at the governorship polls, however remained in politics. But just when not a few people thought that he would contest for the seat again, especially, with Bala on his way out, Abubakar, one of NAF’s most accomplished fighter pilots, has thrown-in the towel. He resigned from politics when he was expected to contest under the Action Democratic Party, ADP.

In a video message on Saturday, where he spoke in Hausa, Abubakar took, especially, his supporters and loyalists by surprise, when he said he has quit politics.

His words: “Today, with a heavy heart, I have made the difficult decision to leave politics for personal reasons.

“This decision did not come easily, considering the love, support and affection shown to me by the people of Bauchi State and Nigerians since I joined politics in 2021.

“I sincerely apologize to all my supporters and well-wishers over thus difficult decision, and I wish everyone the very best.

“My retirement from politics will not prevent me from continuing to support tye community through the Marshall Care Foundation especially in the areas of education and Healthcare.”

Not a few people, however, say his exit from politics, may, allegedly, have something to do with the running battle between his wife, Sadiya Umar Farouq, the former Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which has just declared her wanted over some untidy financial business while she was in office.

She remains at large till date.

Air Marshall Abubakar was born on April 8, 1960, in Azare, Bauchi State.

International Day of the Boy Child; Obi Reflects On Challenges Faced By Nigerian Boy Child

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The Source

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May 17, 2026

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Peter Obi, a leading presidential candidate and former Governor of Anambra State, has extended his congratulations to the Nigerian Boy Child in recognition of International Day of the Boy Child, while also expressing his concerns regarding their circumstances in the country.

In a message shared on his X account, Obi cited Nelson Mandela’s poignant observation: “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children,” highlighting the serious issues the Nigerian Boy Child is facing.

He elaborated, stating, “Yesterday, the world celebrated the International Day of the Boy Child. For me, it served as a moment for deep reflection on the future of our boys in a country that grapples with severe insecurity, large-scale abductions, hunger, and insufficient investment in healthcare and education, all of which threaten the lives and prospects of our children.

*It is widely accepted that children are the leaders of tomorrow, and rightly so. Yet, how can we expect them to lead effectively if we do not protect their lives and futures today? Our boys are confronted with severe hunger and malnutrition, a deficiency of basic education and primary healthcare, worsening insecurity and mass abductions, and rising social moral decay—facing numerous challenges from the time they are born.

“For the boy child to grow into a responsible and productive adult, it is crucial to provide him with a solid foundational education, equip him with useful skills, and mentor him with progressive values that contribute to a better society.

Frederick Douglass once said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” We must put an end to the neglect and mistreatment of our boys and start securing their lives and investing in their futures for the sake of our shared national destiny.

“As I have consistently said, the society we harm today will ultimately hold us accountable tomorrow.

To all the boys out there: hold on to your dreams. We are working towards creating a nation that not only safeguards your lives and invests in your futures but also nurtures your growth and inspires your ambitions, enabling you to seize global opportunities that align with your talents and aspirations.

A New Nigeria is POSSIBLE!

Fmr Ondo First Lady, Betty, Submits LP Nomination Form For Owerri Senatorial Contest

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Ayodele Oni

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May 17, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akerdeolu, a former Ondo State First Lady, has revealed how the spirit of her late husband, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, former Governor of Ondo state is inspiring her about her ambition.

Betty, an aspirant, for Imo East Senatorial District (Owerri Zone) on the ticket of Labour Party (LP) has picked her nomination and expression of interest forms for the election.

The former Ondo first lady wrote on her Facebook post on Sunday, “If you recall, I promised to carry my friends, supporters, and political associates along every step of the way on this journey to the Red Chambers — the Senate, come 2027.

“Today, aboard an Air Peace flight from Owerri to Abuja to submit my Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, something profound happened.

“Right there in the clouds, somewhere between earth and earth’s endless horizon, thoughts of Aketi came flooding over me like the tide of the ocean.

“Suddenly, I was overwhelmed with emotions. At that moment, I knew he was with me.

“I could feel his presence so strongly — urging me on, cheering me forward, saying in that familiar voice, “Maddy, keep going, Darlin’. The journey continues.”

“For a moment, tears welled up in my eyes. Not tears of sorrow alone, but tears born of love, memory, strength, and purpose.

“Aketi may no longer be physically here, but his courage, conviction, and spirit continue to inspire me every single day.

And so, with determination in my heart and the support of the people, I press on.

The journey continues.”