ABAKALIKI, September 2026— Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has warned local government chairmen in the state that failure to deliver their LGAs to the APC in the 2027 general elections will cost them their positions.
The governor issued the warning during a meeting with council chairmen, stakeholders, and APC leaders in Abakaliki on Thursday.
According to Nwifuru, the 2027 elections will be a “performance test” for every political appointee and elected official in the state.
“2027 is around the corner. If you lose your LGA, you lose your job. It is as simple as that,” the governor said. “We must work hard, go back to our people, and ensure that APC wins overwhelmingly in every polling unit, ward, and LGA.”
He urged the chairmen to remain close to their constituents, address grassroots issues, and mobilize support for both the state and federal government.
Nwifuru also cautioned against internal wrangling and anti-party activities, saying anyone found working against the party’s interest would be dealt with.
The governor’s statement comes as political activities begin to pick up ahead of the 2027 general elections.
APC leaders at the meeting pledged to deliver the state to the party in 2027 and commended the governor for his development projects across the 13 LGAs.
IBADAN, September 2026 — The campaign team of the Oyo State All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate has responded to a viral video showing a man seated on the candidate’s lap, describing the moment as “spontaneous and fatherly.”
The short clip, which circulated widely on social media over the weekend, showed the APC candidate interacting with a supporter during a grassroots engagement. In the video, the man was seen sitting on the candidate’s lap while both laughed and exchanged pleasantries.
The footage sparked mixed reactions online, with some users questioning the propriety of the gesture while others defended it as harmless.
In a statement on Monday, the campaign team said the interaction was unplanned and reflected the candidate’s “open and approachable” style with constituents.
“It was a spontaneous and fatherly gesture,” the statement read. “The candidate has always maintained a close relationship with the people, especially the youth and the elderly. There was no ill intent behind the moment captured.”
The team added that the candidate remains focused on issues affecting Oyo residents, including security, infrastructure, youth employment and agriculture, and will not be distracted by “misinterpretations of genuine human moments.”
The APC is preparing for the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State. The candidate has been touring local governments across the state in recent weeks to engage voters ahead of party primaries.
Hassan has provided a wealth of information for every security agency to ponder and act upon. I spent days following these revelations, examining the evidence, facts, and data made available.
A whistleblower identified as Hassan has alleged that Senator Shehu Buba Umar, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District in Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly, is among those allegedly sponsoring banditry in the country.
Hassan made these allegations during a recorded video call with De-English Alhaji, repeatedly presenting video evidence he had gathered.
According to him, Senator Shehu Buba allegedly accommodates bandits in his residence, interacts with them, and shares meals with them.
He backed these claims with video proof.
Hassan stated that when he attempted to flee to Niger Republic, the Senator sent his Personal Assistant to track him down.
Although the PA was apprehended by security forces and Hassan was also taken into custody, Hassan was later released after presenting the pictorial and video evidence he had recorded.
However, his release is not enough. These are severe allegations that every national security agency must treat with absolute gravity.
The fact that this individual served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence makes this revelation even more alarming.
Furthermore, this is not the first time similar allegations have surfaced. Activist “CP On Top” was previously arrested for making related claims, as was Barrister Kibanna, who was detained and later released after raising similar points regarding the same lawmaker.
I urge the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to take these allegations seriously and establish the facts through a credible, independent investigation.
National security must never be politicized. Every credible accusation deserves a thorough investigation.
For a long time, allegations have linked Miyetti Allah President Bello Bodejo to terrorism sponsorship and money laundering; links have also been alleged against the Bauchi State Governor, and now against a sitting Bauchi State Senator.
Hassan is himself a Fulani man, and the videos he shared allegedly show Fulani bandits inside a Fulani politician’s home. Stashes of cash collected from ransom payments were reportedly seen being loaded and unloaded on the premises.
He even alleged how weapons were moved and how the Senator facilitated passports for travel under the guise of Hajj pilgrimages.
The evidence presented on Hassan’s and De-English Alhaji’s platforms is overwhelming. We are waiting for security agencies to act. If they fail, it will only validate previous warnings from the National Security Adviser and Nigerians will have no choice but to brace for the consequences.
A nation cannot defeat terrorism while granting political immunity to its alleged enablers. When security clearance overlaps with compromise, state institutions lose the moral authority to enforce peace.
AWKA, August 31, 2026 — Tension has gripped Awka after gunmen killed popular master of ceremonies, comedian and media personality Isaac Nwosu, popularly known as _Aiza Nwosu_, and another unidentified man in separate attacks on Sunday night, August 30, 2026.
According to the Anambra State Police Command, three unidentified men in a silver-coloured Toyota Corolla with tinted windows carried out the shootings at two locations. Eyewitnesses said the assailants trailed Nwosu from his residence before blocking his Toyota Hilux on S.M. Okeke Street in the Amaikwo area and opening fire. He was found dead inside his vehicle with music still playing from its loudspeakers.
Minutes later, the same gunmen reportedly drove to Capital City Road in Amaenyi where they shot a second man by the roadside, robbed him, and fled. The second victim is yet to be identified.
Police patrol teams recovered both bodies and took them to a hospital where they were confirmed dead. Items recovered from the scenes included ₦7,550, a Moniepoint ATM card and a pair of slippers.
Isaac “Aiza” Nwosu was a familiar voice across Awka. He was known for driving a Hilux fitted with loudspeakers, making public announcements, DJ work, event hosting and occasional radio appearances. Residents described him as one of the most recognisable personalities in the state capital.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Anambra PPRO, condemned the attacks and said the command has intensified a manhunt for the perpetrators. Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Ama, described the killings as unacceptable and a direct affront to the peace and security of the state. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for a discreet investigation. Patrols, surveillance and intelligence gathering have also been increased across Awka.
Police said the motive remains unclear. Some residents have linked the attacks to suspected cult-related violence, but this has not been confirmed.
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation has told a US court that releasing records linked to President Bola Tinubu’s alleged drug trafficking activities could expose its informants and agents to “violent retaliation”, including possible assassination.
The warning was contained in a court filing submitted on Friday, August 28, 2026, in an ongoing Freedom of Information Act, FOIA, lawsuit before Judge Beryl Howell of the US District Court for the District of Columbia.
The case stems from FOIA requests filed by American transparency activist Aaron Greenspan, who is seeking records relating to alleged investigations involving Tinubu in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s. Greenspan also requested records from the CIA, DEA, IRS and immigration authorities.
Why the FBI says the records can’t be released yet
In the filing, the FBI cited FOIA Exemption, which allows agencies to withhold law-enforcement information where disclosure could reasonably be expected to endanger an individual’s life or physical safety.
The bureau argued that releasing names and other identifying information could:
1.Expose participants to retaliation – People who assisted investigations could face threats from third parties allegedly connected to the criminal activities covered by the records.
2. Endanger lives – The FBI said individuals who provided information or participated as law enforcement could be “violently targeted” if identified.
3.Reveal derogatory information – Some material could be viewed as “derogatory” or “incriminating” by those named in the files.
“Whether they provided information or participated in the investigation as law enforcement personnel, it is likely these individuals would be violently targeted by third parties involved in the criminal activities” the FBI stated.
The FBI has asked the court to review portions of its justification and some records privately, “in-camera”, rather than release them publicly.
This follows an April 2025 ruling where Judge Howell ordered US agencies to search for and process non-exempt records after rejecting an earlier refusal to confirm or deny their existence.
Former VP Atiku Abubakar has urged the FBI to release “lawfully disclosable material” while protecting agents and sources. He said: “Protect your agents. Protect your sources… But do not stretch those protections until they become a bulletproof vest for Tinubu”.
Atiku framed the demand as a “humanitarian and democratic appeal” for Nigerians to know the background of their leader.
The Presidency has not issued an official response to the latest FBI filing.
1. USSR deceived itself for 69 years, It got restructured eventually into 15 autonomous antagonistic countries today.
2. Yugoslavia Class of ‘45 Military turned political elites deceived itself for about three decades, when peaceful restructuring became impossible, each nationality went their separate ways in a violent way. From Yugoslavia emerged about 7 countries
3. Europe deceived itself for over 100 years until they discovered that progress was impossible if Germany/ Austria/ Poland etc were under one government. Rapid transformation happened when Austria, Poland, Germany each had to fend for itself.
4. If India, Pakistan and Bangladesh (IPB) had remained under one roof, Tower of Babel would have been more organized than IPB.
5. Nigeria is not working and it can not fulifil its destiny as it is presently constituted, regardless of whoever is the leader. I used to believe Nigeria’s problem is squarely that of leadership. I spent years researching into how Nations fail and succeed and I came away convinced that our problem is fundamentally structural.
6. No nation has ever transformed without *ELITES’ CONSENSUS.* I studied 50 countries including China, America, India, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore etc.
For instance it was the Elites’ Consensus of 1950 that erected the ICT foundation in India that makes India a global leader today.
Between August 27-31st, 1897, the Jewish elite, 208 of them gathered together and spoke the words, that, in 50 years they would have their own nation in the Palestine, their homeland. And exactly 50 years after, Israel was created which brought together people who had been separated for 2000 years.
Today, that tiny nation is behind most of the technological innovations that the whole world depends on today from America to China to Saudi Arabia and Nigeria.
Israeli Jews of about 7 million people have more companies on NASDAQ in the US than the entire Europe of 700 million people.
The young boys behind WhatsApp and Facebook are Ukrainian Jews while Google was created by two Americans (Larry Page and Sergi Brin), one of them a Russian Jew.
7. However, Nigeria’s Elite have never been able to agree on any transformation agenda for implementation.
While some people say *Western education is bad*(Boko Haram), some want western education.
It is not an accident that:
A. We have made over $1Trillon in Oil revenue and we are the poverty Capital of the Universe.
B. That we have about 15 million dangerous street urchins (Almajiris) in the North.
C. That we have 133 million + new 4 million multidimensional poor people in Nigeria.
D. That the Youth unemployment rate is almost 60%. Forget the 4% which government is throwing up.
E. That we are the 9th gas nation globally and 6th Oil biggest nation with coal and unlimited sunlight yet the country is in darkness.
F. That we have no functional refineries yet we have workers in Kaduna, Warri, PH refineries earning salaries for jobs not done.
All said, those who oppose restructuring know the truth but the *fear of the unknown* is making them to fight it. But history is not on their side.
*Nature abhors vacuum, situation cannot be mismanaged forever.* Impossible.
Nobody can fight *an idea whose time has come.*
Restructuring will happen, I am 100% convinced. My only prayer is that Nigeria should learn from both Yugoslavia and USSR experiences and work it out peacefully.
Russia was behaving arrogantly in the USSR, like an irresponsible husband, but when people got fed up they declared their respective independence and Russia is licking its wounds till today.
We have played for 63 years, we are still playing.
ABUJA, August 26, 2026 — Former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has launched a fresh attack on the Tinubu administration, declaring that “we are competing with thieves” and vowing to boycott any political debate that does not include President Bola Tinubu.
Atiku made the remarks on Monday as political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections begins to gather momentum. He said Nigerians deserve transparency and accountability from those seeking to lead, and that avoiding direct engagement with the President would amount to a disservice to the electorate.
“We are not just competing with political parties. We are competing with thieves who have held this country down,” Atiku said. “Any debate for 2027 must have President Tinubu on that stage. Anything short of that, I will not participate.”
The statement comes on the same day Labour Party’s Peter Obi challenged Tinubu to “Stop Hiding In Aso Rock” and come out for an open debate on insecurity, the economy, and rising fuel prices.
Political observers say Atiku’s comments signal an early alignment among opposition leaders to pressure the government and set the tone for 2027. Both Atiku and Obi have maintained strong followings since the 2023 elections and are expected to remain key figures in the next election cycle.
The Presidency has not yet responded to Atiku’s remarks.
With fuel prices rising again this week and insecurity dominating headlines, analysts say the call for direct debate between the President and opposition leaders is likely to dominate political discourse in the coming months.
MABUJA, August 26, 2026 — Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has publicly challenged President Bola Tinubu to an open debate, urging him to “stop hiding in Aso Rock” and address Nigerians directly on pressing national issues.
Obi made the call on Tuesday amid growing public frustration over rising fuel prices, worsening insecurity, and economic hardship. The challenge comes as petrol prices climbed again this week, with NNPC raising the pump price to ₦1,270 per litre in Abuja, and Dangote Refinery adjusting its gantry price to ₦1,200 per litre.
“Leadership is about accountability and direct engagement with the people,” Obi said in a statement. “At a time when Nigerians are struggling with insecurity, inflation, and uncertainty, the President should come out and debate these issues openly, not govern from behind closed doors.”
The Labour Party leader said a televised debate would allow Nigerians to hear clear plans on how the government intends to tackle kidnapping, banditry, and the cost-of-living crisis.
His remarks immediately sparked reactions online and within political circles. The challenge also aligns with renewed 2027 election positioning, as opposition figures including former VP Atiku Abubakar have ramped up criticism of the Tinubu administration. Atiku on Monday said “We Are Competing With Thieves” and vowed to boycott any debate that does not include Tinubu.
The Presidency is yet to officially respond to Obi’s call.
Political analysts say Obi’s move is aimed at putting pressure on the government and reasserting his visibility ahead of 2027. Since the 2023 elections where he polled over 6 million votes, Obi has maintained a strong following among youths and urban voters who credit him for his message of frugality, accountability, and shifting Nigeria from “consumption to production.”
Whether the debate will hold remains uncertain, but Obi’s challenge has already set the tone for what is shaping up to be an early and heated build-up to the next general elections.
ENUGU — The Enugu State Job Centre has facilitated employment for over 5,000 youths across the state in the last 12 months, the management has announced.
The State Commissioner for Labour and Employment, Barr. Chika Ugwuoke, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing to mark the centre’s first year anniversary in Enugu.
He said the placements were achieved through strategic partnerships with private companies, SMEs, government agencies, and skills training partners aimed at reducing unemployment and youth restiveness.
“From the day we opened, our mandate was clear: connect Enugu youths to decent and dignifying work. Today we can report that over 5,000 young people have been successfully placed in jobs across manufacturing, tech, health, agriculture, and services,” Ugwuoke stated.
According to him, the Job Centre runs a digital portal where employers post vacancies and job seekers register their skills, qualifications, and location. Successful candidates are also linked to upskilling and entrepreneurship programs.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Job Creation, Mr. Ifeanyi Ozo, added that 60% of those placed are women, while over 1,200 beneficiaries were trained in digital skills, tailoring, plumbing, and agribusiness before being matched to employers.
“Governor Peter Mbah’s administration is focused on growing jobs, not just employment. We are tracking retention and performance, and early data shows over 80% of those placed are still in employment,” Ozo said.
Some beneficiaries who spoke at the event commended the government for the initiative, noting that the process was transparent and free.
The Commissioner urged more companies operating in Enugu to partner with the centre and encouraged youths to register on the portal to access new opportunities.
He added that the state government is targeting 20,000 placements in the next 18 months as part of efforts to make Enugu the premier destination for investment and talent in the South East.
AWKA — The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, has approved the suspension of Prof. Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye of the Department of Chinese Studies for three months with half salary over alleged violations relating to an examination misconduct case.
The suspension was announced on Monday in a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Aloysius Attah. It takes effect following the submission of an interim report by a six-member Special Investigative Panel on Friday, August 21, 2026.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, approved the sanction based on recommendations in the preliminary report. The panel was chaired by the Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma.
According to the university, the panel investigated five issues but addressed two in its preliminary report. Prof. Odinye was found to have contravened Sections 5.8.3 and 5.8.1(iv) of UNIZIK’s General and Academic Regulations.
Specifically, the panel found that he:
1. Failed to record and submit an alleged examination misconduct case involving Chikamso Favour Okechukwu, a student of the Department of Chinese Studies, on the prescribed Examination Misconduct Report Form.
2.Returned a phone recovered from the student during the examination to her on the same day, contrary to university regulations.
The student, Chikamso Favour Okechukwu, has been referred to the Students’ Examination Misconduct Committee for further investigation.
The university said the panel’s assignment has been extended by two weeks to address the remaining three issues: whether there was sexual harassment, the identities of those who assaulted Prof. Odinye on August 15, and whether there was any incident of kidnapping.
Prof. Odinye was physically assaulted and stripped by some students on August 15 following the allegation. Management condemned “jungle justice” and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct while insisting that all allegations must go through due process.
UNIZIK said a final verdict, including possible criminal prosecution, will be made after the panel concludes its work.
