Prof Pat Utomi, a political economist, has said that he would walk away from the former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, whenever he decides to become someone’s running mate.

Prof Utomi stated this on Thursday when he appeared as a guest in an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television monitored by DAILY POST.

He was speaking on Peter Obi’s defection to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

DAILY POST reports that Obi alongside other prominent leaders of the Southeast on Wednesday officially defected to the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“I can tell you that Peter Obi will contest for the presidency come 2027 general elections. The day he becomes somebody’s running mate, I will walk away from his corner. I can tell you that for a fact.

“And secondly, something very important for this election to bear in mind is that the Nigerian presidency has become a retirement home where people go for the Nigerian state to pay their medical bills.

“This is not acceptable. They don’t have the fitness to run the country. The last one and even the current one do not have the fitness to run the affairs of this great nation,” he said.

Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Borno State have called on Governor Bala Mohammed and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde to sheath their swords, embrace party unity, and realign their loyalty to FCT Minister, Nyesom  Wike.

Chairman of the stakeholders, Grema Kyari, made this call while addressing journalists in Maiduguri, commending the FCT Minister for his commitment to discipline and institutional integrity.

Kyari, a member of the National Working Caretaker Committee,  also hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for rejecting the outcome of the Ibadan Convention, which produced Kabiru Turaki as the National Chairman of the party.

The group further extolled the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Caretaker Committee for its bold, timely, and lawful decision to dissolve the Borno State PDP Executive Committee and approve the constitution of a Borno State PDP Working Caretaker Committee.

It noted that the action has brought renewed hope to party members across the state just as it reflected the aspirations of PDP faithful in Borno State who have long awaited justice and internal democracy.

“Wike’s steadfast commitment to discipline, constitutionalism, and institutional integrity remains unprecedented, especially in the face of sustained pressure and actions from governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde, who are supported by Barrister Kabiru Turaki, which have deepened the internal crisis of our party.

“In view of these undeniable facts, we hereby call on Barrister Kabiru Turaki, Governor Bala Mohammed (former Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum), and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to sheath their swords, embrace party unity, and realign their loyalty with our National Leader, His Excellency Chief Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, whose role in strengthening and repositioning the PDP is well known,” the group said.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, in charge of Zone 17, Ajani Musibau, has strongly condemned the attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Headquarters in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, describing it as a grave and unacceptable threat to public peace and security.

The AIG made the remarks during an on-the-spot assessment of the damaged police facility on Thursday, alongside the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal.

The inspection team included senior officers of the command, as well as representatives of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and other security agencies.

During the visit, the team examined the extent of damage caused by the attack, in which armed assailants reportedly set the police station ablaze, destroying the building and several important exhibits.

No casualty was recorded, as all officers stationed at the division were unharmed.

Speaking after the assessment, AIG Musibau expressed deep concern over the scale of destruction and vowed that the Nigeria Police Force would spare no effort in ensuring that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.

He described the incident as an unforgivable assault on the security architecture of Ondo State, stressing that all lawful and operational measures would be deployed to track down the perpetrators.

The AIG further assured that security has been reinforced in the area, adding that welfare arrangements would be made for affected personnel.

He also disclosed that plans were already underway for the reconstruction of the damaged police station.

In his remarks, Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, commended the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, noting that ongoing reforms and technological innovations under his administration have continued to strengthen policing operations across the state.

CP Lawal also acknowledged the support of Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for his consistent backing of security agencies in maintaining peace and public safety.

He assured residents that the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, have intensified efforts to apprehend those behind the attack.

According to him, additional operational resources, including Tactical Units, Explosive Ordnance Disposal-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) teams, as well as Police Mobile Force units, have been deployed to the area to restore and sustain security.

The commissioner urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements to security agencies, assuring residents that the situation is under control and that investigations remain ongoing.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has released his prophecies for 2026, projecting economic relief for Nigeria and a possible reversal of the mass migration trend popularly known as “japa.”

Pastor Adeboye delivered the prophecies during the church’s annual crossover service held at Redemption City on New Year’s Eve, offering messages of hope for Nigeria and cautious optimism for the global community.

Speaking on the national outlook, the cleric disclosed the first part of a two-part prophecy, noting that he would pray further on the second part before deciding whether to release it later in the week.

According to him, 2026 would witness a noticeable reduction in hunger across the country, alongside renewed growth in small and medium-scale enterprises.

“This year, there will be a reduction in hunger. Small and medium enterprises will begin to blossom,” Adeboye declared

In a prophecy that has since gained wide attention online, the RCCG leader also predicted a “reverse japa” trend, describing a situation where Nigerians who had migrated abroad would begin to return home.

“He says something that I can only describe as reverse japa. Many who japa will come back home,” he said.

On the global stage, Pastor Adeboye said 2026 would be relatively calmer than the previous year, particularly in terms of global conflict.

“On the international scene, he says the chance of a major war is less this year than last year,” he noted.

However, he cautioned that weather patterns would largely mirror those of 2025, with the possibility of a few major hurricanes occurring during the year.

Overall, the cleric described 2026 as a year of breakthroughs, predicting unprecedented success for individuals who remain steadfast in faith.

Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, has called on members of the public to report and register the names of relatives or loved ones who may be missing following the fire at the Great Nigeria Insurance, GNI, House on Martins Street, Lagos Island.

Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, made the appeal on Thursday, stressing that the step is crucial to address concerns about people reportedly trapped under the collapsed section of the building.

He said, “The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency wishes to reassure the public that search and rescue operations are ongoing.

“Our trained responders, supported by specialized equipment, are working tirelessly to ensure that all affected areas are fully assessed and that no one is left unaccounted for.”

Oke-Osanyintolu urged anyone unable to reach relatives, colleagues, or loved ones believed to have been in or around the building during the fire to visit the LASEMA Complaints Unit at the scene to register their concerns.

Information collected will be verified and used to compile a consolidated list of missing persons to aid rescue and identification efforts.

He added that LASEMA is collaborating closely with other emergency response, health, and security agencies to ensure an orderly and thorough operation, while continuing to provide timely updates to the public.

The Permanent Secretary also urged the public to cooperate fully with emergency responders as they carry out the search and rescue operations.