Bukola Idowu, Executive Director, Kimpact Development Initiative has kicked against the N10 Billion spending mark for presidential election campaign, insisting it gives room for corruption.

He noted that the president in four years does not earn up to N10 billion as his salary, saying this does not add up.

He said that by making this law, the National Assembly has made elections purely commercial.

“That has been the narrative. That is what the lawmakers were saying that, look, this was a provision from the 2022 Electoral Act and then when you look at the inflation rate, then that 5 billion is not justifiable and justiciable,” he said on Arise News..

“But the question we keep asking them, and we have made this presentation to them several times, and that is to tell you that, look, their decision is not being backed by fact, statistics or data.

“How did you arrive at 3 billion for Governors? Because look at it this way, Kano has about 44 local government areas. Bayelsa has eight local government areas. So if you are campaigning in Bayelsa, you are going to campaign with 3 billion. Someone in Lagos is going to campaign with 3 billion. What data are you using?

“So at the end of the day, you now say the President is going to be 10 billion. So even the governor is going to go round like about 30 local governments with 3 billion. So how did you arrive at 10 billion for the President?

“So it doesn’t really make any statistical sense. It is not backed by law. The president in four years does not earn up to this amount in salary,” he stated.

Candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the 2026 Abuja Municipal Area Council election, Dr Moses Paul Ogigi, has claimed that by 3pm on Saturday, he had already won the elections.

He said he had already won by 3pm, before what he described as magic began to happen.

Dr Mo, who was defeated by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said it was disheartening to see the imposition of curfews, mutilation of results, vote buying and how members of the ADC were harassed.

“This is why these particular elections that we just concluded will be a defining moment in the democratic journey for Nigeria,” he said on Arise News.

“Not because it reflects the will of the people, but because it exposes that obstacle that hangs in the way of the will of the people. I came into this particular race, hoping that, believing in democracy, believing in the resilience of the will of the people in Abuja, believing that, especially with the change in the INEC leadership, so I was hoping for something new.

“By 3pm I had already won the elections across board and then magic began to happen. And this is, this is a crazy thing. So not only do I reject the outcome of the results, but I also…it is so disheartening to see the imposition of curfew, to see the mutilations of result, to see how members of the ADC were harassed from different polling booths.

“And I’ve never seen a heightened level of vote buying like we’ve seen in this particular election.”

The Lagos State Security Trust Fund has launched aerial surveillance operations across Lagos in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force Airwing Command, to strengthen crime prevention and public safety in the state.

In a statement released on Monday, the Trust Fund explained that the initiative is designed to deepen intelligence-led policing and improve the overall security architecture of Lagos.

The first operation, conducted the same day, involved low-altitude patrols over both Lagos Island and the mainland, showcasing the operational reach and rapid-response capability of the new surveillance strategy.

Commenting on the development, LSSTF Executive Secretary, Ayo Ogunsan, described the aerial patrols as a critical step toward modernising security operations in the state. He said the initiative represents a strategic investment aimed at protecting lives, property and economic activities.

According to Ogunsan, the patrols will enable real-time monitoring of crime-prone areas, enhance situational awareness, deter criminal activity and improve coordination among security agencies across Lagos.

He noted that the maiden flight signalled the beginning of a sustained programme rather than a one-off exercise.

He stressed that the continuous deployment of aerial surveillance sends a clear message to residents and criminals alike, assuring law-abiding citizens of enhanced safety while warning those intent on disrupting public order that criminal activities will not be tolerated. Ogunsan also acknowledged the support of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in facilitating the initiative.

Providing further insight after the maiden patrol, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Airwing Command, Martin Nwogoh, said the exercise demonstrated the efficiency of aerial surveillance in policing operations.

He explained that the patrol covered extensive parts of the state within minutes, highlighting the speed and flexibility of air support in security management.

Nwogoh added that beyond surveillance, aerial assets could be deployed for rescue missions and tactical operations, including the rapid deployment of personnel when required.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Moshood Jimoh, said the introduction of air patrols would significantly enhance coordination between ground, marine and aerial units.

He noted that the patrol route covered areas such as Makoko, Yaba and parts of Lagos Island, describing the exercise as a strong warning to criminal elements operating within the state.

The LSSTF reaffirmed that the aerial patrols form part of a broader plan to deploy innovative security solutions across Lagos.

It assured residents that the flights are strictly for surveillance and public safety purposes, while urging continued cooperation with law enforcement agencies to maintain peace and security statewide.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, says the airspace at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal One has reopened following a fire outbreak.

Managing Director Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku told journalists on Monday that there were no fatalities, but six people sustained injuries during the incident.

She said three international flights were diverted, including those operated by Emirates, British Airways, and Lufthansa.

According to Kuku, “Some of our operations were affected; however, they will be back up and running in the next half an hour.”

She said the immediate priority was containing the fire, while investigations into the cause are ongoing.

“What is important is that we activated our emergency procedures and evacuated everyone with no fatalities due to coordinated efforts by all agencies,” she said.

Kuku said the airport’s Emergency Operations Centre had been activated, led by the airport manager as Chief Safety and Security Officer.

“He is taking charge. There is a standard procedure we follow when it comes to emergencies,” she added.

She noted that coordination among agencies followed established protocols, with support from relevant state authorities where necessary.

On renovation works, Kuku said projects were ongoing within the airport, but not in the area where the fire reportedly began.

“In the area we believe the fire started, nothing was happening at the time. People were only moving items out.

“The fire started from the ground floor, according to our investigations so far. We are awaiting confirmation and cannot say more at this time,” she said.

She confirmed the fire escalated to the roof, adding that police and helicopters supported rescue operations swiftly.

“We have professionals, including civil and structural engineers, to assess the building’s integrity and determine the next steps,” she said.

Kuku said most departures and arrivals had been moved, with departures largely relocated to Terminal Two.

She added that four airlines were scheduled to move into the temporary terminal, which she described as ready for use.

“In terms of the full operations affected, I would say not a lot,” she said, adding that the temporary terminal would be active within days.

Addressing lingering smoke, Kuku assured passengers that firefighters would remain on the ground as a precaution.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, says surveillance regulations could be used against civilians and those critical of the government.

Deputy Director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare, made this statement on Monday while fielding questions in an interview on Arise Television.

His remark comes after allegations by the former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai that the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu’s phone conversation was intercepted.

Recall that El-Rufai reportedly claimed that he and another person tapped the phone call of the NSA.

Airing his own opinion, Oluwadare said, “With the kind of weight and power this kind of regulation has, it should go through the legislative process and public hearing. These regulations will take away major rights Nigerians have.

“The current regulations governing interception may not be necessary in their present form. Concerns exist regarding the wording of these laws, the provisions for civil liberties safeguards, and the potential for misuse.

“It is unclear how agencies like the DSS or the Office of the National Security Adviser utilize these powers, raising concerns that they might be used against civilians or government critics.

“Regulations of this magnitude, which could impact fundamental rights, should undergo a thorough legislative process, including public hearings, to incorporate necessary safeguards and ensure their effectiveness in addressing insecurity.

“This stance does not advocate against an interception framework altogether, but rather suggests it should align with models found in other jurisdictions, incorporating robust safeguards as envisioned in existing legal frameworks.”