The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State, Mustapha Sule Lamido, has successfully scaled through the party’s screening process ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Lamido was cleared by the PDP screening committee in Abuja on Thursday ahead of the party’s governorship primary scheduled for May 21.

He emerged as the only aspirant screened for the PDP governorship ticket in Jigawa State, positioning him as the party’s flag bearer to challenge the incumbent governor, Umar Namadi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the 2027 general election.

Speaking after the screening exercise, Mustapha Lamido said his decision to contest was driven by the desire to bring positive change to the political landscape of the state and address the needs of the people.

He also expressed concern over the increasing wave of defections among politicians across party lines, which he attributed to a lack of ideological commitment among some political actors.

According to him, the younger generation is determined to transform the country’s political system through purposeful leadership and dedication.

Lamido described the PDP as the only opposition party with strong ideologies capable of addressing the aspirations of ordinary Nigerians.

He further stated that the party secured over 400,000 votes in the previous election and expressed confidence that the PDP would record even better results in the 2027 polls.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has met with aspirants from the State under All Progressives Congress, APC, seeking the  party’s tickets for different elective positions.

He urged them  to embrace loyalty, discipline and sacrifice ahead of the primaries taking place from today, May 15, 2026.

Speaking during the meeting  attended by the aspirants and stakeholders of the Party at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Owerri, the Governor described politics as not a lottery but a game of courage, stressing that some people will win while others will lose.

Uzodinma, while warning against being  desperate, urged aspirants to remain committed to the Party before, during and after the primaries.

He noted  that political contest could be akin to a game, warning aspirants to weigh all the risks before going into the contest to avoid using  money meant for their children’s school fees to buy forms.

The Governor added that the Party would adopt Option A4 voting system in the primaries to ensure transparency and avoid accusations of favoritism where consensus did not work.

Uzodinma further advised aspirants and stakeholders to respect equity and rotation formula where such exists in their Communities, and assured that the APC Committee for the conduct of Primaries as well as Appeal Committee have also been set up to handle grievances that may arise from the primaries.

He regretted that the number of aspirants to different elective positions were  large, hence the need  in ensuring that the exercise is conducted in a manner that will turn out to be a win win situation for every participant.

In his speech, the State Chairman of the party, Austin Onyedebelu reaffirmed APC’s commitment to unity, reconciliation, and electoral success ahead of 2027 general elections.

He added the State Executive Committee had taken steps to reposition the Party for greater efficiency, unity and progress.

Onyedebelu asserted that he is aware  grievances may arise from the  primaries, maintaining that  reconciliation mechanisms had been put in place to ensure rancor free exercise.

Nigeria Police Force has announced the dismissal, arrest and prosecution of officers allegedly involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion and other criminal activities in Rivers State.

The development was disclosed in a statement posted on the official page of the Nigeria Police Force on May 14, 2026.

According to the statement, the affected officers were linked to cases involving conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and unlawful operations carried out within Rivers State and surrounding areas.

Investigations uncovered a syndicate involving officers attached to Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa, identified as Inspectors Ayanniyi Jelili, Durojaye Francis and Olayemi Titus.

The Force alleged that the officers engaged in illegal stop-and-search operations in Port Harcourt where victims were reportedly abducted and forced to transfer money from their bank and cryptocurrency accounts.

According to the statement, three other officers identified as Inspector Awele Ogbogu, Inspector Prosper Aghotor and Corporal Favour Onwuchekwa are currently at large.

Investigators recovered three Toyota Sienna buses allegedly used for the operations, alongside N7,338,800 allegedly linked to the operations.

In a separate case, the Force also identified another group of officers formerly attached to the Department of Operations, Rivers State Command, over alleged acts of kidnapping, extortion and official corruption.

The officers identified as Inspectors John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu and Anele Ikechukwu were dismissed after internal disciplinary proceedings, while the matter was forwarded for prosecution.

“The leadership of the Force under the Inspector-General of Police remains resolute in its determination to identify, expose, and remove criminal elements from within the institution,” the statement read.

Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Lagos, has prohibited Point of Sale (PoS) operations within its premises.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, in charge of the FCID Annex Lagos, Simeon Akpanudom, announced the directive on Thursday during a general lecture and strategic meeting with sectional heads at the command headquarters.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the FCID Annex spokesperson, ASP Aminat Mayegun, who noted that the directive aligns with instructions from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

According to Akpanudom, PoS activities within police premises are inconsistent with security standards and operational ethics, warning that such practices could create opportunities for corruption and compromise official procedures.

The AIG urged officers to maintain professionalism, discipline and strict compliance with due process while carrying out their duties.

He also directed that all intelligence reports must be properly scrutinised and verified by sectional heads before submission.

Akpanudom further tasked supervisory officers with ensuring effective monitoring of personnel and enforcing adherence to professional standards in order to reduce misconduct within the command.

He warned officers against handling land-related disputes indiscriminately, insisting that all investigations must follow laid-down legal and investigative procedures.

The police chief also cautioned against acts capable of damaging the image of the Nigeria Police Force, stressing the need for officers to project credibility and professionalism in their conduct.

He advised personnel to respect the established chain of command and maintain discipline in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Akpanudom reiterated that acts of unprofessional conduct would not be tolerated and warned that erring officers would face disciplinary action where necessary.

He encouraged officers to remain committed to integrity, accountability and dedicated service to the nation.

Six kingmakers in Ikirun town, Osun State, have declared support for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s directive to the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to contain alleged plans to cause mayhem in the town.

The chiefs made their position known in a statement jointly signed by the kingmakers—Chief Diekola Toogun (Odofin), Chief Oluwole Atoyebi (Ojomu), Chief Bamidele Onifade (Elemon), Chief Raheem Okunlola (Jagun), Chief Sulaiman Olaore (Oluawo Onifa), and Chief Azeez Muritala (Obaale) obtained in Osogbo on Thursday.

In the statement, they accused the Eesa of Ikirunland, Chief Abdulkareem Adetoyese, of actions they claimed could undermine peace in the community.

They alleged that Adetoyese had been misleading residents by claiming authority to appoint a monarch for the town, contrary to the official position of the state government.

“It is on record that Chief Abdulkareem Adetoyese, Eesa of Ikirunland, has been engaging in nocturnal moves to violently disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in the town,” the statement read.

They added that such claims were “contrary to the tenor of the government’s gazetted position” regarding the appointment of a monarch.

The kingmakers noted that the state government’s directive issued on May 14, 2026, cautioning residents to shun violence, was a timely intervention.

They declared their alignment with the government’s stance as outlined in the White Paper released on 25 January 2024 concerning the Akinrun stool.

“We abide by the position of the government as contained in the White Paper and appreciate the peace being promoted by all affected persons, except some unscrupulous elements,” the statement added.

The chiefs also commended the police and other law enforcement agencies for what they described as swift action to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the town.

However, when contacted, Adetoyese dismissed the allegations, saying, “I never made any nocturnal move to truncate the peace of Ikirunland. I am the head of the kingmakers and my duty is to ensure peace at every point in time.

“They had earlier made allegations against me at the police station but all I know is that what they are saying is not true. These people are only jittery about the present situation. I am not fighting anybody.”