Benue State Governor’s Special Assistant on Social Media Communications, Asortar James, has defended Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration against criticism from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over the reported N30 billion monthly allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC.

James, in a statement dated October 18, 2026, responded to the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, who questioned the governor’s management of the state’s finances and demanded accountability for the reported allocation.

He maintained that although public officials must be held accountable, such demands should be based on verifiable facts rather than political allegations.

According to him, the administration had introduced reforms and embarked on development projects across various sectors since Alia assumed office on May 29, 2023.

He cited the introduction of free basic education from Basic One to Basic Nine and the recruitment of more than 9,700 teachers as efforts to improve access to education and reduce the financial burden on parents.

The governor’s aide also highlighted road construction, urban renewal, drainage projects and underpass construction, describing them as part of efforts to improve transportation and stimulate economic activities across the state.

In the health sector, he pointed to interventions at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, the cancer treatment centre and maternal and child healthcare services.

He further listed the implementation of a N75,000 minimum wage and efforts to address inherited salary and pension obligations as measures aimed at improving workers’ welfare.

On security, the statement referenced government support for security operations, the Civil Protection Guards and the joint task force known as Anyam Nyor, noting that efforts were ongoing to protect residents, restore peace and support displaced communities.

James also identified agricultural mechanisation, farmer-support initiatives and agribusiness partnerships as strategies to boost food production and strengthen Benue’s position as Nigeria’s food basket.

He added that initiatives involving Taraku Mills and the Benue Investment and Property Company were intended to attract investments, promote industrialisation and create employment opportunities.

Other projects listed included efforts to strengthen Benue Links, introduce new buses, improve access to affordable transportation and implement the Light Up Makurdi initiative.

On the controversy surrounding the reported N30 billion monthly FAAC allocation, the governor’s aide called for the figure to be assessed against official financial records.

He explained that FAAC allocations fluctuate and that funds received by the state government should be distinguished from allocations belonging to the 23 local government councils.

He also noted that total revenue received by the government does not necessarily represent funds available for new projects, given its obligations to pay salaries, pensions and other statutory expenses.

According to him, the reported allocation alone does not establish financial misconduct or prove that public funds have been mismanaged.

He urged interested parties to examine official revenue records, expenditure statements, audited accounts and project documentation to determine how public funds had been utilised.

Addressing concerns over insecurity, James acknowledged the suffering of affected communities and stressed the need for sustained efforts to protect lives, assist displaced families and achieve lasting peace.

He also maintained that unfinished projects should be subjected to scrutiny but argued that ongoing construction does not automatically constitute evidence of corruption.

He said contract terms, funding arrangements, implementation progress and completion timelines should be considered before conclusions are drawn about projects.

The governor’s aide challenged the PDP to complement its criticism with credible evidence, practical recommendations and solutions to the challenges confronting the state.

He added that allegations of wrongdoing should be referred to the appropriate institutions for investigation, while the government should continue to improve transparency by making financial information and project outcomes accessible to the public.

James urged residents to assess Alia’s administration based on its policies, documented achievements, outstanding obligations and the challenges that remain unresolved.

He stressed that support for development should not amount to blind loyalty, just as opposition should not involve dismissing every government initiative.

He called on political stakeholders to prioritise the interests of Benue State above partisan differences, insisting that accountability, constructive criticism and cooperation were necessary for sustainable development.

The omission of some governorship candidates from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list ahead of the 2027 general elections has triggered concerns over political participation, electoral fairness and the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process.

In Kano and Gombe states, the omission of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Isa Ali Pantami, respectively, from INEC’s published list has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding their exclusion, with the NDC alleging political conspiracy and insisting that it complied with the nomination requirements.

The controversy has drawn reactions from political scientists and opposition party officials, who have called for transparency and accountability in the management of the electoral process.

Sufi questions consistency, warns against premature conclusions

A political scientist in Kano, Dr Kabiru Sa’id Sufi, told DAILY POST that the omission of some candidates while others appeared on the final list had raised questions about the commission’s neutrality.

Sufi noted that the development had fuelled speculation about possible partiality, particularly concerning the treatment of candidates from different political parties.

“People saw some names and they did not see some names. So that raises serious questions,” he said.

He explained that the concerns were partly driven by comparisons between candidates whose names appeared on the list and those omitted in states such as Kano and Gombe.

Sufi cited the inclusion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in Nasarawa State as examples that had prompted questions among political observers.

“Until that explanation is released and people are given satisfactory answers, people will have every reason to begin to see lack of neutrality or due diligence on the part of INEC in the release of the final list,” he said.

The political scientist said the commission’s explanation would be important in determining whether the omissions resulted from the application of electoral requirements or other administrative issues.

NDC alleges political conspiracy over Kano candidate’s omission

The Kano State chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Usaini Isah Mairiga, has alleged political conspiracy following the omission of his party’s governorship candidate from INEC’s final list.

In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, Mairiga said the party had complied with the relevant requirements and expressed surprise that its candidate was not included.

“From the moment we discovered that our governorship candidate’s name was missing, we did not hear anything from the party’s stakeholders because we knew we had not violated any rules. We believe this is a political conspiracy,” he said.

The NDC chairman said the party had submitted a complaint and was awaiting a resolution, expressing confidence that its candidate would eventually be included.

He insisted that the party would not abandon its efforts to secure a place for its candidate on the ballot.

“But I assure you that we are not discouraged, and our candidate will return to the ballot,” Mairiga said.

PDP urges INEC to protect its credibility

The acting publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State, Kabiru Sani Mai Kwanika, said the omission of candidates could undermine democratic participation if eligible contestants were excluded from the electoral process.

Speaking to DAILY POST, Mai Kwanika insisted that political parties should have a fair opportunity to nominate candidates and compete in elections, provided they comply with the law.

“During the PDP’s reign, every political party had the opportunity to present its candidate, but what is happening now is not right,” he said.

He called on INEC to protect its institutional credibility and ensure that its decisions on candidate nominations were transparent and consistent.

“We have given everyone the freedom to participate. INEC should protect its integrity because the eyes of the world are now on Nigeria,” he said.

The PDP official also urged political parties to strengthen their engagement with legal practitioners and pay closer attention to electoral laws and nomination procedures.

“I urge political parties to work closely with lawyers to ensure they comply with the rules and remain vigilant about the law, especially where some people may want to exploit its provisions for personal gain,” he said.

Lawyer urges INEC to ensure fairness in candidate omissions

A legal practitioner, Barrister Nura Ahmad Muhammad, has said the omission of some governorship candidates from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list ahead of the 2027 elections raises concerns about electoral justice and public confidence in the electoral process.

Muhammad, however, cautioned against interpreting the omissions as automatic evidence of bias or partiality, noting that INEC has a statutory responsibility to enforce electoral laws and relevant judicial decisions.

He told DAILY POST that the commission must exercise that responsibility fairly, transparently and consistently, without political considerations.

According to him, the central issue is whether the affected candidates were excluded on valid legal grounds or as a result of administrative errors, arbitrary decisions or the improper application of the law.

Muhammad explained that INEC could be justified in excluding candidates where their political parties failed to meet mandatory statutory requirements. However, he said candidates who were wrongly excluded should be able to challenge the decisions through appropriate legal channels.

“To safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, INEC should provide clear reasons for exclusions, apply the law equally to all political parties, and establish transparent mechanisms for correcting genuine errors within the legally prescribed timelines,” he said.

He stressed that neither political interests nor administrative lapses should deprive an eligible candidate of the opportunity to participate in the democratic process, adding that the rule of law must prevail.

Electoral law at the centre of the controversy

The dispute over the missing candidates follows a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, which restored provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 concerning political party membership registers.

The provisions require political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC within the prescribed period and use the submitted registers for primaries, congresses and conventions.

Following the judgment, INEC explained that it excluded some candidates because their parties had failed to comply with the membership-register requirements and were therefore ineligible to sponsor candidates in the affected elections.

INEC also said political parties that believed their candidates had been wrongly omitted had until October 24, 2026, to notify the commission of the alleged errors, in accordance with Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.

The controversy raises questions about voters’ ability to choose among competing candidates and the extent to which procedural requirements can affect political representation.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, the handling of the list of candidates is likely to remain an important test of electoral administration in Nigeria.

Real Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho, has advised Yan Diomande to focus on improving several aspects of his game.

Diomande was on the scoresheet as Los Blancos thrashed Sevilla 4-1 in LaLiga on Sunday.

It is his second goal for the Spanish giants since he arrived from RB Leipzig in the summer.

After the game, Mourinho admitted that Diomande is still very raw and needs to keep working on himself.

“He still has a lot to learn and several areas of his game to improve, especially his finishing,” Mourinho said.

“He gets into dangerous positions very often, but he needs to learn to stay calmer and make better decisions with his final touch… He reminds me of a young Vinícius Jr.”

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 56-year-old man, Madarikan Emehinola, after his 40-year-old wife, Igbagbo Erobe, died in a house fire in the Igbo-Edu area of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi.

According to the police, the incident was reported at the Abigi Divisional Police Headquarters on Sunday following information that a house had been set ablaze, resulting in the woman’s death.

The police said Emehinola was being held in connection with the suspected arson, while investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“The woman’s body has been taken to a mortuary for a post-mortem examination, while arrangements are underway to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation,” the police said.

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, assured the public that the case would be handled professionally and in accordance with the law.

Ojajuni also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that serious criminal allegations receive appropriate investigative attention.

The police urged residents to report suspicious activities and provide credible information that could assist investigations and help prevent crime.

Osun State Government has intensified flood-risk assessments and public safety measures as rainfall continues across parts of the state, urging residents to remain vigilant and comply with official weather and emergency advisories.

The government disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, noting that preparations were being strengthened to reduce the risks associated with flooding.

According to the statement, “the state is monitoring weather conditions and assessing vulnerable communities to identify locations requiring urgent attention and coordinated interventions.”

The government cited a weather bulletin issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet on Thursday, October 15, 2026, which provided a three-day forecast covering October 16 to 18, including Osogbo.

It added that further showers and possible thunderstorms had been forecast for the Ede area over the coming days, prompting calls for caution, particularly in low-lying communities and places with a history of flooding.

“As part of the assessment efforts, the Director-General and Special Envoy of the Governor on Climate Change and Renewable Energy had undertaken a preliminary field assessment in Ede North Local Government Area ahead of a proposed stakeholder engagement on flood management.

“The exercise is intended to improve understanding of local conditions, identify vulnerable locations and support evidence-based responses to flooding,” the stwtenr added.

The statement said findings from field assessments, verified incident reports and relevant meteorological and hydrological information would help guide coordination among ministries, departments, agencies, local governments and affected communities.

“The initiative also builds on flood-management directives issued by Governor Ademola Adeleke on 1 October 2026, which included coordinated assessments of affected communities and inspections of damaged roads, bridges and culverts.

“Other measures outlined in the directives include the emergency clearance of critical drainage channels, improved documentation of affected households and the development of a long-term Osun State Flood and Stormwater Master Plan,” it said.

The government said effective flood management required immediate preparedness alongside sustained investment in resilient infrastructure, drainage maintenance, responsible waste disposal, land-use planning and reliable early-warning systems.

Residents were advised to avoid walking, swimming or driving through floodwaters because water depth and current strength could be difficult to determine.

They were also urged to keep drains, gutters and culvert entrances free of refuse and other obstructions.

The statement advised motorists to exercise caution during heavy rainfall and avoid crossing flooded roads, bridges and fast-flowing channels.

“Residents in flood-prone locations are encouraged to monitor water levels and move essential documents and valuables to safer places when water began rising,” it added.

The government also urged residents to report blocked drainage channels, damaged culverts, unsafe bridges and rising floodwaters promptly to local government authorities and emergency responders.

It advised the public to follow updates from NiMet, the Osun State Emergency Management Agency and other relevant authorities.

“Residents in areas experiencing rapidly rising water or immediate danger should move to safer ground without waiting for further announcements and seek assistance from the appropriate emergency services,” the statement said.

The government called on community leaders, transport operators, businesses and public institutions to support preparedness efforts, adding that public safety remained a shared responsibility.