A non-governmental organization, Yiaga Africa has lamented the spate of pre-election violence ahead of August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, the Executive Director of the group, Samson Itodo, described it as a serious cause for concern.

Former Benue State governor and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Chief Samuel Ortom has rejected reports claiming that he and other senior members of the party are considering replacing the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr Pius Akutah.

Ortom described the reports circulating on social media as false and misleading, saying they misrepresented the purpose of a recent meeting involving some prominent Benue stakeholders.

In a statement released by his media assistant, Zege Terhide, the former governor said the report was a “mischievous” distortion of the discussions held during the meeting.

He explained that the meeting brought together himself, Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro, Aondoakaa and other notable Benue indigenes, including Chief Simon Shango, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, Dr Pius Akutah, Emmanuel Ameh and Dr Matthias Byuan.

According to Ortom, the gathering was part of broader consultations involving influential stakeholders, aimed at creating a strategic partnership that would serve the interests of Benue State.

He firmly denied that the issue of changing the PDP governorship candidate featured in the discussions.

“At no time during the meeting was the replacement of Chief Aondoakaa as the PDP governorship candidate discussed, contemplated or placed on the agenda,” Ortom said.

The former governor said there was nothing unusual about political figures consulting with stakeholders, noting that such engagements were part of the democratic process.

He consequently criticised those attempting to portray the meeting as a secret political arrangement.

“It is, therefore, mischievous for anyone to take a legitimate meeting of Benue leaders and manufacture an entirely different motive for it,” he said.

Ortom further explained that engagements involving politicians and influential individuals should not automatically be viewed as evidence of hidden political schemes.

“Political consultations and engagements across party lines are neither strange nor secret conspiracies, particularly when they are driven by the larger interest of the people,” he stated.

Addressing the controversy surrounding the 2027 PDP ticket, Ortom made it clear that Aondoakaa remained the party’s candidate for the Benue governorship election.

“Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, remains the duly nominated governorship candidate of the PDP in Benue State for the 2027 election,” Ortom declared.

He said Aondoakaa continued to enjoy the backing and confidence of the PDP leadership and members across the state.

Ortom also expressed optimism about Aondoakaa’s prospects if elected, pointing to his experience, competence and understanding of the challenges confronting Benue.

According to the former governor, the PDP candidate had the capacity to provide effective leadership and drive improvements in critical areas, including security, economic recovery and sustainable development.

He warned those behind the alleged replacement story to stop circulating what he described as fabricated claims capable of creating unnecessary tension within the party and among Aondoakaa’s supporters.

“Political journalism and commentary must be anchored on facts, not conjecture, deliberate falsehood or the attribution of imaginary motives to legitimate engagements,” he cautioned.

Ortom called on PDP members, Aondoakaa’s supporters and other residents of Benue to disregard the report and concentrate on the party’s preparations ahead of the 2027 elections.

He maintained that the controversy would not derail the PDP’s efforts to unite stakeholders and build a strong coalition of Benue people ahead of the election.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested one Odigie Moses, a self-acclaimed spiritualist for alleged sextortion to the tune of $1,100 (One Thousand, One Hundred Dollars).

He was arrested in Ekpoma, Edo State.

The suspect, who misrepresented himself on Zelle, a social media platform as possessing spiritual healing powers, was contacted by his victim, an Indian woman, who was in need of spiritual intervention on some life-threatening challenges. The suspect subsequently deceived her into taking a naked spiritual bath, which he recorded live without her permission, and thereafter blackmailed her to send him money, else he would make the video public.

Investigation by the EFCC revealed that the victim had to pay the sum of $1,100 to the suspect in order to prevail on him not to release her nudity to the public.

He will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Chairman of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin and Chairman of Air Peace Limited, Allen Onyema are the leading dignitaries billed to lead discussions at the 30th edition of the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Annual Conference schedule to hold on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The conference, which has become Nigeria’s foremost aviation industry dialogue platform, will bring together top government officials, aviation regulators, airline operators, airport managers and other stakeholders in the aviation industry to deliberate on the theme: “Towards a Sustainable Aviation Industry: Balancing Government Revenue Demands with Sector Growth.”

The event will witness the unveiling of the second edition of LAAC’s Champions of Aviation publication which chronicles the achievements and exploits of aviation agencies, airline operators, and other industry players. Keyamo is the Special Guest of Honour, while Babalakin will chair the event and Onyema, will deliver the keynote address, bringing his extensive industry experience to bear on discussions expected to shape policy recommendations for sustainable growth in Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Speaking on the forthcoming conference, Chairman of the LAAC Conference Committee, Mr. Wole Shadare, described this year’s theme as timely, noting that the aviation industry is at a critical point where government revenue expectations must be carefully balanced with policies that encourage investment, competitiveness and long-term sustainability. According to Shadare, “The aviation industry remains a strategic driver of economic development, trade, tourism and national integration. However, increasing fiscal pressures and multiple charges have continued to generate conversations about the need to strike a balance between government revenue generation and the growth of the industry.”

He added that the conference would provide a credible platform for robust engagement among policymakers, regulators and operators, with the objective of developing pragmatic recommendations that would support a more competitive and sustainable aviation sector. “We have assembled some of the most respected voices in the industry to examine these issues from different perspectives. We expect meaningful conversations that will ultimately contribute to policy reforms capable of strengthening Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem,” Shadare said.

On his part, Chairman of LAAC, Mr. Sulaiman Idris, affirmed the conference underscores the association’s commitment to promoting informed discourse on issues affecting the aviation industry through constructive engagement with stakeholders. He noted that for three decades, the annual conference has served as an important platform for shaping conversations around aviation development and policy in Nigeria.

“Our annual conference has earned the confidence of industry stakeholders because it consistently addresses contemporary issues affecting aviation. As we mark the 30th edition, we remain committed to fostering dialogue that supports sustainable growth, enhances operational efficiency and promotes policies that will make Nigeria’s aviation industry more competitive,” he said.

He urged aviation professionals, government agencies, private operators, financial institutions, and members of the public with an interest in aviation to participate in the conference. The 30th LAAC Annual Conference is expected to attract a broad spectrum of participants from across the aviation value chain, with discussions focusing on sustainable financing, regulatory policies, investment climate, infrastructure development, operational efficiency and strategies for ensuring that government’s efforts at ramping up revenue do not undermine the growth and competitiveness of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has been inaugurated as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), with a pledge to mobilise the political will and resources required to expand electricity access across underserved communities.

Fayose was inaugurated alongside other members of the REA Governing Board on Friday by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, in Abuja.

Also inaugurated were Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar, Ilyasu Makinta and three other members and non-executive directors, while Abba Aliyu assumed office as the Managing Director of the agency.

Speaking after his inauguration, Fayose thanked President Bola Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him and other members of the board.

He said his immediate priority would be to reposition the agency and ensure that its programmes deliver tangible improvements in electricity access, particularly at the grassroots.

Fayose pledged to use his position to provide the political support required to attract funding for both the short- and long-term programmes of the agency.

“Work has started in earnest; we are reaching out very fast and appealing to people to ensure the work is done,” he said.

The former governor assured Nigerians that the new board would work to justify the confidence placed in it by the President.

“I want to use this window to assure Nigerians that your expectation about my appointment and my colleagues will not be dashed.

“We will give our best to achieve the renewed hope of President Tinubu for the country to be better for us all,” he added.

He said the agency must also ensure that the growing Nigerian population benefits from improved access to energy.

According to him, expanding electricity access would have a direct impact on communities and improve economic opportunities for ordinary Nigerians.

“We are not just providing electricity; we are looking at the population of the country who need to feel the impact of the energy,” he said.

The new REA chairman said the agency would work towards ensuring that communities experience tangible benefits from its interventions.

Also speaking, REA Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and pledged to work with the board to expand electricity access.

Aliyu said the agency would continue its efforts to provide power to both served and underserved communities across the country.

Earlier, Tegbe said Nigeria’s electricity sector was undergoing a shift from simply measuring power generation in kilowatts and megawatts to assessing how many communities and people were actually being powered.

He described REA as a strategic institution within Nigeria’s power sector, saying its mandate went beyond connecting communities to electricity.

“We are moving from just counting kilowatts and megawatts to how many communities and people were powered in the country,” the minister said.

Tegbe said every mini-grid project, solar home system and electrification project represented an investment in human capital, economic inclusion and national development.

He said the electrification of markets, schools, primary healthcare centres, farms and productive businesses could unlock economic opportunities and improve livelihoods.

“REA is fundamentally an institution for expanding opportunity,” he said.

The minister said the agency’s role had become increasingly important as the Federal Government continued implementing the Electricity Act and deepening reforms across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

He described REA as a bridge between national electricity policy and grassroots development, noting that the agency was expected to ensure that the benefits of power sector reforms reached communities beyond major urban centres.

“Not only in our major cities but also in the remotest communities across the federation,” Tegbe said.

According to him, the constitution of the new board demonstrates President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening governance and accountability across government institutions.

Tegbe charged the board members to provide effective strategic oversight, promote transparency and innovation, and ensure that public resources entrusted to the agency are used efficiently.

He also urged them to build productive partnerships with development organisations and private-sector investors to accelerate rural electrification.

The minister said the board had assumed office at a critical stage in the country’s power sector reforms and must focus on delivering measurable results.

He urged the members to ensure that every decision taken by the board reflects the needs of ordinary Nigerians.

“Most importantly, I encourage you to continually ask one fundamental question whenever decisions come before the board: ‘How does this improve the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians?’”

Tegbe expressed confidence that if the board maintained that principle as its guide, REA would continue to exceed expectations and make a measurable difference in electricity access across Nigeria.