A faction of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, led by its National Chairman,  Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe has successfully uploaded credentials of its presidential, vice presidential and national assembly candidates on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC portal.

Nafiu, who disclosed the development in a statement he issued on Sunday, didn’t give details of the faction’s candidates whose names were submitted to the commission.

“The African Democratic Congress, ADC, under my leadership, has successfully completed the upload of our Presidential, Vice-Presidential, and National Assembly candidates on the INEC portal for the 2027 General Elections”, he said.

He said the party under his leadership is focused on fielding credible, competent, and people-centered candidates for the 2027 elections.

“This achievement demonstrates our Party’s firm commitment to safeguarding the interests of our founding and legacy members in the face of anti-democratic tendencies.

“As a Party, the ADC remains resolute in its mission to field credible, competent, and people-centered candidates who will provide purposeful leadership, promote good governance, and bring hope to the Nigerian people”, he added.

Ahead of the 2027 general election, the issue of religion has taken a new dimension in Niger State, with Christian leaders openly challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, over what they described as years of political marginalisation.

Their latest demand that Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago should field a Christian deputy governor if he seeks a second term has reignited conversations about inclusion, internal party democracy, zoning, consensus politics and religious representation in the state’s political landscape.

While the APC has yet to openly take a position on the issue, Christian groups insist that the agitation goes beyond religion and is rooted in what they described as the need for equity, fairness and inclusive governance.

The agitation did not begin today

The latest demand by the Coalition of Concerned Christian Stakeholders, CCCS, did not emerge overnight. It follows months of complaints by Christian groups over what they described as shrinking political representation in Niger State.

The first major public push came on May 20, 2026, when the Niger State Christian Voice in Politics and Governance, led by its Convener, Habila Daniel Diko, accused the APC of sidelining Christian aspirants during the National Assembly primaries.

The group alleged that consensus arrangements and zoning were used to edge out Christian aspirants, warning that the development could deepen religious imbalance and discourage especially Christian youths from participating in politics.

It also expressed concern over the fate of the Deputy Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Afiniki Dauda, alleging that she came under pressure during the primaries.

At the time, the group warned that if the situation was not addressed, Christians could lose what remained of their representation in the state’s political leadership.

Weeks later, former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism and APC chieftain, Jonathan Vatsa warned that the party risked alienating Christian voters if it retained another Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket in 2027.

The campaign gathered further momentum last week when the Coalition of Concerned Christian Stakeholders formally demanded that the APC reserve its deputy governorship ticket for a Christian.

Addressing journalists in Minna on Tuesday, 8 July, 2026, the coalition’s Secretary, Comrade Jude Johnson, flanked by Vatsa and other members, said the demand was not aimed at promoting religious division but at ensuring justice, fairness and inclusive governance.

“We demand a Christian deputy,” the coalition declared, arguing that leadership in a diverse state like Niger, comprising Christians, Muslims and adherents of traditional religions, should reflect the composition of its people.

The coalition maintained that Christians had supported Governor Bago’s election in 2023 but said continued support for his second-term ambition would depend on whether the party addressed what it described as the growing imbalance in political representation.

It also urged the governor to consider a Christian from Niger East (Zone B), arguing that the zone has qualified party members and a significant Christian population.

Representation by the numbers

A review of the current composition of major political offices in Niger State helps explain why the issue has resonated within the Christian community.

The offices of Governor, Deputy Governor, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff are all occupied by Muslims.

The state’s three senators are Muslims, just as its 11 members of the House of Representatives are also Muslims.

In the 27-member House of Assembly, only three lawmakers are Christians, while the Deputy Speaker, Hon Afiniki Dauda remains the highest-ranking Christian political office holder.

However, following the APC primaries, she is not expected to return to the Assembly.

At the local government level, only one of the state’s 25 chairmen is a Christian.

Similarly, only three of the 30 commissioners are Christians.

To members of the coalition, the figures reflect what they described as a steady decline in Christian representation in elective and appointive positions.

They maintained that Christians account for about 45 per cent of Niger State’s population and therefore deserve greater inclusion in governance.

Looking back

For many of those behind the campaign, the current debate is rooted in history.

Since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu remains the only Christian to have served as Deputy Governor of Niger State.

He served under the late Governor Engr. Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) between 1999 and 2007, a period many Christians say gave them a stronger sense of political inclusion.

Former Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu served with Ahmed Musa Ibeto as his deputy throughout his two terms in office (2007–2015).

During that period, political analyst, Bala John said Christians occupied key positions at different times, including the offices of the Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff, while about six commissioners were Christians.

He also noted that Christians had stronger representation in the House of Assembly and that the administration sponsored Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem, just as it sponsored Muslim pilgrims to Mecca.

According to him, “The concern today is not that Christians never had representation. Many simply believe that the level of inclusion has reduced under the current administration.”

Responding to questions from journalists on why Christians remained largely silent during the eight years (2015 to 2023) of former Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Vatsa said efforts were made to produce a Christian deputy governor then.

According to him, the APC leadership had proposed Mr. Sunday Kolo, who later became Commissioner for Solid Minerals, as deputy governor, but the arrangement did not materialise.

“We proposed a Christian-Muslim ticket and Sunday Kolo was picked. That was the party’s suggestion, but it did not happen, instead, it was given to Ahmed Mohammed Ketso,” Vatsa said.

He argued that the development reflected what he described as the erosion of party supremacy in Nigeria, adding that decisions within political parties were increasingly being influenced by powerful interests rather than party structures.

Vatsa maintained that his position on religious balance in politics was not new, insisting that he had consistently spoken out on the issue at both the state and national levels.

According to him, he did not remain silent when the APC presented a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket comprising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2023 general election.

“I never kept quiet. I spoke when the Muslim-Muslim ticket was adopted at the national level, and I have continued to speak on issues of fairness, inclusion and reports  on my comments on it are in the public domain,” he said.

One of the defining moments of the briefing came when a journalist questioned the coalition’s timing.

The journalist asked why Christians remained largely silent throughout the eight years of the Abubakar Sani Bello administration and why they were not more active during party congresses, local government elections and the recent APC primaries.

Vatsa acknowledged that Christians had not always been politically organised.

“Yes, we were docile,” he admitted, adding: “but it is better late than never. We are awake now.”

The coalition, however, maintained that Christians did participate in the political process, alleging that several aspirants were persuaded to step down during the APC primaries, thereby limiting Christian representation among the party’s candidates.

More voices join the debate

Also lending his voice, an APC member, Iliya Garba from Wushishi local government said the demand for a Christian deputy governor was not intended to promote religious division but to ensure fairness, inclusiveness and a sense of belonging for all segments of Niger State’s population.

He maintained that equitable representation strengthens unity and reinforces confidence in the democratic process.

Similarly, Secretary of OAIC, a bloc of the Niger State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Sunday Olayinka Ojimi, said Christians had been largely excluded from governance under the present administration.

According to him, Christian aspirants who enjoyed the support of their constituents were allegedly persuaded to step down during the APC primaries, leaving the community with little representation in elective offices.

“The truth is that Christians in the state are not being carried along in this administration.

“Even where our candidates were popular and the electorate wanted them, they were asked to step down

“At the state level, we are not carried along, and even at the local government level we have only one chairman.

“All we are asking for is the position of deputy governor to ensure equity, fairness and proper representation,” Ojimi said.

Offering another perspective, political analyst, Bala John urged political leaders to view the issue beyond religion, saying balanced political appointments have historically contributed to peaceful coexistence and public confidence in governance.

What is at stake?

For members of the coalition, the issue goes beyond who becomes deputy governor.

They argue that governance should reflect the diversity of the people and that inclusive representation promotes unity, trust and peaceful coexistence.

Vatsa warned that if opposition parties field a Christian deputy governorship candidate, while the APC retains another Muslim-Muslim ticket, many Christian voters could reconsider their political choices.

“We may not be able to control our people,” he said.

Meanwhile, efforts to obtain the reaction of the Niger State Government yielded limited responses.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, Ibrahim Bologi, told DAILY POST that he was not aware of the issues raised by the coalition and advised this reporter to contact the Commissioner for Information and Orientation.

When contacted, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Obed Nuhu Nana, declined to comment on the coalition’s demands.

“As a critical stakeholder, I am not aware of the coalition that you’re talking about. The only Christian group I know was inaugurated, I was invited and I gave my blessings,” he said.

Nana, however, noted that Jonathan Vatsa was free to express his personal views.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Niger State chapter of the APC were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to the party’s Publicity Secretary, Musa Sarkinkaji, were not responded to before this report was filed.

‎Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted Justice Odey for the murder of 35-year-old Benedict Agara.

He was found to have fatally stabbed the deceased during a fight reportedly sparked by a dispute over a woman identified as Amina.

‎

‎According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on April 3, 2021, at Block 33, Flat 102, Jakande Housing Estate, Lagos, where Odey allegedly attacked Agara with a broken bottle, inflicting multiple stab wounds to his hand, stomach and other parts of his body. Agara later died from the injuries he sustained.

‎

‎Delivering judgment on Thursday in Suit No. LD/17040C/2021, Justice Modupe Nicol-Clay sentenced Odey to death by hanging after finding him guilty of murder contrary to Section 222 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

‎

‎During the trial, the prosecution, led by Titilayo Olanrewaju Daud and Z. O. Abdulaziz, called a single witness, ASP Mariam Ibrahim, the investigating police officer, and tendered six exhibits in support of its case.

‎

‎In her judgment, Justice Nicol-Clay held that the prosecution had successfully established all the essential elements of the offence beyond a reasonable doubt, stressing that the burden of proof in criminal cases remains with the prosecution throughout the proceedings, except in limited circumstances provided by law.

‎

‎”The burden of proof remains on the prosecution throughout; it does not shift to the accused person, except in limited circumstances,” the judge held.

‎

‎The court noted that the offence of murder could be proved through direct evidence, circumstantial evidence or a voluntary confessional statement made by the accused.

‎

‎Justice Nicol-Clay dismissed the defence’s contention that the testimony of the investigating police officer amounted to hearsay, ruling that evidence given by an investigating officer based on findings made during the course of an investigation is legally admissible.

‎

‎”The oral evidence of an IPO is not hearsay, contrary to the assertion of the convict’s counsel. It is the direct evidence of the investigation, and the same is admissible and can be used to convict an accused person,” she ruled.

‎

‎The court also rejected the argument that the prosecution failed to produce medical evidence establishing the cause of death.

‎

‎According to the judge, while medical evidence is desirable in murder trials, it is not mandatory where there is sufficient evidence clearly showing the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death.

‎

‎”Medical evidence, though desirable in establishing the cause of death in a case of murder, is not always essential where the victim dies in circumstances in which there is abundant evidence of the manner of death,” she said.

‎

‎Although there was no eyewitness who directly saw Odey stab the deceased, the judge held that the circumstantial evidence presented before the court overwhelmingly linked him to the crime.

‎

‎”There is no eyewitness account of a person who saw Odey stabbing the deceased; however, there is strong circumstantial evidence from the convict, putting him as the only person who fought and injured the deceased on the day of the incident,” Justice Nicol-Clay stated.

‎

‎She further ruled that the evidence before the court clearly established that Odey’s unlawful actions directly caused Agara’s death.

‎

‎”There is sufficient proof that the unlawful act of the convict caused the death of the deceased. The evidence before the Court unequivocally and unmistakably showed that no other person but Odey was responsible for the death of the deceased,” the judge added.

‎

‎On the confessional statement allegedly made by Odey, the court declined to rely on it, holding that it was obtained in violation of legal requirements.

‎

‎Justice Nicol-Clay ruled that any confessional statement not recorded on video or obtained in the presence of a legal practitioner is inadmissible in evidence.

‎

‎”Any confessional statement obtained without video recording or in the presence of a lawyer is inadmissible. I find myself unable to attach any weight to the confessional statement,” she held.

‎

‎Having found that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, the court convicted Odey of murder and imposed the mandatory sentence of death by hanging.

‎

‎The case stemmed from an altercation between Odey and Agara over a woman identified as Amina, which escalated into a physical confrontation during which Agara sustained fatal injuries.

 

The Oba-elect of Oguntedo Town in the Ori-Ade Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Satellite Town, Lagos, Modiu Oladele Olarinde, has appealed to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, to urgently intervene in the lingering communal crisis threatening peace and security in the community.

Speaking at the weekend, Olarinde alleged that the unrest has been fuelled by two sons of the late Yekeni Olarinde, whom he accused of unlawfully leasing and selling community land without his knowledge or approval.

He further claimed that the duo had continued to lease parcels of land that had already been sold and allegedly used armed intimidation to compel some shop owners to validate the disputed transactions.

According to the Oba-elect, the land dispute has persisted for several years and has resulted in the loss of lives.

He alleged that a 20-year-old man, who was the only son of a widow, was killed by stray bullets reportedly fired by thugs linked to the suspects. He added that those allegedly involved in the incident are currently facing trial on murder charges.

Olarinde urged security agencies to take swift action to prevent the situation from escalating further and restore lasting peace in the community.

“This crisis is gradually getting out of hand. It is the same conflict that claimed the life of our late monarch, Oba Babatunde Yekini Olarinde,” he said.

The traditional ruler further alleged that following the late monarch’s burial, his younger brother, who he claimed had aspirations of ascending the throne, returned to the community in the company of armed thugs and the two sons of the late Yekeni Olarinde. According to him, they exhumed the late king’s remains and set the corpse ablaze in 2020.

Olarinde appealed to the police and other relevant authorities to intervene urgently to avert a breakdown of law and order in the community.

 

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to strengthen security measures following recent attacks in Benue and Plateau States.

The position was contained in a statement posted on Obi’s official page on July 13, 2026.

According to Obi, the latest attacks, which reportedly claimed at least 16 lives in the Otukpo-Nobi community of Benue State and nine members of the same family, including a two-month-old baby, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, reflect the continued security challenges facing affected communities.

Obi said families in Benue, Plateau and other parts of the country had continued to experience violence, displacement and loss of livelihoods, stressing that the situation should not be treated as normal.

“The tragic news of yet another round of killings in Benue and Plateau States is both painful and deeply disturbing,” Obi stated.

“The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. Every Nigerian life is sacred, and every life lost is one too many.

“These are not mere statistics; they are fathers, mothers, children, breadwinners and future leaders whose dreams have been violently cut short,” he added.

He called for a security strategy that prioritises intelligence gathering, rapid response and accountability, adding that those responsible for the attacks should be identified, arrested and prosecuted.

“The time has come to move beyond routine condemnations after every attack. Nigerians deserve a security architecture that is proactive rather than reactive, driven by intelligence, rapid response and accountability.

“Those responsible for these atrocities must be identified, arrested and prosecuted. The culture of impunity must end,” he demanded.

Obi also extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as the governments and residents of Benue and Plateau states, expressing hope that affected communities would recover from the attacks.