Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, has commenced preliminary political consultations with the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, in what observers see as early positioning ahead of the 2027 governorship contest in the state.

Hamzat revealed via his X account that he met with members of the influential council on Monday, describing the engagement as a platform for meaningful dialogue on the future direction of Lagos.

“I had thoughtful conversations about the future of Lagos and the kind of leadership it requires. I value the experience and guidance shared. This is about listening, learning and working with others to build a stronger Lagos,” he wrote.

The development has drawn renewed focus on succession politics within Lagos, where the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is known for its structured internal consultation process, which often shapes candidate emergence well before formal primaries.

The GAC remains a key decision-influencing body within the party’s Lagos chapter. Led by Tajudeen Olusi, the council comprises veteran politicians and major stakeholders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Oluremi Tinubu. It plays a significant role in strategic decisions such as succession planning, zoning arrangements and endorsements within the state’s political framework.

Hamzat’s meeting with the council is widely viewed as part of the customary early consultations that precede major political contests in Lagos, where aspirants typically engage key stakeholders years ahead of elections.

Meanwhile, reactions on social media have begun to frame the engagement as a potential endorsement, with some unverified claims suggesting that consensus may already be forming within the party.

A Lagos-based political commentary platform alleged that the meeting was marked by emotional moments, claiming that a GAC member from Lagos East, Otunba Alebiosu, popularly known as Bush, was visibly moved after Hamzat purportedly secured the council’s backing as the APC’s preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

However, these claims remain unconfirmed.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark has accused authorities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) led by Nyesom Wike of attempting to frustrate its planned National Convention scheduled for Tuesday in Abuja.
In a statement posted on X, the faction’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the management of the Rainbow Event Centre informed the party of external pressure to withdraw the venue.

According to Abdullahi, the venue owner claimed he had been threatened with the revocation of his license by officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, if the facility was used for the ADC gathering.

He noted that the party had already fulfilled all financial obligations and formalized an agreement with the venue prior to the development.

Despite the alleged pressure, Abdullahi insisted that the faction would proceed with the convention as scheduled at the Rainbow Event Centre.

He added that the group would not be deterred, describing the situation as an attempt to undermine democratic processes.

“After paying all the fees required and setting up for our convention tomorrow, the owner of Rainbow Event Centre has just informed us that he has come under pressure from the FCDA and the minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, that if he allows the ADC the use of his facilities, his license will be revoked.

“But we have already signed the contract with him. We will hold our convention tomorrow as planned at the Rainbow Event Center.

‘We will not bow to this creeping tyranny. And definitely not to this petty tyrant,” he wrote on X Monday.

However, the minister of FCT, Nyesome Wike, had earlier dismissed claims that he denied ADC access to Eagles Square for its planned national convention.

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media claiming that it directed Muslims to embark on prayers for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan.

In a statement issued on Monday in Kaduna, the Secretary-General of the council, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, said the organisation had been inundated with enquiries following what it described as “a series of misleading and unsubstantiated reports” attributed to anonymous and unofficial sources.

He stated unequivocally that the council never issued such a directive at any time, urging the public to disregard the claims in their entirety.

“The council categorically dissociates itself from these claims. At no time did it issue any directive, statement, or call on Muslims to embark on prayers specifically calling for the removal of the chairman of INEC,” the statement read.

Ahmad noted that the reports were not only false but appeared to be a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and draw the religious body into partisan political controversies.

“These fabrications are clearly intended to create unnecessary tension and drag the council into the murky and often divisive waters of political contestation,” he added.

The council stressed that it remained a reputable religious organisation committed to promoting justice, equity, moral rectitude, and peaceful coexistence, adding that it operated strictly through recognised communication channels.

It warned against reliance on information from unverified social media accounts, which it said were being used to spread misinformation and cause confusion.

“The council urges the general public, particularly members of the Muslim Ummah and the media, to disregard these false narratives and rely only on official communications issued through recognised channels,” Ahmad said.

While distancing itself from the alleged prayer directive, the council, however, reaffirmed its earlier stance on the leadership of the electoral body, insisting that the INEC chairman should either resign or be removed from office.

It explained that its position was based on concerns about neutrality and integrity, rather than political or sectarian considerations.

“Our position is not driven by political bias or sectarian interests but by serious concerns arising from actions and dispositions that have demonstrated a clear prejudice against Islam and Muslims,” the statement added.

The council further argued that such alleged sentiments, if established, would be inconsistent with the expectations of a holder of a sensitive national office in a plural society like Nigeria.

Despite the controversy, the SCSN reiterated its commitment to remaining above partisan interests and resisting attempts to use it as a tool for political manipulation.

It maintained that it would not be distracted from its core objectives by what it described as the antics of mischief-makers.

“The council will not allow itself to be used for political manipulation, nor will it be distracted from its mission of fostering a just, peaceful and prosperous society,” Ahmad said.

The organisation also called for restraint among Nigerians, warning that the spread of false information could undermine national stability and deepen divisions.

Nigeria’s minister of defense, Christopher Musa, has issued a stern warning to individuals accused of supporting criminal elements, declaring that anyone found aiding bandits or terrorists will be treated as a combatant.

Musa made the remarks following his visit to Uba Sani at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, ahead of the Kaduna State Expanded Security Council meeting.

Reacting to the recent airstrikes on Jilli Market, the defense minister emphasized that security forces would not spare those providing any form of assistance to criminal groups.

“A friend of a thief is a thief. Anybody who is doing any trading or providing any support to them, we will find you together and we will deal with you like bandits, like terrorists,” he said.

The statement underscores the federal government’s hard-line stance on tackling insecurity, particularly against networks suspected of aiding armed groups operating in parts of the country.

Musa reiterated the military’s commitment to intensifying operations against banditry and terrorism, warning that both perpetrators and their collaborators would face decisive action.

His comments come after at least 50 civilians were reportedly killed in Jilli Market, located between Gubio in Borno State and Geidam in Yobe State, during an anti-insurgent operation.

The killing had stirred controversy, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemning the airstrike.

However, the presidency tackled Atiku for politicizing the operation targeted at dislodged insurgents.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned Nigerian banks to desist from granting loans without credible collateral, citing concerns over insider abuse and threats to financial stability.

The commission’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, gave the warning during a courtesy visit by officials of First Bank of Nigeria Plc to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 office in Ikoyi.

Speaking through the acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander Bawa Usman Kaltungo, Olukoyede expressed concern over lending practices in the banking sector, particularly loans backed only by personal guarantees, which he said expose depositors’ funds to significant risk.

“We have issues with banks’ mode of giving loans. The process often shows insider abuse,” he stated.

He criticised the practice of “top-down loans”, noting that they lack proper security and should be discouraged.

“You cannot give a loan based solely on the personal guarantee of the Chief Executive. This is not security. Banks must not issue loans without verifiable collateral,” he said.

Olukoyede maintained that enforcing strict collateral requirements would help reduce the rising level of non-performing loans within the financial system.

He also stressed that banks act as custodians of depositors’ funds and must exercise due diligence in their operations.
“Giving loans without adequate collateral amounts to tampering with depositors’ funds,” he warned.

The EFCC boss further called for stronger due diligence frameworks, insisting that accountability must be ensured even when such processes are outsourced.

“Even in situations where you outsource due diligence, there must be a clause of liability,” he added.

Reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to collaboration, Olukoyede urged banks to cooperate fully with investigations, especially in cases involving suspected insider collusion.

“When we invite your staff, you must release them so we can jointly fight economic and financial crimes. We must work together to stay ahead of criminals,” he said, noting that cases may be escalated to foreign agencies when necessary.

Earlier, the Chief Audit Executive of First Bank, Mufutau Olawale Abiola, said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with the EFCC.

He also called for expedited handling of cases involving the bank’s personnel and disclosed that a dedicated team has been established to manage requests from the commission.

The development highlights increasing regulatory pressure on Nigeria’s banking sector to strengthen risk management systems amid concerns over loan defaults and governance challenges.