A public affairs commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has advised Nigerians to be more careful and thoughtful in choosing their leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a post shared on X on Monday, Shehu urged voters not to be swayed by catchy campaign slogans, religious sentiments, or public displays of piety by politicians.

“As 2027 elections get closer, it will be important that voters are given a pro bono advisory,” he said.

He called on citizens to reflect deeply before deciding who to support.

He warned that many political slogans are misleading.

“Don’t be carried away by slogans, because almost all party slogans are deceptive and a trap to lure voters,” he said.

Shehu also cautioned against voting based on religion, noting that such appeals may not reflect the true character of candidates.

“Don’t be carried away by religious claims and sentiments,” he said, adding that such actions often contradict.

He further criticised politicians who suddenly become visibly religious during election periods, attending different mosques and churches with donations.

“Irrespective of party platforms, don’t be carried away by those politicians who begin to frequent Friday prayers in different mosques or Sunday services in different churches with donations,” he said

The commentator urged voters to investigate the background of candidates thoroughly before supporting them.

“Dig deep into their past history,” he said.

He stressed that aspirants should have no criminal convictions either in Nigeria or abroad.

He also advised Nigerians to check that candidates have no links to crimes such as human trafficking, organ harvesting, or drug trafficking, and that their sources of wealth are legitimate.

“Make sure that they have a clearly identified and verifiable family lineage and that their source of wealth is not rooted in fraud and such other crimes,” he added.

Shehu further warned against electing candidates who have a history of abandoning their constituencies after winning elections.

“Confirm that such an aspirant is not one of those who had in the past or who is likely in the future to abandon his constituency and relocate to Abuja after winning elections,” he said.

“Carry out a thorough personality and character audit. Don’t be carried away by their physical looks, mode of dressing and automobiles they parade,” he said.

In addition, he suggested that voters should demand written commitments from candidates.

“Pin them down to a written and enforceable Memorandum of Understanding and make a video recording of the same for rainy days,” he advised.

The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as the most shameless government in Nigeria’s history.

Referring to the latest crisis in the People’s Redemption Party, PRP, Abdullahi warned that, a political strategy that is anchored on sabotaging every opposition platform is self-destructive.

Abdullahi made the remarks in a post shared on his official X handle on Tuesday, where he accused the government of undermining opposition parties and shrinking Nigeria’s democratic space.

According to him, recent developments within the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) point to a troubling pattern.

He explained that about three weeks ago, the PRP leadership, led by its National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, paid a courtesy visit to the ADC leadership.

However, shortly after the visit, rumours began to spread that a political coalition was considering the PRP as an option.

“Although this is not true, it took only that single whiff of speculation for a faction to emerge almost overnight in what had been a historically tranquil political party, challenging the leadership of Baba-Ahmed,” he said.

Abdullahi argued that the situation reflects a wider trend under the APC-led government.

“This is the reality of Nigeria’s shrinking democratic space under the APC,” he stated.

He said while the government may deny involvement in internal crises within opposition parties, the pattern is becoming increasingly clear.

“The government may continue to deny any involvement in the crises within other parties, insisting that these are merely internal failures, but the pattern is visible. The world can see what is happening. More importantly, they can see where this path leads,” he said.

The ADC spokesman questioned whether there were voices within the ruling party willing to caution against such actions.

“But here is the question: is there no one within the APC who can caution those engineering crises in opposition parties that they are, in fact, sowing the seeds of national instability?” he asked.

He warned that a political approach focusing on weakening all opposition platforms could backfire.

“A political strategy that is anchored on sabotaging every opposition platform is ultimately self-destructive. When people are left with no options, they are, in reality, left with no choice,” he added.

Amnesty International has condemned the killing of at least, 29 people following an attack by Boko Haram on Guyaku community in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The attack, which took place on Sunday, left many residents dead and others missing, as villagers fled for safety during the violence.

In a post shared on its official X handle on Monday, Amnesty International described the incident as vicious and raised concern over the continued targeting of civilians in the region.

According to the organisation, gunmen attacked the community and shot residents at close range.

The group added that beyond the killings, the attackers also destroyed properties, setting churches, classrooms, and motorcycles ablaze.

Survivors and witnesses recounted seeing bodies lying across the village after the attack, with some elderly residents unable to escape the violence.

“Older people who could not flee were slaughtered inside their homes,” the organisation said.

Amnesty International further highlighted that such attacks go beyond killings, noting that the armed group continues to abduct women and girls while looting properties in affected communities.

It warned that the persistence of such incidents shows that more needs to be done to protect civilians.

“The fact that such atrocities remain commonplace shows that more needs to be done to protect civilians and ensure that families of victims receive reparation and justice,” the statement added.

The Benue State Police Command has announced that the written examination for successful applicants in the ongoing Police Constable Recruitment will take place from April 28 to April 30, 2026, in Makurdi.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command.

The examination follows the recently concluded physical and credentials screening exercise and is the next phase for qualified candidates.

The test, organised by the Police Service Commission in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, will cover both General Duty and Specialist applicants from Benue State.

The venue has been fixed at Government Model Secondary School, located at High Level, Makurdi.

Applicants have been directed to visit the official recruitment portal to print their updated Examination Invitation Card, which contains their specific exam date, time, and other details.

Those who earlier printed slips with previous dates have been advised to reprint the updated version.

Candidates are required to come along with their printed invitation card, National Identification Number (NIN) slip with a clear photograph, a pen, and be dressed in white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.

The command stressed that the recruitment process is free of charge and warned applicants against dealing with fraudsters or individuals demanding payment for assistance, noting that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has directed that casual staff members of the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, be granted permanent appointments after years of service.

The directive was issued on Monday during the governor’s visit to the hospital.

According to a statement released by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the affected workers had served the institution as casual employees for about 12 years prior to the governor’s intervention.

Addressing the workers, Adeleke attributed the state’s financial difficulties to individuals he accused of instigating crises in local government areas.

He said, “They plotted against our government. Their goal is to stop Osun’s development. But despite their evil plans, Osun is growing and our projects are moving.”

The governor added that his administration remained focused on delivering good governance despite the alleged challenges.

“But by God and the people, we survive, our government is delivering good governance. I won’t stop serving and delivering good things for our people,” he said.

Announcing the conversion of the workers’ status, Rasheed noted that those affected had remained in casual positions for over a decade.

The labour leader at the teaching hospital, Olamide Faniran, commended the governor for the pro-labour decision.

Faniran also appealed for continued support for the administration, stating, “We appreciate your support and assistance to the Osun workers. We saw and felt your sacrifices to make life better for the Osun people.

“We will reciprocate by massively voting for your re-election on August 15.”

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Ladan Salihu, says the government of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, will fail the integrity and credibility test at the 2027 general elections.

Salihu made this statement while fielding questions in an interview on ‘Sunday Politics’, a programme on Channels Television.

According to him, the APC government led by President Bola Tinubu would face the anger and frustration of Nigerians at the polls.

“When it comes to credible elections and elections that are based on integrity, this government will fail the integrity and credibility test at the polls.

“This government will not measure up with the anger and the frustrations of the Nigerian people,” Salihu said.

Salihu also renewed the call for the resignation or removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Joash Amupitan, over alleged bias.

INEC has, however, denied the allegation and insisted on the Amupitan’s neutrality.

“Amupitan should resign or should be removed because in public service today, Amupitan to me is the number one persona non grata because he has failed the integrity test, he has failed the competency test, he has not presented himself as that impartial, credible umpire that can give Nigeria, a nation of 250 million people, an election to celebrate,” the ADC chieftain said.

A faction of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Kebbi State has raised concerns over the ongoing trial of its State Chairman, Sufiyanu Bala, calling on local and international bodies to intervene.

The party’s Secretary, Abubakar Bawa Kalgo, made the appeal during a press conference in Birnin Kebbi, alleging irregularities in the legal proceedings against Bala.

Bala is currently facing trial at Chief Magistrate Court 1 and the High Court in Birnin Kebbi over allegations bordering on contempt of court and incitement of the public.

Kalgo said the party faction, aligned with Abubakar Chika Malami, had conducted its congresses in April, during which Bala emerged as state chairman.

He alleged that Bala was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force eight days after his emergence, based on a warrant issued by the magistrate court.

According to him, repeated attempts to arraign Bala between April 20 and April 24 were marred by procedural and substantive irregularities.

He further claimed that despite the existence of a parallel matter before the High Court, the magistrate court insisted on proceeding with the case.

Kalgo also noted that an interim investigation report by the police reportedly acknowledged the High Court matter and recommended that prosecution should continue there. However, the arraignment proceeded at the magistrate court.

He added that Bala’s counsel, A. A. Fingilla, had applied for the presiding magistrate to recuse himself over alleged bias, but the request was denied, prompting the lawyer to withdraw from the case.

The ADC secretary described the development as part of a broader pattern of alleged persecution against party members, naming individuals such as Umar Abubakar, Hussaina Ahmed Jega, Nasiru Garba Hashim, and Umar Yakubu Kamba as having faced similar issues.

He said the party would formally petition several bodies, including the National Judicial Council, NJC, Kebbi State Judicial Service Commission, International Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International, and the United States Department of Justice.

Kalgo urged the Kebbi State Government and the judiciary to uphold the rule of law and ensure fairness, warning against what he described as the abuse of democratic institutions by partisan actors.

Residents across Lagos State came out in large numbers on Saturday 25th of April, 2026, for the return of the monthly Sanitation Day, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commending their participation.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, he said the exercise, held across different parts of the state, recorded impressive turnout as residents cleaned their surroundings in response to the renewed call for environmental sanitation.

From Ikorodu to Badagry, Lagos Island and Lagos Mainland, as well as Alimoso, Ikeja and Agege, many residents were seen taking part in the cleanup.

According to the commissioner, the governor acknowledged the commitment shown by Lagosians, noting their willingness to return to a culture that promotes a clean and healthy environment.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu would like to put on record the enthusiasm of residents who woke up early to obey the call for a return to a culture that made our state a healthy and clean place for all,” the statement said.

“I thank Lagosians who joined the call to clean up our environment as a sure step to good health. That is patriotic; it is the Spirit of Lagos that we often speak about. We should continue to walk that path,” gov Sanwo-Olu said.

While commending residents, the governor also warned against indiscriminate dumping of waste, especially as the rainy season approaches.

“The governor urged residents to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse, especially now that the rains are coming,” the statement added.

The state government, he said, has already begun clearing gutters and drainage channels across Lagos to reduce the risk of flooding, following forecasts of heavy rainfall.

“The government has embarked on a massive cleanup of gutters and drainage systems around the state to prevent flooding, following the weatherman’s forecast of heavy rains this year,” the statement noted.

In addition, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources is working with the Ministry of Information and Strategy to drive a public awareness campaign against improper waste disposal and blockage of drainage systems.

The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was reintroduced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on March 14, when he led top government officials to monitor and clean parts of Agege Motor Road in Mushin.

The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, have denied claims that the institution embarrassed former presidential candidate Peter Obi over a proposed lecture.

This clarification was made known in a press statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju on Sunday.

The statement explained that a group within the student body had invited Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, to deliver a lecture on the university premises.

According to Olarewaju, “the university authorities were not duly informed about the invitation or the status of the guest until Friday, just a day before the scheduled programme.”

He stated, “The university authorities were not duly informed of the status and calibre of the invited guest until Friday, just a day before the scheduled programme.”

Olarewaju emphasised that events involving high-profile personalities require adequate prior notice to enable proper planning and coordination.

He added that “such notice allows the institution to make logistical and security arrangements, including liaison with the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services, DSS.”

Olarewaju said, “This is necessary in order to ensure the safety of the guest, members of the university community and the general public.”

The statement noted that due to the short notice, “the university could not complete the required arrangements and therefore did not approve the use of Oduduwa Hall for the event.”

He stressed that the decision was taken purely in the interest of safety, orderliness and adherence to established protocols and added that it was not a reflection of disregard for Obi, whom the university holds in high esteem.

The statement also stated that the Vice Chancellor, Adebayo Simeon Bamire, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to hosting distinguished personalities, provided due process is followed.

The university administrator urged students, staff and the general public to comply with established procedures when planning events within the institution.