The Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN, for Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has denied allegations that he campaigned for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.

This is following claims by popular social media activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

VDM, in a viral video posted on social media platforms on Monday, criticised the cleric for allegedly shifting from his harsh criticism of Tinubu to urging prayers for his administration.

According to VDM, Rev Dachomo, who recently took his campaign against alleged Christian genocide in the state to Israel, was expected to address Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other world leaders on the contentious killings of Christians in Plateau State and the Middle Belt in general.

However, his visit to Israel ended with allegations that he had instead turned the trip into a prayer session for Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, government to succeed in the 2027 election.

Although Rev Dachomo had earlier denied ever praying for Tinubu and the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, VDM alleged that the cleric had moved from accusing President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima of attempting to Islamise Nigeria and failing to curb insecurity to calling for prayers and support for the same administration.

The activist also claimed that Dachomo had been compromised, adding that he was 101 per cent certain that the presidency had reached out to the clergyman and taken him to Israel.

However, while responding to the accusations, Rev Dachomo insisted that he had never prayed or campaigned for Tinubu, Shettima and the APC to win the 2027 election.

In a statement shared on his social media handles, the cleric described attempts to use his name for political branding as wicked, clarifying that his prayers while in Israel were directed at achieving national peace, seeking divine intervention against evil plans and protecting persecuted communities.

He maintained that he had prayed against electoral rigging and had never supported a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

However, he said those aspects of his prayers were ignored, while misleading narratives were promoted.

“My dear brethren, I greet you all in the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

“I heard that VDM shared a video saying I prayed for President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket to succeed in the 2027 election.

“You are just saying, ‘Rev. Dachomo has prayed for success.’ Which success? The success of rigging elections?

“While Muslim-Muslim ticket supporters are thinking of rigging elections, the only thing I am praying for is that they should fail in their evil deeds. Let them fail in their evil thinking. Let the evil ones in Nigeria fail woefully in whatever they are doing.

“To the campaign organisation of Tinubu, anybody who is using my name wrongly for campaigns is doing a great injustice to Tinubu. You evil men are saying I use my name to say I pray for Tinubu.

“I pray that any evil spirit that will lure this government into rigging elections will catch fire. Any satanic power that will raise thugs to rig elections, let it catch fire so that justice will prevail.

“Any spirit or person that is going to rig these elections, let the wrath of God destroy their evil plans.

“​We need justice. We need the fear of God in both Muslims and Christians so that we can live lives of love and protect one another. That is what my heart desires,” the cleric wrote.

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Sokoto State, Professor Aminu Ibrahim has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ibrahim, a former rector of Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto, and professor of mathematics at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, announced his defection at a ceremony in the state capital.

He said he joined the APC to contribute to the development of Sokoto State, particularly in education and other sectors of the economy.

The former rector said he considered it his responsibility as an academic to deploy his knowledge and experience towards improving the welfare of residents.

Sokoto State APC chairman, Haruna Sarkin-Gobir Adiya, welcomed Ibrahim into the party, describing his defection as a boost to its membership.

Adiya urged the former rector to work with existing members to promote unity and cooperation as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Ibrahim’s defection comes amid political realignments in Sokoto State as parties seek to strengthen their structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Kwankwassiyya Movement has revealed its next line of action following the omission of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, deputy governorship candidate in Kano State, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, from the final list of candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Kwankwaso and his principal, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, were omitted from the list published by INEC.

The NDC has since described the omission as an error, saying it is seeking a correction.

Speaking on Arise Television, Habibu Mohammed, spokesperson for the Kwankwassiyya Movement, said there was no apparent reason for the omission, adding that the movement would engage INEC to resolve the issue.

“It came as a shock because there had been no issue with INEC. Kwankwas, a former deputy governor, is registered with the NDC and met the stipulated deadline.

“Electoral provisions give candidates 14 days to seek redress if their names are omitted from the list. We will explore that opportunity and engage with INEC,” he said.

He added: “Actually, we believe there is no particular reason for the omission. INEC itself has not advanced any reason. We believe it may be an administrative error or something else because we do not have any pending judgment or court order.

“This is a man who has already served as a deputy governor, so we cannot even question his qualification. We also believe he was duly registered with the NDC within the stipulated period.

“Therefore, the omission came as a shock. However, in politics, we have seen many things, and we believe there are always ways to resolve issues. There is also a provision in the Electoral Act.

“If he is not on INEC’s list, I believe the Kwankwassiyya Movement, being law-abiding and committed to doing things the right way, will explore that opportunity and engage INEC. We are confident that the matter will be resolved because we see no reason why it should be otherwise.”

The Federal Government has repatriated 111 Nigerians from South Africa, bringing the total number of citizens evacuated from the country since June to 2,037 amid concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

According to the statement, the returnees arrived in Lagos on Thursday, October 8, 2026, aboard South African Airways Flight SA060.

“The group consisted of 44 men, 23 women and 44 children. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, NAPTIP, NEMA and other relevant government agencies received them on arrival.”

The ministry said the evacuation was fully funded by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), which donated $265,854 to support the return of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.

According to the statement, the latest exercise brought the number of consular evacuations from South Africa to 15 since the operation began on June 10, 2026.

It added that a total of 2,037 Nigerians had been evacuated from the country, with the Federal Government covering the repatriation costs of 1,388 of them.

The ministry said 318 Nigerians had so far benefited from one-way tickets funded by the RCCG, leaving another 182 tickets to be covered under the church’s commitment.

The Federal Government also expressed appreciation to the church, led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its financial support towards the evacuation of distressed Nigerians.

The ministry said the government would continue to engage relevant stakeholders, including South African authorities, to address xenophobia and Afrophobia and promote the safety and welfare of Nigerians living in the country.

It advised Nigerians in South Africa to obey local laws, remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves.

“The ministry advised Nigerians in South Africa to stay in touch with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg for assistance whenever the need arises,” the statement said.

The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to providing timely support to Nigerians living abroad and protecting their welfare and well-being.

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Ogun State chapter, has called for an end to child marriage and greater investment in girls’ rights as the world marks the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.

In a statement on Sunday, signed by its Chairperson, Morenikeji Sobaloju, NAWOJ said the year’s theme, ‘Ending Child Marriage and Investing in Girls’ Rights’, is a call to protect every girl’s right to education, safety and informed choices.

The association said child marriage robs girls of their childhood, disrupts their education, threatens their health and limits their contribution to society.

Sobaloju harped on the need to recognise that every girl deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, make informed choices and fulfil her potential without fear, discrimination or harmful cultural practices.

NAWOJ urged government, parents, traditional and religious leaders and civil society to act collectively to end the practice.

It also called on relevant authorities to strengthen enforcement of child protection laws, expand access to quality education and create more opportunities for girls to thrive.

“As women journalists, we reaffirm our commitment to using the power of the media to amplify girls’ voices, expose harmful practices and hold stakeholders accountable.

“Every girl deserves a future filled with hope, dignity, opportunity, and freedom from child marriage. When we invest in girls, we invest in stronger families, healthier communities, and a better society,” Sobaloju said.

The International Day of the Girl Child is marked globally on October 11 to highlight challenges facing girls and promote gender equality.

Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has shut down more than 25 buildings, including a Mobil filling station, along Ago Palace Way in Okota, Lagos, over alleged environmental offences.

The enforcement exercise, conducted on Sunday, also targeted heaps of refuse dumped on road medians and around bridge abutments, where the authority said indiscriminate waste disposal had become a persistent concern.

LAWMA Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, led the operation, which deployed compactor trucks, a payloader, tipper trucks and street sweepers to clear the affected areas.

In a statement published on X, the authority said some of the sealed properties had illegal stalls on road setbacks or housed street traders whose activities allegedly contributed to littering and improper waste disposal.

Several cart pushers were also arrested over alleged illegal dumping. One of them, identified as Shamusi Muritala, reportedly admitted to dumping refuse on road medians and collecting as much as N5,000 from customers for the service.

LAWMA said Muritala, who identified himself as a native of Katsina State, appealed for leniency when questioned by officials.

The exercise also included public enlightenment campaigns for residents and traders on appropriate waste disposal practices. The authority urged them to dispose of their refuse through approved waste collection services.

Gbadegesin said LAWMA would continue to enforce regulations against illegal street trading and take action against individuals who patronised traders operating in prohibited areas.

He warned that such activities impeded movement, disrupted public order and worsened environmental degradation.

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit, popularly known as the Taskforce, and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) team provided support during the operation.