Former presidential candidate and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Peter Obi, has alleged that the Federal Government is working to prevent him from participating in the 2027 presidential election.

Obi made the allegation while calling for a transparent and credible electoral process.

Addressing a group of Nigerians in a video, Obi spoke about his political journey, reflecting on past challenges.

He noted that he has endured political isolation and legal battles.

“I have been in this very difficult business where people abandoned you completely for one election. I spent three years in court and no one followed me there.

“I have been impeached, returned to my village where no one wanted to see me, and removed from office twice,” he said.

He added that such experiences have prepared him for future challenges.

“So there is nothing I will not see again. All these things being said about me are not new,” he stated.

Obi further claimed that there are efforts by the Federal Government to stop his presidential ambition in 2027.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria does not want me to contest in the 2027 presidential election. We are not asking for much. They already have the governors and ministers; we are only asking for a free and fair election,” he said.

He also suggested that those in power have greater access to influential networks.

“They have all the contacts. They know the queen and the king, while we do not. They have everything,” he added.

Residents and business owners in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory have continued to lament persistent disruption of mobile networks in the area, particularly those of MTN Nigerian and Globacom. The residents say most of the network providers in the area have abandoned customers who depend largely on their networks to transact businesses.

The residents were hard hit on Wednesday when they woke up to yet another disruption in mobile network services affecting users of MTN Nigeria, a development many say is crippling communication and business activities in the area.

Reports early Wednesday morning indicated that MTN subscribers across Bwari and neighbouring communities were unable to access network services, leaving many residents stranded without communication or internet connectivity.

A check by DAILY POST confirmed the situation, with several residents complaining that the network failure had severely disrupted commercial activities, particularly transactions that depend on internet connectivity and mobile banking services.

Some residents who spoke with DAILY POST noted that the problem was not new, stressing that the community has been battling intermittent network failures from both MTN and Glo mobile for a long time without a lasting solution from the companies

Residents, Businesses Decry Impact of Poor Network

Mr. Koboko Master, a popular Nigerian comedian who resides in the area, described the situation as a recurring challenge that frequently leaves residents cut off from communication.

“MTN Internet in our area is bad, very bad, Sometimes the network disappears totally and you become completely incommunicado, except for those who have routers that can still use WhatsApp. But if you don’t use WhatsApp, it means you will miss everything entirely.” He said.

“This has been very consistent. It turns on and off regularly. It’s not something that happens once in a year or once in a month. It happens consistently, and it is a very big problem,” he added.

Madam Ogochukwu Jenifer, a building materials dealer at SCC Bwari and an MTN subscriber, also lamented that the poor network service was negatively affecting her business.

“Network is very bad in this Bwari area,” she said.

“Honestly, it is affecting our business. You cannot use your internet and so many things are not working. You want to do transactions, but there is no transaction because of network.

“So it’s not funny. No communication means no business. Things are just standing still.”

A banker in the area who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that the persistent network problem was affecting not only individuals and businesses but also banking operations.

“Most of the time people come with complaints about failed transactions, but at the end of the day, you discover that the problem is not from us. It’s because they don’t have good internet service to complete their transactions, or they don’t have network at all,” he explained.

“That situation is also affecting us here because people who normally do simple transactions at home are forced to come to the bank. That can lead to an increase in customer queues,” he lament.

Efforts to get a response from MTN Nigeria on the cause of the network disruption and the steps being taken to address the problem were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

Social Media Reactions Highlight Widespread Frustration

The frustration of residents was also evident on social media. In a post shared in the popular Facebook group “Bwari Abuja Connect,” a user Johnson Oyakhire, raised concerns about the persistent network issues, asking other residents whether they were experiencing the same challenge.

“A beg, this MTN network wahala – na my phone get problem or na general issue?” the post read.

The question quickly drew reactions from other residents who confirmed experiencing similar problems.

One commenter, Bishop David Akin Asoore, said the situation appeared to be limited to certain areas of Bwari.

“As soon as I got to Dutse Express, network came fully,” he wrote, suggesting that the network disruption may be location-specific.

Another user, Samuel Harrison replied “Na general wahala ooo, Me since yesterday, I never use my network.To make matter worse, my 2gb don go” closed by crying emoji.

In a related post on X (formerly Twitter), a user, Adeboye Sylvia Omotayo, called on MTN Nigeria to urgently address the issue.

She wrote that the network had been unavailable for several hours, noting that she uses three MTN SIM cards but had been unable to access services.

“There is a downtime in Bwari, Abuja. Kindly look into this urgently please. I use three SIMs, all MTN, and it is sad because your service has been down for hours now,” she wrote.

Responding to the complaint, MTN Nigeria apologized for the inconvenience and asked the customer to send additional details through a direct message to enable the support team investigate the problem.

“Yello! Thank you for contacting MTN. We sincerely apologize for the network experience. Kindly DM the affected phone number, specific location, duration of the network challenge and confirm if it is voice or data related for support,” the company said.

It’s Not Just MTN – Users

Meanwhile, a GLO customer in Ushafa Abuja, Andrew Otene also lamented persistent network disruption of the network. According to him, virtually all networks in Bwari Area Council of the FCT are weak, especially Glo.

“Can you imagine that I subscribe huge data on my Glo almost every month but I don’t use it. So if we are blaming MTN for network disruption, we shouldn’t keep quiet over Glo,” he said.

Findings by DAILY POST shows that more people complain about both Glo and MTN than any other network in the area council.

According to one Okoro John, a Pharmacist, Glo network could just disappeared for days without any action from the service provider.

According to him, “ They just restore network anytime they want. They may decide to disrupt our network for even one week and it will look normal. This is sad,” he said.

There has been no official statement or notification from the companies to its subscribers regarding the situation in the area.

Abia State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, says it has deployed 620 personnel across the State to ensure a peaceful and secure environment before, during and after the 2026 Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

The State Commandant, CC Chukwuemeka N. Odimba disclosed that comprehensive operational orders have been issued to Area Commanders and Divisional Officers across all LGAs.

According to the NSCDC, strategic emphasis of their assignments would be on the protection of critical
national assets and infrastructure.

He stated that specialized units, including the Rapid Response Squad, Tactical Team, and Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), have been mobilized to conduct intensive patrols at recreational centres, vulnerable locations, and other flashpoints, to nip in the bud any criminal intentions.

The Commandant reassured residents of his Command’s commitment to professionalism and civility while discharging their duties.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and supportive of security agencies by reporting any suspicious movements or activities within their communities.

Odimba further called on Muslim faithful to pray for peace and unity in Abia and Nigeria.

The Nigeria Police Force has disbursed over N2.4bn in insurance benefits to 1,075 beneficiaries and next-of-kin of deceased officers under its Group Life Assurance and IGP Family Welfare Schemes.

The cheques were presented on Wednesday by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, during a ceremony held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

In a statement by the Force spokesman, DCP Anthony Placid, the total sum of N2,435,421,584.11 covers multiple policy years, including 2018/2019, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2024/2025, and 2025/2026, as well as outstanding claims recovered from previous years.

Speaking at the event, the Force Insurance Officer, ACP Lydia Ameh, said the disbursement reflected the IGP’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of officers and their families.

She noted that the payments also represented the recovery of long-standing insurance obligations, adding that measures had been put in place to ensure compliance by insurance providers to prevent future delays.

Ameh further assured that the Force Insurance Unit remained committed to delivering efficient, transparent, and accountable services.

In his remarks, Disu described the occasion as a solemn recognition of the sacrifices made by officers who died in the line of duty, stressing that personnel welfare remained a key focus of his administration.

He said the gesture went beyond financial support, serving as a demonstration of the Force’s enduring responsibility to honour fallen officers while supporting their families.

The IGP also pledged to strengthen welfare frameworks, improve administrative processes, and eliminate delays in claims processing.

“Efforts would be intensified to strengthen welfare frameworks, improve administrative efficiency, and eliminate delays in the processing and disbursement of benefits.

“The Force will also leverage modern technology to enhance transparency, streamline claims processing, and ensure accountability in welfare administration,” he added.

The disbursement comes amid ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Police Force aimed at improving personnel welfare and addressing long-standing delays in insurance claims

Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, who served as Senate Minority Leader during the 9th Senate of the National Assembly representing the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, on Tuesday joined the All Progressives Congress, APC.

This was disclosed by the party official’s X handle.

According to the statement, “He vowed to deliver victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the FCT in 2027.”

Aduda was formally received into the APC by the National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, accompanied by members of the National Working Committee.

DAILY POST recalls that this development comes shortly after Aduda formally resigned from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), citing ongoing crises within the party as the reason for his departure.

The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has reaffirmed his support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Adeleke made this known on Tuesday in Osogbo while addressing cabinet members, special advisers, and other top government officials, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.

The governor stated that the ongoing crisis affecting local governments in Osun State has not altered his stance, noting that his backing for Tinubu dates back to his time in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“We have no problem with President Tinubu. He is our leader,” Adeleke said.

“He represents the South-West, and I reaffirm our endorsement of Mr President for re-election in the best interest of the region.”

He also expressed appreciation to residents for their continued support for the Accord Party (AP), describing its popularity as expanding beyond Osun State.

Adeleke further assured that his administration would continue to deliver democratic dividends, with a renewed focus on youths, women, and workers, while prioritising investments in infrastructure, agro-industrialisation, education, and healthcare.

The governor also directed party officials to strengthen the party’s grassroots structure through membership registration and voter mobilisation across all 332 wards in the state.

Benue State Government says no deaths from Lassa fever have been recorded in the last 11 days, despite a rise in suspected infections.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this while briefing journalists, noting that suspected cases have increased to 383, with 47 confirmed infections so far.

He added that the total number of deaths since the outbreak remains 14.

Providing further details, the commissioner said only six new cases were confirmed within the last 11 days, indicating a slowdown in infections.

He also noted that 20 patients are currently in isolation 14 at Benue State University Teaching Hospital and six at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi.

According to him, “We have not recorded any mortality in the last 11 days. So far, the cumulative figure of suspected cases has moved from 251 to 382, while 47 cases have been confirmed cumulatively.”

Dr. Ogwuche attributed the improvement to intensified awareness campaigns, early detection, and support from health partners, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

He said surveillance has been strengthened across all 23 local government areas, with health workers trained on infection prevention and control measures.

“The rates have dropped drastically because we are out combing for suspected cases. Those that are positive are few compared to before. We have engaged in regular meetings with WHO, NCDC, and the Emergency Operations Centre.

“Surveillance is ongoing in all 23 LGAs. We provide regular updates and carry out training of health workers on basic prevention and infection control in isolation centres, which accounts for why they are not infected. There are 14 cases in BSUTH and six at FMC, Makurdi, in isolation.

“The pillars we put in place — sensitisation and health education — have accounted for this development. People now know what to do and what they should not do.

“The message has reached all 23 LGAs. We are also tracking our cases very early now because the surveillance officers are in the field. Any reported positive case is monitored along all contact lines; once there are symptoms, we test and take them to the isolation centre.

“The earlier you present, the better the outcome. The low mortality shows that people are being tracked in their communities and brought in for early treatment.

“There is also a lot of intervention from our partners. Many of them are on the ground, the NCDC, MSF and WHO are all working together to see how we can curtail it.

“The pillars of the response, including infection prevention and control, are in place, and all our laboratories are functional, capable of detecting early infection and initiating treatment. A lot has been done by the Ministry and its partners.

“The state government has supported the response with substantial funds, which have enabled us to work effectively.

“Everybody is on their toes doing the needful. We have not recorded any outbreak in the IDP camps.

“We are on the verge of distributing IAC materials (flyers) to the 15 IDP camps in the state,” he said.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has forecast dust haze across the country from Wednesday to Friday.
NiMet’s weather outlook, released on Tuesday in Abuja, expected moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility between two and five kilometres over the northern region on Wednesday.

It anticipated localised visibility of less than or equal to 1,000 metres over parts of Katsina, Kano and Jigawa States throughout the forecast period.

The agency envisaged moderate dust haze over the North-Central region throughout the period.

According to the agency, sunny skies with a few patches of cloud over the southern region, with slim prospects of afternoon or evening thunderstorms accompanied by light rainfall over parts of Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

NiMet stated that moderate dust haze is expected over the northern and North-Central regions throughout the forecast period on Thursday.

It also predicted sunny skies with few patches of cloud over the southern region, with slim chances of isolated thunderstorms and light rainfall over Ondo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Edo states later in the day.

The agency predicted slight dust haze over the northern region during the forecast period on Friday.

NiMet envisaged moderate dust haze over the North-Central region throughout the period.

The agency anticipated sunny skies with few patches of cloud over the southern region, with slim chances of isolated thunderstorms and light rainfall over Lagos, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States later in the day.

The agency warned that dust particles would remain in suspension while advising the public to take necessary precautions.

NiMet advised the people with asthma and other respiratory conditions to be cautious under the prevailing weather conditions.

It further advised motorists to drive with caution during rainfall and urged airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for effective operational planning.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has clarified the circumstances surrounding the detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El‑Rufai, stating that the agency did not approach the court to seek a fresh extension of his detention as widely reported.

In a statement signed by John Okor Odey, Head of Media and Public Communication on Tuesday, the commission explained that it appeared in court on March 17, 2026, only for the hearing of an application filed by El-Rufai challenging the court order that renewed his remand.

According to the ICPC, the application was dated and filed on March 6, 2026, seeking to overturn the remand order earlier granted by the court on March 5.

During the proceedings, counsel to El-Rufai was served with the commission’s response to the application and subsequently requested an adjournment to study and respond to the filing.

“The lawyer subsequently requested an adjournment to respond to the Commission’s response. Consequently, the Magistrate adjourned the hearing of the application to 31st March 2026 to allow Mr. El-Rufai’s team sufficient time to react to our response,” the statement said.

The commission also outlined the timeline of the court-approved detention of the former governor, noting that the initial remand order allowed investigators 14 days to probe allegations of money laundering and abuse of office.

It added that upon the expiration of the initial order, the commission applied for an additional 14-day extension to conclude its investigations, which the court granted on March 5.

The ICPC further disclosed that an earlier attempt by El-Rufai’s legal team to set aside the remand order issued on February 19, 2026, was dismissed by the court on March 9.

“Mallam El-Rufai remains in the lawful custody of the ICPC under the remand order dated 5th March, 2026,” the commission stated.

The agency stressed that it was strictly complying with court directives, including the requirement to provide progress reports, and reiterated its commitment to due process.

“The ICPC conducts its duties with the highest professionalism and respect for the rule of law,” the statement added, noting that the detention was authorised by a court in accordance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

The commission also cautioned against misinformation circulating in the media and on social media platforms.

“We urge the public to avoid spreading unverified information and to rely on official updates from the Commission,” it said.