Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has vowed to resign if President Bola Tinubu does not win the 2027 general elections.

Okpebholo made this vow on Friday during an interview on African Independent Television, AIT.

He reeled out development projects in the state, saying that Edo people will appreciate Tinubu through the ballot come 2027.

“Edo people have not even thanked Tinubu. How they will thank him is through their votes.

“The various projects across the state are the things that will speak for Tinubu and he will win here. Bet me, if he doesn’t win, I will resign as governor.

“There’s no election here for him. I’m a politician, who under-studied Chief Aneni. My style of politics is not thuggery but grassroots,” he said.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, has commenced a full investigation into alleged child molestation and abuse in a daycare setting in Lagos, based on suggestive online posts by Simi.

According to a statement released on Friday by NAPTIP, the Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello, announced the commencement of full investigations following renewed controversy over old tweets linked to alleged child sexual misconduct.

“Director-General Binta Adamu Bello has directed operatives of the agency to commence a full-scale investigation into the alleged child molestation and abuse in a daycare setting in Lagos, based on suggestive online posts linked to a popular Nigerian singer,” the statement said.

The agency had earlier appealed to the general public for anyone directly involved to reach out to them.

However, in the early hours of Friday, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, ordered an immediate investigation into the matter.

Simi, the Joromi crooner, has been facing paedophile allegations from netizens over her old tweets involving a four-year-old boy at her mother’s daycare in Lagos.

Preliminarily, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, during her appearance on Channels Television’s programme Morning Brief on Thursday, February 26, referred Simi to the Nigerian Police for a full-scale investigation.

Vivour-Adeniyi said the Lagos State Government had been monitoring developments after old tweets, allegedly posted by the singer in 2012 and 2014, resurfaced online and sparked public concern.

“I can speak for what Lagos State is doing,” she said.

According to her, the state decided to involve the police to establish the facts surrounding the allegations.

“What we have done is to refer the case to the Commissioner of Police to at least conduct some preliminary investigation,” Vivour-Adeniyi said.

She added that the alleged incident may have taken place in a crèche reportedly run by the singer’s mother.

She, however, noted that prosecution would be difficult without a complainant and appealed to anyone who may have been affected to come forward.

“It is going to be very difficult to prosecute Simi without a survivor being present. We encourage anyone who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Simi to come forward and make a statement so the process can begin,” she said.

Earlier, NAPTIP had also called on members of the public to assist with information related to the allegations, following growing discussions around alleged child sexual abuse and misconduct in daycare centres across Nigeria.

“We are committed to thoroughly investigating credible reports,” the agency said in a public notice.

The singer later addressed the controversy, insisting that the tweets were innocent jokes taken out of context. She denied any wrongdoing and said she has always spoken against rape and sexual assault.

“Fourteen years ago, I was 23, so I was definitely not a child. I’m not here to make excuses because I don’t have anything to make excuses for. What I can’t let anyone do is twist my story to fit false narratives. I have always spoken against rape and sexual assault even before you knew I existed,” she said.

NAPTIP has again urged anyone with clear information, evidence, direct knowledge, or personal experience related to the allegations to contact the agency privately so investigations can proceed.

A Federal High Court sitting in Owerri has adjourned the matter seeking to disqualify the Action Peoples Party, APP, from participating in any electoral exercise following its deregistration by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The case, which was supposed to commence fully, was adjourned to April 16 following the absence of a legal representative from INEC and a plea for more time to prepare a defence by APP’s legal team.

The case, with Suit No: FHC/CS/03/2026, was filed by one Mr. Franklin Ngoforo, the Coordinator of Civic Action for Democracy (CAC), seeking the delisting of APP as a political party.

Present in court were members of the legal team from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, representing the Federal Government, as well as some civil society organisations.

At the commencement of proceedings, APP’s legal team pleaded for more time to enable them prepare their defence, while INEC did not send any legal representative.

The presiding judge, after listening to submissions from all parties present, adjourned the matter to April 16, giving APP’s legal team roughly seven weeks to file any defence they wish to present.

Speaking on the matter, a constitutional lawyer, Chinyere Obi, explained that when a defendant in a suit chooses not to appear or be represented, it is typically a signal that either they have no defence to present or are conceding the plaintiff’s argument by default.

In his observation, Barr. Chinedu Obasi of the Civil Liberties and Accountability Initiative described the proceedings as a watershed, signifying that Nigeria is still battling with electoral integrity.

He asserted that civil society organisations would exert pressure on INEC to ensure the right thing is done in that sector.

Ngoforo had filed a 21-count charge seeking to stop APP from operating as a political party.

He pointed out that APP was deregistered by INEC on February 6, 2020, and that the Supreme Court of Nigeria judgment of March 2022 affirmed it.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has commenced a review of its rehabilitation and reintegration programme for repentant insurgents, known as Operation Safe Corridor, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s counter insurgency strategy.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Micheal Onoja, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists on ongoing military operations nationwide. He said the review was informed by emerging challenges and public concerns regarding the Federal Government’s de radicalisation and rehabilitation initiative.

Onoja explained that Operation Safe Corridor was introduced by the Defence Headquarters in collaboration with the Borno State Government and relevant federal ministries to provide a pathway for insurgents who voluntarily surrendered to abandon violence and reintegrate into society.

“For a period of time, that system achieved some significant success. As with everything, any human activity has some point of challenges. We do not deny that there are challenges, and we also acknowledge that there is a need for a review,” he said.

He noted that the ongoing reassessment was aimed at strengthening the programme and ensuring it remains effective in addressing current security realities.

The military spokesman added that while insurgents would be held accountable for their actions, the opportunity for rehabilitation remains an important component of national security efforts.

“We are also as concerned as you and other members of the public. We have heard a lot of things the public is saying. I can assure you that the review will be done and you will hear our new operational directives for Operation Safe Corridor,” he said.

Onoja also addressed concerns over peace initiatives involving insurgents at the state level, noting that governors have a responsibility to protect their states but must operate within the framework of federal security policies.

“Some states have the rights and the powers to take every action that will secure their states. However, I can tell you confidently that they will not be able to do that without the authorisation of the Office of the National Security Adviser,” he said.

He reaffirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to implementing federal government policies and supporting authorised measures aimed at restoring peace and stability in affected areas.

​The National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Felix Morka, has revealed why opposition leaders are angry over the recently passed and signed Electoral Act.

Fielding questions in an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television, Morkas said they are angry because the Electoral Act amendment frustrates what he described as a plan to use real-time transmission of results as grounds to challenge the 2027 general elections.

He added that key opposition figures were upset because the amendment removed a ‘game plan’ to invalidate elections where real-time electronic transmission of results is not possible.

“So, let me tell you very quickly why Peter Obi, Galadima and his friends in the opposition are livid about this amendment.

“They were hoping to sell this dummy to the National Assembly and to Nigerians: that unless results are transmitted in real time, that becomes grounds to invalidate the election in 2027. That was it – it was a game plan,” he said.

The APC national mouthpiece further stated that opposition figures were fully aware that internet connectivity remains uneven across the country.

“Buba Galadima knows, Atiku Abubakar knows, Peter Obi knows, and David Mark knows that connectivity is not universal in all the territories and voting districts of Nigeria,” Morka said.

His comments followed the signing of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 into law on Thursday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

However, leaders of the African Democratic Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party rejected the new law, insisting it is anti-democratic and tilted in favour of the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections.

A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Buba Galadima, says if the Nigerian people could remove former President Goodluck Jonathan from office in 2015 over insecurity, the All Progressives Congress can be cut into pieces.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday monitored by DAILY POST, Galadima warned that Nigerians could react strongly at the ballot box if current economic and security challenges continue.

He lambasted the policies of the ruling APC and dismissed claims that living conditions have improved.

Speaking on political dissent and governance, the elder statesman stated that authorities should not underestimate public sentiment, citing incidents of arrests over public commentary.

He lamented the arrest and imprisonment of young people who go on the radio to air their own opinion about the happenings in Nigeria.

The NNPP stalwart told the APC-led Federal Government that they should not presume that Nigerians were gullible and that they cannot react.

“Now things start small, small. You don’t know how they can blossom and become something else. They shouldn’t play.

“If you can remove Jonathan’s government for a simple insecurity in the Northeast, what would you be doing to the APC government? I think we have to cut them into pieces,” he said.

President of the International Press Institute Nigeria, Mojeed Musikilu, has called on the Nigeria Police to see journalists as allies during elections and not enemies.

Musikilu made the call on Thursday when he appeared as a guest in an interview on Arise Television, lamenting the rate of attacks on journalists during elections.

He questioned why the police should continue to use the cybercrime law against journalists for doing their legitimate constitutional duties.

“The rate of attacks on journalists is high during elections. The police must see journalists as allies

“The media is a critical institution in a democratic setting. Recent years have seen journalists harassed, detained, assaulted, and even shot while performing their duties.

“This led to the former Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, being placed on an infamy list for failing to address these issues.

“An early warning is now being issued to his successor, especially with upcoming elections, as attacks on journalists tend to increase during these periods.

“It is crucial for authorities to view journalists as allies in national development, as journalism is not a crime, nor are journalists enemies or criminals,” he said.

Members of the National Assembly have said they will withhold comment on the cause of Monday’s fire outbreak at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport until investigations being conducted by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, are concluded.

The lawmakers stated this after a joint delegation from the Senate and the House of Representatives Committees on Aviation carried out an on-the-spot inspection of the damaged Terminal 1 wing of the airport.

The visit followed public concern triggered by the inferno, which caused extensive damage to part of the facility.

The delegation arrived at the airport at about 3:07 p.m., toured the affected areas, and later held a closed-door meeting with FAAN’s management team led by the Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku.

Speaking after the inspection, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Abdulfatai Buhari, said the lawmakers were encouraged by the swift response of airport authorities and the fact that no lives were lost.

He explained that the visit was aimed at firsthand assessment rather than speculation, noting that the lawmakers had earlier been engaged in budget defence sessions.

“We thank God that there was no loss of life, which is the most important thing. Despite the scale of the incident, FAAN and other agencies rose to the occasion,” Buhari said.

He added that emergency measures were promptly activated, allowing flight operations to continue with limited disruption.

“Flights were diverted appropriately. Some landed in Malabo and Accra, while others, including Emirates and Lufthansa, still arrived in Lagos later that night. This shows the level of preparedness and response,” he noted.

Buhari stressed that the National Assembly would not draw conclusions while investigations were ongoing.

“The investigation is still in progress, and we do not want to pre-empt the outcome. Issues such as sabotage or otherwise will only be addressed after the relevant authorities complete their work,” he said.

Also speaking, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Abdullahi Garba, said the legislature would rely strictly on official findings before taking any further steps.

“Just like my senior colleague said, the investigation is ongoing, and we will wait for the same before anything can be done on this development.

“For the MD, she has done very well because within just three hours she was able to achieve stability; that is a very good one,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of FAAN’s Board, Abdullahi Ganduje, praised the airport management for what he described as a timely and effective emergency response, saying it helped prevent casualties and ensured continuity of operations at the nation’s busiest airport.

The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, rtd, says Nigeria’s new National Drug Control Master Plan, NDCMP, 2026-2030 will strengthen efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking across the country.

He made the remark at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja while receiving the final evaluation report on the 2021-2025 drug control strategy.

Marwa said the new plan was designed to improve existing measures and address identified gaps in drug control operations.

According to him, “the National Drug Control Master Plan 2026-2030 will strengthen Nigeria’s ongoing drug control efforts,” particularly in areas affecting public health and national security.

He spoke after reviewing the performance of the NDCMP 2021-2025, which assessed the country’s response to drug-related challenges over the past five years.

The NDLEA chairman commended the evaluation team, praising “the team of consultants who worked on the evaluation of the implementation of the NDCMP 2021-2025 for doing an excellent work.”

The agency noted that findings from the assessment would guide strategies in the new policy framework. Marwa assured that “when fully implemented, the NDCMP 2026-2030 will bridge gaps in the area of drug demand reduction in Nigeria,” highlighting efforts to reduce substance abuse and strengthen prevention programmes.

The development reflects ongoing government efforts to review national drug policies and improve enforcement and rehabilitation systems.

Authorities say the new plan aims to enhance coordination among stakeholders and improve Nigeria’s overall response to drug-related challenges.