The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to reconsider recent actions, warning they could threaten the 2027 general elections.

ACF National Publicity Secretary, T. A. Muhammad-Baba, spoke to Leadership newspaper on the state of the nation, expressing concern over what he described as troubling developments in the country’s electoral process.

He cited INEC’s removal of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, led by David Mark, as well as the proposed voter revalidation exercise, as actions capable of undermining democratic stability.

Muhammad-Baba said such measures could erode public confidence in the electoral system, noting that they risk creating uncertainty ahead of the next general elections.

He further warned that Nigeria is already grappling with worsening insecurity and economic challenges, stressing that introducing political tension at this time could aggravate the situation.

“It looks like every step taken by INEC or the political authorities is putting the 2027 election into jeopardy. It is not too late, and we hope we call on the government, we call on INEC, we call on all those concerned to retrace their steps and stand by the principles and the tenets of democracy.

“Otherwise, all these things really portend a crisis, and it is not good for the country. We have enough. We have enough problems with insecurity. We have enough problems with economic hardships,” Muhammad-Baba said.

According to him, stakeholders must adhere strictly to democratic principles to avoid plunging the country into a fresh political crisis.

The ACF spokesman called on the federal government, INEC and other relevant actors to retrace their steps and ensure that all actions taken strengthen, rather than weaken, the nation’s democracy.

Osun State chapter of the Accord has once again criticised the All Progressives Congress, APC, over the alleged the use of proceeds of crime to support security agencies in the state.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the state chairman of the Accord, Victor Babalola Akande, said the development was disturbing and disgraceful.

Akande accused the APC of promoting illegality under the guise of security support.

The accusation is coming after the Osun APC in a statement on Thursday also criticised Governor Ademola Adeleke and the ruling Accord over alleged politicisation of security matters in the state.

The party in the statement signed by Kola Olabisi, its Director of Media and Information, said the protection of lives and property should remain the foremost responsibility of all tiers of government.

The statement faulted recent remarks by the Accord criticising local government efforts to support security agencies.

According to the APC, the condemnation of local council chairmen for donating operational vehicles to the police was “uncalled for, frivolous and ill-motivated.”

Meanwhile, Akande in the counter statement stated that “empowering the police with proceeds of crime is not patriotism, it is criminality dressed in borrowed robes.”

Insisting that such actions violate both legal and moral standards, he also alleged that individuals presented by the APC as elected council officials lacked the legal standing to manage public resources or initiate programmes tied to security.

According to him, “what the APC describes as assistance to security agencies represents a dangerous precedent where questionable authority meets questionable funding.”

The Accord chairman also criticised the APC’s record in governance, claiming the party had previously demonstrated disregard for due process and administrative accountability.

He warned that matters relating to security should not be politicised, adding that ignoring due process could undermine public safety rather than strengthen it.

“The police, as a respected national institution, must not be dragged into the murky waters of partisan illegitimacy. I urge caution in dealings involving law enforcement agencies.

“The Accord reiterated its rejection of what it termed a shameful narrative. Governance must adhere strictly to legal and procedural standards.

“Residents of Osun State deserved responsible leadership and attempts to legitimise alleged illegal actions could erode public trust and threaten order,” he warned.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has explained to the Federal High Court in Abuja why the 57 properties linked to a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, should be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The EFCC, in a motion on notice for final forfeiture of the properties filed by its team of lawyers led by Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, and Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that Malami had failed to place sufficient evidence of genuine ownership before the court to warrant the court to vacate the earlier interim order granted on the properties,

The motion, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, named Malami, his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe and Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami as 1st to 4th respondents.

Others are Rayhaan Bustan and Agro Allied Ltd, Mountain View Gold and Jewellery Ltd, Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd, Azbir Arena Nigeria Ltd, Meethaq Hotels Ltd as 5th to 9th respondents.

They also include Rayhaan University Ltd/GTE, Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, Zeenoor Hotels Ltd, Kawsar Ben of Brahim, Alhaji Muktaka Usman Junju, Real Edge Agro Services Ltd as 10th to 15th respondents respectively.

The application was brought pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, No. 14 of 2006.

The anti-graft agency sought a ‘final order of the court forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the properties described in the schedule below, which were found by the commission as properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”

Giving six grounds why the application should be granted, Okutepa submitted that the court has the statutory powers under the provisions of Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, to grant the reliefs being sought.

The lawyer said it is a non-conviction-based asset forfeiture proceeding.

According to him, the properties sought to be attached and forfeited are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawtul activitics.

“This honourable court made an interim order forfeiting the properties to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The order of the honourable court has been published in a national daily, namely THISDAY Newspaper of 9th January, 2026.

“No sufficient cause has been shown why the properties under the interim forfeiture order should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria,” Okutepa argued.

In an affidavit in support of the motion, Daniel Adebayo, an investigating officer with the Special Duties Committee of the EFCC, said he had the consent of the commission’s chairman to depose to the affidavit and from facts gathered in the course of the investigation.

He said the commission received several petitions against the former minister from different organisations alleging a serious case of corruption, abuse of office and fraud.

He said upon receipt of the series of petitions, his team carried out several investigation activities which included making inquiries and receiving financial records from commercial banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He said the team wrote and received response from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Federal Inland revenue Services (FIRS), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS).

He said it also include the Land Registry of Kebbi State, Sokoto State and Kano State, Kebbi State Inland Revenue Service, FCT Inland Revenue Services, National Universities Commission (NUC), visiting the sold landed properties and valuation of the assets.

The officer said the team invited and interviewed individuals who featured in the investigation.

He listed Malami’s lawful sources of income while he served as Minister between 2015 and 2023, including salaries, allowances, estacodes, which total sums were not proportionate to the alleged properties he illegally acquired.

“I know as a fact and verily believe the findings of the investigation, which are as follows:

“Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, was the Hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, hereinafter referred to as HAGF, from 2015 to 2023.

“He was paid a total of N89, 664, 000.00 as salary between 2015 and 2023, whilst in office, with an average payment of N962,663.68 per month.

“He also received a severance allowance of N12, 158, 400.00 at the end of his tenure in office.

“Mr. Malami SAN was also paid estacodes allowances to cover his travel expenses whenever he travelled outside the country on official trips.

“He calculated and declared a total sum of N253, 608, 500.00 as the amount he received for the official trips between 2015 and 2023 in a letter written to the Chairman of the CCB as an addendum to his Assets Declaration Form in June 2023.

“Attached and collectively marked as Exhibit EFCC 2 & 3 are copies of the asset declaration forms filled out by Mr. Malami SAN from 2015 to 2023, together with a letter dated 16th of June, 2023 written by him to the Chairman of the CCB as addendum to the assets declaration form as found at his house during EFCC’s execution of search warrant.”

He said “aside the actual acquisition of the properties which are manifestly disproportionate to Mr. Malami SAN‘s known and lawful sources of income, no building permits/approvals from appropriate authorities were obtained to erect most of the various structures in Kano and Kebbi States as part of a scheme to disguise unlawful origin of the funds used to acquire the assets.”

Adebayo alleged that Malami indirectly acquired some of the assets either in his name or through third-party individuals or front companies/entities (which are currently under his chairmanship vide the Rayhaan Group Ltd).

The EFCC listed the 57 multi-billion naira landed properties located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna States, including temporary and permanent sites of Rayhaan University in Kebbi.

Justice Abdulmalik has however fixed April 21 for the hearing of the commission’s motion.

A sister court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, had, on January. 6, ordered the interim forfeiture of the 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities to the Federal Government.

The judge made the order following an ex-parte motion moved by the EFCC’s lawyer, Iheanacho.

The judge had directed the commission to publish the order in a national daily for interested person(s) to show cause, within 14 days, why all the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The case was, however, reassigned to Justice Obiora Egwuatu after the vacation ended but Egwuatu recused himself from the matter, citing personal reasons and in the interest of justice, before it was reassigned to Abdulmalik.

Malami and others had since challenged the anti-graft agency’s civil suit, praying the court to vacate the forfeiture order.

Lagos State Police Command, on Thursday, convened a high-level security stakeholders’ meeting as part of activities marking the 2026 National Police Day, reaffirming its commitment to community-based policing and officer welfare.

The event, held in Lagos, also featured the presentation of cheques to families of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, drawing participation from key groups including the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, the Eminent Persons Forum, community and religious leaders, as well as representatives of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN.

Addressing participants, the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Olaiwola Tijani, commended stakeholders for their sustained support in crime prevention and public safety, stressing the need for stronger collaboration in tackling security challenges across the state.

He emphasized the importance of synergy between the police and the public, particularly in ensuring swift responses to distress calls and maintaining law and order.

The police chief also highlighted key concerns such as cultism and electoral violence, assuring that the Command would continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies and modern technology to improve its operational capacity.

In a solemn highlight of the event, the Command presented a total of N53,387,209.48 to families of fallen officers under the Inspector-General of Police Family Welfare Scheme.

The gesture, according to the Command, reflects the Nigeria Police Force’s continued commitment to supporting families of personnel who died in active service.

Beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos Command for the financial support, noting that the assistance would help ease the burden faced by families left behind.

Reaffirming the Force’s position, the Commissioner assured that the sacrifices of the fallen officers would not be forgotten, adding that the police would remain steadfast in providing support to their families.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has deployed a total of 2,250 personnel across Lagos Sate to ensure adequate security during the Easter celebrations.

In Lagos State, 2,250 officers and men have been stationed at worship centres, recreational parks, and other strategic locations, to guarantee a peaceful and incident-free festive period.

The Lagos State Commandant of the Corps, Adedotun Keshinro, said the operation is aimed at safeguarding lives and property, as well as protecting critical national assets and infrastructure across the state.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of residents and securing vital installations in all sectors of the economy.

Speaking during a meeting with senior officers, including management staff, area commanders, divisional officers, and heads of tactical and counter-terrorism units at the Command headquarters in Alausa, Keshinro disclosed that operational strategies had been strengthened to curb criminal activities and prevent vandalism before, during, and after the celebrations.

He added that the Lagos Command would work closely with other security agencies to achieve effective coordination and maintain public safety throughout the festive period.

Keshinro urged officers and personnel to remain proactive and committed to securing key locations such as oil pipelines, public facilities, places of worship, parks, and other sensitive points across the state.

According to him, the Command has also intensified intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, and patrol activities, while deploying specialised units, including the Special Female Squad and Quick Intervention Squad, to respond swiftly to any security threats.

He assured residents that both physical and intelligence-driven strategies have been put in place to ensure comprehensive security coverage throughout the Easter period.

The Commandant congratulated Christians on the celebration and called on them to reflect the virtues of love, sacrifice, humility, and tolerance, which define the Easter season.

An alleged resignation letter, purportedly written by Nafiu Bala, a key figure in the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has surfaced online amid the ongoing leadership crisis within the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s, INEC, decision to de-recognise its leadership.

The letter was shared by popular social media influencer, Emma IK Umeh (Tcee) on his X handle on Wednesday.

In one of the letters, dated May 18, 2025, Bala stated that he had resigned his position as a member of the party’s National Working Committee, with effect from May 26, 2025.

He said the decision was taken to allow for “a smooth and effective coalition and restructuring” within the party.

The letter, addressed to the National Chairman of the ADC, indicated that his resignation did not amount to an exit from the party, adding that he remained willing to serve in any other capacity if called upon in the future.

In a separate letter, addressed to the INEC Chairman at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, the party disclosed that Bala tendered his resignation on May 17, 2025.

The ADC stated that the resignation had been duly received, considered, and accepted by its National Working Committee in accordance with the provisions of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.

The party also confirmed that a copy of the resignation letter was attached for INEC’s record.

ADC leadership, in the correspondence, requested the Commission to update its records to reflect the change in its leadership structure.

The letter was signed by the party’s National Chairman, Ralph Okey Nwosu, and the National Secretary, Alhaji Said Baba Abdullahi.

While the authenticity of the letters could not be independently verified, their emergence came amid heightened tensions within the ADC leadership.

DAILY POST reports that INEC had on Wednesday announced the removal of the names of former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the party, respectively.

The Commission also said it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to be declared national chairman through the courts.

INEC further disclosed that it would suspend recognition of all factions within the party and refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organised by the contending groups, pending the determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court.

A former chairman of Ringim Local Government Area in Jigawa State, Shehu Sule Udi, has announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The resignation was contained in a letter personally signed by Udi and addressed to the party’s ward chairman in Ringim on Thursday, a copy of which was obtained by DAILY POST.

In the letter, the former council chairman said his decision came after extensive consultations with his supporters and a thorough assessment of the situation within the party.
“I hereby formally resign my membership of the APC with immediate effect,” he stated.

Udi explained that the move was not made lightly, noting that it was prompted by concerns over what he described as a shift away from the party’s founding ideals.

According to him, recent developments at the local, state, and national levels have made it increasingly difficult for him to remain aligned with the party’s current direction.

He, however, expressed gratitude for the opportunities he enjoyed while in the APC and wished the party success in its future activities.

Although Udi did not disclose his next political move, some of his supporters have been urging him to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a decision he has yet to publicly confirm.

Hundreds of angry youths on Wednesday took over the ever-busy Benin-Lagos expressway, protesting against what they described as economic hardship in the country.

DAILY POST gathered that the protesters, mainly youths and students from the University of Benin (UNIBEN), used heavy logs, vehicles, and burning tires to block movement on both sides of the highway.

They also set bonfires on the expressway.

The development, it was gathered, resulted in heavy gridlock as motorists and commuters were left stranded, forcing passengers within the Benin metropolis to leave their vehicles and trek to their destinations.

It was learnt that thousands of travelers, including commercial transporters and private car owners, were trapped, with some reportedly turning back to find alternative routes.

The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions, such as “No to petrol hike,” “No to bad roads,” and “APC must go,” among others.

They said they were protesting against several issues, ranging from the hike in petrol prices, epileptic power supply, poor state of roads, and high cost of food items.

They, however, demanded urgent government intervention to address rising food prices, unemployment, and the high cost of living in the country.

In a viral video, a protester said the demonstration was to express their displeasure over the economic hardship in the country.

“There is hardship in this country, and the governments are doing nothing about it.

“We are tired of the promises. Our parents are suffering, students are starving, and the road is the only place they will hear us.

“The protest is to draw the attention of the government to our plight. We are calling on the government at all levels to act quickly before things get out of hand,” he said.

Some observers described the protest as a reflection of the growing frustration among young Nigerians.

They noted that the hardship in the country is biting harder and that many young people feel political leaders are not connecting enough with their daily realities.