The Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, has alleged that the results of the All Progressives Congress, APC, primaries in the region were manipulated by the State Government.

Nwoko maintained that he was the rightful winner of the primary election.

DAILY POST recalls that Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, a former governor of the State, was announced as the winner of the primary election.

However, during an appearance on Arise News, Nwoko disputed the results of the primary election, asserting that he was the true winner.

He said, “The APC primaries for Delta North were conducted across 98 wards. I possess video evidence from each ward demonstrating that I won the election, and I intend to present it to the party.

“Midway through the process, we were informed that no results would be disclosed at the ward level.

“We were led to believe that the results would be revealed at the national level, and we expected the party to adhere to proper procedures.

“Instead, we were abruptly given a result from a single ward that is closely associated with the former governor, and this result was utilized as the basis for declaring the winner. The governor of Delta State is colluding with Senator Okowa.”

Former Plateau State governor, now senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Simon Bako Lalong, members representing Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke and Wase Federal Constituencies in the House of Representatives, Yusuf Gagdi and Idris Wase, respectively, were some of the biggest winners as state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday, concluded its National Assembly primary elections.

The results, officially declared by the Chairman of the state APC Primary Election Committee, Stella Okotete, also saw Simon Mwadkwon securing the ticket for the Plateau North Senatorial District, while Bitrus David Barji defeated the incumbent senator for the Plateau Central Senatorial District, Diket Plang, to clinch the ticket.

In the House of Representatives race, Hon. Dalyop Fom was declared the winner for Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency, while former member who represented Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, Dachung Bagos, defeated other opponents to pick the ticket just as the current lawmaker representing Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency, Ishaya Lalu, also retained his ticket for the seat.

Other winners include Beni Lar for Langtang North/Langtang South and Joe Dashe for Shendam/Qua’an Pan/Mikang Federal Constituency.

During the declaration, Okotete described the exercise as peaceful, transparent, and credible, noting that the elections were conducted in strict compliance with the constitution and guidelines of the party.

“I am delighted to report that the exercise was peaceful, transparent, credible, and conducted in strict compliance with the guidelines approved by our great party and in accordance with the APC Constitution,” she stated.

She also commended aspirants, delegates, party faithful, and supporters for their maturity and commitment to peace throughout the exercise, emphasizing that the APC remained the ultimate winner of the primaries.

“As we move forward, let us remain united, focused, and committed to the growth and success of our great party. The primaries are over, and the great task of victory at the general election now lies ahead,” she added, while urging party members to close ranks and work together ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that unity within the party would remain key to achieving electoral success.

Okotete also appreciated the leadership of the party in Plateau State, including the governor, party executives, and members of the National Working Committee, for their cooperation and support during the conduct of the exercise.

Lagos State Government has advised pilgrims participating in the 2026 Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to pay close attention to their health and wellbeing ahead of the commencement of the major pilgrimage rites.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters and Chairman of the 2026 Hajj Ad-hoc Committee, Dr Abdullahi Jebe, gave the advice during a tour of historical Islamic sites in Makkah organised for Lagos pilgrims by the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

Jebe stressed the importance of conserving energy and maintaining good health ahead of the physically demanding Hajj exercises.

“It is imperative for pilgrims to conserve their energy, stay hydrated, and be healthy ahead of the main Hajj rites,” he said, describing the pilgrimage activities as rigorous and demanding.

According to him, the excursion to the historical sites was designed to help pilgrims gain firsthand knowledge of the locations and understand their religious significance before the commencement of the core Hajj rituals.

He explained that Mount Arafah, one of the major pilgrimage sites, could become difficult to access on the Day of Arafah because of the large number of worshippers expected.

Following the completion of the visits, the pilgrims are expected to remain in Makkah until their scheduled movement to Mina on Sunday, May 24, corresponding to the 7th day of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH, when the main Hajj rites will begin.

The Secretary of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin, disclosed that the state government had secured Category A+ tents in Mina and Arafah to ensure the comfort of pilgrims during the exercise.

He advised the pilgrims to comply strictly with instructions from officials and remain prayerful throughout the pilgrimage.

Also speaking during the tour, the Chairman of the Dawah and Enlightenment Sub-Committee, Prof. Kabir Paramole, said the historical sites visited by the pilgrims reflected the spiritual heritage and historical foundations of Islam.

According to him, “Islam is a religion of peace with historical and spiritual sites that show it is a divinely given religion from Allah to Prophet Muhammad.”

During the tour, the pilgrims visited Jabal Thawr, where Prophet Muhammad and Abu Bakr reportedly sought refuge during the Hijrah, as well as Jabal Nur, recognised as the location where the first revelation of the Qur’an was received.

They also visited Mount Arafah, traditionally believed to be the place where Prophet Adam and Hawwa reunited after leaving Paradise.

Other locations toured included Mina, where pilgrims are expected to stay during the Hajj rites; Muzdalifah, where pilgrims spend the night and gather pebbles; and the Jamarat area, where the symbolic stoning of the devil takes place.

The Nigerian government has been urged to immediately arrest controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi over his alleged inflammatory comments on the rising security crisis in the country.

Activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju made the call on Wednesday amid the viral video of the clergy allegedly defending bandits.

In the video, Gumi could be heard saying that Fulani herdsmen are going nowhere, stating that “they are part of us and we are part of them. We must live with them”.

In a post on his Facebook page, Deji said Terrorists sympathizers should be treated as terrorists, stressing that only in a failed state people like Gumi can survive.

He wrote, “People like Gumi can only survive in a country without a government. Terrorists sympathizers are terrorists.

“His words and actions promote terrorism in Nigeria. I call on the government to arrest him to serve as a deterrent to others”.

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has told former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that they should go to the primaries since Atiku said he does not believe in zoning.

Amaechi made this statement on Monday while responding to questions in an interview on Trust TV.

The chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, said this will be the first time Atiku will taste failure in primary election.

He was speaking on the level of his preparedness for the primary election of the party.

The former Rivers state governor said, “Atiku said he does not like zoning, so let’s go to primaries.

“I listen when said he has never failed the primaries before. I hope this will be the first time he fails the primaries.

“That is not the issue, the issue is that every time he has passed the primaries, he has not won the election.

“You see as I’m talking to my colleagues and brothers in the North, let’s not play North and South politics. It’s not necessary. I don’t do it and I will not do it.

“I would like to copy former president Olusegun Obasanjo. He’s a huge nationalist. You may not like him. But he was a Nigerian President and not a Yoruba President.”

When asked what what his fate would be if an aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen decides to step down for Atiku, the former Rivers state governor said he wished them luck.

Ahead of Thursday’s All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship primary election in Lagos State, one of the aspirants, Lanre Jim-Kamal, has insisted that there is no officially endorsed candidate in the race, stressing that all contestants should participate in a transparent direct primary process.

Jim-Kamal made the remarks on Monday during the unveiling of his five-point agenda in Lagos, where he said his administration would focus on addressing what he described as longstanding irregularities in the state’s political and governance system.

According to him, the signing of the 2026 Electoral Act by President Bola Tinubu reflected support for direct primaries and opposition to the culture of candidate imposition within political parties.

He argued that the president’s endorsement of direct primaries was rooted in a desire to strengthen internal democracy and discourage predetermined candidacies.

Jim-Kamal urged delegates expected to participate in the governorship primary to vote according to their conscience and support a candidate capable of providing effective leadership for Lagos State.

“I urge the delegates to open their eyes and vote for the person that will lead us well,” he said.

The APC aspirant also appealed for a peaceful conduct of the exercise, stating that Lagos should demonstrate political maturity and serve as a model for other states across the country.

“Let us be peaceful. Let us go out and show other states that we are no more ‘Eko for Show’ but ‘Eko for Action’. We are going to lead by example this time around,” he stated.

Speaking further, Jim-Kamal described the planned exercise as a direct primary to be conducted using the Option A4 system, noting that although the APC was not traditionally known for that method, the party had now embraced it.

“That is what is happening now, direct primary, what they call Option A4. APC may not be used to it because it has been more common with other parties, but now they have started it,” he said.

The governorship aspirant also dismissed reports suggesting that there was a consensus arrangement in favour of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat.

According to him, reports of endorsement were exaggerated, claiming that only a five members of the party’s Governorship Advisory Council, GAC, allegedly backed Hamzat out of the council’s larger membership.

He further stated that the chairman of the council had recently denied claims that any aspirant had been officially endorsed.

Jim-Kamal criticised the idea of consensus candidacies within political parties, arguing that such arrangements often create resentment and division among party members.

“If consensus stands, the deputy governor will not be running from pillar to post seeking support. Consensus breeds bad blood. There is nothing like consensus. We are all equal in this race,” he said.

A Federal High Court has ordered the final forfeiture of a private jet allegedly linked to fraud connected to the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project, MEPP, valued at 114.1 million dollars and N23.1 billion.

The development was disclosed in a statement posted on the official page of the Nigeria National Grid.

According to the statement, investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, allegedly revealed that Abdulsalam Mustapha Kachallah leaked bidding information to China Machinery Engineering Company, CMEC, in exchange for financial kickbacks.

The statement alleged that CMEC later transferred about 2.07 million dollars through Afuwa Integrated Services, identified as a Bureau De Change operator, using what were described as forged invoices to facilitate the purchase of the aircraft for Valiente Jet Limited.

Justice Emeka Nwite reportedly described the transaction as a disguised arrangement linked to fraudulent activities surrounding the project.

“Justice Nwite condemned the disguised transaction, forfeiting the asset to the FG. The court ordered the permanent forfeiture of the aircraft to the Federal Government,” the statement read.

The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has reaffirmed that it is committed to enforcing the Federal Government’s directive mandating all Prospective Corps Members to present a compliance certificate from the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank, NERD.

The Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, stated this in his keynote address at the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Pre-Mobilization Workshop themed, “Strengthening Institutional Accountability and Compliance in the NYSC Mobilization Process for Effective Service Delivery,” held in Abuja.

He appealed to Corps Producing Institutions to adequately sensitize their students and ensure strict compliance with the initiative.

General Nafiu emphasized that the mobilization process was not the sole responsibility of the NYSC, urging regulatory bodies, security agencies, and relevant ministries to provide the necessary support through policy guidance, capacity building, and enforcement of compliance standards.

He said, “When we work in synergy, we ease the path for our Prospective Corps Members, ensuring that their transition from student to national service is smooth, transparent, and credible.

“Let us be bold in confronting the obstacles before us and creative in fashioning solutions that will stand the test of time.

“Let us build a more accountable, transparent, and efficient mobilization process for the benefit of all,” he said.

Earlier in her address, the NYSC Director, Corps Mobilization, Mrs. Rachel Ideawor, described the Pre-Mobilization Workshop as a vital platform for fostering collaboration between the Scheme, Corps Producing Institutions, and other critical stakeholders.

She noted that although significant progress had been made in enhancing the NYSC mobilization process, there was still a need to optimize service delivery across the entire mobilization value chain.

“I urge our Student Affairs Officers to approach their responsibilities with diligence and integrity, ensuring that the information provided accurately reflects the true profiles of Prospective Corps Members,” Ideawor said.

The workshop was attended by representatives of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, National Universities Commission, NUC, National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, Federal Ministry of Education, NERD, SIDMACH Technologies, as well as 266 Student Affairs Officers, SAOs from various Corps Producing Institutions across the country.