Deji Adeleke, a businessman and the father of afrobeats singer, Davido, has alleged that the All Progressives Congress, APC, spent around N60 billion on vote-buying during the Osun State governorship election.

Adeleke also claimed that the APC used N50,000 to buy votes in some areas during the governorship election.

The Federal Government has announced that another batch of 83 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa will return to the country on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, amid concerns over Afrophobic attacks and growing anti-foreigner sentiments.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

According to the ministry, the returnees will leave Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, at about 3:35 p.m. local time aboard a South African Airways flight and are expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, around 8:45 p.m. the same day.

The ministry said the latest evacuation was made possible through the intervention of private individuals who sponsored the returnees’ air tickets.

“The Ministry wishes to note that this latest cohort of returnees is facilitated through the kind intervention and sponsorship of tickets by public-spirited private individuals, whose generosity the Federal Government acknowledges with profound gratitude,” the statement said.

The latest repatriation comes after the completion of the Federal Government’s voluntary evacuation programme, which saw nearly 1,490 Nigerians return from South Africa amid concerns over attacks, discrimination and hostility towards foreign nationals.

The ministry said the administration of President Bola Tinubu remained committed to safeguarding the welfare, dignity and interests of Nigerians both within the country and overseas.

It said the government’s Citizen Diplomacy policy recognises Nigerians living abroad as “not as a burden, but as critical assets for national development,” stressing that their safety and well-being remained a priority.

The ministry also praised the individuals and philanthropists who provided financial support for the latest evacuation, describing their intervention as an example of the “whole-of-society approach” being encouraged by the government.

“The Ministry commends their patriotism and selflessness, which have significantly alleviated the plight of our compatriots in South Africa,” it added.

The Federal Government called on the organised private sector, corporate bodies, state governments, philanthropists and other Nigerians at home and abroad to support efforts aimed at assisting citizens facing emergencies outside the country.

The ministry said broader collaboration would strengthen the country’s ability to respond swiftly to consular crises and protect Nigerians in distress.

It also disclosed that Nigeria would continue diplomatic engagements with South Africa in an effort to address the underlying factors responsible for Afrophobia and prevent further attacks against Nigerians and other Africans.

“The government remains committed to deepening strategic partnerships with host nations, including South Africa, to address the root causes of Afrophobia and ensure that such acts of violence and discrimination against Nigerians are prevented and are strongly condemned when they occur, including holding perpetrators of such violence to account,” the ministry stated.

The ministry expressed appreciation to the private sponsors who funded the latest evacuation and urged other stakeholders to support initiatives aimed at protecting Nigerians living and working abroad.

Liquefied petroleum gas, LPG, popularly known as cooking gas, is expected to become cheaper across Nigeria after Dangote Refinery, marketers and depot owners reviewed their prices downward.

A market survey by DAILY POST showed that Dangote Refinery reduced its LPG gantry price by N30 to N950 per kilogram.

In a swift market reaction to Dangote Refinery’s LPG price cut, depot owners and marketers also reduced their prices.

11PLC, formerly Mobil, NAVGAS, Ranoil and PPMC reduced their ex-depot cooking gas prices to between N955 and N960 per kg. The price reduction by the depot owners ranged from N15 to N30 per kg.

DAILY POST reports that the retail price of cooking gas at filling stations operated by Ranoil, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC and Shafa stood between N1,300 and N1,450 per kg. Meanwhile, other LPG retailers in Abuja and its environs sell cooking gas at N1,500 per kg, the same rate recorded in July 2026.

Recall that cooking gas imports surged by 1,400 percent in June, according to data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Zamfara State, has raised the alarm over the reported planting of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) by suspected bandits along the Gurusu-Gwashi Road in Bukkuyum Local Government Area.

The party described the development as a worrying escalation of insecurity, warning that the alleged deployment of explosive devices on public roads could expose thousands of innocent residents and road users to serious danger.

In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Alkasimu Mustapha Kayatawa, the NDC called on the Federal Government and security agencies to take immediate action to secure the affected corridor and other vulnerable communities in the state.

Kayatawa said the reported incident had created additional risks for motorists, farmers, traders, commuters and security personnel who regularly use the road.

“The reported use of IEDs on public roads represents a dangerous escalation that must not be allowed to become a new pattern of criminality in Zamfara,” the party said.

The NDC called for an urgent review of security operations in Bukkuyum and other areas considered vulnerable to attacks, urging security agencies to increase patrols and strengthen intelligence gathering.

It also demanded improved explosive-ordnance capabilities and increased security presence along major highways, rural roads and communities.

According to the party, intelligence-led operations would be critical to identifying criminal networks and preventing attacks before they occur.

“We need stronger intelligence gathering, sustained patrols and increased security presence along the roads and communities where residents remain exposed,” Kayatawa said.

The party also questioned the level of security deployment in Zamfara compared with the extensive security presence witnessed during the recent Osun governorship election.

It argued that similar urgency should be demonstrated in areas where citizens face persistent threats from banditry and other violent crimes.

“The people of Zamfara should not be made to feel that securing ballot boxes attracts greater national urgency than securing their lives, homes, farms and highways,” the NDC said.

The party specifically urged security agencies to reinforce operations along the Gurusu-Gwashi corridor and prevent criminal groups from establishing the use of explosive devices as a regular tactic against civilians.

It further appealed to the Zamfara State Government to deepen cooperation with federal security agencies and strengthen community-based intelligence networks.

The NDC said local residents, traditional institutions and community leaders could play an important role in providing timely information to security agencies.

“Community intelligence must become a critical component of the security architecture. Residents are often the first to notice unusual movements and suspicious activities,” the party said.

Expressing concern over the broader impact of banditry in Zamfara, the NDC said prolonged insecurity had already resulted in deaths, ransom payments and displacement of communities.

“Zamfara has buried too many innocent citizens. Too many families have paid ransoms. Too many communities have been displaced,” the party stated.

It added: “Our roads must not now become minefields.”

The party urged the Federal Government, security agencies and the Zamfara State Government to treat the reported IED incident as an urgent warning and take decisive measures to protect residents, commuters and other road users.

It also called for sustained security operations rather than temporary deployments, stressing that lasting peace would require continuous intelligence-led action and stronger collaboration between security agencies and local communities.

An opposition coalition leader, Salihu Lukman, has said that the victory of Ademola Adeleke in the just-concluded Osun governorship election showed how opposition parties can remove President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

He disclosed this in a statement at the weekend.

In a major political upset that reshaped Osun State’s electoral dynamics, the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, secured his re-election on Saturday under the banner of the Accord Party, overcoming the formidable machinery of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Running under the banner of the Accord Party, a third-party platform, Adeleke polled 511,067 votes (50.8 per cent), decisively defeating the APC’s Bola Oyebamiji, who recorded 444,815 votes (44.2 per cent).

The Nigerian Army has strengthened its security operations along the Sokoto-Kebbi border axis following renewed threats linked to the Lakurawa terrorist group.

The General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Bemgha Paul Koughna, gave the assurance during an operational assessment visit to Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State to assess the security situation and review the Army’s deployment in the area.

The visit included an inspection of the Forward Operating Base in Kebbe and surrounding communities following reports of a renewed attack on Ungushi community in the local government area.

During the visit, Koughna met with community leaders and residents to obtain firsthand information on the security situation and listen to their concerns.

He assured residents that troops remained deployed in the area and were maintaining a high level of alertness to protect lives and property.

The GOC said the Army was determined to respond swiftly and decisively to emerging threats and prevent terrorist elements from establishing safe havens in the border communities.

He urged residents to remain calm and continue with their legitimate activities, assuring them that security forces were firmly on the ground.

Koughna also called on community members to strengthen their cooperation with security forces by providing credible and actionable intelligence on suspicious movements and activities within their communities.

According to him, effective collaboration between security forces and local communities is critical to detecting, disrupting and dismantling terrorist networks before they launch attacks.

The operational visit is part of ongoing efforts by the 8 Division to review and strengthen its security architecture in response to emerging threats along the Sokoto-Kebbi border axis.

Re-elected Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, has announced that he has instructed the state’s Attorney General to withdraw the lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, concerning the freezing of the state government’s bank account.

Adeleke revealed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics shortly after he was declared winner of the August 15 governorship election.

When asked if he was prepared to move past the political disputes and the EFCC case, the governor expressed his decision to proceed forward following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.

“I’m putting them behind. What else do I want? I have instructed my Attorney General to drop it. Mr. President has done well. He called me. What more do I want?” Adeleke stated.

Previously, the governor had contested the EFCC’s action, labeling it as politically motivated and detrimental to the administration’s operations.

In response to concerns regarding the timing of the account freeze, which occurred just before the Osun governorship election, President Tinubu directed the anti-graft agency to lift the restrictions and cease the associated legal proceedings.

Regarding allegations that some of his supporters and officials were being summoned and interrogated by the EFCC, Adeleke mentioned that he had instructed his legal team to offer the necessary support.

“Well, we have been talking. I have been calling all my lawyers to go there. I’m sure the APC in Osun, according to them, they are telling us they are using federal might,” he remarked.

The Nasarawa State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, is set to commence a continuous show-of-force operation across the state ahead of the commencement of nationwide political campaigns on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

The exercise is aimed at strengthening public confidence, deterring criminal activities and demonstrating the preparedness of security agencies to protect lives and property while maintaining law and order throughout the political season.

According to the Command, the operation will begin in Lafia before extending to the Northern Senatorial District, including Nasarawa Eggon, Wamba and Akwanga Local Government Areas, and subsequently to the Western Senatorial District, covering Keffi, Karu and Nasarawa Local Government Areas.

Other parts of the state will also be covered as the operation progresses.

Security personnel will be deployed to major entry and exit routes, strategic locations and other critical areas, with stop-and-search operations forming part of the security measures.

The exercise is intended to identify and prevent the movement of criminal elements, weapons and other prohibited items.

According to the Commands spokesperson, SP Ramhan Nansel, the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, stated that the operation should not be interpreted as a response to any specific threat or targeted at any political group.

The statement stressed that the deployment was a preventive measure designed to provide a secure environment for residents, visitors and participants in the forthcoming political activities.

“The exercise is not targeted at any individual, group, political party or organisation,” the Commissioner said, adding that the heavy presence of security personnel was primarily intended to reassure the public and strengthen security across the state.

Mohammed urged residents to remain calm and continue with their lawful activities, assuring them that the presence of security operatives, particularly in Lafia and other strategic locations, should not be a cause for alarm.

He also appealed to members of the public to cooperate with personnel during stop-and-search operations and to promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest police station or appropriate security agency.

The Command said the joint operation reflects the commitment of the police and sister security agencies to maintaining public safety and ensuring that political activities in Nasarawa State are conducted in a peaceful and secure atmosphere.