Founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, says he does not see the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabi’u Kwankwaso going anywhere in the 2027 general elections.

Primate Ayodele said this in a video posted on X where he was addressing his congregation.

According to him, the NDC would have joined forces and formed a coalition with the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Recall that the duo left the ADC for the NDC in May, citing internal divisions and court cases.

Reacting, the cleric said, “You see the NDC party in Nigeria, assuming you can listen. Instead of you going as a solo party, you would have merged with the ADC and form a coalition.

“But you alone going solo, NDC is not in the calculation. They call it OK but I’m not seeing anything okay. I do not see ‘OK’ (Obi and Kwankwaso) going anywhere in the 2027 Presidential election.”

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kenneth Okonkwo, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu’s inability to provide his primary and secondary school certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, disqualifies from being Nigeria’s president.

Okonkwo charged Tinubu to respect the Nigerian law governing qualifications into universities.

INEC had published credentials and other details of all presidential candidates contesting in the 2027 elections.

Tinubu had presented only his university certificate, while that of his primary and secondary were missing.

This has raised a widespread concern from Nigerians, raising fresh questions about his educational qualifications.

However, Okonkwo posted on X: “Nigeria has its laws that should be respected. No Nigerian is qualified to go to a University without 5 credits at the O’ Level.

“Tinubu purporting to be qualified for President by providing a foreign University certificate, which the University publicly declared did not emanate from it, without providing his secondary school certificate or its equipment disqualifies him from being President.

“The only reason our democracy is in peril is because of judicial rascality.

“Despite all warnings by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council (NJC), some judges have operated as an island on their own, interpreting the laws they made on the bench, bereft of the imprimatur of the legislature.

“The judges have usurped the powers of the executive and the legislature from the bench with the instrumentality of perverse judgement.”

Plateau State chapter of the Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria, GAFDAN, has refuted allegations made by a group called the Bokkos United Community Based Organizations, indicating that Fulani people have relocated to some communities in the council with the intention of launching attacks and occupying the affected communities.

In a statement signed on Monday by the State Chairman of GAFDAN, Hon. Garba Abdullahi Muhammad, the organization described the allegations as not only deliberately false but inciteful and a misleading attempt to pit the Fulani people against the local communities.

The statement made available to DAILY POST noted that the accusations, which have been widely circulated on social media platforms, inadvertently described the Fulani people as terrorists and criminal elements who have stealthily infiltrated communities in Bokkos with the aim of unleashing terror attacks.

Expressing his dismay at what he called a desperate display of misinformation, Muhammad said

the publication made sweeping allegations against Fulani people while also attempting to portray normal religious gatherings as evidence of criminal activity.

In the statement titled “Re-Rebutal of false, inciteful and misleading social media allegations targeting Fulani communities in Bokkos LGA,” the organization said it categorically rejects these allegations as baseless, reckless, inflammatory, and completely unsupported by any credible evidence.

Continuing, the GAFDAN Chairman said:

“It is deeply unfortunate that, at a time when the Government of Plateau State, traditional institutions, religious leaders, security agencies, and peace-building organizations are making genuine efforts to restore lasting peace across Plateau State, some individuals continue to circulate messages capable of reigniting fear, hatred, and mistrust among peaceful communities.”

He stressed that the publication did not present any verifiable facts or evidence of such incursions but instead relied on ethnic profiling by branding an entire ethnic group as terrorists solely because they are Fulani.

“Such generalizations are dangerous, unjust, and contrary to the principles of justice, fairness, and peaceful coexistence guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.

Muhammad further noted that it was even more disturbing that the accusing group attempted to portray Muslims observing their constitutional right to worship as proof of criminality.

“Freedom of religion is a fundamental right enjoyed by every Nigerian irrespective of ethnicity or faith. Suggesting that Friday prayers constitute evidence of terrorism is not only misleading but also promotes religious intolerance and deepens existing divisions within society.

“GAFDAN wishes to remind the public that duly constituted security agencies should handle security matters,” he added.

He also stated that where there is credible intelligence regarding criminal activities, such information should be reported to the appropriate authorities for investigation rather than disseminated on social media in a manner that stigmatizes innocent citizens and fuels ethnic tension.

“We are concerned that repeated circulation of unverified claims against Fulani communities has contributed significantly to the culture of suspicion, collective blame, and reprisals that have claimed many innocent lives across Plateau State.

“Lasting peace cannot be achieved through propaganda, misinformation, or inflammatory narratives,” he warned.

The GAFDAN chairman called on security agencies to investigate the origin of the publication and take appropriate action against anyone found deliberately spreading false information capable of inciting violence.

He further called on community leaders, youth groups, religious leaders, and civil society organizations to discourage hate speech and promote responsible communication.

“Members of the public should verify information before sharing it and avoid publications that could undermine ongoing peace efforts. All ethnic and religious groups in Plateau State should continue embracing dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence,” he emphasized.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has warned President Bola Tinubu that the people of the state will not accept any form of rigging in the upcoming governorship election.

Adeleke declared that the people of the state would go out en masse to cast their votes and would defend it to avoid rigging.

Addressing his followers yesterday during a campaign rally in a video, Adeleke said as the Chief Security Officer of the state, he is saddled with the responsibility of protecting the state.

He accused the police of being compromised, while lamenting killings in the state.

According to Adeleke: “President Tinubu, I’m passing this message to you, what do you want Osun State to do?

“We have endorsed you, what more do you want us to do? Why have we done that they are killing us? The police have been compromised, let them go and confront kidnappers.

“President Tinubu, I’m using this period to tell you, I’m the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, and I’m passing this message to you that Osun will not accept any rigging, we will go out en masse to vote and defend our votes.”

Adeleke warned Tinubu not to allow a repeat of the 1993 incident during the August 15 governorship election in the state.

“I repeat, let’s not allow what happened in 1993 to repeat itself. President Tinubu, Osun people and Accord Party has endorsed you as our presidential candidate, why are we suffering?

“Why is our money being kept? Oyetola needs to be called to order, people are just being killed, the blood of the innocent will cry out,” he added.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the rising political tension in the state.

While warning that Osun is “bleeding”, he urged the President not to allow the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, to plunge the state into violence.

Adeleke made the appeal in a statement posted on his official social media page on Monday after addressing supporters at a campaign rally in Olorunda Local Government Area of the state.

According to the governor, the loss of innocent lives linked to political violence in Osun has become a major concern, stressing that residents deserve nothing more than a peaceful and credible electoral process.

“At the campaign rally today in Olorunda Local Government Area, I appealed directly to Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Osun is bleeding, and our people will not be intimidated. His intervention is needed. The loss of innocent lives in Osun must stop. All we are asking for is simply a free and fair election,” Adeleke said.

The governor urged Tinubu to act in his capacity as the leader of the country by protecting Nigeria’s democratic values, recalling the President’s long-standing involvement in the struggle for democracy.

According to Adeleke, with the 2027 general elections drawing closer, the President should not allow his administration to be associated with actions capable of undermining the democratic process in Osun.

“Mr President must act as the father of this nation and help safeguard the democracy he fought for. I reminded the President that the 2027 general elections are also around the corner, and he should not allow his nephew, Mr. Oyetola, the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, to ruin his name and the democracy he fought along with many others,” he stated.

The governor also warned against a return to the era of political violence, saying Nigerians, particularly those in the South-West, should never experience a repeat of the events that characterised the 1983 political crisis.

“It is our collective prayer that, as a country, we may never witness such incidents as the political violence of 1983, particularly in the South-West. Democracy works when the people freely choose their leaders, a demand that is not too much for the citizens of Osun State to make,” Adeleke added.

Adeleke maintained that the appeal was aimed at ensuring a peaceful political atmosphere and protecting the right of Osun residents to freely elect their leaders.

​Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has called on residents of the state to ignore alleged threats and intimidation ahead of the August 15 governorship election and come out in large numbers to vote.

Speaking during a church service in Osogbo on Sunday, Adeleke accused opposition figures in the state of resorting to violence after losing public support.

He expressed confidence in securing a second term, citing his administration’s achievements in workers’ welfare, healthcare, education, infrastructure and agriculture.

The governor assured residents that adequate measures were being taken to guarantee their safety during the election and urged them to vote according to their conscience.

Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council raised concerns over what it described as a tense political atmosphere in the state ahead of the poll.

The council alleged that dozens of Accord Party leaders and other political figures had been targeted for arrest in the run-up to the election and called on security agencies to ensure fairness and professionalism.

The council also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other security chiefs to safeguard the democratic process and prevent any form of political intimidation.

Accord Party presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, urged party members in Osun to remain loyal and work for the party’s success despite recent internal disagreements.

He criticised what he described as acts of disloyalty but insisted that party supporters should stay focused on the election.

Also, the Osun State chapter of the African Action Congress (AAC) faulted the decision of some governorship candidates to boycott a televised debate, arguing that public debates are essential for accountability and democratic engagement.

On his part, APC chieftain, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, urged the police to remain neutral and ensure a peaceful, credible and violence-free election, stressing that voters must be adequately protected before, during and after the poll.

Osun State chapter of the Accord Party has accused the State Police Command of selective policing and targeting its members ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The party’s position follows the police dismissal of allegations by the Imole Campaign Council that it had compiled a list of political figures for arrest before the governorship poll.

In a statement signed by the Osun Accord Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, the party rejected the police’s explanation for recent raids and arrests, alleging that security operations were being used to intimidate its leaders and members rather than tackle criminal activities.

According to the Accord, “the police had departed from their constitutional responsibility by allegedly focusing on members of the party while failing to act against individuals it claimed were linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

The party alleged that individuals such as Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba, and others allegedly connected to the APC had not been subjected to similar security operations despite facing criminal allegations. It further claimed that selective policing was undermining public confidence in the security agencies.

Referring to an incident in Ikire, Accord alleged that one of its members, Taofeeq Akinyemi, who was recently arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, had earlier been shot by an individual identified as Akinkunmi Alabi, also known as Ojuyobo.

The party claimed Akinyemi survived after receiving medical treatment and questioned why the alleged attacker had not been arrested.

Akande said, “As a political party, we very much support any effort that will put criminals away so as to guarantee a peaceful and free poll, but we will not accept the subtle attempt by the Police to brand the membership of Accord as being criminal.”

The Accord chairman urged the police to review their operations, release what the party described as political detainees, including Akinyemi, and ensure that policing remained impartial throughout the election period.

The Osun State Police Command has also maintained that their operations are strictly aimed at combating crime across the state.

The command denied the existence of any such list and insisted that its operations were not politically motivated.

Responding to the allegations, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, reiterated that the command had not drawn up any list of politicians for arrest and was not targeting any political party.

Ojelabi said, “We are raiding black spots and criminal hideouts every day to sanitise the environment for the forthcoming election, and this raid is not targeted at any individual, group of persons or political party. It is targeted at criminal hideouts. We don’t have any list anywhere; the police do not formulate any list.”

He added that the command would continue intelligence-led operations against criminal elements across the state and advised parents to discourage their children from late-night movements and association with individuals with criminal records.

Ojelabi also noted that the proposed joint security task force announced by the state government had yet to commence operations.

Chelsea have set a £70 million asking price for Pedro Neto amid significant interest from Manchester City this summer.

Neto has become one of City’s main attacking targets after scoring five goals and providing six assists during Chelsea’s challenging Premier League campaign last season.

The 26-year-old joined the Blues in a transfer valued at approximately £51 million in 2024 and has contributed to the west London club’s victories in both the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup during his tenure.

This weekend, he was seen boarding a flight to Hong Kong to join Xabi Alonso’s squad for their pre-season match against Juventus on Wednesday.

According to The Sun, however, Neto’s time at Chelsea may be coming to an end, as City are preparing to test their rivals’ determination with a substantial initial offer for the Portugal international.

It is reported that City head coach, Enzo Maresca has played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s potential move to acquire Neto, having previously collaborated with the winger during his 18-month tenure at Stamford Bridge.

The report further suggests that City might need to fend off interest from Serie A powerhouses AC Milan for Neto, but a deal could be reached with an offer around £70 million before the transfer deadline.

Milan have prioritized Neto on their list of wingers as they prepare for the potential exit of Rafael Leao ahead of the upcoming season.

Chelsea consider Neto a vital part of their squad and locker room, but they acknowledge that a significant offer could change their position regarding the forward’s future.

Neto’s agent Jorge Mendes has also offered Neto to Al-Hilal but the player has major reservations about moving to the Saudi Pro League and wishes to continue playing at the highest level.

Though a regular starting spot may not be immediately guaranteed at City, the former Braga and Wolves star is said to be ‘open’ to the idea of leaving Chelsea for the Etihad.

Neto’s current contract with Chelsea is not due to expire until June 2031.