The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Katsina State has adopted Senator Yakubu Lado-Danmarke as its consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The declaration was made on Sunday by the party’s returning officer, Nuraddeen Sani-Kankara, during the PDP governorship primary election held in Katsina.

According to him, the exercise was conducted in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, the PDP constitution, and the party’s electoral guidelines.

He said a total of 77,085 delegates were accredited for the exercise, while 77,013 valid votes were recorded in favour of Lado-Danmarke.

Sani-Kankara explained that 72 accredited delegates were unable to participate in the voting process due to late arrival after accreditation had closed.

He declared Lado-Danmarke the consensus candidate of the PDP for the 2027 governorship election, citing the majority of lawful votes cast at the exercise.

The Katsina State PDP Chairman, Nura Amadi-Kurfi, said the decision to adopt Lado-Danmarke as consensus candidate was taken in the interest of cohesion, stability, and electoral success.

He described the candidate as an experienced politician with the capacity to reposition the state and deliver purposeful leadership.

In his acceptance speech, Lado-Danmarke expressed appreciation to party leaders and stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him, pledging inclusive leadership, transparency, and people-oriented governance if elected.

He also called on party members to remain united and intensify mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections, adding that the PDP remains committed to addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Katsina State.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Dumebi Kachikwu, has emerged the party’s 2027 presidential candidate for the faction led by Alhaji Abdulkkadir Mohammed Bashir.

At a national convention held in Abuja on Sunday, the Electoral Committee Chairman and Benue State party chairman, Elias Adikwu, announced Kachikwu’s adoption, which was ratified by delegates.

Bashir, who was newly elected as the party’s national Chairman, presented Kachikwu with the party’s flag, a symbol of his mandate to deliver the party in the forthcoming election.

At the convention, alongside Bashir, other new members of the National Working Committee, NWC, were elected.

Speaking after his adoption, Kachikwu said, “Who is the common man? He is the average citizen, as contrasted with the socio-economic or sociocultural elites.

“The common man is a title most of us will bear at some point in our lives, and for some of their lives, majority of our population bear this affiliation, and it is because of them I stand before you today to say I accept your nomination to be the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress.I thank you.

“The realities of our existence today in Nigeria are well known to us all, and so I will not rehash the many challenges we face as a nation, not only at war, but one plague motivated problems. I’m here today to tell you that even though our leaders have navigated us to the precipice of disaster, we can still reverse it, even though they scam us with their failed promises, yet there is hope for us.

“I’m very clear that I must be in the driver’s seat to make the changes needed in Aso Villa. I understand that mourning and complaining are not enough. It’s a time to sit on this table…”

DAILY POST reports that there are three factions of the African Democratic Congress.

The faction led by former Senate president, David Mark; the faction led by former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe and the now the one led by Bashir.

The Headquarters, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, has informed the general public that comprehensive security arrangements have been put in place well ahead of the Eid El Kabir celebrations to ensure a safe and secure environment for all.

It however, said that credible intelligence available to the Command indicates the possibility of isolated attempts by remnant Boko Haram Terrorist and Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, elements to exploit the festive period to carry out attacks against civilian targets using suicide bombers and IEDs, particularly in areas of high population concentration.

A statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, said the Theatre Command is assuring the public that these threats have been thoroughly anticipated.

The statement said that “Ahead of Wednesday’s celebrations, troops have been forward-deployed to critical and vulnerable locations across all sectors of the Theatre, surveillance and ISR assets have been fully activated, patrols have been intensified, and security forces are operating in close coordination with sister agencies, the CJTF, and community vigilance groups to forestall any threat and guarantee a secure festive period for all residents.

“In addition, members of the public are strongly advised to observe the following security guidance in the days leading up to and throughout the celebrations:

“Conduct Eid prayers and festivities as close to your homes and familiar localities as possible, and avoid large open gatherings where practicable.

“Exercise heightened vigilance in crowded public spaces such as markets, motor parks, banking halls, and prayer grounds.

“Report any suspicious persons, unattended objects, or unusual movements to the nearest military checkpoint, police station, or civil-military liaison point immediately.

“Cooperate fully with security personnel during patrols and screening operations.

“Avoid unnecessary movement, particularly at night or in areas with limited security presence.

“Refrain from spreading unverified information or rumours capable of causing public panic. Rely only on official information from verified government and security channels.”

The military called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, media organisations and community stakeholders to actively engage their communities and encourage the timely reporting of credible security information ahead of and during the celebration period. Your cooperation with security forces remains invaluable to the success of ongoing operations.

Operation Hadin Kai reassured all residents of the North East that troops are on standby, fully prepared, and firmly in control.

It added, “The Command remains resolute in its determination to deny terrorists any freedom of action and ensure that the Eid El Kabir celebrations proceed in an atmosphere of peace, safety, and dignity for all.”

The Olowu Kuta, Oba Hammed Adekunle Makama Oyelude has said the security challenges and growing waves of kidnapping for ransom confronting the Southwest region were long foreseen.

Oba Oyelude made this revelation during a visit by the leadership of the Osun Online Publishers Association, OOPA, on Sunday.

Oba Oyelude stressed the need for modern technological solutions in tackling insecurity, emphasising that the deployment of drones and surveillance equipment would significantly reduce risks faced by security personnel.

According to the traditional ruler, “The wave of insecurity in the Southwest is what had been foreseen ahead of time. I believe the Federal Government and governors in the Southwest are up to the task. Security budgets have been approved, but what we need now is proper coordination and application of platforms, both hardware and software.

“Rather than endangering our security personnel unnecessarily, drone technology and surveillance equipment will solve a lot of problems.”

The royal father also urged residents of the Southwest not to panic, encouraging citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies.

“If you see something, say something. The major issue is that security situations should never be politicized under any disguise,” he warned.

Speaking further, the Olowu of Kuta said the burden of national security rests largely on the Federal Government, noting that state governments have limited control over federal security structures.

“No state government controls the Commissioner of Police in its state, neither does any governor control a Brigade Commander, talk less of a General Officer Commanding,” he said.

He advocated for the strengthening of regional security outfits such as Amotekun across southwest states while urging the Federal Government to deploy more technological platforms to complement local security efforts.

“In the Southwest, we already have a nomenclature of state policing through Amotekun. Every state government should strengthen its Amotekun corps, while the Federal Government should also up its game by deploying more security platforms,” he noted.

Oba Oyelude lamented the diminishing constitutional relevance of traditional rulers in Nigeria, declaring that monarchs today possess influence but lack legal authority.

“No monarch has real power again; what we have today are influential monarchs. The powers of traditional rulers were eroded long ago. Traditional rulers are not even mentioned in one line of the constitution, yet councillors are mentioned multiple times,” he stated.

According to him, the absence of constitutional roles for monarchs has weakened grassroots intelligence gathering and local security management.

“How many traditional rulers have been kidnapped or killed? We can only offer advice. The policy file of every traditional ruler is sitting on the desk of the local government secretary. We are merely managing that table so that it does not break,” he stated.

The monarch, however, disclosed that dialogue between traditional institutions and government authorities remains ongoing at both state and national levels.

“There is dialogue. The Federal Government and state governments are talking to us. There are interface meetings through the National Council of Traditional Rulers and state councils. We are the closest to the people,” he said.

Oba Oyelude called on the National Assembly to expedite legislative action that would formally recognize traditional rulers in Nigeria’s constitution.

“The speed with which the National Assembly passes executive bills should also be used to enact laws that will include traditional rulers in the constitution,” he said.

Drawing references from the traditional governance structure of the past, the monarch explained that local intelligence gathering used to begin from community leadership structures before modernization weakened those systems.

“When a visitor entered a community, the compound head or village head would immediately ask questions about the visitor. Intelligence gathering started from there. But today, we do not have constitutional roles,” he explained.

He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government to recognize traditional rulers as critical partners in national development and security management.

“If the Federal Government truly wants it done, no executive bill spends more than 72 hours at the National Assembly. We expect Mr. President to be magnanimous enough to see traditional rulers as partners in progress,” the Olowu of Kuta declared.

An Abuja Federal High Court has halted the production of an energy drink in a copied bottle design that is the subject of a copyright dispute.

The court presided by Justice Binta Nyako, ordered Mamuda Beverages Nigeria Limited to stop producing its Pop Power Energy Drink in a copied bottle design on the grounds that it infringes on the trademark of Fearless Energy Drink, a brand of Rite Foods Limited.

The court in its ruling refused a preliminary objection filed by Mamuda Beverages in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/705/2025.

Mamuda Beverages in its preliminary bjection had challenged the suit on the basis of abuse of court process, arguing that Rite Foods’ complaint of infringement of its intellectual property is different from an earlier suit between the parties, wherein Rite Foods had complained about a different act of infringement.

Ruling on the matter, the court held that Mamuda Beverages’ new bottle design still bears a striking resemblance to Rite Foods’ Fearless Energy Drink product.

The court, as a result granted an order restraining further production of the Pop Power Energy Drink pending the final determination of the suit.

The court ordered Mamuda Beverages to cease production of the product forthwith, destroy all existing products, and directed the court bailiff, in conjunction with the parties, to undertake an inventory of the products slated for destruction and file same.

The court equally ordered that the injunction shall remain in force until the end of the year or pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Consequently, the court adjourned the suit to Wednesday, 23rd September 2026, for the hearing of the substantive suit.

The order follows an earlier suit against Mamuda Beverages, filed in January 2025, in which Rite Foods sued the company for infringing on the trademark and design of its Fearless Energy Drink through the launch of a lookalike product, Pop Power Energy Drink.

However, Mamuda Beverages sought a settlement. Terms of settlement were agreed and filed and the court entered same as its consent judgment.

Some of the terms of settlement include that Mamuda Beverages would desist from further violation of Fearless Energy Drink trademark and identity pass-off.

It also agreed to destroy all infringing products and pledged to change its design and avoid any form of identity imitation.

However, Mamuda Beverages subsequently reintroduced Pop Power into the market with only cosmetic adjustments to its appearance.

Rite Foods maintained that the changes are minor and do little to address the original issues of consumer confusion. According to Rite Foods, reports from the market indicate that the new Pop Power continues to be informally referred to as “small Fearless”, reinforcing concerns that the revised product may not only breach the spirit of the earlier agreement but could also undermine consumer clarity and brand differentiation.

Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba state, on Friday pledged to uphold fairness, humility, and inclusive leadership following his emergence as winner of the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship primary election in the state.
Kefas made the commitment while delivering his acceptance speech shortly after he was declared winner of the keenly contested primary election.

Shortly after the announcement, members of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee visited the Government House in Jalingo, where they formally presented the election results to the governor.

In his remarks, Kefas described his victory as a collective achievement for all members of the APC across Taraba state, stressing that the outcome reflected the strength and unity of the party.

He expressed gratitude to the leadership of the APC at all levels for their support and confidence in his leadership, while also appreciating the people of the state for their continued trust and cooperation.

The governor also commended other aspirants who participated in the primary election, noting that democracy thrives on participation and provides a platform for diverse voices to be heard.

According to him, the conclusion of the primaries signals the end of political competition within the party, urging stakeholders to embrace unity and work collectively toward the development of Taraba state.

Kefas further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the APC and driving policies aimed at building a more prosperous and inclusive state.

Earlier, the chairperson of the election committee said the exercise reflected the genuine will of party members, adding that the process was conducted with integrity and adherence to due process.

According to results announced by the Returning Officer, Governor Agbu Kefas polled 166,357 votes to emerge winner of the primary election, while details of his closest challenger were yet to be fully disclosed at the time of filing this report.

Members of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Cross River State on Friday conducted a voice vote to affirm the only aspirant, Dr Effiong Nyong, as their 2027 governorship candidate.

The voice vote was conducted at the party’s state secretariat on Diamond Road Calabar where significant number of members converged for the affirmation.

Chairman of electoral committee, Dr MacFarlane Ejah, who is also the Secretary of the party in the state, had conducted the exercise in the presence of chairman of screening committee, Dr Minika Bassey, and other dignitaries as witnesses.

MacFarlane said the exercise complied with the rules and directives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

“What we have just done is in consonance with the latest directives of INEC. And so we formally affirmed and unveiled Dr Effiong Efa Nyong as our flag bearer for the 2027 Governorship election in Cross River State”, he said.

Speaking about his experience, credentials and the imperative for vying for the governorship seat, the veteran broadcaster and one time chairman of the party, said the decision to run for office of governor for the second time is borne out of his passion for his people, state and strong desire to impact governance to avert the retrogression witnessed in the state.

“My decision to vie for the governorship race for the second time is borne out of passion for my people, state, deep desire to avert the steady slide into retrogression.

“I have idea where we’re coming from. Hardly will people believe that civilisation actually started from here, and high standards were set from here for others to follow when the colonial masters held sway. Education, sports, civil service were top-notch.

“They chose Calabar as centre of national administration. Before the British came, the Portuguese had also laid out their standards. And so, our forebears had sustained the standards until recently when today’s politicians allowed such to degenerate.

“The level of poverty and backwardness is shocking. And so, as a true Son, it is imperative that we must come together to lift ourselves out of this trajectory,” he said.

He also spoke about the alarming multiple and high taxations, noting that it had impoverished the people and scared away businesses and potential investors from the state.

The Chief Judge of Taraba state and presiding judge of Court No. 1 in Jalingo, Justice Joel Agya, on Friday, discharged and acquitted three former officials of Sardauna local government council over allegations of misappropriation of project funds.
Delivering judgment in Charge No. TRSJ/19C/2020, Agya held that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations of fraud against the defendants beyond reasonable doubts.

The defendants are Dr. Jedua Ahmed Dawud, former Executive Chairman of the council; Oliver Wubon, former Caretaker Chairman; and Joseph Danladi John, former Director of Finance.

It will be recalled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), acting on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, filed a six-count charge against the defendants in June 2020.

The charges included criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust by public servants, forgery, and use of false documents.

According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2012 within Sardauna local government Council to commit criminal breach of trust involving funds meant for capital projects.

The prosecution alleged that Dr. Jedua Ahmed and Danladi dishonestly misappropriated N27 million allocated for capital projects on or about Oct. 4, 2012.

They were also accused of misappropriating another N35 million meant for capital projects on or about June 1, 2012.

In another count, Wubon and Danladi were alleged to have dishonestly diverted N42 million provided for capital projects sometime in 2012.

The EFCC further accused Wubon and Danladi of forging payment voucher No. 3 in the name of Alhaji Saidu Mohammed on or about Feb. 8, 2012, with intent to commit fraud.

They were also charged with knowingly using the alleged forged payment voucher as genuine.

During proceedings, defence counsel argued that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendants.

The defence also challenged the EFCC’s investigative report, contending that it relied heavily on statements obtained from prosecution witnesses.

Justice Agya, in his judgment, said the prosecution failed to substantiate the allegations of criminal conspiracy and fraud against the defendants.

He held that the conspiracy charge was not sustainable because the alleged offences were said to have been committed separately by the defendants.

The judge first discharged and acquitted the second and third defendants on counts five and six bordering on forgery and use of false documents.

He subsequently discharged and acquitted all three defendants on counts one to four.

Counsel to the defendants, Dr. Ibrahim Effiong, commended the court for what he described as a landmark judgment.
Counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Stephen Okemini, said he had learnt a lot from the judgment and would study it before deciding on further action.

Speaking after the judgment, Wubon expressed happiness over the court’s decision, saying it has “loosened the rope on their neck.”

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kaduna State chapter, has upheld the position of the National Executive Council of the union, urging the Ministry of Education and the Federal Government to retrace their steps on excluding candidates seeking admission into the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme from sitting for the examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in the interest of national development.

The National Executive Council of the union has described as counterproductive the decision of the Federal Ministry of Education to exclude candidates seeking admission into the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme from sitting for the examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Ibrahim Dalhatu and Adamu Ayuba Kaltungo, chairman and secretary of the union, in a joint statement, explained that the position of the union stems from the fact that exempting candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education from writing the JAMB examination would adversely affect the quality of teacher education and consequently impact the standard of education in Nigeria.

The NUT Kaduna State wing re-emphasized that teaching is a “highly intellectual and strategic profession,” and that the process of training teachers must remain vigorous and highly competitive.

According to the statement, “Excluding candidates from taking the examination will imply that the profession is for academically weak candidates and ‘all comers’.”

It observed that the teaching profession is already suffering from low esteem, and that exempting candidates would further reinforce the erroneous belief that teaching is a “last resort” profession, adding that it contradicts global best practices, as countries with high-performing education systems recruit their teachers from among the best and brightest students.

It would further confirm the belief that teaching is an “all-comers” job rather than a profession for those genuinely passionate about teaching, stressing that it would weaken the ongoing efforts and reforms aimed at making teaching a respected profession by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

The union posited that, rather than removing Colleges of Education candidates from JAMB requirements, the Federal Government should make concerted efforts to improve teachers’ welfare packages and remuneration to attract brilliant candidates to the profession.

It added that the Federal Government should consider providing scholarships, bursaries, and special incentives for students studying education courses, while also providing special admission incentives without compromising standards.

The union also called for the full implementation of the bill signed into law by the Muhammadu Buhari administration on April 9, 2022, stating that it would address the issue the Federal Government intends to tackle through exempting candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education from writing the JAMB examination.