A Professor of Communications at Baze University, Abuja, Abiodun Adeniyi, says the plan of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to use the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to destroy the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is already working.

Prof Adeniyi made the statement on Monday while fielding questions in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

He was reacting to the national convention of the PDP held at the MKO Abiola national stadium in Abuja on Sunday.

He stated that Wike’s support for the APC and President Bola Tinubu has been there since 2023, noting that it had become more stabilised.

According to him, it appears as though the PDP will not be a factor in the 2027 general elections.

“APC’s plan to use Wike to destroy the PDP is already working. And it’s even becoming stabilized and much more sustained going into next year’s election.

“Wike has not hidden the fact that he doesn’t want PDP to present flag bearer that is potent enough to challenge President Tinubu. He is not mistaking about it that he wants to support the President,” Adeniyi said.

Chief Judge of Lagos State, Kazeem Alogba, has approved a one-week vacation for the state judiciary in observance of the Easter celebrations.

The break will run from April 3 to April 10, 2026, with full court sittings expected to resume across the state on Monday, April 13, 2026.

The directive was conveyed in a public notice issued by the Chief Registrar, Tajudeen Elias, on behalf of the Chief Judge.

According to the notice, the vacation was granted in line with the provisions of Order 49 Rule 4(b) of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.

Despite the break, the judiciary has put measures in place to ensure that pressing cases are not delayed.

Under the arrangement, judges assigned to vacation duty will attend to urgent applications arising from cases already before them.

Matters yet to be assigned to any court will be handled by designated vacation judges.

The Chief Registrar further explained that, notwithstanding the provisions guiding the court vacation, any matter considered urgent may still be heard during the period, subject to the conditions outlined in Order 49 Rule 5 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.

Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has terminated the appointments of all political aides in his administration with immediate effect.

The sack, disclosed on Tuesday, affects all Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs) across the state.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the development was hinged as part of effort to improve efficiency and enhance service delivery within the state’s administrative framework.

According to Adeniyan, the dismissal comes before ahead of expansion of the governor’s political team, with plans to appoint around 1,000 new aides.

The statement read in parts, “In the ongoing drive to enhance efficiency and deepen service delivery, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has relieved all political aides of their duties with immediate effect.

“Those affected are Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants to the Governor. The Governor thanked them for their contributions to the development of the State thus far and wished them well in their future endeavours.

“Meanwhile, in a step to strengthen coordination and inject fresh capacity into the administration, about 1000 new aides, from across the 203 wards in the 18 local government areas of the State, will be appointed by the Governor in due course.”

Prior to the mass disengagement, the administration faced a series of voluntary resignations from some aides ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration, IOM, has received 145 Nigerian returnees evacuated from Benghazi, Libya.

The evacuees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 8:27 p.m. aboard an Al Buraq Airlines flight under the Assisted Voluntary Return programme.

This was disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos by the Head of NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office, Mohammed Olatunde.

According to him, the returnees comprised 122 adults; 46 males and 76 females; as well as 29 children, including 13 boys and 16 girls. The group also included 27 infants, made up of 17 males and 10 females.

Olatunde explained that officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service carried out biometric registration and documentation upon arrival to ensure proper identification and facilitate seamless reintegration.

He added that the returnees were provided with essential support services, including food, potable water, medical attention, and ambulance services for those in need.

Additional assistance such as luggage handling, logistics coordination, and counselling was also made available.

The agency noted that the measures were put in place to guarantee a safe, orderly, and dignified reception process for the returnees.

A former federal lawmaker from Jigawa State, Hon. Safiyanu Ubale, has resigned his membership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), citing the need for political realignment in the current national landscape.

Ubale announced his resignation in a letter signed on Sunday, stating that recent developments in the country’s political environment necessitated a strategic shift to a platform better positioned to drive meaningful change.

According to him “Considering the current trajectory of the nation and the evolving political landscape which calls for strategic realignment, I find it necessary to identify with another political party that offers the best opportunity to effectively change the nation,” the letter read.

The former lawmaker, who represented his constituency at the National Assembly between 1999 and 2015 under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), later joined the NNPP where he served in various capacities at the local government, state, and national levels, particularly in Taura Local Government Area.

Although Ubale did not officially disclose his next political destination, indications suggest he may be aligning with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

His resignation comes shortly after reports that the NNPP’s National Leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is also expected to defect to the ADC, a move political analysts say could signal a significant shift within the opposition bloc ahead of future elections.

Former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere, has officially defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing the need to reposition his political engagement toward better service delivery and democratic ideals.

Madumere’s defection was conveyed in a declaration letter presented to the PDP in Imo State.

In the letter, the former deputy governor said his decision to join the PDP was driven by a desire to unite like-minded individuals to restore the democratic rights and privileges of citizens. He also pledged commitment to youth empowerment, innovation, and transparent governance.

“I believe that when the platform one stands on is no longer serving the purpose of the people, it then becomes apt to build a new one,” he stated.

“I have decided to officially inform you of my resignation from APC and my entry into the PDP. This is to enable me contribute my quota towards the development of the nation from a different perspective,” he added.

Madumere described his defection as a defining moment in his political career, noting that the move followed extensive consultations with his family, mentors, and supporters.

He expressed appreciation to the APC for the opportunities it afforded him, including serving as Deputy Governor of Imo State, and acknowledged the relationships he built during his time in the party.

However, he maintained that his exit was borne out of necessity rather than malice.

“I have come in terms with the notion that I could no longer continue to be an appendage of a party that does not reward loyalty but is frequently in the habit of disrespecting and marginalising members who have stuck their lives for the unity, progress and development of the society,” Madumere said.

According to him, internal conflicts within the APC, a loss of ideological direction, and disregard for members made it impossible for him to fulfil his promises to the people.

“Remaining there will be a disservice to the very people who once voted me as Deputy Governor of Imo State,” he said.

Plateau State Government has imposed a 48-hour curfew in Jos North Local Government Area following a deadly security breach in Gari Ya Waye community of Angwan Rukuba.

The attack, which occurred on Sunday, March 29, resulted in the loss of several lives, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Announcing the development in a press statement on Sunday, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, said the curfew takes immediate effect.

The statement reads in part: “the Plateau State Government in conjunction with security agencies wishes to inform the general public of the imposition of a 48-hour curfew within Jos North Local Government Area with immediate effect, commencing from 12 midnight of March 29 to April 1, 2026.”

According to the government, the measure was necessary to restore order and prevent further breakdown of law and order following the incident.

The statement added that the administration of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang strongly condemned the attack on residents.

“The government under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang strongly condemns this barbaric and unprovoked attack on innocent citizens and assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” it said.

Residents were also urged to remain calm and assist security agencies with useful information.

It added, “citizens are urged to remain calm, stay vigilant, and cooperate fully with security agencies by providing any useful information that may aid ongoing investigations.”

The state government further called on residents of the affected area to strictly comply with the curfew as security agencies work to restore peace.

Six of the ten student leaders who participated in the election of new executives for the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Joint Campus Council, JCC, Lagos Axis, have rejected what they described as an attempt to alter the outcome of the poll.

The group, operating under the banner of Concerned Senators of NANS JCC, Lagos Axis, made their position known in a statement issued on Sunday, accusing the convention chairman of trying to override the result declared by the voting delegates.

The dissenting senators include Adikaibe Emmanuel Chimezim of St. Augustine College of Education; Omogunle Monday Igbekele of Yaba College of Technology; David Gabriel of Lagos State University of Science and Technology; Oladokun Sodiq Olaide of Lagos State College of Nursing; Adebayo Korede Peter of Lagos State University; and Bolaji Olatubosun Akinpelu of the University of Lagos.

The election, which held on Saturday, brought together ten student leaders representing tertiary institutions across Lagos State, who served as senators tasked with electing a new chairman for the council.

According to the statement, the convention took place at the Federal College of Education, Akoka, in the presence of security agencies, including operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Nigeria Police, to ensure a transparent and credible process.

The senators explained that the chairmanship contest featured two candidates; Comrade Odewunmi Quadri and Comrade Rilwan Ajayi, with Quadri reportedly securing six votes, while Ajayi garnered four.

They, however, alleged that the convention chairman announced a different outcome, declaring the result a 5-5 tie and indicating his intention to exercise a veto to determine the winner.

The group described the move as a violation of both the electoral process and the constitution governing NANS, insisting that the votes cast clearly produced a winner.

“There was no tie in the election. The result was clear, and the majority had already spoken. There is no provision in the NANS constitution that empowers a convention chairman to override the decision of duly accredited voters,” the senators stated.

They further warned that any attempt to tamper with the outcome of the election would be considered invalid and unacceptable.

“Any manipulation of the process amounts to a nullity. The will of the majority must be respected at all times,” the statement added.

The Federal Government on Sunday disbursed N2.25bn to 45 students across the nation’s tertiary institutions.

The beneficiaries are among 65 student innovators shortlisted for the Student Venture Capital Grant initiative of the government.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, accompanied by the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Ahmad, presented the cheques to the select 45 at the event held at the UNDP Innovation Hub, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The SVCG is an initiative of the Federal Government aimed at supporting student-led businesses and innovations, with students able to access up to N50m in equity-free funding.

The University of Lagos led the awards, with eight of its students each receiving N50m in equity-free funding for their groundbreaking projects.

Some of the institutions that produced winners were the University of Ilorin, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Lagos State University, and Bayero University, Kano.

Most of the solutions focused on leveraging Artificial Intelligence and technology to address societal challenges.

Speaking, Alausa charged tertiary institutions to refocus their outlook towards innovation and move away from teaching theory.

Alausa enjoined governing councils to focus on ensuring the emergence of vice-chancellors and rectors with innovative mindsets.

He said, “For too long, our tertiary institutions have been seen primarily as centres for certification. But under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, we are redefining that narrative.

“Our institutions must now become centres of innovation, engines of enterprise and launchpads for global solutions.”

He stressed that the initiative was targeted at unlocking the innate innovative potential of Nigerian students so that it does not die in the lecture rooms.

Alausa said, “Now, our students will not only learn, but they will create knowledge. Now, students will not only acquire theoretical understanding, but they will also operate at the highest levels of Bloom’s taxonomy, applying transformative critical thinking and research skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge and solve real societal problems.

“Not only will they create new solutions, but through upscaling and commercialisation, they will transform these innovations into vehicles for sustainable growth and economic development, with catalytic impact on improving the health and wealth of Nigerians.