Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has slammed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for claiming that the 2027 election is about the All Progressives Congress, APC, against the people of Nigeria.

In an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television monitored by DAILY POST on Thursday, Sule said that elections in Nigeria are candidate-based rather than party-based.

According to him, “The 2027 election is about Bola Tinubu/Kashim Shettima on the platform of the APC against candidates from other parties.

“It is a wrong impression to say the election is about APC against Nigerians. For us here in Nasarawa State, we actually vote for candidates.

“The people of Nigeria are going to vote for the best candidates that they know and who can make an impact in their lives, whether it’s Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives, or House of Assembly elections. That is the way it is. That’s the way it has always been.”

Members of the All Progressives Congress, APCC, in Ward 01, Ibokun, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State have announced the indefinite suspension of a former member of the State House of Assembly, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, over alleged misconduct.

The decision was contained in a letter addressed to the Osun State Chairman of the party, Tajudeen Lawal, and dated Thursday, January 29, 2026.

According to the document, “the suspension followed a meeting of ward executives, leaders and members who reportedly deliberated on issues said to be affecting unity and cohesion within the ward.”

The letter, jointly signed by 18 ward executives and five leaders, accused Oyintiloye of allegedly taking over an Executive Assistant, EA, slot and funds amounting to N5.6 million without authorisation.

The signatories claimed “the funds were originally allocated for ward leaders, alleging that Oyintiloye had already secured a personal EA slot through a third party while holding a federal appointment.”

They also alleged that the former lawmaker was “involved in activities capable of causing division within the ward, including the organisation of parallel meetings.”

In addition, the ward officials accused him of “prolonged absence from ward meetings and political activities for over three years.”

The letter further alleged a lack of financial or material contributions to ward activities despite benefiting from several political appointments.

It stated, “In view of the foregoing and his consistent lack of engagement and contributions to ward affairs, it has become necessary to take decisive disciplinary action.”

The ward leaders declared that, “Consequently, Hon. Bosun Oyintiloye is hereby suspended indefinitely from Ward One, Ibokun, and shall cease to represent the interests of the ward at any level.”

They, however, added that they remained open to intervention from party leaders, stressing that their priority was the unity and success of the APC ahead of future elections.

Reacting to the development in a phone chat with DAILY POST, Oyintiloye dismissed the suspension as invalid, describing it as a ruse by disgruntled and suspended party members.

He alleged that those who signed the letter were not recognised party executives, claiming they were working for opposition interests in the state.

Oyintiloye denied all allegations against him, saying he neither controlled the EA slot nor had access to the N5.6 million mentioned in the letter.

“The allegations are lies aimed solely at discrediting me. I have reported the matter to the state party leadership.

“If they truly have the power to suspend me, why can’t they wait to do so through the proper party executive channels before going to the press?

“The same Gbenga Fagbamila, who was suspended from the party for embezzling N7.5 million meant for the 2022 election, is signing my alleged suspension letter alongside other disgruntled members.

“It is a real shame. If they are truly bona fide members of the party, let them appear before the party executives at the state level to defend the allegations leveled against me.

“Their action is a joke of the century because I remain a loyal and respected member of the APC.

“I also urge members of the public to disregard the purported suspension,” he stated.

Lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly have urged relevant authorities to take immediate action to secure the release of a prospective corps member, Miss Lateefah Binuyo, who was abducted in Kogi State on January 22.

Binuyo, a graduate of Mass Communication from Kwara State Polytechnic, was reportedly travelling to Taraba State for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, orientation programme when she was kidnapped. She is said to be the only child of her mother.

The call for urgent intervention followed a motion of urgent public importance raised during Thursday’s plenary by the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Mrs Omolara Olumegbon.

Presenting the motion, Olumegbon disclosed that the abductors had demanded a ransom of N30 million for Binuyo’s release. She urged the Assembly to formally write to the Federal Government, calling for enhanced security arrangements for prospective corps members travelling to their states of deployment.

She further appealed to the House to engage Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to intervene by liaising with the Kogi State Government to ensure the safe and speedy rescue of the victim.

Contributing to the debate, the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Noheem Adams, commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as sustained efforts to improve security across the country. He noted that the current security framework had shown noticeable improvement when compared with previous administrations.

Also speaking, Mr Stephen Ogundipe praised the Nigerian military for its continued role in safeguarding national security and echoed calls for the Lagos State Government to engage its Kogi counterpart to facilitate urgent action.

In his contribution, Mr Abiodun Tobun suggested that the Assembly, through the National Assembly, should write to the Director-General of the NYSC to review existing deployment procedures. He stressed the need to reconsider the posting of prospective corps members to distant or high-risk areas in order to reduce exposure to unnecessary dangers.

Addressing the House, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa described the incident as deeply troubling, noting that at a time when some individuals were reluctant to pursue education, it was painful that young Nigerians who had completed their studies and were ready to serve the nation were being exposed to threats such as kidnapping.

Obasa emphasised the responsibility of the NYSC leadership to ensure the safety and security of corps members, from the point of departure to their places of deployment and eventual return to their families.

The Speaker added that while he was confident that the Sanwo-Olu-led administration had already taken steps to address the situation, efforts should be intensified through direct engagement with the Kogi State Government, as suggested by members of the House.

He also disclosed that the Assembly would write to the Inspector-General of Police, urging immediate intervention in the case and the implementation of measures to prevent similar incidents in the future

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has resumed enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small plastic or glass bottles below 200 millilitres.

The agency clarified that it did not shut down any alcohol-producing company but only prohibited the sale of alcohol in sachets and small containers, citing public health concerns.

In a statement on Thursday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, said the move was aimed at protecting children, adolescents and young adults from the harmful use of alcohol.

“The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has resumed enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small-volume PET or glass bottles below 200ml, in line with a resolution of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Agency’s public health mandate,” the statement read.

According to the agency, the widespread availability of high-alcohol-content beverages in sachets and small containers has made alcohol cheap, easily accessible and easily concealable, contributing to rising cases of underage drinking, addiction, domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts and other social vices.

Adeyeye noted that placing warning labels such as “Not for children” on sachets and small containers had proven ineffective due to societal realities.

“Many parents do not even know their children consume sachet alcohol because the pack size is small, cheap and easily concealed,” she said.

She revealed that reports from schools had shown disturbing trends, including a recent case in which a teacher disclosed that a student claimed he could not sit for an examination without first taking sachet alcohol.

NAFDAC recalled that in December 2018, it, alongside the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with manufacturers to phase out sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging by January 31, 2024.

The moratorium was later extended to December 2025 to allow manufacturers to exhaust existing stock and reconfigure their production lines.

“The current Senate resolution aligns with the spirit and letter of that agreement and with Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Assembly Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol,” she said.

Adeyeye stressed that the ban was not punitive but protective.

“This ban is not punitive; it is protective. It is aimed at safeguarding the health and future of our children and youth by not allowing alcohol in small pack sizes.

“The decision is rooted in scientific evidence and public health considerations. We cannot continue to sacrifice the well-being of Nigerians for economic gain. The health of a nation is its true wealth.”

She reiterated that only spirit drinks packaged in sachets and small PET or glass bottles below 200ml were affected, adding that NAFDAC still approved alcoholic beverages in larger pack sizes.

The renewed enforcement has sparked immediate reactions across industry, labour, and public spheres.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and other stakeholders, including the Food and Beverage Tobacco Outgrowers and Bottlers (FOBTOB), have criticised the move as inconsistent and potentially damaging.

On January 23, members of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress gathered at the Lagos office of NAFDAC to protest the ban.

They warned that the enforcement would displace no fewer than 5.5 million Nigerians from their jobs.

Some protesters described the policy as a serious regulatory misstep that fails to balance public health goals with economic realities—particularly in a country where low-cost sachet spirits remain popular among low-income consumers.

But NAFDAC called on manufacturers, distributors and retailers to comply fully with the directive, stressing that no further extension would be granted beyond December 2025.

The Progressives Governors’ Forum, PGF, has called for transparent and coordinated management of party congresses and the forthcoming national convention.

Chairman of the Forum and Imo Governor, Hope Uzodimma, made the call while presenting a communiqué after a meeting with APC leadership in Abuja on Wednesday.

Uzodimma said transparency, consistency and accountability must guide every stage to strengthen trust and credibility within the party.

He said: “These standards must apply uniformly across all states, including where the party currently has no governors.

“The PGF reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to party unity and internal harmony.”

He stressed responsible leadership, clear communication and collective discipline as essential to strengthening public confidence in the party’s democratic processes.

The governor reaffirmed PGF’s commitment to deepening internal democracy, strengthening party structures and advancing reforms promoting transparency, accountability and inclusiveness nationwide.

He said the governors welcomed a briefing on the national e-registration and digital membership update by the APC national chairman.

“This has recorded significant growth, increased youth participation and integration of the National Identity Number,” he stated.

Uzodimma noted the initiative would enhance data-driven planning, improve demographic insights and strengthen grassroots engagement across communities.

He said the governors endorsed the timetable and institutional framework approved by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) for upcoming congresses and the convention.

He commended the party leadership under National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, for guiding the process.

Uzodimma also confirmed strategic engagements and state visits to reinforce grassroots structures and party cohesion.

He said visits would begin in Taraba on Jan. 31 and formally welcomed the governors of Taraba and Plateau into the Forum.

He reaffirmed resolve to partner with APC leadership to advance national development, democratic consolidation and people-centred governance.

Uzodimma said the governors appreciated President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, saying, “We will continue to partner with him to ensure good governance at all levels.”

The dispute over local government administration in Osun State escalated on Wednesday as the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, the state government and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, dismissed claims by the All Progressives Congress, APC, that its sacked council chairmen still had a right to remain in office.

In separate statements issued in Osogbo, the PDP and the state government said recent actions and court developments showed that the APC’s position on the councils lacked legal backing.

The state governor, Ademola Adeleke restated his accusation against Blue Economy Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola and his alleged the masterminding of Osun local government crisis

Governor Adeleke asserted that the self-awarded tenure of APC Chairmen lapsed in 2025 and cannot be elongated under the law and Supreme Court precedents.

Governor Adeleke in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed faulted the entire submission of the minister on the local government crisis, positing that the former Governor remains the chief architect of the paralysis and the untold hardship being inflicted on Osun people.

He said, “Under what authority is Mr Oyetola and his cronies in the guise of council chairmen disbursing funds meant for salaries of local government workers. Under what authority is he deciding who gets paid or not? Why are they not paying salaries of local health workers, local teachers and local retirees?”

The governor also called on the Minister to stop dragging President Bola Tinubu’s name in the mud.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Government also drew attention to proceedings at the Federal High Court in Osogbo concerning a suit filed by the APC on the issue of council tenure.

The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, in a statement said the case, which came up for hearing on Wednesday, was adjourned to March 4, 2026, following the absence of APC lawyers in court.

According to Alimi, “none of the legal representatives listed by the APC, including three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, appeared when the matter was called.

“The election conducted on October 15, 2022 was nullified by the Federal High Court because it violated the Electoral Act.”

He added that subsequent judgments had not reinstated the APC chairmen, contrary to claims by the party.

Alimi said “the government was concerned that the APC continued to rely on a pending court case to justify remaining in council offices.

“They filed a suit and are yet to diligently pursue it, yet they claim it is the basis for their continued stay in the secretariats.”

The commissioner also accused the APC of misrepresenting the status of local government finances, saying questions remained over the handling of allocations during the period of dispute.

The PDP, reacting to a press conference addressed by the Osun APC leadership, said the opposition party was attempting to justify an expired and unlawful occupation of council secretariats across the state.

In a statement signed by its state chairman, Sunday Bisi, the PDP maintained that the APC chairmen had no valid mandate from the outset and insisted that their election had been nullified by the courts before Governor Ademola Adeleke assumed office.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke did not sack any local government officials. The courts invalidated an election that was conducted in breach of the Electoral Act,” the party said.

The PDP argued that local government funds were being contested because of ongoing legal disputes arising from the 2022 council election conducted under the previous APC administration.

It added that the governor, as the state’s chief executive, had a constitutional duty to safeguard public funds meant for grassroots development pending the resolution of the legal issues.

The PDP called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene by urging party members in Osun to respect court decisions and allow due process to run its course.

“The situation in Osun requires adherence to the rule of law to prevent further tension at the grassroots,” the party said.

Reacting, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Wednesday accused Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, of lying against his predecessor on issues relating to the current impasse in the local government administration in Osun.

Akinola, in a statement issued in response to allegations by Adeleke, who had alleged that Oyetola was backing illegal occupation of council areas in the state, stated that Adeleke was using propaganda, falsehood and deliberate misinformation to conceal his administrative failure and disregard for judicial authority.

Referring to Adeleke’s earlier claim that Oyetola was using his influence to withhold funds due to the local government areas in the state, Akinola described the claims as “nothing more than a desperate attempt to deflect attention from his glaring incompetence and serial abuse of the judicial process.”

He insisted that Oyetola was not responsible for any disruption in local government financing in Osun, adding that, “if there is any delay or complication in financial disbursements, the responsibility lies squarely with the Adeleke-led Osun State Government, which has flooded the courts with lawsuits in a failed attempt to overturn settled judicial decisions. No serious government sabotages its own legal standing and then seeks scapegoats for the consequences.”

He accused Adeleke of having previously paralysed local government administration in the state by instigating a prolonged strike by local government workers.

“The local government secretariats are open and functioning. Services continue to run, workers are back to their posts, and council administrations are carrying out their statutory responsibilities. The narrative of paralysis exists only in the imagination of a governor using falsehood to seek public sympathy,” he said.

He referenced a Court of Appeal judgement delivered on February 10, 2025, which he stated reinstated elected local government chairmen in Osun State, emphasising that the judgement was not appealed by the Osun State Government and therefore remains final and binding in law.

Commenting on alleged tenure elongation by the APC chairmen, the minister’s aide maintained that they were elected for a three-year term and were “removed illegally within weeks of assuming office. Any suggestion to the contrary amounted to ignorance or intentional misinformation.”

He disclosed that the issue of tenure is pending before the courts and advised Adeleke to desist from interfering in the affairs of an independent tier of government, as the Supreme Court has already granted full financial autonomy to the local government areas in the country.

Kebbi State Government has approved the release of over N1.8 billion for the payment of gratuities, death benefits and other outstanding entitlements owed to retirees, contract staff and families of deceased civil servants.

The approval was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Head of Service, Malami Shekare, and signed by the Director of Administration, Rashidu Muhammad-Bala.

According to the statement, the funds were disbursed in two phases to cover a wide range of beneficiaries across the state.

It stated that the first phase, covering March 16 to June 15, 2025, saw N933.03 million paid to 404 beneficiaries, while the second phase, from June 16 to September 15, 2025, involved the disbursement of N932.95 million to 443 beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries include personnel from the state civil service, local government councils, local government education authorities, contract workers and dependants of deceased public servants.

The government noted that the payments were made amid growing concerns over delays in the settlement of retirement benefits, which have affected retirees in many parts of the country due to economic and fiscal constraints.

Kebbi State is also grappling with pension and gratuity liabilities accumulated over several years.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, Ahmed Idris, said the approval was part of efforts to clear outstanding arrears and reduce the backlog of unpaid entitlements.

He added that the move was aimed at easing the burden on retirees and families of deceased workers in the state.

Borno South Senator Ali Ndume has differed with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stating that the new tax regime is fundamentally flawed.

Recall that Akpabio during plenary on Wednesday said the new tax law is not adulterated as the public has perceived it to be.

Speaking, however, during an appearance on Arise Television on Wednesday, Ndume said there are at least two different Gazette versions, stressing that he was one of those who identified the differences.

“We called the leadership to let them know that what we passed is not what the president signed. I don’t know why Sen. Akpabio is saying there are no discrepancies when he should set up a committee to find out.

“You will agree with me that even the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on tax reform, Taiwo Oyedele, admitted that they are differentials, two versions, or at least two versions of the tax law, and that if something has to be done, it has to be the National Assembly.

“My problem is not whether there are discrepancies or not. I’m worried about doing things behind closed doors. This is government of the people, for the people and by the people. And for God’s sake, why would you hide anything, even if it is personal?

“I’m surprised that the Senate President said there’s no adulteration. He’s not supposed to do that. He’s supposed to say, okay, we’ll find out. Set up a committee, because the House of Representatives has done that too, to find out.

“I will talk to him on that. This is not something that they can just bury. You know why? You cannot build on nothing, or you cannot build on disputed grounds.

“What if somebody now goes to court? You think the court will not listen to them? The way they are going about it up initial is full of contradiction and controversy,” Ndume said.