Yobe Assembly confirms two commissioner nominees

Yobe Assembly confirms two commissioner nomineesThe Yobe State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed Mallam Dauda Alhaji Idi and Dr. Abubakar Bukar Kagu as members of the State Executive Council.
The nominees appeared before the House on Wednesday and were confirmed after responding to questions from lawmakers on their qualifications, experience, competence, and readiness to serve the people of the state.

Speaking after the confirmation, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Chiroma Buba Mashio, said the nominees were approved based on their professional competence, proven integrity, and extensive working experience.

He described the two new commissioners as individuals who have held various positions in public service and political appointments within the state.

Mashio commended Governor Mai Mala Buni, for nominating “deserving people” to fill vacant positions in the State Executive Council.

He urged the newly confirmed commissioners to work diligently and justify the confidence reposed in them by the state government and the people of Yobe.

In another development, a bill seeking to amend the law establishing the Yobe State Universal Basic Education Board has scaled through its second reading on the floor of the House.

The bill was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Basic and Secondary Education for further legislative action.

Sanwo-Olu appoints Badejo Ayodeji Olawunmi new LASU Vice-Chancellor

Sanwo-Olu appoints Badejo Ayodeji Olawunmi new LASU Vice-ChancellorLagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the appointment of Prof. Badejo Ayodeji Olawunmi as the new Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU).

The appointment was announced on Wednesday by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement.

Badejo, a professor of Guidance and Counselling, was born on August 4, 1962.

She holds a Ph.D. in Guidance and Counselling as well as a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in the same field, both obtained from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Her appointment follows the completion of the five-year tenure of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, who is retiring from the university.

The development marks a transition in the leadership of the institution following the expiration of Olatunji-Bello’s tenure.

According to the state government, Governor Sanwo-Olu approved Badejo’s appointment on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Probe attack on Peter Obi in Benue – Amnesty International tells govt

Probe attack on Peter Obi in Benue – Amnesty International tells govt Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to conduct an impartial, independent and timely investigation into an incident in Benue State in which the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and his entourage were reportedly blocked and attacked by armed youths.
In a post on its verified Facebook account on Thursday, the organisation described the incident as a serious act of political intolerance, warning that restricting an entire political party and its supporters from entering a state threatens the principles of democratic participation.

“No part of Nigeria should be a no-go area for anyone,” Amnesty said, stressing that democracy depends on freedom, justice and the ability of citizens to participate peacefully in political activities.

Amnesty noted that the reported arrest of suspects was only the beginning, urging authorities to ensure that those responsible for the attack are properly investigated and held accountable.

It further warned that repeated attacks and intimidation of opposition figures could make it increasingly difficult for political actors to associate freely and organise public gatherings.

2027: Adebayo urges Nigerians to vote out Tinubu, APC

2027: Adebayo urges Nigerians to vote out Tinubu, APCThe 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has urged Nigerians to vote out President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Adebayo said Nigerians have endured hardship, poverty and insecurity under the current administration and cannot afford another four years of the APC government.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, the SDP chieftain dismissed claims that Tinubu and the APC are unbeatable, insisting that the power to determine the outcome of elections rests with Nigerian voters.

According to him, if citizens unite and vote based on their interests rather than inducements, the APC could suffer a major defeat at the polls.

He said, “Those people are insulting Nigerians. You cannot be in government if Nigerians vote against you. My job is to talk to Nigerian people. We say enough is enough to poverty and insecurity. We believe in it, we vote for it. APC will come last because we will have to count how many thumbprints you get.

“If people are not collecting rice and money from them, if you focus on what you need to save this generation from perpetual poverty and insecurity, realising that we cannot afford four more years of this same thing because our generation has been stressed to the eyeballs, we will win by God’s grace.”

Adebayo also outlined his vision for Nigeria, promising massive investment in agriculture if elected president.

According to him, Nigeria has the potential to not only feed itself but become a major food supplier across Africa within a few years.

“We are a nation that has the capacity to feed the whole of Africa within a period of three years. There is no investment in agriculture,” he stated.

2027: Fubara missing as Wike, Chinda, others storm Spain for strategic meeting

2027: Fubara missing as Wike, Chinda, others storm Spain for strategic meetingMinister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and some key stakeholders of the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State have reportedly held a strategic meeting in Spain ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who recently identified with the coalition, is conspicuously absent from the meeting.

It was gathered that the Executive Director, Projects and Infrastructural Development, South South Development Commission (SSDC), Chief Marcus Nle Ejii, Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Senator Mao Ohabunwa, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state, Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, participated in the strategic meeting.

Although the purpose of the meeting was not made public, it may not be unconnected to the January and February 2027 general elections.

Wike had recently declared Chinda, a member of the House of Representatives, as his preferred candidate to succeed Fubara.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), campaign for the February 6, 2027 gubernatorial elections kicked off on Tuesday, September 8.

Kebbi military widows, Nigerian Legion disagree over new leadership

Kebbi military widows, Nigerian Legion disagree over new leadershipThe Military Widows Association of Nigeria (MIWA), Kebbi State chapter, is divided over its leadership following the emergence of a new executive.

The former State Coordinator of MIWA, Hajiya Asma’u Kanoma, rejected the new leadership, alleging that the Nigerian Legion dissolved the existing executive and conducted an election without constitutional authority.

However, the Nigerian Legion, Kebbi State Council, dismissed the allegation, saying the election was conducted in line with a directive from its national leadership and supervised by relevant authorities.

The State Chairman of the Legion, Alhaji Ahmed Shehu-Matawalle, made this known on Tuesday at a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi.

Shehu-Matawalle said the national leadership of the Nigerian Legion had summoned MIWA and Legion executives from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to Abuja to discuss the restructuring of the associations.

He said the meeting resulted in a directive to dissolve the existing MIWA state executives and conduct fresh elections across the states.

“The leadership of the Nigerian Legion summoned all 36 state executives and the FCT representatives of MIWA and the Nigerian Legion to converge in Abuja for a meeting to restructure the associations,” he said.

Shehu-Matawalle said the Kebbi election was held on June 18, 2026, under the supervision of the Nigerian Legion and the Kebbi State Government.

According to him, the former MIWA leadership participated in the election but failed to win, leading to the emergence of Hajiya Maryam Garba as the new State Coordinator.

Other officials elected were Aisha Sani-Ibrahim as Assistant Coordinator and Jummai Bango as Secretary.

The Legion chairman said there was no imposition of leadership, urging MIWA members and other stakeholders to accept the outcome of the election.

“There was no imposition of leadership. The new executives emerged through an election conducted at the state level in accordance with the directive of the national leadership,” he said.

Kanoma, however, maintained that MIWA was an independent national association with its own constitution and leadership structure.

“The Nigerian Legion has no constitutional power to dissolve our executive or conduct elections for us,” Kanoma had said.

She said the national leadership of MIWA had written to the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, seeking the cancellation of the election and recognition of the existing executive.

Kanoma also appealed to the Kebbi State Government and relevant authorities to intervene in the dispute.

The disagreement has left the former leadership rejecting the June 18 election, while the newly elected executive has the backing of the Kebbi State Council of the Nigerian Legion.

Peter Obi’s Yelwata blockade government-sponsored – Sowore alleges

Peter Obi’s Yelwata blockade government-sponsored – Sowore allegesThe presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, has alleged that the blockade of Peter Obi from entering Yelwata Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Benue State was government-sponsored.

Sowore made this allegation on Tuesday when he appeared in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

there was tension in Benue State on Tuesday after suspected thugs allegedly blocked a major road as Obi arrived in the state.

Reacting, Sowore said, “You need no one to tell you Peter Obi blockade in Yelwata was government-sponsored.

“It was written all over the crowd, the way they conducted themselves, and the body language of the security agencies hanging around.

“The fact that, since the activity took place, we have not heard officially from the police force that they were part of the plan to prevent him from entering Yelwata and it’s a shame.

“My position is that nobody should be prevented from going anywhere in Nigeria even when we are not experiencing elections.

“Every Nigerian must be equally granted the opportunity to go wherever they want to campaign. Even when they don’t want to campaign, you have the right to go anywhere in Nigeria.”

Police warn Lagos residents against jungle justice after mob kills man

Police warn Lagos residents against jungle justice after mob kills manThe Lagos State Police Command has warned residents against resorting to jungle justice following the mob killing of a man identified as Basit in Lagos Island, barely two weeks before his wedding.

DAILY POST reports that the deceased was reportedly beaten to death by a mob in the Patey area of Lagos Island after his vehicle struck a male pedestrian attempting to cross the road on Wednesday night, September 2, 2026.

Basit was said to have recently returned to Nigeria from abroad ahead of his wedding.

The incident has led to the arrest of some suspects by the police, according to reports.

Reacting to the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, issued a strong warning against mob justice in a video statement made available to journalists on Tuesday.

Adebisi described jungle justice as a criminal act, stressing that mob action resulting in the death of a person could amount to murder or manslaughter.

“Without ambiguity, jungle justice is murder. It is not justice. It is a crime,” she said.

The police spokesperson said the responsibility for investigating alleged offences and determining whether a suspect is guilty or innocent rests with law enforcement agencies and the courts.

She noted that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, protects fundamental rights, including the rights to life, dignity, liberty and fair hearing.

According to her, Section 36 of the Constitution also guarantees the presumption of innocence, meaning that a person accused of an offence remains innocent until convicted by a competent court.

“Even if you believe that someone has committed a crime, you do not have the right to beat, torture, burn, stab or stone the person to death,” Adebisi said.

She further explained that the Lagos State Criminal Law criminalises acts of violence against persons, including assault, grievous harm and unlawful wounding.

Adebisi specifically cited Sections 245 and 246 of the law, which deal with grievous harm and unlawful wounding respectively.

She warned that the police would treat cases of jungle justice that result in serious injuries or death as criminal offences.

“If jungle justice leads to serious injury or wounding, the Lagos State Police Command will investigate it as a criminal offence.

“If jungle justice leads to the death of a person, we will investigate it as murder or manslaughter under the criminal law of Lagos State,” she said.

The PPRO also cautioned residents who participate in mob attacks that they could become suspects in the same criminal investigation.

“If you join others in beating or killing a person because you believe that the person committed a crime, you may end up becoming a suspect yourself,” she said.

Adebisi urged residents to contact the police whenever they witness suspected criminal activity, provide relevant information and assist authorities in preventing suspects from escaping instead of taking the law into their own hands.

She particularly appealed to witnesses of mob attacks not to remain passive or merely record such incidents with their mobile phones.

“Recording the incident does not replace your responsibility to seek help and report the matter. If you see a mob attacking a person, call the police immediately,” she said.

The police spokesperson also advised residents against encouraging mob action, supplying weapons, inciting violence or joining attacks on suspected offenders.

She assured Lagos residents that the command would investigate cases of jungle justice and ensure that those responsible face the law.

Adebisi said the command, under the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, remained committed to securing justice for victims and their families.

She expressed sympathy to families who had lost loved ones to mob violence, assuring them that the police would continue to pursue justice through lawful means.

Sokoto govt, ASUU move to avert strike in state universities

Sokoto govt, ASUU move to avert strike in state universitiesThe Sokoto State Ministry of Higher Education has met with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Sokoto State University and Shehu Shagari University of Education to address issues that could lead to industrial action.

The meeting was held as part of efforts to resolve concerns raised by academic staff and avert a possible strike in the state-owned universities.

The Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Isa Maishanu, and the Permanent Secretary, Ismaila Ibrahim Binji, led the government delegation at the meeting.

ASUU was represented by the Sokoto State University branch chairman, Dr Bello Musa, alongside other union executives.

According to a statement by Ibrahim Iya, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Higher Education, the meeting focused on outstanding entitlements and other concerns affecting academic staff.

The parties particularly discussed discrepancies in the implementation of the Consolidated University Academic Structure (CONUASS) and the omission of some professional allowances.

Following the deliberations, the ministry agreed to conduct a comprehensive review of the grievances presented by the union.

The ministry will submit its findings and recommendations to the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, for consideration and approval.

Maishanu reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing staff welfare concerns through dialogue and established procedures.

The ministry said the meeting ended with both parties reaffirming their commitment to continued collaboration in the interest of industrial harmony and the advancement of education in Sokoto State.

Osun: APC legal team disowns petition challenging Gov Adeleke’s victory

Osun: APC legal team disowns petition challenging Gov Adeleke’s victoryThe legal team representing the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has rejected a petition purportedly filed by the party to challenge Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the August 15 governorship election.

One of the senior lawyers on the team, Adekunle Adegoke, said the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and the party did not authorise any petition before the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

Adegoke, who disclosed this on Monday, explained that the legal team had advised Oyebamiji against challenging the election result after reviewing the circumstances surrounding the poll.

According to him, “the lawyers met the APC candidate and other party leaders shortly after the election to examine the available options and determine the appropriate course of action.”

He said the decision not to approach the tribunal was deliberate and was influenced by the need to reduce political tension and promote peace in Osun State.

“Right from the second day after the election, the legal team, led by about four Senior Advocates of Nigeria, advised our client that, in the circumstances, the best course of action was not to go to the tribunal,” Adegoke said.

He explained that the team, which has handled election-related matters for several years, was familiar with the grounds upon which election results could be challenged.

“The legal team has been in existence for more than seven years. Whenever we go into an election, and the results are being announced, we know where there are loopholes and what we can challenge,” he said.

Adegoke, however, stated that the decision not to challenge the election did not amount to an assertion that the poll was completely free of irregularities.

“It is not that the election was entirely free or that there were no malpractices. There may have been valid grounds to challenge the result, but we decided to allow the populace to rest,” he said.

He added that Oyebamiji subsequently congratulated Governor Adeleke voluntarily after the result was announced, arguing that such a decision was inconsistent with authorising another person to file a petition in his name.

“Our client willingly, without pressure or duress, congratulated Governor Adeleke. Do you now think it would be legitimate, or honourable, for Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji to turn around and authorise the filing of a petition?” Adegoke asked.

The senior lawyer further described the petition displayed at the tribunal as unauthorised, insisting that neither the APC nor its governorship candidate instructed the legal team to file it.

“I want it to be on record that the APC legal team has denounced the bundle of papers filed by some individuals masquerading as APC lawyers. It was not authorised by the APC as a party or by its candidate,” he said.

Another APC chieftain, Adebayo Adedamola, also distanced himself from the petition, saying he had no involvement in any legal challenge against Adeleke’s victory.

“I am not involved in any petition before the Election Petition Tribunal. I already endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke as our candidate. So, there is no cause for us to now go and file any petition against the governor,” Adedamola said.

The controversy followed the display of two petitions at the Election Petition Tribunal in Osogbo on Monday.

The display of the two petitions by the Osun APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, separately came despite earlier reports that no petition had been received before the constitutional 21-day filing period expired on Saturday.