Nigerian businessman and political commentator, Isaac Fayose has described the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as the worst-ever, claiming that about 67 percent of the citizens are crying.

Fayose spoke when he featured on News Central TV where spoke on the alleged intimidation of the opposition members by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

According to him, “this is the worst government in the history of our country. You don’t even need to ask me, go to the street and ask.

“Over 67 percent of Nigerians have been crying since this government came”.

The businessman also compared the Tinubu-led administration with that of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying Nigerians were experiencing what he described as “shege pro-max.”

He further claimed that the 2027 general election could be the first since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999 in which the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would not feature on the ballot.

“Before, we thought that Buhari was shege but this one is shege pro-max. This is the first time since 1999 that PDP will not be on the ballot”, Fayose said.

On the alleged intimidation of opposition parties, he said, “we have been shouting for the past three years that the APC government wants to kill the opposition. You can see what is happening now. Our president cannot even campaign because he is avoiding facing Nigerians.

“The reason he is not campaigning is because he doesn’t have the strength yet he doesn’t want any of the opposition to be on the street.

“They don’t have anything to show Nigerians and so they don’t want the opposition to come out. They don’t want to see the opposition campaigning in the street.

“Peter Obi was in Benue, they refused to let him enter the city, the other day, we were in Akwa Ibom and we were not allowed to campaign. They don’t have anything to offer.

“This is the first time a president seeking re-election will say he can’t go round to a campaign that he has boys”.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, governorship candidate in Zamfara State, Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed has accused some party members of allegedly doctoring documents to replace his name with that of another aspirant ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mohammed alleged in a statement on Monday that the party submitted the name of Bilyamu Shinkafi to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, instead of his, despite his claim that he won the party’s governorship primary held on May 22, 2026.

He said he participated in the primary, won the election and completed INEC Form EC9, which he returned to the party for submission to the commission.

According to him, the submission of Shinkafi’s name prompted him to approach the court for redress.

Mohammed further alleged that some individuals within the party were preparing backdated documents to support Shinkafi’s candidacy, including letters claiming that he participated in the primary.

He said the primary election report obtained from INEC and filed in court contradicted the alleged documents.

Mohammed warned that anyone found to have forged or submitted false documents would be reported to the relevant security agencies, INEC and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for investigation and possible disciplinary action.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has forecast dust haze and thunderstorms across the country from Monday to Wednesday.

In its weather outlook released in Abuja on Sunday, the agency predicted slight dust haze over most parts of the northern region, with moderate haze expected in parts of Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi and Kaduna states.

NiMet also forecast isolated thunderstorms accompanied by light rainfall over parts of Taraba State on Monday afternoon or evening.

For the North-Central region, the agency envisaged sunny skies with patches of clouds during the morning hours on Monday.

It predicted isolated thunderstorms accompanied by light rainfall over parts of Kogi, Kwara, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory later in the afternoon or evening.

In the southern region, NiMet forecast cloudy skies, with light rainfall expected over parts of Delta and Bayelsa states on Monday morning.

The agency further predicted thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall over parts of Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Ekiti states, as well as the South-East and South-South regions, later in the day.

For Tuesday, NiMet envisaged sunny and hazy conditions across the northern region throughout the day.

The agency forecast sunny skies with patches of clouds over the North-Central region in the morning, followed by isolated thunderstorms accompanied by light rainfall over parts of Kogi, Kwara and Benue states in the afternoon or evening.

Across the southern region, cloudy skies are expected in the morning, with thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall forecast over most areas later in the day.

On Wednesday, NiMet predicted slight dust haze over most parts of the northern region throughout the forecast period.

The agency also envisaged sunny skies with patches of clouds across the North-Central region.

For the southern region, NiMet forecast cloudy skies in the morning, followed by thunderstorms accompanied by light rainfall over parts of Imo, Abia and Anambra states.

It added that light rainfall was expected over parts of the South-West and South-South regions later on Wednesday.

The agency advised members of the public to take precautions against suspended dust particles, particularly people with asthma and other respiratory conditions.

It warned that strong winds could precede thunderstorms and urged residents to secure loose objects to prevent them from being blown away.

NiMet also advised the public to avoid taking shelter under tall trees during thunderstorms to reduce the risk of injuries from falling branches and broken trees.

Barely 16 months after the establishment of the New Edo Line Company, the state-owned transport company, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has relieved two managing directors/chief executive officers of their appointments.

DAILY POST reports that the governor has appointed three managing directors to run the affairs of the company within the period.

DAILY POST recalls that Okpebholo appointed Ms Tinyan Otuomagie as the pioneer Managing Director/CEO of New Edo Line Transport Services Limited on June 10, 2025.

However, barely seven months after her appointment, precisely on January 15, 2026, the governor relieved her of her position and redeployed her to the Ministry of Information.

Otuomagie was replaced by Mr Smart Aigbodion, the company’s General Manager, Maintenance, who was appointed Acting Managing Director/CEO pending the appointment of a substantive managing director.

Aigbodion, who had been in an acting capacity since January, had his appointment terminated by the governor on Sunday, October 18, 2026.

A statement by the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Barrister Umar Musa Ikhilor, said Aigbodion was sacked on grounds of managerial inefficiency.

Ikhilor, who said the termination of Aigbodion’s appointment takes immediate effect, announced the appointment of Engr. Paul F. Ogedegbe as the new Managing Director of the company.

Al Nassr captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, is currently leading an official Ballon d’Or fan vote to decide the greatest winner of all time.

The official Ballon d’Or platform launched a special competition at the beginning of October.

It allows football fans to vote for the greatest winning season in the history of the award.

The competition features 10 football legends who have won the Ballon d’Or at least twice:

• Lionel Messi

• Cristiano Ronaldo

• Ronaldo Nazário

• Marco van Basten

• Michel Platini

• Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

• Kevin Keegan

• Franz Beckenbauer

• Johan Cruyff

• Alfredo Di Stéfano

Fans are being asked to vote for a specific season rather than simply choosing their favourite player.

As it stands, Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 Ballon d’Or-winning season is leading with 62% of the votes.

It was the year that Ronaldo took home his first Ballon d’Or while playing for Manchester United.

Every vote costs €1, and fans are allowed to vote as many times as they want, including multiple times for the same player.

Voting officially closes on October 27 at midnight.

Benue State Governor’s Special Assistant on Social Media Communications, Asortar James, has defended Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration against criticism from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over the reported N30 billion monthly allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC.

James, in a statement dated October 18, 2026, responded to the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, who questioned the governor’s management of the state’s finances and demanded accountability for the reported allocation.

He maintained that although public officials must be held accountable, such demands should be based on verifiable facts rather than political allegations.

According to him, the administration had introduced reforms and embarked on development projects across various sectors since Alia assumed office on May 29, 2023.

He cited the introduction of free basic education from Basic One to Basic Nine and the recruitment of more than 9,700 teachers as efforts to improve access to education and reduce the financial burden on parents.

The governor’s aide also highlighted road construction, urban renewal, drainage projects and underpass construction, describing them as part of efforts to improve transportation and stimulate economic activities across the state.

In the health sector, he pointed to interventions at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, the cancer treatment centre and maternal and child healthcare services.

He further listed the implementation of a N75,000 minimum wage and efforts to address inherited salary and pension obligations as measures aimed at improving workers’ welfare.

On security, the statement referenced government support for security operations, the Civil Protection Guards and the joint task force known as Anyam Nyor, noting that efforts were ongoing to protect residents, restore peace and support displaced communities.

James also identified agricultural mechanisation, farmer-support initiatives and agribusiness partnerships as strategies to boost food production and strengthen Benue’s position as Nigeria’s food basket.

He added that initiatives involving Taraku Mills and the Benue Investment and Property Company were intended to attract investments, promote industrialisation and create employment opportunities.

Other projects listed included efforts to strengthen Benue Links, introduce new buses, improve access to affordable transportation and implement the Light Up Makurdi initiative.

On the controversy surrounding the reported N30 billion monthly FAAC allocation, the governor’s aide called for the figure to be assessed against official financial records.

He explained that FAAC allocations fluctuate and that funds received by the state government should be distinguished from allocations belonging to the 23 local government councils.

He also noted that total revenue received by the government does not necessarily represent funds available for new projects, given its obligations to pay salaries, pensions and other statutory expenses.

According to him, the reported allocation alone does not establish financial misconduct or prove that public funds have been mismanaged.

He urged interested parties to examine official revenue records, expenditure statements, audited accounts and project documentation to determine how public funds had been utilised.

Addressing concerns over insecurity, James acknowledged the suffering of affected communities and stressed the need for sustained efforts to protect lives, assist displaced families and achieve lasting peace.

He also maintained that unfinished projects should be subjected to scrutiny but argued that ongoing construction does not automatically constitute evidence of corruption.

He said contract terms, funding arrangements, implementation progress and completion timelines should be considered before conclusions are drawn about projects.

The governor’s aide challenged the PDP to complement its criticism with credible evidence, practical recommendations and solutions to the challenges confronting the state.

He added that allegations of wrongdoing should be referred to the appropriate institutions for investigation, while the government should continue to improve transparency by making financial information and project outcomes accessible to the public.

James urged residents to assess Alia’s administration based on its policies, documented achievements, outstanding obligations and the challenges that remain unresolved.

He stressed that support for development should not amount to blind loyalty, just as opposition should not involve dismissing every government initiative.

He called on political stakeholders to prioritise the interests of Benue State above partisan differences, insisting that accountability, constructive criticism and cooperation were necessary for sustainable development.

The omission of some governorship candidates from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list ahead of the 2027 general elections has triggered concerns over political participation, electoral fairness and the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process.

In Kano and Gombe states, the omission of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Isa Ali Pantami, respectively, from INEC’s published list has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding their exclusion, with the NDC alleging political conspiracy and insisting that it complied with the nomination requirements.

The controversy has drawn reactions from political scientists and opposition party officials, who have called for transparency and accountability in the management of the electoral process.

Sufi questions consistency, warns against premature conclusions

A political scientist in Kano, Dr Kabiru Sa’id Sufi, told DAILY POST that the omission of some candidates while others appeared on the final list had raised questions about the commission’s neutrality.

Sufi noted that the development had fuelled speculation about possible partiality, particularly concerning the treatment of candidates from different political parties.

“People saw some names and they did not see some names. So that raises serious questions,” he said.

He explained that the concerns were partly driven by comparisons between candidates whose names appeared on the list and those omitted in states such as Kano and Gombe.

Sufi cited the inclusion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in Nasarawa State as examples that had prompted questions among political observers.

“Until that explanation is released and people are given satisfactory answers, people will have every reason to begin to see lack of neutrality or due diligence on the part of INEC in the release of the final list,” he said.

The political scientist said the commission’s explanation would be important in determining whether the omissions resulted from the application of electoral requirements or other administrative issues.

NDC alleges political conspiracy over Kano candidate’s omission

The Kano State chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Usaini Isah Mairiga, has alleged political conspiracy following the omission of his party’s governorship candidate from INEC’s final list.

In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, Mairiga said the party had complied with the relevant requirements and expressed surprise that its candidate was not included.

“From the moment we discovered that our governorship candidate’s name was missing, we did not hear anything from the party’s stakeholders because we knew we had not violated any rules. We believe this is a political conspiracy,” he said.

The NDC chairman said the party had submitted a complaint and was awaiting a resolution, expressing confidence that its candidate would eventually be included.

He insisted that the party would not abandon its efforts to secure a place for its candidate on the ballot.

“But I assure you that we are not discouraged, and our candidate will return to the ballot,” Mairiga said.

PDP urges INEC to protect its credibility

The acting publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State, Kabiru Sani Mai Kwanika, said the omission of candidates could undermine democratic participation if eligible contestants were excluded from the electoral process.

Speaking to DAILY POST, Mai Kwanika insisted that political parties should have a fair opportunity to nominate candidates and compete in elections, provided they comply with the law.

“During the PDP’s reign, every political party had the opportunity to present its candidate, but what is happening now is not right,” he said.

He called on INEC to protect its institutional credibility and ensure that its decisions on candidate nominations were transparent and consistent.

“We have given everyone the freedom to participate. INEC should protect its integrity because the eyes of the world are now on Nigeria,” he said.

The PDP official also urged political parties to strengthen their engagement with legal practitioners and pay closer attention to electoral laws and nomination procedures.

“I urge political parties to work closely with lawyers to ensure they comply with the rules and remain vigilant about the law, especially where some people may want to exploit its provisions for personal gain,” he said.

Lawyer urges INEC to ensure fairness in candidate omissions

A legal practitioner, Barrister Nura Ahmad Muhammad, has said the omission of some governorship candidates from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list ahead of the 2027 elections raises concerns about electoral justice and public confidence in the electoral process.

Muhammad, however, cautioned against interpreting the omissions as automatic evidence of bias or partiality, noting that INEC has a statutory responsibility to enforce electoral laws and relevant judicial decisions.

He told DAILY POST that the commission must exercise that responsibility fairly, transparently and consistently, without political considerations.

According to him, the central issue is whether the affected candidates were excluded on valid legal grounds or as a result of administrative errors, arbitrary decisions or the improper application of the law.

Muhammad explained that INEC could be justified in excluding candidates where their political parties failed to meet mandatory statutory requirements. However, he said candidates who were wrongly excluded should be able to challenge the decisions through appropriate legal channels.

“To safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, INEC should provide clear reasons for exclusions, apply the law equally to all political parties, and establish transparent mechanisms for correcting genuine errors within the legally prescribed timelines,” he said.

He stressed that neither political interests nor administrative lapses should deprive an eligible candidate of the opportunity to participate in the democratic process, adding that the rule of law must prevail.

Electoral law at the centre of the controversy

The dispute over the missing candidates follows a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, which restored provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 concerning political party membership registers.

The provisions require political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC within the prescribed period and use the submitted registers for primaries, congresses and conventions.

Following the judgment, INEC explained that it excluded some candidates because their parties had failed to comply with the membership-register requirements and were therefore ineligible to sponsor candidates in the affected elections.

INEC also said political parties that believed their candidates had been wrongly omitted had until October 24, 2026, to notify the commission of the alleged errors, in accordance with Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.

The controversy raises questions about voters’ ability to choose among competing candidates and the extent to which procedural requirements can affect political representation.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, the handling of the list of candidates is likely to remain an important test of electoral administration in Nigeria.

Real Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho, has advised Yan Diomande to focus on improving several aspects of his game.

Diomande was on the scoresheet as Los Blancos thrashed Sevilla 4-1 in LaLiga on Sunday.

It is his second goal for the Spanish giants since he arrived from RB Leipzig in the summer.

After the game, Mourinho admitted that Diomande is still very raw and needs to keep working on himself.

“He still has a lot to learn and several areas of his game to improve, especially his finishing,” Mourinho said.

“He gets into dangerous positions very often, but he needs to learn to stay calmer and make better decisions with his final touch… He reminds me of a young Vinícius Jr.”