Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, is now the country’s all-time leading goalscorer in the FIFA World Cup tournament.

The 41-year-old achieved this feat after scoring a brace in Portugal’s 5-0 win against Uzbekistan on Tuesday.

Ronaldo’s brace has taken his tally to 10 goals in FIFA World Cup history from 24 appearances.

The Al-Nassr forward is one goal ahead of Eusébio on the list.

Portugal’s all-time leading goal scorer in the World Cup [Top 11]:

10 goals – Ronaldo

9 goals – Eusébio

4 goals – Pauleta

3 goals – José Augusto, José Torres and Gonçalo Ramos

2 goals – Pepe, Bruno Fernandes, Thiago, Rafael Leão and Maniche.

A public affairs analyst, Godwin Omini, said the outcome of the Ekiti 2026 governorship election sends a dangerous signal ahead of 2027 elections.

He disclosed in a statement on Monday, noting that Saturday’s election in Ekiti exposed the Independent National Electoral Commission’s alleged partiality.

Recall that on Sunday, INEC had declared Biodun Oyebanji as the winner of Saturday’s governorship election.

The ruling All Progressives Congress’s Oyebanji won the polls ahead of the gubernatorial candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and African Democratic Congress.

Reacting, Omini said Ekiti State has once again brought to the fore serious concerns about the conduct and neutrality of INEC.

“These developments raise profound questions about the Commission’s ability to serve as an impartial umpire in future elections, particularly the 2027 general elections.

“Indications emerged that INEC officials allegedly colluded with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) by facilitating the transfer of approximately 400,000 uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to the ruling party.

“These cards were reportedly distributed to non-indigenes in a manner that compromised the electoral process and undermined the will of genuine voters in Ekiti State.

“This alleged collaboration points to a troubling pattern of partiality that erodes public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system,” he stated.

The chairmanship and councillorship candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who participated in the June 13, 2026, local government election in Adamawa State, have rejected its outcome.

Describing the election as a charade, the candidates are calling for a fresh poll.

The election in question produced chairmen-elect of the state’s 21 local government areas and councillors-elect for 226 wards, all from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Addressing journalists in Yola, the candidates alleged that the exercise conducted by the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) lacked the basic ingredients of credibility.

One of the candidates, Abubakar Ahmadu, who spoke for all the candidates, said, “We wish to state emphatically that elections did not hold in all the local government councils across the state on June 13, 2026. We therefore wonder how results were concocted and how winners emerged.”

Ahmadu alleged that the announced results did not reflect the will of the people and could not be accepted.

“The purported conduct of the Adamawa council poll represents the height of electoral banditry,” he declared.

The ADC candidates called on democracy advocates and constitutional rights groups to intervene and defend democratic principles in the state.

Insisting that they do not recognise the announced winners, the ADC candidates demanded that ADSIEC fix a new date for a credible, transparent and inclusive local government election across Adamawa State.

Plateau State Government has condemned the attack on Kawel community in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos Local Government Area, which left several residents dead and others injured.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, the government described the attack as senseless and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

The government said the incident highlighted the need for sustained efforts to tackle criminal elements threatening peace and stability in the state.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang has directed security agencies to intensify operations in the affected area and ensure that those responsible for the attack are identified, arrested and prosecuted.

The governor also directed emergency management and humanitarian agencies to provide support to victims and affected families, including those receiving treatment in hospitals.

The state government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and preventing criminal elements from undermining efforts aimed at promoting peace and development in Plateau.

It urged residents of Kawel community, Mushere Chiefdom and other parts of the state to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information to aid ongoing investigations and operations.

The government also warned against reprisals, stressing that those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice through lawful means.

It assured residents of its commitment to maintaining peace, security and the rule of law across the state.

Troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have rescued more than 47 persons, mostly women and children, who were held captive by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, fighters in Kangarwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni.

According to the statement, the victims were rescued on June 20, 2026, following sustained military operations targeting ISWAP enclaves in the Lake Chad region.

The military said continuous ground and air offensives mounted by troops forced the terrorists to abandon their positions, creating an opportunity for the captives to regain their freedom.

“The successful rescue operation was made possible through sustained aggressive pressure and relentless offensive operations conducted by OPHK troops against ISWAP enclaves in the Lake Chad region,” the statement said.

Military authorities said the sustained offensive disrupted activities within the terrorist camps, creating an opportunity for the captives to break free.

“The unrelenting ground and air offensives forced the terrorists to abandon their positions in confusion, enabling the victims to escape from prolonged captivity,” the statement added.

According to Operation HADIN KAI, the rescued persons have been moved to a secure location where they are receiving medical attention and humanitarian support.

The military further disclosed that relevant agencies are working to facilitate the reintegration of the victims into their communities.

“This rescue further highlights the commitment of OPHK troops to not only degrade terrorist capabilities but also to secure the release of innocent civilians held against their will,” the statement said.

Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining military operations across the North-East, noting that efforts would continue to dismantle remaining terrorist networks and restore peace to affected communities.

The International Monetary Fund, IMF, recommendation of more taxes on telecommunication services and petroleum products for the Nigerian government has sparked angry reactions from the citizens.

It could be recalled that recently, the IMF recommended introducing taxes on fuel products and telecommunications services in Nigeria as part of broader measures to increase government revenue and create fiscal space for development spending and social interventions.

This was contained in its Article IV report on Nigeria.

DAILY POST reports that the reactions that followed were spontaneous due to past experiences with the IMF.

Although Nigeria has dismissed reports suggesting it had adopted or was considering the introduction of new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products following recommendations contained in the latest IMF Article IV Consultation Report on Nigeria, Nigerians have continued to speak against the recommendation.

The government in a statement had stressed that recommendations contained in the IMF report were not binding on Nigeria and should not be interpreted as official government policy.

It maintained that decisions on taxation could only be made through constitutional and legislative processes and would be guided by national priorities and prevailing economic realities.

“The IMF Article IV Consultation Report contains the Fund’s assessment of Nigeria’s economy as well as recommendations for consideration by the authorities. Those recommendations do not amount to government policy and are not binding on Nigeria.

“Decisions on tax matters are taken through established constitutional and legislative processes and are guided by national priorities and prevailing economic realities,” part of the statement said.

Some Nigerians are of the view that such taxes would cripple businesses and deepen hardship, and that it would completely destroy whatever economic gains the current government had made in the last three years.

One of those who have spoken strongly against the negative impacts of such taxes is the chairman of the Alliance for Economic Research and Ethics LTD/GTE, Dele Oye.

He argued that such measures were insensitive and would further cripple businesses and deepen hardship for over 140 million poor Nigerians.

Oye insisted that Nigeria has the ability to grow its revenue without introducing additional taxes on struggling households and businesses, noting that tax collections rose by more than 180 percent in three years, from N10.1 trillion in 2022 to N28.3 trillion in 2025.

He noted that imposing fresh taxes on fuel and telecom services at a time when an estimated 140 million Nigerians live below the poverty line would amount to placing a heavier burden on citizens already grappling with inflation, high living costs and weak purchasing power.

He argued that Nigerian businesses were already weighed down by what he described as hidden taxes, including high borrowing costs, unreliable electricity, multiple levies imposed at different levels of government, foreign exchange volatility and security-related expenses.

He emphasised that commercial lending rates exceeding 35 percent and soaring energy costs have significantly increased the cost of doing business, warning that additional taxes could discourage investment and slow economic growth.

Also, a Lagos lawyer, who is versed in tax matters, Bolu Oyeniyi, equally questioned the rationale for introducing new taxes when improvements in tax administration could generate substantial additional revenue, citing the IMF’s own assessment that administrative reforms alone could deliver gains comparable to those expected from new tax measures.

Rather than imposing fresh levies, he wants the Federal Government to strengthen tax compliance, reduce the cost of governance, eliminate revenue leakages, formalise more of the informal economy and review tax incentives enjoyed by large corporations and extractive industries.

He further warned that taxing telecommunications would undermine digital inclusion and financial innovation, while additional taxes on fuel could ripple through the economy by increasing transport costs and driving up food prices.

He urged the government to prioritise economic recovery over new taxation and focus on creating an environment that enables businesses to grow and create jobs instead of placing additional burdens on consumers and entrepreneurs.

“The patient needs recovery time, not another surgery,” he said, urging the government to reject the IMF’s recommendations on telecom and fuel taxes and pursue reforms that expand the economy rather than deepen hardship.

Also contributing, a civil servant with the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Lanre Adebowale, condemned the IMF’s recommendation, warning the government against receiving further advice or recommendation from the international monetary agency.

He said he could remember how the same IMF’s advice in 1986 to the military government of Gen Ibrahim Babangida landed Nigeria in serious economic quagmire that it has not been able to extricate herself from ever since then.

He warned that no advice from the IMF will ever benefit any Nigerian, instead such economic advice would only bring more economic woes to Nigeria.

“I remember very well how the Babangida government destroyed Nigeria through borrowing from the IMF. One of the conditions for getting the loan then was for the government to implement an economic policy called the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAP).

“This was the genesis of Nigeria’s economic crisis, which we are still struggling with till date,” he stated.

He lamented that the programmes which were designed to stabilize troubled economies, shrink government deficits and transition nations toward market-driven, globally competitive systems, ended up destroying Nigeria’s economy and inflicting grievous pains on Nigerians.

The core components of the programmes, according to him, included currency devaluation, privatization, cut in public spending, market liberalization and tax reforms.

“This was how state-owned enterprises like Nigeria Telecommunications Limited, NITEL, Nigeria Hotels, Nigeria Airways and a lot of other public companies which were the pride of Nigeria were sold at give-away prices to a few ‘connected’ individuals.

“It is the same IMF that has come again to recommend that our government should tax Nigerians again on petroleum products and telecommunications service. Remember that most household businesses have crumbled because there is no electricity and the price of fuel to power the generators has gone far beyond the reach of ordinary people at above N1200 per liter of petrol.

“Also, remember that Nigerians pay the highest in data among other nations of the world, a development that is still generating public outcry.

“And here we are reading about a recommendation from the same IMF to increase taxes on these products and services.

“This is quite unfortunate but the good news is that the government has come out to say it is not considering bringing more taxes on telecoms and petrol.

“That’s good enough, but going forward, I advise that Nigeria should not be listening to the IMF because it will always give advice that will favour it and not the one that will favour Nigeria,” he stated.

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has described the victory of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the Ekiti State Governorship Election and the party’s impressive performance in the recent bye-elections across the country as a clear vote of confidence in the APC, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Yilwatda stated that the outcome of the elections demonstrates that Nigerians are able to distinguish between temporary economic challenges associated with reforms and the long-term benefits of responsible governance, economic restructuring, infrastructure development and institutional renewal being championed by the APC at both federal and state levels.

In a statement signed by Abimbola Tooki, the Special Adviser to the National Chairman of APC, Yilwatda said, “The overwhelming victory recorded by our great party in Ekiti State and our remarkable success in the bye-elections across the country represent a powerful endorsement of the APC’s governance philosophy.

“These results affirm that Nigerians appreciate leadership that prioritises development, accountability, stability and the welfare of the people.

“The people of Ekiti State have once again demonstrated that performance remains the most potent campaign message in democratic politics. Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s resounding re-election is a reward for visionary leadership, inclusive governance, prudent management of resources and visible developmental achievements across the state.”

Governor Oyebanji of the APC was declared winner of the Ekiti Governorship Election after securing a commanding victory across the state, reaffirming the confidence of the electorate in his administration and the APC’s developmental agenda. The party also recorded significant victories in five of the six bye-elections conducted across various states of the federation.

Yilwatda’s statement noted that the Ekiti result has further strengthened the APC’s narrative that performance-based governance remains electorally rewarding, even amid difficult economic transitions.

He said, “The Ekiti election has become a national reference point. It confirms that when governments deliver tangible results in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, security and social development, citizens respond with renewed trust and overwhelming electoral support.

“This victory sends a clear message that governance, not propaganda, remains the most effective route to political legitimacy. The people of Ekiti have spoken loudly and clearly in support of continuity, stability and progress.”

The APC National Chairman described Ekiti State under Governor Oyebanji as one of the most compelling governance success stories in contemporary Nigeria, citing sustained investments in road infrastructure, rural development, human capital advancement, healthcare delivery, agricultural productivity, workers’ welfare and ease of doing business.

He said the administration has successfully built broad-based political consensus while maintaining a strong focus on development outcomes, thereby creating an environment of stability and accelerated progress.

“Ekiti today stands as a shining example of how APC governments are translating public trust into measurable development outcomes. The state’s progress under Governor Oyebanji provides a practical demonstration of our party’s commitment to people-centred governance,” he stated.

Yilwatda further stated that the election outcome should be viewed within the broader national context of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda, which is gradually laying the foundation for a more resilient, productive and globally competitive Nigerian economy.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, governorship candidate, Mr Dare Bejide, has rejected the Ekiti State election result.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, Bejide described the election as lacking credibility.

He alleged that the exercise was conducted in “an atmosphere replica of a war zone”.

The ADC candidate accused the ruling party of engaging in vote buying through money and food distribution.

Bejide said the government should have relied on its achievements rather than struggling to influence voters.

“My immediate reaction is to reject the result in its entirety because the exercise was not credible,” he said.

He claimed some polling units, including his, witnessed a tense atmosphere during the election.

“You all witnessed what happened. Some places were almost like a war zone,” Bejide added.

He alleged that political appointees and a serving senator brought thugs and security personnel.

“In some places, it appeared the election was taking place only in my polling unit. It is a sad day for democracy,” the ADC candidate stated.

Bejide further alleged that vote buying was carried out openly at several polling units.

“Bags of money were brought to polling units, and enormous sums were spent,” he claimed. He said such actions reflected poor performance by the government.

“If they had performed well, there would have been no need to rely on money,” Bejide said.

The ADC candidate said he was still studying the election outcome before deciding his next move.

“I have not personally seen the full results; I have only heard reports on social media,” he said.

He added that his team was collating available polling unit results.

“Once we receive and analyse everything, we will brief our party members,” Bejide stated.

He said the party would decide on the appropriate course of action afterwards.

“At this stage, we are certainly not satisfied with the conduct of the election,” he said.

Bejide urged his supporters and Ekiti residents to remain peaceful and calm. “We are carefully studying the results and will know the appropriate steps to take,” he added.