Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has expressed optimism that God will continue to guide President Bola Tinubu in leading Nigeria until 2031 to further the country’s development.

Umahi stated this on Thursday during an inspection tour of ongoing bridge projects in Lagos State, including the Carter Bridge, which is scheduled for reconstruction beginning next week.

According to the minister, Tinubu’s administration would continue to receive divine support in addressing the nation’s challenges, particularly insecurity.

“The same God that brought him is going to be there to solve all the problems,” Umahi said while appealing to Nigerians to support and cooperate with the current administration in its efforts to tackle security concerns across the country.

He noted that no leader desires instability during their tenure, but added that any responsible government must confront challenges directly whenever they arise.

“There is no leader who will not want his reign to be peaceful, but when crises come, the leader must confront them. That is exactly what we are doing,” he said.

Umahi further stated that regardless of whether the country’s security challenges were politically motivated or not, he believed Tinubu would receive the wisdom and strength required to overcome them and address other national issues.

The minister also expressed confidence that the present administration would complete all projects initiated under its watch.

“Your hands that have started this will complete it,” Umahi stated, adding that the government remained confident that Tinubu’s leadership continued to enjoy divine favour.

Speaking on the Carter Bridge project, the minister disclosed that the reconstruction of the bridge is expected to be completed within three years.

The governorship candidate for the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, in Kano State and former Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has called on the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf to present solid evidence to back his claims that funds were diverted from local government councils via his (Gwarzo) son, Mujahid Aminu Abdussalam.

Gwarzo’s remarks came in response to statements made by the spokesperson for Governor Yusuf, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa that funds from local government councils were funneled to the former deputy governor through his son.

In a statement released on Thursday by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, Comrade Gwarzo characterized the allegations as unfounded, outrageous, and a completely absurd effort to damage his well-established integrity throughout his public service.

“These allegations are simply products of the Governor’s imagination and lack any factual basis. We therefore firmly challenge the accuser to present credible and verifiable evidence to support these malicious claims. Mere accusations, regardless of how frequently they are repeated in the media, do not constitute proof,” the statement continued.

The NDC governorship candidate asserted that throughout his career in public service, he has adhered to the principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.

He expressed his belief that the truth will eventually come to light and urged the public to dismiss what he termed as baseless allegations.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has constituted a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness.

Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, inaugurated the task force on Thursday in Abuja, with the aim of taking action early to prevent an outbreak and to avoid a repeat of the 2014 Ebola crisis.

“We did the inauguration today on the preparedness of Nigeria for the Ebola virus disease. We’ve covered a lot of ground.

“Right now, there’s no reported case, which is good news, and that’s why all hands have to be on deck to make sure the measures we are taking are preventive, not curative,” he said.

Gbajabiamila stressed that the government wants to be proactive rather than waiting for an outbreak to happen.

“We don’t want to be in the situation we were last time, where we had a carrier in the country and we’re all running helter-skelter,” he added.

According to him, the group has created special teams to handle different areas, including tracking diseases, managing border control, and coordinating emergency responses.

He further explained that while previous safety efforts focused mostly on airports, the new task force is putting extra focus on monitoring land borders and informal travel routes.

He noted that they are now covering more ground because there is a lot of cross-migration through land borders, involving immigration, the Border Control Development Agency, and local border communities.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, confirmed that health checkpoints have already been strengthened at major entry points.

He explained that the new plan links several government ministries and state authorities together to ensure the country does not get the virus.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources in Lagos State, Tokunbo Wahab, has disclosed that the 226 beggars arrested during a statewide enforcement exercise on Thursday will be repatriated to their various states of origin.

The individuals were apprehended by operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Task Force in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps during a coordinated operation carried out across different parts of the state.

In a statement issued after the exercise, Wahab explained that the operation formed part of the state government’s ongoing environmental clean-up and enforcement campaign aimed at enhancing public safety and maintaining environmental sanity.

According to him, the exercise specifically targeted street begging activities, which he said contribute to environmental pollution and constitute a public nuisance in the state.

“In continuation of the ongoing daily clean-up and enforcement exercise across Lagos State, a total of 226 beggars were apprehended today,” the commissioner stated.

He noted that the enforcement exercise was jointly conducted by the two agencies and added that those arrested would first undergo proper profiling and documentation before being relocated to their respective home states.

Wahab reaffirmed the commitment of the Lagos State Government to sustaining enforcement and environmental sanitation operations across the state.

He added that the initiative was part of broader efforts to promote a cleaner, safer and more orderly environment for residents and visitors.

The Abia Governor,  Alex Otti, has condoled the family of Ekubo over the death of their son and Nollywood actor,  Alex Ikenna Ekubo Okwaraeke .

Otti who stated this on Thursday at Arochukwu, Abia State during a funeral service conducted for Ekubo  by the Streams of Joy Church ,  Governor Otti described the death of Ekubo, as a profound loss to Abia State and the  Nigerian   entertainment industry .

The Governor who represented by his Chief of Staff,  Caleb Ajagba, said that the late actor was not only a celebrated entertainer but also a cultural ambassador, whose talent projected the image of Abia state and nation on the global stage.

He praised the late actor  for always carrying his roots with pride and demonstrating through hard work and discipline that dreams can be achieved regardless of one’s background, adding that his rise from  Arochukwu to becoming a household name across Africa and beyond remains a powerful inspiration to young people.

“Alex possessed that rare gift of connecting with people.

Through his performances, he brought joy to homes, inspired

young people, and demonstrated that with discipline, dedication,

and excellence.

Governor Otti further encouraged the wife of the deceased,  the Ekubo-Okwaraeke family, the people of Arochukwu and the Nigerian creative industry to be strong, courageous and take solace in God.

Aged 40, Late Dr Alex Ikenna Ekubo Okwaraeke, who until his death was a renowned Nollywood actor and died as a result of complications from advanced metastatic kidney cancer, is survived by wife, parents, siblings and a host of other relatives.

The burial was attended by actors, actresses and other entertainers.

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has dismissed claims of nepotism in the emergence of Mustapha Kwankwaso as the deputy governorship candidate in Kano, insisting that his selection followed due process and was solely the decision of the party’s governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.
The spokesperson of the movement, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, revealed this on Wednesday in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST.

He said the criticisms trailing the nomination, particularly from the All Progressives Congress (APC), were based on misunderstanding and personal opinions.

“First, I will not have wanted to react to the reaction of APC or anybody from APC on issues regarding the choice of the deputy governor here in Kano,” he said.

“Because whoever we choose, they will end up having one or two things to say. That is normal in politics.”

Recall that on Monday, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) announced Mustapha Kwankwaso, the first son of its vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as the running mate to Gwarzo.

Before his nomination, Mustapha served as Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development in Kano State under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The development has since caused mixed reactions across political circles and social media, with supporters describing it as a step toward youth inclusion, while critics, including the APC, allege it reflects an attempt by Kwankwaso to rule by proxy.

Providing background to the development, Mohammed revealed that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) had initially approached Kwankwaso before political alignments were finalised.

According to him, the party leadership met Kwankwaso while trying to establish its presence in Kano and sought his support.

“They met our national leader when they were trying to bring the party to Kano and asked him to join. But at that time, he had already made up his mind to join the ADC.”

He added that when the move to recruit Kwankwaso failed, the party proposed an alternative involving his son.

“They felt, okay, if you will not join, why not allow your son to join us? They even said they were ready to make him governor,” Mohammed said.

Kwankwaso, however, rejected the idea.

“He told them clearly that he is not the kind of person who will be in one party and send his own child to another party for whatever reason.

“He thanked them for the offer and told them to go ahead with their plans, while he moved to ADC.”

Mohammed explained that subsequent political developments, including internal challenges within the ADC, later created an opening for fresh negotiations, which eventually led to collaboration with the NDC and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

He maintained that Mustapha’s eventual emergence as deputy governorship candidate followed a structured and grassroots-driven process.

Mohammed rejected the allegations that Mustapha’s emergence was based on family ties.

“For those thinking that Gwarzo chose him out of loyalty, they are entitled to their opinion. No matter what you say, they will not agree. But the best thing is to lay out the process of how he emerged.”

He explained that the selection process began with consultations and nominations at the grassroots level, where aspirants were asked to return to their local governments for screening and endorsement by stakeholders.

“Our national leader made it very clear that tickets are not given at the centre. All aspirants were asked to go back to their local governments, meet stakeholders, and be screened. Those stakeholders were the ones to nominate candidates.”

He cited examples of aspirants who followed the process and secured nominations.

“Some of them accepted the advice and went back to their people. For instance, a candidate from Ajingi returned, engaged stakeholders, and eventually got the nomination. The same thing happened in Dawakin Kudu and other places,” he said.

According to him, aspirants who refused to follow the grassroots process and instead focused on lobbying at the party headquarters did not succeed.

“Some refused to pass through that process and continued to push themselves at the headquarters. At the end of the day, they did not get the nomination,” he added.

Mohammed further revealed that after Gwarzo emerged as the governorship candidate, he was constitutionally empowered to pick his running mate.

“The candidate has the right to choose whoever he wants to work with. But even at that, the choice must still be presented to stakeholders.”

He disclosed that Mustapha was initially presented to the party leadership by stakeholders, but Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was not immediately in support.

“When Mustapha was first presented, our national leader vehemently refused. It was the candidate himself who took the responsibility of convincing him, explaining that this was his personal choice.”

He added that Gwarzo insisted on Mustapha after consultations and eventually unveiled him to stakeholders.

“It was Gwarzo who did the convincing and made it clear that this is the person he wants to work with. At that point, there was nothing anyone could do but accept,” he said.

Mohammed also said Mustapha’s track record and youth engagement influenced the decision.

“One of the reasons cited by Gwarzo was the need to carry the youth along. Mustapha has served as commissioner for youth, runs his own business, and has programmes aimed at empowering young people.

“He (Gwarzo) believes that while he has the experience and wisdom, working with someone younger will bring fresh ideas and strengthen inclusivity.”

He maintained that the entire process reflected internal democracy and not favoritism.

“This is the true position of how Mustapha emerged. He was nominated through the party process and eventually chosen by the candidate, not imposed by anyone.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has issued an update regarding the collection of Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, by eligible voters for the upcoming governorship election in Ekiti State.

The update was provided as the Commission announced the completion of the PVC collection process in the State.

A statement from Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, indicated that after the suspension of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the State on Thursday, 15th May 2026, and the subsequent cleaning of the voters’ register, the total number of registered voters in the State has increased from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026.

Furthermore, it was noted that the number of PVCs collected has grown from 958,052 in 2023, which reflects a collection rate of 97.0 percent, to 1,028,929 in 2026, corresponding to 97.1 percent of registered voters.

INEC also reminded that the PVC collection period, initially set to conclude on 11th June 2026, was extended to 14th June 2026 after discussions with stakeholders during a meeting held in Ado-Ekiti.

“With regards to Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the Commission to make available to registered voters replacement PVCs in the event of the loss, damage or defacement of their original PVC, 14,406 applications were received within the stipulated time and all 14,406 replacement PVCs were printed most of which have been collected,” the statement added.

“The option of a downloadable copy of the lost, damaged or defaced Voter Cards could not be implemented in this election because the necessary technology infrastructure for this is yet to be completed. The option would be available to voters in subsequent elections, especially the Osun Governorship election in August 2026 and the 2027 General Election.

“For the Ekiti State Governorship Election, all the PVCs were printed and made available for all eligible applicants, including those who requested a transfer, or applied for the replacement of lost, damaged or defaced cards. A detailed breakdown of PVC collection by Local Government Area (LGA) has been uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms,” it stated.

INEC called on all registered voters who have collected their PVCs to turn out peacefully and exercise their franchise on election day.

Former lawmaker, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, has said that Bafana Bafana of South Africa are paying the price of their xenophobic mobs in the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

Sani made this remark in a post on his verified X handle on Thursday.

He was reacting to South Africa’s loss in the opening of the tournament.

Recall that the South Africa side suffered a  2-0 defeat to co-hosts Mexico in the opening match at the Mexico City Stadium.

Similarly, South Africa attacking midfielder Themba Zwane has been suspended for three matches for his red card against Mexico, subject to appeal, by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

Reacting to the development, the former lawmaker said, “Bafana are paying the price for the behaviour of the Xenophobic mobs in their country.”

Like the corrupt and perennially lazy workman blaming his tools, the camp of the drowning Ogun East senator, Gbenga Daniel, has not ceased bellyaching over their principal’s failed 2027 re-election bid. The latest excuse—that Governor Dapo Abiodun is behind the failure of Daniel’s state creation gambit—is an afterthought cooked up to pacify bruised political egos.

In a treatise titled “Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Stalled Dream of Ijebu-Remo State,” with the rider “Senate Triumph Sabotaged in the House,” Victor Ojelabi, publisher of the blog Freelanews, piles up allegations against the Ogun State governor, accusing him of truncating the state creation initiative by allegedly influencing Ogun APC lawmakers in the House of Representatives.

Seeking to avoid the burden of proving his claims, Ojelabi repeatedly deploys words such as “allegedly” and “reportedly” while presenting speculation as fact. According to him, “Governor Dapo Abiodun stands accused of single-handedly sabotaging the creation of Ijebu-Remo State, a move that could have transformed the region into a booming economic powerhouse.” He further claims, without presenting any verifiable evidence, that Senator Daniel had “reportedly secured a staggering 75 signatures from distinguished senators, pushing the Ijebu-Remo State Creation Bill with determination and strategic brilliance.” Yet, he fails to explain how such an allegedly persuasive legislator could not secure corresponding support in the House of Representatives.

Even if one agrees, for the sake of argument, that 75 signatures constitute a significant political endorsement, it still stretches logic beyond reasonable limits to suggest that a proposal capable of attracting such support in one chamber would inexplicably fail to secure meaningful traction in the other solely because of Governor Abiodun. Rather than casting the governor in a bad light, this narrative raises questions about the seriousness and preparedness of those who now claim to be the sole proponents of the proposal.

A serious advocate of state creation would ordinarily prioritise painstaking consultations and broad-based support across both chambers of the National Assembly. Failing to secure such support while blaming others for the outcome reveals a troubling lack of political homework.

Losers will always search for excuses, and it cannot be plainer that these characters have struggled to come to terms with the loss of a senatorial ticket they apparently considered their birthright. They have accused virtually everyone of conspiracy, including President Bola Tinubu—the same political leader on whose behalf they once floated a “BAT-OGD” movement—alleging collusion with Governor Abiodun to edge their principal out of the 2027 race.

In their eagerness to shift blame, they conveniently forget that agitation for state creation predates the current controversy by decades. Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, no new state has been created in Nigeria. Even attempts to create additional local government councils have often resulted in prolonged constitutional and political disputes. Nigerians need only recall the challenges encountered during efforts to create additional local governments in Lagos State in the early years of the Fourth Republic.

The reason is simple: the Nigerian Constitution deliberately makes state creation one of the most difficult political exercises imaginable. It is designed that way because creating a state is not merely a matter of drawing a new boundary on a map; it is a fundamental restructuring of the federation. Section 8 of the Constitution imposes a maze of requirements involving elected representatives from affected areas, local government councils, State Houses of Assembly, the National Assembly, and the electorate itself through a referendum. Every stage presents a hurdle capable of terminating the process.

Indeed, the Constitution practically requires a national consensus before any new state can emerge. The proposal must survive multiple veto points, any one of which can kill it. That is why state creation remains one of the rarest constitutional exercises in the federation. It is easier to campaign for a new state than to create one.

Beyond the constitutional requirements lie even more daunting political realities. Every new state changes the distribution of federal revenue, legislative representation, ministerial appointments, and access to federal institutions. Inevitably, every proposal produces winners and losers. Those who stand to lose influence or resources naturally oppose it.

Approving one new state would also open the floodgates to dozens of similar demands across the federation. This is precisely why state creation has remained largely theoretical since 1999. In recent constitution review exercises, agitators demanded dozens of new states from different regions. If one is granted today, proponents of all the others would insist on equal treatment tomorrow. In Oyo State, there are agitations for Ibadan State and New Oyo State. In Lagos, there are demands for Lagoon State. Similar agitations exist across the federation. The question then becomes: if every region wants its own state, where does it end?

There is also the inconvenient economic reality that many of the existing 36 states struggle to survive without monthly federal allocations. Most generate insufficient internal revenue to sustain themselves. Creating more states means more governors, more commissioners, more assemblies, more bureaucracies, and more recurrent expenditure. At a time when the national conversation is about economic efficiency and reducing the cost of governance, many policymakers view additional states as a financial burden rather than a solution.

There is also the question of timing. At a period when many Nigerians are questioning the sustainability of the existing federal structure and calling for stronger economic viability among states, the creation of additional administrative units is bound to attract intense scrutiny. Any serious advocate of state creation must first answer the question of viability before seeking constitutional approval.

State creation also raises contentious issues relating to boundaries, ownership of resources, traditional institutions, and ethnic identity. Communities that appear united in agitation often become divided when questions arise about the location of a capital city, the sharing of assets, or political dominance within the proposed state. History has shown that such disagreements can derail even the most enthusiastic campaigns.

Against this backdrop, the attempt to blame Governor Abiodun for the failure of the Ijebu State creation proposal is not merely dishonest; it is absurd. If presidents, elder statesmen, constitutional conferences, influential regional blocs, and determined agitators have failed to create a state in nearly three decades, how exactly was Senator Daniel expecting to achieve this constitutional miracle? More importantly, why did a man who allegedly conquered the Senate fail to secure corresponding support in the House of Representatives?

The more plausible explanation is that the state creation campaign was never conceived as a serious constitutional project. It was a political slogan designed to generate excitement and sympathy ahead of the APC primary cycle. It was intended to create the illusion of a historic mission rather than deliver a constitutionally attainable objective.

The timing of the agitation raises legitimate questions. Aspirations for statehood are usually long-term, multi-generational projects pursued consistently across political cycles. They are not typically activated only when an incumbent office-holder faces a difficult re-election contest. That coincidence alone invites scrutiny.

If sincere agitators for new states have not succeeded since 1999, how could a senator who appeared to be using the state creation gambit to bolster his re-election prospects succeed? In the Senate, Gbenga Daniel is not among the most influential voices. He is not among the senators whose interventions regularly shape national discourse. By contrast, on virtually any issue in the polity, Nigerians know where senators such as Adams Oshiomhole and Ali Ndume stand because their views are frequently heard. When last did the Nigerian public hear Senator Daniel take a defining position on a major national issue?

The man has been busy fighting his state government instead of giving the people of Ogun East quality representation. To reduce the failure of Ijebu State creation to Governor Abiodun’s alleged lack of support is to ignore the possibility that the project itself lacked the broad political and constitutional backing necessary for success.

Besides, how logical is it for a sitting governor to preside over the dissolution of the very state he was elected to govern? And if Daniel were truly sincere about this cause, why did he not vigorously champion it throughout his eight years as governor? Why did the agitation suddenly become urgent when his political future became uncertain? Does it mean that Ijebu State can only be created if it aligns with Daniel’s personal ambition?

Perhaps the greatest irony is that a politician whose political positioning has frequently evolved with prevailing circumstances now seeks to present himself as the unquestioned custodian of a movement rooted in history, identity, and collective heritage. Questions of identity are sensitive matters, and those whose political trajectory has frequently invited debate should exercise caution before appropriating a people’s aspiration as a personal political project.

While the people of Ijebu and Remo have every democratic right to agitate for a new state, such agitation cannot be tied to the political survival of any single individual. Besides, Ojelabi shot himself in the foot by claiming that his principal is agitating for a so-called Ijebu-Remo State when the agitation has historically been about Ijebu State. If you are going to defend Ijebu State, do so without opportunistically redefining it. The sudden attempt to rebrand the agitation only raises further questions about sincerity, clarity of purpose, and motive.

The truth remains stubborn. The Constitution—not Governor Abiodun—is the greatest obstacle to state creation in Nigeria. The sooner Daniel and his sympathisers come to terms with that reality, the sooner they can stop manufacturing conspiracies to explain what was, from the outset, a politically convenient but constitutionally improbable project. State creation is not achieved through press statements, sponsored articles, or election-season sloganeering. It requires consensus, credibility, and constitutional compliance—three commodities that appear to have been in short supply throughout this ill-fated adventure.

Bakare leads a youth advocacy group in Abeokuta, Ogun State.