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Student leaders from tertiary institutions across the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027.

They also pledged to mobilise students across the region in support of his candidacy.

The endorsement was announced at the inauguration of the Students’ Wing of Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), attended by Students’ Union Government presidents and other student leaders from universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

Coordinator of the A4A Students’ Wing and SUG President of Bayero University, Kano, Comrade Abdulmudallib Kalli Sheriff, said the decision was informed by the Tinubu administration’s interventions in education, student financing, skills development and youth empowerment.

‘We are for Asiwaju. Our support is not passive or ceremonial; it is organised, deliberate and ready for action,’ Sheriff said.

He singled out the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a major intervention expanding access to tertiary education, particularly for students from financially disadvantaged families.

‘We will take this message to our campuses and communities. We will mobilise, communicate and organise,’ he added.

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, said the endorsement reflected the President’s ‘giant strides’ in education, infrastructure, healthcare and agriculture.

He described Tinubu’s investments in education and skills development as particularly significant for the North.

‘Through TVET and NELFUND, the President has done a lot for the North. Available programme data indicate that Northern Nigeria accounts for over 60 per cent of beneficiaries under key interventions. That is measurable impact,’ Sani said.

The governor said expanding educational opportunities must also go hand in hand with economic and digital inclusion.

‘We cannot meaningfully empower young Nigerians politically while leaving them educationally, economically and digitally excluded,’ he said.

Sani urged the students to make their mobilisation issue-based and anchored on the administration’s record.

‘Do not campaign with insults; campaign with evidence. Do not answer criticism with abuse; answer it with facts,’ he said.

Director-General of Arewa for Asiwaju, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, mni, said the case for Tinubu’s re-election should be based on achievements rather than promises.

‘We are not here to ask for your support on the strength of promises. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has already delivered, and the record speaks for itself,’ Badaru said.

He cited NELFUND, TETFund projects and the Energising Education Programme as interventions benefiting students and tertiary institutions across the North.

Badaru, who formally inaugurated the Students’ Wing, charged its members to ‘carry this record to every campus, every hostel and every student union across the 19 Northern States.’

Accepting the mandate, Sheriff pledged to build a coordinated student mobilisation network across the region ahead of the 2027 elections.

’19 Northern States. The FCT. Thousands of campuses. Millions of young Nigerians. One coordinated movement,’ he declared.

‘The students of Arewa are ready to stand with President Tinubu. We are ready to mobilise, organise, engage and deliver.’

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it has captured 137,487 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in its voter database ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Commission disclosed this on Wednesday at a National Strategy Engagement with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Abuja.

The engagement, themed sensitisation and mobilisation of PWDs for increased participation in the 2027 polls, brought together leaders of JONAPWD, OPDs, development partners and INEC officials.

Declaring the meeting open, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, represented by the Acting Chairman and National Commissioner, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, said the engagement reflects the Commission’s commitment to an inclusive electoral process where no eligible voter is left behind.

He said participation of PWDs is anchored on Section 54 of the Electoral Act 2026, as amended, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018, and the INEC Framework on Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities.

Citing pre-AFIS data from the ICT department, Amupitan said the 137,487 captured include 13,080 visually impaired, 9,299 hearing impaired, 30,561 persons with albinism, 19,430 with physical impairment, and 54,941 in other categories.

He said the figures show the need for sustained engagement to ensure PWDs are informed, mobilised and supported to participate in the electoral process.

He said outcomes of the national engagement would be replicated at state level through Resident Electoral Commissioners and Electoral Officers to translate strategies into grassroots interventions.

He urged JONAPWD and OPDs to take ownership of sensitisation within their clusters, noting that inclusive elections require collective efforts.

In her welcome remarks, Director, Gender and Inclusivity Department, Mrs. Lakunuya Dorothy Bello, described PWDs as a critical constituency whose participation is essential to the credibility of democracy, while identifying challenges around voter information, education and accessibility.

The Deputy Director in charge of Inclusivity, Mrs. Habiba Abdulkareem Jatto, said the objectives of the meeting were to strengthen collaboration, develop practical mobilisation strategies, increase PVC collection and voter turnout among PWDs, and enhance voter education in accessible formats.

Delivering the keynote, Executive Director of Inclusive Friends Association, Grace Jerry, called for mapping PWD networks, using OPD channels and accessible media, delivering voter education in multiple formats, supporting registration and referrals, and monitoring barriers for escalation.

In his goodwill message, National President of JONAPWD, Comrade Abdullahi Aliyu Usman, commended INEC for its disability inclusion policy but said more frequent engagements are needed before 2027.

Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Bar. Ayuba Gufwan Burki, decried barriers of mobility and restricted movement during elections, saying if fully mobilised, PWDs could determine electoral outcomes.

Founder of TAF Africa, Jake Epelle, lauded INEC’s priority voting for PWDs but urged improved accessibility of polling units and deeper grassroots mobilisation through cluster heads.

‘Any election that fails to count the voices of persons with disability is not a democracy, it is an exercise in exclusion,’ he said.

The meeting ended with adoption of a communique presented by the National Secretary of JONAPWD, Mr. Ishaku Adamu.

The African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has urged the state government to urgently assist traders affected by the fire outbreak at the Sokoto Central Market.

The fire, which occurred about two days ago around the Kofar Yan Mashin section of the market, destroyed several shops and goods reportedly worth millions of naira.

Dan’iya, in a statement issued by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, sympathized with the affected traders and business owners, saying the incident had caused significant financial hardship.

He, however, thanked Almighty Allah that no life was lost in the incident.

‘We share in the pain of every trader whose shop, goods, and livelihood were affected. May Almighty Allah replace what has been lost with something better, strengthen the affected families, and restore their means of livelihood,’ he said.

The ADC candidate described the destruction as a setback for traders who depend on their businesses to support their families and contribute to the state’s economy.

He urged the affected traders to remain hopeful and work towards rebuilding their businesses despite the losses.

Dan’iya also called for immediate government intervention, including relief for victims and the repair or reconstruction of damaged shops.

‘These traders should not be left alone to bear the burden of a disaster that has affected an important commercial center of the state. Government must stand with them at this difficult moment,’ he said.

He expressed concern over the recurrence of fire incidents at the central market, saying the latest outbreak should prompt the authorities to reassess existing safety measures.

According to him, the market requires adequate firefighting equipment, accessible emergency routes, reliable water supply, proper electrical installations, and effective monitoring systems to minimize the risk of future disasters.

Dan’iya also urged market associations, traders, shop owners, and relevant government agencies to conduct regular safety inspections and address hazards, including faulty electrical connections, improper storage of combustible materials, and blocked access routes.

He commended residents and emergency personnel who assisted in containing the fire and preventing further destruction.

The candidate prayed for the recovery of the affected traders, saying stronger preventive measures were necessary to protect lives, businesses, and investments at the market.

The Sokoto Central Market is a major commercial hub in the state capital, attracting traders and customers from different parts of Sokoto and neighboring areas.

Previous fire incidents at the market have raised concerns over emergency access, firefighting facilities, and measures to protect traders’ property.

The latest incident has renewed calls for improved fire prevention and emergency response infrastructure as affected traders begin to assess the extent of their losses.

The Kano State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of an interstate motor vehicle theft syndicate and recovered 12 stolen vehicles in operations conducted across Kano and neighbouring states.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, disclosed this on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, during a press briefing at the Tarauni Area Command, Kano.

Bakori said operatives of the Command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS) achieved the breakthrough following credible intelligence and coordinated operations under the Inspector-General of Police’s Handshake Patrol initiative.

According to him, five suspects were initially arrested in Adamawa State on September 7, 2026, during an operation in which a white Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 was recovered.

He said subsequent discreet investigations and intelligence-led follow-up operations resulted in the recovery of 10 additional stolen vehicles from different locations across Kano and neighbouring states.

The Commissioner added that five more suspects were arrested at about 8:30 p.m. on September 12 at Kwankwasiya City Quarters, Tarauni, Kano, where they were allegedly found in possession of a stolen white Toyota Hilux with registration number KATSINA 03L-02KT.

Bakori said the development brought the total number of suspects arrested to 10 and vehicles recovered to 12.

He stated that during interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to a series of vehicle thefts in Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and other neighbouring states.

The suspects, he added, also disclosed that their alleged modus operandi involved stealing vehicles, concealing them at different locations and transporting them across state borders for sale.

The recovered vehicles include Toyota Corolla LE, Pontiac Vibe, Mercedes Benz GLK 350, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Sienna, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Tucson and another Toyota Hilux bearing Katsina registration.

Bakori expressed concern that 11 of the 12 recovered vehicles were not registered, saying the situation had made it difficult for the police to trace some of their owners.

He warned motorists against driving unregistered vehicles or using covered, concealed or covert number plates, noting that such practices could aid criminal activities and frustrate investigations.

The Commissioner said the Command would sustain enforcement against unregistered and improperly registered vehicles as part of efforts to curb vehicle-related crimes.

He also said the Command had strengthened intelligence gathering and repositioned its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and Special Intervention Squad (SIS) to respond rapidly to violent crimes, motor vehicle theft, kidnapping and other security challenges.

Bakori commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and neighbouring police commands for intelligence sharing and operational cooperation that contributed to the arrests and recoveries.

He also acknowledged the role of members of the public in providing information that assisted the operation.

The Commissioner warned fleeing members of the syndicate that the police would continue efforts to apprehend them, adding that investigations were ongoing to recover more stolen vehicles and identify other members of the network.

He directed owners of the recovered vehicles to contact the Investigating Police Officer on 07063407910, the Office of the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), or the Officer in Charge of the Special Intervention Squad at Court Road, Tarauni Area Command, Kano, with valid proof of ownership.

Bakori further urged residents to report suspicious movements of vehicles or persons to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575 and 09029292926.

He said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.

THERE is something striking about hearing a prominent member of Nigeria’s political class declare that Nigerians were better off under military rule. It is even more striking when the person making the statement is Mr Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River State and presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party. Duke’s intervention, however, deserves more than outrage. Understood, his argument is less a recommendation of military government than an indictment of what Nigeria’s political leaders have made of democracy. But Duke himself should make it unmistakably clear.

His questions are legitimate. After 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule, are Nigerians better educated? Is healthcare better? Is electricity more reliable? Are there enough productive jobs? Is the ordinary citizen more secure and prosperous? Duke’s answer is largely no. He argues that many of the problems Nigeria faced in 1999 remain unresolved, while some have worsened. These are questions Nigerian leaders should have been asking themselves long before Duke became a presidential candidate. The distress is difficult to deny. Millions of children remain out of school. Poverty is widespread. Healthcare is beyond the reach of many families. Electricity remains grossly inadequate, while unemployment, underemployment and insecurity diminish opportunities. When Duke asks whether Nigerian democracy has delivered enough to justify the hopes raised in 1999, the political establishment should answer the question rather than attack the messenger. But the comparison with military rule must be carefully demarcated.

Military dictatorship may appear cheaper partly because it abolishes or sidelines institutions democracy requires. There are no truly competitive elections or elected legislatures, and no obligation on those who seize power to obtain the people’s consent. Under military rule, constitutions were suspended, elected institutions dissolved, journalists detained, politicians imprisoned, and decrees used to override civil liberties. Nigerians should not allow today’s economic hardship to erase yesterday’s repression. Democracy has given Nigerians freedoms that should never be treated as minor achievements: the right to criticise the President, organise politically, challenge government in court, contest elections and periodically remove governments without soldiers appearing on television to suspend the Constitution. Nigeria has also enjoyed 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule. In 2015, an incumbent President conceded defeat and power passed peacefully to the opposition. Yet it cannot become an excuse for democratic underperformance.

The existence of a National Assembly, courts, political parties and periodic elections does not automatically mean democracy is functioning well. Institutions must perform the purposes for which they were created. On this point, Duke’s criticism deserves attention. Nigeria’s elections suffer from a crisis of public confidence. When citizens believe votes do not matter, democracy loses more than turnout; it loses legitimacy. The legislature must be more than an institution that validates executive preferences, while the judiciary must command confidence in impartial justice. Duke’s reference to the speed with which the former national anthem was restored in 2024 also raises a fair question. Whether one supported or opposed the change is besides the point. Nigerians may reasonably wonder why some matters move through the legislative process with astonishing efficiency while reforms affecting electricity, education, healthcare, security and livelihoods remain unresolved for years.

Still, Duke must also look into the mirror. He is not an outsider commenting on a political class to which he never belonged. He governed Cross River State from 1999 to 2007-eight of the 27 years whose democratic performance he now questions. Before that, he served on the National Economic Intelligence Committee during military rule. His experience gives weight to his criticism, but it also imposes responsibility. What could his generation have done differently? Why were stronger institutions not entrenched when they had the opportunity? What lessons has he learnt? There is also the matter of timing. Duke had raised governance concerns before, but he is now a presidential candidate. Nigerians are entitled to ask whether his intervention is statesmanship or partly electoral positioning. That does not invalidate his argument, but it makes clarity essential. He should state without ambiguity that he is not advocating a return to military rule. Nothing in his reported remarks necessarily amounts to such a call. His point appears to be that politicians have failed to make democracy meaningful in the lives of ordinary Nigerians. But in a region where military takeovers have reappeared, careless nostalgia can be dangerous. The answer to a poorly performing democracy is not military rule. It is a better-performing democracy.

Nigeria does not need another sterile argument over whether soldiers governed better than politicians. It needs serious introspection about why, after nearly three decades of civilian rule, electricity remains unreliable, schools inadequate, healthcare weak, insecurity persistent and productive opportunities insufficient for a rapidly growing population. Government must become more accountable. Elections must command greater confidence. The legislature must exercise oversight. The judiciary must inspire trust. The cost of governance must be reduced without reducing democracy. Political office must return to public service rather than a permanent occupation. Duke also recalled the warning that a time could come when the rich would not sleep because the poor had not eaten. The warning should not be dismissed. Hunger, inequality, unemployment and loss of faith in institutions are dangerous ingredients in any society. Time is running out for politicians who believe Nigerians can endure indefinitely without consequences.

Donald Duke has made an important intervention, even if his comparison is imperfect and his own record invites scrutiny. The response is neither to romanticise military rule nor pretend that civilian rule has performed well simply because soldiers are no longer in power. Democracy must be defended, but it must also deliver. Nigeria fought too hard to escape military rule to return to it. But its leaders must understand that the strongest defence of democracy is not another speech praising it. It is making democracy work for the people.

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos has challenged the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, to substantiate his allegation questioning the eligibility of the APC candidate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, over an alleged United States oath of allegiance.

Spokesman of the party in the state, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, on Wednesday, described Rhodes-Vivour’s latest intervention as a resurrection of an issue that had already featured in the legal challenge to the 2023 Lagos governorship election.

Oladejo said while questions about the constitutional eligibility of political candidates were legitimate, such issues should be determined through the appropriate legal institutions rather than political statements.

According to him, Rhodes-Vivour had himself acknowledged that the issue formed part of his legal team’s case during the 2023 election litigation.

He also drew attention to the reported testimony of an immigration lawyer involved in the earlier proceedings, saying her area of expertise was United States immigration law and that she was not familiar with the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution on dual citizenship.

Oladejo argued that a claim or testimony relating to foreign immigration law should not automatically be interpreted as a judicial determination that a Nigerian citizen is constitutionally barred from contesting an election.

‘An allegation is not a judgment,’ he said, adding that if Rhodes-Vivour had uncovered a new and legally decisive fact, the appropriate avenue was to present it before the courts or other competent constitutional authorities.

The APC spokesman said the party had no objection to legitimate scrutiny of its candidate, insisting that the facts and applicable law should determine the matter.

‘The APC’s position is straightforward: bring the facts, bring the law, and let the competent authorities pronounce,’ he said.

Oladejo, however, shifted the focus to the broader political contest, arguing that the 2027 governorship election should provide Lagosians with competing policy options rather than a continuation of the disputes surrounding the 2023 election.

He challenged opposition candidates to explain how they would address transportation, housing, infrastructure, employment, healthcare, education, security and environmental challenges confronting Lagos.

He said the electorate should also be told how proposed programmes would be financed and implemented.

‘Lagosians deserve policy alternatives. They deserve measurable programmes,’ Oladejo said.

He urged Rhodes-Vivour to present his policy agenda and explain what he would do differently if elected governor, rather than concentrating primarily on criticisms of Hamzat.

The APC spokesman said the party was prepared to defend its own record and programme while allowing voters to assess the competing positions of the candidates.

He maintained that any genuine constitutional question concerning Hamzat’s eligibility should be left to the appropriate legal authorities, stressing that political repetition could not substitute for judicial determination.

‘2027 is not 2023. The future of Lagos cannot be built by endlessly litigating the past,’ Oladejo said.

He urged Rhodes-Vivour to bring forward both his legal and political cases, adding that while the former should be settled by the courts, the latter should be presented directly to Lagos voters.

Kano State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has called on political leaders and their supporters to embrace tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful competition in the interest of democracy and national unity.

Political power is temporary, but the relationships among our people must remain. Let us compete fairly, respect our differences and allow the people to freely decide who they want to lead them. Democracy is stronger when we disagree peacefully and remain united as a people,’ he said.

Gwarzo made the call in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, to mark the International Day of Democracy, observed annually on September 15.

He said political differences should not divide Nigerians or turn political opponents into enemies, stressing that democracy thrives when citizens are allowed to freely support parties and candidates of their choice.

‘We may belong to different political parties and have different opinions, but we are all Nigerians. Political disagreement should never become a reason for hatred, intimidation or violence. We must learn to compete without destroying one another,’ he said.

The NDC candidate urged governments at all levels to create an atmosphere where opposition parties can operate freely, while calling on security agencies to provide equal protection to all political parties, candidates and their supporters irrespective of their political affiliations.

He also urged political parties to promote internal democracy and refrain from inflammatory statements, personal attacks and actions capable of heightening political tension.

Gwarzo called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant institutions to remain impartial and ensure a level playing field for all political parties ahead of elections.

He appealed to the media and civil society organisations to promote responsible political discourse and provide space for competing ideas without encouraging hatred or division.

According to him, Nigerians are more concerned about issues affecting their daily lives, including insecurity, unemployment, poverty, rising living costs, education and infrastructure, than political quarrels.

‘Our politics should be about ideas and solutions. We should be able to disagree on policies while respecting one another as citizens,’ Gwarzo said.

He further urged young Nigerians to actively participate in the democratic process and contribute positively to the development of the country.

Gwarzo reaffirmed the NDC’s commitment to peaceful political engagement, dialogue, tolerance, accountability and inclusive governance.

The simmering cold war between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and the governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a new twist as the governors rejected the minister’s newly formed Rainbow Coalition.

At a meeting held on Monday night at the Imo State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, the governors declared that the Coalition floated by the FCT Minister could threaten the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

It will be recalled that certain erstwhile chieftains of the APC who lost out in the party primaries for certain elective offices have since found accommodation in the Wike-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accorded recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Among such APC stalwarts who defected into the PDP and have secured tickets include Senator representing Kwara Central, Saliu Mustapha who lost the ticket to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Honourable Kolo Jiya from Patigi local government, who picked Kwara North senatorial ticket after dumping.

Others are Isa Pantami, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, who has since emerged as PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State.

In Cross Rivers, the FCT Minister is believed to be backing the PDP governorship candidate, Arthus Davis against the incumbent APC governor, Bassey Otu.

But reading the resolutions of the Progressives Governors Forum, the Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma, declared that the governors unanimously resolved not to have anything to do with the Rainbow Coalition.

He maintained that such political arrangement would create confusion and affect the APC electoral fortune.

He said, ‘The forum unanimously resolved that its members won’t participate in, support or endorse any alliance or political arrangement capable of undermining the reelection of Mr President, weakening the APC or adversely affecting any candidate of the party at all levels.

‘In other words, the forum has no intention of supporting anybody at any level, that’s not an APC candidate because our candidates are being sponsored by our party. The Governors affirmed commitment is exclusively to all APC candidates.

‘Any arrangement that can create confusion, divided loyalty or competing interests will not be entertained. All levels of the party campaign architectures must align with the expectations of Mr President and objectives of the APC.’

However, Wike has reiterated that his support for the reelection of President Tinubu remained sacrosanct, saying he never promised that the PDP will not field candidates in governorship, National Assembly and States House of Assembly elections.

However, Wike has said President Bola Tinubu is aware of his Rainbow Coalition political strategy, stressing that he is not answerable to APC governors over his political activities.

Wike stated this while speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday night, in response to the position of some APC governors that there was no room for the Rainbow Coalition and that its members should support only APC candidates at all levels.

The FCT minister said he had never entered into an alliance with the APC or attended meetings of the Progressive Governors Forum over the coalition, insisting that his support for Tinubu did not amount to joining the ruling party.

He said: ‘I have told you here, there’s never been a day I said, and Mr President knows, and there’s nothing I have done that I have never told Mr President, ‘This is what I intend to do,” Wike said.

He said his decision to support Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election was based on his conviction that it was the turn of the South to produce the president after former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years in office.

‘When in 2023 we said we were going to support Tinubu, people like Hope never knew that it would affect the presidential election,’ he said.

According to the FCT Minister, the G-5 governors did not consult the Progressive Governors Forum before backing Tinubu, but met the presidential candidate and informed him directly of their decision.

‘When the G5 came out to support the President, is there any time we had meeting with Progressive Governors Forum or with their party? We met with Mr President and told Mr President, ‘We are going to support you.’ And I have never hidden that,’ he said.

Wike said there was no contradiction in supporting Tinubu for the presidency while backing candidates from other political parties in state and legislative elections.

He cited the cases of Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, who he said are supporting Tinubu despite belonging to parties other than the APC.

He also questioned the performance of APC in some South-East states during the 2023 presidential election, despite the party’s candidates winning legislative seats in the same states.

‘In Imo State, he (Uzodimma) was governor and of APC stock. Mr President didn’t get 10 per cent in his state. But he took two senators. And Labour Party took one senator in Imo State,’ he said.

Wike argued that the outcome showed that voters could support one party’s presidential candidate while choosing candidates from other parties in legislative contests.

He dismissed the argument by APC governors that the Rainbow Coalition could undermine party unity, saying governors should concentrate on demonstrating their political influence in their respective states.

‘I agree, they are governors, I’m not disputing that, they have influence, but the influence should come more in your own state, as far as this election is concerned,’ he said.

The minister questioned the political influence of governors who were unable to deliver their states to Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

‘A governor that is influential, their president cannot win election in his state, still sees himself as being influential?’ he asked.

Wike also described those behind the opposition to the Rainbow Coalition as ‘politically lazy’, accusing them of failing to understand the political dynamics involved.

‘When I see the people who had that press conference, they are smart, like the 419 men. They are smart, like the 419ners. But they are politically lazy. It’s unfortunate,’ he said.

Olu Jacobs was a veteran Nigerian actor whose career spanned more than five decades across theatre, television and film. The actor, whose full name was Oludotun Baiyewunmi Jacobs, died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84.

Jacobs was one of the familiar faces of Nigerian entertainment, having built a career that began on stage before taking him to British television and later Nollywood.

Here are key things to know about the late actor:

1. He was born in 1942

Olu Jacobs was born on July 11, 1942, and died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84.

His career in the performing arts lasted for more than 50 years.

2. He started his career in theatre

Jacobs began acting on stage in the 1960s before moving into television.

He later worked in British television during the 1970s and 1980s before returning to Nigeria, where he became part of the country’s growing film industry.

3. He trained at RADA

Jacobs studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.

His training helped shape his career, and he later appeared in British television productions including The Professionals, The Bill and Dempsey and Makepeace.

4. He became a prominent Nollywood actor

After returning to Nigeria, Jacobs became a familiar figure in Nollywood from the 1990s.

He appeared in more than 200 films, including Vigilante, Blood Diamond, Omeruah’s Advice, The Dogs of War, Dry and Rattlesnake.

5. He was known as the ‘Lion of Lufodo’

Jacobs was associated with the nickname ‘Lion of Lufodo’, linked to the Lufodo Group, the media and production company he co-founded with his wife, Joke Silva.

The company became part of the couple’s work in theatre, film and the wider performing arts industry.

6. He was married to Joke Silva

Jacobs married actress Joke Silva in 1989.

Together, they co-founded the Lufodo Group and Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, where they supported the training and development of people in the performing arts.

7. He was known for playing authority figures

Jacobs became recognisable for his deep voice and commanding presence on screen.

He frequently played characters such as kings, chiefs, senior advocates and military generals, roles that became associated with his acting career.

8. He received a national honour

In 2007, Jacobs was conferred with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) for his contributions to Nigerian arts and culture.

9. He also contributed to the development of actors

Beyond his work on screen, Jacobs was involved in efforts aimed at improving welfare, structure and intellectual property protection in Nollywood.

Through Lufodo Academy, he and Joke Silva also contributed to the training of actors and other performing arts professionals.

10. He is survived by his family

Jacobs is survived by his wife, Joke Silva, children and grandchildren.

In their statement announcing his death, the family asked the public and media to ‘respect our family’s privacy at this time.’

Nigerians are facing fresh pressure on household energy costs as the price of cooking gas has increased by 25 per cent, rising from N1,200 to N1,500 per kilogramme.

The latest increase comes amid a further rise in the price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, with the commodity selling for as much as N2,300 per litre at some filling stations and depots.

The development is expected to compound the financial burden on households and businesses already grappling with high energy and operating costs.

The latest mid-day depot price report for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, showed that diesel prices recorded significant increases, particularly in Lagos and Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

In Lagos, Ibachem recorded the highest increase among the depots listed, raising its AGO price by N170 from N1,830 to N2,000 per litre.

Ibeto followed with a N135 increase, moving from N1,835 to N1,970 per litre, while Duport and Integrated increased their prices by N110 each to N1,940 per litre.

Ardova also raised its diesel price by N20 to N1,970 per litre, while Eterna and Rain Oil sold at N2,000 per litre. Nipco’s price stood at N1,950 per litre.

Similar increases were recorded in Port Harcourt, where African Terminal, Duport and Integrated raised their AGO prices by N110 each to N1,940 per litre.

In Warri, Matrix increased its diesel price by N40, from N2,080 to N2,120 per litre, making it the highest depot price captured in the report.

The rising cost of diesel is likely to put further pressure on manufacturers, transport operators, telecommunications companies, small businesses and other users that depend heavily on diesel-powered generators and vehicles.

Meanwhile, petrol prices remained relatively stable in Lagos, where the product sold within a narrow range of N1,350 and N1,353 per litre.

Dangote, Pinnacle and A.A. Rano recorded N1 reductions, while Ascon and Integrated increased their prices by N2.

MRS retained its price at N1,352 per litre, while Sahara and African Terminal increased their prices by N1 each to N1,352.

Some of the notable petrol price reductions were recorded in Calabar, where Alkanes reduced its price by N17 to N1,338 per litre.

Matrix also cut its price by N10 to N1,355, while Mainland and Soroman reduced their prices to N1,338 per litre.

In Warri, Matrix and Keonamex maintained their petrol prices at N1,350 per litre, while Nepal and Prudent reduced theirs by N10 each to N1,340. Rain Oil retained its price at N1,350.

The latest price movements highlight the contrasting trends in the downstream petroleum sector, with petrol prices showing relative stability in some locations while diesel continues to record increases.

The situation could translate into higher production, transportation and logistics costs, particularly for businesses that rely on diesel for electricity generation and other operations.

Commenting on the development, Vice-President, Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria (OGSPAN), Lawal Kamaldeen, told Vanguard that the downstream sector remained unstable, with prices continuing to fluctuate.

‘The downstream sector has been very unstable, characterised by frequent leaps in prices due to the prolonged USA-Iran war. Prices are likely to continue to be unstable in the coming weeks,’ he said.