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The All Progressives Congress (APC) enlarged its coast yesterday as more opposition stalwarts joined the platform ahead of the 2027 general election.

Two opposition governors -one from the Southeast and another from the North – are expected to defect to the ruling party next week, a source said yesterday.

Also, the number of APC senators rose to 73, following the swearing in of Senators Joseph Ikpea (Edo Central) by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the defection of Senator Kelvin Chukwu (Enugu East) from the Labour Party (LP).

Apart from Ikpea, who won the recent by-election to replace Senator Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo State, Senator Emmanuel Chibuzor (Enugu South) was also sworn in to replace Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who passed on last year.

Also today, the fate of a governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Kayode Ojo, whose case was referred to the NWC after he was given a provisional clearance by the Governorship Screening Committee chaired by Tunji Olawuyi, would be decided.

APC warming up for governors’ defection

According to party sources, the planned defection of the governors is on the agenda of the NWC meeting today at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

In anticipation of the governors’ defection, the NWC may dissolve the State Working Committee (SWC) and appoint a caretaker committee for the chapter.

The setting up of a caretaker committee is to facilitate the harmonisation of structures under the watch of the governor, who according to the APC tradition, automatically becomes the State Party Leader, following his defection.

Confirming the proposed defections of two governors, the source said: ‘Another important issue slated for deliberation at Thursday’s NWC meeting is the formal reception of two governors from the opposition into the party.

‘One of the governors, who is from the Southeast, will be decamping formally next week and the party leadership has been directed to give him a befitting reception, hence, the NWC will be discussing it and perfecting all the necessary arrangements.’

He added: ‘The NWC may soon dissolve the SWC of the state ahead of the governor’s defection. This is to accommodate and create a level playing ground for the governor and the old party members.’

Some months ago, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno and his Delta counterpart, Sheriff Oborevwori, dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC.

During the defections in Uyo and Asaba, former APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, disclosed that more opposition governors and other chieftains would join the party.

APC attains two-third majority in Senate

With 73 senators, the ruling party attained a two-third majority in the 109-member Senate where 72 senators could pass any major decision or legislation.

Currently in the Red Chamber, the PDP has 28 senators; LP four, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) two, and Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have one each.

After the Acting Clerk to the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, administered the oath of office and oath of allegiance on both Ikpea and Chibuzor, both of them shook hands with Akpabio and submitted the certificates of return issued to them by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The ceremony was witnessed by former Delta State Governor James Ibori, former Edo State Deputy Governor and Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Philip Shuaibu, and the elder brother to the Edo Central Senator, Dr. Lee Ikpea.

Akpabio said ranking senators would continue to assist the new senators to get used to the nuances of lawmaking.

He said: ‘I must say that we are giving you two items today. One is the Nigerian Constitution, which you must try to imbibe the contents.

‘It’s not just a ceremony. It’s to let you know that that’s the ground norm and that the authority in this hallowed chamber comes through the Nigerian Constitution.

‘The second one that we are giving you, which you must start reading from today, is the Senate Standing Orders 2023 as amended.’

Akpabio added: ‘The contents will show you the proceedings because sometimes, if you are new and you come in, you may not know why we do certain things at certain times and if the Presiding Officer should tell you that you are ruled out of order, please, don’t be angry.

‘It’s because you have breached a section of the Standing Orders of the Senate and that’s what gives us discipline. That’s what gives us order. That’s what makes us distinguished. It distinguishes us from others.

‘If you have been in the House of Assembly before, the Senate is slightly different because what is contained in what we are bringing you now is different from what you were used to. So please, take time to go through it and God will guide you.’

NWC to ratify Ekiti aspirants’ screening

The APC NWC would give its final verdict on the report of the Ekiti APC screening committee that gave Ojo provisional clearance today.

Two of the four aspirants – Governor Biodun Oyebanji and Omolayo Oluremi – were given the nod to participate at the October 27 primary, having ‘satisfied all constitutional and party requirements’

While the third aspirant, Olajumoke Abimbola, was disqualified, Ojo, Pro-Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), was not fully cleared.

The committee referred him to the NWC for final clearance, following petitions against his aspiration by some party members.

According to the panel, ‘this referral is necessitated by the weight of the petitions against him, particularly his failure to satisfy the mandatory threshold of five valid nominators per local government, and is intended to forestall potential litigation(s) that may arise from this deficiency which is inconsistent with Article 9(1) of the Constitution, which provides that only registered and financially up-to-date members of the party have the right to vote and be voted for, and Section 177 )c) of 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires membership of a political party as a pre-requisite for eligibility to contest the Office of Governor.’

A source in the NWC said the Pro-Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is likely to scale the hurdle.

He also said APC may adopt ‘direct mode’ of primary for Ekiti in line with the recommendations of its Directorate of Organisation.

The source added: ‘The Thursday (today’s) NWC meeting will be crucial, as final decision will be reached on Ekiti State governorship primary. The clearance of Engr. Kayode Ojo will be resolved at the meeting. Feelers among NWC members revealed that he (Ojo) would be cleared to contest at the primary.

‘The committee will also ratify the direct mode of election as recommended by the Directorate of Organisation after wide consultations with party stakeholders in the state.’

The Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Benin(UNIBEN), has held its maiden public lecture, marked with series of intellectual engagement to bridge the gap between academic and pharmaceutical sciences.

The Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Ighodaro Igben, decried the knowledge gap between ideas generated in academic laboratories and its application in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries in the country. He assured them of using the lecture series in stimulating dialogues that would chart new directions for further practical research.

‘For too long, there has been a disconnect between knowledge generated in our academic laboratories and its applications in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, bridging this gap is not just an academic exercise, it is the moral and professional imperatives.

Speaking on the theme of the lecture: Translational Research in the Pharmaceutical Sciences: Bridging the Gap between Academic and Industries,’the guest lecturer, Prof. Martins Emeje, who is also the Director- General of Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), frowned at the restrained collaboration among scholars in the 21st century, which he said originated from hatred and jealousy. He urged UNIBEN lecturers and students to work hand in hand to enhance more innovations in the faculty.

Emeje equally stated that translational research required people with diverse medical skills to work together and team to make real impact.

‘Sadly, most lecturers here do not like themselves, they are envious, jealous of themselves and backbite against one another, how do you want to be innovative? You must be willing to submit to superior argument even though you may be high above.

‘Today we have professors who hide under teaching and have not produced anything, according to Health Strategy Document for NEPAD, Africa remains far too dependent on importation of essential drugs, while Nigeria is the owner of malaria in the world. You can’t have translational research without having people of diverse background. Students should do projects that will make people look for them over an unsolved issue, do things that will make you indispensable,’ he said.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor who is also a professor of Pharmacognosy, Prof. Buniyamin Ayinde, applauded the lecture and urged lecturers in faculty of Pharmacy to sit up and work beyond the laboratory.

‘Medicinal plants are the basics of all the medicines we take, as a professor of Pharmacognosy, there is the need for us to look for short ways to project the utilisation of these herbs beyond the four walls of the university, so that whatever we have discovered that’s of real value to our people, we can find a way of putting them into production and administration by our people, particularly those found not to be toxic to the vital organs.’

ýNigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, is set to return to action in the Italian Serie A next week after serving a suspension for his alleged involvement in a betting-related incident.

ýThe Udinese Calcio shot-stopper was banned in late July after being found guilty of intentionally earning a yellow card during a league match against Lazio – an act reportedly linked to a betting scheme.

ýFollowing months on the sidelines, Okoye has now been cleared to re-join the squad. His teammate and fellow goalkeeper, Daniele Padelli, confirmed the news during ‘Udinese Tonight,’ a weekly football show on TV12.

ýPadelli disclosed that the Nigerian international remained focused and in excellent shape throughout his suspension.

ý’He’s been training hard, as if he was playing every week, maybe even more than before,’ Padelli said. ‘He used the time to work on small details. Now that the suspension is over, it’s up to the coach to decide who starts.’

ýIn a light-hearted comment, Padelli added:ý’The only sure thing is that I’ll drop further down the pecking order,’ he joked. ‘Maduka has a strong personality, he doesn’t let pressure get to him.’

ýOkoye’s return comes as a timely boost for Udinese, who have struggled for consistency in goal since his absence. It also offers renewed hope for Nigeria’s Super Eagles ahead of the forthcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Senator Shehu Buba has commended security agencies for the arrest of the individuals behind a coordinated defamatory campaign that targeted him and others.

Buba, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, urged Nigerians to remain peaceful, verify information before sharing, and focus on issues affecting society.

‘I have always stood for peace and the welfare of our people. I deny these baseless allegations and will continue to work in favour of Bauchi South,’ the lawmaker assured.

Security agents recently apprehended some social media influencers allegedly behind a smear campaign against political office holders, including Senator Buba.

The arrests followed an intensive investigation involving the monitoring of social media posts and accounts linked to the spread of manipulated content and hate speech.

Buba, in particular, was accused of links with banditry. Despite his repeated denials, the attackers continued to malign him across various platforms before the authorities intervened.

The perpetrators used doctored video clips to produce and distribute fake news aimed at damaging the lawmaker’s reputation both in the legislature and ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Following their arrest in northern states, some of the influencers admitted to being misled by persons they had trusted. Those granted bail have issued apologies through videos and written statements on their social media pages.

In a video, one of the influencers, Nasiru Ontop, said: ‘We made a grave mistake by trusting Kibanna, someone we barely knew. His documents were fake. It wasn’t until our arrest that we began to question his authenticity.

‘His TikTok account has now been deleted. We acted on misinformation and forged documents, and for that, we apologise to Senator Shehu Umar Buba and everyone affected,’ he added.

Abdulrashid Abdullahi Kano, who operated under a Facebook page ‘Vanguard Hausa,’ also issued a statement: ‘We have confirmed that the video accusing Senator Shehu Buba Umar is false and malicious.

‘It was fabricated by enemies of peace to tarnish his image. Senator Buba has consistently promoted peace and reconciliation, working with clerics and community leaders to resolve conflicts in Bauchi South.’

The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has assured foreign investors that Nigerian sea ports are viable and safe for investment opportunities.

Dantsoho spoke yesterday in Japan, on the sideline of the World Port Conference holding in Kobe.

The NPA boss, apart from meeting world-class investors on port development to boost the nation’s economy and seeking partnerships to enhance NPA’s infrastructure and equipment renewal across Nigerian ports, he reiterated the Federal Government’s readiness to cooperate and welcome investments for the development and management of infrastructure in its port system.

The theme of the event is: ‘Reinvention and Prosperity in Turbulent Times and brings together port executives, policymakers and industry leaders from over 89 countries to tackle pressing maritime sector challenges.’

Dantsoho said the government was working to digitise and automate all port processes to reduce human and physical interface to the barest minimum

It was learnt that key discussions on energy transition, decarbonisation, digitalisation, and resilience align with the NPA’s commitment to port automation and its recent MoU with APMT terminal, Apapa, to electrify container freight to reduce the carbon emissions footprint.

Dantsoho is scheduled to tour Kobe’s port facilities, gaining insights into seismic-resilient infrastructure and smart logistics, which are directly applicable to NPA’s ongoing port modernisation programme across the country.

NPA has been actively seeking to attract private investment by emphasising ongoing reforms, a commitment to developing the nation’s maritime sector, and the vast investment potential of Nigeria’s eastern ports, which include opportunities in infrastructure, equipment, technology, and human capital development.

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has put measures in place on how it can be more united so as to win 2027 governorship and other elections.

The party lamented the activities of some aspirants seeking elective positions, who had been floating and nurturing groups, saying ”this is furthering causing divisions within the party, instead of uniting it.”

In a communiqué issued at the end of its Leadership Summit in Ibadan, the party resolved that its interest must take precedent over and above personal interests, saying every aspirant, who had been floating groups within the party must desist.

The communiqué said the aspirants were enjoined to concentrate efforts on promoting APC, instead of promoting groups’ interests.

‘We note that imposition of candidates for elective and party positions is unhealthy for peace, unity and cohesion within the party. We therefore advocate an all-inclusive, free, fair and transparent processes of electing party candidates and officials without external influence.

‘There is gross misuse of social media platforms by some party members. Such misuse of social media platforms is further causing divisions within the party. We have therefore resolved that the use of social media as a means of passing information concerning the party must be controlled.

‘We note that the absence of a rallying point is negatively affecting coordination within the party. We hereby resolve that in the absence of a sitting governor, who is a member of our party, it is imperative that a collegiate leadership comprising two nominees from the three senatorial zones be immediately put in place.

‘We note that some aspirants have been campaigning and in the process, they are making inflammatory comments capable of further deepening divisions within the party.

‘We therefore resolve that campaign activities are premature at the moment, most especially, taking into cognisance INEC’s guidelines. We therefore caution aspirants against making inflammatory statements and engaging in campaign activities, against INEC’s guidelines.

‘We note that Oyo State is short-changed in respect of appointments from Abuja despite our contributions to the successes of the party in 2023. We therefore resolve that the party needs to make a strong representation to Abuja to address this unfair treatment.’

As the Super Eagles prepare to take on the Crocodiles of Lesotho in tomorrow’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, key members of the squad have expressed determination to secure victory and get their campaign back on track.

The quartet of captain Wilfred Troost-Ekong , Wilfred Ndidi. Terem Moffi and Calvin Bassey, told NFFTv that the Super Eagles will ride their luck and grind the much-needed wins in their two remaining matches to boost their chances nicking the Mundial ticket at all cost.

Midfielder Ndidi stressed the importance of the fixture, noting that the team is fully aware of the stakes.

‘We know where we are at the moment. These two games are very crucial. We shall first focus on Lesotho before the one with Benin Republic,’ the Besiktas’ man said.

Defender Bassey who scored a vital equaliser for the Super Eagles in the 1-1 away draw to Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Match day 8, emphasized the need for composure and unity as the team looks to bounce back from recent setbacks.

‘We have to remain calm and do what we know how to do best. This is not the first time we shall be in this tough moment,’ the hard-working Fulham defender noted confidently.

Speaking in the same vein, OGC Nice crafty striker Moffi echoed similar optimism, assuring that the players remain focused on their responsibilities on the pitch.

‘We are confident about qualifying for the World Cup. We have to do our part. We shall do our part and hopefully results from other games are in our favour,’ he stated.

Concluding, William Troost-Ekong reaffirmed the squad’s fighting spirit, insisting that the Super Eagles are ready to give their all for qualification.

‘We are going to fight until we achieve our aim,’ the experienced defender declared.

Currently in Polokwane, South Africa, where they will face Lesotho tomorrow, the Super Eagles will wrap up their qualifiers at home in Uyo against Cheetahs of Benin .Both matches are expected to play a pivotal role in determining Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes.

Does the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, after a 10-year tour of duty, exit as the electoral demon? No!

But it just rivets the Nigerian mind to the ugly finger-pointing and arch-demonizing of election umpires, by foul-tempered Nigerian losers, who pour all venom on electoral managers, in a classic case of a failed artisan blaming his tools!

To be sure: INEC and allied election managers have not always been above board. No. But since the exit of the real demon, Prof. Maurice Iwu, of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s do-or-die electoral heist of 2007, INEC, first under Prof. Attahiru Jega, and then under Prof. Yakubu, has broken new grounds.

Which is why Yakubu’s exit should have been met with due praise; or at least, a rigorous critique of his tenure: lauding him where he did well and knocking him where he did not. But some electoral desperadoes, who already wail in advance for the election they would lose in 2027, because they have pretty little to campaign on, have condemned Yakubu and his INEC as eternal devils. Not so!

In any case, Bible-speak, the INEC prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, among his own people. How? The same demonized INEC is being toasted by Ethiopia electoral managers, who just came to town to understudy INEC’s strides. Do folks understudy unmitigated failures? That’s food for thought for the many INEC critics, who seem to spew vitriol before they even think!

Prof. Yakubu, during his tenure, was certainly not an angel. He would be Angel the Immaculate, had INEC, under his charge, got everything right. He wasn’t – as they didn’t. Logistics on polling days, with complaints of late arrival of the polling staff and materials, is an area the new INEC chair should work upon with all vigour.

But from the tragic depth Iwu plumbed in 2007, the INEC Yakubu is leaving behind is another life, to borrow the title of that very popular TV series of yore, Another Life (1981-1984), from America’s Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN).

Indeed, old Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, sensationally declared: you can’t step in the same river twice! From Iwu to Yakubu, it’s like crossing endless rivers and seeing the difference. INEC, in terms of public trust, is not exactly where it should be. But even its bitterest foes would admit that under Yakubu, it strove hard and improved itself. It must continue on that lonely path.

But one thing Yakubu’s successor must learn from the exiting good professor: that art – or is it science? – of strategic deafness: that blocks out the market din and imposes severe focus on the work.

Losers would bleat, row and growl. But Yakubu’s successor should ensure such din does not distract him – or her. Yakubu’s lack of loose talk, and golden lack of controversy, is one ethos all INEC staff should imbibe, as they work on better elections still, in the post-Yakubu era.

President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the $400million Green Energy International Limited (GEIL) oil export terminal in Otakikpo, Rivers State. He yesterday assured the people that the government is already engaging them on the resolution of Ogoni issues.

The facility being the first indigenous terminal, came five decades after the previous ones.

Represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, he said with the resolution of the issues, the Otakikpo terminal will evacuate the crude oil produced from their land.

He said: ‘It is important for me to state that in the commitment of the government that is already talking with Ogoni people to resolve the Ogoni problem.

‘And once the Ogoni problem is resolved, this will be the best terminal that will evacuate the crude oil we produce from Ogoni.’

Tinubu who sought the cooperation of Ogoni leaders for the production of oil in their land, noted that the resource would never be beneficial to either the indigenes or government when it lays idle.

Tinubu said: ‘And that is why we are calling, you know, talking with Ogoni people, Ogoni leaders, to say let’s revert back. If these things are buried there forever, Ogoni will never get any value from those resources. Nigeria will never get any value from those resources.’

He said the era of battling with lack of finance is over as the $5 billion African Energy Bank (AEB) is about to commence operations.

According to him, the worst challenge in the upstream operation is access to finance and the promoters of AEB have met all its obligations for the operations.

‘Let me also, you know, assure Green Energy that the era of perhaps looking elsewhere for finance will soon be over.

‘We have discovered that the biggest challenge we have in Africa is access to, you know, finance. And that was why we’ve come up with the African Energy Bank, which is ready to go. Nigeria, as the host country, has met its obligations.

‘We have met all our obligations, legal, financial. We have met all our obligations. We are waiting, you know, for the bank to take off, which I think will take off, you know, any moment from now,’ Tinubu said.

He commended the management of GEIL, recalling that the indigenous firm started from a marginal field the same time with other awardees who spent their finances on private jets while GEIL decided to build an export terminal to create value in the industry.

He assured the company and other operators that are keeping to the terms of their licenses of total support and collaboration.

Speaking, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, said the terminal is historic on two levels.

According to him, it expands Nigeria’s crude export infrastructure at a critical time and demonstrates the capacity of Nigeria operators to deliver world class projects once thought possible only for international major players.

He further noted that the Otakiko terminal is significant to the present national crude oil production that is about 1.8million barrels because the efficiency of evacuation and export is critical.

Komolafe also said by creating an alternative export hub in Rivers State, the Otakikpo terminal reduces over reliance on existing terminals many of which are operating at a near capacity and are exposed to security and pipeline challenges.

He said the industry indigenous operators have evolved to the stage of accounting for 30 per cent of the national production.

The Chief Executive Officer, GEIL , Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe said the storage capacity of the terminal is 750,000 barrels that is expandable to 3 million barrels.

He also said it has a pumping capacity of 360,000 barrels per day. The CEO added that since June 2025, the company has already completed four export operations, totalling 1 million barrels of crude oil.

He said beyond the numbers, the terminal is a catalyst for national renewal as it opens the door for more than 40 stranded fields in the region, with over 3 million barrels of reserves, long held back by lack of export infrastructure.

According to him, the fields alone could contribute more than 200,000 barrels per day to the country:s production.

Adegbulugbe added that ‘with this terminal, their potential can finally be unlocked.’

The Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies from arresting Vice Admiral Dada Olaniyi Labinjo (retired), following a ‘deserter signal’ the service issued against him.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, who issued the order, also ordered that the deserter signal numbered 643NG and dated September 3, 2025, which ordered the arrest or apprehension of the retired naval officer ‘shall remain unexecuted’ until the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Justice made the orders while granting an ex parte motion filed by Labinjo’s lawyer, Andrew Igboekwe (SAN).

Respondents in the suit are the Nigerian Navy, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Navy Board and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents and other law enforcement agencies from arresting the applicant either on account of the signal or any other account whatsoever, other than a valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.

He ordered that the signal ‘shall remain unexecuted by the respondents’ pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for the enforcement of the applicant’s fundamental rights.

The judge adjourned the case until October 20.