Category: Daily Trust

By Afeez Hanafi, Dalhatu Liman (Abuja) and Mumini Abdulkareem (Ilorin)

The embattled Executive Secretary of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), Dr Dakorinama Alabo George, has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to appointees, who aspired for elective positions, to resign ahead of primaries, ‘does not stand.’

Tinubu had directed all his appointees, who intended to contest elective offices in 2027, to resign on or before March 31, 2026.

George, who was Commissioner for Works in Rivers State during the administrations of former Governor Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, had reportedly resigned from the BCDA to contest the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in the state. He, however, withdrew from the contest held on May 21, 2026 at the last minute.

The Presidency had announced his replacement with a former spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas, in a statement dated June 26, by a presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.

But nearly one month after the announcement, George has remained in office as the head of the agency, insisting that Namdas’ appointment was an error and that he never resigned.

‘The Presidency through the office of the SGF will be in a better place to answer you pls,’ he had said in a now-deleted WhatsApp response.

Onanuga had faulted George’s claim in a terse response to Daily Trust, saying, ‘Not true. Namdas stays.’

He has not responded to an inquiry on why George remains in office, despite the new appointment.

Amid the impasse, George continues to hold official engagements as the BCDA head, among which was a recent meeting with the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, in Abuja, where he appealed for timely budget releases to the agency.

Sources had told our correspondent that George was being backed by some persons within the Presidency and powerful individuals, including the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Wike.

Efforts to get the minister’s comment on the claim were unsuccessful as his spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, did not respond to an inquiry sent to him.

Last Tuesday, a day after Daily Trust’s publication on the matter, George reached out to one of our correspondents via WhatsApp, commenting on the report.

‘I have my appointment letter to the office and no one else does so there’s no dual leadership,’ he wrote, adding a subtle threat. ‘Just be careful about your misleading stories so it doesn’t end in litigation.’

‘This will be my last discussion with you on this subject matter,’ he noted.

When asked if he resigned before he picked nomination forms for the governorship primaries, he said, ‘Don’t you know where to find out? Don’t chat me up again.’

Directive doesn’t stand, law does – George

A few minutes later, George sent another WhatsApp text to Daily Trust, citing Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, ostensibly to justify his stay in the office despite the President’s directive.

‘On a final note, just to educate you, let me help you with this: Section 88(1). Key Points on Resignation Timing: This provision effectively requires political appointees to resign before participating in primaries (as aspirants or delegates) to avoid violating the law. However, it does not mandate a specific timeline like ‘at least 30 days’ or ‘one day before,” he wrote.

He further argued that legal interpretations – including from lawmakers – and expert commentary indicated that resignation can occur anytime before the primaries, ‘including potentially the day before or ensuring they are no longer in office on the day of the event.’

George said the law is particular about not holding the appointment during participation on the day of the primaries.

‘So if you withdraw from contesting a day before the primaries, you don’t need to resign. But if you’re really contesting you must resign at least a day before the primaries. The law didn’t say resign before picking forms. The law is the law and anything outside the law (even a directive) does not stand.

‘So technically there was no vacancy. Someone erroneously misinformed the Presidency that there was a directive and an announcement was made but when they found out that there was no resignation it was quickly corrected,’ he stated.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has alleged that all governors in Nigeria are misappropriating local government allocations.

Adebutu made the remarks at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta during a meeting with the Egba Traditional Council, where he sought the support and blessings of traditional rulers for his governorship ambition.

He was accompanied by his running mate, Dr. Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo; the PDP senatorial candidate for Ogun Central, Iyabo Obasanjo; the Ogun State PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella; and other party leaders and candidates.

Addressing the traditional rulers, Adebutu declared that granting full financial autonomy to local governments would be one of the defining policies of his administration.

‘I will do something that will stun this nation and put us in the right direction. Local governments shall get their own money,’ he said.

‘We must make sure we get local government autonomy. I have been reiterating it to you that I, Oladipupo Olatunde, son of Adebutu, was at the National Assembly twice and I can boast that I didn’t embezzle public funds. How many politicians can say this?’

Adebutu accused governors across party lines of diverting local government funds.

‘It’s not a party thing. Both APC and PDP, all the governors are embezzling local government allocations. It’s not a secret,’ he said.

He argued that local councils were able to deliver more development when they had greater control over their finances.

‘When PDP was in power and local governments were getting their funds, there were developments and they carried monarchs along in the scheme of things,’ he said.

The PDP candidate also reflected on his years in public office and his family’s legacy of community development.

He added that while he had continued the community development efforts associated with his father and grandfather, he had realised ‘that without executive powers, there’s a limit to what an individual can do to develop society.’

On infrastructure financing, Adebutu said governments must adopt new approaches rather than relying on borrowing.

‘You don’t borrow money for infrastructure anymore,’ he said, while promising to construct roads that would improve connectivity between Ogun State and Lagos.

He also pledged to make electricity a major priority of his administration through collaboration with private investors, saying improved power supply would stimulate economic growth and create jobs.

‘For electricity, private sector participation with the government, we will pursue relentlessly it and once we generate that electricity, you will see the income of our people will increase and energy procurement will decrease,’ he said.

Highlighting his personal interventions in the power sector, Adebutu claimed he had donated more electricity transformers to communities than the Ogun State Government.

‘I can say it categorically that I have distributed more transformers to communities across the state than the government has done,’ he said.

According to him, more than 600 transformers had been provided across Ogun communities.

‘Any day we install a transformer in any community, it ceases to be mine. It becomes the property of the electricity distribution company and I haven’t stopped because of that,’ he said.

Explaining the rationale behind the interventions, he added: ‘Because I believe with electricity, it’s a direct empowerment for everybody. It is either saving you money that you will spend or it is helping you to make money.’

Adebutu while presenting himself to the Obas as a candidate ready to serve the people, said, ‘I offer myself for service.’

In his welcome address, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, described Adebutu, as ‘trustworthy and reliable,’ declaring his support for the party’s flag bearer ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The Alake recalled his long-standing relationship with Adebutu’s father, the renowned businessman and philanthropist, Sir Kensington Adebutu, popularly known as Baba Adebutu.

Drawing a comparison between father and son, the monarch expressed confidence in Adebutu’s character and leadership qualities.

The traditional ruler went on to publicly endorse the PDP governorship candidate before members of the traditional council.

‘I am pleased to present Oladipupo Adebutu to all of you as a man who is trustworthy and reliable. May God be with you and continue to stand by you,’ he said.

Students of Federal Government College (FGC), Kaduna, who engage in bullying risk indefinite suspension as the school management and Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) intensify efforts to eliminate the menace.

The PTA Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Abdul, disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen during the college’s 29th Speech and Prize-Giving Day.

He said the school had adopted a zero-tolerance stance against bullying through collaboration between parents, the PTA and management.

Abdul, an alumnus of the college who graduated in 1990s, said regular monitoring by PTA officials and strict disciplinary measures had significantly reduced cases of bullying.

‘Bullying is gradually becoming a thing of the past as far as Federal Government College is concerned because we have put all hands on deck. The PTA, the parents and the school management are all working together,’ he said.

According to him, members of the PTA make unscheduled visits to the school at different hours to monitor students’ welfare and ensure discipline is maintained.

‘Sometimes, when I come around, I visit the school in the evening. Sometimes I come around at night, and sometimes I come very early in the morning to see what is happening,’ he said.

He warned that any student caught bullying others would face stiff sanctions.

‘The senior ones know that once you get caught bullying, you are going on indefinite suspension.

‘Activities like this will be held without you. So, if you want to participate in activities like this and remain a proud product of this school, then you have to put bullying behind you and move forward for the progress of your life and your future,’ Abdul said.

He urged PTAs across the country to strengthen collaboration with school authorities to curb bullying in their respective schools.

‘The PTA should also get very involved in other schools. Every school has its own PTA, and they should work very closely with the school management. Once they do that, the working relationship should be very cordial so that they can work together to stop the menace of bullying,’ he said.

Abdul expressed optimism that sustained efforts by stakeholders would eventually eradicate bullying in schools.

‘Bullying is very bad, and I believe we are gradually overcoming it. It is not like what you experienced, or what I experienced, or what others experienced when we were in school.

‘Things are gradually improving and, by the grace of God, in the next few years, bullying will become a thing of the past,’ he added.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Principal of the college, Mr Kofi Akpan, said the school remained committed to producing students who are academically excellent and morally upright.

He described the prize-giving ceremony as an opportunity to celebrate not only academic excellence but also ‘the resilience, discipline and character that our students have demonstrated throughout the session.’

Also speaking, the Global President of the Federal Government College Kaduna Old Students Association (FGCKADOSA), Mrs Fatima Ambashair Kyari, commended the alumni for sponsoring all the prizes presented during the ceremony.

She said the gesture underscored the association’s commitment to rewarding hard work and inspiring students to strive for excellence while upholding integrity, discipline and good character.

The Best graduating students were also recognised with cash gifts for their outstanding performance during their academic years.

Torrential rainfall has wreaked havoc in Darwat-Jol community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, destroying over 20 houses and displacing several families.

The downpour, which occurred on Saturday afternoon, triggered massive flooding that swept through the area, leaving residents counting their losses.

Some farmlands were also destroyed by the rains.

A resident of Riyom, Mr Damba Dang, who confirmed the incident, described the rainfall as one of the heaviest in recent times, saying it overwhelmed the community’s inadequate drainage system.

‘Many houses, especially those built with mud and thatch, collapsed under the weight of the water. We lost food items, clothing, and other household goods. It was a terrible sight,’ he said.

Eyewitnesses said the affected homes included residential buildings and nearby farmlands, worsening the plight of the agrarian community already grappling with economic hardship.

He said some residents have appealed to the Plateau State Government, relevant agencies, and humanitarian organisations for urgent provision of relief materials.

Spain have won the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a 1-0 win over 10-man Argentina at the New York/New Jersey stadium in USA.

Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the second half of extra-time to break Argentina hearts, obliterating their dream of becoming the first country to successfully defend the tournament since 1962.

Enzo Fernandes had been sent off in added time of 90 minutes.

The King of Spain was present watch his nation play the final while Argentina President held on to her superstition to stay away and watch from Buenos Aires.

The match had more royalty with President Donald Trump and his wife in attendance alongside Gianni Infantino FIFA President.

Spain had the first real opportunity of the match as Lamine Yamal saw his deflected shot saved by goalkeeper Emilio Martinez, while Unai Simon raced 30 yards out of his box to prevent Lionel Messi from running through on goal with a well-timed clearance.

La Furia Roja started the second half with a chance in the opening two minutes with Alex Baena shooting straight at Martinez after substitute Leandro Paredes lost the ball deep in his half.

The European champions cracked up the pressure and went close on multiple occasions through Pedri, Dani Olmo, Pau Curbasi, with Martinez thwarting the Spaniard each time they had a shot on target.

Martinez made 10 saves in total, including a last-second Yamal free-kick to force extra-time.

The Aston Villa player became the first goalkeeper to make 10 saves in a World Cup final.

Spain had the ball in the net in the first half of extra-time through Nico Williams, but the referee disallowed the strike for a foul on Nicolas Otamendi in the build-up.

Substitute Mikel Merino also saw a glancing header miss the far post by inches.

Spain weathered a late Messi-driven onslaught in the dying minutes, but Juliano Simeone blazed high and wide, and held on to send their contingent into wild celebrations.

The Spaniards, Euro 2024 winners, claimed their second World Cup trophy, and they become the only European country in history to win consecutive Euros and World Cup trophies twice.

The President of Adeleke University, Ede, Dr Deji Adeleke, has shifted the spotlight in Nigeria’s electoral integrity debate from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to officials who conduct elections at polling units.

He said meaningful reforms would remain elusive unless those entrusted with the process act with honesty.

Addressing graduates at the university’s 12th undergraduate and eighth postgraduate convocation in Ede, Osun State, Adeleke said the credibility of Nigeria’s elections rests largely on the conduct of officials deployed to polling units.

He argued that the integrity of the electoral process depends less on the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) than on the thousands of ad hoc officials and security personnel assigned to election duties across the country.

He alleged that some members of the National Youth Service Corps recruited as ad hoc staff and police officers assigned to election duties compromise the process by altering results after accepting financial inducements.

According to him, expecting the INEC chairman to guarantee transparent elections without the cooperation of field officials is unrealistic because the commission’s leadership cannot physically monitor every polling unit.

Drawing attention to the forthcoming Osun governorship election, Adeleke said the state alone has 3,763 polling units, making direct supervision by the electoral umpire impossible.

‘People die, there is violence during elections. They have killed young people like you graduating today who might become adult staff of INEC, changing figures.

‘You cannot blame that on the INEC chairman when youth corps members are collecting N50,000 and changing figures at the polling unit.

‘Even if the INEC chairman is a spirit, is he going to be at all the polling units in Nigeria?

‘Very soon we are going to have an election in Osun State. Osun State has 3,763 polling units. Is it humanly possible for the INEC chairman to be at all those polling units at the same time?

‘But they have entrusted it to young people like you, and yet they will collect money and change the figures. We also have policemen with children who need a good country to have a future, aiding and abetting the rigging process, and people are killed just because of elections.

‘So, it’s very painful when you see these things happen because of ignorance of the implications of what people do on election day or the ignorance of judges perverting justice. The implication is that Nigeria will continue to regret it if it doesn’t change immediately. But it’s not too late for us to change. It’s never too late to start all over.’

Meanwhile, Adeleke University announced another expansion of its academic offerings with the approval of two professional programmes by the National Universities Commission.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Adebola, disclosed that the university would commence admissions into Medicine (MBBS) and Pharmacy (Pharm.D) in the 2026/2027 academic session following regulatory approval.

He said the institution admitted 1,554 students during the 2025/2026 academic session and graduated 1,375 students across its undergraduate faculties and College of Postgraduate Studies.

Adebola identified Ejiofor Onyinyechukwu Sonia of Medical Laboratory Science and Kinosi Victor Oluwagbemiga of Economics as the best graduating undergraduates with perfect CGPAs of 5.00 each.

He also named Olunlade Joshua Oluwafisayo as the best Master’s graduate and Ukenyi Chibunna Godspower as the overall best PhD graduate before urging the graduands to embrace the opportunities and responsibilities that lie ahead.

Three Chinese nationals and several Nigerian miners have been arrested for alleged involvement in illegal mining activities in Amba Community, Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

They were arrested after the State Deputy Governor, Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, led a high-powered security operation at the mining site.

The enforcement exercise, carried out on Friday, targeted an illegal mining site where security operatives apprehended suspects allegedly involved in unauthorised mining operations.

During the raid, authorities recovered suspected mineral resources stored in cartons, along with a range of equipment believed to have been used in carrying out the illegal activities.

Among the items seized were CCTV cameras and other operational materials reportedly installed at the site to monitor and facilitate the illegal mining operation.

Speaking after the operation, the Deputy Governor said he personally led the operation to arrest some Chinese nationals and artisanal miners at the illegal site in Amba Community, Kokona LGA, following repeated reports of unlawful mining despite government directives for its stoppage.

He said he came to witness firsthand what was happening at the site and expressed dismay that the order suspending mining activities was being flouted.

Akabe questioned how foreign immigrants without proper legal documents are being allowed into the country to mine in the state, stressing that as a responsible government, Nasarawa would not permit illegal ventures and would uphold the sanctity and rule of law in all business enterprises.

The Deputy Governor noted that mining is on the exclusive legislative list, which gives the Federal Government the power to regulate activities in the sector, but assured that the state government would do its best to protect the interests of the host community and maintain law and order.

He disclosed that there was no agreement with the community on corporate social responsibility or environmental impact assessments before exploration began at the site, and warned that all those found guilty would face the full weight of the law.

While maintaining that all areas remain closed until litigations relating to the mining site are resolved, Akabe called on citizens to support efforts to sustain peace and stability in the state.

Speaking through an interpreter, the arrested Chinese nationals, said they had been mining in the community since last year and were doing so on behalf of their superior officials residing in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Authorities said further investigations were ongoing and that those found culpable would be prosecuted accordingly.

Barring any last minute change in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) schedule for the 2027 general elections, access would be granted to political parties to upload names of their governorship, deputy governorship and state House of Assembly candidates from today.

The upload is a significant step in the electoral process as it removes any doubt about those the party is fielding for the three political positions.

This is more so as the primary elections of most of the political parties were marred in controversies with many of the aspirants either refusing to recognise those declared or claiming to the be the legitimate candidates.

Weekend Trust reports that the upload of the names and particulars of governorship and state Assembly candidates commences by 9am and would remain open for the purpose till 6pm on August 8.

INEC concluded a similar exercise for the upload of presidential and National Assembly candidates on Tuesday, July 14.

Our correspondents report that political parties have concluded their governorship and state assembly primary elections and have presented their candidates with the most curious aspect remaining those the guber candidates would choose as running mates.

In almost all the states, the selection of a deputy governorship candidate is rarely random as parties, candidates and other stakeholders weigh key balancing factors.

In some states, religious balancing, inclusion in terms of senatorial zone and local government areas, gender and age considerations play big roles.

Kaduna: Why Uba Sani, Ashiru are yet to name running mates

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Uba Sani and his counterpart in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State, Isa Ashiru, are yet to unveil their running mates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reliable sources within the ADC told Weekend Trust that Ashiru had ceded the nomination of his running mate to the camp of a former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai as part of the coalition arrangement within the party.

According to the sources, the former governor’s camp is expected to nominate a candidate from Southern Kaduna.

‘We are yet to nominate anybody because we are waiting for recommendation from our leader, Malam Nasir el-Rufai. The deputy governorship slot was given to him to nominate.

Our correspondent also gathered that Governor Uba Sani has also kept the identity of his running mate closely guarded, with a few members of his inner circle reportedly aware of his choice.

The current deputy governor, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, is completing her second term in office and is constitutionally ineligible for another term.

Sources within the APC said the governor’s next running mate is also expected to come from Southern Kaduna in line with the state’s political balancing arrangement.

Bauchi: 3 governorship candidates unveil deputies in Bauchi

Three out of the major political parties contesting various positions in Bauchi State have unveiled their deputy governorship candidates.

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) is the ruling party in the state and enjoys the support of the current governor, Bala Mohammed. The governorship candidate, Yakubu Adamu, a close associate of the governor, has picked the chairman of Bauchi Local Government Council, Mahmoud Babamaji Abubakar as his running mate.

The main opposition, APC governorship candidate, Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar, has also picked the immediate past Commissioner for Special Duties and Rural Development, Farouk Mustapha to pair with him, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Usman Adamu Suphi picked a former chairman of the PDP in Bauchi Local Government Area, Abdulkadir Alin Bababa as running mate.

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) governorship candidate, Senator Shehu Buba Umar and that of the ADC, Senator Halliru Jika, are yet to unveil their running mates.

Nasarawa: Wadada yet to unveil candidate

In Nasarawa, the governorship candidate of the PDP, Emmanuel David Ombugadu, has chosen Yahaya Ohinoyi, a former state lawmaker from Toto Local Government Area as his running mate.

Both Ombugadu and Ohinoyi ran on the PDP platforms for same positions in the 2023 election. Many believe the decision to retain the same positions is due to the popularity of the joint ticket in the last governorship election.

In contrast, the ruling APC candidate, Ahmed Aliyu Wadada is yet to unveil his running mate. However, the groundwork for the decision appears to have been laid before the primaries.

APC stakeholders from the northern senatorial zone, including Governor Abdullahi Sule, zoned the deputy governor slot to Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area. This move was designed to balance the ticket, given that Wadada is from the western senatorial zone.

Also, the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Rep Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, member representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona federal constituency from Karu Local Government Area in the western senatorial zone, has not named his deputy. Political permutations suggest that he will be expected to pick a Muslim from either the southern or northern zone to balance the ticket.

An ally of a former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who has influence within the LP movement in the state, believes that Gaza’s final choice would depend largely on agreements with Maku and other key stakeholders in the party’s structure.

The ADC candidate in Nasarawa State, Major-General Nuhu Angbazo (retd) has also not announced his running mate. He is from the northern senatorial zone.

Prior to the primaries, the expectation was that the ADC would look to the south or west for its deputy slot. However, the rejection of the primary outcome by two co-contestants – former Minister of Environment Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi from the west and Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo from the south – has altered that calculation.

Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo has since defected to the APM and declared his intention to contest for the same seat.

Borno: 3 ex-dep govs, APC chairman among 27 vying for slot

The race to become the running mate to the APC gubernatorial candidate in Borno State has intensified. So far, no fewer than 27 persons including three former deputy governors and the state’s APC chairman are interested.

The former deputy governors include Usman Mamman Durkwa, Ali Abubakar Jatau and Isah Mohammed Lawan. Also in the race is the current state APC chairman, Alhaji Bello Ayuba and Sadiq Talba, a former Customs officer, among others.

Despie the high-profile interest in the seat, the Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, has made it clear that he will not handpick the candidate.

There is a long-standing political tradition in Borno State where the deputy governorship is zoned to the southern region.

Since the creation of the state, while the governorship has rotated between the north and central senatorial districts, the southern zone has consistently held the deputy governor’s slot.

Gombe: Gwamna, Pantami, others yet to name deputies

With political activities gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Gombe, the three major political parties in the state, the ruling APC), PDP and ADC are yet to announce their governorship running mates.

Public relations officer of the PDP in Gombe State, Abdulkadir Ahmed Dukku told Weekend Trust that the party was not under any pressure, stressing that the selection of a running mate is a joint responsibility of both the party and its governorship candidate.

He said the process was still ongoing and remained within the timetable stipulated by INEC.

Yobe: APC, YPP, ADC, others unveil guber candidates

Weekend Trust reports that major parties in Yobe State have unveiled their governorship candidates. The ruling APC has nominated Baba Malam Wali following the party’s consensus arrangement and settled for a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Sale Samanja, as its deputy governorship candidate.

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has also nominated Dr Muhammad Dawud as its governorship candidate while Malam Abdullahi Bashir Batta was picked as his running mate.

Party leaders expressed confidence that the Dawud-Batta ticket would offer Yobe voters an alternative platform focused on good governance and development.

Also, the ADC, which recently gained momentum nationally following the coalition of opposition politicians, has adopted Kassim Gana Geidam, a lawyer, as its governorship candidate, but the party is yet to announce its deputy governorship candidate while the PDP has presented Shariff Abdullahi as its governorship candidate but is has yet to unveil its running mate.

Taraba: Kefas still shopping for Alkali’s replacement

The situation in Taraba is a bit complicated as the deputy governor, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, has been sick for a year and there’s the high likelihood that he would be excused from the rigours of campaigns and politicking.

Governor Agbu Kefas is said to be in consultation with key APC members and critical stakeholders in the state.

Earlier, Daily Trust reported that Gov Kefas would likely run with a woman – one serving as a commissioner in his cabinet and another, a strong member of the APC. Another source also indicated that a serving member of the House of Representatives is among those that also being considered.

The source added that one out of the three – two females and a National Assembly member – may likely be picked as the replacement of Aminu Alkali.

Initially, the governor wanted to appoint Alkali’s kinsman from the Mumuye tribe, but his kinsmen were said to have rejected the offer.

It was further gathered that few days after the consultation for the appointment of a new deputy governor reached high stage, Alkali’s kinsmen made a u-turn and agreed on the initial offers made to them by the governor.

Kano: APC issue a settled matter

In Kano State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has since announced the nomination of Murtala Sule Galadima Garo as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.

Governor Yusuf said the decision was informed by Garo’s loyalty, commitment and contributions to the administration since assuming office as deputy governor.

Rivers: ADC ahead with running mate as APC, NDC still consulting

While some major political parties are yet to announce the nomination of running mates to their candidates, the ADC last week announced the nomination of Mr David Amapakaye Okumgba as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson.

Okumgba is from Ahoada west in Rivers west senatorial district, while the governorship candidate is from Rivers South East, to balance power equation in the state.

The APC governorship candidate in the state, Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, backed by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is yet to announce his running mate. But feelers from Rainbow Coalition, an umbrella political structure headed by Wike, indicate that the party may likely pick its running mate from Rivers West senatorial district, and particularly from Ijaw speaking tribe.

It was gathered that the decision to pick the deputy governorship candidate rests on the political leader of the state, Nyesom Wike and some elders he recognised.

The candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Alabo Dumo Lulu-Briggs from Rivers West senatorial district, is likely to pick his running mate from Rivers East senatorial district, but he is yet to announce it.

A party source told Weekend Trust that the leadership will announce the party’s running mate after it concludes consultations with the stakeholders in the state.

Katsina yet to announce running mates

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda is expected to retain his deputy as running mate in the forthcoming elections as there are no indications to the contrary.

Garba Yakubu Lado Danmarke, the PDP governorship candidate in Katsina State is yet to unveil his running mate.

Similarly, the ADC in Katsina State is currently divided into rival factions, with one faction producing Ahmad Babba Kaita as its governorship candidate and another presenting Salisu Lawal Uli as its candidate.

Neither faction has publicly announced or officially unveiled its running mate.

Kwara: Only PDP yet

In Kwara, while the PDP has completed the task of pairing its governorship ticket, APC, the ADC and the NDC are yet to do so.

The PDP is fielding Engr. Suleiman Bolakale Kawu from Kwara Central Senatorial District as its governorship candidate, with former Kwara State Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Cornelius Olaosebikan Fawenu, from Kwara South Senatorial District, as his running mate.

The APC nominated Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Salihu Yakubu Danladi from Kwara North Senatorial District as its governorship candidate.

Party sources told Weekend Trust that the APC is expected to pick its running mate from Kwara South Senatorial District to maintain the state’s political balancing arrangement.

The ADC is fielding Zakari Mohammed from Kwara North Senatorial District as its governorship candidate.

The NDC is fielding Prof. Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia from Ilorin West Local Government Area in Kwara Central Senatorial District as its governorship candidate.

Adamawa: Kamale announced as running mate to Galadima

Recently Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri announced his friend and political associate, a former member of house of representative of Michika/Madagali constituency,Mr Adamu Kamale as ruinng mate to the Adamawa APC guber candidate, Ahmad Tijjani Galadima..

Oyo: Adedejis brother is APC dep gov candidate

Oyo APC gubernatorial candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, picked Adesoji Adedeji as his running mate.

He is the younger brother of Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman, Nigeria Revenue Service.

PDP, LP, APC, SDP picks conclude in Benue

Our correspondent reports that while three major political parties in the state have announced running mates to their gubernatorial candidates, others are yet to do so.

In the Labour Party, the governorship candidate, Dr. Mathias Byuan, has unveiled Mrs. Juliana Obetta as his running mate. In the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the governorship candidate, Chief Michael Aondokaa has picked 38 year old Oyije Ogbenjuwa as his deputy governor candidate.

The APC in the state may not have made an official announcement for the position but Governor Hyacinth Alia has indicated that the present deputy governor would continue as his running mate in the 2027 election.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is yet to announce a running mate for its governorship candidate, Herman Hembe, although it has set up a committee to recommend a suitable choice.

Social Democratic Party (SDP), which has Prof. Sebastine Hon as its governorship candidate and he has since nominated Dr. Margaret Ogah as his running mate.

For the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), Terhemba Shija, the governorship candidate of the party had also yet to announce a deputy governorship candidate in Benue State.

From Hamisu Kabir Matazu (Maiduguri); Abubakar Abdullahi (Lafia); Hassan Ibrahim (Bauchi); Magaji Isa Hunkuyi (Jalingo); Salim Umar Ibrahim (Kano); Mohammed Ibrahim Yaba (Kaduna); Habibu Idris Gimba (Damaturu) and Rabilu Abubakar (Gombe)Ibrahim Musa Giginyu, Katsina, Mumini Abdulkareem, (Ilorin), Umar Dankano (Yola), Hope Abah, (Makurdi) , Peter Moses, (Lagos)

Police operatives in Bayelsa State have arrested eight suspected cultists inside a hotel facility along Mike Okokpo street in Yenagoa, the state capital, after they manhandled a 300 level student of the Niger Delta University over allegation of owing them.

Police public relations officer in Bayelsa State command, DSP Musa Mohammed, who disclosed this in a statement, said the suspects caused grievous bodily harm on the victim over allegation that he was owing them (N70,000).

He said upon receipt of the distress call, operatives attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) swung into action and arrested eight of the suspects.

He stated that six (6) others are students of Niger Delta University (NDU) Amassoma, adding that upon search, exhibits including suspected Indian Hemp, Swinol and charms were recovered.

He said suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.

He said, ‘On 14th July 2026 at about 2200 hours, following a distress call by public spirited individual, along Mike Okokpo street, Yenagoa, that a group of eight (8) young men suspected to be cultists lodged in the hotel, ganged up and beat one Prince Hansen ‘m’, a 300 level student of Niger Delta University (NDU) Amassoma within the hotel premises, causing grievous bodily harm on the allegation that the victim was owing (N70,000).

‘Upon receipt of the distress call, operatives attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) swung into action and arrested eight (8) of the suspects.

‘The Command reiterates its unwavering commitment to combating cultism and other violent crimes across the state. Members of the public are encouraged to continue to provide timely and credible information to the Police to enhance public safety and security.’ he said.

Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is ahead of other candidatesin the Presidential election of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Results released as of 7:30pm on Saturday showed that Badejo-Okusanya polled 10,554 votes of the 22,863 ballots cast as of the time.

While Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe (SAN), trailed with 7,020 votes and Olumuyiwa Akinboro polled 5,289 votes.

Badejo-Okusanya has been leading since the exercise commenced on Saturday.

As of 11am, she had polled 4,139 votes, while Akangbe secured 3,359 votes and Akinboro trailed with 2,567 votes.

Badejo-Okusanya is seeking to succeed the incumbent NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN).

Meanwhile, Mr Afam Okeke, the immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), has taken an early lead in the ongoing NBA General Secretary election being conducted electronically on Saturday.

As of 1. 25 p.m. the site showed Okeke polling 4,784 votes while Dr Rapulu Nduka had 3,452 votes.

The poll follows months of campaigns and legal disputes over the electoral process.

Earlier on Saturday, the ECNBA apologised for a delay in the commencement of voting before the election eventually got underway.

The 2026 NBA national e-voting had faced disruptions due to a cyberattack on the platform scheduled to begin by noon on July 18.

The portal was taken offline to repel the threat, causing a significant delay before voting finally commenced on a new secure domain.

The results are provisional, with the final outcome expected after the completion of voting, collation and verification by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA).

The winner is expected to succeed the incumbent Dr Mobolaji Ojibara as the NBA general secretary of Africa’s largest professional association of lawyers for the next two-year term. (NAN)